2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[Indeed]

These playoffs really emphasizing we can’t get a big that can be played off the court defensively. Khaman still fits the bill but for where we’d have to take him, it’s tough

There are Fleming, Sorber, Kalkbrenner, Broome down the draft.
Maluach doesn't fit the offense of Darko. Unless we are changing our offense, and have a very good ball handler to create lobs (you are looking at Paul, Lowry or someone who can get down hill with a good passing vision). We are in no way make use of Maluach, and Barnes are horrible on offense with a stretch 5 or not (tried Olynyk with him shooting 40% from 3s). Let's not assume we get a stretch 5 and someone sudden become Hali or Siakam on our team.

You line of thinking is way too rigid. It's not always an X = Y situation. There's so many variables in the game of basketball that you're not accounting for.

What exactly I am not accounting for? What did Maluach show he can create his offense? If none, he is a 3&D Centre (as if his D is as advertise, which Combine measurement does not suggest he is switchable).

My thought is that people think a 3&D center would be the missing piece, but we are clearly not close, as we are missing someone who can create consistently to make use of that spacing big. Who is the downhill or postup force who can use that 3&D Centre? Outside of Ingram, Barrett and Shead (and unproven Quickley?), and they have their concerns against switch, where Maluach doesn't have the space to shoot, nor scorer has the ability to get separation or down to the rim.

[TNRaps4life]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

[WuTang_OG]

Odds this pick gets traded? Masai hunting as per windy

[ciueli]

Read on Twitter

Lets hope this comes to reality this time

What big fish are available, and what would it cost us? Those are the important questions. KD is too old, too expensive, and too similar to Ingram. Giannis is too costly in trade assets and it's not even clear he will be moved, if his is other teams will outbid us. KAT is a bad defender and I doubt the Knicks will move him for anyone on our roster, they need KAT's floor spacing too much and won't throw him away just because they didn't make the NBA Finals. Jaylen Brown is paid too much for what he does and the asking price would be too high. Darius Garland might be for trade but it's unclear how much swapping IQ for him and his more expensive contract helps us or what it would cost us.

That probably covers most of the available "big fish", though I could see Sabonis being moved by the Kings if they decide to blow it up. Could be some sort of swap for Jak + Barrett + picks from our end, but I don't know if that's what Masai has in mind in terms of a "big fish". It would be an upgrade over Jak, but I still think it's a lateral move that just sees us paying a higher price for the same type of non-floor spacing centre.

[Dalek]

Odds this pick gets traded? Masai hunting as per windy

This is sad news if true. It is actually bad for many parties. The Raps become pretenders that are paying the tax with Ujiri set to leave at the end of the year.

Whatever player they bring in likely is unhappy coming to a rebuild and has likely zero connection with Darko.

What happened to 2025 being our last kick at the can with a high pick? What happened to the we never even saw this core play together argument?

[DreamTeam09]

There are Fleming, Sorber, Kalkbrenner, Broome down the draft.
Maluach doesn't fit the offense of Darko. Unless we are changing our offense, and have a very good ball handler to create lobs (you are looking at Paul, Lowry or someone who can get down hill with a good passing vision). We are in no way make use of Maluach, and Barnes are horrible on offense with a stretch 5 or not (tried Olynyk with him shooting 40% from 3s). Let's not assume we get a stretch 5 and someone sudden become Hali or Siakam on our team.

You line of thinking is way too rigid. It's not always an X = Y situation. There's so many variables in the game of basketball that you're not accounting for.

What exactly I am not accounting for? What did Maluach show he can create his offense? If none, he is a 3&D Centre (as if his D is as advertise, which Combine measurement does not suggest he is switchable).

My thought is that people think a 3&D center would be the missing piece, but we are clearly not close, as we are missing someone who can create consistently to make use of that spacing big. Who is the downhill or postup force who can use that 3&D Centre? Outside of Ingram, Barrett and Shead (and unproven Quickley?), and they have their concerns against switch, where Maluach doesn't have the space to shoot, nor scorer has the ability to get separation or down to the rim.

Ingram
Barnes
RJ
IQ

Could all utalize a 7'2 rim running lob threat big man, as the roster is currently constructed. I'm not quite sure what you're envisioning when Maluach sets a screen and rolls, but that low man has to tag the C Maluach / meaning one of the corners is open. Option two, instead of the pocket passes we like to throw, we are now able to throw a lob.
If that big is playing in drop, now the ball handler is definitely getting down hill.
Maluach will create some spacing because he has to be accounted for like all 7+ players.
You're rigid in your thinking that you have to create separation with a sick handle in order to properly maximize a screen

[Son Goku 25]

We need a play making guard that can light it up from 3 and has an elite first step.. if theres a guard like that then please get one.

We thought it would be Quickly but tbh he hasn't really showed that yet although hes decent just injured a lot and isn't as quick as i thought he'd be and isn't the play maker we need from the starting PG. Scottie isn't that kind of player.

[Clutch0z24]

Odds this pick gets traded? Masai hunting as per windy

75% Chance i feel this pick is shipped on draft night....All these days of speculating and advocating for these prospects might have been for nothing If the report is true which its Windy so its prolly true....We prolly are either Shipping Barnes + And the pick for Giannis or we are shipping 9 + RJ for an upgrade some where else like a Trae Young level type guy....

[PhilBlackson]

Odds this pick gets traded? Masai hunting as per windy

This is sad news if true. It is actually bad for many parties. The Raps become pretenders that are paying the tax with Ujiri set to leave at the end of the year.

Whatever player they bring in likely is unhappy coming to a rebuild and has likely zero connection with Darko.

What happened to 2025 being our last kick at the can with a high pick? What happened to the we never even saw this core play together argument?

I wouldn't go as far as saying "sad" news but I'm not sure what to make of it....for me it all comes down to who the player is and what the cost is.

Before saying more about that I would say if anything Masai making a big trade would more than likely actually help him secure another big contract because they're obviously looking at the landscape of the East and thinking this is a VERY advantageous time for them to strike in order to make a deep run/Finals' appearance. Flame if you want but I honestly believe even this current interation of the team with the #9 added within a couple of years could easily be at least competing with the likes of the Knicks and Pacers.

The FO likely thinks NOW is the time to pounce while Tatum is out and Embiid will at best hobble his way to the end of the season and while you call them a "pretender" I don't buy that a core of Ingram, Scottie and whichever star (call it KD) couldn't get through the Pacers or Knicks....having said that personally I was sorta looking forward to the "growing process" of this team...it adds to the journey to witness the ups and down and finally make it over the hump. A move like this just microwaves everything where we are almost immediately jumping to whatever the end result will be which is fine because it would still be great for the franchise to bring all the attention etc to the team/country again but there's something to be said for how a "build up" can increase the emotional connection.

If by some miracle we can somehow hold on to the 9th pick (I know that's doubtful), I'd actually welcome the trade personally because we'd still have some GOOD young talent we could watch grow at the same time but I guess we'll see...certainly won't shock me if we do make a big trade, the move for BI shows we're trying to compete again pretty much asap.

[WuTang_OG]

Odds this pick gets traded? Masai hunting as per windy

75% Chance i feel this pick is shipped on draft night....All these days of speculating and advocating for these prospects might have been for nothing If the report is true which its Windy so its prolly true....We prolly are either Shipping Barnes + And the pick for Giannis or we are shipping 9 + RJ for an upgrade some where else like a Trae Young level type guy....

I don’t know if its 75% because Masai only doing it for a top guy and there’s so few available but it looks like its def on the table so i would say less than 50% a deal gets done where its included.

Giannis is probably 1%

Could see Masai back in on KD

But both those guys would want to come so i doubt anything happens

If they really like Fears and see him a franchise PG, i hope for once we are aggressive trading up

[ciueli]

Odds this pick gets traded? Masai hunting as per windy

This is sad news if true. It is actually bad for many parties. The Raps become pretenders that are paying the tax with Ujiri set to leave at the end of the year.

Whatever player they bring in likely is unhappy coming to a rebuild and has likely zero connection with Darko.

What happened to 2025 being our last kick at the can with a high pick? What happened to the we never even saw this core play together argument?

They are already pretty far in on win now with the Ingram trade, all in an attempt to get Masai + Bobby their new contracts, what's one more draft pick out the door in a draft where there may not even be a player they like at 9 anyway? This is why you don't let lame duck executives run your team, they are always tempted to make short term decisions at the expense of the long term.

[Clutch0z24]

Odds this pick gets traded? Masai hunting as per windy

75% Chance i feel this pick is shipped on draft night....All these days of speculating and advocating for these prospects might have been for nothing If the report is true which its Windy so its prolly true....We prolly are either Shipping Barnes + And the pick for Giannis or we are shipping 9 + RJ for an upgrade some where else like a Trae Young level type guy....

I don’t know if its 75% because Masai only doing it for a top guy and there’s so few available but it looks like its def on the table so i would say less than 50% a deal gets done where its included.

Giannis is probably 1%

Could see Masai back in on KD

But both those guys would want to come so i doubt anything happens

If they really like Fears and see him a franchise PG, i hope for once we are aggressive trading up

Theres a pretty big list of All star level players available that the 9th pick could be enticing to these teams trying to move them.....

Giannis
KD
Booker
Ja Morant
Trae Young
LaMelo Ball
Darius Garland (Prolly not good enough to give up lots)
Zion (Prolly no team touching that but who knows)
Jaylen Brown
Sabonis

I mean its possible Raptors just want to upgrade....Obv Giannis would be the only player you would give up Barnes for in a deal....But if Masai thinks he could make a big 3 of Barnes/Ingram/(Insert one of these names) Who knows what Masai is thinking in such a weak East.....Its really really rare a Rookie coming into the league impacts winning and with this report out the pick could be on the table as a trade chip for majority of these guys...

[WuTang_OG]

75% Chance i feel this pick is shipped on draft night....All these days of speculating and advocating for these prospects might have been for nothing If the report is true which its Windy so its prolly true....We prolly are either Shipping Barnes + And the pick for Giannis or we are shipping 9 + RJ for an upgrade some where else like a Trae Young level type guy....

I don’t know if its 75% because Masai only doing it for a top guy and there’s so few available but it looks like its def on the table so i would say less than 50% a deal gets done where its included.

Giannis is probably 1%

Could see Masai back in on KD

But both those guys would want to come so i doubt anything happens

If they really like Fears and see him a franchise PG, i hope for once we are aggressive trading up

Theres a pretty big list of All star level players available that the 9th pick could be enticing to these teams trying to move them.....

Giannis
KD
Booker
Ja Morant
Trae Young
LaMelo Ball
Darius Garland (Prolly not good enough to give up lots)
Zion (Prolly no team touching that but who knows)
Jaylen Brown
Sabonis

I mean its possible Raptors just want to upgrade....Obv Giannis would be the only player you would give up Barnes for in a deal....But if Masai thinks he could make a big 3 of Barnes/Ingram/(Insert one of these names) Who knows what Masai is thinking in such a weak East.....Its really really rare a Rookie coming into thing impacts winning and with this report out the pick could be on the table as a trade chip for majority of these guys...

Booker is already taking meetings with future coaches. Looks like they keeping him for now…

Maybe Ja

[PhilBlackson]

I don’t know if its 75% because Masai only doing it for a top guy and there’s so few available but it looks like its def on the table so i would say less than 50% a deal gets done where its included.

Giannis is probably 1%

Could see Masai back in on KD

But both those guys would want to come so i doubt anything happens

If they really like Fears and see him a franchise PG, i hope for once we are aggressive trading up

Theres a pretty big list of All star level players available that the 9th pick could be enticing to these teams trying to move them.....

Giannis
KD
Booker
Ja Morant
Trae Young
LaMelo Ball
Darius Garland (Prolly not good enough to give up lots)
Zion (Prolly no team touching that but who knows)
Jaylen Brown
Sabonis

I mean its possible Raptors just want to upgrade....Obv Giannis would be the only player you would give up Barnes for in a deal....But if Masai thinks he could make a big 3 of Barnes/Ingram/(Insert one of these names) Who knows what Masai is thinking in such a weak East.....Its really really rare a Rookie coming into thing impacts winning and with this report out the pick could be on the table as a trade chip for majority of these guys...

Booker is already taking meetings with future coaches. Looks like they keeping him for now…

Maybe Ja

Don't forget Masai also tried to trade into the draft to get LaMelo...just saying.

[Clutch0z24]

I don’t know if its 75% because Masai only doing it for a top guy and there’s so few available but it looks like its def on the table so i would say less than 50% a deal gets done where its included.

Giannis is probably 1%

Could see Masai back in on KD

But both those guys would want to come so i doubt anything happens

If they really like Fears and see him a franchise PG, i hope for once we are aggressive trading up

Theres a pretty big list of All star level players available that the 9th pick could be enticing to these teams trying to move them.....

Giannis
KD
Booker
Ja Morant
Trae Young
LaMelo Ball
Darius Garland (Prolly not good enough to give up lots)
Zion (Prolly no team touching that but who knows)
Jaylen Brown
Sabonis

I mean its possible Raptors just want to upgrade....Obv Giannis would be the only player you would give up Barnes for in a deal....But if Masai thinks he could make a big 3 of Barnes/Ingram/(Insert one of these names) Who knows what Masai is thinking in such a weak East.....Its really really rare a Rookie coming into thing impacts winning and with this report out the pick could be on the table as a trade chip for majority of these guys...

Booker is already taking meetings with future coaches. Looks like they keeping him for now…

Maybe Ja

Yep but i just made a list of possible outcomes....If Masai sees a window for us....The 9th pick is prolly being used as a trade in any deal involving said player thats why i think its likely if a trade does happen the 9th pick is gone....Ofc theres a chance we just stay the chores and draft....But if Masai is going for a trade it seems unlikely....

[Clutch0z24]

Theres a pretty big list of All star level players available that the 9th pick could be enticing to these teams trying to move them.....

Giannis
KD
Booker
Ja Morant
Trae Young
LaMelo Ball
Darius Garland (Prolly not good enough to give up lots)
Zion (Prolly no team touching that but who knows)
Jaylen Brown
Sabonis

I mean its possible Raptors just want to upgrade....Obv Giannis would be the only player you would give up Barnes for in a deal....But if Masai thinks he could make a big 3 of Barnes/Ingram/(Insert one of these names) Who knows what Masai is thinking in such a weak East.....Its really really rare a Rookie coming into thing impacts winning and with this report out the pick could be on the table as a trade chip for majority of these guys...

Booker is already taking meetings with future coaches. Looks like they keeping him for now…

Maybe Ja

Don't forget Masai also tried to trade into the draft to get LaMelo...just saying.

Thats my guess if we miss out on Giannis i think Melo will be the first player he tries to get....I think Melo has the best Hali comp ...Big long Iso PG who can throw dimes and get his own shot....He needs to stay healthy but hes still only 23 so he is perfect with Barnes...Could see...

Dick
RJ
9th
Package...

[WuTang_OG]

Theres a pretty big list of All star level players available that the 9th pick could be enticing to these teams trying to move them.....

Giannis
KD
Booker
Ja Morant
Trae Young
LaMelo Ball
Darius Garland (Prolly not good enough to give up lots)
Zion (Prolly no team touching that but who knows)
Jaylen Brown
Sabonis

I mean its possible Raptors just want to upgrade....Obv Giannis would be the only player you would give up Barnes for in a deal....But if Masai thinks he could make a big 3 of Barnes/Ingram/(Insert one of these names) Who knows what Masai is thinking in such a weak East.....Its really really rare a Rookie coming into thing impacts winning and with this report out the pick could be on the table as a trade chip for majority of these guys...

Booker is already taking meetings with future coaches. Looks like they keeping him for now…

Maybe Ja

Yep but i just made a list of possible outcomes....If Masai sees a window for us....The 9th pick is prolly being used as a trade in any deal involving said player thats why i think its likely if a trade does happen the 9th pick is gone....Ofc theres a chance we just stay the chores and draft....But if Masai is going for a trade it seems unlikely....

Any trade for a star will need to include 9th. I think PHX needs to do something on draft night so they can pick their guy.

[M3tro]

Read on Twitter

Lets hope this comes to reality this time

Welcome home, Zion...

[WuTang_OG]

Odds this pick gets traded? Masai hunting as per windy

This is sad news if true. It is actually bad for many parties. The Raps become pretenders that are paying the tax with Ujiri set to leave at the end of the year.

Whatever player they bring in likely is unhappy coming to a rebuild and has likely zero connection with Darko.

What happened to 2025 being our last kick at the can with a high pick? What happened to the we never even saw this core play together argument?

I wouldn't go as far as saying "sad" news but I'm not sure what to make of it....for me it all comes down to who the player is and what the cost is.

Before saying more about that I would say if anything Masai making a big trade would more than likely actually help him secure another big contract because they're obviously looking at the landscape of the East and thinking this is a VERY advantageous time for them to strike in order to make a deep run/Finals' appearance. Flame if you want but I honestly believe even this current interation of the team with the #9 added within a couple of years could easily be at least competing with the likes of the Knicks and Pacers.

The FO likely thinks NOW is the time to pounce while Tatum is out and Embiid will at best hobble his way to the end of the season and while you call them a "pretender" I don't buy that a core of Ingram, Scottie and whichever star (call it KD) couldn't get through the Pacers or Knicks....having said that personally I was sorta looking forward to the "growing process" of this team...it adds to the journey to witness the ups and down and finally make it over the hump. A move like this just microwaves everything where we are almost immediately jumping to whatever the end result will be which is fine because it would still be great for the franchise to bring all the attention etc to the team/country again but there's something to be said for how a "build up" can increase the emotional connection.

If by some miracle we can somehow hold on to the 9th pick (I know that's doubtful), I'd actually welcome the trade personally because we'd still have some GOOD young talent we could watch grow at the same time but I guess we'll see...certainly won't shock me if we do make a big trade, the move for BI shows we're trying to compete again pretty much asap.

Phil this is accurate. Masai has already been on record during the season saying why cant you go for it now? He said you have to have the mindset you can win it every season. Obviously the last 2 ourmindset was developing and picking high. Next season its a whole new ball game. They are clearly pivoting to win now with BI inthe fold and our core players 25-28. East is wide open as you said.

Masai will be aggressive to strike on a big name. If it happens who tf knows

[Godaddycurse]

Maybe Masai is thinking of trading up

Dick + 9 + 2026 top 4 protected 1st for 5 + 21 or 6 + 18 to get Fears or Tre and a back up C