Following Potential 2025 Draftees

[KqWIN]

somebody posted his numbers against top 100 defenses and they were abysmal. i'm still a fan of his in general, but there are legit reasons to be concerned.

Yeah at 21 it's fine to overlook some things....but I'm seeing him move into some top 10's? Gotta pump the breaks sometimes lol.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Yeah at 21 it's fine to overlook some things....but I'm seeing him move into some top 10's? Gotta pump the breaks sometimes lol.

He should be in the same discussion as Bryant in my opinion. Bryant was a more active defender and should be a little more disruptive, and is obviously a lot younger, but Coward has a real jump shot already and is longer.

Neither of them have numbers that you can take much from.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

He should be in the same discussion as Bryant in my opinion. Bryant was a more active defender and should be a little more disruptive, and is obviously a lot younger, but Coward has a real jump shot already and is longer.

Neither of them have numbers that you can take much from.

Late lotto, mid teens for both imo.

 

[HadAnEffectHere]

Matt Moore rumors:

-Fears is having monster workouts and interviews and his floor is 6
-Magic are trying to get a guy who makes around $25m (it's probably Simons from Portland)

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Late lotto, mid teens for both imo.

Yep, I currently have them 14/15 on my board.

 

[KqWIN]

From Matt Moore:

https://substack.com/home/post/p-164878003

THE ACE BAILEY CONVO

The Sixers are sending out mixed signals about that third pick. I’ve heard they’re willing to move it for a star upgrade, want to keep it, and are fine with taking Ace Bailey, and that they are not fans and may take VJ Edgecombe instead. All options are obviously on the table for a team in their position. So that clears that up.

Fears crushed interviews and workouts around the combine and made a big jump. I don’t think that was agent-created; he genuinely jumped. I don’t think Fears gets past Wizards at six unless something dramatic happens.

I get the sense that consensus is still behind a little bit on Queen who I think has enjoyed more of a bump from draft process than has been reported. However, one draft consultant told me there are enough holes in his game where he might fall back as it gets closer to the actual draft.

Khaman Maluach is still getting a fair amount of hype, but some teams were confident this week he’d be in range in the last five picks of the lottery.

Jase Richardson has picked up steam and I think is closer to 10 than 20 right now, but anywhere in that range sounds right.

Free Agency

Orlando is indeed shifting its approach, as it sounded like in their postseason pressers, towards making major upgrades. Sources believe they are looking to package around $25 million in salary for various players to give the offense the jump it needs. That sounds right because with Franz and Paolo, any addition making above that likely will demand the ball too much.

This is outside speculative, but two different East personnel figures believe that the Bulls are unlikely to retain both Josh Giddey and Coby White. If Giddey gets locked in, White could be moved. I’m skeptical of that idea because that sounds like a radical concept for the Bulls and that doesn’t sound like them. Saving money sounds like them, but not like this.

Multiple Lakers outlets have reported on “theoretical” trades involving Nets center Nic Claxton, and that’s not a coincidence. Claxton provides an athletic veteran floor runner who can switch to put next to Luka, the Nets and Lakers have done deals before, multiple times, and Claxton is likely ready to be on a contending team. If this move happens, the Lakers are going to be way better than what the surface analysis on this kind of move would indicate. He’s good.

The Suns have indicated to teams that center is at a premium for them in any KD talks. He might stick around, but their biggest interest is in solving the center position, which has been a disaster since moving on from Ayton.

I was really curious what the Pacers were going to do given that they couldn’t clear salary for Myles Turner’s extension at the deadline, but it sounds like, regardless, he’s not going anywhere. Word is that the two sides are already close on an extension that will keep him with Indiana. What that means for the rest of the Pacers supporting cast is another question.

The Clippers are hunting for a name. Some superstars (older ones), some veteran guys with championship experience. They really think they can make another run at it, which is very much looking at the gift horse of this season in the mouth.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

So he is risking injury to impress teams for what reason exactly? If he's locked in at 2 regardless of any scenario he has no motivation to do more workouts unless he specifically wants the teams to trade up for him instead of going to SA.

I kind of buy this. I could see him being of two minds going to SA. Excited to run with Wemby but also not likely getting some of the dev time he may need to establish himself quickly. I would bet he is likely good with SA but open to other spots if it suits him well.

I think something like #5 and Lauri or something like #5 and Suns pick would be what get us there. Say they don't want the additional big salary that Lauri comes with. At this point I think I would do both of those deals.

I don't think SA would want #21 in either case (I mean they'd take it) but they would have two lotto picks to go with their other projects and likely want some vets with the rest of the roster.

 

[KqWIN]

Harper not wanting to play for SAS and ending up "forcing" his way to UTA is the funny ending we all need.

 

[Eminence]

Didn't Harper or his camp put out something to the effect of 'screw Utah, those guys suck'.

 

[HadAnEffectHere]

I kind of buy this. I could see him being of two minds going to SA. Excited to run with Wemby but also not likely getting some of the dev time he may need to establish himself quickly. I would bet he is likely good with SA but open to other spots if it suits him well.

I think something like #5 and Lauri or something like #5 and Suns pick would be what get us there. Say they don't want the additional big salary that Lauri comes with. At this point I think I would do both of those deals.

I don't think SA would want #21 in either case (I mean they'd take it) but they would have two lotto picks to go with their other projects and likely want some vets with the rest of the roster.

This is absolutely nowhere close to the value needed, guys. We're going to have to sell the farm to move up to #2. Even if San Antonio doesn't like Harper, they're going to want to move him for Giannis.

It would take 5, 21, the 2031 Suns pick, our best 2027 pick, Lauri, and Filipowski.

 

[KqWIN]

This is absolutely nowhere close to the value needed, guys. We're going to have to sell the farm to move up to #2. Even if San Antonio doesn't like Harper, they're going to want to move him for Giannis.

It would take 5, 21, the 2031 Suns pick, our best 2027 pick, Lauri, and Filipowski.

Based on what historical precedent?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

From Matt Moore:

https://substack.com/home/post/p-164878003

THE ACE BAILEY CONVO


Free Agency

Sixers are going to try and move that pick to max its value... they will be interested in everyone and everything in the reports. There will also be reports they want to stay at #3 because the like XYZ. Draft night I bet they move back though. May not be with us but it would make some sense if we love Ace or VJ.