If you guys are not paying attention, this Draft class is special.

[Silverfoxx]

The top 4 players Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey and Jakucionis all have all star/franchise game changing potential.

The next tier is all star level with I Demin, Tre Johnson.

This is not even counting on other potential fun talent like Derick Queen, VJ Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach, and Boogie Fland.

This draft class is deeeeeeep and as ********ty as this season has been, if folks were paying attention to the team, THIS is the season to tank and get a potential franchise changer.

[donato]

THIS is the season to tank and get a potential franchise changer.

I've got some good news for you...

[Speakthetruth]

Interesting players for sure

[stevemadden504]

If nothing changes with the staff it won't matter who we pick.

[13 - 3]

Yeah it would just be a timetable for departure if we kept this staff.

[ml wave]

Whoever we pick in this draft will outlast this staff.

[Darkhorse985]

Whoever we pick in this draft will outlast this staff.

Willie Green should never coach any picks out this next draft.

[Silverfoxx]

Update. Top 7 guys in this draft class. I'm huge on Jeremiah Fears. Remember his name.

[clark griswald]

fears has better handle than jakacuinios, johnson, and the tall russian. better shot form as well. No idea he's not in the top 10.

[Blattman]

So I guess the mourning of the 2024/2025 season ended for me lately since I fully pivoted into the draft 25.

I have the exact same top 4 as silverfoxx. Flagg seems the obvious candidate for stardom but I can see a path for the 4 of them to achieve greatness.
After them I have Tre Johnson and then I think it's the question marks I could live with Demin, Edgecomb, Traore, Saraf and Maluach.

I hope we will end up with one of those guys, then I wouldn't mind some extra picks in the late first early second round. One of Danny Wolf, Johni Broome, Thomas Sorber, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, Andrej Stojakovic or Jaland Lowe would certainly sooth my despair.

[fullcourtpress]

The top 4 players Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey and Jakucionis all have all star/franchise game changing potential.

The next tier is all star level with I Demin, Tre Johnson.

This is not even counting on other potential fun talent like Derick Queen, VJ Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach, and Boogie Fland.

This draft class is deeeeeeep and as ********ty as this season has been, if folks were paying attention to the team, THIS is the season to tank and get a potential franchise changer.

VJ Edgecomb has kicked in the door to that top four, kicking Jakucionis out. he's had 30 and a 28 pt game recently. 11 of 16 from 3 in his last three games (he now shooting 39% from 3 on the year0
and most importantly his speed and athleticism are out of this world. w ja morant, sga,d fox and all in our conference we may need an elite athlete like him to keep up.


cooper flag
ace bailey
dylan harper
vj edgecomb
jakucionis
tre johnson

we couldn't go wrong with those

[Blattman]

VJ Edgecomb has kicked in the door to that top four, kicking Jakucionis out. he's had 30 and a 28 pt game recently. 11 of 16 from 3 in his last three games (he now shooting 39% from 3 on the year0
and most importantly his speed and athleticism are out of this world. w ja morant, sga,d fox and all in our conference we may need an elite athlete like him to keep up.


cooper flag
ace bailey
dylan harper
vj edgecomb
jakucionis
tre johnson

we couldn't go wrong with those

I'd say if he confirm the improving trend he might be top 2 or even challenge Flagg for the number one spot. I just love how when he struggled earlier he focused on defense to contribute.

[Pelicanidae]

Agreed with most of what's been said in this thread so far.

I haven't kept up with the draft as heavily this year as in prior years - associated with a general basketball misery, for I think obvious reasons - but I've stayed semi-engaged and it is a pretty good class. There's a lot of potential at the top.

Right now, according to tankathon, we're slotted in for the 2nd pick. If I run the simulation 5 times, I get 4th, 6th, 3rd, 4th, 2nd as the results. Another two rolls gets me another 2nd and a 1st.

Imagining us as having the 4th pick, there's still guys of high ceiling value on the board there, which is nice. It's not like some years where you have a great #1, maybe a solid 2 and 3, and then it drops off a cliff; even if we had to pick 6th, that would be workable.

Hoping for a top 3 though.

[Pelicanidae]

I'd say if he confirm the improving trend he might be top 2 or even challenge Flagg for the number one spot. I just love how when he struggled earlier he focused on defense to contribute.

Don't really agree with this tbh, I like Edgecombe a lot and had him top 5 coming into the college season, but he's still so clearly beneath Flagg as a prospect for me. Flagg's a really special combination of defense and offensive awareness at a size that's really hard to beat unless you're just an all-timer in one of those categories, and Edgecombe isn't looking like a Wemby himself.

[fullcourtpress]

Agreed with most of what's been said in this thread so far.

I haven't kept up with the draft as heavily this year as in prior years - associated with a general basketball misery, for I think obvious reasons - but I've stayed semi-engaged and it is a pretty good class. There's a lot of potential at the top.

Right now, according to tankathon, we're slotted in for the 2nd pick. If I run the simulation 5 times, I get 4th, 6th, 3rd, 4th, 2nd as the results. Another two rolls gets me another 2nd and a 1st.

Imagining us as having the 4th pick, there's still guys of high ceiling value on the board there, which is nice. It's not like some years where you have a great #1, maybe a solid 2 and 3, and then it drops off a cliff; even if we had to pick 6th, that would be workable.

Hoping for a top 3 though.

likewise

and i agree about the top six...........except for one thing, ive seen Kon Knueppel from Duke slip in on the top 6 on tankathon a couple of times. id' puke if that'd happen.


id like to hear yal's thoughts on Ace Bailey. (his lack of assists, shot selection and efficiency is always criticized, but so was the Ant Man's)

[Blattman]

Don't really agree with this tbh, I like Edgecombe a lot and had him top 5 coming into the college season, but he's still so clearly beneath Flagg as a prospect for me. Flagg's a really special combination of defense and offensive awareness at a size that's really hard to beat unless you're just an all-timer in one of those categories, and Edgecombe isn't looking like a Wemby himself.

Between his shot creation, 3 point shooting, athleticism and defensive intensity, Edgecomb has the potential to be both a defensive menace and the number one offensive option for his team. I'm not saying Flagg isn't an awesome prospect but Edgecomb might have the complete package.

When I watch Bailey, he reminds of the college version of Tatum, so again not a bad pick to select IMO.

[Darkhorse985]

This is a 5 prospect draft in regards to possible franchise changing talent. We must get a top 5 pick…

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Bailey
4. Edgecombe
5. Johnson

6th is PG Jakucionis, but he is a high quality complementary player imo.

[donato]

I've seen Jakucionis as #3 in several recent mocks behind only Flagg and Harper.

[Darkhorse985]

I've seen Jakucionis as #3 in several recent mocks behind only Flagg and Harper.

He is Josh Giddey, and not top 5 worthy in this draft imo.

[Blattman]

He is Josh Giddey, and not top 5 worthy in this draft imo.

I don't like the Giddey's comp given Jakucionis' ability to draw fouls and shooting mechanic. I think his shooting numbers are deflated due to the wear and tear coming from his high usage.

I like Tre Johnson but his shot selection and lack of contribution in other areas of the game make him a low floor prospect.

[fullcourtpress]

I don't like the Giddey's comp given Jakucionis' ability to draw fouls and shooting mechanic. I think his shooting numbers are deflated due to the wear and tear coming from his high usage.

I like Tre Johnson but his shot selection and lack of contribution in other areas of the game make him a low floor prospect.

Same here. But look, he's a freshman and game is so under control and he's still going at 19 ppg. i think his floor is cam thomas and his ceiling is bradley beal/ james harden

[Speakthetruth]

Regarding James harden you have to remember how much value he adds as a a passer.

[Blattman]

Same here. But look, he's a freshman and game is so under control and he's still going at 19 ppg. i think his floor is cam thomas and his ceiling is bradley beal/ james harden

I agree his floor is somewhat around the Cam Thomas/Marcus Thornton zone but unless he makes drastic improvement on his shot creation or his defense, his likely better carreer outcome is JR Smith or Buddy Hield. Beal and Harden are both great playmakers and play more like combo guards where Johnson is a true wing to me. I'd say his ceiling is more a smaller Trey Murphy or Kris Middleton than Harden.

[fullcourtpress]

I agree his floor is somewhat around the Cam Thomas/Marcus Thornton zone but unless he makes drastic improvement on his shot creation or his defense, his likely better carreer outcome is JR Smith or Buddy Hield. Beal and Harden are both great playmakers and play more like combo guards where Johnson is a true wing to me. I'd say his ceiling is more a smaller Trey Murphy or Kris Middleton than Harden.

Tre Johnson put up 32 pts 9 reb 3 assist against kentucky. Ironically he was only 1 for 8 on threes and made the bulk on FT's
edgecomb, bailey and harper were underwhelming yesterday
cooper shined again as well