2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[League Circles]

The combination of the Hungry Jacks logo, the shooting flames after dunks, the name Rocco Zikarsky, Rocco's cartoon-like appearance, and the Australian commentating makes for some amazing entertainment. Makes me want to up-end and move to Australia to watch NBL games live.

Watch on YouTube

Is there a definitive reason for why he's fallen off the cliff on mock drafts? I haven't actually heard one, but he's nowhere to be found in the top half of the first round. Even if he had a down year -- I don't see why that would be enough to make him drop like he did. He seems to have all of the tools necessary to be a Lively/Kessler type player right away.

He barely played and wasn't productive when he did.

Yeah, though at 18 years old it's understandable IMO.

[sco]

OMG

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/heres-how-cooper-flagg-cleared-a-staggering-28-million-in-nil-contracts-during-his-one-season-at-duke/

[BullsSD]

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This would be a worst case scenario for the Bulls board, most of the guys people strongly like are off the board at 12.

Gone by 12:
Maluach
Demin
Kasaparas
Noa Essengue
Fears
Tre

So having our choice of Kon, Flemming, Coward or Queen is a bad thing?

If Essengue, Kasparas, and Demin go before 12, I'm personally jumping up and down in excitement while they announce our pick.

[Guru]

Was diving into some stats for top centers.

Pts 3% Blocks Rebounds Assists
C-Derik Queen-Maryland 16.5 20 1.1 9 1.9
C-Danny Wolf-Michigan 13.2 33.6 1.4 9.7 3.6
C-Maxime Raynaud-Stanford 20.2 34.7 1.4 10.6 1.7
F-Asa Newell-Georgia 15.4 29.2 1 6.9 0.9
C-Ryan Kalkbrenner-Creighton 19.2 34.4 2.6 8.7 1.5
C-Khaman Maluach-Duke 8.6 25 1.3 6.6 0.5
C-Thomas Sorber-Georgetown 14.5 16.2 2 8.5 2.4

Is it possible to upload a picture from your computer?

This C class is interesting. I think people are sleepnig on Raynaud and Kalkbrenner. They can both run, jump, pass and shoot. They don't move well laterally, that's the biggest issue.

[drosestruts]

Big Board - 5/30/25

1. Flagg
2. Harper

Nothing's going to change my position on those two, but after them I could entertain arguments for almost anyone, for me personally I have:

3. Kon Knueppel - kids a bucket (64% TS%), and showed flashes of more in games without Flagg

4. VJ Edgecombe - is Olympic play impressed me more than his college play. Still an 11.4 BPM is hard to ignore, combined with elite athleticism and a competitive nature, I'm sold.

5. Ryan Kalkbrenner - best paint defender in the draft. 68% TS%, 35% 3P%. How many years in a row do people need to watch older prospects who show great impact and skill get drafted lower due to some perceived lower cieling compared to where they are today? Don't overthing it.

6. Kasparas Jakucionis - an offensive engine is the most valuable piece you can find and that's the upside KJ brings. At worst he's a secondary playmaker who can space the floor and get to the line.

7. Tre Johnson - Kid can score. Is comfortable shooting off the pullup which is incredibly valuable.

8. Jase Richardson - yeah he's short. I can't think of a single other criticism of his game. He's a very good player who makes an elite impact on the court. 11.6 BPM

9. Nique Clifford - similar to Kalkbrenner is accomplishments seem to be diminished due to his age. Put up great numbers this year. Reminds me a lot of Jamie Jaquez Jr and Josh Hart.

10. Joan Beringer - I'm a Beringer believer. His role would be simple at the next level, but it's one he could excel in as a rim running, vertical spacing, shot blocking ball of energy.

11. Carter Bryant - He's like the wing version of Beringer. A lot would need to change for him to ever have all-star potential. But he could be a prototypical 3&d wing, and those are always valuable.

12. Ben Saraf - My interest in Saraf is heavily weight by his standout, MVP earning U18 tournament performance. Saraf has looked fine for Ulm, not sure how much you'd expect from an 18-year old playing in a professional league. But when he plays against his peers - like he did in the U18 tournament, you feel like you're looking at the next great player.

[kodo]

So having our choice of Kon, Flemming, Coward or Queen is a bad thing?

If Essengue, Kasparas, and Demin go before 12, I'm personally jumping up and down in excitement while they announce our pick.

Kon/Flemming aren't considered guys with star potential. Queen has star potential but the entire motor/laziness thing is going to make it tough to hit his ceiling, like Eddy Curry and the opposite of Jimmy Butler.

I like Coward but he's also a 22 year old senior. Like Ayo who has the athleticism and length and might impress us right away, he's probably closer to his ceiling than these 18 year olds. Ayo was a steal as a 2nd rounder, but I wouldn't feel great about having used a #12 pick on him.

[Chi town]

Big Board - 5/30/25

1. Flagg
2. Harper

Nothing's going to change my position on those two, but after them I could entertain arguments for almost anyone, for me personally I have:

3. Kon Knueppel - kids a bucket (64% TS%), and showed flashes of more in games without Flagg

4. VJ Edgecombe - is Olympic play impressed me more than his college play. Still an 11.4 BPM is hard to ignore, combined with elite athleticism and a competitive nature, I'm sold.

5. Ryan Kalkbrenner - best paint defender in the draft. 68% TS%, 35% 3P%. How many years in a row do people need to watch older prospects who show great impact and skill get drafted lower due to some perceived lower cieling compared to where they are today? Don't overthing it.

6. Kasparas Jakucionis - an offensive engine is the most valuable piece you can find and that's the upside KJ brings. At worst he's a secondary playmaker who can space the floor and get to the line.

7. Tre Johnson - Kid can score. Is comfortable shooting off the pullup which is incredibly valuable.

8. Jase Richardson - yeah he's short. I can't think of a single other criticism of his game. He's a very good player who makes an elite impact on the court. 11.6 BPM

9. Nique Clifford - similar to Kalkbrenner is accomplishments seem to be diminished due to his age. Put up great numbers this year. Reminds me a lot of Jamie Jaquez Jr and Josh Hart.

10. Joan Beringer - I'm a Beringer believer. His role would be simple at the next level, but it's one he could excel in as a rim running, vertical spacing, shot blocking ball of energy.

11. Carter Bryant - He's like the wing version of Beringer. A lot would need to change for him to ever have all-star potential. But he could be a prototypical 3&d wing, and those are always valuable.

12. Ben Saraf - My interest in Saraf is heavily weight by his standout, MVP earning U18 tournament performance. Saraf has looked fine for Ulm, not sure how much you'd expect from an 18-year old playing in a professional league. But when he plays against his peers - like he did in the U18 tournament, you feel like you're looking at the next great player.

Beringer is my guy but no way I’m taking him at 12

[Bulls Fan 23]

Yanic Konan Neiderhauser would be awesome with our second round pick.

I don't think he lasts that long. I would like to pick up a late first round pick for him. Great rim runner and shot blocker.

[drosestruts]

Big Board - 5/30/25

1. Flagg
2. Harper

Nothing's going to change my position on those two, but after them I could entertain arguments for almost anyone, for me personally I have:

3. Kon Knueppel - kids a bucket (64% TS%), and showed flashes of more in games without Flagg

4. VJ Edgecombe - is Olympic play impressed me more than his college play. Still an 11.4 BPM is hard to ignore, combined with elite athleticism and a competitive nature, I'm sold.

5. Ryan Kalkbrenner - best paint defender in the draft. 68% TS%, 35% 3P%. How many years in a row do people need to watch older prospects who show great impact and skill get drafted lower due to some perceived lower cieling compared to where they are today? Don't overthing it.

6. Kasparas Jakucionis - an offensive engine is the most valuable piece you can find and that's the upside KJ brings. At worst he's a secondary playmaker who can space the floor and get to the line.

7. Tre Johnson - Kid can score. Is comfortable shooting off the pullup which is incredibly valuable.

8. Jase Richardson - yeah he's short. I can't think of a single other criticism of his game. He's a very good player who makes an elite impact on the court. 11.6 BPM

9. Nique Clifford - similar to Kalkbrenner is accomplishments seem to be diminished due to his age. Put up great numbers this year. Reminds me a lot of Jamie Jaquez Jr and Josh Hart.

10. Joan Beringer - I'm a Beringer believer. His role would be simple at the next level, but it's one he could excel in as a rim running, vertical spacing, shot blocking ball of energy.

11. Carter Bryant - He's like the wing version of Beringer. A lot would need to change for him to ever have all-star potential. But he could be a prototypical 3&d wing, and those are always valuable.

12. Ben Saraf - My interest in Saraf is heavily weight by his standout, MVP earning U18 tournament performance. Saraf has looked fine for Ulm, not sure how much you'd expect from an 18-year old playing in a professional league. But when he plays against his peers - like he did in the U18 tournament, you feel like you're looking at the next great player.

Beringer is my guy but no way I’m taking him at 12

I've never understood that mindset.

Sure if you can trade down, get an extra asset and still get your guy why not.

But if he's your guy and your only opportunity to get him is at 12, you draft him at 12.

Otherwise..... he's not your guy.

[2weekswithpay]

Read on Twitter

[Chi town]

Big Board - 5/30/25

1. Flagg
2. Harper

Nothing's going to change my position on those two, but after them I could entertain arguments for almost anyone, for me personally I have:

3. Kon Knueppel - kids a bucket (64% TS%), and showed flashes of more in games without Flagg

4. VJ Edgecombe - is Olympic play impressed me more than his college play. Still an 11.4 BPM is hard to ignore, combined with elite athleticism and a competitive nature, I'm sold.

5. Ryan Kalkbrenner - best paint defender in the draft. 68% TS%, 35% 3P%. How many years in a row do people need to watch older prospects who show great impact and skill get drafted lower due to some perceived lower cieling compared to where they are today? Don't overthing it.

6. Kasparas Jakucionis - an offensive engine is the most valuable piece you can find and that's the upside KJ brings. At worst he's a secondary playmaker who can space the floor and get to the line.

7. Tre Johnson - Kid can score. Is comfortable shooting off the pullup which is incredibly valuable.

8. Jase Richardson - yeah he's short. I can't think of a single other criticism of his game. He's a very good player who makes an elite impact on the court. 11.6 BPM

9. Nique Clifford - similar to Kalkbrenner is accomplishments seem to be diminished due to his age. Put up great numbers this year. Reminds me a lot of Jamie Jaquez Jr and Josh Hart.

10. Joan Beringer - I'm a Beringer believer. His role would be simple at the next level, but it's one he could excel in as a rim running, vertical spacing, shot blocking ball of energy.

11. Carter Bryant - He's like the wing version of Beringer. A lot would need to change for him to ever have all-star potential. But he could be a prototypical 3&d wing, and those are always valuable.

12. Ben Saraf - My interest in Saraf is heavily weight by his standout, MVP earning U18 tournament performance. Saraf has looked fine for Ulm, not sure how much you'd expect from an 18-year old playing in a professional league. But when he plays against his peers - like he did in the U18 tournament, you feel like you're looking at the next great player.

Beringer is my guy but no way I’m taking him at 12

I've never understood that mindset.

Sure if you can trade down, get an extra asset and still get your guy why not.

But if he's your guy and your only opportunity to get him is at 12, you draft him at 12.

Otherwise..... he's not your guy.

Anyone who takes him at 12 is over drafting him. He’s very raw and will only get spot mins year one. Hopefully backup rotation player year two.

[HomoSapien]

Beringer is my guy but no way I’m taking him at 12

I've never understood that mindset.

Sure if you can trade down, get an extra asset and still get your guy why not.

But if he's your guy and your only opportunity to get him is at 12, you draft him at 12.

Otherwise..... he's not your guy.

Anyone who takes him at 12 is over drafting him. He’s very raw and will only get spot mins year one. Hopefully backup rotation player year two.

But that's the point isn't it. If he's your guy, and you feel like he's special, isn't the main objective to just get him. That would be like if back in 2013, the Timberwolves really liked Giannis but then decided to take Trey Burke because they felt like taking Giannis (even though they liked him more) was too big of a reach at 9. Would it have been an "overdraft" to take Giannis at 9? Who cares if your scouting is right.

[HomoSapien]

8. Jase Richardson - yeah he's short. I can't think of a single other criticism of his game. He's a very good player who makes an elite impact on the court. 11.6 BPM

He basically only goes left. Maybe he'll expand his game, but it's something that's going to be easy to game plan for until he fixes it.

[HomoSapien]

So having our choice of Kon, Flemming, Coward or Queen is a bad thing?

If Essengue, Kasparas, and Demin go before 12, I'm personally jumping up and down in excitement while they announce our pick.

Kon/Flemming aren't considered guys with star potential. Queen has star potential but the entire motor/laziness thing is going to make it tough to hit his ceiling, like Eddy Curry and the opposite of Jimmy Butler.

I like Coward but he's also a 22 year old senior. Like Ayo who has the athleticism and length and might impress us right away, he's probably closer to his ceiling than these 18 year olds. Ayo was a steal as a 2nd rounder, but I wouldn't feel great about having used a #12 pick on him.

Funny enough, Ayo is arguably a top 12 or so player from that draft.

[Chi town]

A Chet Holmgren wing.

https://youtu.be/AjCFN6qImb0?si=Vxl9ThyvUQCbAvl5

[Chi town]

I've never understood that mindset.

Sure if you can trade down, get an extra asset and still get your guy why not.

But if he's your guy and your only opportunity to get him is at 12, you draft him at 12.

Otherwise..... he's not your guy.

Anyone who takes him at 12 is over drafting him. He’s very raw and will only get spot mins year one. Hopefully backup rotation player year two.

But that's the point isn't it. If he's your guy, and you feel like he's special, isn't the main objective to just get him. That would be like if back in 2013, the Timberwolves really liked Giannis but then decided to take Trey Burke because they felt like taking Giannis (even though they liked him more) was too big of a reach at 9. Would it have been an "overdraft" to take Giannis at 9? Who cares if your scouting is right.

Your guy is more nuanced than that.

Floor has a lot to do with it.

Risk reward.

[keobulls]

Big Board - 5/30/25


5. Ryan Kalkbrenner - best paint defender in the draft. 68% TS%, 35% 3P%. How many years in a row do people need to watch older prospects who show great impact and skill get drafted lower due to some perceived lower cieling compared to where they are today? Don't overthing it.

Glad you mentioned Kalkbrenner. I was watching a video of his highlights from the year and besides the obvious from counting stats, the following things stood out: 1. Great hands 2. Lob threat as soon as the ball handler crosses half court 3. Runs the floor all the time, and never stops moving in the half court either 4. Seems to be always ready for the next play, not caught off guard 5. Seals guys down low all the time, for himself and as screens to let his guards get to the rim 6. Keeps the ball up high on catches and O rebs (I can't stand watching big guys get stripped just because they bring it down to gather) and goes right up with it.

This all adds up to what could be described as a Brooke Lopez/Miles Turner hybrid from what I can see.

Watch on YouTube

[JohnnyKILLroy]

Yanic Konan Neiderhauser would be awesome with our second round pick.

I don't think he lasts that long. I would like to pick up a late first round pick for him. Great rim runner and shot blocker.

Yeah I think so too. Quite the athlete too.

Quite a few borderline 1st rounders went back to school too. This whole NIL deal is really impacting those late 1st round picks and early second round too.

[Rose2Boozer]

Potential second round prospect, Javon Small. He should be gone by pick 45, but you never know.

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[WesPeace]

Potential second round prospect, Javon Small. He should be gone by pick 45, but you never know.

Watch on YouTube

Another guard? Why?

We should be focused on wings ala Coward, Essengue, Murray Boyles, Powell, Bryant etc..
or some safer center picks ala Sorber, Raynoud as late pick via possible traded pick..
Malauch will be gone by then I assume..