2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[phincsfan]

Defense is a plus but if you can’t shoot in the bigs it’s gonna be a tough go. I’d rather a Rico situation where the defense can be worked on but at least you know he can shoot and score.

If it’s a Springer situation I’d have to take a pass.

[djFan71]

Can someone sell me on McNeeley?

I wouldn't take him top 10. Probably not in the lottery either but definitely worth a top 25 (probably even top 20) pick.

High FTr (over 40) and high usage % (over 25) for McNeeley are good indicators that there's some on ball juice there. Crazy high FT% and very good catch & shoot numbers point to good shooting ability, along with high 3PA volume.

Some of the efficiency numbers (FG%, FG% at rim, 3 FG%) aren't good but can partly be attributed to the fact that he went from being like a 3rd/4th option at Montverde to being the 1st option this season at Uconn as a freshman playing a tough schedule. Plus he had an ankle injury mid-season that hurt some of his numbers.

This hoopshype article says he's a gym rat who might have highest basketball IQ and also possibly be the best shooter in the draft

I’m a big fan of McNeeley. Definitely more athletic than Hauser. Has better ability to create for himself at this age compared to when Sam left school.

I’d be surprised if he gets passed 22. If he falls after that I’d be interested in a trade up for him. 23 is possible to get with 28 and 32 imo.

Thanks all. I guess where we're picking a more athletic Sam with more on ball isn't a bad outcome at all. And we're spoiled by having Sam and everyone that can shoot already, so it feels like less of an archetype I focus on. It just feels like there's better overall 2-way guys with creation in this draft. He does seem to be a little later on mocks now then before when he was in lotto. I don't see that anymore for the most part.

I want shooters for sure, just not only/mainly shooters. I'd have a real hard time passing up Riley or Bryant or Clifford for him at roughly the same position. They all seem to have at least one thing over Liam - creation, D or both.

[redslastlaugh]

ESPN Kevin Pelton releases his stat-based top 30. He has Koby Brea (23) and Payton Sandfort (25) as his big sleepers.

A lot of people seemed to sour on Miles Byrd, but K Pelton is buying up all the Miles Byrd (13) stock:

13. Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State
Top 100: No. 50
Stats: No. 5
Consensus: 2.3 WARP
My top-rated sleeper who's outside the first round of the top 100, Byrd rates well because of his rare combination of steal and block rates. Over the past decade, just four other draft picks have projected for at least two steals per 100 plays and to block 2% of opponent 2-point attempts: OG Anunoby, Tari Eason, Paul Reed, Matisse Thybulle and Williamson. Although Byrd has shot just 30% from the college 3-point line, his 83% accuracy on free throws suggests he could provide enough spacing to stay on the court for his defense.

And Cedric Coward (27) who nolimitsnba selected for the C's at #32, also makes Pelton's top 30:

27. Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State
Top 100: No. 53
Stats: No. 16
Consensus: 1.7 WARP
Although Coward played just six games for Washington State after transferring from nearby Eastern Washington, and under a different coach, the success of NBA Rookie of the Year contender Jaylen Wells coming from the same program could help his stock. At Eastern, Coward was a high-efficiency scorer, shooting a remarkable 72% on 2s and 39% on 3s. He also projects as an above-average rebounder and distributor for a small forward.

[djFan71]

ESPN Kevin Pelton releases his stat-based top 30. He has Koby Brea (23) and Payton Sandfort (25) as his big sleepers.

A lot of people seemed to sour on Miles Byrd, but K Pelton is buying up all the Miles Byrd (13) stock:

13. Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State
Top 100: No. 50
Stats: No. 5
Consensus: 2.3 WARP
My top-rated sleeper who's outside the first round of the top 100, Byrd rates well because of his rare combination of steal and block rates. Over the past decade, just four other draft picks have projected for at least two steals per 100 plays and to block 2% of opponent 2-point attempts: OG Anunoby, Tari Eason, Paul Reed, Matisse Thybulle and Williamson. Although Byrd has shot just 30% from the college 3-point line, his 83% accuracy on free throws suggests he could provide enough spacing to stay on the court for his defense.

And Cedric Coward (27) who nolimitsnba selected for the C's at #32, also makes Pelton's top 30:

27. Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State
Top 100: No. 53
Stats: No. 16
Consensus: 1.7 WARP
Although Coward played just six games for Washington State after transferring from nearby Eastern Washington, and under a different coach, the success of NBA Rookie of the Year contender Jaylen Wells coming from the same program could help his stock. At Eastern, Coward was a high-efficiency scorer, shooting a remarkable 72% on 2s and 39% on 3s. He also projects as an above-average rebounder and distributor for a small forward.

You beat me to it. Just read that. I’ve lowered Byrd but he’s still in my top 10 of guys we can reasonably get.

[djFan71]

BTW, watching Franz blow by KP multiple times late last game is why I'm always looking for that mobile, switchable big like Al. KP skillset overall is still amazing, but sometimes you wanna be able to go "small" and have 5 guys that can all defend on the perimeter, but still have size. Al is a luxury we only have for so long, so I want someone in the pipeline to replace that.

I think we're fine on traditional bigs with KP, Luke (assuming he's back) and Queta. But replacement PF/smallball C is what we're missing going forward. It's why Fleming is so appealing even if he can't create for himself on the other end. If he can play that D, even just situationally, and still be able to space the floor a bit, that's super useful.

I know this isn't new / I'm not alone in this thinking, it just stuck out to me at the end of the game yesterday.

[snowman]

I would choose Condon or Broome; whichever is available, to be the PF backup. I know neither shoot a high percentage of three's, but maybe they can learn like Horford did.

[Kalela]

I want shooters for sure, just not only/mainly shooters. I'd have a real hard time passing up Riley or Bryant or Clifford for him at roughly the same position. They all seem to have at least one thing over Liam - creation, D or both.

I watched all of his games for UConn this past season, and it’s clear that the only real obstacles for him are limited athleticism and inexperience. He’s a tough competitor who plays his best when his team is under pressure. With even a bit more athleticism, he’d easily be ranked among the top prospects in the draft.

[Dogen]

I'm seeing Nique Clifford drop in a few mocks. I think he'll go before #28, but who knows? A lot can change.

5th year player that could be a nice bookend to last year's Scheierman pick. Solid all-around player that at 23 years old will get into his peak age during his rookie contract and Celtic's championship window.

[brackdan70]

I am not always a fan of trading picks, but thinking about the future and how long Holiday has left here…Is Keon Ellis from SAC a guy we could /should look at trading for with one of our picks plus some salary. What would it take to get him. Am I living in fantasy land or just crazy.

[phincsfan]

I am not always a fan of trading picks, but thinking about the future and how long Holiday has left here…Is Keon Ellis from SAC a guy we could /should look at trading for with one of our picks plus some salary. What would it take to get him. Am I living in fantasy land or just crazy.

C's worked him out in 22', but IMO he's cheap enough for the Kings to keep him.

Also, he has one year left (team option 25'). He's put up decent enough numbers that he's gonna want to get paid.

A rookie would be cheaper with more control for longer.

I do like him though.

[neno]

2 most fun guys 2 watch play so far has been
Wolf and Pettiford don't know if they'd cut it in the league but they would probably give the mainers something to talk about

[playa-hater]

BTW, watching Franz blow by KP multiple times late last game is why I'm always looking for that mobile, switchable big like Al. KP skillset overall is still amazing, but sometimes you wanna be able to go "small" and have 5 guys that can all defend on the perimeter, but still have size. Al is a luxury we only have for so long, so I want someone in the pipeline to replace that.

I think we're fine on traditional bigs with KP, Luke (assuming he's back) and Queta. But replacement PF/smallball C is what we're missing going forward. It's why Fleming is so appealing even if he can't create for himself on the other end. If he can play that D, even just situationally, and still be able to space the floor a bit, that's super useful.

I know this isn't new / I'm not alone in this thinking, it just stuck out to me at the end of the game yesterday.

Excellent points. and with that being said, I don't see many other good versatile 4- small ball 5 types that we can draft near our pick anywhere as good as Fleming. One reason why I say target someone and try to trade up for him. If Boston tries to get cute, Fleming or someone may fall just a few picks away and Boston ends up getting a player they don't want nearly as much.

[playa-hater]

lots of players who may be available and who some here like seem like the type of talent that may cancel each other out with newly drafted Rico.. Unless we are trading Hauser or something like that.

[playa-hater]

2 most fun guys 2 watch play so far has been
Wolf and Pettiford don't know if they'd cut it in the league but they would probably give the mainers something to talk about

10 days ago, I had Wolf in my top 2 hopefuls. (Fleming the other) I have looked at more draftees since but Wolf-Fleming still remain my top 2.

[Larry_Russell]

I'm seeing Nique Clifford drop in a few mocks. I think he'll go before #28, but who knows? A lot can change.

5th year player that could be a nice bookend to last year's Scheierman pick. Solid all-around player that at 23 years old will get into his peak age during his rookie contract and Celtic's championship window.

I really like Nique personally.

Would make a potentially pretty elite bench IMO.

PG: Pritchard/??
SG: Baylor/Walsh
SF: Hauser/Nique
PF: Horford/Craig
C: Kornet/Queta

Just missing a depth PG


And I Still hold out hope that the Celtics add Giannis this offseason....so there is that....

[djFan71]

BTW, watching Franz blow by KP multiple times late last game is why I'm always looking for that mobile, switchable big like Al. KP skillset overall is still amazing, but sometimes you wanna be able to go "small" and have 5 guys that can all defend on the perimeter, but still have size. Al is a luxury we only have for so long, so I want someone in the pipeline to replace that.

I think we're fine on traditional bigs with KP, Luke (assuming he's back) and Queta. But replacement PF/smallball C is what we're missing going forward. It's why Fleming is so appealing even if he can't create for himself on the other end. If he can play that D, even just situationally, and still be able to space the floor a bit, that's super useful.

I know this isn't new / I'm not alone in this thinking, it just stuck out to me at the end of the game yesterday.

Excellent points. and with that being said, I don't see many other good versatile 4- small ball 5 types that we can draft near our pick anywhere as good as Fleming. One reason why I say target someone and try to trade up for him. If Boston tries to get cute, Fleming or someone may fall just a few picks away and Boston ends up getting a player they don't want nearly as much.

People will hate it, but I'd trade 28 & Hauser to see how high I could get / how little money I could take back.

[phincsfan]

To all the Karaban fans : He’s heading back to UConn for his senior year.

[brackdan70]

To all the Karaban fans : He’s heading back to UConn for his senior year.

Probably smart on his part as he won’t be a top 40 pick. See if he can somehow play himself into being a first rounder.

[Bill Lumbergh]

BTW, watching Franz blow by KP multiple times late last game is why I'm always looking for that mobile, switchable big like Al. KP skillset overall is still amazing, but sometimes you wanna be able to go "small" and have 5 guys that can all defend on the perimeter, but still have size. Al is a luxury we only have for so long, so I want someone in the pipeline to replace that.

I think we're fine on traditional bigs with KP, Luke (assuming he's back) and Queta. But replacement PF/smallball C is what we're missing going forward. It's why Fleming is so appealing even if he can't create for himself on the other end. If he can play that D, even just situationally, and still be able to space the floor a bit, that's super useful.

I know this isn't new / I'm not alone in this thinking, it just stuck out to me at the end of the game yesterday.

Excellent points. and with that being said, I don't see many other good versatile 4- small ball 5 types that we can draft near our pick anywhere as good as Fleming. One reason why I say target someone and try to trade up for him. If Boston tries to get cute, Fleming or someone may fall just a few picks away and Boston ends up getting a player they don't want nearly as much.

People will hate it, but I'd trade 28 & Hauser to see how high I could get / how little money I could take back.

We could maybe snag 26 from Brooklyn with that package.

[Bill Lumbergh]

I'm seeing Nique Clifford drop in a few mocks. I think he'll go before #28, but who knows? A lot can change.

5th year player that could be a nice bookend to last year's Scheierman pick. Solid all-around player that at 23 years old will get into his peak age during his rookie contract and Celtic's championship window.

I really like Nique personally.

Would make a potentially pretty elite bench IMO.

PG: Pritchard/??
SG: Baylor/Walsh
SF: Hauser/Nique
PF: Horford/Craig
C: Kornet/Queta

Just missing a depth PG


And I Still hold out hope that the Celtics add Giannis this offseason....so there is that....

I would not mind Philon as a depth/developmental PG.