2025 NBA Draft Thread 2.0

[VFX]

Oh well. My main complaint is the cost to get a guy that I don't understand. This guy isn't a JI replacement. He is an excellent point of attack defender though

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I’m not a fan of the pick just based on rotation and asset reasons.

He could be a great pick if his shot becomes reliable. If not? Who knows. He’s better on the defensive end and can move the ball I guess.

I’d have to see other roster decisions first to claim it a home run for a second pick.

People are acting way too casual about this pick. It kinda matters considering the rest of the roster and minute distribution. We don’t have a ton of upcoming picks and ways to round out the roster here soon.

I see the appeal. I don’t see the immediate path for minutes unless some roster decisions are made. A defensive first forward wasn’t really on the list of priorities IMO.

[OnlyFranz22]

Some people saying heavier Batum.

Some people are saying?

Don’t worry you will see an “on/off” chart of Batum soon lol

[RookieStar]

Trevor Ariza to me.

Heavier Wes Iwundu

That's goofy man.

2nd rounder
6'7
Long armed
Not-Athletic
Cant shoot
Slow

But Penda supposedly has that dawg in him so who knows

[fendilim]

I doubt we move on from JI this year. We dont even know how Penda will translate. JI is the defensive anchor that made Moe playable.

Imo,drafting Penda allows us to have a wing defender that can defend strong wing players like Jay Dub, Dort, Lebron, Miles Bridges..

In fact drafting him covers all grounds for us imo

Pg/Sg can be defended by Suggs - primary Pg, can switch with Franz defending SG
Sg/sf/pf by Penda primary SF -switchable with Franz at SG defense and Isaac
Sf/pf/C by Isaac -primary at PF - switchable with Franz at SF and WCJ.

To me the easiest move is jett and goga at this point. 5m and 8m for 3rd stringers are too much.

[tooler]

Weltman's non-lotto strategy has always been guys with pedigree or high marks or whatever that fall down the charts for various reasons. He wants to see if there's still some of that lightning in a bottle people saw originally, like Cole before college or Jace before the combine measurements.

Credit to him for doing something in the second round. Whether he's overpaying or not, I like that he seems to have a sense of urgency now at least. Someone lit a fire under him. No more wasted years on evaluations.

[yoyojw17]

Penda is the kind of guy who can have just such a wildly positive impact as a role player.

You need guys - especially on a team that has all-stars - who will play hard as hell, are unselfish and willing passers and are versatile defensively. He's all of those things.

If his three point shot develops into anything average or better, he's a guy who will just be hard to keep off the floor.

And the beauty is, they also have Da Silva who is kind of the invert as a 3/4 type who can shoot, but isn't really a good defender.

This is the one skill that impresses me most. The ball doesn't stick... and he is a quick decision maker on the pass. Put that with a physical and versatile defender.... i can see why teams would be intrigued by him. Lol.... they even said it about him when he was introduced. "the most instinctual off ball defender in this draft".... once again... another "great feel for the game" high IQ player. Sane Draymond?... i'll take it

[tooler]

Imo,drafting Penda allows us to have a wing defender that can defend strong wing players like Jay Dub, Dort, Lebron, Miles Bridges..

That was my thought too in the other thread. Frees up Paolo (let alone TDS) from having to defend those guys if Franz is on the bench or defending a guard. Less energy wasted on defense. Gives a different defensive look if Suggs and Bane are too small.

[VFX]

Some people saying heavier Batum.

Some people are saying?

Just immediate reaction and people that have scouted him…

[RookieStar]

Summer league will be fun.

Get ready your kai sotto jersey

[Howard Mass]

While I disagree on Noah Penda, We should make a welcome thread for him.

They just compared him to Kenrich Williams a 6-6 PF who does nothing well. I’ve never seen a more boring uninspiring pick. Maybe Chuma…They could’ve swung for the fence but NOPE.

I do disagree on the pick but now we have to hope for the best.

We are all still Magic fans and a lot of times I feel I'm right but I've been wrong before.

In the end, The Magic are in Free Agency and then summer league. I'll always be excited about that.

[JF5]

I think people aren't expanding their view of Penda. Its likely he'll be a PF/C if he improves his body. I think if he becomes good enough he might be in consideration to be the starting Center in the future, which could expand that offense even more.

[thelead]

I think people aren't expanding their view of Penda. Its likely he'll be a PF/C if he improves his body. I think if he becomes good enough he might be in consideration to be the starting Center in the future, which could expand that offense even more.

that's one hell of a take

[RookieStar]

While I disagree on Noah Penda, We should make a welcome thread for him.

They just compared him to Kenrich Williams a 6-6 PF who does nothing well. I’ve never seen a more boring uninspiring pick. Maybe Chuma…They could’ve swung for the fence but NOPE.

I do disagree on the pick but now we have to hope for the best.

We are all still Magic fans and a lot of times I feel I'm right but I've been wrong before.

In the end, The Magic are in Free Agency and then summer league. I'll always be excited about that.

Hi fellow Bouknight truther

[RookieStar]

I think people aren't expanding their view of Penda. Its likely he'll be a PF/C if he improves his body. I think if he becomes good enough he might be in consideration to be the starting Center in the future, which could expand that offense even more.

What the.... a C? In this day of behemoth Cs?

[JF5]

I think people aren't expanding their view of Penda. Its likely he'll be a PF/C if he improves his body. I think if he becomes good enough he might be in consideration to be the starting Center in the future, which could expand that offense even more.

What the.... a C? In this day of behemoth Cs?

He's 6'7/6'8 and 250 with a nearly 7 foot wingspan... solid base. It's POSSIBLE. I'm not saying definitive.

Also, how many large/strong big men are in the league currently? Only a handful...

[Knightro]

I think people aren't expanding their view of Penda. Its likely he'll be a PF/C if he improves his body. I think if he becomes good enough he might be in consideration to be the starting Center in the future, which could expand that offense even more.

that's one hell of a take

I think his body could go either direction depending on what the organization envisions for him long-term.

He's already basically 245 at 20 years old. If he continues to get bigger, I could see him settle into more of a Draymond Green kind of role where he plays PF, but then downshifts into a small ball 5.

But if he loses weight, he could go the other way and he's a PF who upshifts to the 3 when the opportunity presents itself.

[SOUL]

I think people aren't expanding their view of Penda. Its likely he'll be a PF/C if he improves his body. I think if he becomes good enough he might be in consideration to be the starting Center in the future, which could expand that offense even more.

that's one hell of a take

Teams play like Dort/Caruso/Hart as center now in spot minutes, Magic fans just have jumbo lineup brain I think haha

[uraverage]

Weltman's non-lotto strategy has always been guys with pedigree or high marks or whatever that fall down the charts for various reasons. He wants to see if there's still some of that lightning in a bottle people saw originally, like Cole before college or Jace before the combine measurements.

Credit to him for doing something in the second round. Whether he's overpaying or not, I like that he seems to have a sense of urgency now at least. Someone lit a fire under him. No more wasted years on evaluations.

Right!!! The organic days are behind us finally.

[Idiosyncratic]

I like Goldin, Sallis, and Kobe Johnson out of possible UDFA's if we are giving any two-ways out.

Fun draft, bring on free agency.

[basketballRob]

I think people aren't expanding their view of Penda. Its likely he'll be a PF/C if he improves his body. I think if he becomes good enough he might be in consideration to be the starting Center in the future, which could expand that offense even more.

What the.... a C? In this day of behemoth Cs?

He's 6'7/6'8 and 250 with a nearly 7 foot wingspan... solid base. It's POSSIBLE. I'm not saying definitive.

Also, how many large/strong big men are in the league currently? Only a handful...

I'm hoping he ends up like Toumani Camara.

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