2024 NBA Draft Thread

[FarBeyondDriven]

looks like Mikey Williams pled guilty to one felony but likely faces no jail time so he could be joining Memphis if he meets court ordered counseling and community service and doesn't get in trouble again. Potential lottery talent though this has likely taken him off most draft boards unless he actually suits up and balls out.

[MemphisX]

looks like Mikey Williams pled guilty to one felony but likely faces no jail time so he could be joining Memphis if he meets court ordered counseling and community service and doesn't get in trouble again. Potential lottery talent though this has likely taken him off most draft boards unless he actually suits up and balls out.

I think he plays next season for Memphis.

[MemphisX]

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Read on Twitter

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[FarBeyondDriven]

what does this even mean? sounds like a contradiction. either you watch the tape or don't, unless you talking about HS tape which should only be treated as a prior data point and nothing else once these guys get to the NCAA.

if you feel comfortable taking a guy like Bradshaw top 10 based on his HS tape that's fine, just don't be surprised if a lot of people disagree with that.

re: the rest of your post...you're just reverse engineering back from the idea that this is a good class, without actually having any real proof that this is a good class, you're overexaggerating players, even players that have yet to step foot on the court, even players that have played (like Mara) and have been largely bad.

on the international point, still don't see the evidence that this is a great intl class...Mara has been bad, Sarr has been mediocre in the NBL so far, Almansa just had a good game recently in GLI but otherwise he hasn't been good, Risacher had a brutal summer and just starting to play a bit better...you talk about these guys being studs but there is still not much proof that this is actually the case.

i am open to this class being good, i want it to be good, just don't see anything behind the claim right now. who's the best player in the class? no one even knows. take that best player, how high would he go in last year's class? #4 or #5 at best if that? if the best player in this class is the 5th best player in another class...it's not a good class.

no you don't. You and your ilk say this but that would mean you're wrong and you're getting your opinions from terrible sources. I'm more fighting the narrative that it's a weak class rather than it's necessary good. You and your ilk are the ones who have been claiming it's weak for over a year now based on bad takes from guys like Sam Vecenie and there not being an elite domestic player that has separated himself at the top.

The burden is on you to back that up and all I've seen are attempts to paint bad statistics as proof that they're not good prospects. Conveniently forgetting the flashes of huge games/performances these guys have had over the last year. There's no substance to your argument beyond that. No actual discussions about physical traits, athleticism, skill levels, age or international/all-star performances against and in comparison to their peers.

Let's take Sarr for instance. The kid absolutely dominated international play against his peers winning Player of the Tournament. Why are his NBL numbers more important than those? Was this G-League performance not enough to educate you on his game?

Watch on YouTube

Here's his U19 highlights

Watch on YouTube

he's pretty much Mobley 2.0. How is this lost on someone who evaluates NBA prospects as a hobby?

If the best NBA prospect in this class (it's obviously Sarr btw) goes #4 in most drafts, and then another 5-6 guys from this class (Castle, Holland, Collier, Walter, Almansa, Carrington, etc) would go anywhere from 5-14 in most drafts since 2020, doesn't that mean it's stronger than you think? Or are you laughably claiming none of those players would go 5-14 in those draft classes? I'm actually guessing you are Which means there's really no hope for you and I should stop caring about your "weak draft" assertions.

"over exaggerating" wtf does this even mean? So, I'm capable of seeing physical/athletic traits and skills that translate to the NBA without needing to worry about how they perform in the G-League, NBL or competing for minutes on all-star squads at Kentucky or Duke? The horror. I should put all the emphasis on stats based on inconsistent usage, poorly constructed rosters like you and bonafide AAU scrimmages. Surely that will paint a better picture

Filipowski and Edey are putting up monster stats. Does that make either better pro prospects than Embiid who didn't?

There arent enough fingers on my hands to count the number of international prodigies who looked like gods at the u17 and u19 and then busted out. Those mean nothing. Its basically like drafting straight out of High School. I havent followed Sarr in the NBL so I cant judge if hes good there or not but drafting someone top 3 solely based on U19 performance is bound to be a bad decision.

I dont say this speficially about Sarr but to your statement "Why are his NBL numbers more important than those?" because if the past has thought us anything, then pro performance is always so much more important than youth performance. There have been so many busts for whom you could have said the same and the answer is simply that pro production is always more important.

it's funny because people have no qualms about hyping up a guy like Mobley based on youth performance (rightfully so) and are ready to call him elite, which he was, but when it comes to the guy with the almost exact same height, length, athleticism and skill, his international tape, against better competition isn't deemed sufficient and it needs to be seen against pros before he earns the elite moniker. Make it make sense. Mobley dominated scrubs in high school, occasionally meeting other top guys. Sarr dominates almost the entire US and World all-star contingent and it's crickets.

There have not been other Alexander Sarr type prodigies. Please name one other international prodigy that was 7'1" with length, athleticism and skill, that could shoot from outside, played both ends with high IQ and that won multiple player of the tournaments awards or even one for that matter.

[FarBeyondDriven]

what does this even mean? sounds like a contradiction. either you watch the tape or don't, unless you talking about HS tape which should only be treated as a prior data point and nothing else once these guys get to the NCAA.

if you feel comfortable taking a guy like Bradshaw top 10 based on his HS tape that's fine, just don't be surprised if a lot of people disagree with that.

re: the rest of your post...you're just reverse engineering back from the idea that this is a good class, without actually having any real proof that this is a good class, you're overexaggerating players, even players that have yet to step foot on the court, even players that have played (like Mara) and have been largely bad.

on the international point, still don't see the evidence that this is a great intl class...Mara has been bad, Sarr has been mediocre in the NBL so far, Almansa just had a good game recently in GLI but otherwise he hasn't been good, Risacher had a brutal summer and just starting to play a bit better...you talk about these guys being studs but there is still not much proof that this is actually the case.

i am open to this class being good, i want it to be good, just don't see anything behind the claim right now. who's the best player in the class? no one even knows. take that best player, how high would he go in last year's class? #4 or #5 at best if that? if the best player in this class is the 5th best player in another class...it's not a good class.

no you don't. You and your ilk say this but that would mean you're wrong and you're getting your opinions from terrible sources. I'm more fighting the narrative that it's a weak class rather than it's necessary good. You and your ilk are the ones who have been claiming it's weak for over a year now based on bad takes from guys like Sam Vecenie and there not being an elite domestic player that has separated himself at the top.

The burden is on you to back that up and all I've seen are attempts to paint bad statistics as proof that they're not good prospects. Conveniently forgetting the flashes of huge games/performances these guys have had over the last year. There's no substance to your argument beyond that. No actual discussions about physical traits, athleticism, skill levels, age or international/all-star performances against and in comparison to their peers.

Let's take Sarr for instance. The kid absolutely dominated international play against his peers winning Player of the Tournament. Why are his NBL numbers more important than those? Was this G-League performance not enough to educate you on his game?

Watch on YouTube

Here's his U19 highlights

Watch on YouTube

he's pretty much Mobley 2.0. How is this lost on someone who evaluates NBA prospects as a hobby?

If the best NBA prospect in this class (it's obviously Sarr btw) goes #4 in most drafts, and then another 5-6 guys from this class (Castle, Holland, Collier, Walter, Almansa, Carrington, etc) would go anywhere from 5-14 in most drafts since 2020, doesn't that mean it's stronger than you think? Or are you laughably claiming none of those players would go 5-14 in those draft classes? I'm actually guessing you are Which means there's really no hope for you and I should stop caring about your "weak draft" assertions.

"over exaggerating" wtf does this even mean? So, I'm capable of seeing physical/athletic traits and skills that translate to the NBA without needing to worry about how they perform in the G-League, NBL or competing for minutes on all-star squads at Kentucky or Duke? The horror. I should put all the emphasis on stats based on inconsistent usage, poorly constructed rosters like you and bonafide AAU scrimmages. Surely that will paint a better picture

Filipowski and Edey are putting up monster stats. Does that make either better pro prospects than Embiid who didn't?

I agree with your general point. This is much more of an average draft than a weak draft.

Compared to the massive amount of hype Wemby brought last year, any draft class is going to look subpar in comparison. Throw in a weaker pool of talent coming from the NCAA and it's easy to see why many are calling this draft class weak; the top prospects aren't as easy to watch.

Sarr is being criminally underrated.

I think it's fair to say the consensus is that last year's class is considered great. I disagree wholeheartedly but that seems to be the consensus. But that was largely based on Wemby and Scoot being generational. It's looking pretty bad for Scoot right now. So if he isn't generational didn't the scouts get him and the strength of the draft wrong? One elite guy at the top should not dictate a draft class' strength.

I'm not mad at anyone saying it's an average draft because that's what all drafts should be considered in November until we see more. It's the certainty that it's weak and having that certainty a year in advance that is laughable and forced. I really think once people (not the people who have been steadfast that it's weak, they'll never admit they're wrong) see some more of these guys they'll come around and it'll be deemed average at worse.

I don't understand where the "weaker pool of talent coming from the NCAA" narrative comes from. Actually, I know it comes from talking heads but I thought this board was more knowledgeable and capable than it is and could scout for themselves but I guess not. People should at least wait to see Castle, Bradshaw, Bronny, and Williams play and the season to progress deeper and into the tournament before writing it off is I guess my main point.

[Hal14]

Mara is playing 5 minutes a game and plays the worst archetype in the NBA (the non-shooting center who can't move).

He is uhhhhh

Probably never being drafted into the NBA.

Yeah that archetype is just the worst! lol

Jokic (31% from 3 the season prior to being drafted)
Sengun (30% from 3 the season prior to being drafted)
Domantas Sabonis (barely took any 3's at all the season before being drafted)
Zubac
Mason Plumlee
Mitchell Robinson
Steven Adams
I could go on...

Lol the dude said "Center who can't move", none of these guys fall under that category, on the contrary actually

Obviously he was using hyperbole when he said "center who can't move". I took it to mean centers who aren't known for having really good mobility. All the guys I named are half court players - not guys who thrive in transition, not gonna out-run dudes in transition, not known for having really good lateral quickness..

Obviously they can all technically "move". So can Mara.

Don't take things so literally.

[Hal14]

looks like Mikey Williams pled guilty to one felony but likely faces no jail time so he could be joining Memphis if he meets court ordered counseling and community service and doesn't get in trouble again. Potential lottery talent though this has likely taken him off most draft boards unless he actually suits up and balls out.

Dude has gotten arrested so many times, has had to go to court so many times, has had so many criminal charges against him, no way any NBA team would ever draft him. Not worth the risk, especially for an undersized guard.

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya, Mara kinda reminds me of Bol in him being a big whos pretty hyped but may not have the physical tools to play in this league.

Cody is going to get overdrafted IMO - nice role player tools but not a guy you take Top-5. Sorta like Pat Williams. Has a role in this league but likely to have people look back and think 'how did this rotation guy go Top-5?'

[peZt]

Yeah that archetype is just the worst! lol

Jokic (31% from 3 the season prior to being drafted)
Sengun (30% from 3 the season prior to being drafted)
Domantas Sabonis (barely took any 3's at all the season before being drafted)
Zubac
Mason Plumlee
Mitchell Robinson
Steven Adams
I could go on...

Lol the dude said "Center who can't move", none of these guys fall under that category, on the contrary actually

Obviously he was using hyperbole when he said "center who can't move". I took it to mean centers who aren't known for having really good mobility. All the guys I named are half court players - not guys who thrive in transition, not gonna out-run dudes in transition, not known for having really good lateral quickness..

Obviously they can all technically "move". So can Mara.

Don't take things so literally.

"Centers who cant" move should not include Sengun, who is one of the most nimble centers out there, Mitchell Robinson who is a monster at blocking shots at the 3 point line or Plumlee who has a bigger max vert than Dwight Howard. Your list of centers just has nothign to do with what the guy wrote, nothing about me being too literal. When the guy is arguing that Mara will not be good in the NBA because he cant move, then listing centers who are anything but immobile and unathletic does nothing to disprove his point

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[clyde21]

I guess when you watch as much film as I do you don't need college tape for certain prospects though it certainly helps.

what does this even mean? sounds like a contradiction. either you watch the tape or don't, unless you talking about HS tape which should only be treated as a prior data point and nothing else once these guys get to the NCAA.

if you feel comfortable taking a guy like Bradshaw top 10 based on his HS tape that's fine, just don't be surprised if a lot of people disagree with that.

re: the rest of your post...you're just reverse engineering back from the idea that this is a good class, without actually having any real proof that this is a good class, you're overexaggerating players, even players that have yet to step foot on the court, even players that have played (like Mara) and have been largely bad.

on the international point, still don't see the evidence that this is a great intl class...Mara has been bad, Sarr has been mediocre in the NBL so far, Almansa just had a good game recently in GLI but otherwise he hasn't been good, Risacher had a brutal summer and just starting to play a bit better...you talk about these guys being studs but there is still not much proof that this is actually the case.

i am open to this class being good, i want it to be good, just don't see anything behind the claim right now. who's the best player in the class? no one even knows. take that best player, how high would he go in last year's class? #4 or #5 at best if that? if the best player in this class is the 5th best player in another class...it's not a good class.

no you don't. You and your ilk say this but that would mean you're wrong and you're getting your opinions from terrible sources. I'm more fighting the narrative that it's a weak class rather than it's necessary good. You and your ilk are the ones who have been claiming it's weak for over a year now based on bad takes from guys like Sam Vecenie and there not being an elite domestic player that has separated himself at the top.

The burden is on you to back that up and all I've seen are attempts to paint bad statistics as proof that they're not good prospects. Conveniently forgetting the flashes of huge games/performances these guys have had over the last year. There's no substance to your argument beyond that. No actual discussions about physical traits, athleticism, skill levels, age or international/all-star performances against and in comparison to their peers.

Let's take Sarr for instance. The kid absolutely dominated international play against his peers winning Player of the Tournament. Why are his NBL numbers more important than those? Was this G-League performance not enough to educate you on his game?

he's pretty much Mobley 2.0. How is this lost on someone who evaluates NBA prospects as a hobby?

If the best NBA prospect in this class (it's obviously Sarr btw) goes #4 in most drafts, and then another 5-6 guys from this class (Castle, Holland, Collier, Walter, Almansa, Carrington, etc) would go anywhere from 5-14 in most drafts since 2020, doesn't that mean it's stronger than you think? Or are you laughably claiming none of those players would go 5-14 in those draft classes? I'm actually guessing you are Which means there's really no hope for you and I should stop caring about your "weak draft" assertions.

"over exaggerating" wtf does this even mean? So, I'm capable of seeing physical/athletic traits and skills that translate to the NBA without needing to worry about how they perform in the G-League, NBL or competing for minutes on all-star squads at Kentucky or Duke? The horror. I should put all the emphasis on stats based on inconsistent usage, poorly constructed rosters like you and bonafide AAU scrimmages. Surely that will paint a better picture

Filipowski and Edey are putting up monster stats. Does that make either better pro prospects than Embiid who didn't?

why are you linking me to youtube highlights of Sarr? do you know who you're talking to? lol

and I am not sure what your argument is outside "i watched these guys when they were 16 and I'm already sold, anything they do now is irrelevant"...which is a ridiculous take. current data is way more important than HS data. Dariq Whitehead was my favorite guy coming out HS last year...guess what? after he didn't play as well as expected at Duke that analysis had to be adjusted accordingly. doesn't mean priors like HS can't be useless but to see the current play doesnt matter because "HeRe Is YoUTuBe HiGLiGht ViDeO" from two years ago is hilariously dumb, sorry.

[BigGargamel]

ESPN now following my lead on Isaiah Collier - i had him #1 when nobody else did. not saying i'm right, but it never sucks to have ESPN hop on the bandwagon. He's been ridiculously turnover prone - like embarrassingly bad - but taking care of the ball is something that can be learned and tends to fix itself with experience.

I've had him as my #1 for the past month or two. Not saying I'm generally a fan, but he's one of the only freshmen who's playing well and he plays a premium position. Point guards and centers usually are drafted first overall.

[BigGargamel]

Im surprised Carrington has been brought up a few times. Why? Ya he put up stats against horrific opposition to start the year. He has yet to play against high level opposition but his last 3 games have been his first 3 games against power conference teams.

He’s 11-34 shooting in those 3 games.

I get the whole triple double to start off his college career. But he did that against arguably the worst team in D1. Kenpom has NC A&T as the 360th out of 362 teams.

And again against mid level power conference teams, he hasn’t looked like a standout at all.

His lack of defensive stats are worrisome. I usually don't even look at guards unless they can get at least 1 steal per game. He's a second round talent IMO.

[Hal14]

Im surprised Carrington has been brought up a few times. Why? Ya he put up stats against horrific opposition to start the year. He has yet to play against high level opposition but his last 3 games have been his first 3 games against power conference teams.

He’s 11-34 shooting in those 3 games.

I get the whole triple double to start off his college career. But he did that against arguably the worst team in D1. Kenpom has NC A&T as the 360th out of 362 teams.

And again against mid level power conference teams, he hasn’t looked like a standout at all.

His lack of defensive stats are worrisome. I usually don't even look at guards unless they can get at least 1 steal per game. He's a second round talent IMO.

Defensive stats don't tell the whole story. You have to actually watch them play on film. From what I've seen, Carrington is fine on defense. He's not like a standout, lockdown defender or anything, but he holds his own on D. His ability to defend is similar to the other top PGs like Dillingham, Topic and Collier, imo.

None of those guys are elite defenders, but none of them are a disaster on D either.

[BigGargamel]

I definitely agree stats don't always tell the whole story, but steals are usually one raw number that translates pretty well to the NBA. Those are one of the things I always look for when talking about guard prospects. 1 steal through 7 games is troubling.

In other thoughts, Dillon Jones? Just another mid major guy putting up huge numbers or legit NBA prospect?

[Chi town]

So is Ware like a Jarret Allen with a 3 ball?

[clyde21]

So is Ware like a Jarret Allen with a 3 ball?

he's been knocking them down this year, last year was even hitting some open ones...obviously he's not gonna shoot 50% from 3 the rest of the year but even if it drops to 30% it's huge for his offense

[clyde21]

Omaha played a total of 10 mins last two games for Iowa St, has a whopping total of 0 points the last 3 games...another 5* failure. you'd think he can get some minutes and some production on Iowa St. but I guess nope

shame too because he was probably a top 3 pure athlete in this recruiting class.

[clyde21]

gonna throw Eric Dailey's name in the hat as a potential sleeper/riser...won't start a thread yet but definitely on watch list

[Chuck Everett]

I definitely agree stats don't always tell the whole story, but steals are usually one raw number that translates pretty well to the NBA. Those are one of the things I always look for when talking about guard prospects. 1 steal through 7 games is troubling.

In other thoughts, Dillon Jones? Just another mid major guy putting up huge numbers or legit NBA prospect?

Legit NBA prospect. Would have been selected in round 2 last year and had a great draft process. Will probably be a late first/early second special, but could have a Bane, Jaquez, Middleton, Draymond type impact as an older rookie coming into the league.