2018/2019 NBA draft talk: Who should be our target? (Poll)

[Skin]

Little's highlights from last night

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As expected, he's like Aaron Gordon. We need a smooth wing or PG.

[npiper17]

His shot is a bit sketchy. It's his drive and motor that have made him the top prospect at this point. His skill set really isn't exceptional. I'm not yet convinced that he isn't just a bigger version of Marcus Smart or Collin Sexton, though that has the potential to be a pretty good player.

Thanks for the input. I need to read up on this draft (wasn’t expecting to have to do that this early but there you go).

It’s interesting that Barrett is projected number 1 if he’s the bigger Smart / Sexton-type that you describe.

I would say Barrett is kind of like a Derozen/ Tmac-lite in comparison.

Sold!

[Duke4life831]

Can RJ Barrett shoot? His free throw percentage suggests room for improvement at the very least.

Definitely not a strength of his. Right now he is scoring off of just relentlessness really. I will say I've been impressed with his improvement as a shooter, his release and arc has definitely improved. Right now he's a scorer more than a shooter. But if there is a guy that can improve that it's RJ, his drive is pretty insane.

[Duke4life831]

Little's highlights from last night

Watch on YouTube

As expected, he's like Aaron Gordon. We need a smooth wing or PG.

Definitely not the draft for a PG, 2020 draft looks much better in that regard. But yes Little is by far the least skilled and natural offensive player out of the top 4. He is the best defender though.

But ya I agree, I think you guys need more of an offensive first perimeter guy over a defensive first guy.

[KillMonger]

Thoughts on quinten grimes?

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[Floridharkless]

If we draft in the mid-lottery (7-12), Romeo Langford if he is available, Quentin Grimes, Tyler Herro and Ja Morrant can be our targets.

[dsg2021]

No one is exciting me yet, no dead-eye shooters in the lottery, and I'm worried the draft is weak. But to be fair, the college season is just beginning right now.

It would be great to find a CP3-style PG who constantly probes to score and create, but a wing scorer with some passing vision is just as nice and perhaps Grimes and Reddish are fitting that so far.

I think the theme of the last half-decade or so of drafts has been that there's been a '2nd' or '3rd' ranked wing who ends up being a top 1-3 player of the entire draft (I'm thinking of names like Mitchell, Booker, and even Giannis fits this). So yeah, you want that wing who has the best athleticism and potential, but unless he home-runs on his potential, then with the way the league is becoming more scoring and spacing-centered, it seems more and more prospects need to show a little more in their offensive skillsets than, say, from 10 years ago. (Freakish 7 footers like Isaac and Bamba need not apply and are happy exceptions, plus their shooting already looks solid).

The other train of thought is BPA, which means yes, we can't rule out yet another big or project player. And the best analogy is this; you can stay happy with your DeMar DeRozan or Paul Millsap, or you can go through the 'headache' of drafting another same position player who turns out to be James Harden or Anthony Davis. All All-Stars. But one in each pair is All-NBA, and the difference is dramatic in the end.

If it ends up a weak draft, it might be better worth it if ORL started building winning habits and a more successful system, even at the cost of a late lottery or high teens pick. WeHam seem to be the first FO to value ongoing cap space which can be just as huge as draft picks.

[npiper17]

Can RJ Barrett shoot? His free throw percentage suggests room for improvement at the very least.

Definitely not a strength of his. Right now he is scoring off of just relentlessness really. I will say I've been impressed with his improvement as a shooter, his release and arc has definitely improved. Right now he's a scorer more than a shooter. But if there is a guy that can improve that it's RJ, his drive is pretty insane.

I meant to reply earlier thanking you for this breakdown.

As a Duke guy, any thoughts on Cam Reddish? Would he be a better fit for the Magic with a young core of Bamba, Isaac and Gordon?

[Skin]

Can RJ Barrett shoot? His free throw percentage suggests room for improvement at the very least.

Definitely not a strength of his. Right now he is scoring off of just relentlessness really. I will say I've been impressed with his improvement as a shooter, his release and arc has definitely improved. Right now he's a scorer more than a shooter. But if there is a guy that can improve that it's RJ, his drive is pretty insane.

I meant to reply earlier thanking you for this breakdown.

As a Duke guy, any thoughts on Cam Reddish? Would he be a better fit for the Magic with a young core of Bamba, Isaac and Gordon?

It's going to be tough to gauge their shooting because most likely, their 3s will be wide open. Barrett and Reddish like to shoot though, so that's a good sign that they aren't afraid of taking that shot.

[VFX]

Can RJ Barrett shoot? His free throw percentage suggests room for improvement at the very least.

Definitely not a strength of his. Right now he is scoring off of just relentlessness really. I will say I've been impressed with his improvement as a shooter, his release and arc has definitely improved. Right now he's a scorer more than a shooter. But if there is a guy that can improve that it's RJ, his drive is pretty insane.

I meant to reply earlier thanking you for this breakdown.

As a Duke guy, any thoughts on Cam Reddish? Would he be a better fit for the Magic with a young core of Bamba, Isaac and Gordon?

Reddish is a better shooter than RJ. Barrett is more of a 2/3 and Reddish is more of a 3/4. So I’d say Barrett fits more with BIG in terms of position, but Reddish has a skill set that would fit better as of right now. I think it depends on who is a better facilitator and overall player in the long run.

[Duke4life831]

Can RJ Barrett shoot? His free throw percentage suggests room for improvement at the very least.

Definitely not a strength of his. Right now he is scoring off of just relentlessness really. I will say I've been impressed with his improvement as a shooter, his release and arc has definitely improved. Right now he's a scorer more than a shooter. But if there is a guy that can improve that it's RJ, his drive is pretty insane.

I meant to reply earlier thanking you for this breakdown.

As a Duke guy, any thoughts on Cam Reddish? Would he be a better fit for the Magic with a young core of Bamba, Isaac and Gordon?

Im a huge fan of his... when he actually tries. There is no denying his lack of intensity though, it really comes and goes. He is not an explosive athlete but he is a good athlete, has tremendous body control and moves really well. Just isnt a great leaper and not the best first step.

I think a motivated Cam might be the best guy in this class and strictly speaking fit for you guys, ya I think he is the best fit. He is the best shooter out of the bunch and the best facilitator. The thing with Cam though, is I think he easily has the lowest floor. Guys with motor issues really scare me, I can see Cam just going with the motions and he doesnt have a good enough jump shot yet to just rely on being a big shooter. But ya long story short, I think a motivated Cam is the best fit to go along with your best core. After that, RJ.

[Skin]

But it's not like we are going to be in range for one of them. The discussion over the Dukies is futile.

[Skin]

Thoughts on quinten grimes?

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Can't wait for his season to start tonight. NBADraft.net has him mocked #18 to San Antonio. But he's gonna shoot up boards, imo.

I just hope we are in range for him. He's #1 on my realistic draft board. Love his handles, the smoothness to his game, sneaky court vision. Not sure if he can be a PG, but he can still be a SG with court vision. He's definitely my #1 pet cat at this stage.

[NavalAviator94]

But it's not like we are going to be in range for one of them. The discussion over the Dukies is futile.

Trades my friend. Think trades.

[Xatticus]

I'll give you guys a scary comp for Reddish: Jeff Green

I'm looking forward to watching the game tonight.

[VFX]

I'll give you guys a scary comp for Reddish: Jeff Green

I'm looking forward to watching the game tonight.

Jeff Green / Rudy Gay as a worst case scenario.

[RookieStar]

Let;s all watch the Duke vs Kentucky game...we could salivate at those prospects

[npiper17]

But it's not like we are going to be in range for one of them. The discussion over the Dukies is futile.

Plenty of the season left for us to get in range. Plus the lottery makes things a little more interesting with the odds not as stacked in favour of the worst team(s).

[Knightro]

I'll give you guys a scary comp for Reddish: Jeff Green

I'm looking forward to watching the game tonight.

I don't know if I see that one. I think Reddish better handler, passer and much more willing to facilitate than Green.

Don't love Reddish's desire to play passively and chuck jumpers, but we'll see how that shakes out this year.

[Knightro]

Grimes playing off the ball early on here. Had a layup in transition where he protected the ball nicely with his body.

Drained his first three point attempt.

Another three for Grimes. Jumper looks really nice. Confidently stepped into it.