Mock NBA draft on ESPN

[gamecockcat]

Interesting how Luka gets traded to the Lakers and the Mavs magically get the #1 overall pick in the lottery (1.8% chance). I did not see ESPN making Flagg the #1 overall pick - I mean they hardly talked about the guy throughout the whole season. I think they said he's only 17 years old!!! Who knew?

I looked through the mock draft and only 1 UK player was listed as drafted - Brea at #54 (of 59).

If this represents the majority of NBA GMs, I would guess Oweh will return and UK will be loaded for a deep NCAA run.

And Flagg's two FR teammates are projected at #7 and #8 in this mock. So, somehow, Duke had 3 guys getting drafted at #8 or better and didn't win the championship. That's really difficult to do when you consider the rest of their roster is comprised of 4- and 5-star HS talents.

 

[Lempface]

Did anyone else see Flagg's face immediately after the Mavs were announced? Looked like he just found out his dog had cancer.

 

[BBNinSC]

This is a solid and deep draft pool. That could be the biggest factor for a Oweh return.

 

[cats2010]

Interesting how Luka gets traded to the Lakers and the Mavs magically get the #1 overall pick in the lottery (1.8% chance). I did not see ESPN making Flagg the #1 overall pick - I mean they hardly talked about the guy throughout the whole season. I think they said he's only 17 years old!!! Who knew?

I looked through the mock draft and only 1 UK player was listed as drafted - Brea at #54 (of 59).

If this represents the majority of NBA GMs, I would guess Oweh will return and UK will be loaded for a deep NCAA run.

And Flagg's two FR teammates are projected at #7 and #8 in this mock. So, somehow, Duke had 3 guys getting drafted at #8 or better and didn't win the championship. That's really difficult to do when you consider the rest of their roster is comprised of 4- and 5-star HS talents.

We had 2 of the top 8 last year and couldn’t even win a single game but of course ours weren’t good enough to start so there’s that. Also think the whole draft lottery is BS and rigged from the get go. Guess they couldn’t have the golden child going to Charlotte .

 

[MidseasonTweaks]

Did anyone else see Flagg's face immediately after the Mavs were announced? Looked like he just found out his dog had cancer.

Seems like a solid place to go.

 

[ukcatz12]

So, somehow, Duke had 3 guys getting drafted at #8 or better and didn't win the championship.

That's because it's just damn hard to win a title. I think this board still underrates how hard it is. Some of the best teams in the history of college basketball didn't win the title.

It also illustrates there's often a large difference between NBA Draft potential and current college talent. Those are not the same thing, so a team with multiple top 10 picks might not have been as talented as they seemed on paper. That's not to say Duke didn't have talent this year. But they made the Final Four, and once you get there it's kind of a crapshoot.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

 

[The_Catfather]

I didn't see Flagg's reaction but he was probably hoping to end up in Charlotte. The Mavs are a good organization (except for the perplexing Luka trade) but AD's getting up there in age and he's always banged-up and Kyrie is coming off an ACL tear.

The Spurs are interesting because Dylan Harper is the presumptive No. 2 pick and they already have a stud PG in DeAaron Fox and a budding star in Stephon Castle. They have two lottery picks and a boatload of future picks. I wonder if they go the "best player available" route with Harper or package the picks as part of a deal for Giannis. It's going to be a fun draft!

 

[Louis_Skunt]

I'm not one of those people who always blame sports events as rigged. But this is wild, and it's STILL decided behind closed doors.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

I didn't see Flagg's reaction but he was probably hoping to end up in Charlotte. The Mavs are a good organization (except for the perplexing Luka trade) but AD's getting up there in age and he's always banged-up and Kyrie is coming off an ACL tear.

The Spurs are interesting because Dylan Harper is the presumptive No. 2 pick and they already have a stud PG in DeAaron Fox and a budding star in Stephon Castle. They have two lottery picks and a boatload of future picks. I wonder if they go the "best player available" route with Harper or package the picks as part of a deal for Giannis. It's going to be a fun draft!

I didn't see it either. Charlotte would have been an awkward fit with Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges, but one of those guys could always be traded.

My guess is he was disappointed that it wasn't San Antonio because it would have been a super team with three consecutive ROYs (Wemby, Castle, and Flagg), Fox, and whoever else they draft in the Lottery. Dallas is way better than many of the other options it could have been, so he shouldn't be too disappointed if for no other reason than to avoid state income taxes during home games.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

I'm not one of those people who always blame sports events as rigged. But this is wild, and it's STILL decided behind closed doors.

 

[Larry Skaggs]

Rutgers players are projected to go 2nd and 3rd and Rutgers finished 15-17

 

[Cowtown Cat]

That's because it's just damn hard to win a title. I think this board still underrates how hard it is. Some of the best teams in the history of college basketball didn't win the title.

It also illustrates there's often a large difference between NBA Draft potential and current college talent. Those are not the same thing, so a team with multiple top 10 picks might not have been as talented as they seemed on paper. That's not to say Duke didn't have talent this year. But they made the Final Four, and once you get there it's kind of a crapshoot.

I agree with this. However, all 3 of duke’s freshmen last season were elite as first year college players. Drafting on potential, yes. Even still, duke’s big 3 were elite for the entirety of the 2025 college basketball season.

 

[Fitch44]

Dallas is way better landing spot than than Utah, Charlotte or Washington.
He should be on cloud nine.

 

[cats#1again]

That's because it's just damn hard to win a title. I think this board still underrates how hard it is. Some of the best teams in the history of college basketball didn't win the title.

It also illustrates there's often a large difference between NBA Draft potential and current college talent. Those are not the same thing, so a team with multiple top 10 picks might not have been as talented as they seemed on paper. That's not to say Duke didn't have talent this year. But they made the Final Four, and once you get there it's kind of a crapshoot.

Agree
Comments like that make me wonder if people have been watching the same basketball over the past 20 years.
What the NBA drafts on , and what makes you a good college player isn't close to each other. Uk will have plenty of players over the next 5 years that are great in college and will barely raise an eye brow to the NBA GM's and that's perfectly ok

 

[4849515878969812...]

The fix was obviously in!!!

 

[rick64]

Did anyone else see Flagg's face immediately after the Mavs were announced? Looked like he just found out his dog had cancer.

Probably wishing now he'd stayed for another year at Puke....I mean Duke.

 

[Creed Bratton]

Interesting how Luka gets traded to the Lakers and the Mavs magically get the #1 overall pick in the lottery (1.8% chance). I did not see ESPN making Flagg the #1 overall pick - I mean they hardly talked about the guy throughout the whole season. I think they said he's only 17 years old!!! Who knew?

I looked through the mock draft and only 1 UK player was listed as drafted - Brea at #54 (of 59).

If this represents the majority of NBA GMs, I would guess Oweh will return and UK will be loaded for a deep NCAA run.

And Flagg's two FR teammates are projected at #7 and #8 in this mock. So, somehow, Duke had 3 guys getting drafted at #8 or better and didn't win the championship. That's really difficult to do when you consider the rest of their roster is comprised of 4- and 5-star HS talents.

I've seen several mock drafts that had 5 Duke players drafted.

 

[JimBR]

Did anyone else see Flagg's face immediately after the Mavs were announced? Looked like he just found out his dog had cancer.

He'll play with Anthony Davis, and the duke guard that thinks the earth is flat... Beats Charlotte and Washington. Wonder what this means for PJ.

 

[Lempface]

He'll play with Anthony Davis, and the duke guard that thinks the earth is flat... Beats Charlotte and Washington. Wonder what this means for PJ.

I didn't make a comment on what I thought of his likely destination and if it was a good fit or not, I just commented on his facial expression.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Dallas is a great spot. No state income tax and TX has a lot of cool places n it.

 

[KOF98]

Mavs are owned by casino grifters who made the worst trade in sports history to avoid paying a supermax. That genius move, a secret trade of one of the league's most valuable assets in which no other teams were allowed to bid, could cost Luka north of $100m. Seems totally reasonable that a young, prolific talent would not be thrilled to go there.

 

[noncomposmentis]

That's because it's just damn hard to win a title. I think this board still underrates how hard it is. Some of the best teams in the history of college basketball didn't win the title.

It also illustrates there's often a large difference between NBA Draft potential and current college talent. Those are not the same thing, so a team with multiple top 10 picks might not have been as talented as they seemed on paper. That's not to say Duke didn't have talent this year. But they made the Final Four, and once you get there it's kind of a crapshoot.

Yeah, you beat me to it. People love to criticize Cal, and the mentality “most talent should win the title” (even if the talent is baby talent and will take several years to assert itself) allows for a lot of criticism in his direction. But it’s just hard. The NCAA has named an overall top seed entering the tournament every year since I think 2003, and only 3 times has that team actually cut nets. It’s just really hard in a single elimination deal to win it, and not doing so isn’t really an indictment on a team or coach.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

QUOTE="noncomposmentis, post: 13817208, member: 146985"]
Yeah, you beat me to it. People love to criticize Cal, and the mentality “most talent should win the title” (even if the talent is baby talent and will take several years to assert itself) allows for a lot of criticism in his direction. But it’s just hard. The NCAA has named an overall top seed entering the tournament every year since I think 2003, and only 3 times has that team actually cut nets. It’s just really hard in a single elimination deal to win it, and not doing so isn’t really an indictment on a team or coach.
[/QUOTE]

2012 UK is one. Maybe 2024 uconn?

Was the 2007 Florida team top seed?

 

[simnalecho]

The best team doesn't win the tournament, it's the team that is playing the best.

Also, the NBA lottery is so rigged, even the mob looks at it and says damnnnn

 

[TTTblue24]

Trade Luka to the Lakers to keep them relevant added LeBron then some how Dallas gets to draft Flagg or trade the pick and acquire Giannis…….🤔……..definitely no chance of conspiracy here lol.

 

[K_TIME]

View embedded media

I get the anti tanking lottery concept....but this is silly to not have the finishers (Wiz, Hornets, Jazz) miss top 3 of draft. While Mavs and Spurs...who nearly doubled those teams win totals...get top 2 picks.

Secondly, this just keeps all the top talent in Western conference.....and when Giannis is traded....it will be likely hardly any of top tier NBA talents will be in Eastern conference.

 

[MidseasonTweaks]

Why does the NBA lottery exist? It makes more sense to have the worst team simply get the 1st pick.

 

[travisbickle]

Why does the NBA lottery exist? It makes more sense to have the worst team simply get the 1st pick.

Propping up the ping pong ball industry.

 

[BluPappi81]

New NBA mock draft: With Flagg, Harper and Bailey slotted to teams, we project all 59 picks

With the Mavericks winning the lottery and the right to draft Cooper Flagg, here's ESPN's updated two-round mock.

www.espn.com

Can’t wait to see what Pope does in seasons to come w more NBA quality talent🙂

 

[cardsfan53]

I didn't see Flagg's reaction but he was probably hoping to end up in Charlotte. The Mavs are a good organization (except for the perplexing Luka trade) but AD's getting up there in age and he's always banged-up and Kyrie is coming off an ACL tear.

The Spurs are interesting because Dylan Harper is the presumptive No. 2 pick and they already have a stud PG in DeAaron Fox and a budding star in Stephon Castle. They have two lottery picks and a boatload of future picks. I wonder if they go the "best player available" route with Harper or package the picks as part of a deal for Giannis. It's going to be a fun draft!

I believe alot will come down to if they believe Harper is a better prospect that Castle. Derik Queen is also a guy I believe wou;d fit them, but do they view him as the 2nd pick. Personally if I am them I try my hardest to package those picks and get Giannis.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

Why does the NBA lottery exist? It makes more sense to have the worst team simply get the 1st pick.

To deter intentional tanking (gambling implications involved too) because it won't guarantee you the top pick.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

I believe alot will come down to if they believe Harper is a better prospect that Castle. Derik Queen is also a guy I believe wou;d fit them, but do they view him as the 2nd pick. Personally if I am them I try my hardest to package those picks and get Giannis.

They definitely wouldn't view Queen as the #2 pick, but San Antonio does have the #14 pick too. Queen could be available there or a comparable asset could be traded for Queen when it all shakes out.

 

[MidseasonTweaks]

I think Williams gets drafted too.

 

[gamecockcat]

Yeah, you beat me to it. People love to criticize Cal, and the mentality “most talent should win the title” (even if the talent is baby talent and will take several years to assert itself) allows for a lot of criticism in his direction. But it’s just hard. The NCAA has named an overall top seed entering the tournament every year since I think 2003, and only 3 times has that team actually cut nets. It’s just really hard in a single elimination deal to win it, and not doing so isn’t really an indictment on a team or coach.

I get it. And, it's not like they got beat in the first or second round. They did make the FF which is not a disappointment. Losing in the first round with future NBA players as Cal did multiple times, that's a disappointment. Also, the perception that his teams generally failed to improve as the season progressed leading to early exits in the SEC and NCAA tourneys. But, Duke fans should not feel like their coach sucks because they didn't win the whole thing. A FF appearance is a good season whoever is on the roster.

 

[The_Catfather]

I believe alot will come down to if they believe Harper is a better prospect that Castle. Derik Queen is also a guy I believe wou;d fit them, but do they view him as the 2nd pick. Personally if I am them I try my hardest to package those picks and get Giannis.

Trading De'Aaron Fox after he basically forced a trade to San Antonio would be awkward. But he's a free agent after this season, Giannis is approaching $60M a year and will want another max deal in 2028 when he's 34, and extension time for Wemby is on the horizon. I doubt they trade Fox but I don't think they want to tie up that much money for 3 guys, and have a shitty core of role players and little draft assets after giving them all to Milwaukee. Giannis is a beast but he's 30 and Fox will be 30 in a couple years. Going all-in on that trio wouldn't give them a real long championship window, imo.

Harper's got the measurables that NBA teams drool over in a point guard. He could be a Cade Cunningham-type in a couple years. A LOT of teams would want that No. 2 pick if the Spurs decided to trade it.

 

[cardsfan53]

Trading De'Aaron Fox after he basically forced a trade to San Antonio would be awkward. But he's a free agent after this season, Giannis is approaching $60M a year and will want another max deal in 2028 when he's 34, and extension time for Wemby is on the horizon. I doubt they trade Fox but I don't think they want to tie up that much money for 3 guys, and have a shitty core of role players and little draft assets after giving them all to Milwaukee. Giannis is a beast but he's 30 and Fox will be 30 in a couple years. Going all-in on that trio wouldn't give them a real long championship window, imo.

Harper's got the measurables that NBA teams drool over in a point guard. He could be a Cade Cunningham-type in a couple years. A LOT of teams would want that No. 2 pick if the Spurs decided to trade it.

I agree I don´t think you trade Foxx, unless you are sold on Harper being a Cade Cunningham/SGA impact. I did not watch Harper much this year, so I am not sure of what he can be at the next level.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

Wild NBA Draft Lottery night opens door to blockbuster trade possibilities

Could the Mavericks, Spurs and/or Sixers shop their unexpected top-three picks? What will happen in Boston?

www.nytimes.com

 

[wldctky]

Interesting how Luka gets traded to the Lakers and the Mavs magically get the #1 overall pick in the lottery (1.8% chance). I did not see ESPN making Flagg the #1 overall pick - I mean they hardly talked about the guy throughout the whole season. I think they said he's only 17 years old!!! Who knew?

I looked through the mock draft and only 1 UK player was listed as drafted - Brea at #54 (of 59).

If this represents the majority of NBA GMs, I would guess Oweh will return and UK will be loaded for a deep NCAA run.

And Flagg's two FR teammates are projected at #7 and #8 in this mock. So, somehow, Duke had 3 guys getting drafted at #8 or better and didn't win the championship. That's really difficult to do when you consider the rest of their roster is comprised of 4- and 5-star HS talents.

and Rutgers has 2 projected top 5 picks and was below .500 for the season and missed the tourney...but you didn't mention that...the Duke obsession on this board is sad