2017 Draft Thread

[SOUL]

http://thedoublescreen.com/words/2017/5/16/2017-to-kill-a-mock-draft

I made a lighthearted, not-so-serious mock draft GIF heavy mock draft if you guys want to check it out, some of you guys may enjoy it. Most of the Reddit Wolves fans liked my trade scenario but preferred a different pick at that selection, which makes sense.

[Mattya]

Not much of a fan of your proposed trade or the draft pick.

[Klomp]

http://thedoublescreen.com/words/2017/5/16/2017-to-kill-a-mock-draft

I made a lighthearted, not-so-serious mock draft GIF heavy mock draft if you guys want to check it out, some of you guys may enjoy it. Most of the Reddit Wolves fans liked my trade scenario but preferred a different pick at that selection, which makes sense.

I'm guessing they preferred Collins?

[SOUL]

http://thedoublescreen.com/words/2017/5/16/2017-to-kill-a-mock-draft

I made a lighthearted, not-so-serious mock draft GIF heavy mock draft if you guys want to check it out, some of you guys may enjoy it. Most of the Reddit Wolves fans liked my trade scenario but preferred a different pick at that selection, which makes sense.

I'm guessing they preferred Collins?

Yep! I saw some Collins and some Kennard as well.

[derek360]

I've seen the light. Dennis Smith Jr. We can't pass on this kid.

Trade Ricky to Kidd & the Milbucks for their pick and draft Anunoby.

Smith and Anunoby. That's my dream draft day.


edit - I like Monk too but Smith is better.

Smith Tyus
Dunn Zach
Wiggins (Tucker)
(Green) Anunoby
Towns Dieng

We can definitely pass on Dennis Smith AND Malik Monk. Smith is not a leader, didn't communicate with his teammates and is a really inconsistent shooter (35%, looks good but his shot selection was sometimes horrific), not to mention not the best FT shooter (71% on the season). Yes he is probably the best finisher at the rim (his best attribute by far) and can run the pick and roll, but he is really short and would be a defensive liability against most PGs in the league (took a while for Dunn to be able to kind of guard anyone for that matter, for Smith it'd be a nightmare) and if I am guarding him, I am going under EVERY screen and making him shoot to beat us (just like Fox). With Monk, besides that 47 point outburst against UNC and 30 points in the second half against Georgia, he is a really streaky shooter that compromised Fox's playmaking and speed to get his own shot. His shot selection wasn't the greatest either as on a lot of possessions he was playing a lot of iso-ball. His athleticism along with his supposedly good shooting is what will get him drafted in the top 10, but I wouldn't touch either with them.

I remember lack of size is mainly why the Wolves passed on both Westbrook and Curry, past two NBA MVPS.
Smith has the athleticism to make it big in the league.

Well, Jonny Flynn was 3 inches shorter than Curry and only 15 lbs lighter and Westbrook was 6'2" but had a 6'7 wingspan so...don't know about that lack of size... But does Smith really want to win? Besides that Duke game, didn't really light it up the rest of the year and sometimes looked like he didn't want to win or even play. Athleticism can only get you so far.... if you can't shoot...Against GA tech, he took 5 3s when there were more than 20 secs left in the shot clock...not very smart...

[Klomp]

Watched some more Smith highlights.....a lot of flash! Got me thinking Smith and Towns could be the modern-day Marbury and Garnett....

[Krapinsky]

We can definitely pass on Dennis Smith AND Malik Monk. Smith is not a leader, didn't communicate with his teammates and is a really inconsistent shooter (35%, looks good but his shot selection was sometimes horrific), not to mention not the best FT shooter (71% on the season). Yes he is probably the best finisher at the rim (his best attribute by far) and can run the pick and roll, but he is really short and would be a defensive liability against most PGs in the league (took a while for Dunn to be able to kind of guard anyone for that matter, for Smith it'd be a nightmare) and if I am guarding him, I am going under EVERY screen and making him shoot to beat us (just like Fox). With Monk, besides that 47 point outburst against UNC and 30 points in the second half against Georgia, he is a really streaky shooter that compromised Fox's playmaking and speed to get his own shot. His shot selection wasn't the greatest either as on a lot of possessions he was playing a lot of iso-ball. His athleticism along with his supposedly good shooting is what will get him drafted in the top 10, but I wouldn't touch either with them.

I remember lack of size is mainly why the Wolves passed on both Westbrook and Curry, past two NBA MVPS.
Smith has the athleticism to make it big in the league.

Well, Jonny Flynn was 3 inches shorter than Curry and only 15 lbs lighter and Westbrook was 6'2" but had a 6'7 wingspan so...don't know about that lack of size... But does Smith really want to win? Besides that Duke game, didn't really light it up the rest of the year and sometimes looked like he didn't want to win or even play. Athleticism can only get you so far.... if you can't shoot...Against GA tech, he took 5 3s when there were more than 20 secs left in the shot clock...not very smart...

Marbury actually seems like a pretty good comp for Smith.

The worry with Smith is his effort on the defensive end is apparently abysmal. With Thibs trying to change the culture of guys like Thibs, Wiggins, and Lavine to get them to focus on defensive, I have a hard time seeing him taking a guy with the same issue magnified x 3.

[Crazy-Canuck]

Jonah bolden is another interesting guy.

Great physical measurements.
He can run, defend, rebound, and stretch the floor. I read an interview that he thinks of himself as a 3, but looks like he might be more suited to be a modern nba 4.

[Biggsohnasty]

I remember lack of size is mainly why the Wolves passed on both Westbrook and Curry, past two NBA MVPS.
Smith has the athleticism to make it big in the league.

Well, Jonny Flynn was 3 inches shorter than Curry and only 15 lbs lighter and Westbrook was 6'2" but had a 6'7 wingspan so...don't know about that lack of size... But does Smith really want to win? Besides that Duke game, didn't really light it up the rest of the year and sometimes looked like he didn't want to win or even play. Athleticism can only get you so far.... if you can't shoot...Against GA tech, he took 5 3s when there were more than 20 secs left in the shot clock...not very smart...

Marbury actually seems like a pretty good comp for Smith.

The worry with Smith is his effort on the defensive end is apparently abysmal. With Thibs trying to change the culture of guys like Thibs, Wiggins, and Lavine to get them to focus on defensive, I have a hard time seeing him taking a guy with the same issue magnified x 3.

Smith is 19 years old so like with any freshman, he's far from a finished product.

Blaming leadership and the dumpster fire that was the NC State program this year on him is silly. If your program needs a freshman to come in and not only be your far and away best player but also the unquestioned leader, you got problems.

Smith's outside shot can definitely be characterized as "streaky" but it's nowhere near a liability like it is for Dunn.

If it comes down to picking a prospect based on offense or defense, I'll take a 19 year old who needs work on defense over a 22 year old one with no offense to speak of. Smith could come in and earn minutes as he develops on the defensive end. That seems like something that can be very simple.

Use some imagination - what would Smith's stock look like if he were to have picked UNC rather than NC State. If he would've gone to a stable program - on the court - with good players around him where he didn't have to shoulder as much responsibility on a team where he would've been more accountable for some of the bad habits. I'd bet he'd be in Top-3 consideration.

[Mundo]

Wow I can't believe there was so much discussion between Isaac or Markkanen. This is exactly how franchises draft a Danny Ferry player. It's really simple, just draft Isaac. It's like Minnesota fans slept through the entire KG era.

[derek360]

Well, Jonny Flynn was 3 inches shorter than Curry and only 15 lbs lighter and Westbrook was 6'2" but had a 6'7 wingspan so...don't know about that lack of size... But does Smith really want to win? Besides that Duke game, didn't really light it up the rest of the year and sometimes looked like he didn't want to win or even play. Athleticism can only get you so far.... if you can't shoot...Against GA tech, he took 5 3s when there were more than 20 secs left in the shot clock...not very smart...

Marbury actually seems like a pretty good comp for Smith.

The worry with Smith is his effort on the defensive end is apparently abysmal. With Thibs trying to change the culture of guys like Thibs, Wiggins, and Lavine to get them to focus on defensive, I have a hard time seeing him taking a guy with the same issue magnified x 3.

Smith is 19 years old so like with any freshman, he's far from a finished product.

Blaming leadership and the dumpster fire that was the NC State program this year on him is silly. If your program needs a freshman to come in and not only be your far and away best player but also the unquestioned leader, you got problems.

Smith's outside shot can definitely be characterized as "streaky" but it's nowhere near a liability like it is for Dunn.

If it comes down to picking a prospect based on offense or defense, I'll take a 19 year old who needs work on defense over a 22 year old one with no offense to speak of. Smith could come in and earn minutes as he develops on the defensive end. That seems like something that can be very simple.


Use some imagination - what would Smith's stock look like if he were to have picked UNC rather than NC State. If he would've gone to a stable program - on the court - with good players around him where he didn't have to shoulder as much responsibility on a team where he would've been more accountable for some of the bad habits. I'd bet he'd be in Top-3 consideration.

Another way of looking at it is why did Smith (and guys like Fultz, Simmons from last year and Michael Porter this upcoming fall) go to these terrible programs? One answer is to show that they can be THE guy regardless of situation. LSU, Missouri and Washington aren't the cream of the crop in terms of college basketball, but their arrivals signaled a possible change in culture and a shot at the big time. Smith chose to stay home (he grew up a State fan), Porter and Simmons chose to follow their dads (in Simmons' case his godfather) and a UWs assistant knew Fultz's trainer and they offered a scholarship before everyone else. By being THE guy, you are the leader whether you like it or not, so it's interesting how each player handled it. Fultz played like a boss (2nd freshman to average at least 20 pts, 5 rebs and 5 asts in the last 22 years), Simmons wasn't too bad either (running the fast break and passing to tim quarterman for 3s and such) and Smith in my mind was just ok (wasn't even the best player in my mind in the beginning of the season and gradually became better). If he went to UNC or whatever, do you really think he could handle those high pressure situations? That is why Joel Berry and Nate Britt were there. The fact that these guys are still top prospects is not indicative of their program, it's about their talent and their talent only as it pertains to their potential in the NBA. Smith is already considered a top 5 pick and if he didn't get injured in high school probably would've been in discussion for the #1 pick.

If I am a GM, that is exactly who I want, someone to shoulder the responsibility and be the leader that my team is looking for. Smith, to me is not that guy and the tape shows that. Fox is a better leader than Smith is (not to mention a faster and smarter player; Fox played on the better team, but I think everyone saw he outplayed Ball and UCLA and really took the game into his own hands). If I am the Magic GM, do I really want to rebuild my team with Dennis Smith? If I am the Wolves, are we giving up on Dunn so early and trading Rubio just to draft Smith? I really hope not.

I actually wanted the Wolves to take Jamal Murray last year but Thibs went with defense and took Dunn. Hasn't worked out obviously but it's only his 1st year. The T-Wolves need stability (4th coach in 4 years) and I just don't think Smith is the answer. I'd rather have Issac, who although played 26 mins a game, played them in shifts like hockey (since FSU played 12 players) so not much tread and in my mind has the highest ceiling of any player in this draft. Please feel free to disagree.

[Biggsohnasty]

Marbury actually seems like a pretty good comp for Smith.

The worry with Smith is his effort on the defensive end is apparently abysmal. With Thibs trying to change the culture of guys like Thibs, Wiggins, and Lavine to get them to focus on defensive, I have a hard time seeing him taking a guy with the same issue magnified x 3.

Smith is 19 years old so like with any freshman, he's far from a finished product.

Blaming leadership and the dumpster fire that was the NC State program this year on him is silly. If your program needs a freshman to come in and not only be your far and away best player but also the unquestioned leader, you got problems.

Smith's outside shot can definitely be characterized as "streaky" but it's nowhere near a liability like it is for Dunn.

If it comes down to picking a prospect based on offense or defense, I'll take a 19 year old who needs work on defense over a 22 year old one with no offense to speak of. Smith could come in and earn minutes as he develops on the defensive end. That seems like something that can be very simple.


Use some imagination - what would Smith's stock look like if he were to have picked UNC rather than NC State. If he would've gone to a stable program - on the court - with good players around him where he didn't have to shoulder as much responsibility on a team where he would've been more accountable for some of the bad habits. I'd bet he'd be in Top-3 consideration.

Another way of looking at it is why did Smith (and guys like Fultz, Simmons from last year and Michael Porter this upcoming fall) go to these terrible programs? One answer is to show that they can be THE guy regardless of situation. LSU, Missouri and Washington aren't the cream of the crop in terms of college basketball, but their arrivals signaled a possible change in culture and a shot at the big time. Smith chose to stay home (he grew up a State fan), Porter and Simmons chose to follow their dads (in Simmons' case his godfather) and a UWs assistant knew Fultz's trainer and they offered a scholarship before everyone else. By being THE guy, you are the leader whether you like it or not, so it's interesting how each player handled it. Fultz played like a boss (2nd freshman to average at least 20 pts, 5 rebs and 5 asts in the last 22 years), Simmons wasn't too bad either (running the fast break and passing to tim quarterman for 3s and such) and Smith in my mind was just ok (wasn't even the best player in my mind in the beginning of the season and gradually became better). If he went to UNC or whatever, do you really think he could handle those high pressure situations? That is why Joel Berry and Nate Britt were there. The fact that these guys are still top prospects is not indicative of their program, it's about their talent and their talent only as it pertains to their potential in the NBA. Smith is already considered a top 5 pick and if he didn't get injured in high school probably would've been in discussion for the #1 pick.

If I am a GM, that is exactly who I want, someone to shoulder the responsibility and be the leader that my team is looking for. Smith, to me is not that guy and the tape shows that. Fox is a better leader than Smith is (not to mention a faster and smarter player; Fox played on the better team, but I think everyone saw he outplayed Ball and UCLA and really took the game into his own hands). If I am the Magic GM, do I really want to rebuild my team with Dennis Smith? If I am the Wolves, are we giving up on Dunn so early and trading Rubio just to draft Smith? I really hope not.

I actually wanted the Wolves to take Jamal Murray last year but Thibs went with defense and took Dunn. Hasn't worked out obviously but it's only his 1st year. The T-Wolves need stability (4th coach in 4 years) and I just don't think Smith is the answer. I'd rather have Issac, who although played 26 mins a game, played them in shifts like hockey (since FSU played 12 players) so not much tread and in my mind has the highest ceiling of any player in this draft. Please feel free to disagree.

Good points. I'll disagree with some of it though not all.

If Fox is on the board somehow and the Wolves are picking, I'm taking him. Yeah you will catch flack for yet another point guard who doesn't shoot well but Fox is 19 and there is at least something to work with in that it's not entirely broken like Rubio's was.

Dennis Smith might not have done the best job leading NC State last season. He had his share of inconsistent moments - but I'd argue that almost every point guard had those but were better insulated with proper talent around them. If Smith struggled, his team got blown out. Fultz was in the same boat and let's not pretend Fultz was this spectacular leader for Washington - he put up huge numbers on an awful team. And I'm not holding the lack of winning against those guys. Blaming a freshman point guard for a team that has little talent and horrible coaching is an easy overreaction.

I totally disagree with your thought that you wouldn't give up on Dunn to draft Smith. Dunn showed he's got chops defensively but if he can't play offense, he can't be a starting point guard. To be competitive, you need more than a starting point guard. You need an upper-echelon starting point guard. Is Dunn going to go from borderline unplayable to upper-echelon? Nothing he showed as a rookie (23 years old at that) gave any indication that he's got that in him.

Smith isn't a slam dunk and sure there's some risk - as there is with drafting any 19-year-old - but if the Wolves are going to lock themselves to their roster by the end of this summer, I'd like to see them take a swing on a guy who in 3 years could be a rockstar. Don't take a guy who fits now as a nice role player because its convenient and we're in a hurry to win 45 games and get to the playoffs. Give me the guy who when he's 23, fits with a 26-year-old Wiggins and a 25-year-old Towns to form the next legit "Big 3"

I think if Smith is there, he's got the best chance to represent that. I don't know if Isaac does. He feels like a guy who will fit nicely into a team environment but he might tap out at "good quality role player" - and I wouldn't necessarily be upset about picking Isaac. I'd take him if those PGs are off the board. But Smith to me has as much upside as any of the PGs in this draft and had the team not drafted Dunn a year ago, it'd be a no-brainer. My perspective is that it should be a no-brainer anyway because Dunn can be viewed as a player for this team - but they shouldn't just assume he's the "point guard of the future"

[TheDominator273]

If I'm taking any of the PG's in this draft it's because I see Dunn as a defensive specialist SG not a PG and of any of the ones likely to be there at our pick I'm taking Ntilikina.

[minimus]

If I'm taking any of the PG's in this draft it's because I see Dunn as a defensive specialist SG not a PG and of any of the ones likely to be there at our pick I'm taking Ntilikina.

No love here for Ntilikina. I like his motor and hustle in defense. But I dont trust his jumper mechanic. Also he lacks burst to consistently create for himself. Some people think that he can guard 1-2-3. I dont know if he is going to do any workout before draft, but it could help to evaluate his skills.

[minimus]

After reading some reports and watching videos about Donovan Mitchell I have feeling that he could be a special player for us. He can play with Rubio, LaVine, Dunn or even Tyus. My comparison is:

Worst case: Marcus Smart.
Best case: D-Wade (???) sorry I'm a bit overhyped here )))
Realistic case: Avery Bradley

https://basketballscouting.wordpress.com/2017/01/11/donovan-mitchell-scouting-report/

[YourBuddy]

I do hope we try to grab a pick in the 50s and try to find some undrafted players.

Nigels Hayes, Kobi Simmons, Chris Boucher, Amile Jefferson, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Jonah Bolden, Frank Mason, Monte Morris, Cam Oliver, Jaron Blossomgame, Dwayne Bacon, Wesley Iwundu, Sindarius Thornwell, Nigel Williams Goss. All these guys are late projected late picks or not even projected to be picked and all seem like solid gambles.

[wildvikeswolves]

My current realistic board.

1. Tatum
2. Isaac/Smith
3. Smith/Isaac
4. Zach Collins- I feel like Thibs is gonna love him.
5. Markkanen

[Nick K]

Speaking of the Collins guys Zach and John, I've been looking at them a lot lately and like them both. If Isaac isn't there I'd look at one of the Collins.
They are two different players. Zach is the Center who can shoot and John is the PF with the great inside game. Zach isn't the best fit next to Towns but is probably the better prospect. I love John Collins next to Towns though.

Does anybody else like these guys? Looking for comments.

[AlfieJaegar]

Speaking of the Collins guys Zach and John, I've been looking at them a lot lately and like them both. If Isaac isn't there I'd look at one of the Collins.
They are two different players. Zach is the Center who can shoot and John is the PF with the great inside game. Zach isn't the best fit next to Towns but is probably the better prospect. I love John Collins next to Towns though.

Does anybody else like these guys? Looking for comments.

I like Zach more.He can play defence and spread the floor. Even though he didn't take a lot of threes at Gonzaga,I've heard he can make them.I would rather have a guy that can spread the floor next to Towns.

[Crazy-Canuck]

I don't think Isaac lasts until the 7th.

Weltman loves those long rangey upside guys and Isaac fits the bill.