2024 NBA Draft Thread - June 26/27

[JayMKE]

For a 5 I think its imperative to have a rim protector and guy that can absorb the blows for Giannis especially in lieu of Brook. Defense and rebounding more important than pick n roll or lob offense. 8’8” is like Khris Middleton’s standing reach. Doesn’t check the boxes.

[Fotis St]

For a 5 I think its imperative to have a rim protector and guy that can absorb the blows for Giannis especially in lieu of Brook. Defense and rebounding more important than pick n roll or lob offense. 8’8” is like Khris Middleton’s standing reach. Doesn’t check the boxes.

College Stats :

Bam Adebayo '16-'17
Points 13.0
Rebounds 8.0
Assists 0.8
Blocks 1.5
Steals 0.7
FG% 59.9
Games 38
MinPlay 30.1

Oso Ighodaro '23-'24
Points 13.4
Rebounds 6.9
Assists 2.9
Blocks 1.3
Steals 1.1
FG% 57.6
Games 36
MinPlay 32.5

[Ron Swanson]

If you want a guy who's actually similar to Bam in measurables and athletic profile, it's Adem Bona.

Watch on YouTube

[ReasonablySober]

If you want a guy who's actually similar to Bam in measurables and athletic profile, it's Adem Bona.

Watch on YouTube

He doesn't look anywhere near as smooth or quick as Bam. Looks pretty heavy footed, actually.

[Ron Swanson]

Sure, that's why he's a 2nd round prospect and not a lottery pick. If you want the better two-way upside guy, I'd say Ware or Chomche is the much better bet, but bigger bust potential.

[emunney]

I'm not saying it can't happen, as I haven't looked it up myself, but has there ever been an impact center defender with something like an 8'8 standing reach? That's like long shooting guard length. Oso was a poor rebounder and poor rim protector at the NCAA level, to me that's sure to carry over, right? Is the hope that we just let Giannis carry the "center" spot and he's more of a power forward type? Like Trayce Jackson-Davis made the undersized center thing work last season but he was also just a much better defender/rebounder at the college level (just overall much better too), is that the hope?

Diaw.

[Ron Swanson]

New CBS mock draft:

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2024-nba-mock-draft-kentuckys-reed-sheppard-shoots-his-way-to-wizards-at-no-2-behind-top-pick-alex-sarr/

Round 1 - Pick 23

Kevin McCullar Jr. SG
KANSAS • SR • 6'7" / 212 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM
Milwaukee

PROSPECT RNK
39th

POSITION RNK
11th

PPG
18.3
RPG
6
APG
4.1
3P%
33.3%

McCullar's season came to an unfortunate end early because a nagging knee injury that derailed Kansas' season — but before that he was clearly KU's best player while averaging a career-high 18.3 points per game in his fifth year of college. He's an elite defender at his size and should be, at the age of 23, a solid plug-and-play option for a Milwaukee franchise that doesn't need to waste any more of Giannis Antetokounmpo's prime years.

- The idea of Reed Sheppard going #2 overall is **** bonkers. This class really is completely barren of any blue-chip prospects.

- Am fine with McCullar. He's not the sexiest pick but he's about the safest plug-and-play guy in our range. There isn't much he can't do.

- First mock I've seen that has Justin Edwards in the 1st round. Super intriguing guy given his talent and size. Disappointing freshman year relative to expectations, but projects as a pretty awesome 3&D type if he accepts that role on a contending team.

[emunney]

New CBS mock draft:

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2024-nba-mock-draft-kentuckys-reed-sheppard-shoots-his-way-to-wizards-at-no-2-behind-top-pick-alex-sarr/

Round 1 - Pick 23

Kevin McCullar Jr. SG
KANSAS • SR • 6'7" / 212 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM
Milwaukee

PROSPECT RNK
39th

POSITION RNK
11th

PPG
18.3
RPG
6
APG
4.1
3P%
33.3%

McCullar's season came to an unfortunate end early because a nagging knee injury that derailed Kansas' season — but before that he was clearly KU's best player while averaging a career-high 18.3 points per game in his fifth year of college. He's an elite defender at his size and should be, at the age of 23, a solid plug-and-play option for a Milwaukee franchise that doesn't need to waste any more of Giannis Antetokounmpo's prime years.

- The idea of Reed Sheppard going #2 overall is **** bonkers. This class really is completely barren of any blue-chip prospects.

- Am fine with McCullar. He's not the sexiest pick but he's about the safest plug-and-play guy in our range. There isn't much he can't do.

- First mock I've seen that has Justin Edwards in the 1st round. Super intriguing guy given his talent and size. Disappointing freshman year relative to expectations, but projects as a pretty awesome 3&D type if he accepts that role on a contending team.

I'd take Sheppard #1. But yes.

[jakecronus8]

All in on Kel'El

[Bernman]

A few standouts from the combine games:

Michael Ajayi - late growth spurt to 6'6" w/out shoes, strong, 7' wingspan, wing, averaged 17 pts (47% 3) & 10 rebs in only yr at Pepperdine, athletic guy, impacted all around in Chicago, worth consideration on 1st or 2nd rounder, may go to Gonzaga

Nikola Djurisic - 6'7 wing, evokes classic eastern euro slasher types such as Dragic, Jaric, etc. Plays a little above the rim. Some lateral ?'s on d, but not total stiff. Creative. Still needs work on his shot. Productive in Serbia. 1st or 2nd rd consideration

Coleman Hawkins - saw him multiple times in college & was a pest 6'10 big, always around the ball, can guard the perimeter pick/roll, not useless at the rim, tenacious, not a strong rebounder but that can be alleviated some in NBA weight room, showed he can create for himself & teammates pretty well for a 4/small ball 5, sufficient shooter, 2nd round pick consideration

------
The 1st 2 have some core player potential. Hawkins has clear role player projection, but would have been seamless fit last yr.

Here's a video addendum for perspective on the first 2:

Watch on YouTube

Read on Twitter

[SupremeHustle]

Question: If the Bucks could grab the #1 pick in this draft who would you take?

[Jimmmycrackcorn]

I'm really falling in love with Kyshawn George as a possibility for the Bucks

[Frank Nova]

Question: If the Bucks could grab the #1 pick in this draft who would you take?

That’s tough. I like Risarcher, Clingan, Sarr, not in order those would be my 3 finalists I think.

I also like Knect and Holland but not at 1st overall. If you could guarantee me that Holland could eventually even be close to Jaylen Brown, you could make a stronger case for 1st pick there.

[Ron Swanson]

Question: If the Bucks could grab the #1 pick in this draft who would you take?

Sarr. I'm not overthinking it. Put this guy next to Giannis and you'd have the most dominant defensive duo since, well....2020 Giannis and Brook. But way more versatile/switchable.

Watch on YouTube

[emunney]

A few standouts from the combine games:

Michael Ajayi - late growth spurt to 6'6" w/out shoes, strong, 7' wingspan, wing, averaged 17 pts (47% 3) & 10 rebs in only yr at Pepperdine, athletic guy, impacted all around in Chicago, worth consideration on 1st or 2nd rounder, may go to Gonzaga

Nikola Djurisic - 6'7 wing, evokes classic eastern euro slasher types such as Dragic, Jaric, etc. Plays a little above the rim. Some lateral ?'s on d, but not total stiff. Creative. Still needs work on his shot. Productive in Serbia. 1st or 2nd rd consideration

Coleman Hawkins - saw him multiple times in college & was a pest 6'10 big, always around the ball, can guard the perimeter pick/roll, not useless at the rim, tenacious, not a strong rebounder but that can be alleviated some in NBA weight room, showed he can create for himself & teammates pretty well for a 4/small ball 5, sufficient shooter, 2nd round pick consideration

------
The 1st 2 have some core player potential. Hawkins has clear role player projection, but would have been seamless fit last yr.

Here's a video addendum for perspective on the first 2:

Watch on YouTube

Read on Twitter

Ajayi looked really good at the combine, for sure. Kind of poor man's Kawhi thing going on between the physical profile and the big-handed super flat jumpshot with crazy backspin.

[emunney]

Enrique Freeman was everywhere at the combine if you're after an undersized energy big who somehow has a 9' standing reach. 31 double doubles in 35 games this year, pretty nuts.

[theFireBlanket]

Enrique Freeman was everywhere at the combine if you're after an undersized energy big who somehow has a 9' standing reach. 31 double doubles in 35 games this year, pretty nuts.

Sounds like he has Bucks DNA, a Horst guy off the court.

[Fotis St]

Enrique Freeman was everywhere at the combine if you're after an undersized energy big who somehow has a 9' standing reach. 31 double doubles in 35 games this year, pretty nuts.

Sounds like he has Bucks DNA, a Horst guy off the court.

Yes, my eye test says he is like Myles Turner

[drone3]

Question: If the Bucks could grab the #1 pick in this draft who would you take?

Ron Holland

[Frank Nova]

Enrique Freeman was everywhere at the combine if you're after an undersized energy big who somehow has a 9' standing reach. 31 double doubles in 35 games this year, pretty nuts.

Maybe it’s the hair but he reminds me of Anderson Varejeo a little bit.