2025 Draft Thread - Part 3

[TheBlackCzar]

Still, like this range of outcomes:
Low end: Tillman
Medium: P.J. Washington
High end: Draymond/Millsap

Yeah, that's probably about right, but I'm concerned that it's tilted a little more toward the low end. It's not like a 33% chance of each. It's more like 40% of low end, 40% of medium, and 20% of high. I like those odds with the #18 pick, but I'm not excited about it at #6.

Totally fair. I think it’s closer to a 5% chance of the lower end outcome. Relates to him never developing as a passable shooter and being drafted to a team that views him as exclusively a rotation backup hustle C. A moderate 30-40% chance at medium outcome, and a likely high end outcome.

I would take him at 6 with no hesitation.

So you wanna draft a role player at 6?

[NatP4]

If you label Draymond Green and Paul Millsap as “role players”, absolutely.

[TheBlackCzar]

If you label Draymond Green and Paul Millsap as “role players”, absolutely.

To me these guys aren't not as rare as your examples would lead people to believe.... Where is he going to play here??? He's not a C for us, and I dunno if he's a 4 for us either..... And he's not going to take the ball out of Bub's or Bilal's hands, so considering this how does he prove to be the best option at 6?

[closg00]

Queen still got his Green Room invite

Just trolling, DQ is not my pick at 6, but I believe the kid will make it in the NBA if he gets his body right.

[NatP4]

If you label Draymond Green and Paul Millsap as “role players”, absolutely.

To me these guys aren't not as rare as your examples would lead people to believe.... Where is he going to play here??? He's not a C for us, and I dunno if he's a 4 for us either..... And he's not going to take the ball out of Bub's or Bilal's hands, so considering this how does he prove to be the best option at 6?

Based on what? He posted 19.8 points per 36 on 63% TS with a 26.7 usage%. Silly narratives out there.

He’s going to be a PF. 240 lbs 7’1 wingspan. Prototypical PF size with elite lateral quickness/agility.

His swing skill is obviously 3pt shooting, but we can throw him next to a perimeter-oriented stretch 5 in Sarr. He will compliment all of the areas that Sarr currently lacks: defensive rebounding, rim finishing, screen setting, interior defense, low post scoring.

[Frichuela]

If you label Draymond Green and Paul Millsap as “role players”, absolutely.

To me these guys aren't not as rare as your examples would lead people to believe.... Where is he going to play here??? He's not a C for us, and I dunno if he's a 4 for us either..... And he's not going to take the ball out of Bub's or Bilal's hands, so considering this how does he prove to be the best option at 6?

Based on what? He posted 19.8 points per 36 on 63% TS with a 26.7 usage%. Silly narratives out there.

He’s going to be a PF. 240 lbs 7’1 wingspan. Prototypical PF size with elite lateral quickness/agility.

His swing skill is obviously 3pt shooting, but we can throw him next to a perimeter-oriented stretch 5 in Sarr. He will compliment all of the areas that Sarr currently lacks: defensive rebounding, rim finishing, screen setting, interior defense, low post scoring.

If Dawkins really likes CMB (who may fit his passing/multipositional/long wingspan type), he should be trying hard to trade down. I do not see anyone picking CMB until the late lottery. Houston may be the first at #10, but they are likely to trade that pick.

[dckingsfan]

I don’t see a rationale to take two centers in this draft. Sarr is going to spend probably half of his time at center in the coming seasons, leaving only about 25-30 minutes a game available at the position for other players.

I do.

Sarr sucks. Players eat him alive defensively. Alex is totally inept scoring inside.

Draft both Queen and Sorber or Maluach and Sorber because they will advance Sarr's development. Practices will be competitive. Someone will earn trade value worst-case. Let the worst of the two play in G-League.

Sarr is the only big man on a team full of guards and swing men. There is room to draft bigs. That is who the Wizards need. Quality bigs.

I believe our priority needs to be a player that can allow Sarr to play the 4 at least half the time, like Mobley in CLE or Chet in OKC.

By the way, the idea that Sarr sucks seems a bit extreme. He played the 5 more/less all year as a skinny 19 yo. Of course he got pushed around. Let him play the 4 25-30 min a game after he's gotten stronger. With Maluach or Sorber at the 5.

That said, if you really think KK/Tre/Edge/Ace are a tier above whoever (for me Maluach) the Wiz want to draft as their future 5, you probably have to take them. But Maluach has great upside. Speaking of which, I think Vuk showed signs. I wouldn't discard him.

Well, yes. Sarr did suck but... that doesn't mean he will suck in the future if put in the right position. He could be quite good. I am with you - move him to PF. Others might not agree - I get that. To that end - my final guesses for what we do:

6: Maluach
18: Best PG available among Demin, Traore, Richardson
40: Best wing or Guard on the board

or

6: Fears/Traore
18: Best C available among Sorber/Wolf
40: Best big on the board

And to those that say we shouldn't give up on Vuk - right there with you. What I want to see and what the FO and the coach does - well, those will probably be different things. I am good with that.

I would totally be good with a C rotation of Maluach, ??, Vuk (the last two in no particular order) and moving Sarr full time to PF.

[doclinkin]

I’d take CMB. But if they want him I’d rather trade up from 18 than take him at 6. Or see who falls to 18 then see if it’s worth a trade up.

To me CMB and Queen’s games are similar, but CMB is playable on defense all over the court. He improves our total team defense. Passing. Rebounding. Putbacks on misses.

That said I don’t think they take him. Improves our win totals this year, for better or for worse, high floor possibly limited ceiling due to size and shooting. We can’t afford to lose our pick to NY so I’d bet they take developmental prospects or one like Sorber with a built in excuse to take their time.

CMB is not worth missing Dybantsa.

I’ll be happy when the tanking need is over. Better when we can just take players who are already ready.

[dckingsfan]

To me these guys aren't not as rare as your examples would lead people to believe.... Where is he going to play here??? He's not a C for us, and I dunno if he's a 4 for us either..... And he's not going to take the ball out of Bub's or Bilal's hands, so considering this how does he prove to be the best option at 6?

Based on what? He posted 19.8 points per 36 on 63% TS with a 26.7 usage%. Silly narratives out there.

He’s going to be a PF. 240 lbs 7’1 wingspan. Prototypical PF size with elite lateral quickness/agility.

His swing skill is obviously 3pt shooting, but we can throw him next to a perimeter-oriented stretch 5 in Sarr. He will compliment all of the areas that Sarr currently lacks: defensive rebounding, rim finishing, screen setting, interior defense, low post scoring.

If Dawkins really likes CMB (who may fit his passing/multipositional/long wingspan type), he should be trying hard to trade down. I do not see anyone picking CMB until the late lottery. Houston may be the first at #10, but they are likely to trade that pick.

Well, he has been mocked as high as 10 but seems to be in the 13, 15 range. If he drops to 15 or 16 then an OKC or Orlando trade makes sense.

But you could miss out on him as well. There would certainly be risks trading down and missing out.

[dobrojim]

^
I wouldn't mind a 3/4 athletic, defending, physical shooter.
at 18. Our 4th non-C starter, George or JC, are both
smallish for a 4. Rasheer Fleming might be more of the type
I'm thinking of.

Not asking for much. Someone Bryant-esque.

We have a few Gs already: Poole (probably not long term), ditto Smart, Bub, AJ, Colby Jones, Martin.
That said, if there is a G they really like, take him.

[AFM]

There is no green room without Dairy Queen. He’ll turn the low post to a scary scene

[payitforward]

Flying fast/furious here!

BlackCzar -- I can't remember who *you* want us to take at 6. Please remind me; thanks....

[NatP4]

Well, he has been mocked as high as 10 but seems to be in the 13, 15 range. If he drops to 15 or 16 then an OKC or Orlando trade makes sense.

But you could miss out on him as well. There would certainly be risks trading down and missing out.

I’d be concerned to miss out on him at 15 or 16.

6 for 13&22 from Atlanta makes a lot of sense to me. 6 for 8&27 would be a safer bet.

8: CMB
18: (or trade a couple of future 2nds to move up a few spots): Jase Richardson
27: Saraf/Penda

[closg00]

There is no green room without Dairy Queen. He’ll turn the low post to a scary scene

TM this, it needs to be on a T-Shirt.

“Derik Queen, he turns the low post into a scary scene”

[80sballboy]

Due to health concerns, I wonder if Sorber will be there in the late first round. Teams tend to shy away from bigs with foot issues.

[TheBlackCzar]

Flying fast/furious here!

BlackCzar -- I can't remember who *you* want us to take at 6. Please remind me; thanks....

Fears, Maluach or Bailey....

In order I'd probably go

Bailey
Fears/ Maluach tied

If we go G/W with our first pick, then I'd wanna go C/PF with our next pick and maybe even on our 3rd pick depending on how the draft is shaking out.... I definitely think we should grab a big which is why i said despite Queen's obvious deficiencies, I'd want him and Fears to cover lead guard and scoring interior big with rebounding to compliment what we already have..... I think that combo will be better than Maluach and Traore offensively..... Defensively probably not.....

Bailey Queen would be even better as I think Ace is going to be the Alpha of this class when we look back on it....

[NatP4]

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=jeremiah-fears--scoot-henderson--jaden-ivey--collin-sexton

[tontoz]

Tankathon's latest mock has us taking Kon at 6 and Demin at 18.

[nate33]

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=jeremiah-fears--scoot-henderson--jaden-ivey--collin-sexton

Yeah, I just don't see it with Fears. Even if he pans out to be a fairly successful offensive player, that still only makes him the next Collin Sexton. Sexton is a legit NBA player, but more of a 6th man type of guy because he isn't really a PG (too many turnovers) and he is too small to hold up in switches.

For a guy of Fears' stature to really become an average or better starter in this league, he needs to get to Darius Garland/Jalen Brunson/Damian Lillard levels of volume and efficiency on offense. That would require a pretty massive improvement in 3-point shooting, which is unlikely; as well as a significant reduction in turnovers, which I find even more unlikely.

I'm trying to think of a modern prototype of a small, penetrate-at-will type of guard who succeeds at the NBA level without an absolutely lethal off-the-dribble 3-ball. I'm coming up with names like TJ McConnell, Dennis Schroder, Andrew Nembhard and Davion Mitchell. And those guys aren't worth a #6 pick.

[nate33]

Tankathon's latest mock has us taking Kon at 6 and Demin at 18.

That'll never happen in a million years. I suppose Demin is plausible at #18 in that he is big and long for his position and he can shoot, pass and dribble (if the workout rumors about his shooting are to be believed). But a lot of better prospects would have to be off the board by then. If the draft shapes up like Tankathon's mock, I think we would take any of Sorber, Wolf, Fleming and Coward ahead of Demin. Maybe they'd be scared off by Sorber's injury history, but Wolf is a great fit, as is Fleming.

And I just don't see Knueppel being drafted by our front office under any circumstances.