2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[Mark_83]

9. Toronto Raptors: Cedric Coward, G, Washington State

Many executives around the NBA expect the Raptors to lean toward selecting a player that can help the team win games in the short-term with this pick, rather than a raw project. A number of choices would make sense here, but none more than Coward, who will be 22 years old as a rookie and has the maturity of a grown man, in part due to his fascinating journey: Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. At the draft combine, he was one of the biggest risers measuring in at 6-foot-5 barefoot with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, while shooting the hell out of the ball. And Coward brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision. For more on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him.

Read on Twitter

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I'm a fan of Cowards as he was one of my early sleepers before the combine. But I don't really see how he fits unless we move one of Walter, Dick, RJ, or Ochai. All those guys fit best at the SG position, so if we could move one for a big or a wing, picking Coward would make a lot more sense.

[Mark_83]

Carter Bryant and Cedric Coward are really rising in a lot of these recent mocks.

[ciueli]

Just posted, having 20% defensive rebounding rate is bad, and everyone know rebounding translate to the NBA.

His quickness and leaping are bottom 5 in this class, close to Queen, so I am unsure how he is not described as slow. He is described as drop big, not switch. And his stone hands are legitimate concern if you even watch full games. Many scouting reports have his hands as concern, though his measurement isn't bad for his hand, which seems more to be his basketball IQ.

It shocks me how many people will fight tooth and nail to say Maluach is this elite player when he's really really raw and not NBA ready right now

Can he develop into an all-star calibre C? Maybe... But I think he's in the traditional C model like Hasheem Thabeet or James Wiseman with upside of Gobert. These guys just don't work in the new modern NBA. At C you want agile, switchable defensive guys like Lively, Chet or Wemby or elite skill guys like Jokic, Embiid, Sengun

That's why I'd rather just take Fleming over KM if we want a big. Who's realistically going to close a game? An athletic and mobile 6'9 guy with a 7'5 wingspan or a lumbering 7'2 guy? Even Gobert doesn't close games over Naz Reid

Gobert doesn't close games because he's a 64% career free throw shooter and potentially a target for the treatment Mitchell Robinson is getting in the Knicks/Pacers series. Even at almost 33 with his best days behind him he's still the Wolves' starting centre and playing more minutes than Naz Reid for good reasons (defence and rebounding).

We tried going the route of no player over 6'9" all smallball for years and it didn't work out all that well for us, I don't see that drafting Chris Boucher 2.0 in Rasheer Fleming and playing him at centre is going to work out all that well for us either.

[Psubs]

9. Toronto Raptors: Cedric Coward, G, Washington State

Many executives around the NBA expect the Raptors to lean toward selecting a player that can help the team win games in the short-term with this pick, rather than a raw project. A number of choices would make sense here, but none more than Coward, who will be 22 years old as a rookie and has the maturity of a grown man, in part due to his fascinating journey: Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. At the draft combine, he was one of the biggest risers measuring in at 6-foot-5 barefoot with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, while shooting the hell out of the ball. And Coward brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision. For more on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

I'm a fan of Cowards as he was one of my early sleepers before the combine. But I don't really see how he fits unless we move one of Walter, Dick, RJ, or Ochai. All those guys fit best at the SG position, so if we could move one for a big or a wing, picking Coward would make a lot more sense.

Raptors traded for Ibaka with Poeltl and JV on the roster already. Get KD or Giannis.

Trade Ochai and #39 to Orlando for Goga Bitadze.

[Psubs]

It shocks me how many people will fight tooth and nail to say Maluach is this elite player when he's really really raw and not NBA ready right now

Can he develop into an all-star calibre C? Maybe... But I think he's in the traditional C model like Hasheem Thabeet or James Wiseman with upside of Gobert. These guys just don't work in the new modern NBA. At C you want agile, switchable defensive guys like Lively, Chet or Wemby or elite skill guys like Jokic, Embiid, Sengun

That's why I'd rather just take Fleming over KM if we want a big. Who's realistically going to close a game? An athletic and mobile 6'9 guy with a 7'5 wingspan or a lumbering 7'2 guy? Even Gobert doesn't close games over Naz Reid

Gobert doesn't close games because he's a 64% career free throw shooter and potentially a target for the treatment Mitchell Robinson is getting in the Knicks/Pacers series. Even at almost 33 with his best days behind him he's still the Wolves' starting centre and playing more minutes than Naz Reid for good reasons (defence and rebounding).

We tried going the route of no player over 6'9" all smallball for years and it didn't work out all that well for us, I don't see that drafting Chris Boucher 2.0 in Rasheer Fleming and playing him at centre is going to work out all that well for us either.

You see Chris Boucher 2.0? I see Jalen Duran that can shoot.

[ciueli]

That's why I'd rather just take Fleming over KM if we want a big. Who's realistically going to close a game? An athletic and mobile 6'9 guy with a 7'5 wingspan or a lumbering 7'2 guy? Even Gobert doesn't close games over Naz Reid

Gobert doesn't close games because he's a 64% career free throw shooter and potentially a target for the treatment Mitchell Robinson is getting in the Knicks/Pacers series. Even at almost 33 with his best days behind him he's still the Wolves' starting centre and playing more minutes than Naz Reid for good reasons (defence and rebounding).

We tried going the route of no player over 6'9" all smallball for years and it didn't work out all that well for us, I don't see that drafting Chris Boucher 2.0 in Rasheer Fleming and playing him at centre is going to work out all that well for us either.

You see Chris Boucher 2.0? I see Jalen Duran that can shoot.

Did you compare what Fleming and Duren did in their respective freshman seasons? Or did you compare what Duren did in his freshman season to what Fleming did in his Junior season? By the way, Fleming is only half a year younger than Duren even though Duren has been in the NBA for 3 seasons already.

[Dalek]

I never know what to make of Hugo Gonzalez because when he plays he looks good. Quick and explosive on drives and can block shots, too. Only plays a few minutes for Real Madrid so seeing a video like this makes me think his draft range is wide. Maybe he's in the late lotto or early second.

Watch on YouTube

He reminds me a bit of Shaedon Sharpe. His hops are that real. /edit shoutout to Real Madrid - by my count the team hasn't lost in 2025 and is on a 20 game winning streak!

[nivisi9]

9. Toronto Raptors: Cedric Coward, G, Washington State

Many executives around the NBA expect the Raptors to lean toward selecting a player that can help the team win games in the short-term with this pick, rather than a raw project. A number of choices would make sense here, but none more than Coward, who will be 22 years old as a rookie and has the maturity of a grown man, in part due to his fascinating journey: Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. At the draft combine, he was one of the biggest risers measuring in at 6-foot-5 barefoot with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, while shooting the hell out of the ball. And Coward brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision. For more on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

I'm a fan of Cowards as he was one of my early sleepers before the combine. But I don't really see how he fits unless we move one of Walter, Dick, RJ, or Ochai. All those guys fit best at the SG position, so if we could move one for a big or a wing, picking Coward would make a lot more sense.

I think I'm all in on Coward, some of these scouting videos are insane on him. Recommend checking out the new no ceilings one

Ask yourself this-- would we not trade 9# and a bunch of other assets for Trey Murphy?

I think Cowards 80% positive outcome is Higher IQ, better playmaking, more athletic, but most importantly Better defending Trey Murphy.

Who's also younger, perfect fit to be RJ replacement

[nivisi9]

9. Toronto Raptors: Cedric Coward, G, Washington State

Many executives around the NBA expect the Raptors to lean toward selecting a player that can help the team win games in the short-term with this pick, rather than a raw project. A number of choices would make sense here, but none more than Coward, who will be 22 years old as a rookie and has the maturity of a grown man, in part due to his fascinating journey: Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. At the draft combine, he was one of the biggest risers measuring in at 6-foot-5 barefoot with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, while shooting the hell out of the ball. And Coward brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision. For more on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

I'm a fan of Cowards as he was one of my early sleepers before the combine. But I don't really see how he fits unless we move one of Walter, Dick, RJ, or Ochai. All those guys fit best at the SG position, so if we could move one for a big or a wing, picking Coward would make a lot more sense.

He's basically 6'7 on the court, 7'2 wingspan, elite athleticism, high IQ, and + defensive profile

Seeing as some guys with similar measurements can get away with playing small ball C in today's game I think he'll be fine as a wing when needed.

With his length, ability to guard, but most importantly his elite outside shooting would be a nightmare for opposing Wings/SF's

Coward/Ingram/Barnes is a ton of length and athleticism SG/SF/PF

[Psubs]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

I'm a fan of Cowards as he was one of my early sleepers before the combine. But I don't really see how he fits unless we move one of Walter, Dick, RJ, or Ochai. All those guys fit best at the SG position, so if we could move one for a big or a wing, picking Coward would make a lot more sense.

He's basically 6'7 on the court, 7'2 wingspan, elite athleticism, high IQ, and + defensive profile

Seeing as some guys with similar measurements can get away with playing small ball C in today's game I think he'll be fine as a wing.

With his length on the wing, ability to guard, but most importantly his elite shooting would be a nightmare for opposing Wings/SF's

Maybe he's Klay 2.0?

[Psubs]

Gobert doesn't close games because he's a 64% career free throw shooter and potentially a target for the treatment Mitchell Robinson is getting in the Knicks/Pacers series. Even at almost 33 with his best days behind him he's still the Wolves' starting centre and playing more minutes than Naz Reid for good reasons (defence and rebounding).

We tried going the route of no player over 6'9" all smallball for years and it didn't work out all that well for us, I don't see that drafting Chris Boucher 2.0 in Rasheer Fleming and playing him at centre is going to work out all that well for us either.

You see Chris Boucher 2.0? I see Jalen Duran that can shoot.

Did you compare what Fleming and Duren did in their respective freshman seasons? Or did you compare what Duren did in his freshman season to what Fleming did in his Junior season? By the way, Fleming is only half a year younger than Duren even though Duren has been in the NBA for 3 seasons already.

I'm comparing styles, because that's what you're comparing. Fleming is a late-bloomer but the trajectory is positive and the work ethic is there. He has a good frame with an insane 9'1 standing reach.

[nivisi9]

I'm a fan of Cowards as he was one of my early sleepers before the combine. But I don't really see how he fits unless we move one of Walter, Dick, RJ, or Ochai. All those guys fit best at the SG position, so if we could move one for a big or a wing, picking Coward would make a lot more sense.

He's basically 6'7 on the court, 7'2 wingspan, elite athleticism, high IQ, and + defensive profile

Seeing as some guys with similar measurements can get away with playing small ball C in today's game I think he'll be fine as a wing.

With his length on the wing, ability to guard, but most importantly his elite shooting would be a nightmare for opposing Wings/SF's

Maybe he's Klay 2.0?

It ain't crazy (atleast a poor mans version) and he's much more athletic and longer then Klay.

[nivisi9]

9. Toronto Raptors: Cedric Coward, G, Washington State

Many executives around the NBA expect the Raptors to lean toward selecting a player that can help the team win games in the short-term with this pick, rather than a raw project. A number of choices would make sense here, but none more than Coward, who will be 22 years old as a rookie and has the maturity of a grown man, in part due to his fascinating journey: Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. At the draft combine, he was one of the biggest risers measuring in at 6-foot-5 barefoot with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, while shooting the hell out of the ball. And Coward brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision. For more on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

I'm a fan of Cowards as he was one of my early sleepers before the combine. But I don't really see how he fits unless we move one of Walter, Dick, RJ, or Ochai. All those guys fit best at the SG position, so if we could move one for a big or a wing, picking Coward would make a lot more sense.

We aren't paying RJ and the perfect RJ replacement would be a more efficient, better shooting, better defending version of Him like a Trey Murphy/ Klay Thompson type.

This fits exactly into Cedric Coward profile.

Coward / Ingram /Barnes fit like a glove SG/SF/PF.

It's so perfect hoping Coward is still there at 9# , the late rise is coming heavy now.

[Grew]

I think the comp I like most for cowards high end outcome is Mikal Bridges atm. Trey Murphy is taller, and he had that guard growth spurt into a forward, so probably more on ball skills.

Watching Bridges hit some middys last night had me thinking Coward. Neither is much of a ball handler, rim pressure guy. But about 6'6 with long arms, 3+D, with a mid range pull up game.

[pharring]

I think it is going to be a massive test of scouting and projection skills to choose between Bryant, Coward and Powell.
I'm a Bryant guy, myself.

[Rapsfan07]

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I'm a fan of Cowards as he was one of my early sleepers before the combine. But I don't really see how he fits unless we move one of Walter, Dick, RJ, or Ochai. All those guys fit best at the SG position, so if we could move one for a big or a wing, picking Coward would make a lot more sense.

I think I'm all in on Coward, some of these scouting videos are insane on him. Recommend checking out the new no ceilings one

Ask yourself this-- would we not trade 9# and a bunch of other assets for Trey Murphy?

I think Cowards 80% positive outcome is Higher IQ, better playmaking, more athletic, but most importantly Better defending Trey Murphy.

Who's also younger, perfect fit to be RJ replacement

Yep. Murphy is a very apt comparison. He's a little taller than Coward but their games are similar and I expect Coward to wind up being the better defender eventually.

Bridges is another guy who's game and role I could see Coward growing into except Bridges was a little more adept with the ball in his hands than Coward at this stage of their respective careers.

[ciueli]

You see Chris Boucher 2.0? I see Jalen Duran that can shoot.

Did you compare what Fleming and Duren did in their respective freshman seasons? Or did you compare what Duren did in his freshman season to what Fleming did in his Junior season? By the way, Fleming is only half a year younger than Duren even though Duren has been in the NBA for 3 seasons already.

I'm comparing styles, because that's what you're comparing. Fleming is a late-bloomer but the trajectory is positive and the work ethic is there. He has a good frame with an insane 9'1 standing reach.

Boucher measured 9'2.5" standing reach at the combine. My big concerns with Fleming are some of the things mentioned in scouting reports, he's purely a spot up shooter, has no ability to self create at all, and even his 3 point shooting is questionable given how much he struggled at times when his shot was contested. Could be better physicals and defensive Matt Bonner.

[nivisi9]

there's 3 guys I could see end up becoming massive steals, who could possibly still all be available around 9#

I think id make a couple trades to grab all 3 if possible:

they are: Kon, Malauch, and Coward

id be willing to part with all of/ some combination of:

RJ, Dick, Shead, future 1st

if needed to get 2 more picks in 10-14 range.

Starters
C- Poeltl
PF- Barnes
SF- Ingram
SG- Coward
PG- IQ

Bench
C - Malauch
PF- Mogbo/Chomche
SF- Obaji
SG- Kon
PG- Walter

-Good, intriguing, young playoff team now.

-setup as deep, young contender for the future.

[Yallbecrazy]

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https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/thomas-sorber-nba-draft-gem-hidden-in-plain-sight

Very interesting.

This analysis seems to be who is the most overrated relatively.

[Clutch0z24]

As of today i settled on a few options

Trade up for Tre Johnson
Jase Richardson
Cedric Coward
Kon Knueppel
-------------------
Derik Queen
Rasheer Fleming
Kasparas Jak

Would be disappointed but gotta trust Masai
Carter Bryant
Maluach
Noa Essengue
CMB