2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[Chicagojk]

Both Givoney and Vecenie in their latest mocks had Utah taking PG Fears. Add to Collier being a first round pick last year who played pretty well and another guard taken the year before. If this were to happen, Sexton (and Clarkson) are probably not long for Utah.

[F Gump]

I can't quite tell from the videos why Proctor is even a 2nd round pick. Even if you don't like him as a PG, he looks more than capable as a SG. The draft analysis podcast I saw last week had two guys both thinking this guy could easily be a late first round pick... and still I see him generally as a pick in the 40's in most mock drafts. 

Disciplined, good defense, shooting 40% from 3 on a good volume, played at top notch school with Flagg no less.

The book on him is that he's not a great athlete or a great ball handler. Not explosive, not a great first step, not overpowering, mostly a finesse type who has a low ceiling. Was expected to get to Duke and progress greatly and be one-and-done, but he's been at Duke 3 years and still has not taken that big step up.

[Winter]

The book on him is that he's not a great athlete or a great ball handler. Not explosive, not a great first step, not overpowering, mostly a finesse type who has a low ceiling. Was expected to get to Duke and progress greatly and be one-and-done, but he's been at Duke 3 years and still has not taken that big step up.

I think I got all that, but it's perhaps a relative judgement on others in the late-first round. I've gone through as many profiles as I could, watched some video, and I don't see Proctor as all that different from several other players in the back-half of the first. 

He at least has a noticeable skill as maybe a 3-and-D rotation piece. A bunch of players near him didn't seem nearly as polished.

[F Gump]

I think I got all that, but it's perhaps a relative judgement on others in the late-first round. I've gone through as many profiles as I could, watched some video, and I don't see Proctor as all that different from several other players in the back-half of the first. 

He at least has a noticeable skill as maybe a 3-and-D rotation piece. A bunch of players near him didn't seem nearly as polished.

You may be right that those at the bottom of round 1 aren't all that different -- then again, maybe the takeaway is that the 25-45 range is going to be ALL junk players to pick between.

[Chicagojk]

I like Proctor. He is a good early second round pick. I think it was Vecenie who compared him to Grimes. Both were former five star point guard recruits who were thought to be one and dones. It didn't happen for both, but they found ways to fill in when they were not asked to run an offense.

I like the other Duke kid better, Sion James. The comparison I heard from him is Bruce Brown. James played at Tulane and wanted to go to a place where he could play with stars as he knew his role would be that in the pros. He is huge and really knows his role. He is another really good early second round pick.

[SleepingHero]

@KhanaanReports
The Nets and Suns could be potential trade partners. The Suns could acquire Claxton, and the Nets could acquire the 10th pick, per @LockedOnNets.

[F Gump]

@KhanaanReports
The Nets and Suns could be potential trade partners. The Suns could acquire Claxton, and the Nets could acquire the 10th pick, per @LockedOnNets.

Claxton to the Suns for a pick? LOL laughably impossible per the rules. Good grief, who are these mediots?

[omahen]

Claxton to the Suns for a pick? LOL laughably impossible per the rules. Good grief, who are these mediots?

Why would that be so impossible? Suns have plenty of tradeable contracts and will be under the 2nd apron. They will for sure release non guaranteed Micic (8 mil) and possibly also Martin (8.7 mil), which gets them under the apron. From than on it is easy. Allen and O'Neal combined are a bit over Claxton salary. 

Bigger question for me is, why Phoenix would do that, as their playable players left would be Green, Booker, Brooks, Claxton, Richards, Dunn and perhaps Iguodaro. It would make more sense if Beal would be the outgoing salary as BKN is the only team that can afford to eat his contract. Who knows, perhaps they can convince Beal to go to BKN.

On the other hand it is also not clear what BKN motivation would be to get the #10 pick. They already have 4 FRP in 2025.

[Chicagojk]

Givony from ESPN. It will be interesting to see what OKC does. They don't need 4 rookies (counting their pick from this past year). So they either try to move up or maybe push some picks into the future.

*********************
"I keep hearing rumblings that the Thunder are trying to move up (in the draft). They have 15, 24, 44. They could package all three of those picks, look to move up 4 or 5 slots, maybe 6 to Toronto...I think they're gonna be ready on Wednesday"

[omahen]

Givony from ESPN.  It will be interesting to see what OKC does.  They don't need 4 rookies (counting their pick from this past year).  So they either try to move up or maybe push some picks into the future. 

*********************
"I keep hearing rumblings that the Thunder are trying to move up (in the draft). They have 15, 24, 44. They could package all three of those picks, look to move up 4 or 5 slots, maybe 6 to Toronto...I think they're gonna be ready on Wednesday"

It is really a privilige to be in their situation. If there is someone they really like they go for him. If not, they just exchange picks for picks in the future and keep their chest available. They didn't look unbeatable in this playoffs, but they will be very good for a very long time.

[Chicagojk]

It is really a privilige to be in their situation. If there is someone they really like they go for him. If not, they just exchange picks for picks in the future and keep their chest available. They didn't look unbeatable in this playoffs, but they will be very good for a very long time.

Yes, great position.  Watching them this playoff series I just kept thinking wait until Cason Williams is ready.   He had some moments but I felt he was just a little too young.   Watching him though and seeing all the playoff reps he is getting now, I just think he is going to continue to get better.  Same thing with Chet.  Although I have some fears about him.   He can be such a unique talent though.   The pounding just concerns me with his body.  

I don't know too much about their coach, but I like his demeanor.   Major credit to him though how he has that team so connected.   I can't tell you how hard it is to keep players ready and get good play when you call their name.  Jaylin Williams may be the backup center in one series and then doesn't play in another series.  Same thing with Kenriech Williams.   Then Joe and Wiggins roles will go up and down.   To get good production out of these guys is such a hidden advantage.

[F Gump]

1 Why would that be so impossible?

2 Suns have plenty of tradeable contracts and will be under the 2nd apron. They will for sure release non guaranteed Micic (8 mil) and possibly also Martin (8.7 mil), which gets them under the apron. From than on it is easy. Allen and O'Neal combined are a bit over Claxton salary. 

3a Bigger question for me is, why Phoenix would do that, as their playable players left would be Green, Booker, Brooks, Claxton, Richards, Dunn and perhaps Iguodaro. It would make more sense if Beal would be the outgoing salary as BKN is the only team that can afford to eat his contract. Who knows, perhaps they can convince Beal to go to BKN.

3b On the other hand it is also not clear what BKN motivation would be to get the #10 pick. They already have 4 FRP in 2025.

1 The trade idea mentioned was Claxton for pick 10. Your ideas to make it into something different is really underscoring the same thing I was saying.

2 The Suns WON'T be under the Apron without some work. Waiving Martin and Micic isn't enough. For 15 slots they are at about 212M. Do I think they will try to find a way to get there? Yep. But it's not a given as they sit.

3a/3b  Yes, for both PHX and BKN, it makes no sense on the "why" level for either one.

[omahen]

1 The trade idea mentioned was Claxton for pick 10. Your ideas to make it into something different is really underscoring the same thing I was saying.

2 The Suns WON'T be under the Apron without some work. Waiving Martin and Micic isn't enough. For 15 slots they are at about 212M. Do I think they will try to find a way to get there? Yep. But it's not a given as they sit.

3a/3b  Yes, for both PHX and BKN, it makes no sense on the "why" level for either one.

Under 1: This is the original text you made fun of:  The Nets and Suns could be potential trade partners. The Suns could acquire Claxton, and the Nets could acquire the 10th pick

Imho this is far from a text that would say that the trade is Claxton for #10 and nothing else included. Claxton is the prize for Phoenix, #10 is the prize for BKN. Rest are moving pieces to make things work for both teams and satisfy the CBA rules...

Under 2: According to Spotrac, Phoenix is currently 12.1 mil over the second apron. Micic and Martin combined is almost 16.8 mil. Not sure how much exactly empty slot counts, but I guess those 4.7 mil are enough for two spots

[Chicagojk]

So I am guessing this will not happen, but oh well.

Ray (@Raybo12_)
REPORT: The Mavericks are looking to trade back into the first round on draft night, and teams seem to have taken interest in newly acquired F Caleb Martin. Don’t be surprised if Martin is traded for a late first round pick on the night of the draft.

Per: @Maverick_SZN

[Smitty]

So I am guessing this will not happen, but oh well.

Ray (@Raybo12_)
REPORT: The Mavericks are looking to trade back into the first round on draft night, and teams seem to have taken interest in newly acquired F Caleb Martin. Don’t be surprised if Martin is traded for a late first round pick on the night of the draft.

Per: @Maverick_SZN

Who is Raybo? If Martin's value is higher amongst NBA folks than us fans and he can fetch a late FRP, I know we'd all be jumping with joy.

[F Gump]

O -- 1 We'll have to agree to disagree.

2 On the A2 math for PHX, yes, they can change that math via different trade scenarios, but they are over A2 so far. You can do the math (you are good at it when you want to be). I assume they waive all 3 of Micic, Martin, and Richards - but who knows. The pick they have is 6M. Every slot that's unused is 2.3M. I land at about 212M and that puts them clearly over A2 as we sit.

[Winter]

Who is Raybo? If Martin's value is higher amongst NBA folks than us fans and he can fetch a late FRP, I know we'd all be jumping with joy.

I'd trade him for a second round pick. Let's give Cooper a little friend to play with (Duke players Tyrese and Siam both will go in the top half of the second)

[Smitty]

I'd trade him for a second round pick. Let's give Cooper a little friend to play with (Duke players Tyrese and Siam both will go in the top half of the second)

I'm wayyyy down on Martin, rightfully so after his time here. I see the appeal on what he CAN be, and to some extent has been, before his time with the Mavs. He's still the best perimeter defender the Mavs have on the roster. If he was traded for a SRP, I don't know how I'd feel about it just yet.

[Smitty]

Walter Clayton Jr had two workouts with the Heat then cancelled his workouts with other teams.
(via @AdamFinkelstein)


The latest mock draft from the Ringer also has WCJ going to the Heat at #20

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft

[SleepingHero]

Walter Clayton Jr had two workouts with the Heat then cancelled his workouts with other teams.
(via @AdamFinkelstein)


The latest mock draft from the Ringer also has WCJ going to the Heat at #20

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft

Interesting.


Mid 20s feels right, but Clayton was barely a 2nd rounder pre March madness.