2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg

[CelticFaninLBC]

I can see Stevens moving up into the 13-20 range and selecting a big playmaker like Egor Demin.

[playa-hater]

I still believe that Jase Richardson is the Celtics target. Can play the point, can play off the ball. Tatum, Brown and White handle the ball a ton so the Celtics don't need and probably don't want a ball dominate point guard. Richardson is an excellent three point shooter, finisher at the rim and mid range scorer. Richardson fits the mode for the Celtics like White, Holiday and Pritchard. Richardson's biggest negative is his size. No one knows who the Celtics are targeting, certainly not me. My guess is still Richardson, mainly because he plays like a player the Celtics tend to look at.

Jase is not in the same stratosphere as White or Jrue on the defensive end. He's also way smaller than those guys.

He has played very little PG, between this season at MSU and last season in HS. Yeah, the Jays and White bring the ball up a lot. But maybe our coaches/front office want to pivot away from that a bit. Maybe they want to have a true PG who can facilitate, orchestrate the offense and distribute the basketball to our scorers, rather than our scorers having to bring the ball up, get us into sets AND score. Plus, Tatum is out all next season so there's more of a need for a guy who can be a true PG..especially with Jrue likely getting traded. JB coming off knee surgery, maybe you want to lessen his workload a bit and just have him play off the ball more.

I'm also somewhat skeptical of how well Jase' shot will translate to the NBA, since he is so small, but also because he has a low release point on his jumper and sometimes takes awhile to load up on the jumper and get the shot up..against NBA defenders, that might not fly so well. Also, in the last 46 games Cerebro Sports has data for before college, he shot just 27% from 3. In other words, he wasn't that good of a shooter in HS..so we really only have 1 season (this year at MSU) where he was a good shooter which isn't a very extensive track record and he shot 3's on somewhat low volume this season in a low usage role..much different than someone like Pritchard who was a good shooter for 4 years in college, on crazy high volume and in a very high usage role..

Jase has some good qualities, like swag and confidence.. But I would be so sick with all the other talent available. And with what boston needs going forward.. to get him is bad and i will be twice as sick if we actually trade up for him.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

If we trade up in the draft for a PG, a potential option:

Watch on YouTube

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Read on Twitter

I would be shocked if this is the Celtics target. Very young and can't shoot

He has the positional size they like as a guard and Stevens has had no qualms picking young guys before. He is not a great shooter but he is better than his percentages indicate and better than most of the guys that Stevens has drafted actually. He is handling a huge creation load in a competitive league against much better defenses than division one teams. We also know that Stevens is really attentive to the french league (drafted Begarin, first NBA exec to scout Coulibaly live) and he is a high character guy which the Celtics emphasize maybe more than any other team in the league. I could definitely see the Celtics be interested in him.

[Celts17Pride]

I sincerely doubt Brad Stevens is drafting a point guard that has to be ball dominate to be successful and take the ball out of Tatum, Brown and White's hands. Extremely unlikely. Common sense. Celtics tried that for a half of season with Dennis Schroder, it didn't work.

[Celticlifer]

This is why I don't think we are moving up for a guard. If we trade Jrue, we will be fine with White pritchard and some version of a vet min type oplayer until Tatum gets back to be our point forward. What we won't have reliably is a good shooting big man even if KP stays.

[Larry_Russell]

There are some nice Centers in this draft as well.

I think that Maluach is a guy that people are going to regret passing on.
Sorber, Queen, Wolf, BErringer, Raynaud, Yang

Some intriguing prospects that fit far better than some 6 foot tall, slow trigger questionable 3pt shooters.

[Hal14]

I sincerely doubt Brad Stevens is drafting a point guard that has to be ball dominate to be successful and take the ball out of Tatum, Brown and White's hands. Extremely unlikely. Common sense. Celtics tried that for a half of season with Dennis Schroder, it didn't work.

-It didn't work because Schroder was only looking for his own shot. Same thing with Brogdon for the most part..he was mainly just looking for his own shot. It could work if it's a guy who comes in and has the right mindset - the mindset of being a floor general, distributor, facilitator type.

-The reports say we're targeting a PG. That seems to imply that this PG would handle at least some of the duties in terms of ball handling and initiating of the offense. That's usually the job of a PG. If we wanted a guy to just stand in the corner and shoot 3's, the reports would probably say we're targeting a wing. Getting a PG doesn't necessarily mean they would be ball dominant and take the ball out of the hands of the Jays. It would probably just mean the PG would help offload some of the ball handling duties so that the Jays aren't having to carry so much of the load when it comes to bringing the ball up the floor, running the offense, initiating actions, scoring..not to mention being key pieces to help lead our defense. It's A LOT for 2 guys to handle. Especially as they get older, with both Jays coming off surgery. Makes sense to bring in a young kid to try and develop and take some of the burden off their plate.

It's a team game. It's not about a PG taking the ball out of the Jays hands. It's about being able to having 3+ guys on your roster who can work together as a team to handle the basketball, run the offense, initiate actions, bring the ball up the floor, etc.

Look at Indiana and OKC. Indiana has a high usage PG (Hali) a high usage scoring forward (Siakam), a bunch of wings who can shoot and also drive to the basket (Mathurin, Nesmith, Toppin), plus 2 other PG's who can score, bring the ball up, initiate actions, pass and really get after it on D (Nembhard, TJ).

OKC has a high usage scoring guard (SGA) who has the ball a lot. a Wing scorer who has the ball a lot (Jdub) but they also have a bunch of other guys who can handle the ball and create (wiggins, Cason, Caruso, Joe, etc.) as well as a big who can dribble/pass/shoot (Chet).

The name of the game is versatility and having lots of different guys who can dribble/pass/shoot..

[Curmudgeon]

With Porzingis headed for other (not necessarily greener) pastures and Horford being 39 years old, the Celtics need size. There is no Haliburton or Cade Cunningham in this draft.

[winsomme2]

I can see Stevens moving up into the 13-20 range and selecting a big playmaker like Egor Demin.

He’s one of the guys in the draft that I honestly have no clue on.

He could end up being a really effective physical guard or he could not be skilled or athletic enough. I wish I had a better read on him.

[Curmudgeon]

Meh. I bet Josh Giddey is available if you want a big playmaker.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

I sincerely doubt Brad Stevens is drafting a point guard that has to be ball dominate to be successful and take the ball out of Tatum, Brown and White's hands. Extremely unlikely. Common sense. Celtics tried that for a half of season with Dennis Schroder, it didn't work.

Somebody should tell Brad Stevens that then. Because I remember him picking JD Davison, as close to the archetype you describe as you can probably find, mere months after shipping Schröder out of town and then keep giving new deals to the same JD Davison every summer since.

It's kind of hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that the dudes Traoré used to cook in Europe go to the NCAA, put up similar stats against much weaker opposition and are suddenly being regarded as much better prospects.

[CelticFaninLBC]

Meh. I bet Josh Giddey is available if you want a big playmaker.

Jaylen for Giddey?

[CelticFaninLBC]

I can see Stevens moving up into the 13-20 range and selecting a big playmaker like Egor Demin.

He’s one of the guys in the draft that I honestly have no clue on.

He could end up being a really effective physical guard or he could not be skilled or athletic enough. I wish I had a better read on him.

He seems to have taken a step backwards at BYU, but I can see Stevens wanting a pg that can guard bigger players. Therefore, drafting a small pg will be very surprising, especially when they already have Pritchard.

[redslastlaugh]

Sam Vecenie/Athletic mock draft today. Paste picks 28-40 below. Celts take Maxime Raynaud and Kam Jones.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1l9klh0/vecenie_2025_mock_draft/

28. Boston Celtics - Maxime Raynaud | 7-0 center

Raynaud would be a strong fit for Boston as a big who can dribble, pass and shoot. The Celtics’ scheme values players like this, as they prefer to play five-out offensively. Raynaud was among the most productive players in the country this year, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and he’s gotten better every season in college. The key will be on defense, where Raynaud does not move particularly well and could be a liability in space. He had a terrific combine game in front of several NBA scouts, but some NBA executives in attendance pointed out that he played against the least-developed player in attendance in Croatian teenager Michael Ruzic.

29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE) - Rasheer Fleming | 6-8 forward

Fleming very much looks the part at 6-8 with a 7-5 wingspan. He’s also got great leaping ability and a chiseled frame that allows him to play with force and strength on both ends. He averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, and drilled 39 percent from 3. The idea here is a 3-and-D forward who can potentially be switchable across the positional spectrum while also drilling 3s. But he doesn’t yet process things happening around him on the court quickly. But any team that values the frame and shooting potential will be interested in Fleming.

30. LA Clippers (via OKC) - Drake Powell | 6-5 wing

Powell has some momentum to end up somewhere in the back half of the first round because of his defense. Nobody guarded Flagg as well as Powell did this season. He’s just a long way away on offense, as he’s not that comfortable as a shooter or that capable as a ballhandler. It’s going to take him some time to play at the NBA level, even with his defensive skill. Still, he’s 6-5 with a 7-foot wingspan and is the kind of player the Clippers value as a tough-minded defender.

Second round:
31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via UTA): Noah Penda | 6-7 forward | 20 years old | Le Mans
32. Boston Celtics (via Washington): Kam Jones | 6-3 wing | 22 years old | Marquette
33. PROJECTED TRADE: Philadelphia 76ers (via CHA): Adou Thiero | 6-6 wing | 21 years old | Arkansas
34. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP): Ben Saraf | 6-5 guard | 19 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm
35. Philadelphia 76ers: Yanic Konan Niederhauser | 6-11 big | 22 years old | Penn State
36. Brooklyn Nets: Tyrese Proctor | 6-4 guard | 21 years old | Duke
37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto): John Tonje | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Wisconsin
38. San Antonio Spurs: Alex Toohey | 6-7 wing/forward | 21 years old | Sydney Kings
39. Toronto Raptors (via Portland): Rocco Zikarsky | 7-3 big | 19 years old | Brisbane Bullets
40. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix): Sion James | 6-4 guard | 23 years old | Duke

[Celts17Pride]

I sincerely doubt Brad Stevens is drafting a point guard that has to be ball dominate to be successful and take the ball out of Tatum, Brown and White's hands. Extremely unlikely. Common sense. Celtics tried that for a half of season with Dennis Schroder, it didn't work.

Somebody should tell Brad Stevens that then. Because I remember him picking JD Davison, as close to the archetype you describe as you can probably find, mere months after shipping Schröder out of town and then keep giving new deals to the same JD Davison every summer since.

It's kind of hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that the dudes Traoré used to cook in Europe go to the NCAA, put up similar stats against much weaker opposition and are suddenly being regarded as much better prospects.

JD Davison never plays for the Celtics and the rumor that the Celtics are looking for a point guard doesn't bode well for Davison in my opinion.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

I sincerely doubt Brad Stevens is drafting a point guard that has to be ball dominate to be successful and take the ball out of Tatum, Brown and White's hands. Extremely unlikely. Common sense. Celtics tried that for a half of season with Dennis Schroder, it didn't work.

Somebody should tell Brad Stevens that then. Because I remember him picking JD Davison, as close to the archetype you describe as you can probably find, mere months after shipping Schröder out of town and then keep giving new deals to the same JD Davison every summer since.

It's kind of hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that the dudes Traoré used to cook in Europe go to the NCAA, put up similar stats against much weaker opposition and are suddenly being regarded as much better prospects.

JD Davison never plays for the Celtics and the rumor that the Celtics are looking for a point guard doesn't bode well for Davison in my opinion.

Is that a Brad Stevens issue or a Joe Mazzulla issue ?

[playa-hater]

Sam Vecenie/Athletic mock draft today. Paste picks 28-40 below. Celts take Maxime Raynaud and Kam Jones.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1l9klh0/vecenie_2025_mock_draft/

28. Boston Celtics - Maxime Raynaud | 7-0 center

Raynaud would be a strong fit for Boston as a big who can dribble, pass and shoot. The Celtics’ scheme values players like this, as they prefer to play five-out offensively. Raynaud was among the most productive players in the country this year, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and he’s gotten better every season in college. The key will be on defense, where Raynaud does not move particularly well and could be a liability in space. He had a terrific combine game in front of several NBA scouts, but some NBA executives in attendance pointed out that he played against the least-developed player in attendance in Croatian teenager Michael Ruzic.

29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE) - Rasheer Fleming | 6-8 forward

Fleming very much looks the part at 6-8 with a 7-5 wingspan. He’s also got great leaping ability and a chiseled frame that allows him to play with force and strength on both ends. He averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, and drilled 39 percent from 3. The idea here is a 3-and-D forward who can potentially be switchable across the positional spectrum while also drilling 3s. But he doesn’t yet process things happening around him on the court quickly. But any team that values the frame and shooting potential will be interested in Fleming.

30. LA Clippers (via OKC) - Drake Powell | 6-5 wing

Powell has some momentum to end up somewhere in the back half of the first round because of his defense. Nobody guarded Flagg as well as Powell did this season. He’s just a long way away on offense, as he’s not that comfortable as a shooter or that capable as a ballhandler. It’s going to take him some time to play at the NBA level, even with his defensive skill. Still, he’s 6-5 with a 7-foot wingspan and is the kind of player the Clippers value as a tough-minded defender.

Second round:
31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via UTA): Noah Penda | 6-7 forward | 20 years old | Le Mans
32. Boston Celtics (via Washington): Kam Jones | 6-3 wing | 22 years old | Marquette
33. PROJECTED TRADE: Philadelphia 76ers (via CHA): Adou Thiero | 6-6 wing | 21 years old | Arkansas
34. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP): Ben Saraf | 6-5 guard | 19 years old | Ratiopharm Ulm
35. Philadelphia 76ers: Yanic Konan Niederhauser | 6-11 big | 22 years old | Penn State
36. Brooklyn Nets: Tyrese Proctor | 6-4 guard | 21 years old | Duke
37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto): John Tonje | 6-5 wing | 23 years old | Wisconsin
38. San Antonio Spurs: Alex Toohey | 6-7 wing/forward | 21 years old | Sydney Kings
39. Toronto Raptors (via Portland): Rocco Zikarsky | 7-3 big | 19 years old | Brisbane Bullets
40. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix): Sion James | 6-4 guard | 23 years old | Duke

I already said I like Raynaud if that's who stevens wanted, I would believe. But it's so hard to pass on my favorite binky in fleming..

Also notice. There's pretty good talent early in that second round..

[Dogen]

If we do move off some vets, whoever that may be, and add some draft capital, I would LUV a draft like Danny Ainge had in 2004.
Ainge took Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Tony Allen, & Justin Reed
Four swings and the three first round guys played 2800 minutes that season.

If we lose say 3 of White, Holiday, Porzingis, Hauser & Brown this will open up a lot of minutes. Tatum, obviously, will be out.
Draft some upside rookies. And then throw the rookies out there and play them. Then, this time next year, hopefully, we have young guys who've showed some stuff and we can grow with them or ultimately trade them for an established star.

Finding Al Jefferson in that '04 draft and featuring him for 3 otherwise sideways seasons was fundamentally why we were able to acquire Kevin Garnett when KG became available.

He really did nail that draft. To this day, if somebody mentions Big Al, I'm still thinking Jefferson and not Horford.

I was sitting in a bar in Missoula, MT watching that 2004 draft. Was sooo excited that the Celtics snagged Big Al, and nobody there had a clue what I was on about. The consensus at that time was that Danny missed out on his guy Robert Swift, who ended up living in an apartment full of old pizza boxes in Seattle apparently.

Getting West and TA at #24 and 25 was a stellar Ainge draft. Full disclosure: I would have taken Allen at 24, and Saša Vujačić at 25 (or maybe gone big with Anderson Varejão, who ended up being pretty good too.)

[Dogen]

There are some nice Centers in this draft as well.

I think that Maluach is a guy that people are going to regret passing on.
Sorber, Queen, Wolf, BErringer, Raynaud, Yang

Some intriguing prospects that fit far better than some 6 foot tall, slow trigger questionable 3pt shooters.

I totally don't know what to make of him. Could be an absolute steal or picked way too high if he goes around 7-10 as projected. I would be surprised if he is the guy Brad is targeting to move up for.

[Bill Lumbergh]

If we do move off some vets, whoever that may be, and add some draft capital, I would LUV a draft like Danny Ainge had in 2004.
Ainge took Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Tony Allen, & Justin Reed
Four swings and the three first round guys played 2800 minutes that season.

If we lose say 3 of White, Holiday, Porzingis, Hauser & Brown this will open up a lot of minutes. Tatum, obviously, will be out.
Draft some upside rookies. And then throw the rookies out there and play them. Then, this time next year, hopefully, we have young guys who've showed some stuff and we can grow with them or ultimately trade them for an established star.

Finding Al Jefferson in that '04 draft and featuring him for 3 otherwise sideways seasons was fundamentally why we were able to acquire Kevin Garnett when KG became available.

He really did nail that draft. To this day, if somebody mentions Big Al, I'm still thinking Jefferson and not Horford.

I was sitting in a bar in Missoula, MT watching that 2004 draft. Was sooo excited that the Celtics snagged Big Al, and nobody there had a clue what I was on about. The consensus at that time was that Danny missed out on his guy Robert Swift, who ended up living in an apartment full of old pizza boxes in Seattle apparently.

Getting West and TA at #24 and 25 was a stellar Ainge draft. Full disclosure: I would have taken Allen at 24, and Saša Vujačić at 25 (or maybe gone big with Anderson Varejão, who ended up being pretty good too.)

Yeah, great draft. I bet Montana is so nice in the summer. It's one of the only three states in the continental US that I have yet to at least pass through, along with S and N Dakota. Would like to go some day.