Ghost of Kleine wrote:bwgood77 wrote:
Maybe we can find a guy in the 2nd round of the draft that could guard AD or LeBron next year. Do we have our 2nd rounder? Any good candidates?
Unfortunately, I believe that Memphis holds the rights to our 2nd in the 2021 draft???
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24148729/brooklyn-nets-acquire-jared-dudley-2021-second-round-pick-phoenix-suns-darrell-arthurSo we'd have to trade in or purchase a pick. But there are actually quite a few very decent options throughout the 2nd round honestly. And even though they'd obviously struggle some to contain players like AD and/ or Lebron, They definitely be very cost effective ways for us to add tangible size, athleticism and length to our frontcourt for subsequent matchups specifically against teams such as the lakers with AD/ Drummond/ Gasol, Etc.
IF we can/ do trade in or buy in, These are quite honestly the best candidates that I've come across so far:[spoiler]1-
Jay HuffHe's 7'1 around 240lbs with a 7'5 wingspan ( 1 inch below Davis' reported 7'6 wingspan). He's got a high basketball IQ, Plays very good defense for Virginia, AND hits the three at a very good percentage ( 38%). And has a FG% of around 58%, TS% 59% and a BPM of 12.2.
** I love his versatility, aggressiveness, length, mobility and IQ. And that he can actually play both the 4 and the 5. He's currently still under the radar, And projected in the mid to late 2nd range. He'd be great next to either Ayton OR Saric due to his versatile complimentary skillset, defense and size.
2-
Sandro MukashaviliSandro is 6'11 240 lbs with around a 7'1 wingspan. Now his value would be predicated not as much on his defensive ability. But to maintain our offense, playmaking versatility whenever Ayton sits, Or even alongside of Ayton, Wherein Ayton focuses solely on the defensive end! Really there's almost nothing on the offensive end that Sandro can't do! He's a great playmaker for a 6'11 big. He's got advanced ballhandling and really crafty scoring in the post, great speed and fluidity, hits big shots and is aggressive and does have solid athleticism and a high basketball IQ. He's basically a RICH man's version of Saric, Or a budget version of Jokic honestly!!! He's currently under the radar, And can be had with an early to mid range 2nd round pick. And would quite honestly be a big upgrade from Saric and/ or Kaminsky. Lastly, He'd be the perfect offensive compliment to Smith, As he could help orchestrate our frontcourt offense, Whilst Jalen can focus primarily on defense AND his spot up shooting as Sandro is a tremendous high level passer!
**Sandro is also versatile enough to play both positions as well! I just love that he could initiate the offense himself on the break, And is a high level passer. He could basically really help Booker in those situations, wherein Paul rests, And Book plays the point! And I think with a little time and chemistry, Booker and Sandro could become a lethal combination in the pick and roll. If you can envision the possibilities!
3-
Neemias QuetaNeemias Queta is 7 ft. 226 lbs with a 7'4 wingspan and is a very good defensive center. He actually compares somewhat favorably to AD ( crazy enough to consider) in terms of statistical production in a few areas, Which gives hope to his projected defensive potential.
He has a Fg% 55, TS% 59, EFG% 55, And a BPM of 12.2.
http://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=neemias-queta--anthony-davisQueta is a terrific defensive player with great weakside rotational awareness and who plays smart defense by staying vertical and also does have a developing faceup game. The only real knock on Queta would be his lack of a 3 point shot as of yet in his toolbox. But he's still a great rim protector and weakside defender regardless. And his shooting mechanics are decent enough for there to be hope of developing a reliable 3 point shot in time.
**
Honorable mention 1- Ibou Dianko Badji ( extreme upside prospect). Badji is an uber athletic 7'1 240 lb.big man with an absurd
7'8 wingspan and a 9'10 standing reach.
https://www.nbadraftjunkies.com/ibou-badjiHe's basically a raw version ( due to lack of playing time in Barcelona) of Rudy Gobert. And he projects comparably to Gobert ( in time) defensively!!! He's currently projected to be a late 2nd to undrafted upside pick. He'd be an excellent draft and stash option for us honestly!
2-
Kofi Cockburn Kofi is an absolutely dominating powerhouse brute in the post. He's got very similar measurables and girth to that of a young SHAQUILLE O'NEAL.
He's 7'0 285 lbs with a 7'6 wingspan And has a very similar style of brutish overpowering play. Now my interest in Cockburn would be in that he's just so massive, heavy, long and powerful in the paint, That he'd exhaust, brutalize, demoralize and beat up opposing frontcourts! As well as the tremendous gravity in the paint that he creates would really benefit our shooters. He'd also be a perfect consideration to match up against the bigger, stronger, heavier centers such as Drummond, Gasol, Whiteside, Valuncias, Adam's, Embiid, Howard, Nurkic, etc that seems to consistently be giving our finesse frontcourt major issues. Additionally, he'd provide us the benefits in the playoffs of toughness, a dominant presence in the paint, drawing a ton of fouls, intimidating the penetration of the opposition, And again, wearing out the opposition with his sheer size and power game. * Someone did mention that Davis has trouble against the bigger, stronger centers in the league. Now with his apparent back issues and fragility overall, Perhaps we can exploit this somewhat?? using Kofis' sheer size and brutish power?

Or at the very least, He could provide 5 very hard fouls AND wear either of Davis or James down considerably. Making them much less effective against us at times?
He's currently projected as a late to undrafted prospect. So he could be considered a tremendous value pick and provide us with a different look and much needed size in the playoffs?
Those are just a few considerations available in the 2nd round for minimal cost.