2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[ATLTimekeeper]

Haven't seen you post in a while, but wondering what your top 5 or 10 big board is?

Also, who are your thoughts of who they would pick?

I've got Flagg, Harper, CMB, Johnson, Edgecombe as a top 5. If Sorber didn't have a foot injury I'd put him top 5 over Edgecombe.

As for who the Raptors will take, I think it will be literally someone that can shoot with some size, or a ballhandling guard they can throw into a bench mob unit next to Shead.

You have CMB #3 as well, but don't think Masai would pick BPA if he had him rated well above the other guys available @ #9?

No, because the fit with Scottie is just difficult. And if you add in guys like Poeltl and Ingram, that's all guys that want to hang out in the middle of the floor, either as an end point or start point.

[tanuki1031]

It's pretty funny seeing so any people project Coward to be Kawhi when this is a lot closer to being a Dion Waiters situation with the pre-draft hype and analytics.

Not even close to be the same player, style and position as Waiters... people say Kawhi because of the measurables, the physicality and he has the mid range already. Dion waiters can only dream to chase down block dudes in transition or block dunkers in full swing. He has the IQ and the mentality to get there. His ceiling will be determined by the development of his handle and where he lands.

Waiters shot up from mid 20s to 4OA because he was called and projected to be Wade 2.0 with sprinkles of Kobe based on his physical measurables, shot making, analytics, athleticism, and ability to lock in as a defender when needed.

That's exactly what is happening with 6-game Coward being called and projected to be Kawhi 2.0

[DreamTeam09]

26 days till hopefully Maluach is a Rap. If not trade down for 2 picks and take a freshman + a Jr or Sr

Flemming/Bryant/Coward/Noa/Sorber/Asa/Reily/Egor I don't really want any of these guys at 9, but if we can get 2 of them I'd be more than happy

[Psubs]

It's pretty funny seeing so any people project Coward to be Kawhi when this is a lot closer to being a Dion Waiters situation with the pre-draft hype and analytics.

I don't know who's projecting Kawhi but Jalen Williams' rise is similar with similar measurements and shooting prowess.

[JCP11]

It's pretty funny seeing so any people project Coward to be Kawhi when this is a lot closer to being a Dion Waiters situation with the pre-draft hype and analytics.

Not even close to be the same player, style and position as Waiters... people say Kawhi because of the measurables, the physicality and he has the mid range already. Dion waiters can only dream to chase down block dudes in transition or block dunkers in full swing. He has the IQ and the mentality to get there. His ceiling will be determined by the development of his handle and where he lands.

Waiters shot up from mid 20s to 4OA because he was called and projected to be Wade 2.0 with sprinkles of Kobe based on his physical measurables, shot making, analytics, athleticism, and ability to lock in as a defender when needed.

That's exactly what is happening with 6-game Coward being called and projected to be Kawhi 2.0

He's not Kawhi that's for sure but he's going to play in this league for a long time, one thing is for sure he's not going to do dumb things like Waiters.

[Psubs]

Not even close to be the same player, style and position as Waiters... people say Kawhi because of the measurables, the physicality and he has the mid range already. Dion waiters can only dream to chase down block dudes in transition or block dunkers in full swing. He has the IQ and the mentality to get there. His ceiling will be determined by the development of his handle and where he lands.

Waiters shot up from mid 20s to 4OA because he was called and projected to be Wade 2.0 with sprinkles of Kobe based on his physical measurables, shot making, analytics, athleticism, and ability to lock in as a defender when needed.

That's exactly what is happening with 6-game Coward being called and projected to be Kawhi 2.0

He's not Kawhi that's for sure but he's going to play in this league for a long time, one thing is for sure he's not going to do dumb things like Waiters.

I thought Embiid wasn't going to do dumb things when watching him in college. Money changes people.

[Spida888]

Not sure if this was posted already. Pretty interesting article summarizing some of the prospects that worked out for the Raps or would like to work out for them:
https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2025/05/29/toronto-raptors-pre-draft-tracker-targets-and-analysis-for-the-2025-nba-draft/

Tre Johnson is probably gone by the 9th pick. Fears reportedly wanted to workout for us, but he may be gone by the 9th pick as well.

[DreamTeam09]

26 days till hopefully Maluach is a Rap. If not trade down for 2 picks and take a freshman + a Jr or Sr

Flemming/Bryant/Coward/Noa/Sorber/Asa/Reily/Egor I don't really want any of these guys at 9, but if we can get 2 of them I'd be more than happy tho

[MEDIC]

After watching more film, I think I like Coward more than Bryant. I think he has more tools & after watching interviews, I like his mentality.

Seems like a guy would took a bit longer to mature psychologically, but he has now figured it out.

[Rapsfan07]

It's pretty funny seeing so any people project Coward to be Kawhi when this is a lot closer to being a Dion Waiters situation with the pre-draft hype and analytics.

I don't know who's projecting Kawhi but Jalen Williams' rise is similar with similar measurements and shooting prowess.

Yeah I've said this before but anyone proposing Coward is going to be Kawhi 2.0 is setting themselves and others up for disappointment. I'm very high on Coward and even I don't think he's going to be J-Dub, let alone a HOFer.

I do think he has a realistic and attainable chance at becoming a Bridges/Bane/Murphy kind of player which is still excellent value.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Throwing a season away to end up with Maluach would be the definition of depressing.

[SpezNc]

Throwing a season away to end up with Maluach would be the definition of depressing.

With the 9th pick can’t really expect a franchise altering player.

We were unlucky at the lottery. We had more chances of jumping top4 than dropping to 9.

We need to turn the page IMO.

As for Maluach , let’s see first if he is our pick and then how he is developing before calling this pick depressing.

Nobody really knows the future.

What if he surprise you !

[RoteSchroder]

Going through different coverages on D doesn’t make him have high defensive IQ

Disagree, coverages is one of the most IQ thing in basketball. Bunch of people play drop not only because of physical limitations. I bring Gasol again, he was... not very athetic. Yet his IQ made him the best. This is where (completely in my opinion, ofc) is his real upside.

- The DeAndre Jordan offense of rim running is fine, but you also need to rely on your ball-handler there. I don’t think we’d be drafting him for offense anyways.

Absolutely, but he does have a world class skill. I trust *at least* Scottie, BI and Quick to be able to find him. Cause his radius is YUGE.
My point is that, for what you are drafting him for, that's enough offense for me. And FT of course, if not unplayable.

- The FT% and offensive rebs are fine. Like I said, I don’t think the O is the question. His offense is like bottom 2nd round level. The main question is how good his defense is, which dictates his draftability at 9.

Yep, that is where we have to project and it is what it is. Who do you want?

Hard to judge defensive IQ, but it seems to me there can still be low IQ defenders who go through the motions of various defensive sets. For a defensive anchor at C, I prefer players who can see things before they happen, help be a leader on defense and dictate/communicate with teammates. These are things all great defenders do at any position.

I’m leaning towards Kon, Essengue, Malauch at the moment with Maluach being a tier below. Essengue is a project that I wouldn’t mind trying to develop (less immediate returns and bigger risk)

Technically, I’d draft Kon, trade Ochai for 25 + Goga and try to get a PF/C at 25. Doubt Fleming is available, so I’d go Markovic

[Jim Todd Jr.]

i know its crazy but im liking a trade back for Danny Wolf and then I like Adou Thiero with the other pick

[WuTang_CMB]

Watch on YouTube

;t=55s&ab_channel=RaptorsRepublic

[DreamTeam09]

Thomas Bryant and Mitchell Robinson are impacting ECF game 6s, I feel more than safe with a Maluach selection

[Indeed]

Not sure if this was posted already. Pretty interesting article summarizing some of the prospects that worked out for the Raps or would like to work out for them:
https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2025/05/29/toronto-raptors-pre-draft-tracker-targets-and-analysis-for-the-2025-nba-draft/

Tre Johnson is probably gone by the 9th pick. Fears reportedly wanted to workout for us, but he may be gone by the 9th pick as well.

Some of those are interviews, and not work out.

Besides, many people mentioned, interviews during combine are set by the league, not necessarily the team is interested in that player.

[Indeed]

Not that I’m against Maluach (I have him at around tier 2 or 3 for a #9 selection), but to your points:

- His physical traits in terms of moving and jumping got beaten by pretty much every big in the combine. At the same time, I’m not sure if speed/agility/hops matters as much since: 1) his length will cover for some of it, 2) he seems to have a good stance on the perimeter, although I wouldn’t want him out there guarding too close to the 3 point line anyways, 3) his reaction time, staying with his opponent, and recovery ability all seem ok.

That is a point against him. But with that frame if he had good lateral numbers he would not get to 9. Still, Imma call it a draw because his good stuff is off the charts.

- Was he the anchor or was Flagg? What if Maluach was just defensive help and not the main anchor or driving force (given there was minimal statistical difference with him on/off the court, which could also be due to a good defensive back-up)

Semantics, I think. What we need to be looking at is "How good was he protecting the rim", which is the skill he is getting drafted for. Let me address the on/off issue: I believe the promising numbers are FG% and Attempts at the rim on/off. Apparently bot numbers are great (like a 12% swing in FG% at the rim when on). Which means, yeah the defense was the same, it was a great defensive team regardless of KM. But, people were not getting in the pain when he was there which is the main thing for his role.

- I think he was said to have a weak/mediocre feel for the game.

I don't see it. In particular, the dunks off the pick and roll are not trivial at all, takes timing, etc... It'd be great to see the assists numbers for both Flagg and Kon. Cause those boys feasted with Malauach... You have to have feel for the game, being tall is not enough.

Going through different coverages on D doesn’t make him have high defensive IQ

Disagree, coverages is one of the most IQ thing in basketball. Bunch of people play drop not only because of physical limitations. I bring Gasol again, he was... not very athetic. Yet his IQ made him the best. This is where (completely in my opinion, ofc) is his real upside.

- The DeAndre Jordan offense of rim running is fine, but you also need to rely on your ball-handler there. I don’t think we’d be drafting him for offense anyways.

Absolutely, but he does have a world class skill. I trust *at least* Scottie, BI and Quick to be able to find him. Cause his radius is YUGE.
My point is that, for what you are drafting him for, that's enough offense for me. And FT of course, if not unplayable.

- The FT% and offensive rebs are fine. Like I said, I don’t think the O is the question. His offense is like bottom 2nd round level. The main question is how good his defense is, which dictates his draftability at 9.

Yep, that is where we have to project and it is what it is. Who do you want?

His coverage was a bit slow in reaction, so I am unsure how you can make the comparison that he has a high IQ. Plus is passing rate being so low, does not really show he is a high IQ player.

The projection would be Mark Williams / Kalkbrenner. NBA player, but I am uncertain you want to pick him at 9. Most likely a few players below would have a better career (and posts with why we passed that guy and draft a 3&D centre).

[CazOnReal]

I have my concerns with Khaman but they're more on the ceiling than his floor - and frankly I think you're overthinking Malauch if you don't think he'll make an impact on defense. His presence as a rim deterrence is notable and it's why he had so few blocks per game compared to what one would expect.

That aside, I think there's a reality check for what to expect if we do stick at #9: Your average 9th overall pick turns into a starter-caliber player and there's very little chance of them being anything more than that: https://www.statmuse.com/ask/9th-overall-pick-last-20?l=nba

If you get a Kemba Walker-level player then you struck gold. If you end up with a Jakob Poeltl, that's still a pick worth making.

If Khaman is available at 9 and he turns out to be more Poeltl sans-passing and less Dikembe Mutumbo future DPoY anchor then that's still a win. There's really only one player I see a ton of star potential who'd be available in that 9-15 range and they're extremely boom or bust at that.

[MEDIC]

Man, it would be really nice to draft someonr like Indy's Pascal Siakam or even the Knicks OG Anunoby.