2023 NBA Draft Thread

[VFX]

Jarace would play anytime WCJ was off the floor for sure. He would bring paint defense, rebounding and Physical presence. WCJ plays 60 games a season.

So you are wanting to spend Orlando’s top pick on an undersized backup Center?

This starting lineup isn’t good enough. We just traded a #6 pick backup Center for nothing.

No thanks.

Let’s be honest Bamba was a bad back center at best. I really don’t think this should have any bearing on us drafting BPA and a player who could have a big impact on defense and rebounds.

I fail to see the point in drafting guys off the bench with lotto picks when shooting and the back court are the problem with this roster.

There is no clear bpa after pick 3.

[flying_mollusk]

Watch on YouTube

Really good game from Dick. Showed hustle and nice passing along with the shooting.

[Knightro]

I fail to see the point in drafting guys off the bench with lotto picks when shooting and the back court are the problem with this roster.

There is no clear bpa after pick 3.

I like Walker, but I can't get behind him as the Magic's pick unless they're planning to have someone permanently play out of position.

I can't even get behind it like I did the Bamba pick because the plan for the Bamba pick was for him to replace Vucevic after a year (obviously those plans changed and we don't need to rehash that).

Paolo and Franz aren't going anywhere, so unless they're gonna play Walker as a full time center or move their two franchise forwards around, it seem like Walker would be a bench player. Not sure that's great value out of what would likely be a top 5 pick.

[eyriq]

I'd be very hard pressed to take a power forward with a top 5-6 pick no matter how good they are.

I think Walker's talented, but where does he play? It would take a lot of creativity to make that work.

Can Walker play the combo forward role? Pick up mins behind Franz and Paulo with some jumbo lineup time thrown in (WCJ, Paolo, Walker, Franz). Effectively replacing Bol and Isaac. I don't think it requires that much creativity if he can fill that role.

[Knightro]

Can Walker play the combo forward role? Pick up mins behind Franz and Paulo with some jumbo lineup time thrown in (WCJ, Paolo, Walker, Franz). Effectively replacing Bol and Isaac. I don't think it requires that much creativity if he can fill that role.

Sure he could, but that's a limited role.

Right now the Magic are playing a standard 9-man rotation and Bol is only playing 15 MPG since Isaac got hurt.

For better or worse, Jarace Walker needs to be a starting PF for the team that drafts him and the Magic don't have an opening there.

If I'm going to use a top 5 pick on a player, I would want that player to have a more clear path to being a heavy minute (30+) player and ideally a starter and I just don't see that for Walker on this team.

[eyriq]

Can Walker play the combo forward role? Pick up mins behind Franz and Paulo with some jumbo lineup time thrown in (WCJ, Paolo, Walker, Franz). Effectively replacing Bol and Isaac. I don't think it requires that much creativity if he can fill that role.

Sure he could, but that's a limited role.

Right now the Magic are playing a standard 9-man rotation and Bol is only playing 15 MPG since Isaac got hurt.

For better or worse, Jarace Walker needs to be a starting PF for the team that drafts him and the Magic don't have an opening there.

If I'm going to use a top 5 pick on a player, I would want that player to have a more clear path to being a heavy minute (30+) player and ideally a starter and I just don't see that for Walker on this team.

Could be a permanent long boi identity with WCJ|Walker|Paolo|Franz|PG starting. Franz can guard shooting guards and perform other shooting guard duties really well.

[Knightro]

Could be a permanent long boi identity with WCJ|Walker|Paolo|Franz|PG starting. Franz can guard shooting guards and perform other shooting guard duties really well.

Maybe?

But you're talking about taking a team that is already struggles badly with 3PT volume and accuracy and replacing their 42.5% 3PT SG (albeit on low volume) with a guy who only made 32-93 college threes and didn't back that up with good shooting from the FT line either.

Like how would they possibly space the floor with a WCJ|Walker|Paolo|Franz|PG lineup? That PG would have to be Dame Lillard or Steph Curry lol.

[neuraldarwinism]

i'm a Dick rider

[Ducklett]

i'm a Dick rider

This board has been complaining that we sont have this exact player on the roster literally every thread and when we have the chance to draft him, everyone wants a back up PF or a guard who cant shoot lol.

[Petre1978]

i'm a Dick rider

This board has been complaining that we sont have this exact player on the roster literally every thread and when we have the chance to draft him, everyone wants a back up PF or a guard who cant shoot lol.

A guard who can't shoot?

[Skybox]

Could be a permanent long boi identity with WCJ|Walker|Paolo|Franz|PG starting. Franz can guard shooting guards and perform other shooting guard duties really well.

Maybe?

But you're talking about taking a team that is already struggles badly with 3PT volume and accuracy and replacing their 42.5% 3PT SG (albeit on low volume) with a guy who only made 32-93 college threes and didn't back that up with good shooting from the FT line either.

Like how would they possibly space the floor with a WCJ|Walker|Paolo|Franz|PG lineup? That PG would have to be Dame Lillard or Steph Curry lol.

I just remember LAST summer, when rookie Franz was at training camp, TRoss was marveling at how good a shooter Franz is...would like to see more of that. Franz is elite at driving, but we really need a little more perimeter scoring to open up Paolo. They cant both just crash through the paint every time and you kind of have to go with Paolo as the guy you mostly work around due to his ability to absorb contact and get to the line. Franz is showing tremendous potential (arguably more than Paolo at this point) but I believe his future is more Hedo than TMac...I could see Franz scoring 20+ ppg next season with significantly increased 3pt volume...He's just a really good all-around offensive basketball machine. I'd really welcome him at SG if it wasn't detrimental to his play. We could use a better rebounder in there...I was hoping it'd be Isaac. PB breaks guys down on the perimeter like a SF anyway and then his size and strength punish guys who get between him and the hoop. He sure doesn't defend like a big-he's just built like one. Still a rookie, I know. I don't know what's up with Isaac, but it's hard to even pencil him in anymore as a possibility

[The-Stallion70]

Not convinced that Scoot is better than Markelle. He's a shaky jumpshooter as well and lacks Markelle's wingspan. Hollinger has written about his low foul drawing rate in the G League.

I don't think there's a ton of evidence out there that suggests he's not another Kris Dunn/Suggs.

[basketballRob]

I think Scoot will be as good as Morant. He just has that next level athleticism.

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[RookieStar]

Sucks that George didn't show as much as Dick in his opening game.

Well, here is Cason Wallace to those in his bandwagon. Let's see what he can give us.

[eyriq]

Sucks that George didn't show as much as Dick in his opening game.

Well, here is Cason Wallace to those in his bandwagon. Let's see what he can give us.

I liked his defensive awareness and ball movement, seems he was able to contribute even without his shot falling. He just looks so good to me

[eyriq]

Could be a permanent long boi identity with WCJ|Walker|Paolo|Franz|PG starting. Franz can guard shooting guards and perform other shooting guard duties really well.

Maybe?

But you're talking about taking a team that is already struggles badly with 3PT volume and accuracy and replacing their 42.5% 3PT SG (albeit on low volume) with a guy who only made 32-93 college threes and didn't back that up with good shooting from the FT line either.

Like how would they possibly space the floor with a WCJ|Walker|Paolo|Franz|PG lineup? That PG would have to be Dame Lillard or Steph Curry lol.

I think several prospects fit this idea of sliding Franz and/or Paolo to different positions and playing a jumbo lineup:
Wemby
Miller
Walker
Whitmore
Hendricks
Dick

[RookieStar]

Sucks that George didn't show as much as Dick in his opening game.

Well, here is Cason Wallace to those in his bandwagon. Let's see what he can give us.

I liked his defensive awareness and ball movement, seems he was able to contribute even without his shot falling. He just looks so good to me

Same... that's part of his game that I like. For a rookie he "looks" so smooth and composed out there..

[basketballRob]

George has been suffering from a sprained ankle the last few games

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[Knightro]

I think several prospects fit this idea of sliding Franz and/or Paolo to different positions and playing a jumbo lineup:
Wemby
Miller
Walker
Whitmore
Hendricks
Dick

I do not. At least not in every case.

If the Magic are fortunate enough to land Wembanyama, I would start him at center and trade Carter for the best guard I could get. I'd call Portland and see if something could be worked out with Simons.

Miller, Dick and Whitmore are wings, so I think any of them could handle it.

Walker and Hendricks are more forwards than wings if that makes sense.

[basketballRob]

If we get a top 10 pick from the Bulls this season, we should consider retiring Vuc's jersey.

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