2025 Draft Thread - Part 3

[tontoz]

The thing in that video is that he ranks on Ace not only
for his personality but his numbers ie accomplishments
on the court too. His highlights look awesome but
the total package is not impressive. He was extraordinary
in HS. Not so much at the next level. He's young which
is a rationale/excuse for his approach. And a reason
to hope he'll get better. But there are definitely concerns
and or questions. I'm not sure I would trade up for him without a whole lot of due diligence.

If someone just looks at the stats and didn't watch him play then I can see how they would think that. Having watched him maybe 10 games I have no problem having him at 3 on my board.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

That all stinks of disinformation to me.

Trading UP for Queen?!? GTFO of here!

[tontoz]

[AFM]

Read on Twitter

That all stinks of disinformation to me.

Trading UP for Queen?!? GTFO of here!

Been saying it all offseason. Trade up from 18

Another video I posted last night had a similar report

[tontoz]

We can't trade up with Houston any more since they just traded the 10th pick in the Durant trade.

[closg00]

Read on Twitter

If this is true, perhaps Ace is going to drop and our true target is Fears, dunno how we would acquire a pick high enough to land Queen, so-many storylines.....

[NatP4]

CMB is going to land at one of:
#14 SAS
#15 OKC
#16 Memphis
#17 Minnesota

Going to be crazy good value&fit.

[DCZards]

Link to full article below

Wizards Seen as Ace Bailey's Top Choice

Rumors have swirled over the Rutgers prospect purposely dropping in the NBA Draft, and he may have the Washington Wizards in mind.
By Henry Brown
June 22, 2025

Draft specialist Rafael Barlowe reported further information, clarifying the existing belief that Bailey was trying to leverage himself to a specific wide-open destination. “Another agent put it this way: I think Ace is trying to get to Washington, New Orleans or Brooklyn," he said. "With Washington as the top choice and Brooklyn close behind. I think those are the two destinations that his camp has in mind.”

The Wizards, who are set to pick at #6, a spot ahead of New Orleans and two in front of Brooklyn, may end up holding the cards should Bailey continue tanking his chances with the first five teams in the lottery. This would neutralize the idea of their trading up, which they've already reportedly considered for a few point guard prospects.

https://www.si.com/nba/wizards/washington-wizards-news/washington-wizards-seen-ace-bailey-top-choice

[jangles86]

I prefer Fears over Bailey.

Fears looks exactly like what this franchise needs and would go really well with Bub, Sarr, Bilal, and George.

I have a feeling Utah want Fears and we are going to land on Bailey. We won’t give up what Charlotte and Philly would ask for to move up to get in before Utah for Fears.

At 18 I think we would want to try and trade up for Queen but the Suns are going to look pretty strongly at Queen at 10.

We may even try and trade 18+kispert+OKC 26(Rockets or Clippers) move for Brooklyns pick to get Malauch.

[payitforward]

I've been shaping the draft around the idea of taking Maluach at 6.
But, if Ace Bailey really does fall to us, I'd be hard pressed to let him pass.

In that case, how would this look to you?

6. Ace Bailey
18. Rasheer Fleming
40. Johni Broome

or...

6. Ace Bailey
18. Nolan Traore
40. Broome or Rocco Zikarsky

or...

6. Ace Bailey
18. Danny Wolf
40. Kam Jones

[PaulinVA]

The best part of Bailey at 6 is that we'd finally be able to forgive Bub for making that basket.

[trast66]

I've been shaping the draft around the idea of taking Maluach at 6.
But, if Ace Bailey really does fall to us, I'd be hard pressed to let him pass.

In that case, how would this look to you?

6. Ace Bailey
18. Rasheer Fleming
40. Johni Broome

or...

6. Ace Bailey
18. Nolan Traore
40. Broome or Rocco Zikarsky

or...

6. Ace Bailey
18. Danny Wolf
40. Kam Jones

6. Ace Bailey
18. Nolan Traore
Would be very Winger like and can see them picking them if available.

[gesa2]

I don’t hate any of your proposals PIF but it feels like the strength of the teens is the big men. I’d draft
6. Ace
18. Sorber Beringer or Wolf
40. Kam Jones

[Dat2U]

I've been shaping the draft around the idea of taking Maluach at 6.
But, if Ace Bailey really does fall to us, I'd be hard pressed to let him pass.

In that case, how would this look to you?

6. Ace Bailey
18. Rasheer Fleming
40. Johni Broome

or...

6. Ace Bailey
18. Nolan Traore
40. Broome or Rocco Zikarsky

or...

6. Ace Bailey
18. Danny Wolf
40. Kam Jones

I like the idea of Fleming. A 3 & D forward who can potentially defend 4s & 5s but I don't like the feel and the sole dependence on others to create shots, especially as a jr at a mid-level school. I have him in the mid-20s.

Nolan.is ok. Not in love but I see avenues to where he becomes a Jeff Teague-level PG.

Kam has an ugly game tbh. I think his athleticism is really limited and his handle seems really lhigh although he seems to get away with it. Takes alot of poor angles at the rim b/c of limited athleticism
Not a bad pick at 40 but if he's just a Shelvin Mack type, I would not be surprised.

Would love Broome or Zikarsky if Yang or Markovic are gone.

[nate33]

If we land Bailey, the forward position is going to be pretty well stocked with Bailey, Bilal, George, Champagnie, and sometimes Sarr at the PF spot. I wouldn't be all that interested in going after another 3&D forward like Fleming. I'd rather go get a true center (Wolf, Sorber or Beringer) or guard like Traore or Richardson.

[Dat2U]

My draft strategy:

My goal is Dylan Harper. If Coulibaly & a future 1st we've acquired is not enough as the core of the package, I move on.

I would also be comfortable with taking on PGs contract to move up to 3 and get VJ. But not much more than that.

Outside of Harper & VJ, I've locked in on Tre Johnson as my target with Ace Bailey as my fallback. If I got comfortable intelligence that one or the other will be at 6. I would be okay with staying put. If it sounds like the draft is going to end up with some order of Flagg, Harper, VJ, Bailey, Johnson....I do everything to trade up. Ideally, I do not want to be in a situation where I'm forced to take Fears at 6 even though he's my 6th ranked player.

At 18, I'd be interested in trading back up for Queen in the 12-15 range. Danny Wolf would probably be my fallback unless someone surprising falls like Carter Bryant, Khaman Maluach or Kasparas Jakucionis. Noah Penda, Will Riley, Thomas Sorber & Walter Clayton Jr are the ones I like the most with me liking Penda & Clayton Jr the most atm beyond Wolf.

At 40, If I could move up and grab Hansen Yang in the early 30s, I do so if I could not get Queen earlier. Outside of that its Bogolijub Markovic or someone expected to go much higher. Thiero, Gonzalez, Broome, Zikarsky & Small are all viable options IMO.

[TheBlackCzar]

If we land Bailey, the forward position is going to be pretty well stocked with Bailey, Bilal, George, Champagnie, and sometimes Sarr at the PF spot. I wouldn't be all that interested in going after another 3&D forward like Fleming. I'd rather go get a true center (Wolf, Sorber or Beringer) or guard like Traore or Richardson.

I'd prefer Sorber or Beringer in your list just because of defense... As much as I like Sorber I'm not sure his lack of speed is built for this roster.... I think Beringer's speed and agility advantages would work better for us....
Wolf as I think you're projecting him to be a high post facilitating center (if i'm incorrect my mistake), wouldn't have the ball in his hands as much as he'd need if you factor in that Sarr is already a play making big as a shooter or a passer, and potentially Bailey who I'd assume would be our 1 or 2 type scorer.....

I think I'd rock with Beringer, as he's a good defender, is the rawest of the 3, but has exceptional athleticism for his position, so I'd prefer him as a result.....

I think I'd probably have to go Traore though if he's available because we do need a PG, and I'm not sure how good next years crop will be....

[gambitx777]

Read on Twitter

That all stinks of disinformation to me.

Trading UP for Queen?!? GTFO of here!

I mean I'm assuming they mean trading up from 18 I can not see the suns being this dumb lol but beal and #10 for junk from the wizards lol we just cut beal and eat the money


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[babyjax13]

Read on Twitter

That all stinks of disinformation to me.

Trading UP for Queen?!? GTFO of here!

Probably up from 18.

[9 and 20]

Coming to terms with trading 6 and 18 for Ace. Not sure if it's going to work out well or not, but I think it's going to happen. We got the 18 basically for free by taking on Smart. And we still might flip Smart for another 2nd round pick or two. So through that lens, I guess it's fine. Makes me hate Adam Silver more for the lottery results though. What kind of rich get richer BS ends up with the garbage franchises trading more to the marquee ones.

I call for regime change in the NBA lottery.