2020 Draft Thread

[The Maestro]

Or who knows. Wiseman could be just as useful as McGee the first few years.

They’re not paying someone $8 mil a year to play the McGee role. No way.

[The Maestro]

Okongwu is a much better fit for the Warriors and how they want to play. I don’t think they’ll take him either but he at least fits.

[The Maestro]

Let’s do a minor bet. And of course the bet will have to be.....if Wiseman is on the board when they pick type of bet. And the bet is null and void if by miracles chance there’s a Giannis deal on the table.

So maybe a wig or something. I’m actually cool if I’m wrong. I’m wrong all the time, just ask my wife lol.

I know you have some connections, but the statement you are making is a strong one. So let’s bet it

I have no insight at all to who they want to draft. Zero connections. Like I’ve said, I know one guy who has a working relationship with a few players and front office personnel. They told him about Giannis but I don’t think they share all their info with him and if they did, he didn’t tell me anything about the draft. I haven’t even talked to him in awhile to be honest. My take on Wiseman is just an opinion.

Zero chance!

Yes I’ll be shocked if they take him. I give it a zero chance of happening unless there’s a trade agreement in place.

[JSML]

Top 7 reasons it won't be Wiseman

7. No post up game
6. Career 60% free throw shooter. (look back to his AAU stats)
5. Not a skilled passer
4. Not a 3 point threat
3. Big men is valued less in today's NBA
2. Steph Curry's championship window is in the next 3 years.
1. Kirk Lacob's obsession with Smalegic

[Little Digger]

Okongwu is a much better fit for the Warriors and how they want to play. I don’t think they’ll take him either but he at least fits.

I just don’t see how he fits offensively..dude can’t dribble or shoot ..defensively I think he’ll be outstanding..but boy is he a project at every aspect of NBA offense

[Little Digger]

Top 7 reasons it won't be Wiseman

7. No post up game
6. Career 60% free throw shooter. (look back to his AAU stats)
5. Not a skilled passer
4. Not a 3 point threat
3. Big men is valued less in today's NBA
2. Steph Curry's championship window is in the next 3 years.
1. Kirk Lacob's obsession with Smalegic

There’s a reason Kirk Lacob quickly moved up to lead Euro scout..No doubt Smailagic is a cross between Nowitzki and Doncic

[JSML]

Anyone intrigued my Killian Hayes and his playmaking/defensive awareness? He’s more Manu than Dlo which he’s compared to. There’s great film of Killian showing his defensive awareness and rotations. 6’5 Lefty point guard with a solid James harden step back.

A few Downsides. do we want him for a championship run. He may not pan out for a few years etc.

I like him a lot as a prospect but he doesn’t fit the Warriors style of play. He’s more of a D LO, Doncic, Harden type that take a lot of dribbles to set up a play.

He needs to learn to draw fouls. It will up his game tremendously. He’s got the body type and skill to do it. If he does, he will be compared more to Doncic and Harden than to D LO. Right now most says he’s like D LO.

[Little Digger]

I really like Vassell but Mav is right ..we need thickness ..Wiggins is our versatile skin and bones wing defender.

[wco81]

I really like Vassell but Mav is right ..we need thickness ..Wiggins is our versatile skin and bones wing defender.

Jeremy Grant did a good job on Kawhi today. Only 210 pounds but 6-9 with 7-3 wingspan.

As long as he didn't get bulled over by Kawhi or shoved out of the way, his length could still contest Kawhi's shots or even block a few.

So maybe a skinny defender, as long as they have good balance, toughness, persistence to not give up on a play, he may be able to defend.

Not sure there's someone like that in the draft though. Rookies and young players often make the mistake of reaching in at the last minute. They're in good position and can make a good contest without falling but they reach and get cheap fouls.

[Warriors Analyst]

Anyone intrigued my Killian Hayes and his playmaking/defensive awareness? He’s more Manu than Dlo which he’s compared to. There’s great film of Killian showing his defensive awareness and rotations. 6’5 Lefty point guard with a solid James harden step back.

A few Downsides. do we want him for a championship run. He may not pan out for a few years etc.

I was for a while, most intrigued by Hayes. I've dulled on him some, mostly because I don't imagine Kerr would like him all that much. But the playmaking ability is intriguing and he's got the length to be a good defender. The free throw shooting percentages also portend good three point shooting in the future. It would be intriguing to get a DLo type again, but mold him from the beginning into a defender who actually gives a damn and have learn to play off-ball.

[Onus]

It's difficult to get full game video on players instead of just watching highlights. I couldn't find any Euro League games on Avdija, but I did find the 2019 FIBA U20 European Championship. The Wiki page links to the FIBA page where you can get complete boxscores and watch full game replays. I killed nearly six hours watching Avdija in the quarter, semi, and final games. It was some really good basketball and fun to watch how hard those national teams compete. The style is pretty hard-nose, basically like watching Big Ten basketball. But the stakes were much higher, and you could tell the teams were highly vested. These three games from a year ago were stiffer competition than the three games Wiseman played in college. Then he went on to play another season in the Euro League.

Overall, Avdija was really fun to watch and impacts the game in nearly all areas - even if his shooting is off. He was the second youngest player in the tournament, but won the MVP award averaging 18.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.4 blocks and 2.1 steals per game. He was more athletic than I was anticipating. Very good straight-line speed. Decent leaper off one or two feet. Has a little glide/hang on his takes (needs to finish more consistently). Light on his feet for the second jump. Contests/blocks shots without fouling. The team's defensive scheme was to switch nearly everything, so you literally can watch him guard 1-5. France has a really small point guard and a thick post, and Deni does well against either. His BBIQ is off the charts. He understands spacing and pacing. His turnovers were usually poor execution and not poor recognition. He already has very good handles and shooting stroke - arguably was the team's primary ball handler. Probably most importantly, he's an alpha dog that competes hard and did not shrink in big moments of really big games. You can see he hates failure.

Quarterfinals against Lithuania

16 points, 10 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks, 3/8 FT, 1/5 3PT

Watch on YouTube

Semifinal against France

26 points, 11 boards, 1 assist, 5 steals, 3 blocks, 12/14 FT, 2/5 3PT

Watch on YouTube

Finals against Spain

23 points, 5 boards, 7 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 2/3 FT, 3/7 3PT.

Watch on YouTube

This is a decent look at Deni that goes back to his early years and shows his development as a pro. You can see his body change and you get a better idea that he has actually been a pro - not a college player - for years. Likely better for development than AAU over the same period. I'm not buying the Luka comp as much as this guy is pushing, but I do agree he will be a very good play maker in the NBA. His player profile page for the Euro League actually lists him as a guard. Having watched the three full game videos I would list him a positionless basketball player. He is Ben Simmons with a better jump shot.

Watch on YouTube

[Warriors Analyst]

It's difficult to get full game video on players instead of just watching highlights. I couldn't find any Euro League games on Avdija, but I did find the 2019 FIBA U20 European Championship. The Wiki page links to the FIBA page where you can get complete boxscores and watch full game replays. I killed nearly six hours watching Avdija in the quarter, semi, and final games. It was some really good basketball and fun to watch how hard those national teams compete. The style is pretty hard-nose, basically like watching Big Ten basketball. But the stakes were much higher, and you could tell the teams were highly vested. These three games from a year ago were stiffer competition than the three games Wiseman played in college. Then he went on to play another season in the Euro League.

Overall, Avdija was really fun to watch and impacts the game in nearly all areas - even if his shooting is off. He was the second youngest player in the tournament, but won the MVP award averaging 18.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.4 blocks and 2.1 steals per game. He was more athletic than I was anticipating. Very good straight-line speed. Decent leaper off one or two feet. Has a little glide/hang on his takes (needs to finish more consistently). Light on his feet for the second jump. Contests/blocks shots without fouling. The team's defensive scheme was to switch nearly everything, so you literally can watch him guard 1-5. France has a really small point guard and a thick post, and Deni does well against either. His BBIQ is off the charts. He understands spacing and pacing. His turnovers were usually poor execution and not poor recognition. He already has very good handles and shooting stroke - arguably was the team's primary ball handler. Probably most importantly, he's an alpha dog that competes hard and did not shrink in big moments of really big games. You can see he hates failure.

Quarterfinals against Lithuania

16 points, 10 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks, 3/8 FT, 1/5 3PT

Watch on YouTube

Semifinal against France

26 points, 11 boards, 1 assist, 5 steals, 3 blocks, 12/14 FT, 2/5 3PT

Watch on YouTube

Finals against Spain

23 points, 5 boards, 7 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 2/3 FT, 3/7 3PT.

Watch on YouTube

This is a decent look at Deni that goes back to his early years and shows his development as a pro. You can see his body change and you get a better idea that he has actually been a pro - not a college player - for years. Likely better for development than AAU over the same period. I'm not buying the Luka comp as much as this guy is pushing, but I do agree he will be a very good play maker in the NBA. His player profile page for the Euro League actually lists him as a guard. Having watched the three full game videos I would list him a positionless basketball player. He is Ben Simmons with a better jump shot.

Watch on YouTube

The only thing with Deni that spooks me is the free throw shooting. The list of players who became dead-eye shooters with such a poor free throw percentage is miniscule. I don't know how comfy I am hoping he becomes a statistical outlier. But otherwise, his game is intriguing. We need an oversized wing and it would be quite nice to have another ball-handler, particularly one at his size, next to Steph/Klay.

[Onus]

The only thing with Deni that spooks me is the free throw shooting. The list of players who became dead-eye shooters with such a poor free throw percentage is miniscule. I don't know how comfy I am hoping he becomes a statistical outlier. But otherwise, his game is intriguing. We need an oversized wing and it would be quite nice to have another ball-handler, particularly one at his size, next to Steph/Klay.

Agreed his ft shooting truly concerning on whether or not he’ll be able to shoot consistently. If he were at 70% I’d probably take him 1. Although I’m thinking he’s my no 1 now.

[Little Digger]

I just finished watching the videos...I don’t like Deni Avdija at all.









I friggen love his game!

My new top10 big board

1. Avdija
2. Avdija
3. Avdija
4. Deni
5. Deni
6. Avdija
7. Deni
8. Avdija
9. Deni
10. Avdija

[ILOVEIT]

Top 7 reasons it won't be Wiseman

7. No post up game
6. Career 60% free throw shooter. (look back to his AAU stats)
5. Not a skilled passer
4. Not a 3 point threat
3. Big men is valued less in today's NBA
2. Steph Curry's championship window is in the next 3 years.
1. Kirk Lacob's obsession with Smalegic

Agree. Adding my thoughts here as well as other thread:

Let's try some logic.
Is it likely that a 7' 19 year old will contribute much to our core run over the next two years? Yes or No?
Is the NBA valuing young tall centers in today's wing intensive league? Yes or No?
Do the Warriors have any history of drafting essentially un-proven 19 year old players (not even a one and done at that)? yes or No?
Do the Warriors currently have a very athletic young big man already on a cheap salary that can AT LEAST do what Wiseman might do in his first year or two? Yes or NO.
Are there OTHER talented wing type guards and sf's available that would much better suit todays NBA and likely contribute more in the first two years? Yes or No.
Do the Warriors currently have a likely top 10 pick in next years much more talented draft? Yes or No?

IMO, there is no answer above that leads to the Warriors taking a young 7' project who's only played 3 games in college.

[ILOVEIT]

I just finished watching the videos...I don’t like Deni Avdija at all.


I friggen love his game!

My new top10 big board

1. Avdija
2. Avdija
3. Avdija
4. Deni
5. Deni
6. Avdija
7. Deni
8. Avdija
9. Deni
10. Avdija

The thing no one seems to be impressed with is that Deni is THE MAN on that team. He is LEADING Them to victory. It's not like he has to just space out and hit an open three now and then...or get an offensive rebound here or there or block a shot. Without the NCAA tournament, we have no idea what college player is capable of doing that.

[Little Digger]

There’s two tiers to this 2020 draft

Tier 1
Deni Avdija

Tier 2

Everybody else

[wco81]

Thing with Deni, even if his offense translates to the NBA, it's highly doubtful his defense will be enough at the wing.

Look at the best international players. Jokic and Luka are not good defenders at all. Yesterday, PG13 went straight at him, dribbled a couple of times and did a layup from the right side of the hoop with Jokic underneath who didn't challenge at all.

Draymond broke down Jokic's defensive failures in game 1 on TNT.

Maybe Sabonis rim protects better? Not really, his career Blocks average is .4.

The best international players like Divac, Petrovic and Stoyakovic or Dirk, all very good offensive players, couldn't defend a lick.

Manute Bol and Motumbo had great Blocks stats.

But at the wing position, I don't think you'd find great defenders.

[Mylie10]

Okongwu is a much better fit for the Warriors and how they want to play. I don’t think they’ll take him either but he at least fits.

Dude, he’s exactly the same size as Chriss.

And how does he fit better than Wiseman? Wiseman is much farther along offensively at this point. And if you want to give Okungwu the advantage on the defensive end, it’s a slight advantage if at all.

And defensively in the NBA the Warriors wouldn’t have a big center to matchup with other really big men, with Okungwu. But with Wiseman and Chriss you are covered on both parts. And also having Draymond and Looney at your disposal.

Your short sided thinking with Wiseman is head scratching. I get it if you just don’t see it. But Wiseman in year one, will be different than year two, and so on. He’s working on every part of the game so as not to slide into the dinosaur role. He helps next year, but also bridges a gap to the future as our core ages.

[The Maestro]

Okongwu is a much better fit for the Warriors and how they want to play. I don’t think they’ll take him either but he at least fits.

Dude, he’s exactly the same size as Chriss.

And how does he fit better than Wiseman? Wiseman is much farther along offensively at this point. And if you want to give Okungwu the advantage on the defensive end, it’s a slight advantage if at all.

And defensively in the NBA the Warriors wouldn’t have a big center to matchup with other really big men, with Okungwu. But with Wiseman and Chriss you are covered on both parts. And also having Draymond and Looney at your disposal.

Your short sided thinking with Wiseman is head scratching. I get it if you just don’t see it. But Wiseman in year one, will be different than year two, and so on. He’s working on every part of the game so as not to slide into the dinosaur role. He helps next year, but also bridges a gap to the future as our core ages.

I know he’s the same size as Chriss which is most likely why they won’t take him. And he fits better because he can switch between 4/5’s and guard farther out.

And yes Wiseman will be better in year 2 but they aren’t worrying about year 2. They’re worrying about winning a title next season. They’ll use the 2021 draft, which is much better and they have multiple picks, to build for the future.

If they are forced to keep the pick then I think they want a guy they can plug in right away. Edwards, Deni, Haliburton and Vassell can probably all play more and sooner than Wiseman could. Even someone like Saddiq Bey would probably get more minutes. Wiseman is a bigger project than you think imo and the Warriors aren’t wasting a year of Curry/Klay/Dray on a project. It’s time to win now.