2020 NBA Draft Prospects: Thread II

[Neeva]

It’s the smart thing for someone that sees assets as trade chips. Ball and Edwards will retain the most trade value for a possible booker trade down the line.
I prefer Ball right now, something about Edwards has turned me off. if Ball measures at 6’8, and can be a consistent triple double machine, it’s over. I have a sinking feeling one of the Balls will become an NBA superstar and it obviously won’t be Lonzo.

[Baseline81]

I notice you said "begin" the season off the bench. While I am encouraged by that line, I'm also reminded of how Culver got starts a month or so in, or how people wanted Dunn starting instead of Rubio at some point during the rookie season. So I'm concerned by the use of the words "begin the season"

I read your other example post and you make a good case. But likewise, you can't find one single example and claim because of that one Jaylen Brown example it means Edwards will shoot much better. BTW Brown, shooting 37% for NBA career is decent. But it took 4 seasons for him to now reach 20PPG. Which is totally fine. But people should realize how long they will likely need to wait to see that shot develop and consistently carry enough to build such a point total. He started with 17mpg year 1 and that's the range I suggested for Culver's first season at max. The team didn't have the will power/wisdom to hold back his minutes to help him develop better. It's a danger still now for new players.

How about another example from someone with similar college numbers, and another Celtic.
Marcus Smart (6th overall)
.295 college 3FG%
.318 NBA 6 yr career 3FG% (38 starts year 1, streaky 3FG shooter)
yr1 = .335, yr2 = .253, yr3 = .283, yr4 = .301, yr5 = .364, yr6 = .347

These are two players developing in a well established franchise, taking a full rookie contract and then some to develop that shot from a weakness to something around average. Now first off is the same possible here? And are you ok with a 4 year wait until he's considered reliable at average? Is that #1 overall expectations? Would it be so wrong to draft a player that already shoots better from the start and not have to wait 4 years for that aspect to help your team?

Why change the focus from improving shooting percentage to needing to become a 20 PPG player? Let's be honest, rookies seldom come in and play well, even if it's one of those "plug and play" prospects you speak of. The team will go as far as Russell and Towns take it. It is the second and third year when Edwards would have to step up to take some of the burden off those two. Continuing with Brown, in his second season, he jumped from 17 MPG to nearly 31 MPG. His 3P% climbed to .395 on 4.4 3PA.

And I only pointed to Brown because he was also a one-and-done prospect. In a separate post of yours, you talked about Mitchell shooting .354 3P% in his sophomore year at Louisville. Yet, during his freshman campaign, he only shot .250. It's okay if you don't believe Edwards' shot will improve. We simply differ on it.

[theGreatRC]

Posted this in another thread:

DWolfson has been told that #1 is between Melo/Edwards and it's "not close"..says Wolves are doing their homework and going balls deep in the process of these two prospects

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[Macwolf527]

I attempted to make this same argument right after the lottery. Edwards has about 10 games where he could not hit the side of a barn and it translated to his shooting all over the court, not just from the 3pt range. I saw further evidence in the fact that the Bulldogs were completely out of those games. You could tell that teams were targeting Edwards defensively. Coming into a situation with DLo and Towns where he is not the offensive focal point, should bring out the best in his game. The responsibility falls upon him to learn how to find quality shots in the proper flow of the game versus just jacking up long threes. I still believe Edwards is going to be special. He's built for the NBA.

When you attempted to make this same argument right after the lottery, how did it go?

To me it sounds like a few guys really trying to talk themselves into this player with whatever they can dream up. Saying that playing with Dlo and Towns "should bring out the best in his game" is kind of a stretch guess, no? Culver didn't instantly improve his shooting because Towns, Wiggins and others were taking the heat off him. In fact his shot fell off the wagon. Free throws as well. Will the pair of Dlo and Towns be different? I can't say yay or nay and won't. But I do know that Beasley just finally got to a team that would start him and allow him to stay warm shooting and it looked like a great and positive thing for this team. Now we are going to throw another ill equipped shooter into the mix to cool everyone off again ala Wiggins? Here comes the on again off again Wolves again if this happens.

Remember when people claimed Culver had a good chance to improve over his college shot? Culver should have been able to pick his spots better and improve that shot, right? I think it means it will take a few years before he's shooting positively, at least consistently. Doesn't mean he won't have a hot game or two. Wiggins had those a few times a season too. Just sure hope he does it from minor bench minutes until he's fully ready.

Who knows right now how he is going to handle playing off ball waiting to be involved by a pass or no pass. "He's built for the nba" you said. I will say this, it is pretty rare for the Timberwolves to even have a chance at drafting a hyped player that already looks like he's grown out of his kiddie suit.

Well, for one, I never thought Culver was the scorer like Edwards. Two, I’ve never thought Wiggins made anyone better. So, my thoughts on Edwards game improving between DLo and KAT comes from an entirely different vantage point. It’s the fact that he can score at all three levels that makes me think he’ll do well with them. Defense comes solely down to desire. His body make-up and athleticism gives him an edge here. It’s just a matter of him finding the motivation. I try not to pass judgement on what players are NOT at the age of 18, so the fact that he just turned 19 a little over a month ago, grants a bit of hope that he will develop in some areas where he’s lacking right now.

[KGdaBom]

I attempted to make this same argument right after the lottery. Edwards has about 10 games where he could not hit the side of a barn and it translated to his shooting all over the court, not just from the 3pt range. I saw further evidence in the fact that the Bulldogs were completely out of those games. You could tell that teams were targeting Edwards defensively. Coming into a situation with DLo and Towns where he is not the offensive focal point, should bring out the best in his game. The responsibility falls upon him to learn how to find quality shots in the proper flow of the game versus just jacking up long threes. I still believe Edwards is going to be special. He's built for the NBA.

When you attempted to make this same argument right after the lottery, how did it go?

To me it sounds like a few guys really trying to talk themselves into this player with whatever they can dream up. Saying that playing with Dlo and Towns "should bring out the best in his game" is kind of a stretch guess, no? Culver didn't instantly improve his shooting because Towns, Wiggins and others were taking the heat off him. In fact his shot fell off the wagon. Free throws as well. Will the pair of Dlo and Towns be different? I can't say yay or nay and won't. But I do know that Beasley just finally got to a team that would start him and allow him to stay warm shooting and it looked like a great and positive thing for this team. Now we are going to throw another ill equipped shooter into the mix to cool everyone off again ala Wiggins? Here comes the on again off again Wolves again if this happens.

Remember when people claimed Culver had a good chance to improve over his college shot? Culver should have been able to pick his spots better and improve that shot, right? I think it means it will take a few years before he's shooting positively, at least consistently. Doesn't mean he won't have a hot game or two. Wiggins had those a few times a season too. Just sure hope he does it from minor bench minutes until he's fully ready.

Who knows right now how he is going to handle playing off ball waiting to be involved by a pass or no pass. "He's built for the nba" you said. I will say this, it is pretty rare for the Timberwolves to even have a chance at drafting a hyped player that already looks like he's grown out of his kiddie suit.

Well, for one, I never thought Culver was the scorer like Edwards. Two, I’ve never thought Wiggins made anyone better. So, my thoughts on Edwards game improving between DLo and KAT comes from an entirely different vantage point. It’s the fact that he can score at all three levels that makes me think he’ll do well with them. Defense comes solely down to desire. His body make-up and athleticism gives him an edge here. It’s just a matter of him finding the motivation. I try not to pass judgement on what players are NOT at the age of 18, so the fact that he just turned 19 a little over a month ago, grants a bit of hope that he will develop in some areas where he’s lacking right now.

I fully agree he could be great.

[_AIJ_]

Ball is a surefire superstar! I hope we could trade down with charlotte so we can grab him at 3 + Pj washington


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[KGdaBom]

Ball is a surefire superstar! I hope we could trade down with charlotte so we can grab him at 3 + Pj washington


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If we could get PJ Washington in a trade down with Charlotte that would be awesome. Then we should trade down again with the Knicks so they can get that sure fire superstar. I'd settle for 8 and their unprotected first round pick next year.

[Klomp]

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[Klomp]

Scoop him up if he's there at 33

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[Klomp]

Pokusevski is arguably my favorite SF/PF in the 17 range, but I'd be quite fine settling for McDaniels

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[Klomp]

If he happens to go undrafted, I'd try hard to get him on a two-way

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[Klomp]

I don't know that we'll ultimately take him with having a similar player in McLaughlin, but I love this kid's potential. A lot of people turn away from 4-year guys, but keep in mind he reclassified. He didn't turn 18 until the day before the last regular season game of his freshman year at Marquette (he's just 6 months older than Precious Achiuwa, a true freshman this season). Was an immediate contributor as a freshman and just kept growing.

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[Neeva]

I think if Rosas selects Ball the 17th is Maxey, if he picks Edwards, 17th is Anthony.

[KGdaBom]

I don't know that we'll ultimately take him with having a similar player in McLaughlin, but I love this kid's potential. A lot of people turn away from 4-year guys, but keep in mind he reclassified. He didn't turn 18 until the day before the last regular season game of his freshman year at Marquette (he's just 6 months older than Precious Achiuwa, a true freshman this season). Was an immediate contributor as a freshman and just kept growing.

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I'm intrigued by Mane and Howard.

[KGdaBom]

Draft most likely pushed back a month.


ADAM SILVER
COM, NBA

The NBA and NBPA have tentatively set the date for the 2020 NBA Draft to November 18.
To be clear, things aren't set in stone just yet, as they still need to confirm that date with the NBA Board of Governors. It's a month later than what was initially scheduled, but the league still doesn't know exactly what the salary cap will be for the 2020-21 season and having those numbers finalized before the draft is a high priority for the league as it will affect how teams behave on draft day.

SOURCE: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
Sep 9, 2020, 3:25 PM ET

[shangrila]

I don't know that we'll ultimately take him with having a similar player in McLaughlin, but I love this kid's potential. A lot of people turn away from 4-year guys, but keep in mind he reclassified. He didn't turn 18 until the day before the last regular season game of his freshman year at Marquette (he's just 6 months older than Precious Achiuwa, a true freshman this season). Was an immediate contributor as a freshman and just kept growing.

Read on Twitter

His finishing is really bad. Something like 45% around the rim IIRC.

I get the positives but all he realistically brings is the ability to make tough shots. He's not a PG, he's not a defensive presence at all, he's a volume scorer so there's no guarantee his shot making translates in a lesser role.

He was fun to watch but I don't think he's an NBA player.

[shangrila]

Scoop him up if he's there at 33

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I worry about his athleticism.

He's the bad kind of tweener; too slow to guard 3s but not strong or long enough to guard 4s. I'm also more dubious about projecting guys with big, main option kind of roles to lesser role player positions. Not everyone has the mentality to be effective in those different situations.

[horaceworthy]

His finishing is really bad. Something like 45% around the rim IIRC.

I get the positives but all he realistically brings is the ability to make tough shots. He's not a PG, he's not a defensive presence at all, he's a volume scorer so there's no guarantee his shot making translates in a lesser role.

He was fun to watch but I don't think he's an NBA player.

Slight distinction, he’s a shooter that added the ability to score at volume on top of that. In more of a floor spacing role his freshman year, he hit 54.7% from beyond the arc on 5 attempts a game. I wouldn’t question the shotmaking translating to a smaller role, just whether enough he’s able to contribute anything else at all.

Sucks that he’s 5’11” and pretty ordinary athletically, because the jumper is silky enough to have Sonya wondering if Dell had a layover in Arizona 21 years ago.

I can’t write him off because I think the shot is special, it just sucks he’s not like 6’3”.

[Rookie-Mistake]

Ughh..Does this assist us scouting players better? Or will we fall into the over analysis territory?

Draft most likely pushed back a month.


ADAM SILVER
COM, NBA

The NBA and NBPA have tentatively set the date for the 2020 NBA Draft to November 18.
To be clear, things aren't set in stone just yet, as they still need to confirm that date with the NBA Board of Governors. It's a month later than what was initially scheduled, but the league still doesn't know exactly what the salary cap will be for the 2020-21 season and having those numbers finalized before the draft is a high priority for the league as it will affect how teams behave on draft day.

SOURCE: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
Sep 9, 2020, 3:25 PM ET

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using RealGM mobile app

[KGdaBom]

Ughh..Does this assist us scouting players better? Or will we fall into the over analysis territory?

Draft most likely pushed back a month.


ADAM SILVER
COM, NBA

The NBA and NBPA have tentatively set the date for the 2020 NBA Draft to November 18.
To be clear, things aren't set in stone just yet, as they still need to confirm that date with the NBA Board of Governors. It's a month later than what was initially scheduled, but the league still doesn't know exactly what the salary cap will be for the 2020-21 season and having those numbers finalized before the draft is a high priority for the league as it will affect how teams behave on draft day.

SOURCE: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
Sep 9, 2020, 3:25 PM ET

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using RealGM mobile app

It probably helps us, but another month of waiting will be agony.