2025 NBA Draft First Round Reactions
The No Ceilings team shares their instant reactions for each pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
We know that draft grades always age poorly because we can’t properly grade a pick until guys actually play. That doesn’t mean that we don’t have reactions to them. Below, we’ll keep a feed of our instant reactions to each pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, along with how it could go right or wrong, links in their name to previous articles, and video/podcast links below. This piece will be regularly updated after each pick, so make sure to keep an eye on it. Enjoy the chaos!
1. Dallas Mavericks - Cooper Flagg
Instant Reaction: Love it, duh.
Flagg is the best prospect to come out of college in a while, and the clear number one pick in this draft. He’s a smart and versatile defender, a great rebounder, a smart passer, and a dynamic scorer. The hype is very real.
How it goes right: Flagg has the potential to be a legitimate two-way star. He’s a tremendous team defender who grew a ton as an offensive creator this year. In a setting where he isn’t immediately “the guy” for his squad, Flagg should be able to grow his game and adjust to the NBA landscape pretty seamlessly. As his handle and shot-making continue to improve, it shouldn’t take long for Flagg to emerge as the primary option for the Mavericks.
How it could go wrong: Coming into the year, there were a lot of questions about Flagg’s handle and shooting. There is still work to be done there, and if they don’t improve, Flagg may just be a toolsy, defensively-focused wing. The pure bust potential for Flagg is incredibly low, but there’s still room to grow on offense. If that growth doesn’t come or this year looks like an outlier, then he may end up looking more like a really solid starter/role player than the superstar we think he could be.
2. San Antonio Spurs — Dylan Harper
Instant Reaction: Well…yeah, obviously.
Dylan Harper would be the top pick in a lot of other drafts. He has an awesome combination of size, athleticism, and versatility. Is the fit great? Not really. Does it matter picking this high? Not really.
How it goes right: Harper has some of the highest upside in this class; typically, talent figures it out. Harper shot better off the catch this year than off the dribble, so he should have some positional versatility playing with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. A lesser load of creation responsibilities should also spark an uptick in the defensive impact. He has PG1 upside written all over him while also raising the games of those around him.
How it goes wrong: The fit is pretty clunky, especially if the shot never substantially improves. If he doesn’t shoot it at a reasonable level, the Spurs will have some major roster overhaul moves to make, as playing Harper, Fox, Castle, and Jeremy Sochan together won’t work. Forget playing all four together, it’ll be tricky to get two of them on the court at the same time. The positional and archetypal overlap could prove to be too much to overcome.
3. Philadelphia 76ers — VJ Edgecombe
Instant reaction: This is the right move.
How it goes right: V.J. Edgecombe is an exciting high-ceiling swing. He has a rare blend of athleticism, skill, and savvy. He’s a good shooter off the catch, he makes good decisions within the flow of the offense, and he’s an aggressive off-ball defender. If he develops his handle, he could look something like Victor Oladipo. This balance of complementary offense, on-ball juice, and defense could make him an exceptional two-way player. Even if he doesn’t hit his optimal outcome, this type of guard is valuable and a common archetype on the league’s best teams.
How it goes wrong: The 76ers already have a crowded backcourt. Given Edgecombe’s up-and-down output as a three-point shooter, if he doesn’t consistently knock down jumpers, the rest of his game could fall apart. Additionally, he’s a bit smaller than the Alex Caruso, Josh Hart-style role players he tends to be compared to for lower-end median outcomes. A messy fit and those shortcomings could be problematic.
The Value of V.J. Edgecombe | The Prospect Overview
V.J. Edgecombe entered the year with sky-high expectations. The 6’5” Baylor guard was a McDonald’s All-American who slotted in at 4th in the 2024 RSCI rankings. Edgecombe also got a chance to compete on the international stage, playing for the Bahamian national team alongside the likes of Buddy Hield, Deandre Ayton, and Eric Gordon during Olympic Qualifiers over the summer. There, he averaged 16.5 PPG on 57.1/38.5/81.2 splits along with 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 2.0 SPG. Seeing that type of production on a court with NBA peers at his size only heightened the intrigue.
4. Charlotte Hornets — Kon Knueppel
Instant Reaction: Smart choices are beautiful.
How it goes right: Kon is an insanely smart basketball player who shoots the absolute cover off the ball. For the Hornets, adding a player like Kon (who has proven that he can play both with and without the ball in his hands) is a savvy pick for a team that needs to continue raising its collective credibility. Kon is exceptionally skilled at moving without the ball; his outside shooting will greatly improve spacing, and he will actually enhance players like Lamelo Ball. The fun thing with him is when LaMelo and Brandon Miller team up. Many will say that the Hornets went with the safe pick, but just because he’s safe doesn’t mean he doesn’t also have a ridiculously high ceiling.
How it goes wrong: Don’t think it’s possible, but crazier things have happened. Even if the Hornets look to move off of LaMelo, having Kon in tow is an incredible safety net to have now, and he could be the new running mate for Brandon Miller.
5. Utah Jazz — Ace Bailey
Instant Reaction: LET’S GOOOOO!
How it goes right: Listen, Ace Bailey had been the third-best player by all accounts ALL season, and his star didn’t fall until he stopped hooping. The Ainge family has vision, and they know talent when they see it. How does this go right? He cuts off others. He works the pick and pop. He plays incredible defense.
How it goes wrong: If Ace cannot be an efficient scorer relatively soon, his style of play could get old really fast. He’ll need to work on that handle as well to reach his high-end upside. He’s described as a wing, now, versus a stretch four, so those areas of his game could result in him being more of a stationary, hustle guy, instead of the star Utah hopes he can become.
6. Washington Wizards — Tre Johnson
Instant Reaction: This is fun!
How it goes right: Tre Johnson is a nuclear scorer and shooter. As a true SG, there is scary upside to how dominant he can be. Along with the shooting, Johnson is an adept passer who can use his scoring gravity and off-ball creation to create for others. Playing alongside an established guard, Johnson’s upside has All-Star levels to it.
How it goes wrong: If Johnson is put in a position to be the primary decision-maker, things can get messy. He’s a good passer, but when he’s the primary creator, he can be prone to tunnel vision. In those situations, he becomes much easier to defend, and the defense also takes a hit.
7. New Orleans Pelicans — Jeremiah Fears
Instant Reaction: AH! Oh, well…
How it goes right: Jeremiah Fears was one of a few different names linked to this team. If it goes right, it will be because he can push the break, makes some very nice decisions, and has the type of zoom to his game that helps him get to his spots. Although he isn’t at his strongest form yet, he showed a propensity to generate steals–which could be his special skill as an undersized guard.
How it goes wrong: It goes wrong if the shot never develops, the frame doesn’t hold well, and he turns the ball over a bit too much. This could relegate him to more of a sixth man role rather than an ascending star role.
8. Brooklyn Nets — Egor Demin
Instant reaction: WE CAME TO PLAY!!!
How it goes right: We had intel that the Nets were fascinated with Demin and for good reason. Egor is nearly 6’10” and arguably the best playmaker in this class. If the shot continues to improve, he’ll have some serious scoring and on-ball creation versatility. His size also gives him a ton of positional versatility, making him malleable with whatever direction the Nets choose as they continue to build out this roster.
How it goes wrong: The shot obviously needs to improve; more importantly, though, Demin’s aggressiveness needs to take a step forward. If he continues to fade during games and not take advantage of how his pick-and-roll rim pressure threatens the defense, his playmaking impact disappears. Demin has to continue to build on his aggressiveness, assertiveness, and shooting; otherwise, he becomes a pretty easy guy to guard.
9. Toronto Raptors — Collin Murray-Boyles
Instant reaction: OH!?!?! Effective smokescreens.
How it goes right: Collin Murray-Boyles fits the archetype of who the Raptors tend to target perfectly. He is an incredibly high feel player on both ends of the floor, a terrific defender, and a bully in the post. He has to get better as a shooter, but there are plenty who are encouraged by his touch and mechanics. If the shot does come around, his overall impact and versatility will skyrocket.
How it goes wrong: The shot is pretty non-existent right now. Optimistic or not, it needs a ton of work. If the shot never comes around, the fit and spacing with the rest of the roster are brutal. They immediately have a plethora of guys who prefer to operate in the paint and don’t provide reliable spacing. While the ball movement and physicality might be fun on offense, their spacing and scoring could be gross.
Collin Murray-Boyles: Basketball Amoeba
Positions are highly discussed and debated within many basketball circles. How important they are, how dated they might be, the nostalgia of the true power forward—there is no shortage of takes on how applicable or relevant that simple term is within the most beautiful game in the word. Yet, while positions are debated, there is no denying that the way …
10. Phoenix Suns via Rockets — Khaman Maluach
Instant Reaction: The fall stops here!
How it goes right: Look, Maluach has only played basketball as long as Ryan Kalkbrenner has played at Creighton, but he has unteachable size. The character stuff behind this guy exceeds his standing reach (which is big). If he hits, you could be looking at Rudy Gobert with some range! If he can eventually execute a couple of dribbles and make smart reads, we could have a generational big man.
How it goes wrong: I’ll come back down to earth. His offensive processing isn’t great, as Khaman projects to be a play finisher vice a play extender. While he is efficient, his hands can betray him at times. He isn’t very “nasty”, so NBA bigs could potentially bully the big man. His footspeed has been heavily debated-=-which means he could just be a drop big guy.
11. Memphis Grizzlies vis Trail Blazers — Cedric Coward
Instant Reaction: TRADE! Oh and a fun one.
How it goes right: Cedric Coward is one of the biggest wild cards in this draft, but he can shoot. Like really shoot. As the handle and scoring versatility continue to improve, he could very quickly fill that Desmond Bane role that is now vacant. With his 7’2” wingspan, Coward is also a really disruptive defender. He has a ton of two-way upside with a high floor as a 3&D guy.
How it goes wrong: Now, he’s one of the biggest wild cards because he barely played this year. He also is a former D3 player who has been a late bloomer. If the flashes in his short season were just flashes, Coward may be fools gold. The shooting seems to be legit, and that gives him a solid baseline as a rotation guy. The question, though, is how much more realistic room for growth is there really?
12. Chicago Bulls - Noa Essengue
Instant Reaction: Welcome to the future, Chicago.
How it goes right: After a few seasons where the Bulls moves seemed to signal they were perpetually on the fence between rebuilding and contending, they seem to fully look into the future by taking one of the youngest and highest-ceiling prospects in the draft in Noa Essengue. The vision of a duo of 6’10”+ forwards who possess perimeter skills in terms of shotmaking (Buzelis) and rim pressure (Essengue) is a scary sight, especially in a league where forwards are expected to dribble, pass, and shoot.
How it goes wrong: Essengue still needs to develop as a jump shooter, which is key for a player who’s going to spend most of his time playing on the perimeter. While Essengue is a massive threat to put pressure on the rim both in transition and the half-court, it’ll be hard for him to generate the same impact if defenders are sagging off and the driving lanes are not there for him.
13. New Orleans Pelicans via Hawks - Derik Queen
Instant Reaction: MY GUY!!!!
How it goes right: LOVE Queen. He just moves like an NBA player–gives the vibes of Boogie Cousins in the BEST of ways. His vision and ball handling make him an NBA big from the jump. He is a bully. He is strong as all get-out, and is a rebounding machine. He finishes through traffic, which could result in him being a mismatch hunter. He shot about 20% from deep–but he did well from the midrange and the charity stripe. He did show some flashes defending in space, so his high-end outcome would be a formidable defender with insane offensive potency.
How it goes wrong: The size limits him on both ends of the floor. He’s been a big body-transformation guy, but the wrong version of Derik could see the pendulum swing the other direction. The defense is the chief concern with him. If he is a poor defender, the offense may not be worth it in a starting capacity.
The Majesty of Derik Queen | The Prospect Overview
The main reason I’m writing this article is because I love basketball. There are other factors at play, obviously, but the root cause of this article is that I fell in love with this sport as a child. I grew up in Chicago during the peak of the Jordan years. In pre-school, I brought the NBA standings, which I’d cut out of the newspaper, to show and tell…
14. San Antonio Spurs - Carter Bryant
Instant Reaction: What a smart, smart move by a world class organization taking Carter Bryant.
How it goes right: Carter Bryant’s defensive versatility is the trait I bet on with him the most. All of a sudden, the Spurs have multiple high-level defenders in Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and others AROUND the player who changes the game defensively the most in Victor Wembanyama. As long as he’s hitting his threes at the clip scouts expect, he’s a hand-in-glove fit for the Spurs. Keep an eye on Bryant’s underrated playmaking ability to connect the dots for the rest of the Spurs rotation.
How it goes wrong: Concerns about Bryant coming out of college were the fact that he didn’t scale into a higher usage role for Arizona even off the bench. His volume of shots was limited, and he never quite had that standout game that made you excited about his prospects as a lottery pick from a box score standpoint. If Bryant isn’t ready for the speed of the NBA game given his limited college playing time and the environment of the Spurs that expects to compete in the Western Conference, that’s how the pick could potentially go south.
Carter Bryant is a Winning Player; Don't Overthink It
Playing winning basketball as a freshman in a minimal role can be extremely difficult, but that is exactly what Carter Bryant has done for Arizona all season. Bryant’s role and involvement have fluctuated all season, but that’s never deterred him from doing the little things that make everyone else around him better. Whether it’s taking the toughest def…
15. Oklahoma City Thunder — Thomas Sorber
Instant Reaction: THUNDER UP!
How it goes right: He gives the Thunder some more frontcourt variation. If it goes right, OKC brings in another defensive nightmare–with a big who can block shots and swipe the ball away. On offense, he is a big body that can pave driving lanes, crash the glass, and find the open man. If his shots pans out, the Thunder can continue to play 5-out.
How it goes wrong: He isn’t the tallest of big men, so maybe teams won’t be afraid to challenge him to the basket. The shot is likely just a theory. Despite being a good passer, his offense can be limited, which limits the role he can play.
16. Portland Trail Blazers via Memphis Grizzlies — Hansen Yang
Instant Reaction: WHAT IN THE ACTUAL….
How it goes right: The Portland Trail Blazers are in a position to add size, given that Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams are likely not going to be on the roster after this season. With the ability to play seven-footers for a full 48 minutes given the Donovan Clingan investment last season, Portland gets rim protection, rebounding, and potential halfcourt playmaking with Yang’s passing upside in 5-out concepts. This is a bet on Yang being a special interior scorer, playmaker, and defender.
How it goes wrong: Yang is a mid-first round selection just a year after Donovan Clingan was selected in the lottery. Even if Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams aren’t on the roster after this season, what is the pathway for Yang to play and develop? If he’s not the conditioned level of athlete that the NBA requires at every position, this selection could go sideways within a few seasons.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves — Joan Beringer
Instant Reaction: Love it! A potential heir to the defensive throne.
How it goes right: Minnesota gets a mentee and ideal replacement for Rudy Gobert. Beringer is still new to basketball; the tools and movement skills are exciting, and he projects to thrive in a simplified rim-running-shot blocking role.
How it goes wrong: It could go wrong if Beringer proves to be a bit too raw and his impressive physical tools don't quite translate. Despite having the upside to develop into one of the top play finishers and shot blocker in the class, there is a real outcome to where he’s closer to someone like Tyus Thomas as opposed to Clint Capela or Tyson Chandler.
18. Utah Jazz via Washington Wizards — Walter Clayton Jr.
Instant Reaction: I love it! Shooting in the backcourt!
How it goes right: Walter Clayton Jr. is an exceptional shooter. He’s continually shot high percentages from three on high volume while displaying elite touch at the free-throw line. He also grew as a playmaker every year. He’s no slouch on the other end, either. He’s a tough, gritty defender with the bulky frame commonly seen among successful small guards. Plus, he’s a late bloomer who was a higher-rated recruit in football than basketball coming out of high school. He keeps getting better, and he could be a “false ceiling” prospect with more potential than his age suggests.
How it goes wrong: It’s still a tough world out there for smaller guards. Given that Utah has a crowded young backcourt, he’ll have to earn his reps and won’t have anything handed to him. If Keyonte George or Isaiah Collier take significant steps forward, it could hinder Clayton’s volume of reps. If that happens, it would be tough to stomach taking him in the Top 20, given how much easier it is to acquire players this size.
19. Brooklyn Nets — Nolan Traore
Instant Reaction: Brooklyn gets their guy!
How it goes right: Nolan Traore has exceptional passing vision and game management skills; if he can get his jump shot to the point where he’s a decent shooter, he’ll be able to leverage his speed and passing skills and live up to the Top 5 hype he had heading into the season.
How it goes wrong: If the shot doesn’t reach a solid enough level, he will be forced into tough offensive situations pretty easily. His defense is also inconsistent at best; if the defense falters and he isn’t a good enough shooter, his upside will be very limited.
20. Miami Heat — Kasparas Jakucionis
Instant Reaction: It’s about dang time!
How it goes right: Do you remember Goran Dragic playing for the Heat? Imagine something a little like that. Kasparas is a bigger ball handler who plays with pace, feel, and fearlessness. If he hits, it’s because he shoots like he did before he dealt with an injury at Illinois. The vision and creativity should pack a punch in an offense that feels stagnant. The size could help him be respectable on the defensive end, too.
How it goes wrong: The injury wasn’t the reason we saw the shooting slump. If he can’t shoot, he becomes more of a TJ McConnell (who is very good!) as opposed to a Dragic type of player. He has been locked up on the perimeter by players he should be getting past with ease. A player with no shot and no defense isn’t necessarily the best outcome for anyone.
21. Washington Wizards via Jazz - Will Riley
Instant Reaction: This feels very much like a Wizards pick given the front office’s recent direction.
How it goes right: Will Riley has some strengths that align with the Wizards’ newfound philosophy of dribble/pass/shoot with size and length. Riley is a big wing who showed off some impressive downhill vision in pick-and-roll sets at Illinois. His shooting was a bit up-and-down in college, but he has consistent form and mechanics that suggest he will translate as an NBA-level spot-up shooter. If Riley can do these things well, he has a place in Washington.
How it goes wrong: Riley is tall, but not particularly strong or long. There’s a real possibility that Riley gets played off the floor defensively because he can’t cleanly stop anyone at a particular position. His inconsistent shooting would also break his case as a three-point marksman, and if he’s not finishing at a high level at the basket, there’s a scary floor for Riley that could bottom out before he gets to the point where he can show off his underrated ball handling and passing abilities.
22. Brooklyn Nets via Hawks - Drake Powell
Instant Reaction: WOW!
How it goes right: Okay, so with a bunch of more popular names on the board, the Nets go after Drake Powell. If it goes right, it’s because his defense is not just among the best in this class–but in the NBA. He isn’t the tallest defender, but he likely scales to defend 1-3. On offense, his shooting efficiency at UNC this season was true. You’d also expect his handle to be somewhat functional.
How it goes wrong: The glaring holes in his college film just continue in the NBA. The shot went in, but on low volume and the form isn’t picturesque. His handle doesn’t develop at all. The low efficiency he produced while being on the court often for the Tar Heels likely continues if it goes wrong for the once-highly rated prospect.
23. Atlanta Hawks via Pelicans - Asa Newell
Instant Reaction: Yeah, this was kind of expected
How it goes right: There was buzz for Newell to land here, and the Hawks are able to get a player that can be VERY skilled if everything hits. Asa figures to be a floor spacing four that can give some good, help-side rim protector. He will likely give this team some second-chance points on the regular. Those glimpses of playmaking likely evolve to a good level out of the short roll. He could be a good lob threat for Trae Young, too.
How it goes wrong: The disappointing wingspan could result in some poorer-than-you’d-hope-for rim protection. While he was profiled as a floor spacer, the efficiency wasn’t there. If he didn’t work at Georiga with a traditional-style big man, his ability to do that in the NBA likely won’t be any easier.
Magic 8 Ballers: Time for a Re(Newell)
Some players just make you want to play the tape again. Sure, as a devoted NBA draft scout, I’m inclined to find the beauty in the game of every player. Like most other scouts, though, I’m human: I have some aesthetic preferences that lead me to want to watch certain player archetypes more than others.
24. Sacramento Kings via Thunder - Nique Clifford
Instant Reaction: It is good to draft a good basketball player!
How it goes right: Nique Clifford can fit in anywhere. He thrived as a second-side attacker during his earlier years at Colorado and Colorado State. But this year, he proved himself to be as polished an on-ball player as you’ll find on the wing spot. This on-and-off-ball versatility can fit nicely with the King’s existing core, but it’s so plug-and-play that it can be useful even if they overhaul the roster. He’s a high-motor hustler and an elite rebounder. Plus, he was a stellar defensive disruptor when he had a lower usage rate, and could easily tap into those skills again. If his game scales up, he’s the quintessential modern role player.
How it goes wrong: Clifford has long been inconsistent from three. If he doesn’t find his footing from deep in the NBA, things could get ugly in a hurry given his age. There’s a chance he’s a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, and if he’s that without a reliable jumper, his utility will be extremely limited.
Nique Clifford is Improving Where it Matters
Returning to school can always be a tricky proposition, especially for upperclassmen coming off a really strong year for a mid-major program. Last season, Nique Clifford emerged as a terrific 3-and-D wing with Colorado State. Even though some teams had legitimate interest in Clifford in the 2024 NBA Draft, Clifford chose to bet on himself, return to Col…
25. Orlando Magic - Jase Richardson
Instant Reaction: But, of course!!!
How it goes right: This was pretty on the nose–especially with Walter Clayton Jr. being off of the board. Jase isn’t perfect, but this is a perfect spot for him. If he hits, it’s because his size just didn’t matter. He is an INCREDIBLE shooter, which makes life easier for Paolo and Franz. He can be a complimentary ball handler, but there is still room for growth for the young man! Should Jase be a solid 1 to 2 position defender, he will be a STEAL for Orlando! Hit the music!
How it goes wrong: It’s because the handle is a legit issue. It’s because size is a legit issue. The shot is likely to be pretty safe, but how much will the team want to deal with the other concerns if they become prominent? Orlando has shown us all that they are perfectly happy not playing prospects they draft to shoot if they can’t do other things.
The Case for Jase Richardson
Last year, I wrote a piece examining the NBA’s “Small Guard Crunch.” In recent years, teams have been significantly less likely to draft guards standing 6’3” and under. On top of that, the 6’3” and under position group produced the lowest hit rate and highest whiff rate of any size grouping over the past five years. Looking around the league, this shoul…
26. Brooklyn Nets - Ben Saraf
Instant Reaction: Makes sense.
How it goes right: The Nets are in a very VERY early stage of their rebuild so even if his profile as a shotmaking wing overlaps a bit with Cam Thomas, Saraf makes sense as a value play with his combination of 6’6” size and versatile shotmaking ability. If the star upside doesn’t end up materializing, he also possesses some role player potential with his secondary passing ability, defensive playmaking and competitiveness.
How it goes wrong: Shooting consistency and getting to the rim. Two areas that are key for perimeter scorers at the NBA level are also two of the major improvement areas for Saraf. If the improvement doesn’t happen, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Saraf’s ancillary skills (secondary passing, perimeter defense) aren’t enough to justify a roster spot in the NBA.
Magic 8 Ballers: Ben Saraf, Done That
With most basketball seasons either wrapping up or entering their playoff pushes, the dust is finally starting to settle before official draft season. The earliest benchmark is the early entrant list for the NBA, where any player who wants draft consideration needs to officially place their name into limbo. While prospects can still return to their resp…
27. Brooklyn Nets - Danny Wolf
Instant Reaction: FINALLY…
How it goes right: Danny Wolf went from more of a traditional C at Yale to essentially playing PG for Michigan. Wolf’s combination of ball skills, playmaking, and scoring versatility are insane. If the shot continues to develop, he could be one of the most offensively versatile bigs in the league. On top of that, Wolf transformed his body a ton and moved well in space on defense. If that trend continues, he should be able to at least hold his own while being an offensive dynamo.
How it goes wrong: This year at Michigan was a mirage. The defense struggles significantly against NBA athletes, and he never becomes an average shooter. On top of that, the turnovers are a major major issue. If his route goes that direction, it could get messy.
28. Boston Celtics - Hugo Gonzalez
Instant Reaction: Defense wins (more) championships
How it goes right: The Celtics are in the middle of a roster overhaul and they might not be done making moves, so the Hugo fit might look entirely different two weeks into free agency, with that being said, Hugo fits the type of perimeter players the Celtics have been targeting in recent years: tough, high-motor players who can move the ball and just know how to play within their roles. Gonzalez is going to contribute defensively from day one and could develop into a player that takes over as the Celtics perimeter stopper in the future.
How it goes wrong: Perimeter players need to have a baseline of offensive talent to stay in the league, unless they are elite, all-league defenders. While part of Gonzalez’s struggles this year can be attributed to his lack of playing time (saw around 10 minutes per game this season for a stacked Real Madrid roster), he has historically been an inconsistent three-point shooter, and he hasn’t shown a ton offensively in terms of self-creation, two aspects that can be the make-or-break for perimeter players in the league.
29. Charlotte Hornets via Suns - Liam McNeeley
Instant Reaction: Cutting it REAL close
How it goes right: The shooting efficiency had to have been an anomaly. Prior to UConn, Liam was an above-40% shooter from deep. Similar to what Devin Booker experienced in his early days in Phoenix, McNeeley took on a larger ball-handling responsibility than what he was accustomed to. That could have been instrumental to the development of Liam's handle, and turn him into a dynamic shooter. Ideally, you’re hoping for a Sam Hauser outcome for him on defense.
How it goes wrong: What if Charlotte just took a shooter that just couldn’t shoot? What if the handle isn’t good enough to be a threat if/when McNeeley is chased off of the line? What if the defense isn’t going to be neutral, at least? That’s really where things go wrong for Liam.
Liam McNeeley: How High Would you Draft Glen Rice?
In the latest episode of “SCOUT” on the Brooklyn Nets’s YouTube Channel, Assistant GM B.J. Johnson had a great quote when he was addressing his scouting department.
30. Los Angeles Clippers - Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Instant Reaction: THERE IT IS!
How it goes right: Yanic to the Clippers was pretty safe to bet on. His combine run was incredible, and he took full advantage of the momentum he built for himself. If he hits, it’s because he is Hassan Whiteside, but more fundamentally sound. He becomes something like a Mitchell Robinson–a rebounding machine who can finish around the basket. If he gets to the peak of his powers, then there are going to be strides made as a decision maker.
How it goes wrong: He just becomes what Hassan Whiteside actually became. He just jumps at everything to chase stats, and is constantly in foul trouble. The offense stays at its current baseline. He can’t be trusted as a passer–or to dribble the ball at all. That’s where it gets a little ugly.
