RealGM

We have a first round and second round pick in the 2023 draft. I’d be thinking about shopping both in a package but lets assume we keep both.

Who do we select? What type of player do we go after? For example is it really worth going after a shooting guard when we have Reaves, Christie and either Beasley or a player we trade Beasley for?

A point guard or center is what we need I think. Not sure which player would fit us best though.

I’ve seen draft projection that list the Duke center Derek Lively as going between 15-20. If he was around when we get our pick that might be worth it? Not going to pretend I watch any college ball but just from the write ups he’s apparently good defensively, so could he be good enough to be our back up center next season? That’s ultimately what I’d want out of this draft if we keep the pick. Someone who can be a role player next season. Because otherwise just trade it for someone who can be a high level role player right away because of LeBron’s timeline.

Yeah, I think Lively can easily play the minutes either Bamba or Gabriel get now, when AD sits and we play a traditional C.

That would save some money as well, since we could not pick up Bamba's option, he would be redundant in this scenario.

But I'd rather use the first rounder on a bigger wing, Lebron will probably not play back to backs next year and miss his usual 20+ games, while Troy Brown and Rui need to be paid and I'd expect we let at least one of them walk after we pay Russell and Reaves first.

We badly need a good 6'7-6'9 guy. Those cost a lot of money and the easiest way to get one is via draft.


We can use the mid second rounder to get that low minute backup C.
Zach Edey and Adama Sanogo should be in play.


This team doesn't shy away playing rookies, see Reaves and even Christie who's super young and raw most recently.

Undrafted and 2nd rounder.

I definitely expect if we keep the picks, both will be made so that the guys taken can play some rotation minutes as soon as next year.