2025 NBA Draft (2)

[LeonJordanJr24]

Redundant with who? I don't see any guards that fit the profile on the team.

Grimes, easily. Except Grimes is exponentially better offensively currently.

Sort of I guess. I don't think he's anywhere near the athlete or playmaker on the defensive end.

We'll see offensively. I realize Grimes had a hell of a scoring run here, but I'm not really a believer given the circumstance.

He could very well be gone this summer anyway (I'd prefer that if someone is willing to give him a deal above MLE money).

We aint giving up grimes and heild in back to back deadline deals.... Grimes fits here.

This is a perfect team for Ace because like Mccain they are developing for the future pieces. In a mild rebuild..

[Negrodamus]

I generally agree with you. It was reported by MaxPreps that he had a FT% of 89.7% in high school. Is this true? I don't know, but I would hope that Morey and the Sixers scouting department can verify.

No, I’m not talking about Ace, I’m talking about in total. Who are the HS +80% FT shooters who **** the bed in college only to rebound with a great FT% in the NBA? Ace will be the first with tangible evidence to my knowledge in the event he does.

I remember the Fultz conversation and taking the same stance that his FT was disqualifying only to be told by Fischella or done other draft guy that he was actually a good FT shooter in HS. No real data to back it up other than “trust me bro”. Completely different situation to Ace (at least I hope he’s not freestyling his shot improvements this off-season), but only other situation I can recall like this.

Brandon Ingram:

HS SR Year: 79%
College: 68.2 %
NBA Career: 78.8%

Actually you’re wrong, he never missed in HS:
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2653333-lakers-brandon-ingram-claims-to-have-never-missed-a-free-throw-in-high-school

[Negrodamus]

I weirdly am moving Essengue into the top five of my board. Easily to see him as a regular on a finals team. The bet is that the offense can be figured out and he does a lot of things I really like already. His lack of creation is obviously something I am not a fan of but I think he has the opportunity to really fit in this team as he develops his shot more (which I’m bullish on), while being a finisher for Maxey/McCain. Looks like an underrated passer. Defense is the main driver though. 1-4 defense, sometimes 5. Will do the dirty work without being a zero on offense.

It will take a scouting eye way better than mine to make that pick at three, but I’d trust this FO if they did take him. I’m horrific with Euros historically.

[phifans]

Seems more and more likely that trading down should be the better way to maximize the value of this 3rd pick ...

[ProcessDoctor]

I weirdly am moving Essengue into the top five of my board. Easily to see him as a regular on a finals team. The bet is that the offense can be figured out and he does a lot of things I really like already. His lack of creation is obviously something I am not a fan of but I think he has the opportunity to really fit in this team as he develops his shot more (which I’m bullish on), while being a finisher for Maxey/McCain. Looks like an underrated passer. Defense is the main driver though. 1-4 defense, sometimes 5. Will do the dirty work without being a zero on offense.

It will take a scouting eye way better than mine to make that pick at three, but I’d trust this FO if they did take him. I’m horrific with Euros historically.

There’s been a lot of buzz around him lately and I’m kinda worried about how far we can trade down and still get him. Hell, I could even see Ainge taking him at #5.

Would be ecstatic if we could get him at #7 and swipe Herb from NOP in the process.

[Iverson Armband]

Essengue will end up just like Kuminga. Some people never learn.

[Jailblazers7]

Do teams ever do any cognitive testing when bringing players in for a workout? I would think that testing something like processing speed would be super valuable.

I can also imagine that players and the union are sensitive about taking these tests, which is why they probably don’t happen.

[Arsenal]

Essengue will end up just like Kuminga. Some people never learn.

You mean Siakam.

[Mik317]

Seems more and more likely that trading down should be the better way to maximize the value of this 3rd pick ...

depends on who you would take at 3 if trade backs aren't allowed being there at the trade back spot.

If its VJ, then he doesn't get pass the Hornets probably. Ace's current floor is probably 5. Other teams can sniff out your target and trade up before you to get him

its riskier than people make out...and honestly feels like 3 -10 is all bunched together so teams will be gunshy

[phifans]

Seems more and more likely that trading down should be the better way to maximize the value of this 3rd pick ...

depends on who you would take at 3 if trade backs aren't allowed being there at the trade back spot.

If its VJ, then he doesn't get pass the Hornets probably. Ace's current floor is probably 5. Other teams can sniff out your target and trade up before you to get him

its riskier than people make out...and honestly feels like 3 -10 is all bunched together so teams will be gunshy

Don't think team would still target either VJ or Ace if they decide to trade down this pick , otherwise they should just take one of them with the #3.

[Mik317]

those were just examples.

Tre and Maluach could also easily go before 6 for example and then you are "stuck" with a guy you didn't really want.

My point being I'd rather just trust in your scouts and take your guy at 3...although I know thats not the "logical" way tbf

[phifans]

those were just examples.

Tre and Maluach could also easily go before 6 for example and then you are "stuck" with a guy you didn't really want.

My point being I'd rather just trust in your scouts and take your guy at 3...although I know thats not the "logical" way tbf

The premise of the deal would be they are not comfortable taking anyone at 3 for various reasons ...

[Mik317]

i am a coward lol

my bitch ass would be terrified that the guy I want gets snatched up.

I am also still shook from the Mikal trade down.

But thats why my fat ass is typing on this board I guess

[76ciology]

i am a coward lol

my bitch ass would be terrified that the guy I want gets snatched up.

I am also still shook from the Mikal trade down.

But thats why my fat ass is typing on this board I guess

Assuming all the rumors are true and the conditions are set, the trade down talk makes sense, if the team isn’t particularly high on Ace Bailey, sees a group of prospects as relatively equal, and is comfortable taking someone like Kneuppel or maybe even Noa after moving down. It’s as if our FO is in line more with Kyle Neubeck and Bodner than with Givony.

If a trade down is truly is being explored, then its inevitable that smoke is going to leak.. and that’s been the consistent rumor from day one.

[76ciology]

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Read on Twitter

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

I saw this and it reminds me of Ace Bailey’s go to move.

May I ask, why do you think Ace Bailey will be better than Jabari Smith Jr.?

[Kolkmania]

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Read on Twitter

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

I saw this and it reminds me of Ace Bailey’s go to move.

May I ask, why do you think Ace Bailey will be better than Jabari Smith Jr.?

Smith is a positive contributor on a PO team in his 3rd year in the league. I think that would be a very, very decent outcome for Bailey. Especially if Smith will start shooting threes at an above average clip.

Obviously Smith is longer and more of a PF than Bailey, who's smaller but perhaps more dynamic? I get the comparison though, trigger-happy forwards with poor dribbling skills. If you can't create your own shot and playmake for others your role in the NBA will limited as a play finisher. Sengun, VanVleet and even Thompson and Green are better with the ball in their hands than Smith Jr. at the moment. However, I could also imagine that a lottery team would use him more as a 2nd or 3rd option in a Markannen role and he suddenly becomes a fringe All-Star level player in his 2nd contract.

Seeing Jabari's limited role in the NBA (especially compared to Banchero, Holmgren and Murray) wouldn't be an argument for me to not draft Bailey.

[76ciology]

Seeing Jabari's limited role in the NBA (especially compared to Banchero, Holmgren and Murray) wouldn't be an argument for me to not draft Bailey.

To me, it’s one angle to consider, but definitely not the only one.

Jabari is a significantly better shooter, better skilled, has a superior physical profile, is a stronger defender, and has better feel. And yet, despite getting every opportunity over the past three seasons, he’s only averaged around 12–15 points and 8 rebounds per game.

It makes me think about maybe the game is trying to devalue wings without guard abilities.

[M2J]

Do teams ever do any cognitive testing when bringing players in for a workout? I would think that testing something like processing speed would be super valuable.

I can also imagine that players and the union are sensitive about taking these tests, which is why they probably don’t happen.

They really grill them in the pre draft interviews. They don't have a standardized test I wouldn't think like the NFL ended up getting rid of theirs too. But there's definitely questions you can ask to get the answers on intellect.

The one thing I wished it be actually did do or could do would prospects and I'm not sure that they can is break down film with them. The NFL I believe allows that, the NBA process not so much.... But in personal workouts some situation stuff can be brought up too.

[sodmoraes]

What i find a little amusing is that Essengue gets a lot of "passes" by some of the posters. LIke the man plays in a **** league, playing against accountants, and his offensive game seems limited( does his league even produced someone who played in the nba?). But you see some posters saying that his offensive game can improve like is a given, when its hard to improve some aspects of the offensive game. While, when it´s about Bailey evaluation, they "lay the hammer", overanalyzing every aspect of this game, and discarding the problems his team had( that may have impacted his numbers) and all that, being very inflexible on his ability to improve his flaws..

Seems like some players get all the passes, while others dont get that same bonus. Bailey has some flaws, but he has some abilities that are very hard to find in a prospect. Essengue´s may be a good player, but he´s a role player, with limited offensive skills. We need an impact player. I just dont trust people with good athletic abilities playing in bad leagues, it´s easy to look good there( will he even look athletic in the nba?). I´ts how you you end like the Hornets, trying to get cute and drafting a guy like Tidjane Salaun because he had a lot of potential playing against bums. I dont think Noa will be a bust like him, but we have a 3rd pick, we cant risky it in a someone playing in a **** league with roleplayer traits.

[eyeatoma]

What i find a little amusing is that Essengue gets a lot of "passes" by some of the posters. LIke the man plays in a **** league, playing against accountants, and his offensive game seems limited( does his league even produced someone who played in the nba?). But you see some posters saying that his offensive game can improve like is a given, when its hard to improve some aspects of the offensive game. While, when it´s about Bailey evaluation, they "lay the hammer", overanalyzing every aspect of this game, and discarding the problems his team had( that may have impacted his numbers) and all that, being very inflexible on his ability to improve his flaws..

Seems like some players get all the passes, while others dont get that same bonus. Bailey has some flaws, but he has some abilities that are very hard to find in a prospect. Essengue´s may be a good player, but he´s a role player, with limited offensive skills. We need an impact player. I just dont trust people with good athletic abilities playing in bad leagues, it´s easy to look good there( will he even look athletic in the nba?). I´ts how you you end like the Hornets, trying to get cute and drafting a guy like Tidjane Salaun because he had a lot of potential playing against bums. I dont think Noa will be a bust like him, but we have a 3rd pick, we cant risky it in a someone playing in a **** league with roleplayer traits.

Very well said. I don't get why the players who have warts, are all fixable, but Bailey's aren't when he has clear skills that no one else has, and size and position you can't teach. I'm fine if we go Ace, VJ, Tre, but will be pissed if we drop down massively, just to get someone so we can get assets and toe the line of this farce of trying to continue to contend, which we all know is a pipe dream.