2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[TheDunc]

I would consider drafting Carter Bryant even if we were picking just outside the top top 3.

Bryant can be similar to Dyson Daniels on defense and on offense I believe if Camara can be a good offensive player then Bryant has all the tools to be passable at the very least too. To me he looks like the best prospect you could stick beside Barnes and BI, we know Masai likes his length and putting those 3 players together on D can be really disruptive.

If he ever does put his offense together then maybe we have a Shaedon Sharpe with defense type of player who knows

[CPT]

RJ Felton (guard - dynamic 20+ PPG scorer for Eastern Washington)

I thought this might be Raymond Felton’s son and just about turned to dust.

Turns out they’re cousins.

[WuTang_CMB]

Winners
Drake Powell, North Carolina Fr.
Delivered the most impressive athletic testing performance of the week. He led the entire Combine in both no-step vertical (37.5”) and max vertical (43.0”), while measuring 6’5.25” barefoot with a 7’0” wingspan, a 10” hand width, and an excellent 8’8” standing reach—outstanding for his height and well above average for a wing. That rare blend of vertical explosiveness and elite length solidifies him as a high-level two-way prospect. Already praised for his defensive versatility, intangibles, and motor, Powell’s tools offer a clear translation to guarding multiple positions and impacting the game above the rim. The numbers only reinforced what scouts saw during the season—he’s a premium athlete with real NBA wing intrigue.

Cedric Coward, Washington St. Jr.
Measured 6’5.25” barefoot with a staggering 7’2.25” wingspan and 8’10” standing reach. His +9 inch ape index ranked among the highest at the event, and he backed it up with a 32.5” no-step and 38.5” max vertical. Physically, Coward checks every box as a long, bouncy wing. However, he played just six games this past season, and his choice to sit out scrimmages raised some quiet eyebrows—fueling tongue-in-cheek remarks about his surname and perceived hesitation. But apparently when you interview this well and measure even better, who needs to play? His articulate, thoughtful media sessions combined with elite physical tools and shooting left a strong impression about his potential.

Tamar Bates, Missouri Sr.
Impressed with a +6.5” wingspan differential (6’10.25” wingspan at 6’3.75” barefoot) and a 9.75” hand length—the same size as 7-footer Khaman Maluach. Those numbers reflect big-guard measurables. Combined with his fluidity and solid frame, Bates looked the part of a potential two-way NBA contributor—even if his current offensive role has been modest. He built momentum as the week progressed, turning in a very strong second day and delivering the dunk of the camp, rising up and flushing over a big in traffic—an emphatic exclamation point on an impressive all-around Combine showing.

Carter Bryant, Arizona Fr.
Helped himself by posting a 39.5” max vertical and a 30.5” no-step at 6’6.5” barefoot. His 6’11.75” wingspan and large 9.5” hands further elevate his profile. Few wings at the Combine brought his blend of size, leaping ability, and length.

Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph’s Jr.

Fleming stood out as one of the biggest physical winners at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Measuring 6’8.25″ barefoot and confirming a massive 7’5.25″ wingspan and 9’1″ standing reach, he displayed elite length to go along with a strong 232-pound frame. His quickness also showed up in testing, where he excelled in the agility drills—an impressive blend of size and mobility. Add in a solid 27.0″ no-step and 32.5″ max vertical, and Fleming showcased the kind of tools that can translate to versatile, switchable defense and rebounding and rim running dominance at the next level.

Sion James, Duke Sr.
Quietly had one of the most explosive vertical performances—32.0” no-step and 39.5” max—while measuring 6’4.5” barefoot with a 217.6-pound frame, 8’4” standing reach, and +2” wingspan. He also recorded the fastest three-quarter court sprint at the Combine (2.97 seconds), showing surprising top-end speed for his size. He’s a physically imposing wing who plays above the rim, defends with force, and continues to boost his case as a strong two-way contributor.

Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Sr.
Tested better than expected with a 39.0” max vertical and a +5.25” wingspan differential (6’9” wingspan at 6’3.75”). That level of bounce paired with his shooting enhances his standing in late first- to early second-round conversations.

Khaman Maluach, Duke Fr.
Makes the winner list for sheer physical intrigue. At 7’0.75” barefoot with a 7’6.75” wingspan, 9’6” standing reach, and 10.25” hand width, his measurables were elite. Though his 30.0” max vertical was just average, he remains projected as a lottery pick in most media mock drafts—highlighting how strongly the hype around his size and long-term potential continues to influence public boards, even amid questions about polish and feel. However, his three-quarter sprint time of 3.50 seconds ranked as the fourth-slowest at the Combine, adding to concerns about his foot speed and fluidity in transition.

Javon Small, Oklahoma St. Sr.
Measured 6’1” barefoot with a 6’4.75” wingspan and 8’0” standing reach, then turned heads by posting a 33.0” no-step and 40.5” max vertical—the third-best max vertical of the entire Combine. He paired that athleticism with strong showings in scrimmage play, where he showcased vision, poise, and sharp passing reads. Though slightly undersized, his decent length for a lead guard and explosive leaping ability helped boost his profile. After a full week of productive testing and competitive play, Small’s odds of hearing his name on draft night have meaningfully improved.

Note:
Three wings—Alijah Martin, Florida Sr. (6’1.5” barefoot), Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois Fr. (6’4.75” barefoot), and Liam McNeeley, UConn Fr. (6’6.75” barefoot)—each posted a standing reach of 8’3.5”, highlighting how wingspan and frame can effectively neutralize height gaps. Despite being separated by over five inches in raw height, all three measured identically in standing reach, showcasing how height and standing reach can vary significantly across prospects.

Losers
Derik Queen, Maryland Fr.
Measured 6’9.25” barefoot with a 7’0.5” wingspan, but posted a 23.5” no-step and 28.0” max vertical. He also recorded the slowest lane agility time of the Combine at 12.45 seconds and the second-slowest three-quarter sprint at 3.52 seconds, underscoring major concerns about his lateral quickness and mobility. Queen’s offensive skill level and feel remain appealing, but the athletic testing painted a worrying picture regarding his ability to defend or move in space at the NBA level.

Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga Jr.
May have helped himself in scrimmages, but the measurements were less favorable. At just 5’11” barefoot with a 7’10” standing reach, he was among the smallest at the event. Still, his 9.5” hand length stood out for his size. While he’s proven to be efficient and composed, his defensive ceiling and ability to finish inside remain in question against NBA length.

Koby Brea, Kentucky Sr.
Measured 6’5.75” barefoot with a 6’5.25” wingspan and an 8’5” standing reach. While his wingspan was one of the few negative differentials at the Combine, Brea actually performed better than expected in other areas. His 34.0” max vertical was respectable, and his height and frame held up well among wings. Still, without plus length or standout athleticism, he’ll need to continue proving he can shoot at an elite level to carve out a role at the next level.

Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina So.
Measured just 6’6.5” barefoot—undersized for a frontcourt player—but offset that with a strong 8’10” standing reach, a 7’0.75” wingspan, and a sturdy 239.2-pound frame. He posted a 29.5” no-step vertical and 34.5” max vertical, showing solid functional athleticism. While he’s been mentioned in some circles as a possible lottery-level talent, his perimeter shooting remains the primary concern—his college shooting splits were inconsistent, and his performance in Combine drills didn’t ease doubts about his ability to become an efficient jump shooter. Without reliable floor-spacing ability, questions persist about his offensive fit at the NBA level despite his physical strength and scoring ability.

Danny Wolf, Michigan Jr.
Measured 6’10.5” barefoot with a solid 7’2.25” wingspan and 9’1” standing reach—excellent size for a center. However, his vertical testing was disappointing: 24.0” no-step and 30.0” max vertical. He also posted the third-slowest three-quarter sprint time (3.51 seconds) among all participants, compounding concerns about his ability to rebound in traffic or make plays around the rim against NBA-level athletes.

Alex Toohey, Australia (INTL)
Measured 6’7.75” barefoot with a 6’10.75” wingspan and a solid 8’8.5” standing reach, but his vertical numbers were underwhelming—just 26.5” no-step and 31.5” max. Toohey offers intrigue as a potential stretch-four with size and a smooth shooting stroke, but questions persist about his lateral mobility, defensive foot speed, and overall athletic ceiling. While his frame and feel remain intriguing, the limited explosiveness could cap his versatility, especially if he struggles to stay in front of quicker forwards or defend in space at the NBA level.

[mademan]

Once again reminder:

Smokescreen. Trying to sell him as a prospect with high value.

This isnt new though, no? This was from the article in January. Since then, we got Ingram and JKW/Battle have looked good, while Ochai finished the season without really coming back down to earth. We're basically in June and likely drafting a wing (far more wings than bigs in our range)...a lot has changed since January.

[WuTang_CMB]

I hope we can really find a diamond at 9 that blows expectations down the road

Realistically we find a super role player that we can add to the group

but it would be nice if we could find a game changer

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

[Jerry Lucas]

Read on Twitter

[DG88]

We should hear more on who from the college front is staying or leaving the draft.

[billy_hoyle]

I would consider drafting Carter Bryant even if we were picking just outside the top top 3.

Bryant can be similar to Dyson Daniels on defense and on offense I believe if Camara can be a good offensive player then Bryant has all the tools to be passable at the very least too. To me he looks like the best prospect you could stick beside Barnes and BI, we know Masai likes his length and putting those 3 players together on D can be really disruptive.

If he ever does put his offense together then maybe we have a Shaedon Sharpe with defense type of player who knows

What makes another SF sized player an ideal fit next to 6'7" Barnes and 6'8" Ingram?

Are you hoping he plays off the bench with either of these guys? Additionally providing injury insurance when they miss time?

Why are we trying to play three wings at once?
If he's BPA take him, but don't do it for fit, because he doesn't haha.

Player types we could use:

Vertical threat, stretch 5, defensive anchor: Maluach
Penetrating guard: Fears, Traore, Jase(?)
Jumbo guard, facilitator, Shooter: Jak
Hub center: Queen
Stretch 4/5: Flemming, Newell

Now there are obviously wings and SGs with potential available, and if they are in a tier of their own you need to take them, but I'd bet we take one of the above players

[Mark_83]

I'm torn because I want Kalkbrenner at 39, but Tahaad Pettiford is so fun to watch play. He's the best shot creator in this draft imo, and would look amazing on our roster. Can we get another pick to draft him please?

Watch on YouTube

;t=295s&pp=ygUbdGFoYWFkIHBldHRpZm9yZCBoaWdobGlnaHRz

[DG88]

I'm torn because I want Kalkbrenner at 39, but Tahaad Pettiford is so fun to watch play. He's the best shot creator in this draft imo, and would look amazing on our roster. Can we get another pick to draft him please?

Watch on YouTube

;t=295s&pp=ygUbdGFoYWFkIHBldHRpZm9yZCBoaWdobGlnaHRz

If he doesn't see himself being a first round pick he's probably going back to Auburn.

[BoyzNTheHood]

I'm torn because I want Kalkbrenner at 39, but Tahaad Pettiford is so fun to watch play. He's the best shot creator in this draft imo, and would look amazing on our roster. Can we get another pick to draft him please?

Watch on YouTube

;t=295s&pp=ygUbdGFoYWFkIHBldHRpZm9yZCBoaWdobGlnaHRz

If he doesn't see himself being a first round pick he's probably going back to Auburn.

This can be said about a lot of guys, but it especially applies to him. If he were 6’4” he’d be a superstar, not just a star, a certified superstar.

[arbsn]

Maluach one of the slowest players in the draft... his stock continues to fall for me. No way I would take him in the lottery. I just don't see a high level NBA comp for him outside of a slower, worse Gobert

Fleming on the other hand is really intriguing. His mix of defense, size, athletic ability and shooting... Could he develop into a player like Siakam?

[OakleyDokely]

This is a little surprising, maybe he didn't get a secure 1st round promise. Despite his age, I really like his combination of size/skills/production and I think he's top 20 prospect.

Read on Twitter

[Thaddy]

Maluach one of the slowest players in the draft... his stock continues to fall for me. No way I would take him in the lottery. I just don't see a high level NBA comp for him outside of a slower, worse Gobert

Fleming on the other hand is really intriguing. His mix of defense, size, athletic ability and shooting... Could he develop into a player like Siakam?

Fleming looks like an easy choice at this point. Maluach, Essengue, and the others we're considering in the 2nd tier have too high of a bust potential. I would love to see Poeltl / Fleming / Ingram / Barnes / IQ. I see Ingram, IQ, and Fleming being 40% 3-point shooters and it would give us enough depth to make a winning trade with RJ. Big line ups are better defensively and we have the bench to adjust if needed. We should be aiming for a high level role player at 9th, the chances we get an all star there are just way too low.

[Thaddy]

Fleming would be a great fit next to Zion. Floor spacer who can play up and down the lineup and doesn't require the ball in the hands. One of the main problems with NO's is that they keep playing Zion next to traditional C's who can't space the floor and clog the lane.

Fleming/Missi
Zion
Murphy
McCollum/Jones
Murray

I would say we have the same problem. Barnes needs a spacer next to him as well and he's only played with non-spacing bigs. Fleming is becoming my choice at 9th, even if Queen/Maluach/Fears/Kon and maybe even Johnson fall. I would still strongly consider him.

In the 2nd it looks like Masai loves Toohey. It makes sense, he played in a strong league and had good stats. We're loaded with forwards but talent should be the priority but second to character/probability of reaching potential.

[DreamTeam09]

I would consider drafting Carter Bryant even if we were picking just outside the top top 3.

Bryant can be similar to Dyson Daniels on defense and on offense I believe if Camara can be a good offensive player then Bryant has all the tools to be passable at the very least too. To me he looks like the best prospect you could stick beside Barnes and BI, we know Masai likes his length and putting those 3 players together on D can be really disruptive.

If he ever does put his offense together then maybe we have a Shaedon Sharpe with defense type of player who knows

What makes another SF sized player an ideal fit next to 6'7" Barnes and 6'8" Ingram?

Are you hoping he plays off the bench with either of these guys? Additionally providing injury insurance when they miss time?

Why are we trying to play three wings at once?
If he's BPA take him, but don't do it for fit, because he doesn't haha.

Player types we could use:

Vertical threat, stretch 5, defensive anchor: Maluach
Penetrating guard: Fears, Traore, Jase(?)
Jumbo guard, facilitator, Shooter: Jak
Hub center: Queen
Stretch 4/5: Flemming, Newell

Now there are obviously wings and SGs with potential available, and if they are in a tier of their own you need to take them, but I'd bet we take one of the above players

Ingram can function as a SG in a lot of line ups. Especially if you have other wing defenders out there like Bryant or Barnes

[JCP11]

Still not big on Kasp.

He looks like a homeless mans Luka. Not sure how that is going to translate to the NBA. There is only one Luka & he has the girth to make it work.

Hopefully I am wrong & Jak flourishes.

I was one of his biggest fans early in the season, but there's no way Luka struggles against NCAA competition the way Jak did later in the year. His new best case scenario for me is a bigger Dragic style guard, who would be a good pick at 9, but that's assuming he reaches that ceiling.

He's very young and it was his first taste of the North American game. To compare him to Luka is unfair imo. Even though he struggled later in the year doesn't mean he can't learn and grow from his first year. Sometimes I find people are way too quick to judge these young men and put labels to them like they can't change. Kasp is very talented and he would run this Raptors offense very well. He has the size, the IQ and the mentality to succeed at the next level, I would be happy if Raptors selected him.

[Brinbe]

I would consider drafting Carter Bryant even if we were picking just outside the top top 3.

Bryant can be similar to Dyson Daniels on defense and on offense I believe if Camara can be a good offensive player then Bryant has all the tools to be passable at the very least too. To me he looks like the best prospect you could stick beside Barnes and BI, we know Masai likes his length and putting those 3 players together on D can be really disruptive.

If he ever does put his offense together then maybe we have a Shaedon Sharpe with defense type of player who knows

What makes another SF sized player an ideal fit next to 6'7" Barnes and 6'8" Ingram?

Are you hoping he plays off the bench with either of these guys? Additionally providing injury insurance when they miss time?

Why are we trying to play three wings at once?
If he's BPA take him, but don't do it for fit, because he doesn't haha.

Player types we could use:

Vertical threat, stretch 5, defensive anchor: Maluach
Penetrating guard: Fears, Traore, Jase(?)
Jumbo guard, facilitator, Shooter: Jak
Hub center: Queen
Stretch 4/5: Flemming, Newell

Now there are obviously wings and SGs with potential available, and if they are in a tier of their own you need to take them, but I'd bet we take one of the above players

Ingram can function as a SG in a lot of line ups. Especially if you have other wing defenders out there like Bryant or Barnes

Yep. Also pushes RJ to the reserve scoring role he should ideally be in like NAW in Minny.

[DreamTeam09]

What makes another SF sized player an ideal fit next to 6'7" Barnes and 6'8" Ingram?

Are you hoping he plays off the bench with either of these guys? Additionally providing injury insurance when they miss time?

Why are we trying to play three wings at once?
If he's BPA take him, but don't do it for fit, because he doesn't haha.

Player types we could use:

Vertical threat, stretch 5, defensive anchor: Maluach
Penetrating guard: Fears, Traore, Jase(?)
Jumbo guard, facilitator, Shooter: Jak
Hub center: Queen
Stretch 4/5: Flemming, Newell

Now there are obviously wings and SGs with potential available, and if they are in a tier of their own you need to take them, but I'd bet we take one of the above players

Ingram can function as a SG in a lot of line ups. Especially if you have other wing defenders out there like Bryant or Barnes

Yep. Also pushes RJ to the reserve scoring role he should ideally be in like NAW in Minny.

I'm not quite there on that hill yet, especially not for a rookie or Ochai