2017-2018 College Basketball / '18 NBA Draft Thread

[Arsenal]

Not sold on Ayton. I've seen him described as the Wiggins of Centers, and I tend to agree. Plus we have Embiid so it would be foolish to pick him to be a backup.

Haven't seen enough of Doncic to have any opinion of him. Might be ok with taking him #1 if he's that good of a prospect. Not sure he is though.

Most realistic option if we get #1 is to trade down for the proverbial kings ransom. Move down a few spots, get a lot of premium future assets, dump Bayless, and still get a guy like Jaren Jackson. Or maybe trade down a bit further for even more assets, then take Mikal around #7 or #8.

[Mik317]

There is no way BC passes on Doncic. That is his brand. And while I am no expert, there are worse fits I guess. Like Lloyd tho, I'd rather not have to worry about that.

As for the pick, no one we pick will start next year...so any ideas of that need to go away now. Even if JJ doesn't come back, he will either be replaced w/ A FA or ideally Fultz. so taking a long term piece potential type guy isn't the end of the world. If only to have some potential to dangle in trades in case a star wants out elsewhere. Remember the Al Thorton V Thad debates? Same thing goes here...never settle for "he can help us now"....as in reality even the most NBA ready guys have a learning curve.

[Negrodamus]

Can someone please explain why SGA is so popular around here? I've seen him play 3 times this season and not once did I watch him and think "hmmm...I think this guy could be an immediate contributor at the NBA level." I just don't see what you guys see, especially since this team only has 3-4 years to become a serious contender....we need guys who can have a major impact starting next season.

He’s probably not an immediate contributor next year, but I’m not sure why he has to be. Not saying he will be, but if he was the best player in the class five years down the road, but it took 3 to get to that point, you wouldn’t take him?

Interesting that we would have that kinda patience with SGA but Fultz is on our team and doesn't get anywhere near that type of patience from some people around here. SGA would be labelled a bust well before 3 years of being here if it took that long.

If we want immediate impact, Mikal is definitely the way to go. Although some see him being a junior as a downside, it would be good in that situation.

Maybe you’re addressing other posters but you certainly cannot be talking about me. I’m completely on board with waiting it out on Fultz before calling him a bust. In fact I’m defending him a ton recently.

However, Fultz was the first overall pick and already had the frame for an NBA PG. SGA does not have the frame for a SG and that will take time. That’s why I’m fine with taking him at 8-12.

[LloydFree]

If we got #1:

Ayton’s agent would do everything possible to make sure he didn’t go to Philadelphia to be Joel Embiid’s back up. Then again, we could just make the pick and have our version of ‘Favre/Rodgers,” meaning a worry free half decade about a franchise center being on our team.

I don’t think it happens though. I think it would be Doncic or Triple J instead.

At #10, no idea. #10/#22/Holmes might get us to #8 which seems like a great spot.

No. You either take Ayton for yourself or take him and hold an auction and let Atlanta, Phoenix or Chicago bid to replenish the assets we spent last year.

[Kobblehead]

If we forgoed a pick swap and just asked Phoenix for Devin Booker, do you think they'd do it?

They get the top player in the draft that went to school in-state. And they still have a top 5 pick of their own to make. And they opt out of having the max contract Booker will command on their books in the coming years.

[ivysixer2000]

There is no way BC passes on Doncic. That is his brand. And while I am no expert, there are worse fits I guess. Like Lloyd tho, I'd rather not have to worry about that.

As for the pick, no one we pick will start next year...so any ideas of that need to go away now. Even if JJ doesn't come back, he will either be replaced w/ A FA or ideally Fultz. so taking a long term piece potential type guy isn't the end of the world. If only to have some potential to dangle in trades in case a star wants out elsewhere. Remember the Al Thorton V Thad debates? Same thing goes here...never settle for "he can help us now"....as in reality even the most NBA ready guys have a learning curve.

Well that's kinda a big deal. Mikal might be ready to start immediately if we don't bring back JJ or sign any significant free agent. He could actually be more ready to start over Fultz....problem is upside could be limited with Mikal. This offseason will tell us alot about the view of this front office, if they want to win now (Bron, trade to help win immediately, Mikal) or looking at longer term (taking a freshman who will need to develop). Guess all we can do is wait and see.

I do agree, if we actually got the #1 pick, BC is going Doncic all the way. We won't have to worry about that, although it would be a good problem to have, it would cause alot of headaches on what BC would do.

[Kobblehead]

If Abdur-Rahkman doesn't get picked in the 2nd round, do you think we'd have a line on him for our summer league squad given that he's from Allentown?

[the_process]

If we forgoed a pick swap and just asked Phoenix for Devin Booker, do you think they'd do it?

They get the top player in the draft that went to school in-state. And they still have a top 5 pick of their own to make. And they opt out of having the max contract Booker will command on their books in the coming years.

Depending on how the picks fall, I’d ask for Booker and their pick (#5?) in exchange for #1 (Ayton) and Fultz.

[Aussiepiston1]

If by a miracle we win the 1st overall pick, who does BC take? Bagley? Doncic? Porter Jr?

I don't need that, not after watching what he did last season. I'll have to sit there and watch this guy take Doncic #1. I don't need that aggravation.

[Aussiepiston1]

If by a miracle we win the 1st overall pick, who does BC take? Bagley? Doncic? Porter Jr?

I'd prefer a trade for an established star if we land #1, but I'd take Ayton for sure. His floor is just incredibly high. Doncic's 3p% regression is frightening. He needs to be a lights-out shooter to be a star in the NBA given his relative lack of quickness. I like Bagley but he's poor value at #1. Jaren Jackson would be my #2 after Ayton. Great fit for us.

Yeah I was thinking of who would be a good fit but I guess a trade could be more beneficial except not for a star as I don't think there is one out there young enough to mesh with Embiid and Simmons unless Leonard is healthy and wants out of SA.
Maybe a trade back with recouping a pick next year and grabbing Jaren Jackson Jr or Michael Porter Jnr.

[76ciology]

If by a miracle we win the 1st overall pick, who does BC take? Bagley? Doncic? Porter Jr?

Asking who should we take or who I think BC will take?

Who should we take? Doncic.

I'm just not sold on Ayton. You can't make your way thru brute force in the NBA for two reasons..
1.) NBA officiating would allow defenders to play physical D on you so that this type of play won't be prevalent.
2.) you got whiteside/gobert type length nowadays

..while bigs who move like 6'9-6'11 forwards are the preferred ones.

Doncic being a playmaking PG who can shoot is a very valuable commodity in the league. In terms of value, I'd put unicorns and lead guards in almost the same value

For BC, I wouldn't be surprised if he offers the #1 pick and salary dump for Kawhi

[Kobblehead]

I think you're misrepresenting Ayton by describing his game as brute force and implying that he can't move like a forward.

I think he's extremely finesse and skilled and he moves with ridiculous fluidity.

[Kobblehead]

The only problem that I have with Ayton is that I don't think he can be a defensive anchor. Which is what I need from my big.

That won't stop his ascension into stardom, though. There are quite a few young, budding star bigs that aren't defensive anchors coming up in the league.

[Kobblehead]

Nova vs. Texas Tech at 2:30
Duke vs. Kansas at 5:00

There's a lot of NBA talent to watch today.

[Negrodamus]

Zhaire Smith vs Bridges could be incredible. Between Smith and Culver, Tech has someone to shadow the hell out of Brunson if he starts to go off.

I honestly think this is the last chance for a team to beat Duke though. Maybe Villanova could give them trouble, but how are any of these teams going to stop Wendell Carter and Marvin Bagley. Even if they get in foul trouble, you have a massive Bolden coming off the bench (even though he's been a bust thus far). that's not even accounting for their other NBA talent (Allen, Duval, Trent).

Kansas is going to need a massive game from Azubuike.

[76ciology]

The only problem that I have with Ayton is that I don't think he can be a defensive anchor. Which is what I need from my big.

That won't stop his ascension into stardom, though. There are quite a few young, budding star bigs that aren't defensive anchors coming up in the league.

The problem I think Kobble is that, “that only problem”, probably holds 70% of value for bigs.

Ayton’s blk% doesnt project him to be a defensive anchor or a great rim protector. I’d say he’s more of a DMC type player who can get you big scoring with numbers (20+ppg at good %s) but little impact (2-3OBPM) and not great rim protection.

[76ciology]

I think you're misrepresenting Ayton by describing his game as brute force and implying that he can't move like a forward.

I think he's extremely finesse and skilled and he moves with ridiculous fluidity.

Yeah, i could be wrong on this one. I just find his scoring more like DMC’esque that he just bullies his way. Scoring like a true big. While I think the trend prefers when the big scores like a wing.

[Kobblehead]

Ayton scores just as much on pick and pops as he does on post dump ins. His offensive game is very skill based. He'll score a lot like Towns at the NBA level.

I don't think it's accurate to paint Boogie in a bully ball light, either. He's arguably the most skilled big in the NBA. He's very very perimeter based.

When I think of what I assume your perception is, guys like Okafor and Pekovic come to mind. Ayton and Boogie are not like those guys. Ayton and Boogie are very skilled and shooting adept.

[Kobblehead]

The problem I think Kobble is that, “that only problem”, probably holds 70% of value for bigs.

Ayton’s blk% doesnt project him to be a defensive anchor or a great rim protector. I’d say he’s more of a DMC type player who can get you big scoring with numbers (20+ppg at good %s) but little impact (2-3OBPM) and not great rim protection.

I'm always going to prefer defensive anchor bigs.

That said, guys that can put up 20+ on 60% true shooting have a way of mitigating whatever weaknesses they possess. Ayton is going to have a star impact and he's probably a guy you can still win a championship with.

[Negrodamus]

Depending on what he's done over these past 6 months, Mitchell Robinson could sneak into the top 10. His length and size are incredible and has a workable jump shot. I think a team willing to take a chance on a 7 footer with raw talent could bump him up quite a bit.