2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 9

[Basketball_Jones]

I’m persuaded. I’m now a CMB guy.
The Raptors have always believed they can teach players how to shoot.

If he’s a hard worker I think there’s a lot you can overlook. I have my doubts that jump shot will ever be average though but 70 percent from the free throw line isn’t terrible. With his driving game if he can improve there a bit he may even be a bit of a free throw merchant. Wouldn’t mind this pick at all as Rondae Hollis J was a really effective player for us and he reminds me of him a lot and we need more switchable wings with size (among many other things).

[RapsFanInOhio]

CMB does look like a Draymond type but the key missing ingredient is the passing. He’s more limited offensively because he doesn’t pass as well as Draymond does. I definitely see more of a Randle game than a Draymond game there, but I don’t think he’s as talented as Randle offensively. The shot doesn’t look horribly broken but it needs some refinement for sure.

I would trust it if they picked him and I actually think his skill set would work nice in a bench role on our team (where he and Mogbo play the 4-5) but I think I want starter upside at 9. Not sure he would ever fill that role for us.

[Yeezus_]

CMB reminds me of Herb Jones. Not in the traditional sense of their bodies and measurements but more so how they read the game and have elite defensive awareness. Herb had a broken jumper that teams didnt think could be fixed so he dropped to the second round. Its also important to note he was a 4 year college player though.

[junot111]

No ceilings mock has fears going 18...

[djsunyc]

how is carter bryant in comparison to someone like landry fields (before his nerve issue)?

[Agimat]

Yeah. I would say he needs to rebuild his shot from the ground up. Which they’d try to. Something is off clearly.

If he already had a 3 ball though he’d be a top 6 lock with his D so we can’t have everything.

been a while since I've seen your handle -wb fam!

[Rodrickle]

we already have a frontcourt that can't shoot lol. I sort of get the idea of CMB from a defensive standpoint but we already have Scottie and Mogbo as similar players who already do a lot of what he'd bring and he doesn't at all gel with the guys we have on offense. The spacing would be horrible. And you can say what you want about hoping his shooting suddenly improves but you could say that about every prospect. I've made the comparison before, but he's just a beefier potentially better Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in terms of being an undersized C and I don't think you take a defense-first energy big in the top 10 when you're already a bad shooting team.

I don't know what NBA people have been watching, but shooting is paramount in addition to the defense unless you're a rim-running/defensive-oriented big.

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And the Raptors are hard to read/linked to a bunch of prospects because the top of the draft apart from Flagg/Harper is still completely up in the air. How are we any different from the Sixers, Pelicans or Nets? No one can say for sure what they're gonna do either lol. A bunch of teams may trade up and throw everying off. So while the Raps may have their eye on a particular prospect who drops, no one really knows anything either way and it's good that they're keeping their options open on a wide variety of prospects for a potential trade back if the value isn't there.

I wouldn't mind getting 2 first round caliber prospects out of this draft as the quality of player really starts to dip once you get to the 39th pick and that's where the impact of all the guys returning to school will be felt.

I think they'd bank on his shooting improving. I wouldn't bank on him with Nurse's staff, but I would with Darkos. Look at the improvement of Mogbo, Ochai and some of our G league call ups. He's much much stronger than RHJ as well. RHJ couldn't finish any of those And-1s like CMB. CMB is also probably the quickest processer in the draft and anticipates on defense much better.

[Tor_Raps]

This board will have an unnecessary meltdown if we pass on Maluach

people that whine and complain will always whine and complain - doesn't matter the context.

regardless how anybody feels about masai, the one thing that's not debatable is his ability to draft. trust the pick, whomever it will end up being.

After the whole Suggs thing... doubt anyone will be pissed unless we pass up on someone who drops like Ace Bailey lol

[Agimat]

Im not a shooting expert, how broken is CMB's mechanics? Is it fixable? The coaching staff did a pretty good job with ochai last year but im not sure how broken ochais mechanics were

start at 9:32. form looks OK but he can't shoot.

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Was trying to compare him and Draymond. Both of them have relatively same height (CMB might be an inch taller) and wingspan.

[Tor_Raps]

I’m persuaded. I’m now a CMB guy.
The Raptors have always believed they can teach players how to shoot.

Yup, just look at Scottie now

[Indeed]

And contradicting.
If we are looking for a dribble pass shoot guy, rim runners are not it.
If we are looking for a defensive guy, dribble pass shoot guys are not it.

All they know is we are looking for C or PF.

Tolzman said they are looking at 2 different types of centres. Would make sense if its KM or Queen. But I can see where they don't like either and would rather find a big later on for better value since thats what they like.

I think theres a lot of variables at play. I'd imagine Raps have a lot of scenarios if the board shakes out a certain way. Honestly if KM isn't really their guy, I would trade back with ATL who seem to love him (good fit with Trae) and pick up 2 picks at 13 and 22. I can easily see how they loved the narrative of them being attached to KM and he "wont get past TOR".

I will need more than just 13 and 22 to drop down. Will ask for Bufkin or Gueye or a young piece attached.

I am unsure teams will give more and take a risk on a prospect, unless he is a sure thing (eg. Flagg).

Meanwhile, trading further down may not have the talent, so I am unsure you get a dribble pass shoot guy in the 2nd round who can at least slightly negative. These days dribble pass shoot guys would be in the lottery, and rim runners maybe just outside, so I would not be surprised #13 for the dribble pass shoot guy, and #22 could be a big or even a guard.

[raptor jesus]

Not a conventional comparison, but I see shades of Demar in CMB's offensive game. The way he moves and absorbs contact, his finishing and footwork. I think there's a chance he becomes a big mismatch problem for opposing defences. Of course his outside jumper is obviously a major hurdle, and I'm not sure I'd draft him (for the record) but I think his offensive upside is being slept on a bit.

[NoBias]

Boy if i see another non shooting tweener on this team again

[Raptors_128]

I hate that we’re talking about an all D no O player at 9. Who was the last player the Raps drafted where they were able to fix their shot? Norm?

Siakam was inconsistent in Toronto. Teams did not respect his shot in the playoffs. OG’s shot wasn’t broken. Barnes is still super inconsistent.

[Psubs]

how is carter bryant in comparison to someone like landry fields (before his nerve issue)?

Landry was less fit, less hoppy, shorter by an inch. Thus CB is a better finisher at the rim and better post-defender. I can see CB developing up to Field's level of playmaking.

I think Mogbo is a fitter, long-armed Landry Fields.

[Clutch0z24]

Im not a shooting expert, how broken is CMB's mechanics? Is it fixable? The coaching staff did a pretty good job with ochai last year but im not sure how broken ochais mechanics were

Hes going to be an NBA player that struggles to hit jumpers in an open gym setting.....Ben Simmons can even shoot amazing in an open gym....That should tell you all you need to know....

[Psubs]

Im not a shooting expert, how broken is CMB's mechanics? Is it fixable? The coaching staff did a pretty good job with ochai last year but im not sure how broken ochais mechanics were

Hes going to be an NBA player that struggles to hit jumpers in an open gym setting.....Ben Simmons can even shoot amazing in an open gym....That should tell you all you need to know....

Ya, his misses at the combine were the ugliest. Even the corner ones.

[Dalek]

CMB reminds me of Herb Jones. Not in the traditional sense of their bodies and measurements but more so how they read the game and have elite defensive awareness. Herb had a broken jumper that teams didnt think could be fixed so he dropped to the second round. Its also important to note he was a 4 year college player though.

Same thing also happened to Ryan Dunn, who couldn't shoot in college (24% from three 51 attempts in 2 years) and then progressed to 31% on 264 attempts on Phoenix with some really decent months through the year.

Now, I just don't like CMB's form to progress too far, and ultimately he is going to be a pro who is in the paint scoring. He's about 240 lbs so he is better off playing in the paint to take advantage of his physicality.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Not a conventional comparison, but I see shades of Demar in CMB's offensive game. The way he moves and absorbs contact, his finishing and footwork. I think there's a chance he becomes a big mismatch problem for opposing defences. Of course his outside jumper is obviously a major hurdle, and I'm not sure I'd draft him (for the record) but I think his offensive upside is being slept on a bit.

I won't make a comp here, but if OKC tried to put one of their guards on CMB I think that's a bucket. He's big, strong, knows how to absorb contact and stay on balance and does have a bit of shooting range in the midrange (not great, but not nothing). I primarily see him as an offensive player who can also be super switchable. I think most people are trying to pigeon hole him in an inapt Draymond comp because he won't be a threat from 3 and he's short.

But, if people are looking for a breakout star I think it's tough these days without the threat of a 3. To me, CMB is the Poeltl of sound drafting, while there might be a Siakam and FVV later on in this draft that will have better careers.

[ItsDanger]

CMB shooting form is ugly. I don't get the appeal of this type of player. Too small for that style in NBA. I only saw him a couple of times but I'm concerned about playoff matchups. If he doesn't project as a starter, you pass.