2025 Draft Thread - Part 3

[Dat2U]

To be honest, I'm high enough on Harper to be okay with losing Coulibaly. Harper would give us potentially our best player since... I can't even remember. I think he's better prospect than John Wall. I think he could be better all-around player than Arenas at his peak. I'm confident he's a 25+ ppg scorer in time and potentially a 20 ppg scorer by year 2. He's an oversized PG and while he's not regarded as an elite run & jump athlete, he's strong, with excellent handle, quick in his mircromovements to create separation and angles to be a walking paint touch. He's literally a reliable pull up jumper away from stardom.

[Dat2U]

Fears to DC feels too telegraphed at this point. Coulibaly & Carrington both popped on the radar in the very last 24 hrs before the draft. I think it could be projecting they are ok with taking Fears if the their guys are gone... maybe in hopes of getting another team to trade up.

Either way, I expect the Wizards to make a move. Likely with both picks. I really don't expect them to draft at 6 & 18.

[tontoz]

My dream is to trade up for Harper, then trade up again and take Carter Bryant.

[payitforward]

What if we were able to trade last years #2 pick Sarr and Coulibaly for Harper, and keep #6 ?? Maybe include 18 and our 2026 1st we got from Philly....

No way... Harper is a very gifted prospect, but this is over the top pre-draft hyper-enthusiasm!

[DCZards]

My dream is to trade up for Harper, then trade up again and take Carter Bryant.

We have the same dream.

[NatP4]

Kon>VJ+taking on Paul George’s contract.

Kon might be a better prospect than VJ in general.

NC guys have him ranked 5th. Vecenie has him 3rd.

[penbeast0]

Kon>VJ+taking on Paul George’s contract.

Kon might be a better prospect than VJ in general.

NC guys have him ranked 5th. Vecenie has him 3rd.

Kon may be the safer pick but VJ has a considerably higher ceiling. If we needed a filler around our stars, maybe. But we need the star. That said, Paul George puts us back into Wall, Beal territory with one of the worst deals in the league hanging around our necks.

[Dat2U]

Kon>VJ+taking on Paul George’s contract.

Kon might be a better prospect than VJ in general.

NC guys have him ranked 5th. Vecenie has him 3rd.

Sell me on him because I don't see the shot creation or off the dribble shooting that you want out of a wing who will be targeted defensively. Who does he defend?

[NatP4]

Kon>VJ+taking on Paul George’s contract.

Kon might be a better prospect than VJ in general.

NC guys have him ranked 5th. Vecenie has him 3rd.

Sell me on him because I don't see the shot creation or off the dribble shooting that you want out of a wing who will be targeted defensively. Who does he defend?

Partly just going off of what Russilo and Vecenie are saying in the podcast posted above. They both say he's a good defender. Everything I have seen shows a solid defender that is smarter than everyone on the court. He has the size to guard off ball 2s/3s.

He's really not another Kispert at all. Look at the freshman numbers per 40:

Kispert: 13.9 points 1.5 assists 6.5 rebounds 0.6 steals 0.4 blocks 1.3 turnovers 46/35/66 shooting. 57.8% TS
Knueppel: 18.9 points 3.6 assists 5.2 rebounds 1.3 steals 0.2 blocks 1.8 turnovers 48/40/91 shooting. 64.2% TS

Klay: 15.2 points 2.3 assists 5.1 rebounds 1.1 steals 0.7 blocks 2.6 turnovers 42/41/90 shooting. 52% TS
Booker: 18.2 points 2.1 assists 3.7 rebounds 0.8 steals 0.1 blocks 1.8 turnovers 47/41/81 shooting. 60% TS

Kneuppel's synergy:
Spot up: 98th
Off screen: 71st
Transition: 69th
P&R ball handler: 31st
Miscellaneous plays: 99th
Jump shot: 90th
Catch and shoot: 92nd
At rim: 70th

A lot of arguments for Maluach being underutilized on a stacked Duke team, can make the same case for Knueppel after leading the EYBL league in scoring. There's a long list of players with similar measurements and skillsets that are impact players in the NBA: Reaves, Bane, Aaron Wiggins, Ty Jerome, Tyler Herro, Podziemski, Isaiah Joe, Max Strus. His numbers as a college freshman are better than all of those guys. He's not Kispert/Kennard.

[NatP4]

Defense starts at 2:01:39:

Watch on YouTube

[Dat2U]

Kon>VJ+taking on Paul George’s contract.

Kon might be a better prospect than VJ in general.

NC guys have him ranked 5th. Vecenie has him 3rd.

Sell me on him because I don't see the shot creation or off the dribble shooting that you want out of a wing who will be targeted defensively. Who does he defend?

Partly just going off of what Russilo and Vecenie are saying in the podcast posted above. They both say he's a good defender. Everything I have seen shows a solid defender that is smarter than everyone on the court. He has the size to guard off ball 2s/3s.

He's really not another Kispert at all. Look at the freshman numbers per 40:

Kispert: 13.9 points 1.5 assists 6.5 rebounds 0.6 steals 0.4 blocks 1.3 turnovers 46/35/66 shooting. 57.8% TS
Knueppel: 18.9 points 3.6 assists 5.2 rebounds 1.3 steals 0.2 blocks 1.8 turnovers 48/40/91 shooting. 64.2% TS

Klay: 15.2 points 2.3 assists 5.1 rebounds 1.1 steals 0.7 blocks 2.6 turnovers 42/41/90. 52% TS
Booker: 18.2 points 2.1 assists 3.7 rebounds 0.8 steals 0.1 blocks 1.8 turnovers 47/41/81. 60% TS

Kneuppel's synergy:
Spot up: 98th
Off screen: 71st
Transition: 69th
P&R ball handler: 31st
Miscellaneous plays: 99th
Jump shot: 90th
Catch and shoot: 92nd
At rim: 70th

A lot of arguments for Maluach being underutilized on a stacked Duke team, can make the same case for Knueppel after leading the EYBL league in scoring. There's a long list of players with similar measurements and skillsets that are impact players in the NBA: Reaves, Bane, Aaron Wiggins, Ty Jerome, Tyler Herro, Podziemski, Isaiah Joe, Max Strus. His numbers as a college freshman are better than all of those guys. He's not Kispert/Kennard.

Offensively you made my case. Look what he's great at per synergy, jump shot, spot up & catch & shoot. He's ok in transition, at the rim and off screens (movement shooting).

He's poor as a P&R ballhandler which you and many in the spreadsheet FC community that wildy project on the ball upside for a guy that really hasn't displayed that. I said I think his main advantage over Kispert (and what might make hjm more valuable) is that he's sees and processes the floor better so he'll be a more connective piece but he doesn't even slash as well as Kispert if were being honest.

[doclinkin]

That's a great take on Maluach -- very much along the lines Doc has been laying down as a path for him (& which I find convincing). He remains the guy I want.

I'd been thinking we could get Maluach w/ a trade down to 8, but it looks like the tide is turning in his direction.

What I’ve been saying for a while. He’s a stealth possibility to go top 5. I think everybody is lying about their interests in any player. But the field of weirdness about Maluach is strong. I think he could go 3-8. And that the Spurs would like to get him if they could also get top value for #2. Leaking our interest in Harper to see if anyone can give a better offer.

If no I think the Wiz would snap him up if he’s there at 6. Whether for that trade to 2 or simply be happy with the selection. Despite some overlap if not redundancy.

[doclinkin]

I keep seeing people referencing Maluach in FIBA. How many games/ minutes did he play in FIBA? Seems to me like not many.

He's slow with a 30" vert and hasn't shown much of a motor. I don't buy the theory that Duke somehow held him back.

Because you didn’t watch the Uganda City Oilers games. Where he was active to the point of being a foul risk. Swatting at everything. Wading through smaller players to snag boards. Initiating contact, highly physical. Dominating as a 16-17 year old. And playing from the perimeter consistently on offense. Shooting 3’s.

I will say he was slimmer then. Thickened up at Duke. But he’s even stronger. In Africa though he was the best player on the court. At Duke he had to learn how to play next to the golden child. It’s Coopers team. With championship visions. Not being the Man anymore you could see him hesitant. Thinking. That’s not the same kid you see shooting over unibrow and Embiid in the Olympics.

Recall too he had a broken hand to start the season. The Duke Maluach was not the same player I pointed out back in the 2024 draft threads. Talking about the players coming up.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Defense starts at 2:01:39:

Watch on YouTube

THE WRATH OF KON !!!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Adridge did his update on the center prospects today:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6435925/2025/06/20/nba-draft-confidential-bigs-centers-2025/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=7030725&source=dailyemail

I figured the "league opinions" on Queen would be the most clamored for here (NOTE: the comments on Maluach were GLOWING):

Derik Queen | 6-9 big | 20 years old | Maryland

Eastern Conference executive No. 1: I’ve been telling our guys, you watch him before the games, and he (seems) lackadaisical. He doesn’t show a serious side. And that’s a turnoff to some people. I’m like, think of Naz Reid when he was at LSU. It was the same damn thing. The games never get too big for (Queen).

College assistant coach No. 2 (his team played Maryland): The skill is real. The knowledge of the game, and how to get to where he needs to go, crafty, is a real thing. He’s not jumping over a phone book. I worry about, can he guard? Who he’s going to guard is my question. I don’t worry about him at all on offense. But I don’t think he can guard fives. I don’t think he’s great in pick-and-roll defense, and I don’t think he can move well enough laterally to guard Giannis and Michael Porter Jr., these scorers. He tries on defense, I think. I just don’t think he moves well enough for it to be as good as it needs to be if he’s not going to be a guy who’s going to be super efficient on offense.

I like him a lot (though). He can pass. He’s a willing passer. He actually wants to pass. He can really see the floor. He can survey. He can get to his spot. He can make a shot off both feet. He can knock you off balance. He can get to the free-throw line. He’s a good rebounder. There’s a lot to like. The defensive part is where I have questions. Who’s he guarding? Can he guard (Mikal) Bridges? Can he guard Josh Hart? Can he guard Stew (Isaiah Stewart), the next tier of guys who aren’t the primary offensive option, but they know how to cut, how to go to the glass?

College assistant coach No. 3 (his team played Maryland): I am not a Derik Queen guy. He can’t shoot. Look at his 3-point percentage and number of attempts. I don’t know who he’s going to guard. Very skilled with the ball, because he’s got great hands. Good from 15 feet on in. Doesn’t run fast or hard. But he hardly took any 3s. And the way the NBA game is right now, what are you gonna do? But he’s a great rebounder.

Western Conference scout No. 1: Nice kid. Heavy emphasis on kid. We interviewed him, and he’s 19 going on 14. He can do one thing: he can score. But you don’t want to have to rely on a rookie scoring for you to contribute.

I wonder if Queen will slip to #18?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

what type of report is that. they're willing to trade some SURPRISING NAMES??? what are the names!!!

The only surprises would be Bub, Bilal, and Alex.

[WizarDynasty]

Adridge did his update on the center prospects today:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6435925/2025/06/20/nba-draft-confidential-bigs-centers-2025/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=7030725&source=dailyemail

I figured the "league opinions" on Queen would be the most clamored for here (NOTE: the comments on Maluach were GLOWING):

Derik Queen | 6-9 big | 20 years old | Maryland

Eastern Conference executive No. 1: I’ve been telling our guys, you watch him before the games, and he (seems) lackadaisical. He doesn’t show a serious side. And that’s a turnoff to some people. I’m like, think of Naz Reid when he was at LSU. It was the same damn thing. The games never get too big for (Queen).

College assistant coach No. 2 (his team played Maryland): The skill is real. The knowledge of the game, and how to get to where he needs to go, crafty, is a real thing. He’s not jumping over a phone book. I worry about, can he guard? Who he’s going to guard is my question. I don’t worry about him at all on offense. But I don’t think he can guard fives. I don’t think he’s great in pick-and-roll defense, and I don’t think he can move well enough laterally to guard Giannis and Michael Porter Jr., these scorers. He tries on defense, I think. I just don’t think he moves well enough for it to be as good as it needs to be if he’s not going to be a guy who’s going to be super efficient on offense.

I like him a lot (though). He can pass. He’s a willing passer. He actually wants to pass. He can really see the floor. He can survey. He can get to his spot. He can make a shot off both feet. He can knock you off balance. He can get to the free-throw line. He’s a good rebounder. There’s a lot to like. The defensive part is where I have questions. Who’s he guarding? Can he guard (Mikal) Bridges? Can he guard Josh Hart? Can he guard Stew (Isaiah Stewart), the next tier of guys who aren’t the primary offensive option, but they know how to cut, how to go to the glass?

College assistant coach No. 3 (his team played Maryland): I am not a Derik Queen guy. He can’t shoot. Look at his 3-point percentage and number of attempts. I don’t know who he’s going to guard. Very skilled with the ball, because he’s got great hands. Good from 15 feet on in. Doesn’t run fast or hard. But he hardly took any 3s. And the way the NBA game is right now, what are you gonna do? But he’s a great rebounder.

Western Conference scout No. 1: Nice kid. Heavy emphasis on kid. We interviewed him, and he’s 19 going on 14. He can do one thing: he can score. But you don’t want to have to rely on a rookie scoring for you to contribute.

I wonder if Queen will slip to #18?

Queen is a top 5 pick. None of the guards has a standing reach better than 8'8. They wont last long in the league.
Just be another check mark on long list of mistakes that gets hyped up by consensus draft guru when standing reach would easily tell you they were no perennial all stars yet drafted top 10. Cooper flagg is basically Cody Zeller and every draft expert is screaming generational talent and top GMs are laughing inside.
Butch of Giannis level guys here. Queen is basically Charles Barkley and this board is pushing out to 18 like sheep. Steven Adams still in league.

[DukeLecker]

what type of report is that. they're willing to trade some SURPRISING NAMES??? what are the names!!!

The only surprises would be Bub, Bilal, and Alex.

The only surprise to me would be Sarr.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

NBA Draft Predictions

Watch on YouTube

[closg00]

NBA Draft Predictions

Watch on YouTube

Oof, Bailey needs to fire his agent, trying to charge for interviews?!