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2025 NBA Mock Draft #2

With the first round coming to a close, what does everyone think so far? Are yall happy with how it turned out for your teams?

For me

Memphis:
Wasn't able to work out a Ja trade, there didn't seem to be much interest which is understandable but still a little surprising, thought Ja still had some value. Its fine to keep him and just run it back to see what happens.

76ers:
The goal was to use the #3 to get rid of Paul George and get back a wing player and other assets to make some runs with Embiid during the next 4 or 5 years. Also to try and shave some money off to resign Grimes. Did not just want to sit and draft a young guy not ready to contribute immediately or one that didn't fit what was on the roster. Wanted to maximize the last few years of Embiid.
Was able to turn

Paul George +#3 (VJ) + Justin Edwards + Worst of 2028 firsts + Ricky Council IV (filler) + Lonnie Walker IV (filler)

into

Herbert Jones + Cam Johnson + Nic Claxton + #27(Noah Penda)

Think I did decent work, got off the Paul George contract, money situation is fixed somewhat, have enough space to resign Grimes and obtained the good wings needed to compliment the core players. If Embiid is healthy, great! If he isn't, Nic Claxton is there to fill in and still be a good team. Stinks to give up on Justin Edwards so early, he has big time potential, just doesn't fit Philly's timeline.


Hawks:
Was originally just going to stay pat but some good trade offers were coming in.

#13 for #15 + #24

and

#15 for #19 + #36 + 2 seconds

Goal was to go center with first pick. Could have waited to see if Maluach dropped but I didn't like Maluach all that much compared to Beringer and Yang. Traded back twice and mulled over Beringer vs. Yang. Chose Yang to diversify the Hawks offense a bit. Think there is a bit more potential there.

Nique Clifford and Adou Thiero will hopefully come in as rotation guys immediately. Adou, in particular, has some untapped potential still.
 
The big event for me was the Bucks moving Giannis and bringing back Sengun, Amen Thompson, Noa Essengue, two more unprotected 1sts and a good swap. We could have taken more time to haggle over another pick, but this gives the Bucks a path to rebuild fairly quickly. I strongly considered Carter Bryant for the #8 pick along with Essengue. I would have considered Fears as well, but I think the Bucks can play Thompson on the ball fulltime to stay big and keep pressure on defenses. They can also run their offense through Sengun in the mid-post, where I think he's often underutilized.

New Orleans moved up to #3 for VJ Edgecombe to improve their perimeter presence and paint pressure with Dejounte Murray being out with an achilles injury. They also and added another interesting scoring wing prospect in Justin Edwards (potentially similar to RJ Barrett) on a bargain contract.

Orlando got more dynamic in the backcourt with Nolan Traore and added Liam McNeeley as another wing with decent size and shooting potential. I would have strongly considered Raynaud for Olrando if he were available. I also considered Asa Newell, who seems to be on the verge of falling out of the 1st round.
 
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