2024 Draft Prospects

[JMAC3]

Bub Carrington returning to school...

Uncnyc is going to be devastates his #1 player chose to enter the draft in back to back years. Still plenty of time to find a new #1

[Snidely FC]

in terms of Givony/Woo ESPN+ latest mocking Topic to Hornets at 4, I don't know...

first, I will be surprised, not shocked but surprised, if Spurs take Dillingham over Topic. I think Topic is a better fit w Wemby and their franchise history

second, Topic at 6'6 is adept at getting down hill, excellent at pnr, and terrific passer
enough that teams might overlook weak defense and shooting

but the Hornets with LaMelo need more defense and shooting
so Topic doesn't strike me as the best fit

[amcoolio]

The college guys look really really rough. I'd take a flyer on Sarr, Risacher, Holland or Topic at this point since they at least have played professionally

I know even Miller struggled last tournament but man I was hoping someone showed any skill whatsoever

[JMAC3]

in terms of Givony/Woo ESPN+ latest mocking Topic to Hornets at 4, I don't know...

first, I will be surprised, not shocked but surprised, if Spurs take Dillingham over Topic. I think Topic is a better fit w Wemby and their franchise history

second, Topic at 6'6 is adept at getting down hill, excellent at pnr, and terrific passer
enough that teams might overlook weak defense and shooting

but the Hornets with LaMelo need more defense and shooting
so Topic doesn't strike me as the best fit

I actually have come around on Topic, as of today I would say him or Holland would be the #1 pick.

[amcoolio]

We are only a few games out of being the 2nd worst team, and Detroit is better than us at this point. This just feels like the year we get the #1 pick, its like the bball gods hate us

[JMAC3]

Topic resume is actually crazy good tbh, not Luka level good but it's pretty insane.

Played in the top Serbian League at 16 yrs old, debuted in Euroleague at 16 (same age as Luka).
Dominated the Serbian League at 17
Probably would have been MVP this season of Adriatic league if he didn't get hurt at age 18.
Jokic is a former MVP of the same league at 19 yrs old.

[KingCat]

We are only a few games out of being the 2nd worst team, and Detroit is better than us at this point. This just feels like the year we get the #1 pick, its like the bball gods hate us

Honestly if we do end up the #1 pick, who would this board wanna take?

I'm game to take a flyer on Sarr knowing full well he has bust potential.

Risacher would be a nice safe option. I don't see how he doesn't end up as atleast a quality starter in this league.

[Bassman]

I still feel the top 2 players are Sarr and Risacher, in no particular order. Have no clue if they will be stars or even really good, but both should have solid careers in the league. The hot commodity of the day seems to be Dillingham who I want no part of. Castle is rising, and I can see his fit here, but another guy who can’t shoot just slays me. Same issue with Topic, or with Buzelis. Latest ESPN mock has hot riser Clingan going 5th!

Should we be so fortunate to get our choice at #1, Sarr could possibly help us the most at PF. Risacher could be the most talented with high upside.

[MugzZo]

If this is the year we get the number 1 pick. I think we gotta go sarr. His body and athletic ability reminds me of a young kg which just jumps out to me young kg was one of the best athletes ever imo. He had expanding range can bring the ball up the court a big time defensive presence. He can okay with Mark and if Mark can't go he can be the 5 eventually. He's no wemby but he's no slouch. I like him the most put of anyone I the draft I just don't think we have a realistic chance of getting him. If we can tho and we do. Watch out!

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[JMAC3]

I still feel the top 2 players are Sarr and Risacher, in no particular order. Have no clue if they will be stars or even really good, but both should have solid careers in the league. The hot commodity of the day seems to be Dillingham who I want no part of. Castle is rising, and I can see his fit here, but another guy who can’t shoot just slays me. Same issue with Topic, or with Buzelis. Latest ESPN mock has hot riser Clingan going 5th!

Should we be so fortunate to get our choice at #1, Sarr could possibly help us the most at PF. Risacher could be the most talented with high upside.

Topic is an elite free throw shooter 88%
He hasn't shot it great in the Adriatic league this year from a percentage view but he still shot 4.5 per game at 26.5%
Last season he played in the Serbian League at age 17 and shot 40% from 3 in 12 games.

I don't think he is a great shooter but he is 6-6 point guard who is at least confident to take them.

[SWedd523]

I don't want to draft a guard that has trouble beating his man off the dribble. IDK if that applies to Topic, but it sort of precludes a guy like Sheppard.

I also don't want to draft a wing that can't shoot unless they have an elite physical profile and the ability to put the ball on the floor.

[JMAC3]

I don't want to draft a guard that has trouble beating his man off the dribble. IDK if that applies to Topic, but it sort of precludes a guy like Sheppard.

I also don't want to draft a wing that can't shoot unless they have an elite physical profile and the ability to put the ball on the floor.

Topic is very good at putting pressure on the rim.

He scored 49 pts in an Adidas Next Gen game last year.

Watch on YouTube

[Snidely FC]

My only concern with Topic would be overlap of skillsets w LaMelo

[JustBuzzin]

My only concern with Topic would be overlap of skillsets w LaMelo

Given LaMelo's injury history, he might be worth it regardless of fit.

Honestly this draft is kind of meh...

I like a few guys, but I hope we at least entertain trading the pick for an established player.


As for the prospects, I still have Risacher/Castle as my top 2 guys.

[yosemiteben]

At this point in my limited research I'm not really interested in Castle. Won't be mad if we draft him, but I can't get excited about a guy that is a zero shooter and creator, which he appears to be at least at this stage.

I'd be varying degrees of satisfied / happy with any of Sarr, Risacher, Topic, Holland, Reed, and maybe Buzelis.

[Hornet Mania]

At this point I'd probably go with Sarr at #1.

Right now no one looks that great, I hope that changes as we get closer to July and everyone begins seriously evaluating the prospects.

[dmutombo321]

Good Edey piece that hits the mail on the head imo

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2024/03/26/zach-edeys-size-is-both-a-blessing--curse-from-nba-perspective/


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[Snidely FC]

You gotta admire his self-confidence
https://m.basketnews.com/news-203797-matas-buzelis-challenges-zaccharie-risacher-to-1-on-1-nba-pre-draft-workout.html

[JMAC3]

My only concern with Topic would be overlap of skillsets w LaMelo

We are loading up on Serbs. Micic and Poku would be ecstatic to add Topic.

Topic is probably at his best playing the point, not going to argue that. However, he has great size at 6-6 that playing him and Melo together wouldn't be a small lineup at all. Topic excels at getting into the paint and looking for kickout 3s which stylistically would fit with Melo and Miller quite nicely. He also loves to push the pace which has been a big part of our identity when we have played well the last few years. Also, he immediately upgrades the backup pg spot even though Micic has done a nice job he isn't part of the longterm plans.

The difference to me between him and Scoot, who I thought was a bad move to draft last year is really just size. Topic is listed as a forward right now on his team because he has that versatility. He has been listed at 6-7 with a 7 foot wingspan, but some question if that is entirely accurate.

His 3 ball is a concern, but I have seen him shoot a fair amount (4.5 per game) of them with a solid confidence and he is an 88% from FT which is typically a really strong indicator on shooting mechanics.

[JMAC3]

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