2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[LoveMyRaps]

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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He’s been top 20 on my board for quite some time now.

[deeps6x]

Jase/Coward/Flemming/Bryant

Unless we are in love with one of them I would love to roll the dice and see whos still there if we traded down to say 13 + 22 from ATL

I don't think you'd get that deal for just #9.

Would you throw in Dick?

#9 + Dick seems reasonable for #13 + #22

Then you'd still be able to land one of Maluach/Essengue/Queen/Bryant/Richardson. We'd probably have a choice of 2 of these 5 at #13.

Plus one of Sorber/Traore/Berringer/Wolf/Flemming/Clayton/Penda. We'd probably have a choice of 3 of these 7 at #22.

I could feel good about any of those five players at #13, and flipping Dick and a four spot drop for #22, would help us take a player to better balance our roster.

I don’t think Gradey going be traded although sometimes surprises happens.

Also. I don’t think that 9 + Gradey for 13+22 is reasonable either.

9 > 13
Gradey > 22

I would think a more reasonable deal (without Gradey) would be :

9 for 16 + 25 + 46 but I am not sure raptors would wants that much picks

Why wouldn't they? We have 11 decent players, and a pile of filler. I'm perfectly fine with adding four rookies of higher quality then the rest of our filler. Hopefully two of the four work out and turn into rotation players.

Barnes, BI, IQ, RJ, Poeltl, Walker, Dick, Agbaji, Mogbo, Shead, Battle. Add four, you have your 15. The filler is all team options or two way contracts.

[Indeed]

I disagree, I do not see more from Leonard, mainly just D on his first year, while his second year was not a good player with only 51% TS, more or less just project to be a 3&D. Furthermore, I never compare Bryant to Leonard.

Bryant to me is Michael Porter Jr., or maybe Klay Thompson lite, said it many times. I think he is better than Anunoby on offense, while not as elite on defense.

As for Leonard comparison, that would be Adou Thiero or Mackenzie Mgbako, but they are unlikely to reach the level or Leonard, and Leonard is a bit of outlier as well, particularly, with his measurement being better.

Michael Porter, Klay and better than OG...that's some lofty comparisons for a guy that was never an offensive force even in highschool. Porter was once the best prospect in the US, Klay was an offensive dynamo in college and could shoot it from anywhere and OG was always a supreme athlete with ridiculous measurables... Bryant is nowhere near these guys. The OG comparisons could be the closest but even there, OG was the better athlete, stronger and his offensive game was more advanced so OG lite maybe?

OG is a lot bigger than Bryant. OG has a 7'2+ wingspan and he was 230+ in his rookie year. What makes OG OG is the size/mobility which allows him to defend every position on the court. Bryant's wingspan is under 7 and he weighs 214, he's a smaller dude who will primarily guard wings/guards.

Again, I never compare to Anunoby, I don't get why people need to add things I never said.
All I am saying is his comparison to me is Michael Porter due to his shot can improve to that level. I also said Klay Thmopson lite, so I am unsure why people only read half of what I typed.

[S.W.A.N]

At 19 years old, Carter Bryant was a valuable and contributing member of an Arizona Wildcat team that made it to the Sweet Sixteen.

At 19 years old, Cedric Coward was playing at Williamette (D3) and while he was named the Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year, his team finished with a 6-18 record and didn't make it past the regular season.

Carter Bryant at 19 years old is a much better player than Cedric Coward was at the same age and in 3 years, he will be a much better player than Cedric Coward is today.

Whether or not he can become any of those things or not, Carter Bryant has been a better prospect than Cedric Coward was at the same age during every stage of his development and there is absolutely no convincing evidence to suggest that Cedric Coward will somehow eclipse him during the next few years to become a better NBA player.

I actually prefer Carter but you are wrong. Statistically Coward is the better player this year. His shooting and passing is straight up better.

His college stats are impressive. His shooting is solid bordering on elite and it didn't drop off going to a higher level of competition. He's got the 3 and d potential that every team is looking for.

Cedric Coward was born on September 11, 2003. Carter Bryant was born on November 26, 2005.

Bryant was 19 years old this year. Cedric Coward was not the same age as him this year. He's 26 months older.

Before entering college as a freshman, Cedric Coward was not a McDonald's All-American.
Before entering college as a freshman, Cedric Coward was not a 5-star recruit.
Before entering college as a freshman, Cedric Coward was not ranked in the ESPN100.

Before entering college as a freshman, Carter Bryant was a much better prospect than Cedric Coward.

If you want to compare them at the same age, you would need to compare what Carter Bryant did this year to Cedric Coward's 2021 season at Williamette (D3), not his season this year at Washington State or even last year at Eastern Washington when he played a full season.

Before he plays his first game as a rookie this season, Cedric Coward will be 22 years old. Carter Bryant won't be 22 years old until Nov 26, 2027.

By that time, Carter Bryant will have just entered his third season in the NBA.

After two (2) full years of playing in the NBA and three (3) off-seasons to work on his development with an NBA team and staff who've committed millions of dollars to his development, who do you believe will be the better player - Cedric Coward as he is today or that future version of Carter Bryant?

Cedric was a better shooter at the same age, not sure why that's hard. Cedric had the better year this year.

Again, I recognize that Bryant is younger and has a higher upside but I'd argue that Cedric has the higher floor. Either way I have Bryant higher but that doesn't mean you ignore Coward as a prospect. It very likely Bryant isn't even on the board at 9.

I don't care that Bryant has higher upside. I'm saying Coward should be in the conversation at 9... The same way I want Maluach, Noa, Fleming, to be part of the conversation.

I believe 2 way players are the way to draft. I am a huge Bryant fan because of this. Again, I'm just saying Coward looks really freaking good and a great fit among the type of players that I think driving winning basketball... TWO WAY PLAYERS.

[JCP11]

Michael Porter, Klay and better than OG...that's some lofty comparisons for a guy that was never an offensive force even in highschool. Porter was once the best prospect in the US, Klay was an offensive dynamo in college and could shoot it from anywhere and OG was always a supreme athlete with ridiculous measurables... Bryant is nowhere near these guys. The OG comparisons could be the closest but even there, OG was the better athlete, stronger and his offensive game was more advanced so OG lite maybe?

OG is a lot bigger than Bryant. OG has a 7'2+ wingspan and he was 230+ in his rookie year. What makes OG OG is the size/mobility which allows him to defend every position on the court. Bryant's wingspan is under 7 and he weighs 214, he's a smaller dude who will primarily guard wings/guards.

Again, I never compare to Anunoby, I don't get why people need to add things I never said.
All I am saying is his comparison to me is Michael Porter due to his shot can improve to that level. I also said Klay Thmopson lite, so I am unsure why people only read half of what I typed.

I guess what im saying is on film you can clearly see a player who is much more than just a 3&D guy....Hes a player who showed flashes of being a good player at 3 levels....Bryant for example has not shown he can put the ball on the floor and create for himself, He also is very poor at getting to the rim....Hes athletic sure ....But he lacks alot of basketball skills to be anything more than a corner 3 point shooter/defender....OG even had more ability to attack the rim in his college season...

I just think at 9 there will be better players to choose from than a utility player....I think there are a few players avail that have much more skills all around.

I disagree, I do not see more from Leonard, mainly just D on his first year, while his second year was not a good player with only 51% TS, more or less just project to be a 3&D. Furthermore, I never compare Bryant to Leonard.

Bryant to me is Michael Porter Jr., or maybe Klay Thompson lite, said it many times. I think he is better than Anunoby on offense, while not as elite on defense.

As for Leonard comparison, that would be Adou Thiero or Mackenzie Mgbako, but they are unlikely to reach the level or Leonard, and Leonard is a bit of outlier as well, particularly, with his measurement being better.

You did say this tho and that's what we were replying to.

[Indeed]

OG is a lot bigger than Bryant. OG has a 7'2+ wingspan and he was 230+ in his rookie year. What makes OG OG is the size/mobility which allows him to defend every position on the court. Bryant's wingspan is under 7 and he weighs 214, he's a smaller dude who will primarily guard wings/guards.

Again, I never compare to Anunoby, I don't get why people need to add things I never said.
All I am saying is his comparison to me is Michael Porter due to his shot can improve to that level. I also said Klay Thmopson lite, so I am unsure why people only read half of what I typed.

I guess what im saying is on film you can clearly see a player who is much more than just a 3&D guy....Hes a player who showed flashes of being a good player at 3 levels....Bryant for example has not shown he can put the ball on the floor and create for himself, He also is very poor at getting to the rim....Hes athletic sure ....But he lacks alot of basketball skills to be anything more than a corner 3 point shooter/defender....OG even had more ability to attack the rim in his college season...

I just think at 9 there will be better players to choose from than a utility player....I think there are a few players avail that have much more skills all around.

I disagree, I do not see more from Leonard, mainly just D on his first year, while his second year was not a good player with only 51% TS, more or less just project to be a 3&D. Furthermore, I never compare Bryant to Leonard.

Bryant to me is Michael Porter Jr., or maybe Klay Thompson lite, said it many times. I think he is better than Anunoby on offense, while not as elite on defense.

As for Leonard comparison, that would be Adou Thiero or Mackenzie Mgbako, but they are unlikely to reach the level or Leonard, and Leonard is a bit of outlier as well, particularly, with his measurement being better.

You did say this tho and that's what we were replying to.

Oh, right, but definitely not the same type of player, more an apple vs orange.

[RoteSchroder]

Out of the long forwards in the 1st round, Carter Bryant looks like the best all-round athlete to me. His offensive game and scoring ability isn't strong enough for me to want draft him. If the stars align, I see more of a Paul George type of offensive game that relies on a lot of jumpers for self-creation.

Adou Theiro reminds me more so of an undeveloped OG. I think Theiro has a better first step and is a little more fluid in his movements, but it's still not that graceful. The lack of development in his shooting is disappointing.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[Psubs]

Carter Bryant seems like Ron Holland that can shoot 3's and defend the POA well.

It was a weak draft but Holland was drafted 5th overall!

[DG88]

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So Pettiford was apart of the workout group today

[Psubs]

Out of the long forwards in the 1st round, Carter Bryant looks like the best all-round athlete to me. His offensive game and scoring ability isn't strong enough for me to want draft him. If the stars align, I see more of a Paul George type of offensive game that relies on a lot of jumpers for self-creation.

Adou Theiro reminds me more so of an undeveloped OG. I think Theiro has a better first step and is a little more fluid in his movements, but it's still not that graceful. The lack of development in his shooting is disappointing.

Theiro reminds me of Tijane Salaun.

[dohboy_24]

Cedric was a better shooter at the same age, not sure why that's hard.

Maybe so, but being a better shooter at the same age doesn't make Coward a better prospect at 19 years old than Bryant is today.

If that were the case, he would have been ranked in the ESPN100, would have been a 5-star recruit, would have been named to the McDonald's All-American team and would have gone to a top D1 school like Arizona instead of playing at a D3 school (Williamette).

Cedric had the better year this year.

Yes, a 21 year old starter in his senior year playing a bigger role on a team that played in a weaker conference against weaker competition had a better year than a 19 year old freshmen coming off the bench in a limited role against better competition in a much stronger conference.

Nique Clifford had a better year this season than Carter Bryant.

Jamir Watkins had a better year this season than Carter Bryant.

Should either, or both, of them be in consideration for the pick at #9?

Again, I recognize that Bryant is younger and has a higher upside but I'd argue that Cedric has the higher floor. Either way I have Bryant higher but that doesn't mean you ignore Coward as a prospect. It very likely Bryant isn't even on the board at 9.

I haven't seen any mock draft so far that projects Bryant to be selected before the Raptors at #9.

What evidence do you have that would suggest its very likely that Bryant isn't even on the board when they Raptors pick?

I don't care that Bryant has higher upside. I'm saying Coward should be in the conversation at 9... The same way I want Maluach, Noa, Fleming, to be part of the conversation.

Drafting Cedric Coward in the top 10 would be quite a reach.

At this point, the HoopsHype aggregate mock draft has him being taken as the last pick in the first round with pick #21 being the highest draft position he is currently being listed at.

Unless you're suggesting all of the draft pundits have it wrong and he will be taken in the lottery despite their predictions, putting Coward in the conversation at #9 could be another Araujo level blunder.

I believe 2 way players are the way to draft. I am a huge Bryant fan because of this. Again, I'm just saying Coward looks really freaking good and a great fit among the type of players that I think driving winning basketball... TWO WAY PLAYERS.

Yes, I would agree to a certain extent.

Tre Johnson isn't a two-way player and neither is Kon Knueppel, but I would still choose either of them if available at #9.

[RoteSchroder]

Out of the long forwards in the 1st round, Carter Bryant looks like the best all-round athlete to me. His offensive game and scoring ability isn't strong enough for me to want draft him. If the stars align, I see more of a Paul George type of offensive game that relies on a lot of jumpers for self-creation.

Adou Theiro reminds me more so of an undeveloped OG. I think Theiro has a better first step and is a little more fluid in his movements, but it's still not that graceful. The lack of development in his shooting is disappointing.

Theiro reminds me of Tijane Salaun.

Salaun has really bad foot coordination, which is why I didn't like him last year. These motor skills are usually developed naturally between the ages of 1-8 years old. Last year ppl claimed that "he's young, he can learn/develop", but he's actually extremely old to be learning basic foot coordination..and he's already past his prime/key years for developing that stuff.

Statistically, Salaun has been inefficient from all areas of the court across all leagues, G-league, LNB Elite, NBA. Theiro was at around 60 TS%, is a good inside finisher and has a good FTr. I don't see any similarities between them.

[Got Nuffin]

If I were Houston or Okc I would jump on Coward - a more veteran player who is a proven shooter and looks like he could fit into any system as a defender and corner shooter. He could maybe help you win games as part of your rotation from day one. I still think Trevor Ariza or Josh Hart are good comparisons for him? These are winning players.

What bothers me is that in the few games Coward played against better competition in div 1 NCAA from what I've read he stank up the joint, which suggests that his post game and shot creation (handle) may not translate against even slightly stronger competition of the same age bracket, much less NBA. I might be wrong but we don't really KNOW - this is all we have to go on. It would have been great to see him at Duke, but then he would be entering the NBA at age 23 lol.

If I'm Toronto, I think we need to swing for the fences. If all we get out of this is a bench role player our ceiling is pretty limited unless someone like Mogbo, Walter or Dick just blows up for us - is that likely? I think we will go high risk high reward with Maluach, Essengue, Fears etc - guys with a longer runway to greatly improve their skillset and flaws.

[Psubs]

Out of the long forwards in the 1st round, Carter Bryant looks like the best all-round athlete to me. His offensive game and scoring ability isn't strong enough for me to want draft him. If the stars align, I see more of a Paul George type of offensive game that relies on a lot of jumpers for self-creation.

Adou Theiro reminds me more so of an undeveloped OG. I think Theiro has a better first step and is a little more fluid in his movements, but it's still not that graceful. The lack of development in his shooting is disappointing.

Theiro reminds me of Tijane Salaun.

Salaun has really bad foot coordination, which is why I didn't like him last year. These motor skills are usually developed naturally between the ages of 1-8 years old. Last year ppl claimed that "he's young, he can learn/develop", but he's actually extremely old to be learning basic foot coordination..and he's already past his prime/key years for developing that stuff.

Statistically, Salaun has been inefficient from all areas of the court across all leagues, G-league, LNB Elite, NBA. Theiro was at around 60 TS%, is a good inside finisher and has a good FTr. I don't see any similarities between them.

Thiero used to be a guard before his late growth spurt, this the better foot work.

[Psubs]

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

He’s been top 20 on my board for quite some time now.

Ya, I would like to move up but I'm okay with Condon, Markovic or Yang at #39.

[Mark_83]

[sofargone]

tahaad pettiford
https://www.instagram.com/stories/haad.0/

[S.W.A.N]

Cedric was a better shooter at the same age, not sure why that's hard.

Maybe so, but being a better shooter at the same age doesn't make Coward a better prospect at 19 years old than Bryant is today.

If that were the case, he would have been ranked in the ESPN100, would have been a 5-star recruit, would have been named to the McDonald's All-American team and would have gone to a top D1 school like Arizona instead of playing at a D3 school (Williamette).

Cedric had the better year this year.

Yes, a 21 year old starter in his senior year playing a bigger role on a team that played in a weaker conference against weaker competition had a better year than a 19 year old freshmen coming off the bench in a limited role against better competition in a much stronger conference.

Nique Clifford had a better year this season than Carter Bryant.

Jamir Watkins had a better year this season than Carter Bryant.

Should either, or both, of them be in consideration for the pick at #9?

Again, I recognize that Bryant is younger and has a higher upside but I'd argue that Cedric has the higher floor. Either way I have Bryant higher but that doesn't mean you ignore Coward as a prospect. It very likely Bryant isn't even on the board at 9.

I haven't seen any mock draft so far that projects Bryant to be selected before the Raptors at #9.

What evidence do you have that would suggest its very likely that Bryant isn't even on the board when they Raptors pick?

I don't care that Bryant has higher upside. I'm saying Coward should be in the conversation at 9... The same way I want Maluach, Noa, Fleming, to be part of the conversation.

Drafting Cedric Coward in the top 10 would be quite a reach.

At this point, the HoopsHype aggregate mock draft has him being taken as the last pick in the first round with pick #21 being the highest draft position he is currently being listed at.

Unless you're suggesting all of the draft pundits have it wrong and he will be taken in the lottery despite their predictions, putting Coward in the conversation at #9 could be another Araujo level blunder.

I believe 2 way players are the way to draft. I am a huge Bryant fan because of this. Again, I'm just saying Coward looks really freaking good and a great fit among the type of players that I think driving winning basketball... TWO WAY PLAYERS.

Yes, I would agree to a certain extent.

Tre Johnson isn't a two-way player and neither is Kon Knueppel, but I would still choose either of them if available at #9.

Tre might actually be elite enough offensively to warrant that pick. Kon doesn't suck on defense and probably the safest pick available.


You like to point out he played longer and in weaker conference before moving up. Why is it so hard to think he might be getting overlooked because of that.

Coward has a freaking .700 TS a massive wingspan and good counting stats. I don't care if the draft pundits agree, guys like him end up being winning players.


tier 1:... Flagg
tier 2:... Harper
tier 3:... VJ
tier 4:... Khaman, Carter, Fears, Ace, Tre, Kon,

tier 5:... Jak, Demin, CMB, Jace, Coward, Fleming
tier 6:... Sorber, Asa,
tier 7:... Queen

There will be 1, maybe 2 guys from my top 9 available for raps on draft night. The question is are any of my tier 5 guys good enough to warrant 9th pick. probably not but i'm going to give them a hard look.

Khaman or Carter Bryant is my desired outcome outside the top guys.

[HangTime]

At 9 I'm hoping for Kahman Maluach (or Carter Bryant)
At 39 I'm hoping for Miles Byrd.

I'm also hoping for another pick in 14-20 range, maybe offer Gradey or a top 10 protected first if Carter Bryant (or Thomas Sorber) falls.