2024 NBA Draft Thread

[FarBeyondDriven]

Topic, Sarr and Holland make a reasonable top-3 in the draft, imo. It's not a deep draft, but it's not terrible, imo.

Sarr is averaging 10/5 a pop right now in the NBL, wouldn't call him or anyone of those three the 'top 3' by any stretch at this point.

he's only playing 19 mpg Weird how PER 36 isn't used by you when it comes to this guy

if you knew what you're talking about you'd know that the NBL is a grown ass man's league. While they appreciate and covet the OAD types going there to increase visibility and publicity, they don't cater to them and play them over veterans that have been and will be with the club for many years. I shouldn't have to explain this. It's not just the NBL that does this either. Most European clubs treat even their own homegrown NBA prospects in this fashion.

We're talking about an 18 y/o center. He still needs to put on some major size. Centers take longer to adjust and develop. All anyone halfway decent at evaluating prospects should be worried about is how he looks against his peers (he looked great btw), their measurements and athleticism, skill level for their age, and their makeup.

He has shown as much if not more for his age than Mobley but I don't recall you thinking he wasn't top 3 "by any stretch"

[clyde21]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

more gems from Clyde. And look who upvoted it. Shocker

aaaaand another **** tier poster on the ignore list

[FarBeyondDriven]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

more gems from Clyde. And look who upvoted it. Shocker

aaaaand another **** tier poster on the ignore list

most people would stop and think to themselves "why do I have so many posters on ignore?" and self reflect and see what the common denominator is. But nope

[EvanZ]

Mgbako has pretty high upside with his ability to put it on the floor at that size

[EvanZ]

I wish Kel’el was more A Ware than B Ware


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[EvanZ]

KJ Adams is like GLeague Zion


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[Chuck Everett]

Will Baker with one point against Texas. Not sure if he got injured but his production against real teams leaves a lot to be desired.

[clyde21]

i hate that Dillingham is so small

Reed Sheppard has a high baseline of skill and BBIQ but looks like a great college player to me than a great prospect

Aaron Bradshaw and Justin Edwards are very meh

DJ Wagner remains the best prospect on this team imo...would be Dillingham if he wasn't tiny

[babyjax13]

I really like Matthew Cleveland. His defensive anticipation in playing passing lanes is impressive. Doesn't have the greatest hands or touch though, so I worry about his contributions on offense in the NBA. I think he is worth a late first selection.

[FarBeyondDriven]

lots of action this weekend. A couple of observations.

Baye Ndongo is looking very similar to Jaren Jackson Jr. and is shooting up my board. 6'9" with length, hops and great instincts on both ends. His game is going to play real well at the next level. I think he might go in the lottery. Scouts I think had him as a 3 star. If only they had gotten it right and given him 5 stars more people would like this draft class

I'm out on Aday Mara. UCLA is a mess. They should be playing through Bona and Mara in the high/low and allowing each to play to their strengths. I need to see him actually utilizing the skills that made him an intriguing prospect. It's already difficult knowing it would take years for him to develop physically before even getting on the floor. I'm not also going to take it on faith that he's capable of doing the things I've seen on tape, at the next level. He's off my board and should return to school and transfer at this point.

Mgbako is looking like the highly touted guy he's supposed to be. He has an NBA body and is probably a lock for the 1st round.

Bradshaw continues to impress, hitting a three and a few huge FTs to seal the victory. Once he puts on some weight he could be Mitchell Robinson but with a shot.

Calipari seems more interested in collecting 5 star kids than he is in actually trying to win a championship going by how he utilizes guys. Sheppard should be starting next to Wagner with Dillingham and Reeves anchoring the bench.

Wagner has shut up all the doubters that said he wasn't a true point guard. He's Kentucky's best guard pro prospect. He can run an NBA team and be a starter. I think he's the worst of the recent Kentucky guards as a prospect though which is why I don't think he cracks my lottery. But at least we know he's a point guard now

[MemphisX]

i hate that Dillingham is so small

Reed Sheppard has a high baseline of skill and BBIQ but looks like a great college player to me than a great prospect

Aaron Bradshaw and Justin Edwards are very meh

DJ Wagner remains the best prospect on this team imo...would be Dillingham if he wasn't tiny

I still think Dillingham is the best prospect.

How I have the Kentucky prospects:

1. Dillingham
2a. Sheppard
2b. Wagner
3. Bradshaw
4. Reeves
5. Edwards

Also, this Kentucky team is fun to watch. Can't say that about many college teams at all.

[CP War Hawks]

lots of action this weekend. A couple of observations.

Baye Ndongo is looking very similar to Jaren Jackson Jr. and is shooting up my board. 6'9" with length, hops and great instincts on both ends. His game is going to play real well at the next level. I think he might go in the lottery. Scouts I think had him as a 3 star. If only they had gotten it right and given him 5 stars more people would like this draft class

Damn people are starting to notice. I'm a Tech fan and hoping he stays another year under Coach Stoudemire, but he would likely go late 1st in this dumpy draft. The other Tech kid Gapare has some tools to work with. Kind of has a Jaden Mcdaniels archtype going for him.

Both guys are really fluid and athletic for their size. Not sure about Miles Kelly. He was likely going to declare for 2024 but his shooting is horrible. They would likely be ranked if he was having a decent season.

[Catchall]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

So far, Buzelis hasn't shown much of a physical presence on either end. To be a star-level player, he needs to be able to impose his will on defenders, get where he wants to go with the ball and make a high-efficiency play. I just struggle to see him having the ability to do that. He doesn't back anyone down, he doesn't take defenders off the bounce, and he doesn't much create separation for his jumper. He does make fade-aways though.

Offensively, he looks like a complementary scorer, and the Franz Wagner comps here are reasonable. Defensively, he's not at Franz's level, and he gets blown by pretty consistently.

The draft is open enough, that I could see Buzelis get into the top 5 potentially, but I'd be surprised if teams regard him as the top prospect in the draft.

[babyjax13]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

So far, Buzelis hasn't shown much of a physical presence on either end. To be a star-level player, he needs to be able to impose his will on defenders, get where he wants to go with the ball and make a high-efficiency play. I just struggle to see him having the ability to do that. He doesn't back anyone down, he doesn't take defenders off the bounce, and he doesn't much create separation for his jumper. He does make fade-aways though.

Offensively, he looks like a complementary scorer, and the Franz Wagner comps here are reasonable. Defensively, he's not at Franz's level, and he gets blown by pretty consistently.

The draft is open enough, that I could see Buzelis get into the top 5 potentially, but I'd be surprised if teams regard him as the top prospect in the draft.

Honestly, I think a 2nd/3rd option who is a really nice linking piece should be in contention for #1 in this draft.

[clyde21]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

So far, Buzelis hasn't shown much of a physical presence on either end. To be a star-level player, he needs to be able to impose his will on defenders, get where he wants to go with the ball and make a high-efficiency play. I just struggle to see him having the ability to do that. He doesn't back anyone down, he doesn't take defenders off the bounce, and he doesn't much create separation for his jumper. He does make fade-aways though.

Offensively, he looks like a complementary scorer, and the Franz Wagner comps here are reasonable. Defensively, he's not at Franz's level, and he gets blown by pretty consistently.

The draft is open enough, that I could see Buzelis get into the top 5 potentially, but I'd be surprised if teams regard him as the top prospect in the draft.

if you've identified someone that fits that criteria so far let me know

[Catchall]

Matas is still the only real and viable option at #1

So far, Buzelis hasn't shown much of a physical presence on either end. To be a star-level player, he needs to be able to impose his will on defenders, get where he wants to go with the ball and make a high-efficiency play. I just struggle to see him having the ability to do that. He doesn't back anyone down, he doesn't take defenders off the bounce, and he doesn't much create separation for his jumper. He does make fade-aways though.

Offensively, he looks like a complementary scorer, and the Franz Wagner comps here are reasonable. Defensively, he's not at Franz's level, and he gets blown by pretty consistently.

The draft is open enough, that I could see Buzelis get into the top 5 potentially, but I'd be surprised if teams regard him as the top prospect in the draft.

if you've identified someone that fits that criteria so far let me know

Topic, Holland and Sarr all have this potential more than Buzelis, imo. Collier might as well.

I think teams are going to have an active debate about Buzelis v. Risacher v. Williams in terms of complementary wing types. I'm assuming Buzelis' shooting from deep will improve.

[ItsDanger]

I like Roddy Gayle on Ohio state, not huge upside but can play bottom end rotation SG role.

[clyde21]

So far, Buzelis hasn't shown much of a physical presence on either end. To be a star-level player, he needs to be able to impose his will on defenders, get where he wants to go with the ball and make a high-efficiency play. I just struggle to see him having the ability to do that. He doesn't back anyone down, he doesn't take defenders off the bounce, and he doesn't much create separation for his jumper. He does make fade-aways though.

Offensively, he looks like a complementary scorer, and the Franz Wagner comps here are reasonable. Defensively, he's not at Franz's level, and he gets blown by pretty consistently.

The draft is open enough, that I could see Buzelis get into the top 5 potentially, but I'd be surprised if teams regard him as the top prospect in the draft.

if you've identified someone that fits that criteria so far let me know

Topic, Holland and Sarr all have this potential more than Buzelis, imo. Collier might as well.

I think teams are going to have an active debate about Buzelis v. Risacher v. Williams in terms of complementary wing types. I'm assuming Buzelis' shooting from deep will improve.

Topic has shown "physical presence" on either end to be the #1 pick? make your case.

[EvanZ]

Baye Ndongo turns 21 on New Year’s Day.


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[FarBeyondDriven]

Baye Ndongo turns 21 on New Year’s Day.


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not ideal but he didn't start playing basketball until he was 14 years old? Brandon Miller is currently 21 years old. The Thompson twins turn 21 years old in six weeks. Hawkins was 21 years old when he got drafted. Jaquez turns 22 years old in February. Holmgren is a 21 yo rookie. Jalen Williams was drafted at 21. Ndongo will play in the NBA and have an impact. That's all that matters. No G.M. is going to give a rip that he's a year older than most guys given his background.