2023 Draft Prospect discussion

[Mark_83]

He's absolutely going OFF from a scoring standpoint. I'd be inclined to compare his game to Paul Pierce. I'm not sure if he can have that sort of impact over his career, but their scoring styles and body types are similar.

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His offense is legit elite. To me he looks like Demar (footworkwise), with Kawhi's strength and shooting range/efficiency. I think you have to hide him on defense though if he plays his natural position (SF) or play him as a mismatch 4/5 depending on his wingspan.

Is he like Julius Randle?

Randle is actually pretty quick and is a better dribbler and passer, he just has Gator arms.

(Edit) Nvm, Bass is more athletic but not really skilled. Maybe Clarence Weatherspoon?

[Psubs]

This kid Anthony Black looks like he's the truth on the defensive end. He seems like a very Raptorsy type pick. Black and Barnes has a nice ring to it.

But he can't shoot that well.

When has this front office ever prioritized shooting when looking at potential draftees?

If it's shooting we're after then the only two options are Miller and Dick, if we're looking at the top 5.

Lewis and George can be added if we're looking at lottery in general.

What do people here know about this French kid Rayan Rupert? He's mocked in the lottery on NBAdraft.net but I haven't read or seen anything about him here.

Rupert looks like Matisse Thybule with more guard skills. Maybe Dyson Daniels?

[Rapsfan07]

This kid Anthony Black looks like he's the truth on the defensive end. He seems like a very Raptorsy type pick. Black and Barnes has a nice ring to it.

But he can't shoot that well.

That's probably exactly why they'll pick him

[ItsDanger]

Black is about 33% from 3 on about 3 attempts per game. That's decent for a freshman.

[Kevin Willis]

Haven't seen enough of him to comment on potential but 2 significant injuries in same calendar year means he will drop in the draft. The fragile label is hard to shake.

Reminds me of Harrison Barnes.

I wouldn't compare him to Barnes at all. He's a smooth bucket getter. Barnes was always so stiff, even in college. This board was infatuated with him for some reason calling him the Black Falcon or something, but he was never that guy. The only similarities I see between Barnes and Whitehead are that they kinda look alike.

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Sorry - that's what I meant. I saw him and he reminded me of Barnes. I haven't watched him play yet, I will soon.

[Psubs]

Black is about 33% from 3 on about 3 attempts per game. That's decent for a freshman.

31.5% and shoots FT at 69%, so not too keen on him translating to average shooting from NBA distance.

With the athleticism, maybe his ceiling is Demar Derozan?

[grant101]

Thought experiment: we land in the 5-7 range. how many additional picks do you offer in addition to this year's pick to move to #2 (I'm assuming #1 is untouchable)?

Scoot is one of the best PG prospects I've ever seen (And I've been watching a loooong time) and everything this team needs. The need for shooting and rim protection become simply details when you have Scoot and Scottie locked up for 6+ years. I think if a team like Detroit or Charlotte ends up at #2, they at least listen to offers, no? If so, with the exception of Scottie, I'm offering the farm! Risky (it could turn out like a fultz-tatum scenario), but IMO i think the closer parallel would be Luka-Trae.

[Smalltown]

Thought experiment: we land in the 5-7 range. how many additional picks do you offer in addition to this year's pick to move to #2 (I'm assuming #1 is untouchable)?

Pretty confident that #2 would be untouchable too.

[PoundTown]

But he can't shoot that well.

When has this front office ever prioritized shooting when looking at potential draftees?

If it's shooting we're after then the only two options are Miller and Dick, if we're looking at the top 5.

Lewis and George can be added if we're looking at lottery in general.

What do people here know about this French kid Rayan Rupert? He's mocked in the lottery on NBAdraft.net but I haven't read or seen anything about him here.

Rupert looks like Matisse Thybule with more guard skills. Maybe Dyson Daniels?

Looks like someone that can D up and shoot it and is really rangly, a little bit of a handle, but still hasn't gotten to the point where he can get downhill consistently. His numbers say he's not a prospect in the same tier as Lamelo or Giddy based on Australian league stats, but he has some potential and at least a baseline role. Like him outside of the lottery, but not sure I like him inside the lottery.

[grant101]

Thought experiment: we land in the 5-7 range. how many additional picks do you offer in addition to this year's pick to move to #2 (I'm assuming #1 is untouchable)?

Pretty confident that #2 would be untouchable too.

Probably. However, I can imagine that a team that already has a primary ballhandler (Char - Ball), or multiple primary ballhandlers (Det - Cunningham, Ivey, Hayes) might at least listen to serious offers, no?

If the Raptors say offer #5, Anunoby, and frps in 2024 & 2026, they at least have to have a conversation I would imagine

[HumbleRen]

Thought experiment: we land in the 5-7 range. how many additional picks do you offer in addition to this year's pick to move to #2 (I'm assuming #1 is untouchable)?

Pretty confident that #2 would be untouchable too.

Probably. However, I can imagine that a team that already has a primary ballhandler (Char - Ball), or multiple primary ballhandlers (Det - Cunningham, Ivey, Hayes) might at least listen to serious offers, no?

If the Raptors say offer #5, Anunoby, and frps in 2024 & 2026, they at least have to have a conversation I would imagine

They would trade Ivey before they ever think about trading that #2.

Scoot is one of the best guard prospects in a decade and some change.

[Psubs]

When has this front office ever prioritized shooting when looking at potential draftees?

If it's shooting we're after then the only two options are Miller and Dick, if we're looking at the top 5.

Lewis and George can be added if we're looking at lottery in general.

What do people here know about this French kid Rayan Rupert? He's mocked in the lottery on NBAdraft.net but I haven't read or seen anything about him here.

Rupert looks like Matisse Thybule with more guard skills. Maybe Dyson Daniels?

Looks like someone that can D up and shoot it and is really rangly, a little bit of a handle, but still hasn't gotten to the point where he can get downhill consistently. His numbers say he's not a prospect in the same tier as Lamelo or Giddy based on Australian league stats, but he has some potential and at least a baseline role. Like him outside of the lottery, but not sure I like him inside the lottery.

Right now he looks like Nicolas Batum level ceiling.

[WuTang_CMB]

Going to be hard to get better odds than 6 / 7 but hopefully we continue to suck and ORL overtakes us.

Scoot/Wemby are pipedreams. This draft absolutely stacked top 2. Either of those guys are best talent and perfect fit. That's a dream scenario to land 1 or 2.

At 6/7/8 .. If Gradey measures out well, that could be a nice fit with Scottie. People may not like Whitmore's iso game but I think for our team its actually needed. Raps are too easy to guard in half court and they need creation. Plus the kid is built like a truck.

[Psubs]

Going to be hard to get better odds than 6 / 7 but hopefully we continue to suck and ORL overtakes us.

Scoot/Wemby are pipedreams. This draft absolutely stacked top 2. Either of those guys are best talent and perfect fit. That's a dream scenario to land 1 or 2.

At 6/7/8 .. If Gradey measures out well, that could be a nice fit with Scottie. People may not like Whitmore's iso game but I think for our team its actually needed. Raps are too easy to guard in half court and they need creation. Plus the kid is built like a truck.

I worry if Whitmore is able to be as effective against the size and speed of players in the NBA. He's like a poorman's Larry Johnson.

[Reeko]

Going to be hard to get better odds than 6 / 7 but hopefully we continue to suck and ORL overtakes us.

Scoot/Wemby are pipedreams. This draft absolutely stacked top 2. Either of those guys are best talent and perfect fit. That's a dream scenario to land 1 or 2.

At 6/7/8 .. If Gradey measures out well, that could be a nice fit with Scottie. People may not like Whitmore's iso game but I think for our team its actually needed. Raps are too easy to guard in half court and they need creation. Plus the kid is built like a truck.

I like Gradey a lot more than Whitmore, granted this is just based off of highlights and looking at their stats. But I think Gradey's shooting translates better to the NBA than any single thing that Whitmore does.

[WuTang_CMB]

Going to be hard to get better odds than 6 / 7 but hopefully we continue to suck and ORL overtakes us.

Scoot/Wemby are pipedreams. This draft absolutely stacked top 2. Either of those guys are best talent and perfect fit. That's a dream scenario to land 1 or 2.

At 6/7/8 .. If Gradey measures out well, that could be a nice fit with Scottie. People may not like Whitmore's iso game but I think for our team its actually needed. Raps are too easy to guard in half court and they need creation. Plus the kid is built like a truck.

I worry if Whitmore is able to be as effective against the size and speed of players in the NBA. He's like a poorman's Larry Johnson.

Nothing like Larry Johnson

I see him more of a Jimmy Butler typish player. The strength and demeanor are there. Ability to create also there.

Just needs to grow into it

[WuTang_CMB]

Watch on YouTube

[God Squad]

Going to be hard to get better odds than 6 / 7 but hopefully we continue to suck and ORL overtakes us.

Scoot/Wemby are pipedreams. This draft absolutely stacked top 2. Either of those guys are best talent and perfect fit. That's a dream scenario to land 1 or 2.

At 6/7/8 .. If Gradey measures out well, that could be a nice fit with Scottie. People may not like Whitmore's iso game but I think for our team its actually needed. Raps are too easy to guard in half court and they need creation. Plus the kid is built like a truck.

I've been having a hard time shaking that Jett Howard is being undervalued. Particularly in this regard. His game for some reason giving me Devin Booker vibes. But I think there's a better passer in there. I think I've just been a little down on Whitmore, but he projects to be a defender day 1, something Jett just doesn't have atm.

[God Squad]

Going to be hard to get better odds than 6 / 7 but hopefully we continue to suck and ORL overtakes us.

Scoot/Wemby are pipedreams. This draft absolutely stacked top 2. Either of those guys are best talent and perfect fit. That's a dream scenario to land 1 or 2.

At 6/7/8 .. If Gradey measures out well, that could be a nice fit with Scottie. People may not like Whitmore's iso game but I think for our team its actually needed. Raps are too easy to guard in half court and they need creation. Plus the kid is built like a truck.

I like Gradey a lot more than Whitmore, granted this is just based off of highlights and looking at their stats. But I think Gradey's shooting translates better to the NBA than any single thing that Whitmore does.

I also think Gradey has more juice as a defender than given since he's sneakily athletic. What do you think of Jett? I think he has the most potential as a shot creator due to handle and passing.

[grant101]

Going to be hard to get better odds than 6 / 7 but hopefully we continue to suck and ORL overtakes us.

Scoot/Wemby are pipedreams. This draft absolutely stacked top 2. Either of those guys are best talent and perfect fit. That's a dream scenario to land 1 or 2.

At 6/7/8 .. If Gradey measures out well, that could be a nice fit with Scottie. People may not like Whitmore's iso game but I think for our team its actually needed. Raps are too easy to guard in half court and they need creation. Plus the kid is built like a truck.

I like Gradey a lot more than Whitmore, granted this is just based off of highlights and looking at their stats. But I think Gradey's shooting translates better to the NBA than any single thing that Whitmore does.

I also think Gradey has more juice as a defender than given since he's sneakily athletic. What do you think of Jett? I think he has the most potential as a shot creator due to handle and passing.

You like Gradey as a defender more than Whitmore?

Gradey is nice and a perfect complement to a star primary creator, but IMO you've got to take a bet on upside in the top 10. Cam might take a little more time to round out his game, but he's tough as nails and has the chance/tools to be real special. Maybe Gradey has some onball upside that he hasn't been able to show yet (ala Devin Booker), but I haven't seen any indications of that.

I'd also take Jett before Gradey. He may not be as athletic, but Jett's handle/playmaking is crafty enough, and his shot is lethal enough that I buy the upside.