2025 Draft prospects - thread 3

[Muzbar]

It's kinda clear he's not an explosive athlete from his play.
Doug McDermott also had good combine results:

Vertical: 36.5"
Lane Agility: 11.10
3/4 Sprint: 3.29

I wouldn't draft Kon on his athleticism, he's worth drafting purely as a shooter.

I don't think anyone ever thought he was an explosive athlete, but he's adequate enough in where he can contribute defensively in a team.

[Repeat 3-peat]

ESPN: 2025 NBA draft superlatives: Best at shooting, defense, more

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45506725/2025-nba-draft-superlatives-skills-traits-best-players-shooting-defense-more

[Jcool0]

But I thought Kon wasn't going to participate in combine drills because he knows he's a bad athlete...?

If he didn't do it he wouldn't be eligible for the draft.

I know.

It was aimed at a comment someone else nonsensically made in regards to him being a bad athlete.

I got the reference. I didn't know they introduced the rule in 2024. So was just putting it out there.

[rosenthall]

Beringer is intriguing, but not interested in taking him at #12.

1). Outside of dunks, he has nothing going for him on offense, and no clear indicators that he will anytime in the near future which really limits his potential.

2). His mobility is impressive, but it's clearly against inferior competition on a smaller floor, so it's hard to project too much from it. But I completely agree that the traits demonstrated are impressive, and on par with big men who have been taken in the top half of the lottery -- Wiseman, Hayes, etc.

3). In his highlights he doesn't really demonstrate instinct on defense (compared to mere athleticism), which is absolutely imperative for someone of his player profile.

4). After a quick google search it doesn't look like he was actually that productive for his mid-tier European team. Bogoljub Marković is a similar age and puts up much more production in the same league.

He looks like the ideal pick to take at #45, so we can stash him for two years, but I predict this guy would get near 0 playing time for two years if we took him at #12.

To me he's not the guy you target on draft night, but target in a trade in 3 years when it looks like his development has stunted with his original team and it's not working out.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

Beringer is intriguing, but not interested in taking him at #12.

1). Outside of dunks, he has nothing going for him on offense, and no clear indicators that he will anytime in the near future which really limits his potential.

2). His mobility is impressive, but it's clearly against inferior competition on a smaller floor, so it's hard to project too much from it. But I completely agree that the traits demonstrated are impressive, and on par with big men who have been taken in the top half of the lottery -- Wiseman, Hayes, etc.

3). In his highlights he doesn't really demonstrate instinct on defense (compared to mere athleticism), which is absolutely imperative for someone of his player profile.

4). After a quick google search it doesn't look like he was actually that productive for his mid-tier European team. Bogoljub Marković is a similar age and puts up much more production in the same league.

He looks like the ideal pick to take at #45, so we can stash him for two years, but I predict this guy would get near 0 playing time for two years if we took him at #12.

To me he's not the guy you target on draft night, but target in a trade in 3 years when it looks like his development has stunted with his original team and it's not working out.

I guess I get the intrigue, but as Muzbar mentioned earlier... he's not seeing the court for several seasons of his rookie contract. Then he has a game where he plays 35 minutes and gets 5 blocks, and we all drink the kool-aid and reminisce about that one game. Then his rookie contract is over and AKME has to decide what to do with him.

We all know AKME is going to give him $25M/yr just based on flashes and the fact that he drafted Joan.

Just my opinion, but I'd much rather take Raynaud, who also started basketball later in life (his final year of high school). He's 22 now, but he's already spent those developmental years (and developed quite nicely). Obviously they are not the same player or prospect (Raynaud offensive, Beringer defensive), but I'd be much more excited to add Maxime in the late 1st or 2nd round versus Beringer at #12.

Edit: Just to add that I watched a video where Maxime admitted that he had to change some things about his defensive presence in the latter half of the season. Over his last 9 games, he average 2.6 blocks per game. He's only been playing basketball for 4-5 years, but you can see he's putting in the work and is getting better every season.

Watch on YouTube

[Muzbar]

If he didn't do it he wouldn't be eligible for the draft.

I know.

It was aimed at a comment someone else nonsensically made in regards to him being a bad athlete.

I got the reference. I didn't know they introduced the rule in 2024. So was just putting it out there.

Oh right. My bad.

Thanks for the info.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

I know.

It was aimed at a comment someone else nonsensically made in regards to him being a bad athlete.

I got the reference. I didn't know they introduced the rule in 2024. So was just putting it out there.

Oh right. My bad.

Thanks for the info.

I also had no idea that rule existed. Thanks!

[BullsSD]

NGL I am so committed to coming out of this draft with Essengue and/or Coward idk what to say. I hope we don’t trade Coby. But I continually have these good vibes about Giddey/Coward/Buzelis/Essengue.

Edit: Trading Vuc for Kuminga makes it even crazier. Imagine a small ball runner lineup of Giddey/Coward/Buzelis/Essengue/Kuminga. The offensive firepower and defensive length would be must see TV.

[Chi town]

Beringer is intriguing, but not interested in taking him at #12.

1). Outside of dunks, he has nothing going for him on offense, and no clear indicators that he will anytime in the near future which really limits his potential.

2). His mobility is impressive, but it's clearly against inferior competition on a smaller floor, so it's hard to project too much from it. But I completely agree that the traits demonstrated are impressive, and on par with big men who have been taken in the top half of the lottery -- Wiseman, Hayes, etc.

3). In his highlights he doesn't really demonstrate instinct on defense (compared to mere athleticism), which is absolutely imperative for someone of his player profile.

4). After a quick google search it doesn't look like he was actually that productive for his mid-tier European team. Bogoljub Marković is a similar age and puts up much more production in the same league.

He looks like the ideal pick to take at #45, so we can stash him for two years, but I predict this guy would get near 0 playing time for two years if we took him at #12.

To me he's not the guy you target on draft night, but target in a trade in 3 years when it looks like his development has stunted with his original team and it's not working out.

Good nuance here.

I wouldnt draft Beringer 12 unless all my guys were off the board which seems impossible.

I would take him 12 if we could trade our POR pick and get a player like Saraf or Coward later.

I think people are missing how good he is defensively right now. He can play 15-18 mins per game as a backup C day one. His D is that good. Hes much better than Lively was at Duke on D.

I think he’s a starter year 2. He won’t give much on offense until probably year 3

[Chi town]

NGL I am so committed to coming out of this draft with Essengue and Coward idk what to say. I hope we don’t trade Coby. But I continually have these good vibes about Giddey/Coward/Buzelis/Essengue

That would be a dream.

I want to keep Coby and I don’t think he will get the 30M+ people think he will get. I have said I’d trade him for Tre Johnson which I don’t see any of the team early doing.

I would also trade Coby if we could get Saraf or Coward with a pick and two more assets. If the Bulls do trade Lonzo I could see Coby to the Magic for 16 and Anthony Black. Black becomes our new Lonzo with more offense and less shooting and more games played.

Don’t want anything to do with Kuminga.

People don’t realize how much Vuc’s offense is a security blanket. His buckets won’t easily be replaced but will force guys to expand their game. His D will be upgraded and help get us more easy buckets with steals and blocks for dunks.

Losing Coby’s offense with Vuc’s offense would make us tough to watch in the half court especially when the 3s aren’t dropping. I think in time Buz and Noa will be able to score in the half court but it would be rough either way the group above for awhile.

[WesPeace]

My top 3 choices are final for #12 :
Coward, Essengue, CMB

For late first rounder pick 18-30# (if we get it thru trade) my top 5 list is :
Powell, Beringer, Sorber, Fleming, Bryant

[Andi Obst]

Essengue and Saraf will play their first finals game in Germany in about 4.5 hours. They're playing against a Euroleague team (Bayern), so that should be a good test for both of them. I don't know how you can watch outside of Germany, but it should be pretty easy to find somewhere.

By the way, Ulm asked the league to change the finals schedule because games 4 and 5 of the best-of-5 series would be played after the NBA Draft if they're necessary. The league declined.

[Jcool0]

I am on the fence about Queen. He was so good in the Big 10 & NCAA Tournaments that he seemed like a top 10 lock. Then after the poor showing at the combine he has dropped again. He is on the older side for a one and done, combined with poor athletic testing and defensive concerns i would say pass. But might be BPA at 12 & maybe you just have to trust the game tape & not measureables.

[sco]

It's kinda clear he's not an explosive athlete from his play.
Doug McDermott also had good combine results:

Vertical: 36.5"
Lane Agility: 11.10
3/4 Sprint: 3.29

I wouldn't draft Kon on his athleticism, he's worth drafting purely as a shooter.

IDK, I read that his defense is very good. If true, a 3-D wing like him would be awesome and a guy you could stick next to Giddey.

[Jcool0]

It's kinda clear he's not an explosive athlete from his play.
Doug McDermott also had good combine results:

Vertical: 36.5"
Lane Agility: 11.10
3/4 Sprint: 3.29

I wouldn't draft Kon on his athleticism, he's worth drafting purely as a shooter.

IDK, I read that his defense is very good. If true, a 3-D wing like him would be awesome and a guy you could stick next to Giddey.

Read on Twitter

[kodo]

Interesting Vecenie said that even though Maluach is the best center in the draft, relative to other classes he's about as good as Clingan and definitely less upside than Derrick Lively. Said even Joan Beringer might eventually be better because Beringer has much better agility/athleticism/footwork/hands. Has only been playing basketball 4 years.

[Jcool0]

Interesting Vecenie said that even though Maluach is the best center in the draft, relative to other classes he's about as good as Clingan and definitely less upside than Derrick Lively. Said even Joan Beringer might eventually be better because Beringer has much better agility/athleticism/footwork/hands. Has only been playing basketball 4 years.

If he is as good as Clingan whats the problem? He was one of the better defensive centers during his rookie year.

[DuckIII]

I am on the fence about Queen. He was so good in the Big 10 & NCAA Tournaments that he seemed like a top 10 lock. Then after the poor showing at the combine he has dropped again. He is on the older side for a one and done, combined with poor athletic testing and defensive concerns i would say pass. But might be BPA at 12 & maybe you just have to trust the game tape & not measureables.

For me Queen is not “DO NOT WANT!” Not many of those guys at 12 for me, really. Just Asa and Jase. Maybe I should call them Jasa to save time?

But he is “gulp, gosh I hope I’m wrong about this.” He has unique offensive talents I love. I’m just so completely and utterly done with having a trash interior defense after the last 5 years that it’s very hard for me to just stay on that road.

Runners, defenders, shooters, passers. That is what I want at all positions to pair with Giddey and Matas. Queen does half those things.

[DuckIII]

Interesting Vecenie said that even though Maluach is the best center in the draft, relative to other classes he's about as good as Clingan and definitely less upside than Derrick Lively. Said even Joan Beringer might eventually be better because Beringer has much better agility/athleticism/footwork/hands. Has only been playing basketball 4 years.

If he is as good as Clingan whats the problem? He was one of the better defensive centers during his rookie year.

Yeah. “As good as Donovan Clingan” means draft his ass.

[HomoSapien]

Beringer is intriguing, but not interested in taking him at #12.

1). Outside of dunks, he has nothing going for him on offense, and no clear indicators that he will anytime in the near future which really limits his potential.

2). His mobility is impressive, but it's clearly against inferior competition on a smaller floor, so it's hard to project too much from it. But I completely agree that the traits demonstrated are impressive, and on par with big men who have been taken in the top half of the lottery -- Wiseman, Hayes, etc.

3). In his highlights he doesn't really demonstrate instinct on defense (compared to mere athleticism), which is absolutely imperative for someone of his player profile.

4). After a quick google search it doesn't look like he was actually that productive for his mid-tier European team. Bogoljub Marković is a similar age and puts up much more production in the same league.

He looks like the ideal pick to take at #45, so we can stash him for two years, but I predict this guy would get near 0 playing time for two years if we took him at #12.

To me he's not the guy you target on draft night, but target in a trade in 3 years when it looks like his development has stunted with his original team and it's not working out.

I guess I get the intrigue, but as Muzbar mentioned earlier... he's not seeing the court for several seasons of his rookie contract. Then he has a game where he plays 35 minutes and gets 5 blocks, and we all drink the kool-aid and reminisce about that one game. Then his rookie contract is over and AKME has to decide what to do with him.

We all know AKME is going to give him $25M/yr just based on flashes and the fact that he drafted Joan.

Just my opinion, but I'd much rather take Raynaud, who also started basketball later in life (his final year of high school). He's 22 now, but he's already spent those developmental years (and developed quite nicely). Obviously they are not the same player or prospect (Raynaud offensive, Beringer defensive), but I'd be much more excited to add Maxime in the late 1st or 2nd round versus Beringer at #12.

Edit: Just to add that I watched a video where Maxime admitted that he had to change some things about his defensive presence in the latter half of the season. Over his last 9 games, he average 2.6 blocks per game. He's only been playing basketball for 4-5 years, but you can see he's putting in the work and is getting better every season.

Watch on YouTube

Raynaud is my guy and I love hearing him speak. Just very thoughtful and cerebral. Reminds me of Pau in that sense.