2025 General Draft Discussion 2

[LofJ]

https://www.hoopshq.com/nba-draft/nba-draft-intel-latest

This is scary, Peak who broke the Tidjane stuff last year mentions Charlotte as a potential team that could have given Jaku a promise.

I’m definitely higher on Jaku than the consensus but 4 for him would just be outrageous. Players with that skill set are so just so unique though and seemingly get more and more valuable as the league continues to evolve. But that would have to be a trade down spot.

Article also says we’re high on Kon. I kinda want him to be the pick just to watch everyone lose their minds

What skill set is that? Point guards that turn the ball over a lot and can't defend? Sounds like a Hornet to me I guess.

That said I like him a lot more than Kon. He can at least do something off the dribble, so he won't just be a one dimensional catch and shoot guy.

[KingCat]

I personally love the Jaku rumors. I have a gut feeling that 10 years from now, captain hindsighters will be like "wow how did so many teams pass on such a good player. So dumb."

If he didn't get that injury, I bet he would be more talked about as a top 5 pick.

With that being said, out right taking him 5 would be dumb asset management. Gotta be a good trade back opportunity for him if he is really our guy.

[Braggins]

Jaku getting some buzz for top 4 isn't crazy. Before his injury he was playing like he could go as high as 3rd. Even with his poor finish to the season he was better than Tre Johnson in every facet of the game besides shooting and turnovers.

I personally wouldn't take him at #4 if VJ is there but if they took him over Ace/Tre I wouldn't be upset.

[JMAC3]

We will see as we get closer to the process, but as it stands now I would say we have to at least consider these 7 guys based on rumors
Ace
VJ
Tre
Kon
Maluach
Jaku
Fears

Hopefully workouts give us more insight, but can't say I am loving this wide of a net being cast.

[driveandkick]

https://www.hoopshq.com/nba-draft/nba-draft-intel-latest

This is scary, Peak who broke the Tidjane stuff last year mentions Charlotte as a potential team that could have given Jaku a promise.

I’m definitely higher on Jaku than the consensus but 4 for him would just be outrageous. Players with that skill set are so just so unique though and seemingly get more and more valuable as the league continues to evolve. But that would have to be a trade down spot.

Article also says we’re high on Kon. I kinda want him to be the pick just to watch everyone lose their minds

What skill set is that? Point guards that turn the ball over a lot and can't defend? Sounds like a Hornet to me I guess.

That said I like him a lot more than Kon. He can at least do something off the dribble, so he won't just be a one dimensional catch and shoot guy.

Do you watch ball at all?

Jaku was 18 and had an offense ran through him in one of the best conferences in the sport. A big point guard with elite creativity, vision, and playmaking prowess who might be able to shoot? You can’t possibly act like you don’t know why he’d be seen as valuable after a similar type of player just led his team to the NBA finals.

[Bassman]

This chatter, if true, tells me the Hornets are looking at a TRADE BACK to 7 with the Pelicans. I’ll go one further. I suspect the trade back is part of a major swap of knuckleheads; Miles and Green plus a future pick for Zion. Seeking Jaku could mean finally getting a back up PG and an option if Melo is traded or injured again. Seeking Kon would support the concept of building a versatile supporting player around Melo and Miller. All of this while importing an impact player like Zion, who they’d pray can stay healthy and out of trouble.

ANOTHER possibility is they trade down with Jeff’s old buddies the Nets. At pick 8 they may still get one of Kon or Jaku, could even have their choice. Then they also get pick 19 to grab a big man like Sorber or Fleming, or another high potential swing on Riley, maybe Demin, who knows?

But who wants to trade up so badly? Some teams are rumored to want to jump up to get Maluach…seriously he’s rising up boards because he’s got such size and some potential to be a dominant center eventually. Or maybe a team is in serious love with VJ, or Tre, or wants Ace.

I doubt Jaku is going to leapfrog VJ, Tre or Ace on our board, even if we are talking about Jeff “The Gambler” Peterson. Kon is rumored to be liked by the Sixers but not at 3.

[fatlever]

Read on Twitter

?t=0wOplw-3PIc7EQndCVWerA&s=19

Plows board

Kon
Tre
Vj
Ace
Fears

In same tier. In that order.

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[JustBuzzin]

This chatter, if true, tells me the Hornets are looking at a TRADE BACK to 7 with the Pelicans. I’ll go one further. I suspect the trade back is part of a major swap of knuckleheads; Miles and Green plus a future pick for Zion. Seeking Jaku could mean finally getting a back up PG and an option if Melo is traded or injured again. Seeking Kon would support the concept of building a versatile supporting player around Melo and Miller. All of this while importing an impact player like Zion, who they’d pray can stay healthy and out of trouble.

ANOTHER possibility is they trade down with Jeff’s old buddies the Nets. At pick 8 they may still get one of Kon or Jaku, could even have their choice. Then they also get pick 19 to grab a big man like Sorber or Fleming, or another high potential swing on Riley, maybe Demin, who knows?

But who wants to trade up so badly? Some teams are rumored to want to jump up to get Maluach…seriously he’s rising up boards because he’s got such size and some potential to be a dominant center eventually. Or maybe a team is in serious love with VJ, or Tre, or wants Ace.

I doubt Jaku is going to leapfrog VJ, Tre or Ace on our board, even if we are talking about Jeff “The Gambler” Peterson. Kon is rumored to be liked by the Sixers but not at 3.

I would love that personally.

[Bassman]

I’m mostly just having fun speculating. I really don’t get any notion that Hornets would trade back to target Jaku and they SURE BETTER NOT TAKE HIM 4TH! Knipple…maybe at 4 but gritting my teeth on that one.

[Snidely FC]

I will be shocked if the Hornets pick at 4 isn’t Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe (whichever one Phi doesn’t take)

[fatlever]

Watch on YouTube

;t=717s

watching this one now - first 2 players discussed tre and fears

[Bassman]

Yeah watched that one last night before turning the light out. Good insights, but some of the reads here are between interesting and nuts. His guest Corey Tulaba of NoCeilingsNBA puts Knipple as the #3 rated player. Both guys wax on about how his multiple skills and amazing shooting will make him a super glue guy for teams. Corey actually named Charlotte as a place he’d be a very interesting fit, although citing the need for strong leadership still lacking in CLT.

But then Corey puts Cedric Coward as his FIFTH ranked player prospect! Met with him and was enamored with his huge hands, speaks to his measurables, and how he could be the surprise of the draft. Claims he could max out as a star. OK…maybe? Seems a lot to project on a 21 year old senior from a small school who only played 6 games this year due to injury. Granted this is Corey’s ranking of players, not his mock draft.

[JMAC3]

Read on Twitter

[Chapelchilla]

I actually think that it is a good sign that we are using the leverage of having a high pick to get multiple players looked at so IF we get a good trade offer we are prepared to take it knowing that someone else we like is likely still available. Unlike previous drafts where we apparently didnt scout 11-20 because we had pick 9 or whatever. I want VJ or a trade down.

[fatlever]

No Ceilings Big Board version 8 drop today. No big surprises.

Flagg
Harper
Ace
Vj
Kon
Tre
Queen
Malauch
Bryant
Kasper
Fears

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[JMAC3]

No Ceilings Big Board version 8 drop today. No big surprises.

Flagg
Harper
Ace
Vj
Kon
Tre
Queen
Malauch
Bryant
Kasper
Fears

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

Their content when it is 1 or 2 guys speaking on prospects is interesting.
Their big boards are kind of worthless to me, because they are averaging the ranks of like 15 creators, so unless someone is 10 spots higher/lower on someone it is tough for that rank to sway rankings at all.

[fatlever]

Yeah I kinda got that impression when it looks like chalk rankings outside of maybe fears.

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[GiggitySmalls]

The front office doesn't need to overthink this. Please take Edgecombe if available if not then Bailey. Last year we could have drafted clingan and possibly drafted at 6 and had one of kon, tre, fears. Probably would've been a couple games better. That's how you build. Salaun set us back Maluach will add to it. For the love of all things holy dont try and outsmart yourself.

Sent from my SM-S936U using RealGM mobile app

[Bassman]

Today’s Locked On Hornets, the guys review a writer’s info (think his last name is Moore) about purported explorations by the Hornets with other teams on acquiring one of their large contract players in some type of trade (these being guys they want to shed to get under cap penalties). This sounds like a team still planning to treadmill another year or two. Fortunately Moore says there hasn’t been any real interest so far. Also saying there is interest in Knipple by CLT. Discuss the supposed interest in Jaku shared by Krysten Peek. They note Peek was the only reporter who confirmed the Hornets possibly drafting Salaun on draft day.

Lastly one of the reporters said what many here have said; just keep the 4th pick and not get stupid.

[Braggins]

Whats the deal with Carter Bryant? He averaged 6 ppg and 4 rpg and isn't especially young (19.6 on draft night), but whenever I listen to any draft discussion he is talked about like he is an obvious stud. I'm not necessarily saying it isn't warranted, but I'm not familiar with him and I wonder what exactly it is that has everyone so high on him despite his lack of production.