The Official 2025 NBA Draft Prospects Thread

[Catchall]

Has anyone been able to find out who the Jazz invited to work out from this draft other than some players in the second round range?

Tony Jones said the Jazz have worked out Tre Johnson and (I think) Jeremiah Fears. They are bringing in Bailey, Edgecombe and Maluach in the next week, maybe Knueppel as well. A week ago, they had Jase Richardson in to workout.

The Jazz had a workout this week with Drake Powell, Nique Clifford and Ryan Kalkbrenner.

[SoCalJazzFan]

There could be a trade scenario brewing where Kevin Durant goes to San Antonio, Lauri Markkanen goes to Phoenix, and Spurs players along with the #2 pick go back to Utah. Maybe the #5 pick also goes back to Phoenix.

The Suns have been working out players this week in the late lottery range, when they otherwise don't have a 1st-round pick this year. So maybe the Spurs are moving #14. It's notable that the Jazz have also worked out a couple late lottery prospects in the past week, suggesting that the Jazz might also be exploring a trade-up scenario.

Meanwhile the Spurs have been working out bigs, including Raynaud and Wolf, whose draft range is likely the early 20s where the Jazz have a pick.

It's something to watch. Rafael Barlowe said there are murmurs that Dylan Harper doesn't want to go to San Antonio.

All of the "Fox, Castle and Harper can work out together" talk that I read is that Harper would come off of the bench. Would you want to come off of the bench and play second fiddle as the 2nd overall pick in the draft? Even his dad might be happy if he were to go to the Jazz, because he would certainly be the starting PG, if not immediately before the end of the season.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Rasheer Fleming report- does the Jazz want him at #21?

I can see the appeal with Fleming and I'd be surprised if was still on the board at 21, but won't there be a very big overlap with Hendricks?

The line of "He’s a rumbling athlete with a wingspan longer than humanity’s list of sins" made me chuckle.

I agree that there would be overlap between Hendricks and Fleming, but Hendricks was so passive and timid before his injury last season that I really question if he has what it takes to be an NBA starter.

[SoCalJazzFan]

VJ Edgecombe scouting report.

SCOUTING REPORT BY Danny Chau
The smooth, frictionless explosion off one or two feet. The sheer elevation. The paraglider hang time. Edgecombe’s run-jump ability is a sight to behold—there may be only a handful of players in the NBA who can match his blend of dynamic athleticism. He has absolute trust in his physical gifts, which grants him a certain level of on-court freedom not afforded to most players. Under those auspices, Edgecombe has honed an anticipatory sixth sense most commonly seen in shutdown cornerbacks. He has the skills, motor, and reaction speed to become one of the best shot-blocking guards in the NBA, to go along with his passing-lane ball hawking. And he has more of a proof of concept than most NCAA players his age, having shown off these abilities at some of the highest levels of international competition. Edgecombe was, at worst, the third-best player on the Bahamian national basketball team in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, on a roster that also featured Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon.

As ever for a player of his ilk, shooting will be the most important swing skill. It was a shaky start from the long range for Edgecombe in nonconference play, but since the New Year, his numbers have rebounded dramatically. His 3-point shooting efficiency from a standstill seems like a fairly safe bet, but the true ceiling of Edgecombe’s game will be determined by what he can do with his shot on the move, both on and off the ball. There have been glimpses of Edgecombe drilling shots off curls and some fascinating shot creation off the dribble, but his broader offensive skill set remains a work in progress.

Edgecombe succumbs to the plight of all hyper-athletes who graduate to a higher level of competition: Wild explosiveness isn’t enough if it can’t be harnessed. Especially since he is already on the small end of acceptable wing size. His leaping ability can get him into trouble at times when he’s trying to create his own opportunities off the dribble. He has a tendency to leap too early on drives, neutralizing any advantage he’s created with his speed by having to adjust and contort in midair. Edgecombe is an unselfish player and has a solid feel for getting the ball to his teammates, but there are discrepancies between action and intent. He is faster and more explosive than his handle is consistently capable of supporting, which leads to some awkward moments when he’s caught in no-man’s-land trying to make a play happen for himself and others. But his effort, tenacity, and raw physical tools can’t be taught. Edgecombe has the ceiling of a two-way star, but he’ll need to erase the lag time between his body and mind to get there.

Edgecombe is the only lottery-mooted guy I have watched (for Bahamas vs. Finland), and his athleticism really stood out because he takes full advantage of it in games, playing with high intensity all over the court. He would immediately be the best guard defender in the squad. Based on reports, unlikely he drops to 5th, but should be automatic choice if he does. Otherwise, Bailey sounds like a walking red flag. Another blinkered chucker with shaky ball-handling, bad decision making and no passing would just confirm the Jazz as unwatchable, no matter how much POTENTIAL and TALENT he may have.

I agree that Ace has red flags and bust potential. However, if VJ and Tre are gone at #5, I think that you have to take a big swing for the potential of a star and not a safe bet. We need a $350 play on roulette, not $10.

[Catchall]

Looks like Noa Essengue got officially measured. He's grown an inch, added 10 lbs and added nearly 2 inches to his wingspan since his measurements from more than a year ago at Basketball Without Borders. Standing reach seemingly has gone down an inch or so in this measurement. It was measured at 9'3" before. His hands are also big, if that matters.

Read on Twitter

[Gert42]

VJ Edgecombe scouting report.

SCOUTING REPORT BY Danny Chau
The smooth, frictionless explosion off one or two feet. The sheer elevation. The paraglider hang time. Edgecombe’s run-jump ability is a sight to behold—there may be only a handful of players in the NBA who can match his blend of dynamic athleticism. He has absolute trust in his physical gifts, which grants him a certain level of on-court freedom not afforded to most players. Under those auspices, Edgecombe has honed an anticipatory sixth sense most commonly seen in shutdown cornerbacks. He has the skills, motor, and reaction speed to become one of the best shot-blocking guards in the NBA, to go along with his passing-lane ball hawking. And he has more of a proof of concept than most NCAA players his age, having shown off these abilities at some of the highest levels of international competition. Edgecombe was, at worst, the third-best player on the Bahamian national basketball team in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, on a roster that also featured Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon.

As ever for a player of his ilk, shooting will be the most important swing skill. It was a shaky start from the long range for Edgecombe in nonconference play, but since the New Year, his numbers have rebounded dramatically. His 3-point shooting efficiency from a standstill seems like a fairly safe bet, but the true ceiling of Edgecombe’s game will be determined by what he can do with his shot on the move, both on and off the ball. There have been glimpses of Edgecombe drilling shots off curls and some fascinating shot creation off the dribble, but his broader offensive skill set remains a work in progress.

Edgecombe succumbs to the plight of all hyper-athletes who graduate to a higher level of competition: Wild explosiveness isn’t enough if it can’t be harnessed. Especially since he is already on the small end of acceptable wing size. His leaping ability can get him into trouble at times when he’s trying to create his own opportunities off the dribble. He has a tendency to leap too early on drives, neutralizing any advantage he’s created with his speed by having to adjust and contort in midair. Edgecombe is an unselfish player and has a solid feel for getting the ball to his teammates, but there are discrepancies between action and intent. He is faster and more explosive than his handle is consistently capable of supporting, which leads to some awkward moments when he’s caught in no-man’s-land trying to make a play happen for himself and others. But his effort, tenacity, and raw physical tools can’t be taught. Edgecombe has the ceiling of a two-way star, but he’ll need to erase the lag time between his body and mind to get there.

Edgecombe is the only lottery-mooted guy I have watched (for Bahamas vs. Finland), and his athleticism really stood out because he takes full advantage of it in games, playing with high intensity all over the court. He would immediately be the best guard defender in the squad. Based on reports, unlikely he drops to 5th, but should be automatic choice if he does. Otherwise, Bailey sounds like a walking red flag. Another blinkered chucker with shaky ball-handling, bad decision making and no passing would just confirm the Jazz as unwatchable, no matter how much POTENTIAL and TALENT he may have.

I agree that Ace has red flags and bust potential. However, if VJ and Tre are gone at #5, I think that you have to take a big swing for the potential of a star and not a safe bet. We need a $350 play on roulette, not $10.

You are 100% correct, especially considering that all of our guys drafted in the last two years are at best league average starter material. They do need to swing hard at #5.

[Catchall]

Here is the Catchall Prediction Market for who the Jazz will draft at #5:
Tre Johnson (40%)
Jeremiah Fears (20%)
Kon Knuppel (20%)
Ace Bailey (15%)
VJ Edgecombe (5%)

Ace’s probability drops. Kon becomes a strong candidate. VJ even less likely to get to #5 due to Acegate.

[Hoops Addict]

If the Jazz take on George to trade down to get the #3 pick, who do they take? VJ?

Jazz would have to send out a lot of salary. Who?

[red4hf]

The Utah Jazz have begun bringing in prospects they could take with the fifth-overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
A recent report from Sarah Todd at Deseret News revealed that the Jazz have a pre-draft workout scheduled for next week with top-10 prospect Jeremiah Fears.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/utah-jazz-workout-top-guard-prospect-ahead-of-nba-draft/ar-AA1GF5gn?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

[Inigo Montoya]

If the Jazz take on George to trade down to get the #3 pick, who do they take? VJ?

Jazz would have to send out a lot of salary. Who?

First there is the question of what exactly is the trade. Do the Jazz keep the #5 pick? If they do, I'd draft Johnson at #3 and whomever is left between Ace and VJ at #5. Or, if they do the trade ahead of the draft, they could try to package #3 + #5 for #2 and go for Harper.

I think the most likely player the Jazz would send out is Markkanen. If not, it'd have to be some combination of Collins + Sexton\Clarkson\Martin.

[Catchall]

If the Jazz take on George to trade down to get the #3 pick, who do they take? VJ?

Jazz would have to send out a lot of salary. Who?

The Jazz would take their preferred player from among Ace, Tre and VJ.

[Catchall]

If I'm the Sixers, I'd want to get off the Paul George deal, trade back to 5, and still get Tre Johnson or Ace Bailey at 5. Unless the Sixers are truly enamored with Edgecombe, that should be their best play. Jazz probably aren't going to bite though.

Sixers should want to trade back, but no further than 5, imo. Sixers don't want Fears, and I don't think Kon is really in that same tier.

If I'm the Jazz, I either let Ace or Tre come to me at #5, or I make a small deal with Charlotte to move up to #4. Jazz would secure their choice of Ace or Tre without getting leapfrogged. Charlotte takes Kon at 5.

[Inigo Montoya]

If I'm the Sixers, I'd want to get off the Paul George deal, trade back to 5, and still get Tre Johnson or Ace Bailey at 5. Unless the Sixers are truly enamored with Edgecombe, that should be their best play. Jazz probably aren't going to bite though.

Sixers should want to trade back, but no further than 5, imo. Sixers don't want Fears, and I don't think Kon is really in that same tier.

If I'm the Jazz, I either let Ace or Tre come to me at #5, or I make a small deal with Charlotte to move up to #4. Jazz would secure their choice of Ace or Tre without getting leapfrogged. Charlotte takes Kon at 5.

If I'm the Jazz, there is no way I'm taking on George's contract just to move up to #3 while giving up #5. The only way I'm entertaining such a deal is if the Jazz end up with #3 and #5.

[Catchall]

If I'm the Sixers, I'd want to get off the Paul George deal, trade back to 5, and still get Tre Johnson or Ace Bailey at 5. Unless the Sixers are truly enamored with Edgecombe, that should be their best play. Jazz probably aren't going to bite though.

Sixers should want to trade back, but no further than 5, imo. Sixers don't want Fears, and I don't think Kon is really in that same tier.

If I'm the Jazz, I either let Ace or Tre come to me at #5, or I make a small deal with Charlotte to move up to #4. Jazz would secure their choice of Ace or Tre without getting leapfrogged. Charlotte takes Kon at 5.

If I'm the Jazz, there is no way I'm taking on George's contract just to move up to #3 while giving up #5. The only way I'm entertaining such a deal is if the Jazz end up with #3 and #5.

Sixers can't sell their fanbase on trading out of a top-3 pick to move Paul George, who, on paper, is still a very productive player. I think the Sixers are going to draft at #3, and they'll probably take VJ.

[Inigo Montoya]

If I'm the Sixers, I'd want to get off the Paul George deal, trade back to 5, and still get Tre Johnson or Ace Bailey at 5. Unless the Sixers are truly enamored with Edgecombe, that should be their best play. Jazz probably aren't going to bite though.

Sixers should want to trade back, but no further than 5, imo. Sixers don't want Fears, and I don't think Kon is really in that same tier.

If I'm the Jazz, I either let Ace or Tre come to me at #5, or I make a small deal with Charlotte to move up to #4. Jazz would secure their choice of Ace or Tre without getting leapfrogged. Charlotte takes Kon at 5.

If I'm the Jazz, there is no way I'm taking on George's contract just to move up to #3 while giving up #5. The only way I'm entertaining such a deal is if the Jazz end up with #3 and #5.

Sixers can't sell their fanbase on trading out of a top-3 pick to move Paul George, who, on paper, is still a very productive player. I think the Sixers are going to draft at #3, and they'll probably take VJ.

Then that's their problem. I don't see why the Jazz should do a trade to move up 2 spots when Tre, VJ and Johnson are in the same tier. Either one would be fine for the Jazz, they should just stay at #5 and pick whomever is left. And if the Sixers draft VJ, all the better, he's my least favorable of the three.

[babyjax13]

With both David Locke and Tony Jones seemingly enamored with Will Riley I would bet he is our pick at 21 if available.

[bkohler]

With both David Locke and Tony Jones seemingly enamored with Will Riley I would bet he is our pick at 21 if available.

I’ve been wanting Cedric coward for a while but I think he’ll be gone. I feel like our picks have been less telegraphed from Locke since Dennis Lindsey left. I’d be fine with Riley depending on who’s left

[Inigo Montoya]

I haven't watched much of Riley but I don't really like him as a prospect. He seems so slow and un-explosive that it feels like he won't be able to do in the NBA much of the things he did in college.

[SoCalJazzFan]

These are my top draft pick choices, although I have vacillated quite a bit on the #3-#5 players.

1. Flagg- All NBA likely outcome

2. Harper- All Star/All NBA potential. I view him as Cade Cunningham who can get to and score at the rim. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Spurs are going to trade this pick.

3. VJ Edgecomb- All Star/All NBA potential. I think that he is a top 5% athlete in the NBA and that his ball handling and shooting improve so that he becomes a two way force. If the Jazz agree, I would trade up to #3 or #4 to get him, if realistically possible.

4. Ace Bailey- All Star/All NBA potential. Ace might have the highest upside in the class. He also has the biggest bust potential of the top 4. Since the Jazz need a franchise player, I would swing for the fences and select him if he falls to #5. I'm conflicted on whether I would trade up for him given the pre-draft drama and his downside.

5. Tre Johnson- starter to borderline All Star/All Star potential. If he hits and plays D, he could be Devin Booker-like. I don't see him not being at least as good as Herro, though.

6. Kon Knueppel- should be a solid starter, perhaps borderline All Star. Safe pick who could surpass some of the above as his floor is decently high (I can't get Chris Mullin as a comp out of my head, perhaps because they look so similar). Biggest concern is if he has enough athleticism to play D. But, he at least plays D and has a solid O game that is more advanced than most of the above players and at a minimum should be an effective shooter, both on the move, catch and shoot and probably pull up.

7. Maluach- If the Jazz could get another top 10 pick without giving up #5, then I would consider resetting the timeline and not paying Kessler and instead trading him for assets with the hope that Maluach gives you a rim protector who can also stretch the floor. Drafting Ryan K instead to do this is an interesting option. I love how Kessler impacts the paint, but he does limit you in the modern NBA that loves spacing and switching.

I'm not in at all on Fears.

[Catchall]

I think, in the end, the Jazz are just going to draft Tre or Ace, whichever one is available at #5. If both are available, then it'll be interesting to see which direction the Jazz go. Probably they lean towards Tre?

The other interesting question is whether the Jazz are going to make a trade to get a second lottery pick and then use that pick along with Lauri to acquire the 3rd pick, without giving up the 5th pick.