Who do you WANT us to take at 5?

[Snakebites]

Let’s start with the not certain but likely assumption that the top 4 are Wemby, Henderson, Miller, and Amen. The 4th is sure iffy but apparently the Rockets view him as on the same level as Miller and Henderson. It’s totally possible that he’s there on the board, but I’m keeping this to the guys most likely to be there for simplicity. If you happen to prefer Amen over the field sound off in the thread.

We’ll also set aside the real possibility that we trade out or down for now, especially since those scenarios often involve possibly still drafting some of these guys. We’re just looking at these prospects as talents and as fits for our team- simple.

This also isn’t a prediction thread- trying to get a pulse of who people want.

[Kalamazoo317]

If I'm not driving the Hendricks bandwagon, I'm at least a co-pilot. Just not into a player who needs the ball in his hands on offense, who isn't a reliable shooter, or who's a potential defensive liability. Hendricks isn't an issue in any of those areas and doesn't have small hands like Whitmore.

[Snakebites]

If I'm not driving the Hendricks bandwagon, I'm at least a co-pilot. Just not into a player who needs the ball in his hands on offense, who isn't a reliable shooter, or who's a potential defensive liability. Hendricks isn't an issue in any of those areas and doesn't have small hands like Whitmore.

Hendricks is who I’d like to see too.

Guy doesn’t have obvious star chops or anything like that but he’s a versatile defender who can shoot the ball as a 4. That sounds like the sort of player any team can use.

[theBigLip]

Whitmore was my pick. He’s got skills and athleticism that the others don’t have. He may not pass or see the court, but I think that can be developed. Hendricks is a close second.

[Snakebites]

Whitmore was my pick. He’s got skills and athleticism that the others don’t have. He may not pass or see the court, but I think that can be developed. Hendricks is a close second.

I’ll say this- AT LEAST there’s guys solidly in the 5 range who play the positions we need most.

This team still has lots of holes from a skill standpoint. Defense and shooting are two of the big ones so if possible I’d like someone with the skills to fill both.

[buzzkilloton]

Hendricks but I can accept anyone but Whitmore.

If you want more context to it go to the thread and the youtube will go right to the entire play. Their is ALOT of Whitmore clips you can find like this.

Another wart found on Whitmore is he has a really low block rate. His steal rate is really good but that could easily be due to being more athletic then other guys and taking risks to get them.

Read on Twitter

[Snakebites]

Hendricks but I can accept anyone but Whitmore.

If you want more context to it go to the thread and the youtube will go right to the entire play. Their is ALOT of Whitmore clips you can find like this.

Another wart found on Whitmore is he has a really low block rate. His steal rate is really good but that could easily be due to being more athletic then other guys and taking risks to get them.

Read on Twitter

It’s concerning sure.

There are no prospects without warts though, particularly not at this level.

Apparently the next couple of drafts are projecting as relatively weak though, so it’s really on us to get a quality piece here.

[theBigLip]

Whitmore was my pick. He’s got skills and athleticism that the others don’t have. He may not pass or see the court, but I think that can be developed. Hendricks is a close second.

I’ll say this- AT LEAST there’s guys solidly in the 5 range who play the positions we need most.

This team still has lots of holes from a skill standpoint. Defense and shooting are two of the big ones so if possible I’d like someone with the skills to fill both.

I guess this comes down to high ceiling vs high floor. I’m ok w us taking a chance, although would be happy w either. If we can get Cam Johnson (which is after the draft) Hendricks would be the better fit.

[Snakebites]

Whitmore was my pick. He’s got skills and athleticism that the others don’t have. He may not pass or see the court, but I think that can be developed. Hendricks is a close second.

I’ll say this- AT LEAST there’s guys solidly in the 5 range who play the positions we need most.

This team still has lots of holes from a skill standpoint. Defense and shooting are two of the big ones so if possible I’d like someone with the skills to fill both.

I guess this comes down to high ceiling vs high floor. I’m ok w us taking a chance, although would be happy w either. If we can get Cam Johnson (which is after the draft) Hendricks would be the better fit.

I personally don’t think we can. I still prefer Hendricks.

[DBC10]

Torn between Whitmore and Hendricks considering both fills a need for us but offer different skillets that we don't truly have right now with our guys

Ultimately went with Hendricks for now just due to the 3&D nature of a 4 being able to play helpside defense and catch lobs is an absolute need at every team hence the valuable aspect is there

[Kalamazoo317]

If I'm not driving the Hendricks bandwagon, I'm at least a co-pilot. Just not into a player who needs the ball in his hands on offense, who isn't a reliable shooter, or who's a potential defensive liability. Hendricks isn't an issue in any of those areas and doesn't have small hands like Whitmore.

Hendricks is who I’d like to see too.

Guy doesn’t have obvious star chops or anything like that but he’s a versatile defender who can shoot the ball as a 4. That sounds like the sort of player any team can use.

Yeah, I think part of it comes down to how much you believe in the star trajectory of players we already have. If you, like me, believe Cade, Ivey, and Duren can all reach all-star level, it makes sense to try to try to put pieces around them that help them reach their full potential (i.e. space the floor, finish plays instead of needing the ball in their hands, etc.). If you think they're just OK players who might be trade pieces down the road, it makes sense to gamble on high upside playmaker types who need the ball in their hands to be successful.

I think I really value non-playmakers who can be successful without the ball and who fill roles that are hard to come by, though. Everything I hear about why we should take the other guys is "upside as a playmaker." If Cade and Ivey are what I think they are, we don't need that, and that type of player just isn't going to reach their full potential on the same team with Cade and Ivey.

[The Moose]

Walker or Hendricks

[Neptune]

Where's the option for Troy to pull another sneaky trade to draft Hendricks and Ausar?

[Snakebites]

Where's the option for Troy to pull another sneaky trade to draft Hendricks and Ausar?

Yeah of course we’d love for him to pull off a caper like we did last year. And sure, could happen.

Just keeping it simple here though- which prospect do people want?

[MotownMadness]

Im going Walker or Hendricks. Walker especially seems like he could have a impact right away with his versatile defense and passing.

[Neptune]

Where's the option for Troy to pull another sneaky trade to draft Hendricks and Ausar?

Yeah of course we’d love for him to pull off a caper like we did last year. And sure, could happen.

Just keeping it simple here though- which prospect do people want?

If we're taking one, assuming Miller is gone.....Gotta keep it safe and take Hendricks. I wouldn't be surprised if we swing for fences with Ausar though

[zeebneeb]

Anytime your drafting, you are looking for skills a player has, that are elite.

Taylor Hendricks has that. He is elite at rim protection, (1.7bpg)and he is an elite three-point shooter.(.394 4.8 attempts)

Then you look at rarity of skillset, and position.

Taylor Hendricks fills both. A shot-blocking, three-point shooting PF is ultra-rare. How many are in the NBA right now?

This is a no-brainer for me, because filling in the SF position is going to be easy. There are tons that could be had for peanuts, or you can go big and swing a deal, or pay the big bucks. That is just not going to happen with a Hendricks type, unless you pay KP a ton of money. Hes the only one available.

[The Moose]

Walker and Hendricks both give us something we are severely lacking on this roster. And yes I know, I know, don't draft for fit on a bad team etc etc. But I think you should at least consider the fit along side the 'core' players. Especially when the available prospects aren't greatly differentiated by talent.

This team has 4 bigs right now, and none of them fit the framework of what an archetypal modern 4 is, and the type of player that a lot of teams are looking for.
Duren/Stew/Bagley/Wiseman are all best suited as 5's imo.

To me the current ideal 4's are guys who can provide size, some level of perimeter shooting, can attack closeouts, can make passes and then are plus defenders who provide secondary rim protection. These are ideal connectors.

A guy like Chet was pretty much the apex of this archetype, but both Walker and Hendricks fit the bill.

Ivey
Cade
-
Hendricks or Walker
Duren/Stew

That would be a nice young core going forward I think

[Snakebites]

Walker and Hendricks both give us something we are severely lacking on this roster. And yes I know, I know, don't draft for fit on a bad team etc etc. But I think you should at least consider the fit along side the 'core' players. Especially when the available prospects aren't greatly differentiated by talent.

This team has 4 bigs right now, and none of them fit the framework of what an archetypal modern 4 is, and the type of player that a lot of teams are looking for.
Duren/Stew/Bagley/Wiseman are all best suited as 5's imo.

To me the current ideal 4's are guys who can provide size, some level of perimeter shooting, can attack closeouts, can make passes and then are plus defenders who provide secondary rim protection. These are ideal connectors.

A guy like Chet was pretty much the apex of this archetype, but both Walker and Hendricks fit the bill.

Ivey
Cade
-
Hendricks or Walker
Duren/Stew

That would be a nice young core going forward I think

Yeah. I simply don’t buy Stewart as a 4- which is why I’m particularly interested in Hendricks. Seems like he actually is what we wish Stewart was at the 4 spot. Versatile defender with range. Stewart has the D but I’m just not convinced the shot will ever be consistent.

I get the appeal of Walker too, but if we go that route we’re definitely banking on the development of our guard prospects and free agency to add spacing to our roster, and I think Hendrick’s shot is useful even if we get that. To me the dream scenario is tons of spacing with Cade/Ivey operating the pick and roll with Duren in space.

[FloridaMan78]

I went best available player with Cam Whitmore.