2018 Draft Thread #6

[WindyCityBorn]

I'm not watching any more highlights of Wendell Carter or the Bridges Brothers. I already know what we are getting in those guys. A non-star.

[the ultimates]

I'm not watching any more highlights of Wendell Carter or the Bridges Brothers. I already know what we are getting in those guys. A non-star.

And you're one hundred percent certain that Ayton, Doncic, Porter, Jackson, Young, Bagley and Bamba are going to be stars?

[WindyCityBorn]

I'm not watching any more highlights of Wendell Carter or the Bridges Brothers. I already know what we are getting in those guys. A non-star.

And you're one hundred percent certain that Ayton, Doncic, Porter, Jackson, Young, Bagley and Bamba are going to be stars?

No, but at least it is more realistic to think some of those guys will be stars. I'm not going to delude myself into thinking guys that project as role players will be stars when we could have easily gotten a better prospect with smarter management. That's not to say we can't luck into a star potential player, but the odds are very low. Looks we are already basing our entire future around Markkanen beating those odds. I wouldn't count on it happening in back-to-back years.

[GDRO10]

I'm not watching any more highlights of Wendell Carter or the Bridges Brothers. I already know what we are getting in those guys. A non-star.

If Bagley, Ayton, Porter, Jackson, Bamba and Doncic are all gone, it will be really interesting to see who we're taking. To me, if we pick the Bridges or Carter, Gar/Pax believe they already have 2 future stars in the roster. I can see all three being strong role players, but i'll be surprised if they end up being stars. If we pick Knox, who is more of a project right now, but with bigger upside, they are probably still unsure about the team's future.

I don't think we're taking Trae Young.

I'm not sold on Dunn and LaVine becoming star players. And this is probably the last time we have a top 8-10 pick in this rebuild. That's why i'd take Knox's upside over Carter and the Bridges. There's really no indication that they are going to develop into stars. Knox has the tools. He's having a Markkanen type of freshman year. He probably won't go off in many games, but whoever's watching him play, can realise how good he can be.

[Axolotl]

I can' really make any projections about Kevin Knox's future career. He seems so raw, that there's no telling what he'll be.

He seems to have a pretty good idea on how to defend and looks like an adequate spot-up shooter. Haven't got a clear idea on how he does catching and shooting while in motion.

Doesn't look much like spacer and doesn't really dribble or pass.

I'm not so impressed at where he is now as a player, see a long project ahead, and am not convinced it will succeed. I don't think he is a top 10 pick, and wouldn't be surprised if he went mid-teens.

As things stand now, I'd take at least Carter, either of the Bridges and Zhaire Smith above Knox. Although not a position of need, Smith would give us a defensive option at SG.

I could also see Sexton and Williams taken before Knox.

[GDRO10]

I can' really make any projections about Kevin Knox's future career. He seems so raw, that there's no telling what he'll be.

He seems to have a pretty good idea on how to defend and looks like an adequate spot-up shooter. Haven't got a clear idea on how he does catching and shooting while in motion.

Doesn't look much like spacer and doesn't really dribble or pass.

I'm not so impressed at where he is now as a player, see a long project ahead, and am not convinced it will succeed. I don't think he is a top 10 pick, and wouldn't be surprised if he went mid-teens.

As things stand now, I'd take at least Carter, either of the Bridges and Zhaire Smith above Knox. Although not a position of need, Smith would give us a defensive option at SG.

I could also see Sexton and Williams taken before Knox.

Zhaire Smith is not a lottery pick in this draft. Maybe with the Pelicans pick.

[Axolotl]

As things stand now, I'd take at least Carter, either of the Bridges and Zhaire Smith above Knox. Although not a position of need, Smith would give us a defensive option at SG.

I could also see Sexton and Williams taken before Knox.

Zhaire Smith is not a lottery pick in this draft. Maybe with the Pelicans pick.

You are absolutely right. My intention was not to imply that Smith would be a lottery pick, but give some context on why I think Knox is going mid teens.

As things stand now, I think we'd choose between Carter or either of the Bridges.

[GDRO10]

As things stand now, I'd take at least Carter, either of the Bridges and Zhaire Smith above Knox. Although not a position of need, Smith would give us a defensive option at SG.

I could also see Sexton and Williams taken before Knox.

Zhaire Smith is not a lottery pick in this draft. Maybe with the Pelicans pick.

You are absolutely right. My intention was not to imply that Smith would be a lottery pick, but give some context on why I think Knox is going mid teens.

As things stand now, I think we'd choose between Carter or either of the Bridges.

Depends on team needs. Teams like the 76ers (LAL pick) might pass on a project like Knox, but the Knicks could draft based on potential and might end up taking him.

Bottom line is, we really need a top 6 pick in this draft to elevate us. Hopefully Orlando and Brooklyn get some more W's.

[Moosegary]

The draft unfortunately isn’t very deep on bigs. If the situation occurs in that we draft Porter, Doncic or Bridges with our pick. I don’t know what big will be left because NO keeps winning and their schedule moving forward isn’t very tough. Right now it looks probable that Williams, Gafford and Robinson could all be gone by the time that NO pick comes around. Wonder what a small trade up would cost?

[WindyCityBorn]

The draft unfortunately isn’t very deep on bigs. If the situation occurs in that we draft Porter, Doncic or Bridges with our pick. I don’t know what big will be left because NO keeps winning and their schedule moving forward isn’t very tough. Right now it looks probable that Williams, Gafford and Robinson could all be gone by the time that NO pick comes around. Wonder what a small trade up would cost?

I think it more likely we have a chance to draft Bamba or Bagley with our lottery pick than Doncic or Porter so we might be looking at all wing with the Pels pick.

[Chi town]

I'm not watching any more highlights of Wendell Carter or the Bridges Brothers. I already know what we are getting in those guys. A non-star.

And you're one hundred percent certain that Ayton, Doncic, Porter, Jackson, Young, Bagley and Bamba are going to be stars?

No, but at least it is more realistic to think some of those guys will be stars. I'm not going to delude myself into thinking guys that project as role players will be stars when we could have easily gotten a better prospect with smarter management. That's not to say we can't luck into a star potential player, but the odds are very low. Looks we are already basing our entire future around Markkanen beating those odds. I wouldn't count on it happening in back-to-back years.

I get your angst.... but its very premature.

Kawhi, Giannis, Donovan Mitchell... shoot Lauri at 7.

[Chi town]

I'm not watching any more highlights of Wendell Carter or the Bridges Brothers. I already know what we are getting in those guys. A non-star.

If Bagley, Ayton, Porter, Jackson, Bamba and Doncic are all gone, it will be really interesting to see who we're taking. To me, if we pick the Bridges or Carter, Gar/Pax believe they already have 2 future stars in the roster. I can see all three being strong role players, but i'll be surprised if they end up being stars. If we pick Knox, who is more of a project right now, but with bigger upside, they are probably still unsure about the team's future.

I don't think we're taking Trae Young.

I'm not sold on Dunn and LaVine becoming star players. And this is probably the last time we have a top 8-10 pick in this rebuild. That's why i'd take Knox's upside over Carter and the Bridges. There's really no indication that they are going to develop into stars. Knox has the tools. He's having a Markkanen type of freshman year. He probably won't go off in many games, but whoever's watching him play, can realise how good he can be.

I'd agree about Knox being hidden because like Zona last year... Kentucky team sucks and their guards are chuckers.

I don't think Knox has the heart and hustle like Lauri. Lauri has the "it" factor as seen in the Euro tourney and owning Porzingis at MSG. I don't see any of that with Knox.

I'd take Mikal Bridges over Knox all day.

[NADROJ]

And you're one hundred percent certain that Ayton, Doncic, Porter, Jackson, Young, Bagley and Bamba are going to be stars?

No, but at least it is more realistic to think some of those guys will be stars. I'm not going to delude myself into thinking guys that project as role players will be stars when we could have easily gotten a better prospect with smarter management. That's not to say we can't luck into a star potential player, but the odds are very low. Looks we are already basing our entire future around Markkanen beating those odds. I wouldn't count on it happening in back-to-back years.

I get your angst.... but its very premature.

Kawhi, Giannis, Donovan Mitchell... shoot Lauri at 7.

[JimmyJammer]

I am all in on the Miles Bridges' bandwagon. The kid is a beast, aggressively dunking everything, attacking the paint and drawing contacts at a high rate. His shooting has improved tremendously and his defense is up there. He measured 6ft7.5 with shoes in 2015. We need a big wing to keep the premium wings in the NBA at bay. He and Lavine will be a highlight Machine, with both being aggressive dunkers and good shooters. I also like the fact that he has a mature build and ready to contribute from day one. He'll be this year's Jason Tatum.

[bigworld2017]

The draft unfortunately isn’t very deep on bigs. If the situation occurs in that we draft Porter, Doncic or Bridges with our pick. I don’t know what big will be left because NO keeps winning and their schedule moving forward isn’t very tough. Right now it looks probable that Williams, Gafford and Robinson could all be gone by the time that NO pick comes around. Wonder what a small trade up would cost?

And next year's Projected draft has even fewer "5 s" than this year, but is deep in Shooting guards and Small forwards. The combine is going to be very interesting this year. Some question mark players like Porter Jr might turn some heads if they participate. But if we have the chance to pick up a young big man we have to go for it this year. We can always get our SF next year. Nwamba could start at the "3" for us and do an adequate job. He's working hard on his shot with the Bulls coaching staff. And his intangibles and defense are there. Holiday can back him up. I hope a big is available to us when we use our pick. I don't think any good ones will be left when we get to the Pelican's pick. Gafford, who I like a lot, won't be available with the Pels pick (if he even comes out.)

[RSP83]

If we end up with #8 and something like #19, should we trade both to go up to say #5/#6? Or do you keep both?

[bigworld2017]

I am all in on the Miles Bridges' bandwagon. The kid is a beast, aggressively dunking everything, attacking the paint and drawing contacts at a high rate. His shooting has improved tremendously and his defense is up there. He measured 6ft7.5 with shoes in 2015. We need a big wing to keep the premium wings in the NBA at bay. He and Lavine will be a highlight Machine, with both being aggressive dunkers and good shooters. I also like the fact that he has a mature build and ready to contribute from day one. He'll be this year's Jason Tatum.

I like Mikal Bridges better based on what he can do for our team in so many ways. I like his length, top shelf defensive skills, ability to shoot, BBIQ, and pedigree (Villanova is one of the top programs in the country with a demanding schedule). But between Miles Bridges and Knox I'm selecting Miles by a large margin. He's ready to play on Day 1. I don't want to have to wait 2 or 3 years for a high draft choice to contribute.

[Axolotl]

If we end up with #8 and something like #19, should we trade both to go up to say #5/#6? Or do you keep both?

Who would make that trade, though? If I had #5/#6, i certainly wouldn't trade it for #8 and #19, unless I'd get a young, proven player in it too.

[bigworld2017]

If we end up with #8 and something like #19, should we trade both to go up to say #5/#6? Or do you keep both?

I'd package both picks and move up if we could find a willing partner. That's the problem. Because the drop-off after 5-6 is pretty steep.
Not many teams will take the risk of missing out on a generational talent by moving down. This isn't like Football where you need numbers to fill out a roster. With only 5 on the floor at a time you want quality over quantity. Looking at who is likely picking ahead of us I'm not sure we find a partner for the trade. Unless they have a pretty good idea that a "sleeper" they covet will be available with the Pels pick. The way I view this draft is that after about the 10th pick most of the rest of the Draft are crap shoots.

[GameBredAPBT]

Huh? Improved ball handling? He literally can not dribble! Even an announcer earlier this year pointed it out that Miles is a one dribble player meaning he can only take one dribble before he has to either pull up for a jumper or bail himself out with a pass off. He can't beat any college defenders off the dribble. How is he going to play the wing in the NBA if he literally can not dribble a basketball? I think he has sure thing bust written all over him. I wouldn't be surprised if he drops out of the lottery and into the deep teens of the first round.

Last few games of his I watched he looked just fine off dribble, certainly much improved in comparison to last year and the beginning of this season. He can certainly take guys off dribble, I suggest watching at least highlights of last two games. His pull up game is pretty good too, really surprised me with strides he made there, since he wasn't able to pull up for a jumper, let alone hit it last year, and is pretty strong part of his game. And has shown consistent improvement so far, if he keeps adding to his game, he could become a good and versatile offensive player.

In comparison to other wing prospects in range - his handles are on another plane in comparison to Knox, and are quite comparable to Mikal's, with Miles being two years younger. At his best he looked like a decent creator, if he could translate that to NBA level in time, he could be a nice surprise of the draft.

You seeing him as a sure bust is pretty definitive position that doesn't allow for too much discussion, I am afraid.

Don't know how you or anyone could watch Bridges and say with a straight face that me can dribble a basketball. He literally had one moment the entire game today where he beat someone off the dribble and that was vs a bad defender in Robinson. All he can do is spot up shoot.

So in the past 2 games he had exactly one successful dribbling attempt. Pathetic for a so called lottery pick.

How is he a better prospect than a guy like Lonnie Walker?

He's not. Lonnie is getting overlooked because of his injury history, but he'll wind up being one of the three best players from this draft. Doncic, Bamba, Walker.