2025 Draft Discussion (2nd round candidates)

[Chef]

I like the idea of broome. He has a good inside outside game. Decent traditional pf type game and seems like an adult in the locker room

[Eastley]

Crazy they are thinking he’s going to possibly on the board at pick 45. If he’s still there in the 40s, I’ll be stunned.

[ncborn]

@kitch0202

Rasheer Fleming is surely the best guy left on the board.

@tnhornetsfan

Obviously one of those picks will be a center. I would like some length at forward.

Based on these comments I came up with:

Raynaud
Kalkbrenner
Fleming (Shams is reporting that he will be picked 1st tonight.) and
Noah Penda

as guys we should keep an eye on.

I vaguely remember looking up Bogoljub Markovic a few weeks ago but I lost interest in him for some reason. I don’t think he’s in the mix anyway.

Soooooo….we should expect the FO to draft a center and a forward!

You know me, I love end of the bench guys who over come the odds!

[ncborn]

@Eastley

Second Round chat is open

2025 Second Round Draft chat

47 members

and 37 others

I am moving this to the TOP of YOUR mailbox because it’s important! There is another board chat and the SECOND ROUND of the draft starts at 8!

[powellrmp]

Man I’m still upset about the hornets not sucking it up and doing what needed to be done to draft Fleming. He was right there.

After I thought about it, I think their decision not to was because of Salaun. Heaven forbid we should add a talented forward that might compete for minutes with Salaun.

Sorry, I’m still bitter about the Salaun pick. And I did not care for him much at all last year. All I can say is that he better work out.

[kitch0202]

I completely agree, Salaun’s presence on the roster almost certainly played a part in not doing what it took to move up for Fleming. That said, I get it. We have Miles, Grant & Salaun at the #4 all ready. We’ve made our bed, so to speak.

I really like who we did pick, however. Kaulkbrenner was always the #5 I wanted. So happy he’s on the roster. Sion is the competitive, nuggety, 2-way, all round player this roster desperately needed. I can see him playing both Guard spots and some SF too. Very versatile and switchable guy.

We’ve drafted 4 guys who are team first, high BBIQ players, not athletes who happen to play basketball. I can see all of them being roster mainstays and will be genuinely shocked if any flame out. Very, very happy with this draft.

[Eastley]

https://x.com/hornets/status/1938433326663995714

[system]

Originally sent in 2025 Second Round Draft chat

Eastley

With Ryan Kalkbrenner, Maxime Raynaud, and Rasheer Fleming on the board and us picking 3rd and 4th tonight, we will at least have a chance to pick one… will we?

kitch0202

We have to. I'd only want to make both picks if Fleming is available. He's the only player good enough for me to want to make both selections. So good, in fact, that I'd trade up to #31 by using a future second for him. Fleming & Kalkbrenner would be an incredible haul to add to McNeely, a pick/value I really like, and Knuepple (which I'm a bit meh about, as I would have been with any of the available prospects at #4)

Eastley

If it's up to me, I like Maxime a bit more than Ryan due to the 3-pt range. I don't think either of them are defensive stalwarts. So if I had the reins, it would be Fleming and Raynaud.

kitch0202

I prefer Ryan's length and size, but agree Maxime is the better shooter. Flemming and either of them would be great.

powellrmp

I’d take Ryan kalk

He’s an incredible defender. His block rates were through the roof. Every year. Averaged 3.1 blocks. Only averaged a little under 2 fouls per game. So he understands how to defend without fouling. Which to me helps offset some of his quickness concerns

A big who is able to alter and blocks shots without fouling has become a rare skill nowadays

Going with kalk is a weird thing for me to say because I’ve been banging the table for a three point shooting center for years

Eastley

My only take on Raynaud over Kalk is superficial and not strategic per se. It's my want to be able to have Diabate on the court as a non-shooting 4 with a big like Maxime. But I agree that there's more tangible value with Kalk as an opponent lane avoidance play.

powellrmp

I totally get that. Maxime can operate well in a pick and roll environment. We truly do need a center that can do that-and offer the pick and pop shooting threat while setting high screens

kitch0202

" … want to be able to have Diabate on the court as a non-shooting 4 with a big like Maxime." I see your vision! Add in Kon & Liam on the wing, hopefully with Mann at PG, to offset the lack of shooting from Diabate and you have quite the bench unit.

Eastley

Yeah, I mean no one should draft for that particular reason (allowing you to play a min contract guy more) so that's why I say it's not really a justifiable reason to draft Max over Ryan

But I'd like that consequence if we did draft Max

powellrmp

At least we’re able to talk about good options that are on the table!

2

Eastley

I feel I must say, despite my strong sense that the 2-day draft was completely unnecessary, I absolutely love it. The second round is a lot more important these days than in the days of cash-considerations for many. So having this time to reload and think is really nice. I might not be saying that if all we had was a 48th pick but as of today, I thought this format was great.

powellrmp

With the serious financial implications of the second apron/hard tax, the draft becomes more and more important.

Mich_Mercer

I too love have two very early second round picks… pretty much late firsts.

I want Fleming and a big.

Wouldn’t you say that Fleming has more upside than our first round picks. More of a complete flop chance though.

Siakam vibes.

3

Eastley

He does - that's why I fear we won't get a shot at him

tnhornetsfan

Minnesota traded 31 to Phoenix for 36 and 2 future 2nds

Eastley

PHX is definitely not drafting a big lol

They need a Fleming type player so I assume he's gone with that trade. But def. Kalk or Max are available at 33.

Everyone was remarking that all PHX has are guards and centers - so a bigger forward like Fleming is right in their needs list (unfortunately)

1

powellrmp

It’s killing me. I really want Fleming

Yeah, I agree. Fleming is gone. I really wish the hornets would use some draft capital to take advantage of a first round guy being available

I think that’s a mistake

1

Eastley

worried I might lose the DorkLord vote, but what about the French kid left on the board (Penda)?

He's got good forward size

tnhornetsfan

I think Bogoljub Markovic is interesting.

Eastley

So many draft mocks have Penda in the low 20s/high teens, might be a falling star

Seems like he could be a Taj Gibson Jr and picked around the same spot to Chicago 18ish years ago at.

If my love affair with Fleming is going away, I'm switching to Penda as my new Forward crush at 33/34 knowing we'll have one of Max/Ryan at the other pick

Watching Maxime Raynaud's interview on the Hornets youtube channel and I love listening to this guy talk. Love how his brain works

(from the combine)

TheDorkLord

Eastley, you won't lose my vote. At this point I think Penda is about where we think he would fall. It sounds like we are not going to get a chance at Fleming. I heard from a friend earlier that we are trading one of our picks. Anyone else hear that?

dnbman

I'm not trying to fall in love with anyone until we pick. You know it's going to be two rando dudes that aren't on anybody's radar.

Eastley

ugh, if we are trading back before we grab a Ryan/Max, I'll be really sad

no SAS, that's cool

1

Chef

Caulk and broome would work

Eastley

Max and Penda would be my preference.

dnbman

What are pick times? Is it 5?

Eastley

must be, it's blocked for 3 hours

Chef

I like the idea of defined position and offensive skill

1

dnbman

Give me parts that work as a machine.

Eastley

The Utah-Ace intrigue has got to be the weirdest thing

dnbman

???

TheDorkLord

Kalk and Penda

Eastley

The ESPN broadcast saying there's concern he might hold out (ish)

tnhornetsfan

That's why I would have removed him from my board

dnbman

Geez.

Eastley

I honestly cannot imagine him doing that

Chef

That was interesting

dnbman

If so, what a lame dude.

Chef

This is a proper broadcast. Btw

dnbman

What's stream? Fubo again?

Chef

Phoenix moved up to 31

Eastley

well he hasn't done anything yet so not sure it's worth the sweat. But what is interesting is to contemplate how wed feel if we were mixed up in this shit right now

dnbman

Do not want

TheDorkLord

yep, henc

yes, it is sort of nice not having this crap… go Kon

1

Eastley

yeah Chef, we have alredy assumed that PHX did that to grab a non-C, non-G -… ergo, Fleming

TheDorkLord

yep, that's why I added Penda to my list instead of Fleming

Eastley

Exactly TN, even assuming he shows and plays and there's never a second beat about it, it's that kind of negative energy this team ABSOLUTELY does not need

Chef

Penda is a stash project right? I don't want that type. This team needs skills and competent players

dnbman

You take him with one of the picks for that reason?

Eastley

Penda is not a project

TheDorkLord

is Broome the counter to Penda then?

dnbman

And also pick a guy who can contribute now?

Eastley

In a French league populated with former NBA talents and grizzled basketball lifers, it’s the 20-year-old Penda who leads the league in combined steals and blocks per game—his “stock” rates edging out even those of Andre Roberson, the former NBA ace defender. But Penda hasn’t reached those heights just by having young legs; more often than not, he wins on defense with advanced pattern recognition and hand-eye coordination. That’s not to say he isn’t athletic—his functional strength and movement skills serve as the chassis for his processor. He is comfortable diagnosing plays on the spot, communicating assignments, and seamlessly rotating and recovering to fill gaps on defense. There is immense value in simply knowing where to be and how to get there as urgently as possible.

Per Danny Chau (Ringer Scout)

Chef

Offense?

powellrmp

Man I’m so disappointed our front office didn’t use their draft capital to get Fleming. Cmon man

1

TheDorkLord

defense was the big knock I saw on Penda, but that doesn't sound like it

Chef

I really need functional basketball players

dnbman

But that could be keeping the roster spot for a veteran and stashing a second rounder

powellrmp

I don’t want another French prospect. I’m so out on that

I want dudes who are ready to roll

Chef

Me too

TheDorkLord

hey, if I'm willing to consider a french guy…

powellrmp

No more salauns. I don’t even want the Salaun we have

Eastley

Penda’s spatial awareness is one of his greatest gifts on offense, too. He makes quick decisions both with the ball in his hands as a driver and on the catch as a cutter, passing into open windows for easy buckets. He’ll never be confused for a full-time point forward, but Penda has the vision and instincts to keep the wheels greased on offense as a connective arm.

The defining question in his evaluation: How will he score at the next level? Penda has yet to prove that he can consistently shoot from 3 at respectable levels (although, to his credit, he’s improved his accuracy this season and isn’t shy with his attempts). He has a confident handle and the power to work his way into the lane, but there’s a degree of inflexibility in his forays, a lack of the decelerative capacity that usually serves as the basis for most power-based drivers. Having some reliable form of offense will be essential if he’s to have a place in a lineup. Penda has all the ancillary skills; as is so often the case, how he develops his jumper will determine just how much of an impact he can make.

Mich_Mercer

Yeah… should have just taken Fleming at 29.

He’s gonna be gone. :(

Eastley

Liam seems like a great get at 29

Mich_Mercer

For me… it’s just bc they already took Kon. Need a needle mover.

Eastley

I won't fault them there

dnbman

SI showing he was picked

powellrmp

French is good. Raw French basketball prospects not so much

TheDorkLord

we should have made the moves to get up to 31 at this point for Fleming

dnbman

Has the pick not been made yet?

TheDorkLord

not yet

dnbman

That's wild. Can't believe SI already posted Fleming

powellrmp

Liam is a great connector and secondary facilitator. Great shooter also

Mich_Mercer

We’re going to take Lanier bc he’s the best shooter. Haha

Eastley

and with the highest 3pt shooting percentage last year with the lowest 3pt making percentage, we need that kind of guy on the wing or in the corner

Mich_Mercer

Him and Fleming then. Get a big through FA I guess.

Eastley

We have really strugged with FAs tho

Mich_Mercer

What do you mean. Mason Plumlee anyone? Jason Maxiel…

[system]

Originally sent in 2025 Second Round Draft chat

Mich_Mercer

Damnit man.

Of course

dnbman

CBS compares Penda to Batum. For what its worth

Eastley

Farewell my dream - kick ass out there Rasheer

cltblkhscoach

They dragging this 2nd round out for no reason

powellrmp

Fuck

Mich_Mercer

He would have been fun man.

Eastley

Ringer has his closest comp as Naji Marshall with hints of Justise, James Johnson, and Nico

Mich_Mercer

We are going to take a center back to back.

Eastley

the good news is that if we want, we are getting one of those two centers

powellrmp

I’m so annoyed

Like it’s not like we’d have to give up anything of real consequence to have moved up for Fleming

1

Chef

Just cool off in the icy jersey shore water

Eastley

BOS is taking a big here, right?

Chef

I request an alternate espn 2 broadcast like this for next year's first round

Eastley

oh shit, they are trading to the Magic. Scratch that

TheDorkLord

Kalk is gone

Eastley

Does ORL need a big?

Chef

Orl going center?

Eastley

They need a guard that can shoot, no?

cltblkhscoach

Definitely need shooters

Unless they are just trying to screw us, but we aren't a threat lol

TheDorkLord

well damn

dnbman

Raynaud. let's go

Eastley

Penda! Daymn, that's a bummer. I wanted him as a consolation prize for Fleming

Raynaud is my preference now

Chef

I am good with the French

cltblkhscoach

Same

Chef

Who's the best center between the two?

TheDorkLord

after Fleming I thought we could get him and Kalk

powellrmp

I really didn’t want penda

Eastley

Maybe Max and Thiero?

tnhornetsfan

I think we take a big at 33 and trade 34

dnbman

wouldn't be surprised

powellrmp

The only French prospect I would’ve wanted was Beringer

TheDorkLord

Markovic???

Eastley

Maybe Proctor?

Ray and Proc

I do want someone athletic that can just go heavy through the lane or break stuff up on defense

in addition to a C

tnhornetsfan

Taking time here. Something up?

dnbman

calls probably

Eastley

hang up and take Raynaud

dnbman

PICK IS IN

Chef

What's Ray's offense like?

Eastley

Sweet as hell

Chef

Lopez the second chance

Mich_Mercer

We love Duke I guess. lol

Eastley

what the what?

tnhornetsfan

Who

TheDorkLord

wtf

dnbman

I called it.

Chef

Oh boy

Eastley

tell me we're trading him

jfhornet5

What in the world

Chef

Did that say 6'2 forward?

Mich_Mercer

I thought I heard them say point guard but he’s a forward?

ncborn

Who in the Sam heck is that guy!!

1

Mich_Mercer

“The Charlotte hornets are up again, so we are taking a break” lol

1

Chef

This team…

cltblkhscoach

Shoot me

powellrmp

Yeahhhh

Eastley

after that pick, we deserve to pick next during commercial

TheDorkLord

wish it was a Taco Bell commercial

dnbman

shot almost 50% from 3 as a senior

jfhornet5

Seriously, man. I’m so tired of this.

powellrmp

Why trade up for Fleming when we can just do this??

Chef

It said forward as position

powellrmp

He’s a ball handler. Defender

Mich_Mercer

Anymore Duke guys on the board?

powellrmp

It’s fine

I don’t like it but it’s fine

Icky_Thump

@Hornets

GoBobcats24

LOL

Eastley

if he can wreck shit on D, then I am fine

TheDorkLord

defense more than anything?

Chef

I think I hear whale noises in the distance

1

Eastley

just please please get me Raynaud now

cltblkhscoach

They literally joked about this kid being a pick on WFNZ today

GoBobcats24

Like we could have gotten him 55th

powellrmp

He can wreck shit on defense at least

cltblkhscoach

Good grief

Icky_Thump

^^^

dnbman

Older too for better or worse. Mature

Icky_Thump

They should have just sold that pick

cltblkhscoach

Yeah if you wanted him just trade back. Sheesh

Icky_Thump

Mitch and co better GM'ing IMO

TheDorkLord

Kalk or Raynaud?

cltblkhscoach

Sell the other pick

dnbman

We do need a pg, so I ain't mad at it, but it's weird

GoBobcats24

They had so much time to think about that and did that

Eastley

maybe they want a guy they know will take a 2-way contract :shrug:

1

cltblkhscoach

It's like selecting Damian Baugh

dnbman

Could also still be taking calls on Raynaud and knew they wanted Sion, so went ahead and picked him.

powellrmp

I’m going to lose it if we don’t take Kalk

Eastley

Raynaud or Kalkbrenner - either one saves this

dnbman

What about Broome?

powellrmp

Kalk or maxime. Strongly prefer Kalk

jfhornet5

Tyrese Proctor. 6 degrees of separation, Cooper Flagg style

Eastley

Max is my sentimental fav but Kalk is the right guys technically

[system]

Originally sent in 2025 Second Round Draft chat

GoBobcats24

I saw Brett Siegel say that Kalk or Raynaud makes so much sense for the Hornets they will surely pass on both lol

Eastley

Nice! Ok, I am ok with this

TheDorkLord

yes!

tnhornetsfan

There we go

Chef

Ok

powellrmp

Fuck yes

cltblkhscoach

At least we got a center. Sheesh

TheDorkLord

I really like this pick

dnbman

I'm reading elite shot blocker. That sounds good

powellrmp

Kalk is great fam

Incredible defender. Shot blocker. Can play defense without fouling

Chef

Again, why not take him first. Take calls move back and take the duke nobody forward

2

Eastley

yes, that was far more stressful than it should have been but my guess is we expected BOS to hold that pick and assumed we'd have one of Fleming or Penda and that got nuked in 4 minutes

Chef

It's like the hornets don't know how to break a $20

dnbman

Kalkbrenner good enough to start?

powellrmp

No probably not. Rock solid backup

cltblkhscoach

You think a run on wing players caused them to panic?

Chef

The fact that this a probable scenario is why the Charlotte teams can't get going

Eastley

I do, in the way I said above - they had a plan and it ran dry

ncborn

Yaaay

Mich_Mercer

And he can shoot a 3 too right?

He might start this year at some point… we barely have any bigs.

1

dnbman

Kyle Boone's grade on Sion has the line I was just thinking: "Charlotte seems to be drafting with a vision." At the end of the day, I think that's what's guiding them more than getting cute trying to get best value.

cltblkhscoach

I mean that's fine I guess, but there's a balance

Chef

That's fine but you are paid to achieve the vision in the most economical way possible

It's like costner in draft day. Vision but taking #10 at #1 is just dumb

Eastley

I do honestly think it's as much a roster allowance issue as anything else at this point - we needed a 2-way contract guy

QC_Thundercats

Sion looks like Aaron Nesmith if you take off your glasses. Kalk is low budget Chet. So we’re going for the prototype of the finals pieces, on a strict budget.

dnbman

Yeah, but we're basing this off of a bunch of online rankings as if they're absolute value. We have no idea what teams really want in the second.

1

Chef

Ok great but at 33 when half the league would give up something

dnbman

"This might be the only A+ I hand out in the second round. Love, love, love this for Charlotte, especially after dealing Mark Williams on Wednesday. He's a 7-foot-1 center with a 7-foot-6 wingspan who is ready to contribute early. The four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year award winner can be an anchor for the Hornets' defense and has become a real threat as a floor-spacer to boot. (Kyle Boone)"

3

Chef

There is that dnb and it is true. That dude is also not in the green room

TheDorkLord

my Duke buddies are telling me James will be a role player who is a workhorse. I told them to tell me something good about this pick. lol

dnbman

If you get a player out of the second, you're happy.

So, if he turns into a workhorse role player, we won

2

cltblkhscoach

I mean I don't mind the player, just where he was selected

1

Eastley

Yeah, but I don't know it matters if they were just going "next" on who was on their board

TheDorkLord

Lakers want a center … lol

1

powellrmp

I just hate the sion pick because we didn’t make a simple move to trade up for Fleming.

1

Eastley

Right, I mean even Nic Richards was a good find for us. He might have been most likely to have a "bobble-hands" night but he really gave us good value in minutes and eventually in trade

I freaking love this on Sion: " An armored truck of a wing with an effective yet unassuming game."

Comps as Jae'Sean Tate with shades of PJ Tucker, Royce O'Neal, David Roddy

cltblkhscoach

At least they would have some inside info on him from Kon

Eastley

I have to admit, a guy that could just absolutely wreck shit was what I wanted so count me as happy

1

dnbman

And if he can be a defensive stopper while being a 3 point threat, bring it on

Chef

So 4 rookies. Who's getting cut?

powellrmp

Can’t believe we actually drafted four players

cltblkhscoach

That's the easy part Chef lol

Eastley

don't need to do more than waive Micic and cut Baugh's 2-way

GoBobcats24

Kalk reminds me of Brooke Lopez

dnbman

Dude… if we just drafted Brooke Lopez…

cltblkhscoach

Good ole Larry Brown

GoBobcats24

He reminds me a lot of young Lopez too

Chef

But we never would have met ballwhore

1

2

powellrmp

We should be honored

TheDorkLord

what are the chances we use Mann any in the summer league?

GoBobcats24

Not as good in post

Chef

The best inside man ever.

"I have info but I won't tell it unless 100 people log on by 7p"

2

Eastley

he was hilarious

GoBobcats24

It was so funny as soon as DJ got traded Ballwhore was OUT

Chef

Crazy that it was his BiL

GoBobcats24

He was legit though I miss the guy

Eastley

But where is Ballwhore now? He loved us only for our DJ

dnbman

We had 29 players work through our roster last year.

powellrmp

Even the guy I don’t like (James) is fine with. I get it. Ball handler and defense

dnbman

Where does DaQuan Jeffries fit into our plans?

powellrmp

On someone elses roster

1

Eastley

We have him under contract for 5.7m over two years (2.7m this year, 3m next). No options

dnbman

But in terms of on the court fit, does he have a place or no?

Eastley

It might just come down to roster flex more than anything - we're getting close to tax range I'd think though don't think we're in danger of hitting it

GoBobcats24

Do you guys think Kon has all star potential?

Chef

Sounds like the duke kid is a davion mitchell but bigger

GoBobcats24

Just curious

powellrmp

Nah

GeraldWallaceMVP

Well probably turn one of the rookies into a 2 way

dnbman

RE: Kon. Maybe not, but ceiling has been discussed as somebody like Klay Thompson. I mean, it's possible.

GoBobcats24

Drafting a guy that we are not sure can be an all star is tough

dnbman

Can I meet you at he'll get votes.

Chef

My next focus is on trades. Miles anyone? Someone has to want him

dnbman

Is anyone injured for the start of the season or is everyone slated to return?

Eastley

Josh Green is on ice

GoBobcats24

Thin ice

1

GeraldWallaceMVP

If Kon could become a like Desmond Bane type player it’d be cool

Eastley

Yeah, if he's a Des Bane, that would be a massive win for us IMO

GoBobcats24

Yeah that is all star caliber

I am worried about his lateral quickness in comparison to Bane

In fairness not sure what Bane's measures

Jeffries is good injury insurance end of bench

1

Eastley

Desmond Bane - NBADraft.net

6'6" with a TRex wingspan concern

dnbman

Jeffries contract is non-guranteed so could be cut

Eastley

fully guaranteed this year and next

dnbman

You sure? Seeing this: Contract Notes

• 2025-26: non-guaranteed, fully guaranteed 1/10/26
• 2026-27: non-guaranteed, fully guaranteed 1/10/27

1

Eastley

DaQuan Jeffries | NBA Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

dnbman

Has same notes

Eastley

oh wait, you are right, it's non guaranteed - yes, assume we can send him away

TheDorkLord

someone just posted on X that if we traded for Lonzo we could have Kalk and Balls

dnbman

And a nipple

Chef

I wouldn't mind finding a way back in and drafting sears from Alabama. That guy reminds me of Jalen brunson

Eastley

So is Max still not picked?

dnbman

Wonder if people don't like his position. Saw some note that wondered if he'd be better at PF

[system]

Originally sent in 2025 Second Round Draft chat

TheDorkLord

Max is still there

Eastley

wow, I am so surprised

So Okogie is also non-guaranteed. Though I would prefer we keep him

powellrmp

Yes, I strongly prefer to keep Josh Okogie

Eastley

So would you guys rather we trade Green or Bridges as our next move?

powellrmp

Bridges

In a heartbeat

At least green makes 14m instead of 25m

I want the youngins to play.

TheDorkLord

I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I would keep Bridges ahead of Green

Eastley

now I am on Hunter Sallis watch - hoping he gets drafted somewhere

Chef

Both

dnbman

I'd be glad to trade both, but Miles showed the ability to contribute last year, which I didn't really see from Green. I'd be fine keeping Miles to at least start the year and trading him at some point between 26 and 27 all star breaks

Eastley

There goes that guy!

dnbman

What about Miles for Deangelo Russell?

nevermind

Top 50 NBA players make 30 million a year or more.

Eastley

Do we have any of those?

dnbman

(looking for trade targets for miles)

Ball at 36

makes 700,000 less than SGA

Bradley Beal making 50 a year is crazy stuff

Chef

Miles and green and few firsts for Julius randall

No way minny breaks up that team though

Eastley

Randall would want the ball in his hands way too much for this team to work.

Wondering what UDFAs we might luck into for Summer League

Chef

I am good with that though. This team needs someone like that who isn't just dancing around the perimeter

I want less of the melo show as the only offense. He breaks down. They have to figure out a way to lessen his load

dnbman

How about MIles for PJ Washington? [ducks behind Hugo]

Chef

Let him do that down the stretch not for 38 min

Eastley

Hrmm, Bridges for Bridges

Chef

Too many sf. They need to get a sg or a of or a center. Miller needs to transition to sf. Too crowded with non ball handling sf types

dnbman

What if got Bobby Portis just so he couldn't score 30 against us when we play him.

Chef, what about solid rebounding PF?

Eastley

I just want to get Diabate shooting and making 3s

Chef

I'd take that. Smaller move but moves the direction of the team away from DNP-nagging injury

Eastley

Markovic looks like he could be Poku's less alien-like brother

Maybe stepbrother, same father but his mother was from Earth

Small's suit is absolutely alive.

GoBobcats24

Man the public opinion is overwhelmingly saying that we crushed this draft

We had a good one for sure

1

1

ncborn

Let’s see if the Lakers draft Rocco!

Eastley

That LAC / NYK 50/51 swap was weird

Was that the 7th French draft pick in 2025?

GoBobcats24

HOLY SHIT I JUST REALIZED! We have Kalk, Ball, and Nipple.

1

powellrmp

Oh wow. Thats legendary

Now that’s a sexy threesome. They could run the (devil’s) triangle offense

BAM

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GoBobcats24

Lol

[powellrmp]

Yeah my frustration was 50% not drafting Fleming, 25% frustrated with having drafted Salaun in the first place, 25% frustrated with Salaun preventing an infusion of obvious forward talent with an extremely high floor. (Not to mention Fleming could have been had on a 2nd round contract instead of Salaun’s 1st round contract)

And I very much agree with your comment about the hornets draftees having a high BBIQ. I wrote quite a bit over the last week or two wanting this kind of draft. I just feel like the hornets need to hit “singles and doubles” instead of going for the homerun players.

We have the high talent guys in Melo and Miller. Let’s surround them with high BBIQ guys who are shooters, connectors, secondary facilitators, decent defenders. I’m with you

[Eastley]

@powellrmp

Yeah my frustration was 50% not drafting Fleming, 25% frustrated with having drafted Salaun in the first place, 25% frustrated with Salaun preventing an infusion of obvious forward talent with an extremely high floor. (Not to mention Fleming could have been had on a 2nd round contract instead of Salaun’s 1st round contract)

I seriously doubt there’s much room on this island with me, but… But, halfway through the season, I started thinking it was a genius pick. If you wanted a potential gamer, and would get a dive in the floor guy every game, but had no worry in the world he would lead to wins in the Flagg draft, what better pick was there? Just a thought. And seeing how methodically we picked up high upside roleplayers in this draft, it might be our new approach. E.g. if you can’t get a Flagg/Harper, get a guy that compliments any of those type of guys.

[powellrmp]

Well, in my defense. I was sour on the entire 2024 draft in general. I think we will look back on draft classes over the next 10 years and the 2024 draft class will be one of the very worst (edit: probably the worst). So I made peace with Salaun because I understood the idea of, “wow this draft sucks so we might as well go for it” line of thought.

I always knew Salaun was a multi year project. But that has ripple effects. A raw, multi year project means he’s taking up space on the roster, for well, multiple years.

So it’s more of a gamble than you think. Roster spots are important for a rebuilding team trying to figure out developing players. I also didn’t want Bridges re-signed. Would rather have Fleming than Salaun. Or would rather develop Fleming than see miles bridges play.

I really do wish the best for Salaun. And I don’t want people to think I’m rooting against him.

[Vet_Picksetter]

Vertical leap from a standing position:

VJ Edgecomb 30"
Cooper Flagg 29"
RYAN MO FREAKIN’ KALKBRENNER 29"
Ace Bailey 27.5"
Khaman Maluach 24"

Add to that Kalkbrenner’s 9’4" standing reach and 7’6" wingspan. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a rim protector. Not just a theoretical one like Mark Williams, but a four-time Big East defensive player of the year one.

(Also, check out Kon’s jumping numbers. Not shabby at all!)

[DeadlySwarm]

I didn’t get to see many of our Hornets games last season but the few games I saw where TJS got some decent playing time he showed he may have a pretty high ceiling. If the knock on TLS is that he was a high lottery pick then I do understand being so down on him but I had a feeling that despite where he was drafted he would take at least two seasons to really make any kind of real impact on our team if ever, I understand your thinking on the matter but I think TJS will spend more time in the G League next season if he doesn’t show a significant amount of improvement. I think it is a bit premature for some people to seemingly write the kid off. I saw promise in him and I am not ready to give up on him.

[powellrmp]

Write up on Sion James:

Projection
If James’ jumper proves reliable at the NBA level, he could carve out a role right away. Depending on what he’s asked to do, comparisons to players like De’Anthony Melton, Bruce Brown and Aaron Nesmith are apt. His multi-positional optionality on both ends of the court will ultimately help him find minutes.

— Profile by RotoWire.com

[Vet_Picksetter]

This is a great angle for understanding Ryan K’s size and verticality, especially at the end.

Ryan Kalkbrenner 2023 Pro Day Workout

[Chef]

It’s crazy to see even a second round prospects pro day workout. The talent level is so extreme compared to a normal human being.

[Vet_Picksetter]

Brook Lopez with the 3-ball vibes here