PhilBlackson wrote:WuTang_OG wrote:?s=20
11. Orlando Magic: Keyonte George (Baylor, SG, Freshman)
Already with the No. 6 pick and a young roster, Orlando could look to trade No. 11, though adding George's scoring and shooting should also be appealing. The fact that he looked slim and well conditioned during his pro day sat well with scouts. Still, Orlando's pick at No. 6 could impact its decision at No. 11. It will be difficult to find minutes for two lottery picks in 2023-24.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Dereck Lively (Duke, C, Freshman)
Teams at Lively's pro day came away impressed by his shooting, something we saw more of in AAU and high school. With Oklahoma City's backcourt set and Jalen Williams a clear starter, the Thunder could think about the defensive upside of a Chet Holmgren-Lively frontcourt, with the Duke freshman having made tremendous improvement throughout the season in pick-and-roll coverage and rim protection.
13. Toronto Raptors: Bilal Coulibaly (Metropolitans 92, SF, 2004)
While most prospects use pro days and workouts to try and improve their stock, Coulibaly is helping himself in the LNB Pro A playoffs, most recently going for 15 points in a Game 2 semi-final win over ASVEL. Rumors of a lottery promise have started swirling in NBA circles. Teams in the late lottery have been considering the 18-year-old who's making an impact for Victor Wembanyama's Mets 92 with his effortless bounce, two-way activity and spot-up shooting. Recent flashes of self-creation have only made Coulibaly look more enticing weeks before the draft.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas, SG, Freshman)
After injuries affected Smith's season and inefficiency cast a cloud over it, scouts sounded pleased with his pro day. Percentages aside, there is plenty of confidence in his shot-making and three-level scoring, which the Pelicans could use in the 2-guard slot or second unit.
It's either Bilal or Bufkin.
Lively makes so much sense to OKC buuuut I just don’t trust Presti not to take the Long Boi lol & I’m sure he watches Bilal and it’s not hard for him to picture BC doing the same stuff next to Chet that he does Vic. I’m just praying that Presti is feeling “practical” at the draft lol and elects to go with Lively (or Miller) to try and help keep Chet healthy by having another big that can help him defend.
It’s gonna be nerve wrecking to wait & hear who they pick right before us. Still so annoying that we made this stupid Play In push that may cost us a high level prospect.
My boy Podz now listed @ 20 and he's been floated around the late teens to early 20s range. Soon we'll be hoping he falls to 13.
https://youtu.be/6v5apHgYO1AWatch the 1st half against a top team in the country and tell me you don't want him @#13.
They hedged and doubled him off every screen, had Strawther on him the whole game who wouldn't help off him at all, no one on Santa Clara could set a screen worth a lick too. Strawther isn't a good defender, but he's 6'7 and athletic and a projected late 1st rounder so when you tell him to just shadow a guy the whole game and not worry about anyone else he can do that pretty well.
edit: shot 44% from 3 facing defenses like this every game the last 3/4 of the year. He had by far the fewest catch and shoot 3s of all the top college shooters as no one helped off him at all, defenses played him like they do Curry in the NBA, you can rotate with the other 4 guys...this guy you don't. All his 3 pt volume were pullups, off the dribble, and some 30 footers too.