2025 Draft Night Picks Discussion

[WeekapaugGroove]

Maluach IS NOT the best center in this draft. No matter how many times you type it, it won't become a fact. He may become the best in 3-4 years, but right now the odds don't look so great. Not to say it's impossible, just that it's far more likely he becomes a bust than some kind of an anchor for us in years to come. With him, we're left with hope he develops into a solid starting C, and hope is a dangerous thing. We all know that.

He was first C drafted and you'd be hard pressed to find many sites that didn't have him the top ranked C prospect. Shrug

[Qwigglez]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Suns Owe Beal: $110m

Chicago Owes:
Vuc: 21.5 or Zach Collins at 18m
PWill: $18m per year for fours $72m
and
three players as candidates to get the math to work:
Ball - 10m - doubt they trade him
Jevon Carter: 6.8

most likely: Jalen Smith (friend of the family): 18.4 for two seasons

So that would 72 + 21 + 18 = 110m
but the Bulls can buyout Beal

Bulls fan want Mualach but the Suns already talked about him - I doubt he would be traded

I'm honestly not a fan of this. Patrick Williams is a career loser IMO and is doing the bare minimum while on a pretty hefty contract. The Bulls are looking to get out of it, and I think Suns shouldn't be the suckers taking him. He's bulked up to play more PF, but he isn't tall enough IMO. He has majorly regressed since his rookie season. Personally, I think I'd prefer to just keep Beal because in 2026-27 season he'll be expiring and I think would be a good bargaining chip potentially.

[KdoubleDees23]

Maluach IS NOT the best center in this draft. No matter how many times you type it, it won't become a fact. He may become the best in 3-4 years, but right now the odds don't look so great. Not to say it's impossible, just that it's far more likely he becomes a bust than some kind of an anchor for us in years to come. With him, we're left with hope he develops into a solid starting C, and hope is a dangerous thing. We all know that.

So mr GM. Should the suns have passed on Maluach? If so, who would you have grabbed at 10 that would have made you happen.

[KdoubleDees23]

Man would love to get AR15 in here at PG but we have zero assets to acquire him in the next few years since it looks like he won’t be staying with the lakers.

Austin Reaves isn't going to be good if he leaves the lakers.

[KdoubleDees23]

Gambo:

Suns have picks #52 and #59 in the second-round today. Would not be surprised if they attempt to move up using those picks and possibly a future second to target a player they like and feel could be a rotation piece for them.

Fleming. Make the move and call it a day.

[BobbieL]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Suns Owe Beal: $110m

Chicago Owes:
Vuc: 21.5 or Zach Collins at 18m
PWill: $18m per year for fours $72m
and
three players as candidates to get the math to work:
Ball - 10m - doubt they trade him
Jevon Carter: 6.8

most likely: Jalen Smith (friend of the family): 18.4 for two seasons

So that would 72 + 21 + 18 = 110m
but the Bulls can buyout Beal

Bulls fan want Mualach but the Suns already talked about him - I doubt he would be traded

I'm honestly not a fan of this. Patrick Williams is a career loser IMO and is doing the bare minimum while on a pretty hefty contract. The Bulls are looking to get out of it, and I think Suns shouldn't be the suckers taking him. He's bulked up to play more PF, but he isn't tall enough IMO. He has majorly regressed since his rookie season. Personally, I think I'd prefer to just keep Beal because in 2026-27 season he'll be expiring and I think would be a good bargaining chip potentially.

If the Suns have only two options with Beal: me -- its either the above with a couple second round picks or stretching Beal - I probably take the above as PWill counts the same as stretching him and there is a chance you get some value as you are not getting any value from 19m of dead cap space

But I like you, think if they can figure out how to hang onto Beal - that huge expiring is nice. Granted, Vucevic would be expiring this year and Carter or Ball is this year or Smith is next year. Would Vucevic have any value around the league to make that better

Granted, they have a lot of cap work to get these deals done as Week mentions, can't even do the Durant deal yet

[dremill24]

We got the best, youngest Center in the draft. He will get minutes.

I mean bigger picture with respect to apron levels and the cap. If you are trading Allen today or next week, will he get even less as teams know they are over a barrel with respect to the apron levels and what not.

I mean, if they just didn't bring back Micic, richards and Martin, that is $21m of cap savings towards apron levels.

Yeah how they manage getting under the 2nd apron and balance the roster will determine my ultimate view of the Williams trade. Because as you mentioned it does make it slightly harder to shed the nessesary salary plus they have limited assets already to fill out the roster. 29 could have helped with that but realistically Williams was probably the best pure talent they could have landed using that pick.


Should be noted getting under the second apron isn't just some goal to reduce spending. They literally can't finalze the KD until they get below that level.

Who told you that?

[KdoubleDees23]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Suns Owe Beal: $110m

Chicago Owes:
Vuc: 21.5 or Zach Collins at 18m
PWill: $18m per year for fours $72m
and
three players as candidates to get the math to work:
Ball - 10m - doubt they trade him
Jevon Carter: 6.8

most likely: Jalen Smith (friend of the family): 18.4 for two seasons

So that would 72 + 21 + 18 = 110m
but the Bulls can buyout Beal

Bulls fan want Mualach but the Suns already talked about him - I doubt he would be traded

I'm honestly not a fan of this. Patrick Williams is a career loser IMO and is doing the bare minimum while on a pretty hefty contract. The Bulls are looking to get out of it, and I think Suns shouldn't be the suckers taking him. He's bulked up to play more PF, but he isn't tall enough IMO. He has majorly regressed since his rookie season. Personally, I think I'd prefer to just keep Beal because in 2026-27 season he'll be expiring and I think would be a good bargaining chip potentially.

If the Suns have only two options with Beal: me -- its either the above with a couple second round picks or stretching Beal - I probably take the above as PWill counts the same as stretching him and there is a chance you get some value as you are not getting any value from 19m of dead cap space

But I like you, think if they can figure out how to hang onto Beal - that huge expiring is nice. Granted, Vucevic would be expiring this year and Carter or Ball is this year or Smith is next year. Would Vucevic have any value around the league to make that better

Granted, they have a lot of cap work to get these deals done as Week mentions, can't even do the Durant deal yet

We don’t want vucevic now. I’ll take PatWill and Lonzo and find another team to dump vucevic

[Qwigglez]

If the Suns have only two options with Beal: me -- its either the above with a couple second round picks or stretching Beal - I probably take the above as PWill counts the same as stretching him and there is a chance you get some value as you are not getting any value from 19m of dead cap space

But I like you, think if they can figure out how to hang onto Beal - that huge expiring is nice. Granted, Vucevic would be expiring this year and Carter or Ball is this year or Smith is next year. Would Vucevic have any value around the league to make that better

Granted, they have a lot of cap work to get these deals done as Week mentions, can't even do the Durant deal yet

It could be a situation where Patrick Williams just needs a change of scenery though I think I'm just being optimistic. I just don't want another negative culture type of player in the locker room.

This three team would be something I could get behind...

Suns -
Patrick Williams
Lonzo Ball
Rui Hachimura

Lakers -
Nikola Vucevic

Bulls -
Bradley Beal

I think Rui could be a quality PF starter. Lakers traded for Dorian Finney-Smith who could start at PF for them. Not sure they want to be the oldest team in the league though.

*I do think the Lakers will try to grab Nic Claxton if I had to take a guess.

[TeamTragic]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Suns Owe Beal: $110m

Chicago Owes:
Vuc: 21.5 or Zach Collins at 18m
PWill: $18m per year for fours $72m
and
three players as candidates to get the math to work:
Ball - 10m - doubt they trade him
Jevon Carter: 6.8

most likely: Jalen Smith (friend of the family): 18.4 for two seasons

So that would 72 + 21 + 18 = 110m
but the Bulls can buyout Beal

Bulls fan want Mualach but the Suns already talked about him - I doubt he would be traded

I'm honestly not a fan of this. Patrick Williams is a career loser IMO and is doing the bare minimum while on a pretty hefty contract. The Bulls are looking to get out of it, and I think Suns shouldn't be the suckers taking him. He's bulked up to play more PF, but he isn't tall enough IMO. He has majorly regressed since his rookie season. Personally, I think I'd prefer to just keep Beal because in 2026-27 season he'll be expiring and I think would be a good bargaining chip potentially.

As opposed to Bradley Beal who is a career loser?

Get your facts straight before you complain.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I mean bigger picture with respect to apron levels and the cap. If you are trading Allen today or next week, will he get even less as teams know they are over a barrel with respect to the apron levels and what not.

I mean, if they just didn't bring back Micic, richards and Martin, that is $21m of cap savings towards apron levels.

Yeah how they manage getting under the 2nd apron and balance the roster will determine my ultimate view of the Williams trade. Because as you mentioned it does make it slightly harder to shed the nessesary salary plus they have limited assets already to fill out the roster. 29 could have helped with that but realistically Williams was probably the best pure talent they could have landed using that pick.


Should be noted getting under the second apron isn't just some goal to reduce spending. They literally can't finalze the KD until they get below that level.

Who told you that?

The CBA

[dremill24]

Yeah how they manage getting under the 2nd apron and balance the roster will determine my ultimate view of the Williams trade. Because as you mentioned it does make it slightly harder to shed the nessesary salary plus they have limited assets already to fill out the roster. 29 could have helped with that but realistically Williams was probably the best pure talent they could have landed using that pick.


Should be noted getting under the second apron isn't just some goal to reduce spending. They literally can't finalze the KD until they get below that level.

Who told you that?

The CBA

I'd check it again. The reason the deal has to wait until the new league year is because Jalen Green's salary number isn't high enough for it to work out for Houston until then.

[Qwigglez]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Suns Owe Beal: $110m

Chicago Owes:
Vuc: 21.5 or Zach Collins at 18m
PWill: $18m per year for fours $72m
and
three players as candidates to get the math to work:
Ball - 10m - doubt they trade him
Jevon Carter: 6.8

most likely: Jalen Smith (friend of the family): 18.4 for two seasons

So that would 72 + 21 + 18 = 110m
but the Bulls can buyout Beal

Bulls fan want Mualach but the Suns already talked about him - I doubt he would be traded

I'm honestly not a fan of this. Patrick Williams is a career loser IMO and is doing the bare minimum while on a pretty hefty contract. The Bulls are looking to get out of it, and I think Suns shouldn't be the suckers taking him. He's bulked up to play more PF, but he isn't tall enough IMO. He has majorly regressed since his rookie season. Personally, I think I'd prefer to just keep Beal because in 2026-27 season he'll be expiring and I think would be a good bargaining chip potentially.

As opposed to Bradley Beal who is a career loser?

Get your facts straight before you complain.

I didn't say anything about Beal not being a career loser. His career accolades are far better than Patrick Williams though. I just don't want Patrick Williams until the 2028-29 season. A young player that hasn't proven anything in his 5-year NBA career. I got to hand it to his agent for getting him such a lucrative contract.

[Qwigglez]

Who told you that?

The CBA

I'd check it again. The reason the deal has to wait until the new league year is because Jalen Green's salary number isn't high enough for it to work out for Houston until then.

Yeah, I just thought we had to wait for the 2025-26 season to officially start (like July 1st or something). And then Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant salary wise is almost equal, except those two get paid $300k less than KD.

[Puff]

I think we are going to be forced to buy out Beal within the next week. If you guys are right and we cannot complete the KD trade if we are above the 2nd apron.

This 2nd apron stuff really causes a lot of issues. I may not end up pretty but whatever it takes we have to get there.

What would happen to the 10th pick we just made if we don't get there?

Can we waive and stretch Bradly Beal or not? I have heard we can and that we can't. Who is right?

[Djedefre]

Maluach IS NOT the best center in this draft. No matter how many times you type it, it won't become a fact. He may become the best in 3-4 years, but right now the odds don't look so great. Not to say it's impossible, just that it's far more likely he becomes a bust than some kind of an anchor for us in years to come. With him, we're left with hope he develops into a solid starting C, and hope is a dangerous thing. We all know that.

So mr GM. Should the suns have passed on Maluach? If so, who would you have grabbed at 10 that would have made you happen.

I'd trade down, pick up an asset and avoid the pressure od taking someone just because the media and 'pundits' expect it. Or, in this particular case, if we were so desperate for filling the center spot, i'd just make the #29 and select Maxime or Ryan and use the #10 as a trade chip to improve and balance out the roster.

[KdoubleDees23]

If the Suns have only two options with Beal: me -- its either the above with a couple second round picks or stretching Beal - I probably take the above as PWill counts the same as stretching him and there is a chance you get some value as you are not getting any value from 19m of dead cap space

But I like you, think if they can figure out how to hang onto Beal - that huge expiring is nice. Granted, Vucevic would be expiring this year and Carter or Ball is this year or Smith is next year. Would Vucevic have any value around the league to make that better

Granted, they have a lot of cap work to get these deals done as Week mentions, can't even do the Durant deal yet

It could be a situation where Patrick Williams just needs a change of scenery though I think I'm just being optimistic. I just don't want another negative culture type of player in the locker room.

This three team would be something I could get behind...

Suns -
Patrick Williams
Lonzo Ball
Rui Hachimura

Lakers -
Nikola Vucevic

Bulls -
Bradley Beal

I think Rui could be a quality PF starter. Lakers traded for Dorian Finney-Smith who could start at PF for them. Not sure they want to be the oldest team in the league though.

*I do think the Lakers will try to grab Nic Claxton if I had to take a guess.

TBH - Qwigglez this is legit. I would love this for Beal

Ball / Green - Gillespie
Green / Booker - Allen
Booker / Brooks - Dunn
Rui / Williams - Dunn, Oneale, Oso
Williams - Richards / Maluach, Oso

that is a young gritty team, with 100 different lineups we could set.

[KdoubleDees23]

Maluach IS NOT the best center in this draft. No matter how many times you type it, it won't become a fact. He may become the best in 3-4 years, but right now the odds don't look so great. Not to say it's impossible, just that it's far more likely he becomes a bust than some kind of an anchor for us in years to come. With him, we're left with hope he develops into a solid starting C, and hope is a dangerous thing. We all know that.

So mr GM. Should the suns have passed on Maluach? If so, who would you have grabbed at 10 that would have made you happen.

I'd trade down, pick up an asset and avoid the pressure od taking someone just because the media and 'pundits' expect it. Or, in this particular case, if we were so desperate for filling the center spot, i'd just make the #29 and select Maxime or Ryan and use the #10 as a trade chip to improve and balance out the roster.

We needed a Center, and I think Maluach is going to be great. Maxime / Ryan went 2nd round for a reason.

[TeamTragic]

Maluach IS NOT the best center in this draft. No matter how many times you type it, it won't become a fact. He may become the best in 3-4 years, but right now the odds don't look so great. Not to say it's impossible, just that it's far more likely he becomes a bust than some kind of an anchor for us in years to come. With him, we're left with hope he develops into a solid starting C, and hope is a dangerous thing. We all know that.

So mr GM. Should the suns have passed on Maluach? If so, who would you have grabbed at 10 that would have made you happen.

I'd trade down, pick up an asset and avoid the pressure od taking someone just because the media and 'pundits' expect it. Or, in this particular case, if we were so desperate for filling the center spot, i'd just make the #29 and select Maxime or Ryan and use the #10 as a trade chip to improve and balance out the roster.

Why would we trade down if the player we want dropped outside the top 5 and was available at #10?

You are not making any sense and it appears you just want to complain.

[KdoubleDees23]

So mr GM. Should the suns have passed on Maluach? If so, who would you have grabbed at 10 that would have made you happen.

I'd trade down, pick up an asset and avoid the pressure od taking someone just because the media and 'pundits' expect it. Or, in this particular case, if we were so desperate for filling the center spot, i'd just make the #29 and select Maxime or Ryan and use the #10 as a trade chip to improve and balance out the roster.

Why would we trade down if the player we want dropped outside the top 5 and was available at #10?

You are not making any sense and it appears you just want to complain.

Don't mind him, hes hating to hate. Every other analyst and draft grading gave us an A for fit, and hyped the pick up. Kid wont have pressure, and can still get minutes and now our front court is stronger than last year.