Following Potential 2025 Draftees

[Handlogten's Heros]

Only if they tell me who they’re targeting.

And I think there is an opportunity to milk info from teams that might be looking to get to 5. IDK it was just a thought that if you wanted Kon over Tre/Fears/Queen etc. that you might be able to get your guy and get a decent mid round pick.

Maybe you can use 18/21 to move up or maybe you just take two swings.

 

[Basketball Novice]

One of my offseason goals is to acquire a pick or swap with a western conference team that is trying to make the playoffs in 2026. So many have encumbered picks that I would be trying to acquire another 2026 pick that is worse than ours to utilize in the swap. I'd be trying to do something with Denver, Dallas, LA on a 2026 swap with that pick... since they will be semi-desperate to do something and the cupboards are a little skant.

Ohhhhh, I see. Your idea makes alot more sense now. That's some big brain stuff right there.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

If they want Fears or Kon they should have no issue doing the deal. Those guys will be there at 5 or 6. That's the exact scenario I do the deal.

There's a possibility, albeit small, that Kon and Fears are both gone before 6. So in the interest of mathematical certainty, the Jazz would still do the Wizards deal after the first 3 or 4 picks have been made. I'm assuming that the Jazz will have "their guy" that they want, whomever that turns out to be, and they'll make sure they get their guy.

Also, what if the Sixers offer the Jazz #3 for #5 and #21 when the Sixers are on the clock and find that the guy they wanted at #3 is no longer available? The Jazz will wait and see how the draft plays out. The Washington deal isn't good enough to commit to in advance, imo.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

It makes sense that it would be situational, although I can't think of any examples where someone said it would happen and it actually happens.

At this point I distrust that comment so much that I won't factor it in to my analysis of a player at all. Maybe in the future I'll understand the nuances better and be able to give it more thought.

I think for all-star caliber players/great scorers, it's a real thing. But it's not universal and probably happens less than people think.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I'm surprised so many are saying no to some of these deals. I don't think the 3-5 (Tre, VJ, Ace) are out and out better players than the others 6-10. Dropping 1 spot to get the 18th pick seems more than worth it.

IDK about VJ, but Tre/Ace definitely are.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Okay... one more. Through a series of trades you can swap 5 and 21 for 7 and 10. What do you prefer?

Yeah, I would probably due that, mostly because I'm so high on Kas and it seems like he'll be available there. I'm not sure if I would want DA to do that though.

I'm not sure who I would target with the 10th pick as I'm not sure who would fit the Jazz and I like in that range. Maybe CMB? He might not fit the Jazz (or the NBA in general), but I absolutely love him.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

If you are cool/indifferent on Tre/Kon and can pick up another pick... there is no such thing as too many picks.

Another one... NOP offer 7 and the Indiana 2026 they own for 5. Same deal. You have to do it before the draft starts.

I would like more picks in 2026, but not sure Indiana is a team to bet against? I guess there is a Turner question coming up there.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

There's a possibility, albeit small, that Kon and Fears are both gone before 6. So in the interest of mathematical certainty, the Jazz would still do the Wizards deal after the first 3 or 4 picks have been made. I'm assuming that the Jazz will have "their guy" that they want, whomever that turns out to be, and they'll make sure they get their guy.

Also, what if the Sixers offer the Jazz #3 for #5 and #21 when the Sixers are on the clock and find that the guy they wanted at #3 is no longer available? The Jazz will wait and see how the draft plays out. The Washington deal isn't good enough to commit to in advance, imo.

If Kon or Fears are gone you go with one of the consensus top 5 guys. Like that is ideal.

I guess the question boils down to... if you think that tier is more like 3-7 or 3-8 and another team doesn't... would you capitalize on that? Once the draft starts Wiz may realize the guy they don't have to trade up. I also wanted to avoid the "depends on who's available" answer to the question... which is reasonable.

Like would you rather have Tre... or Kon and Sorber/Coward/Essengue/Fleming

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Some of his shots at the rim are an adventure to say the least

That's my take as well. He gets to the rim ok, but doesn't currently have very good touch around the basket.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I would like more picks in 2026, but not sure Indiana is a team to bet against? I guess there is a Turner question coming up there.

I want to try and use that pick as the swap median with a western conference team. I think Indiana... in a weak *** east... that's gonna be in the 20s under like 85% of the scenarios.

But say you turn around and offer the 2026 Indiana pick in a swap with Denver/LA/Dallas/Minny... a team that thinks they are making the playoffs and is a little desperate... you might be able to finesse that pick to be a good pick in a draft that seems to be pretty good.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I want to try and use that pick as the swap median with a western conference team. I think Indiana... in a weak *** east... that's gonna be in the 20s under like 85% of the scenarios.

But say you turn around and offer the 2026 Indiana pick in a swap with Denver/LA/Dallas/Minny... a team that thinks they are making the playoffs and is a little desperate... you might be able to finesse that pick to be a good pick in a draft that seems to be pretty good.

Like lets just say the Lakers come to us offering a 2026 swap with the Indiana pick, 2031 unprotected, Knecht, and a 2032 swap for Kessler (Tony Jones said they offered more than they did for the Williams deal and the Jazz said no... so this is a lot but I think its realistic). The Lakers 2026 pick is not for sure in the 20s. There will be a few sad west teams next year and I'd love to bet against one or two.

 

[Basketball Novice]

IDK about VJ, but Tre/Ace definitely are.

I think most people know how I dislike Ace as a prospect, but even Tre/VJ have their warts. Tre isn't good at finishing at the rim, not good drawing FTs, wasn't that good at defense. VJ is very athletic but is a bit raw offensively for a guard. I'm thinking of putting Fears at 3, Queen at 4, Kas or Tre at 5 on my board. That's how equal I see 3-10. Its all a bit of a tossup for me and I would be happy drafting any of these guys (barring Ace). Maybe I just have low standards.