2025 NBA Draft (2)

[Negrodamus]

And not for nothing, but AD was a big time play finisher at UK. He really didn't do a ton of creating. Not making that comp, but I don't think it's a deal breaker for face up PF with plus length/height

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2012&p=Anthony%20Davis&t=Kentucky

Watch on YouTube

[76ciology]

Not to continue hammering home the Noa possibility, but what if he's measured at over 7'0" wingspan or is 6'10 without shoes? Last time he was measured, it appears he was 17 years old. Looks extremely long in gameplay. If we're in the 7'0" height in shoes and 7'0+ in wingspan, then things start to get interesting.

I might be mistaken, but don't these Euro guys who are still playing have to get measured prior to the draft? Same with Kon doing the strength and agility drills when he's healthy enough?

He’s a mere play finisher with ULM, his shooting is banking alot on his 70+FT%. He’s a good prospect but not the kind you look with a top 5 pick.

Best case, where he figures everything out could be Jaden McDaniels.

Yea, I get that. I just think in the 3-10 range there is a void in the plus length/plus athleticism space. He's been a two way player who seems to show up at every level he's played at. One of the youngest players in the draft. Also plays on offense largely on the perimeter. One of the few big guys who are high energy/effort and will beat the other team down the court while also getting back on defense to stop the fast break.

If we're talking crazy home run swings, I feel he's as good as anyone is this range.

If we’re talking “crazy home run swings” then I’d take my chances with Maluach. Even though he’s played against weaker competition, he’s shown more shot creation and likely has greater shooting upside. In terms of shooting and ball-handling alone, his fundamentals at the center position are ahead of what Noa offers at forward. Add to that Maluach’s elite length.. something only a handful of NBA players can match, and he has a clearly higher floor as a plug and play rim protector and lob threat.

But yeah, that’s just my preference and you can have yours’

[76ciology]

And not for nothing, but AD was a big time play finisher at UK. He really didn't do a ton of creating. Not making that comp, but I don't think it's a deal breaker for face up PF with plus length/height

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2012&p=Anthony%20Davis&t=Kentucky

Watch on YouTube

I think AD has better ball handling skills because he was playing the guard position until he has growth spurt that even lead his two eyebrows to unite into one unibrow

[Negrodamus]

And not for nothing, but AD was a big time play finisher at UK. He really didn't do a ton of creating. Not making that comp, but I don't think it's a deal breaker for face up PF with plus length/height

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2012&p=Anthony%20Davis&t=Kentucky

Watch on YouTube

I think AD has better ball handling skills because he was playing the guard position until he has growth spurt that even lead his two eyebrows to unite into one unibrow

Then we gotta get Thiero in the first since he was a PG before growing into this 6’7 monster forward (with a very normal set of eyebrows).

[76ciology]

And not for nothing, but AD was a big time play finisher at UK. He really didn't do a ton of creating. Not making that comp, but I don't think it's a deal breaker for face up PF with plus length/height

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2012&p=Anthony%20Davis&t=Kentucky

Watch on YouTube

I think AD has better ball handling skills because he was playing the guard position until he has growth spurt that even lead his two eyebrows to unite into one unibrow

Then we gotta get Thiero in the first since he was a PG before growing into this 6’7 monster forward (with a very normal set of eyebrows).

Watch on YouTube

[76ciology]

He likes Kasparas but thinks he shoots a heavy shot.

Thanks for the info.. I’ll check it out. I read part of the transcript, and I believe he mentioned that Kasparas tends to lose confidence late in the season. I agree, especially after watching his last game against Kentucky. I don’t know if its because its turning the ball like 4 times early in the first half but he was deferring a lot to Boswell. I’m not sure if it’s part of Illinois’ scheme.. maybe they’re trying to keep it close with Kasparas playing a Jimmy Butler-type role, coming in as the closer. But in that game, even when Kasparas eventually took charge, it felt too late. The team just didn’t have enough firepower to mount a comeback. But he look really really passive the entire game. Like he would just stand in the corner on offense and gave me Evan Turner rookie year vibe.

I’m still high on him.. he’s third on my big board. I’d still be happy drafting him, Tre, or Kneuppel at #3.

[76ciology]

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?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

Morey likes his height to wing span ratio;

yeah but.. McCain

[76ciology]

My top options at No. 3 right now are Kasparas, Tre, and Kneuppel. They’re ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th on my big board, and I’m comfortable with any of them.

It's Kasparis, Kon, and Tre for me as the top 3. 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. Pure shot makers don't grow on trees, and if this kid lands in the right spot and isn't thrown into a system where he becomes a 'tank commander' type on bad teams (Cam Thomas?), the potential is clearly there for him to be an all-star level winning player.

I think it’s because Texas doesn’t just give the ball to Tre and let him operate, he was more of a bailout guy where they would run some actions outside Tre as primary action then dump it to Tre whenever it’s denied. That likely stems from how tough the SEC was and how limited their overall talent was. It was a strategy to alleviate pressure on him and maximize the team’s collective talent (a lot of guards).

That said, I’m not concerned at all about Tre’s playmaking. His assist percentage is double that of Cam’s and there are several metrics that say that he’s a very good passer (i.e big time passes %).Where he really needs to improve is adding mass to his frame. That added strength would help him finish through contact and hold his own defensively.

NBA teams have the “magic sauce” to make that happen.

He’s only 19. What if he redshirts next season and comes back with 10–15 pounds of added muscle and visibly improved strength? Combine that with his height-to-wingspan ratio, athleticism, elite shooting, and shotmaking.

[Kolkmania]

Based on the numbers I completely understand the recent Coward hype. Big frame, big hands, gigantic wingspan and very promising indicators (+ 80% FT, 20~ish DRB%, decent FTr and BLK and STL%). Currently more of a play finisher on offense, but his scoring percentages in the post remind me of Butler and Leonard (including the high release point of his midrangers). He might have some sneaky high-level upside.

Dribbling/playmaking needs some serious work, but I can definitely see a path that allows him to slowly transition from a 3&D player to a higher usage role.

Generally I'm not really in favor of trading down, since we need to go for high upside swings in my opinion. However, I think that a potential path to All-Star level is just as reasonable for Coward as for VJ/Bailey given their downsides. So this is a serious candidate for me to trade down.

[youngcrev]

My top options at No. 3 right now are Kasparas, Tre, and Kneuppel. They’re ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th on my big board, and I’m comfortable with any of them.

It's Kasparis, Kon, and Tre for me as the top 3. 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. Pure shot makers don't grow on trees, and if this kid lands in the right spot and isn't thrown into a system where he becomes a 'tank commander' type on bad teams (Cam Thomas?), the potential is clearly there for him to be an all-star level winning player.

I think it’s because Texas doesn’t just give the ball to Tre and let him operate, he was more of a bailout guy where they would run some actions outside Tre as primary action then dump it to Tre whenever it’s denied. That likely stems from how tough the SEC was and how limited their overall talent was. It was a strategy to alleviate pressure on him and maximize the team’s collective talent (a lot of guards).

That said, I’m not concerned at all about Tre’s playmaking. His assist percentage is double that of Cam’s and there are several metrics that say that he’s a very good passer (i.e big time passes %).Where he really needs to improve is adding mass to his frame. That added strength would help him finish through contact and hold his own defensively.

NBA teams have the “magic sauce” to make that happen.

He’s only 19. What if he redshirts next season and comes back with 10–15 pounds of added muscle and visibly improved strength? Combine that with his height-to-wingspan ratio, athleticism, elite shooting, and shotmaking.

I need to watch an actual full game or 2, but when I see a 29.1 usg%, I have a hard time believing this. Not saying you are wrong.

[mjkvol]

I think everyone we pick probably starts off as a bench guy and general rotation piece next season

all of this mocking guy into starting lineups and if they "fit" or not is kinda pointless. There is a chance our "big 3" are all gone in a year or two...hopefully its due to whoever we take at 3 being THAT GUY but more than likely simply it will be due to the new GM and coach wanting a clean slate lol.

I am not interested in moves that "help" for next season. Next season's high end outcome still relies on Biid not being broken, PG having more in the tank, and Maxey taking just another step and the depth being young athletes and not old corpses..nothing we do at 3 changes that in the short term. There is no move IMO that does.

Agree 100% on having zero interest in any pick helping next season, or really in next season at all from a results POV. I'm not delusional enough (a weird thing for a Sixers fan admittedly) to believe that Embiid will ever be close to what he was and I always believed that the George signing was a disaster waiting to happen, the beginning of the end of the Embiid era.

Regardless who the picks are, the goal next season should be to clean the slate for '26-'27, move every aging player on the roster if possible, and begin building this thing the right way for once. If we have to live with Embiid, then just deal with that, but please stop with the idea of competing with him and George as part of the plan. This is the perfect opportunity to move forward, and I hope Morey takes it.

[sodmoraes]

Is the league Esengue playing a big league on Europe? If it isnt seems way too risky, because he´s playing against people with limited skills/athletic abilities. Anyways, i wouldnt spend a top pick on him, although i think he will be picked in the top 10.

[76ciology]

It's Kasparis, Kon, and Tre for me as the top 3. 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. Pure shot makers don't grow on trees, and if this kid lands in the right spot and isn't thrown into a system where he becomes a 'tank commander' type on bad teams (Cam Thomas?), the potential is clearly there for him to be an all-star level winning player.

I think it’s because Texas doesn’t just give the ball to Tre and let him operate, he was more of a bailout guy where they would run some actions outside Tre as primary action then dump it to Tre whenever it’s denied. That likely stems from how tough the SEC was and how limited their overall talent was. It was a strategy to alleviate pressure on him and maximize the team’s collective talent (a lot of guards).

That said, I’m not concerned at all about Tre’s playmaking. His assist percentage is double that of Cam’s and there are several metrics that say that he’s a very good passer (i.e big time passes %).Where he really needs to improve is adding mass to his frame. That added strength would help him finish through contact and hold his own defensively.

NBA teams have the “magic sauce” to make that happen.

He’s only 19. What if he redshirts next season and comes back with 10–15 pounds of added muscle and visibly improved strength? Combine that with his height-to-wingspan ratio, athleticism, elite shooting, and shotmaking.

I need to watch an actual full game or 2, but when I see a 29.1 usg%, I have a hard time believing this. Not saying you are wrong.

Try this

Watch on YouTube

[kriss73]

As almost everyone of you, I think we don't have to draft the guy who can better help us in the next two years, but the guy with the highest potential.

On paper that guy seems to be Ace but who knows? The obsession for the game and for the victory is the key element in drafting a stud, for me.

That been said, I won't be opposed to a trade down with the Wiz to pick up #6 and #18. A combo of wings like Essengue and Coward (or Powell) could mesh well with Maxey/McCain and Edwards in the long run.

I think that the team for 25-26 is pretty set if we're able to resign Grimes, i.e. Maxey, Grimes (McCain), Oubre, PG, Embiid


#3 and Drummond for #6 and a 2026 1st lightly protected is even better

[LeonJordanJr24]

As almost everyone of you, I think we don't have to draft the guy who can better help us in the next two years, but the guy with the highest potential.

On paper that guy seems to be Ace but who knows? The obsession for the game and for the victory is the key element in drafting a stud, for me.

That been said, I won't be opposed to a trade down with the Wiz to pick up #6 and #18. A combo of wings like Essengue and Coward (or Powell) could mesh well with Maxey/McCain and Edwards in the long run.

I think that the team for 25-26 is pretty set if we're able to resign Grimes, i.e. Maxey, Grimes (McCain), Oubre, PG, Embiid


#3 and Drummond for #6 anche a 2026 1st lightly protected is even better

This team sucks draft ace. I aint drafting down to find fits for Ricky Council... This thread is getting ridiculous.

[Stanford]

Ace sucks and will always suck

[Mik317]

we have been owned on the boards by rebounding guards all of my life

and if VJ is JUST Jrue or D. White...two guys who were major parts of championship winning squads...I'll take it.

[Black Mage]

If you just look at the numbers, VJ Edgecombe might make sense. But that’s exactly why you can’t rely on numbers alone.

What does VJ really bring that Rasheer Fleming can’t?

VJ’s main value lies in his stocks and rebounding.. but for a guard, I think those traits aren’t as valued as shotcreation and playmaking. One of his supposed strengths is playing bigger than his size on defense, but offensively, he doesn’t project have the skillset to atleast be a secondary shot creator or playmaker. He’s more of a catch and shoot, scoring off close outs, and transition finisher.

If that’s the case, why not just take a swing on Rasheer Fleming in the later rounds? Cedric Coward? Nique Clifford?

I think his best case comps are guys like Jrue Holiday or Derrick White.. very good 2 way guards who make a real impact on both ends. But even they lean more toward being high level 3&D guards than shot creators or playmakers.

Prime Jrue Holiday is exactly what this team could use next to Maxey. However, I don't see Edgecombe turning into Jrue and even if he did it's going to take a few years just as it did for Jrue.

I'm totally down for finding a way back into the first to get Fleming, Coward or Clifford. I just don't think Sixers will try b/c they need to keep money available to resign Grimes and make a play for Yabu. I'd be willing to sacrifice Yabu if it meant getting Fleming.

[MVP1992]

I want a top 3 pick in 2026

[Arsenal]

Ace sucks and will always suck

ADS and overthinking is not a winning combo!