2025 NBA Draft Thread 2.0

[VFX]

All I ask for tonight is either drafting a player with a real skillset and not just a long athlete...

Or just someone that can balance the roster through other trades of Goga, Isaac, or Carter. The back court is thin and still a concern.

[pepe1991]

I was reading an article talking about players 22 years or older drafted in the top 20 the last 10 years....and it's brutal, best players in the last 10 years are Obi Toppin, Kelly Olynyk, Hield, Cam Johnson,Obi Toppin, Jaime Jaquez, and Zach Edey(stayed because NIL $)....lots of high pick busts...and jeesh i didn't realize how bad Devin Carter was last year, i kind of wanted the Magic to trade up for him.

Walter Clayton and Nique Clifford names out there as potential Magic picks...I don't know could you imagine an average 22 year old NBA starter/rotation playing against 19 year old college kids.

Age has to be part of the equation. So does improvement. There are certainly situations where it takes a year or two for guys to get the opportunity or figure things out, especially with how easy it is to tranfer these days

I'm not sure if that's right. Mccollum and Lillard both played 4 years of college off the top of my head. I guess that was more than 10 years ago.

I don't think many 22-year-olds get drafted in the top 20. The new rules where they get paid in college will change that. The new norm will be drafting older players.

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Nah.

Even when nba could draft highschool players, average age of first round draft picks was 20.
30 years later and average age is still... 20.

There is good reason for that.

Scouting is more advanced than ever, very few freshmen are entering college that are elite, without scouts noticing.

So it's in teams best interst to get that player soon.

There are multiple reasons for it. For start nba can develop player better and faster than college can ever do ( you can pay athletes, they are still not pro players nor league is all that good, options with G league are even worst for young players).
Basically from NBA teams POV, getting young rookie means they won't need to reprogram him for long period of time and younger player has more potential, at least on paper.

Teams still don't want to draft kids ( now they can't ) because teenagers are notorious for acting like brats and things go sideways at rapid rate when you give 18 years old bag of money. ( Darius Miles, JR Smith, Bynum, Andrey Blatche, Monta ... it's clear pattern of immature and problematic behavior with few exceptions ).

It is also in players best interest to get a f*** out ASAP because in nba they can make real money and sooner they start, sooner they will be in position to re-sign and get even bigger money.

Getting payed at college can *maybe* keep potential second round picks in college. But second round picks hardly ever stick around NBA, and they still do disservice to themself long term, because it's still in their best interest to play actual pro sport and if things fail in nba ( probably will) , around a globe teams will be interested in them, if they are any good.

No matter how you cut it, college players are still just that, COLLEGE players. There is no senior- college league. They are still amateurs who get paid. After 4 years your "career" is over.


And why so little seniors are actually good in nba? Because scouts would find them sooner if they are transending talents.
Among all the active nba players, i think only 3 college seniors were actually nba all stars. Draymoond, Jimmy Butler and Dame.

[eyriq]

Final top five after latest mocks

1. Jase Richardson (PG/SG, Michigan State)
Explosive downhill guard with elite efficiency (63% TS, 40% 3PT). Natural Cole replacement who can play on or off the ball. ESPN No. 18 but often mocked at 25.


2. Walter Clayton Jr. (PG, Florida)
Mature shot-maker (39% 3PT on 8.3 attempts) and NCAA MOP. Can run the second unit now and space the floor next to starters.


3. Will Riley (SG/SF, Illinois)
Top-25 talent with size and shooting upside. Smooth stroke, great vision, and fills the “movement shooter” gap behind Franz.


4. Liam McNeeley (Wing, UConn)
High-IQ, low-usage wing. Strong cutter and ball-mover who fits well next to bench creators despite average freshman shooting.


5. Maxime Raynaud (C, Stanford)
Skilled 7-footer with stretch ability (35% from three) and passing feel. Clean depth piece behind WCJ and complements JI at the four.

[Knightro]

No Ceilings latest mock...

#25. ORLANDO MAGIC (via DEN) — Jase Richardson | G | Michigan State
Profile: 6’1”, 178
Year: Freshman (19)
12.1 PTS | 3.3 REB | 1.9 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.3 BLK
49.3 FG% | 41.2 3P% | 83.6 FT%
36 Games | 25.3 MIN

Maxwell: The Magic have been seeking shooting at the point guard spot for ages. Jase Richardson fits that need like a glove. His mistake-free approach, efficiency, and ability to play off other players exceptionally well would enable him to slide into the Magic’s jumbo playmaking core seamlessly.

#46. ORLANDO MAGIC — Kam Jones | G | Marquette
Profile: 6’5”, 200
Year: Senior (23)
19.2 PTS | 4.5 REB | 5.9 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.3 BLK
48.3 FG% | 31.1 3P% | 64.8 FT%
34 Games | 33.8 MIN

#58. ORLANDO MAGIC (via BOS) — Brice Williams | W | Nebraska
Profile: 6’7”, 205
Year: Senior (23)
20.4 PTS | 4.1 REB | 2.9 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.3 BLK
47.2 FG% | 36.9 3P% | 88.8 FT%
34 Games | 34.1 MIN

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-the-last-dance

[Cammo101]

Where we sit, this is going to be hard to screw up. I'd be happy with a rotation center like Reynaud, Wolf, Newell, or Kalkbrenner. I'd also he happy with a depth guard like Richardson, Clayton, Riley, or Traore. Most players in our range can fit nicely as a complimentary piece to the current roster.

[jonbob17]

No Ceilings latest mock...

#25. ORLANDO MAGIC (via DEN) — Jase Richardson | G | Michigan State
Profile: 6’1”, 178
Year: Freshman (19)
12.1 PTS | 3.3 REB | 1.9 AST | 0.8 STL | 0.3 BLK
49.3 FG% | 41.2 3P% | 83.6 FT%
36 Games | 25.3 MIN

Maxwell: The Magic have been seeking shooting at the point guard spot for ages. Jase Richardson fits that need like a glove. His mistake-free approach, efficiency, and ability to play off other players exceptionally well would enable him to slide into the Magic’s jumbo playmaking core seamlessly.

#46. ORLANDO MAGIC — Kam Jones | G | Marquette
Profile: 6’5”, 200
Year: Senior (23)
19.2 PTS | 4.5 REB | 5.9 AST | 1.4 STL | 0.3 BLK
48.3 FG% | 31.1 3P% | 64.8 FT%
34 Games | 33.8 MIN

#58. ORLANDO MAGIC (via BOS) — Brice Williams | W | Nebraska
Profile: 6’7”, 205
Year: Senior (23)
20.4 PTS | 4.1 REB | 2.9 AST | 1.1 STL | 0.3 BLK
47.2 FG% | 36.9 3P% | 88.8 FT%
34 Games | 34.1 MIN

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-the-last-dance

Maxwell: The Magic have been seeking shooting at the point guard spot for ages.

But have they?

[Blue_and_Whte]

It’s my 6 year olds inaugural draft night. So I’m hoping it’s a good one.

[jonbob17]

I was reading an article talking about players 22 years or older drafted in the top 20 the last 10 years....and it's brutal, best players in the last 10 years are Obi Toppin, Kelly Olynyk, Hield, Cam Johnson,Obi Toppin, Jaime Jaquez, and Zach Edey(stayed because NIL $)....lots of high pick busts...and jeesh i didn't realize how bad Devin Carter was last year, i kind of wanted the Magic to trade up for him.

Walter Clayton and Nique Clifford names out there as potential Magic picks...I don't know could you imagine an average 22 year old NBA starter/rotation playing against 19 year old college kids.

Age has to be part of the equation. So does improvement. There are certainly situations where it takes a year or two for guys to get the opportunity or figure things out, especially with how easy it is to tranfer these days

I'm not sure if that's right. Mccollum and Lillard both played 4 years of college off the top of my head. I guess that was more than 10 years ago.

I don't think many 22-year-olds get drafted in the top 20. The new rules where they get paid in college will change that. The new norm will be drafting older players.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Lillard and Mccollum are some pretty good pulls off the top of your head. Yes, both were seniors, yes both were more than 10 years ago, but both were also 21 when drafted. Late birthdays...but your point is taken...

Seems like nowadays if you are going to be drafted in the first round, you do it. Get that guaranteed money. I don't remember how Lillard projected as a pick after his sophomore and junior seasons, but yah he's an amazing example of someone not really recruited turning into an all time great.

I wonder if the NIL will get guys to stay in school longer. Schools have definitely been throwing a lot of $ at centers, who impact the college game way more than the NBA.

[tiderulz]

I was reading an article talking about players 22 years or older drafted in the top 20 the last 10 years....and it's brutal, best players in the last 10 years are Obi Toppin, Kelly Olynyk, Hield, Cam Johnson,Obi Toppin, Jaime Jaquez, and Zach Edey(stayed because NIL $)....lots of high pick busts...and jeesh i didn't realize how bad Devin Carter was last year, i kind of wanted the Magic to trade up for him.

Walter Clayton and Nique Clifford names out there as potential Magic picks...I don't know could you imagine an average 22 year old NBA starter/rotation playing against 19 year old college kids.

Age has to be part of the equation. So does improvement. There are certainly situations where it takes a year or two for guys to get the opportunity or figure things out, especially with how easy it is to tranfer these days

I'm not sure if that's right. Mccollum and Lillard both played 4 years of college off the top of my head. I guess that was more than 10 years ago.

I don't think many 22-year-olds get drafted in the top 20. The new rules where they get paid in college will change that. The new norm will be drafting older players.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Lillard and Mccollum are some pretty good pulls off the top of your head. Yes, both were seniors, yes both were more than 10 years ago, but both were also 21 when drafted. Late birthdays...but your point is taken...

Seems like nowadays if you are going to be drafted in the first round, you do it. Get that guaranteed money. I don't remember how Lillard projected as a pick after his sophomore and junior seasons, but yah he's an amazing example of someone not really recruited turning into an all time great.

I wonder if the NIL will get guys to stay in school longer. Schools have definitely been throwing a lot of $ at centers, who impact the college game way more than the NBA.

i bet it helps those marginal ones stay at least 1 year more. otherwise they would be scrapping for g-league money or going overseas.

[Max Power]

I’m looking forward to tonight. The mock drafts are all over the place. Obviously point guard and center are needs so I expect the Magic to go there. We’ll see because with that bench they need a designated scorer in the worst way. I can see Richardson, Reynaud or Clayton. I’d prefer the two former. I’m not a fan of Clayton’s character. Gonna be a huge night!

[basketballRob]

Weltman is probably relieved they don't need to pick 16th. They've been really bad in that range. 11th Jett, 15th Cole, and 16th Okeke. You need to hit on those.

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[zaymon]

I think i like Saraf for us at 25, hope OKC doesnt take him.
Raynaud or Powell if he is gone.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Weltman is probably relieved they don't need to pick 16th. They've been really bad in that range. 11th Jett, 15th Cole, and 16th Okeke. You need to hit on those.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

which is why we're in the situation we're in with minimal bench depth that's got offensive skills. OKC & Indy hit on these non lotto picks. It's wild to look at OKC's draft's and see how many players they hit on even if they didn't keep them. That scouting department is NASTY.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/draft.html

[Orl_Magic]

All I ask for tonight is either drafting a player with a real skillset and not just a long athlete...

Or just someone that can balance the roster through other trades of Goga, Isaac, or Carter. The back court is thin and still a concern.

Amen! No more non shooters with wingspan that can not create for themselves or others.

[Knightro]

Kevin O'Connor latest mock

25. Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
46. Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
57. Tamar Bates, G, Missouri

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/draft/?view=default&board=0&filter=round%3Aall

[OnlyFranz22]

If the Celtics are listening to offers for White go get him! He’s perfect for this team

[Cammo101]

If the Celtics are listening to offers for White go get him! He’s perfect for this team

100%

[VFX]

Celtics move Brown IMO before White

[DiplomaticMagic]

We got Bane lol, we're not trading for White.

[Knightro]

White is set to make $28, $30 and $32M over the next three years, there’s no scenario financially where he’s a viable trade acquisition unless Suggs is in the deal.

Like I know the Magic could craft together 2-3 contracts (Isaac, Carter, Jett) to match White’s salary for this season, but you can’t have *five* players making over $30M at one time (with two of the five making closer to 45M each) without the kind of luxury tax bill that very few owners would be willing to pay more than one time.