2025 NBA Draft

[basketballRob]

I think a couple of teams drafting between 9-15 would trade us for our 2 picks.

Asa Newell is probably better than I first gave him credit for. I'd have no problem giving him Isaac's spot in the rotation.

Portland at 11 screams here. For Simons and the 11 in a deal that includes the 16, the 25, Howard, Anthony and "somethings else", this seems very doable.

Kasparas Jakucionis at 11 is a player I could kind of accept the Magic using (wasting?) a roster slot on for a rookie. In time, he could be an NBA starter.

I think a lot of really good players will be drafted between 16-25 this season, so that might be enticing for Portland.

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[drsd]

I think a lot of really good players will be drafted between 16-25 this season, so that might be enticing for Portland. [/quote]

There are several players "certain" to be servicible NBA players!

Asa Newell, Derik Queen, Will Riley, Liam McNeeley, Labaron Philon, and RealGM-fav Walter Clayton are all "certain" to have improtant roles on an NBA roster for many years. There are also high upside boom-busters in this range to take a flier on, like Khaman Maluach and Tahaad Pettiford.

In conclusion: I really, really hope the Magic trade out of the draft!

[fendilim]

Starting to think Egor would be great for our offense if only we didn’t have AB.

Egor seems to project as a good big PG, if he develops his handle. For the mean time, he is a fast ball mover. I think he’d be a great fit to Paolo and Franz. And gives us the big playmaker to allow Suggs to continue playing against PGs. I think playing with him would make our players be motivated to keep moving, which is great for our motion offense.

[tiderulz]

I think a lot of really good players will be drafted between 16-25 this season, so that might be enticing for Portland.

There are several players "certain" to be servicible NBA players!

Asa Newell, Derik Queen, Will Riley, Liam McNeeley, Labaron Philon, and RealGM-fav Walter Clayton are all "certain" to have improtant roles on an NBA roster for many years. There are also high upside boom-busters in this range to take a flier on, like Khaman Maluach and Tahaad Pettiford.

In conclusion: I really, really hope the Magic trade out of the draft!

he really needed to stay another year. anyone who drafts him better be ready for decent time of development. I called it on Josh Primo 4 years ago too and look at him now. Philon has the physical stats, but his game is very lacking right now and not a good outside shooter.

[eyriq]

Hope we trade one or both our picks. Our draft pick isn’t going to change our results next season.

I’m the opposite. I’d keep both first-rounders and use the second-rounders as trade chips, though I do expect the team will end up moving one of those firsts.

[magicfan217]

WCJ seems like her could have a similar NBA impact as Peyton Pritchard. Similar players in college with similar skillsets as lead guards. Magic desperately need shotmaking and playmaking...not sure how much of a playmaker WCJ is at the nba level but he certainly will be a shotmaker.

[RichCollab]

Hope we trade one or both our picks. Our draft pick isn’t going to change our results next season.

I’m the opposite. I’d keep both first-rounders and use the second-rounders as trade chips, though I do expect the team will end up moving one of those firsts.

Win now won’t be dependent on rookies this year. You’re cool with remaining in the development phase?

I much prefer moving legit assets for starting lineup pieces playoff ready.

W

[Fortune Teller]

Hope we trade one or both our picks. Our draft pick isn’t going to change our results next season.

I’m the opposite. I’d keep both first-rounders and use the second-rounders as trade chips, though I do expect the team will end up moving one of those firsts.

Why would you want to keep these picks? So two more guys can join Jeff's other draft picks sitting the bench or barely contributing in the playoffs?

Here's how much Jeff's picks not named Paolo or Franz contributed in the 2025 playoffs by order of draft year:

Jonathan Isaac: 13.8 mpg, 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg (one total blocked shot in five games)
Cole Anthony: 10.2 mpg, 2.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.2 apg
Jalen Suggs: DNP/INJ
Caleb Houstan: 9.4 mpg, 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg
Anthony Black: 17.8 mpg, 8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.0 apg (zero total assists in five games)
Jett Howard: only played in one game
Tristan da Silva: only played in two games, didn't score

You seriously want to add the #16 and #25 picks to that crew? We already have the highest percentage of our own draft picks still on our roster, and you can see how that worked out in the playoffs.

[eyriq]

Hope we trade one or both our picks. Our draft pick isn’t going to change our results next season.

I’m the opposite. I’d keep both first-rounders and use the second-rounders as trade chips, though I do expect the team will end up moving one of those firsts.

Win now won’t be dependent on rookies this year. You’re cool with remaining in the development phase?

I much prefer moving legit assets for starting lineup pieces playoff ready.

W

Cheap rookie-scale deals are the best way to stay under the apron while adding real production, so I’d keep both first-rounders as cost-controlled upside swings and use the seconds or future picks to chase a playoff-ready veteran.

[eyriq]

Hope we trade one or both our picks. Our draft pick isn’t going to change our results next season.

I’m the opposite. I’d keep both first-rounders and use the second-rounders as trade chips, though I do expect the team will end up moving one of those firsts.

Why would you want to keep these picks? So two more guys can join Jeff's other draft picks sitting the bench or barely contributing in the playoffs?

Here's how much Jeff's picks not named Paolo or Franz contributed in the 2025 playoffs by order of draft year:

Jonathan Isaac: 13.8 mpg, 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg (one total blocked shot in five games)
Cole Anthony: 10.2 mpg, 2.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.2 apg
Jalen Suggs: DNP/INJ
Caleb Houstan: 9.4 mpg, 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg
Anthony Black: 17.8 mpg, 8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.0 apg (zero total assists in five games)
Jett Howard: only played in one game
Tristan da Silva: only played in two games, didn't score

You seriously want to add the #16 and #25 picks to that crew? We already have the highest percentage of our own draft picks still on our roster, and you can see how that worked out in the playoffs.

Dismissing first-round picks because recent draftees weren’t playoff difference-makers overlooks why smart teams value them in the first place: rookie-scale deals supply cheap upside, cap-friendly depth over 82 games, and prime trade currency when a ready-made starter actually becomes available. You keep or flip those picks to preserve roster flexibility under the aprons— not because you expect every selection to carry the offense in May.

[BadMofoPimp]

I’m the opposite. I’d keep both first-rounders and use the second-rounders as trade chips, though I do expect the team will end up moving one of those firsts.

Why would you want to keep these picks? So two more guys can join Jeff's other draft picks sitting the bench or barely contributing in the playoffs?

Here's how much Jeff's picks not named Paolo or Franz contributed in the 2025 playoffs by order of draft year:

Jonathan Isaac: 13.8 mpg, 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg (one total blocked shot in five games)
Cole Anthony: 10.2 mpg, 2.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.2 apg
Jalen Suggs: DNP/INJ
Caleb Houstan: 9.4 mpg, 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg
Anthony Black: 17.8 mpg, 8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.0 apg (zero total assists in five games)
Jett Howard: only played in one game
Tristan da Silva: only played in two games, didn't score

You seriously want to add the #16 and #25 picks to that crew? We already have the highest percentage of our own draft picks still on our roster, and you can see how that worked out in the playoffs.

Dismissing first-round picks because recent draftees weren’t playoff difference-makers overlooks why smart teams value them in the first place: rookie-scale deals supply cheap upside, cap-friendly depth over 82 games, and prime trade currency when a ready-made starter actually becomes available. You keep or flip those picks to preserve roster flexibility under the aprons— not because you expect every selection to carry the offense in May.

Especially being diamonds can be found in mid to late round picks aka Heat getting Herro and Bam that way.

[Skybox]

Anyone see this year's TJ McConnell, Payton Pritchard, Tyler Kolek somewhere hidden in the second round? Hard-nosed, short-armed, no hops, cold-blooded fighter with fundamental skills and BBIQ...overlooked by the "measurers" (doesn't have to be pale-just examples)

[eyriq]

Anyone see this year's TJ McConnell, Payton Pritchard, Tyler Kolek somewhere hidden in the second round? Hard-nosed, short-armed, no hops, cold-blooded fighter with fundamental skills and BBIQ...overlooked by the "measurers" (doesn't have to be pale-just examples)

Kam Jones

[Skybox]

Anyone see this year's TJ McConnell, Payton Pritchard, Tyler Kolek somewhere hidden in the second round? Hard-nosed, short-armed, no hops, cold-blooded fighter with fundamental skills and BBIQ...overlooked by the "measurers" (doesn't have to be pale-just examples)

Kam Jones

Good one...he's pretty big too and doesn't turn it over. Questionable, at best, 3pt range but a nice swing in second round.

I should have added "less visible program"...I'm basically looking for that stubby cornfield kid who lifts haybales, takes no s**t, shovels the snow off the court, will eat your heart to win, and shoots 1000 3's a day in the driveway from age 6 on...

the kid who starts every interview with "I've been underestimated my whole life. Had to prove it on every level...."

[RichCollab]

I’m the opposite. I’d keep both first-rounders and use the second-rounders as trade chips, though I do expect the team will end up moving one of those firsts.

Win now won’t be dependent on rookies this year. You’re cool with remaining in the development phase?

I much prefer moving legit assets for starting lineup pieces playoff ready.

W

Cheap rookie-scale deals are the best way to stay under the apron while adding real production, so I’d keep both first-rounders as cost-controlled upside swings and use the seconds or future picks to chase a playoff-ready veteran.

1st round picks are the opposite. Look at Jett.

2nd rounders is how you control cost and Weltman stated as much. We haven’t reached the point where we can settle on 4 or 5 guys to make a championship run. We have the youth. We need those vets that balance things out.

Thunder is a very unique case. SGA isn’t as young so he is kinda of both. Jalen Williams was older coming out of college. Chet is the 3rd and younger. Dort’s been there IHart and Alex Caruso.

[yoyojw17]

Watch on YouTube

Minute 18:20

Hugo Gonzalez's conversation was intriguing

[Idiosyncratic]

Trading both picks is good in theory if you are getting good returns. If the market is bench level guys on expirings though, you need to weigh that against 4 years of an affordable rookie + RFA rights. Sure if there are proven good players at prices that make sense with our core move them both, to me that would be awesome, find me my Avdija/White all day. But the reality of who is available such as expirings like Sexton and Simons and the fact that we probably can't afford two separate extensions makes trading both make less sense in reality than it seems on paper.

I really like moving one for guard help, making one pick and trading up in the 2nd for a 1st round talent that drops. One rookie that can grab some minutes at guard when Suggs rests or when AB plays 3 and one that can develop in the G league as a big or maybe even a wing.

[Idiosyncratic]

Watch on YouTube

Minute 18:20

Hugo Gonzalez's conversation was intriguing

He is more of a slasher, he is pretty athletic, solid defensive upside, really questionable shot.

He, Noah Penda and Adou Thiero are all guys I really like that I think can outperform their draft slots. But they are wings (Hugo can play some 2) with questionable shots so it is hard to want to mock them to the Magic. They all can do a ton of things on the court and defend, but they play our least needed position and don't shoot it super well. At 25 or a 2nd round trade up though.... IDK I would be tempted.

[VFX]

Hope we trade one or both our picks. Our draft pick isn’t going to change our results next season.

I’m the opposite. I’d keep both first-rounders and use the second-rounders as trade chips, though I do expect the team will end up moving one of those firsts.

Why would you want to keep these picks? So two more guys can join Jeff's other draft picks sitting the bench or barely contributing in the playoffs?

Here's how much Jeff's picks not named Paolo or Franz contributed in the 2025 playoffs by order of draft year:

Jonathan Isaac: 13.8 mpg, 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg (one total blocked shot in five games)
Cole Anthony: 10.2 mpg, 2.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.2 apg
Jalen Suggs: DNP/INJ
Caleb Houstan: 9.4 mpg, 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg
Anthony Black: 17.8 mpg, 8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.0 apg (zero total assists in five games)
Jett Howard: only played in one game
Tristan da Silva: only played in two games, didn't score

You seriously want to add the #16 and #25 picks to that crew? We already have the highest percentage of our own draft picks still on our roster, and you can see how that worked out in the playoffs.

My answer to your question comes down to the idea that Weltman will actually trade these paid scrubs and take chances on other talent for once.

Yeah… I know… wishful thinking…

But yeah, I’d rather take a shot on Walter Clayton, Cedric Coward, or Jase Richardson for a few seasons on rookie scale contracts than pay Cole Anthony, Isaac, or a looming extension on Anthony Black for those piss poor playoff results.

Paying 3 Centers OK money is also kinda preposterous when you don’t have a starting point guard leading into the playoffs. Move one and draft someone for rookie money.

I’m fine with moving A pick for backcourt return. But the rookie scale deals will help with the cap situation when all these guys are paid.

Yeah, Jeff is mostly miss on the draft… but it’s better than watching the role players on this team flounder while getting paid real money.

[basketballRob]

I'd take a chance on Rocco Zikarsky in the second round. I like his 9'6" standing reach. He's only 18 and has been a backup in the NBL for the last 2 seasons. The numbers from the NBL usually translate

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