2025 NBA Draft Lottery Thread (Rockets get #10 Pick)

thanks for passing this along. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one. He had 7 good shooting games at the start of the season against mostly weak non-conference opponents, and then was a really bad shooter for the rest of the season (70% of the season). The reason is supposedly a bone bruise? I just don’t see how anyone can have confidence in that data. That’s too small of a sample size. Granted I watched zero BYU games until the tourney, but I had heard that he was arguably the most skilled passer in the draft.

there is no doubt that his size, ball handling and passing are special, but if he can’t shoot it and can’t play D (very slow feet), I don’t see how he’s worth taking a lotto swing on. Obviously I could be wrong, but I can’t draft a guard that has a high probability of being a non-shooter.

I actually trust Kasparas’ shooting more than Demin, but a lot of the same questions, athletically and defensively. Was great first half of the season shooting the ball, had a forearm injury, and was bad from January on. I’m not excited to draft Kasparas because if the shooting isn’t real I don’t see how he’s a good nba player. But at least with him u have half a season of evidence of good shooting.

I expect us to trade the pick so not gonna get too attached to these prospects. The draft is always fun, but I don’t think it’s a strong draft after the top 2-4. I feel like the value in this draft is in the 20’s, unfortunately not where we are picking. I think there will be a lot of teams trying to trade back or out of this draft. I’d love it if we could convert our 2025 pick into a 2026 pick.

 

Fair perspective and I maybe overly optimistic on Egor. As for this draft, there is only one can't miss prospect and Tier 2 has 6-8 guys that are relatively in the same bucket for me. After that, Tier 3 has another 10 or so guys. I do believe there are some nuggets in those tiers, and maybe we get lucky or as you say trade it away.

 

Of course Morey is open to trading the pick. He has never been fond of draft picks. I can’t believe Morey is still employed after he has destroyed Phili.

 

Yeah, but he positioned himself as the 2nd boss after the Owner....he doesn't own the franchise but he is the boss of all daily basketball operations unless he call it quits himself.

That is why the Sixers screwed themselves giving him that power.

I doubt every owner knows basketball.

 

Cam, 10 plus Tate and 2 seconds for 3 won't be enough, but I wouldn't offer more than that to Philly. If the Rockets do get the 3rd for this offer, I would select VJ Edgecombe.

 

of course Morey is open for biz. But are VJ or Bailey worth trading up for? Can Bailey be a #1 type guy? We are still looking for our #1 offensive option. I’m not opposed to taking another big swing in the draft. But I haven’t studied VJ or Ace enough to know if they have that kind of potential. Anyone think either of those guys can be a #1?

 

Letting Harden walk and then signing PG for 4 years $211M would make me question every move the guy makes if I am Philly. It sounds like they will try to still win now w Embiid, which is a huge mistake.

 

I would imagine just looking at their P&L and the standings would be all an owner really needs to understand whether to keep someone around or not.

 

Anyone who would give a gigantic contract to Paul George should have been read the riot act.

"You gave how much? To Paul George?" (long pause) "This is the Paul George who's never healthy and averages 50 games a season and never makes it to the postseason anymore. That Paul George?" (even longer pause) When I said, 'You have autonomy over basketball matters,' in order to get you to commit to signing here, I assumed, to my detriment it seems, that you weren't going to F*** ME OVER!!!!"

"Mister Harris, sometimes you have to take a risk in this business...."

 

Bailey could be a no 1 but he doesnt seem like he has the mental for it. VJ imo got overhyped I think Tre Johnson is a lot better than him.

 

To be honest I think this draft is really deep, only Flagg and Harper are a cut above the rest and then its wide open IMO.

Lots of players could end up as stars, even juniors like Cedric Coward or Rasheer Fleming still have some star potential cuz they are athletic AF, shoot really well and have abnormally long wingspans.

Stone should look at trading some of our players and get some frps for this draft class.

 

I am turning around on Cedric Coward, being 6'5.25 barefoot with a 7'2 wingspan as a shooting guard looks like he is more than worthy for that 10th pick.

He isnt just tall with long ass arms, dude had a 38 inch vert and shot lights out both in the combine and in college. Being a junior he has shown a consistent shot shooting 38-40% from 3 and 80%+ from the ft line since his freshman days.

Looks like a no brainer to me.

 

What was the extent of his injury?

 

He hurt his shoulder at the beginning of the season but looks like he already made a full recovery since he is shooting lights out

 

I can’t see any reason for the Rockets to trade up to 3. The problem with Morey wanting to trade the 3, is competing with us for any players we may want

 

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...ks-post-combine-cooper-flagg-dallas-mavericks

10. Houston Rockets

Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois
Freshman | TS%: 59.8

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-4 ¾ | Weight: 205
Standing reach: 8-3 ½ | Wingspan: 6-7 ¾

Intel and fit: This pick is viewed around the league as a luxury asset for the Rockets, who are frequently mentioned by other teams as a big-trade candidate to build on what they accomplished this season. Houston has the draft assets and young talent to target whichever star becomes available next, as well as Reed Sheppard, who presumably is waiting to take on more minutes next season.

If Houston keeps the pick, this is likely a best-available situation, and Jakucionis holds a good case at No. 10. His playmaking vision, shooting ability and intangibles coupled with excellent positional size for a ball handler (he measured similarly to Terance Mann in 2019 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2013) make him a versatile backcourt addition for nearly any team.

He will need to sharpen his decision-making and cut down on turnovers to see maximum time on the ball long term. Though some teams have speculated he could slip out of the top 10 because of how the board is falling, Jakucionis' range appears fairly solid in the Nos. 8-to-12 range at this stage. -- Woo


59. Houston Rockets: Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson, super senior


Has some of CF favorites going much later
Sorber 19 to Brooklyn
Raynaud 24 to OKC
Fleming 27 to Brooklyn
Clayton 29 to Phoenix
Coward 30 to Clippers

 

Yea I really like Coward too. Those measurables are insane. But then it also seems like he's got a great head on his shoulders and attitude to boot. Plus his shooting mechanics, and just the way he moves around the court... everything is so smooth. Crazy to think that his wingspan is longer than both Flagg and Ace Bailey