2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watch - Revised Poll

[Ghost of Kleine]

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?s=09

I need names...I may know who half of those guys are by face.

Tier 1
Killian Hayes.
Devin Vassell.

Tier 2
Isaac Okoro.
Kira Lewis.
Patrick Williams.
Tyreese Haliburton.

Tier 3
Tyreese Maxey.
Cole Anthony.
Obi Toppin.
Desmond Bane.

Tier 4
Tyrell Terry.
Aaron Nesmith.
Saddiq Bey.

[phx#7]

That sounds like Ayton who said "I just didn't understand watching others. I only watched myself."

I think there is a pretty significant gap between not knowing what to look at when breaking down film as a young player and simply not having an interest in watching the sport your livelihood is based on.

I saw people comment on Edwards lack of desire for the game even back last year and these comments go a long way to supporting that.

[WeekapaugGroove]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30321844/the-pain-promise-top-nba-draft-prospect-anthony-edwards

Might have been posted already, but I can’t say this interview with Edwards painted the picture of someone I’d be comfortable drafting high. Especially stuff about football being his first love, and that he’d leave basketball right away if he could go
to the NFL.

That's funny, pretty much every non-QB would much rather be in the NBA. I don't really like any of the widely excepted top tier guys in this class. It really feels like with Ball especially people are trying to talk themselves into listing him as an elite prospect, and I just don't see it.

This dude is a candidate for the #1 pick and he says he can't watch basketball lol. As if the Wiggins vibes weren't already strong enough.

Ben McLemore is the vibe I've got from the start with Edwards. Absolutely looks the part but just something a little off.

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[bwgood77]

That sounds like Ayton who said "I just didn't understand watching others. I only watched myself."

I think there is a pretty significant gap between not knowing what to look at when breaking down film as a young player and simply not having an interest in watching the sport your livelihood is based on.

I saw people comment on Edwards lack of desire for the game even back last year and these comments go a long way to supporting that.

Sure, if Edwards has a lack of desire it is odd he is playing college ball...seems you would have played plenty before that and only done so if you wanted to...and to be a top prospect you would have had to work pretty hard unless you were just naturally the most gifted basketball player on the planet that year that didn't need to work.

Ayton wasn't much of a basketball fan early either....I think he's just mostly naive. He's never seemed like a guy that lived and breathed basketball, but I always heard he was a hard worker, so it's almost like the persona doesn't match what people say, and he did improve dramatically last year in my eyes.

[bwgood77]

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?s=09

I need names...I may know who half of those guys are by face.

Tier 1
Killian Hayes.
Devin Vassell.

Tier 2
Isaac Okoro.
Kira Lewis.
Patrick Williams.
Tyreese Haliburton.

Tier 3
Tyreese Maxey.
Cole Anthony.
Obi Toppin.
Desmond Bane.

Tier 4
Tyrell Terry.
Aaron Nesmith.
Saddiq Bey.

Yeah, those tiers are pretty bad. Toppin is like a 3 pt shooting Blake Griffin. This focusing on one weakness of Toppin's when he has so many strengths and was the unanimous college player of the year across the board with the PERFECT offensive game for today's NBA, leading a small team to a very high ranking while beating big conference teams is just crazy. I hope he slips and Jones/Bower thinks he's a steal at 10 if others rate him like that, but I imagine he is very high on a number of teams' boards.

It's like saying you don't want Booker because of his defense and that he just can't guard guys.

And to not have Tyrese Haliburton in tier 1 is pretty nuts to me. He may not scream superstar but he's like a Fred VanVleet, but way more of a sure thing coming out of college.

[DirtyDez]

I'd be pretty shocked if we took him.

Hope you’re right because I don’t love it either. Would rather Vassell or a PG or at least someone who can shoot. Unless you can sell me on Okoro becoming the next Isaac...

The Ringer (O’Connor) and SI (Woo) both have Okoro to PHX based on latest intel

I mean obviously IF we can't get Vassell at 10, It then makes much more sense to trade back pick up and additional vet player and an additional pick ( 2 picks). Then take a guard with the higher pick and specifically target Tyler Bey with the later first, Early 2nd. Tyler Bey is very similar to Vassell, At least as an elite and highly disruptive multipositional defender. But whose also efficient as a shooter at over 41% from three. But still low usage, And can legitimately guard positions 1-4. He's basically the defensive wing version of Haliburton, In that he's very high IQ, Elite in his skillset ( defensive playmaker). Very efficient,
Yet low usage! He's Long, rangy, Yet unlike Haliburton, He's actually very explosive and uber athletic. He's actually ( to me personally) The 2nd best multi positional wing defender in the entire draft. We need a strong defensive multipositional wing option to replace Oubre anyways. Tyler Bey averages around a double/ double and impacts the game all over the floor.

Why do I feel like you could throw Tyler Bey into the starting lineup like we would’ve done with Brandon Clarke? He’d have by far the least responsibility of the 5 guys...

[SlovenianDragon]

I guess locking it stops poll voting..use the draft prospect thread until the draft starts though.

Try to stop me!

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[darealjuice]

That's funny, pretty much every non-QB would much rather be in the NBA. I don't really like any of the widely excepted top tier guys in this class. It really feels like with Ball especially people are trying to talk themselves into listing him as an elite prospect, and I just don't see it.

This dude is a candidate for the #1 pick and he says he can't watch basketball lol. As if the Wiggins vibes weren't already strong enough.

That sounds like Ayton who said "I just didn't understand watching others. I only watched myself."

At least we can assume Ayton likes basketball with how much 2K he plays lol

[Mr Puddles]

Honestly, I rank most prospects this year almost equally. I'd be happy with almost anyone from this draft at #10, but if I had to choose I'd go with Halliburton. The Suns will likely draft a high floor guy again, and Halliburton fits that description plus he fills a need as an initial back-up and future starting PG.

Okoro, Bey, Vassell would all be great fits as well - I'd be happy with any of those guys too.

[Blackification]

Ayton? Mr. my goal is to make it to the next contract?

[cberry78]

^^^ I agree with this. I'll only be upset about who we come out of this draft with if we leave someone like Toppin or Halliburton still available. Those 2 are the best fits for the Suns (imo) and I think Toppin would easily ROY on the Suns. As long as we don't pass on either of them, I'm OK with whoever we get.

[Kerrsed]

Ok, my money is on the Suns drafting Bey or Banes or BOTH.

I think James Jones likes that Villanova pedigree. I think Jay Wright is one of the best Coaches in the NCAA and players who play under him have a bit of an edge up on others when it comes to basketball IQ and coachability. Bey fits right in there. I also think Bey fits right in with the idea that taking him at #10 might be a reach (And we will take him there if we have too), but we can trade back a few spots (Up to around 18) and still land him. If we cant trade back i wouldnt be surprised if we draft Bey at #10 ahead of guys like Vassell or even surprise slides like Hayes. If Bey is gone than Banes is our guy. Fits the prototypical James Jones player to a T (Including the whole Christianity thing).

Ive seen many experts say it, so im going to say it here, "This is NOT the draft to look for your PG of the future". If Hayes is there we will pass. Many like Kira, but we will pass. Haliburton wont be there, but if he was we would pass. No drafting PG's in this draft.

So while i may not agree with the FO's Big Board or Choice if other players are still available, i will understand why they did it.

And i wont be surprised if we add a 3rd Villanova player to the squad. Trading back to #13 with NO and getting Hart from them would be ideal, but also trading back to #17 and taking Spellman off the Wolves hands (Sending back Okobo in either trade). Maybe, just maybe Boston wont be able to find a trade partner higher than #10 to accept their package of picks and we can swing it and grab both Bey and Banes. That would be a real nice score for us.

All i know is that the CP3 trade really set the league on fire and created a domino effect. I think teams like Portland got spooked and realized they have to make a move to stay in contention. Remember all that talk about not a lot of trades going down and teams wanting to just keep their squads together since familiarity in such a shortened offseason would be a major boost to teams? Yeah, that idea went out the window REAL quick. I think there are going to be a lot of trades tomorrow and a lot of movement in the draft itself.

Bey and/or Banes. Those are the picks. Those are our guys. Book it!

[Ghost of Kleine]

Ok, my money is on the Suns drafting Bey or Banes or BOTH.

I think James Jones likes that Villanova pedigree. I think Jay Wright is one of the best Coaches in the NCAA and players who play under him have a bit of an edge up on others when it comes to basketball IQ and coachability. Bey fits right in there. I also think Bey fits right in with the idea that taking him at #10 might be a reach (And we will take him there if we have too), but we can trade back a few spots (Up to around 18) and still land him. If we cant trade back i wouldnt be surprised if we draft Bey at #10 ahead of guys like Vassell or even surprise slides like Hayes. If Bey is gone than Banes is our guy. Fits the prototypical James Jones player to a T (Including the whole Christianity thing).

Ive seen many experts say it, so im going to say it here, "This is NOT the draft to look for your PG of the future". If Hayes is there we will pass. Many like Kira, but we will pass. Haliburton wont be there, but if he was we would pass. No drafting PG's in this draft.

So while i may not agree with the FO's Big Board or Choice if other players are still available, i will understand why they did it.

And i wont be surprised if we add a 3rd Villanova player to the squad. Trading back to #13 with NO and getting Hart from them would be ideal, but also trading back to #17 and taking Spellman off the Wolves hands (Sending back Okobo in either trade). Maybe, just maybe Boston wont be able to find a trade partner higher than #10 to accept their package of picks and we can swing it and grab both Bey and Banes. That would be a real nice score for us.

All i know is that the CP3 trade really set the league on fire and created a domino effect. I think teams like Portland got spooked and realized they have to make a move to stay in contention. Remember all that talk about not a lot of trades going down and teams wanting to just keep their squads together since familiarity in such a shortened offseason would be a major boost to teams? Yeah, that idea went out the window REAL quick. I think there are going to be a lot of trades tomorrow and a lot of movement in the draft itself.

Bey and/or Banes. Those are the picks. Those are our guys. Book it!

Currently the only thing that could possibly derail any plans for trading with Boston would be if Atlanta really does like Hayward enough to accept Bostons' proposal of the 6th pick for Hayward/ 14? 26? Either way, Perhaps we could still trade the 10th pick to Atlanta at that point for the 24 and 26. Or as you mentioned, The 10th pick for the Hart/ 13/ 39th pick?
Then fill out our roster depth with low cost rookie scale contracts?
13- Bane.
39- Xavier Tillman or Paul Reed or Reggie Perry?

[Kerrsed]

Currently the only thing that could possibly derail any plans for trading with Boston would be if Atlanta really does like Hayward enough to accept Bostons' proposal of the 6th pick for Hayward/ 14? 26? Either way, Perhaps we could still trade the 10th pick to Atlanta at that point for the 24 and 26. Or as you mentioned, The 10th pick for the Hart/ 13/ 39th pick?
Then fill out our roster depth with low cost rookie scale contracts?
13- Bane.
39- Xavier Tillman or Paul Reed or Reggie Perry?

Nah, Atlanta isnt the only threat. Detroit/NY/Washington could see that the players they were hoping would be there are gone and decide that Boston's package of picks are worth more than just a single player that they arnt enamored with.

And if we did the NO trade, i doubt they would throw in the 2nd round pick, because we would be straight stealing Hart for NO to only move up 3 spots. And if we got Hart i think we choose Bey over Banes. Let me clarify, i think Bey over Banes will be the choice no matter what, but also Hart is a SG/SF. (Little undersized at 6'5 for a SF, but he can play there if need be). Dont see them grabbing Banes who is the same size and would be playing the same exact role. Bey on the other hand is a good 6'8 and is mostly a SF that can also cover PF if need be.

[Revived]

I still think the pick will be Nesmith. Fits all the criteria that James Jones wants.

I prefer Bane but it what it is.

[AtheJ415]

My preferred guys who have a shot of being there and who we've been linked to in some way:

Tier 1 (hope we take)
1. Vassell (best guard defender in the draft imo, versatile, and I absolutely hated how he was used at FSU on offense. He had to take tougher shots than needed and I think he would've shown more on that end in a better system).
2. Toppin (easy fit. Front court with CP3 & Book & Ayton would be incredibly difficult to guard).
3. Hayes (like the upside to play behind CP3 & Book)
4. Haliburton (easy fit. Numbers are undeniable and he'll be at worst a good role player with great size to defend multiple spots)

Tier 2 (would be okay taking at 10)
5. Grant Riller (VanVleet imo)
6. Saddiq Bey (have always liked him. No way he fails to hit as a 3 and D guy)
7. Maxey (risk / reward pick. Can hit tough shots but takes too many of them).

Tier 3 (Safe picks, but would prefer a trade down for these guys)
8. Nesmith (passing a concern, so I prefer Bey)
9. Bane (wingspan a concern, so I prefer Bey)

Guys I hope we avoid in all circumstances:
Isaac Okoro (he's a good defender but with limited physical tools and no offense. No idea how this guy is going lottery).
Kira Lewis (do not understand the love for this dude. He's super fast, but inefficient and only grades as a + in draft age and blocks. I'm not convinced Cole Anthony wouldn't have done way better if on that team, and I don't think much of Cole Anthony).
Nico Mannion
Cole Anthony
Jaden McDaniels
Jordan Nwora


Guys I like who we aren't linked to:
Josh Green, Tillie, Malachi Flynn, Maledon, Vernon Carey, Jalen Smith

Guys I'd take if undrafted: Pritchard, Howard, Kenyon Martin Jr., Myles Powell

[Bogyo]

^^These two. Then it's just a question of what position do we need to fill with a solid vet. Bench PG or PF. Let the season start!

[RedIndian]

Agreed, I'd be reasonably happy with any of these. I'm concerned about our reported infatuation with Bane though. I think he's a big reach at #10.

[Blonde]

I don't know what it is about Saddiq Bey but he leaves a lot to be desired. He won't slip far though, teams will always want guys in his mold. Still prefer him greatly to Tyler Bey though.

[sasquatchBob]

In regards to LaMelo being bad at interviews, I found this kind of funny.

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