2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[Dalek]

I'm going to look back into Kasparas Jakucionis again. I loved him at the beginning of the college season but he wasn't the same after his injury. He's another guy I like in our range.

You should check out his U-18 Eurobasket 2024 play, which was right before the NCAA season. I think it shows some stuff that college highlights fail. More creation for others, driving to the basket, catch and shoot threes. Pretty much none of that stepback three chucking. I feel like he started relying too much on those step back jumpshots during the college season.

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[Jstock12]

I'm going to look back into Kasparas Jakucionis again. I loved him at the beginning of the college season but he wasn't the same after his injury. He's another guy I like in our range.

You should check out his U-18 Eurobasket 2024 play, which was right before the NCAA season. I think it shows some stuff that college highlights fail. More creation for others, driving to the basket, catch and shoot threes. Pretty much none of that stepback three chucking. I feel like he started relying too much on those step back jumpshots during the college season.

Please share video

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[SpezNc]

I’m going to cheer for any player we select. If there’s one thing our front office is good at, it’s evaluating talent.

That said, the only player I’d be somewhat disappointed with is Noa Essengue. It’s not based on anything specific, but I just have a hard time jumping on the bandwagon.

That prototype of player is harder for me to project in our lineup.

The size/age combination is tantalizing, but beyond that, I’m still on the fence.

Again, if he’s our pick, I’ll immediately support it. And if Masai/Bobby draft him, it’s a strong indication that there’s real upside.

I’m not a scout, so my opinion isn’t that important, but I still hope we go in another direction.

Finding international stats is a bit harder, but from what I could find, his 3PT% is below 30%.

Looks like he’s 17/75 (22.7%) in league play, and 10/34 (29.4%) in the EuroCup — so 27/109 overall, which is 24.8%. He’s young and very likely to improve, but I wonder if it’s a concern?

Personally, I’m a bit on the CMB train, even though some want to disqualify him due to his 3PT shooting — while others are fully in on Essengue.

I’m guessing the 3PT shooting isn’t seen as a major concern with Noa despite the stats?

I understand why he’s in the conversation — the FO has to do their homework. But right now, he’s at the bottom of my realistic targets at #9.

If Maluach and the usual top 8 are off the board at #9, I’m more in the Carter Bryant hype train, with Coward and Fleming not far behind. CMB is also the type of profile I usually really like — if not for the redundancy with Barnes and/or Mogbo, he’d probably be my favorite target. Jakucionis is also an intriguing wild card at #9. Maybe even Jase Richardson.

As for Derik Queen, I have mixed feelings. Noa, even more so.

If the top 8 (Flagg, Harper, Bailey, Edgecombe, Johnson, Kneuppel, Fears, and Maluach) are off the board, I’m assuming our pick will come from Queen, Bryant, CMB, Essengue, Jakucionis, Richardson, or Fleming.

Am I missing anyone we could realistically be interested in at #9?

https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Noa-Essengue/631085

[SpezNc]

Darko wrote a paper on the pick and roll. He needs a guard that can actually do that. Jak, Fears, Traore all fit.

If we draft a PG with our 9th pick, is IQ as good as gone?

I don’t think so.

Quickley’s value is right now at the lowest. His contract may age well but right now I don’t think the timing is optimal

Also I like Shead but he is not a fixture as backup PG

But probably that would means that RJ could be traded in order to redistribute the guards minutes.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Which players mocked top 15 do you think would be played off the floor in these conf finals?

As much as I like Queen I think he’d be played off the court pretty easily. Not sure if Malauch would hang unless his defense pans out because no playoff teams are going to allow east lobs off PnR

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Darko wrote a paper on the pick and roll. He needs a guard that can actually do that. Jak, Fears, Traore all fit.

If we draft a PG with our 9th pick, is IQ as good as gone?

I don’t think so.

Quickley’s value is right now at the lowest. His contract may age well but right now I don’t think the timing is optimal

Also I like Shead but he is not a fixture as backup PG

But probably that would means that RJ could be traded in order to redistribute the guards minutes.

Don’t think it ages well at all unless he becomes a borderline all star. He’s paid more than Herro who also has low value on the market while being paid less. Same with Simons who I also think is in a similar tier

Edit: if Austin Reaves end up extending for like 35 million that IQ contract is even worse

[SpezNc]

If we draft a PG with our 9th pick, is IQ as good as gone?

I don’t think so.

Quickley’s value is right now at the lowest. His contract may age well but right now I don’t think the timing is optimal

Also I like Shead but he is not a fixture as backup PG

But probably that would means that RJ could be traded in order to redistribute the guards minutes.

Don’t think it ages well at all unless he becomes a borderline all star. He’s paid more than Herro who also have low value on the market but is being paid less. Same with Simons who I also think is in a similar tier

His contract being flat could age well. Obviously he has to take a step forward . But right now at 32,5 he is a bit hard to trade IMHO.

[tsherkin]

I don't see any high impact NBA ready guys at our pick so they will need to compete with our current guys for minutes. Jak played less than 12 mpg in his rookie year as a #9 pick. That's a pretty normal thing on a team that's trying to win and make the playoffs.

Yeah, I mean, for a minute, they'll have to deal with the glut. But we have roster needs and roster excess, so that's a recipe for a trade for sure.

[DreamTeam09]

Alex Thooey is the first 2nd round prospect I looked it, he's intriguing, I like the soink he plays with. Plays mean, measured 6'8

[wegotthabeet]

Our fan base has the pick down to Bryant vs Coward. Seems about right.

Flagg
Harper
Bailey
Edgecombe
Tre
Kon
Maluach
Fears

Aside from one of the top 8 guys falling who else is a real option at 9? Queen, Egor, Jak? Or did all of them fall off too much? Who else am I missing?

Nope.

Well who you got then?

[Psubs]

Alex Thooey is the first 2nd round prospect I looked it, he's intriguing, I like the soink he plays with. Plays mean, measured 6'8

I'm taking Condon at #39. Looks like a lot of players have jumped ahead of him. Give him a promise of a 3 year deal.

[Dalek]

Alex Thooey is the first 2nd round prospect I looked it, he's intriguing, I like the soink he plays with. Plays mean, measured 6'8

I'm taking Condon at #39. Looks like a lot of players have jumped ahead of him. Give him a promise of a 3 year deal.

I would be surprised if he stays in the draft. His shooting numbers need improvement because his value is as a stretch big. May 28 is decision time for him, but if he is done the workout process I think he is back on Florida by the end of the week.

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[Psubs]

Alex Thooey is the first 2nd round prospect I looked it, he's intriguing, I like the soink he plays with. Plays mean, measured 6'8

I'm taking Condon at #39. Looks like a lot of players have jumped ahead of him. Give him a promise of a 3 year deal.

I would be surprised if he stays in the draft. His shooting numbers need improvement because his value is as a stretch big. May 28 is decision time for him, but if he is done the workout process I think he is back on Florida by the end of the week.

Read on Twitter

I think he might turn Pro and play in the AFL if he doesn't go to the NBA.

I think he could play in the AFL and partial in the ABL and maybe just sign a FA contract with in a year.

[DreamTeam09]

I'm taking Condon at #39. Looks like a lot of players have jumped ahead of him. Give him a promise of a 3 year deal.

I would be surprised if he stays in the draft. His shooting numbers need improvement because his value is as a stretch big. May 28 is decision time for him, but if he is done the workout process I think he is back on Florida by the end of the week.

Read on Twitter

I think he might turn Pro and play in the AFL if he doesn't go to the NBA.

I think he could play in the AFL and partial in the ABL and maybe just sign a FA contract with in a year.

Why wouldn't he stay in? I see the 2nd round appeal. At 39 I'd be interested. I'd rather Maxim, but he definitely doesn't get past Boston

[MoneyBall]

It would be the most Masai thing to have the second round pick turn into an All-Star while the lottery pick gets us a bench guy.

[BoyzNTheHood]

It would be the most Masai thing to have the second round pick turn into an All-Star while the lottery pick gets us a bench guy.

Kinda, sorta. He did that with Jak and Pascal. But tbh Jak isn’t a bench guy, he’s friggin amazing.

[Yallbecrazy]

Alex Thooey is the first 2nd round prospect I looked it, he's intriguing, I like the soink he plays with. Plays mean, measured 6'8

I'm taking Condon at #39. Looks like a lot of players have jumped ahead of him. Give him a promise of a 3 year deal.

I would be surprised if he stays in the draft. His shooting numbers need improvement because his value is as a stretch big. May 28 is decision time for him, but if he is done the workout process I think he is back on Florida by the end of the week.

Read on Twitter

I think his playmaking and defensive instincts are his best qualities.

[Dalek]

I would be surprised if he stays in the draft. His shooting numbers need improvement because his value is as a stretch big. May 28 is decision time for him, but if he is done the workout process I think he is back on Florida by the end of the week.

Read on Twitter

I think he might turn Pro and play in the AFL if he doesn't go to the NBA.

I think he could play in the AFL and partial in the ABL and maybe just sign a FA contract with in a year.

Why wouldn't he stay in? I see the 2nd round appeal. At 39 I'd be interested. I'd rather Maxim, but he definitely doesn't get past Boston

I'd be happy to get him at 39. I think he would return to Florida if he doesn't get a first round promise.

The Gators will have Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee in their backcourt next year. With Condon and Rueben Chinyelu as their frontcourt, Condon can collect a good NIL cheque, win another NCAA title and become a first rounder.

[DreamTeam09]

I think he might turn Pro and play in the AFL if he doesn't go to the NBA.

I think he could play in the AFL and partial in the ABL and maybe just sign a FA contract with in a year.

Why wouldn't he stay in? I see the 2nd round appeal. At 39 I'd be interested. I'd rather Maxim, but he definitely doesn't get past Boston

I'd be happy to get him at 39. I think he would return to Florida if he doesn't get a first round promise.

The Gators will have Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee in their backcourt next year. With Condon and Rueben Chinyelu as their frontcourt, Condon can collect a good NIL cheque, win another NCAA title and become a first rounder.

Ahhh yes, I forgot about NIL lol lol. If I don't get first round nod I'd go back to school too

[PhilBlackson]

As for the Bryant v Coward debate, I'm completely fine with either but I favor Bryant and rather than me trying to defend it I'll just say both Samson & Pensare (although I admit he can be quite full of himself), are guys that watched extensive footage on all of Bryant, Coward, Fleming, Essengue & CMB and both ranked CB the highest of the bunch so I think they're seeing some of the same things of why he'd be top of my board (under the assumption Maluach & Fears are gone).

I'd actually recommend that people watch their breakdowns of each player that you guys might be debating about just to get a bit more in depth understanding of each player because they don't just rave about the highlights but breakdown some footage good & bad. I just wish we could fast forward to the damn draft already and see who it ends up being.