Pre-Draft Thread / Workout Updates

[Gideon]

As bad as our team was at 3-point-shooting last year, we actually should be at least solid at it this coming year.

In the modern NBA, you really want at least two plus three-point shooters on the court to spread the floor and keep teams from being able to effectively double your bigs or slashers, or just sag on D.

Love will be the #1 option on offense, he takes lots of threes, and he's certainly a good three-point shooter.

Budinger is also a good three-point shooter.

Oddly enough (considering all the worries about his shooting), so is Rubio. Or at least he's close, and probably will be this year. Rubio shot 34% from three his rookie year, and 35% last season post all-star break. I think it's plenty fair to not really count the absymal first month or two back from his ACL injury against him. Since 33% on threes = 50% on twos, Rubio is already a good enough three-point shooter to effectively fire away from long range. And he should be better this year. After all, he has an entire healthy offseason to work on his shot. Let's just say he bumps up a couple of points to 36% or 37%... that's the equivalent of 54-55% on twos, and it gives us a third three-point shooter.

D-Will was 33% last year. Barea was 35%. Those are serviceable options, too... especially if D-Will improves just a point or two (which seems likely). Shved was only 29.5% from deep, but he got hot in streaks at times, and it was his first season in the NBA... I wouldn't be shocked if he becomes at least a semi-competent option from deep, as well.

And Oladipo was 44% on college threes last year. Sure, the NBA line is further out, but 44% is still damn good, and Oladipo's form is very solid (occasionally he forgets to really follow through, but that's the only issue, and it's minor and easily correctable).

I get that McLemore (42%) and Caldwell-Pope (37%) shot 5 and 7 threes per game respectively, and Oladipo only shot 2 per game, but we only really need Oladipo to shoot a couple of open threes a game anyway.

Love shoots lots of threes. So does Budinger. AK and Shved shoot more than they probably should. Ricky gets a couple off per game... so does Derrick. Basically, we'll be okay on threes. Getting a SG who is an expert three-point shooter via draft or free agency this offseason is (1) just is not as much of an emergency priority as last season made it feel like, and (2) Oladipo should be at least serviceable from three, anyway.

[Maefteda]

I'm a bit iffy when it comes to KCP's 3PT shot as well. His numbers from the college 3 aren't staggering, but what really worries me, is how bad he shot it from the FT line in his freshman year. I just get a feeling that he might not be as good when he has to adjust to the NBA. If we want a shooter, I would rather see us go for CJ McCollum to be honest, who is a poor mans Steph Curry. This might turn into 2009 all over again, even though I expect KCP to be much much better than Wes Johnson. They do have some similar traits as well though, that scare me.

[Nitroglycerin]

I really like Flip's aggresiveness, looking at all the possibilities and playing his cards smart
Whether its trading up, trading out or staying pat, I trust our GM to make the right decision

[[RCG]]

I'm a bit iffy when it comes to KCP's 3PT shot as well. His numbers from the college 3 aren't staggering, but what really worries me, is how bad he shot it from the FT line in his freshman year. I just get a feeling that he might not be as good when he has to adjust to the NBA. If we want a shooter, I would rather see us go for CJ McCollum to be honest, who is a poor mans Steph Curry. This might turn into 2009 all over again, even though I expect KCP to be much much better than Wes Johnson. They do have some similar traits as well though, that scare me.

Apparently KCP was the the lone threat on that Georgia team and was forced into a lot of "end of shot clock" situations, hurting his %. And Oladipo's 3s % made a huge jump on a fairly low number of attempts, similar to D.Will which is the cause for concern because while they both can likely hit 3s a decent amount, D.Will hasn't proven to be very consistent and that's what we need. I like McCollum as a shooter more than KCP too but I can see the merit in picking KCP over McCollum.

[[RCG]]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228174/Victor-Oladipo-Declines-Invitation-To-Wizards-Facility

Oladipo declines to workout with the Wizards!

[Nitroglycerin]

Im confused about Zgoda's tweets. He's very pessimistic about trading up for Oladipo, always saying Wolves dont have enough assets to move up
is Flip's fascination for Oladipo just a decoy?

[Howard Cosell]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228174/Victor-Oladipo-Declines-Invitation-To-Wizards-Facility

Oladipo declines to workout with the Wizards!

Huuuuummmmm.........

Oladipo is playing it close to the vest when it comes to workouts. According to the article the Wizards can come to Victor to watch him workout, but Victor will not go to the Wizards. I just hope there is something percolating in Flips trade talks with organizations drafting before the Wolves, and Oladipo's agent was made aware of this fact and that is why Oladipo agreed to meet with Flip.


Please....please....please.....

The dream is alive for 11 more days!!!!!!!!

[Howard Cosell]

Jerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda 8m

Flip praised Rodney Williams, said his jumper is much improved from 3 weeks ago, after this morning's workouts

Jerry Zgoda Jerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda 8m

Shabazz doesn't consider himself a morning guy & Wolves crossed him up w/ am workout but he claims today's was one of his best

This is the 2nd time Flip has had Rodney in for a workout. Could the Wolves be looking at taking Rodney with their 52nd Pick Overall?

[Jukeness]

Might as well take a shot at Rodney, it's late 2nd roun d anyway.

[Klomp]

Im confused about Zgoda's tweets. He's very pessimistic about trading up for Oladipo, always saying Wolves dont have enough assets to move up
is Flip's fascination for Oladipo just a decoy?

Not a decoy. Zgoda just doesn't think it will happen.

[Klomp]

Can probably get him at 59

[Yes We Kahn]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228174/Victor-Oladipo-Declines-Invitation-To-Wizards-Facility

Oladipo declines to workout with the Wizards!

He also declined working out in MPLS... Flip had to go to him just like the Wizards would have to. So I would read into this too much.

[nickforthreee]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4YmubfNJeE[/youtube]

[[RCG]]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228174/Victor-Oladipo-Declines-Invitation-To-Wizards-Facility

Oladipo declines to workout with the Wizards!

He also declined working out in MPLS... Flip had to go to him just like the Wizards would have to. So I would read into this too much.

You can read a little bit into it. His camp mentioned Wall-Beal being somewhat established and doesn't think it'd be a good fit.

[cpfsf]

if we had to trade up, i think 3rd or 4th is the most realistic option. i'm skeptical phoenix would trade at 5, and 6-8 contains a lot of the next tier of talent which isn't worthy to trade up for.

[NikolaPekovic]

That jumper is so smooth.

[righterwriter]

Seems like the Wiz will focus on Porter at the SF position. But Charlotte most certainly will pick VO, as they need a scoring SG and Oladipo is most certainly the best player and best value left on the board at that point.

If for some reason he slipped past CHA due to their interest in a center like Len, then Phoenix would grab Oladipo to fill their need at SG.

I really don't see a scenario where he'd fall to you guys and highly doubt that any team would trade down to #9 in this draft unless something significant was attached to it (not D.Williams).

[[RCG]]

Seems like the Wiz will focus on Porter at the SF position. But Charlotte most certainly will pick VO, as they need a scoring SG and Oladipo is most certainly the best player and best value left on the board at that point.

If for some reason he slipped past CHA due to their interest in a center like Len, then Phoenix would grab Oladipo to fill their need at SG.

I really don't see a scenario where he'd fall to you guys and highly doubt that any team would trade down to #9 in this draft unless something significant was attached to it (not D.Williams).

Cool story. Cleveland stated that they were interested in 9 players. Coincidence? I don't know. But Charlotte needs a lot of help in the front court. Adding Williams & could help. Cleveland and Charlotte make the most sense for trade candidates.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Jerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda 8m

Flip praised Rodney Williams, said his jumper is much improved from 3 weeks ago, after this morning's workouts

Jerry Zgoda Jerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda 8m

Shabazz doesn't consider himself a morning guy & Wolves crossed him up w/ am workout but he claims today's was one of his best

This is the 2nd time Flip has had Rodney in for a workout. Could the Wolves be looking at taking Rodney with their 52nd Pick Overall?

was he working out against Muhammed? I was wondering if they brought him in to see if they could fire up Muhammed.

[righterwriter]

Sorry, I meant to write... absolutely you'll sneak into the top tier of the draft by dangling the great Derrick Williams and the highly coveted #9 pick.

Lets see how this one shakes out. We'll discuss it again after the draft, yeah?