2023 NBA Draft Thread

[ogmagicfan]

This draft is the real deal. The top 15 are looking great. This looks like the 2021 draft all over again, except the top level talent (Victor, Scoot) are on a completely other level than the top 2 in 2021 (Cade, Jalen Green)

[jonbob17]

The Thompson twins don't fit our team. I'm not even sure I'd pick them over Keyon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

My thing is that they are 6'7 guards with elite athleticism. How many prospects with size, elite athleticism, guard skills, high productivity, defensive motors, with poor shooting, flame out? Plus it seems like they have good characters and high work ethic. I'm intrigued and could see Amen giving Scoot a run for his money as the best PG in this draft and Ausar giving Keyonte a run for his money as the best SG in this draft.

It would be nice if we got a chance to see them play against upper level players whether that be the G League, overseas, or college players. They are playing against high school kids, I am not even sure if there are any other prospects in the league, like are there any potential draft picks at all, i see one highschool aged kid that has committed to KY. Another guy who won't be draft eligible until 2025

The worrisome thing to me is that both brothers, had one glaring hole in shooting, and they are out there playing in a highschool league, and still couldn't shoot at a reasonable clip. 25% and 29%
Reminds me of Fultz and his one black hole of a skill and having an entire year off to work on it and....nothing got fixed

I don't know with Amen, teams tend to bet on guys with athleticism that can handle the ball. His athleticism is ridiculous, but i am not sure what happens if he can't shoot. It seems like a make or break swing for who ever takes him. I mean if he is there at 5 or so, its probably a little easier to roll the dice. Usually tall guys that can pass have a lot of success, though I am not sure i would call Amen a good passer, everything is transition.

Of course if he turns out to be a more athletic, better passing version of SGA, then you are talking about potentially top 5 player in the league type of player.....but how likely is something like that to pan out.

[jonbob17]

My thing is that they are 6'7 guards with elite athleticism. How many prospects with size, elite athleticism, guard skills, high productivity, defensive motors, with poor shooting, flame out? Plus it seems like they have good characters and high work ethic. I'm intrigued and could see Amen giving Scoot a run for his money as the best PG in this draft and Ausar giving Keyonte a run for his money as the best SG in this draft.

The counterpoint to that statement is that Orlando should be building a real roster at some point.

Shooting /Shot creation from the perimeter are the largest issues with this team. If neither of those guys do that well, then I don't know how you can advocate taking both with the draft picks.

At some point the pieces have to start making sense together. If you are in a cake baking competition, then it doesn't matter how many premiere ingredients you have at your disposal if you still cant bake a cake.

The closest comp to the Thompson brothers is the Ball brothers.

I think if the Magic draft 7 or below, both brothers are gone.

To be fair, both Ball brothers can shoot, even if the shot looks broken. Lonzo, was still a 41.2% 3 point shooter on 5.4 attempts a game against college players, and both Ball brothers have proved to be very good high volume 3 point shooters at the NBA level.

Also both ball brothers are top notch passers, Lonzo at least in transition. Neither Thompson brother is close to the Ball bros as passers.

Now neither of the Ball's are anywhere close to either Thompson as athletes, and it seems like all 4 guys are close in height. I'd say the Ball Bros clearly have the more polished skill, and the Thompson bros are unusual athletes with great size.

[basketballRob]

The Thompson twins don't fit our team. I'm not even sure I'd pick them over Keyon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

My thing is that they are 6'7 guards with elite athleticism. How many prospects with size, elite athleticism, guard skills, high productivity, defensive motors, with poor shooting, flame out? Plus it seems like they have good characters and high work ethic. I'm intrigued and could see Amen giving Scoot a run for his money as the best PG in this draft and Ausar giving Keyonte a run for his money as the best SG in this draft.

Quite a bit flame out. If you can't shoot, you probably aren't going to make it. They are tall but don't look like they have plus wingspan.

They are also older than Paolo

I think they're shorter versions of Cam Reddish.

Edit: they are 1.5 months younger than Paolo.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[eyriq]

The Thompson twins don't fit our team. I'm not even sure I'd pick them over Keyon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

My thing is that they are 6'7 guards with elite athleticism. How many prospects with size, elite athleticism, guard skills, high productivity, defensive motors, with poor shooting, flame out? Plus it seems like they have good characters and high work ethic. I'm intrigued and could see Amen giving Scoot a run for his money as the best PG in this draft and Ausar giving Keyonte a run for his money as the best SG in this draft.

Quite a bit flame out. If you can't shoot, you probably aren't going to make it. They are tall but don't look like they have plus wingspan.

They are also older than Paolo

I think they're shorter versions of Cam Reddish.

Edit: they are 1.5 months younger than Paolo.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Why are they in such a crappy league? I have heard the league has tons of NBA investors but right now it's a detriment to their evaluations. Sophomore in college age men playing against high schoolers is not a good look

[JBSouthpaw]

easy for me.
1st pick, take BPA.
2nd pick, best shooter available, hopefully Dick or Howard.

[tiderulz]

The Thompson twins don't fit our team. I'm not even sure I'd pick them over Keyon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

My thing is that they are 6'7 guards with elite athleticism. How many prospects with size, elite athleticism, guard skills, high productivity, defensive motors, with poor shooting, flame out? Plus it seems like they have good characters and high work ethic. I'm intrigued and could see Amen giving Scoot a run for his money as the best PG in this draft and Ausar giving Keyonte a run for his money as the best SG in this draft.

Quite a bit flame out. If you can't shoot, you probably aren't going to make it. They are tall but don't look like they have plus wingspan.

They are also older than Paolo

I think they're shorter versions of Cam Reddish.

Edit: they are 1.5 months younger than Paolo.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

yeah, this is where i am. And is that athleticism really elite? or elite to the competition they are facing. Kuminga was a "Freakish athlete with explosiveness, strength and great body contro", but hasnt exactly taken the NBA by storm. We see plenty of athletic players flame out because they just cannot learn to shoot well. and im sorry, every player is cited as having "great work ethic" especially when it gets close to the draft.

[pepe1991]

My thing is that they are 6'7 guards with elite athleticism. How many prospects with size, elite athleticism, guard skills, high productivity, defensive motors, with poor shooting, flame out? Plus it seems like they have good characters and high work ethic. I'm intrigued and could see Amen giving Scoot a run for his money as the best PG in this draft and Ausar giving Keyonte a run for his money as the best SG in this draft.

Quite a bit flame out. If you can't shoot, you probably aren't going to make it. They are tall but don't look like they have plus wingspan.

They are also older than Paolo

I think they're shorter versions of Cam Reddish.

Edit: they are 1.5 months younger than Paolo.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Why are they in such a crappy league? I have heard the league has tons of NBA investors but right now it's a detriment to their evaluations. Sophomore in college age men playing against high schoolers is not a good look

This is great question. Probably politics, agendas, desire to hide and protect investments in those players.

Why nba has own team in G league? Why in first year of their existence in g league they payed off best prospect in basketball $500 K to have him not play in college? Why that same team brought Bobby Bown, Jarret Jack and Amir Johnson, when in that same league, 99% of rosters are made out of 19-24 years old players without any nba experience?

Would Kuminga ever become 7th overall pick and got $20-$30M guaranteed money if he ended up in college, in Kansas, or some other team and look for whole season like Michael Kid Gilchrist bastered son? I'm going with no...

[Audi]

Quite a bit flame out. If you can't shoot, you probably aren't going to make it. They are tall but don't look like they have plus wingspan.

They are also older than Paolo

I think they're shorter versions of Cam Reddish.

Edit: they are 1.5 months younger than Paolo.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Why are they in such a crappy league? I have heard the league has tons of NBA investors but right now it's a detriment to their evaluations. Sophomore in college age men playing against high schoolers is not a good look

This is great question. Probably politics, agendas, desire to hide and protect investments in those players.

Why nba has own team in G league? Why in first year of their existence in g league they payed off best prospect in basketball $500 K to have him not play in college? Why that same team brought Bobby Bown, Jarret Jack and Amir Johnson, when in that same league, 99% of rosters are made out of 19-24 years old players without any nba experience?

Would Kuminga ever become 7th overall pick and got $20-$30M guaranteed money if he ended up in college, in Kansas, or some other team and look for whole season like Michael Kid Gilchrist bastered son? I'm going with no...

Indeed. Even more than for the lack of 3pt shooting, I'm staying away from the Thompson twins because I honestly have no idea how to evaluate them in the league they are playing in. IIRC, the last guy who excelled in their league is on the Spurs and barely even gets PT on that tanking roster.

[Bensational]

The biggest detriment to the Thompson twins is that the league they play in looks like a pro-am or scrimmage game. It’s highly disorganised, so it doesn’t show how they’ll fit in organised ball. As a creator, Amen is all over the place. He’s good at using his size and athleticism to attack the paint and he’s good at finding last second hand-offs, but none of his moves scream IQ to me, just ‘good reaction’. His shot is absolutely horrid, too. He has incredibly quick lateral mobility though so he could be a really good defender.

I can’t pick a good comp for Amen. The Ball brothers are far superior handling the ball and making advanced reads. He’s like a Ben Simmons/Lonzo Ball hybrid.

Realistically, I’d rather have Paolo and Franz on the ball. If not, I’d rather pay a high end FA or trade for a legit PG who can shoot.

Disclaimer: I’m very open to being wrong on this assessment. I was quite strongly opposed to Sharpe last draft and he’s made me eat crow, so it could very well happen again.

[basketballRob]

The biggest detriment to the Thompson twins is that the league they play in looks like a pro-am or scrimmage game. It’s highly disorganised, so it doesn’t show how they’ll fit in organised ball. As a creator, Amen is all over the place. He’s good at using his size and athleticism to attack the paint and he’s good at finding last second hand-offs, but none of his moves scream IQ to me, just ‘good reaction’. His shot is absolutely horrid, too. He has incredibly quick lateral mobility though so he could be a really good defender.

I can’t pick a good comp for Amen. The Ball brothers are far superior handling the ball and making advanced reads. He’s like a Ben Simmons/Lonzo Ball hybrid.

Realistically, I’d rather have Paolo and Franz on the ball. If not, I’d rather pay a high end FA or trade for a legit PG who can shoot.

Disclaimer: I’m very open to being wrong on this assessment. I was quite strongly opposed to Sharpe last draft and he’s made me eat crow, so it could very well happen again.

Even Sharpe went to the Peach jam and played longer against some of the top recruits. They've been hiding the Thompson twins for two years.

Plus, we had Sharpe's measurements from Kentucky. We have no measurements from the Thompson twins.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[basketballRob]

I'm just thinking of the best comparison for the Thompson twins might be MCW.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[jezzerinho]

I have Jordan Hawkins ranked higher than Gradey. More iso potential, can get to the line, more vertical athleticism, better handler, impeccable shooting form on high volume.

Both have their issues staying in front of shifty guards, but i'd call their on-ball D a wash.

Hawkins is far behind Gradey in the mock drafts.

I don't use mock drafts when I watch players. If I'm wrong I'm wrong (hi, Johnny Davis!). But frankly a lot of us seem to do as well as some teams.

[jezzerinho]

Quite a bit flame out. If you can't shoot, you probably aren't going to make it. They are tall but don't look like they have plus wingspan.

They are also older than Paolo

I think they're shorter versions of Cam Reddish.

Edit: they are 1.5 months younger than Paolo.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Why are they in such a crappy league? I have heard the league has tons of NBA investors but right now it's a detriment to their evaluations. Sophomore in college age men playing against high schoolers is not a good look

This is great question. Probably politics, agendas, desire to hide and protect investments in those players.

Why nba has own team in G league? Why in first year of their existence in g league they payed off best prospect in basketball $500 K to have him not play in college? Why that same team brought Bobby Bown, Jarret Jack and Amir Johnson, when in that same league, 99% of rosters are made out of 19-24 years old players without any nba experience?

Would Kuminga ever become 7th overall pick and got $20-$30M guaranteed money if he ended up in college, in Kansas, or some other team and look for whole season like Michael Kid Gilchrist bastered son? I'm going with no...

Their official answer is that the OTE gave them access to pro-level training and conditioning facilities and allowed them learn pro-style habits that they wouldnt get in college. Take from that what you will.

[RookieStar]

The Magic need guys who can make shots from the perimeter

Yes, but history has shown over time that guys who can make perimeter shots and don't do much else - your Duncan Robinson, Luke Kennard, Doug McDermott, Gary Harris types - aren't all that valuable.

That's my concern with Dick. I don't see a whole lot there in terms of being a defender or a guy who can really do a ton off the dribble.

As a pure catch-and-shoot guy? As a come firing off screens and shoot off movement guy? Yeah, he's great. But I do question how valuable that really is overall.

Let's put it another way...

If my choices are...

45% 3PT shooter who can't defend or 38% 3PT shooter who can defend, I'm taking the latter 100 times out of 100.

Yes..but if you watch Kansas play.. you will see that Dick's defensive awareness is there. He makes plays being at the right place at the right time. He also stays in front of his man.

Granted he isn't that one-on-one great defender that a Suggs/MCW/Harris shows but at 6'8 he can disrupt opposing SGs.

[RookieStar]

The Thompson twins don't fit our team. I'm not even sure I'd pick them over Keyon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

My thing is that they are 6'7 guards with elite athleticism. How many prospects with size, elite athleticism, guard skills, high productivity, defensive motors, with poor shooting, flame out? Plus it seems like they have good characters and high work ethic. I'm intrigued and could see Amen giving Scoot a run for his money as the best PG in this draft and Ausar giving Keyonte a run for his money as the best SG in this draft.

I dunno. Being the best or second best PG/SG for me means you really have to have 3pt shooting range which the twins aren't that good at.

[eyriq]

The biggest detriment to the Thompson twins is that the league they play in looks like a pro-am or scrimmage game. It’s highly disorganised, so it doesn’t show how they’ll fit in organised ball. As a creator, Amen is all over the place. He’s good at using his size and athleticism to attack the paint and he’s good at finding last second hand-offs, but none of his moves scream IQ to me, just ‘good reaction’. His shot is absolutely horrid, too. He has incredibly quick lateral mobility though so he could be a really good defender.

I can’t pick a good comp for Amen. The Ball brothers are far superior handling the ball and making advanced reads. He’s like a Ben Simmons/Lonzo Ball hybrid.

Realistically, I’d rather have Paolo and Franz on the ball. If not, I’d rather pay a high end FA or trade for a legit PG who can shoot.

Disclaimer: I’m very open to being wrong on this assessment. I was quite strongly opposed to Sharpe last draft and he’s made me eat crow, so it could very well happen again.

Great analysis!

[RookieStar]

Why are they in such a crappy league? I have heard the league has tons of NBA investors but right now it's a detriment to their evaluations. Sophomore in college age men playing against high schoolers is not a good look

This is great question. Probably politics, agendas, desire to hide and protect investments in those players.

Why nba has own team in G league? Why in first year of their existence in g league they payed off best prospect in basketball $500 K to have him not play in college? Why that same team brought Bobby Bown, Jarret Jack and Amir Johnson, when in that same league, 99% of rosters are made out of 19-24 years old players without any nba experience?

Would Kuminga ever become 7th overall pick and got $20-$30M guaranteed money if he ended up in college, in Kansas, or some other team and look for whole season like Michael Kid Gilchrist bastered son? I'm going with no...

Their official answer is that the OTE gave them access to pro-level training and conditioning facilities and allowed them learn pro-style habits that they wouldnt get in college. Take from that what you will.

Ummm we forgot to ask how much they are making? It's all about the benjamins as some of them would say.

[basketballRob]

Another problem is that the people who make mocks are getting pressure from OT Elite to mock them high. If the Thompson twins get picked in the lottery, it'll be a huge success for OT, and they'll be able to sign more recruits.

If the Thompson twins are lottery picks, they'll get at least 2-3 years to prove themselves. Cam got traded in his 3rd year and MCW in his second.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[jezzerinho]

This is great question. Probably politics, agendas, desire to hide and protect investments in those players.

Why nba has own team in G league? Why in first year of their existence in g league they payed off best prospect in basketball $500 K to have him not play in college? Why that same team brought Bobby Bown, Jarret Jack and Amir Johnson, when in that same league, 99% of rosters are made out of 19-24 years old players without any nba experience?

Would Kuminga ever become 7th overall pick and got $20-$30M guaranteed money if he ended up in college, in Kansas, or some other team and look for whole season like Michael Kid Gilchrist bastered son? I'm going with no...

Their official answer is that the OTE gave them access to pro-level training and conditioning facilities and allowed them learn pro-style habits that they wouldnt get in college. Take from that what you will.

Ummm we forgot to ask how much they are making? It's all about the benjamins as some of them would say.

Meh, I'd be surprised if the money was so good that a player would toy with their professional future by risking it all on the OTE. I think there's more to it. Certainly, the backers behind OTE may well be lobbying their guys heavily on the Mockiverse...