On this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin break down Cooper Flagg’s potential as the number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Thulin dives into Flagg’s best outcomes, examining how his skillset and versatility align with Dallas’s current roster. He highlights Flagg’s impressive growth rate, his rapid developmental curve, and the ceiling that makes him a franchise cornerstone. But the real headline is Thulin’s fiery rant on Flagg landing in Dallas—questioning how Nico Harrison ends up with a generational talent like Flagg after trading Luka Doncic, and whether the Mavericks deserve such a reward.

2:24 – Cooper Flagg’s best outcomes
5:40 – Is Cooper Flagg’s offense being underrated because stylistically he doesn't resemble other freshman standouts like Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, or Michael Beasley?
8:55 – Part one of Leif's rant about the Dallas Mavericks getting Cooper Flagg
11:25 – Who is Cooper Flagg if he maximizes his potential?
14:16 – Kevin Garnett comparisons
16:37 – Flagg’s fit with the Dallas Mavericks lineup
20:21 – Leif's rant, part two
23:48 – Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison being rewarded with Cooper Flagg
28:45 – Flagg’s trajectory, growth rate, and ceiling
30:15 – Has Flagg benefitted by playing with elite talent? His high school and college teams were stacked with high-level players, and he now lands in a similar situation in Dallas rather than on a rebuilding team

#CooperFlagg
#FlaggToDallas
#NBA2025Draft
#NBADraft2025
#DallasMavericks
#MavsNation
#NicoHarrison
#LeifThulin
#RafaelBarlowe
#LockedOnNBA
#NBADraftTalk
#FutureOfTheNBA
#FlaggCeiling
#FlaggFit
#FlaggHype
#HighSchoolToNBA
#DukeToDallas
#FlaggTrajectory
#TopPickTalk
#NBARookieWatch
#NextGenStars
#FlaggScoutingReport
#FlaggVsTheField
#MavericksFuture
#DallasBasketball
#NBAProspectBreakdown
#NBABigBoard
#FlaggAnalysis
#FlaggVersus
#FlaggComparisons
#KevinGarnettComp
#FlaggDevelopment
#EliteTalentPipeline
#MavericksRebuild
#DraftDebate
#FlaggOffense
#NBARant
#BasketballBreakdown
#ScoutingTheDraft
#NBADiscussion
#FutureSuperstar
#FlaggPotential
#FlaggBestCase
#FlaggCeilingWatch

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Leif Thulin joins Rafael Barlowe to rank his top big men prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft, opening with a notable deviation from consensus by placing Maryland’s Derik Queen ahead of Duke’s Khaman Maluach. Thulin defends the move by explaining his preference for Queen’s offensive polish, feel for the game, and impact as a decision-maker, despite Maluach’s superior physical tools. The conversation continues with in-depth breakdowns of Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud, Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, Michigan’s Danny Wolf, Georgia’s Asa Newell, and French prospect Joan Beringer, as Thulin assesses each player’s strengths, role projection, and areas of concern through his nuanced, context-heavy scouting lens.

Bullet Point Timestamps:

1:50 – Leif’s opinion on the bigs in the 2025 NBA Draft class
2:50 – Derik Queen vs. Khaman Maluach
7:08 – Khaman Maluach
8:53 – Khaman Maluach’s best comparison
9:46 – Derik Queen’s ceiling
12:31 – Maxime Raynaud
21:36 – Thomas Sorber
24:46 – Danny Wolf
28:41 – Asa Newell
31:56 – Joan Beringer

#DerikQueen
#KhamanMaluach
#MaximeRaynaud
#ThomasSorber
#DannyWolf
#AsaNewell
#JoanBehringer
#NBADraft2025
#NBABigBoard
#LockedOnNBA
#NBAProspects
#CollegeBasketball
#NBAInternationalProspects
#NBADraftScouting

Breaking news out of the pre-draft cycle: Ace Bailey has canceled his workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, making him the only U.S.-based prospect yet to visit a single NBA team. In this episode, Rafael and James Barlowe went live to break down what this means for his stock. Is there a hidden guarantee? A strategic play for leverage? Or is the red flag finally starting to show? The Barlowe Brothers also dive into Bailey’s polarizing combine feedback, his confusing pre-draft strategy, how his draft night could unfold plus answer questions from the live chat.

1:33 – Breaking News: Ace Bailey cancels his workout with the Philadelphia 76ers
2:16 – Is Ace Bailey’s draft strategy any different than Tyrese Haliburton’s in 2020?
3:15 – James explains why the Sixers are a good fit for Ace Bailey
4:10 – Why this type of negative press isn’t good for Ace Bailey
5:32 – Is Ace Bailey getting bad advice?
5:57 – Does Ace Bailey have a draft promise?
6:30 – Strategic bet or red flag?
8:09 – Revisiting Dante Exum’s pre-draft strategy with his agent
8:50 – Is Ace Bailey willing to take a PR hit to land in the right situation?
9:05 – Would Utah consider Ace Bailey at No. 5 if he’s still on the board?
10:41 – Further discussion on Utah's potential interest at No. 5
13:49 – Viewing the Ace Bailey saga from a front office lens
15:00 – Comparing Ace Bailey’s situation to Alex Sarr’s strategic decisions in 2024
16:47 – What might Ace Bailey’s agency be trying to accomplish?
18:52 – How lottery picks drafted into win-now teams have struggled to develop
22:46 – Continued discussion on lottery picks in win-now situations
31:40 – Could the negative PR hit impact Ace Bailey's actual draft spot?
34:58 – What’s the best team fit for Ace Bailey?
39:05 – Who could have made a draft promise to Ace Bailey?
41:50 – The Barlowe Brothers field live chat questions

#AceBailey #AceBaileyNews #AceBaileyDraft #AceBaileyUpdate #AceBaileyWorkout #AceBaileyNBA #AceBaileyRumors #AceBaileyStock #AceBaileySlide #AceBaileyDrama #NBADraft #NBADraft2025 #2025NBADraft #NBADraftProspects #DraftSeason #DraftStock #DraftStrategy #DraftBuzz #DraftNight #NBAProspects #NBADraftNews #DraftScouting #Philadelphia76ers #Sixers #SixersDraft #SixersNews #UtahJazz #NBAFrontOffice #NBAScouting #NBADraftTalk #NBAInsider #DraftPromise #StrategicDrafting #PlayerDevelopment #DraftRedFlag #DraftLeverage #ProspectWatch #BasketballBusiness #NBADecisionMaking #AgentStrategy #NBAPodcast #DraftPodcast #BasketballTalk #NBAContent #NBAHotTakes #BasketballBreakdown #HoopsAnalysis

On the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, host Rafael Barlowe and analyst Leif Thulin dive into the Charlotte Hornets’ options at No. 4 in the 2025 NBA Draft. They spotlight top prospects like Tre Johnson, VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Ace Bailey, and Khaman Maluach, noting that the Hornets are placing a premium on both character and intel behind the pick. Rafael challenges Leif to strap on his GM hat and name his ideal choice for Charlotte—while also probing whether the Hornets might trade down to accumulate extra assets or grab a player they believe could still be on the board later in the lottery. Leif outlines which player he’d select and evaluates the feasibility of a trade-down scenario.

1:22 – Charlotte being quiet in the rumors
1:54 – Teams possibly looking to move up in the draft as potential trade partners for Charlotte
2:04 – Who should the Hornets take at number four?
2:25 – Tre Johnson
3:47 – VJ Edgecombe and Kon Knueppel and intel
11:20 – Kon Knueppel at number four or trade down to get him
14:18 – Khaman Maluach
17:30 – Ace Bailey
20:59 – Tidjane Salaun
22:12 – Leif plays the role of GM of the Charlotte Hornets

#NBADraft
#NBADraft2025
#CharlotteHornets
#HornetsDraft
#TreJohnson
#VJEdgecombe
#KonKnueppel
#KhamanMaluach
#AceBailey
#NBAPodcast
#DraftTalk
#NBAProspects
#BasketballScouting
#DraftStrategy
#NBAFutureStars
#NBADraftProspects
#NBACombine
#LockedOnNBABigBoard
#RafaelBarlowe
#LeifThulin
#HornetsRumors
#NBAIntel
#BasketballPodcast
#DraftRumors
#HornetsNews
#NBATradeRumors
#TradeDownScenario
#TopDraftProspects
#CollegeBasketball
#InternationalProspects
#2025DraftClass
#ScoutingReport
#BasketballAnalysis
#WhoGoesFourth
#HornetsGM

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael Barlowe and Leif Thulin challenge the growing consensus that VJ Edgecombe is the superior prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. While most boards have Edgecombe projected to go higher, Rafael and Leif lay out their reasoning for why they believe Jeremiah Fears is the better long-term player. The duo dives into each prospect’s strengths, contrasting Fears’ polish and feel with Edgecombe’s athleticism and explosiveness, and explain why their evaluation process leads them away from popular opinion. Rafael shares a balanced perspective on both players, but the episode builds toward a rapid-fire close, where he asks Leif to pick between the two for every team selecting between picks 4 and 9.

⏱️ Time‑Stamped Highlights

1:30 – Leaf explains why he ranks Jeremiah Fears over VJ Edgecombe: underscoring his high basketball IQ, shooting consistency, and floor-first value.
3:20 – Discussion of the biggest differences: Fears’s cerebral style and shooting vs. Edgecombe’s dynamic athleticism and upside.
9:39 – Rafael and Leaf unpack why consensus leans toward Edgecombe, citing his elite burst and highlight potential.
17:03 – A scout chimes in, explaining why Edgecombe is seen as an easier plug‑and‑play option, whereas Fears demands you commit to building around him.
18:23 – They debate whether the high-end comparisons—Anthony Edwards, Victor Oladipo, Dwyane Wade—are fair for Edgecombe.
23:16 – In rapid‑fire draft mode, Rafael asks Leaf: who wins the pick from spots 4–9? Leaf locks in on Jeremiah Fears, emphasizing stability and fit.

#NBADraft2025 #JeremiahFears #VJEdgecombe #RafaelBarlowe #LeifThulin #LockedOnNBA #NBABigBoard #DraftTalk #DraftDebate #NBAProspects #Top10Picks #NBA2025 #NBAComparisons #AnthonyEdwards #VictorOladipo #DwyaneWade #NBAAnalysis #DraftScouting #ConsensusVsContrarian

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe break down the NBA’s second wave of green room invitations ahead of the 2025 Draft. With six new players added—bringing the total to 19—they analyze the inclusion of Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, UConn’s Liam McNeeley, Illinois’ Will Riley, South Carolina’s Collin Murray‑Boyles, and French prospects Nolan Traore and Noa Essengue. The duo unpacks why the NBA may have extended invites to this particular group, expressing intrigue—and in some cases, surprise—at a few names. To close out the episode, they share their picks for the next five players they believe should receive the final round of green room invitations.

⏱️ Timestamps
1:49 – 2025 NBA Green Room Breakdown
2:22 – First Wave: Breaking Down the First 13 Invites
3:02 – Noa Essengue’s Invite Reaction
5:00 – Second Wave Reactions: Sorber, McNeeley, Murray-Boyles, Traore, Riley
6:30 – Nolan Traore Gets the Nod
7:00 – Liam McNeeley: McNeeley Gets the Call
7:15 – James on Nolan Traore’s Invite
10:15 – Evaluating the Second Wave as a Whole
13:00 – What Scouts See in These Six
19:28 – Jase Richardson Snub?
20:30 – Questioning McNeeley’s Invite
21:45 – Jase Richardson vs. Liam McNeeley Stats
22:27 – Predicting the Final Five Invites
26:25 – Joan Beringer’s Green Room Status

#NBADraft2025 #GreenRoomBreakdown #NBADraftNews #2025NBADraft #NBAProspects #DraftInvites #NoaEssengue #FrenchProspects #NBADraftScouting #ThomasSorber #LiamMcNeeley #CollinMurrayBoyles #NolanTraore #WillRiley #GreenRoomInvite #NBADraftSurprises #NBAForwardProspects #NBAProspectTalk #NolanTraoreAnalysis #NBADraftBoard #2025Prospects #NBAInvites #NBAScoutingReport #NBACombine #DraftAnalysis #JaceRichardson #NBADraftSnubs #NBAProspectDebate #DraftDebate #NBADraftQuestions #PlayerComparison #NBADraftStats #RichardsonVsMcNeeley #DraftPredictions #FinalFive #NBADraftWatch #JoanBeringer #NBADraftStock #DraftRange

Locked On’s five episode NBA Mock Draft is here. For every episode of the 2025 Locked On NBA Mock Draft search Locked On NBA Draft wherever you get your podcasts.
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Locked On’s five episode NBA Mock Draft is here. For every episode of the 2025 Locked On NBA Mock Draft search Locked On NBA Draft wherever you get your podcasts.
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OLIPOP
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WayFair
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Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)