2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Bucksfan28]

Eh, Capella turns 24 in a few days. He's still plenty young and fits with their young guys. I wouldn't see it as premature at all if they think he's the missing core piece.

Has nothing to do with his age. There's just no reason to max out a role playing center before they know what they have in their #1 pick and Josh Jackson's development. That's the kinda **** that would light this board on fire.

They have a boat load of cap room so I don't see how it would "set them back". Capella's a damn good young player. This obviously only makes sense if they pick Doncic #1 overall, but passing up the opportunity to sign one of the best young C's in the league just because "they don't know what they have" in the rest of their roster yet seems more short-sighted to me than the other way around.

Capela is good in his role. I love watching him play in Houston. But no way would I be anxious to give a max contract to a center whose impact on offense is totally dependent on the guys he plays off. That before knowing if the rest of your core is good enough to contend in the first place.

In only a couple years a cheaper C option like we're seeking here, someone Dedmon-esque, may be all they need. And that money they saved can be used on depth.

[machu46]

My concern with taking Doncic if I'm Phoenix is the surrounding pieces they already have. If you're starting Doncic at PG and having him defend PGs, he's going to be absolutely torched, and Devin Booker is probably even worse in that regard so Phoenix will be helpless trying to defend guards. If they put Doncic in position to defend wings as he ideally should IMO, then you're probably forced to bench Jackson, right? Unless you think Jackson can be moved to PF. I don't know; I love Doncic and I think his passing ability is something Phoenix desperately needs, but there's definitely some fit issues that would need to be ironed out IMO.

Kings have it easy picking 2nd. They can take whichever guy Phoenix doesn't.

Atlanta is in an interesting spot. The top guys available at 3 are presumably Bagley, Jaren Jackson, Bamba, and Wendell Carter probably. Bagley is the #3 guy IMO, but I think his fit with John Collins is pretty terrible. I'm not super high on Bamba personally. I'd probably go with Jackson or Wendell if I were in their shoes.

[emunney]

Take Doncic and trade Booker for the highest pick you can get, take Carter or Bamba.

[emunney]

Could Booker and 16 get you 3?

[Gam]

Could Booker and 16 get you 3?

I think you could get #2 from the Kings fairly easily with that package.

No chance they trade book tho, their fanbase legitimately thinks he's the next Kobe.

[Gam]

My concern with taking Doncic if I'm Phoenix is the surrounding pieces they already have. If you're starting Doncic at PG and having him defend PGs, he's going to be absolutely torched, and Devin Booker is probably even worse in that regard so Phoenix will be helpless trying to defend guards. If they put Doncic in position to defend wings as he ideally should IMO, then you're probably forced to bench Jackson, right? Unless you think Jackson can be moved to PF. I don't know; I love Doncic and I think his passing ability is something Phoenix desperately needs, but there's definitely some fit issues that would need to be ironed out IMO.

Kings have it easy picking 2nd. They can take whichever guy Phoenix doesn't.

Atlanta is in an interesting spot. The top guys available at 3 are presumably Bagley, Jaren Jackson, Bamba, and Wendell Carter probably. Bagley is the #3 guy IMO, but I think his fit with John Collins is pretty terrible. I'm not super high on Bamba personally. I'd probably go with Jackson or Wendell if I were in their shoes.

There isn't a coach in the NBA that would have Doncic guard PGs, he'll guard 2s or 3s.

[machu46]

My concern with taking Doncic if I'm Phoenix is the surrounding pieces they already have. If you're starting Doncic at PG and having him defend PGs, he's going to be absolutely torched, and Devin Booker is probably even worse in that regard so Phoenix will be helpless trying to defend guards. If they put Doncic in position to defend wings as he ideally should IMO, then you're probably forced to bench Jackson, right? Unless you think Jackson can be moved to PF. I don't know; I love Doncic and I think his passing ability is something Phoenix desperately needs, but there's definitely some fit issues that would need to be ironed out IMO.

Kings have it easy picking 2nd. They can take whichever guy Phoenix doesn't.

Atlanta is in an interesting spot. The top guys available at 3 are presumably Bagley, Jaren Jackson, Bamba, and Wendell Carter probably. Bagley is the #3 guy IMO, but I think his fit with John Collins is pretty terrible. I'm not super high on Bamba personally. I'd probably go with Jackson or Wendell if I were in their shoes.

There isn't a coach in the NBA that would have Doncic guard PGs, he'll guard 2s or 3s.

I agree, which is an issue for Phoenix because to me, that means their 3 building blocks are all defending SG/SF pretty much exclusively.


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[SupremeHustle]

This guy. He could be our guy.

https://deadspin.com/coach-25-year-old-who-posed-as-high-schooler-to-play-b-1826077612?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

[Gam]

My concern with taking Doncic if I'm Phoenix is the surrounding pieces they already have. If you're starting Doncic at PG and having him defend PGs, he's going to be absolutely torched, and Devin Booker is probably even worse in that regard so Phoenix will be helpless trying to defend guards. If they put Doncic in position to defend wings as he ideally should IMO, then you're probably forced to bench Jackson, right? Unless you think Jackson can be moved to PF. I don't know; I love Doncic and I think his passing ability is something Phoenix desperately needs, but there's definitely some fit issues that would need to be ironed out IMO.

Kings have it easy picking 2nd. They can take whichever guy Phoenix doesn't.

Atlanta is in an interesting spot. The top guys available at 3 are presumably Bagley, Jaren Jackson, Bamba, and Wendell Carter probably. Bagley is the #3 guy IMO, but I think his fit with John Collins is pretty terrible. I'm not super high on Bamba personally. I'd probably go with Jackson or Wendell if I were in their shoes.

There isn't a coach in the NBA that would have Doncic guard PGs, he'll guard 2s or 3s.

I agree, which is an issue for Phoenix because to me, that means their 3 building blocks are all defending SG/SF pretty much exclusively.


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Yeah it isn't ideal. I do think Luca will be able to guard 4s eventually though. Not all of them obviously (but who can, lol). IMO the Suns are far enough from contending that I'd go with BPA over fit, but I don't think they'll regret it too much if they take Ayton instead.

[emunney]

Could Booker and 16 get you 3?

I think you could get #2 from the Kings fairly easily with that package.

No chance they trade book tho, their fanbase legitimately thinks he's the next Kobe.

Still seems like a very very good idea to me. Doncic/Carter/Jackson is a very good start, and they'd likely have another high pick next year, plus room to play/take in money for more picks, etc. They have a chance to reset their rebuild properly thanks to the offensive opportunities Booker's had on terrible teams. I'm envious. A good GM could turn that thing around pretty quickly. Maxing Booker could sink them.

[Gianstoppable]

This guy. He could be our guy.

https://deadspin.com/coach-25-year-old-who-posed-as-high-schooler-to-play-b-1826077612?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Was reallt expecting Thons face to be in the article

[ReasonablySober]

Read on Twitter

[Ron Swanson]

It's wide open after the clear-cut #1 (Ayton). I could see arguing Doncic as anywhere from the 2nd best prospect to the 6th best.

[emunney]

Read on Twitter

Lol, we promised Robinson.

[Ruzious]

Just looked at the yahoo and msn mocks - both had Zaire Smith going shortly AFTER 17. To me, that's crazy - he's simply too talented to pass up at 17. I'll be surprised if he's not a star.

[Ruzious]

My concern with taking Doncic if I'm Phoenix is the surrounding pieces they already have. If you're starting Doncic at PG and having him defend PGs, he's going to be absolutely torched, and Devin Booker is probably even worse in that regard so Phoenix will be helpless trying to defend guards. If they put Doncic in position to defend wings as he ideally should IMO, then you're probably forced to bench Jackson, right? Unless you think Jackson can be moved to PF. I don't know; I love Doncic and I think his passing ability is something Phoenix desperately needs, but there's definitely some fit issues that would need to be ironed out IMO.

Kings have it easy picking 2nd. They can take whichever guy Phoenix doesn't.

Atlanta is in an interesting spot. The top guys available at 3 are presumably Bagley, Jaren Jackson, Bamba, and Wendell Carter probably. Bagley is the #3 guy IMO, but I think his fit with John Collins is pretty terrible. I'm not super high on Bamba personally. I'd probably go with Jackson or Wendell if I were in their shoes.

There isn't a coach in the NBA that would have Doncic guard PGs, he'll guard 2s or 3s.

Agreed, and they're almost certainly picking Ayton, but it's an interesting what if... Who would Phoenix use to defend the point if they picked Doncic? Jackson would be an interesting choice.

[BroncoBuck]

My concern with taking Doncic if I'm Phoenix is the surrounding pieces they already have. If you're starting Doncic at PG and having him defend PGs, he's going to be absolutely torched, and Devin Booker is probably even worse in that regard so Phoenix will be helpless trying to defend guards. If they put Doncic in position to defend wings as he ideally should IMO, then you're probably forced to bench Jackson, right? Unless you think Jackson can be moved to PF. I don't know; I love Doncic and I think his passing ability is something Phoenix desperately needs, but there's definitely some fit issues that would need to be ironed out IMO.

Kings have it easy picking 2nd. They can take whichever guy Phoenix doesn't.

Atlanta is in an interesting spot. The top guys available at 3 are presumably Bagley, Jaren Jackson, Bamba, and Wendell Carter probably. Bagley is the #3 guy IMO, but I think his fit with John Collins is pretty terrible. I'm not super high on Bamba personally. I'd probably go with Jackson or Wendell if I were in their shoes.

There isn't a coach in the NBA that would have Doncic guard PGs, he'll guard 2s or 3s.

Agreed, and they're almost certainly picking Ayton, but it's an interesting what if... Who would Phoenix use to defend the point if they picked Doncic? Jackson would be an interesting choice.

They could just sign Smart. Smart-Booker-Doncic-Jackson is a pretty good start to a lineup. 2 big time defenders and 2 big time playmakers. I don’t even like Smart, but if he only has to play D then you can make it work.

[Ruzious]

There isn't a coach in the NBA that would have Doncic guard PGs, he'll guard 2s or 3s.

Agreed, and they're almost certainly picking Ayton, but it's an interesting what if... Who would Phoenix use to defend the point if they picked Doncic? Jackson would be an interesting choice.

They could just sign Smart. Smart-Booker-Doncic-Jackson is a pretty good start to a lineup. 2 big time defenders and 2 big time playmakers. I don’t even like Smart, but if he only has to play D then you can make it work.

Smart's a helluva defender. I'm just not impressed with the rest of his game. Boston's done a great job of hiding his weaknesses - by surrounding him with bigs who can shoot - and by playing him with guys who can make up for his play-making deficiencies.

[emunney]

Just looked at the yahoo and msn mocks - both had Zaire Smith going shortly AFTER 17. To me, that's crazy - he's simply too talented to pass up at 17. I'll be surprised if he's not a star.

I think about the Delly sets where he screens for Giannis, and think about Smith in that role. He can't screen like Delly but I do think he's got the appetite for that kind of thing, and he's actually a roll threat. Would be interesting under a smart coach.

[Ron Swanson]

Yeah, you roll the dice on Zhaire Smith if he's there at #17. Him and Diallo are the most athletic perimeter prospects in this draft, but unlike Diallo, his jumper doesn't look completely broken.