2024-2025 College Basketball / NBA Draft - Volume III

[OleSchool]

But getting rid of PG does nothing for the salary cap. He's a sunk cost. Maybe at the trade deadline on his last year we might be able to get something but I doubt it.

We're stuck with PG and Joel till the end of their contracts. Unless Joel medically retires then moving PG becomes more important for salary cap reasons

[FireMorey]

I haven’t been able to find it anywhere else, but the Ricky was talking about a rumor coming from a Nets beat writer.
Nick Claxton, Cam Thomas and #8 for Paul George and #3. I’d seriously consider that. You don’t give up much getting Thomas for George, especially considering George isn’t going to age well. Claxton can start 30% of the games and is good Embiid insurance.

You mean Cam Johnson? Cam Thomas blows.

And I don't get this incessant desire to get rid of PG's contract. The Sixers would be losing the two best players in the trade. PG and the 3rd pick.

It's a short-sighted trade to scratch the OCD itch of fans coming off a season of regret to get rid of the PG contract that doesn't need getting rid of. I mean, if they can find a taker for it who actually gives something value in return for it straight up, fine. But to get rid of it to downgrade assets is crazy.

If we hit the All Star break this season and PG is averaging 15 PPG or less and or playing 60% or less of the games - we will be sitting with one of the worst contracts in the NBA. I think this is a very likely scenario, maybe 40%-50% chance.

If we’re able to leverage our 3rd overall and PG to get something decent in return (not nothing), then we should. The financial freedom to
Not have his contract for another 2 years after this one will be immensely beneficial.

Separately, I think PG is a bad vibes guy in the locker room and don’t want it rubbing off on our young talent.

It wouldn't be immensely beneficial though. You're lowering your chances to acquire a blue chip talent, which is the hardest thing to do in the NBA. The Sixers were gifted an opportunity to get one after a disastrous season. The salary issue will clear themselves up over time. Literally all it takes is time and patience. Acquiring blue chip players is another story. You need luck and opportunity. None of which you can fully control yourself. And ditching PG's salary is not going to help the Sixers acquire blue chip talent. It'll help them fill in pieces along the margins, which is not this team's problem right now. This team's problem is their one superstar generational player might be totally shot and if he is they are going to need to start another rebuild. And to rebuild you need premium quality players. To give up a chance at one for a lesser chance at one just to ditch a salary that will only help you along the margins because you're going to be well over the cap anyway; is a major mistake.

[Mik317]

you don't pass on getting more young talent especially top 5 talent to get rid of PG's contract.

This 3rd pick is a gift...using it to "save future cap space" is a waste. If he sucks next year then oh well....hold that **** and keep it moving.

[youngcrev]

If Ace has a career similar to Luol Deng, would anyone be disappointed in that?

For a #3 overall, yes.

I’d argue Justin Edwards may be on a path to have a similar career to Deng.

Luol Deng was a 2 time all star. I'd take that as a pretty big W if any of these guys at 3 are that.

[76ciology]

Edgecombe playmaking

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[Iverson Armband]

Edgecombe playmaking

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This is all basic stuff that I’d hope he’d be able to do as a guard that’s a potential NBA lottery pick.

[sodmoraes]

If Ace has a career similar to Luol Deng, would anyone be disappointed in that?

For a #3 overall, yes.

I’d argue Justin Edwards may be on a path to have a similar career to Deng.

Although i think we should draft Ace, one of the reasons i´m ok with drafting Tre or trading up to get Harper is that i´m pretty high on Edwards too. He totally stole Council´s lunch money by the end of the season, and got almost all his minutes. He was shooting pretty good from 3( and even showed some off the dribble juice) and was defending well too.

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I dont think he has the same potential as Ace, since he lacks the athletic ability and isnt that big as bailey, but he was a 5 star prospect in the high school, so he has good pedigree. And he trained with Maxey this year, so he will probably be in pretty good shape this season. If we dont get Ace, i can see him playing 25 MPG this year.

[OleSchool]

Edgecombe playmaking

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This is all basic stuff that I’d hope he’d be able to do as a guard that’s a potential NBA lottery pick.

LMAO come on man. That ain't basic for a SG. If Bailey could pass like that he'd be in convo with Flagg for 1 lmao

[sodmoraes]

Edgecombe playmaking

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It´s because VJ Ibaka sees himself as a PG...

[Iverson Armband]

Edgecombe playmaking

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This is all basic stuff that I’d hope he’d be able to do as a guard that’s a potential NBA lottery pick.

LMAO come on man. That ain't basic for a SG. If Bailey could pass like that he'd be in convo with Flagg for 1 lmao

I’m not advocating for Ace Bailey. That shite was basic.

[Negrodamus]

Edgecombe playmaking

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Well we know he’ll get the ball to Embiid.

[Black Mage]

Kon is gonna get called for a lot of offensive fouls. Watch how many times he two arm shoves his defender before making his break to get the pass. He also loves that chicken wing.

Have you watched any playoff basketball? The NBA is a physical league. Guys bump and push each other to try and create shots many times per game. It's not a bad thing that Kon actually has a good frame for doing this and is actually good at it.

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It just seems pretty tough to please the critics. They say Kon can't create any offense, but when shown evidence that he can (including in games where Flagg wasn't playing) they then claim that these examples don't count and move the goal posts.

We'll see what happens I guess. I think Morey has a great track record and has earned the benefit of the doubt with his draft selections.

There's tough and then there's what Kon does which is a fully extended one or two arm shove which is going to get called a lot.

Second, I saw a lot of Kon barely getting a slight lead on his single defender when driving. He looks horribly slow and NBA defenses are going to recover and cut those drives and double and triple fakes off. He tries that stuff in the lane against NBA length and athleticism and he's going to get smothered.

He's at best a 7-10 range pick; he should not be in any conversation for pick #3. The only reason Vecenie had him at 3 was b/c he was projecting Kon's own pull-up failures onto VJ (embarrassing mistake for a "respected" sports reporter btw).

[76ciology]

There's tough and then there's what Kon does which is a fully extended one or two arm shove which is going to get called a lot.

Second, I saw a lot of Kon barely getting a slight lead on his single defender when driving. He looks horribly slow and NBA defenses are going to recover and cut those drives and double and triple fakes off. He tries that stuff in the lane against NBA length and athleticism and he's going to get smothered.

He's at best a 7-10 range pick; he should not be in any conversation for pick #3. The only reason Vecenie had him at 3 was b/c he was projecting Kon's own pull-up failures onto VJ (embarrassing mistake for a "respected" sports reporter btw).

I think many NBA players today aren’t consistently blowing by their defenders, so they’re relying more on push-offs, physical bumps, and refined footwork to create separation in the midrange.

I know there are concerns about Kneuppel’s shot creation, but the numbers suggest there might be more upside than people think. Only 11% of his midrange makes were assisted, and he actually shot slightly better there than VJ, Ace, Kasparas or Tre. He also got to the rim in the halfcourt over 30% of the time (2x of Ace) and finished at a 60% clip.

And I know some people say he was just feeding off Flagg and Maluach’s presence (including me), but he actually played well and held his own running the team when Flagg was out or when the games are high stakes.

To me, he’s like the Jared McCain type of pick at #3, I don’t like him (or even McCain), he’s a boring pick but he’s one of the right options.

[NYSixersFan]

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This is all basic stuff that I’d hope he’d be able to do as a guard that’s a potential NBA lottery pick.

LMAO come on man. That ain't basic for a SG. If Bailey could pass like that he'd be in convo with Flagg for 1 lmao

I appreciate you still having my quotes from 8-10 years ago. Clearly taken out of context, but still....

[76ciology]

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Well we know he’ll get the ball to Embiid.

I think his archetype is worth betting on with a top 3 pick. If you’re into the numbers, the two front-runners at #3 are VJ and Kneuppel, Kneuppel is the safer choice, while VJ offers more upside with a bit more risk. I prefer VJ between the two.

A week ago, I said I was mentally prepared for Morey to take VJ. Then there was a report that they’re high on VJ after a meeting with Maxey. Now, I’m fully locked in on either trading up, VJ, or KK. Maybe I’m wrong, but at least I’ll have some peace of mind until draft day.

[Black Mage]

There are no offensive hub players outside of Harper and Cooper. So if you want our pick to have "hub" potential you gotta trade up or hope Spurs jump on someone not named Harper.

I also don't agree that the Sixers as constructed need a play creator as much as they need players who can stress and bend a defense creating advantages for the offense to make scoring easier. You do this by making a defense have to rotate unexpectedly. The easiest way to create defensive stress is your traditional play creating point guard getting to the lane via the dribble or a PNR (its why Harper is so valuable). However, you can also create stress on a defense if you have skilled off-ball offensive threats.

Off-ball stress can come at 3 different levels; behind the arc, mid-range and at the rim. Ace is the only prospect of those we're looking at (Kon, Tre, VJ being the others) that is capable of putting stress at all 3 of these levels. He's a more than capable motion C&S from 3 player. I think VJ is a better lob threat; but Ace showed better spatial awareness and timing as an off-ball cutter. Ace is the only one that consistently hit on motion C&S from the mid-range.

Ace's off-ball value would provide the Sixers with an element they don't have right now. Sure the Sixers have Maxey and McCain who great off-ball threats, but Ace brings size to table that the other two don't which allows him to be a bigger threat at he rim and in the mid-range where shooting over a defender is important.

[76ciology]

Spoiler:

There are no offensive hub players outside of Harper and Cooper. So if you want our pick to have "hub" potential you gotta trade up or hope Spurs jump on someone not named Harper.

I also don't agree that the Sixers as constructed need a play creator as much as they need players who can stress and bend a defense creating advantages for the offense to make scoring easier. You do this by making a defense have to rotate unexpectedly. The easiest way to create defensive stress is your traditional play creating point guard getting to the lane via the dribble or a PNR (its why Harper is so valuable). However, you can also create stress on a defense if you have skilled off-ball offensive threats.

Off-ball stress can come at 3 different levels; behind the arc, mid-range and at the rim. Ace is the only prospect of those we're looking at (Kon, Tre, VJ being the others) that is capable of putting stress at all 3 of these levels. He's a more than capable motion C&S from 3 player. I think VJ is a better lob threat; but Ace showed better spatial awareness and timing as an off-ball cutter. Ace is the only one that consistently hit on motion C&S from the mid-range.

Ace's off-ball value would provide the Sixers with an element they don't have right now. Sure the Sixers have Maxey and McCain who great off-ball threats, but Ace brings size to table that the other two don't which allows him to be a bigger threat at he rim and in the mid-range where shooting over a defender is important.

Just for discussion, what happens if a defender is able to fight through the screen, one of the screeners switches, or a help defender steps up? Now Bailey has to put the ball on the floor and quickly decide whether to pass, shoot, or drive.

Another thing about Bailey is I don’t think he has the burst with the ball to blow by most bigs if they step up to defend at the level of the screen.

I also don’t think off-ball screen actions are an efficient primary offense (most just run it to get help defense busy for strong side actions), specially for wings (they’re slower than guards like Steph and etc). Those sets tend to eat up a lot of the shot clock, and as we all know, shot quality generally declines the closer you get to the end of the clock.

[Mik317]

There are no offensive hub players outside of Harper and Cooper. So if you want our pick to have "hub" potential you gotta trade up or hope Spurs jump on someone not named Harper.

I also don't agree that the Sixers as constructed need a play creator as much as they need players who can stress and bend a defense creating advantages for the offense to make scoring easier. You do this by making a defense have to rotate unexpectedly. The easiest way to create defensive stress is your traditional play creating point guard getting to the lane via the dribble or a PNR (its why Harper is so valuable). However, you can also create stress on a defense if you have skilled off-ball offensive threats.

Off-ball stress can come at 3 different levels; behind the arc, mid-range and at the rim. Ace is the only prospect of those we're looking at (Kon, Tre, VJ being the others) that is capable of putting stress at all 3 of these levels. He's a more than capable motion C&S from 3 player. I think VJ is a better lob threat; but Ace showed better spatial awareness and timing as an off-ball cutter. Ace is the only one that consistently hit on motion C&S from the mid-range.

Ace's off-ball value would provide the Sixers with an element they don't have right now. Sure the Sixers have Maxey and McCain who great off-ball threats, but Ace brings size to table that the other two don't which allows him to be a bigger threat at he rim and in the mid-range where shooting over a defender is important.

you had me in the first half not going to lie...but this is ASKUALLY why I am lower on the probable reality of Ace.

I don't know if he is a good enough shooter to consistently space the floor. I don't think he has the BBIQ to make the right decisions on close outs and doesn't have the foot speed to get into the paint either...or has not shown it. I think he will be a good cutter tho.

Now this also goes for VJ too. 34% is 34%. I DO think his first step will make close outs even lazy ones difficult. As he also is a good cutter.

Tre and Kon are elite shooters. Kon has shown some quick passing but you wonder about his footspeed and finishing against grown men. Tre alledgedly has the passing chops just hidden but is a bad finisher.

not gonna lie think I got my hopes up for Harper so I may be a hater for everyone now lol

[M2J]

There are no offensive hub players outside of Harper and Cooper. So if you want our pick to have "hub" potential you gotta trade up or hope Spurs jump on someone not named Harper.

I also don't agree that the Sixers as constructed need a play creator as much as they need players who can stress and bend a defense creating advantages for the offense to make scoring easier. You do this by making a defense have to rotate unexpectedly. The easiest way to create defensive stress is your traditional play creating point guard getting to the lane via the dribble or a PNR (its why Harper is so valuable). However, you can also create stress on a defense if you have skilled off-ball offensive threats.

Off-ball stress can come at 3 different levels; behind the arc, mid-range and at the rim. Ace is the only prospect of those we're looking at (Kon, Tre, VJ being the others) that is capable of putting stress at all 3 of these levels. He's a more than capable motion C&S from 3 player. I think VJ is a better lob threat; but Ace showed better spatial awareness and timing as an off-ball cutter. Ace is the only one that consistently hit on motion C&S from the mid-range.

Ace's off-ball value would provide the Sixers with an element they don't have right now. Sure the Sixers have Maxey and McCain who great off-ball threats, but Ace brings size to table that the other two don't which allows him to be a bigger threat at he rim and in the mid-range where shooting over a defender is important.

you had me in the first half not going to lie...but this is ASKUALLY why I am lower on the probable reality of Ace.

I don't know if he is a good enough shooter to consistently space the floor. I don't think he has the BBIQ to make the right decisions on close outs and doesn't have the foot speed to get into the paint either...or has not shown it. I think he will be a good cutter tho.

Now this also goes for VJ too. 34% is 34%. I DO think his first step will make close outs even lazy ones difficult. As he also is a good cutter.

Tre and Kon are elite shooters. Kon has shown some quick passing but you wonder about his footspeed and finishing against grown men. Tre alledgedly has the passing chops just hidden but is a bad finisher.

not gonna lie think I got my hopes up for Harper so I may be a hater for everyone now lol

That's just not true. He's a 24% shooter off the dribble. Near 39% off catch regarding 3. 35% in transition. The majority of his 3pt diet is off the catch (93 shots off 136)..... He's also 40.7% from 3 off screens. Meaning the type of shots black mage is describing.... He's positive there.


No different than the discussion of him getting to the rim. The issue isn't his overall rim percentage. It's that he's like 35% there in the half-court settings driving to the rim. But overall he's 61% including catch and finishes and transition baskets with that half-court number.

The context matters either way

[OleSchool]

This is all basic stuff that I’d hope he’d be able to do as a guard that’s a potential NBA lottery pick.

LMAO come on man. That ain't basic for a SG. If Bailey could pass like that he'd be in convo with Flagg for 1 lmao

I’m not advocating for Ace Bailey. That shite was basic.

For a PG, yes. But he's looking for an open man to get easy buckets. Typically SG's don't have that type of awareness.

I know VJ said he wants to be a lead guard and I don't think he'll ever have the handles for that. But that video shows a knowledge of breaking the D down, let them collapse on VJ and him finding the open man.

Good BBIQ