June 16, 2025 • 19 mins
Bobby Marks of ESPN stops by to preview next week's draft with Sam Farber. The two discuss the deep talent of this draft class and how it compares to draft class in previous years.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Hornets Hoodcast, presented by Charlotte I Ear
nosen Throat Associates, the official I ear nozen throatcare provider
of the Charlotte Hornets. Here's your host, Sam Farber, walking.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
To another edition of the Hornets Hoodcast, your Hornets podcast
with all the notes, quote san daily buzz around your
favorite NBA team. I'm Sam Farber and it is a
pleasure and a privileged to you with us here once
again on the Hornets Sibcast, brought to you by Santa
Charlotte I Hear nosen Throat Associates, the official I hear
nosen throatcare provider of the Charlotte Hornets. We are building
up to Draft day now, a little more than a
(00:35):
week away, getting set for the twenty twenty five NBA Draft,
a big one, they all are, but particularly for Charlotte
picking at number four, this could be a consequential draft.
And we have been talking to experts about all of
the lottery prospects for the twenty twenty five class.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
They were going to be.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Looking at some of the biggest names in the twenty
twenty five draft class. And we'll talk to one of
the biggest names when it comes to analyzing not just
the draft, but the entire NBA. ESPN insider and analyst
Bobby Marks our guest today.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Here on the AHHC.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Without further ado, he joins us now here on the
Hornets Podcast, Bobby, thank you so much for the time.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
I appreciate, thank you, thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
We're gonna dig into yet another category here of prospects
for the NBA lottery, and we're gonna look at We're
calling them Big ten wings. As with all of these categories,
once upon a time, these were not all schools in
this conference. But that's the day we live in now.
So Rutgers is a solid Big ten team and two
of the bigger names in this draft are from that program.
(01:37):
Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. What do you see in
those two wings in terms of their potential as NBA
players and why they're considered to be top five candidates.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Yeah, I mean, I think you know, certainly, you know,
for Dylan there was a lot of expectation for him
based on his pedigree, right, I mean, both him and
Ace have kind of come up builled as top prospects.
There's certainly a uniqueness that both of them wind up
going to Rutgers. I think there is certainly an interest
as far as a team that landed two players that
(02:09):
are going to get drafted probably in the top five
or six year that didn't make the nca Tournament also, right,
I think that's probably going to come up in their
interviews here. I think certainly starting with Dylan, you know,
the one thing that will not show in the scattering report,
probably show in their background is the loyalty factor for him.
And what I mean the loyalty factor is that here's
(02:30):
a player that went to Rutgers, A lot of people
have projected him to be a top two pick in
this year's draft, and was able to kind of stick
through it last year when things were not going well.
I think there was a tendency that you when things
aren't going well, especially for a player that you kind
of bail out on your teammates. Here. That's not going
(02:51):
to show in the Scattery report here, So I do
think there's a loyalty besides what he can do on
the court. I think there's a both players, there's a
loyalty factor, and I think that make it appealing to
teams when you do go through this process as far
as evaluating them as far as like, hey, when things
go really bad or we have adversity, is this guy
going to bail on us? And give him any credit
(03:12):
that that didn occur this year at Rutgers.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
In terms of what makes them special? Top five potential
players and a lot of times when you're drafting in
this area you're looking for all stars. What do you
see as the all star potential for both young men?
Is it something where you would consider one to be
a lock you bet your house on it, or maybe
more unlikely.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Well, the draft has taught me never to bet my
house on anything. Here. There's kind of never an exact
science as far as you know, maybe Victor coming out
a couple of years maybe that's a little bit different.
But yeah, I think it's you know, certainly from a
talent standpoint, I think, certainly from Dylan, I think that
the characteristics or his strengths as far as positional size,
the ability to finish out the rim, I think he
(03:55):
can play a point for you. As far as from
from a ball handling, I think he can play, I make.
I think those are all things that you know teams
are looking for. He's not one dimensional, which is in
this league here, you basically have to kind of plug
and play and be in a position to play multiple positions.
We've gone from the days of like listing guys as
a point guard or shooting guard or small forward. Now
(04:16):
you're just kind of guards and forwards, right Like that's
kind of the day. And I do think with with Dylan,
and I think with his upside there, I think he's
only scratched the surface. And I think the ability to
play multiple positions, the ability, as I said, kind of
can get to the rim, I think is a big
plus for work whoever takes him in the draft. I
think Ace is interesting. We had Ace on our set
(04:38):
at ESPN during the combine. I would say, to his credit,
there's no shorterge of confidence for him. We had asked
him the one question like kind of what do you
need to work on and everything, and it was like nothing,
So you know, so hey give him credit and everything
like that. I think for him it's kind of like
certainly a big wing. I know his measurements weren't probably
(04:59):
what teams thought, or maybe they were a little bit
lower than what maybe with the public perception because I
think he was listed at Rutgers at six ten, and
I think without shoes, who was like six seven in
the quarter. But he still he still has NBA size
for his position. I think as another guy that can
play multiple positions, he's got a great touch, certainly the
ability to pull up make shots. Here. I just date
(05:20):
back to my days in New Jersey and Brooklyn and
we always sit around he'd be like, the position of
need is always big winks right, especially in this league,
and I think he certainly has that. I think he's
got a high motor. I think it's certainly from an
athletics athleticism standpoint, I think all the tangibles are there.
You almost evaluate these players, you know, it's not just
(05:41):
their freshman year at Rutgers. It's certainly a lot of
them have been through the AE circuit. There have been
eyes on them, whether some have played for Team USA,
whether it be the UA teens or the U six teams. Here,
it's similar to kind of how you evaluate European players
European prospects, where like I think we get caught up
where you're looking at like the box score, what he
did against Michigan State or what did against Seat in
(06:03):
the Hall for example here, But I do think how
what he did in college, is there a skill set
or multiple skill sets that can carry over to the NBA,
and I do. I think both guys certainly have that.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
You mentioned Michigan State, so I'll bring him up here
as well. They've got a young potential lottery pick as
well in Jace Richardson. A bit of an NBA legacy
is dad Jason Richardson decade plus career in the association
and went to Michigan State as well. What can you
tell me about him and his potential to be a
top ten pick this year?
Speaker 4 (06:36):
I would say a high, high character, and not just
because of who his dad is, certainly Jason Richardson. But listen,
he's a freshman, but he acts like he's a guy
that's been in a league a long time. And I
think a lot of that is because he's been around
with his dad. He knows the NBA locker rooms. I
think for him it's going to be what are you right?
(06:58):
You know, like are you a pointer too? It's kind
of going back to like we live in this world
of lack of positions here. You know, he's a combo guard.
He's a little bit undersized, but we've seen. Certainly a
lot of smaller guards make it in this league here.
I think he's got a terrific mid range game. I
think that is certainly a positive despite his size, the
ability to finish at the rim. I think he's got
(07:19):
some fearlessness here. You know, certainly in the top fifteen,
I would say it's probably more guard heavy, so he
certainly fits there. So I think if you're a team
that if you need a guy can come off your
bench and that can make shots. I think he can
defend at a high level, which is certainly important in
this league here. You know, Listen, his size will probably
get analyzed, probably overanalyzed here, but I do think his
(07:40):
pedigree alone and just the year that he played at
Michigan State under a terrific coach, I think he's got
you know, I think he's got a good chance to
make it here.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
For all three of these guys, if you're looking three
to four years as they get settled into the NBA,
what kind of role do you see for each of
them on an NBA playoff team.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Do you see them as.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Being the lead guard, do you see them as being
a role player.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Where would you put them in?
Speaker 4 (08:05):
I would say there is a priority, especially when you're
drafting where they're going to be drafted, you know, with
Bailey and Harper and you know probably all three lottery picks.
Here is that there is such a high priority that
eventually by year three that whether it be you're playing
at starter level minute, certainly where you are dictates it here.
I mean, listen, we were going through these playoffs right
(08:26):
now where depth matters right like you have if you
have a deep bench, and there's a priority for your
younger players to develop because of how the collective bargaining
agreement is and how you need players on inexpensive contract
rookie scale contracts to fit in here. If you hit
on draft prospects and you you know, you're paying them
six seven million dollars, like that is a bonus, right,
(08:47):
And if you don't, then you're asking, well, how do
we get more depth? Right? Like that's kind of like,
you know, that's I feel like that's the theme of
the playoffs. It's like whether it be Denver or New York,
it's like it's like debt. So I do think there
is a high prior when you are drafting these players.
Not right away, maybe Dylan might be a little bit
different as far as where he falls in and where
he goes that you know, for the least for the
(09:09):
first year, you're getting rotational minutes, and then you're kind
of building that up when they get to that third year.
And now when you get to the fourth year and
you're still having cracked the lineup or everything, then there's
certainly a concern here. But I do think there is
such a high priority because the reality is that you
build rosters nowadays through the draft, through trades, and then
probably free agencies is at least for now is a
(09:31):
distant third here. So you got to get it right.
You know, when you're picking in the top five or
top six, or even if you're picking twenty five and
you're a team that maybe doesn't have much money to spend,
like the players that you come in, either they're developmental
players that can turn into rotational players, or they're rotational
players that can eventually turn it too starters.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Good segue, because next segment, we're going to ask you
about some of the names that you have on your
list that maybe you are not considered for the lottery.
That's next here on the Hornets Podcast. Bobby Mark's NBA
Insider for ESPN our guests here today on the HHC
The Hornets Podcast, brought to you by Scent Bobby. Back
in your day in the front offices of the NBA,
(10:11):
the profile of a non lottery pick or a second
round pick a lot different. They could come from a
lot of different places. Even three years ago, they could
come from NBA G League, Ignite or some of these other.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Kind of let's call them upstart leagues.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Now things have kind of streamlined, more guys coming from
college or Europe, and nil has maybe changed the profile
of who is coming in to the NBA, not just
at the top of the draft, but even more so
maybe later on past the lottery. What would you say
is the difference in this class compared to a couple
of years ago in terms of the readiness the maturity
(10:48):
for the NBA game from guys who are likely to
be picked somewhere between let's say fifteen and fifty nine.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
I would say it's older, and that's in a good way.
I think it's an older class just based on a
lot of these players are still had dealt with the
COVID year. It's funny. One of the things I have
an opportunity to do during this process to sit down
with a lot of these draft prospects and kind of
help them guide them a little bit in their interviews.
And when you're doing research, usually it would be like
a red flag when you look at a player like
(11:15):
he's been a three schools in five years nowadays, like
it's the norm, right like you because it whether it
been the extra COVID year or maybe nil, or there's
there's not they're not transferring because they're not playing right,
there's a there's a financial component to it. I do
think here. I do think it's this year's group, and
I think it eventually will kind of level out in
future years. I do think this year's group is older.
(11:38):
I think when we were in Chicago for the Combine
and you know the guys who were playing five on
five the two days, it was a lot of players
who were twenty to twenty three years old. And that's
a good thing, I think, because we kind of get
in this pattern sometimes when we're always looking to hit
home runs. Right, the draft is like we find that
next maybe underdeveloped, but guy that can be an all
(11:59):
NBA player for you years from that five And I
always said I said this when you know, some of
the teams last year were drafting playoff teams were drafting.
I'm like, it's okay to take a twenty two to
twenty three year old right like, you can get these
they might not have the high level upside, but it's
still okay if you can get a guy and can
come in and play twenty minutes like right now and
throw them in here. So I do think, and I
(12:21):
always changed a little bit. I do think players are
a little bit older. The two way rules have certainly
changed the dynamics of the second round. I would say
it's a lot of it. And I've told this to
players and agents who go through this. I go, when
you get like pasted in the forties, like those players
in that pool, it's not going to be like best
available here. It's like who's going to come on a
(12:42):
two way contract? Who's you know, There's all these different
variances there with that. So the rules have changed in
how teams operate, certainly in that non lottery window since
since I've been you know, with the nets in my
last year was twenty fifteen.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
A lot of the experts we've talked to have had
a lot of good things to say about this draft class,
and some of it is about the top end talent,
seeing you know, the potential to have five or more
All Stars or that caliber of player at some point.
But even more so it's been on kind of what
you said that there's a lot of solid doubles in
this draft, a lot of guys who have a chance
to contribute, and you're gonna find them well past the lottery.
(13:19):
Who are a couple of names on your board, not
necessarily the top guys everyone's talking about, but someone will
will be talking about maybe this time, playoff time a
few years down the road.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
I would start with Ason Neil from Georgia and one
of these Mount Verd kids who like we're going to
hear their four of them probably in the first round,
between Cooper and Liam McNeely and Derrek Queen and then
certainly Aces is the fourth one here where he goes
it's you know, it's so fluid here. I just looked
at him. His size is what jumps character certainly, but
(13:50):
his size kind of what jumps out at me the
ability to kind of finish at the rim. I think
he's got a jumper that's probably more developed than probably
what you saw at Georgia. Here, I think the ability
to protect the rim, like he can play multiple positions.
He is the one guy that like you might get him.
I don't know. Let's say teens are twenty and then
(14:12):
two years from now, I'm like, man, that was a steal, right,
so I do. Like, you know, listen the Mount Verd kids,
like I always tease them when I talked to him
because I said, like, was there ever a wow moment
for you when you got to college? And like, well,
we played on it probably arguably one of the best
teams in high school here, Kevin Boyle. There, there's a
tremendous job preparing those guys for the next level.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Anybody else that maybe is not being talked about as much,
but you think will be.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
I would say Rashier Fleming from Saint Joe's is an
interesting name. He measured really well, like his size for
a big wing at six' nine ish six, TEN i
think you can play three and. Four the ability to make,
shots the ability to play multiple positions. HERE i think
defensively will be his call card in this. League as
(15:01):
far as to get on the court right, AWAY i
think his offense is a little bit more of kind
of a work in, progress BUT i do like from,
him probably one of the better defenders in this in this.
Draft here a guy that's been in school three. Years
he's a young twenty year old, junior BUT i do,
LIKE i do like his.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
Upside He's Bobby, MARKS nba insider and analyst FOR. Espn
we'll wrap things up with his perspective On charlotte next
here on The hornets, podcast.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Wrapping up another.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Episode of THE ahhc with one of the biggest names
you can get this time of year or any time
of the year when you're TALKING, Nba Bobby, MARS nba
analyst and insider FOR. Espn you do a great write
up on all thirty teams in the association on just
kind of the status of their franchise once their season
comes to a. Close we're hoping yours For charlotte next
year will happen much later down the, calendar but you've
(15:53):
already kind of given a great, perspective but maybe a
short version for fans tuning in. Today what is your
take on the state of The hornets roster and the
draft capital they have accumulated looking to the, Future.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
YEAH i would if you know it certainly For hornets fans,
WATCHING i would certainly put a lot of trust In Jeff,
peterson their general. MANAGER i Think jeff kind of knows
the identity of this. ROSTER i think he knows where
this league is. Going you certainly saw it in you,
Know february of twenty four Before jeff got, there when
they made The Terry rozier, trade and you, know certainly
TRADING pj and picking up draft, assets and you've kind
(16:28):
of seen the accumulation little by little each, year certainly
this past deadline where you were able to pick up
more draft.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Picks.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
Here the one word that he uses a, Lot jeff
used a, lot and it is, sustainability, Right like you
have to have. Sustainability you don't want to be in
a position where you get into the plan and then
you basically stagnate or you're basically out of it and
you don't have the draft picks and you don't you,
Know Mike Dunley junior In Golden state made a really
good comment and he's, like you never want to be
(16:56):
in a position where you're. Stuck like being stuck really
is not a good place to. BE i think With
charlotte it's a little bit challenging just because you're coming
off a year where you had a bunch of. Injuries
you didn't see The, LaMelo Brandon, Miles Mark williams lineup
very much this, year, right just based on some guys were,
out whether it Be, LaMelo whether it be, branding certainly
(17:17):
with the season ending mark in the, beginning so it's
hard to evaluate it from that perspective. HERE i do
think there are pieces to go from nineteen wins to
whether it be thirty wins or thirty five. WINS a
lot of it's going to be contingent on where you
are health, wise. RIGHT a lot of it is going
to be contingent on what you do in the. Draft
(17:37):
you know where you're, picking you can get a guy
and impact. Player you have a ton of tradeable contracts you,
HAVE i call them these sweet spot contracts if you
want to go out and do a. Deal you have
a ton of flexibility as far as this. Offseason, here
you're not a cap space, team but that doesn't really
matter this offseason you have big exceptions to take back
(17:58):
players in more. Draft you are going to have a
ton of cap space in the twenty twenty six, offseason,
Here SO i do like where the direction of this
roster is. Going, listen if you're in The Western, Conference
i'd be, like, ooh, like you, know this is a
little more challenging. HERE i think What detroit did this
year is a great story AND i think it shows
(18:19):
you that you can build rosters the right. Way, like,
listen they just needed to Get kate healthy and purot
shooters around right, like so it happens awfully. Quick as
far as how you can kind of turn around your,
ROSTER i think if you're A hornets, fan you can't
be looking, like oh my, god we haven't made the
playoffs in nine. Years, no you have to look at
it Like Jeff peterson and their group And Charles lee
(18:40):
just took over a year. Ago that's how you have
to look at it as far as how you're. Evaluating
AND i do think they're on the path to putting
a roster that will be sustainable for the.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Future he's the best in the.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Business Bobby, marks insider FOR espn covering THE nba in
particularly this time of year heading towards the.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Draft can't thank you enough for the. Time thanks for
joining us here on THE.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
HC i appreciate thanks for having. Me that's going to
do it for this episode of The Hornets. Hoodcast, bobby
thank you again for all of your time and attention,
today and we look forward to seeing your brilliant coverage
throughout the coming week or.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
Show leading up to THE Nba.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Draft we have a couple more of these previews with
other draft experts looking at other top prospects in the
twenty twenty five draft, class so make sure you're keeping
up locked right here on THE. Ahhc thanks to our
Producer Rob longo for putting this podcast, Together Bobby marks
for joining, us and most of all to all of
you for tuning. In I'm Sam farber saying it's been
a pleasure to privilege having you. Along we'll talk to
you next time right here on The Hornet.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Podcast thank you for listening To The Hornets, podcast brought
to you By, senta the official i ear Nosen throadcare
provider of The Charlotte. Hornets for more, coverage Visit hornets dot.
Com
Welcome to the Hornets Hoodcast, presented by Charlotte I Ear
nosen Throat Associates, the official I ear nozen throatcare provider
of the Charlotte Hornets. Here's your host, Sam Farber, walking.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
To another edition of the Hornets Hoodcast, your Hornets podcast
with all the notes, quote san daily buzz around your
favorite NBA team. I'm Sam Farber and it is a
pleasure and a privileged to you with us here once
again on the Hornets Sibcast, brought to you by Santa
Charlotte I Hear nosen Throat Associates, the official I hear
nosen throatcare provider of the Charlotte Hornets. We are building
up to Draft day now, a little more than a
(00:35):
week away, getting set for the twenty twenty five NBA Draft,
a big one, they all are, but particularly for Charlotte
picking at number four, this could be a consequential draft.
And we have been talking to experts about all of
the lottery prospects for the twenty twenty five class.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
They were going to be.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Looking at some of the biggest names in the twenty
twenty five draft class. And we'll talk to one of
the biggest names when it comes to analyzing not just
the draft, but the entire NBA. ESPN insider and analyst
Bobby Marks our guest today.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Here on the AHHC.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Without further ado, he joins us now here on the
Hornets Podcast, Bobby, thank you so much for the time.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
I appreciate, thank you, thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
We're gonna dig into yet another category here of prospects
for the NBA lottery, and we're gonna look at We're
calling them Big ten wings. As with all of these categories,
once upon a time, these were not all schools in
this conference. But that's the day we live in now.
So Rutgers is a solid Big ten team and two
of the bigger names in this draft are from that program.
(01:37):
Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. What do you see in
those two wings in terms of their potential as NBA
players and why they're considered to be top five candidates.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Yeah, I mean, I think you know, certainly, you know,
for Dylan there was a lot of expectation for him
based on his pedigree, right, I mean, both him and
Ace have kind of come up builled as top prospects.
There's certainly a uniqueness that both of them wind up
going to Rutgers. I think there is certainly an interest
as far as a team that landed two players that
(02:09):
are going to get drafted probably in the top five
or six year that didn't make the nca Tournament also, right,
I think that's probably going to come up in their
interviews here. I think certainly starting with Dylan, you know,
the one thing that will not show in the scattering report,
probably show in their background is the loyalty factor for him.
And what I mean the loyalty factor is that here's
(02:30):
a player that went to Rutgers, A lot of people
have projected him to be a top two pick in
this year's draft, and was able to kind of stick
through it last year when things were not going well.
I think there was a tendency that you when things
aren't going well, especially for a player that you kind
of bail out on your teammates. Here. That's not going
(02:51):
to show in the Scattery report here, So I do
think there's a loyalty besides what he can do on
the court. I think there's a both players, there's a
loyalty factor, and I think that make it appealing to
teams when you do go through this process as far
as evaluating them as far as like, hey, when things
go really bad or we have adversity, is this guy
going to bail on us? And give him any credit
(03:12):
that that didn occur this year at Rutgers.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
In terms of what makes them special? Top five potential
players and a lot of times when you're drafting in
this area you're looking for all stars. What do you
see as the all star potential for both young men?
Is it something where you would consider one to be
a lock you bet your house on it, or maybe
more unlikely.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Well, the draft has taught me never to bet my
house on anything. Here. There's kind of never an exact
science as far as you know, maybe Victor coming out
a couple of years maybe that's a little bit different.
But yeah, I think it's you know, certainly from a
talent standpoint, I think, certainly from Dylan, I think that
the characteristics or his strengths as far as positional size,
the ability to finish out the rim, I think he
(03:55):
can play a point for you. As far as from
from a ball handling, I think he can play, I make.
I think those are all things that you know teams
are looking for. He's not one dimensional, which is in
this league here, you basically have to kind of plug
and play and be in a position to play multiple positions.
We've gone from the days of like listing guys as
a point guard or shooting guard or small forward. Now
(04:16):
you're just kind of guards and forwards, right Like that's
kind of the day. And I do think with with Dylan,
and I think with his upside there, I think he's
only scratched the surface. And I think the ability to
play multiple positions, the ability, as I said, kind of
can get to the rim, I think is a big
plus for work whoever takes him in the draft. I
think Ace is interesting. We had Ace on our set
(04:38):
at ESPN during the combine. I would say, to his credit,
there's no shorterge of confidence for him. We had asked
him the one question like kind of what do you
need to work on and everything, and it was like nothing,
So you know, so hey give him credit and everything
like that. I think for him it's kind of like
certainly a big wing. I know his measurements weren't probably
(04:59):
what teams thought, or maybe they were a little bit
lower than what maybe with the public perception because I
think he was listed at Rutgers at six ten, and
I think without shoes, who was like six seven in
the quarter. But he still he still has NBA size
for his position. I think as another guy that can
play multiple positions, he's got a great touch, certainly the
ability to pull up make shots. Here. I just date
(05:20):
back to my days in New Jersey and Brooklyn and
we always sit around he'd be like, the position of
need is always big winks right, especially in this league,
and I think he certainly has that. I think he's
got a high motor. I think it's certainly from an
athletics athleticism standpoint, I think all the tangibles are there.
You almost evaluate these players, you know, it's not just
(05:41):
their freshman year at Rutgers. It's certainly a lot of
them have been through the AE circuit. There have been
eyes on them, whether some have played for Team USA,
whether it be the UA teens or the U six teams. Here,
it's similar to kind of how you evaluate European players
European prospects, where like I think we get caught up
where you're looking at like the box score, what he
did against Michigan State or what did against Seat in
(06:03):
the Hall for example here, But I do think how
what he did in college, is there a skill set
or multiple skill sets that can carry over to the NBA,
and I do. I think both guys certainly have that.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
You mentioned Michigan State, so I'll bring him up here
as well. They've got a young potential lottery pick as
well in Jace Richardson. A bit of an NBA legacy
is dad Jason Richardson decade plus career in the association
and went to Michigan State as well. What can you
tell me about him and his potential to be a
top ten pick this year?
Speaker 4 (06:36):
I would say a high, high character, and not just
because of who his dad is, certainly Jason Richardson. But listen,
he's a freshman, but he acts like he's a guy
that's been in a league a long time. And I
think a lot of that is because he's been around
with his dad. He knows the NBA locker rooms. I
think for him it's going to be what are you right?
(06:58):
You know, like are you a pointer too? It's kind
of going back to like we live in this world
of lack of positions here. You know, he's a combo guard.
He's a little bit undersized, but we've seen. Certainly a
lot of smaller guards make it in this league here.
I think he's got a terrific mid range game. I
think that is certainly a positive despite his size, the
ability to finish at the rim. I think he's got
(07:19):
some fearlessness here. You know, certainly in the top fifteen,
I would say it's probably more guard heavy, so he
certainly fits there. So I think if you're a team
that if you need a guy can come off your
bench and that can make shots. I think he can
defend at a high level, which is certainly important in
this league here. You know, Listen, his size will probably
get analyzed, probably overanalyzed here, but I do think his
(07:40):
pedigree alone and just the year that he played at
Michigan State under a terrific coach, I think he's got
you know, I think he's got a good chance to
make it here.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
For all three of these guys, if you're looking three
to four years as they get settled into the NBA,
what kind of role do you see for each of
them on an NBA playoff team.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Do you see them as.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Being the lead guard, do you see them as being
a role player.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Where would you put them in?
Speaker 4 (08:05):
I would say there is a priority, especially when you're
drafting where they're going to be drafted, you know, with
Bailey and Harper and you know probably all three lottery picks.
Here is that there is such a high priority that
eventually by year three that whether it be you're playing
at starter level minute, certainly where you are dictates it here.
I mean, listen, we were going through these playoffs right
(08:26):
now where depth matters right like you have if you
have a deep bench, and there's a priority for your
younger players to develop because of how the collective bargaining
agreement is and how you need players on inexpensive contract
rookie scale contracts to fit in here. If you hit
on draft prospects and you you know, you're paying them
six seven million dollars, like that is a bonus, right,
(08:47):
And if you don't, then you're asking, well, how do
we get more depth? Right? Like that's kind of like,
you know, that's I feel like that's the theme of
the playoffs. It's like whether it be Denver or New York,
it's like it's like debt. So I do think there
is a high prior when you are drafting these players.
Not right away, maybe Dylan might be a little bit
different as far as where he falls in and where
he goes that you know, for the least for the
(09:09):
first year, you're getting rotational minutes, and then you're kind
of building that up when they get to that third year.
And now when you get to the fourth year and
you're still having cracked the lineup or everything, then there's
certainly a concern here. But I do think there is
such a high priority because the reality is that you
build rosters nowadays through the draft, through trades, and then
probably free agencies is at least for now is a
(09:31):
distant third here. So you got to get it right.
You know, when you're picking in the top five or
top six, or even if you're picking twenty five and
you're a team that maybe doesn't have much money to spend,
like the players that you come in, either they're developmental
players that can turn into rotational players, or they're rotational
players that can eventually turn it too starters.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Good segue, because next segment, we're going to ask you
about some of the names that you have on your
list that maybe you are not considered for the lottery.
That's next here on the Hornets Podcast. Bobby Mark's NBA
Insider for ESPN our guests here today on the HHC
The Hornets Podcast, brought to you by Scent Bobby. Back
in your day in the front offices of the NBA,
(10:11):
the profile of a non lottery pick or a second
round pick a lot different. They could come from a
lot of different places. Even three years ago, they could
come from NBA G League, Ignite or some of these other.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Kind of let's call them upstart leagues.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Now things have kind of streamlined, more guys coming from
college or Europe, and nil has maybe changed the profile
of who is coming in to the NBA, not just
at the top of the draft, but even more so
maybe later on past the lottery. What would you say
is the difference in this class compared to a couple
of years ago in terms of the readiness the maturity
(10:48):
for the NBA game from guys who are likely to
be picked somewhere between let's say fifteen and fifty nine.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
I would say it's older, and that's in a good way.
I think it's an older class just based on a
lot of these players are still had dealt with the
COVID year. It's funny. One of the things I have
an opportunity to do during this process to sit down
with a lot of these draft prospects and kind of
help them guide them a little bit in their interviews.
And when you're doing research, usually it would be like
a red flag when you look at a player like
(11:15):
he's been a three schools in five years nowadays, like
it's the norm, right like you because it whether it
been the extra COVID year or maybe nil, or there's
there's not they're not transferring because they're not playing right,
there's a there's a financial component to it. I do
think here. I do think it's this year's group, and
I think it eventually will kind of level out in
future years. I do think this year's group is older.
(11:38):
I think when we were in Chicago for the Combine
and you know the guys who were playing five on
five the two days, it was a lot of players
who were twenty to twenty three years old. And that's
a good thing, I think, because we kind of get
in this pattern sometimes when we're always looking to hit
home runs. Right, the draft is like we find that
next maybe underdeveloped, but guy that can be an all
(11:59):
NBA player for you years from that five And I
always said I said this when you know, some of
the teams last year were drafting playoff teams were drafting.
I'm like, it's okay to take a twenty two to
twenty three year old right like, you can get these
they might not have the high level upside, but it's
still okay if you can get a guy and can
come in and play twenty minutes like right now and
throw them in here. So I do think, and I
(12:21):
always changed a little bit. I do think players are
a little bit older. The two way rules have certainly
changed the dynamics of the second round. I would say
it's a lot of it. And I've told this to
players and agents who go through this. I go, when
you get like pasted in the forties, like those players
in that pool, it's not going to be like best
available here. It's like who's going to come on a
(12:42):
two way contract? Who's you know, There's all these different
variances there with that. So the rules have changed in
how teams operate, certainly in that non lottery window since
since I've been you know, with the nets in my
last year was twenty fifteen.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
A lot of the experts we've talked to have had
a lot of good things to say about this draft class,
and some of it is about the top end talent,
seeing you know, the potential to have five or more
All Stars or that caliber of player at some point.
But even more so it's been on kind of what
you said that there's a lot of solid doubles in
this draft, a lot of guys who have a chance
to contribute, and you're gonna find them well past the lottery.
(13:19):
Who are a couple of names on your board, not
necessarily the top guys everyone's talking about, but someone will
will be talking about maybe this time, playoff time a
few years down the road.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
I would start with Ason Neil from Georgia and one
of these Mount Verd kids who like we're going to
hear their four of them probably in the first round,
between Cooper and Liam McNeely and Derrek Queen and then
certainly Aces is the fourth one here where he goes
it's you know, it's so fluid here. I just looked
at him. His size is what jumps character certainly, but
(13:50):
his size kind of what jumps out at me the
ability to kind of finish at the rim. I think
he's got a jumper that's probably more developed than probably
what you saw at Georgia. Here, I think the ability
to protect the rim, like he can play multiple positions.
He is the one guy that like you might get him.
I don't know. Let's say teens are twenty and then
(14:12):
two years from now, I'm like, man, that was a steal, right,
so I do. Like, you know, listen the Mount Verd kids,
like I always tease them when I talked to him
because I said, like, was there ever a wow moment
for you when you got to college? And like, well,
we played on it probably arguably one of the best
teams in high school here, Kevin Boyle. There, there's a
tremendous job preparing those guys for the next level.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Anybody else that maybe is not being talked about as much,
but you think will be.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
I would say Rashier Fleming from Saint Joe's is an
interesting name. He measured really well, like his size for
a big wing at six' nine ish six, TEN i
think you can play three and. Four the ability to make,
shots the ability to play multiple positions. HERE i think
defensively will be his call card in this. League as
(15:01):
far as to get on the court right, AWAY i
think his offense is a little bit more of kind
of a work in, progress BUT i do like from,
him probably one of the better defenders in this in this.
Draft here a guy that's been in school three. Years
he's a young twenty year old, junior BUT i do,
LIKE i do like his.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
Upside He's Bobby, MARKS nba insider and analyst FOR. Espn
we'll wrap things up with his perspective On charlotte next
here on The hornets, podcast.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Wrapping up another.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Episode of THE ahhc with one of the biggest names
you can get this time of year or any time
of the year when you're TALKING, Nba Bobby, MARS nba
analyst and insider FOR. Espn you do a great write
up on all thirty teams in the association on just
kind of the status of their franchise once their season
comes to a. Close we're hoping yours For charlotte next
year will happen much later down the, calendar but you've
(15:53):
already kind of given a great, perspective but maybe a
short version for fans tuning in. Today what is your
take on the state of The hornets roster and the
draft capital they have accumulated looking to the, Future.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
YEAH i would if you know it certainly For hornets fans,
WATCHING i would certainly put a lot of trust In Jeff,
peterson their general. MANAGER i Think jeff kind of knows
the identity of this. ROSTER i think he knows where
this league is. Going you certainly saw it in you,
Know february of twenty four Before jeff got, there when
they made The Terry rozier, trade and you, know certainly
TRADING pj and picking up draft, assets and you've kind
(16:28):
of seen the accumulation little by little each, year certainly
this past deadline where you were able to pick up
more draft.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Picks.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
Here the one word that he uses a, Lot jeff
used a, lot and it is, sustainability, Right like you
have to have. Sustainability you don't want to be in
a position where you get into the plan and then
you basically stagnate or you're basically out of it and
you don't have the draft picks and you don't you,
Know Mike Dunley junior In Golden state made a really
good comment and he's, like you never want to be
(16:56):
in a position where you're. Stuck like being stuck really
is not a good place to. BE i think With
charlotte it's a little bit challenging just because you're coming
off a year where you had a bunch of. Injuries
you didn't see The, LaMelo Brandon, Miles Mark williams lineup
very much this, year, right just based on some guys were,
out whether it Be, LaMelo whether it be, branding certainly
(17:17):
with the season ending mark in the, beginning so it's
hard to evaluate it from that perspective. HERE i do
think there are pieces to go from nineteen wins to
whether it be thirty wins or thirty five. WINS a
lot of it's going to be contingent on where you
are health, wise. RIGHT a lot of it is going
to be contingent on what you do in the. Draft
(17:37):
you know where you're, picking you can get a guy
and impact. Player you have a ton of tradeable contracts you,
HAVE i call them these sweet spot contracts if you
want to go out and do a. Deal you have
a ton of flexibility as far as this. Offseason, here
you're not a cap space, team but that doesn't really
matter this offseason you have big exceptions to take back
(17:58):
players in more. Draft you are going to have a
ton of cap space in the twenty twenty six, offseason,
Here SO i do like where the direction of this
roster is. Going, listen if you're in The Western, Conference
i'd be, like, ooh, like you, know this is a
little more challenging. HERE i think What detroit did this
year is a great story AND i think it shows
(18:19):
you that you can build rosters the right. Way, like,
listen they just needed to Get kate healthy and purot
shooters around right, like so it happens awfully. Quick as
far as how you can kind of turn around your,
ROSTER i think if you're A hornets, fan you can't
be looking, like oh my, god we haven't made the
playoffs in nine. Years, no you have to look at
it Like Jeff peterson and their group And Charles lee
(18:40):
just took over a year. Ago that's how you have
to look at it as far as how you're. Evaluating
AND i do think they're on the path to putting
a roster that will be sustainable for the.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Future he's the best in the.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Business Bobby, marks insider FOR espn covering THE nba in
particularly this time of year heading towards the.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Draft can't thank you enough for the. Time thanks for
joining us here on THE.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
HC i appreciate thanks for having. Me that's going to
do it for this episode of The Hornets. Hoodcast, bobby
thank you again for all of your time and attention,
today and we look forward to seeing your brilliant coverage
throughout the coming week or.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
Show leading up to THE Nba.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Draft we have a couple more of these previews with
other draft experts looking at other top prospects in the
twenty twenty five draft, class so make sure you're keeping
up locked right here on THE. Ahhc thanks to our
Producer Rob longo for putting this podcast, Together Bobby marks
for joining, us and most of all to all of
you for tuning. In I'm Sam farber saying it's been
a pleasure to privilege having you. Along we'll talk to
you next time right here on The Hornet.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Podcast thank you for listening To The Hornets, podcast brought
to you By, senta the official i ear Nosen throadcare
provider of The Charlotte. Hornets for more, coverage Visit hornets dot.
Com
Hosts And Creators
Sam Farber
Rob Longo
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