2025 NBA Draft

[Pelicanidae]

Hello all!

Numerous draft threads already, but they're mostly dedicated to things like our specific draft choices, or trades involving draft picks, or speculation.

This is not that. This is the thread dedicated to the actual NBA Draft and the specific realities that happen in it. I'll be posting many (probably not all) of the picks as they come through in this thread, and obviously it's a place for discussing what draft picks other teams might make and also analysing any other team's draft night trades. If we make any such trades ourselves, they will likely get their own threads.

Going into tonight, we have picks 7, 23, and 40.

What is everyone hoping to see?

I'd like to see at 7 either Kon Knueppel or Khaman Maluach, and then at 23 it depends a little but figures like Danny Wolf, Rasheer Fleming, and potentially Cedric Coward if he slips a bit make sense. Hard to say since we don't know what options will be there - someone will inevitably slide down the boards, as they do every draft.

On the topic of who we shouldn't draft - I really want to avoid Fears and Ace. I'd also like to avoid Queen if possible, though less desperately than the other two. Not interested in 6'2 guards who don't defend, can't shoot, and can't finish, and Ace just looks like re-living the BI experiment except he doesn't even pass like BI did and his approach to the draft has been toxic as hell.

What about you? Who are you hoping for and who do you hope we avoid? Cast your final picks before the NBA Draft and get ready for the big night.

THE DRAFT BOARD 👀

Watch the First Round of the 2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm TONIGHT at 8:00pm/et on ABC & ESPN! pic.twitter.com/T4yQ2SkX7x

— NBA (@NBA) June 25, 2025

[donato]

As long as we don't draft Queen at 7 I'll probably like the selection.

[ragincaucasian]

If Tre Johnson slips I'd love him. Maluach, or Noa Essengue would be fine with me too at 7.

I don't want Ace even if he falls. Don't want any more small guards. I have Kira Lewis PTSD.

Also don't want Queen.

Hopefully Coward, Reynaud, or Wolf will be there at 23.

Noa and Maxime would be an nice. We instantly get WAY bigger.

Maulach and Coward would also be a good combo of picks.

[DroopyDawg]

At 7 I would love either:

Tre Johnson
Maluach


At 23 I'd love:

Walter Clayton Jr

If not... I hope for the best.

[Pelicanidae]

I don't want Ace even if he falls. Don't want any more small guards. I have Kira Lewis PTSD.

Are these statements separate, because Ace Bailey is a 6'8 forward. Or were you referring to Fears?

[Pelicanidae]

First draft pick trade of the night: The San Antonio Spurs are trading the No. 38 pick in tonight's NBA draft to the Indiana Pacers for a future second-round pick and cash, sources tell ESPN.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025

[Pelicanidae]

The Dallas Mavericks have selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The best player in college basketball last season, despite starting the season as a 17-year-old. He impacted winning in every way, leading Duke to the Final Four. What a gift for Dallas. pic.twitter.com/yoFPPCOAu6

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2025

To the surprise of absolutely nobody!

[Pelicanidae]

The San Antonio Spurs have selected Dylan Harper with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

A jumbo playmaker with a strong frame, his skill level as a shot creator and ability to change speeds, finish through contact, and find teammates should flourish with NBA spacing. pic.twitter.com/Gz2ekaZFKR

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2025

Dylan Harper, as expected, goes second - so far, so predictable.

It starts getting a little weird after this.

[Pelicanidae]

It's V.J. Edgecome at No.3 to Philadelphia, sources say.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 26, 2025

No mega surprise here either.

[Pelicanidae]

Sources: The Charlotte Hornets will select Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 26, 2025

And 4 is in - it's Kon.

He is off the board, which means it is now official: Ace Bailey is sliding. Didn't just miss out on top 3, he's missed out on top 4 as well.

[Pelicansfun]

I hope we get Tre Johnson or Maluach. Fingers crossed

[Pelicanidae]

The Utah Jazz have selected Ace Bailey with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Jazz get an explosive wing with All-Star potential with exceptional shot-making prowess and scoring instincts who brings insatiable aggressiveness and a strong defensive motor. pic.twitter.com/W0fTelBMQH

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2025

Well that's one potential danger for us off the board; Ace is gone at 5.

That means that at least two of Fears, Tre, and Queen will be left on the board when we pick. Lots of opportunity for us to take someone I dislike (I would not like any of those picks).

[msusousaphone]

Wow......Fears, Tre, and Maluach all still on the board with one pick away. I'd be happy with all three of those. I really could see Tre or Fears having some star element to them and Maluach could be a dominant big man.

[Pelicanidae]

Wow......Fears, Tre, and Maluach all still on the board with one pick away. I'd be happy with all three of those. I really could see Tre or Fears having some star element to them and Maluach could be a dominant big man.

Of the three, I'd want Maluach and I could buy Tre even though I don't love it at all.

Would be pretty disappointed in Fears. Drafting tiny guards with no proven scoring skills makes me feel sick at this point.

[Pelicansfun]

Agreed about Fears! I’d rather take Jace Richardson at 23 if we want a smaller guard.

[wuggie]

Time for the pick fellas. I have no idea who any of these players are lol

[mriguy]

Gotta be Fears. We need a true point guard who can also shoot

[Pelicanidae]

Washington takes Tre Johnson according to Adam Silver on the broadcast!

So we're on the board - we have our pick of Fears, Maluach, Queen, et cetera. Let's see who we go with.

[Pelicanidae]

Gotta be Fears. We need a true point guard who can also shoot

Fears cannot shoot at all. Or finish. And he doesn't dunk.

Edit: to be super clear, Fears shot 43% from the field and 28% from 3 this year and has 6 dunks total iirc.

[msusousaphone]

Of the three, I'd want Maluach and I could buy Tre even though I don't love it at all.

Would be pretty disappointed in Fears. Drafting tiny guards with no proven scoring skills makes me feel sick at this point.

Same.

I wanted Tre the most before the Poole trade so it hurts to see him go one away from us but Maluach is my favorite now.

[mriguy]

Well I hope we draft him and he proves you wrong

[msusousaphone]

DJM is so gone. Lol

[Pelicanidae]

Sources: The New Orleans Pelicans will select Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 26, 2025

God, that's upsetting.

Well, the upside on Fears is that he does have a very good handle and is a decent passer and he's super young, so maybe he'll grow and in a few years he'll be actually good in a way that makes a difference. Obviously - as always - once a player actually gets here, I hope that they hit every bit of upside possible.

Drafting a 28% three point shooter is painful here.

Please draft Danny Wolf or Rasheer Fleming at 23. Please.

[Pelicansfun]

[msusousaphone]

Star power. He has it. There should be a few quality rotational big guys at 23 so if we land one of them, this team is actually setting up pretty nice.