2025 NBA Draft

**mo7888** · 05-03-2025

Is it though?

Yup... it's a pretty average draft after Flagg. Not bad, but not exceptional either.

**Dejounte** · 05-03-2025

Popovich will have his hands more in the draft process more than ever before, IMO. Everyone, including him, will be all about setting Mitch up for success. That means guys who are as happy about others’ success as much as their own.

**BackHome** · 05-03-2025

A whole team full of Forbes can’t wait

**Ice009** · 05-03-2025

If Lebron actually wants to go to the Cavs (that is if they don't win the Championship, he could be the guy to get them back over the top), he could do them a nice gesture for 2010 and play for the MLE or something, so he could in essence, pay them back for screwing them over. He'd get a little bit of respect back from me if he did something like that.

**exstatic** · 05-03-2025

Originally Posted by Ice009

If Lebron actually wants to go to the Cavs (that is if they don't win the Championship, he could be the guy to get them back over the top), he could do them a nice gesture for 2010 and play for the MLE or something, so he could in essence, pay them back for screwing them over. He'd get a little bit of respect back from me if he did something like that.

Cleveland is, or shortly will be a second apron team, so him agreeing to an MLE deal doesn’t help that situation at all. He also sucks all the air out of the room. He would take away all of the hard work and accomplishments from this current Cleveland team. In addition,he’d probably want a roster spot for Bronny.

LeBron still puts up decent to good counting stats,but no longer affects winning in any meaningful way. He needs to retire, because it’s just sad.

**The Truth #6** · 05-03-2025

So older college prospects. As Ex has preached and I've basically accepted, these older players fizzle out too often.

However, I'm thinking of offensive players in that scenario. For role players, without looking at any stats, I feel like that might not all be true. Tristan Da Silva types. Good all around game. Never expected to be a gifted scorer.

Are there any of these type of players for our 14 pick?

**scottspurs** · 05-03-2025

Originally Posted by The Truth #6

So older college prospects. As Ex has preached and I've basically accepted, these older players fizzle out too often.

However, I'm thinking of offensive players in that scenario. For role players, without looking at any stats, I feel like that might not all be true. Tristan Da Silva types. Good all around game. Never expected to be a gifted scorer.

Are there any of these type of players for our 14 pick?

Off the top of my head I think I can help with this.

Older prospects that have all around games:

Nique Clifford
Yaxel Lendeborg
Cedric Coward
Sion James
Maxime Raynaud
Danny Wolf
Johni Broome
Chaz Lanier
Ryan Nembhard

Older prospect that were scorers but have flaws in other areas:

Rasheer Fleming: can’t dribble, no offensive bag, no playmaking
Walter Clayton Jr.: small, lacks athleticism, streaky shooter
Kam Jones: questionable defensively
Adou Thiero: Bad shot selection, questionable handles, high turnovers
Koby Brea: Great Shooter, no offensive bag, questionable athleticism
Tyrese Proctor: can’t score on his own, lacks athleticism
Eric Dixon: lacks athleticism, questionable defense
John Tonje: lacks athleticism, questionable handles
Mark Sears: questionable athleticism, questionable defensively

**mo7888** · 05-03-2025

Originally Posted by The Truth #6

So older college prospects. As Ex has preached and I've basically accepted, these older players fizzle out too often.

However, I'm thinking of offensive players in that scenario. For role players, without looking at any stats, I feel like that might not all be true. Tristan Da Silva types. Good all around game. Never expected to be a gifted scorer.

Are there any of these type of players for our 14 pick?

I think they're fine if you have realistic expectations. For the most part, they start making sense late in the first through the second round. At that point, you're probably looking at floors more than ceilings when looking for role players.

**scottspurs** · 05-03-2025

Although Johni Broome, Chaz Lanier, Ryan Nembard and maybe James can be had in the 2nd Round so these are the guys you would be looking at pick 14 range that won’t make it to 2nd Round

Nique Clifford
Yaxel Lendeborg (may return to school transferred to Michigan)
Cedric Coward (may return to school transferred to Duke)
Maxime Raynaud
Danny Wolf

**exstatic** · 05-03-2025

Originally Posted by mo7888

I think they're fine if you have realistic expectations. For the most part, they start making sense late in the first through the second round. At that point, you're probably looking at floors more than ceilings when looking for role players.

Exactly.

**scottspurs** · 05-03-2025

Originally Posted by Dejounte

Popovich will have his hands more in the draft process more than ever before, IMO. Everyone, including him, will be all about setting Mitch up for success. That means guys who are as happy about others’ success as much as their own.

This is a good point. Mitch Johnson’s background and coaching style once Pop went down suggests that he is more of an offensive minded coach than a defensive one. The Lopez brothers nicknamed him the Maestro in college because of his ability to orchestrate the offense at Stanford. Could the Front Office be more inclined to look for players to help offensively than on defense. It would be fun to put a board together of offensive prospects that have the deepest bags, highest IQ and could help the Spurs offense the most. This might be what the Spurs look for in the draft.

**RC_Drunkford** · 05-04-2025

Kalkbrenner is a good older prospect at the end of the first/early second round

**Vienna** · 05-04-2025

two prospects were somehow disappointing regarding the high expectations in their shooting, McNeeley and Jakucionis.

but were they? looking at the shooting splits, McNeeley was very good at C&S, but struggled off the dribble (and in the paint), while Jakucionis what just the opposite. Very good off the dribble and on step backs, bad on C&S.
so, considering the projected roles in the NBA, you would see them as better shooting prospects, that the overall numbers from their freshman season, right?
Jukucionis ist currently my choice for #8, for #14 I hope that Bryant falls (which I don’t think he will), but McNeeley seems to be a nice consolation prize.

**BG_Spurs_Fan** · 05-04-2025

Originally Posted by Vienna

two prospects were somehow disappointing regarding the high expectations in their shooting, McNeeley and Jakucionis.

but were they? looking at the shooting splits, McNeeley was very good at C&S, but struggled off the dribble (and in the paint), while Jakucionis what just the opposite. Very good off the dribble and on step backs, bad on C&S.
so, considering the projected roles in the NBA, you would see them as better shooting prospects, that the overall numbers from their freshman season, right?
Jukucionis ist currently my choice for #8, for #14 I hope that Bryant falls (which I don’t think he will), but McNeeley seems to be a nice consolation prize.

Fully agree about both in terms of shooting. Percentages look bad on paper but in reality they're better bets to be good NBA shooters compared to guys like Fleming or Essengue.

I'm super low on this draft but one guy who has grown on me is Kasparas. I guess I originally saw him as a PG, who is turnover prone and lacks the speed to create separation. However, after watching more of him I kinda see a Podziemsky role for him in the NBA. I might be projecting or something, not sure, but do you see him as a primary ballhandler or do you think he can be an impactful offball/secondary playmaker player?

**mo7888** · 05-04-2025

Originally Posted by Vienna

two prospects were somehow disappointing regarding the high expectations in their shooting, McNeeley and Jakucionis.

but were they? looking at the shooting splits, McNeeley was very good at C&S, but struggled off the dribble (and in the paint), while Jakucionis what just the opposite. Very good off the dribble and on step backs, bad on C&S.
so, considering the projected roles in the NBA, you would see them as better shooting prospects, that the overall numbers from their freshman season, right?
Jukucionis ist currently my choice for #8, for #14 I hope that Bryant falls (which I don’t think he will), but McNeeley seems to be a nice consolation prize.

I think their shooting will be fine when you dig into situational numbers, which you did. McNeely is lower on most boards, but I'm almost as high on him as I am Knueppel. Admittedly, some of that is because his fit is good here. On Kasparas he's like the best passer out of the PnR in this draft. I see him as a guy who fits in very well between Fox and Castle in smaller lineups and I think he has a chance to start alongside Castle in a few years if Fox gets moved down the line.

You mentioned Bryant too, his draft position seems to be all over the board. I've seen him as high as 6 and as low as the mid 20's. I personally have him at 12. I think he's got a pretty decent ceiling. I see him starting as a 3 and growing into a 4.

**Dejounte** · 05-04-2025

**Dejounte** · 05-04-2025

Sorber going a pick before (assuming the Spurs wanted him) would low key piss me off.

**Dejounte** · 05-04-2025

Originally Posted by scottspurs

This is a good point. Mitch Johnson’s background and coaching style once Pop went down suggests that he is more of an offensive minded coach than a defensive one. The Lopez brothers nicknamed him the Maestro in college because of his ability to orchestrate the offense at Stanford. Could the Front Office be more inclined to look for players to help offensively than on defense. It would be fun to put a board together of offensive prospects that have the deepest bags, highest IQ and could help the Spurs offense the most. This might be what the Spurs look for in the draft.

Not just that but communication. People underrate the interview aspect of this. It’s just like going in for a job interview for anyone. They see your personality and gauge how well you’ll mesh with the players and the coach. Any sign of a malcontent won’t make it past the first interview, tbh. Which players will Coach Mitch resonate with the most? Coach Pop was able to tolerate players who spoke English as a second language, but will Mitch? Which prospects will show up in practice on time and never be late? IMO, they’re going to go for players who they already see will be a true professional.

**Vienna** · 05-04-2025

Originally Posted by BG_Spurs_Fan

Fully agree about both in terms of shooting. Percentages look bad on paper but in reality they're better bets to be good NBA shooters compared to guys like Fleming or Essengue.

I'm super low on this draft but one guy who has grown on me is Kasparas. I guess I originally saw him as a PG, who is turnover prone and lacks the speed to create separation. However, after watching more of him I kinda see a Podziemsky role for him in the NBA. I might be projecting or something, not sure, but do you see him as a primary ballhandler or do you think he can be an impactful offball/secondary playmaker player?

Austin Reaves comes to mind, not just because of their identical physical profile. We learned that Spurs liked Reaves a lot, so they should like a player like Jakucionis, don‘t they?
the best teams this season played 3 guard line ups and I can see the Spurs try to run with three ballhandlers, but not a primary one.

**sfernald** · 05-04-2025

I'm just hoping beyond hope the front office don't try to get tricky and start trading picks for far future picks and cash just because they have their ing heart set on keeping Branham as the 10th man on the roster. This roster has TONS of room for three picks in this draft if they are good picks. Don't overthink things. Just take BPA each time at the podium and we will get some goodies.

**ace3g** · 05-04-2025

8 days till the draft lottery.

**spurraider21** · 05-04-2025

Originally Posted by Dejounte

Sorber going a pick before (assuming the Spurs wanted him) would low key piss me off.

I’ve been saying Sorber feels like a perfect hawks pick for a while. Unless they move up i think he’s gone at 13

**baseline bum** · 05-04-2025

Originally Posted by scottspurs

I think the Spurs announcing Pop’s retirement and Mitch Johnson’s hiring signals they won’t do any dramatic roster changes this offseason. They will only trade the picks for future picks. This being a really good and deep draft I think they will use both picks unless they get a great offer. They will definitely pick if they move up. They are not trading a top-4 pick! I also think the Spurs would be wise to stay away from projects and draft more high floor and ready made prospects. Get Mitch some players that can play!

IDK if they get pick #2 - #4 that would be a of a trade chip to go after Giannis with and maybe even be able to get away with keeping Steph. If it's pick 1 Giannis, give me Flagg all day.

**DAF86** · 05-04-2025

Originally Posted by Dejounte

Sorber going a pick before (assuming the Spurs wanted him) would low key piss me off.

I don't understand Sorber's appeal for the Spurs, tbh. An undersized offensive minded center that can't shoot and has below average defense. Pretty much the worse prototype in today's NBA. Let's say he reaches his ceiling and becomes a Sengun, what's the fit? Do not want, tbh.

**Dejounte** · 05-04-2025

Originally Posted by DAF86

I don't understand Sorber's appeal for the Spurs, tbh. An undersized offensive minded center that can't shoot and has below average defense. Pretty much the worse prototype in today's NBA. Let's say he reaches his ceiling and becomes a Sengun, what's the fit? Do not want, tbh.

You’re probably confusing Sorber with Queen. Sorber’s one of the best defensive bigs in this class.

He’s also 72th percentile in APG, among the best passer at the center spot.

Winning the rebound game is an underrated aspect when it comes to the playoffs.

Denver outrebounded Clippers by 10 in their game 7. Game won.

Rockets plugged Steven Adams in with Sengun and found that was the key to their success. Two mostly-inside bigs. Game won.

Anyway, not out here to convince you but food for thought for everyone else.

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