2024 NBA Draft Thread (Early)

[Donkedave]

Is Tyler Smith injured again?
Or where they playing the even younger guys ending the season?

[sco]

Will Clingan be available at the end of the lottery?

After tonight probably not.

Still bad FT shooter and has no outside game.

I thought guys like Tako and Bamba would be bigger things in the NBA. Pass on using a mid-1st on a defensive big.

[Jcool0]

After tonight probably not.

Still bad FT shooter and has no outside game.

I thought guys like Tako and Bamba would be bigger things in the NBA. Pass on using a mid-1st on a defensive big.

Tako was just really tall which can be a skill in college but doesn't really do much in the NBA. Bamba was an boom or bust guy. Clingan may not be a future all star but he might be a future all defense guy. In 1998 he is probably the #1 pick.

[TheSuzerain]

Clingan is a very capable rim protector.

But I feel like that performance was half about Clingan and half about the Illini horrid decision-making.

[MrSparkle]

Clingan is a very capable rim protector.

But I feel like that performance was half about Clingan and half about the Illini horrid decision-making.

I agree. Also, UConn seems to just be an excellent team 1-7. Their guards laid eggs (scoring), but they still pass, drive, draw FTs, defend… but I can’t tell with Clingan. College vet, bigger than any other college kid, excellent team… lot going in his favor to just swat shots and grab boards, post up on free cheese.

This said, he does hustle hard. Runs the floor constantly. I’d be uncomfortable drafting him in the lotto, but my expectations for Bulls picks are in line with D. Terry, so from that angle, if we get a guy who can come in for 15 mpg and do some of what Drummond does but with about 2x the hustle and speed (and block instincts), better decision making, that’s the kind of player I’d like to see Ayo/Coby/Pat run with. That could be a top tier defensive lineup.

The more I check out this draft, I just don’t see any star talent. In fact I struggle to find any guys who can start. Even shooters like Reed will need adjustment to defend and shoot at the NBA level.

Cody Williams on film has the most NBA skillset imo, but he’s a boat of red flags.

[DuckIII]

Clingan is a very capable rim protector.

But I feel like that performance was half about Clingan and half about the Illini horrid decision-making.

It was. We played right into it for some reason. Regardless it still showed what he can do.

[Rose2Boozer]

This seems like the draft of red flags. It's either prospects who can't shoot, create off the dribble, low motor, one dimensional, questionable height, super duper seniors, or a combination.

[Jcool0]

Clingan is a very capable rim protector.

But I feel like that performance was half about Clingan and half about the Illini horrid decision-making.

It was. We played right into it for some reason. Regardless it still showed what he can do.

Did Illinois have a really bad strategy going into the game? Yes. Is Clingan an elite defensive center? Also yes. He was 14/14/8 against Northwestern in round 2 and In the Big East final he had 22/16/2. So this isn't just wow he completely dominated Illinois! draft him top 5 now instead of late 2nd round. He was seen as a late loto pick recently and might move into that 5-8 range because this is a weak draft.

[Jcool0]

I think i kind of look at it this way. If the Bulls were a more healthy team (Lavine and Ball would be back) and Clingan was available i would probably go with him. He would be at his best with Ball as his PG. But with this current team back i might lean more towards Matas Buzelis. He doesn't have near the floor of Clingan but probably has the higher ceiling. At his worst he is pre 2024 Deni Avdija at his best Michael Porter Jr. But that is what you get when you are picking 10-12 range.

[TheSuzerain]

I think i kind of look at it this way. If the Bulls were a more healthy team (Lavine and Ball would be back) and Clingan was available i would probably go with him. He would be at his best with Ball as his PG. But with this current team back i might lean more towards Matas Buzelis. He doesn't have near the floor of Clingan but probably has the higher ceiling. At his worst he is pre 2024 Deni Avdija at his best Michael Porter Jr. But that is what you get when you are picking 10-12 range.

He is not MPJ.

Can still be a nice 4 though.

[Jcool0]

I think i kind of look at it this way. If the Bulls were a more healthy team (Lavine and Ball would be back) and Clingan was available i would probably go with him. He would be at his best with Ball as his PG. But with this current team back i might lean more towards Matas Buzelis. He doesn't have near the floor of Clingan but probably has the higher ceiling. At his worst he is pre 2024 Deni Avdija at his best Michael Porter Jr. But that is what you get when you are picking 10-12 range.

He is not MPJ.

Can still be a nice 4 though.

Who said he was? I am talking about upside a 17-20 pgg guy who hits 3s at a 38-40% range and 5+ rebounds. He was that in high school and he has not been that in the G league. Who knows if he can reach that in the NBA. Got to take risks in the 10+ range.

[Muzbar]

I think i kind of look at it this way. If the Bulls were a more healthy team (Lavine and Ball would be back) and Clingan was available i would probably go with him. He would be at his best with Ball as his PG. But with this current team back i might lean more towards Matas Buzelis. He doesn't have near the floor of Clingan but probably has the higher ceiling. At his worst he is pre 2024 Deni Avdija at his best Michael Porter Jr. But that is what you get when you are picking 10-12 range.

He is not MPJ.

Can still be a nice 4 though.

Who said he was? I am talking about upside a 17-20 pgg guy who hits 3s at a 38-40% range and 5+ rebounds. He was that in high school and he has not been that in the G league. Who knows if he can reach that in the NBA. Got to take risks in the 10+ range.

I think Buzelis can be better than MPJ personally.

Matas struggled with his 3 in the G-league but he is a good shooter, he will improve. He's my number 1 pick for the Bulls if they're able to get him.

He's going to be good.

[boozapalooza]

All in all, great year for us to be picking in the late lotto range. No high end surefire prospects, but plenty of intriguing prospects. The guy you get at #12 could turn out just as good as the guy who goes #1. AKME cannot afford to whiff on this pick especially considering we may not have our pick again next year. There seems like real opportunity to snag an all star level player.

A few of my favorites are Knecht, Clingan, Edey, Shannon, Dillingham, Sheppard, and Buzelis

[TheSuzerain]

I want Cam Spencer in late 1st/early 2nd. Make it happen.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Never seen a draft where I flip flop on prospects every other day. It's a draft where it's tough to put too much blame on a team for missing, or reaching. One GM could have a player #1 overall, another GM may have that same prospect closer to #10. Someone likely looks like a genius though.

[patryk7754]

Haven't paid too much attention to college this season. I saw a mock that has Duke's center dropping to 14. Seems like he'd be a great pick up for us. From the quick glance I had of him, he kind of reminds me of a 6"11 gallinari. Also looks like he can play the four. Any truth in my first impressions of him?

Also, are they any pass first guards available later in the draft? Would be nice to get someone who can fill the Lonzo role as a distributor (to a certain extant) if we acquire a second

[patryk7754]

Also,wtf is going on in france with these centers?

[TheSuzerain]

Haven't paid too much attention to college this season. I saw a mock that has Duke's center dropping to 14. Seems like he'd be a great pick up for us. From the quick glance I had of him, he kind of reminds me of a 6"11 gallinari. Also looks like he can play the four. Any truth in my first impressions of him?

Also, are they any pass first guards available later in the draft? Would be nice to get someone who can fill the Lonzo role as a distributor (to a certain extant) if we acquire a second

Gallo is like 10 times as skilled as the Duke guy.

Duke guy is pretty bland imo.

[HomoSapien]

I haven't done my deep dive into the draft pool yet, but so far the most intriguing prospects in our range seem to be Matas Buzelis and Tidjana Salaun. Both have an intriguing skillset and much-needed size. I also love their feel for the game.

Edey seems to be projected to go anywhere from late lottery to early second round. I wouldn't take him with our pick, but I could see him being a value pick later in the draft. If we can buy a late first/early second, he could be a nice target. We'll likely need to replace Drummond, and he wouldn't be a bad guy to do that with.

[Chi town]

I haven't done my deep dive into the draft pool yet, but so far the most intriguing prospects in our range seem to be Matas Buzelis and Tidjana Salaun. Both have an intriguing skillset and much-needed size. I also love their feel for the game.

Edey seems to be projected to go anywhere from late lottery to early second round. I wouldn't take him with our pick, but I could see him being a value pick later in the draft. If we can buy a late first/early second, he could be a nice target. We'll likely need to replace Drummond, and he wouldn't be a bad guy to do that with.

Salaun is my #1 target in our range but I think he will go higher once he measures and works out.