2025 NBA Draft Thread 2.0

[Knightro]

Just please get Walter Clayton Jr. The 2 2nd round picks can be punted if needed. I don't care about those. Just get Clayton.

I believe he wants to go to Miami, and they pick 20th. I saw where he said the 3 ppl he would want to have dinner with was Kobe, some other guy, and Erik Spoelstra

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I'd punt the pick for a future 1st (NOT SRP's!!!) if we can't get him or Jase with that pick. Hell, with our cap situation, if we can't get players that have any chance of getting minutes this upcoming season, the picks need to be traded for future assets. I'm only interested in Clayton as our Payton Pritchard/spark plug.

This feels a little short sighted to me, man.

The odds of a 25th pick being able to get minutes right away on a team that has aspirations of winning 50+ games is rather slim anyway.

Like Suggs and Bane are entrenched as starters. Black is going to play minutes. They're going to sign at least one veteran guard too who they probably expect to play (how they feel about Black's role will determine if the veteran they sign is more of an on or off ball player).

At best a rookie is the 5th guard next year.

Payton Pritchard btw did play 19 MPG as a rookie, but joined a team that only finished .500 his rookie year and got gentleman swept out of the first round. The expectation level for the 2021 Celtics was a lot different than the expectation level of the 2026 Magic.

[fendilim]

I was thinking teams do it for the chinese market. I mean HOU boomed with the chinese market because of Yao... think other teams are jusy salivating with that chinese ads

Comon, man. I guarantee you Jeff won't draft him just because or partly because of Chinese market. lol

Jeff wont... but the owners? Lol yeah he will draft Yang because probably saw the monsters infesting the league nowadays. Wemby Eddey Clingan Embiid Jokic Zubac KP.... i mean lots of 7ft++ guys and all we can throw at them is our 6'10 WCJ and skinny 6'11Goga

thats true, but the Chinese market is also what’s gonna get him out of the NBA, if he doesnt play. Cause he’ll earn more in China

I like the guy, he is strong. And has a good feel for the game. His hands are also big. But I dont see him sticking in the NBA unless he gets a starting role or gets paid like one.

[Magic_Johnny12]

There’s a real possibility that Orlando trades #25 for a 2026 pick to open up the ability to trade later picks due to Stepien rule…

[Knightro]

There’s a real possibility that Orlando trades #25 for a 2026 pick to open up the ability to trade later picks due to Stepien rule…

It wouldn't help to do that, unfortunately, because they went every other year until 2030.

Because they've already traded 2028 and 2030 they still legally cannot trade 2027 and 2029 even if they get a 2026 1st back.

Can't have first round picks owed in back-to-back years.

[thelead]

I believe he wants to go to Miami, and they pick 20th. I saw where he said the 3 ppl he would want to have dinner with was Kobe, some other guy, and Erik Spoelstra

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I'd punt the pick for a future 1st (NOT SRP's!!!) if we can't get him or Jase with that pick. Hell, with our cap situation, if we can't get players that have any chance of getting minutes this upcoming season, the picks need to be traded for future assets. I'm only interested in Clayton as our Payton Pritchard/spark plug.

This feels a little short sighted to me, man.

The odds of a 25th pick being able to get minutes right away on a team that has aspirations of winning 50+ games is rather slim anyway.

Like Suggs and Bane are entrenched as starters. Black is going to play minutes. They're going to sign at least one veteran guard too who they probably expect to play (how they feel about Black's role will determine if the veteran they sign is more of an on or off ball player).

At best a rookie is the 5th guard next year.

Payton Pritchard btw did play 19 MPG as a rookie, but joined a team that only finished .500 his rookie year and got gentleman swept out of the first round. The expectation level for the 2021 Celtics was a lot different than the expectation level of the 2026 Magic.

Is it really shortsighted to punt the pick into the future (the future part being key) if your guy isn't there and the lower ranked player you draft isn't going to play anyway?

I typically don't value these late 1sts but Clayton and Richardson are two players that do something (very well) that we need today at a position of need.

[RookieStar]

Comon, man. I guarantee you Jeff won't draft him just because or partly because of Chinese market. lol

Jeff wont... but the owners? Lol yeah he will draft Yang because probably saw the monsters infesting the league nowadays. Wemby Eddey Clingan Embiid Jokic Zubac KP.... i mean lots of 7ft++ guys and all we can throw at them is our 6'10 WCJ and skinny 6'11Goga

thats true, but the Chinese market is also what’s gonna get him out of the NBA, if he doesnt play. Cause he’ll earn more in China

I like the guy, he is strong. And has a good feel for the game. His hands are also big. But I dont see him sticking in the NBA unless he gets a starting role or gets paid like one.

Does anybody really expect him to have a 10yr career in the NBA? If he gives us 3yrs then as a srp he is worth it

[Knightro]

Is it really shortsighted to punt the pick into the future (the future part being key) if your guy isn't there and the lower ranked player you draft isn't going to play anyway?

I typically don't value these late 1sts but Clayton and Richardson are two players that do something (very well) that we need today at a position of need.

Just because a guy doesn't play a lot this year doesn't mean he won't be expected to play a lot more in 26-27.

I just think they're gonna need cost controlled players ASAP because the roster is about to get a LOT more expensive when Paolo goes from $15M to $45M.

Like I'm actually thinking more about 26-27 when I'm making my 2025 1st round pick selection.

Let's say they whatever veteran guard they sign - for discussion's sake let's say it's Tyus Jones on a 1 year deal.

Well the odds are extremely high he's only going to be here for that one year and is not going to be brought back in 26-27 (no matter how well he plays) because of the financial reality of the roster moving forward, so I'd rather have his cheap replacement already in house with the 25th pick this year who got his feet wet as a rookie than drafting another rookie in the 20s who may very well not be ready as a rookie to contribute to a team with title aspirations in 26-27.

And maybe it's not Jase or Clayton at all. Maybe they go with a PF or C at 25 which allows them to trade Isaac or Goga and then they turn around and get a Kam Jones or Javon Small at 46 and one of those guys hits like Ben Sheppard did for Indiana and they are able to be a contributor as a 4th guard in 26-27 after getting acclimated this year as a rookie.

[Orl_Magic]

This guy is better than CoJo and Cole. He's my pick at 57. We had him in for a workout via Hoopshype.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=ACCDigitalNetwork

[fendilim]

Jeff wont... but the owners? Lol yeah he will draft Yang because probably saw the monsters infesting the league nowadays. Wemby Eddey Clingan Embiid Jokic Zubac KP.... i mean lots of 7ft++ guys and all we can throw at them is our 6'10 WCJ and skinny 6'11Goga

thats true, but the Chinese market is also what’s gonna get him out of the NBA, if he doesnt play. Cause he’ll earn more in China

I like the guy, he is strong. And has a good feel for the game. His hands are also big. But I dont see him sticking in the NBA unless he gets a starting role or gets paid like one.

Does anybody really expect him to have a 10yr career in the NBA? If he gives us 3yrs then as a srp he is worth it

Well, i doubt it is realistic to expect him to be there at the range of our two srp’s.

[RookieStar]

thats true, but the Chinese market is also what’s gonna get him out of the NBA, if he doesnt play. Cause he’ll earn more in China

I like the guy, he is strong. And has a good feel for the game. His hands are also big. But I dont see him sticking in the NBA unless he gets a starting role or gets paid like one.

Does anybody really expect him to have a 10yr career in the NBA? If he gives us 3yrs then as a srp he is worth it

Well, i doubt it is realistic to expect him to be there at the range of our two srp’s.

True..

[fendilim]

Is it really shortsighted to punt the pick into the future (the future part being key) if your guy isn't there and the lower ranked player you draft isn't going to play anyway?

I typically don't value these late 1sts but Clayton and Richardson are two players that do something (very well) that we need today at a position of need.

Just because a guy doesn't play a lot this year doesn't mean he won't be expected to play a lot more in 26-27.

I just think they're gonna need cost controlled players ASAP because the roster is about to get a LOT more expensive when Paolo goes from $15M to $45M.

Like I'm actually thinking more about 26-27 when I'm making my 2025 1st round pick selection.

Let's say they whatever veteran guard they sign - for discussion's sake let's say it's Tyus Jones on a 1 year deal.

Well the odds are extremely high he's only going to be here for that one year and is not going to be brought back in 26-27 (no matter how well he plays) because of the financial reality of the roster moving forward, so I'd rather have his cheap replacement already in house with the 25th pick this year who got his feet wet as a rookie than drafting another rookie in the 20s who may very well not be ready as a rookie to contribute to a team with title aspirations in 26-27.

And maybe it's not Jase or Clayton at all. Maybe they go with a PF or C at 25 which allows them to trade Isaac or Goga and then they turn around and get a Kam Jones or Javon Small at 46 and one of those guys hits like Ben Sheppard did for Indiana and they are able to be a contributor as a 4th guard in 26-27 after getting acclimated this year as a rookie.

keeping the pick might be the most financially sound move we can do right now.

But fwiw, i think spending it on a big man, unless someone hard to pass up is available, might be the most sane move to do.

Expecting a rookie guard to contribute right away for our championship aspirations next year may be too much. At least for a big man, he just have to play defense and rebound. For a guard, he’ll have to adjust to the NBA pace and learn to control the tempo right away.

[RookieStar]

I have this weird feeling we use one of our SRPs in Caleb Love...

[SOUL]

I think they prob go PF/C if they stay because we would use one of Goga/JI/WCJ as trade bait now or this season, and who knows what happens with Moe, and then fill the backup PG role with a cheap vet.

[thelead]

I think they prob go PF/C if they stay because we would use one of Goga/JI/WCJ as trade bait now or this season, and who knows what happens with Moe, and then fill the backup PG role with a cheap vet.

Drafting a center without having a deal done for one of our other current bigs would be such a Weltman move.

[SOUL]

Drafting a center without having a deal done for one of our other current bigs would be such a Weltman move.

To be fair if we stay with our 25 any move can look weird/off. Similarly drafting a guard and then signing a vet guard to a multiple year contract would feel like a guard glut too. We just need a cheap helpful player that can contribute in the near future.

[dsg2021]

Reddit Magic

Saw that. I think there will be some teams that really like him and I don't think late 1st is crazy. Boom or bust potential, but a lot of these bigs in this draft I have as very likely backups, which is still useful at 25, but I think he could be more. Most have a higher floor than him, but if he hits he has some crazy skills. Not sure I would take that chance at 25, but I know of people who have him ranked higher than that.

I was thinking teams do it for the chinese market. I mean HOU boomed with the chinese market because of Yao... think other teams are jusy salivating with that chinese ads

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/hansen-yang-1.html

[basketballRob]

One thing that separates Jase from Cole is his standing reach. Cole reportedly has a 7'11" standing reach, and Jase has an 8'2.5" standing reach. That may allow him to play bigger on defense. Clayton has an 8'1.5" standing reach. Sexton 8'2.5".

I think Jase can even dunk easier than Cole from the videos I saw.

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[Skybox]

Is it really shortsighted to punt the pick into the future (the future part being key) if your guy isn't there and the lower ranked player you draft isn't going to play anyway?

I typically don't value these late 1sts but Clayton and Richardson are two players that do something (very well) that we need today at a position of need.

Just because a guy doesn't play a lot this year doesn't mean he won't be expected to play a lot more in 26-27.

I just think they're gonna need cost controlled players ASAP because the roster is about to get a LOT more expensive when Paolo goes from $15M to $45M.

Like I'm actually thinking more about 26-27 when I'm making my 2025 1st round pick selection.

Let's say they whatever veteran guard they sign - for discussion's sake let's say it's Tyus Jones on a 1 year deal.

Well the odds are extremely high he's only going to be here for that one year and is not going to be brought back in 26-27 (no matter how well he plays) because of the financial reality of the roster moving forward, so I'd rather have his cheap replacement already in house with the 25th pick this year who got his feet wet as a rookie than drafting another rookie in the 20s who may very well not be ready as a rookie to contribute to a team with title aspirations in 26-27.

And maybe it's not Jase or Clayton at all. Maybe they go with a PF or C at 25 which allows them to trade Isaac or Goga and then they turn around and get a Kam Jones or Javon Small at 46 and one of those guys hits like Ben Sheppard did for Indiana and they are able to be a contributor as a 4th guard in 26-27 after getting acclimated this year as a rookie.

keeping the pick might be the most financially sound move we can do right now.

But fwiw, i think spending it on a big man, unless someone hard to pass up is available, might be the most sane move to do.

Expecting a rookie guard to contribute right away for our championship aspirations next year may be too much. At least for a big man, he just have to play defense and rebound. For a guard, he’ll have to adjust to the NBA pace and learn to control the tempo right away.

I agree it sounds easy...why can't Moe do it then? (would solve a LOT of our questions, roster problems.

[fendilim]

Just because a guy doesn't play a lot this year doesn't mean he won't be expected to play a lot more in 26-27.

I just think they're gonna need cost controlled players ASAP because the roster is about to get a LOT more expensive when Paolo goes from $15M to $45M.

Like I'm actually thinking more about 26-27 when I'm making my 2025 1st round pick selection.

Let's say they whatever veteran guard they sign - for discussion's sake let's say it's Tyus Jones on a 1 year deal.

Well the odds are extremely high he's only going to be here for that one year and is not going to be brought back in 26-27 (no matter how well he plays) because of the financial reality of the roster moving forward, so I'd rather have his cheap replacement already in house with the 25th pick this year who got his feet wet as a rookie than drafting another rookie in the 20s who may very well not be ready as a rookie to contribute to a team with title aspirations in 26-27.

And maybe it's not Jase or Clayton at all. Maybe they go with a PF or C at 25 which allows them to trade Isaac or Goga and then they turn around and get a Kam Jones or Javon Small at 46 and one of those guys hits like Ben Sheppard did for Indiana and they are able to be a contributor as a 4th guard in 26-27 after getting acclimated this year as a rookie.

keeping the pick might be the most financially sound move we can do right now.

But fwiw, i think spending it on a big man, unless someone hard to pass up is available, might be the most sane move to do.

Expecting a rookie guard to contribute right away for our championship aspirations next year may be too much. At least for a big man, he just have to play defense and rebound. For a guard, he’ll have to adjust to the NBA pace and learn to control the tempo right away.

I agree it sounds easy...why can't Moe do it then? (would solve a LOT of our questions, roster problems.

you have a point, but it still doesn’t negate the fact that expecting a rookie pg to lead a playoff team is harder. Than a center who just have to defend the rim and rebound.

[fendilim]

Whats the hype on Flemming?

I mean i get he does some things very well, but the guy has no handles, like at all. Hes not doing much in the nba on offense except catch lobs or shooting open threes. Hes basically Jonathan Isaac on offense, which is just not good

If Isaac made 39% of his three pointers, no one would want to get rid of him

i mean he made like 35% in college, which is higher than Fleming did his first 2 years (29% and 32%)

for his college career, fleming made 34.9% on 3.3 attempts
In college, Isaac shot 34.8 on 2.8 attempts

So....

Like i said, he can make the assisted open 3 and catch lobs, dont see anything else he can do on offense thats above average. Cant handle\dribble, not much of a post player...so i stand by my isaac on offense comp

Now, if you tell me hes prime Isaac on defense, which he doesnt have the height but does have the wingspan to be, and we can dump isaac and use that cap space somewhere else, then cool, bring him in....Is that the case? (not being sarcastic, asking if its a possibility)

I dont think Fleming has the same instincts as Isaac. But he has what Isaac doesn’t have, which is health and motor. Fleming is definitely shorter than Isaac, but his standing reach is just half an inch shorter than Isaac’s.

Isaac isn’t lethargic or has bad motor, Fleming just plays with more energy compared to Isaac.

The ultimate goal of drafting Fleming is to eventually replace Isaac. Having someone like Fleming, who can potentially defend sf/pf/C is valuable, imo. Yes, he has bad handles and all, but I don’t think we’re expecting him to come in and dribble the ball. We already have Bane/Paolo/Franz to do that.