2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 9

[ForeverTFC]

These playoffs prove weakest link theory. I know Raps picked Gradey and maybe it was not a "raptors" pick but I think they liked his offensive upside and size.. needs to grow into his body which is what is hurting him. The Raps are for sure going to pick a 2 way guy. I think I'm buying the smoke on KM. JP is just too valuable for us and when he's out, we have no answer. KM will fit a need and Masai knows this kid's upside better than anyone. I do think he will be there now that Noa's measurements have come out.

I agree KM is the pick for me, such a huge drop off in defense when jack is off the floor. We just also need to get a stretch big off the bench somehow as well.

I don't like a Poeltl/Maluach combo. I think you need 1 big space eater and one smallball C. These playoffs are a good example. You need the option for playoff match-ups, but you can't put too many resources for either. Unless Maluach can anchor an offense I don't want him at 9.

Poeltl’s going into his last year and it’ll likely take $30m a year (Jarrett Allen money) to extend him. I wouldn’t have him in pen on the depth chart for the next few years. Finding a replacement would be more than fine.

[BoyzNTheHood]

i love how both beringer and essengue's measurements got even better while a lot of the NCAA prospects shrunk

i feel like there is a clear top 9 now

flagg
harper
vj
bailey
tre
fear
essengue
kon
malauch

would be happy with any of the above

I love Kon but he wouldnt be my first option at 9. And Maluach is a bust so I’m hoping someone reaches for him. If the 2 of them go before 9 we’re laughing to the bank at 9.

I scratch Malauch out and replace him with Jak

For me, it’s Bryant, but I could see Jak or CMB filling that gap.

[DreamTeam09]

As it gets closer to draft day I'm more at ease that Maluach will be the selection

Cooper
Harper
Ace or VJ
VJ or Ace
Tre
Queen or Noa
Kon
Fears
Maluach at 9 to the Raps

[Psubs]

So the journalist was Hollinger. Looking at his personal rankings for that year he was pretty spot in in evaluating a lot of the talent even when he went way against consensus.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2700529/2021/07/14/hollingers-top-70-players-for-the-2021-nba-draft-cade-no-1-and-why-alperen-sengun-deserves-more-hype/

1. Cade
2. Mobley
3. Barnes
4. Sengun
5. Green
6. Suggs
7. Wagner
8. Kuminga
9. Johnson
10. Giddey

His last ranking for this draft is about a month old but its worth looking at to see who he's higher on than the consensus so far.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6344540/2025/05/12/nba-draft-2025-prospects-cooper-flagg-dylan-harper/

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Edgecombe
4. Knueppel
5. Fears
6. Murray-Boyles
7. Essengue
8. Bryant
9. Demin
10. Jones

So he was much higher on Murray-Boyles, Bryant, and Essengue than people were at the time, while being notably low on Bailey, Johnson, Queen, Jakucionis, and Maluach.

Kam Jones? He's so trash. Wait, I guess that's a mistake and should be Johnson (Tre).

[ArthurVandelay]

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Not draft news but this asking price is a little steep for us it would be like Yak, Walter or Dick, And 2 future firsts.

He’s a good player but the asking price is way too high.

He’d be a great player to have though

The two firsts is asking too much. Lottery protected and that changes things. But then your draft capital is locked up for future trades.

[Mark_83]

So the journalist was Hollinger. Looking at his personal rankings for that year he was pretty spot in in evaluating a lot of the talent even when he went way against consensus.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2700529/2021/07/14/hollingers-top-70-players-for-the-2021-nba-draft-cade-no-1-and-why-alperen-sengun-deserves-more-hype/

1. Cade
2. Mobley
3. Barnes
4. Sengun
5. Green
6. Suggs
7. Wagner
8. Kuminga
9. Johnson
10. Giddey

His last ranking for this draft is about a month old but its worth looking at to see who he's higher on than the consensus so far.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6344540/2025/05/12/nba-draft-2025-prospects-cooper-flagg-dylan-harper/

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Edgecombe
4. Knueppel
5. Fears
6. Murray-Boyles
7. Essengue
8. Bryant
9. Demin
10. Jones

So he was much higher on Murray-Boyles, Bryant, and Essengue than people were at the time, while being notably low on Bailey, Johnson, Queen, Jakucionis, and Maluach.

Kam Jones? He's so trash. Wait, I guess that's a mistake and should be Johnson (Tre).

No, it's Kam Jones. I really like Kam Jones actually but agree that's too high. Jones has an interesting skill set if his shooting bounces back.

[WuTang_OG]

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[JShuttlesworth]

If Maluach is on the board I would be surprised if Masai passes on him, whether or not he's available is the question. I would assume, at the very least, one of Maluach or Queen is taken before the Raptors are on the clock. Maybe both though, it's hard to predict.

To me, the players in play are: Maluach, Queen, Jak, Bryant, Essengue (in no particular order)

Guys like Flagg, Harper, Johnson, Edgecombe, Bailey will surely be off the board.

It's going to be an interesting draft, I'm looking forward to it this year. I really like how they do the 2nd Round the night after, it'll give us some time to think about who is available and try to guess who Masai likes at #39.

[Grew]

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Doesn't seem to translate to his game. Not sure he has one college highlight where his vert looks impressive, or he looked particularly athletic.

Same with Coward, good combine result, no in game evidence.

VJ scored like 38.5, so not much better, but he's a threat to blow by you and dunk on your whole team like Ant.

Still a good number for Kon, was expecting more like 34 max.

[Grew]

Noa being 6'10 is less meaningful than Beringer being 6"11 barefoot. We know who Noa is no matter if he's 6'9 or 6'10. He's a narrow shoulder tweener 4/3, he has the potential to be a really good role player, but this doesn't make him a 5.

He needs to get on Giannis' roid plan to be more than that. His style of play is less skill based than agression based. I don't see his path to being a high usage player in the NBA right now. Would still bet on Carter Bryant over him. Noa is just another guy that is slightly redundant with Scottie Barnes. I don't see the short term fit. I hope this puts him into the top 8 so we have more options at 9.

[WuTang_OG]

As it gets closer to draft day I'm more at ease that Maluach will be the selection

Cooper
Harper
Ace or VJ
VJ or Ace
Tre
Queen or Noa
Kon
Fears
Maluach at 9 to the Raps

KM will be there. Klutch is just boosting him.

[Jerry Lucas]

These playoffs prove weakest link theory. I know Raps picked Gradey and maybe it was not a "raptors" pick but I think they liked his offensive upside and size.. needs to grow into his body which is what is hurting him. The Raps are for sure going to pick a 2 way guy this draft I think I'm buying the smoke on KM. JP is just too valuable for us and when he's out, we have no answer. KM will fit a need and Masai knows this kid's upside better than anyone. I do think he will be there now that Noa's measurements have come out.

May 28th, 2023:
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?p=106576531#p106576531

2023 draft night was June 22nd.

[PhilBlackson]

These playoffs prove weakest link theory. I know Raps picked Gradey and maybe it was not a "raptors" pick but I think they liked his offensive upside and size.. needs to grow into his body which is what is hurting him. The Raps are for sure going to pick a 2 way guy this draft I think I'm buying the smoke on KM. JP is just too valuable for us and when he's out, we have no answer. KM will fit a need and Masai knows this kid's upside better than anyone. I do think he will be there now that Noa's measurements have come out.

May 28th, 2023:
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?p=106576531#p106576531

2023 draft night was June 22nd.

Idk what I'm more impressed by...that you got that or that Syd-TK3 was right that it would be a fireable offence to draft Gradey 4th overall

[WuTang_OG]

These playoffs prove weakest link theory. I know Raps picked Gradey and maybe it was not a "raptors" pick but I think they liked his offensive upside and size.. needs to grow into his body which is what is hurting him. The Raps are for sure going to pick a 2 way guy this draft I think I'm buying the smoke on KM. JP is just too valuable for us and when he's out, we have no answer. KM will fit a need and Masai knows this kid's upside better than anyone. I do think he will be there now that Noa's measurements have come out.

May 28th, 2023:
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?p=106576531#p106576531

2023 draft night was June 22nd.

I meant defense / athlete first , worry about shot later

[WuTang_OG]

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[RoteSchroder]

Comparing Carter Bryant's draft combine lane agility drill numbers with some notable NBA players:

Carter Bryant
11.25

Otter Porter
11.25

Andre Roberson
11.36

Kawhi Leonard
11.45

Khris Middleton
11.45

Loul Deng
11.46

Avery Bradley
11.47

Donovan Mitchell
11.53

Gary Payton III
11.57

Trey Murphy
11.65

Robert Covington
11.69

Paul Millsap
11.67

Derrick Rose
11.69

MKG
11.77

Terrence Ross
11.78

Yeah, like I said earlier, bad lane agility doesn’t necessarily mean poor perimeter D.

Not sure why you guys brought it up.

I used it to compare with VJ Edgcombe to show that they are similar. Visually VJ may be good on defense but they are similar based on RTG and combine scores. Really both show the effort and will be above average defenders. Even Tre Johnson shows the effort on defense and I think he'll at least be around average on defense.

Haven’t really paid attention to VJ, but looking at his defense-lights, he actually may not be a strong defender. Good for stocks, but not a Nembhard type PoA defender. Can get caught daydreaming in no man’s land too. I’ve got less faith in his defense than CB.

CB I would equate to a smaller Scottie on D, Scottie’s not a perfect defender, but a huge plus in the right position. Overall comparison I think is still a more vertical Ochai.

[BoyzNTheHood]

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[nowayguy]

The combine doesn't test or reflect functional basketball athleticism. I wish the testing tracked functional athleticism better but it is what it is.

[niQ]

i love how both beringer and essengue's measurements got even better while a lot of the NCAA prospects shrunk

i feel like there is a clear top 9 now

flagg
harper
vj
bailey
tre
fear
essengue
kon
malauch

would be happy with any of the above

I think I read somewhere that international players are typically listed heights without shoes. Whereas American prospects listed heights with shoes. That's why when anthro measurements are done, usually the international prospects don't have much change. Whereas the American prospects heights appear to have been inflated.

[LoveMyRaps]

Who is PHX drafting with #9?