Official 2017 Draft Thread - Something Positive To Look Forward To

[puppa bear]

I would go Fultz with the first, then have a list of Markkanen, Isaac, Giles and pick whoever of them is left on the board - if all 3 are gone then one of the PGs is left & I would look to pick them & explore trading down for Hartlestein, Rabb, etc. we don't need 2 new guards, we need a legit 1st option and a high quality piece that fits our current youth (Richardson, McGruder, Winslow, Reed, Whiteside).

I'd swap McGruder with TJ in your assessment of our youth.

My thoughts in drafting are that you draft the BPA, unless guys are fairly negligible in talent differential. If a guard falls who is the BPA you take him and worry about it later. Lauri is a significant enough talent with a unique enough skill set to offset any of that if we had another late lotto. I doubt I'd have a guard at that pick range rated high enough to bypass Lauri. However, if a guy like Ball dropped (he won't) for some mysterious reason, then I'm drafting Ball.

I'm also not on the Giles bandwagon. I'd pass on him and wish him the best. If he turned out to be super solid, then I missed, but hopefully the guy I took instead would produce.

I always seem to forget TJ; in my mind I have him traded during the offseason - not sure why, so I keep not seeing him in our future. I don't base this on anything, in fact the way the club has treated him would look the opposite, but it's just how I feel.

[MettaWorldPanda]

I'd swap McGruder with TJ in your assessment of our youth.

My thoughts in drafting are that you draft the BPA, unless guys are fairly negligible in talent differential. If a guard falls who is the BPA you take him and worry about it later. Lauri is a significant enough talent with a unique enough skill set to offset any of that if we had another late lotto. I doubt I'd have a guard at that pick range rated high enough to bypass Lauri. However, if a guy like Ball dropped (he won't) for some mysterious reason, then I'm drafting Ball.

I'm also not on the Giles bandwagon. I'd pass on him and wish him the best. If he turned out to be super solid, then I missed, but hopefully the guy I took instead would produce.

I always seem to forget TJ; in my mind I have him traded during the offseason - not sure why, so I keep not seeing him in our future. I don't base this on anything, in fact the way the club has treated him would look the opposite, but it's just how I feel.

TJ is our best player. Why are we trading him again? I would think we would trade Dragic long before we would trade a young TJ who's contract at age 26-27(PRIME) is essentially the same annually as a 33-34 year old Dragic.

[puppa bear]

I'd swap McGruder with TJ in your assessment of our youth.

My thoughts in drafting are that you draft the BPA, unless guys are fairly negligible in talent differential. If a guard falls who is the BPA you take him and worry about it later. Lauri is a significant enough talent with a unique enough skill set to offset any of that if we had another late lotto. I doubt I'd have a guard at that pick range rated high enough to bypass Lauri. However, if a guy like Ball dropped (he won't) for some mysterious reason, then I'm drafting Ball.

I'm also not on the Giles bandwagon. I'd pass on him and wish him the best. If he turned out to be super solid, then I missed, but hopefully the guy I took instead would produce.

I always seem to forget TJ; in my mind I have him traded during the offseason - not sure why, so I keep not seeing him in our future. I don't base this on anything, in fact the way the club has treated him would look the opposite, but it's just how I feel.

TJ is our best player. Why are we trading him again? I would think we would trade Dragic long before we would trade a young TJ who's contract at age 26-27(PRIME) is essentially the same annually as a 33-34 year old Dragic.

TJ is not our best player, but he is performing well, and justifying his contract. I think he'll turn into a more balanced Jamal Crawford, both in role and contribution.
I never said I wanted to trade him, I just said I have this weird way of viewing him, in that I see him as traded at the end of the season - no justification, no basis in reality, no desire, just a random weird mental link that seems to exist in my brain.

[PizzaLord305]

IF we did obtain another draft pick via trade in the teens/20's, and if harry giles slip slided all down in that range, is he worth taking a chance on? I wish he chose another school instead of Duke. he isn't going to have an opportunity to show teams anything or develop any sort of rhythm or confidience. kinda sorta this years skal in a way.

[Cmon_Son-_-]

IF we did obtain another draft pick via trade in the teens/20's, and if harry giles slip slided all down in that range, is he worth taking a chance on? I wish he chose another school instead of Duke. he isn't going to have an opportunity to show teams anything or develop any sort of rhythm or confidience. kinda sorta this years skal in a way.

Giles imo is another Winslow type of development. They both have tools that allows them to play instantly but their offense is severely lacking. I'm not completely against picking him especially if its in the teens or 20s but there's alot of question marks around him. It'll really depend on who's still on the board at the time

[Bishop45]

I have my critisms of Whiteside but TJ's not our best player, 3rd at best and controversially between him and James Johnson for third if we're talking core players or not.

Definitely a step ahead of the other youngins'-Rich, Winslow- tho

[Bishop45]

TJ leaf making his case to be top 12 on the want list, more on him than Hartenstein at least

[Feel_the_Heat15]

TJ leaf making his case to be top 12 on the want list, more on him than Hartenstein at least

His length is probably keeping him from being a lottery pick. Don't watch him so that's just my guess.

[cyclix]

Whiteside is clearly our best player. TJ is arguably 2nd (personally I don't think Dragic is better than TJ).

Winslow has the potential to be our cornerstone once he improves his jumper.

[Cmon_Son-_-]

Whiteside is clearly our best player. TJ is arguably 2nd (personally I don't think Dragic is better than TJ).

Winslow has the potential to be our cornerstone once he improves his jumper.

You mean If he improves his jumper.

[Feel_the_Heat15]

Alot of the new mock drafts have Fultz going #1(of course) and Ball going #2 with Jackson out of the top 3. I guess most scouts feel the same way as I do towards Jackson. His terrible 3-point and free-throw shooting are big red flags. Fultz has a NBA ready jumpshot, DSJ can get to the line for easy points, Ball will be a 10 assists per game player. You can't be sure about anything with Jackson except for his defense and slightly above average passing but we got Winslow who already does all that. Don't fall for the hype guys.

[PizzaLord305]

Alot of the new mock drafts have Fultz going #1(of course) and Ball going #2 with Jackson out of the top 3. I guess most scouts feel the same way as I do towards Jackson. His terrible 3-point and free-throw shooting are big red flags. Fultz has a NBA ready jumpshot, DSJ can get to the line for easy points, Ball will be a 10 assists per game player. You can't be sure about anything with Jackson except for his defense and slightly above average passing but we got Winslow who already does all that. Don't fall for the hype guys.

i kinda feel the same way about him, but then im like naw you can never have enough wings and its not like winslows shown enough anyway to have the team like naw we cant even think about drafting another wing. if we end up at number 3 and the first two picks were dennis smith and fultz, id rather have jackson over ball - for this team im not so sure in general.

[puppa bear]

Alot of the new mock drafts have Fultz going #1(of course) and Ball going #2 with Jackson out of the top 3. I guess most scouts feel the same way as I do towards Jackson. His terrible 3-point and free-throw shooting are big red flags. Fultz has a NBA ready jumpshot, DSJ can get to the line for easy points, Ball will be a 10 assists per game player. You can't be sure about anything with Jackson except for his defense and slightly above average passing but we got Winslow who already does all that. Don't fall for the hype guys.

I think the tournament is going to help with a fair chunk of this type of jockeying. Every time there isn't a consensus No. 1 someone emerges from the pack either during the end of conference play, or during March Madness, especially since the one-and-done rule came in.
2016 - Simmons (consensus)
2015 - Towns (end of conference/Tourney play)
2014 - Wiggins (consensus)
2013 - Bennett (Noel was almost consensus before knee injury, then Cavs freaked)
2012 - Davis (consensus)
2011 - Irving (consensus)
2010 - Wall (consensus)
2009 - Griffin (consensus)
2008 - Rose (Tourney)
2007 - Oden (consensus)
2006 - Bargnani (no standout Tourney, hype made almost consensus)
2005 - Bogut (end of conference/Tourney)
2004 - Dwight (consensus)
2003 - James (consensus)
2002 - Ming (consensus)
2001 - Brown (no consensus, so potential with Curry, Chandler, Gasol)
2000 - Martin (end of conference/Tourney)

[Prince Ali]

Alot of the new mock drafts have Fultz going #1(of course) and Ball going #2 with Jackson out of the top 3. I guess most scouts feel the same way as I do towards Jackson. His terrible 3-point and free-throw shooting are big red flags. Fultz has a NBA ready jumpshot, DSJ can get to the line for easy points, Ball will be a 10 assists per game player. You can't be sure about anything with Jackson except for his defense and slightly above average passing but we got Winslow who already does all that. Don't fall for the hype guys.

10 assists per game, cool. Can he break down guys 1 on 1 in the half court and create separation to score consistently on the pro level? Because we already have a pg that gives us 7 assists a game and Junkyard dog Jackson appears to have an edge this team could use, not to mention elite athleticism.

[Feel_the_Heat15]

Alot of the new mock drafts have Fultz going #1(of course) and Ball going #2 with Jackson out of the top 3. I guess most scouts feel the same way as I do towards Jackson. His terrible 3-point and free-throw shooting are big red flags. Fultz has a NBA ready jumpshot, DSJ can get to the line for easy points, Ball will be a 10 assists per game player. You can't be sure about anything with Jackson except for his defense and slightly above average passing but we got Winslow who already does all that. Don't fall for the hype guys.

10 assists per game, cool. Can he break down guys 1 on 1 in the half court and create separation to score consistently on the pro level? Because we already have a pg that gives us 7 assists a game and Junkyard dog Jackson appears to have an edge this team could use, not to mention elite athleticism.

Who cares about athleticism when you can't shoot? I'd rather have Ball averaging 8 points and 10 assits per game than Jackson averaging 17ppg with poor free-throw and 3-point shooting %. Ball will atleast be a great role-player but Jackson can't be your #1 option. Luckily the Suns will probably pick Jackson before we do so we won't have to make that mistake.

[DayofMourning]

Alot of the new mock drafts have Fultz going #1(of course) and Ball going #2 with Jackson out of the top 3. I guess most scouts feel the same way as I do towards Jackson. His terrible 3-point and free-throw shooting are big red flags. Fultz has a NBA ready jumpshot, DSJ can get to the line for easy points, Ball will be a 10 assists per game player. You can't be sure about anything with Jackson except for his defense and slightly above average passing but we got Winslow who already does all that. Don't fall for the hype guys.

10 assists per game, cool. Can he break down guys 1 on 1 in the half court and create separation to score consistently on the pro level? Because we already have a pg that gives us 7 assists a game and Junkyard dog Jackson appears to have an edge this team could use, not to mention elite athleticism.

Who cares about athleticism when you can't shoot? I'd rather have Ball averaging 8 points and 10 assits per game than Jackson averaging 17ppg with poor free-throw and 3-point shooting %. Ball will atleast be a great role-player but Jackson can't be your #1 option. Luckily the Suns will probably pick Jackson before we do so we won't have to make that mistake.

Its not a certainty that JJ won't improve his shot. His overall skill set is high level. His personality and intelligence level are also high level attributes. He will be a very solid contributor even if we state that he will never improve.

[Prince Ali]

Alot of the new mock drafts have Fultz going #1(of course) and Ball going #2 with Jackson out of the top 3. I guess most scouts feel the same way as I do towards Jackson. His terrible 3-point and free-throw shooting are big red flags. Fultz has a NBA ready jumpshot, DSJ can get to the line for easy points, Ball will be a 10 assists per game player. You can't be sure about anything with Jackson except for his defense and slightly above average passing but we got Winslow who already does all that. Don't fall for the hype guys.

10 assists per game, cool. Can he break down guys 1 on 1 in the half court and create separation to score consistently on the pro level? Because we already have a pg that gives us 7 assists a game and Junkyard dog Jackson appears to have an edge this team could use, not to mention elite athleticism.

Who cares about athleticism when you can't shoot? I'd rather have Ball averaging 8 points and 10 assits per game than Jackson averaging 17ppg with poor free-throw and 3-point shooting %. Ball will atleast be a great role-player but Jackson can't be your #1 option. Luckily the Suns will probably pick Jackson before we do so we won't have to make that mistake.

If you're telling me we have a choice between a guy who would score 8 ppg vs 17, I'm sorry give me the higher scorer and you can keep your shooting stats. You cant draft a role player in the top 3.

[Feel_the_Heat15]

10 assists per game, cool. Can he break down guys 1 on 1 in the half court and create separation to score consistently on the pro level? Because we already have a pg that gives us 7 assists a game and Junkyard dog Jackson appears to have an edge this team could use, not to mention elite athleticism.

Who cares about athleticism when you can't shoot? I'd rather have Ball averaging 8 points and 10 assits per game than Jackson averaging 17ppg with poor free-throw and 3-point shooting %. Ball will atleast be a great role-player but Jackson can't be your #1 option. Luckily the Suns will probably pick Jackson before we do so we won't have to make that mistake.

If you're telling me we have a choice between a guy who would score 8 ppg vs 17, I'm sorry give me the higher scorer and you can keep your shooting stats. You cant draft a role player in the top 3.

So you wouldn't draft Draymond Green with a top 3 pick? If Jackson can't exceed 20ppg on efficient shooting whats the point of drafting him? I'd rather rebuild slowly to find a true #1 option than get stuck with a mediocre team after drafting a subpar shooter. If Jackson isn't able to shoot 3s what are you going to do with him? If you got 2 scorers surrounded by Whiteside and Ball that's a good core. You can't easily build a great offensive team with Jackson in the starting lineup. I don't know how you can look at his stats and think that he'll be a better player than Ball. How many SFs shoot less than 55 or 56 % at the freethrow line in the NBA? 0. The score is 98-99 with the Bucks leading. You're going to trust Jackson with the last shot? If Jackson doesn't improve his shooting then he's a #6 pick to me at best. Too many "ifs" with Jackson and you usually don't get a chance to draft a top passer in Ball who's 6'6 in height. Even though Ball doesn't score much he still transforms offenses. If Jackson shot 75%+ maybe even 70%+ at the line I wouldn't worry much about his 3-point shooting but that's not the case here. Not saying he can't become a good player but what are the odds he will be? No point in taking that risk.

[Cmon_Son-_-]

Spoiler:

Who cares about athleticism when you can't shoot? I'd rather have Ball averaging 8 points and 10 assits per game than Jackson averaging 17ppg with poor free-throw and 3-point shooting %. Ball will atleast be a great role-player but Jackson can't be your #1 option. Luckily the Suns will probably pick Jackson before we do so we won't have to make that mistake.

If you're telling me we have a choice between a guy who would score 8 ppg vs 17, I'm sorry give me the higher scorer and you can keep your shooting stats. You cant draft a role player in the top 3.

So you wouldn't draft Draymond Green with a top 3 pick? If Jackson can't exceed 20ppg on efficient shooting whats the point of drafting him? I'd rather rebuild slowly to find a true #1 option than get stuck with a mediocre team after drafting a subpar shooter. If Jackson isn't able to shoot 3s what are you going to do with him? If you got 2 scorers surrounded by Whiteside and Ball that's a good core. You can't easily build a great offensive team with Jackson in the starting lineup. I don't know how you can look at his stats and think that he'll be a better player than Ball. How many SFs shoot less than 55 or 56 % at the freethrow line in the NBA? 0. The score is 98-99 with the Bucks leading. You're going to trust Jackson with the last shot? If Jackson doesn't improve his shooting then he's a #6 pick to me at best. Too many "ifs" with Jackson and you usually don't get a chance to draft a top passer in Ball who's 6'6 in height. Even though Ball doesn't score much he still transforms offenses. If Jackson shot 75%+ maybe even 70%+ at the line I wouldn't worry much about his 3-point shooting but that's not the case here. Not saying he can't become a good player but what are the odds he will be? No point in taking that risk.

I get your point but I'm not drafting Draymond Green in the top 3.

[UD4MVP]

I think I have DSJ higher than Ball and JJ atm. Maybe its recency bias but just from what I've been watching his floor game and craftiness is much better than he gets credit for. I don't really see the Rose or Westbrook comparison. Also he's very pesky defensively.
After watching his triple double game against a ranked opponent, I thought of the hypothetical backcourt combo of him and TJ and it would be really fun.