2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[KGdaBom]

4. Sorber - Foot injuries for big guys always concern me.

It sounds like it was for a really bad case of turf toe. If that's the case, I'm much less worries than if it was the dreaded "mid-foot" injury that has derailed so many bigs.

Turf toe is nasty, but I presume one can fully recover from that more than some other things. What's the one with the tendon that gets stretched and sometimes snaps?
I just remembered. Plantar Fasciatis.

[moss_is_1]

Givony saying we're signaling we're open to trading the pick for future assets, depending who's available.

Makes sense if Sorber and all those guys are already gone. Get a future 1st, maybe another 2nd this season, since we likely won't have much PT for any of these guys as it is.

By moving our first this year for a future first, also gives us a few million more under the second apron to try and sign some/all of NAW, Randle, Naz.

Also if we trade for a 2027 1st, believe it opens flexibility for us to use 2026 and 2028 1sts in trade.

[KGdaBom]

ESPN has us taking Sorber

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit)
Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Freshman | TS%: 58.7

Height without shoes: 6-9¼ | Weight: 262
Standing reach: 9-1 | Wingspan: 7-6

The Timberwolves are signaling their openness to trading this pick for future assets, depending on who is available here at No. 17.

Sorber has also risen during the predraft process, despite being sidelined since February because of a toe injury that necessitated season-ending surgery, which means he will miss summer league. NBA teams are eager to acquire centers such as Sorber, who can provide physicality and rim protection with his robust frame and wingspan. The Suns, Bulls, Hawks, Spurs, Thunder, Timberwolves and Nets all appear interested in adding girth to their frontcourts.

The Timberwolves face uncertainty in the frontcourt this offseason, as Julius Randle and Naz Reid, who averaged a combined 60 minutes per game, possess player options in their contracts, giving them the opportunity to explore free agency this summer.

Sorber's length, feel for the game and developing skill set provide him with a chance to become a contributor in the coming years, even though it might take him some time to reach that point. -- Givony

[KGdaBom]

Do we pick tonight? I heard something that sounded like it was just lottery tonight, but I'm guessing that's not right. Reports coming that Wolves are likely to trade away the pick/s.

[Klomp]

My semi-realistic “My Guys” for the Timberwolves in the first round on Wednesday night:

-Thomas Sorber
-Cedric Coward
-Nique Clifford
-Egor Demin
-Danny Wolf
-Rasheer Fleming

[KGdaBom]

Tankathon update. We're taking Sorber now IF IF IF we don't trade the pick away.

[BlacJacMac]

Do we pick tonight? I heard something that sounded like it was just lottery tonight, but I'm guessing that's not right.

The 1st round is tonight.

Reports coming that Wolves are likely to trade away the pick/s.

"Likely" is your word.

The report is literally in the post before yours:

The Timberwolves are signaling their openness to trading this pick for future assets, depending on who is available here at No. 17.

[KGdaBom]

Do we pick tonight? I heard something that sounded like it was just lottery tonight, but I'm guessing that's not right.

The 1st round is tonight.

Reports coming that Wolves are likely to trade away the pick/s.

"Likely" is your word.

The report is literally in the post before yours:

The Timberwolves are signaling their openness to trading this pick for future assets, depending on who is available here at No. 17.

Yeah openness less definitive than likely. I'm getting a 50/50 vibe on us trading out.

[wolves_89]

On draft afternoon, my preferences for each pick are in order (guys who have a real chance of being available):

At #17
Sorber
Coward
Clifford
Newell
Demin

At #31
Kalkbrenner
Raynaud
Saraf
Penda
Powell

[moss_is_1]

A lot of variables for me to say who I'd want to draft. I have about 5 guys for each pick I'd like a lot, and can see being contributors.

I'm leaning towards the younger guys who might not play right away with our roster but will be ready in a year or 2 when we need them. High IQ, ball handling, size.

17 - Sorber, Denim, Traore, Beringer
31 - Wcj(maybe he slips), Wolf(falls), Kalkbrenner, Thiero, Drake Powell, Hansen Yang, Saraf

There's some guys i really like but I think 17 might be a little high to grab. Fleming, Wcj, Jase, even Traore or Beringer

Really interested in Thiero at 31 as a big, bulky, high energy athlete defender. We need a wing with size that can defend the stronger types. I've seen people say reminds them of OG, I see some Gerald Wallace in there too. Draws a ton of fouls, needs to shoot better.

[Devilzsidewalk]

4. Sorber - Foot injuries for big guys always concern me.

It sounds like it was for a really bad case of turf toe. If that's the case, I'm much less worries than if it was the dreaded "mid-foot" injury that has derailed so many bigs.

Turf toe is nasty, but I presume one can fully recover from that more than some other things. What's the one with the tendon that gets stretched and sometimes snaps?
I just remembered. Plantar Fasciatis.

If we bring back both Randle and Naz, then he's basically on a redshirt year anyways, so we could afford to give him plenty of time to get well. Probably be in a similar position as TJ where even though we like him, we struggle to find consistent minutes.

[Klomp]

Watching a No Ceilings live stream right now.

"I've heard 11 names (as possibilities) between 9 and 14"

[Slim Tubby]

All of this player discussion around who is the best choice only to see us trade it away (if rumors are true).

It makes some sense if there's nobody we like at 17 but it will also be disappointing unless it's used to acquire another established player.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[Devilzsidewalk]

Do people think Garza and Minott will be back and how do you rate their value compared to pick 31? I'm trying to work out the likelihood of them trading one of the picks and not wanting to bring in 2 rookies.

I think Garza is about maxed out with his age and hasn't shown enough shooting consistency to lock down a spot, but Minott has shown some signs at times, and still only 22. He's been with the team 3 seasons now, so he probably has a decent grasp of what we're trying to do system-wise. And he was the first of the young guys to get the coaching staff's attention, so he must be practicing hard and showing out.

[Klomp]

Do people think Garza and Minott will be back and how do you rate their value compared to pick 31? I'm trying to work out the likelihood of them trading one of the picks and not wanting to bring in 2 rookies.

I think Garza is about maxed out with his age and hasn't shown enough shooting consistency to lock down a spot, but Minott has shown some signs at times, and still only 22. He's been with the team 3 seasons now, so he probably has a decent grasp of what we're trying to do system-wise. And he was the first of the young guys to get the coaching staff's attention, so he must be practicing hard and showing out.

Garza, Minott and Miller are essentially making minimum contracts (I think Minott is actually BELOW the minimum), so I think they would have to be really out on them to let them go.

[BlacJacMac]

Do people think Garza and Minott will be back and how do you rate their value compared to pick 31? I'm trying to work out the likelihood of them trading one of the picks and not wanting to bring in 2 rookies.

I think Garza is about maxed out with his age and hasn't shown enough shooting consistency to lock down a spot, but Minott has shown some signs at times, and still only 22. He's been with the team 3 seasons now, so he probably has a decent grasp of what we're trying to do system-wise. And he was the first of the young guys to get the coaching staff's attention, so he must be practicing hard and showing out.

Both have significantly less value than Pick 31.

Garza has no real value. Nice kid, but he's an end of bench player, making the minimum and doesn't complain about not playing. If we let him go, I'm not sure he makes anyone else's 15.

Minott just doesn't seem to get it. He has talent and he can make the occasional splashy play, but he struggles with the routine basics. He had a few chances last year and he pretty much blew them all. I also don't think he endeared himself to the coaching staff when he tweeted from the bench during a game.

[Klomp]

Rasheer Fleming falling. Got dinged up during the process, couldn't work out. Sounds like he could be there at 31.

[wolves_89]

Do people think Garza and Minott will be back and how do you rate their value compared to pick 31? I'm trying to work out the likelihood of them trading one of the picks and not wanting to bring in 2 rookies.

I think Garza is about maxed out with his age and hasn't shown enough shooting consistency to lock down a spot, but Minott has shown some signs at times, and still only 22. He's been with the team 3 seasons now, so he probably has a decent grasp of what we're trying to do system-wise. And he was the first of the young guys to get the coaching staff's attention, so he must be practicing hard and showing out.

My guess is Garza will be gone, especially if we draft a center. I would bet on Minott being brought back since he is still young, has upside, and is paid slightly below a veteran minimum contract.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Rasheer Fleming falling. Got dinged up during the process, couldn't work out. Sounds like he could be there at 31.

I better go check out youtube. I'll be back as an expert in about 3 minutes

ok finished. Yeah he looks incredible. 7'5" wingspan for a 6'9" guy is absolutely insane. Cant dribble, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. If Vando can stick, then a longer Vando + better 3 point shooting should have a spot, yea?

It looked like he had pretty good strength at holding his ground too, so he could probably guard some fives too.

[shangrila]

Rasheer Fleming falling. Got dinged up during the process, couldn't work out. Sounds like he could be there at 31.

I better go check out youtube. I'll be back as an expert in about 3 minutes

ok finished. Yeah he looks incredible. 7'5" wingspan for a 6'9" guy is absolutely insane. Cant dribble, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. If Vando can stick, then a longer Vando + better 3 point shooting should have a spot, yea?

It looked like he had pretty good strength at holding his ground too, so he could probably guard some fives too.

I think it is, at least for this team/coaching staff. I don't think they value unskilled bigs, with the exception of Rudy because of his defensive prowess.