2025 Draft Thread

[Frank Nova]

Interesting. That certainly reinforces the theory that we're looking to trade up into the early 2nd round.

I think we’re more likely to buy a pick than trade for one.

[LUKE23]

I think we’re more likely to buy a pick than trade for one.

People mention this all the time, but how often does it actually happen?

[Ron Swanson]

I think we’re more likely to buy a pick than trade for one.

People mention this all the time, but how often does it actually happen?

We did it just 2 drafts ago (Andre).

[German Athens]

Put it this way. The T-Wolves traded their 2031 1st and a protected pick swap to get all the way into the Top-10 (8th) last draft. If the idea is to use the 2031 1st to move up in the draft, fine, but we better be getting a Top-10 pick out of this.

Yes, that Minnesota deal has largely been my comparison in evaluating what fair would be for our 1st.

Minnesota gave up an unprotected ‘31 1st, and top-1 protected ‘30 swap to get to 8.

In the deal I’ve brought up we would only be giving up the 1st, not the swap. 15+24 would probably get you up to 11 or 12 if you tried to move up (Zach Collins trade as the reference was 15+20 for 10) and then I’m assigning the rest of that jump to 8 coming from that swap.

I think that’s approximately equivalent value.

FTR, I’ve inquired about 9, and whether the raptors would be interested in our 1st and swap, but got a strong rejection on that front.

[Bernman]

If we could get Coward & Fleming w/ 15 & 24, respectively, that's a move I could get behind. 2 guys who would probably upgrade our rotation in yr 1 or 2. Coward's got some upside to be more than just a role guy I suppose. But his creative abilities need honing.

[emunney]

If we could get Coward & Fleming w/ 15 & 24, respectively, that's a move I could get behind. 2 guys who would probably upgrade our rotation in yr 1 or 2. Coward's got some upside to be more than just a role guy I suppose. But his creative abilities need honing.

To add to Coward commentary: in most drafts, Coward would be a serious sleeper. I feel like a lot of people are looking at his stats and not fully clocking that they're from the first 6 games of Washington State's schedule. There's a lot of chaff in there, and there's very little total. They played one major -- Iowa -- and he had 9 points on 3/10 shooting (Sandfort had 18 for Iowa). He's not a sleeper like Jalen Williams, where he's got a full body of work you can evaluate. He's far more obscure.

He's got a lot going for him physically and skillwise, and I like his prospects quite a bit, but the idea that he's anything like ready to go is pure fantasy.

[Bernman]

If we could get Coward & Fleming w/ 15 & 24, respectively, that's a move I could get behind. 2 guys who would probably upgrade our rotation in yr 1 or 2. Coward's got some upside to be more than just a role guy I suppose. But his creative abilities need honing.

To add to Coward commentary: in most drafts, Coward would be a serious sleeper. I feel like a lot of people are looking at his stats and not fully clocking that they're from the first 6 games of Washington State's schedule. There's a lot of chaff in there, and there's very little total. They played one major -- Iowa -- and he had 9 points on 3/10 shooting (Sandfort had 18 for Iowa). He's not a sleeper like Jalen Williams, where he's got a full body of work you can evaluate. He's far more obscure.

He's got a lot going for him physically and skillwise, and I like his prospects quite a bit, but the idea that he's anything like ready to go is pure fantasy.

No need to put it so rudely. He's coming out as a sr. He'll be able to be a regular contributor before yr 3, or he'll in all likelihood never be one.

I'm aware of the sample. Never purported he's near some can't miss guy. You either buy it more than not, or you don't. I'm a moderate lean toward the 1st camp. He played for a couple of under-talented programs. In spite of that he had a run of a few good games in a row against major programs his jr. yr, surrounding some spotty play against them in a similar sample.

[emunney]

If we could get Coward & Fleming w/ 15 & 24, respectively, that's a move I could get behind. 2 guys who would probably upgrade our rotation in yr 1 or 2. Coward's got some upside to be more than just a role guy I suppose. But his creative abilities need honing.

To add to Coward commentary: in most drafts, Coward would be a serious sleeper. I feel like a lot of people are looking at his stats and not fully clocking that they're from the first 6 games of Washington State's schedule. There's a lot of chaff in there, and there's very little total. They played one major -- Iowa -- and he had 9 points on 3/10 shooting (Sandfort had 18 for Iowa). He's not a sleeper like Jalen Williams, where he's got a full body of work you can evaluate. He's far more obscure.

He's got a lot going for him physically and skillwise, and I like his prospects quite a bit, but the idea that he's anything like ready to go is pure fantasy.

No need to put it so rudely. He's coming out as a sr. He'll be able to be a regular contributor before yr 3, or he'll in all likelihood never be one.

I'm aware of the sample. Never purported he's near some can't miss guy. You either buy it more than not, or you don't. I'm a moderate lean toward the 1st camp. He played for a couple of under-talented programs. In spite of that he had a run of a few good games in a row against major programs his jr. yr, surrounding some spotty play against them in a similar sample.

I can't begin to understand what you took personally about my post. I thought I was agreeing with you and elaborating.

[Bernman]

"Pure fantasy". What I said was reasonable that I think he's likely a rotation guy in yr 1 or 2. Like I said, he's a senior, so if he's not ready to do that until his 7th yr post high school, then he won't ever be ready, & is a bad pick. Maybe he will be. I'm reconsidering the modest advocacy

[emunney]

No need to put it so rudely. He's coming out as a sr. He'll be able to be a regular contributor before yr 3, or he'll in all likelihood never be one.

I'm aware of the sample. Never purported he's near some can't miss guy. You either buy it more than not, or you don't. I'm a moderate lean toward the 1st camp. He played for a couple of under-talented programs. In spite of that he had a run of a few good games in a row against major programs his jr. yr, surrounding some spotty play against them in a similar sample.

I can't begin to understand what you took personally about my post. I thought I was agreeing with you and elaborating.

"Pure fantasy". What I said was reasonable that I think he's likely a rotation guy in yr 1 or 2. Like I said, he's a senior, so if he's not ready to do that until his 7th yr post high school, then he won't ever be ready, & is a bad pick. Maybe he will be. I'm reconsidering the modest advocacy.

Ah, ok, fair. Yet it is a fantasy. It would be a big surprise if he was a worthwhile rotation player out of the gate. Nobody should be expecting that.

[Bernman]

I'm actually more confident in someone like Sorber, but if we got Fleming too it's 2 bigs. I might like Fleming more than both, for us. So maybe should take him at 15. Can't be confident he'll be there at 24. Maybe go Clifford, or Clayton as a scorer to replace Dame. Even Raynaud, if a non big at 15.

I more just kind of like the idea, in the abstract, of trading '31 for a couple real 1sts so we don't have to wait for the talent infusion around Giannis. But we could delay full gratification until after this season. I would still prefer Reaves & for '31 & Brook/Bobby, if that's on the table. IDK what is.

[jakecronus8]

Something has to happen with San Antonio. Harper is such a non fit there. I'd be salivating at the thought of adding Edgecombe to that core.

[Frank Nova]

Something has to happen with San Antonio. Harper is such a non fit there. I'd be salivating at the thought of adding Edgecombe to that core.

I’m a big Tre Johnson fan, he’d be my main target after Flagg.

[ShootingtheJ]

Something has to happen with San Antonio. Harper is such a non fit there. I'd be salivating at the thought of adding Edgecombe to that core.

I’m a big Tre Johnson fan, he’d be my main target after Flagg.

Agree. Tre Johnson is a terrific prospect. Charlotte should jump at him, and Johnson would be great with Wemby and Castle.

[ShootingtheJ]

If we could get Coward & Fleming w/ 15 & 24, respectively, that's a move I could get behind. 2 guys who would probably upgrade our rotation in yr 1 or 2. Coward's got some upside to be more than just a role guy I suppose. But his creative abilities need honing.

That would be fun.

[ShootingtheJ]

Any thoughts on the completely unsubstantiated rumor of our interest in Wooga Poplar? Smallish guard who can shoot and has a nose for rebounds. Not much passing chops unfortunately.

[JonHeist]

Something has to happen with San Antonio. Harper is such a non fit there. I'd be salivating at the thought of adding Edgecombe to that core.

"building around" castle over harper would be an insane choice

harper would have easily gone #1 in the last draft

[ShootingtheJ]

Something has to happen with San Antonio. Harper is such a non fit there. I'd be salivating at the thought of adding Edgecombe to that core.

"building around" castle over harper would be an insane choice

harper would have easily gone #1 in the last draft

Sure, but all these guys in the top 5 would have.

[ShootingtheJ]

I'd be happy to take Micah Peavey at 47. Late blooming player that's really versatile. Fits us perfectly. I'm surprised there isn't more hype.

[Badgerlander]

https://open.substack.com/pub/5x5basketball/p/final-nba-draft-big-board-why-ace?r=2ylemz&utm_medium=ios

Read on Twitter

Really like his commentary in his deep dive

1. Coop duh
2. Dylan
3. CMB
4. Kon
5. Flem
6. Carter Bryant
7. Edge
8. Clayton Jr
9. Saraf
10. Traore
11. Ace
12. Proctor
13. Newell
14. Jase
15. Jaku
16. Fears
17. Maluach
18. Essengue
19. Queen
20. Wolf