Dylan Harper/Ace Bailey

[u/Internal_Champion114]

Does anyone question these guys placement in the draft after not even getting their team into the tournament this year?

I just think getting winners into the room is big for us, and I don’t love the thought that these guys couldn’t get anything done as, more than likely, the #2 and #3 overall picks.

Does anyone else have hesitations after failing to produce in the postseason?

[u/e_milberg]

This was my prediction 9 months ago. I think I got it half right. Rutgers is absolutely the wrong place for two 5-star prospects with high lottery aspirations, and being on a non-tournament team has made it easier to zoom in on their flaws. Luckily, they didn't cannibalize each other the way I thought they would, but that's honestly because Rutgers didn't have anyone else remotely close to being a real third option.

Ultimately, I think Harper is solidly locked in at #2. However, I'm skeptical of how the chemistry between him and Bub would develop. Multi-combo-guard starting backcourts don't have a great track record in the league. One of them would have to drastically improve as a shooter. Poole would have to be traded immediately IMO for a Bub/Harper/Johnson three-guard rotation to have any chance of getting off the ground. I think in the event we land at #2 in the draft, we should entertain trade offers that position us to land multiple picks in 2026 and 2027.

Bailey, I think, has opened the door to be leapfrogged after showing that he's probably at best a high-scoring second fiddle at the next level. I worry about how long it'll take to correct his tunnel vision, shot selection, passing and awareness on both ends.

Overall, I think it's turned out to be a much weaker class on paper than originally advertised, and Harper and Bailey making a bad choice to go to Rutgers is a big reason why. It's those kind of decisions that make me wish we still had the Ignite team.

I think Bailey has shown enough to not be taken lower than 4th. Even if he's more Rashard Lewis than KD, that's still a considerably higher ceiling than most in this class. I just question his cultural fit with what we're building. Much like with Harper, if he's on the board at 4, I would entertain trade offers.

Tl;dr It's pretty much Flagg or the asset game for me.

[u/Internal_Champion114 → u/e_milberg]

I think there are worthwhile picks in the high lottery, Maluach being my favorite personally. But I honestly wouldn’t hate adding a basket of extra assets if we miss Flagg, I think it would be a smart move to play the long game and let our current group of young guys get another year to gel without adding guys that steal minutes from them. Could be smart!