Following Potential 2025 Draftees

[HadAnEffectHere]

Not sure I want to draft a poor man's Collier with the 5th pick. Height/length measurements nearly identical, but Collier is bigger/stronger than Fears. Coming out of college, Collier shot better from 2pt range, 3pt range, ppg identical and Collier was a better passer/playmaker.

1. Collier got to the line in college due to overwhelming strength that was never going to translate. Fears gets to the line via bizarre body movement that causes defenders to swipe and hack in bad spots. This will likely translate.
2. Fears is a really good FT shooter, suggesting that his bad shooting from the field is caused his bad shooting form. Everything about Collier's shooting is tragic.

 

[HadAnEffectHere]

You don't have to squint with Tre.

Tre can't beat a single guy off the dribble and can't defend yet either, the path to stardom for those guys is uhhhh, hazy.

I'm more comfortable projecting Tre as an average starter who scores 17 PPG as a really good shooter and can eventually be average at defense. Maybe Duncan Robinson with better defense and a little more of a handle.

 

[KqWIN]

You just did with; defense, drawing fouls and finishing in the paint. Things he doesnt do now.

This is the intersection of 3 things that don’t happen very often as well. Usually these things get worse in the pros, which is why I stress them so much when I look at prospect.

 

[KqWIN]

Unfortunately, as we saw with Mitchell, effort is 90% of defense. So if he isn't showing the effort now, why would he later. Mitchell came out of college touted as a defensive powerhouse. What he showed was the opposite. Maybe this guy will gain a sudden appreciation for the work required to be a good defender, odds are he won't. So we shouldn't bank on that if we draft him. That is like the girl who gets infatuated with a guy with a lazy streak and she convinces herself she can change him once they are married. Yeah, it ain't gonna happen. He is going to be a couch potato from day 1. Maybe isn't a plan. Draft the guy if we feel he is the BPA, but don't kid ourselves that he might become a 2-way player. Draft him based on who he is right now and the potential to improve, but not on the hope he becomes a defensive force sometime in the future.

I’d push back on this a bit and say that while defense is more effort based than offense, it’s still very much skill and athleticism based. I don’t believe in Tre’s defense because his effort and focus is bad, but I also don’t see him to be a skilled defender. I just don’t really care when people flaunt his wingspan and act like it means so much. If it meant anything to his ability to play defense, it would have showed up in college. Give me the guy who is smaller/shorter arms who actually is good at defense every day of the week.

 

[Elizah Huge]

 

[Elizah Huge]

 

[SojoDave]

If the Jazz draft Kon, I'm out

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I think Tre Johnson could end up going 3rd or 4th to be quite honest.

Jazz may still be able to end up with Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe.

I think several guys will get a look, but the Jazz will take whomever is left among Ace, VJ and Tre. I think Edgecombe measuring out at 6'4" will make some people believe he's got a shot at developing like Anthony Edwards. I think it's unlikely that VJ gets past both Philly and Charlotte. If Ace Bailey has a poor pre-draft process, he could slip to #5. Tre has reportedly been very impressive in workouts.

But that said, there is also a reasonably high probability that the Jazz make a substantial trade. If the Jazz feel strongly enough, they could package #5 and Lauri to move up with Philadelphia. I doubt the Jazz would do that, but the whole draft really depends on what direction the Sixers go.

The Jazz are going to take a step back, look at this draft, look at next-year's draft, reset their timeline and start moving guys.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Tre’s going to end up going 3/4

 

[oldtimer]

There is a universe where the Jazz will draft Kon Knuepple at #5 and Liam McNeeley at #21.

just not this one. Please

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Tre can't beat a single guy off the dribble and can't defend yet either, the path to stardom for those guys is uhhhh, hazy.

I'm more comfortable projecting Tre as an average starter who scores 17 PPG as a really good shooter and can eventually be average at defense. Maybe Duncan Robinson with better defense and a little more of a handle.

Bro, at this point I'm ready to put you on ignore. Tre just led the SEC in scoring as a freshman. He's a markedly better shooter and scorer than Keyonte, who just averaged 17 ppg.

 

[HeatCheck]

I think Tre Johnson could end up going 3rd or 4th to be quite honest.

Jazz may still be able to end up with Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe.

I'm hoping for Ace or even Maluach at this point.
They desperately need someone with length who possesses some skill. I'm assuming Lauri is not here long term. Last night's lottery result was the nail in the coffin for that outcome. I get what they were trying to do with the Hendricks and Cody picks. Both Ace and Maluach project to be much better prospects.

At this point the best they can likely do is draft their Robin this year and then hope to get their franchise player in the '26 draft.