2025 NBA Draft (2)

[the_process]

In 2019; the Hawks sent 8, 17, 35, and a future 1st for 4.

So that's pretty much the value we're looking for. The Nets have that.

[the_process]

Current vibe: Time to face the reality of ending up with Kneuppel?

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind trading down and landing him. There’s not much to complain about in his game, especially after accepting that we’re more likely to draft a number two/three option than a true franchise guy with this pick.

I think it was either Morey or Nurse who mentioned they were focused on two players.. if one gets taken, they’d go with the other. what if the context was trading down when the other player drafted is not Harper but VJ instead? It makes me wonder if those two are VJ and Kneuppel. Both are analytics darlings and have been linked to the Sixers by Vecenie as likely targets.

The Hornets seem locked in on VJ. For the Sixers, the ideal move might be to get another team high on either VJ or Bailey to drive up the value of a trade-down scenario. The likely candidates sitting at 7 and 8.. Brooklyn and New Orleans, could be in play.

From the Nets:
Trade down to #8 and be compensated by #19?

Maxey/McCain
Grimes/Kneuppel
Paul George/Edwards
Yabusele/Oubre/Rasheer Flemming
Joel Embiid/Drummond/Bona

From the Pelicans:
Could we get Herbert Jones and #7 for #3 overall?

Maxey/McCain
Grimes/Kneuppel
Paul George/Edwards
Herb Jones/Yabusele
Joel Embiid/Bona

McCain and Kneuppel provides elite 3pt% and elite hustle to win the possession battle.

No idea why we would do that for Herb Jones. His name even sounds dumb.

I'd just want a better player to move down in the draft.

Are you kidding me? Peaches and Herb!

Watch on YouTube

[Iverson Armband]

They need to get their evaluations down and take the BPA in their eyes at #3. If that guy is guaranteed to be there at #5 or #8 (not likely) by all means trade down, but generally you do not get cute with a top 3 pick.

[Arsenal]

In 2019; the Hawks sent 8, 17, 35, and a future 1st for 4.

So that's pretty much the value we're looking for. The Nets have that.

Considering #3 is significantly more valuable than #4, a fair trade would be #3 for #8, #19, #26, #27 and our 1st in 2028 returned.

Or let them keep #27 but instead we get #36 and to dump Drummond and Gordon into their cap.

[Arsenal]

If we trade down the target should be Noa, not Nipples.

[Black Mage]

Tre Johnson just screams career 6th man to me. I’m not sure I see him being more than a microwave scorer off the bench given his shot profile and play style.

To be honest, most of the players we’re discussing aren’t ready to start on a competitive team, they’d only get significant minutes on a roster that isn’t trying to win right away. That said, Tre has one standout skill that mirrors that of a star perimeter scorer.. his off-the-dribble three. He has the potential to give us Buddy Hield-type spurts, hitting 3–4 threes in short bursts of offensive energy.

Tre also has an elite work ethic.. he practically lives in the gym (some say this is the reason why their team lacks chemistry). I wouldn’t put a hard cap on his upside, especially since a lot of his limitations stem from a lack of strength. With NBA-level strength training and nutrition, he can fill out his frame, which would directly improve his defense and his ability to finish at the rim.

A lot of people I respect, who actually put in the work (Barlow, KOC, No Ceilings and many others) think Tre is going to be an awesome player. That matches what I see and is really enough for me as someone who’s just a dumb poster on RealGM lol. The Cam Thomas comparisons and the like are just lazy.

Nothing against Tre offensively; I love watching him shoot and could do it all day. He plays zero defense. There's no effort, no interest, no awareness. He just doesn't care. He hasn't cared about defense since before high school. Not only that, but he lacks the athleticism to defend on the perimeter. He's slow and flat footed moving laterally and changing hip direction. If a ballhandler fakes him one direction and cross back the other it's a runway big enough to park the titanic on. If you take Tre, then one of Maxey or McCain are out and even then you still have 2 non-defenders on the perimeter.

Kyle just addressed what this looks like with a grim picture if we took Kon. He outlined in the playoffs you can hide one guy; maybe 2, but 2 or more and the Sixers would have to then live in a zone defense and we don't have zone defenders on the roster. Kyle admitted Kon or Tre would be hunted to death as we have watched being done to the Sixers in past playoff failures.

At this point, if I had to pick, I'd go Kon just b/c he at least gives effort on defense and is fundamentally sound in terms of playing within a scheme and defensive awareness. Tre has nothing to provide on defense except a free pass to score for the opponent.

[LeonJordanJr24]

Current vibe: Time to face the reality of ending up with Kneuppel?

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind trading down and landing him. There’s not much to complain about in his game, especially after accepting that we’re more likely to draft a number two/three option than a true franchise guy with this pick.

I think it was either Morey or Nurse who mentioned they were focused on two players.. if one gets taken, they’d go with the other. what if the context was trading down when the other player drafted is not Harper but VJ instead? It makes me wonder if those two are VJ and Kneuppel. Both are analytics darlings and have been linked to the Sixers by Vecenie as likely targets.

The Hornets seem locked in on VJ. For the Sixers, the ideal move might be to get another team high on either VJ or Bailey to drive up the value of a trade-down scenario. The likely candidates sitting at 7 and 8.. Brooklyn and New Orleans, could be in play.

From the Nets:
Trade down to #8 and be compensated by #19?

Maxey/McCain
Grimes/Kneuppel
Paul George/Edwards
Yabusele/Oubre/Rasheer Flemming
Joel Embiid/Drummond/Bona

From the Pelicans:
Could we get Herbert Jones and #7 for #3 overall?

Maxey/McCain
Grimes/Kneuppel
Paul George/Edwards
Herb Jones/Yabusele
Joel Embiid/Bona

McCain and Kneuppel provides elite 3pt% and elite hustle to win the possession battle.

No idea why we would do that for Herb Jones. His name even sounds dumb.

I'd just want a better player to move down in the draft.

Are you kidding me? Peaches and Herb!

Watch on YouTube

Take Ace at 3. Lets not play around with luck....

[Black Mage]

No idea why we would do that for Herb Jones. His name even sounds dumb.

I'd just want a better player to move down in the draft.

Are you kidding me? Peaches and Herb!

Watch on YouTube

Take Ace at 3. Lets not play around with luck....

Pretty sure we exhausted our luck quota for this draft after moving up and dodging losing the pick.

[ivysixer2000]

If we trade down the target should be Noa, not Nipples.

Guess I'm wayyy behind, who the freak is Nipples?

[Negrodamus]

A scorching hot take of mine would be the ultimate "fit" pick would be Ace Bailey so he can cover for a Maxey/McCain backcourt, defensively. If we're committed to those two being the starting 1 & 2, then an athletic defensive role player who can hit 3s off ball would be just what the doctor ordered. Still a wonky lineup, but whatever. And is antithetical to how I treat a top 3 pick.

[Negrodamus]

If we trade down the target should be Noa, not Nipples.

Guess I'm wayyy behind, who the freak is Nipples?

Kon Ka-nipple (how it phonetically sounds)

[Iverson Armband]

To be honest, most of the players we’re discussing aren’t ready to start on a competitive team, they’d only get significant minutes on a roster that isn’t trying to win right away. That said, Tre has one standout skill that mirrors that of a star perimeter scorer.. his off-the-dribble three. He has the potential to give us Buddy Hield-type spurts, hitting 3–4 threes in short bursts of offensive energy.

Tre also has an elite work ethic.. he practically lives in the gym (some say this is the reason why their team lacks chemistry). I wouldn’t put a hard cap on his upside, especially since a lot of his limitations stem from a lack of strength. With NBA-level strength training and nutrition, he can fill out his frame, which would directly improve his defense and his ability to finish at the rim.

A lot of people I respect, who actually put in the work (Barlow, KOC, No Ceilings and many others) think Tre is going to be an awesome player. That matches what I see and is really enough for me as someone who’s just a dumb poster on RealGM lol. The Cam Thomas comparisons and the like are just lazy.

Nothing against Tre offensively; I love watching him shoot and could do it all day. He plays zero defense. There's no effort, no interest, no awareness. He just doesn't care. He hasn't cared about defense since before high school. Not only that, but he lacks the athleticism to defend on the perimeter. He's slow and flat footed moving laterally and changing hip direction. If a ballhandler fakes him one direction and cross back the other it's a runway big enough to park the titanic on. If you take Tre, then one of Maxey or McCain are out and even then you still have 2 non-defenders on the perimeter.

Kyle just addressed what this looks like with a grim picture if we took Kon. He outlined in the playoffs you can hide one guy; maybe 2, but 2 or more and the Sixers would have to then live in a zone defense and we don't have zone defenders on the roster. Kyle admitted Kon or Tre would be hunted to death as we have watched being done to the Sixers in past playoff failures.

At this point, if I had to pick, I'd go Kon just b/c he at least gives effort on defense and is fundamentally sound in terms of playing within a scheme and defensive awareness. Tre has nothing to provide on defense except a free pass to score for the opponent.

I think his athletic testing and measurables prove he can do it, athletically. So it boils down to effort. Myself and people who do this for a living think he’ll give better effort in the NBA when he’s not the #1, 2, and 3 option offensively on a team full of bums.

[youngcrev]

I wanted to compare Kon's athletic testing to previous players, and somehow just noticed he didn't participate due to a very real and not made up at all sprained ankle.

[FireMorey]

I agree with those who say Tre tests more athletic than he looks. He doesn't look explosive to me. He moves well, but it doesn't feel like he's going to blow by guys at the NBA level. Maybe he just didn't get the chance.

[Negrodamus]

Tre's shuttle run was very good. Everything else was average and I'm including the vertical jump because he clearly tanked the standing reach.

[Black Mage]

A lot of people I respect, who actually put in the work (Barlow, KOC, No Ceilings and many others) think Tre is going to be an awesome player. That matches what I see and is really enough for me as someone who’s just a dumb poster on RealGM lol. The Cam Thomas comparisons and the like are just lazy.

Nothing against Tre offensively; I love watching him shoot and could do it all day. He plays zero defense. There's no effort, no interest, no awareness. He just doesn't care. He hasn't cared about defense since before high school. Not only that, but he lacks the athleticism to defend on the perimeter. He's slow and flat footed moving laterally and changing hip direction. If a ballhandler fakes him one direction and cross back the other it's a runway big enough to park the titanic on. If you take Tre, then one of Maxey or McCain are out and even then you still have 2 non-defenders on the perimeter.

Kyle just addressed what this looks like with a grim picture if we took Kon. He outlined in the playoffs you can hide one guy; maybe 2, but 2 or more and the Sixers would have to then live in a zone defense and we don't have zone defenders on the roster. Kyle admitted Kon or Tre would be hunted to death as we have watched being done to the Sixers in past playoff failures.

At this point, if I had to pick, I'd go Kon just b/c he at least gives effort on defense and is fundamentally sound in terms of playing within a scheme and defensive awareness. Tre has nothing to provide on defense except a free pass to score for the opponent.

I think his athletic testing and measurables prove he can do it, athletically. So it boils down to effort. Myself and people who do this for a living think he’ll give better effort in the NBA when he’s not the #1, 2, and 3 option offensively on a team full of bums.

Just watch the tape. Even when he was in position or showed interest in trying to guard his man; he was often dusted by the guard. He literally looks like he is on a tape delay compared to the ballhandler. I saw it in his Texas tape and in the high school games. I posted the links back in prior posts. He is flat out an awful defender.

Why should anyone believe a guy who hasn't given a fig about playing defense will suddenly give consistent effort on that side of the ball? If he gets drafted top 5 or even 3 by us all he'll know is that he was a top 3 pick without having to play defense, so why start now. MAYBE, if he slid to the 20's and his agent told him it's b/c you don't try on defense that he gets a fire lit to give effort.

[Black Mage]

I wanted to compare Kon's athletic testing to previous players, and somehow just noticed he didn't participate due to a very real and not made up at all sprained ankle.

And then a couple days later participated in a pro-day where he's running all over the court taking jumpers in motion and standstill. His ankle magically healed at the rate of Wolverine or Deadpool.

[Arsenal]

I wanted to compare Kon's athletic testing to previous players, and somehow just noticed he didn't participate due to a very real and not made up at all sprained ankle.

That's the "bball iq" people are looking for.

[Iverson Armband]

Nothing against Tre offensively; I love watching him shoot and could do it all day. He plays zero defense. There's no effort, no interest, no awareness. He just doesn't care. He hasn't cared about defense since before high school. Not only that, but he lacks the athleticism to defend on the perimeter. He's slow and flat footed moving laterally and changing hip direction. If a ballhandler fakes him one direction and cross back the other it's a runway big enough to park the titanic on. If you take Tre, then one of Maxey or McCain are out and even then you still have 2 non-defenders on the perimeter.

Kyle just addressed what this looks like with a grim picture if we took Kon. He outlined in the playoffs you can hide one guy; maybe 2, but 2 or more and the Sixers would have to then live in a zone defense and we don't have zone defenders on the roster. Kyle admitted Kon or Tre would be hunted to death as we have watched being done to the Sixers in past playoff failures.

At this point, if I had to pick, I'd go Kon just b/c he at least gives effort on defense and is fundamentally sound in terms of playing within a scheme and defensive awareness. Tre has nothing to provide on defense except a free pass to score for the opponent.

I think his athletic testing and measurables prove he can do it, athletically. So it boils down to effort. Myself and people who do this for a living think he’ll give better effort in the NBA when he’s not the #1, 2, and 3 option offensively on a team full of bums.

Just watch the tape. Even when he was in position or showed interest in trying to guard his man; he was often dusted by the guard. He literally looks like he is on a tape delay compared to the ballhandler. I saw it in his Texas tape and in the high school games. I posted the links back in prior posts. He is flat out an awful defender.

Why should anyone believe a guy who hasn't given a fig about playing defense will suddenly give consistent effort on that side of the ball? If he gets drafted top 5 or even 3 by us all he'll know is that he was a top 3 pick without having to play defense, so why start now. MAYBE, if he slid to the 20's and his agent told him it's b/c you don't try on defense that he gets a fire lit to give effort.

Look, I’m not here to say his defense isn’t an issue. If it weren’t, I’m not too sure we’d even be in a position to draft this kid. I watched the tape. And so did everyone else who thinks he’ll figure it out at the next level. No tape is going to address the fact that the kid was a freshman and had to carry the whole offense by HIMSELF and did so to the tune of a historic season. I’m sorry, but the league is littered with guys who weren’t good defensively in college and are passable in the NBA. And with Tre’s offensive repertoire, all he will need to be is passable. That’s a pretty low bar for him to basically be a star. If you don’t agree, that’s fine but there’s a lot of “experts” who think you’re wrong. No offense, but these guys talk to scouts, hear different reports that you and I are not privy too and the stuff they’re saying is this kid has great work ethic and potential. So again, I feel he will figure it out.

[mjkvol]

I think it's interesting that as the season went along, Kon trended up in scoring and Flagg trended down until they were both at 17ppg in April. Not insinuating anything about Cooper, but it's clear they felt a great deal of confidence making Kon the other primary scorer.

The 3-4 times I watched Duke it seemed that Kon was often the primary go-to guy on offense, and he was always impacting the game in some manner. I don't get the Stauskas comp at all, to be honest. What, two white kids that can shoot?