2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[KGdaBom]

Heat board is all in on a guard at #20 and WCJ currently leads their draft poll fwiw.

After working out for Miami WCJ cancelled all visits with teams drafting after them. Looks like he got the "promise" from them.

[Neeva]

It will be funny when a team takes him in the teens

[younggunsmn]

Kings want to trade back into the draft for Clayton and own our own 2031 unprotected pick that they got from the Spurs in the Fox trade.
They also own the Hornets 2026 and 2027 2nd rounders.

I would hate trading out of the 1st round, but if TC was going to do it, getting our 2031 pick from the Dillingham trade back plus 1 or 2 of those 2nd rounders would probably be getting good value.

I wouldnt hate it as long as we got someone I really really liked at 31 like Reynaud, Fleming, or Kalkbrenner.

[Nick K]

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.

That's a really good synopsis of those guys. I'd still like to see more of Garza against real competition.

[m2002brian]

:lol: It will be funny when a team takes him in the teens

As he should be.

Shoots as well as Klay (college) and has the wiggle and moves of Murray / Lillard!

If Rob was taken 8th, WCJ is just as worthy of the same pick. Shooting at his level off the dribble as the main focus of opposing defenses, that’s a skill this team desperately needs. To think of of how much Ant will keep the coverage off of him and how well any shoots the 3 (and can get to the rim), put the two together and you have yourself a Steph / Klay lite with much more athleticism.

[KGdaBom]

There's a draft day thread now. Might be good to move the draft conversations there now.

[Nick K]

I think Fleming's shooting skill moves him into a different category though. I don't see it as a Rudy situation on offense.

You may be right. I just don't know what he does when someone runs him off the 3pt line. If its a poor closeout his basic handle might get him past that guy and into the lane but if the low man stops him I'm not sure he can make the right pass to the open teammate.

I'm also dubious of his defence. He's got the tools but his perimetre defence in particular is a bit of a mess from a technique point of view, which gives me Minott vibes. And we've seen what Finch thinks about players like that.

I personally wouldn't be upset if they took him. I could see him as a Chris Boucher type of player, which could be fun, and he definitely fits a more uptempo style the team is looking at. I just can't shake the feeling he's not a Finch guy. I don't think it's a coincidence that guys like Minott and Miller can't get minutes but Clarke and TSJ do (even though their minutes are sporadic at best too).

Have you seen the other prospects outside of the top 7-8 in this draft?
Most of them have more flaws than skills and those that don't are 22-23 years old already.

Fleming can both shoot and finish very well, has decent agility, and GREAT length.
That's enough for me for a 4/5 in the last half of the 1st round.

How is the mental part of the game? Is he dropping from poor interviews/attitude or was it that he couldnt work out because of an injury?

I think his floor is 23 to New Orleans as their GM has Maryland connections.
I'd love to grab him in a trade down to 19,21, or 23.

Please don't draft Sorber and his cement feet.
Get one of the bigs that can shoot a little and have the requisite length (7'+ 9'2 reach or better).

I feel it's probably 50% TC trades out of the first round entirely because of stupid shortsighted salary concerns because paying a crappy veteran 2.2 million versus a draft pick 4 million is just a massive win.

But drafting a crappy player you waste time and minutes developing is worse.

I'd much rather trade down and still get a decent player plus some future 2nd round picks than trade out of the draft entirely for some crappy protected future 1st that isnt even guaranteed to convey.
Remember we got really lucky with this Pistons pick conveying at 17 in the first place.

There are a bunch of 22 and 23 year olds in this draft with a great chance to jump into a rotation right away.
If we play our cards right we are in a great position to grab 2 of them.

Sorber does not have cement feet. Queen has cement feet.

[Nick K]

RealGM wiretap has Hawks going after NAW

Hawks Expected To Be Interested In Acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Jun 25, 2025 2:53 AM

Hawks Expected To Be Interested In Acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker
The Atlanta Hawks are expected to be interested in acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

The Hawks still have a $25 million trade exception from last summer's Dejounte Murray deal.

With the Hawks currently $30 million below the luxury-tax line, the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis on Tuesday does not change their intent to use the trade exception this summer.

It was reported earlier this season that Alexander-Walker could command a salary as high as $20 million per season.

Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds last season.

How does that benefit us? What do we get out of the deal?

[Slim Tubby]

"Members of the Timberwolves front office really liked that Florida team." -Britt Robson

It's happening!!!!

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We probably shouldn't forget about the other Florida guard (at 31)

Watch on YouTube

He's got length and that defensive mentality this team loves!

I was being a tad sarcastic, but even so, there's certainly no need for you to rain on my Walter Clayton Jr Parade.

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[moss_is_1]

RealGM wiretap has Hawks going after NAW

Hawks Expected To Be Interested In Acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Jun 25, 2025 2:53 AM

Hawks Expected To Be Interested In Acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker
The Atlanta Hawks are expected to be interested in acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

The Hawks still have a $25 million trade exception from last summer's Dejounte Murray deal.

With the Hawks currently $30 million below the luxury-tax line, the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis on Tuesday does not change their intent to use the trade exception this summer.

It was reported earlier this season that Alexander-Walker could command a salary as high as $20 million per season.

Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds last season.

How does that benefit us? What do we get out of the deal?

I mean we probably can't bring him back anyway. Helps him go somewhere he wants to. Maybe they give us a 2nd round pick. Similar to the slomo sign and trade to gsw last year.

[Rookie-Mistake]

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.

This was my thoughts about a month ago. It could well be a smoke screen, but a lot of teams have traded out of this draft.

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[KGdaBom]

RealGM wiretap has Hawks going after NAW

Hawks Expected To Be Interested In Acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Jun 25, 2025 2:53 AM

Hawks Expected To Be Interested In Acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker
The Atlanta Hawks are expected to be interested in acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

The Hawks still have a $25 million trade exception from last summer's Dejounte Murray deal.

With the Hawks currently $30 million below the luxury-tax line, the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis on Tuesday does not change their intent to use the trade exception this summer.

It was reported earlier this season that Alexander-Walker could command a salary as high as $20 million per season.

Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds last season.

How does that benefit us? What do we get out of the deal?

I don't know. Just posting the interest.

[Slim Tubby]

It will be funny when a team takes him in the teens

As he should be.

Shoots as well as Klay (college) and has the wiggle and moves of Murray / Lillard!

If Rob was taken 8th, WCJ is just as worthy of the same pick. Shooting at his level off the dribble as the main focus of opposing defenses, that’s a skill this team desperately needs. To think of of how much Ant will keep the coverage off of him and how well any shoots the 3 (and can get to the rim), put the two together and you have yourself a Steph / Klay lite with much more athleticism.

Suddenly a lot of teams are showing tons of love for WCJ and we shouldn't be surprised. I have zero doubt that Clayton Jr ends up being a better player than Dillingham.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[Neeva]

Ya he won’t but he will be a nice bench shooter.

[KGdaBom]

It will be funny when a team takes him in the teens

As he should be.

Shoots as well as Klay (college) and has the wiggle and moves of Murray / Lillard!

If Rob was taken 8th, WCJ is just as worthy of the same pick. Shooting at his level off the dribble as the main focus of opposing defenses, that’s a skill this team desperately needs. To think of of how much Ant will keep the coverage off of him and how well any shoots the 3 (and can get to the rim), put the two together and you have yourself a Steph / Klay lite with much more athleticism.

Suddenly a lot of teams are showing tons of love for WCJ and we shouldn't be surprised. I have zero doubt that Clayton Jr ends up being a better player than Dillingham.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

If we draft WCJ I hope you're right as long as they're both great.

[GopherIt!]

:lol: It will be funny when a team takes him in the teens

As he should be.

Shoots as well as Klay (college) and has the wiggle and moves of Murray / Lillard!

If Rob was taken 8th, WCJ is just as worthy of the same pick. Shooting at his level off the dribble as the main focus of opposing defenses, that’s a skill this team desperately needs. To think of of how much Ant will keep the coverage off of him and how well any shoots the 3 (and can get to the rim), put the two together and you have yourself a Steph / Klay lite with much more athleticism.

WCJ is who I am hoping for at #17. I also like Clifford. Sorber is my runaway first choice for bigs but he will likely be gone before our pick, possibly OKC if they don't trade up for Coward.

[m2002brian]

It will be funny when a team takes him in the teens

As he should be.

Shoots as well as Klay (college) and has the wiggle and moves of Murray / Lillard!

If Rob was taken 8th, WCJ is just as worthy of the same pick. Shooting at his level off the dribble as the main focus of opposing defenses, that’s a skill this team desperately needs. To think of of how much Ant will keep the coverage off of him and how well any shoots the 3 (and can get to the rim), put the two together and you have yourself a Steph / Klay lite with much more athleticism.

Suddenly a lot of teams are showing tons of love for WCJ and we shouldn't be surprised. I have zero doubt that Clayton Jr ends up being a better player than Dillingham.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

And for any worry about taking another pg

A small lineup of Rob, WCJ, Ant, Jaden, Randle would be pretty exciting, although lacking some defense

[LibertyPrime]

RealGM wiretap has Hawks going after NAW

Hawks Expected To Be Interested In Acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Jun 25, 2025 2:53 AM

Hawks Expected To Be Interested In Acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker
The Atlanta Hawks are expected to be interested in acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

The Hawks still have a $25 million trade exception from last summer's Dejounte Murray deal.

With the Hawks currently $30 million below the luxury-tax line, the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis on Tuesday does not change their intent to use the trade exception this summer.

It was reported earlier this season that Alexander-Walker could command a salary as high as $20 million per season.

Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds last season.

How does that benefit us? What do we get out of the deal?

I mean we probably can't bring him back anyway. Helps him go somewhere he wants to. Maybe they give us a 2nd round pick. Similar to the slomo sign and trade to gsw last year.

Yay, Cap Space returns to the team! Think I have his old jersey somewhere.

[Neeva]

Penda definitely looks like a Connelly pick, but so does Beringer. 31 seems too high for Penda though, his shooting looks rough. Beringer is bouncy with crazy length, I hope he drops to 31.

If Connelly drafts Penda at 31

[Klomp]

Penda definitely looks like a Connelly pick, but so does Beringer. 31 seems too high for Penda though, his shooting looks rough. Beringer is bouncy with crazy length, I hope he drops to 31.

If Connelly drafts Penda at 31

Fits the defensive mindset of the team. Would be quite the French theme going on....