2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[KGdaBom]

No Ceilings ran a mock today, and had Jeremiah Fears dropping all the way to 18. If he is there when we pick, I believe Connelly would take a long look at him....

Tankathon mocks him at 7 and he's 9 on their big board. Unless they are way off base he will be gone before 17.

[BlacJacMac]

No Ceilings ran a mock today, and had Jeremiah Fears dropping all the way to 18. If he is there when we pick, I believe Connelly would take a long look at him....

Tankathon mocks him at 7 and he's 9 on their big board. Unless they are way off base he will be gone before 17.

I'm not a big Tankathon guy, but that tracks. ESPN and Vecenie both currently have him 5th. The Ringer has him 8th

[Neeva]

No question take Fears or Queen if they drop to 17. I think Mcneely should be there at 31 as well, take him. Nothing special but a solud role player.

[Klomp]

No Ceilings ran a mock today, and had Jeremiah Fears dropping all the way to 18. If he is there when we pick, I believe Connelly would take a long look at him....

Tankathon mocks him at 7 and he's 9 on their big board. Unless they are way off base he will be gone before 17.

I'm not a big Tankathon guy, but that tracks. ESPN and Vecenie both currently have him 5th. The Ringer has him 8th

Yeah after posting that I noticed that No Ceilings is definitely lower than consensus on him, so I'm sure it's unlikely.

[Klomp]

Current ESPN mock has us going Sorber and Saraf. That would be quite solid!

[Klomp]

Good interview with a couple of international prospects

Watch on YouTube

[Klomp]

Noteworthy?

Read on Twitter

[Slim Tubby]

We take Kalkbrenner at 31. Old as hell, big as hell, blocks shots and scores.

I would like your resignation on my desk by the end of the day.

(J/K...we all have our favorites.)

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Early returns on my mock were favorable.

I didn't say it was a poor Draft at all...it's good. It's just not what I would've done based on the players I'm partial to.

I'm most definitely destined for disappointment when it comes to my favorite prospects.

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[KGdaBom]

No question take Fears or Queen if they drop to 17. I think Mcneely should be there at 31 as well, take him. Nothing special but a solud role player.

I question Queen at 17. He just seems like a lazy bum. Fears won't happen.

[KGdaBom]

Current ESPN mock has us going Sorber and Saraf. That would be quite solid!

I wouldn't complain, but think we can do even better.

[m2002brian]

Had Chad (ChatGPT) do a thing:


Picks 1–10 – Top-Tier Assets & Strategic Fits
1. Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg (SF/PF, Duke)
GM: Nico Harrison – Known for valuing elite physical tools and high-ceiling upside (e.g., Jaden Hardy). Flagg is a rare two-way weapon worth the pick.
2. San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper (PG/SG, Rutgers)
GM: Brian Wright – Always prioritizes multi-positional athletes (Wemby, Sochan, Vassell). Harper fits as a versatile backcourt creator.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Isaiah Collier (PG, USC)
GM: Elton Brand – Favors smart, sturdy guards (like Tyrese Maxey). With Maxey likely shifting positions, Collier lines up as a potential lead guard.
4. Charlotte Hornets – Ace Bailey (SF, Rutgers)
GM: Jeff Peterson – Coming from Brooklyn, he leans athletic, wingy upside. Bailey’s tools and upside fit Beauball’s reconstruction.
5. Utah Jazz – Tre Johnson (SG, Texas)
GM: Justin Zanik – Loves high-IQ, scoring guards (Agbaji, Keyonte). Johnson offers shot creation and spacing for their rebuild.
6. Washington Wizards – Nikola Đurišić (SF, Serbia)
GM: Will Dawkins – With an OKC background, Dawkins targets international wings. Long, skilled, and switchable—Đurišić fits that mold.
7. New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremiah Fears (PG, Oklahoma)
GM: Bryson Graham – Prefers polished, two-way backcourt players. Fears brings shooting and upside in an aggressive Pelicans system.
8. Brooklyn Nets – Collin Murray‑Boyles (Wing, South Carolina)
GM: Sean Marks – Values defense and development (think Cam Johnson, Claxton). Murray‑Boyles’ positional versatility suits their rebuild.
9. Toronto Raptors – Derik Queen (C, Maryland)
GM: Bobby Webster – Under Ujiri’s system, they’ve favored skillful big men (see Siakam, Precious Achiuwa). Queen posts high basketball IQ and passing.
10. Phoenix (via Houston) – Khaman Maluach (C, Duke)
GM: Brian Gregory – Holds two first-rounders and needs frontcourt upside. Maluach is a high-upside rim protector.

⸻

Picks 11–20 – Role Players & High-Upside Depth
11. Portland – Reed Sheppard (SG, Kentucky)
GM: Joe Cronin – Likes high-skill wings (Sharpe, Henderson). Sheppard brings elite shooting and IQ.
12. Chicago – Carter Bryant (SF/PF, Arizona)
GM: Marc Eversley – Chooses polished, defensive forwards (Williams, Terry). Bryant offers development upside.
13. Atlanta (via Sacramento) – Liam McNeeley (SF, UConn)
GM: Onsi Saleh – New GM following Hawks trend for spacing wings. McNeeley (espn #17) fits that profile          .
14. San Antonio (via Atlanta) – Danny Wolf (PF, Michigan/Yale)
GM: Brian Wright – Loves multi-skilled forwards. Wolf brings size and playmaking.
15. Oklahoma City – Bub Carrington (PG, Pittsburgh)
GM: Sam Presti – Continues targeting long, high-upside guards (Pokusevski, Cason Wallace). Carrington offers size and shooting.
16. Memphis (via Orlando) – Yves Missi (C, Baylor)
GM: Zach Kleiman – Prioritizes energy bigs (Ja Morant era). Missi is a defensive rim threat.
17. Minnesota (via Detroit via others) – Jase Richardson (SG, Colorado)
GM: Tim Connelly – Targets complimentary wing talent. Richardson is armed with shooting and grit.
18. Washington (via Memphis) – Kyshawn George (SG/SF, Miami)
GM: Will Dawkins – Consistent with past Denver picks (Coulibaly). George brings size and upside.
19. Brooklyn (via Milwaukee etc.) – Nolan Traore (PG, France)
GM: Sean Marks – Loves international developmental depth. Traore fits as a long-term guard project.
20. Miami – PJ Hall (PF/C, Clemson)
GM: Andy Elisburg – Heat picks gritty, well-rounded bigs. Hall is a defensive and motor playmaker.

⸻

Picks 21–31 – High-Upside Flyers & Future Assets
21. Utah (via Minnesota) – Dillon Mitchell (SF/PF, Texas)
GM: Justin Zanik – Deepens wing rotation with athletic upside.
22. Atlanta (via LAL) – Maxime Raynaud (PF/C, Stanford)
GM: Onsi Saleh – Adds spacing and IQ in the frontcourt.
23. New Orleans (via Indiana) – Trentyn Flowers (SG, Australia)
GM: Bryson Graham – International swingman adds long-term intrigue.
24. Oklahoma City (via LAC) – Pelle Larsson (SG/SF, Arizona)
GM: Sam Presti – Board-friendly, team-first wing who fits OKC culture.
25. Orlando (via Denver) – Pacôme Dadiet (SF, France)
GM: Anthony Parker – Prefers raw European talent as long-term project.
26. Brooklyn (via NY) – Adem Bona (C, UCLA)
GM: Sean Marks – Athletic, shot-blocking big to develop behind Claxton.
27. Brooklyn (via Houston) – Tyler Smith (PF, Ignite)
GM: Sean Marks – Adds floor-spacing forward whom they can develop or flip.
28. Boston – Thomas Sorber (PG, unspecified)
GM: Brad Stevens – Picks mature floor generals with team-first attitudes.
29. Phoenix – Kyle Filipowski (PF/C, Duke)
GM: Brian Gregory – With two picks, takes polished big to support post core.
30. LA Clippers – Walter Clayton Jr. (PG, Florida)
GM: Trent Redden – Utility guard with size and shooting in a championship window.
31. Minnesota (2nd round) – Isaiah Evans (SF, Duke)
GM: Tim Connelly – Long wing with shot-creation; value in late 1st.

⸻

Summary
• Used official 2025 order     , not last year’s.
• Picks driven by GM drafting history, team needs, and organizational philosophy.
• Targeting roles—two-way wings, shot-creation guards, HIGH-IQ bigs—based on each FO.
• Mix of ready-to-contribute talents and high-upside developmental assets.

[Klomp]

"Members of the Timberwolves front office really liked that Florida team." -Britt Robson

[KGdaBom]

"Members of the Timberwolves front office really liked that Florida team." -Britt Robson

Walter Clayton Jr come on down. You are the next PG contestant for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

[Slim Tubby]

"Members of the Timberwolves front office really liked that Florida team." -Britt Robson

It's happening!!!!

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[Klomp]

Listening to Dane and Britt talk, they hit on something with Sorber that I think is worth considering.

I think Sorber works better here as the 4th big than he does as the 3rd big. I don't know if he has PF versatility. So if there's an inkling Reid or Randle may go, he might not be the right pick to make.

[BlacJacMac]

Apparently ChatGTP missed that there was a draft last year.

Can we change our pick to Kel'el Ware?

[jpatrick]

Listening to Dane and Britt talk, they hit on something with Sorber that I think is worth considering.

I think Sorber works better here as the 4th big than he does as the 3rd big. I don't know if he has PF versatility. So if there's an inkling Reid or Randle may go, he might not be the right pick to make.

I think all the bigs at 17 would be Rudy’s backup, fourth big, and hopefully Rudy replacement. I guess Wolf would be the one who is more Naz than the rest. Newell could defends PFs, but spacing with him and Rudy on the court would be horrible. Queen cannot guard anyone and can’t shoot, so I don’t see him working as a big with Rudy (no spacing) or Naz/Randle (no defense).

I’m fine with Beringer/Sorber at 17. Coward is my favorite of the players that might be there, but I’m fine with a big and go wing at 31.

[Klomp]

I think all the bigs at 17 would be Rudy’s backup, fourth big, and hopefully Rudy replacement.

Good point.

I should also point out that there are more possibles with Jaden at the 4 that would likely open up if someone leaves, especially if it were Julius.

[Klomp]

From Sam Vecenie/The Athletic:

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)
Danny Wolf | 6-11 big | 21 years old | Michigan
The easiest way to describe Wolf is that he’s a creator at nearly 7-feet tall and can play in ball screens as a ballhandler or pass and make plays. He averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, though he had a turnover problem owing to a high handle and wild decision-making. Defensively, there are also some questions, although I think that his overall movement skill has been underrated. This skill set would likely appeal to Tim Connelly.

Wolf has also had a very strong pre-draft process, particularly as a shooter, breaking one team’s record in its 3-point shooting drill. Several other teams thought he shot the ball extremely impressively in Chicago during his pro day, per sources. Thomas Sorber is also a name to watch here, as he has many of the same big-man skills as Wolf. This is also seen as the start of Walter Clayton Jr.’s range.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6434991/2025/06/23/nba-draft-2025-cooper-flagg-ace-bailey-dylan-harper/

[Loaf_of_bread]

From Sam Vecenie/The Athletic:

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)
Danny Wolf | 6-11 big | 21 years old | Michigan
The easiest way to describe Wolf is that he’s a creator at nearly 7-feet tall and can play in ball screens as a ballhandler or pass and make plays. He averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, though he had a turnover problem owing to a high handle and wild decision-making. Defensively, there are also some questions, although I think that his overall movement skill has been underrated. This skill set would likely appeal to Tim Connelly.

Wolf has also had a very strong pre-draft process, particularly as a shooter, breaking one team’s record in its 3-point shooting drill. Several other teams thought he shot the ball extremely impressively in Chicago during his pro day, per sources. Thomas Sorber is also a name to watch here, as he has many of the same big-man skills as Wolf. This is also seen as the start of Walter Clayton Jr.’s range.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6434991/2025/06/23/nba-draft-2025-cooper-flagg-ace-bailey-dylan-harper/

Almost seems like it may be destined. Why not. Personally would try to combine picks to move up, but may not be an option.