2019-2020 College/Draft thread (Part 2)

[malik959]

Cole anthony is probably the best pure pg prospect. However this is a solid but not great draft. I say just take the best player available.

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Hayes and Lamelo are in higher tier IMO

Cole was on a team that without him would have been a 0-16 team, his teammates really sucked. So I would expect for his numbers to be low, hell he was double teamed in almost every game with no one to help bail out. Sooooo with that said you should expect bad shot selection, higher turnover rate, low assist rate. He has no help!

[RHODEY]

Cole anthony is probably the best pure pg prospect. However this is a solid but not great draft. I say just take the best player available.

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Hayes and Lamelo are in higher tier IMO

Cole was on a team that without him would have been a 0-16 team, his teammates really sucked. So I would expect for his numbers to be low, hell he was double teamed in almost every game with no one to help bail out. Sooooo with that said you should expect bad shot selection, higher turnover rate, low assist rate. He has no help!

I dont disagree, but if you put him on Lamelo's team or Hayes team does he look better than them? I have my doubts but hey we probably end up with him anyway so Im hoping Blanko is right.

[HerSports85]

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[robillionaire]

can we please just draft a PG and actually commit to playing them and letting them start and play through struggles

[Tron Carter]

can we please just draft a PG and actually commit to playing them and letting them start and play through struggles

nah we need to trade for chris paul

[3toheadmelo]

So Cavs interested in Avdija and Okongwu?

Wonder if Koby is the one having this idea floated out to gauge reaction from their fans.

They probably want to move on from Osman and replace him with Avdija. Osman was supposed to be a great prospect but he has been quite the disappointment.

They prob looking at Okongwu to replace Kevin Love as well

[HarthorneWingo]

can we please just draft a PG and actually commit to playing them and letting them start and play through struggles

nah we need to trade for chris paul

Nah we need to let Frank start.

Anyone know much about this kid? I’m hearing his name a lot recently. Deni is a point-combo forward, i.e. he can handle the rock.

Watch on YouTube

[malik959]

can we please just draft a PG and actually commit to playing them and letting them start and play through struggles

nah we need to trade for chris paul

Nah we need to let Frank start.

Anyone know much about this kid? I’m hearing his name a lot recently. Deni is a point-combo forward, i.e. he can handle the rock.

Watch on YouTube

Dude leave his feat on about 90% of his passes.

[HarthorneWingo]

nah we need to trade for chris paul

Nah we need to let Frank start.

Anyone know much about this kid? I’m hearing his name a lot recently. Deni is a point-combo forward, i.e. he can handle the rock.

Watch on YouTube

Dude leave his feat on about 90% of his passes.

90%? I don’t know about that stat. lol. But Pearlman wrote up a positive scouting report on him for the stepien.

[KnicksGadfly]

Watcha guys feel about Tre Jones? Feels like he's flying a little under the radar

[Resistance]

So Cavs interested in Avdija and Okongwu?

Wonder if Koby is the one having this idea floated out to gauge reaction from their fans.

Cleveland has been drafting mostly guards the past several years, so they need to balance things out and start drafting bigger players.

[Fat]

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[HarthorneWingo]

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[EMG518]

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I have warmed up to him. I honestly think HHH(Hayes, Haliburton, Hampton) will be better than Lamelo and Anthony. I also really like Kira Lewis.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Should be interesting. I like these sessions

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[F N 11]

I would support any point guard we draft. Warming up to Hayes tho.

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[jvsimonetti0514]

https://www.espn.com/nba/draft/bestavailable

Here's Draft Express top 100 with breakdowns of a bunch of guys.

Anthony Edwards:

Spoiler:

SG
Anthony Edwards 6'3" 225 lbs Georgia
1
POS RK
1
OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Powerful guard with elite length and explosiveness. Tough to contain, especially in transition. Strong first step and bouncy off one or two feet in space. Embraces contact in the paint.
- Three-level scorer who can function on or off the ball. Capable shooter with his feet set but most intriguing with the ball in his hands. Made 42 pull-up jumpers in 32 games, regularly elevating over the top of defenders with ease. Can splash a pull-up 3 if the defense goes under, rise up in midrange spots or use his strength and explosiveness to get all the way to the rim in a straight line. Shows potential as a facilitator, particularly in the open court.
- Strength, length and quickness to be a lockdown defender who can check three positions at the NBA level. Doesn't always buy in on that end but has shown glimpses. Can sit down and slide. Has the tools to make plays off the ball.

Improvement areas
- Still learning how to play on both ends. Decision-making is a work in progress. Tends to settle for contested jumpers rather than using his physicality to get all the way to the rim. Still learning how to play with elite players. Reputation for inconsistency in his production.
- Streaky perimeter shooter. Shot 29.1% from 3 on 237 attempts at Georgia.
- Undisciplined defender who isn't always engaged. Motor and intensity on that end fluctuates. Completely upright in his stance at times.

Projected role: Star scoring guard

--Mike Schmitz

LaMelo Ball

Spoiler:

PG LaMelo Ball 6'7" 190 lbs USA 1 POS RK 2 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Has elite size for a point guard at 6-foot-7. Controls the game from his unique vantage point with impressive creativity, flair, poise and instincts operating off a live dribble. Gifted ball handler who plays at different speeds and can make every pass with either hand, especially operating out of pick-and-roll. Throws 90-foot outlets, makes magical touch passes.
- Has a chance to be an adequate defender due to his combination of terrific size, quick feet and instincts, particularly when he's playing with energy. Already has some impressive moments rotating for steals and contesting shots around the basket. Excellent rebounder for a guard.
- Won't turn 19 until well after the draft. Will be one of the youngest players picked in the first round. Might still be growing.

Improvement areas
- Has struggled to score efficiently throughout his career. Shot just 46% from 2-point range and 25% from 3. Shoots jumpers with unorthodox mechanics, including a two-handed release while kicking out his legs. The touch he shows on floaters and career 82% free throw percentage leaves room for optimism, but his inability to buy a basket at times this season in the half court was discouraging.
- Lacks a degree of high-end explosiveness creating offense from a standstill and beating opponents off the dribble. Doesn't have the strength to finish what he does create around the basket. Relies on a lot of tough floaters and other difficult attempts inside the arc.
- Indifferent defender for much of his career. Still reverts back to that frequently, especially off the ball. Struggles to get over screens due to his lack of strength. Has been maligned at times for his work ethic and level of focus.

Projected role: Franchise point guard

--Jonathan Givony

James Wiseman

Spoiler:

C James Wiseman 7'1" 240 lbs Memphis 1 POS RK 3 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Incredible frame standing over 7-feet in shoes and 250 pounds with a 7-5 wingspan and gigantic standing reach. Exceptional athlete for his size in terms of his ability to get up and down the floor, cover ground and elevate around the rim quickly with explosiveness and power.
- Has a good skill set. Agile in the post and as a pick-and-roll finisher with impressive body control. Capable of handling and creating for himself. Shows some creativity with his footwork. Has a soft touch around the rim and even extending out to 3.
- Impact player as a rim protector when locked in and operating at maximum intensity thanks to his reach, timing and quickness. Also capable of switching on the perimeter with excellent mobility.

Improvement areas
- Feel for the game is a work in progress on both ends. Average passer who shows questionable instincts and awareness defensively, especially guarding pick-and-rolls. Can be foul-prone.
- Doesn't always know his best role offensively. Has been intent on proving his skill on the perimeter rather than using his frame to his advantage inside the paint. Elongated release, side spin and questionable percentages from the free throw line raise doubts about his shooting ability.
- Has left scouts wanting more at times in terms of his offensive efficiency, rebounding and defensive impact. Has stretches in which he looks like he's in cruise control.

Projected role: Franchise center

--Jonathan Givony

Deni Advija

Spoiler:

SF
Deni Avdija 6'9" 215 lbs Israel 2 POS RK 5 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Big enough to play PF but has the ballhandling, creativity and playmaking skill of a PG. At his best operating out of pick-and-roll, where he displays excellent timing and vision, allowing him to make every read and pass in the book. Aggressive offensive player who is in attack mode every time he steps onto the floor. Loves shooting pull-up 3-pointers in transition. Brings toughness, competitiveness and swagger.
- Was learning how to play without the ball this season in a more compact role at the pro level. Elite cutter thanks to his strong feel for the game. Capable of playmaking out of secondary ball-handling situations.
- Has made significant strides on defense. Covers ground well and plays with real intensity getting over screens, battling on the glass and rotating to protect the rim. Gets in passing lanes, blocks quite a few shots and rebounds well.

Improvement areas
- Inconsistent shooter who has converted just 32% of 3-pointers and 58% of free throws over a large sample. Mechanics have been tweaked repeatedly to the point that you rarely see him shooting the same way, sometimes kicking his legs out excessively or looking stiff with his release.
- Wasn't asked to do much in terms of creating his own shot in isolation, pushing in the open court or playing pick-and-roll this season.
- Struggles to create offense from a standstill. Right-hand dominant and much more limited when pushed to dribble or finish with his off hand. Reliant on changes of speed and using his body to create space, which might prove more difficult against NBA defenders.

Projected role: Big playmaker

--Jonathan Givony

Tyrese Haliburton

Spoiler:

PG
Tyrese Haliburton 6'5" 175 lbs Iowa State 2 POS RK 7 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Has good size for a point guard at 6-5 with a 6-7.5 wingspan that should allow him to defend either guard position. Fluid athlete who changes speeds with long strides, polished footwork and smooth body control. Still developing physically.
- Has one of the highest basketball IQs of any player in the draft. Creative passer who empowers teammates with outlet passes and makes the game easy with the tremendous vision in pick-and-roll. Size, length and feel make him a factor on the glass, getting in passing lanes and even blocking shots on occasion.
- Career 43% 3-point shooter and 78% free throw shooter at the college level. Reliable with his feet set despite his unconventional mechanics. Has outstanding touch on floaters.

Improvement areas
- Has played off the ball quite a bit in his college career due to his struggles creating offense from in the half court. Can't always beat better defenders off the bounce cleanly. Low release on his pull-up jumper makes it difficult for him to get his shot off at times. Likely will be at his best operating alongside a high-volume shot creator.
- Light frame limits him on both ends. Gets knocked off his path easily and forced to settle for difficult shots from outside the paint. Has a propensity for avoiding contact. Attempted only 71 free throws in 57 games in college.
- Team went just 10-12 with him on the roster this season. Going to be more appealing to teams with existing pieces in place, which limits his ceiling among bad teams picking at the top.

Projected role: Secondary ball-handling 3-and-D guard

--Mike Schmitz

Obi Toppin

Spoiler:

PF
Obi Toppin 6'9" 220 lbs Dayton 1 POS RK 9 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Explosive leaper with solid size. Big hands. Runs the floor hard. One of the most efficient transition finishers in college basketball. Lob threat out of pick-and-roll and from the dunker spot.
- Versatile offensive skill set. Can space the floor vertically, pop out to 3 with sound mechanics and score in the post. Takes advantage of switches with jump hooks over either shoulder or quick spins. Comfortable post passer. Handles double teams fairly well. Sound feel for the game.
- Has fairly sharp defensive instincts even though he's a bit limited on that end. Plays the passing lanes and is comfortable protecting the rim in a pinch. Spent most of the season playing center and has decent verticality and shot-blocking timing when he's fully engaged.

Improvement areas
- Lacks a degree of versatility and upside on the defensive end. Upright mover with choppy strides. Struggles to sit down and slide with perimeter forwards. Doesn't change direction all that well. Discipline comes and goes as a pick-and-roll defender. Has issues with more physical bigs given his light base. Buried in the post regularly. Not always the most engaged rebounder. Can he play any small-ball 5 in the NBA?
- Not the most polished perimeter player for a modern 4. Benefited from playing the 5 with shooting and skill surrounding him. Upright ball handler. Not really a dynamic shooter.
- Gets moved off his spots easily in the paint. Doesn't always maintain balance in a crowd. Was effective on the block in college, but will he be able to punish switches regularly in the NBA? High floor but what's his ceiling at age 22 with some limitations on the defensive end?

Projected role: Run-and-jump big with stretch skills

--Mike Schmitz

Killian Hayes

Spoiler:

PG
Killian Hayes 6'5" 192 lbs France 3 POS RK 10 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Great size for a lead guard at 6-5. Strong frame. Has the tools to defend either guard spot when fully motivated. Can change speeds and directions with the ball. Fairly fluid athlete who can use his size to overpower smaller guards.
- Comfortable pick-and-roll player with three-level scoring potential and creativity as a passer when he's able to get to his left hand. Has also improved as a shooter. Can rise into midrange pull-ups or even bounce out to 3 with step-backs. Shows glimpses of finesse as a finisher with his left hand in the paint.
- Fairly experienced and productive for his age having played 72 pro games (BBL, France Pro A, EuroCup). Should be able to have an instant impact if he's in a situation where the ball is in his hands.

Improvement areas
- Average athletically both in terms of burst and vertical explosion. Struggles with aggressive ball pressure. Turned the ball over on 25% of his possessions. Can change speeds and directions but doesn't quite have the shiftiness to beat rangy defenders off the dribble consistently. Will have to become a more consistent shooter to combat that. Doesn't get to the free throw line at a high rate.
- Extremely left-hand dominant as a driver, passer and finisher. Lack of willingness to use his right hand limits him all over the floor.
- Defensive intensity comes and goes. Struggles with speedy guards. While improved, his approach to the game was a question in the past. How much of his success is a product of the freedom and volume he was given with Ulm? Has looked ordinary at times in camp settings when surrounded by strong athletes.

Projected role: Big playmaker

--Mike Schmitz

Cole Anthony

Spoiler:

PG
Cole Anthony 6'3" 190 lbs North Carolina 5 POS RK 12 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Aggressive, confident scorer who has been productive at virtually every stop. Good open-court athlete who changes ends quickly. Creates space for himself with crossovers and step-backs going left. Can knock down pull-ups with range, change speeds and directions and initiate contact in the paint.
- Glimpses of competitiveness on the defensive end. Has shown the willingness to fight through ball screens. Quick hands and feet when fully engaged.
- Impressed NBA scouts at the Nike Academy, competing in every session and going toe-to-toe with NBA players. Plays with a lot of confidence. Can play off the ball some with ability to shoot off the catch.

Improvement areas
- Much more of a scorer than facilitator at this stage. Can make basic drop-offs and kickouts, but he's still learning how to manipulate defenses. Tends to pound the ball a little too much. Shot selection has room to improve.
- A bit streaky, shooting 35% from the high school 3-point line on 464 attempts and 35% from 3 at the collegiate level. Shows deep range and the ability to rise up in the midrange, but scouts will have a close eye on his consistency. Lacks finesse at the rim. Right-hand dominant finisher.
- While quick-footed and fairly strong for his height, average size and length limits his defensive versatility. Ball-watches defensively and gives up open looks to shooters. Does his production translate to winning?

Projected role: Shot-creating lead guard

--Mike Schmitz

Couple things that surprise me about their rankings; that Issac Okoro is in the top 5. Tyrese Maxey is over Hayes and Anthony.

[Tron Carter]

Deni is growing on me

[CoreyVillains]

Just finished my 10 minute Cole Anthony breakdown that you guys can check out below:

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And ICYMI - Wiseman, Ball, and Avdija:

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[TheGreenArrow]

We could potentially end up with the 10th pick.

I don't think i could survive that.