Who Should The Raptors Pick At Number 9? 2025 NBA Draft FULL Preview

Who Should The Raptors Pick At Number 9? 2025 NBA Draft FULL Preview

Hello, Cody Wilds and Brendan Stewart here today and we’re going to be taking a look at some of the options at ninth overall for the Toronto Raptors in the 2025 NBA draft. Before we get into that, Brandon, how are you, man? It’s been like what, a month and a half, two months since we talked. Yeah, I’m doing great, man. Um, just got home from school for the years or for the term anyway. So, I’m chilling for the summer. Um, ready to kind of really get into the draft content and I’ve been enjoying watching a lot of these guys. Um, but yeah, how about you? How are you doing? Doing great. Excited to be here. Uh, yeah, Brendan has been pumping out articles on Raptors Republic. So, make sure uh to check out his work and mine if you want. And, you know, everybody’s work on Raptors Republic. Uh, please like, comment, and subscribe. Obviously, it helps us and we think we do good work over here. So, let’s try to spread that spread that around. Um, okay. We are going to try in to get in depth on a plethora of guys today. Uh, we’ll be taking a look at Jeremiah Fears, Carter Bryant, Derek Queen, Thomas Sorber, Colin Murray Boils, and we’ll also maybe touch on Casper Shakuchonis, and Asa Newell. Of course, there’s other plenty of guys the reps could take at ninth overall like common Malawatch. You can check Brendan and I’s last episode uh if you want our thoughts on him. Uh Toronto has also met with uh Jacece Richardson and Trey Johnson and other wings forwards like Jaor Demond, Noah Sen, and Rashier Fleming are also all in play. Uh but Brendan, for the guys we’re talking about today, however, you know what? Floor is yours. Where would you like to start? You uh you take us where you want to go. Sure. Um you know what? Let’s start off with uh a guy who I think would probably be my most preferred pick here, but I I’m a little hesitant to say that it’ll actually happen, and that’s Jeremiah Fierce. He’s he’s been uh he’s been generating some steam online and at the combine. Um I think he’s, you know, just an electric quick twitch point guard. um just plays like an absolute dog getting into the paint. Um really really good body control, ball control. Uh really quick first step. Um super young. I think he’s around the same age as Cooper Flag, maybe like a month or two older. He’s a class. Mhm. So, you know, he’s he’s going to be 19 as a rookie. Uh, is is he like a floor general type point guard? Probably not. He’s got like that uh him and uh Jacus kind of in the same boat of being around that four assists per game, but high turnover um range. So, you you want to see him get his 3.4 turnovers a game a bit under control. uh especially if he’s going to be having the ball in his hands a lot, which is going to be likely considering how he plays and how he gets into the paint. Um but yeah, I really like Fears. I think he is uh kind of a mold for um someone who can generate opportunities uh both for himself and for his teammates at just creating advantages using his speed and his uh control. Um, and I think he’s uh a pretty good bet to be a star out of this class. And I I would probably have him in my top five on my own personal board right now. And I think it would it would kind of surprise me to see him at nine, but I have my fingers crossed because I think once you get out of the top five or six guys in this class, it kind of opens up and the ranges get a bit more dynamic. Uh, so if the if he’s on the board at nine for the Raptors, I’m going to be wanting them to call his name for sure. Yeah, he would probably be one of, if not the higher upside swings if he’s available for Toronto at nine. Uh 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1 uh6 steals, uh 28.4% uh from three, and 43.4% from the field. He’s one of, if not the best handlers in the class. Uh I would say probably the probably the best. Yeah, he’s he he’s got that thing on a string, man. Like you mentioned, great first step. He’s an instant paint touch. He such a downhill threat, especially in pick and roll. Uh I feel like he’s uh done that quite a bit. Uh really high usage at Oklahoma, and I think that was part of why you mentioned those turnovers were pretty high. Like gez, there was like nobody on that team like doing anything but him. Uh that usage percentage uh for fears through the roof at that’s 31.9%. one of the highest um in the country. So, and that’s I I just want to chip in there. Go ahead. Go ahead. I think it’s like huge to know with how young he is and just the the workload that he had at Oklahoma, his weaknesses were a bit more on display. But I think looking at his game in general and just the the amount of usage that they had him do is I think nothing but you know leaves him gives me a lot of optimism with how he’s going to transition to the NBA especially because he’s probably going to have a reduced role on whatever team he joins. Uh especially the Raptors where he would probably come off the bench as a rookie. Yeah. And yeah, when you look at like he’s going to have his his role reduced but he’s still got all these strengths. Um, so I think you look at uh you look forward to a lot of improvements as he kind of comes back into that higher usage role as his NBA career goes on. I think it’s just it’s a it’s something to to keep in mind for him for sure. Yeah. So I think uh this is a good place to bring this up because I feel it’s like I wonder what Toronto’s philosophy is going to be at nine here. do they want to take? Um, like I mentioned, Fuse is going to be one of the bigger swings they’re going to take. Uh, if they’re going to select him at nine and it’s almost at a position where there would be quite a the fit would be interesting. Uh, y but or or or are they going to want to play, you know, a bit more safer? Somebody who there’s already most of feed uh in Toronto, especially with Brandon Ingram now in town. Do they want to play it a bit safe and maybe draft for an archetype like a like a Carter Bryant who will also get to? So, I’m I’m interested to hear your thoughts on Okay, you got Emanuel Quickley, you got Jamal Shed uh at the point guard position, and then you also got, you know, your other guards like Jacobe Walter and Grady Dick hanging around. H how would you see Fears um kind of fitting in? because I I like Fierce just as much as the next guy and I think it would be tough to pass up on him if he’s there and makes it, but it he is more of a ball dominant guy, right? So, how would you uh how do you think that would fit in? Well, it is the fit is a little tricky because like you said, uh Quickly, shed um those guards neither are really like advantage creators like uh like Fears is. And I think like he he has to play the one in the league. He just doesn’t have the size for the two like uh Jacobe and Grady. Yeah. Um so I think putting him in that mix with Quickly and uh I mean he can play like off with another with another point guard I think for sure. Um you’d be a little undized but I think he can fit into that role, right? Um, but yeah, I think in terms of what the Raptors need, yeah, there’s going to be a bit of a log jam at point guard, but they don’t really have in anybody in the pipeline who’s an advantage creator like Fierce, somebody who can create uh with his own uh handle and uh use his speed to get to the rim. That’s kind of an area of weakness that I think they’ve had probably since Kawaii and maybe like the the latter half of um tenure post Kawaii. His rim pressure would be very much helped like Toronto would need that. Yeah. Yeah. So I think that Fears is definitely um someone who I don’t think the Raptors are in a position yet to be really considering fit. Uh I think that uh while they’re looking to compete next year, I think they should still be 100% going for talent here and then you just either worry about the fit later or you make some trades. Um if that player uh ends up entering becoming a key part of the rotation sooner than later, then you can figure that out at that point in time. But uh yeah, I think uh Fear still fills a need for something that the team has needed for a while. Uh even if he’s entering a position where there’s maybe a bit of a log jam right now. Yeah, and I think I mean you’re right. You’re totally right in the fact that you have to draft uh best player available. It’s just that they think uh Fierce is going to be the best uh you know available when they’re picking because there is there is some concerns like the three-point shooting is I I don’t hate the shot. Um he obviously was asked to do a lot especially off the dribble. Um, and it’s just I would prefer to see some more sides in the back court if like in a perfect world, but um I would totally get it if Fierce is there and they selected him. It’s just I I’m wondering if they need to go front court at nine. That that would be my only pause at nine for fears. Um even even if like he probably would be the best player on the board if he’s there over any of the front court guys that we’ll talk about today. I think yeah Fierce is the only guard we’re going to talk about. Um but I would be obviously there is concerns in you know the three-point shooting he gets to the rim but the finishing around the rim hasn’t been uh that particularly great. Uh 52.5% uh at the rim where you want it. Yeah. 1.05 points per possession. That’s 31st percentile. Um, so that’s and it’s not even like he’s a bad athlete and doesn’t shy away from the contact. Um, I think it’s just like a combination of like the decision- making when he gets in tight and maybe just not having like being like the the best athlete. Um, and then probably he is a little on the smaller side of things, I would say. Um, obviously could add strength as well that would go a long way. Uh so I do wonder if you know that would cause problems and you know if if him and Emanuel Quickley could work off each other but uh and then defensively that’s a whole another conversation. What did you make of him on that end? Because uh they’ve Jamal Shed was big for Toronto at that point of attack defense and that Toronto’s needed. Um I I think there’s upside there but it wasn’t necessarily pretty at Oklahoma. Yeah, I’m kind of in the same boat. You’re not drafting him for his defense. Nor would I expect him to be somebody, especially at his uh size, both height and weight, to be someone who’s a real uh defensive pastor presence. Um I think that ideally you want him in a position where he can hold his own. And I think that given a few years of development, he might be able to get there. I’m not optimistic that that’ll be quick. Um, but he’s, you know, he’s again, he’s got pretty solid speed. Um, that’s mo mostly where I’m seeing uh upside with him. Yeah. But it’s um it’s it’s something that he definitely has to work on. I think the team drafting him though is going to be mostly looking for his skills offensively and uh you just kind of have to either surround him with some good defenders or hope he takes some strides and at least learning to use his hands, maybe become uh more of a help defender down the line. I I mean, yeah, he there was a lot of inconsistent effort and engagement on that end. Uh gave up advantages at the POA. Screen Nev uh could obviously improve. didn’t stay attached or give multiple efforts and at his size um that is becomes more of a concern. Uh and then yeah more strength to handle bigger players and like you said I think he’s solid laterally laterally he’s not afraid physically um and he like he I he handles dudes when he’s locked in but um yeah some more strength and maybe lower usage offensively would kind of help that. So yeah, Jeremiah Fears if it would definitely create some buzz if he was there for Toronto. It’d be the swing. It’d be a a a bigger swing for them. And he had to put the ball in his hands. And yeah, I guess you could have him running like the bench units off uh to start off the bench. Maybe you can see what it looks like next to Emanuel Quickley um at some points. like you said, you’re going small there at that point and you know it’s who’s who which two of you know RJ Barrett I guess RJ Barrett and Grady Dick would both have to come off the bench in that scenario but really interesting if it was going to be fears. Um okay he’s a long-term guy. You’re you’re looking maybe five years down the line before you uh you have him like being a true like your this is your point guard. I think that uh you bring him along slowly and then you know once you’re on his second contract is when things start to get interesting but he’s a he’s definitely an upside guy and um you got to keep got to be patient with him I think. I feel like it been pretty negative because there is a bunch to work with like the handle, the creativity, the playmaking upside. Uh his P&R play and the shot making upside in that is really it’s really good like and that Toronto would love that and and obviously the driving and the rim pressure um were really good as well for Fierce. Okay. Uh the rest of the guys front court guys, wings and front court guys. So uh let’s move. You know, I thought you were going to wanted to start with Thomas Sorver. uh offline was uh he’s been really high on Thomas Sorber. So, I’ll let you uh take the floor on Sorber here. Sure. Let me get uh Sorber’s profile up here. Yeah. While while you do that, I can lay out the uh I’ll lay out the counting stats just to give everybody a brief introduction to Thomas Sorber. 14 and a half points, eight and a half rebounds, two and a half assists, 1.5 steals, 2.0 blocks, and uh 53.2% from the field. not much of a three-point shooter last year at 16.2%. Not going to lie, uh when you mentioned Sorber to me, I um I wasn’t the most uh high on him and then dug into a bit more and got a bit deeper into him and I actually uh I see where you’re coming from 100%. So, uh lay it out. Sure. So, if the Raptors want to go with a big man at nine, I think Thomas Sorber is the guy. I don’t think it would be a reach to take him at nine. Um I if all the bigs are available, you would take Sorber. I would take Sorber. I would take him over Queen. I’d take him over Malawak. I’d take him over um uh it’s a conversation with Asa Newell, but um that’s that becomes more of a of a fit question and I’m just going probably purely based on how I think uh development would go with the Raptors. I think Sorbers might be a a safer play um just because ASA kind of creates a bit of a might might create a bit of a log jam uh in your front court, but uh Sorber, I really like players who can do a lot of things and do a lot of things well. And I think Sorber fits that to a tea. Now, he did miss some time uh after a foot injury. Uh and so there’s a bit of an injury concern there because foot injuries and big men mix like oil and water. You know, it’s not like Yeah. February 15th for anybody who’s wondering is when he got hurt and had surgery on February 26th. The limited details out uh beyond that, but he’s reportedly ramping back up. Expected to make a full recovery in the next month or so. I don’t think it would affect his stock. I’m not sure how you feel about that. um especially if he it’s not saying I don’t think he’s going to miss any of his rookie seasons. So um he came in a little heavy at the combine and that’s probably a little bit why but yeah continue on there. Yeah. So he’s like um I think his measurements were 610 and a half if I’m remembering that right out of the combine. Uh weight was around the 260s. So yeah, a little heavy. Uh 7 foot six arms. So, you know, uh 610 and 1/2 might be I think in shoes he’s probably going to tap out around 611. Uh so that might put him at a good size for for bigs. Um 76 arms is huge. He’s um I was going to go back to what I was saying before where players who do a lot of things well and I think Sorber is probably one of the smartest defenders in the class. Um which is huge for like a rookie big man. like he was playing he was putting up some pretty impactful stats for a rookie uh in Georgetown. Uh like you mentioned 14 and a half points per game, 53% from the field, two blocks, one and a half steals. Really great defensive numbers. Uh I think that he’s just the way he reads the floor is huge for his uh defense. Um and not only defensively, he’s also a pretty pretty good uh playmaker. He has some passes that look like almost I don’t I’m not drawing comparisons to Joic, but like some really quick twitch just like knows where the ball is going to go. Uh I’m getting it to my teammate. Some fantastic like off the like one hand off the dribble passes like he’s he can he has a pretty uh varied repertoire and uh yeah like you mentioned not much of a shooter. I don’t think he will be a shooter. Um he takes uh kind of more attempts than um than someone like Malawash. I think he’s uh he has the confidence, man. Yeah, he has confidence and he’s like he’s he’s sunk a few. Um, he can maybe tap out as a guy who gives you one or two shots from deep per game, which I think if for a big that like him, which is you’re mainly getting him for his kind of all-around versatility plus his major defensive uh abilities, uh, if he’s given you one or two threes a game, I think you’re ecstatic with that. Mhm. Um, and yeah, like I mentioned, he was kind of he’s maybe a little bit undersized. I think he’s going to I think he plays bigger than he is. Yeah. Um, oh, go ahead. Sorry. I was gonna say I I wanted to bring up the measurements because I have them right in front of me and his measurements are damn near pretty close to Anthony Davis, just for anybody wondering. So, Sober measured in um so barefoot 69 and a quarter. Um, so yeah, a little bit smaller than you had mentioned earlier. 69 and a quarter. Uh, and then yeah, that 7 foot6 wingspan um would be the 12th highest in the NBA. Uh, it will be the 12th highest in the NBA. He’ll be tied with Cet Homegrren and Porzingis. So, just extremely long arms. Of course, those guys are over seven foot. Um, and then yeah, he was like he measured like 260 pounds he came in at. And then he has a uh yeah, a 9 foot one standing reach. So, and then if you compare that to 80, they were the same height. Uh, Sorber’s wingspan was half an inch longer. Uh, he came in 40 lbs heavier. And then yeah, had a one inch higher or a a quarter or one one inch higher standing reach, something like that. Uh standing reach is a bit bigger. So, uh a lot of uh AD measurements um take that with what you will, but that’s what he measured in at. And I like how you mentioned plays bigger than he really does cuz when he’s uh guarding post, like when he’s guarding in the post, man, he just shoots those arms straight up and it he takes up a lot of space that way. And I guess I would it’s he’s a he impressed me. I didn’t think he would be impressing me that much the more I watched. Um obviously the foot uh scares me a little bit. Um yeah, but yeah, he’s got lots of stuff. I I like how you touched on the uh the passing because he he’s to me he was an impressive connective passer as a center. U he probably doesn’t evolve into a true hub, but he’ll keep the offense flowing. he can fit into what Toronto wants to do with quick decisions. He makes good decisions. He makes the basic reads well. Um I think he’s a natural in DHO’s. Um he had a 15.6 assist percentage and uh first round picks with assist percentage of 15 plus and or 69 plus. It was 13 guys and featuring on that list was Scotty Barnes and Kelly Olen. So guys the rappers have had in before. Yeah. Overall, he’s a good ball mover, flows well in ball screens, and there’s some upside as a short uh role decision maker like you mentioned because I think he makes some quick decisions like you said. So, lots to work with Sorber and I think when you’re talking about the bigs um stylistically, I think he would fit the best in what Darko is looking for. Yeah. And I think that, you know, there’s a lot of uh dialogue around what’s a Messiah pick and what’s a what’s a typical Raptors pick. And uh people have kind of gone to Malawash for that that reason. You know, like you know, he’s he’s long. Uh he kind of he’s newer to playing basketball, but I think Sorber fits that to a tea as well. If you look at their like recent uh draft history, they like guys who can do a lot of things. They like guys who can uh who are aware and can be connective uh on an offense. Like I don’t think in their last five like I’m thinking like post Kawaii of the draft picks they’ve made I don’t think anyone’s really been a poor ball mover or just a complete ball stopper. If I’m forgetting any names correct me but I I don’t nobody comes to mind of the players that they go after who really fit that criteria. So, I think when you look at Sorber, uh, someone who can be very much a a defensive anchor, uh, someone who can also, like you mentioned, be a connective passer and, uh, he won’t he won’t burn you on offense, uh, by just being like a a run and dunk big. He can do a lot of things uh, well to keep the offense flowing. I think he very much fits in the the definition of a typical Messiah pick or a Raptors pick. And I think his fit in Toronto is great because of that because you can really play him in a bunch of different uh lineups and he can uh develop into someone who you can really rely on on the defensive end. Yeah, he has a little skill which Toronto likes. He has the length. Toronto likes that and they need a five and he can potentially shoot it. But not to be understated, which I feel like it has been, he is one of the most impactful defenders in the class. you would be drafting him for his defensive um his defensive acument and what he brings. Georgetown allowed 92 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. Uh 26 points less with him off. Uh that’s some of the best difference um in the country. Really good rim protector, good positioning, um good timing, great use of length. Like his he has the length and then he knows how to use it as well. like he is very uh is just in every passing lane, man. Um when it gets down low, team shot 57% at the rim with him on the floor. That’s 89th percentile. 68.5% uh with him off. Uh a minus 11.5 uh difference there. That’s 99th percentile. So, and when you’re comparing it to other bigs, um in this class, like like team shot 57% at the rim with uh Sorber like I just mentioned, Malawash was 53.6. six. Uh CNB was 63.3%, Queen was 59.9 and then their differences uh when they were taken off the floor were not as u large as Thomas Sorber. So he’s he’s more mobile than switchable. I don’t think he’s like a scheme limiter in any way, but I I don’t think I would love him like switching out onto guards consistently. I think he’s going to be like you mentioned more of that like anchor like drop uh in PNR big. Uh but I think he can play to the level uh to some degree and I think he can do that. It’s just what’s that going to look like at the NBA level? I don’t know. Uh but I think um yeah, he’s primarily going to be a drop. And then one more thing I wanted to mention, he has like an intriguing like face up game, man. like he he could he does a little thing in the mid-range where it’s like, oh, there’s some more flashes of like some upside and skill there. Yeah, I I agree with you. I think like that’s another point of optimism where you think, oh, maybe he can pull this out and become a bit more of a shooter. Um because his face up game is something that impressed me considering, you know, a lot of these um defensive-minded bigs don’t really have that in their bag and the ones that do, you usually hear a lot more buzz about. Um, so it’s kind of a little bit of a hidden part of Sorber’s game. And I wanted to touch on his uh, you mentioned his lateral ability and switching on to guards. I’m I’m pretty impressed with his lateral quickness. I think that’s a real a real positive. I agree with you that it’s not like um, you don’t want him switching consistently. I think that obviously I think he needs to lose a bit of weight too um, just to get a little bit quicker. I think that’ll come because I think uh, some of the weight gain was because of the foot injury. So, I’m not too concerned about that because he is a bit of a workhorse and I think he has the effort to uh to really make improvements there. Um, but yeah, his like his mobility for his size I think uh is really good and should help his uh ceiling as a defender for sure. Okay, cool. Let’s keep it chugging. Yeah, Brendan, big fan of Thomas Sorber. I have I’ve come around on Thomas. I I I feel like nine would be a little early for him. Um, but I if Toronto just thinks he’s going to be the best fit in their uh north of the border, then yeah, by all means. But let’s keep chugging along with uh the bigs we’re going to talk about today. Derek Queen, who based on conversations with you, I feel like we’re both coming um Okay. Well, I’m coming across a little lower on him as a fit in Toronto, maybe not as a player. Uh how do you feel about Mr. Queen? I thought I would like him a lot more than I did. Like uh I And this is just in general, hey, not as uh Gotcha. In general, like I thought like uh when I went in to do more like deep dive on him, it was a lot of like Okay. Yeah, he’s obviously very skilled offensively. I think um you know, he’s I think he’s going to have a long career. I’m trying to find what I wrote about him. Um but like he is one of those players where I think he has to get in a really good situation. Yes, I totally agree because he’s got amazing hands, amazing touch. Um he’s a playmaker uh like a several degrees higher than Sorber and we just praised his playmaking as being very good for a big. I think Queen is um clearly above that. Yeah. um like he’s drawn comparisons to Sabonis to um like I don’t know I’ve seen I’ve seen someone say like yeah Joic I’ve seen someone say like Thad Young kind of that kind of mold um but I think that uh defensively there are problems. Um I would say I don’t have a lot of optimism for him as a defender. Uh just looking at his uh stats. Like I mean one steal, one block a game uh in about 30 minutes for Maryland. Uh I think his defensive impact is definitely lower than where you’d want it to be. he did play with um another big man uh at Maryland and I think that kind of hid some of his weaknesses and I think if he comes to Toronto that would be likely the type of lineups you’d have to play him in or else you’re kind of risking exposing your whole uh paint pretty much. Um, so playing him besides someone like Yaka Purle, I could see the versatility in that on offense given that both of them are very much uh like Purle’s a good connective big and Queen is uh a passing outlet in and of himself. So, I think that the opportunity there for varied plays and kind of um unique just uh table setters I guess um in two bigs that can pass like that is pretty huge. Um again, the touch is massive. Um yes, his uh he shot uh 55.8% 8% inside the ark. Um, but at the rim, uh, 68%. Um, he did have a lot of long twos, which I think is great. Uh, because you can kind of project that into becoming more of a shooting big down the line, which I think is you take that combined with his passing game and I think people are looking at him as just like a kind of a Boogie Cousins type uh, player down the line. Um, and I think he even Oh, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m thinking of Sorber. Um, yeah, his his wingspan did not come out great. Like you’re he’s a 610 big with a about a 7 foot I think 7 and 1/2 7 foot half an inch wingspan. Um, it’s hard to say that. Hey, like I I I got messed up earlier. Uh, se 7.5. Um, and so that’s a little uh concerning if you expect the defensive ability to come along. Mhm. Um, I’m not crazy about it. I think the fit in Toronto again, like I said, is a little rough because I think you do have to play him with another defensive-minded big and I think if you just put him in as the five and have like Scotty at the four, um, that’s not going to be great for your paint defense. as good as Scotty is as a as a perimeter defender. You can’t rely on him to really uh clean up the the paint like that. Um but yeah, I do I do love him as a as an offensive big. I love my skilled bigs. Um but it’s just a lot of questions on defense where I would question uh taking him at nine. Um because again, I think he has to really play in some perfect situations to really maximize his utility on the floor. He’s just a tweener and with some really eyepopping skills. So, he’s such a unique a unique prospect. Like, it’s really hard to kind of nail down uh what he’s going to be. I like I I like him as a player, but I think you hit the nail on the head right at the top when you were like he needs a situation. Like why if you’re Toronto, why draft Queen unless you’re not planning to let him have the ball in his hands and let him do his thing because that’s what’s going to maxim that’s why you’d be taking him. You got to have a plan in place. Like Washington at six for me is a potential outcome. That might be a little high for you. I think that’s fine. Um and I think he would fit really well in there. like they need somebody who could do some things like that like he has some of the best creation upside in the class in general regardless of position and then next to Alex Sar there that’d be really good in Toronto yeah it’s just like I said he’s as a tweener he lacks the rim protection the size the verticality um offensively it’s like like I guess he does do things that Darko would love but it’s just there’s I think there should it’d be it’d be a log jam and you wouldn’t be able to get the most out of him. Uh he lacks the vertical spacing and and screening that I would like um out of a big man. And then if you’re planning on playing him at the four uh matchup, he he lacks the matchup versatility on defense. He is a solid mover. Uh but again, he’s a non-shooter for the most part. You would need lineups with like Yeah, like you would need shooting all around him pretty much. Uh it would be really interesting in Toronto. Like I would he’d be so fascinating to cover uh with the Raptors and what the plan would be. But hey, Toronto needs a longer term guy at five. Um so maybe and he has he brings some serious skill. He can do some of he can do the play hub the playmaking hub stuff that Toronto loves with their bigs and what Purle brings. and he probably he’s probably going to be a better hub guy than Purle. So, uh yeah, it’s just the limited three-point shooting, the limited rim protection, uh are kind of what turned me off with him in Toronto specifically, even though I love the player. Yeah, I think I’m in the same boat. Um Queen is probably just looking at the the talent that’s likely to be available at Toronto’s pick, I think Queen’s probably on my short list, but I don’t think I would I would make him my first or second choice at all. Um, if they do pick him, I won’t complain just because I think that skilled bigs are, like you said, very fun to watch and fun to cover. Um, but it’s uh it’s definitely a player that I think will have a lot of growing pains. Um, if you don’t get him in like a perfect situation like you look at other, you know, playmaking offensive hub bigs like Sabonis, like Jokic, they basically need three and D players at all four other positions around them at all times if you want to have a winning team. Yeah. Um, we saw that with Denver’s championship season. We saw that when Sabonis is at his best. Um, when he is when he has uh other shooters around him and when he has defenders who can kind of make up for his mistakes, which is I think the exact same situation you need to have Queen in. And like you mentioned, he’s a tweener, too. So, the the fit in Toronto is a bit more questionable. I think you you ideally want him to have him at the five. Um but you still need to have um another defensiveminded forward or other big man in there beside him. Yeah. And the other guys we’re talking about are doing this at seven foot. Uh Queen measured in at 69 and a quarter, the same height as Sorber with a wingspan 5 and a half inches shorter. Um and then obviously I mean I think Sorber would have tested better. Queen did not test very well either. So, it’s just, man, yeah, you got to be comfortable giving him the keys to some degree because that’s the only way you’re going to maximize him. And you got to be confident that he’s can at least get to that level of, you know, we can do things with him and run uh, you know, all this stuff through him because that’s that’s how you’re going to get the best out of him, right? So, um, anything else on Derek Queen? No. Yeah, it’s a it’s a confusing player that I really want to like. Um, and do like him a lot on offense, but the defense is just kind of holding me back a bit. Yeah. And to be honest, I’m still working through the f like in Toron, like it’s so it’s such a complicated puzzle u because especially when you’re projecting anybody to come on the Raptors in general, like especially when you don’t know how BI is going to look and what that’s going to look like. So, there’s a lot of things to consider. Uh, okay, let’s move into somebody kind of in the same boat as Queen. Uh, no, not in the same boat, but as in more so really good on one side of the ball and maybe not quite the best on the other. Colin Murray Boils, um, a really popular name at nine right now for the Toronto. I think Jonathan Cavone in his last two mocks have had has had CMBB go to Toronto at nine. How are we feeling about Mr. Colin Marie Bole, the only sophomore we’re talking about today? Sure. I uh I liked him a lot last year. I think he probably would have been a lottery pick in last year’s class if he stayed in. Yeah. But, you know, credit to him, he went back, performed pretty well uh at South Carolina. You know, the 16.8 points on 63% true shooting, something like that. Um, he had uh he kind of reminds me of like Florida State Scotty Barnes a little bit. Um, in that he’s not that their games are similar, but like very good defender. Um, bit of a like positive playmaker uh with his well positive he has a neutral uh assist turnover ratio. You can see it though. You can see it like he’s uh he has good uh sense with his passing. Um he’s got good vision. Um yeah, I think you mentioned not like as queen is good on offense and not good on defense. Kind of the same applies to CMB where CMBB is not giving you shooting. He’s uh pretty much uh like a like a roller. um gets to the rim. Um what else do I got on him here? So it’s it’s interesting with CMBB cuz he measured in a bit smaller than I wanted him to. Uh let me pull it up here. He measured in at Yeah. 66 and a half. And I mean again he’s sort of like another tweener. Like is he I think he’s just too small to play the five. Like I just think he’s but that wings span again nearly a 7-1 wingspan. So uh that’s really intriguing. But in general he’s like probably one of the most impactful defenders in the class if not the he probably is the most impactful defender. Like he is nasty on that end man. He’s so physical, so long, excellent awareness as a help defender. Um great hands. Uh he’s strong. Uh he’s not like your traditional like rim protector and big guy like that, but he can get up and protect the rim to some degree. Um great positioning team was a plus 18.3 and net rating with him on um which is really good. He can switch. Uh I think he moves really well which he better at 66 and a half. um he he doesn’t have like the dimensions or verticality to be an NBA, you know, traditional anchor, but he’s super versatile, and I think that’s what would be interesting Toronto is that he I mean, he could drop and still do it effectively. He’s he’s a Swiss Army knife in terms of scheme and versatility, especially if you want him to switch and do what all that. Like, he’s so physical. He absorbs contact well. uh great execution on, you know, hard hedges, anything you want to do really. Uh he is great. He defended the post well, allowed just 36.4% on postups. Like the defense is obviously why you would be drafting him. It’s just in Toronto specifically. I’ve come around on him. Uh at first I was like, I’m not sure. I’ve come around to him a bit more in Toronto, but it’s like, okay, you already have a Jonathan Mo and obviously you have Scotty. It’s like, is that going to be the front court of the future? Is that what they’re going to commit to is, you know, Jonathan Mo and CMBB as your backup sort of undersized, fly around, let’s be physical, athletic on defense. Um, I’m not sure if there’s too much skill overlap there. I think there kind of is. Um, now again, I think that CMBB does like can fit in that Raptors pick uh given his Oh, he definitely would. Yeah. His his defensive uh ability, his uh intelligence, his quick hands, his uh playmaking ability. I’m I grow concerned with the shot because again I don’t see him becoming a shooter. Um so if you get him in there like you’re talking about and you want to commit to this front court in the future with like mobo um CMBB that’s a lot of defense and you know some connective guys but you’re not getting any shooting there. Um, and I think that CMBB’s ceiling is very much defined by his shooting because is he gonna be he’s going to come in as a really good defender, which is great because rookies often struggle there, but I think he’s not going to have too much trouble being a good defender right away. Um, but if he doesn’t add a shot, you have just a guy who’s, you know, who can be a defensive presence for you. And that’s where I grow a little wary of picking him at nine, especially in Toronto where, you know, if you’re if your focus is Scotty Barnes, you need to be getting guys who can shoot around him. Um because, you know, as as as much as good as Scotty is, he’s still also a developing shooter in his own right. Um and I wouldn’t feel comfortable putting him in the conversation of a shooter in general just yet. Um, but the more shooters you have around him, the easier his life becomes. And so if you have CMBB there, who again, great defensive player, is he going to be giving you anything on offense? And I think that’s where your uh questions of fit come into play and I don’t really think it’s that clean in Toronto. Um, but it’s it’s something that you got to keep in mind when you’re when you’re drafting him. Yeah, I mean the archetype of players they’ve been taking the last couple of drafts and Grady Dick and Jacobe Walter have uh signaled I think they understand what they need, but for CMBB as a like he’s a non like a non-shooting threat in his freshman season. He didn’t hit a three, he was 0 for five. Um and then last year there was improvement uh 26.5% nine of 34. Um he shot 70% uh from the free throw line though on nearly 200 attempts. I think he has good balance on the shot. Um I guess there could be a much worse starting point to coming into the league. Yeah. But um yeah, I uh I don’t love it. Uh I I don’t love it. I don’t know if he’ll be able to be able to do that. And then for his overall offensive impact if he’s if I don’t think he’s going to shoot it, um a lot of his offensive points came from posting up and that is not going to fly uh in the NBA. So, it’s uh yeah, not often that a 6’7 postup player is going to be very successful for your offense. Yeah. Um yeah, he’s he’s and then also not being a great vertical athlete. Um he he is capable like I mentioned, he can finish above the rim. Uh he can protect the rim to some degree. Uh but obviously not the greatest in that sense, but is capable. Um I I will say there is I one thing I found offensively for him is like he can play in that sort of dunker and as like a cutter. Uh he shot 71.2% as a cutter. Uh 52 attempts there. Uh and then 50.9% 27 to 53 as a P&R roll man. So obviously, like I just mentioned, he’s not going to post up as much uh in the NBA, but um he can score quickly inside and if he can kind of find his way and pick his spots while being a connect a connective passer and not necessarily stopping the flow of the offense. Um and then maybe the shot comes around. Like I guess that’s the role like that’s I think that’s the most you can project for him uh offensively right now. you just got to pray and hope that he’s just that disgusting on defense, which I do think he is, uh, to make up for everything else. But, um, yeah, like you mentioned, in Toronto specifically, it would be it’s I don’t know. Yeah, like is that what Toronto needs? And I I always say pick best player available over fit. But I think when you get into this part in the draft, like I mentioned before, how um once you’re out of the top five, the ranges kind of fly open and you there’s really any combination of players that I think could go fill out the rest of the lottery. Um you have to look at yes, he’s a good player. Can we maximize his potential with what we want to do? Mhm. And that’s when you have to consider fit a little bit because I think if again focusing on Scotty Barnes, I don’t think the fit with CMBB is that clean and that’s where I would probably uh look elsewhere with at at number nine. Yeah. All right. Well, looking elsewhere, right to Carter Bryant, um the wing out of Arizona. interesting uh player as well because he you know when you’re talking about his low of usage and his low of minutes per game like it’s this is about as low you can go um for someone you’re considering taking in the lottery uh 19 minutes per game I believe uh let me pull up his usage percentage because it was really low it was really low 16.5 16 I I knew it was in the 16s I couldn’t remember but yeah so give us um the Carter Bryant who we’ve talked you CMB, Derek Queen as these players who don’t fit. Carter Bryant can pretty much fit on any team. Yeah. And I think that’s the elevator pitch for him, right? Is that he comes in with a great 3 and D foundation and, you know, as young as he is, I think he’s Yeah. He’s 19 and a half, so he’ll be coming in as a as a 20-year-old rookie for most of his season. Um, and for a 3 and D foundation, uh, every team wants that. And he’s, uh, long, he’s got bendy arms, like he’s 67, 7 foot wingspan. So, kind of similar OG Aninoi type frame. Not as stocky, not as built, but um, you know, he has a frame to add. He He’s strong right now, and I think he can add more. he can he can definitely get up to that side like that kind of frame. Um I don’t know. I think he’s just really making his bread at Arizona off his defense at the moment because I don’t think he’s really um a versatile shooter. I think most of his makes came from uh spotting up if I’m not mistaken. Yeah. So he’s he’s not like an off the dribble um pulling up from three. Uh he’s very much a complimentary player and I think that’s the player you’re going to get at least for the first few years of his career before he starts developing. Um he’s smart like he’s he has high IQ I think especially on the defensive end. I’ve been pretty impressed with his decision- making. Um he can be connective. Uh, I I’ve noticed that’s a trend with a lot of the players we’re looking at here. We’re looking at a lot of connective guys. Um, neutral assist turnover ratio, but I think that’s not really a like, you know, you’re not drafting him for his playmaking, but he can be somebody who keeps the ball moving. He’s not going to just let it fly the second he gets the ball. Um, and yeah, I think if you get him in a spot where he can maybe develop on ball a bit more, I think I’d be a bit I’d be a bit more intrigued because I do want to see how he develops shooting off the dribble, shooting at a set plays rather than just, you know, spotting up. Um, because I think that will kind of define his ceiling and what could be the difference maker between just him being a complimentary 3 and D guy like a a I don’t know trying to think of comparisons versus uh some guy who is really good on defense, can maybe get to the rim, can shoot off the dribble a bit. That’s quite a huge gap in value in those two archetypes. Um and so now like Brian, he’s young and he has he’s coming in with a good foundation like I just said. Uh really good uh closing out. Um he I believe he fouls a lot. He does. I I have that here if you want to go. Yeah. No, I was like he does foul a lot which you have to kind of crack down on because yes, you don’t want your uh 3 and D switchable wing being someone who fouls a lot. Uh so yeah, get that uh cleaned up and I think you could be a pretty impactful defender though for sure. Yeah. So 4.8 fouls per 40 minutes. He had 17 games with three plus personal fouls. He had a tendency to get handsy and uh take some risks. But yeah, overall you gave a pretty good elevator pitch there for Carter Bryant. I’m I’m a big fan. I know Samson uh is also a pretty big fan. There’s been a lot of Carter Bryant on the channel lately, so I guess we don’t have to go too indepth. Um but yeah, defensively they asked him to do a lot of different things like he would be the lone man sweeper. He’d guard the point of attack. Uh he would do a lot of different things um for uh Arizona. Um it’s he he’s such a good athlete vertically, horizontally. He’s strong, a frame to add more. Um there’s lots great tool like all those great tools, good motor and activity, digs well. Um his he had a a 5.8 block percentage which is substantial. like Flag had a 4.9% uh Bal Kulabali had a two 2.0% uh block percentage. Tammani Kamar 3.1 uh Bisellis a 5.6. So um he gets really vertical on those contests and yeah defensively he he can do a lot of different things man. Stout on the perimeter, solid mover. What Samson really dove into it was he absorbs contact really well and he just like shuts the well off if if somebody gets into him. So, uh he recovers well once he does get beat, which uh h didn’t happen that that often. Um and then yeah, he can defend from behind, recover in P&R. Good screen nav for a wing I thought. Um and then yeah, routinely defend in multiple actions. Will probably guard two through four. I mean, if he adds strength, who knows if he can do a little of that OG Aninoi um at least switch onto some fives and hold your own to some degree with his verticality. So, that’s that’s the defense. Uh which is I think I think it’s going to be a plus on that end. I think I could I could see that happening for sure. Like uh almost two blocks per 36. Um which is like for a Yeah, for a wing uh almost two blocks, almost two steals, which is unreal. and with increased usage and clamping down on his uh fouling discipline a bit more, I could see him being someone who’s regularly putting up multi-block, multi- steel games. Yeah. So, when we talk about the offense now, uh um capable shooter, I know Samson’s been all on the drum about uh he could be one of the best shooters uh from this class. I don’t know if I’m quite there, but I I do see the upside. Um, in conference play, in the tourney and in March Madness, in 26 games play, he got up to nearly 41%. Uh, and then he also shot 36% on his catch and shoot threes. Uh, unguarded was 45.5%. Solid balance of footwork. I think he could speed up his release. I think he like might have to to get to the level that Samson’s been harping on, but um and like you mentioned, he’s most he’s a stationary threat. Uh that’s think Ochai Baji reps fans for um the three-point shooting you’re kind of getting with him. Not like a Grady Dick. So, not much movement at all. Uh maybe there’s a little more to be untapped there with more minutes and, you know, maybe like actions for him. He didn’t even really get the opportunity. So, and then yeah, like you mentioned, neutral turnover uh or neutral assist to turnover ratio. 36 assists, 37 turnovers, limited responsibility there, but I there’s flashes of him like reading the floor and making some like really nice strong passes. So, I think he’s not going to burn you there, but I think there’s some more upside. Um it’s just he’s not there’s no self-creation really. There’s no handle. Um, no, I think that that’s where uh he hasn’t done much beyond finishing plays. 70 nearly 76% of his room attempts and 92% of his threes were assisted, which is an unbelievably high mark. And then uh it’s just it’s just can he punish uh teams off closeouts, which yeah is something that we’ll have to see. But yeah, it’s like at nine, are you drafting an archetype for somebody that will theoretically fit in Toronto and can provide some vertical spacing that Toronto needs? Maybe not necessarily from you would think it become the big position, but Carter Bryant, he’s a lob threat, man. So, he could provide some vertical spacing there. He could 40inch vertical, which is wild. An ins. He’s a really good athlete. He he’d be one of the best athletes on Toronto. uh he defend the perimeter uh point of attack for Toronto who needs it. Can fit in on that as that low man sweeper. Can guard some fours uh that Toronto needs. So I like the fit. Nine might be a little high because his upside is probably a bit more limited, but yeah. Um I think he’s just I think you could argue he’s just scratching the surface. You know what I mean? Yeah. And I think like look at what value you want to get out of your pick. So, like I I think Bryant’s going to come into the league and I think that 3 and D complimentary player is pretty much a guarantee for him just based on where he is now. Um, and you got to think if he doesn’t progress like obviously like the numbers will improve as his as his reps go up, but let’s assume he’s just stays in that 3 and D comp that complimentary uh type role. Are you okay with that from your ninth pick? Or would you want something a bit more? Because I do think hitting that next uh tier of player for someone with his skill set is going to be pretty difficult to get to because like you mentioned before, there’s not really a lot of self-creation, not a lot of handling. Um he was never really that guy even back in high school. This has kind of always been his game. Um so it’ll be interesting. I I do think there is like I’m I’m kind of with you kind of with Samson on uh on the shooting. I could see him becoming one of the better shooters in this class, but again I think he has to get more uh comfortable shooting off the dribble, having more on ball reps. Um just more reps in general and more more reps in general. Yeah. And I think that it’s uh again looking at value. Are you good with three and D out of nine? Because hey, if you are Carter Bryant’s your guy. If you want a bit more, you might want to look elsewhere. You might uh have to temper expectations a bit with him. Um because again, yeah, like you’ve been saying, there’s been a lot of noise about Carter Bryant online. Uh I think a lot of Raptors fans are really liking him. I like him. I’ll probably have him uh in my lottery on my final big board. Me, too. Um but it’s uh it’s just again something that you got to think what’s the long-term outcome, what’s the short-term outcome, if they’re both the same, are you okay with that? Yeah. So, I’m I’m trying to find his off the dribble numbers. I had them written down here. Um I can’t find it. He It wasn’t necessarily um what you would want to see u obviously, but yeah. So, I think I think that’s a good place to end it with uh Carter Bryant. Um let’s quickly touch on KJ Casper. I think it’s Jakuchonis. I’m I could be saying it wrong. I think it’s Jackonis, but okay, we’ll touch on him and Asa Newle really quickly just because we wanted to mention him. Um KJ 15 points, five and a half rebounds, four and a half assists, u nearly a steal per game, and then he shot uh nearly 32% from three and uh 44% overall from the field. What do you make of KJ? Uh really good playmaker, floor general. That’s pretty much what you’re getting uh out of him. started off the season super hot from three. It was looking like he was going to be one of the best shooters in the class. As the season went on, he had an injury, comes back, uh doesn’t really put up the same shooting numbers. So, I think you want the shooting to improve a bit there. Um, as good as he is, uh, as a playmaker, you kind of want him to cut down on turnovers as well. I think he was a little high there. Yeah, about uh 4.7 assists per game. 3.7 turnovers on a concern. So almost four turnovers a game. You really need to come down on those. I think he can do it because I think he is a really smart player and a really smart playmaker. It’s probably between like in terms of pure playmakers in the class, him and uh Igor Dein are like the two main guys. uh if you’re looking for just best pure passers. Best pure passers. Yeah. Um and he’ll he’ll he can set the table for you. He can run an offense. We saw he did that pretty well at Illinois even with the turnovers. Um it’s I think he’s going to live or die with how he develops as a scorer because he’s not really a defender. He can he I’ve seen him hold his own on at times, but it’s just not his calling card. So, if he can develop as a scorer, then I think Sky could be the limit for him. I think he’s probably on he’s he’s definitely on my short list for guys I would want Toronto to take just because I think they they don’t really have a a floor general right now. Like Quickly and Shed are good passers, but they’re not really guys who can set the tempo. Um, right. So, that’s where KJ would slide in for me. And yeah, I don’t know. I think the shooting is a bit of a concern. The scoring’s uh can improve, the turnovers can improve, but I really like just the kind of the calmness that he plays with. Um he knows how to make the right passes. Uh yeah, I think he’s just smart and with the flaws you’re kind of getting at any with any player at this pick in the at this point in the draft, I think his are workable. Um because getting the turnovers under control uh could turn him into an all-star in a few years. But yeah, I I think um I think for the value at nine, getting KJ here would be f like perfect. like I think he’s going to be around there on my board. Um just a tad under he measured in well uh 6’4 and 3/4 205 nearly a six footing wingspan. Um so you touched a lot about his on his on ball stuff. I think he can yeah he can bring that those point guard things that you’d like in Toronto that could need but I think he is a bit more malleable and that could do some things off the ball as well. So you still have quickly um you know get his on ball reps or what you have it. Um nearly 35% on catch and shoot threes. The volume was only low at 1.6 attempts of those per game, but um I think there’s a bit more potential for that and he’s got the size to slide down to the two uh as well. Um I guess for saying with the on ball, his off the dribble numbers were actually uh pretty good, especially when you’re comparing it to um people in this other class. uh nearly 32% on off the dribble. Uh jumpers 4.6 uh attempts per game, uh 87 points per possession. Um those numbers are all better than Dylan Harper, for example, um on off the dribble stuff. So, uh I think that’s I think like yeah, if he’s not creating shots off the dribble like that at a high at like you’d like to see those numbers better, how effective is he going to be as a lead guard in the NBA? I think that’s the big question with him. But especially with the high turnovers. Um, but I think in a lesser high like uh less pressure on him, I think he can slide down and play a little off ball as well. Uh, finished at the rim decent as well and nearly 65% on nearly four attempts per game. Had a 35.6 rim rate. So that’s not uh the worst. That’s I mean that’s better than Jacobe Walter and Grey Dick coming in. Way better. So I think and he fits in what Toronto wants to do. I wouldn’t hate it. Um I I just I I wonder if again I guess they’re going BPA, but it’s not necessarily their biggest uh their biggest need here. Um but yeah, anything else on KJ? Yeah, I think you pretty much nailed it perfectly. I think he’s got his concerns, but I think he’s also shown that he can do a lot of things on offense, and it’s just a matter of hammering out the the little stuff. And once that happens, then, you know, he’s he’s going to be a really good player. I have him, I want to say seven or eight on my big board right now. So, I think similar to you, I think he would be perfect value here. And I think he’s probably in my top three guys who I would want at nine. Um, and yeah, I think the I think the fit’s pretty good. Um, while there is a bit of a log jam at point, like I had mentioned before, they don’t really have a floor general type player and I think KJ could develop into that. And yeah, and like you know, I wanted to kind of briefly touch back on his defense too because while there’s flaws there and he’s not a great defender, one thing I have noticed is that he he kind of gives a damn. Um, which is which is important. you know, even even if he’s not impactful, he’ll still put effort in. And that really that’s for players who are poor defenders, if they’re trying, that’s kind of all you can ask for. And then maybe down the line that turns into improvements. All right. Um, love what you said there. Last person we’ll touch on quickly, Asa Newell. Um, overall somebody that I thought should be getting more hype than he is. I think I’m higher. I think we’re both higher on him than the general media is is suggesting. 15 and a half points, 6.9 rebounds, uh nearly an assist a game, a steal, and a block per game. Uh shot 54.3% from the field overall, and nearly 30% from three. Uh I think the biggest thing with him I I mean I I really like him as a player. I think you have to buy the shot, and I buy the shot. Yeah, he has a way better starting place than a lot of players we talked about today. I I can tell you that. Um he’s long. Uh he moves well. Um yeah, he has his 8.6 uh BPM that was the sixth highest among high major freshmen. Uh his offensive rating was fourth amongst high major freshmen. And uh his true shooting at just over 61% um is was sixth highest amongst a high major freshman. So, um, didn’t necessarily pro protect the rim, uh, to what I would have liked. Um, a nearly 60% field goal percentage at the rim allowed. Um, the team was actually better at protecting the rim with him off, only by 1.5%, but still something worth of noting. And if you’re comparing uh the rim protection numbers to some second round bigs or I guess maybe late first round bigs now with their value in Maxim Renault and Ryan Kulkbrer uh yeah Newell was 60% field goal at the rim uh Ror was 62% and Kbrunner was 58 uh.8% field goal allowed at the rim. So just to give some context to those numbers uh what do you think of Asa? because I think he can be if the shot comes around, which it’s not as far away as I’ve seen people say it is, I think he could be this super versatile front court player who is like a super role player kind of. Yeah, I think I’m in the same boat as you. I think uh I am a little surprised that he’s not getting a bit more buzz like in in those top 10 conversations. like you hear a lot of talk about Derek Queen and I think uh Newell’s right there as a prospect as well. Kind of in that same not as offensively skilled but uh just just versatile and he can do a lot of things well. Um I know you mentioned the uh the rim protection wasn’t uh wasn’t great. Uh he play he kind of plays defense more like a wing which is uh you’re you’re kind of in tweener territory here. And I think that’s kind of in line with his measurements. Yeah. So that’s uh the fit makes it a little concerning with Toronto specifically because uh I think he is at the next level going to pretty much be a pure four. I don’t think I think he has to Yeah, I don’t think you can really run him at the five unless you’re going like super tiny lineups. Um I think that someone mentioned uh Jeff Green and now I can’t get that comp out of my head. um you just get like an an energy forward. Like one thing about Aces is he’s everywhere. He runs. He’s uh always a weak like lurking weak side. Uh even though if he’s not like a pure rim protector, he’ll he’ll get those uh weak side blocks. He rebounds like a [ __ ] Like it’s uh yeah, there’s a lot of positives with him. And yeah, it’s everything is he he really gives a damn. And I think that uh with how he moves and uh he has good instincts both defensively rebounding um he doesn’t really like roll or cut all that effectively I found when watching him. Um and he’s more of like a like a pick and pop type guy which I think is is valuable for like a player his size. Um, but you obviously want him to develop that uh kind of familiarity with with running the twoman game, especially in Toronto. Yeah. Um, but I think for a a guy who’s as tweener as he is, being an energy forward who can give you good offense, uh, give you good defensive minutes, lots of hustle, lots of energy, I think that’s pretty good value at the latter half of the top 10 here. And I think that uh he’s again the fit’s not so clean in Toronto, but it’s uh if you’re looking at talent, I think New’s got in in spades and I think he’ll be a pretty successful uh player. Yeah, it’s funny because he only measured in a quarter inch shorter than Sorber and Queen at 6’9 on the dot. But like you said, he plays a bit smaller and he plays more like a four than a fiveman. And that’s why I brought up those I should have gave more context when I brought up those rim protection numbers, but it was to say that I don’t know if he can fully stand up at the five. Probably not. Um the wingspan measured in at 611 and a quarter, so not as necessarily long um as you would like, even though it is a plus wingspan. Um yeah, I mean I guess I’m a bit higher on the fit in Toronto than you. I don’t necessar like if you’re I mean I guess it’s all about putting players around Scotty, right? that I obviously probably isn’t the cleanest in that scenario, but in a full team and what this team needs, I mean, they need size in the front court. Uh, he can provide that. I think he’s going to have to see some minutes at the five. At least in Toronto, he would. Um, just based on who else is on the floor. I mean, they’re comfortable running Jonathan Mo at the five there. So, I think Asa is capable of doing a little bit of that in Toronto. It’s just a matter of yeah, is he almost a jack of all trades and not really a master at any um what’s really going to be his standout skill in the NBA? Uh you would like to think it’d be him just flying around on defense. Um let’s hope that’s the case if Toronto does take him, but I’m a bit I think yeah, we’re both a bit higher on him than um the general media. I feel uh I wouldn’t mind if Toronto took him at nine. Um, I I think he’s I’d probably be a little high on my big board. I think I’m gonna have him in the lottery. Maybe not necessarily the top 10, but I wouldn’t hate it. Yeah, I think I’m in I’m in the same boat. He’s on my short list. Wouldn’t be my first or second choice, but he’s definitely on there and someone where I’d be like, “All right, I’m I’m I’m okay with this pick. I’m happy with it.” Um, but yeah, I think exactly what you said. He’s um the the fit can be pretty solid. Like you mentioned, they need the size. They need the I think you know just with his hustle and energy that’ll kind of bring back uh a bit of the like last few seasons that’s been missing a little bit I think and I think Newell can uh kind of help juice that into the locker room a little bit. Yeah, I think you’d be drafting him more for like bench units and stuff like that rather than necessarily playing alongside Scotty Barnes. But at number nine, is that necessarily what you want to do? I don’t know. I don’t know. I just dropped my phone. Um, all right. I think that’s a podcast now. We’re about an hour 10 in here. So, um, thanks for watching. We touched on a lot of guys. Uh, we’ll be back. We We have a couple more podcasts planned before the draft. We’re going to be taking a look at some options at 39. Um, as well, we’ll also be doing a mailbag, so we’d want questions from you guys. We’ll try to answer them and then maybe we’ll bring a mock draft um on the video side as well. We have a written one coming as well. So, lots from Brennan already up and coming, lots from me up and already coming as well. Of course, the RR team will have you covered for everything draft related video and uh writing wise. Thanks for watching. Please like, comment, and subscribe. Any final words, Brandon? Uh yeah, keep it posted. Raptors Republic, we got uh like Cody just mentioned, a lot of draft content coming for you. I got a new piece coming out tomorrow, so keep it locked for that. And uh yeah, we’ll see you guys in the next uh next video, I guess. All right, take care everybody. Peace.

Coty Wiles and Brendan Stewart break down the Toronto Raptors’ options with the 9th pick in the 2025 draft.

Don’t forget to like, comment and share the video.

2:00 – Jeremiah Fears
13:55 – Thomas Sorber
26:00 – Derik Queen
35:00 – Collin Murray-Boyles
45:00 – Carter Bryant
56:00 – Kasparas Jakucionis and Asa Newell

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Cody Wiles and Brendan Stewart analyze the upcoming NBA draft lottery and potential Raptors mock draft scenarios. They focus on the ninth overall pick and discuss prospects like Collin Murray Boyles, Derik Queen and others. They also touch on toronto raptors news and potential strategies for masai uji.