2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 9

[NotMyKawhi]

Its an interesting situation where Bulls, hawks and okc all want a big

Suns are picking behind us, they want a big. We gotta use those 3 teams to battle each other and get the best offer imo

[Yeezus_]

He's kinda suspect to me, too, but he is one of the few lotto picks that came to Toronto to work out. Maybe Brooklyn is flashing a threat to us that they're gonna take our guy if we don't cave on trading our #9.

This would be the first time they take someone in the first round who didnt produce in ncaa and has glaring holes

I think in terms of BPM, it is lower but pretty close to Ja'Kobe Walter's (on the low end). Also think they had a similar early-season pedigree being considered top 5 picks. Numbers weren't great, obviously.

Might be worth noting that Kevin Pelton had Gradey 5th overall, Jakobe 6th overall, and this year has Demin 8th. We've liked a lot of guys that Pelton has liked in the past (had Jakob 4th, FVV 12th, Delon 11th, OG 10th). And we did bring him to Toronto.

whats peltons list this year?

[GIZMO]

If the Nets take Denim before us I'd be ecstatic. He's on my do not draft list.

why are you so down on Denim Duff?

Granted, this is based on limited information (watching scouting videos the last couple of months).

The pros: Size and good passing
The cons: Can't shoot, Poor Athleticism, Meh Defense.

I don't like drafting guys who's main skill is that they're a good passer but really can't do anything else.

He's polarizing that's for sure with that size and vision.
I believe that he goes around the thirteen range. though if they think he has upside and can get him to play defence and teach him to shoot, might be a good pick.

[Double Helix]

Columnists are speculating on Cs anticipating the Raptors will take one and assuming Maluach is gone so that is why you’re going to see names like Sorber, Queen and Wolf tied but I still think CMB is the name we are gonna hear tomorrow night.

Hey DH, can you give me a comparison with Johnathan mogbo who is longer/taller than CMB and is also a defence first pick? Is he that much better than mogbo who was drafted in the second round?

if Mogbo’s defensive impact was a 7.0 out of 10 than CMB’s is a 11.0 out of 10.0.

CMB is like a coach on the floor, seeing things before they happen, calling things out, and blowing up plays before they begin. His help D is next level becuse it is that disruptive. It’s not just stocks. It’s deflections which the Raptors track and value.

He processes the game at a much faster speed and with more boldness than Mogbo does.

His on ball D is also better in 1 on 1 scenarios.

Offensively, even though his game is kinda ugly and a bit of a mix between Thad Young and Julius Randle… it works for him the way theirs does

He’s more productive 1 on 1 than Mogbo is with the ball in his hands. Also a better passer.

The two as prospects just aren’t especially comparable beyond the fact that they’re both switchable undersized mobile utility knife bigs.

It’s like comparing Thon Maker to KG. Sure they are both mobile 6’11 finesse PFs but that’s where the comps ends. It’s what’s between the ears for a lot of these prospects that separates the special ones from the lookalikes.

The reason he gets Draymond Comps isn’t because he looks or moves like a prime Draymond Green. It’s because he processes offences and reacts as fast as Green used to. He’s always alert, aware and scheming and angling for team advantages the way Green used to be.

[WuTang_CMB]

This would be the first time they take someone in the first round who didnt produce in ncaa and has glaring holes

I think in terms of BPM, it is lower but pretty close to Ja'Kobe Walter's (on the low end). Also think they had a similar early-season pedigree being considered top 5 picks. Numbers weren't great, obviously.

Might be worth noting that Kevin Pelton had Gradey 5th overall, Jakobe 6th overall, and this year has Demin 8th. We've liked a lot of guys that Pelton has liked in the past (had Jakob 4th, FVV 12th, Delon 11th, OG 10th). And we did bring him to Toronto.

whats peltons list this year?

note Noa essengue is 6th

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44888875/nba-draft-2025-projecting-30-best-prospects

[GIZMO]

Columnists are speculating on Cs anticipating the Raptors will take one and assuming Maluach is gone so that is why you’re going to see names like Sorber, Queen and Wolf tied but I still think CMB is the name we are gonna hear tomorrow night.

Hey DH, can you give me a comparison with Johnathan mogbo who is longer/taller than CMB and is also a defence first pick? Is he that much better than mogbo who was drafted in the second round?

if Mogbo’s defensive impact was a 7.0 out of 10 than CMB’s is a 11.0 out of 10.0.

CMB is like a coach on the floor, seeing things before they happen, calling things out, and blowing up plays before they begin. His help D is next level becuse it is that disruptive. It’s not just stocks. It’s deflections which the Raptors track and value.

He processes the game at a much faster speed and with more boldness than Mogbo does.

His on ball D is also better in 1 on 1 scenarios.

Offensively, even though his game is kinda ugly and a bit of a mix between Thad Young and Julius Randle… he’s more productive 1 on 1 than Mogbo is with the ball in his hands. Also a better passer. The two as prospects just aren’t especially comparable beyond the fact that they’re both switchable undersized mobile utility knife bigs. It’s like comparing Thon Maker to KG. It’s what’s between the ears for a lot of these prospects that separates them.

Thanks. His shot is ugly though, breaking it down and rebuilding it is going to be difficult IMO.

I value your opinion, so can you give me your scouting report on Carter Bryant, whom I like?

[Clutch0z24]

Its an interesting situation where Bulls, hawks and okc all want a big

Suns are picking behind us, they want a big. We gotta use those 3 teams to battle each other and get the best offer imo

Thing is there are lots of bigs to choose from in this draft....Maluach/Queen/Newell/Wolf/CMB/Sorber/Beringer/Yang/Flemming

Will these teams really throw out alot of extra assets for one...Maluach seems like the only one but who knows if he will be on the board at 9....

[GIZMO]

Its an interesting situation where Bulls, hawks and okc all want a big

Suns are picking behind us, they want a big. We gotta use those 3 teams to battle each other and get the best offer imo

Thing is there are lots of bigs to choose from in this draft....Maluach/Queen/Newell/Wolf/CMB/Sorber/Beringer/Yang

Will these teams really throw out alot of extra assets for one...Maluach seems like the only one but who knows if he will be on the board at 9....

although there are a lot of bigs, they project to be different types in the next level.

[Clutch0z24]

Its an interesting situation where Bulls, hawks and okc all want a big

Suns are picking behind us, they want a big. We gotta use those 3 teams to battle each other and get the best offer imo

Thing is there are lots of bigs to choose from in this draft....Maluach/Queen/Newell/Wolf/CMB/Sorber/Beringer/Yang

Will these teams really throw out alot of extra assets for one...Maluach seems like the only one but who knows if he will be on the board at 9....

although there are a lot of bigs, they project to be different types in the next level.

Yeah but i just don't see a team throwing out alot of assets to move up to get a Queen for example if Newell/CMB/Wolf/Sorber/Flemming will be on the board....Maluach we could prolly start a bidding war....But he would have to be there at 9 for that to happen.

[Double Helix]

Hey DH, can you give me a comparison with Johnathan mogbo who is longer/taller than CMB and is also a defence first pick? Is he that much better than mogbo who was drafted in the second round?

if Mogbo’s defensive impact was a 7.0 out of 10 than CMB’s is a 11.0 out of 10.0.

CMB is like a coach on the floor, seeing things before they happen, calling things out, and blowing up plays before they begin. His help D is next level becuse it is that disruptive. It’s not just stocks. It’s deflections which the Raptors track and value.

He processes the game at a much faster speed and with more boldness than Mogbo does.

His on ball D is also better in 1 on 1 scenarios.

Offensively, even though his game is kinda ugly and a bit of a mix between Thad Young and Julius Randle… he’s more productive 1 on 1 than Mogbo is with the ball in his hands. Also a better passer. The two as prospects just aren’t especially comparable beyond the fact that they’re both switchable undersized mobile utility knife bigs. It’s like comparing Thon Maker to KG. It’s what’s between the ears for a lot of these prospects that separates them.

Thanks. His shot is ugly though, breaking it down and rebuilding it is going to be difficult IMO.

I value your opinion, so can you give me your scouting report on Carter Bryant, whom I like?

Carter Bryant could easily also be the pick at 9 and is another candidate with elite defensive upside. Dyson Daniels is a nice medium upside comp for him. The 3 looks nice and he should be strong enough to guard 2-4 on switches. Hes also one of the smartest kids in the draft. I think he’s going to be very high on the Raptors board but his value is mostly what one hopes he will become. Rather than what he is and CMB can impact more of a game on the defensive end overall because he’s a legit defensive anchor you can build and plot your entire defensive structure around just like the Warriors did Draymond.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Demin is just really physically underdeveloped. He knows how to play and is big enough to play a number of positions. Not who I want at 9, but he has two of the three big skills in the bag already at 18. He'd be an interesting choice. I'd bet Darko encouraged us to take a closer look at him.

[NotMyKawhi]

Thing is there are lots of bigs to choose from in this draft....Maluach/Queen/Newell/Wolf/CMB/Sorber/Beringer/Yang

Will these teams really throw out alot of extra assets for one...Maluach seems like the only one but who knows if he will be on the board at 9....

although there are a lot of bigs, they project to be different types in the next level.

Yeah but i just don't see a team throwing out alot of assets to move up to get a Queen for example if Newell/CMB/Wolf/Sorber/Flemming will be on the board....Maluach we could prolly start a bidding war....But he would have to be there at 9 for that to happen.

Okc traded 3 1sts for Dieng. Theyre in a position where they have too many assets and end up losing assets due to not enough mins. Its in their best interest to trade multiple for 1

[MoneyBall]

Hot take: I would not pick Fears even if he was available at 9.

[GIZMO]

if Mogbo’s defensive impact was a 7.0 out of 10 than CMB’s is a 11.0 out of 10.0.

CMB is like a coach on the floor, seeing things before they happen, calling things out, and blowing up plays before they begin. His help D is next level becuse it is that disruptive. It’s not just stocks. It’s deflections which the Raptors track and value.

He processes the game at a much faster speed and with more boldness than Mogbo does.

His on ball D is also better in 1 on 1 scenarios.

Offensively, even though his game is kinda ugly and a bit of a mix between Thad Young and Julius Randle… he’s more productive 1 on 1 than Mogbo is with the ball in his hands. Also a better passer. The two as prospects just aren’t especially comparable beyond the fact that they’re both switchable undersized mobile utility knife bigs. It’s like comparing Thon Maker to KG. It’s what’s between the ears for a lot of these prospects that separates them.

Thanks. His shot is ugly though, breaking it down and rebuilding it is going to be difficult IMO.

I value your opinion, so can you give me your scouting report on Carter Bryant, whom I like?

Carter Bryant could easily also be the pick at 9 and is another candidate with elite defensive upside. Dyson Daniels is a nice medium upside comp for him. The 3 looks nice and he should be strong enough to guard 2-4 on switches. Hes also one of the smartest kids in the draft. I think he’s going to be very high on the Raptors board but his value is mostly what one hopes he will become. Rather than what he is and CMB can impact more of a game on the defensive end overall because he’s a legit defensive anchor you can build and plot your entire defensive structure around just like the Warriors did Draymond.

,
Thanks, the bolded is why I like him so much, his upside is just so intriguing to me at 9!

[Double Helix]

This draft is one of the biggest tests of youth/upside versus proven production, of eye test style vs on/off lineup impact, of combine athleticism and measurement freak outs (good and bad) versus remembering who was just really great at playing 5 on 5 basketball regardless of what the combine showed.

It’s why it’s considered such an eye of the beholder drift the deeper you get. But it’s also why there will be some very valuable players found below 8.

[Clutch0z24]

although there are a lot of bigs, they project to be different types in the next level.

Yeah but i just don't see a team throwing out alot of assets to move up to get a Queen for example if Newell/CMB/Wolf/Sorber/Flemming will be on the board....Maluach we could prolly start a bidding war....But he would have to be there at 9 for that to happen.

Okc traded 3 1sts for Dieng. Theyre in a position where they have too many assets and end up losing assets due to not enough mins. Its in their best interest to trade multiple for 1

We are also not in a position to be picking 4 rookies in this class alone....We already have a majority roster of 1-2 year players....Adding a bunch of rookies to a team that wants to compete would not be wise for winning in mind.

[arbsn]

Hot take: I would not pick Fears even if he was available at 9.

Interesting... I see Fears as this years most underrated player in the draft. Would take him 3rd. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being one of the best players in the league. Hoping he is one of those lottery guys who just slips too far.. Steph Curry (7th pick), SGA (11th pick), Haliburton (12th), Lillard (6th)

[niQ]

Still not super excited about any of the prospects in our range. Just hope we get a good one.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[WuTang_CMB]

Cedric Coward just jumped to +850 from +2200 for Raps pick.