2025 Draft Class List

I expect Flagg to transition to the NBA quickly becoming a consistent starter who influences opponents’ gameplans and competes for All-Star or All-NBA accolades. The small margin of difference between his standard grade and ceiling grade speak to the confidence I have in him playing at a high level throughout his career.

I expect Harper to earn and sustain a starting role at the next level. He will impact the game positively for his team leading to a winning environment and has the potential to earn All-NBA and All-Star accolades throughout his career. I have strong confidence that Harper will maintain a starting role for an NBA franchise for a prolonged period.

I expect Edgecombe to earn and sustain a starting role at the next level. He may develop into a primary scoring option, but even without reaching that level, he will contribute positively to a winning organization. His ability to achieve the heights of his ceiling grade are dependent on his offensive development where he can become an All- Star feature and All-NBA candidate. He demonstrated immense growth as his freshman season progressed, and I have great trust in his work ethic and basketball understanding.

I expect Bailey to earn a regular role as a starter serving as a primary or secondary scorer. His overall impact will improve vastly if he demonstrates growth in his decision making and shot selection. He has the potential to become a high-level starter who regularly competes for All-Star nominations. The lack of growth demonstrated throughout his freshman season leads to my decreased confidence in him to achieve his ceiling grade.

I expect Queen to earn a regular role as a starter tasked with scoring and creation responsibilities. His overall contributions and effectiveness will grow as his defensive effort and offensive spacing develop. Those areas of development will determine his ability to grow into a long-term starter capable of competing for All-Star nominations. Queen’s offensive development during his freshman season was substantial, but his defensive effort and contributions did not grow at the same rate leading to my skepticism for him to reach the extent of his ceiling.

I expect Maluach to earn a regular role as a starter impacting the game positively on both ends of the floor. Maluach is a supplemental player at this point contributing to the flow of the game, but with development, his offensive responsibilities should grow and his defensive impact will affect his opponents game plans. Learning how to maximize his size and abilities will allow him to create shots for himself, stretch the defense from the perimeter, secure a higher number of rebounds, and affect the opponent's offensive actions. His ceiling projects as a long-term starter competing for All-Star nominations. I don’t question his effort or desire to reach that level as his barriers at this point are related to basketball awareness and aggressiveness.

I expect Saraf to earn a regular role as a starter initiating the offense to create quality looks for himself and his teammates. He is a skilled ball handler who threatens the defense from all three-levels albeit at an inefficient rate currently. He can play either guard position, but his abilities are best utilized in an on-ball role where he can break down the defense to create openings. On the defensive end, he has good size and energy to complement the defense, but he is prone to errors as he needs to improve his defensive discipline. If Saraf improves his shooting efficiency, reduces his turnovers, and becomes more disciplined on the defensive end, he can progress to All-Star potential.

I expect Jakucionis to earn a regular role as a starter initiating the offense to create quality looks for himself and his teammates. His effectiveness on the offensive side of the ball is dependent on his ability to protect the ball and increase his shooting efficiency. He has a flashy style to his game which adds to his allure but leads to questionable decision making. I expect his decision making to improve and if so, he can become a consistent starter competing for All-Star nominations. His value is tied to his offensive upside but his defensive contributions project to a serviceable level if his discipline improves.

I expect Johnson to earn a regular role on a team playing >24 minutes a game either as a starter or scorer off the bench. His role and impact will be dictated by his ability to contribute to his team’s success outside of scoring alone. Johnson demonstrates the ability to contribute as a facilitator and an overall average to positive impact defender. If he expands his game to become multifaceted, he has the potential to become a consistent starter with All-Star potential.

I expect Demin to fluctuate between starting and coming off the bench playing between 24-30 minutes a game. Regardless of how his playing time is utilized, his role will revolve around initiating the offense to create for his teammates. If Demin improves his shooting ability and defensive consistency, he has the potential to become a consistent starter and under the right circumstances, compete for an All-Star nomination. I lack the confidence to expect him to reach that ceiling, but I anticipate him having a sustained role at the NBA level.

I expect Essengue to earn a consistent role playing between 22-28 minutes a game contributing as a complimentary piece within a lineup. He is a versatile player who can fit into varying lineups. Offensively, he will provide energy, floor spacing, screen setting, and be a transition threat with above the rim ability. He will score in the flow of the game without demanding touches. He is an unselfish player who will find his teammates after drawing help defenders. He needs to improve his perimeter shooting and self-creation ability to elevate his role at the next level. Defensively, he is a multi-positional defender who can fit within any lineup and any scheme. He will impact the game on-ball and off- ball on the defensive end using his length, athleticism, and effort. He needs to increase his strength to hold his own in the post. If Essengue expands his offensive game and increases his strength, he can turn himself into a consistent starter with All-Star potential.

I expect Bryant to fluctuate between starting and coming off the bench playing between 22-28 minutes a game. His role at the next level will revolve around him guarding the opposing team’s primary or secondary scoring options to disrupt their rhythm. Offense will be a supplementary aspect of his game as his contributions will come as a floor spacer and energy wing. Bryant flashed creation ability, but this is an area of development that will elevate his game from strong rotational piece to sustained starter. Although his role was relatively limited during his freshman year, he routinely made an impact and gradually expanded his game and responsibilities. I feel confident he can reach his ceiling to become a feature starter on a competitive team.

I expect Knueppel to earn a consistent role playing between 22-28 minutes a game contributing as a complimentary piece within a lineup. Due to his consistent and reliable nature, I anticipate that Knueppel will compete for a starting role and with the right pieces around him, sustain that role on a competitive team. He is a multi-faceted player capable of creating on-ball, running actions off-ball, and space the floor on the perimeter. He will have difficulty matching up athletically at the next level, but his effort, awareness, and anticipation will allow him to remain effective enough to stay on the court. Knueppel’s overall ceiling is capped due to his limited athleticism, but I would not be surprised if he becomes a quality starter for a prolonged period.

I expect Clifford to earn a consistent role playing between 22-28 minutes a game contributing as a complimentary and versatile piece within various lineups. Due to his versatility, fundamental playstyle, and quality court awareness, I expect Clifford to compete for a starting role and sustain that role for a prolonged period. Clifford is an older prospect who lacks imposing size, but his length and ability to contribute on both ends of the court add to his value. He is a complimentary three-level scorer. He demonstrates the ability to hold his own defensively versus guards and wings. His overall ceiling may be limited but his ability to impact the game is not.

I expect Fears to earn a consistent role playing between 20-26 minutes a game contributing as an offensive initiator. Due to his deficiencies shooting, protecting the ball, and contributing positively on the defensive end, I expect Fears to begin his career as an offensive spark coming off the bench. In this role, Fears can utilize his ball handling, explosiveness, and shiftiness to create space for himself or penetrate the paint to create openings on the offensive end. He can lean on his strengths to push the ball in transition playing at an up-tempo pace. Fears is a young prospect and if he develops upon his weaknesses, he has the potential to progress to a consistent starter with All-Star potential.

I expect Clayton Jr. to earn a consistent role playing between 20-24 minutes a game contributing primarily on the offensive side of the ball. He is effective on- and off-ball allowing him to match up with variable guard play at the NBA level. Clayton Jr. demonstrates the ability to hold his own on the defensive side of the ball and if he maintains his consistency, I expect his role and minutes to increase throughout his career. Clayton Jr.’s upside is relatively limited due to his size, length, and age but he possesses the ability to become a high minute rotational piece of a lineup for a prolonged period.

I expect Riley to earn a regular reserve role off the bench as a primary scorer during his stretches on the floor. I project his playing team to vary between 16-24 minutes per game due to his defensive deficiencies. Riley’s role and decision making grew during his freshman season which coincided with increased production and impact. His effort was never lacking, and I trust that he will maintain the same effort level at the next level. If he continues to develop his offensive abilities while increasing his strength and defensive instincts, Riley has the potential to earn a role as a regular starter to serve as an effective complimentary scorer.

I expect Newell to earn a role coming off the bench as a reserve center within smaller lineups to generate energy on both sides of the ball. His minutes may vary depending on his opponents, playing between 16-24 minutes a game. Newell uses his athleticism and length well to finish and protect near the rim. Unfortunately, his contributions outside of this role are limited. This in turn, will limit his production and minutes at the next level. If Newell increases his offensive contribution ability by creating and converting from the perimeter as well as improve his defensive consistency, I envision Newell earning a role as a starter or featured reserve playing between 25-32 minutes a game.

I expect Beringer to earn a role coming off the bench as a reserve center contributing as a rim finisher, rebounder, and impact defender. His minutes may be limited due to his overall diminished offensive contributions, but I expect him to earn up to 12-24 minutes a game. On the offensive end, he will contribute to a supplementary fashion. He will play off-ball as a screen setter, cutter, lob threat, transition threat, and offensive rebounder. To increase his role, he will need to expand his game to create for himself and his teammates. His offensive repertoire does not extend outside the restricted area as that is an area of development. Defensively, Beringer will be an impact rim protector. He will cover ground quickly and make the opposition think twice before attacking the lane. He offers versatility to defend on the perimeter but overall, he needs to improve his defensive positioning and awareness to increase his impact. If Beringer expands his offensive game while improving his defensive discipline, he can earn a role as a regular starter playing 25-32 minutes a game.

I expect Thiero to earn a role coming off the bench as a defensive stopper playing between 12-22 minutes a game. His minutes may vary based on his nightly offensive contributions where he plays more minutes when his shot is falling. He will contribute as a supplementary piece on the offensive side of the ball as an aggressive slasher and rim finisher. Defense will be Thiero’s calling card. He can guard multiple positions effectively. This increases his value to play within varying lineups. If Thiero improves his shooting efficiency, he can secure a role as a regular starter playing up to 30 minutes a game.

I expect Murray-Boyles to earn a role as a quality reserve who plays between 12-22 minutes a game. He will lean on his basketball IQ and savviness to position himself appropriately when on the floor. At this point, his offense is limited due to his poor three- point efficiency. He needs to compete in the paint, cut, screen, and move the ball quickly on the offensive end to find and sustain a regular role. On the defensive end, he needs to utilize his active hands to disrupt actions, communicate, and compete on the glass. I am confident that Murray-Boyles will find a way to be effective while in the game, but I am unsure he can maintain that effectiveness during long stretches. If Murray-Boyles improves his shooting efficiency, his role can grow as the sixth or seventh man off the bench, but it is hard to envision him as a starter due to his physical limitations. Murray-Boyles may be a limited player, but he is a reliable player who can contribute to a limited role.

I expect Raynaud to earn a role as a reserve center checking into the game to provide offensive contributions. His minutes may vary based on his opponent’s personnel as he may have difficulty holding his own against athletic lineups. Due to this, I expect his minutes to vary between 12-22 minutes a game. Raynaud will lean into his offensive abilities to create quality shots for himself or his teammates. He will rely on his defensive instincts and size to remain effective on the defensive end of the ball. I don’t anticipate much growth in the athletic aspect but if Raynaud can increase his offensive effectiveness and efficiency, he could earn a role as a high minute reserve or low minute starter playing between 24-30 minutes a game.

I expect Richardson to earn a role as a quality reserve playing between 12-20 minutes a game. Off the bench, I foresee Richardson providing spacing and off-ball activity on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he will play within the scheme, and I expect his defensive discipline to improve, reducing his lapses that he was prone to making at the collegiate level. Richardson’s ceiling is lower than other prospects graded around him due to his size, left-handed dominant play style, and lack of primary guard play utilization that I project at the next level. I envision a long-term productive player who can serve as the sixth or seventh man off the bench playing up to 24-30 minutes a game.

I expect Sorber to earn a role as a quality reserve playing between 12-20 minutes a game. He has the size and athleticism to play either front court position which adds to his versatility to earn minutes. I expect Sorber to fit nicely into any lineup where he will provide energy on the glass, intensity on the defensive end, and sprinkle in scoring within the flow of the game. As his game continues to develop, I anticipate his offensive impact to grow. If Sorber can improve his ball security, scoring efficiency, and perimeter shooting, I envision Sorber competing for a starting role playing up to 22-28 minutes a game.

I expect Traore to earn a regular reserve guard role playing between 12-18 minutes a game. He plays either guard position but is better suited initiating the offense with the ball in his hand. He will be an aggressive penetrator looking to utilize ball-screens in the half court and push the ball quickly in transition. He will create for himself and others during his time on the court, but he needs to improve his efficiency and ball security to expand his role and responsibilities. On the defensive end, Traore needs considerable development. He offers the size and athleticism to contribute positively on the defensive end, but he struggles to make positive contributions currently. He is prone to poor technique, effort, and awareness. He also needs to increase his strength to hold his ground against switches or while boxing out. If Traore can improve his shooting efficiency, ball security, and defensive effort and production, he can earn a larger role coming in off the bench playing >24 minutes a game as the sixth or seventh man.

I expect Penda to earn a regular reserve role playing 12-18 minutes a game. He will be a quality support player who can fit into multiple lineups to fulfill various roles. Offensively, he is best utilized off-ball where he can space the floor, set screens, move the ball, cut to the basket, run in transition, and be active on the offensive glass. He will benefit from developing his perimeter shooting, rim finishing, and self-creation ability. Defensively, Penda will check in and defend whoever he needs to. He is versatile and effective. This will allow him to fit into varying lineups and make positive contributions on-ball and off-ball. If Penda can expand his offensive game while maintaining his defensive production, he can earn a regular rotational role playing between 24-30 minutes a game.

I expect Gonzalez to earn a limited reserve role playing 10-18 minutes off the bench. He will be tasked with providing energy and physicality on the offensive and defensive end. Offensively, he will be a support player who provides contributions in an off-ball role. He will provide energy as a cutter, offensive rebounder, and transition threat. He threatens the defense from deep but lacks efficiency to warrant attention. Defensively, he will provide energy and effort, but he needs to vastly improve his defensive production to expand his role. He struggles to make an impact on the defensive end due to his decreased awareness and anticipation of the actions around him. If Gonzalez improves his shooting efficiency and self-creation ability while increasing his defensive production, he can earn a consistent role playing up to 24-30 minutes a game. He has a considerable way to go in terms of development to reach that ceiling.

I expect Wolf to earn a reserve role playing between 10-18 minutes a game. His primary role will revolve around creating offense during short stints of playing time. Prolonged minutes will increase his exposure on the defensive end where he can be targeted regularly. He initiates the offense from the perimeter, high post, or low post. He will be involved in pick and roll scenarios as either the ball handler or the roller looking to generate quality shots. His defensive contributions will be limited. He will need to maximize his positioning due to athletic deficiencies to protect the rim and compete on the glass. I expect Wolf’s offensive efficiency and shooting to improve but I have less confidence in his defense due to his athletic limitations. That is why his ceiling caps off as a reserve player increasing his minutes to 20-26 minutes a game.

I expect McNeeley to earn a reserve role as a floor spacing wing playing between 10-18 minutes a game. He is best utilized off-ball where he spaces the floor or creates quality attempts running off pin-downs, curls, and staggers. McNeeley demonstrates the ability to self-create but his effectiveness is substantially reduced in this role. As a defender, he plays with great effort and is willing to get physical to rebound or guard in the paint. Unfortunately, he lacks lateral agility, footspeed, and balance to defend on the perimeter. If McNeeley improves his self-creation efficiency and limits his mistakes on defense, he could progress to a quality reserve playing between 20-24 minutes a game.

I expect Fleming to earn a reserve role playing between 10-18 minutes a game. He will provide energy off the bench fitting into varying lineups where he can match up against different opponents. Fleming will need to improve his offensive skill set to increase his effectiveness. At this point, he offers floor spacing ability as a catch and shoot threat or rim activity as a cutter and offensive rebounder. He is limited as a creator and facilitator, so he needs to convert his open attempts and create second chance opportunities to produce within his role. On defense, he will guard multiple positions. He needs to improve his defensive discipline to avoid foul trouble and his defensive anticipation to negotiate screens. His length, physicality, and athleticism will generate deflections, offer rim protection, and clean the glass. His offensive skill set lowers his ceiling, keeping him as a reserve player where he plays between 20-24 minutes a game.

I expect Powell to eventually earn a reserve role playing between 10-16 minutes a game. I say eventually because I envision Powell spending the early portion of his career in the G League while he develops and expands his game. Early on, his contributions on the offensive end will revolve around providing energy and floor spacing. He will rely on his athleticism to slash and cut, run in transition, and be active on the offensive glass while being a floor spacing outlet. Defensively, Powell may match up against the opposing team's primary or secondary scoring option during his minutes. His minutes will be limited due to his offensive deficiencies. If Powell improves his on- ball creation, shooting confidence, and defensive consistencies, he has the potential to compete for a starter’s role playing 22-28 minutes a game. At this point, I lack confidence in him reaching that ceiling level.

I expect Sallis to earn a reserve role playing between 10-16 minutes a game. He will play as an off-ball guard who spaces the floor and creates within the flow of the game. He will complement the defense by guarding either guard position, but he should not be considered a lockdown defender. I anticipate that Sallis will lean into his cerebral playstyle to maintain his effectiveness on both ends of the court. On offense, he will provide spacing and use off-ball actions to create quality shot attempts. He creates for himself or others in limited opportunities when warranted. On defense, he will generate deflections, contest shots, boxout, and communicate to be a trusted asset in his limited minutes. His ceiling remains as a complimentary piece coming in off the bench but increasing his playing time to 20-24 minutes a game

I expect Coward to earn a role as a complimentary reserve wing playing 10-16 minutes a game. He will fit well into variable lineups as his offensive and defensive games compliment his teammates. Offensively, he is best suited to play in an off-ball role where he spaces the floor, cuts to the basket, runs in transition, and is active on the offensive glass. He maintains his effectiveness in a limited usage role. Under certain circumstances, he isolates from the mid to low post or uses ball-screens to initiate attacks. Defensively, he has multi-positional defensive ability. His footspeed and lateral agility will lower his effectiveness on the perimeter, so he is better suited to defend against opposing wings. He will provide energy and length to impact passes and contest shots from help positions. If Coward can improve his perimeter creation and his perimeter defensive, he can earn a larger role playing 24-30 minutes a game.

I expect Proctor to earn a reserve role as a defensive minded floor spacing off-ball guard playing between 10-16 minutes a game. Proctor is inefficient as a creator, and this caps his ceiling as he is limited to an off-ball role. He is a confident shooter from the perimeter and will add value as a floor spacing option. On the defensive end, Proctor will be asked to guard the opposing team’s primary scoring guard during his minutes. He will play with great effort and intensity to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm. If Proctor improves his on-ball abilities as a facilitator and shot maker, he can earn a larger role off the bench playing up to 12-22 minutes a game.

I expect Toohey to earn a role as a reserve wing who provides positive energy playing between 10-14 minutes a game. Although his upside is limited, his outlook is positive. He features as a complementary role within varying lineups. Offensively, he is limited as a creator and relatively inefficient as a shooter, but he positions himself appropriately and actively cuts and crashes for offensive rebounds. On the defensive end, he will serve as a complimentary piece where he fits into different lineups. His size will allow him to match up against wings and smaller front court options. He should not be asked to guard the primary scorer or quicker opponents due to his lack of agility and quickness. But as a complimentary piece, he offers dependability, active hands, and energy on the glass. If Toohey improves his shooting efficiency, he can earn a role as a reserve wing playing up to 20-24 minutes a game.

I expect Watkins to earn a role as a reserve wing playing between 10-14 minutes a game. Offensively, he will contribute as a floor spacer who can attack closeouts to create his own shot or shots for his teammates. He is better off-ball versus on-ball due to his ball security issues but he will fit nicely within different lineups. His size, length, and defensive technique allow him to defend multiple positions effectively. During his minutes, he will guard the opposing team’s primary or secondary scoring option. He disrupts their rhythm while generating deflections for transition opportunities. If Watkins improves his shooting efficiency, ball security, defensive discipline, and off-ball defensive effort, he can compete for a larger role off the bench playing up to 20-24 minutes a game.

I expect Markovic to earn a reserve role playing between 10-12 minutes a game. He is a skilled wing or front court player who threatens the defense from all three-levels. He will serve as a floor spacer, screen setter, and transition threat at the next level. He can self-create but he benefits from ongoing development to increase his confidence to utilize this aspect of his game. Defensively, his length is imposing. He moves relatively well for a tall player, but he lacks consistent effort. He will contribute positively on the defensive end where he uses his length and mobility to impact passing lanes and offer rim protection. He is prone to defensive lapses and will need to increase his strength to defend in the post and secure a higher number of rebounds. If Markovic improves his offensive efficiency, self-creation ability, and aggressiveness while improving his defensive production and consistency, he can earn a consistent reserve role playing 20- 26 minutes a game.

I expect Yang to earn a roster spot on the back end of the bench as a support player who will compete for more playing time. Based on matchups and injuries, he can play up to 8-12 minutes a night providing offensive production and rim protection in the paint. Yang creates for himself on the block. He will also be used to set screens and either roll or pop depending on the defensive coverage. He is a skilled big man who creates on the perimeter using the triple threat, but he needs to improve his shooting efficiency to maximize his effectiveness. His playing time will likely be reduced due to his defensive deficiency. He will protect the rim and hold his ground in the post. But he will be an easy target for opposing teams. He will be a regular target on defense where teams will force him to defend space on the perimeter. If he improves his perimeter shooting, decreases his turnovers, and improves his lateral agility to defend on the perimeter, he can earn a larger reserve role playing 12-22 minutes a game.

I expect Zikarsky to earn a roster spot competing for a reserve center role playing up to 8-12 minutes a night. His game is very limited, but his size and age give him an opportunity to compete. Offensively, I don’t expect him to earn a role as a table setter or creator. He will be best utilized setting screens and playing near the rim. On the defensive end, he will have similar limitations. He will be exposed and targeted to defend on the perimeter. This will decrease his effectiveness on the defensive end as he is best suited to play in the paint protecting the rim. I don’t have great confidence that Zikarsky will secure a consistent role as he did not excel in the areas he needs to during his limited playing time in the NBL. If he improves his rebounding activity and finishing ability near the rim, his role could grow to a reserve center playing between 12-22 minutes a game.

I expect Luis to earn a reserve role playing between 8-12 minutes a game to provide scoring for the second unit. Luis will offer three-level scoring ability while on the floor. He lacks efficiency from the perimeter but regularly generates quality looks for himself during isolations. He also moves well without the ball and will crash the glass for second chance opportunities. On defense, Luis demonstrates greater ability than production. He has good size and length, but he lacks consistent effort and intensity. If he doesn’t improve his defensive play, his minutes will be limited at the next level. If Luis improves his shooting efficiency and defensive effort, his role can increase to 12-20 minutes as a quality scoring option off the bench who possesses multi-positional guarding capability.

I expect Williams to earn a role as a complimentary reserve playing 8-12 minutes a game. Williams will fit in nicely into varying lineups as he can play on and off the ball. He sees the floor well, willing to set screens, able to isolate from the mid post, can utilize ball-screens, and space the floor as a catch and shoot threat. He lacks athleticism, so Williams struggles to explode by his defenders and finish near the rim. Williams is a liability on the defensive end which will limit his playing time. He lacks lateral agility and has many lapses off-ball. This makes him a consistent target by opposing teams. His lack of effectiveness is not due to effort but more so engagement and athletic limitations. If Williams continues to shoot at a high level and improve his off- ball defensive attentiveness, he can earn a larger role off the bench playing 12-20 minutes a game.

I expect Lanier to earn a roster spot on the back end of the bench as a support player who will compete for more playing time. He will offer instant offense off the bench as a floor spacer playing between 8-12 minutes a game. His primary role will revolve around taking threes at a high volume. Impressively, he maintained his above average efficiency at a high volume during this past season in college which bodes well for his role at the next level. Defensively, Lanier will have difficulty keeping up with guards due to his athletic limitations. He will also have difficulty defending larger wings due to his lack of height. He will be exposed on the defensive end which will limit his minutes on the court. If Lanier develops into a dangerous high volume three-point shooter, he can earn a role off the bench playing up to 12-20 minutes a game.

I expect Konan to earn a roster spot on the back end of the bench as a support player who will compete for more playing time. Based on matchups and injuries, he can play up to 8-12 minutes a night providing energy, physicality, and above the rim ability on both ends of the ball. Offensively, he will play in a support role off the ball where he can set screens, roll, run in transition, and compete on the offensive glass. He plays above the rim which allows him to convert attempts in the paint at a high efficiency. His offensive ability outside the paint is very limited. He needs to improve his footwork, self- creation ability, perimeter shooting, and passing ability to make a larger impact. Defensively, Konan’s length will offer rim protection and disrupt passing lanes. He lacks footspeed and lateral agility, so he is slightly exposed on the perimeter, but he uses his length and striding ability well to cover ground and contest. He needs to improve his strength to match up against NBA level centers. If Konan expands his offensive game and improves his strength and agility, he can earn a larger role off the bench playing between 12-20 minutes a game.

I expect Poplar to earn a role as a reserve playing on the backend of an NBA roster battling for increased minutes. I anticipate that his minutes will fluctuate between 8-12 minutes a game. He will be responsible for providing energy and off-ball activity on the offensive end. He is a decent shooter who is athletic and long to attack aggressive closeouts after ball reversals. He provides timely cuts and activity on the offensive glass to generate second chance opportunities. Defensively, he needs to limit his errors, improve his effort, and maintain his composure to sustain a role on the NBA roster. Poplar has an NBA build and accompanying athleticism to earn an NBA opportunity. If he improves upon his deficiencies, he can increase his reserve role to play up to 12-18 minutes a game.

I expect Broome to earn a roster spot on the back end of the bench as a support player who will compete for more playing time. Based on matchups and injuries, he can play up to 8-12 minutes a night providing energy and physicality on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end, he will be asked to compliment the offense as a screen setter, roller, ball mover, and rebounder. His role can grow substantially if he improves his efficiency as a shooter to space the floor. On the defensive end, he will be a reliable player who will communicate, be in the right position, rotate, offer rim protection, and secure defensive rebounds. Unfortunately, he will likely be targeted often to defend on the perimeter due to his athletic limitations. Broome drastically improved his game and was very productive at the college level. I don’t expect him to reach that level of productivity at the NBA level, but his role can increase to earn up to 10-18 minutes a night if he improves upon the deficiencies of his game.

I expect Bates to teeter on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. In a limited role playing up to 6-10 minutes a game, Bates will contribute as a floor spacer and high effort defender. Offensively, he is best suited to work off-ball where he spaces the floor and runs off-ball actions to get open for a three. In certain circumstances, he initiates the offense or creates for himself, but he does not warrant a high usage currently. He is a supplemental player versus a feature one. Defensively, he will play within the defensive scheme and offer the ability to match up against different personnel. He plays with high effort and communicates with his teammates. He needs to improve his defensive discipline to reduce the number of errors. If Bates improves his creation and facilitation ability while tightening up his defense, he could earn a larger role playing between 12-20 minutes a game.

I expect Sanders to earn a roster spot on the back end of the bench playing 6-10 minutes a game to provide energy on both ends of the floor. Sanders is a complimentary player who is better off-ball than on-ball. Sanders lacks ball handling, creativity, and quickness to create for himself and his teammates. As a result, he is better off the ball where he can space the floor, swing the ball, attack closeouts, and cut, and crash the glass. Sanders is a reliable defender but not a high end productive one. He has good size and length to fit within varying lineups. He matches up against guards and wings. He will play within the defensive system at an average production. If Sanders improves his creation and rim finishing ability while increasing his defensive production, he can earn a consistent reserve role playing 12-20 minutes a game.

I expect Nelson to teeter on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. If he makes an NBA roster, he will provide two-way energy off the bench playing between 6-10 minutes a game. Offensively, he will be most effective if he leans into his strengths as an off-ball energy asset. He needs to improve his shooting efficiency and ball security to expand his role beyond that. Defensively, Nelson will lean into his length and activity to disrupt offensive actions. He is better off-ball than on-ball where he covers ground well and deflects passes and shots as a help defender. He will be exposed if he is tasked with defending a quick or strong primary scoring option. If Nelson improves his offensive efficiency and reduces his defensive lapses, he could grow into a quality reserve role playing between 10-18 minutes a game.

I expect Williams to fluctuate on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. If Williams sits on the end of the bench, he will compete for a larger role playing between 6-10 minutes a game during non-competitive end of game scenarios. On offense, he will function as a screen setter, offensive rebounder, and run two-man actions with a quality perimeter player. On defense, he will be responsible for protecting the rim and securing defensive rebounds. He will be exposed defending on the perimeter so I expect his playing time to remain limited as he will be targeted often. If he does not maintain regular activity on the defensive glass, his days in the NBA will be numbered. If Williams improves his effort, rebounding production, and minimizes his turnovers while handling the ball, he can earn a reserve role playing between 10-18 minutes a game.

I expect Brea to teeter on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. His shooting is a game swinging skill, and I can see him competing for more playing time in a small role playing between 6-10 minutes a game. He will warrant defensive attention any time he is on the floor due to his very effective perimeter shooting. If his shooting is neutralized, he offers little else as a self-creator, facilitator, or rebounder on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he is reliable and plays with consistent effort but lacks overall production. His NBA role depends on his ability to convert his threes. If he makes his threes at a good volume and produces more on the defensive end, he can earn a larger role playing up to 10-16 minutes a game off the bench.

I expect Adams to earn a roster spot on the back end of the bench as a support player who will compete for more playing time. In limited spurts of 6-8 minutes a game, Adams will provide energy and defensive versatility. He is a glue piece on offense who will do the dirty work by setting screens and competing on the offensive glass. On defense, he plays within any lineup as his athleticism and strength allow him to guard on the perimeter or bang on the block. Adams is not flashy, but he is reliable. If he can develop his offensive game to space the floor more effectively, he could grow into a consistent reserve role playing up to 12-18 minutes a night.

I expect Almansa to fluctuate on the roster bubble floating between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. At this point, I envision Almansa’s minutes coming at the end of games during mop up duty playing between 6-8 minutes a night. Offensively, he serves as a complimentary piece off the bench who offers screen and roll ability. He needs to improve his shooting efficiency from all levels to warrant regular shot attempts. He has potential to space the floor and initiate the offense from the top of the key, but these are hopes more than guarantees. On the defensive end, Almansa will have difficulty if he doesn’t improve his engagement and attention. His length and awareness can interrupt passing lanes, but his footspeed will give him trouble on the perimeter. He also needs to increase his strength to hold his ground on the block. If Almansa improves his offensive efficiency and defensive engagement, his role could grow to a regular reserve playing 10-18 minutes a game.

I expect Jones to fluctuate on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. He may find his way on an NBA roster for a prolonged period due to his high energy, supportive nature, and charisma. He will compete for a larger role to provide two-way energy off the bench playing between 6-8 minutes a game. Offensively, he fits in nicely with any guard as he can play on- or off-ball. He may be limited on the defensive end as to who he can guard, but you can rely on his energy during his minutes. His minutes will likely remain limited due to his inefficient offensive nature and his overall lack of size and strength on the defensive end. If Jones improves his shooting efficiency and his defensive discipline, he could earn a larger role off the bench playing up to 10-16 minutes a game.

I expect Peavy to fluctuate on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. He will continually compete for a larger role while playing limited minutes at the end of a non-competitive contest averaging about 6-8 minutes a game. Peavy will play in a complimentary role on the offensive end. He will space the floor, cut to the basket, and be active on the glass. He needs to develop his ball handling and creation ability as he is turnover prone and deficient currently. On the defensive end, Peavy can guard multiple positions due to his length and agility. He is best utilized defending a ball dominant opponent as his effort and consistency on-ball is much better than off-ball currently. If Peavy maintains his three-point shooting efficiency, improves his ball security, and off-ball defensive awareness, he could earn a larger role playing 10-14 minutes a game.

I expect Lachlan to fluctuate on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. He will continually compete for a larger role while playing limited minutes at the end of a non-competitive contest averaging about 6-8 minutes a game. Lachlan will need to improve his perimeter shooting ability as well as produce more near the rim regarding points and offensive rebounds. On the defensive end, Lachlan needs to demonstrate better ability to defend on the perimeter and be more productive obtaining defensive rebounds or protecting the rim. If Lachlan demonstrates those improvements, he could earn a reserve role on an NBA roster playing between 10-12 minutes a game.

I expect Milicic Jr. to fluctuate on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. He will continually compete for a larger role and likely play his minutes at the end of a non-competitive contest playing 6 minutes a game. Milicic Jr. will serve as a complimentary piece on the offensive end. He is best utilized off-ball where he can set screens, space the floor, move the ball in the flow of the offense, cut, and crash the glass. He is limited as a creator due to deficient ball handling and athleticism. He also needs to improve his shooting efficiency to increase his impact on the floor. On the defensive end, Milicic Jr. will provide constant energy. He will rotate and communicate. He may be exposed on the perimeter and in the post, but he will compete to make life difficult for his opponents. Milicic Jr. has a higher ceiling grade than others graded in this area due to his floor spacing ability, basketball awareness, effort, and size. If he improves upon his deficiencies, he could grow into a consistent reserve role playing up to 10-18 minutes a game.

I expect Perrin to fluctuate on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. He will continually compete for a larger role and likely play his minutes at the end of a non-competitive contest participating in 6 minutes a game. At this point, his primary role revolves around his offensive ability as a ball handler and passer. He requires ongoing development to warrant this role as he is inefficient from the field and struggles with ball security. He is an effective screener and moves well without the ball to find space to create and facilitate. Defensively, Perrin presents as a liability. He lacks strength to effectively defend in the post and the lateral agility or athleticism to defend on the perimeter. In addition to his physical limitations, he struggles to maintain high effort and engagement. If Perrin improves his offensive efficiency, reduces his turnovers, and improves his defensive effort, he can earn a larger reserve role playing 10-18 minutes a game. The prerequisite skill appears within him, but my confidence in him to reach that potential is low.

I expect Dixon to primarily play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. On an NBA roster, he may average 6 minutes a game during non-competitive scenarios. He is an offensive oriented front court player who demands high usage. He is a great isolation scorer who threatens the defense from all three- levels but lacks facilitation instincts. His effectiveness off-ball is less impactful and makes it difficult to envision a consistent role for him at the next level. On the defensive end, he will be a liability. Due to his deficiency on the perimeter and in the post, he will be a regular target of opposing offenses. This will limit his overall minutes in a game. If Dixon continues to convert his threes at a high level, improve his ability to facilitate and impact the game without the ball, his role could grow to playing 10-16 minutes a game.

I expect James to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. On an NBA roster, he may average 6 minutes a game during non-competitive scenarios. He is purely a complimentary player on both ends of the ball. He will play in an off-ball role on the offensive end to supplement as a three-point shooter, cutter, and offensive rebound. On the defensive end, he will fit into varying lineups to match up against different opponents and be in the right place at the right time. He is not a defensive specialist as he has his own deficiencies regarding lateral speed and quickness. Overall, his effort, engagement, and physicality will support his teammates. If James improves his offensive and defensive production, he can earn a limited reserve role playing 10-12 minutes a game.

I expect Martin to fluctuate on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. He will continually compete for a larger role while playing limited minutes at the end of a non-competitive contest averaging about 6 minutes a game. Martin will provide great energy whether he is on the court or on the bench. On the court, Martin is best suited as an off-ball guard where he can space the floor, move the ball in the flow of the offense, and compete on the offensive glass. He can create for himself or others, but he needs to improve his efficiency to warrant increased usage. Defensively, Martin is smaller in stature but plays with great strength and physicality. His playing time will be limited since he is best matched up against opposing guards. He will provide energy and activity at a high level to compliment the defensive scheme. If Martin improves his offensive efficiency and defensive production, he can earn a larger role playing 10-12 minutes a game.

I expect Goldin to fluctuate on the line between the G League and the back end of an NBA roster. If Goldin makes an NBA roster, I expect him to compete for a larger role while garnering most of his minutes in mop up duty playing up to 6 minutes to finish a game. Offensively, Goldin will lean on his strengths to be a post presence and a strong screen setter. He will benefit from increasing his confidence and volume of three-point attempts to provide more value on the offensive end. Defensively, Goldin is often exploited and targeted on the perimeter due to his lack of footspeed. He is limited to drop coverage during screen situations and defenses can take advantage of this weakness during his playing time. He will need to be a force in the paint to warrant playing time. If Goldin expands his offensive game and positions himself better on the defensive end, he can earn a more consistent reserve role playing 10-12 minutes a game.

I expect Hawkins to primarily play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He is an offensive oriented player who creates for himself, distributes to his teammates, and scores from all three-levels but does so at a below average level. He requires a high usage to utilize his ability, but he is deficient and will be a net negative if tasked with a large offensive load. On the defensive end, he may generate deflections using his length and instincts, but he will be a regular target by opposing teams. He will have difficulty defending in space and holding his ground in the post. If he improves his offensive efficiency and decision making while demonstrating more consistent effort on the defensive end, he can contribute in a reserve role playing 10-18 minutes a game.

I expect Carr to primarily play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He will be a complimentary piece on the offensive end during his minutes without demanding the ball. He is best suited for an off-ball role where he can set screens, cut, relocate, and crash the glass. He struggles to create for himself, so this is an area of development if he hopes to expand his role. Defensively, Carr offers good length and effort to defend against different personnel. He is a limited athlete who needs to improve his strength, but he competes hard and most importantly, is reliable. He will play within the defensive scheme and hustle to generate extra possessions. If he improves his scoring efficiency, creation ability, and strength, he can earn a consistent role off the bench playing 10-14 minutes a game.

I expect Youngblood to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He will serve as a shooting specialist who can heat up from three. His playing time may fluctuate based on whether he is generating and converting threes at a high volume. Outside of shooting, his offensive contributions are very limited. On the defensive end, Youngblood will be exposed and targeted often. It will be a challenge to determine who he should match up against since he will either be at a size or athletic disadvantage. A team can rely on his effort on the defensive end, but that effort is unlikely to turn into regular production. Three-point shooting is Youngblood’s lifeline at the next level. If he can convert his threes at a high volume and efficiency, he will find a role on an NBA roster playing up to 10-14 minutes a game.

I expect Pate to primarily play in the G League to compete for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. At this point, his role on the offensive end will be limited to energy and floor spacing. He needs to develop his creation ability, ball security, and shooting efficiency to warrant regular usage. On the defensive end, he will provide energy on the glass and hopefully improve his awareness and engagement to be in the right place at the right time. He has a lot of areas of improvement, but his age is on his side. If he can round out his game and utilize his size appropriately, he could earn a limited role playing 10-12 minutes a game during certain situations.

I expect Small to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He plays on- or off-ball on the offensive end but he requires high usage to make up for his poor efficiency. He is a dynamic guard who is difficult to stay in front of, but he struggles with his decision making and ball security. These are areas he needs to improve to improve his consistency. On the defensive end, Small is limited regarding the opposition he is matched up against. He is a smaller guard who needs to match up against those with a similar size. He will apply ball pressure but lacks consistency on the defensive end. If Small improves his offensive efficiency and defensive effort, he can earn a reserve role playing up to 10-12 minutes a game.

I expect Cleveland to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He will serve as a complimentary piece on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he is better suited to play in an off-ball role where he can space the floor, cut, and be active on the offensive glass. Cleveland attacks to score rather than facilitate which lowers his effectiveness on-ball. On the defensive end, Cleveland has the frame, length, and athleticism to defend multiple positions. He needs to improve his discipline to improve his effectiveness and reduce his mistakes. If Cleveland improves his offensive production and reduces his defensive errors, he can earn a larger role playing 8-12 minutes a game.

I expect Tonje to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He is a one-sided player at this point who primarily contributes on the offensive end as a scorer. He will space the floor and offer self-creation ability. He lacks athleticism and length, so his overall upside is limited. To improve his effectiveness on the offensive end, he needs to improve his facilitation ability. Defensively, Tonje will be targeted on and off the ball. He will struggle to defend on the perimeter and in the post. He will be out of position often which will force him to recover. He needs to improve his defensive attention, awareness, and effort to contribute positively. If Tonje improves his offensive passing and defensive engagement, he could earn a limited reserve role playing 8-12 minutes a game.

I expect Murrell to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He is a limited offensive player who threatens the defense from the perimeter. He is also undersized and lacks facilitation instincts and as a result, he will be limited to an off-ball floor spacing role. On the defensive end, Murrell will provide high energy. He is a reliable defender who will play within the defense scheme. He will compete with energy and physicality. Unfortunately, he is undersized. He is limited as to who he can defend, and his defensive impact will be less impactful against taller or larger opponents. If Murrell converts his threes at a high efficiency and volume, he can earn a reserve shooting specialist role off the bench playing between 6-10 minutes a night.

I expect Sears to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He is an offensive oriented player that needs the ball in his hands to thrive. He relies on high usage to be effective but unfortunately, he struggles with efficiency and ball security which dissuades high usage utilization. On the defensive end, Sears is perpetually at a disadvantage regardless of the opponent he is matched up against. His lack of size negatively affects him and his defensive effort inconsistencies compound that effect. If Sears improves his efficiency, reduces his turnovers, and facilitates more, he can earn a reserve role playing between 6-10 minutes a game.

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I expect Nembhard to play in the G League while competing to earn a roster spot. At the professional level, he will contribute as a facilitator and floor spacer. His efficiency suffers when he creates his own shot, and he needs to reduce his turnovers to sustain a consistent role. Defensively, Nembhard is significantly impacted by his size. He is small and light. This makes him a consistent target by opposing teams to take advantage of his deficiencies. He plays with a lot of effort and team’s that underestimate him will succumb themselves to turnovers as he is effective at generating steals. If Nembhard improves his offensive efficiency while decreasing his turnovers, he can earn a limited reserve role playing 8-10 minutes a game.

I expect Kalkbrenner to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He will be a complimentary piece on the offensive end where he can set screens, roll, pop, contribute on the offensive glass, and finish near the rim after post entry touches. His effectiveness on the offensive end depends on the depth at which he receives his passes. The further out he receives passes, the less effective he is. He demonstrates three-point ability but needs to convert his attempts at a higher efficiency and volume to warrant respect. Defensively, Kalkbrenner offers great size and length to effectively protect the rim. But out in space, he is exposed and at a significant disadvantage. This limits his defensive utility and makes him a consistent target by opposing teams. If Kalkbrenner improves his three-point shooting and defensive positioning, he could earn a limited reserve role playing 6-10 minutes a game.

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I expect Bamba to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. On the offensive end, Bamba will contribute to a complimentary role. He is inefficient from the field so his usage will remain low, but he offers the ability to space the floor and provide energy as a cutter, rebounder, and transition threat. Defensively, Bamba can fit into varying lineups as he can match up against multiple personnel. He will provide energy and activity to generate deflections but may be exposed to errors if playing for long stretches. If Bamba improves his offensive efficiency while increasing his defensive production, he can earn a limited reserve role playing 6-10 minutes a game.

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I expect Moore to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. Offensively, he presents as a complimentary piece who supports the offense in an off-ball role. He is a slasher, cutter, transition threat, and floor spacer. He lacks facilitation instincts and shooting efficiency to demand a high usage in an on-ball role. On the defensive end, he is also a support player. He will fit into variable lineups and match up against different personnel. He may be exposed against effective scorers and is better suited to defend against non-scoring threats. This lowers his defensive impact and is an area he needs to improve to grow his role. If Moore improves his shooting efficiency, passing instincts, and defensive reactions, he could earn a limited reserve role playing 6-8 minutes a game.

I expect Davis to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. Offensively, Davis will initiate the action in attempts to score. He needs to vastly improve his efficiency and facilitation ability if he expects to secure a role at the next level. On the defensive end, Davis is an aggressive defensive guard who generates steals at a good rate. Unfortunately, he lacks discipline and gambles for steals throughout the game which decreases his overall effectiveness. If Davis improves upon his offensive and defensive deficiencies, he could earn a limited reserve role playing 6-8 minutes a game.

I expect Shulga to play in the G League while competing for a roster spot on the backend of an NBA roster. He projects as a complimentary piece with no true upside. He doesn’t possess a high-end quality that he can lean into to find a consistent role. He profiles as a shooter, but he struggles with efficiency and at times, lacks confidence. He is a willing passer but struggles to create space to draw additional defenders to utilize his passing ability. Defensively, he plays with sound technique but lacks the athleticism to keep up with guards and the strength and length to match up against wings. He is reliable with active defensive hands but lacks specific traits to get excited about. If Shulga improves his shooting efficiency and self-creation ability, he can earn a limited reserve role playing 6-8 minutes a game.