2025 Draft Thread

[Bernman]

Given the writing's been on the wall for weeks Giannis is staying for the near future, I wonder if that lotto pick interest was w/ a young player in mind for that '31 1st to grow with Giannis. They drafted AJ Johnson last yr for God's sake.

The Bucks need a center, so could see interest in Maluach. Kon is a local guy, fits w/ Giannis due to shooting, has some potential as a secondary or tertiary creator. Bryant is a 3&d big wing we could use. Fears has star potential, but is extra young. A rich man's AJ Johnson pick.

[Matches Malone]

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[machu46]

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Always love reading his stuff. Feel kinda vindicated that he's relatively low on Maluach and Fears and relatively high on Kon and Jakucionis like myself.

[BigO]

I think Vecenie gets it. Here's what he says he looks for in prospects:

"What I value is finding players who can dribble, pass, shoot and defend, all while doing so with positional size. Those are the guys in the modern NBA who have value."

This may seem obvious, but when you look at who Horst has valued recently, it's almost the opposite. Nowhere does Vecenie mention athleticism.

He wants high level processors of the game. That's why he has Knueppel as number three.

He does mention positonal size, which eliminates guys like Nembhard.

He loves Kalkbrenner so much (as do I) that he has him at 26.

If Kalbrenner drops to the Bucks, that's what I want. I'm tired of athletic projects with few skills. Kalbrenner could take Lopez's spot from Day 1, when the Bucks play drop defense. And for a second rounder, that's good value.

[EasyE31]

We pretty desperately need a 3&D SF. Theres a nice bunch of them in the late lottery / mid first round.

Any chance we can trade up with SA/OKC/ORL to get into that mid first round round?

I'm looking at Cedric Coward, Nique Clifford, and Carter Bryant

[engelmartin]

We pretty desperately need a 3&D SF. Theres a nice bunch of them in the late lottery / mid first round.

Any chance we can trade up with SA/OKC/ORL to get into that mid first round round?

I'm looking at Cedric Coward, Nique Clifford, and Carter Bryant

I’m firmly on the Carter Bryant wagon for our spot

[msiris]

I think Vecenie gets it. Here's what he says he looks for in prospects:

"What I value is finding players who can dribble, pass, shoot and defend, all while doing so with positional size. Those are the guys in the modern NBA who have value."

This may seem obvious, but when you look at who Horst has valued recently, it's almost the opposite. Nowhere does Vecenie mention athleticism.

He wants high level processors of the game. That's why he has Knueppel as number three.

He does mention positonal size, which eliminates guys like Nembhard.

He loves Kalkbrenner so much (as do I) that he has him at 26.

If Kalbrenner drops to the Bucks, that's what I want. I'm tired of athletic projects with few skills. Kalbrenner could take Lopez's spot from Day 1, when the Bucks play drop defense. And for a second rounder, that's good value.

Should be pretty simple. Draft guys who play basketball. Not guys who can jump out of the gym but you have teah them everything else.

[Bernman]

Cedric Coward's 2 player comparisons at NBA Draft Room - Khris Middleton, Michael Redd. We kind of have to trade the '31 1st for him now.

In all seriousness, in the abstract he really fits what we might be looking for: 2-way big wing w/ some creation potential & has some experience. Wouldn't take long to contribute, if he hits. His film showed flashes, but inconsistency. Maybe a team w/out talent asking him to do too much.

[engelmartin]

Cedric Coward's 2 player comparisons at NBA Draft Room - Khris Middleton, Michael Redd. We kind of have to trade the '31 1st for him now.

In all seriousness, in the abstract he really fits what we might be looking for: 2-way big wing w/ some creation potential & has some experience. Wouldn't take long to contribute, if he hits. His film showed flashes, but inconsistency. Maybe a team w/out talent asking him to do too much.

But for real, we should have done a Middleton vs Redd poll years ago. I think I’m on Team Redd

[MikeIsGood]

Cedric Coward's 2 player comparisons at NBA Draft Room - Khris Middleton, Michael Redd. We kind of have to trade the '31 1st for him now.

In all seriousness, in the abstract he really fits what we might be looking for: 2-way big wing w/ some creation potential & has some experience. Wouldn't take long to contribute, if he hits. His film showed flashes, but inconsistency. Maybe a team w/out talent asking him to do too much.

But for real, we should have done a Middleton vs Redd poll years ago. I think I’m on Team Redd

Well if the world is just you would be the only person voting for Redd.

[engelmartin]

Well if the world is just you would be the only person voting for Redd.

No one else would vote for Redd? Would have been fun to see him play with some real talent.

[Licensed to Il]

Mids was a much better two way player than Redd. A better processor and facilitator as well.

[MikeIsGood]

I'll just say a couple things then leave it since it has nothing to do with the draft.

Yeah, I think it's kind of insulting to Middleton to even have a discussion I think Middleton is better at almost, and possibly literally, every single basketball skill, especially those impacting team basketball. While difficult to make a comparison between these eras because one has Giannis and one doesn't, I think it's noteworthy enough that Redd's team all sucked, and his job was effectively just score on really bad teams. I think it's kind of telling that the best team from the Redd era is the year he was injured and we got John Salmons for the home stretch and playoff run.

Respect to Redd for providing some entertainment during the better part of a really **** decade for us. Would have been interesting to see him be second (I think third) banana on a good team. But I think he's aa far cry from Khris.

ETA: Granted I'm also the one who coined Max Green so I'm admittedly not his biggest fan

[engelmartin]

I'll just say a couple things then leave it since it has nothing to do with the draft.

Yeah, I think it's kind of insulting to Middleton to even have a discussion I think Middleton is better at almost, and possibly literally, every single basketball skill, especially those impacting team basketball. While difficult to make a comparison between these eras because one has Giannis and one doesn't, I think it's noteworthy enough that Redd's team all sucked, and his job was effectively just score on really bad teams. I think it's kind of telling that the best team from the Redd era is the year he was injured and we got John Salmons for the home stretch and playoff run.

Respect to Redd for providing some entertainment during the better part of a really **** decade for us. Would have been interesting to see him be second (I think third) banana on a good team. But I think he's aa far cry from Khris.

ETA: Granted I'm also the one who coined Max Green so I'm admittedly not his biggest fan

I actually tend to agree with you and I can't take Devil's Advocate THAT far because I love Midds (see signature). But, Redd and Giannis would have been a different story. Redd had no one.

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[pilprin]

Is there a limit to how many draft picks can be bought from a team? If there has been a year to do it, this seems like a good one.

[emunney]

Watching Duke and can't decide whether I'd rather have Proctor, James, or Mason Gillis. Gillis is definitely the forgotten man, but I think he's got as good a chance as the other two guys. Which maybe is not that great of a chance.

Also, Isaiah Evans is going to have a monster season.

[Profound23]

Is there a limit to how many draft picks can be bought from a team? If there has been a year to do it, this seems like a good one.

I am imagining an owner out there spending 75-100mil just to buy the entire second round. I mean if there is another Joker, Ginobili, Arenas...etc out there you just let all 30 second round picks battle it out until you find the right one.

[Frank Nova]

Watching Duke and can't decide whether I'd rather have Proctor, James, or Mason Gillis. Gillis is definitely the forgotten man, but I think he's got as good a chance as the other two guys. Which maybe is not that great of a chance.

Also, Isaiah Evans is going to have a monster season.

You were big on the Kentucky crew not that long ago if I’m remembering correctly, what are your thoughts on Koby Brea? I like his game a lot, I think he can be more than just a shooter. He’s also a terrific shooter which looks like his #1 translatable skill. Is there more to him?

[JonHeist]

Watching Duke and can't decide whether I'd rather have Proctor, James, or Mason Gillis. Gillis is definitely the forgotten man, but I think he's got as good a chance as the other two guys. Which maybe is not that great of a chance.

Also, Isaiah Evans is going to have a monster season.

fwiw: GF who watches every duke game says Sion should be a first round pick, proctor should have gone back to school, and was shocked that anyone's considering drafting Gillis

[Profound23]

Mids was a much better two way player than Redd. A better processor and facilitator as well.

What's hilarious is Redd at OSU was known for his defense and court vision. I think being around the 2001 team helped him develop the three ball and then he got lazy in other aspects of the game