2025 NBA Draft (2)

[LeonJordanJr24]

Tre lacks motor and defensive chops. I see a super 6th man . Good prospect but Ace just what we need for this team at 3rd pick.

[Iverson Armband]

Depends on the draft.

Everyone is saying the consensus #3 to #8 is all the same. Based off history, I’m willing to bet any amount of money there will be atleast one player drafted in that range that is clearly better than the rest.

But there's the rub, you don't which player it's going to be. I could be the guy drafted a #3 or the guy drafted at #8. It's easy to determine looking back, but it's impossible without hindsight.

No, it’s not impossible. There’s skill to drafting.

[ProcessDoctor]

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[youngcrev]

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I don't see it at all. Looks like an unskilled guy who's length/athleticism won't stand out in the NBA.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Jakucionis is as skilled as they come at the point guard position in this draft. If we go with him I won't be mad. Like I said, there's 5 or 6 guys in this draft that we can't go wrong with in my opinion.

[sodmoraes]

I saw some Jakucionis highlights and he seems like a good player, with a good looking jumper. But he only shot like 31% from 3. People said he was injured, but i dont know. Seems like a way too risky pick. If Morey dont want Ace im good with Tre or even Edge. After that it gets way too risky in my opinion..

[ProcessDoctor]

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I don't see it at all. Looks like an unskilled guy who's length/athleticism won't stand out in the NBA.

Your loss

He's very raw and probably won't stand out for his first 2-3 years, but when he's hitting 21-22, I think he'll be viewed as a rising star. He's not really playing a lead role right now, but is the best player on his team at 18 years old.

[youngcrev]

Just listened to Tom Crean (coached Wade, Oladipo, and Ant) on The Ringer NBA draft show talking about the guards of this draft.

He loves him some VJ. He thinks he's got the prettiest jumper of the top guys outside of Kon (not sure if he just forgot about Tre...). He loves his upside as a ball handler due to how low he gets on his crossover (reminds him of Wade). Loves the work ethic and that he can come in and play right away off ball as a catch and shoot/cutter while he develops. Talked about the huge leaps he's made from junior year in high school, to senior year, to his freshman season.

I'm flip flopping for the 200th time and saying give me VJ if we stay at 3.

Crean was a lot more critical of Harper. He thinks he's got superstar upside, but thinks he's a pretty poor floor general at this point and doesn't love the shot or his ability with his non dominant hand.

He likes Kasparas but thinks he shoots a heavy shot.

[Black Mage]

Why the arbitrary cutoff in 2000? Before that you have the below, with the "winner" listed first:

1998 - Nowitzki (9th) for Traylor (6th)
1998 - Carter (5th) for Jamison (4th)
1993 - Hardaway (3rd) for Webber (1st)
1987 - Pippen (5th) for Polynice (8th)
1980 - McHale (3rd) for Carroll (1st)

4 out of 5 times the team trading down "won" the trade, the only exception being the Pippen trade.

Bottom line is there's way too small sample size even going back this far for it to be statistically significant. Just make the best deal you can.

Don't ask me, I didn't write the Phillyvoice article. I was just relaying what was discussed on the podcast that was reviewing the article.

[Jojothewhale]

I’ve been doing some deep diving on Kon. I think it’s important to keep in mind how many of the statistical approaches LOVE him and it’s not just college data. This is important because that archetype rarely passes that kind of test. Since he was brought up, Kevin Pelton had Stauskas 20th in that class. He has Kon 2nd. I think it’s important to read why.

Having Flagg's teammate just behind him is a more surprising outcome. Based strictly on college performance, Knueppel would drop a few spots, more in line with where he ranks in the top 100 (No. 9).

However, Knueppel had the strongest projection of any prospect who participated in the Nike EYBL AAU competition in either 2022 or 2023. He posted a .642 true shooting percentage on 35% usage in 2023, suggesting more shot creation potential than we saw alongside other talented prospects at Duke.

[Black Mage]

Watching Tre a few times this season, he often came off to me as a pure chucker who was useless other than when he had the ball in his hands - little off ball movement, always looking for his own shot, a zero defensively, etc. But in listening to his interviews and watching some of the vids you guys provided, he seems like a gym rat who works relentlessly on his game.

For what it’s worth, multiple draft guys have said scouts told them he has some Jimmy Butler to him from an approach perspective. That’s not a name to invoke lightly. The work ethic is downright psychopathic.

I know some people will love that and others hate it, but if you’re a put in the work guy, I think he should be pretty high on your board for 3.

Don't happen to have some links for that do you?

[Jojothewhale]

Don't happen to have some links for that do you?

I have to try to remember where the hell I heard it. If I find it, I will link it for you. I think YKB was one of them.

[Black Mage]

KOC’s latest mock has Noa Essengue and Cedric Coward moving into the top 10.

In his mock, #3 for #6 and #18 gets us our pick of Fears/Coward/Noa at #6 and Queen at #18.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/draft/mock/?view=default&board=0&filter=round%3Aall

Just going to note why I always see KOC as a bit of a clown. In his mock draft he declares Ace isn't a good pull-up shooter; but if you check his scouting report the very first "strength" is pull-up shooting. So which is it KOC?

[Black Mage]

KOC’s latest mock has Noa Essengue and Cedric Coward moving into the top 10.

In his mock, #3 for #6 and #18 gets us our pick of Fears/Coward/Noa at #6 and Queen at #18.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/draft/mock/?view=default&board=0&filter=round%3Aall

With how that mock is going.. at #6 & #18, we’re very likely going for Kneuppel and CMB.

And Daryl won't have a job in 2 years and we'll be starting a real Process 2.0.

[Black Mage]

Just listened to Tom Crean (coached Wade, Oladipo, and Ant) on The Ringer NBA draft show talking about the guards of this draft.

He loves him some VJ. He thinks he's got the prettiest jumper of the top guys outside of Kon (not sure if he just forgot about Tre...). He loves his upside as a ball handler due to how low he gets on his crossover (reminds him of Wade). Loves the work ethic and that he can come in and play right away off ball as a catch and shoot/cutter while he develops. Talked about the huge leaps he's made from junior year in high school, to senior year, to his freshman season.

I'm flip flopping for the 200th time and saying give me VJ if we stay at 3.

Crean was a lot more critical of Harper. He thinks he's got superstar upside, but thinks he's a pretty poor floor general at this point and doesn't love the shot or his ability with his non dominant hand.

He likes Kasparas but thinks he shoots a heavy shot.

When he's set the form looks good; but it's also slow. The form falls apart when it's off the dribble or he gets sped up.

[Black Mage]

I don't like the idea of trading back unless we're in a position like Hinkie was with the Magic or Ainge was with us. They both had done their investigating and determined they could trade back and still get the guy they wanted. Outside of swapping with the Hornets who seem to be telegraphing they want VJ, we have no idea what any of the other next 3-4 teams would do if they moved up or we dropped behind them.

A lot of folks have been saying "don't over think this" and I think if ever that were true it's with this trade down garbage. Find the guy you want and take him. Don't leave it to chance and get cute trying to scoop up an extra asset or two. Unless that asset is insane (like unprotected 2026 picks) there's just not enough benefits to risking losing the guy you want.

Also, if the reason you're trading down is b/c you can't decide, then Josh Harris should probably fire his GM and the scouting staff.

[Negrodamus]

Just listened to Tom Crean (coached Wade, Oladipo, and Ant) on The Ringer NBA draft show talking about the guards of this draft.

He loves him some VJ. He thinks he's got the prettiest jumper of the top guys outside of Kon (not sure if he just forgot about Tre...). He loves his upside as a ball handler due to how low he gets on his crossover (reminds him of Wade). Loves the work ethic and that he can come in and play right away off ball as a catch and shoot/cutter while he develops. Talked about the huge leaps he's made from junior year in high school, to senior year, to his freshman season.

I'm flip flopping for the 200th time and saying give me VJ if we stay at 3.

Crean was a lot more critical of Harper. He thinks he's got superstar upside, but thinks he's a pretty poor floor general at this point and doesn't love the shot or his ability with his non dominant hand.

He likes Kasparas but thinks he shoots a heavy shot.

When he's set the form looks good; but it's also slow. The form falls apart when it's off the dribble or he gets sped up.

Watch on YouTube

One of the toughest shot makers in the NBA right now. His shot diet was mostly at the rim or C&S threes. He didn't become the tough shot maker he is now until after he was in the league for a minute.

More important than knowing how to hit fadeaway shots with guys hands in your face is the ability to dribble at an elite level, which is a concern for VJ. I feel like the tough shotmaking is just not a very interesting trait and one that has the easiest path to learn. Even look at Maxey for us.

[M2J]

I don't like the idea of trading back unless we're in a position like Hinkie was with the Magic or Ainge was with us. They both had done their investigating and determined they could trade back and still get the guy they wanted. Outside of swapping with the Hornets who seem to be telegraphing they want VJ, we have no idea what any of the other next 3-4 teams would do if they moved up or we dropped behind them.

A lot of folks have been saying "don't over think this" and I think if ever that were true it's with this trade down garbage. Find the guy you want and take him. Don't leave it to chance and get cute trying to scoop up an extra asset or two. Unless that asset is insane (like unprotected 2026 picks) there's just not enough benefits to risking losing the guy you want.

Also, if the reason you're trading down is b/c you can't decide, then Josh Harris should probably fire his GM and the scouting staff.

Everyone thinks they're smart because they don't know who to draft, so trade it....Trading back is weak sauce. As said before these GMs have government level background checking on these guys. Their work ethic, direct personal discussions, discussions with former teammates, professors, coaches and other scouts and teams they've been recruited by, plus personal workouts.

Man up and pick the guy you think is going to be a star Daryl, as you've proven you can do. Even if it's a guy no one is talking about.

[Arsenal]

Just listened to Tom Crean (coached Wade, Oladipo, and Ant) on The Ringer NBA draft show talking about the guards of this draft.

He loves him some VJ. He thinks he's got the prettiest jumper of the top guys outside of Kon (not sure if he just forgot about Tre...). He loves his upside as a ball handler due to how low he gets on his crossover (reminds him of Wade). Loves the work ethic and that he can come in and play right away off ball as a catch and shoot/cutter while he develops. Talked about the huge leaps he's made from junior year in high school, to senior year, to his freshman season.

I'm flip flopping for the 200th time and saying give me VJ if we stay at 3.

Crean was a lot more critical of Harper. He thinks he's got superstar upside, but thinks he's a pretty poor floor general at this point and doesn't love the shot or his ability with his non dominant hand.

He likes Kasparas but thinks he shoots a heavy shot.

When he's set the form looks good; but it's also slow. The form falls apart when it's off the dribble or he gets sped up.

Watch on YouTube

One of the toughest shot makers in the NBA right now. His shot diet was mostly at the rim or C&S threes. He didn't become the tough shot maker he is now until after he was in the league for a minute.

More important than knowing how to hit fadeaway shots with guys hands in your face is the ability to dribble at an elite, which is a concern for VJ. I feel like the tough shotmaking is just not a very interesting trait and one that has the easiest path to learn. Even look at Maxey for us.

Sticking to a good shot diet of at the rim or C&S 3's is a lot easier when you're on a stacked team with talent surrounding you, instead of a dumpster fire where you have to carry the load all by yourself because your teammates can't hit the broadside of a barn.

If Ace is coachable, fixing his shot diet should be pretty straightforward.

[Negrodamus]

When he's set the form looks good; but it's also slow. The form falls apart when it's off the dribble or he gets sped up.

Watch on YouTube

One of the toughest shot makers in the NBA right now. His shot diet was mostly at the rim or C&S threes. He didn't become the tough shot maker he is now until after he was in the league for a minute.

More important than knowing how to hit fadeaway shots with guys hands in your face is the ability to dribble at an elite, which is a concern for VJ. I feel like the tough shotmaking is just not a very interesting trait and one that has the easiest path to learn. Even look at Maxey for us.

Sticking to a good shot diet of at the rim or C&S 3's is a lot easier when you're on a stacked team with talent surrounding you, instead of a dumpster fire where you have to carry the load all by yourself because your teammates can't hit the broadside of a barn.

If Ace is coachable, fixing his shot diet should be pretty straightforward.

What? I'm not talking about Ace (or Tre for that matter), I'm talking about VJ.