NBA Draft Thread 2025

[Chuck Everett]

Considering what the Suns ended the season with, basically flipping a disgruntled KD into Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, trading nothing for Mark Williams (if he sucks or is injured, he expires), then finally getting Fleming and drafting a sharpshooting wing like Koby Brea, I'd say they deserve an A for this past week. They can probably move Grayson Allen and fill other holes as well.

Ishbia's revenge on the basketball world?

[baldur]

Considering what the Suns ended the season with, basically flipping a disgruntled KD into Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, trading nothing for Mark Williams (if he sucks or is injured, he expires), then finally getting Fleming and drafting a sharpshooting wing like Koby Brea, I'd say they deserve an A for this past week. They can probably move Grayson Allen and fill other holes as well.

Ishbia's revenge on the basketball world?

Play in team still, though.

[Chuck Everett]

Considering what the Suns ended the season with, basically flipping a disgruntled KD into Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, trading nothing for Mark Williams (if he sucks or is injured, he expires), then finally getting Fleming and drafting a sharpshooting wing like Koby Brea, I'd say they deserve an A for this past week. They can probably move Grayson Allen and fill other holes as well.

Ishbia's revenge on the basketball world?

Play in team still, though.

I totally agree. But last year they finished tied for 11th with Portland. If they finish the regular season in the play-in, even though the Beal situation remains untenable, I'd say that is a marked improvement.

[FarBeyondDriven]

as a reminder, many of the kids that went undrafted were likely approached with offers to get drafted in the second round on two-way contracts and refused because they'd rather go undrafted and be able to choose their destination and increase their chances of sticking with a team after a strong SL and camp. So going undrafted does not necessarily mean teams didn't want them or they somehow failed.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Considering what the Suns ended the season with, basically flipping a disgruntled KD into Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, trading nothing for Mark Williams (if he sucks or is injured, he expires), then finally getting Fleming and drafting a sharpshooting wing like Koby Brea, I'd say they deserve an A for this past week. They can probably move Grayson Allen and fill other holes as well.

Ishbia's revenge on the basketball world?

it's starting to feel like he actually was hands-off before and now that he's hands-on they're doing well. Our fanbase loves to undeservedly blame Vivek as well which is laughable. As if these guys are pouring over scouting reports, banging the table for certain draft picks and calling other G.M.s asking around about trades. Sometimes teams simply hire buffoons like Monte McNair or Joe Dumars and they're really bad at their jobs.

[OxAndFox]

Considering what the Suns ended the season with, basically flipping a disgruntled KD into Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, trading nothing for Mark Williams (if he sucks or is injured, he expires), then finally getting Fleming and drafting a sharpshooting wing like Koby Brea, I'd say they deserve an A for this past week. They can probably move Grayson Allen and fill other holes as well.

Ishbia's revenge on the basketball world?

Play in team still, though.

I'm skeptical they will make the play in.
I wouldn't expect anyone that finished RS 1-6 to slide that much, if at all.
Golden State will improve with chemistry of being together.
Memphis was right there and should have been in the top 6 and I would expect them to not drop any at all, especially with Wells back.
San Antonio is a better team. Sacramento will drop out of the play in and I expect them to be somewhere near the bottom of the conference with only Utah below them. Dallas will be at least back to the play in despite KI injury.
Portland has a chance to progress past the Suns IMO. They improved as the season went on and have a good mix of youth and experience.

All of this is dependant on health of course for any of them, but I'm guessing Phoenix is right in the battle with Spurs, Portland and if everything goes right for the Pelicans, them too for that final PI spot. Still a long way to go of course and trades coming up can change everything.

[OxAndFox]

Considering what the Suns ended the season with, basically flipping a disgruntled KD into Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, trading nothing for Mark Williams (if he sucks or is injured, he expires), then finally getting Fleming and drafting a sharpshooting wing like Koby Brea, I'd say they deserve an A for this past week. They can probably move Grayson Allen and fill other holes as well.

Ishbia's revenge on the basketball world?

it's starting to feel like he actually was hands-off before and now that he's hands-on they're doing well. Our fanbase loves to undeservedly blame Vivek as well which is laughable. As if these guys are pouring over scouting reports, banging the table for certain draft picks and calling other G.M.s asking around about trades. Sometimes teams simply hire buffoons like Monte McNair or Joe Dumars and they're really bad at their jobs.

Yeah. It's not like there's video evidence of Vivek doing....oh wait.

[scrabbarista]

Bro.

I just watched the Yang Hansen highlights, and there's zero question why someone would take him that high.

I apologize, Hansen. I was not familiar with your game.

He's not the Chinese Jokic, but could he have a Marc Gasol ceiling?

Is that crazy?

I'm excited to get an NBA-look at Yang soon to start answering that question.

[ArksNetsSince99]

Bro.

I just watched the Yang Hansen highlights, and there's zero question why someone would take him that high.

I apologize, Hansen. I was not familiar with your game.

He's not the Chinese Jokic, but could he have a Marc Gasol ceiling?

Is that crazy?

I'm excited to get an NBA-look at Yang soon to start answering that question.

Jokic is only one -Serbian Jokic

Only other is on the Nets -Israeli Jokic

[UcanUwill]

Basically the NBA has become USA, Canada, France, Australia and Eastern Europe (Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania).

I am glad we have real Chinese guy in the NBA again, been a while. I still cant figure out why Yi busted, he looked so great in all of the FIBA tournaments.

[STAT_88]

Considering what the Suns ended the season with, basically flipping a disgruntled KD into Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, trading nothing for Mark Williams (if he sucks or is injured, he expires), then finally getting Fleming and drafting a sharpshooting wing like Koby Brea, I'd say they deserve an A for this past week. They can probably move Grayson Allen and fill other holes as well.

Ishbia's revenge on the basketball world?

it's starting to feel like he actually was hands-off before and now that he's hands-on they're doing well. Our fanbase loves to undeservedly blame Vivek as well which is laughable. As if these guys are pouring over scouting reports, banging the table for certain draft picks and calling other G.M.s asking around about trades. Sometimes teams simply hire buffoons like Monte McNair or Joe Dumars and they're really bad at their jobs.

Yeah. It's not like there's video evidence of Vivek doing....oh wait.

STAUSKAS

Stauskas

Stauskas…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ArksNetsSince99]

Basically the NBA has become USA, Canada, France, Australia and Eastern Europe (Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania).

I am glad we have real Chinese guy in the NBA again, been a while. I still cant figure out why Yi busted, he looked so great in all of the FIBA tournaments.

I doubt last name Hansen is Chinese

Now Yao Ming was real name

[UcanUwill]

Basically the NBA has become USA, Canada, France, Australia and Eastern Europe (Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania).

I am glad we have real Chinese guy in the NBA again, been a while. I still cant figure out why Yi busted, he looked so great in all of the FIBA tournaments.

I doubt last name Hansen is Chinese

Now Yao Ming was real name

We had input from Chinese guy yesterday, apparently Han-sen is a Chinese name.

[UcanUwill]

it's starting to feel like he actually was hands-off before and now that he's hands-on they're doing well. Our fanbase loves to undeservedly blame Vivek as well which is laughable. As if these guys are pouring over scouting reports, banging the table for certain draft picks and calling other G.M.s asking around about trades. Sometimes teams simply hire buffoons like Monte McNair or Joe Dumars and they're really bad at their jobs.

Yeah. It's not like there's video evidence of Vivek doing....oh wait.

STAUSKAS

Stauskas

Stauskas…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some Lithuanians here try to scoop national pride from any heritage guy, but no one has ever tried to claim Stauskas lol, poor guy, he never really looked like NBA player IMO, Vivek is just a guy who only knows shooting ability and thought hitting jumpers in open gym is impressive. Youtube had video of Rodrigue Beaubois hitting 135 corner 3s in a row, lots of these pro players can do that.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Draft Grades

PBB=Personal Big Board

I put a lot of time and effort throughout the year into this hobby. Just like to put my thoughts out there for posterity's sake. Not to be taken seriously by casuals but if you are blinded by my evaluation skills and work in an NBA front office DM me lol!

1. Mavs - Flagg (PBB #1) Grade = A
superstar talent. No brainer #1 pick

2. Spurs - Harper (PBB #3) Grade = B
overrated but still very talented. Poor fit with current roster construction

3. Sixers - Edgecomb (PBB #5) Grade = A
sudden athlete that should slide perfectly in between Maxey/McCain and PG13

4. Hornets - Knueppel (PBB #18) Grade = D
role player/glue guy that can shoot lights out but defense will keep him off the floor and limit impact. Taken WAY too early

5. Jazz - Bailey (PBB #6) Grade = A
he's a dawg not afraid of the moment which the Jazz need. Bit of a knucklehead. Boom/bust

6. Wizards - Johnson (PBB #8) Grade = A
lacking a go to scorer he is the answer and won't steal minutes from other young players

7. Pelicans - Fears (PBB #11) Grade = B
boob/bust but fills a pressing need

8. Nets - Demin (PBB #13) Grade = C
boom/bust. Needs the ball in his hand which makes later selection questionable

9. Raptors - Murray-Boyles (PBB #12) Grade = A
great fit with current roster and should provide the much needed culture shock they need

10. Suns - Maluach (PBB #2) Grade = A
fills a major need and has immense upside. Top 5 center eventually?

11. Grizzlies - Coward (PBB #7) Grade = A
replacing Bane with a younger, cheaper approximation on offense but with better defense

12. Bulls - Essengue (PBB #15) Grade = B
I'm sure they hoping he becomes who they thought they were getting with Patrick Williams

13. Pelicans - Queen (PBB #16) Grade = D
massive overpay (unprotected 1st in a loaded 2026 draft) but will provide needed playmaking

14. Spurs - Bryant (PBB #31) Grade = D
massive reach on theoretical 3 and D that likely plays little barring a trade

15. Thunder - Sorber (PBB #20) Grade = B
Rich get richer but he's a bit of a tweener though fills a long-term need

16. Trailblazers - Yang (PBB #14) Grade = C
love the talent hate the fit given the Blazers literally drafted Clingan last draft.

17. Timberwolves - Beringer (PBB #29) Grade = D
major reach for a very raw center likely not able to contribute for 2-3 years

18. Jazz - Clayton Jr. (PBB #30) Grade = D
major reach for a position the Jazz already have a handful of players at. Ainge can't draft outside of the top of drafts

19. Nets - Traore (PBB #4) Grade = A
massive steal but like Demin he needs the ball in his hands. Likely their starting PG for next decade. Demin will need to be a connective passing wing ala Avdija

20. Heat - Jakucionis (PBB #26) Grade = B
desperate need pick tbh. I can't see he and Herro on the floor together at least initially

21. Wizards - Riley (PBB #10) Grade = A
steal. They get an approximation of Bailey who they were rumored to like but 15 picks later.

22. Nets - Powell (PBB #32) Grade = B
reach to fill a major need but should be impactful in any lineup and has upside as a 3 and D

23. Hawks - Newell (PBB #21) Grade = A
the board fell perfectly for them and justified their track back. He provides much needed depth

24. Kings - Clifford (PBB #22) Grade = B
We're in the gray area not good enough to compete, drafting for role players as if we are competing using future firsts we should be saving for the inevitable rebuild but not bad enough and embracing the tank to allow us to get a true franchise player. It sucks. I really like the player so maybe future moves will make me appreciate it more.

25. Magic - Richardson (PBB #34) Grade = C
reach who will have a tough time getting minutes but should adequately replace the guy they just traded (Anthony)

26. Nets - Saraf (PBB #44) Grade = C
huge reach especially considering they just drafted lead guards and a shooting guard especially with other positions of need still to be addressed.

27. Nets - Wolf (PBB #27) Grade = A
fits this current roster needing playmaking perfectly as a complimentary piece

28. Celtics - Gonzalez (PBB #37) Grade = D
Brad Stevens can't draft. Big reach considering what was still on the board and team needs.

29. Hornets - McNeeley (PBB #23) Grade = B
like the talent hate that he plays the same position as Knueppel so lots of overlap. Very little talent separating the two. Much better value here though.

30. Clippers - Konan-Niederhauser (PBB #40) Grade = C
reach and there were several better talents on the board that could have filled more immediate needs better.

2nd Round. It's much harder to judge 2nd rounds because more and more players are asking not to be drafted so they can control where they go to maximize their chances of landing somewhere they have greater odds of making the team. All you can really do is take needs and who was still on the board that actually got drafted after them in consideration to arrive at a grade. Most of these guys will be G-leaguers at the end of the day but it's still a fun exercise and some teams do better than others

31. Suns - Fleming (PBB #9) Grade = A
the biggest steal of the draft. Siakam 2.0. He's exactly what they need to surround Booker with

32. Magic - Penda (PBB #33) Grade = A
great injury insurance for Wagner and Banchero

33. Hornets - James (PBB #35) Grade = C
I like the player but they literally just drafted back to back 2/3. You've got Salaun who is still very raw and not entrenched at the 4, no 5 and getting a backup 3/4 is needed as well.

34. Hornets - Kalkbrenner (PBB #17) Grade = A
outstanding value. One of the biggest steals of the draft. Instant starter

35. Sixers - Broome (PBB #49) Grade = F
major reach and unnecessary since they address a backup big by taking the superior Bona last yr

36. Nets - Thiero (PBB #24) Grade = A
great value. Gives them another shot at finding a starting wing. He's a dawg either way and should be a rotational player at worst.

37. Pistons - Lanier (PBB #47) Grade = B
fits a major need but he's not getting many minutes until they make a trade but should help 2nd unit

38. Pacers - Jones (PBB #48) Grade = B
little bit of a panic pick given the Hali injury but there's a good chance he's starting games at some point. Passed on getting the younger Nembhard brother which is odd

39. Raptors - Martin (PBB #58) Grade = C
reach. Camp fodder

40. Pelicans - Peavy (PBB #NR) Grade = B
one outlier good shooting 3 pt season and is a bad FT shooter plus older. But he can defend and will be a perfect backup for Jones and Murphy. Figured he'd go undrafted but yet I don't consider this a reach tbh

41. Suns - Brea (PBB #51) Grade = C
it's going to be really difficult getting him on the floor due to atrocious defense but nice bench shooter to have

42. Kings - Raynaud (PBB #28) Grade = A
decent steal, odd fall given how good he is and fits a major need. LFG!

43. Wizards - Watkins (PBB #25) Grade = A
starter caliber talent and at min should push the kids and be a defensive stopper off the bench

44. Thunder - Barnhizer (PBB #NR) Grade = D
if you squint your eyes you can sorta understand but this is essentially a throwaway pick when there was still value on the board

45. Wolves - Zikarsky (PBB #52) Grade = B
can't fault the attempt to get a similar type of athlete to back up Gobert to keep it consistent for the 2nd unit

46. Celtics - Williams (PBB #39) Grade = A
slow-footed and not a great athlete but similar to present day Horford with the ability to make reads, pass to open guys and work the PnR. Huge need filled

47. Bucks - Markovic (PBB #19) Grade = A
massive steal. TEMU Chet Holmgren. Similar to Smith who they drafted last year. Gives the Bucks much needed help around Giannis. Buck's track record suggests they won't utilize him much though so we'll have to wait and see since they kinda have their hand forced at this point

48. Grizzlies - Small (PBB #NR) Grade = C
JAG. Camp body and injury replacement

49. Cavs - Proctor (PBB #41) Grade = A
I really like the fit and feel he can adequately back up both guard spots and not lose you the game.

50. Clippers - Sanders (PBB #NR) Grade = C
practice squad talent for the deep bench/G-League

51. Knicks - Diawara (PBB #56) Grade = C
typical pointless draft and stash but with just enough hope to keep message boards active for a few years

52. Warriors - Toohey (PBB #43) Grade = B
fits the system but defense likely keeps him off the floor enough to limit impact but worth drafting

53. Jazz - Tonje (PBB #59) Grade = C
g-league lifer. Pointless pick but maybe helps a tank if there's a major trade opening up minutes

54. Pacers - Peter (PBB #NR) Grade = D
pointless despite how fun it is to imagine. Probably puts up numbers in g-league and future fan favorite when he gets called up for a couple of weeks

55. Bulls - Olbrich (PBB #50) Grade = C
Camp body that could stick

56. Warriors - Richard (PBB #NR) Grade = D
pointless

57. Celtics - Shulga (PBB #53) Grade = B
we might see dozens of homemade Shulga shirts in the Garden during preseason when he lights up the Summer League. He and Brea are similar talent and both would be fun to see get a chance

58. Cavs - Niang (PBB #NR) Grade = D
pointless draft and stash

59. Grizzlies - Mashack (PBB #NR) Grade = D
laughable

Winners

Suns - addressed and filled major needs and got steals in the process. I think they just messed around and gave Booker a serviceable surrounding cast to work with

Hawks - trading back, picking up an unprotected, likely high 2026 lottery pick from the Pelicans and still getting a potential starting 4/5 in Newell is huge.

Bucks - got a steal getting a first round talent in the 2nd. Giannis, Smith and Markovic gives them nice size in the frontcourt though no true center.

Mavs - getting a potential minutes eating PG which is a major need as an UDFA in Nembhard is huge. Plus obviously they got the best player in the draft.

Lakers - traded up to get a pretty good steal in the 2nd round with athletic wing Thiero and lucked out getting Dixon to sign as an UDFA

Wizards - found two potential go-to scorers and a two-way wing to go along with the potential high-level role players they drafted the past couple of seasons. Sadly half the Wizards fans too clueless to appreciate what Dawkins is doing

Losers

Pelicans - masterclass in how to ruin a franchise from Joe Dumars. I'm not even mad at the picks but trading away an unprotected 2026 pick to move up for Queen could backfire big time.

Nets - if you swap the first two players taken and pretend Traore was taken at 8 and Demin at 19 it makes more sense. But to double and then triple down on point guards, reach on a 3 and D wing and then trade the 2nd round pick that could have been used on several useful players makes little sense. Traore is so good he'll mask what a bad job the Nets did overall but let's not let them live it down.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Considering what the Suns ended the season with, basically flipping a disgruntled KD into Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, trading nothing for Mark Williams (if he sucks or is injured, he expires), then finally getting Fleming and drafting a sharpshooting wing like Koby Brea, I'd say they deserve an A for this past week. They can probably move Grayson Allen and fill other holes as well.

Ishbia's revenge on the basketball world?

it's starting to feel like he actually was hands-off before and now that he's hands-on they're doing well. Our fanbase loves to undeservedly blame Vivek as well which is laughable. As if these guys are pouring over scouting reports, banging the table for certain draft picks and calling other G.M.s asking around about trades. Sometimes teams simply hire buffoons like Monte McNair or Joe Dumars and they're really bad at their jobs.

Yeah. It's not like there's video evidence of Vivek doing....oh wait.

I'll wait with baited breath for this forthcoming evidence beyond him voicing his preference for Stauskas, the All-American who shot 44% from three on volume, when he first took over as owner and that was met with agreement in the draft room btw. That was a bad result not a bad pick. Who was taken after that (outside of Jokic and everyone but Denver missed that) that was a considerably better prospect that addressed our need for shooting? Any other evidence of supposed meddling?

[OxAndFox]

it's starting to feel like he actually was hands-off before and now that he's hands-on they're doing well. Our fanbase loves to undeservedly blame Vivek as well which is laughable. As if these guys are pouring over scouting reports, banging the table for certain draft picks and calling other G.M.s asking around about trades. Sometimes teams simply hire buffoons like Monte McNair or Joe Dumars and they're really bad at their jobs.

Yeah. It's not like there's video evidence of Vivek doing....oh wait.

I'll wait with baited breath for this forthcoming evidence beyond him voicing his preference for Stauskas, the All-American who shot 44% from three on volume, when he first took over as owner and that was met with agreement in the draft room btw. That was a bad result not a bad pick. Who was taken after that (outside of Jokic and everyone but Denver missed that) that was a considerably better prospect that addressed our need for shooting? Any other evidence of supposed meddling?

Sure. Just keep telling yourself that. Everyone knows what happened. You continue to say, well where's the proof, and NOTHING without it being video evidence of Vivek on camera saying literally this or that will be suffice to you. So, enjoy your reality. You're the only person in basketball land that believes that BTW.

[RookieStar]

BTW.. since we pickes a guy none in our board even thought of..anyone here tell me whats the difference between CMB and Penda?

They are so similar.

6'7/6'8 heavy long armed wings that specializes in defense but cant shoot worth a dang..

[UcanUwill]

I dont know why anyone would consider Saraf and Gonzalez reaches at late first round.

[Devilanche]

Seems like a successful 2 days draft.

If NBA is smart they should extend it to 3 days for now .

Lotto Friday - only first 14 picks
First Round Saturday - start this off by a 30 mins recap of the first 14 picks and then we continue with 15-30.
Second round Sunday - start this off with a 30 mins recap of pick 15-30 and then we continue with 31-60.


If my idea is a success , we can extend it to undrafted Monday . Whereby they can talk abt the undrafted pick ups so far and who else might be a good target for the undrafted guys …