Goldbum wrote:Your probably right that we don't nab Dieng.
He's the type I would target though. Eason is another, so is Hunter and P.Williams. That's the archtype I'm looking for.
That archetype you should be on the lookout here is a
6'8"+ wing/forward (not a PF/C) with a 7'2"+ wingspan. Good hand size is nice, too (8.5"-11").
If they're athletic and skilled enough (ex. ball handling, can defend, shoot a bit) to be a legitimate lottery pick and have those physical traits, history suggests that they pan out quite well.
Tari Eason, for example, met this. Even though he was drafted later, I always felt he was a lottery pick and he was projected as such so I was quite surprised how low he fell.
So far, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes are following this metric quite well. You listed DeAndre Hunter....and guess what? He meets this, as well.
Likewise, Jarace Walker is expected to do the same, at some point, if we go by these measurements.
In the past, Kawhi, Pippen, Giannis are other lottery caliber players that met this. Technically speaking, AK-47 is another one.
In fact, I don't think anyone who met this metric has really failed as a player (not saying there aren't 1-2 guys but they're anomalies). At the least, you end up with Rudy Gay or Rui Hachimura (though, Rui is less athletic and skilled). Terrence Jones is kinda another one (a little less skilled, derailed by injuries, though). I'm not sure if OG is 6'7" or 6'8" since you get conflicting measurements but technically, he would meet this, as well. Similar story with Batum (unsure about his height on the court but he would meet this).
And some of the players who weren't expected to be first round draft picks? Pascal Siakam, Jerami Grant, Kyle Anderson
Having an elite wingspan and being tall enough can be major factors, essentially.
Since Portland is looking for a wing/forward, I'd suggest to pay attention to players of this particular archetype in the future. It's a very safe bet.
