Second Round Pick Discussion (32&54)

[NTB]

Ojeleye is intriguing too tbh. I'd be happy with Ojeleye or Bell.

[Villalobos]

I don't see Jordan Bell lasting to the second round, especially with Jeanne leaving the draft. He's on everyone's radar as a second round steal, like the worst kept secret ever. I don't think both the Nets and Lakers pass on him.

[AtheJ415]

Looking at the new mocks with a lot of my favorite 2nd rounders (particularly the big men) jumping into the 1st, I think taking Evans in round 2 may make a lot of sense if the top 3 are Fultz, Ball, and Jackson. Take Isaac or Tatum at 4. Trade Bledsoe for a 2nd lottery pick. Draft Lauri or Collins. Evans in the 2nd.

Then Knight starts at PG and maybe redeems his value, Ulis is the primary backup, and Evans 3rd string. If you can then move Knight, you promote both.

[bwgood77]

Chad Ford draft tiers based on voting from team scouts, GMs, etc

Spoiler:

Tier 1 (Potential superstars)
Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington

Tier 2 (All-Star potential)
De'Aaron Fox, PG, Fr., Kentucky
Jonathan Isaac, F, Fr., Florida State
Josh Jackson, G/F, Fr., Kansas
Lauri Markkanen, PF, Fr., Arizona
Malik Monk, G, Fr., Kentucky
Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
Dennis Smith, PG, Fr., North Carolina State
Jayson Tatum, F, Fr., Duke

This is the largest tier 2 we've ever had. This tier is reserved for players with All-Star potential. However, each player in tier 2 has a weakness that some teams believe will keep him from being a superstar.

In Fox and Jackson's case, it's the lack of a consistent jumper. Isaac needs to add strength and find a position. Markkanen and Monk are too one-dimensional right now. Smith and Tatum might be too selfish with the ball. Ntilikina isn't an elite athlete.

Fox, Jackson and Tatum all received only tier 1 and tier 2 votes. Isaac, Monk and Smith all were unanimous in tier 2. Markkanen and Ntilikina had some tier 3 votes, but the majority were tier 2. Zach Collins received a lot of votes in tier 2, but just barely missed the cut.

Having 10 players in the first two tiers is extraordinary for a draft class.

Tier 3 (NBA starters)
OG Anunoby, F, So., Indiana
Zach Collins, F/C, Fr., Gonzaga
Harry Giles, PF, Fr., Duke
Luke Kennard, G, So., Duke
Donovan Mitchell, G, So., Louisville

This is a solid tier 3, but with the exception of Zach Collins, most teams see a significant drop-off here. This tier is usually reserved for players who are projected as NBA starters in their careers.

Having 15 players in the first three tiers makes for a very strong draft. The closest we got was in 2014 when we had 12 players in the top three tiers. Of this group, Collins was the only player not to receive tier 4 votes, so the consensus breaks down at this point.

The biggest issue for scouts was ranking Anunoby and Giles. Both have had significant knee injuries. Giles is actually healed and ready to play, but teams are worried because he has had two major knee surgeries and didn't look nearly as explosive at Duke last season. Anunoby hurt his knee in January and could miss his rookie season.

Based on sheer talent, virtually every scout and front office executive had Giles as either a tier 1 or tier 2 prospect. And all but one had Anunoby as a tier 2 guy. If they get healthy, they're steals in tier 3. But their previous injuries put a cloud over their draft stock.

Tier 4 (Starters, high-level rotation players)
Jarrett Allen, C, Fr., Texas
Ike Anigbogu, C, Fr., UCLA
John Collins, PF, So., Wake Forest
Justin Patton, C, Fr., Creighton

This is a smaller tier 4 group than usual.

Teams are really all over the place on these guys. John Collins received a lot of votes for tier 3 (and none in tier 5), but the majority of teams had these players ranked in tier 4.

All three of the others -- Allen, Anigbogu and Patton -- barely made the cut into tier 4, with just over 50 percent voting them in tier 4 and the rest in tier 5. None of them received tier 3 votes.

Tier 5 (Rotation players)
Edrice Adebayo, PF, Fr., Kentucky
Tony Bradley, C, Fr., North Carolina
Terrance Ferguson, SG, Australia
Frank Jackson, G, Fr., Duke
Justin Jackson, SF, Jr., North Carolina
TJ Leaf, PF, Fr., UCLA
Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia
Ivan Rabb, PF, Fr., Cal
Caleb Swanigan, PF, So. Purdue
D.J. Wilson, PF, Jr., Michigan

This next group is a bit small for a tier 5, but it's small in part because of how big the top three tiers are. This area of the draft is typically reserved for rotation players who are unlikely to start for good teams but could become solid role players off the bench.

In this draft, that's roughly picks Nos. 20-30. A few players in this tier received tier 4 votes. They included Jackson, Leaf and Pasecniks. And a couple of players on this list received tier 6 votes, including Rabb and Swanigan.

Tier 6 (potential first-rounders)
Jordan Bell, PF, Jr., Oregon
Jonah Bolden, SF, Australia
Thomas Bryant, F/C, So. Indiana
Jawun Evans, PG, So., Oklahoma State
Josh Hart, SG, Sr., Villanova
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Germany
Tyler Lydon, SF, So., Syracuse
Semi Ojeleye, F, Jr., SMU
Alec Peters, F, Sr., Valpariso
Monte Morris, PG, Sr., Iowa State
Devin Robinson, SF, Jr., Florida
Derrick White, PG, Jr., Colorao

This tier has the players that at least one team told me they had ranked in their top 30. A few -- Bell, Evans, Hartenstein, Lydon and Ojeyle -- got tier 5 votes. The rest are likely second-round picks.

Like every draft system, the tier system isn't perfect, but the teams that run it have found that it improves their performance. It has allowed them to get help through the draft without overreaching. Compared to traditional top-30 lists or mock drafts, it seems like a much more precise tool of gauging which players a team should draft.

http://insider.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/19602916/ranking-markelle-fultz-lonzo-ball-more-freshmen-tiers-2017-nba-draft

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

It would be his second workout for us.
Not my favourite prospect at #32, but I understand why our FO probably wants him. Perfect backup for Booker, adds 3p shooting and he is ready to compete.

[bwgood77]

If we go with Tatum, Isaac, or is somehow Jackson slips, then we could look at pg at 32. I still really like this guy.

Spoiler:

If you’ve heard the name Jawun Evans lately, it’s likely because you’ve been skimming 2017 mock drafts or reading about NBA draft workouts. The former Oklahoma State point guard has really helped his draft stock in recent weeks and may climb into the first round of this year’s draft.

Entering this process, he was largely being projected as a second-round pick, but it’s seeming more likely that he’ll be off the board at some point in the first 30 selections. HoopsHype’s NBA draft expert Aran Smith agrees, as has Evans going No. 21 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in his latest 2017 mock draft.

“The process has been great,” Evans told HoopsHype. “I’ve been shooting the ball really well after working on that a lot during my pre-draft training. I’ve also been able to showcase my passing ability and the way I can get up and down the court. I’ve definitely seen results from working on my game every day.”

Because Evans spent two years in college, he’s the rare prospect who has a solid amount of experience and game film showing his strengths as well as the untapped potential that teams fall in love with during the draft.

“I feel fortunate that I had two years of college experience because I think that really helped me, but I do think I still have a lot of room to grow,” Evans said. “I’m looking forward to [developing further], and I’m going to work every day so I can be the best I can be.”

This past season with the Cowboys, Evans averaged 19.2 points, 6.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 29.3 minutes per game, while shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 37.9 percent from three-point range and 81.2 percent from the free-throw line.

From year one to year two at Oklahoma State, he improved his PER (22 to 27.3), Win Shares (2.6 to 4.8), Box Plus/Minus (7.5 to 9.1), Assist Percentage (41.9 to 43.6) and Steal Percentage (2.4 to 3.3). He also decreased his Turnover Percentage (18.5 to 13.6) despite having a higher Usage Percentage (25.5 to 32.7). Among all NCAA players this past year, he ranked second in Assist Percentage (43.6), 15th in Offensive Box Plus/Minus (7.7) and 19th in Points Produced (20.6 per game).

Perhaps most impressive, Evans’ career Assist Percentage (42.9) is the fourth-highest in NCAA history. Executives who have evaluated the 20-year-old are excited to see what he can do as a distributor at the next level once he has NBA-level teammates surrounding him.

“My biggest strengths are getting up and down the floor, making my teammates better, my passing ability and being a great locker-room guy,” Evans said. “I also think I’m a great to play with on the defensive end, because I like playing defense and take pride in it.”

Even though his stock is on the rise, Evans still feels like he’s being underrated and that’s largely due to his height. At the NBA combine, Evans measured in at just under 6-feet tall. This is seen as a red flag by some talent evaluators, which frustrates the point guard. He’s spent much of his life silencing the doubters who thought his height would limit him.

“I think I’m overlooked a lot because of my height, but I can do the same things that the ‘top guards’ – the guards projected ahead of me – can do,” Evans said. “I’ve been going against taller guards my whole life. When I was a kid, I always played against older competition. That’s never slowed me down. I’ve been able to achieve the goals I’ve set for myself and I’m ready to do the same thing in the NBA. I definitely feel underrated and I’ve used that as motivation. I have a big chip on my shoulder.”

It’s worth noting that Evans has a 6-foot-5.5 wingspan and a 7-foot-11 standing reach, so his length helps make up for his smaller frame.

“My wingspan helps me tremendously, on offense and on defense,” Evans said. “Defensively, I get a lot of deflections and I think my length is a big reason for that. It allows me to get my hands on the ball at times and I think it makes it harder for guys to score on me. And on the offensive end, my wingspan definitely helps me when I’m finishing at the basket. It gives me a bit of an advantage on both ends.”

Evans is also a solid athlete. Among the point guards in this year’s draft class, he had the sixth-best max vertical (33.5 inches) and the seventh-best sprint time (3.21 seconds). He’s in the best shape of his life after training daily at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas and working out for teams.

“I changed my eating habits during this process and that’s helped me,” Evans said. “I’ve been following a meal plan and running more, so I’ve slimmed down a bit. It’s been great.”

When he’s not putting in work on the court, Evans tries to study film of various point guards around the NBA. Two floor generals in particular have had a significant impact on him.

“I watch a lot of Chris Paul and Eric Bledsoe,” Evans said. “Paul has always been someone I’ve tried to model my game after because he’s just so good. With Bledsoe, I like watching him because he’s a dog on the defensive end and I like the way he approaches the game on the offensive end. I’ve learned a lot from watching those two guys.”

He admits that it’s a bit surreal that he’ll soon be facing off against Paul, Bledsoe and the rest of the NBA’s point guards. In less than one week, his NBA dream will become reality.

“Hearing my name called would mean everything to me,” Evans said. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming about my entire life and I know it’ll be really emotional. I just can’t wait.”

http://hoopshype.com/2017/06/15/nba-draft-prospect-jawun-evans-i-can-do-the-same-things-that-the-top-guards-can-do/

[Saberestar]

Gambo has given 5 players that are the favorites to be picked in the second round for the Suns.

Devon Reed
Dillon Brooks
Semi Ojeleye
Kyle Kuzma
Josh Hart

[bwgood77]

Gambo has given 5 players that are the favorites to be picked in the second round for the Suns.

Devon Reed
Dillon Brooks
Semi Ojeleye
Kyle Kuzma
Josh Hart

Ojeleye would be good, but he's unlikely to last that long. Interesting Brooks is mentioned since I just posted all that stuff about him earlier. I'd love him. Hart would be good. Don't know much about the other two.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Gambo has given 5 players that are the favorites to be picked in the second round for the Suns.

Devon Reed
Dillon Brooks
Semi Ojeleye
Kyle Kuzma
Josh Hart

I'd be VERY happy if they take Hart at 32. It's funny he'd be one of the older players on the team.

[RunSunRun]

I feel like Dillon Brooks is being overlooked by a lot of people.

Yeah, not the greatest athlete, but dude is ultra competitive and I always feel guys like that can somewhat overcome physical limitations ala Jared Dudley.

And i agree with Week too, wouldn't be mad at Josh Hart either

[Saberestar]

Gambo has given 5 players that are the favorites to be picked in the second round for the Suns.

Devon Reed
Dillon Brooks
Semi Ojeleye
Kyle Kuzma
Josh Hart

Ojeleye would be good, but he's unlikely to last that long. Interesting Brooks is mentioned since I just posted all that stuff about him earlier. I'd love him. Hart would be good. Don't know much about the other two.

I really like Brooks too.

Kuzma is a stretch PF.

Here is a good read about Davon Reed. Interesting player.

http://slicemiami.com/2017/06/07/davon-reed-nba-miami-draft/

[bwgood77]

Here is a good read about Davon Reed. Interesting player.

http://slicemiami.com/2017/06/07/davon-reed-nba-miami-draft/

Sounds like he'd be a nice backup to Booker.

His pro role will be–you guessed it–shooting and defending.



Reed certainly passes the eye test defensively, displaying the foot speed necessary to halt penetration off the dribble and the mental awareness of where to be as the ball moves all over the court. Opposing coaches took notice, as Reed cracked the All-ACC Defensive Team last year while receiving the fourth most votes from a panel that included head coaches and a few select media.

Reed may be a modest 6-foot-5 but his 7-foot wingspan will be advantageous against the bigger and faster talents flying around NBA courts, where length is far more important than height. It’s one of the reasons why 6-foot-4 Dwyane Wade, who also has a 7-foot wingspan, was able to become a special defensive talent in his prime.

Offensively, I don’t see Davon doing much creating but he was a 40-percent 3-point shooter for his career at Miami (many off the catch-and-shoot variety) and there’s no reason to think his fundamentally-sound jumper won’t convert. He shows good balance and a quick, compact release from behind the arc.

Josh Richardson and Danny Green present feasible NBA comps — long wings with 3-and-D identities. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor sees the good in Reed and, unlike most of his national peers, thinks he’s “appealing as an early second-rounder.”

Some draftees will enter the NBA looking to prove themselves as more than just role players. Others will come in with a mind-set of accepting their roles, and then building on top of them — this subtlety can determine successes and failures. That’s why a prospect like Miami wing Davon Reed is so appealing as an early second-rounder. There’s no doubt Reed, who sports a fast and high release in his mechanics, can shoot. But he also plays with a badass mind-set on defense. Reed battles through screens, chases 50–50 balls, and has a super-long wingspan that’ll allow him to defend guards, wings, and some forwards.

“Being a ball hawk defensively and making the other team’s offensive player’s job hell, that’s what I’m looking to do,” Reed told me at the NBA combine in Chicago. “I’m a grinder, but it’s more about effort than anything else. It’s a will to want to stop somebody. That’s what drives me.” Reed also said that he’s learned throughout his college career that he’s capable of doing more, but he’s “willing to embrace” the 3-and-D role.

[Mjee]

Reed is a serious possibility at #32. I work with somebody... who is really close friends with Reeds agent and he stated that he had a great workout and the Suns are definitely considering taking this kid

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

[SlovenianDragon]

Also I was looking at a list of 2nd round potential picks that another poster mentioned a few days ago (sorry its been awhile I cant remember who posted it) But there were two guys I liked:

Dillon Brooks

Watch on YouTube

I'm sure we could snag him.

And

Semi Ojeleye (but they have projected to go late in the first)

Watch on YouTube

I'd like either of these guys.

[SlovenianDragon]

Also if we wanted to go the SG route in the 2nd round I don't mind

Josh Hart

Watch on YouTube

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

Couple of guys in for their second workout, should be our last one before the draft

I assume Ojeleye will be gone. Not sure about the other guys. I looked into Sterling Brown before when I was picking 54th, and he sounded decent until I realized he was Shannon Brown's brother.

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

Couple of guys in for their second workout, should be our last one before the draft

I assume Ojeleye will be gone. Not sure about the other guys. I looked into Sterling Brown before when I was picking 54th, and he sounded decent until I realized he was Shannon Brown's brother.

pick the guy with the ability to do one thing better than anybody else does their one thing
is that rebound, shoot defend,

you need role players

[starbosa10]

would be happy with brooks, hart or oje

[Villalobos]

If Suns don't go Josh Hart or ( ) Derrick White ( ) with the first pick, I'd love if they got this dude with the second. Look at that defense, son.

Watch on YouTube

just ignore everything in this video:

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saw someone describe Caleb Swanigan as Big Sauce but with range and vision, and yup, that looks totally accurate.

Watch on YouTube

he has crazy low block (0.9% first year, 2.5% second) and steal (0.8%) percentages though. holy crap