2017 Draft Thread

[Reddy83]

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Keep an eye on Lauri Markkanen. Could have a Ryan Anderson type impact in the league (currently shooting 47% from 3 as a freshman).

Looks like he'll be a nice fit in the NBA. If he was around where we were drafting, he'd be a good choice.

I'm still thinking we need toughness, rebounding and defense in a big man--I like Bam Adebayo as of now, he'd be a nice back up to Gorgui.

[Worm Guts]

I don't if it's the most important thing we need, but adding a stretch 4 who can shoot 40% from 3 would be the icing on the cake for us offensively. Right now Markkenen is slated to go pretty close to where we should expect to pick, Bam is slated to go post-lottery in both Draft Express and NBAdraft. I'm a little surprised Bam is so low.

[Klomp]

I'm okay with looking at a stretch 4, but I want one with quickness ideally. Otherwise it isn't much different from Gorgui or Nemanja out there.

[Worm Guts]

I'm okay with looking at a stretch 4, but I want one with quickness ideally. Otherwise it isn't much different from Gorgui or Nemanja out there.

Both space the floor some but Gorgui doesn't really shoot 3's often and Bjelica's percentage has been pretty mediocre. A legitimate 3 point shooter would add another dimension.

[Krapinsky]

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Keep an eye on Lauri Markkanen. Could have a Ryan Anderson type impact in the league (currently shooting 47% from 3 as a freshman).

Can he guard?

This team has a lot of offensive fire power. I want a player that can guard and be an A ++++ glue guy.

I don't know if I necessarily buy into the "we stink at x so we need to draft a player good at x" ideology. I would much prefer to have the better player overall. If two prospects grade out with an overall grade similar to one another, then sure draft the guy that helps alleviate a weakness.

Now to answer your question, I don't think Markkanen will be an elite defender. He will probably struggle with the smaller, quick 4 types. He has nice size so he should be able to hold his own in the paint.

It really depends on which pick we end up with. I would be happy if we ended up with OG Anunoby or Bam Adebayo, but if we're picking towards the end of the lottery, then Markkanen would be a nice consolation prize.

I think it's always easy to say just take the better player, but if he's not put in the right situation then his growth is going to be stunted and eventually the lesser player in the better situation is going to out develop him.

[Klomp]

I think it's always easy to say just take the better player, but if he's not put in the right situation then his growth is going to be stunted and eventually the lesser player in the better situation is going to out develop him.

Not only that, but it's important to also look at the player's longterm upside.

Muhammad was probably better than Antetokounmpo on draft night, but GA had elite physical tools while SM is undersized for his position, plus taking into consideration ages, etc.

[janmagn]

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Keep an eye on Lauri Markkanen. Could have a Ryan Anderson type impact in the league (currently shooting 47% from 3 as a freshman).

Can he guard?

This team has a lot of offensive fire power. I want a player that can guard and be an A ++++ glue guy.

He is a good perimeter defender for a 7-footer. Can guard the pick and roll. Was 5th (?) in steals in last year's U20 Euro Championship as 18 years old kid.

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[guille_4]

I see why people want Adebayo, but I actually wonder if Marques Bolden would be a better skill set fit with this team. Plus, hard to argue against a 7-6 wingspan.

Jahlil Okafor has also got a 7'6 wingspan and a 9'3 standing reach. Bolden has a superb 9'4.5 standing reach but their wingspan's are the same.

How good an athlete is he and why is he only getting 7 minutes per game in Duke?

[Reddy83]

I don't if it's the most important thing we need, but adding a stretch 4 who can shoot 40% from 3 would be the icing on the cake for us offensively. Right now Markkenen is slated to go pretty close to where we should expect to pick, Bam is slated to go post-lottery in both Draft Express and NBAdraft. I'm a little surprised Bam is so low.

Seems like the league is valuing the three point shooters higher than size/strength at the four. Or more poignantly, you need to be a star level talent with D and rebounding compared to having a big upside as a stretch four that can shoot threes (porzingis effect?). That could be good for us value wise if we trade correctly.

All that said I wouldn't blink at getting a stretch four, but it seems a little redundant with Bae Elite, who has underperformed expectations, but still needs minutes.

[Worm Guts]

All that said I wouldn't blink at getting a stretch four, but it seems a little redundant with Bae Elite, who has underperformed expectations, but still needs minutes.

You can't really draft around Belly though. Barring a trade, I figure we have 6 guys guaranteed rotation spots next year. Bjelica, Bazz, and Aldrich are probably subject to upgrade if available.

[Krapinsky]

Based on my Youtube scouting I like TJ Leaf more than Markannen. Leaf is more versatile and I like his BBIQ and rebounding.

[Krapinsky]

My favorite two players in this draft are Cameron Oliver and Thomas Bryant.

[minimus]

All that said I wouldn't blink at getting a stretch four, but it seems a little redundant with Bae Elite, who has underperformed expectations, but still needs minutes.

You can't really draft around Belly though. Barring a trade, I figure we have 6 guys guaranteed rotation spots next year. Bjelica, Bazz, and Aldrich are probably subject to upgrade if available.

Next year Bjelica will be on the last year of his contract. We need a true bigman, but I think 3&D player is higher priority. Rush has shown real value of such type of player for us.

[HitmanCapone]

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[HitmanCapone]

My favorite two players in this draft are Cameron Oliver and Thomas Bryant.

Im there with you on Bryant but my other 2 favorites are OG Anunoby(if he still declares) & Josh Jackson.

[Mattya]

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[Klomp]

Will he be a SF longterm, or would you pack some lbs on him and put him at PF?

[Krapinsky]

My favorite two players in this draft are Cameron Oliver and Thomas Bryant.

Im there with you on Bryant but my other 2 favorites are OG Anunoby(if he still declares) & Josh Jackson.

I see what you mean about Josh Jackson. I like his intensity.

[Klomp]

If you go 3 games in either direction, our current draft range is anywhere from 2 to 15. Makes it hard to hone in on certain guys at this point. Ultimately, I think we'll end up somewhere from 7 to 15, but you just never know...

[Worm Guts]

Saw Dennis Smith against Duke on Tuesday, he looked like a first overall pick type player.
Lauri Markennen is shooting 50% from 3 at almost 5 attempts per game. Pretty crazy for a 7 ft