2025 NBA Draft Thread | Page 8 | The Boneyard

2025 NBA Draft Thread

Latest take on McNeeley (via The Athletic):

19. UConn wing Liam McKneeley​

Versatile. Tough. He was a lot bigger in person than I realized. His rebounding seemed like he had a level of confidence as a freshman that was impressive. Obviously got hurt during the year, but he’s a guy that impacted them a ton because of his ability to get to the foul line. Will that translate as well or will he be just more of a guy that’s making catch-and-shoot corner 3s? Because at UConn he was a decision maker, and I don’t know if that’s going to translate as well as it did in college.

I wouldn’t call him an elite shooter, but a very good shooter. Defensively, he’s not better. Better than I thought he’d be. I think he has a high ceiling. Physically has to get stronger, but I think with his feel, his knack for getting fouled and his competency defensively, he’s an NBA starter at some point.
 
HooperScooper said:
I'm sure his agents are calling these shots and not him.
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Everything I’ve heard is that he’s a good kid and a hard worker, just maybe a bit immature. I’d attribute these bad decisions to his representation. They should know better. Even if he’s not working out for teams because he has a preferred destination or a promise (I don’t think he does), you’d want your stock to be as high as possible. Make teams want to get you at #3 so you can get the best contract possible.
 
Ryne Russillo actually just had Steve Pikiell on, and while you’d expect a coach to talk up his own players, he speaks glowingly of both Bailey and Harper as people. Ace needs to play more mature and maybe get a better agent, because the potential is there.

They also talk UConn for a while, giving plenty of love to Calhoun and what the program has become. I’ll always root for Pikiell, even at Rutgers.

And I haven’t watched the first part yet, but most of the show is with Sam Vecenie, and his draft stuff is always great.

 
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aceboon said:
#20 in the latest ESPN mock draft

www.espn.com

2025 NBA mock draft: 59 picks as trade talks heat up for 30 teams

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo share the latest intel from around the league.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

20. Miami Heat (via Golden State)​

Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn
Freshman | TS%: 53.6

Height without shoes: 6-6¾ | Weight: 214
Standing reach: 8-3½ | Wingspan: 6-8½

Adding backcourt talent will likely be a priority for the Heat this offseason, but it's not easy to point to any surefire guard contributors in this range. McNeeley's size, shot-making prowess, feel for the game and toughness are critical attributes that NBA teams value at the wing position. He needs to remind them of his winning qualities throughout the predraft process, following an inefficient season in which he converted 44% of his 2-pointers and 32% of his 3-pointers.

He will likely be asked to play a different role in the NBA, leaning more heavily into his ability as a dynamic perimeter shooter, which was more evident in other settings before college. McNeeley has some momentum behind him now, following some positive workouts, helping to remind teams of what made him so highly regarded entering the season. -- Givony
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Givony moved McNeeley to 17th this morning.

www.espn.com

2025 NBA draft big board rankings: Top 100 prospects

Who made big jumps in the top 10? Where do the Duke, Rutgers players rank? Here's our final top 100 big board.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

Interesting that McNeeley is the subject of the title of the article on the ESPN website front page ("Where does UConn's Liam McNeeley rank in our final big board?").

www.espn.com

ESPN - Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.

Visit ESPN for live scores, highlights and sports news. Stream exclusive games on ESPN and play fantasy sports.
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ctbro1999 said:
Oof, that sucks. And can't return to college.
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I'm not sure if they get injury nsurance or not until the pro contract. Or maybe even in college? My friend who played in the NFL didn't get his until the pros but that was years ago.

Hope he has some compensation lined up. Horrible luck
 
aceboon said:
Brutal

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Damn. Normally I don't use the word "tragic" when it comes to strictly sports as I reserve that for other harsh realities in this world that occur. But this is tragic because this happened before he got drafted and a severe injury like will severely dampen his career prospects.
 
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I'm waiting for the trades to start coming this week. I expect quite a few on draft night as well. The league is in a strange place right now with Tatum, Halliburton and Dame all out in the East. Three guys wearing 0 all tear their Achilles.

How will those teams react in the draft? Which team will decide to go for it (Orlando seemingly).
 
latest ESPN mock this morning, Wizards would probably have to move Kispert at this point, which has been rumored

www.espn.com

We have new predictions in our 59-pick mock draft: Risers, fallers and latest intel

Will the 76ers, Hornets and Jazz take best-player-available approaches? We project both rounds of the NBA draft.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis)​

Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn
Freshman | TS%: 53.6

Height without shoes: 6-6¾ | Weight: 214
Standing reach: 8-3½ | Wingspan: 6-8½

McNeeley has drawn positive feedback on the workout circuit, where he reminded teams of his all-around offensive ability coming off a tricky season that was hampered by an ankle injury. He has interest all over the back half of the first round, with Washington among his potential landing spots.

The Wizards were the most committed team in the league last season to giving their rookies meaningful minutes, and the current front office has thus far strongly valued positional size and feel in the draft. McNeeley could be a nice addition to the team's group of wings as a capable decision-maker and shooter who also brings a level of toughness. -- Woo
 
ctbro1999 said:
Latest Athletic mock draft has McNeeley going #16 to the Grizzlies, though they mention his range likely starts at #15.
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I'm still surprised it appears SA has no interest in him at 14.
 
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CardiacAndre7 said:
They really need a big bad. Bassey and Sandro as depth is not it.
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Right, but do they want a rookie big to pair with Castle, Harper and Wemby? I think they can use a more veteran presence.
 
HuskyHawk said:
Right, but do they want a rookie big to pair with Castle, Harper and Wemby? I think they can use a more veteran presence.
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Wouldn't be shocked if they use some of their draft capital to swing a deal for a solid big man. Who that is, I have no idea. Imagine if they had gotten the #7 pick and drafted Clingan last year...
 
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CardiacAndre7 said:
Yeah I was thinking like ctbro said, trade that and another piece for a solid big.
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The Celtics have a lightly used Latvian Center they can have for #14. We'll even throw in #32 and take Barnes' salary back.
 
CardiacAndre7 said:
Yeah I was thinking like ctbro said, trade that and another piece for a solid big.
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I'm sure Maluach is on their radar. Curious if they'd try to move up to get him and look at him as their big man of the future. I believe Wemby's been quoted saying he'd prefer to play the 4 too.
 
I think the issue with playing a non-floor spacing 4 next to Wemby is that it allows teams to possibly use a 4 who can guard the perimeter on Wemby. If a 5 has to play him, they have no chance to stick with him on the perimeter. That being said, they need a backup big, and it’d be nice if that player could play alongside him at times, with Wemby still playing the majority of his minutes at the 5. Sam Vecenie mocked Cedric Coward to the Spurs, mentioning Maluach and Beringer as other options, although they might have to trade up for those two. McNeeley wouldn’t be a bad fit at all, either. They could still pursue a big in free agency (Al Horford?), or trade the #14 pick if none of the guys they like are there. I can’t wait to see how this all pans out.

www.nytimes.com

NBA mock draft 2025: What will the 76ers do at No. 3?

Here's everything Sam Vecenie is hearing ahead of Wednesday's first round.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 


Here’s hoping for a wild draft week! I’d love for McNeeley to end up there, but he’s not somebody they’d have to trade up for.
 
ToolzieFan said:
I think the issue with playing a non-floor spacing 4 next to Wemby is that it allows teams to possibly use a 4 who can guard the perimeter on Wemby. If a 5 has to play him, they have no chance to stick with him on the perimeter. That being said, they need a backup big, and it’d be nice if that player could play alongside him at times, with Wemby still playing the majority of his minutes at the 5. Sam Vecenie mocked Cedric Coward to the Spurs, mentioning Maluach and Beringer as other options, although they might have to trade up for those two. McNeeley wouldn’t be a bad fit at all, either. They could still pursue a big in free agency (Al Horford?), or trade the #14 pick if none of the guys they like are there. I can’t wait to see how this all pans out.

www.nytimes.com

NBA mock draft 2025: What will the 76ers do at No. 3?

Here's everything Sam Vecenie is hearing ahead of Wednesday's first round.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
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FWIW- Have also seen Danny Wolf mock drafted by Spurs at #14- Speculation based on Maluach and Beringer already off the board
 
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