2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Frank Nova]

Ok, I leaning towards us picking K.Bates Diop with our pick. Why? I like guys who can score 20 a game and rebound too.We have NO bench at the 3 or 4 spot. Also this guy could be very valuable when Giannis plays the five.What do you think of that?

Honestly... I'd have no problem with that. He fits the modern day PF, and he can play some 3. 7'3 wingspan, 235 lbs, can hit the 3, runs the court, plays D. He would not be an exciting pick, but he's a solid 2-way player. Would I take him over Zaire Smith? No - even though Smith doesn't check the boxes for Milwaukee's needs, I think he's a future all-star, so I gotta take him if he's there.

You really think Zhaire is a future allstar? That intrigues me. He definitely is a freak athlete and his defensive potential is enticing but I still don't trust that shot ever getting better and I question why hes such a late bloomer and got no attention in high school...

[Gam]

I'd like to hear from some people who actually watched Dayton games. I probably jumped the gun with saying he's not a nba prospect.

Mixtapes are fun, but they do nothing for me. Thon looks like the 2nd coming everytime.

I've only heard bad things from Dayton fans. Still would be happy to buy a late 2nd for him, and thrilled to get him on a 2-way.

I mean... one look at his stats shows he's nowhere near even a prospect at this point. Maybe after a couple years in Europe or the G League we can re-evaluate, but I can't imagine he'll get drafted.

Eh, so many guys taken in the late 40s and higher never even see a minute on the Floor in he NBA, Kostas clearly has the *potential* to do that some day, based off of just his measurables, and his seemingly acceptable hand-eye-coordination and good hands. Add in him being much less likely to have motivation issues on a team with his big bro, and I see lots of reasons to make the pick.

Anyone suggesting we pick him at 17 or anywhere in the 1st round is deranged. But I'd rather have him on the roster than BJ, Bazz or DJ.

[Ruzious]

I've only heard bad things from Dayton fans. Still would be happy to buy a late 2nd for him, and thrilled to get him on a 2-way.

I mean... one look at his stats shows he's nowhere near even a prospect at this point. Maybe after a couple years in Europe or the G League we can re-evaluate, but I can't imagine he'll get drafted.

The 2nd round is so speculative, I find it hard to believe he won't get drafted.

This is potentially as deep a draft as I can remember. Players like Jared Vanderbilt - who's actually shown something on the court - might not get drafted. Ajdin Penava, who was phenominal at Marshall, probably won't get drafted. Bonzi Colson - who was amazing for 4 seasons at Notre Dame - might not get drafted. Gary Clark - who was a stud at Cincy - might not get drafted. Kostas... who stunk in college... I just can't imagine he'll get drafted.

[machu46]

No stat paints a clearer picture of Antetokounmpo than his half court versus transition numbers.

Transition: 1.632 PPP, 99th percentile

Half-court offense: .803 PPP, 36th percentile

He can pick up easy baskets in the open floor with his long strides and ability to play above the rim.

Once the game slows down, however, he doesn't offer much at this stage, ranking in the 25th percentile as a pick-and-roll man and 38th percentile as a post player. He missed 19 of 22 jump shots and totaled 13 assists in 438 minutes all season.

Realistically, teams won't look at Antetokounmpo for his offense or passing; rather, his potential to impact a game in an off-ball energy role.

...

Nowhere near NBA-ready, Antetokounmpo will have work to do for a team to take a chance after his quiet freshman season. There is also a sense that he could wind up overseas, where Thanasis has a supporting role in Greece.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2766058-nba-scout-says-kostas-antetokounmpo-is-far-from-ready-for-2018-nba-draft

Obviously if you're a team that takes Kostas, you're doing it based on his defensive potential, but just something to keep in mind in terms of the other side of the ball. I'm not really a fan of drafting a guy and praying he gets stronger, learns how to rebound, and learns how to play offense, but we'll see what happens with him.

[Ron Swanson]

Don't really think this draft is very deep at all past the mid-lottery. Maybe if your'e just talking about potential rotation and role-player guys.

[M-C-G]

Zhaire Smith almost looks like he can just JUMP MORE once he is already in the air. Watched that reel on his freshman year and had to have like 20 put back dunks, that was fun.

[Bernman]

Don't really think this draft is very deep at all past the mid-lottery. Maybe if your'e just talking about potential rotation and role-player guys.

We need plenty of those.

[mke_design]

Ok, I leaning towards us picking K.Bates Diop with our pick. Why? I like guys who can score 20 a game and rebound too.We have NO bench at the 3 or 4 spot. Also this guy could be very valuable when Giannis plays the five.What do you think of that?

Just pay Jabari then? Use the pick on someone like Zhaire.


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[SupremeHustle]

Is anybody watching this and thinking the similarities end at the name?

Watch on YouTube

He should have stayed in school and I'm a guy who believes kids should be able to be drafted out of high school.

You think he's gonna get better training at Dayton than he would in the NBA or the D-League?

No, but he could up his draft stock.

[tydett]

I'm not really a fan of drafting a guy and praying he gets stronger, learns how to rebound, and learns how to play offense, but we'll see what happens with him.

Ah, so you weren't a fan of the Thon pick, then?

[machu46]

I'm not really a fan of drafting a guy and praying he gets stronger, learns how to rebound, and learns how to play offense, but we'll see what happens with him.

Ah, so you weren't a fan of the Thon pick, then?

I wasn’t a fan when we first drafted him and still don’t have much hope for him, but for what it’s worth, I’m fairly certain he was viewed as a good rebounder entering the draft, whereas Kostas projects as one of the worst at his position if not the worst. Thon was also more athletic and more skilled.


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[jakecronus8]

Seeing a lot of hype for Huerter. I take Musa over him all day.

[AussieBuck]

Would take a punt on Kostas with a second. Would hate to see him pan out for another team that then uses him to lure Giannis.

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[Bernman]

Would take a punt on Kostas with a second. Would hate to see him pan out for another team that then uses him to lure Giannis.

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But the flip-side is being overly invested in him once he's drafted and not want to offend Giannis by releasing him. Obviously wouldn't hold it against the Bucks to not draft him in the 1st. If they pick up a higher 2nd it would also be considered a reach too.

That could be more of a motive in a strategy towards his younger brother Alex, who if he comes out as a college freshman will be available in the draft weeks before Giannis would become a FA. Frankly he looks like a better prospect too, being more productive as a hs soph than Kostas, shooting respectably from 3. If he's like his bros, he'll keep growing from the 6'7/7'2 he is now. Roster Stink U should offer.

[Bernman]

I thought I saw a prospect compared to Danny Granger, but ironically don't think it was Hutchison. That's who really jumped out comparison-wise when I researched and watched him. MWC guy, stayed 4 years, later bloomer, 6'8"-6'9", fairly long, solid d, j, can guard 3 positions, good rebounder, around 20 ppg scorer by end, not explosive but fluid athlete, pretty good understanding, etc. Would be a good pick I think.

[Bernman]

Spellman staying in muddies the waters for me a bit. Didn't expect him to come out. On the shortlist.

Yeah I honestly really like him at 17. If he doesn't develope much he's a stretch 4/5 hybrid bench option for 4 years, which is honestly not that bad. And if he does he can easily be a starter.

Never have understood why he's getting little traction here and some mocks don't have him getting drafted even. Good first season, strong finish to the tourney, productive in the combine games, solid measurements, heady, good character, tough, can space. I'd either take him at 17 or hope he fell to the early 2nd if we pick up an extra pick (then regret it if he didn't). May have stayed in w/ 1st rd promise (what Wright advised) or just decided he didn't want to be looked at as too old next year.

[BuildingBucks]

I thought I saw a prospect compared to Danny Granger, but ironically don't think it was Hutchison. That's who really jumped out comparison-wise when I researched and watched him. MWC guy, stayed 4 years, later bloomer, 6'8"-6'9", fairly long, solid d, j, can guard 3 positions, good rebounder, around 20 ppg scorer by end, not explosive but fluid athlete, pretty good understanding, etc. Would be a good pick I think.

It's been Khyri Thomas and Chandler Hutchison as the two I think we should take at 17 this entire time, I'd love either one on this team.

[M-C-G]

Couple of things to keep in mind with Kostas, I don't think there will be any growth spurt which turned Giannis from interesting prospect to maybe most interesting player in the league. He is what, 6'10 and 7'2 wing? I think Giannis is probably a fairly legit 7' with 7'4 span. Also while being 20 Kostas was barely getting burn at Dayton while Giannis was showing he could dominate NBA games for stretches.

If you took his last name away, I don't think you have a draftable player. G league, sure, but I'm guessing I can find other things I'd rather do with a roster spot.

[Bernman]

I thought I saw a prospect compared to Danny Granger, but ironically don't think it was Hutchison. That's who really jumped out comparison-wise when I researched and watched him. MWC guy, stayed 4 years, later bloomer, 6'8"-6'9", fairly long, solid d, j, can guard 3 positions, good rebounder, around 20 ppg scorer by end, not explosive but fluid athlete, pretty good understanding, etc. Would be a good pick I think.

It's been Khyri Thomas and Chandler Hutchison as the two I think we should take at 17 this entire time, I'd love either one on this team.

Those two would be on my acceptable list, along w/ Spellman and Okogie. Still have several to check out before draft time.

[AussieBuck]

Would take a punt on Kostas with a second. Would hate to see him pan out for another team that then uses him to lure Giannis.

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But the flip-side is being overly invested in him once he's drafted and not want to offend Giannis by releasing him. Obviously wouldn't hold it against the Bucks to not draft him in the 1st. If they pick up a higher 2nd it would also be considered a reach too.

That could be more of a motive in a strategy towards his younger brother Alex, who if he comes out as a college freshman will be available in the draft weeks before Giannis would become a FA. Frankly he looks like a better prospect too, being more productive as a hs soph than Kostas, shooting respectably from 3. If he's like his bros, he'll keep growing from the 6'7/7'2 he is now. Roster Stink U should offer.

I've only seen one video liked the way he moved, didn't seem soft. Low bar for role player centres, looks like he could clear it within a few years. I'd like a few project bigs of differing profiles.

I'm talking trading DJ for a late second and giving the kid his spot at the end of the bench plus I haven't scouted in years so it's not like there's anyone else I'm attached to so I get that I'm posting from ignorance here.

While I'm rambling I wonder if we could nab Jonah Bolden while the Sixers are distracted