Justify the third pick in the draft.

[louc1970]

We all know the draft will be Flagg and Harper as 1 and 2. So who do you have as 3 and why?

[King Ken]

I have Coward because he's the best player in the draft after the top 2 guys. He won't be drafted 3rd overall but that's who I think it should be.

3rd overall depends on the team. I think it could be one of these 6 guys

Fears
Kon
VJ
Ace
Tre
Khaman

It's extremely unlikely that it's anyone else but one of these 6. I honestly think if washington had 3, they would pick, Fears. Some teams would take Kon but none that are there right now. Tre could go 3 if it's the Lakers or Clippers. That Ray Allen prototype is someone they would want next to Luka or Harden. VJ or Ace for most teams and obviously Khaman for the Hawks.

So

VJ and Ace - Most teams
Fears - WAS
Kon - teams like the Celtics, some playoff teams looking for that Bane prototype.
Tre - Heliocentric teams looking for a legit scorer who can play on and off the ball and can afford to lose a bit on defense.
Khaman - ATL

[SNPA]

Essengue. Upside.

[BigGargamel]

I don't really LOVE any of these guys, but someone has to go #3, and I would say the following about each guy...

Tre Johnson - if you want a solid shooter with some play making upside

Jeremiah Fears - If you want a combo guard who isn't afraid of the big shots and could have some Jamal Murray like performances.

VJ Edgecombe - If you want a feisty defender with the potential to drop 20 points every once in a while

Ace Bailey - If you want to call his bluff, and really believe in his talent enough to deal with the potential headache.

Kon Knueppel - If you think playing on a stacked team held him back statistically a bit, and you think he can be a 20 ppg guy with ball handling skills.

Khaman Maluach - if you want a ten year starter at center who can play solid defense and you believe has stretch five capabilities.

Noa Essengue - If you think he's twice as good as Tidjane Salaun (he might be) so he deserves to go twice as high in the draft.