2025-26 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread

MMyhre · Post #141 » by **MMyhre** » Mon Oct 13, 2025 11:24 am

I think Flagg has to be the clear cut favorite as it's looking right now, didn't expect Tre Johnson to look so passive. I guess it could be that the offensive sets are just bad/non-existent with this Wizards trashcan coach, but you still gotta come out with confidence and belief in your game.

Just get the season started, I am tired of preseason already.

Blazing_royale · Post #142 » by **Blazing_royale** » Mon Oct 13, 2025 1:25 pm

Ace Bailey looking like rookie Michael Beasley

SeattleJazzFan · Post #143 » by **SeattleJazzFan** » Mon Oct 13, 2025 6:16 pm

shotsquatch wrote:I'm not sold on Ace Bailey. I don't trust him to make good decisions when the defense isn't leaving him open. Plus his lack of professionalism during the draft process was a red flag.

He's going to be chucking garbage shots all season on a terrible Jazz team, not a great situation for an offensively talented rookie with maturity issues.

Really smooth jumpshot though, love watching him shoot.

there was no lack of professionalism on Bailey's part during the draft process. the snafu that was bailey's draft process was his manager - who he has since fired.

Post #144 » by **Klomp** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 1:49 am

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Post #145 » by **Klomp** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 2:37 am

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Post #146 » by **G R E Y** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 5:30 am

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MMyhre · Post #147 » by **MMyhre** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 6:58 am

G R E Y wrote:

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Him and Tre Johnson looked a lot better today, what strikes me about Harper is how he plays with such poise and control, scanning the floor.. already looks like a future floor general.

MMyhre · Post #148 » by **MMyhre** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 9:08 am

The coach about why Bailey left "and did not return due to tendinitis in both knees, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.", well that does NOT sound good. Already in both knees?

Flagg and Bailey both down, Johnson and Harper up... it's going to swing this season, promising signs for a fun race. Maybe Edgecombe will be the one to perform the best when the season actually starts?

Kalkbrenner is going to start at center as well...

Ball4life32 · Post #149 » by **Ball4life32** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 12:01 pm

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babyjax13 · Post #150 » by **babyjax13** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 5:50 pm

MMyhre wrote:The coach about why Bailey left "and did not return due to tendinitis in both knees, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.", well that does NOT sound good. Already in both knees?

Flagg and Bailey both down, Johnson and Harper up... it's going to swing this season, promising signs for a fun race. Maybe Edgecombe will be the one to perform the best when the season actually starts?

Kalkbrenner is going to start at center as well...

Ace had a pretty observable knee issue in high school. It is worrying.

Handlez · Post #151 » by **Handlez** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 6:53 pm

Clayton Jr looks great.

He should be starting.

amcoolio · Post #152 » by **amcoolio** » Tue Oct 14, 2025 11:48 pm

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I mean he's your standard white center, but he is moving his feet and blocking well, and has good enough hands to catch some lobs, dunk inside, and get points off putbacks, along with good rebounding, which is all Charlotte needs. Hopefully he can develop a 3PT shot

Bornstellar · Post #153 » by **Bornstellar** » Wed Oct 15, 2025 12:47 am

G R E Y wrote:

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Man this kid looks really talented. People are sleeping on him. He gives me Manu vibes tbh. Wemby aside he's the best player the Spurs have drafted in a long, long time

Mr Puddles · Post #154 » by **Mr Puddles** » Wed Oct 15, 2025 8:33 am

Khaman Maluach with extended minutes: 17 (8-10)/ 8 (3 offensive), 5 stocks, 2 assists and one turnover.

You'll better uach out because he's khaman for you!

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MMyhre · Post #155 » by **MMyhre** » Wed Oct 15, 2025 8:50 am

Bornstellar wrote:
G R E Y wrote:

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Man this kid looks really talented. People are sleeping on him. He gives me Manu vibes tbh. Wemby aside he's the best player the Spurs have drafted in a long, long time

How do you compare him to Castle? Can they be the starting backcourt together eventually?

MMyhre · Post #156 » by **MMyhre** » Wed Oct 15, 2025 9:12 am

Mr Puddles wrote:Khaman Maluach with extended minutes: 17 (8-10)/ 8 (3 offensive), 5 stocks, 2 assists and one turnover.

You'll better uach out because he's khaman for you!

Watch on YouTube

He looks like a Black Yeti out there with those arms catching everything. Guys that are shorter in height than they are in reach are always the most dangerous shotblockers, because you get by them to the rim and you see their body and think you are good, and then the arms come out and it's an easy block. Had a friend like that, pain in the ass in pickup ball with like a 6-2 +/- height but probably a 6-7 wingspan +. He was Mutombo out there.
Joel Anthony back on the Heat was likely the same height as LeBron +/-, but had a wingspan of between 7'4 to 7'6, he averaged 3.2 blocks per 36 mins in 08/09.

If Maluach could get stronger and improve his running and jumping mechanics to take his athleticism a bit further... watch out. To me he doesn't look unathletic, more uncoordinated and a little soft due to a higher fat to muscle ratio, which makes his jumping and running less powerful. I heard concerns about his catching ability, but his hand size and length was in the upper portion of the draft so it's just technique that can be trained. Cool background story too.

God Squad · Post #157 » by **God Squad** » Wed Oct 15, 2025 12:44 pm

Bornstellar wrote:
G R E Y wrote:

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Man this kid looks really talented. People are sleeping on him. He gives me Manu vibes tbh. Wemby aside he's the best player the Spurs have drafted in a long, long time

How can/are people be "sleeping" on a top 2 pick? Ya'll just say stuff lol.

donato · Post #158 » by **donato** » Wed Oct 15, 2025 12:46 pm

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Post #159 » by **G R E Y** » Wed Oct 15, 2025 12:59 pm

MMyhre wrote:
Bornstellar wrote:
G R E Y wrote:

Read on Twitter

Man this kid looks really talented. People are sleeping on him. He gives me Manu vibes tbh. Wemby aside he's the best player the Spurs have drafted in a long, long time

How do you compare him to Castle? Can they be the starting backcourt together eventually?

Definitely. He's the more natural PG you can see already. I think Dylan is more of a pure 1 maybe 2 but Castle can slot in anywhere from 1 through 3, and he'll likely be a starting 3 unless we want him and Dylan in the second unit, building that chemistry now for the future with Fox and Vassell in the first group.

But to your point, they can play alongside and sub in for one another. Natural fit.

MMyhre · Post #160 » by **MMyhre** » Wed Oct 15, 2025 1:25 pm

Handlez wrote:Clayton Jr looks great.

He should be starting.

Idk if I would call him great, but he gets some stuff done. 4-18 from 3pt and no crazy playmaking, looked a bit lost on defense at times, he ball watches and is very late to rotate/close out on shooters.

I think many point guards will have season highs against Utah no matter who they start tbh. Their offense has potential tho.

Which 3 players will lead the ROY race this season? (listed in order of post-draft betting odds)