2019-2020 College/Draft thread (Part 3)

[RHODEY]

this draft is never actually going to happen

I'd just be happy with the lottery...I see no reason for it to be held up.

[HEZI]

this draft is never actually going to happen

I'd just be happy with the lottery...I see no reason for it to be held up.

They need to figure out what will happen with the remaining games of the season first

[rajajackal]

this draft is never actually going to happen

I'd just be happy with the lottery...I see no reason for it to be held up.

They need to figure out what will happen with the remaining games of the season first

now could be a great time to introduce the lottery tournament. do the playoffs & lottery tournament simultaneously, squeeze a bunch of televisable basketball games out of the situation at hand. they'd have to host the two tournaments in two specific arenas to reduce traveling. get the players into two cities, play ball to no audiences, test and quarantine players in between matches...i'm not advocating for this necessarily, just thinking out loud...

[Fat]

All this isolated time lol half these kids weakness you see now will be somewhat improved come draft time I bet.

[RHODEY]

All this isolated time lol half these kids weakness you see now will be somewhat improved come draft time I bet.

I hope Hayes is practicing with his left hand tied behind his back.

[RHODEY]

this draft is never actually going to happen

I'd just be happy with the lottery...I see no reason for it to be held up.

They need to figure out what will happen with the remaining games of the season first

True....By the end of next month I think they should know which way they'll go.

[jvsimonetti0514]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887414-lamelo-balls-best-and-worst-landing-spots-in-2020-nba-draft
Who's a good fit and bad fit for LaMelo Ball. I usually agree with a lot of Wassermans takes but this isn't one of them. Here's what he has to say about the Knicks.

Bad Fit: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks should be targeting Ball in the draft. Meanwhile, Ball figures to be drawn to the spotlight and starting position the franchise can offer. But for basketball reasons, New York isn't a suitable landing spot for a teenage point guard whose weaknesses include shooting, defense and turnovers.

He won't have helpful spacing on a team that ranks 27th in three-point percentage and last in threes made. The Knicks wouldn't be able to surround Ball with shooters. And Ball himself isn't one right now—a problem for a lineup built around RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.

New team president Leon Rose has the difficult task of improving a roster with limited trade assets. And the Knicks have lost their appeal as an attractive free-agent destination.

There are worse places for Ball to start his career. His passing, playmaking and flash are just what the Knicks can use. But too much has to go right for Rose to turn things around soon in New York. The addition of Ball would be a start. The Knicks would then need Barrett to develop into a star and management to start cashing in on draft picks, flipping them for talent or convincing free-agent stars to sign.

[robillionaire]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887414-lamelo-balls-best-and-worst-landing-spots-in-2020-nba-draft
Who's a good fit and bad fit for LaMelo Ball. I usually agree with a lot of Wassermans takes but this isn't one of them. Here's what he has to say about the Knicks.

Bad Fit: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks should be targeting Ball in the draft. Meanwhile, Ball figures to be drawn to the spotlight and starting position the franchise can offer. But for basketball reasons, New York isn't a suitable landing spot for a teenage point guard whose weaknesses include shooting, defense and turnovers.

He won't have helpful spacing on a team that ranks 27th in three-point percentage and last in threes made. The Knicks wouldn't be able to surround Ball with shooters. And Ball himself isn't one right now—a problem for a lineup built around RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.

New team president Leon Rose has the difficult task of improving a roster with limited trade assets. And the Knicks have lost their appeal as an attractive free-agent destination.

There are worse places for Ball to start his career. His passing, playmaking and flash are just what the Knicks can use. But too much has to go right for Rose to turn things around soon in New York. The addition of Ball would be a start. The Knicks would then need Barrett to develop into a star and management to start cashing in on draft picks, flipping them for talent or convincing free-agent stars to sign.

he's right in the sense that if we want him to be successful we need to add shooters but that pretty much goes for the whole team. it's not as bleak as he makes it sound though, we just need to target some of the various shooters in the free agency, keep bullock, and maybe target some more shooters at 27 and 38. And definitely pursue a stretch 4. nevertheless he says the knicks should be targeting ball and there are worse places for him to start his career so it's a weak indictment. I disagree with his assessment that we need to start flipping picks for talent, we aren't that far along yet and I still think we will have a shot at potential franchise changing top picks the next couple years as well

[moocow007]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887414-lamelo-balls-best-and-worst-landing-spots-in-2020-nba-draft
Who's a good fit and bad fit for LaMelo Ball. I usually agree with a lot of Wassermans takes but this isn't one of them. Here's what he has to say about the Knicks.

Bad Fit: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks should be targeting Ball in the draft. Meanwhile, Ball figures to be drawn to the spotlight and starting position the franchise can offer. But for basketball reasons, New York isn't a suitable landing spot for a teenage point guard whose weaknesses include shooting, defense and turnovers.

He won't have helpful spacing on a team that ranks 27th in three-point percentage and last in threes made. The Knicks wouldn't be able to surround Ball with shooters. And Ball himself isn't one right now—a problem for a lineup built around RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.

New team president Leon Rose has the difficult task of improving a roster with limited trade assets. And the Knicks have lost their appeal as an attractive free-agent destination.

There are worse places for Ball to start his career. His passing, playmaking and flash are just what the Knicks can use. But too much has to go right for Rose to turn things around soon in New York. The addition of Ball would be a start. The Knicks would then need Barrett to develop into a star and management to start cashing in on draft picks, flipping them for talent or convincing free-agent stars to sign.

If the Knicks were going to do a traditional rebuild (they're not) while also trying to win games immediately (an unrealistic supposition in and of itsrlf) then sure.

But all indications are they are looking to acquire proven talent...via free agency or trade

Of any player in this draft that could be attractive for a proven talent I'd imagine Lamelo Ball would be that guy. I mean think about it. If I'm an established talent and I'm thinking about the Knicks, unless I'm myself a PG or a Lebron James caliber player, what type of player would I most want the Knicks to add in this draft?

LaMelo Ball would be the perfect setup man for me (the presumed incumbent no.1 option) to be able to get me easy shots. LaMelo Ball may not be a Batman but if anyone in this draft he'd be the perfect Robin or Kato for a prime time player.

I mean heck, LaMelo Ball above anyone else in this draft would be the best thing for the Knicks current "best player" and "no.1 option" (Julius Randle). Just think about what having a guy that can create easy shots for Randle INSTEAD of forcing Ranfle to have to try and create for himself could do? He'd be the same for the next (hopefully better one).

So that article is misplaced IMO.

Again it appears Rose's goal is to make NY attractive to big name players. LaMelo Ball is the biggest mover on many levels for that to happen. If the goal is to acquire a lead guy through trade or free agency then you likely wont be looking to develop shooters or defenders (meaning you don't need to ve drafting those types). Instead you'd be looking to add veteran role playing shooters and defensive wings in free agency. The Reggie Bullocks and Moe Harkless' of the world...and what do you know we got them.

Those types of guys you can sign. Guys like Ball are a whole lot more difficult to get that way. So no, Roses presence and apparent direction makes adding a guy like Ball fit even better and his selection becomes even more imperative if he's on the board when the Knicks pick is up. The best ready made out of the box facilitator and table setter for incumbent star players that will be guaranteed to be around and not in the twilight of his career.

You want young guys to shoot? You got 3 guys...Frank, Barrett and Knox to work on. It already makes a lot if sense for shooting to be their no.1 focus from a development standpoint.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[HarthorneWingo]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887414-lamelo-balls-best-and-worst-landing-spots-in-2020-nba-draft
Who's a good fit and bad fit for LaMelo Ball. I usually agree with a lot of Wassermans takes but this isn't one of them. Here's what he has to say about the Knicks.

Bad Fit: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks should be targeting Ball in the draft. Meanwhile, Ball figures to be drawn to the spotlight and starting position the franchise can offer. But for basketball reasons, New York isn't a suitable landing spot for a teenage point guard whose weaknesses include shooting, defense and turnovers.

He won't have helpful spacing on a team that ranks 27th in three-point percentage and last in threes made. The Knicks wouldn't be able to surround Ball with shooters. And Ball himself isn't one right now—a problem for a lineup built around RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.

New team president Leon Rose has the difficult task of improving a roster with limited trade assets. And the Knicks have lost their appeal as an attractive free-agent destination.

There are worse places for Ball to start his career. His passing, playmaking and flash are just what the Knicks can use. But too much has to go right for Rose to turn things around soon in New York. The addition of Ball would be a start. The Knicks would then need Barrett to develop into a star and management to start cashing in on draft picks, flipping them for talent or convincing free-agent stars to sign.

If the Knicks were going to do a traditional rebuild (they're not) while also trying to win games immediately (an unrealistic supposition in and of itsrlf) then sure.

But all indications are they are looking to acquire proven talent...via free agency or trade

Of any player in this draft that could be attractive for a proven talent I'd imagine Lamelo Ball would be that guy. I mean think about it. If I'm an established talent and I'm thinking about the Knicks, unless I'm myself a PG or a Lebron James caliber player, what type of player would I most want the Knicks to add in this draft?

LaMelo Ball would be the perfect setup man for me (the presumed incumbent no.1 option) to be able to get me easy shots. LaMelo Ball may not be a Batman but if anyone in this draft he'd be the perfect Robin or Kato for a prime time player.

I mean heck, LaMelo Ball above anyone else in this draft would be the best thing for the Knicks current "best player" and "no.1 option" (Julius Randle). Just think about what having a guy that can create easy shots for Randle INSTEAD of forcing Ranfle to have to try and create for himself could do? He'd be the same for the next (hopefully better one).

So that article is misplaced IMO.

Again it appears Rose's goal is to make NY attractive to big name players. LaMelo Ball is the biggest mover on many levels for that to happen. If the goal is to acquire a lead guy through trade or free agency then you likely wont be looking to develop shooters or defenders (meaning you don't need to ve drafting those types). Instead you'd be looking to add veteran role playing shooters and defensive wings in free agency. The Reggie Bullocks and Moe Harkless' of the world...and what do you know we got them.

Those types of guys you can sign. Guys like Ball are a whole lot more difficult to get that way. So no, Roses presence and apparent direction makes adding a guy like Ball fit even better and his selection becomes even more imperative if he's on the board when the Knicks pick is up.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

My feeling is that you have to have an idea of what you are trying to accomplish. To simply get "big name players" is not enough and guarantees nothing. I know you're not saying that that's what YOU want just, what you see as Leon doing. You may be right but I don't think that's the way to go.

Look at what Red Auerbach did back in the day when he used a loophole in the rules to draft Larry Bird a year ahead of everyone else. Of course, that one got closed up but then he made the deal trading the no. 1 pick in the draft that year, which was Joe Barry Carroll, to the Warriors for Robert Parish and the no. 3 pick in the draft which turned out to be Kevin McHale. Yes, the Celts had the number 1 pick in the draft but the more significant aspect was Red's eye for what the combination of Bird, Parish, and McHale could do as a frontline together.

We need that kind of vision, i.e. the understanding of what talent goes together.

[robillionaire]

i don't know if anybody has noticed but the knicks are a dumpster fire and if this is a rebuild (last year didn't look like one) we are still at square one of that rebuild. We don't even have our first young star yet like most the other rebuilding teams. RJ could emerge but hasn't demonstrated for sure yet he will be more than a role player. Far more likely we are going after Emoni Bates in a couple years than trying to contend for anything, and by then RJ and LaMelo or whoever we draft will still be early 20s and just starting to hit their stride. we're light years away. I don't even need to say this but giannis and similar ain't coming to bail us out. So really, who cares about the fit we need several more top 5 picks at least until we hit a superstar talent

[Deeeez Knicks]

i don't know if anybody has noticed but the knicks are a dumpster fire and if this is a rebuild (last year didn't look like one) we are still at square one of that rebuild. We don't even have our first young star yet like most the other rebuilding teams. RJ could emerge but hasn't demonstrated for sure yet he will be more than a role player. Far more likely we are going after Emoni Bates in a couple years than trying to contend for anything, and by then RJ and LaMelo or whoever we draft will still be early 20s and just starting to hit their stride. we're light years away. I don't even need to say this but giannis and similar ain't coming to bail us out. So really, who cares about the fit we need several more top 5 picks at least until we hit a superstar talent

Yea, we have a lot of needs and its gonna be awhile. We should def go best player available and figure out the rest later. If we draft someone good they will fit. Figuring who that is in this draft could be tough pending where we pick.

[jvsimonetti0514]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887414-lamelo-balls-best-and-worst-landing-spots-in-2020-nba-draft
Who's a good fit and bad fit for LaMelo Ball. I usually agree with a lot of Wassermans takes but this isn't one of them. Here's what he has to say about the Knicks.

Bad Fit: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks should be targeting Ball in the draft. Meanwhile, Ball figures to be drawn to the spotlight and starting position the franchise can offer. But for basketball reasons, New York isn't a suitable landing spot for a teenage point guard whose weaknesses include shooting, defense and turnovers.

He won't have helpful spacing on a team that ranks 27th in three-point percentage and last in threes made. The Knicks wouldn't be able to surround Ball with shooters. And Ball himself isn't one right now—a problem for a lineup built around RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.

New team president Leon Rose has the difficult task of improving a roster with limited trade assets. And the Knicks have lost their appeal as an attractive free-agent destination.

There are worse places for Ball to start his career. His passing, playmaking and flash are just what the Knicks can use. But too much has to go right for Rose to turn things around soon in New York. The addition of Ball would be a start. The Knicks would then need Barrett to develop into a star and management to start cashing in on draft picks, flipping them for talent or convincing free-agent stars to sign.

he's right in the sense that if we want him to be successful we need to add shooters but that pretty much goes for the whole team. it's not as bleak as he makes it sound though, we just need to target some of the various shooters in the free agency, keep bullock, and maybe target some more shooters at 27 and 38. And definitely pursue a stretch 4. nevertheless he says the knicks should be targeting ball and there are worse places for him to start his career so it's a weak indictment. I disagree with his assessment that we need to start flipping picks for talent, we aren't that far along yet and I still think we will have a shot at potential franchise changing top picks the next couple years as well

I should have been more clear. His analysis for the Knicks isn’t that far off but I just disagreed with the Hawks and Warriors as good fits for LaMelo. I’d think we’d be a better fit for him than either of those teams. After Randle’s complete disinterest in being apart of this team this year, it’s pretty obvious he’s not apart of the core. So there’s no need to mention him at all. I know Curry doesn’t play on ball all the time but you don’t want to take it out of his hands that much to accommodate a rookie guard. Same thing goes with Trae. Cool, his catch and shoot numbers are great but he’s an elite playmaker, why make Trae stand in a corner?

I’m just kind of surprised that these guys don’t seem to think RJ is going to be a 20+ scorer in this league. After the all star break he was putting up 17 ppg on much better efficiency. If he’s doing that at 19, it’s not a far reach to think by 21/22 he will be at 22 ppg. It’s like these guys look at his TS% and write him off cuz of how lousy he shot free throws the first month of the season.

[jvsimonetti0514]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887414-lamelo-balls-best-and-worst-landing-spots-in-2020-nba-draft
Who's a good fit and bad fit for LaMelo Ball. I usually agree with a lot of Wassermans takes but this isn't one of them. Here's what he has to say about the Knicks.

Bad Fit: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks should be targeting Ball in the draft. Meanwhile, Ball figures to be drawn to the spotlight and starting position the franchise can offer. But for basketball reasons, New York isn't a suitable landing spot for a teenage point guard whose weaknesses include shooting, defense and turnovers.

He won't have helpful spacing on a team that ranks 27th in three-point percentage and last in threes made. The Knicks wouldn't be able to surround Ball with shooters. And Ball himself isn't one right now—a problem for a lineup built around RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.

New team president Leon Rose has the difficult task of improving a roster with limited trade assets. And the Knicks have lost their appeal as an attractive free-agent destination.

There are worse places for Ball to start his career. His passing, playmaking and flash are just what the Knicks can use. But too much has to go right for Rose to turn things around soon in New York. The addition of Ball would be a start. The Knicks would then need Barrett to develop into a star and management to start cashing in on draft picks, flipping them for talent or convincing free-agent stars to sign.

If the Knicks were going to do a traditional rebuild (they're not) while also trying to win games immediately (an unrealistic supposition in and of itsrlf) then sure.

But all indications are they are looking to acquire proven talent...via free agency or trade

Of any player in this draft that could be attractive for a proven talent I'd imagine Lamelo Ball would be that guy. I mean think about it. If I'm an established talent and I'm thinking about the Knicks, unless I'm myself a PG or a Lebron James caliber player, what type of player would I most want the Knicks to add in this draft?

LaMelo Ball would be the perfect setup man for me (the presumed incumbent no.1 option) to be able to get me easy shots. LaMelo Ball may not be a Batman but if anyone in this draft he'd be the perfect Robin or Kato for a prime time player.

I mean heck, LaMelo Ball above anyone else in this draft would be the best thing for the Knicks current "best player" and "no.1 option" (Julius Randle). Just think about what having a guy that can create easy shots for Randle INSTEAD of forcing Ranfle to have to try and create for himself could do? He'd be the same for the next (hopefully better one).

So that article is misplaced IMO.

Again it appears Rose's goal is to make NY attractive to big name players. LaMelo Ball is the biggest mover on many levels for that to happen. If the goal is to acquire a lead guy through trade or free agency then you likely wont be looking to develop shooters or defenders (meaning you don't need to ve drafting those types). Instead you'd be looking to add veteran role playing shooters and defensive wings in free agency. The Reggie Bullocks and Moe Harkless' of the world...and what do you know we got them.

Those types of guys you can sign. Guys like Ball are a whole lot more difficult to get that way. So no, Roses presence and apparent direction makes adding a guy like Ball fit even better and his selection becomes even more imperative if he's on the board when the Knicks pick is up. The best ready made out of the box facilitator and table setter for incumbent star players that will be guaranteed to be around and not in the twilight of his career.

You want young guys to shoot? You got 3 guys...Frank, Barrett and Knox to work on. It already makes a lot if sense for shooting to be their no.1 focus from a development standpoint.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

It almost reads like Wasserman is refuting his own argument in the second graph of his Knicks write up. The Knicks need all the things LaMelo provides but they also need shooting so it’s a bad fit. What’s even weirder is he thinks we have no trade assets. When did having 7 first rounders and cap space become not an asset? If there’s a guy that’s going to turn into that type of number 1 guy, I definitely think it’s going to be LaMelo. That’s the best way to attract free agents by having a star in house. Every season there’s ring chasing vet min or buyout shooters that come on the market.

[NYF13]

This is going to be HILARIOUS for all of us when Knicks (if they don't land LaMelo/Deni/Edwards) trade the pick away for Beal/Towns/Devin Booker/Derozan/Markienen/Lavine/Gordon/McCollum.

However I think it will be foolish to trade away any of the 2021 picks in a star-studded draft.

I strongly believe that Randle + DSJr + LAC Pick trade will happen for either Rozier + Monk + 2021 2nd Round Pick OR Chris Paul on the DRAFT night.

Either way, RJ-Mitch-Frank should be safe in that order. Leon Rose will not want bad publicity right off the gate but also he's a reknown agent which means he has a tougher skin.

[HEZI]

Obi has been moved into top 3 across most mock drafts with his landing spot being either Minny or Cleveland. Makes sense for both teams assuming at least one of them stays in the top 3 after the lotto

[HEZI]

Curious to see what Minny does with that 16th pick. If they are in a win now mode, would make sense for them to move that pick for a win now piece. If they do land Obi that would give them some really nice firepower but they gotta strengthen that bench though. Would love to snatch that 16th pick from them if possible.

[WargamesX]

i don't know if anybody has noticed but the knicks are a dumpster fire and if this is a rebuild (last year didn't look like one) we are still at square one of that rebuild. We don't even have our first young star yet like most the other rebuilding teams. RJ could emerge but hasn't demonstrated for sure yet he will be more than a role player. Far more likely we are going after Emoni Bates in a couple years than trying to contend for anything, and by then RJ and LaMelo or whoever we draft will still be early 20s and just starting to hit their stride. we're light years away. I don't even need to say this but giannis and similar ain't coming to bail us out. So really, who cares about the fit we need several more top 5 picks at least until we hit a superstar talent

If we didn’t trade our best player at his lowest value we wouldn’t be a dumpster fire. God damn can we hire Mills so we can fire him again? Wait no knowing that idiot Dolan that will happen eventually anyhow......

[Deeeez Knicks]

Curious to see what Minny does with that 16th pick. If they are in a win now mode, would make sense for them to move that pick for a win now piece. If they do land Obi that would give them some really nice firepower but they gotta strengthen that bench though. Would love to snatch that 16th pick from them if possible.

That is a good range in this draft. There's a lot of different options.

[moocow007]

i don't know if anybody has noticed but the knicks are a dumpster fire and if this is a rebuild (last year didn't look like one) we are still at square one of that rebuild. We don't even have our first young star yet like most the other rebuilding teams. RJ could emerge but hasn't demonstrated for sure yet he will be more than a role player. Far more likely we are going after Emoni Bates in a couple years than trying to contend for anything, and by then RJ and LaMelo or whoever we draft will still be early 20s and just starting to hit their stride. we're light years away. I don't even need to say this but giannis and similar ain't coming to bail us out. So really, who cares about the fit we need several more top 5 picks at least until we hit a superstar talent

That is correct. Regardless of whether the Knicks are going traditional rebuild or they are going with trying to add a star through whatever means, they are still a low talent team. Adding talent is the most important thing...not trying to balance the roster. IF they somehow manage a star/superstar then you can "balance" with free agents. Reggie Bullock and Mo Harkless and guys like that are what teams that suddenly add superstars do to "balance" the team. So in the "it'll take a miracle" chance that the Knicks find a big time elite talent in free agency or trade, they don't need to be using the top lottery pick for balancing out the roster. That's why I keep failing to understand the "oh you can't draft this guy" cause he doesn't fit the team needs argument. There is next to no team right now. This team needs everything and the most important thing it needs is more high end talent. Talent is what wins in the NBA, not 3 point shooting or defensive wings. 3 point shooting and defensive wings help the top talent win. When you ain't got no top talent, you don't need to be focusing on 3 point shooting or defending the wing with that lottery pick. You draft the best freaking talent.