Official 2020 NBA Draft Thread

[zaymon]

We know Weltman wants to build a playoff team without the weakest link to exploit on defense. There is some concern that Lewis could be too weak to be a good defender. For all of his offensive attributes i could see a scenario where his defense could kick him out of our target list.
Maxey is interesting, he doesnt have the positional size but he has quick feet and strong frame. As a good on ball defender he could cover Fultz weakness running around screens. Overall better fit next to Fultz if his shooting is better than in college.
Hayes and Maledon are also potential good fits especially since Clifford likes to play double point guard lineups. Haliburton frame could be too weak.

[jezzerinho]

We know Weltman wants to build a playoff team without the weakest link to exploit on defense. There is some concern that Lewis could be too weak to be a good defender. For all of his offensive attributes i could see a scenario where his defense could kick him out of our target list.
Maxey is interesting, he doesnt have the positional size but he has quick feet and strong frame. As a good on ball defender he could cover Fultz weakness running around screens. Overall better fit next to Fultz if his shooting is better than in college.
Hayes and Maledon are also potential good fits especially since Clifford likes to play double point guard lineups. Haliburton frame could be too weak.

Dunno if Maxey has the highest ceiling of the players available at 15ish, but fitwise he's a great pick for Orlando. I like him a lot.

[yoyojw17]

A long, athletic 3&D G/F would be the ideal WeHam pick to pair with Fultz.

Notice I said “WeHam pick” not your pick, my pick or the pick of anyone posting here on this board.

So who best fits that description while also having a semi-realistic shot at being available when Orlando is on the clock?

I don't necessarily think these are the only things the front office looks for, but for the sake of this discussion the attributes Weltman and Hammond appear to favor over others in order are...

1. Wingspan
2. Positional Size/Theoretical Defensive Versatility
3. Character
4. Athleticism

For the time being I'm eliminating bigs from consideration and only focusing on guards and wings. I'm also using The Ringer for measurements: https://nbadraft.theringer.com/

Plus Wingspan
Theo Maledon +4.5
Josh Green +4.25
Aaron Nesmith +4
Killian Hayes +3.25

Good Wingspan
Devin Vassell +3
Tyrese Maxey +3
Kira Lewis Jr. +3
Patrick Williams +3

Average Wingspan
McDaniels +2.5
Ramsey +2
Bey +2
Hampton +2

Poor Wingspan
Anthony +1.5
Terry N/A (expected to be 0 or less)
Mannion -0.5

Positional Size
Guards
Killian Hayes 6'5" 215
RJ Hampton 6'5" 188
Jahmi'us Ramsey 6'4 195
Theo Maledon 6'4" 174
Tyrese Maxey 6'3" 198
Nico Mannion 6'3" 190
Cole Anthony 6'3" 190
Kira Lewis Jr. 6'3" 165
Tyrell Terry 6'2" 160

2/3 Wings
Saddiq Bey 6'8" 216
Devin Vassell 6'7" 194
Aaron Nesmith 6'6" 213
Josh Green 6'6" 210

3/4 Wings
Jaden McDaniels 6'9" 200
Patrick Williams 6'8" 225

High Character
This is very subjective, but the following players got specifically shouted out for their work ethic, competitiveness, motor or hustle: Devin Vassell, Tyrell Terry, Tyrese Maxey, Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton, Kira Lewis Jr, Saddiq Bey, Patrick Williams

Plus Athleticism
Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton, Kira Lewis, Josh Green, Jahmi'us Ramsey

Not Plus Athleticism
Killian Hayes, Tyrese Maxey, Aaron Nesmith, Devin Vassell, Theo Maledon, Patrick Williams, Saddiq Bey, Jaden McDaniels, Tyrell Terry, Nico Mannion

Using my completely unscientific methods, the five players in the 10-20 range who appear to most fit what the Magic have looked for in the past are...

Devin Vassell (unlikely available at 15/16)
Killian Hayes (unlikely available at 15/16)
RJ Hampton
Theo Maledon
Josh Green

I just realized how disproportionate I am.... lol.... 5'9-10" tall.... 6'4-5" wingspan ...hahahaha... fack

[Knightro]

A few more guys I like...

Xavier Tillman of Michigan State. I have a soft spot for bigs who can pass and defend. If the Magic needed a 4/5 (they don't), I could be talked into taking him at 16. Some people have him in the second round. I don't. I'm a big fan.

I don't think he's going to end up staying in the draft, but Joel Ayayi of Gonzaga is a guy I like as a sleeper second rounder. He'll probably go back to school and if he keeps improving like I think he will, he'll be a first rounder in 2021.

Another guy I like in the second round is Malachi Flynn of San Diego State. I think he can be a fantastic backup PG.

[basketballRob]

I had no idea that Theo had that kind of wingspan, wow. I'll have to give him a second look

The Ringer says he's 6'4" with a 6'8" 1/2 wingspan.

He's the potential draft and stash player.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[J the Drafter]

A few more guys I like...

Xavier Tillman of Michigan State. I have a soft spot for bigs who can pass and defend. If the Magic needed a 4/5 (they don't), I could be talked into taking him at 16. Some people have him in the second round. I don't. I'm a big fan.

I don't think he's going to end up staying in the draft, but Joel Ayayi of Gonzaga is a guy I like as a sleeper second rounder. He'll probably go back to school and if he keeps improving like I think he will, he'll be a first rounder in 2021.

Another guy I like in the second round is Malachi Flynn of San Diego State. I think he can be a fantastic backup PG.

If the Magic are serious about being a strong defensive team, they’re going to need players who are comfortable guarding bigs. As long and as strong as Isaac and Gordon are, they will never be as good at defending power forwards and centers as bigger, heavier players.

[Knightro]

He's the potential draft and stash player.

I would go ahead and bring Maledon over to the States if he were to be the pick. I'm not really into stashing healthy first round picks.

There's just not enough control leaving a guy overseas. Maledon's European coaching staff has no obligation to have him work on the things the Magic want him to work on, nor do they have any sort of obligation to play him as much as Orlando may want him to play.

I'd rather the team get him over here immediately. I think it would benefit him more to practice against NBA players every day and get into an NBA workout and diet program. Plus the Magic could send him to Lakeland to get playing time.

The more I think about it though, the more Maledon makes a lot of sense given what Weltman and Hammond have looked for in the past.

1. Wingspan. 6'8 1/2" on a 6'4" frame.
2. High character.
3. Positional size (especially if they project him as a PG) and hypothetical defensive versatility to guard both backcourt spots.
4. He fills the immediate need of depth at the guard spot with Augustin and Carter-Williams heading into UFA.

[jezzerinho]

Not that I'm a fan of Maledon's for Orlando - he's a very passive, conservative player for a team that needs leaders - but leaving him in France would absolutely be the best thing for him.

It's one of the world's better leagues. He's get more minutes, not fewer, he'd be playin with and against guys with NBA and similar experience. His coach is Tony Parker, who knows a bit about the NBA and which side his bread is buttered. That would be the least of my concerns.

[a-French-Fan]

Not that I'm a fan of Maledon's for Orlando - he's a very passive, conservative player for a team that needs leaders - but leaving him in France would absolutely be the best thing for him.

It's one of the world's better leagues. He's get more minutes, not fewer, he'd be playin with and against guys with NBA and similar experience. His coach is Tony Parker, who knows a bit about the NBA and which side his bread is buttered. That would be the least of my concerns.

1. Oh no... don't think he is a kind of Ntilikina 2.0.He looked conservative because his coach was. He will be like the coach ask him, trust me

2. I would'not say french league is one of the world's better leagues, but a very difficult league for young players (if you are in a top team, you can't be first option, if you are in a bad team, coach will prefer experience to prevent team to go down -Hayes' situation in 2018-2019). It's also a physical league. So that is not Spanish or Russian championships, but a hard league more than a better league. If 18 years old player succeeds in Jeep Elite, he is probably made for NBA (TP9) or top Euroleague. Some times french players become good only when they leave France (think about Lauvergne with very few minutes in France, and then a lot with Partizan Belgrad).

3. TP, his president (believe me, if he was the coach, Maledon would had played more) actually is very high on him. And I fully agree with you: he knows a bit around the NBA. And last but not least, he thinks he is really more NBA than Euroleague Player.

[cedric76]

good piece from the ringer about Wing players

https://www.theringer.com/2020/6/8/21276726/nba-draft-2020-wings-prospects

[jezzerinho]

Not that I'm a fan of Maledon's for Orlando - he's a very passive, conservative player for a team that needs leaders - but leaving him in France would absolutely be the best thing for him.

It's one of the world's better leagues. He's get more minutes, not fewer, he'd be playin with and against guys with NBA and similar experience. His coach is Tony Parker, who knows a bit about the NBA and which side his bread is buttered. That would be the least of my concerns.

1. Oh no... don't think he is a kind of Ntilikina 2.0.He looked conservative because his coach was. He will be like the coach ask him, trust me

2. I would'not say french league is one of the world's better leagues, but a very difficult league for young players (if you are in a top team, you can't be first option, if you are in a bad team, coach will prefer experience to prevent team to go down -Hayes' situation in 2018-2019). It's also a physical league. So that is not Spanish or Russian championships, but a hard league more than a better league. If 18 years old player succeeds in Jeep Elite, he is probably made for NBA (TP9) or top Euroleague. Some times french players become good only when they leave France (think about Lauvergne with very few minutes in France, and then a lot with Partizan Belgrad).

3. TP, his president (believe me, if he was the coach, Maledon would had played more) actually is very high on him. And I fully agree with you: he knows a bit around the NBA. And last but not least, he thinks he is really more NBA than Euroleague Player.

I dunno why I said coach and not boss as I knew Parker was part-owner. Anyway.

I still say the French league will give him plenty of growth opportunity if he's left there for a year or so, especially under Parker, who rates him highly.

But I'm still of the opinion hes a very docile guy, both in his manner and his playing style. I know he's only 18 but I'm very convinced Orlando needs stronger personalities.

[The Effect]

God i really hope Vassell is gone before our pick

I know everyone loves him, but im just picturing an offense with him in the lineup.......If fultz doesnt become a 25ppg scorer, we would be so screwed as no one else on offense would be able to create for themselves.

I get that people here love defense, but at some point, we need to get someone who can put the ball in the basket on something besides a fast break or cutting to the basket. SOMEONE needs to be able to take the ball and be able to go 1 on 1 with the defender and score! Thats not Vassell, thats not isaac, thats not gordon (although hes much further along than the other 2), and vuc is good at doing that in the post, but hes moving away from that. Vassell would be another isaac on offense, and make it even easier to defend the offense than it is now

[zaymon]

God i really hope Vassell is gone before our pick

I know everyone loves him, but im just picturing an offense with him in the lineup.......If fultz doesnt become a 25ppg scorer, we would be so screwed as no one else on offense would be able to create for themselves.

I get that people here love defense, but at some point, we need to get someone who can put the ball in the basket on something besides a fast break or cutting to the basket. SOMEONE needs to be able to take the ball and be able to go 1 on 1 with the defender and score! Thats not Vassell, thats not isaac, thats not gordon (although hes much further along than the other 2), and vuc is good at doing that in the post, but hes moving away from that. Vassell would be another isaac on offense, and make it even easier to defend the offense than it is now

I kind of agree with you, but it will be hard to find a creator at our position. Vassell is to some extent safe to retain value as a pick regardless of his on ball skills.
Personally i would risk with on ball creator Pokusevski, Lewis, Bolmaro or Maledon . If Weltman doesnt believe in them at all then we can move on with Vassell, Green, Williams.
Who are your favourite picks ?

[Skybox]

God i really hope Vassell is gone before our pick

I know everyone loves him, but im just picturing an offense with him in the lineup.......If fultz doesnt become a 25ppg scorer, we would be so screwed as no one else on offense would be able to create for themselves.

I get that people here love defense, but at some point, we need to get someone who can put the ball in the basket on something besides a fast break or cutting to the basket. SOMEONE needs to be able to take the ball and be able to go 1 on 1 with the defender and score! Thats not Vassell, thats not isaac, thats not gordon (although hes much further along than the other 2), and vuc is good at doing that in the post, but hes moving away from that. Vassell would be another isaac on offense, and make it even easier to defend the offense than it is now

I tend to agree. He's a nice player-just like Mikal Bridges, but doesn't move the needle for a stagnant offense. I'm intrigued by Maxey, but concerned about his size. Just because Fultz may be able to compensate on D doesn't mean he should have to. I'd rather have Kelle physically destroy opposing PG's than have to help.

[Xatticus]

God i really hope Vassell is gone before our pick

I know everyone loves him, but im just picturing an offense with him in the lineup.......If fultz doesnt become a 25ppg scorer, we would be so screwed as no one else on offense would be able to create for themselves.

I get that people here love defense, but at some point, we need to get someone who can put the ball in the basket on something besides a fast break or cutting to the basket. SOMEONE needs to be able to take the ball and be able to go 1 on 1 with the defender and score! Thats not Vassell, thats not isaac, thats not gordon (although hes much further along than the other 2), and vuc is good at doing that in the post, but hes moving away from that. Vassell would be another isaac on offense, and make it even easier to defend the offense than it is now

We don't really have anyone on our roster that is any good at this. The entire NBA has moved away from running offense through the post and Vucevic was never really much of a threat in the post anyway. That all fine though, because you can always initiate offense with screens.

I will say that I don't see any reason why Vassell couldn't step right into the roles currently occupied by Ross and Fournier. He seems a capable shooter, though I wonder if his 3-point percentages flatter his actual ability a bit. His free throw percentages haven't been impressive and he struggled from mid-range last year. I don't think he hurts our offense though. He is so much better at the defensive end that I'd expect he would be an immediate upgrade. He doesn't have amazing defensive tools, but he is a fantastic help defender and has a really high defensive IQ. That's pretty uncommon for a young wing. I'd be perfectly happy if we drafted him.

[Knightro]

It's easy to project Vassell's fit with next year's team. He would presumably slide right into MCW's current role to start out. A 15-20 MPG backup 2/3.

Where it gets trickier is the following offseason when Fournier is a free agent.

If Fournier leaves, you'd pretty much be in a position where you'd likely have Fultz and 4 below average dribblers in the starting lineup. It would be a menacing defensive team though with Vassell-Gordon-Isaac at the 2-3-4 .

On the flip side, there would be pretty much nothing stopping from Fultz having the ball in his hands nearly 100% of the time at that point which is what most people seem to want to see.

[The Effect]

God i really hope Vassell is gone before our pick

I know everyone loves him, but im just picturing an offense with him in the lineup.......If fultz doesnt become a 25ppg scorer, we would be so screwed as no one else on offense would be able to create for themselves.

I get that people here love defense, but at some point, we need to get someone who can put the ball in the basket on something besides a fast break or cutting to the basket. SOMEONE needs to be able to take the ball and be able to go 1 on 1 with the defender and score! Thats not Vassell, thats not isaac, thats not gordon (although hes much further along than the other 2), and vuc is good at doing that in the post, but hes moving away from that. Vassell would be another isaac on offense, and make it even easier to defend the offense than it is now

I tend to agree. He's a nice player-just like Mikal Bridges, but doesn't move the needle for a stagnant offense. I'm intrigued by Maxey, but concerned about his size. Just because Fultz may be able to compensate on D doesn't mean he should have to. I'd rather have Kelle physically destroy opposing PG's than have to help.

That's the name that always pops in my head with him, he's bridges to a T

[The Effect]

God i really hope Vassell is gone before our pick

I know everyone loves him, but im just picturing an offense with him in the lineup.......If fultz doesnt become a 25ppg scorer, we would be so screwed as no one else on offense would be able to create for themselves.

I get that people here love defense, but at some point, we need to get someone who can put the ball in the basket on something besides a fast break or cutting to the basket. SOMEONE needs to be able to take the ball and be able to go 1 on 1 with the defender and score! Thats not Vassell, thats not isaac, thats not gordon (although hes much further along than the other 2), and vuc is good at doing that in the post, but hes moving away from that. Vassell would be another isaac on offense, and make it even easier to defend the offense than it is now

We don't really have anyone on our roster that is any good at this. The entire NBA has moved away from running offense through the post and Vucevic was never really much of a threat in the post anyway. That all fine though, because you can always initiate offense with screens.

I will say that I don't see any reason why Vassell couldn't step right into the roles currently occupied by Ross and Fournier. He seems a capable shooter, though I wonder if his 3-point percentages flatter his actual ability a bit. His free throw percentages haven't been impressive and he struggled from mid-range last year. I don't think he hurts our offense though. He is so much better at the defensive end that I'd expect he would be an immediate upgrade. He doesn't have amazing defensive tools, but he is a fantastic help defender and has a really high defensive IQ. That's pretty uncommon for a young wing. I'd be perfectly happy if we drafted him.

The problem for me is that he just doesn't have the ball handling to be anything more than a 3&D guy and seems very robotic when it comes to having the ball in his hands. To me he's a SG version of Isaac on offense. 3&D with no real ability to create for himself, and I hate to say it, but the offense gets alot worse if you remove Evan and put in vassell

Having a lineup with fultz surrounded by 3 3&D wings and vuc is a very ugly offense unless fultz makes that leap to becoming another Westbrook or something

vassel is fine for what he is, but he's not what this team needs

[Skin]

One guy that I think would fit us great but not necessarily fit the mold for the length that WeHam demands is Cassius Stanley. 6'6 with a 6'7 wingspan doesn't scream their kind of guy. That said T-Ross is exactly that... so I'm holding out hope that Stanley finds a way here. Most likely in Round 2 (at our pick or in a trade up or purchase pick). I'm a Duke fan (not a diehard) but yeah he is a super exciting player. Crazy hops.. 46.5 in vert. Broke Dukes record. Aggressive driver... inbound flyer... fast feet... fluid movements... natural baller, not mechanical... nice shooting form from 3, 36% 3PT% but all his 3s were 100% assisted. Will need to show that he can create his own from deep, but said he played according to the way Coach K wanted him to... also said that he was forced to play the 3 due to Duke's depth at 2. Aggresive mindset can get him in trouble (blocked shots, turnovers, beautiful moves to the hole that don't always finish, etc). So there are reasons why he is a 2nd round guy. But I sense a steal. I see shades of T-Ross, Arron Afflalo, Avery Bradley in his game.

Grabbing him in Round 2 would allow us to go for BPA over need in Round 1 and I think Jaden McDaniels would give us that kind of boom or bust that we need to take risks on. Where we are estimated to pick that's exactly the kind of gamble we should take. A forward's body and guard's game. Extremely raw but high upside. I worry his character will throw him off WeHam's radar, but his size and game might be too tantalizing.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Anyone wanna jump onboard the Stanley train?

[jezzerinho]

A few more guys I like...

Xavier Tillman of Michigan State. I have a soft spot for bigs who can pass and defend. If the Magic needed a 4/5 (they don't), I could be talked into taking him at 16. Some people have him in the second round. I don't. I'm a big fan.

I don't think he's going to end up staying in the draft, but Joel Ayayi of Gonzaga is a guy I like as a sleeper second rounder. He'll probably go back to school and if he keeps improving like I think he will, he'll be a first rounder in 2021.

Another guy I like in the second round is Malachi Flynn of San Diego State. I think he can be a fantastic backup PG.

I'm with you on Flynn. If we traded picks or players to get a late first, like maybe one of Boston's, Tyrrell Terry interests me too. Physically, he's a huge gamble. But guys with his touch are very rare beasts.