2025 Draft Thread - Part 3

[closg00]

I don't even understand why the Wizards would try and have a "secret" private workout with Fears. Fears has always been in the mix in the 5-12 range, so it's not like the Wizards working him out was going to tip anyone off that Fears was an underrated sleeper that nobody was paying attention to.

How does having that workout be publicized harm the Wizards in any way? If anything, the more guys they publicly workout, the harder it is for opposing GM's to divine exactly which guy the Wizards actually like.

I suppose maybe Fears' camp wanted to keep the workout secret, maybe to project an aura that Fears is actually a top 5 talent and didn't want to be seen "slumming" down at the #6 level. But that's about the only argument I can think of to make that workout secret.

Perhaps to prevent clips from leaking of the workout, perhaps they did a group workout with him too and we don’t know about it.

[NatP4]

Ace’s defensive film is actually really impressive. He definitely gets caught ball watching a lot, but his motor/awareness/feel seem really good. Physical tools are undeniable.

It does look like he was forced into playing as a big/down low, not really his true position. Not strong enough yet, better as a weak side shot blocker&perimeter defender.

[AFM]

Where’s milellie? Wasn’t that Ted’s daughter? Allegedly. We need some insider info STAT!!!

[Rafael122]

No idea if this guy is legit, his name is Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

He has not attended an individual workout with any team throughout the pre-draft cycle, and he turned down multiple offers to do so. Bailey opted not to accept visit offers from the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards, sources said. It has also been speculated that the Brooklyn Nets attempted to have Bailey come in for a workout, but the prospect's representation continues to view him as a top player in this draft class next to Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper.

Also mentioned the potential of them using Kispert to move up into the lottery again with Houston potentially being interested.

[AFM]

Lol. Is this guy gonna start kicking and screaming like Steve Francis if he doesn’t get what he wants?

[nate33]

Also mentioned the potential of them using Kispert to move up into the lottery again with Houston potentially being interested.

So I'm guessing the structure would be something like:
Washington trades #18 + Kispert + #40
Houston trades: #10 + Jock Landale + Aaron Holiday

That's interesting, but rather than move up from #18, I'd have even more interest in packaging Kispert with our #40 to move up into the 20's.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I’m with Dat. Johnson has the physical tools to be a good defender. I don’t know about his effort on that end of the court but I have no reason to believe he can’t be at least a “neutral defender” as Dat calls it.

Defensive film starts at 2:20:26:

Watch on YouTube

You should go back and watch film of Blake Griffin in college. Dude was less active than a folding chair on defense because he had to stay on the floor.

Not saying its ok for guys to mail it in on defense, but its a real simple conversation you have with a guy during the interview process.

I worry about defense more when it involves a C or a guy who simply may not have the ability to defend due to physical tools so he becomes a target for opposing coaches.

Blake Griffin did only have statistics on one side of the ball. I was of the opinion that DeJuan Blair would be the better pro.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/dejuan-blair

Check out the game logs that Blair put up! There is no way he should have slipped to #37.

Blake Griffin put together otherworldly performances.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/blake-griffin

I was clearly unreasonably biased against Blake Griffin.

[DukeLecker]

Ace Bailey gives me Cam Reddish vibes.

[TheBlackCzar]

Watch on YouTube

Again... how the hell do people have Ace over this guy. His floor is a bigger/more athletic Jordan Poole, with a very clear path to being a Booker/Beal caliber guard. You take Booker over MPJ/Rashard Lewis every day and twice on Sunday.
If his athleticism/physicality take another leap... you are looking at Ray Allen.
How the Sixers pass over him is beyond me

This dude ain't Booker or even close... where ya'll be dreaming up these comparisons??? Ray Allen? Are you nuts?

[tontoz]

Ace Bailey gives me Cam Reddish vibes.

Ace shot 11% better than Cam on 2s on double the volume.

[TGW]

Ace Bailey gives me Cam Reddish vibes.

Ace shot 11% better than Cam on 2s on double the volume.

Cam Reddish, Porter Jr, Rashard Lewis...these are some horrible comps.

[tontoz]

This dude ain't Booker or even close... where ya'll be dreaming up these comparisons??? Ray Allen? Are you nuts?

The SEC was the greatest conference in NCAA history and Tre led the conference in scoring as a freshman. Booker averaged 10 ppg as a freshman.

[nate33]

Ace Bailey gives me Cam Reddish vibes.

Ace shot 11% better than Cam on 2s on double the volume.

Cam Reddish, Porter Jr, Rashard Lewis...these are some horrible comps.

I think MPJ is a reasonable comp because, like Ace, he plays like a 6-9 shooting guard. He is at his best as a catch-and-shoot or movement shooter, rather than as a guy who puts the ball on the deck to create his own shot. Ace is a more graceful athlete than MPJ and will almost surely be a better defender, but I definitely see the comparison on offense.

Obviously, like any player who is just 18 years old, Ace may very well add a lot more to his game so that he is much more than an MPJ-tier offensive player. But for now, I'd say it's fair to compare their offensive games.

[dobrojim]

Tre was a player I saw as much or more of than most of
the other top rated prospects. Sometimes he seemed a
bit passive but then he'd have an impressive outburst.
I would not be unhappy with him. Or Ace, or Maluach,
or actually even Carter Bryant ( maybe in a trade down). Edgecomb too.

I have faith that we will be successful in getting a player
or players, that fit our timeline. We want to be good
after keeping our 2026 FRP.

[tontoz]

Ace shot 11% better than Cam on 2s on double the volume.

Cam Reddish, Porter Jr, Rashard Lewis...these are some horrible comps.

I think MPJ is a reasonable comp because, like Ace, he plays like a 6-9 shooting guard. He is at his best as a catch-and-shoot or movement shooter, rather than as a guy who puts the ball on the deck to create his own shot. Ace is a more graceful athlete than MPJ and will almost surely be a better defender, but I definitely see the comparison on offense.

Obviously, like any player who is just 18 years old, Ace may very well add a lot more to his game so that he is much more than an MPJ-tier offensive player. But for now, I'd say it's fair to compare their offensive games.

Ace is definitely more aggressive/effective off the dribble than MPJ. I think MPJ might be a little reluctant to attack much off the dribble after 3 back surgeries.

[NatP4]

Ace Bailey gives me Cam Reddish vibes.

Ace shot 11% better than Cam on 2s on double the volume.

Cam Reddish, Porter Jr, Rashard Lewis...these are some horrible comps.

Harrison Barnes/Jaden McDaniels/Andrew Wiggins

With a small chance at Jayson Tatum

[AFM]

I posted Johnson vs Beal numbers earlier. Someone go dig up my own post

[tontoz]

There is another big difference between Bailey and MPJ. MPJ really has to load up to shoot his jumper. He bends way down with the ball and then goes up which gives the defender time to close out on him.

Bailey is a quick strike artist. People talk about him not creating space off the dribble before he shoots. Most of the time he doesn't need to because his release is so quick.

Check out this vid. I only watched the start of it but look at the move he makes at the 55 second mark. He looks so smooth it is easy to miss that he shot it left handed. He made random moves like this inside that made me go .

Watch on YouTube

[DCZards]

I’m not seeing the Porter Jr comparisons with Ace.

Bailey has already displayed a much more diverse offensive repertoire than MPJ…primarily because of his superior athleticism.

[TGW]

Read on Twitter

https://rg.org/news/basketball/wizards-have-made-aggressive-trade-offers-to-land-top-pick-in-draft

As the NBA Draft approaches, the Washington Wizards are focused on addressing one of the most pressing needs on their roster: finding a long-term answer at point guard.

Holding picks No. 6 and 18 in the first round, the Wizards have explored trade-up scenarios in hopes of securing one of the top backcourt prospects, league sources told RG. Washington has made multiple offers to teams in the top five in an effort to land either Dylan Harper or Jeremiah Fears, even being willing to part with surprising names to move up to No. 2 overall. Thus far, those attempts have been rebuffed.

San Antonio, which holds the No. 2 pick, has turned down overtures from both Washington and Philadelphia and remains committed to using the selection. Fears has also drawn top-five interest, leaving it unclear whether he will still be available when Washington is on the clock.

Washington’s front office, led by general manager Will Dawkins, remains committed to a youth-driven rebuild centered on upside and player development. Finding stability at point guard has become a central focus, with the organization prioritizing a player who can grow into a foundational piece.

In the event none of their preferred options are available at No. 6, the Wizards have also conducted significant due diligence on point guard prospects projected to be available at No. 18, sources told RG.

Jordan Poole spent a significant portion of last season handling lead guard duties, but reducing that responsibility could allow him to focus more on scoring while using his playmaking as a secondary strength.

Many scouts who have spoken to RG view Bub Carrington as best suited to provide a spark off the bench rather than serving as a full-time starter. Marcus Smart, acquired at the trade deadline, brings experience and defensive leadership but is entering the final year of a $21.6 million contract. At 31, he does not align with the team’s long-term timeline.

Malcolm Brogdon, who appeared in 24 games last season, is now an unrestricted free agent and is not expected to return, sources told RG. Among the teams being monitored as potential landing spots for Brogdon are the Dallas Mavericks, who are expected to pursue a veteran guard to help manage minutes while Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL.

There will be options for Dallas in both the trade market and free agency. Several agents representing point guards in this year’s class told RG they view the Mavericks as an appealing opportunity to build value and contribute to a playoff-caliber roster.

The 2025 NBA Draft begins June 25 and will be held over two nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Source: https://rg.org/news/basketball/wizards-have-made-aggressive-trade-offers-to-land-top-pick-in-draft