2023 Draft Prospect discussion

[Mark_83]

Starting to look more at late lottery mid-first prospects now just in case. Guys I like for Toronto based on talent and drafting tendencies:

Wallace
Hendricks
Black
Ausur

Jones
Sasser
Hawkins

Lively
Ware
Murray

I feel like Lively could be a Nic Claxton type. He's been disappointing overall but the guy is switchable and is averaging 2.2 blocks per 17 minutes!

Compare his stats to Claxton in their Freshman years:

Claxton
14.7min 3.9pts 3.9reb 1.3blks
44%fg 36.4%3pt 52.3%ft

Lively
17.1min 4.3pts 4.5reb 2.2blk
58%fg 12.5%3pt 61.9%ft

[ItsDanger]

Lively might have been an option with 2nd round pick. Unfortunately we traded it away.

[Rapsfan07]

REALLY hope we don't fall out of the lottery

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I have a feeling we will be able to secure more picks given the moves that can be made such as an Anunoby trade or a possible FVV sign & trade (which won't get us a lot but who knows, maybe an early 2nd). Trading down is always a possibility as well if they don't like what's available where we select as Utah, Portland and Brooklyn have multiple 1sts.

[ItsDanger]

I have a feeling we will be able to secure more picks given the moves that can be made such as an Anunoby trade or a possible FVV sign & trade (which won't get us a lot but who knows, maybe an early 2nd). Trading down is always a possibility as well if they don't like what's available where we select as Utah, Portland and Brooklyn have multiple 1sts.

Masai as GM in his career has never traded up in the draft nor has he traded down on draft day. Unless the basketball reference page is incomplete. 13 years.

That suggests he views all the prospects similarly. Like commodities almost. Isn’t it hard to believe there wasn't a good prospect your scouts loved that you needed to move up 6 spots to obtain? What about trading down with other teams in drafts you don't love but your scouts really like multiple lower tier players? Never bought a 2nd round pick either?

It's an established pattern that warrants explanation. In the meantime we can speculate

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I have a feeling we will be able to secure more picks given the moves that can be made such as an Anunoby trade or a possible FVV sign & trade (which won't get us a lot but who knows, maybe an early 2nd). Trading down is always a possibility as well if they don't like what's available where we select as Utah, Portland and Brooklyn have multiple 1sts.

Masai as GM in his career has never traded up in the draft nor has he traded down on draft day. Unless the basketball reference page is incomplete. 13 years.

That suggests he views all the prospects similarly. Like commodities almost. Isn’t it hard to believe there wasn't a good prospect your scouts loved that you needed to move up 6 spots to obtain? What about trading down with other teams in drafts you don't love but your scouts really like multiple lower tier players? Never bought a 2nd round pick either?

It's an established pattern that warrants explanation. In the meantime we can speculate

True but he has allegedly attempted to in the past, like trying to acquire Giannis. The problem with Masai is he is very conservative and doesn't like taking chances. He will only pull the trigger on something if it's blatantly in his favor.

[BoyzNTheHood]

There's almost nothing this guy doesn't bring to the table that Fred or Gary do. Tenacious defender, better handle than both, better finisher at the rim, better ability to create in ISO, better athleticism and stamina/sustained intensity through all 4 quarters. His 2ptfg% is at his college career high at .504 this year.

This is the best reel of his overall play from last year. He makes his presence felt on the court at all moments.

Watch on YouTube

I would love to add Sasser and Walker to this team, but since we have up our 2nd rounder I'm not sure we can get him. I think Sasser gets picked even though he's undersized.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

There's almost nothing this guy doesn't bring to the table that Fred or Gary do. Tenacious defender, better handle than both, better finisher at the rim, better ability to create in ISO, better athleticism and stamina/sustained intensity through all 4 quarters. His 2ptfg% is at his college career high at .504 this year.

This is the best reel of his overall play from last year. He makes his presence felt on the court at all moments.

Watch on YouTube

I would love to add Sasser and Walker to this team, but since we have up our 2nd rounder I'm not sure we can get him. I think Sasser gets picked even though he's undersized.

I'm willing to bet Sasser gets taken 20-30 overall. I've seen him projected in that range by a couple of people, although most have him in the early 2nd round. We'll see I guess. A strong showing in the tournament would help him for sure.

I'm not sure what to make of drafting another SF or PF because I firmly believe the organization will move forward with Pascal and Scottie firmly entrenched there and we still have OG. If we get rid of OG I can see it happening but for me we should be focused heavily on athletic guards who can score the ball and of course are two-way players. To add another wing to what we already have would be overkill and just prevent us from progressing IMO. I can't see Walker coexisting with Barnes and Pascal, but I do think he's gonna be a good player in the league.

[BoyzNTheHood]

There's almost nothing this guy doesn't bring to the table that Fred or Gary do. Tenacious defender, better handle than both, better finisher at the rim, better ability to create in ISO, better athleticism and stamina/sustained intensity through all 4 quarters. His 2ptfg% is at his college career high at .504 this year.

This is the best reel of his overall play from last year. He makes his presence felt on the court at all moments.

Watch on YouTube

I would love to add Sasser and Walker to this team, but since we have up our 2nd rounder I'm not sure we can get him. I think Sasser gets picked even though he's undersized.

I'm willing to bet Sasser gets taken 20-30 overall. I've seen him projected in that range by a couple of people, although most have him in the early 2nd round. We'll see I guess. A strong showing in the tournament would help him for sure.

I'm not sure what to make of drafting another SF or PF because I firmly believe the organization will move forward with Pascal and Scottie firmly entrenched there and we still have OG. If we get rid of OG I can see it happening but for me we should be focused heavily on athletic guards who can score the ball and of course are two-way players. To add another wing to what we already have would be overkill and just prevent us from progressing IMO. I can't see Walker coexisting with Barnes and Pascal, but I do think he's gonna be a good player in the league.

To me it comes down to their ability to shoot + create for others, which I think Scottie will do in time and Jarace should be good at from early on. If that's the case, you can trade OG for future + bench assets, play Scottie at the 1, Gary at the 2, Jarace/Pascal at 3/4, and Poeltl at the 5.

With that said, I think we need more of a creator in addition to scoring at the 2. I'd prefer to bring Gary off the bench, but who knows how much money he'll make, plus how well he'd take that role. So maybe he's moved for added depth as well in that scenario.

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[WuTang_CMB]

he's been on a heater. maybe not the highest upside pick but if we are sliding down in the draft, they may go 'know what we are getting' vs 'potential swing' like we've done in the past

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[Psubs]

he's been on a heater. maybe not the highest upside pick but if we are sliding down in the draft, they may go 'know what we are getting' vs 'potential swing' like we've done in the past

Read on Twitter

34.2% isn't great from 3. He's increased points but maybe he's chucking more.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kris-murray-1/gamelog/2023

I do like though since the Dec 6 game, he's shoot at least 38.5% from the field. That shows good consistency you'd hope from a 22 year old prospect.

[WuTang_CMB]

Need to take BPA available in this draft. We likely wont have our 24' pick so we have to hit here.

With Poeltl likely to be back, strong chance he will be retained as I don't see any centres that jump out in this draft. They will roll with Poeltl/Koloko for the next few years.

That leaves us with our next major issue; shooting. Some good wings that can light it up in Jett/Gradey. They could be in our range at 11-15. But again, we need to go BPA in wings/guards here.

[Psubs]

Undrafted Senior Isaiah Wong. 6'3 shooting 45/37/82

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/isaiah-wong-1.html

Miami is 3rd in the ACC 19-5 (11-4 in conference). They beat #1 in the ACC Virginia. George Hill?

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Teammate senior Jordan Miller 6'6 shooting 53/37/80, A/T = 2

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jordan-miller-2.html

Watch on YouTube

[Dalek]

Toronto always goes kind of away from the mainstream on drafts and tends to value defensive playmakers highly with their firsts (Barnes, Poeltl, OG, Siakam)

Rayan Rupert, 6'6 and playing for the New Zealand Breakers fits the mold. Elite defense at only 18 years old playing in a professional league:

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

His dad played pro ball in Europe, and he just seems like a gym rat type from all reports. He is a guy to watch as I think most people have him in the first round but he could climb up.

[Psubs]

Toronto always goes kind of away from the mainstream on drafts and tends to value defensive playmakers highly with their firsts (Barnes, Poeltl, OG, Siakam)

Rayan Rupert, 6'6 and playing for the New Zealand Breakers fits the mold. Elite defense at only 18 years old playing in a professional league:

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

His dad played pro ball in Europe, and he just seems like a gym rat type from all reports. He is a guy to watch as I think most people have him in the first round but he could climb up.

NBADraft.net aleady has up all the way up to #9 to the Raptors!

[DreamTeam09]

How does the play-in work for draft odds?

Say you're tenth and then you win both your play-in games and make the playoffs as the 8th seed.
What happens then ?

[Psubs]

How does the play-in work for draft odds?

Say you're tenth and then you win both your play-in games and make the playoffs as the 8th seed.
What happens then ?

Then you are in the later 16 picks arranged by record.

[WuTang_CMB]

How does the play-in work for draft odds?

Say you're tenth and then you win both your play-in games and make the playoffs as the 8th seed.
What happens then ?

Whatever happens after the play in determines the draft order because its technically not the playoffs. The cavs last year were 7th in the east and lost the play in. They moved up in the draft and drafted 14th

[DreamTeam09]

Thx thx, got it

[WuTang_CMB]

Toronto always goes kind of away from the mainstream on drafts and tends to value defensive playmakers highly with their firsts (Barnes, Poeltl, OG, Siakam)

Rayan Rupert, 6'6 and playing for the New Zealand Breakers fits the mold. Elite defense at only 18 years old playing in a professional league:

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

His dad played pro ball in Europe, and he just seems like a gym rat type from all reports. He is a guy to watch as I think most people have him in the first round but he could climb up.

I mentioned him a few times. Def fits our mold. Crazy wingspan. Likely needs the usual 2-3 yrs to develop but tools are there. I'd look to make him a guard instead of a wing type.