Following Potential 2025 Draftees

[KqWIN]

I'm getting leery of skinny dudes after Cody, but Essengue should measure out in the same neighborhood as Bilal Coulibaly and Nic Batum entering the league. He has the potential to grow a bit more as well as fill out, since he's 18 and reportedly has huge hands. But yeah, his shoulders are narrow. He's a high-ceiling play with an uncertain floor.

I don't think he'll get 'run over' per se, but he may not bring much physicality. His 9'3" standing reach and mobility makes him a secondary rim presence. He's a better and more dynamic player than Ousman Dieng was a few years back, which I guess doesn't say a whole lot.

He has long arms which explains the standing reach, but his shoulders are not nearly as wide as Bilal which also explains the wingspan being a lot shorter. He doesn’t have the same frame to put weight, and he’s also not a perimeter oriented offensive player as Bilal or Batum.

I also struggle to see how he was more “dynamic” than Dieng as a prospect. Dieng was taking a ton of threes and crazy shots, it was clear that his potential was as a perimeter player. He wasn’t very good and was extremely inefficient, but that was the type of player he was. Essengue is pretty much the exact opposite. He is efficient, but it’s a whole lot of dunks and FT’s.

Defensively I think he can be fairly versatile, but I don’t offensively he’s a KJ Martin type. I find him to be a high risk, lower potential guy if I’m being honest. Don’t see how the offensive game materializes in a large way, but if you’re lucky and develops a shot he could be a 3 and D type of player.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I'm getting leery of skinny dudes after Cody, but Essengue should measure out in the same neighborhood as Bilal Coulibaly and Nic Batum entering the league.

Again, the difference between Nic Batum and the rest of these scrubs is that he was actually good at basketball. Which, again, I guess doesn’t factor into people’s evaluations.

 

[Park Bites]

A few 'What-Ifs' in this draft:

• What if Collin Murray-Boyles improves his shooting touch and his offensive game opens up?

You could be looking at a Draymond Green 2.0 maybe without the crazy.

• What if Asa Newell improves his handle and footwork to the point he can beat defenders in the half court?

He would end up being the steal "IF" that happens

• What if Jeremiah Fears improves his shooting and finishing ability?

This could be said for how many different prospects?

• What if Derik Queen adds 3pt range?

I don't care. I hate his motor and the way he acts. Just say no to Queen

• What if Rasheer Fleming has some handle and he didn't show much because NCAA spacing is so bad?

Flemming just needs to hit his 3s and he will have a long career. If he gets a handle and some moves he might become an all-star one day.

• What if Hugo Gonzales just had a down year?

His defense is still good and I think he has the work ethic to become much better. Spain needs a player to explode do you bet on that?

• What if Sergio de Larrea is flat-out better than Kasparas Jakucionis?

I love me some Sergio. Good question and one to follow.

• What if Rocco Zikarsky has better hands and a better motor than Khaman Maluach?

Maluach is such a polarizing prospect. He seems to run hot and cold. I will always err on the side that centers seem to take longer to develop. Of course that can also be said about Zikarsky. I would not complain about Zikarsky in the second. I draft him frequently in my mocks.

• What if Dink Pate is being overlooked because he's in Mexico City and the Gleague doesn't showcase young prospects well?

Can he shoot? Has he improved in any key stats since last year? this is what I wanted to see the most. The GLeague doesn't showcase but also doesn't seem to develop either.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

A few 'What-Ifs' in this draft:

• What if Collin Murray-Boyles improves his shooting touch and his offensive game opens up?
• What if Asa Newell improves his handle and footwork to the point he can beat defenders in the half court?
• What if Jeremiah Fears improves his shooting and finishing ability?
• What if Derik Queen adds 3pt range?
• What if Rasheer Fleming has some handle and he didn't show much because NCAA spacing is so bad?
• What if Hugo Gonzales just had a down year?
• What if Sergio de Larrea is flat-out better than Kasparas Jakucionis?
• What if Rocco Zikarsky has better hands and a better motor than Khaman Maluach?
• What if Dink Pate is being overlooked because he's in Mexico City and the Gleague doesn't showcase young prospects well?

If the GLeague is so bad for young prospects how has Bronny James have 30+ points regularly? I think Dink just sucks.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

If the GLeague is so bad for young prospects how has Bronny James have 30+ points regularly? I think Dink just sucks.

Yeah, there's no excuse for shooting 58% from the FT line as a guard or wing.

 

[SojoDave]

A few 'What-Ifs' in this draft:

• What if Collin Murray-Boyles improves his shooting touch and his offensive game opens up?
• What if Asa Newell improves his handle and footwork to the point he can beat defenders in the half court?
• What if Jeremiah Fears improves his shooting and finishing ability?
• What if Derik Queen adds 3pt range?
• What if Rasheer Fleming has some handle and he didn't show much because NCAA spacing is so bad?
• What if Hugo Gonzales just had a down year?
• What if Sergio de Larrea is flat-out better than Kasparas Jakucionis?
• What if Rocco Zikarsky has better hands and a better motor than Khaman Maluach?
• What if Dink Pate is being overlooked because he's in Mexico City and the Gleague doesn't showcase young prospects well?

If "ifs" and "buts" we're candy and nuts, every day would be Christmas.

 

[KqWIN]

It will be interesting to see how the “testing the waters” phase goes. Seems like every NCAA and International prospect that could be on the first round bubble is leaning towards NIL. In theory, everyone returning/going NCAA means there’s opportunity for those who actually want to go NBA. I think players will need promises to turn down that NIL money.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

It will be interesting to see how the “testing the waters” phase goes. Seems like every NCAA and International prospect that could be on the first round bubble is leaning towards NIL. In theory, everyone returning/going NCAA means there’s opportunity for those who actually want to go NBA. I think players will need promises to turn down that NIL money.

This year feels like the most interesting to date a far as this goes.

 

[jom2003]

When will we know if Flagg will be entering the draft or returning to school?

 

[KqWIN]

This year feels like the most interesting to date a far as this goes.

I really wonder what number of prospects will stay in and feel “normal”. Like if you’re drafting 25th, is that actually the 40th guy had NIL and transfer portal not been an option?

I think it’s safe the top 15 mostly guys will be unaffected….how much further until we get to the part of the draft where college is seen as the better option? Does the 20th guy (or guy who thinks he 20th) even stay in the draft without a good promise from a franchise he wants to go to?

It will be fascinating to see how it plays out, but our Twolves pick might be weaker than normal.

 

[KqWIN]

Maybe the top 15 isn’t even safe. Like I wonder how much a school would be willing to pay for CMB. If CMB went back to powerhouse he’d have to be favorite for POY right?

 

[SoberasHotRod]

I really wonder what number of prospects will stay in and feel “normal”. Like if you’re drafting 25th, is that actually the 40th guy had NIL and transfer portal not been an option?

I think it’s safe the top 15 mostly guys will be unaffected….how much further until we get to the part of the draft where college is seen as the better option? Does the 20th guy (or guy who thinks he 20th) even stay in the draft without a good promise from a franchise he wants to go to?

It will be fascinating to see how it plays out, but our Twolves pick might be weaker than normal.

I still think anyone guaranteed to go first round will mostly stay, so that's probably at least top 20, maybe top 25. It gets mentioned a lot, but it's not just about getting your first contract, but about getting to your second contract sooner.

I still think guys projected below the first round will stay in the draft, but it will be a much lower number than ever before.