2025 NBA Draft

[Manu&Duncan fan]

To be clear, my above expectation for Kon is career average, not the first year.

[exstatic]

It’s all about the measurements. Brandon Clark was mocking top 10 until the combine. He had both rebounding and shot blocking ability. He measured 6’8.25” and people thought, and it was rumored that his wingspan was at least 7’0”. It measured at 6’8.25, and he dropped to pick #21, and has been a marginal NBA player.

My first statement isn’t true, but it’s there for impact. It isn’t ALL about the measurements, but they can have a profound impact on a player’s draftability. If Kon measures at 6’4”, his prospects become much less than they are now. He would be strictly a guard, and he’d be way behind the curve in terms of quickness. If he is close to his listed 6’7” height, his prospects are much better. I’m waiting until the combine results are out.

[spurraider21]

I'm increasingly of the mind that Kon is going to be a disappointment in the NBA. We'll revisit in a few years.

wouldnt surprise me. feels like his aspiration is shorter Joe Ingles

[itzsoweezee]

You got it!

castle will start. Will not be benched or traded for no matter who.

You’re obviously obsessed with this college player. Good for you. You want a cookie?

I’ll take the rookie of the year over this Nipple guy

[objective]

It’s all about the measurements. Brandon Clark was mocking top 10 until the combine. He had both rebounding and shot blocking ability. He measured 6’8.25” and people thought, and it was rumored that his wingspan was at least 7’0”. It measured at 6’8.25, and he dropped to pick #21, and has been a marginal NBA player.

My first statement isn’t true, but it’s there for impact. It isn’t ALL about the measurements, but they can have a profound impact on a player’s draftability. If Kon measures at 6’4”, his prospects become much less than they are now. He would be strictly a guard, and he’d be way behind the curve in terms of quickness. If he is close to his listed 6’7” height, his prospects are much better. I’m waiting until the combine results are out.

'marginal' is way too dismissive

Averaged 20mpg in his career, it's only been derailed by injuries, but he's been a legit NBA rotation player.

[The Truth #6]

Gun to my head, Brian Wright can't resist Carter Bryant at 8 and takes him. The old days we would maybe take Kasparas at 8, but I don't see Wright as having any particular interest in foreign players.

We momentarily draft someone at 14, but then trade them. In the off-season, pick up some more vets. Yeah, sort of like last year.

Personally, I have no idea who to take at 8.

At 14, I'm intrigued by Carter Bryant, Fleming, Jase Richardson, and Queen, or maybe even Liam. I don't think they'd do it, but maybe there's a world where they trade 8 and keep 14.

[benefactor]

And you were on the Reed Sheppard band wagon.

Don't talk to me anymore old got. Go get your big black bull to clap your old booty cheeks and let the people who understand basketball talk about it.

[keithington1]

Did a mock. Got Queen Clifford Yang. I’m not mad.

[rascal]

Don't talk to me anymore old got. Go get your big black bull to clap your old booty cheeks and let the people who understand basketball talk about it.

Example of a total meltdown.

[CGD]

Gun to my head, Brian Wright can't resist Carter Bryant at 8 and takes him. The old days we would maybe take Kasparas at 8, but I don't see Wright as having any particular interest in foreign players.

We momentarily draft someone at 14, but then trade them. In the off-season, pick up some more vets. Yeah, sort of like last year.

Personally, I have no idea who to take at 8.

At 14, I'm intrigued by Carter Bryant, Fleming, Jase Richardson, and Queen, or maybe even Liam. I don't think they'd do it, but maybe there's a world where they trade 8 and keep 14.

Agree on Bryant at 8. There is ALWAYS a player that gets levered way up after the combine, and it’s feeling like the recent momentum around Bryant could make him be that dude this year.

On the flip side, so much is at stake for Kon on his measurement. We could easily be talking about him or McNeeley at #14 if he comes in shorter than 6’5.5”.

[Arguendo]

Gun to my head, Brian Wright can't resist Carter Bryant at 8 and takes him. The old days we would maybe take Kasparas at 8, but I don't see Wright as having any particular interest in foreign players.

We momentarily draft someone at 14, but then trade them. In the off-season, pick up some more vets. Yeah, sort of like last year.

Personally, I have no idea who to take at 8.

At 14, I'm intrigued by Carter Bryant, Fleming, Jase Richardson, and Queen, or maybe even Liam. I don't think they'd do it, but maybe there's a world where they trade 8 and keep 14.

If Kon and Tre are off the board, I have no problem with Bryant at 8.
We'll know more after the combine, but I expect him to measure/test really well and shoot up the mock boards. Arizona had a bunch of upper classman, they asked Bryant to D-up and spot-up. He responded by leading the team in stocks in less than 20mpg, taking 60% of his shots from 3 (2.8/g), and hitting at >37% against tough Big12 teams. He's a plus athlete, strong and physically developed (220lbs), plays above the rim and moves well. 3-D floor, with huge upside/untapped potential. O is raw, too many turnovers, but he produced in his role and personally I love the idea of building a D juggernaut team and he's a step in that direction with enough shooting to stay on the floor.

[Knoxxx]

At 8 we want Queen to bolster our front court and provide more versatility than a big such as Maluach. Queen can play with Wemby and play center with Wemby out.

I would go with Knueppel or Jaku as the backup plans.

At 14 we should have our pick of McNeeley, Demin, Bryant, or Fleming. Quite a few differences across those players, but all provide frontcourt help.

If we don’t get Queen at 8, that’s when a Sorber should be in play at 14.

We can’t solve all our roster holes with those two picks, but we have to get some frontcourt help.

[HankChinaski]

What intrigues me about Queen is his handles and body control going into that paint with contact.
He hasn't been a strong defender but he generates a lot of focus in his college games on the offensive end

I think he could be solid choice that could fit with players in the starting unit and bench.

[Knoxxx]

Queen is very aggressive and I think him and Wemby would be a lot for teams to deal with as a 1-2 big man punch. The mock I watched also cited his ability to get out on the perimeter and defend/disrupt. He seems like clearly our best option at 8 if we draft a big at that spot. He can help us right away on the boards too which we sorely need.

[DAF86]

I'm waiting for the first one, who develops trade up scenarios for Fleming, to make it 100000% sure to get him, after he watched the 30 seconds video where he dunks over some 5'10" guys.

I asked several times and didn't get an answer that made senes: if this guy is that huuuuge and has such superior athleticism and is so fluid and has such a great shot WHY ????? wasn't he able to dominate his compe ion as an experienced junior, when the compe ion was as low as A10?
why did this lottery talent totally fail, whenever it counted?
why was a junior with 100 games under his belt not able to deliver in a ing NIT game?
why did his production go south till Cap Horn whenever they played the conference tournament?
why was this superior player only the 3rd option on a very average team?
why was his usage so low?
and if so, why is his assist% so low? why wasn't he involved more in the offense?
why did a "huge athlete" like him only make 3 trips to the foul line?
why was he so underwhelming on the offensive boards?

when I see like 10 red flags, I don't rave about some 7'5" wingspan (self reported) before I got some reasonable answers.

Very easy, he isn't a creator, he's a role player. Nobody is drafting Fleming to be a go to guy in the NBA. Anyone who drafts him, does it in hopes that he becomes that tall forward that plays defense and hits 3's at a decent clip, that's it. A type of player that doesn't really abound in the league and it's probably the most coveted when it comes to role players.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Very easy, he isn't a creator, he's a role player. Nobody is drafting Fleming to be a go to guy in the NBA. Anyone who drafts him, does it in hopes that he becomes that tall forward that plays defense and hits 3's at a decent clip, that's it. A type of player that doesn't really abound in the league and it's probably the most coveted when it comes to role players.

I agree. Is there a case for Fleming over Carter Bryant though?

Both lacked production for various reasons, whatever. Both have NBA ready bodies. Fleming is a 4/5 and Bryant is a 3/4 which is a more valuable archetype. In fact I’d be very concerned about Fleming’s ability to play on the perimeter, I think there’s more than a 50% chance he ends up a big in the NBA. I buy Bryant’s shot more.

A lot will depend on interviews I think. There are a million things we cannot evaluate and project even if we watch a ton of their games.

[benefactor]

Example of a total meltdown.

Says the guy who challenged Manny to a fight over a women's soccer discussion.

[Vienna]

some interesting views about Denim and Jakucionis from the Barlowe brothers in their last episode of their big board podcast.

they were discussing them as possible Jumbo PGs and if they will be lead guards in the NBA.

overall they are not that high on both, they didn't rank them regarding draft position, but I guess they don't see them as top 10 picks.

James calls Denim the best passer in the draft, but doubts his ability to play as a PG because of the loose handle and sub par shooting. he made an interesting comparison: Joe Ingles.

and they see Jakucionis as a PG at the next level, but think the lack of foot speed and creativity will limit him to a complementary role in the NBA.

[Knoxxx]

some interesting views about Denim and Jakucionis from the Barlowe brothers in their last episode of their big board podcast.

they were discussing them as possible Jumbo PGs and if they will be lead guards in the NBA.

overall they are not that high on both, they didn't rank them regarding draft position, but I guess they don't see them as top 10 picks.

James calls Denim the best passer in the draft, but doubts his ability to play as a PG because of the loose handle and sub par shooting. he made an interesting comparison: Joe Ingles.

and they see Jakucionis as a PG at the next level, but think the lack of foot speed and creativity will limit him to a complementary role in the NBA.

The two players I tend to pair in my mind are Demin and McNeeley because both have legit SF size which is a need for us. In addition, I think both have a good amount of filling out to do which will make them potentially stronger finishers and more stout defending. If you could roll those two players into one, that would be a nice combo of scoring and passing. Right now, each only brings one of those skills. That makes me lean McNeeley, but Demin entices with his amazing passing and it is fun to imagine him becoming another Kirilenko. I know, far fetched.

[Mr. Body]

some interesting views about Denim and Jakucionis from the Barlowe brothers in their last episode of their big board podcast.

they were discussing them as possible Jumbo PGs and if they will be lead guards in the NBA.

overall they are not that high on both, they didn't rank them regarding draft position, but I guess they don't see them as top 10 picks.

James calls Denim the best passer in the draft, but doubts his ability to play as a PG because of the loose handle and sub par shooting. he made an interesting comparison: Joe Ingles.

and they see Jakucionis as a PG at the next level, but think the lack of foot speed and creativity will limit him to a complementary role in the NBA.

I agree with these generally but Joe Ingles being like Denim. Ingles was a tough, toolsy toolkit kind of guy who was just a decent passer, but could shoot. Demin is like the opposite of this. This is just comparing white guys.

[spurraider21]

some interesting views about Denim and Jakucionis from the Barlowe brothers in their last episode of their big board podcast.

they were discussing them as possible Jumbo PGs and if they will be lead guards in the NBA.

overall they are not that high on both, they didn't rank them regarding draft position, but I guess they don't see them as top 10 picks.

James calls Denim the best passer in the draft, but doubts his ability to play as a PG because of the loose handle and sub par shooting. he made an interesting comparison: Joe Ingles.

and they see Jakucionis as a PG at the next level, but think the lack of foot speed and creativity will limit him to a complementary role in the NBA.

i was a huge Ingles fan back in the day, but Kon is closer ot Ingles than Demin, unless you are strictly talking about builds. Ingles was a high end shooter (unorthodox form, but high release point) who parlayed his shooting ability into the ability to beat closeouts with good-enough handling, good passing, and solid touch on drives. that's basically Kon's offensive profile, except Kon is smaller.

Ingles was a good defender too. not a lockdown man to man guy, but played very good help defense, metrics were always good, and he had legit size, 6'8 with a 6'10 or so wingspan.

Demin reminds me more of a less athletic Evan Turner offensively. a jumbo sized PG who doesnt really pressure defenses much at all, which raises legit quesitons of how many passing opportunities he will actually be able to create against NBA players. just not an explosive ballhandler nor a good shooter. Turner carved out a solid career by playing defense and being more of a glue guy

as for Jaku, at the risk of lazy white comparisons, its like Podziemski but a worse 3 point shooter. but he is about 3 years younger than where Podz was as of the time of the draft, and i think he's a better driver than Pods was in college, so theres plenty of potential. he also was shooting the lights out in the first half of the college season. he gets to the line plenty and has a very strong FT clip

[pad300]

You got it!

castle will start. Will not be benched or traded for no matter who.

I think this is wrong. IMO, the shots aren't there for him to develop. Thus he will be pushed into a Manu type role off the bench.
Consider, the Spurs take ~ 90 shots per game, and the SL takes about 55 of those (and 35 for the bench). Fox and Wemby take 35. 20 Shots left between 3 other starters. If Castle takes 12, that's 8 for the other two. But spacing from shooting requires the shooter(s) to take shots; 8 isn't enough for those players to do their job in the SL. If Castle goes to lead the bench unit, he can take 12-15 shots (which he needs for his development), while the 3 non-star starters split 20 shots.

[exstatic]

I think this is wrong. IMO, the shots aren't there for him to develop. Thus he will be pushed into a Manu type role off the bench.
Consider, the Spurs take ~ 90 shots per game, and the SL takes about 55 of those (and 35 for the bench). Fox and Wemby take 35. 20 Shots left between 3 other starters. If Castle takes 12, that's 8 for the other two. But spacing from shooting requires the shooter(s) to take shots; 8 isn't enough for those players to do their job in the SL. If Castle goes to lead the bench unit, he can take 12-15 shots (which he needs for his development), while the 3 non-star starters split 20 shots.

ROTY isn’t going to the bench.

[The Truth #6]

I listened to the Vecenie mock draft. Interesting analysis for Carter Bryant instead of a post oriented forward at the 8 spot, which is you don't want said forward to be guarded by their center and have Wemby guarded by their 4. We would want Wemby to be guarded by their center. I think I agree with that.

Makes me think Carter Bryant at 8 and Fleming at 14 makes sense. Two 3/D role players.

I'm intrigued by Queen but if he plays with Wemby and still can't shoot then Queen is now your center.

[CGD]

I listened to the Vecenie mock draft. Interesting analysis for Carter Bryant instead of a post oriented forward at the 8 spot, which is you don't want said forward to be guarded by their center and have Wemby guarded by their 4. We would want Wemby to be guarded by their center. I think I agree with that.

Makes me think Carter Bryant at 8 and Fleming at 14 makes sense. Two 3/D role players.

I'm intrigued by Queen but if he plays with Wemby and still can't shoot then Queen is now your center.

I thought that was very incisive too. I'm also warming to reaching on Bryant at #8 (doubt he'll be there at 14 at this point). Picks #6 to #16 in this draft seem like a big jumble anyway.

I'd be happy with either a Bryant + Liam/Sorber draft. It's not like the rookies as solving our gaps Day 1 anyway (that'll need to be addressed in free agency).