Moderators: Moonbeam, DeBlazerRiddem
zzaj wrote:I’m just not sure Asa Newell is going to be better than Walker at the NBA level.
Every game and vid I’ve watched him in he seems slow, with very little verticality, intensity and power.
If he’s a 1 position player, being non-elite at any one skill at that position is a red flag for me. There are multiple small-ball centers in every draft.
Walton1one wrote:POR was not one of the teams that sent a scout to watch Yang this year, I doubt they take him
and thought, hmmmm 7'1 with a 7' 2.75" wingspan that passes really well and has a nice 3 point shot/post moves. Somebody gets a steal... just saying.Walton1one wrote:POR was not one of the teams that sent a scout to watch Yang this year, I doubt they take him
Dame Lizard wrote:I don't watch college ball, but Demin's shooting percentages are really gross.Case2012 wrote:Schmitz falls in love with players and doesn't hide it well. I think Demin is 100% his guy. If he falls to us he's a Blazer. Nique is still top of my board here, but I wouldn't be mad at Demin. Thinking about Deni and him on the floor, both 6'9 playmakers, that could be an interesting team. A line up of Demin,Camara,Deni,Yaxel,Clingan would be wild. We would be very entertained by that group.
Yaxel is going to be a player in this league. 6'10, 7'4 wingspan, all around game with little to no flaws.
And his assist to turnover ratio isn't good either. I'm passing.
DusterBuster wrote:I still like Egor as maybe a Haliburton-like prospect, if he clicks, I like what he brings to the guard positions.
Intel and fit: Demin had a positive week at the combine in Chicago, measuring bigger than expected at 6-9½ in shoes and then putting on one of the most impressive pro day performances we've seen in some time, causing even the most skeptical of NBA evaluators to acknowledge his undeniable talent.
Demin has made significant gains with his body and will continue to fill out, while making a barrage of 3-pointers with picture-perfect mechanics and a lightning-quick release that offered significant room for optimism despite hitting 27% of his 3-pointers in his lone season at BYU. Also, NBA teams raved about his interviews in Chicago.
The Trail Blazers can go in several directions with this pick, and adding a big guard with a strong feel for the game who can slide into different roster configurations could be interesting long term. -- Givony
Intel and fit: This pick is viewed around the league as a luxury asset for the Rockets, who are frequently mentioned by other teams as a big trade candidate to build on what they accomplished this season. Houston has the draft assets and young talent to target whichever star becomes available next, as well as Reed Sheppard, who presumably is waiting to take on more minutes next season.
If Houston keeps the pick, this is likely a best-available situation...Though some teams have speculated he could slip out of the top 10 because of how the board is falling, Jakucionis appears fairly solid in the Nos. 8-12 range at this stage.
Intel and fit: With three picks among the top 44 selections, but 14 players expected to be under contract next season, it's unclear how much room Oklahoma City has on its roster to add more rookies. Packaging picks to move up in the draft, trading nonrotation players to other destinations, or kicking the can down the road, swapping this year's picks for future first-rounders, might be options for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City wouldn't have a great deal of use for a player such as Essengue, but it has very few needs that this draft would help resolve. The team will likely go for a best-talent-available approach if it uses all of its picks. -- Givony
Intel and fit: It's difficult to envision Oklahoma City using its three picks among the top 44 selections with its current roster situation. Nevertheless, the Thunder have several months to determine a plan, and there will be no shortage of suitors if they elect to trade picks.
Intel and fit: After back-to-back playoff appearances, Orlando's front office seems intent on helping the team win its first playoff series since 2010, saying it plans to "look through a more win-now lens." That might signal a willingness to part with one or both of the team's first-rounders (the Magic also hold the No. 25 pick) if "proven offensive help" becomes available, a search that will likely continue through the offseason.
It's unclear whether the front office will add two more rookies to what's already one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, especially with few roster spots available. Still, hitting on these picks could have significant value projecting long term with the cost-controlled nature of rookie-scale contracts, especially in a deep draft like this.
Gonzalez, 19, has had difficulty gaining traction this season amid inconsistent playing time with Real Madrid, hitting 29% of his 3-pointers. When given the opportunity, Gonzalez has shown his defensive intensity, feel for the game and explosiveness. He can guard multiple positions, and has shown glimpses of the passing prowess and winning qualities that made him a highly regarded prospect at a young age.
His difficult team context and the fact that he might not be able to travel to the United States for private workouts might cause him to be under-drafted relative to the talent he displayed in previous settings, where he looked like a clear-cut lottery pick. -- Givony
Lendeborg faced one of the highest-profile, stay-or-go decisions among prospects at the combine, measuring quite well and turning in a solid, if not spectacular, showing in scrimmages, with Michigan coach Dusty May and members of his staff in Chicago to support him. NBA teams are aware Lendeborg has a multimillion-dollar NIL package to attend Michigan next season, and it wasn't clear by the end of the week as to whether he had done enough to secure the type of guarantee that might keep him in the draft.
He was highly productive last season at UAB and will step into a huge role with the Wolverines as the ostensible replacement for Wolf, giving him an opportunity to improve his draft stock if he withdraws now. -- Woo
Intel and fit: The Nets might not be the team selecting here, which would make these picks in the late 20s interesting swing spots.
Fleming didn't participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages at the combine, but had impressive measurements. His excellent size and how effectively he scored this season for Saint Joseph's give him some attractive role-player qualities.
As a late-blooming player who is still lacking in ball skills and overall awareness at times, Fleming is more of a developmental addition than a true plug-and-play option in the late first round. -- Woo
Taking a gamble on a relatively unproven prospect such as Coward would be a high-risk, high-reward approach.
There has been plenty of buzz around Coward of late, with signs out of Chicago pointing to him remaining in the draft, despite a transfer commitment to Duke for next season. Many NBA teams we spoke with are hesitant about his surprising rise, given the fact that he played six games at Washington State before a shoulder injury ended his season. But his unusual trajectory from Division III to Eastern Washington to what appears to be guaranteed-contract territory is fascinating.
Though his lack of film against high-level college competition is a concern for NBA teams, Coward is the type of wing teams love draft, and it matters that he was efficient and productive at Eastern Washington. Still not cleared for contact as of last week, Coward measured with a 7-2¼ wingspan at the combine, shot the ball well in drills, and looked the part as he made his case to NBA teams. Despite not having played competitively since November, his draft projection seems to be moving in his favor. -- Woo
tester551 wrote:Walton1one wrote:POR was not one of the teams that sent a scout to watch Yang this year, I doubt they take him
How do you know? Where did you hear this?
Pro scout told HoopsHype that Yang compares to Luka Garza for his offensive skills as a passer and shooter. His realistic upside potential is like akin of a Dewayne Dedmon-type career – providing reliable minutes as a stretch big and high-post facilitator. Yang’s combination of floor spacing, passing vision, and high-IQ play could help him carve out a niche as a bench contributor for teams needing a change-of-pace five.
Tim Lehrbach wrote:I just can't see Ace as a better prospect than Edgecombe. I believe the mocks are wrong and VJ will go third, possibly to somebody other than Philadelphia, who may favor an established player over either.
Walton1one wrote:Tim Lehrbach wrote:I just can't see Ace as a better prospect than Edgecombe. I believe the mocks are wrong and VJ will go third, possibly to somebody other than Philadelphia, who may favor an established player over either.
I agree with you.
I think the 1st 5 picks are pretty set.
Flagg will go #1
Harper will go #2 - Even if longshot deal for Giannis occurred the pick (MIL) would still be Harper
Picks 3-5 will be some order of Edgecombe, Bailey, Johnson
PHI could trade pick #3, saw an interesting rumor. PHI trading away George & #3 to UTA for Lauri Markkanen? Not sure Ainge could get a better deal than that. Durant is mentioned too, I imagine that PHX would then ship that pick to a 3rd team for another vet (NO\Zion?)
The draft\chaos really starts @ #6 with WAS....
A league scout told The Inquirer he believes Edgecombe, a 6-5 guard, and 6-6 Texas guard Tre Johnson could be better than Bailey. If the Sixers agree, they could slide back a few slots in the draft to get additional assets while taking Edgecombe or Johnson. The scout believes that after Flagg and Harper, the next three or four guys are basically the same. If he were Morey, the scout said he would see if the Charlotte Hornets (with the fourth pick) or Utah Jazz (fifth) want to move up – via The Philadelphia Inquirer
Tim Lehrbach wrote:Walton1one wrote:Tim Lehrbach wrote:I just can't see Ace as a better prospect than Edgecombe. I believe the mocks are wrong and VJ will go third, possibly to somebody other than Philadelphia, who may favor an established player over either.
I agree with you.
I think the 1st 5 picks are pretty set.
Flagg will go #1
Harper will go #2 - Even if longshot deal for Giannis occurred the pick (MIL) would still be Harper
Picks 3-5 will be some order of Edgecombe, Bailey, Johnson
PHI could trade pick #3, saw an interesting rumor. PHI trading away George & #3 to UTA for Lauri Markkanen? Not sure Ainge could get a better deal than that. Durant is mentioned too, I imagine that PHX would then ship that pick to a 3rd team for another vet (NO\Zion?)
The draft\chaos really starts @ #6 with WAS....
I love that for Utah. Lauri was a mistake and isn't a big sacrifice to land a major talent. VJ on a rookie deal in tandem with the George contract is much better value IMO.
If I'm Philadelphia I'm aiming higher or detaching the pick from George and using somebody else as the filler so as to not erode the value of the pick.
Henderson is the future in Portland. That’s a given. However, Jakucionis has had an incredible developmental path in the last few years. It’s easy to be intrigued by the Barcelona pedigree, but the physical improvements are also impressive. He embraced Illinois, which gave him the chance to play in his style with the ball in his hands. But that’s not his role in the NBA. His craft and generating paint touches will come in handy, despite lacking true speed. That’ll help him find ways to play with Henderson and Sharpe, who are the two pieces who’ll have the ball. Jakucionis has shown that his shot is reliable. That’s the rising factor of going to the lottery here.
With Daryl Morey saying they intend to draft someone with their pick rather than exploring the trade market, they’ll likely address their need for a point guard. Despite the lack of passing reps, Johnson is a clear NBA one who has shown to thrive when leading a team.
Despite mixed results for Texas as a team, the scoring prowess, the lethal shooting touch from three, and improved creativity open the path for the Sixers to build one of the more dynamic backcourts in the NBA.
Let’s be honest. Bailey has the most long-term potential in this class. If he hits his absolute outcome, he’ll surpass Flagg as well. But it’s very seldom that it happens. Utah is patient and knows how to develop and prepare top-tier players. Bailey would not make an impact right away, but he has a good context of where he can take one or two seasons to grow into a high starter. Bailey’s processing of the game didn’t look good at Rutgers. But the best part is that I don’t think he sought to prove anything there, as he continued to play the same way he did in high school. Jazz fans should not be sad about this pick.
With Sarr being selected last year, this might look like a logjam at center. However, the NBA continues to use lineups with two centers. The Wizards have a wise way of building their roster through athleticism and plus-positional size. But they lack a true creative initiator. Queen’s long-term potential can be hit if he’s featured. And the local kid has the best spot to do that at Washington.
His handles and self-creation on top of the face-up scoring make him a legitimate threat to play five-out. The jumper wasn’t consistent, but that’s something Washington will gladly invest in. Looking at how Queen emerged as Maryland’s leading factor this year, it’s feasible that his success continues at the next level because of how fundamentally gifted he is. In terms of footwork, there’s no better player in this draft class.
As a classic tweener, Newell has his great athleticism as the leading factor for his lottery selection. On top of that, his consistent motor, great core strength, and touch around the rim make him a five worthy of starting in the Bulls’ rebuild. However, the other side of the coin is that Newell lacks the offensive creativity, scoring arsenal to translate his high school and college resume to the NBA. Play-finishers are utility players, and therefore expandable. For Newell, developing perimeter skills is the essential part to succeed and potentially exceed expectations. The Bulls need a five, and can bet on developing Newell in the next few years, as he fits the guard structure with his thriving as a play-finisher and vertical lob threat.
Fleming got better in each of his three seasons at Saint Joseph’s. He measured out incredibly well with a 7’5.25” wingspan, continuing to add value to his profile. Defensively, that’s the value the Spurs buy. Wembanyama should play the five, but switching physical tall wings and forwards surrounding him is the recipe for success.
That’s Fleming’s value. He’s the ultimate connecting forward as his three-point shooting prowess is the leading factor in sustaining a good offensive rating. I expect Fleming to grow into a slasher where he’ll add versatility to play the three, four, and five in the NBA. That’s worth a lottery pick.
The Wolves get a top-ten worthy prospect in Essengue. Despite the need to improve their window of winning, the best bet for them is to focus on the future as well. Consider Essengue a clean blueprint of a top-level athlete with great, two-handed touch around the rim, toughness, and aggressiveness on top of still scratching the surface of what he can develop physically.
Developing in peace is the recipe for success, and that’s what Minnesota can offer him. With their success in McDaniels’ career, the Timberwolves get another opportunity to add more versatility to their roster.
Tráore was seen as a surefire top-five pick before the season. And frankly, his rapid decline on consensus boards is laughable. That shows that despite more popularity, people still fail to rightly contextualize the numbers compared to the player’s role.
To summarize, Tráore competed on both European and national grounds. When folks talk about playing “against grown men”, Tráore faced mature, highly skilled, and fundamentally sound opponents. His lack of two-handedness is the main struggle. By blitzing or hard-hedge him, or forcing him to his weaker hand, Tráore was put under control in the majority of his games.
However, on a better-spaced NBA floor, the craft and pacing in his game help him to get downhill much easier. His role as a playmaker will boost more value when he’s improving as a team defender, which is another concern. That’s why going to Washington makes sense, as he can grow into a comfortable role, considering the talent around him.
As one of the best players in the SEC, Murray-Boyles is painted as a non-shooting undersized five, which is crazy to think of. His handles, isolation scoring prowess, and top-tier basketball IQ make him a leading factor in one of the most valuable archetypes in the league. His lack of shooting at South Carolina does not define what he’ll bring to the NBA.
In Brooklyn, he’ll fill a similar role on a younger team that's still seeking its identity. As a highly skilled combo forward, Murray-Boyles will grow into a niche with his top defense being the factor to hang his hat on early in his career.
Inverted pick-and-rolls come to mind when seeing a combination of Nikola Jovic and Egor Demin terrorizing smaller defenders in a few years. Demin’s ball control, creativity as a passer, and improved three-point shot give Miami an ultimate weapon at the point guard slot. That’s where they need an addition, and where all focus should be during the draft.
The area where he fits into their culture is how mature and focused he is. An example is his paint touches. Demin doesn’t drive without an idea is highly effective at the rim despite low volume. These are valuable flashes that confirm his long-term potential.
Powell is one of the best defenders in this class. Potentially that is. He hasn’t shown much throughout his role at North Carolina, but incredible testing during the NBA Draft Combine, while showing his value during the drills, will put him in first-round consideration. The fit with Utah is so solid because the Jazz have enough room to develop talent as they take their time with their rebuild. As a near 100 %ILE athlete, Powell should focus on adding a reliable three-ball to his game on top of his active cutting and ball-moving. For winning teams, adding skill and versatility to all positions is the recipe for success, and with Powell, the Utah buys low on someone who can end up as one of the best defenders in the class.
Maturity means a lot in rebuilding teams. McNeeley has been a connecting piece since high school, playing alongside multiple first-rounders. In Connecticut, the context behind his role wasn’t good. He had to pick a leading role where others didn’t step up. That’s a positive helping McNeeley solidify his draft status.
His jumper is smooth and one of the best in this class. However, I don’t see a feasible role for improvement into a bigger role in the NBA. He’s a below-average athlete and lacks the toughness and strength to handle playing against bigger and stronger opponents. Despite the clear box to put McNeeley in, the lack of long-term potential hurt his value and thus led to him falling to the late first round.
While being one of the stars in the Spanish scene in the last few years, longevity and an incredible feel for the game summarize González’s game. The best part about his pro career is that he was labeled a shooter, but the jumper never convinced. That’s what's gotten better throughout the season. Despite playing a limited role at Real Madrid, González had valuable reps in meaningful games that’ll help his path at the next level.
His ball skills are undervalued, as the floor spacing, slashing, and team defending were the main strengths. González finding minutes at a Euroleague and ACB contender speaks volumes to how well he can grow into a key rotational piece. Every rebuilding team needs surefire options on its bench to grow its depth chart. González is a high-floor pick late in the first round.
The Suns get one of the most skilled fives in the draft. Their build has been through offensive creativity and production. Despite legitimate worries about Markovic’s team defense, the fluid-moving athlete had a phenomenal year in Serbia, whereafter he’s putting himself in legitimate first-round consideration. He’s giving Phoenix a cheaper option as an inside creator, as his passing improved this year on top of his face-up scoring and ball-moving. Despite the production, he’s still the underrated name in the list, as the end of the late first round will feel like a steal for the Suns front office.
I’m not a medical expert, but ankle injuries and center prospects are not a good combination. Sorber has had one of the best freshman campaigns of this draft and has given back Georgetown its reputation as a big-man-developing program. His physical tools, length, and toughness at such a young age are a well-regarded premium that teams are willing to pay for.
In Los Angeles, Sorber can develop alongside Zubac to be their starting five in the future. At #30, the Clippers get tremendous value.
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