2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 9

[WuTang_CMB]

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[DG88]

We go for best talent available even if we never worked them out. I've been of the belief that the draft starts at the 3rd pick. Edgecombe looks like the pick right now. If you look at every mock they're all different in some ways.

[polo007]

Raptors weigh trade pitches for No. 9 pick in NBA draft - Toronto Star

True to history and script, Dan Tolzman, Toronto’s assistant general manager and vice-president of player personnel, espoused a few theories in his annual chat with the media on Monday, all of which are sure to whet the appetite of fans.

He admitted it’s not likely Toronto will move higher than No. 9, but there’s more than the usual amount of interest from teams below them wanting to move up.

And if the Raptors think they can get the guy they want (or a close facsimile) a few pegs down, it’ll be trade time.

“I think there’s a lot of people that have the same feeling as we do, that the top 10, the (top of the) lottery … is a pretty good place to be,” Tolzman said in his session.

“There’s definitely interest in people trying to get our pick, I think for the same reason. I wouldn’t say (there’s a specific) percentage chance that we do one or the other, but there (are) definitely conversations being had with teams trying to get into the top 10, for the same reason why we like being here right now.”

The various mock drafts floating around, for what they’re worth, have the Raptors linked to a variety of big men to addressing the biggest roster need: a backup centre.

But Tolzman didn’t sound at all enthusiastic about the chance of getting a young big man who might be able to help right away, even a bit.

“Actual rotation minutes (for centres) is probably easier to fill in free agency or trade or different scenarios than to actually bank on a draft pick coming in and doing that,” he said. “If they can do that … that’s a perfect scenario. But to make that decision in late June and then hope by October that you’re actually getting that production, it’s just too hard to plan with that in mind.”

The names that are being bandied about, and have been linked to the Raptors for weeks, are Duke centre Khaman Maluach, Maryland centre Derik Queen, French forward Noa Essengue from the German league and South Carolina defensive stalwart Collin Murray-Boyles. Much will depend on what happens in the top eight selections.

[Brinbe]

makes sense. but their board composition and what they would consider bpa is hard to know at this point. their priorities as an org aren't too clear at this point as they've taken a variety of prospects in recent years. you can make some inferences based on walter, shead, mogbo, chomche but those guys weren't a top 10 pick either.

after all this time, right to the very end, it's still a mystery.

[DG88]

makes sense. but their board composition and what they would consider bpa is hard to know at this point. their priorities as an org aren't too clear at this point as they've taken a variety of prospects in recent years.

after all this time, right to the very end, it's still a mystery.

Woj nor Shams could crack the code on draft night.

[Tripod]

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That is excellent to hear!

Regardless if we draft a C at 9 or 39, I want a legit NBA backup that is capable of playing starter minutes when Yak misses games....and he will.

Let the new pick learn under Yak with no crazy pressure on results. Then in year 2, hopefully he is ready and Chomche is the #3.

[Clutch0z24]

Raptors weigh trade pitches for No. 9 pick in NBA draft - Toronto Star

True to history and script, Dan Tolzman, Toronto’s assistant general manager and vice-president of player personnel, espoused a few theories in his annual chat with the media on Monday, all of which are sure to whet the appetite of fans.

He admitted it’s not likely Toronto will move higher than No. 9, but there’s more than the usual amount of interest from teams below them wanting to move up.

And if the Raptors think they can get the guy they want (or a close facsimile) a few pegs down, it’ll be trade time.

“I think there’s a lot of people that have the same feeling as we do, that the top 10, the (top of the) lottery … is a pretty good place to be,” Tolzman said in his session.

“There’s definitely interest in people trying to get our pick, I think for the same reason. I wouldn’t say (there’s a specific) percentage chance that we do one or the other, but there (are) definitely conversations being had with teams trying to get into the top 10, for the same reason why we like being here right now.”

The various mock drafts floating around, for what they’re worth, have the Raptors linked to a variety of big men to addressing the biggest roster need: a backup centre.

But Tolzman didn’t sound at all enthusiastic about the chance of getting a young big man who might be able to help right away, even a bit.

“Actual rotation minutes (for centres) is probably easier to fill in free agency or trade or different scenarios than to actually bank on a draft pick coming in and doing that,” he said. “If they can do that … that’s a perfect scenario. But to make that decision in late June and then hope by October that you’re actually getting that production, it’s just too hard to plan with that in mind.”

The names that are being bandied about, and have been linked to the Raptors for weeks, are Duke centre Khaman Maluach, Maryland centre Derik Queen, French forward Noa Essengue from the German league and South Carolina defensive stalwart Collin Murray-Boyles. Much will depend on what happens in the top eight selections.

If Mal/Queen/CMB/Essengue are in the tops of our draft board.....I think Mal would be plan A, Queen Plan B, CMB plan C.....Essengue i think falls out of top 10 and more into the 11-14 area....So he would be a trade down option...

If Mal/Queen Both off the board we might end up with CMB....That would be my prediction....Depending on if Raptors don't like one of the guards that could potentially fall to us.

[ArthurVandelay]

Raptors have done what they do every draft heading into FA: examined every possible scenario IN DEPTH with just about every team to the point no one has a sweet clue what they want to do. Maximum chaos = maximum confusion

[Brinbe]

makes sense. but their board composition and what they would consider bpa is hard to know at this point. their priorities as an org aren't too clear at this point as they've taken a variety of prospects in recent years.

after all this time, right to the very end, it's still a mystery.

Woj nor Shams could crack the code on draft night.

for sure. I do appreciate the yearly surprise. really think this pick, whenever it's made, will actually tell us a lot about where their head's at in the direction of this team and what sort of team they actually wanna build here.

[Tripod]

We go for best talent available even if we never worked them out. I've been of the belief that the draft starts at the 3rd pick. Edgecombe looks like the pick right now. If you look at every mock they're all different in some ways.

I was talking with 76ers fans on another site and someone posted that VJ apparently shot the ball poorly in 1 on 1 drills when working out with Philly.

Wonder if that creates doubt.

[WuTang_CMB]

Gonna laugh if they go guard

[Altern8]

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2025/6/23/24453800/phoenix-suns-nba-draft-thomas-sorber-scouting-report-kevin-durant-trade-pick-analysis

[BoyzNTheHood]

We go for best talent available even if we never worked them out. I've been of the belief that the draft starts at the 3rd pick. Edgecombe looks like the pick right now. If you look at every mock they're all different in some ways.

I was talking with 76ers fans on another site and someone posted that VJ apparently shot the ball poorly in 1 on 1 drills when working out with Philly.

Wonder if that creates doubt.

I pray to god those clowns pass on VJ. I hope they draft a career role player who they overpay and never get a ring from.

F**K Philly

[WuTang_CMB]

“And honestly, like our eight is probably different than every other team’s eight above us, and so where the lines are made of who goes ahead of us, to the next six guys after us, seven guys after us, whatever. It’s kind of blurry. And ours is going to be different than everybody else’s,” Tolzman said.

“It’s definitely going to be different than what you’re reading online.”

“Actual rotation minutes (for centres) is probably easier to fill in free agency or trade or different scenarios than to actually bank on a draft pick coming in and doing that,” he said. “If they can do that … that’s a perfect scenario. But to make that decision in late June and then hope by October that you’re actually getting that production, it’s just too hard to plan with that in mind.”

[BoyzNTheHood]

Maybe it’s just me over analyzing it because I don’t like Maluach for us, but this doesn’t sound like we like Maluach for what we’re trying to do. He’s not a guy you can run anything through. That’s more in the realm of Queen, Sorber, Yang, and Wolf.

But also, Dan didn’t seem to keen on bigs. He seemed to think it would be better to trade for one or sign one than to draft one because of how long it takes to develop them.

But again, maybe I’m just overthinking it. To me it seems like we’re going guard/wing with our pick at 9, then maybe a big in the second round, which in my opinion is a smart strategy based on how this class sets up.

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[traps#10]

I think the Raptors trade their pick if Khaman Maluach is not on the board still

[BoyzNTheHood]

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/nba-mock-draft-50-its-draft-week-heres-how-every-pick-in-the-first-round-could-go-based-on-the-latest-intel-210500038.html

9. Toronto Raptors: Asa Newell, F, Georgia

Newell’s range is trending toward the lottery, according to sources around the league. It’s because of his immense versatility on defense as a 6-foot-9 rim protector who can also comfortably switch screens. He has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots. And if he ever develops his jumper, he has a chance to exceed all expectations.

[djsunyc]

style of play + defense is what tolzman talked about with center. but then also brought up having an opposite to yak. then re-iterated the benefit of playing the same way the whole game.

my guess, it doesn't sound like either maluach or queen are on top of our lists. and by saying he thinks they can fill that backup slot in trade or free agency means they really think yak is the starter for the foreseeable future.

all this leads me to assume that we will not be drafting a center with our first round pick.

and i'll even go as far to say we have some irons in the fire for a center via a trade and that it's going to happen this summer.

[Clutch0z24]

One interesting scenario for us would be
1.Flagg
2.Harper
3.Edgecombe
4.Maluach (1st shocker of the draft)
5.Kon
6.Bailey
7.Queen ( Pels Rumoured to like Queen)
8.Fears or Tre
9.Fears or Tre

^ That would be my dream scenario if some how one of Tre/Fears fell to us.

Ever since they tried shipping Mark Williams, ive been thinking Maluach to Charlotte. You're on to somethin.

Yeah thats how i believe it will go if i had to guess....I think people will be shocked and it will be unexpected....But i think Bailey don't want to go to Hornets, If Edgecombe is off the board....Maluach makes alot of sense if they want to move Williams....Mal also fits with Melo/Miller/Bridges alot more than the other prospects on the board...

[ciueli]

Now I'm really interested in who these teams that want to trade up are targeting at our pick. Maybe it's Queen because the consensus is that Phoenix is going to grab him at 10 if he's still there?