Thought we might now benefit from a thread dedicated to our lottery pick for 2025 and who you guys see as viable - assuming anything from picking 2nd to 7th - consensus says no way it’s anyone but Flagg if we hit the jackpot.
If we don’t do into the top 3, i really like this Jakucionis kid.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/s/rN50ZTifbi
Interesting realignment. I still don’t see why Kon Knueppel is in the lottery. Watching him, I barely noticed him. Not really seeing Maluach is a lottery pick either.
Now more than ever, our date with the 3rd overall pick looms large, like a sweaty drenched tee shirt someone’s thrown on your windshield after a pick up game.
Do we have a 2025 draft talk thread? Is it time to start one? I’d say so.
I’m really excited about this draft class. Really excited. It’s the opposite of last years draft class. There are several players that I’m interested in and I’m hoping charlotte trades up if available. There are some bigs that I’m interested in, if they can develop a three point shot. Asa Newell and Derik Queen. Good players.
Unsure how Derik Queen of Maryland will transfer to the NBA. His post moves and footwork on the block are absolutely killer. Will toss some slick passes and seems to possess shooting touch. Someone compared him to being a little bit like Sengun. Not so sure about his shot blocking or the ability to anchor a defense…cool player though
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6’10" bruiser. tough. i would welcome a player like him
Offensively, he’s got all the tools and tricks. Great touch, footwork, low post, high post, mid range, good passer, the mechanics to improve his three point jumper.
Edit: I’ve seen alperen Sengun as a player comparison. You know how I feel about Sengun
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Shades of zbo and maybe if I squint hard enough Rasheed wallace
yeah, unfortunately i feel like Queen was born in the wrong era. I wish the best for him. I just miss seeing elite post skills. And guys that can pick defenses apart from the high post. And the dreaded modern NBA bad word, midrange.
All caps alert
THERE IS SUCH A SPACE FOR THIS PLAYER NOW!!!
Tying into the pace conversation in the other thread, this type of player can increase pace in the sense that you can get quality shots in the half court in less time of the shot clock. It changes the offense from drive and kick or dho on repeat. It bends the defense.
I would definitely trade to get back into the first and take him as high as late lotto
I really hope so. I love watching talented post technicians like Queen. I just think defensively, he’s going to get roasted. Toasted. Not a great athlete, not quick. Sengun might be a slightly better defender. Shows the potential to be a good passer like Sengun, but need to see more. The three point shot is a question mark.
But Queen does a nice job of handling the ball, which was surprising to see. Would be a really cool project. Sengun-lite?
I am at the point that I know, for a fact, without any hint of trying to tease the draft gods, we are NOT getting the overall first pick. I am resigned to the idea that we are likely not going to really get a “pick” of the top 5 but what is left. To me, it’s a fait accompli that we are picking 4th to 6th.
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I believe OKC has three picks within the top 16 this draft. I think, at least. Would be a good team to keep an eye on if an interesting player is available. There’s no way OKC can use all three picks
I personally think this draft class is exceptional. @Eastley did bring up the point that NIL keeping players in college may impact the depth of the draft into the 2nd round, which I think is a very fair point. I’d agree. Having said, there’s quite a few exciting players with serious skills and potential.
Here’s a great read if anyone is interested. No Ceilings is a phenomenal draft coverage resource.
Here’s where I’m stuck. I think Flagg at pick one, and Harper at pick two is almost cemented in. I said almost, but that feels like nearly a lock. I think there are arguments that someone other than Harper could be taken at pick two, but it’s just hard to imagine. Flagg 1, Harper 2.
So this is where it gets tricky. Say that the Hornets land pick three overall. Do we take Ace Bailey or do we take VJ Edgecombe? And then there’s also Tre Johnson from Texas who is surging.
I lean towards Edgecombe due to the defense, sheer athleticism, and improved three point shot.
Derik Queen continues to surge up draft mocks. He has a little Alperen Sengun to his game.
This is a draft that I’d like to see the hornets trade back into the late lottery or mid teens to select another player.
Considering the last time we did that, we nabbed Bouknight and Kai Jones, sure, let’s try that 
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I’d go with VJ by damn, I want Harp big time. I do get some unease with Ace but not sure it’s realistic that he gives me pause.
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