NBA Rookie Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Dan Z]

GG Jackson goes top 5 in a 2023 redraft right?
He's looking like a Danny Granger/Michael Porter Jr kinda guy and he's barely turned 19.

You think he goes higher than the Thompson twins or Scoot?

He's having a good season, but I wouldn't take him top five. There are other rookies in that class that I'd rather have too, but it depends on my team.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2023.html

He would absolutely go before Scoot in a redraft, think he goes before Ausar as well. The skillset he has at the size he has is extremely valuable, more so when you realize he's only 19. He's been putting up numbers better than Miller since he got the start, and is already the 3rd leading scorer in the class despite basically not playing for the first 1/3 of the season.

It's only year one of this rookie class so you have to keep potential in mind too. That's one reason why I don't think he goes top 5, but to each his own.

He's barely the third hightest scorer in his class and compared to most rookies he has ample opportunity on an injury depleted Grizzlies team.

The Kia rookie ladder has him tied for 10th place (9th if you don't want to count Chet).
https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-march-20-2024-edition

[LAvision]

It’s pretty crazy that wemby has a 31/15/5/3 game and I thought he played poorly.

[Wolfgang630]

24 shots and 12 were 3’s. These dudes need to stop shooting so much 3’s lord

[NoDopeOnSundays]

You think he goes higher than the Thompson twins or Scoot?

He's having a good season, but I wouldn't take him top five. There are other rookies in that class that I'd rather have too, but it depends on my team.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2023.html

He would absolutely go before Scoot in a redraft, think he goes before Ausar as well. The skillset he has at the size he has is extremely valuable, more so when you realize he's only 19. He's been putting up numbers better than Miller since he got the start, and is already the 3rd leading scorer in the class despite basically not playing for the first 1/3 of the season.

It's only year one of this rookie class so you have to keep potential in mind too. That's one reason why I don't think he goes top 5, but to each his own.

He's barely the third hightest scorer in his class and compared to most rookies he has ample opportunity on an injury depleted Grizzlies team.

The Kia rookie ladder has him tied for 10th place (9th if you don't want to count Chet).
https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-march-20-2024-edition

He's played 836 minutes that is not ample time, that's 18th for rookies, yet he's 10th in total points. He goes top 5 if they did a redraft because his potential is so much higher than Scoots, same with Whitmore. I think you're underselling just how good GG has been, he wont be 20 until December, he's 6'9" and has shown self creation skills and 3 point shooting, two things that are coveted at that size.

You'd have a better point about him if he wasn't scoring efficiently, but he has been, he has averaged 25ppg, 5rpg, 2apg on 47% 39% 3PT and 90% FT in his starts this year, not a big sample size but the talent is obviously there. I don't really care what the rookie ladder has him at, in a redraft it's all about talent/potential, and he has it over Scoot who is wildly inefficient.

[Dan Z]

He would absolutely go before Scoot in a redraft, think he goes before Ausar as well. The skillset he has at the size he has is extremely valuable, more so when you realize he's only 19. He's been putting up numbers better than Miller since he got the start, and is already the 3rd leading scorer in the class despite basically not playing for the first 1/3 of the season.

It's only year one of this rookie class so you have to keep potential in mind too. That's one reason why I don't think he goes top 5, but to each his own.

He's barely the third hightest scorer in his class and compared to most rookies he has ample opportunity on an injury depleted Grizzlies team.

The Kia rookie ladder has him tied for 10th place (9th if you don't want to count Chet).
https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-march-20-2024-edition

He's played 836 minutes that is not ample time, that's 18th for rookies, yet he's 10th in total points. He goes top 5 if they did a redraft because his potential is so much higher than Scoots, same with Whitmore. I think you're underselling just how good GG has been, he wont be 20 until December, he's 6'9" and has shown self creation skills and 3 point shooting, two things that are coveted at that size.

You'd have a better point about him if he wasn't scoring efficiently, but he has been, he has averaged 25ppg, 5rpg, 2apg on 47% 39% 3PT and 90% FT in his starts this year, not a big sample size but the talent is obviously there. I don't really care what the rookie ladder has him at, in a redraft it's all about talent/potential, and he has it over Scoot who is wildly inefficient.

Ample opportunity, not minutes. What I mean is someone on Memphis has to score and all their vets have been out with injuries. He doesn't have to fit into a role on a winning team.

I agree that he's talent, but like I said you have to take future potential into account too. I know that Scoot has struggled, but there's a reason why he was picked #3 and he's young too (both players are 19). It's okay if you don't like him.

There are other players that might go higher than GG in a re-draft too. JJJ, Cason Wallace, Dereck Lively, Keyonte George and maybe even Cam Whitmore (who you mentioned).

[MMyhre]

Shot selection and turnovers should be improved by Wemby next season. Easy to get bad habits on bad teams, even if it gives you more chances to grow.

[WestGOAT]

24 shots and 12 were 3’s. These dudes need to stop shooting so much 3’s lord

It will be interesting to see how that develops moving forward, offensively he obviously fancies himself more of a KD than let's say AD, and while center seems his best position, he may not want to play like one.

Maybe he can develop Embiid's face up game. He already is good at drawing FTs. Embiid also had big turnover problems in his rookie season, but he managed to improve on that, during the regular season at least.

[mcmurphy]

It’s pretty crazy that wemby has a 31/15/5/3 game and I thought he played poorly.

in the game against MEM, SAS DefRtg with Wemby on court (33min) DefRtg=85.3 (NetRtg= +18.6) when Wemby is out and Collins in (15 min) SAS DefRtg= 106.1 (NetRtg= -46.1)

only the defensive presence is terrific

[NotaHypeJob]

Ample opportunity, not minutes. What I mean is someone on Memphis has to score and all their vets have been out with injuries. He doesn't have to fit into a role on a winning team.

I agree that he's talent, but like I said you have to take future potential into account too. I know that Scoot has struggled, but there's a reason why he was picked #3 and he's young too (both players are 19). It's okay if you don't like him.

There are other players that might go higher than GG in a re-draft too. JJJ, Cason Wallace, Dereck Lively, Keyonte George and maybe even Cam Whitmore (who you mentioned).

All the injuries to Memphis, especially at guard, makes his scoring more impressive to me. He wasn't that efficient at SCar or even the g league as a primary option and his game fits much better as a 3rd/4th option imo. His most explosive games are when others set him up for three pointers since he has such a lightning quick release, he's gonna eat with a healthy Morant/Bane. The fact that he's improved his 1v1 by a significant amount so quickly is insane and an added bonus.
I might take him 3rd in a redraft honestly. I think everyone you listed is good but how many 6'9 wings that are efficient 3 level scorers and have defensive potential are currently in the NBA. It's hard to pinpoint his ceiling as well with how much he's improved in months.

[JustBuzzin]

Scooter back on his Bully!

[Dan Z]

Ample opportunity, not minutes. What I mean is someone on Memphis has to score and all their vets have been out with injuries. He doesn't have to fit into a role on a winning team.

I agree that he's talent, but like I said you have to take future potential into account too. I know that Scoot has struggled, but there's a reason why he was picked #3 and he's young too (both players are 19). It's okay if you don't like him.

There are other players that might go higher than GG in a re-draft too. JJJ, Cason Wallace, Dereck Lively, Keyonte George and maybe even Cam Whitmore (who you mentioned).

All the injuries to Memphis, especially at guard, makes his scoring more impressive to me. He wasn't that efficient at SCar or even the g league as a primary option and his game fits much better as a 3rd/4th option imo. His most explosive games are when others set him up for three pointers since he has such a lightning quick release, he's gonna eat with a healthy Morant/Bane. The fact that he's improved his 1v1 by a significant amount so quickly is insane and an added bonus.
I might take him 3rd in a redraft honestly. I think everyone you listed is good but how many 6'9 wings that are efficient 3 level scorers and have defensive potential are currently in the NBA. It's hard to pinpoint his ceiling as well with how much he's improved in months.

I understand you'd take him at #3, but I bet most people would not. We'll both know better in a few years who are the best players in this draft. Right now GG was a steal in the 2nd round.

[DCasey91]

Watch on YouTube

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I’ll guess I’ll put this here I suppose. Chet played a great game yet no discussion on it.

I do think there’s a tangent of unfairness because he plays on a good team. Still have to put the ball in the hoop and do his job as the last line on defence.

Which he’s done superbly. Great season

Just hope they give him some recovery time before the playoffs start

[G R E Y]

Forgot to add this from Friday's game:

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[donnieme]

This is going to be one of the better periods for circus talent since the 80s. Wemby, Jokic, Luka. Not simply elite but elite and unique. Pretty much videogame create-a character.

[GSP]

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[NotaHypeJob]

Ample opportunity, not minutes. What I mean is someone on Memphis has to score and all their vets have been out with injuries. He doesn't have to fit into a role on a winning team.

I agree that he's talent, but like I said you have to take future potential into account too. I know that Scoot has struggled, but there's a reason why he was picked #3 and he's young too (both players are 19). It's okay if you don't like him.

There are other players that might go higher than GG in a re-draft too. JJJ, Cason Wallace, Dereck Lively, Keyonte George and maybe even Cam Whitmore (who you mentioned).

All the injuries to Memphis, especially at guard, makes his scoring more impressive to me. He wasn't that efficient at SCar or even the g league as a primary option and his game fits much better as a 3rd/4th option imo. His most explosive games are when others set him up for three pointers since he has such a lightning quick release, he's gonna eat with a healthy Morant/Bane. The fact that he's improved his 1v1 by a significant amount so quickly is insane and an added bonus.
I might take him 3rd in a redraft honestly. I think everyone you listed is good but how many 6'9 wings that are efficient 3 level scorers and have defensive potential are currently in the NBA. It's hard to pinpoint his ceiling as well with how much he's improved in months.

I understand you'd take him at #3, but I bet most people would not. We'll both know better in a few years who are the best players in this draft. Right now GG was a steal in the 2nd round.

I think most people would take the youngest player in the NBA that looks like a 18+ ppg, two way 6'9 wing. That is an archetype that will always be needed by contenders.
I think a lot of these guys are role players so it's basically what role do you think is the most important.

[Shaka_Zulu]

This is not related to rookie of the year race or even top 10 (tho he is sneakily good as hell), but oldest rookie at 27, who was in 2 way contract until recently and impressed me quite a bit every time Wolves played Trailblazers.


I'm talking about South Sudanese Aussie Duop Reath. Very interesting high energy big, who seems like a typical rim running big but actually is sneaky sniper from 3 too.


Why am I talking about him? Not only because he impressed me, but this article about him is worth reading, in age of one and dones, its fascinating to read the long journey and career a player can have while persistenly chasing the NBA dream (got NBA contract almost a decade later then first time he joined NCAA program at 18).


https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39802251/portland-trail-blazers-rookie-duop-reath-unlikely-journey-nba



If portland hadn't converted his 2 way contract to full fledged 3 year nba contract, I would said I hope Wolves picked him up in off season lol

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

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Dude just has such a wide range of skills. Defended Kawhi and PG fairly well. 7 assists, 0 turnovers for a rookie PF/SF. Has shown that he can shoot the ball very well in the GLeague and is starting to get comfortable shooting in NBA games. Can rebound.

He has a ton of tools to work with. If he could put it all together on a consistent basis, he could be a very good player.

[G R E Y]

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[G R E Y]

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