Lather me with blather -- DRAFT thread 4

[GhostsOfGil]

extending the qualifying offer to jeffers is probably the best news ive heard on the wizards front, for a long time

[thinker07]

Extending qualifying offers hardly means that we are going to keep all of Jeffers, Owens and Hamady - It just gives us the option of bringing any of them back if we want. We have flexibility to mix and match depending on what happens in the draft. If we end up drafting - let's say Vesely or Leonard and Jordan Hamilton I imagine we wouldn't keep Owens.

[closg00]

Jeffers, Owens, and Hamady could be draft-night trade-filler is what I'm thinking, not all, but the oprion is there.

[doclinkin]

The Wizards will have a workout on Monday with Richmond point guard Kevin Anderson, Iowa State guard Diante Garrett, Demonte Harper of Morehead State, Frank Hassell of Old Dominion, IUPUI guard Leroy Nobles and Old Westbury center Lester Prosper.

Looks like the wiz are doing their backdoor background on Justin Harper and Kenneth Fareid. I like Anderson as a clutch scrappy fighter, but the only reason they're pulling these cats in is to find out more about their teammates, and because htey've been closely watching film on them both and notices who was feeding them or playing off them.

I do like Frank Hassell though I doubt his game translates. Big body groundbound wideload rebounder. Seemingly a nice guy though.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

The guy I think is under the radar is Vucavic. If we don't get Kanter at 6, I'd like to go with a forward there & shoot for Vucavic at 18.

He isn't too far off from Kanter IMO, is a true center with good length & size, fundamentally strong, can rebound and shoot. Perfect pick n pop guy for Wall.

Some others I'm liking at 34 are Thompkins a true PF with skill & physical game, Harper sharp shooting stretch 4 from Richmond, Parsons jack of all trades SF, Holiday defensive SG, Hansbrough tough & heady PG, and Smith combo G and former Bullets ballboy would be a great story and addition to the team.

[Liverbird]

If the Wiz decide to keep #34 - I'd like to see us draft Jimmy Butler. To me he has all the intangibles to be a great glue guy off the bench - a Shane Battier lite. Ideally EG looks to consolidate #18 and #34 and move up as adding another 3 more rookies to an already young team is too much. We need a few veterans.

[closg00]

The guy I think is under the radar is Vucavic. If we don't get Kanter at 6, I'd like to go with a forward there & shoot for Vucavic at 18.

He isn't too far off from Kanter IMO, is a true center with good length & size, fundamentally strong, can rebound and shoot. Perfect pick n pop guy for Wall.

Some others I'm liking at 34 are Thompkins a true PF with skill & physical game, Harper sharp shooting stretch 4 from Richmond, Parsons jack of all trades SF, Holiday defensive SG, Hansbrough tough & heady PG, and Smith combo G and former Bullets ballboy would be a great story and addition to the team.

Vuvevic is no-longer under the radar at this point, he could go anywhere high to low in the 1st round. If we don't get Kanter, we could take Jordan Hamilton @ 6, Vuevic @ 18 (if available) @34 best PG available. I like Vuevic long-term prospects as a versatile bench big.

PG: Wall/BPA PG/Crawford
SG: Young/Crawford/Jeffers
SF: Lewis/Hamilton/Owens
PF: Blatche/Vuvevic/Booker
C: McGee/Seraphin/Ndiaye

[hands11]

The Wizards have picked up the third-year options on rookies John Wall, Jordan Crawford, Trevor Booker and Kevin Seraphin, while extending qualifying offers for restricted free agents Nick Young, Hamady Ndiaye, Othyus Jeffers and Larry Owens

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wiz ... _blog.html

So our current depth chart is:

PG: Wall/Crawford
SG: Young/Crawford/Jeffers
SF: Lewis/Owens
PF: Blatche/Booker
C: McGee/Seraphin/Ndiaye

So with this^ roster who do we target if Kanter is gone? Vesely or Leonard 1st followed by one of the stretch-4 prospects at 18 for depth at PF - Harper/Harris/ JJohnson?

The 3rd pick could be a stasher, but I think a banger/rebounder like Williams could have a place on this team @34. A PG could be a possiblity also.

Wow. I'm a bit surprised that they extended offers for Owens, N'Diaye and Jeffers (well, Jeffers I can understand). That means that we may end up with 11 guys under contract not counting our draft picks. If we keep all 3 picks, that's 14 players, 10 of whom having no more than one year of experience (and with 3 of the "vets" being Young, Blatche and McGee). That's a coach's nightmare.

I'd really prefer if at least one of Owens/N'Diaye was let go and we added a vet in their place. It would probably also make sense to trade our #34, or use it to move up from #18 as Hoopalotta suggests. That would free up another roster spot for a second veteran.

Hamady is the one I am least surprised they extended an offer to. Glad to see they are keeping Othyus around. He is a mature cool cat and besides, how many teams can say that have a dude with a cool as name like Othyus?

As for adding to many young players, it really isn't a problem if you add the right ones. Players like Wall and Booker are not problems but assets to a coach. As long as they stay focused on adding hard working mature players, youth will not be an issue. Personality then talent. If you don't like the first, don't fall for the second. At least not at this point with this team.

That is what I like players like Brooks, Harper, Tobias and Vucevic. Jimmer will also be a sold personality. Kyrie seems like a very mature person.

Who I am not sold on personality wise - Williams.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Der ... iams-5811/
"Even I amaze myself sometimes" Really. He just seems a little to snug for my liking.

or

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Kawhi-Leonard-5821/
Nothing really bad here but he seems a little to sleepy to me. Not a personality I think would work well for this team.

or
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tri ... pson-5226/
Hmm. The gay Chris Rock. Nothing really wrong but something didn't work for me.

vs

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mar ... ooks-6347/
Seems very mature and polished. I can see a little Kobe type personality in there. Star potential.

or
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tobias-Harris-5740/
Already a man. A worker bee. Hard work. Do the right things on and off the court. Defense and ending up extending game to cover out to the 2.
Defiantly a Battier personality.

or
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nik ... evic-5828/
Very mature. His whole day is schedule to get better. Eats right. Fruits. I really liked how he looked in the work out drills. Models after Pau Gasol and Dirk.

or
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Justin-Harper-6341/
Seems like a kid still but a good kid. I don't see him causing any problem. Doesn't seem like a leader but a solid follower.

or
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Enes-Kanter-5168/
Great team/family focus. He couldn't play but stuck around to help the team. Very positive energy in his personality.

And for all that has been sad negative about this young man, I think he shows great maturity and have Star power. http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jeremy-Tyler-1327/

There are two star potentials in here. Brooks and Tyler. One Kobe. One Webber.
Vucevic will be a solid player who has borderline Star potential longer term.
Tobias is a pretty safe beat to be a solid worker bee and
Harper is solid as a roll player with upside depending on how his personality matures. Kid needs a little more edge.

[FAH1223]

It sounds like Sacramento is split on Jimmer Fredette. Ownership wants him at #7, coaches do not. My guess? Coaches win and Kings draft SF.
http://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA

Sources tell me Kings unlikely to draft Jimmer Fredette. Kawhi Leonard appears to be Kings' top guy: http://bit.ly/iPkaYd

Sources tell me Jazz, Suns could both be considering Jimmer Fredette + Chris Singleton, Rockets targeting Motiejunas: http://bit.ly/iPkaYd

Sources tell me Cavs will draft Irving, T-Wolves will draft Williams, Jazz will draft Knight: http://bit.ly/lJygix
http://twitter.com/TheHoopsReport

It also say in the article that Bulls could take Nolan Smith at 28 or 30 and like Singler as well
It also says Brooks is likely at 15 or 17.
I was told the Kings liked Leonard a lot and he was top their list(this was from my Sac source). The reason I bring this up is they also told me they heard Bulls were talking to Houston about 14. Well from this new article Pduh01 posted it has Brooks at 15 to Indy and NY at 17. The Bulls would need to jump Indy for Brooks and that's where Houston talks for 14 makes sense.

If you piece it together the Bulls if trading up with Houston at 14 is most likely for Brooks.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

Sources tell me Cavs will draft Irving, T-Wolves will draft Williams, Jazz will draft Knight: http://bit.ly/lJygix
http://twitter.com/TheHoopsReport

Well that would certainly get the ball rolling in the right direction.

Thanks for the links!

[mhd]

Multiple places have slotted Tobias Harris at 18. He's a classic EG pick in that he's talented, boom/bust prospect.

[pcbothwel]

I'll be the first one to say that I did not like Montejunas at all over the last year because he seemed like a heartless Barnani and was being touted as a top 7 pick. While I still hate his defense and effort, I believe he is settleing in the perfect spot just outside the lottery. He put on some quality weight and his athleticism is showing more (the same I expect from Valanciunas when he puts on some muscle). If he happened to fall to 18 I would snatch him up immediatley as I think he can contribute much like Blatche with his diverse skill set, size, and passing.

BTW, If anyone heard Givonys most recent podcast he said something to the effect of "There is gonna be a couple major moves before the draft to move salary before the CBA expires that will make all this draft talk meaningless because of the trades"
That is a pretty strong statement just a few days away from the draft.

[GhostsOfGil]

Sources tell me Cavs will draft Irving, T-Wolves will draft Williams, Jazz will draft Knight: http://bit.ly/lJygix
http://twitter.com/TheHoopsReport

Well that would certainly get the ball rolling in the right direction.

Thanks for the links!

if cavs pass on kanter at 4, theres a good chance he could slip to us

[fishercob]

If teams 1-5 pass on Kanter, I think he could slip to us.

[montestewart]

The gay Chris Rock.

Huh? Is Chris Rock gay? Is Tristan Thompson gay? What does gay have to do with any of this? Doesn't homophobia belong in the political roundtable?

[hands11]

Brooks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v8W2pumHX8

I want this kid on the team. I think he would run great with Wall. A more mature Nick Young. I think most would agree that would be a great asset. Wall wants to be a PG more than a Derrick Rose type. And I think Crawford is the perfect hybrid back up PG who can also score when needed as a PG/SG. You need a solid SG who can shoot with range if you want to win and Brooks could be a star. He was a PG so he has handles.

That would make Nick, who is a great talent, trade bait this year or next if they want. I side with keeping him another year and storing up his trade value.

Wall, Brooks and Crawford would have a **** load of talent at the 1 and 2. And maybe for one year, you have Wall, Nick, Crawford and Brooks while Brooks learns the ropes. That would be sick.

I am leaning toward trading down the 6th or if they can purchase a pick so they can get another mid round pick so we can load up. They are not looking to win it all next year so load up.

There is lots of talent in this draft that I would like to see on this team and if we get the right players, it should help them trade or transition from other assets they already have such as Lewis, maybe Nick and maybe Dray. Doing this, in 2012 I see tons of assets and a great cap.

Tobias Harris seems like the perfect work horse glue guy multi position player. A sure value his projected slot.

Vucevic would be a good complement to help at center and some power forward.

Then add a pure shooter at SF in Harper.

Wall, Crawford
Nick, Brooks
Booker, Tobias, Harper
Dray, Lewis, Serpahin
McGee, Vucevic

Hamady, Jeffers and Tyler if you can get him by purchasing a pick.

Then you can transition from Lewis or trade Nick if it makes sense moving forward but until then, Lewis is insurance at SF also. Maybe even move Dray if Tyler is a beast. You could get some assets for Dray. Add that to Nick and you can get something good for Dray and Nick.

Captains are Wall and Lewis
Amazing guard play.
Two workers at SF and Tobias has a better shot. Lewis is the vet.
PF is set with Dray being the all around player. Lewis being the vet with long ball and Seraphin beef
Vuc rounds out McGee by putting a mature player down there with size. Plus Dray can play there.

Then you have Hamady growing up in the background as a shot blocking defensive center.
Tyler get to transition in the D league where they can see if he is a PF of the future.

This would be the most talent well rounded team we have had in maybe forever and it would set them up to move forward.

[thinker07]

Brooks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v8W2pumHX8

I want this kid on the team. I think he would run great with Wall. A more mature Nick Young. I think most would agree that would be a great asset. Wall wants to be a PG more than a Derrick Rose type. And I think Crawford is the perfect hybrid back up PG who can also score when needed as a PG/SG. You need a solid SG who can shoot with range if you want to win and Brooks could be a star. He was a PG so he has handles.

That would make Nick, who is a great talent, trade bait this year or next if they want. I side with keeping him another year and storing up his trade value.

Wall, Brooks and Crawford would have a **** load of talent at the 1 and 2. And maybe for one year, you have Wall, Nick, Crawford and Brooks while Brooks learns the ropes. That would be sick.

I am leaning toward trading down the 6th or if they can purchase a pick so they can get another mid round pick so we can load up. They are not looking to win it all next year so load up.

There is lots of talent in this draft that I would like to see on this team and if we get the right players, it should help them trade or transition from other assets they already have such as Lewis, maybe Nick and maybe Dray. Doing this, in 2012 I see tons of assets and a great cap.

Tobias Harris seems like the perfect work horse glue guy multi position player. A sure value his projected slot.

Vucevic would be a good complement to help at center and some power forward.

Then add a pure shooter at SF in Harper.

Wall, Crawford
Nick, Brooks
Booker, Tobias, Harper
Dray, Lewis, Serpahin
McGee, Vucevic

Hamady, Jeffers and Tyler if you can get him by purchasing a pick.

Then you can transition from Lewis or trade Nick if it makes sense moving forward but until then, Lewis is insurance at SF also. Maybe even move Dray if Tyler is a beast. You could get some assets for Dray. Add that to Nick and you can get something good for Dray and Nick.

Captains are Wall and Lewis
Amazing guard play.
Two workers at SF and Tobias has a better shot. Lewis is the vet.
PF is set with Dray being the all around player. Lewis being the vet with long ball and Seraphin beef
Vuc rounds out McGee by putting a mature player down there with size. Plus Dray can play there.

Then you have Hamady growing up in the background as a shot blocking defensive center.
Tyler get to transition in the D league where they can see if he is a PF of the future.

This would be the most talent well rounded team we have had in maybe forever and it would set them up to move forward.

Come on really. I think it pretty hard to imagine that we end up with 4 1st round picks and most mocks have Brooks, Harris, Vucevic, and Harper graded as mid to late 1st rounders. It makes little sense to go into the year with TEN 1st and 2nd year players PLUS immature McGee and Blatche and mostly adolescent NY. That would leave Lewis as the only "adult" on the roster.

[FAH1223]

Pray that Valencuinias's buyout is reached. CLE really, REALLY likes him.

Does TOR take Kanter in that scenario?

I'm hoping we can take one of those bigs... if not, we have to trade down and try to get a 2012 1st rounder.

I'd like to get a SF and if Brooks is there at #18, I'd take him... we don't have a lot of scorers on our roster. I also have faith in Cassell and Flip teaching him how to play good on ball defense.. Nick has gotten a lot better at that in just the past couple seasons..

[sfam]

Pray that Valencuinias's buyout is reached. CLE really, REALLY likes him.

Does TOR take Kanter in that scenario?

I'm hoping we can take one of those bigs... if not, we have to trade down and try to get a 2012 1st rounder.

I'd like to get a SF and if Brooks is there at #18, I'd take him... we don't have a lot of scorers on our roster. I also have faith in Cassell and Flip teaching him how to play good on ball defense.. Nick has gotten a lot better at that in just the past couple seasons..

Really, everything leads to what Toronto does. We know one of the two Bigs will be taken by Cleveland. I'm not even sure JV is high on our list, but if Cleveland likes JV over Kanter, then the question is what Toronto does. They have a greater need at PG, but that doesn't mean they pass on Kanter.

I'm still thinking we're in the 15-20% range for getting Kanter, and that might be high.

[Dat2U]

Brooks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v8W2pumHX8

I want this kid on the team. I think he would run great with Wall. A more mature Nick Young. I think most would agree that would be a great asset. Wall wants to be a PG more than a Derrick Rose type. And I think Crawford is the perfect hybrid back up PG who can also score when needed as a PG/SG. You need a solid SG who can shoot with range if you want to win and Brooks could be a star. He was a PG so he has handles.

That would make Nick, who is a great talent, trade bait this year or next if they want. I side with keeping him another year and storing up his trade value.

Wall, Brooks and Crawford would have a **** load of talent at the 1 and 2. And maybe for one year, you have Wall, Nick, Crawford and Brooks while Brooks learns the ropes. That would be sick.

I am leaning toward trading down the 6th or if they can purchase a pick so they can get another mid round pick so we can load up. They are not looking to win it all next year so load up.

There is lots of talent in this draft that I would like to see on this team and if we get the right players, it should help them trade or transition from other assets they already have such as Lewis, maybe Nick and maybe Dray. Doing this, in 2012 I see tons of assets and a great cap.

Tobias Harris seems like the perfect work horse glue guy multi position player. A sure value his projected slot.

Vucevic would be a good complement to help at center and some power forward.

Then add a pure shooter at SF in Harper.

Wall, Crawford
Nick, Brooks
Booker, Tobias, Harper
Dray, Lewis, Serpahin
McGee, Vucevic

Hamady, Jeffers and Tyler if you can get him by purchasing a pick.

Then you can transition from Lewis or trade Nick if it makes sense moving forward but until then, Lewis is insurance at SF also. Maybe even move Dray if Tyler is a beast. You could get some assets for Dray. Add that to Nick and you can get something good for Dray and Nick.

Captains are Wall and Lewis
Amazing guard play.
Two workers at SF and Tobias has a better shot. Lewis is the vet.
PF is set with Dray being the all around player. Lewis being the vet with long ball and Seraphin beef
Vuc rounds out McGee by putting a mature player down there with size. Plus Dray can play there.

Then you have Hamady growing up in the background as a shot blocking defensive center.
Tyler get to transition in the D league where they can see if he is a PF of the future.

This would be the most talent well rounded team we have had in maybe forever and it would set them up to move forward.

At some point this idea of Booker at SF will die. To play on the perimeter, one must have the skills to do so. Booker has no perimeter skills whatsoever. He can't shoot. He can't take more than two dribbles. He's not much of a passer or facilitator. It's trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Your clogging up Wall's driving lanes b/c no one will respect Booker 20 ft away from the basket. And the times he played away from the basket last year he looked completely lost.