Beauty In the Struggle: Debunking Myths in the 2025 NBA Draft
The GLM Team looks at common weaknesses for a few NBA Draft notables, and why they can be overcome.
Ace Bailey: Playmaking / Passing
The raw numbers (In 1000 minutes played: 38 AST / 61 TO, 8.3 AST%) do not show well to Ace Bailey’s playmaking ability for his teammates. The paradox between his difficult shotmaking ability and his inconsistency getting to the rim can be spun as a net negative as well. Still, this will always be a pro-Ace Bailey outlet. If we bet on Ace being a competent NBA playmaker, we’re betting on a few things - firstly, that his supporting cast will undoubtedly be better than what he had at Rutgers. Teams could key in on Ace and fellow projected top pick Dylan Harper. While Dylan was able to shine through it, Ace didn’t have the fundamental playmaking abilities of his 5 star counterpart, but that’s not to say that he won’t have any. Next is improved spacing at the next level, a given with more capable shooters around him. Finally, we bet on Ace developing more strength in his lower body. At 18 years old, Bailey is far from a finished product physically. As he develops, we expect that the increased muscle will help him create more opportunities for himself at the rim, opening up this part of the floor for him. As defenses collapse, it will open more opportunities for him to drive and kick. Ace will never be confused for Chris Paul, but he’s simply too talented of a basketball player - with too much in his arsenal - to not figure out league-average playmaking skills.*
*DeMarcus Cousins did not write this section.
Egor Demin: Shooting
The engine of one of college basketball’s most prolific shooting teams, somehow Egor Demin’s jumpshot is one of the biggest question marks in the 2025 Draft. The shot is capable of swinging him anywhere from the early 20s (low-end), to inside the top 10 (high-end). While this may seem extreme, 6’8” jumbo playmakers who are comfortable with the ball in their hands don’t grow on trees - ESPECIALLY if they can reliably shoot the 3. After a fast start to his college season from deep (39% across his first eight games), Demin battled a knee injury in mid-December. When he returned, he struggled to find rhythm and took a nosedive in his percentage from the perimeter. Owner of a smooth, simple stroke, it felt as if the numbers were not reflective of the shooter that Demin could - or should - be. Demin broke his lull and came on strong in March, shooting with more confidence and hitting some tough shots off the bounce, particularly in the NCAA Tournament. Turning heads with his shooting performance at the NBA combine, we believe Demin will be closer to that than the 27% three point shooter he was in college.
Khaman Maluach: Shooting / Skill
The lazy view of Khaman Maluach projects him as a rim running 5 man and lob threat who can hold down the center position. A more nuanced view recognizes that Maluach was not much of a shooter (4/16 from 3 on the year), but that improving in this area and making it a legitimate element of his game is very possible. Remember, one of the greatest shooting big men of all time (Karl-Anthony Towns) shot a whopping 2-for-8 from three in college, but an impressive 81% at the line. That touch translated to the NBA, where Towns expanded his game and is one of the best floor stretchers in the business. Projecting Maluach to be Towns may be too gaudy - but is projecting Maluach as a capable NBA shooter out of the realm of possibility? Remember, Maluach shot 77% from the line this year in his own right, and flashed some feathery touch on the interior. While some bigs (looking at you, Mitchell Robinson) have strokes that are difficult to watch and leave no hope of shooting success, Maluach’s motion is fluid. Remember, Maluach only began playing basketball at age 13. The development curve for big men transitioning to the NBA is typically steep, especially physically. With Maluach’s intangibles, do not be surprised if Maluach continues to improve his body / strength and expand his offensive skill set.
Carter Bryant: Production
Carter Bryant’s numbers (6.5 PTS, 4.1 REB, 1.0 AST) won’t jump off the page. Out of context, projecting this production in the first round of the NBA draft seems blasphemous. Still, the disconnect between college production and NBA success can be hard to predict, given the countless examples of players who weren’t able to reach their potential in the college game, but later flourished in the NBA. Usually, those who go on to succeed at the next level after not fitting in college have a high school pedigree of being a top talent. While the college game didn’t allow them to shine, they flourish in the NBA game when surrounded by other top level talent, and given more creative liberties. Carter Bryant may be another player of that ilk; Bryant excelled in his limited role at Arizona, shining as a cutter / slasher and showing great promise as a shooter (59% True Shooting). Bryant’s game was mostly limited to cuts and catch-and-shoots, but there were flashes of what he can bring off the bounce as well, showing some level of a handle and the ability to create for himself in the mid-range. On the other end, Bryant has the potential to be one of the best defenders in this draft, capable of being a true wing stopper with his size, length, and quickness. There were flashes of a deeper, more skilled offensive game, and that combined with his elite defensive traits makes Bryant one of the higher ceiling prospects in this draft.