2022 NBA Draft Talk: Never too soon

[shangrila]

Stat wise other than 3% Walker Kessler looks amazing and his strengths outweigh his weaknesses by a lot. I haven't seen much talk about him. Do we not like him? Is it that he's almost 21 or is it the low 3%.

Have I ever mentioned how I really hate the 3 point shot. It controls every aspect of the game now. You can have a great center prospect who can bully his opponent, is an offensive beast inside, blocks shots, rebounds, gets steals, defends and passes, but he can't shoot the three. Move on from this one.

I want us to draft him just out of principle.

Somewhat ironically, given he's the only one of the main 3 Cs in this draft that took 3s he's actually the most likely of them to develop a shot from that range. Feel free to hate his guts now.

But seriously he looks like a solid option. I don't think any Cs are going to be reliable their first year or two, that's just how it goes for the overwhelming majority of big guys that enter the league, but long term he's a really interesting backup guy with some fringe starter potential.

If you really want a throwback C you should check out Kofi Cockburn (pronounced Coburn btw).

If you watch the negatives on Kessler you can see how people have him a tier below Duren and WIlliams.
The shot isn't going to play, but the big thing for me was the lateral agility is going to allow opposing teams to play him off the floor by attacking him in isolation. NBA caliber guards will be able to put him in the spin cycle/get him turned around. Which drops him to a backup/role player.

Williams has enough agility on defense to be a starter, but right now offensively he's not much more than a lob threat.
He has issues with ball security, very weak dribble and you can attack him even as he's trying to facilitate from the top of the key with entry passes/dribble handoffs.
Which is why right now he's a tier below Duren, who I'd be shocked if he slips out of the top 10.
It will be interesting to see how far WIlliams slips, if he get past the Hornets at 13 we should be able to trade up for him, Cleveland's pick at 14 seems to be very obtainable.

I can't understand how Cockburn is going undrafted in every mock draft, I'd be excited to land him at 48 or 50.
Kind of likeLuke Garza last year.
Reminds me of Thomas Bryant of the Wizards.
Quality college production. That kind of size/strength combo is fairly rare, and he moves well for being 293 lbs.
If he stays healthy and can grasp NBA schemes he should be a quality backup in the league for years.

I definitely understand why the consensus is Duren>Williams>Kessler. I don't understand how there's a 20-30 spot difference in value between Kessler and the first 2 though.

[moss_is_1]

Mocks have tried to give us TyTy, but I think I would rather draft Kennedy Chandler if PG is the target. Thoughts?

He's just too small for me, I don't really want TyTy either. Chandler could have success, but in today's NBA he might get targeted a lot on defense too.

[Klomp]

Mocks have tried to give us TyTy, but I think I would rather draft Kennedy Chandler if PG is the target. Thoughts?

He's just too small for me, I don't really want TyTy either. Chandler could have success, but in today's NBA he might get targeted a lot on defense too.

He's a similar size to Beverley. From what I've seen, while maybe not on Pat's level (few are), I think he can still hold his own.

[Klomp]

I definitely understand why the consensus is Duren>Williams>Kessler. I don't understand how there's a 20-30 spot difference in value between Kessler and the first 2 though.

I think it speaks to how people view C as a position in the league. Either you're a centerpiece or you're replaceable.

[Baseline81]

Mocks have tried to give us TyTy, but I think I would rather draft Kennedy Chandler if PG is the target. Thoughts?

I agree, though I would look to move up from 40. Not using 19 on him.

To me, Duren should be the target. If he slips out of the top 10, the Wolves need to be on the phone. Not sure what the cost would be, though I would not include Edwards, McDaniels and Towns.

[Slim Tubby]

Mocks have tried to give us TyTy, but I think I would rather draft Kennedy Chandler if PG is the target. Thoughts?

I agree, though I would look to move up from 40. Not using 19 on him.

To me, Duren should be the target. If he slips out of the top 10, the Wolves need to be on the phone. Not sure what the cost would be, though I would not include Edwards, McDaniels and Towns.

Ditto. Do what you need to if he falls out of the top 10.


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[GopherIt!]

Sounds like the Spurs like Duren at 9.

A guy who could possibly fall to 19 is Agbaji.

[shangrila]

Sounds like the Spurs like Duren at 9.

A guy who could possibly fall to 19 is Agbaji.

Hopefully he keeps falling.

[minimus]

A week before draft, I am trying to find what prospects can be potential steals of this draft:

Jalen Williams if he falls at 19
Jović if he falls at 19
Dalen Terry if he falls at 40
Justin Lewis if he falls at 40
Dominick Barlow if he falls at 40
Jaylin Williams if he falls at 40
Wendell Moore if he falls at 40
Walker Kessler if he falls at 40
Trevor Keels if he falls at 49
Trevion Williams if he falls at 51
Gabe Brown if he falls at 51

[jpatrick]

A week before draft, I am trying to find what prospects can be potential steals of this draft:

Jalen Williams if he falls at 19
Jović if he falls at 19
Dalen Terry if he falls at 40
Justin Lewis if he falls at 40
Dominick Barlow if he falls at 40
Jaylin Williams if he falls at 40
Wendell Moore if he falls at 40
Walker Kessler if he falls at 40
Trevor Keels if he falls at 49
Trevion Williams if he falls at 51
Gabe Brown if he falls at 51

I’d you believe latest buzz, decent chance Terry goes before jovic or Williams.

[minimus]

A week before draft, I am trying to find what prospects can be potential steals of this draft:

Jalen Williams if he falls at 19
Jović if he falls at 19
Dalen Terry if he falls at 40
Justin Lewis if he falls at 40
Dominick Barlow if he falls at 40
Jaylin Williams if he falls at 40
Wendell Moore if he falls at 40
Walker Kessler if he falls at 40
Trevor Keels if he falls at 49
Trevion Williams if he falls at 51
Gabe Brown if he falls at 51

I’d you believe latest buzz, decent chance Terry goes before jovic or Williams.

Yeah, I don't follow much all rumours. Has he had a good workout or promise from team?

[moss_is_1]

Sounds like the Spurs like Duren at 9.

A guy who could possibly fall to 19 is Agbaji.

Hopefully he keeps falling.

Same. I'd stay clear of Agbaji until the 2nd round. There's a lot of wings I like more, even Max Christie or Bryce McGowens.

[Klomp]

Stat wise other than 3% Walker Kessler looks amazing and his strengths outweigh his weaknesses by a lot. I haven't seen much talk about him. Do we not like him? Is it that he's almost 21 or is it the low 3%.

Have I ever mentioned how I really hate the 3 point shot. It controls every aspect of the game now. You can have a great center prospect who can bully his opponent, is an offensive beast inside, blocks shots, rebounds, gets steals, defends and passes, but he can't shoot the three. Move on from this one.

I want us to draft him just out of principle.

Somewhat ironically, given he's the only one of the main 3 Cs in this draft that took 3s he's actually the most likely of them to develop a shot from that range. Feel free to hate his guts now.

But seriously he looks like a solid option. I don't think any Cs are going to be reliable their first year or two, that's just how it goes for the overwhelming majority of big guys that enter the league, but long term he's a really interesting backup guy with some fringe starter potential.

If you really want a throwback C you should check out Kofi Cockburn (pronounced Coburn btw).

Kessler may be the most seamless fit for the roster. Could allow Russell to get going in pick and roll, while also creating a more frequent Towns-Edwards two-man game (a talking point at exit interviews). Fills the team’s biggest needs as well as anyone: size, rebounding, weakside D.

Seamless fit because he represents something we don't have. He doesn't need to be a starter or even a regular rotation player necessarily. Take last year, add someone the size of Steven Adams who blocks shots, PnRs and hits the occasional open 3. How does the series go? We don't need an overhaul, I've always said that. Not sure why I've been hesitant to see this approach, but it definitely has its merits.

[LibertyPrime]

I would be happy with Capella, depending on the cost, even if it involves trading out of the draft. He gives us the strength and rim protection we're lacking. He doesn't need to do much on offense beside dunk and catch lobs. With more rebounding we will be SUCH a better team.

[KGdaBom]

Stat wise other than 3% Walker Kessler looks amazing and his strengths outweigh his weaknesses by a lot. I haven't seen much talk about him. Do we not like him? Is it that he's almost 21 or is it the low 3%.

Have I ever mentioned how I really hate the 3 point shot. It controls every aspect of the game now. You can have a great center prospect who can bully his opponent, is an offensive beast inside, blocks shots, rebounds, gets steals, defends and passes, but he can't shoot the three. Move on from this one.

I want us to draft him just out of principle.

Somewhat ironically, given he's the only one of the main 3 Cs in this draft that took 3s he's actually the most likely of them to develop a shot from that range. Feel free to hate his guts now.

But seriously he looks like a solid option. I don't think any Cs are going to be reliable their first year or two, that's just how it goes for the overwhelming majority of big guys that enter the league, but long term he's a really interesting backup guy with some fringe starter potential.

If you really want a throwback C you should check out Kofi Cockburn (pronounced Coburn btw).

Kessler may be the most seamless fit for the roster. Could allow Russell to get going in pick and roll, while also creating a more frequent Towns-Edwards two-man game (a talking point at exit interviews). Fills the team’s biggest needs as well as anyone: size, rebounding, weakside D.

Seamless fit because he represents something we don't have. He doesn't need to be a starter or even a regular rotation player necessarily. Take last year, add someone the size of Steven Adams who blocks shots, PnRs and hits the occasional open 3. How does the series go? We don't need an overhaul, I've always said that. Not sure why I've been hesitant to see this approach, but it definitely has its merits.

It was a waking nightmare what Brandon Clarke did to us in the playoffs. Whatever weaknesses Kessler might have if he can prevent that he's worth the pick.

[KGdaBom]

I would be happy with Capella, depending on the cost, even if it involves trading out of the draft. He gives us the strength and rim protection we're lacking. He doesn't need to do much on offense beside dunk and catch lobs. With more rebounding we will be SUCH a better team.

You're preaching to the choir with me.

[Nick K]

Liking Beauchamp and Branham after looking at them more, think id like them more than Jalen Williams but its close. Kinda disappointed thay everyone near our pick seems to be a wing.

Beauchamp has tons of skills I'd love us to have, athletic, good defender, high motor, high IQ. His shot needs to improve but doesn't look broken, and he is gonna be 22 at season start I believe.

I think if I had to narrow down my list of 3 favorites that I think we would realistically consider at 19, they would be Williams, Beauchamp and Kamagate.

Kamagate has got serious potential but he's so raw he needs 2 years in the G League at least. I'd take him mid to late 2nd round.

[Nick K]

I think 19 is too high for Kessler. I'm skeptical that Kessler can play high-wall or switching defensive schemes at the NBA level which limits his usefulness. I expect 2 of Washington/Liddell/Williams to be available and I'd rather have any of them over Kessler.

I agree. #19 is way too high for Kessler. I really like the Arkansas PF/C Jaylin Williams. I think he'll be a fine pro.

[Nick K]

Mocks have tried to give us TyTy, but I think I would rather draft Kennedy Chandler if PG is the target. Thoughts?

I agree, though I would look to move up from 40. Not using 19 on him.

To me, Duren should be the target. If he slips out of the top 10, the Wolves need to be on the phone. Not sure what the cost would be, though I would not include Edwards, McDaniels and Towns.

OKC is looking to trade @12 and move down.

[GopherIt!]

The more I dig into the top 100 the more I like that we have 3 2nd’s. This seems like a really good year to have more bites at the apple.