2024-2025 College Basketball / NBA Draft - Volume III

[M2J]

This draft stinks so much, it's a shame this was the one we sold out for, but it's the only one that made sense.

There are so many things that have to go right for most of these guys at 3-8 that you have to take the guy who has the most projectable traits. Edgecombe, Knueppel, Ace, Fears, Tre, Jaku, Maluach all of massive question marks across their games; feels like way more than most top 5 projected freshmen.

Collin Murray-Boyles really has one major question: Can he get that shot right? Looking at this Finals, I can see him getting substantial minutes for either of these teams as he gets comfortable in the league. He's just not a freshman.

Another guy who I'm getting more interested in after watching recent clips of his games is Ben Saraf, Essengue's teammate. He clearly looks much larger than Jakucionis, who is supposed to be of a similar build. I think teams are going to sleep on him a bit since he's playing right now during this process and Noa is getting all the looks, but I could see him panning out.

I'm currently at either:

- Draft VJ at 3
- Trade down and get one of CMB, Queen, or Kasparas

OH NO! Your genius calculations can't decide? Everytime you look for free throw rate... Coming up snake eyes? Guess everyone in the lottery should go to the G League.



No excuses Daryl... Plenty of stars in this draft

Totally normal response.

This draft clearly does not stink and the sixers are fortunate to be where they are.


Better?

[Kolkmania]

Bet on OKC lead guard archetype

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1717819

SGA was a very shifty ball handler at Kentucky. It was his weird shooting motion that held him back in that draft, but his ability to initiate offense was on a different level than VJ.

I don't think it is fair to VJ to expect him to be a primary initiation in the NBA at any point. The bar is so high and since it's so important for the team, you don't get a lot of reps to train that skill.

Obviously he has enough other skills to be a very positive contributor in the NBA of course.

[76ciology]

Bet on OKC lead guard archetype

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1717819

SGA was a very shifty ball handler at Kentucky. It was his weird shooting motion that held him back in that draft, but his ability to initiate offense was on a different level than VJ.

I don't think it is fair to VJ to expect him to be a primary initiation in the NBA at any point. The bar is so high and since it's so important for the team, you don't get a lot of reps to train that skill.

Obviously he has enough other skills to be a very positive contributor in the NBA of course.

I’m referring to the lead guard archetype OKC likes, not specifically SGA. The type of guard who’s good two-way, plays bigger than their size, good feel, makes a high impact, and has strong fundamental guard skills (dribble, pass and shoot). I’ve already mentioned how easy for these type to excel in the NBA.

[Wilfried]

Pretty sure we are trading this pick for a lower one or future draft capital.

It's going to be used to dump the expirings of Drummond/Gordon/... and get another player (probably a 3/4) that can help us immediately.

No use to add a young talent because all of the players after Cooper Flagg have issues/questions marks, especially about fit or readiness to contribute immediately.

There should be opportunities to do business with Brooklyn/Phoenix/...

[ProcessDoctor]

I know Morey is trying to both trade up AND trade down. That means he's not enamored with VJ Melton at #3 overall. Otherwise you'd be hearing the same things from us about VJ that Spurs are saying about Harper, that the pick is locked in.

Therefore my PUMP and DUMP advice stands. Morey may end up picking VJ at #3, but that appears to be the last option.

Pump and dump, then trade back for who, exactly? The guy who adds one red flag to his resume per day?

Either Ace or Noa.

How can you still be interested in this loser?

We just lost all leverage of trading down, because the teams that might be interested in him (Washington, Brooklyn) probably feel like they can just stand pat and still get him.

[M2J]

Pump and dump, then trade back for who, exactly? The guy who adds one red flag to his resume per day?

Either Ace or Noa.

How can you still be interested in this loser?

We just lost all leverage of trading down, because the teams that might be interested in him (Washington, Brooklyn) probably feel like they can just stand pat and still get him.

Why would a team let a lack of a workout dictate then getting the best player for their franchise. This happens all the time. I just watched a Hornets pod... They say they hear a player didn't want to go to Charlotte every draft and laughed, because they still draft them. Their insider says the player that refused to work out with them and didn't want to play with Ball is 100% Jeremiah Fears. They aren't going to draft him most likely, but they wouldn't care.

This kind of posturing happens every year with multiple players. Teams play the game and work out players they don't want in order to throw teams off and don't workout the guys they really want (Jared nor Tyrese worked out for Philly). Players in the middle of the first don't workout with 20 teams just in case.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

VJ looks small on tape and that is my biggest hold up atm

but both of the finals teams have run out lineups of 3 6'3 to 6'5 guys so its not the end of the world.

the issue is that we have no real forwards on the roster lol

We have more problems at the C position if we’re going to discuss positional need.

Grimes, Edwards, George and Oubre can play SF.

Who's our PF ?

Marvin Bagley

[Negrodamus]

OH NO! Your genius calculations can't decide? Everytime you look for free throw rate... Coming up snake eyes? Guess everyone in the lottery should go to the G League.



No excuses Daryl... Plenty of stars in this draft

Totally normal response.

This draft clearly does not stink and the sixers are fortunate to be where they are.


Better?

Cooper is a very good #1 pick. Otherwise I think it stinks. You can think what you want. We “clearly” wont know until they play for a few years.

[Iverson Armband]

Something to think about. Morey said pretty recently (I think on RTRS) that he tries to keep who he wants to draft as close to the vest as possible (paraphrasing). He specifically mentioned hating seeing McCain being mocked to the Sixers so much last year and it bothering him. My takeaway: we’re not taking VJ or Ace. My suspicion is Ace knows we were basically playing him with no real intention on taking him and that’s why he cancelled.

[MVP1992]

We have more problems at the C position if we’re going to discuss positional need.

Grimes, Edwards, George and Oubre can play SF.

Who's our PF ?

Marvin Bagley

Reclamation project?


Injury History/Concerns: Bagley has a significant injury history that has impacted his career:
- 2019-20: Suffered a non-displaced right thumb fracture, missing about four to six weeks. Played only 13 games due to this and a right foot injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season after the COVID-19 suspension.
- 2021-22: Dealt with a knee injury and lingering back issues, plus surgery for two fractured fingers on his non-shooting hand.
- 2023-24: Missed 32 games, including time due to a knee sprain, lower back spasms, a lumbar sprain, and a back contusion.
- 2024-25: Suffered a right knee injury in a collision during a game against Oklahoma City, cutting his night short. Also dealt with an ankle injury and concussion, limiting him to 12 games with Memphis.

[Redemption76]

He’ll fit right in here…

[OleSchool]

OH NO! Your genius calculations can't decide? Everytime you look for free throw rate... Coming up snake eyes? Guess everyone in the lottery should go to the G League.



No excuses Daryl... Plenty of stars in this draft

Totally normal response.

This draft clearly does not stink and the sixers are fortunate to be where they are.


Better?

Disagree, this draft does stink except for Cooper.

Well, I shouldn't say stink but from 2 to 8 all those guys have serious question marks that they probably won't be able to overcome and be nice role players in the league.

Guys from 8 to 15, CMB, Maluach, Coward , etc. have bigger question marks, shooting, defense, handles, etc. that would take some time, if ever to become top of the rotation guys

[Iverson Armband]

Every draft stinks, it’s the same thing every year

[Stanford]

Every draft stinks, it’s the same thing every year

Okay, but what about next year.

[OleSchool]

Every draft stinks, it’s the same thing every year

Okay, but what about next year.

According to Iverson, it's going to stink next year.....

[Iverson Armband]

Every draft stinks, it’s the same thing every year

Okay, but what about next year.

Next draft is great! Until on or about June 19, 2026, then it will suck again!

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Who's our PF ?

Marvin Bagley

Reclamation project?


Injury History/Concerns: Bagley has a significant injury history that has impacted his career:
- 2019-20: Suffered a non-displaced right thumb fracture, missing about four to six weeks. Played only 13 games due to this and a right foot injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season after the COVID-19 suspension.
- 2021-22: Dealt with a knee injury and lingering back issues, plus surgery for two fractured fingers on his non-shooting hand.
- 2023-24: Missed 32 games, including time due to a knee sprain, lower back spasms, a lumbar sprain, and a back contusion.
- 2024-25: Suffered a right knee injury in a collision during a game against Oklahoma City, cutting his night short. Also dealt with an ankle injury and concussion, limiting him to 12 games with Memphis.

That's why I mentioned him. He would fit right in here with Embiid and George. Give this guy 25 MPG and he's a lock to end up injured.

[Negrodamus]

An unprecedented amount of players dropped out of this draft to go back to college/intl team. I’m not saying this because of draft fatigue; there are reasons behind me not liking this one. Next years draft is going to be stacked full of insanely good upperclassmen along with highly touted freshmen like Dybantsa, Peterson, etc.

I actually think quality of prospect is going to improve with more prospects spending more time in college to refine their games. It’s going to change how I consider sophomores and juniors going forwards.

[ProcessDoctor]

Either Ace or Noa.

How can you still be interested in this loser?

We just lost all leverage of trading down, because the teams that might be interested in him (Washington, Brooklyn) probably feel like they can just stand pat and still get him.

Why would a team let a lack of a workout dictate then getting the best player for their franchise. This happens all the time. I just watched a Hornets pod... They say they hear a player didn't want to go to Charlotte every draft and laughed, because they still draft them. Their insider says the player that refused to work out with them and didn't want to play with Ball is 100% Jeremiah Fears. They aren't going to draft him most likely, but they wouldn't care.

This kind of posturing happens every year with multiple players. Teams play the game and work out players they don't want in order to throw teams off and don't workout the guys they really want (Jared nor Tyrese worked out for Philly). Players in the middle of the first don't workout with 20 teams just in case.

Except he's not the best player for this franchise. He's just adding red flags off the court in addition to all the ones he has on the court.

[Kolkmania]

An unprecedented amount of players dropped out of this draft to go back to college/intl team. I’m not saying this because of draft fatigue; there are reasons behind me not liking this one. Next years draft is going to be stacked full of insanely good upperclassmen along with highly touted freshmen like Dybantsa, Peterson, etc.

I actually think quality of prospect is going to improve with more prospects spending more time in college to refine their games. It’s going to change how I consider sophomores and juniors going forwards.

Could be that the overall quality of the upcoming years improve due to longer college careers, but that's at the expense of this year's draft from pick 20 to 60 or so. The quality of prospects at #3 was not affected due to the rule changes in the NCAA, right? If you do think so, what players do you think remained in college that would have affected the top of this draft?

I think the draft cycle is quite similar each year. At the start everyone is very optimistic, but the closer you get to the draft, each deficiency is highlighted.

As a reference, a 3&D wing was selected 1st, a 6'1'' guard who came off the bench was selected third and Stephon Castle, last year's ROTY, would be placed in the same tier as Tre/VJ/Knueppel imo. A big guard, with very questionable shooting and meh playmaking numbers.