2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD 2

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

My one game sample assessment of Castle is this

Pros:
1.HIGH -level / talented playmaker/passer (similar to Scottie)
2. Really good defender
3. Showed really crazy flashes of slashing/handles and finished well inside for a guard (6’6)

Cons:
1. DEFERS - similar to Scottie I found he over passes and wants to be a playmaker more than the talented scorer he is/could be
2. Not a great outside shooter yet

Overall: his court vision/IQ is super advanced for a freshman and shooting guard, it’s so intriguing. He has the handles and athleticism to be elite but similar to Scottie his defer-mentality could hold him back from that

He's deferring because he wouldn't be getting minutes at UConn otherwise. In high school he took 11.6 three point attempts per 36 and was a one-man show.

I feel like every nba prospect was a high usage shooting in high school and than college is where their true tendencies/roles come out since they are playing with competent teammates.
I felt very confident from the game I watched that Castle definitely prefers a good assist to a three point shot.

Oh I'm sure, Hurley has done a wonderful job getting him to play a team-oriented efficient brand of basketball at UConn and hopefully that carries over to the NBA where his defense and team-first oriented play allows him to see the floor early while he works on developing his shot and picking and choosing spots to try to take over moments by himself. Castle averaged like 5 stocks per game in HS and is way down at UConn but I believe it's more because Hurley has gotten him to gamble less and stay more disciplined on D.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Daron Holmes and Jaylon Tyson seem like no brainer picks. If either fail in the NBA I would be very surprised. The fact that both aren’t projected in the lottery is wild to me.

I'm gonna have to really go through Holmes' tape a ton before June because at first glance he looks like a bench big but then when you consider just how multi-dimensional and efficient his game is it makes you wonder. He looks unconventional the way he moves on the floor but you can't write him off based on that because he just makes winning plays. The guy has a point Holmes FTR is absolutely INSANE and he can take guys off the bounce from beyond the arc and has a decent first step. I feel like Filipowski and Holmes should be looked at side by side and their differences really contrasted as guys with similar multidimensional skillsets for bigs. It's not like Holmes has even faced tons of bad competition this year, Dayton has played a fairly difficult schedule.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Daron Holmes and Jaylon Tyson seem like no brainer picks. If either fail in the NBA I would be very surprised. The fact that both aren’t projected in the lottery is wild to me.

I'm gonna have to really go through Holmes' tape a ton before June because at first glance he looks like a bench big but then when you consider just how multi-dimensional and efficient his game is it makes you wonder. He looks unconventional the way he moves on the floor but you can't write him off based on that because he just makes winning plays. The guy has a point Holmes FTR is absolutely INSANE and he can take guys off the bounce from beyond the arc and has a decent first step. I feel like Filipowski and Holmes should be looked at side by side and their differences really contrasted as guys with similar multidimensional skillsets for bigs. It's not like Holmes has even faced tons of bad competition this year, Dayton has played a fairly difficult schedule.

Watching highlights of Holmes will leave you underwhelmed because like you said, his game is not aesthetically pleasing. But outside of that he just gets the job done.

For weaknesses I’d probably point towards the obvious free throw shooting, although 69% is not the worst. And then he also tries to do to much. Having a 1:1 a/to ratio isn’t pretty. But if he plays within himself as a pro how could you not like a prospect who is averaging 20/8/2 with 3 stocks on 55/38/69 shooting? Oh and btw a BPM of 9 and a TS% of .627

[DreamTeam09]

Cody Williams / Keyshawn George/ Slaun

[ItsDanger]

Watch on YouTube

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[Raptorfan2012]

I really believe we need to add a unicorn big type to our core - someone who is big and mobile and can hit long range shots and also block shots. Sadly there isn't too much to pick from either from this draft or from Free Agency. I am liking Big Z from Kentucky though; hopefully he will be around for the Pacers pick.

[PhilBlackson]

I really believe we need to add a unicorn big type to our core - someone who is big and mobile and can hit long range shots and also block shots. Sadly there isn't too much to pick from either from this draft or from Free Agency. I am liking Big Z from Kentucky though; hopefully he will be around for the Pacers pick.

Yup!

That’s who I’m hoping for too it’s just damn OKC/Presti that worries me will their 2 picks. If I were to guess today who they take it would (heartbreakingly) be both guys that I wish we had a shot at - Salaun & Big Z. It’s actually insane how much potential the Thunder have moving forward…

[ArthurVandelay]

I really believe we need to add a unicorn big type to our core - someone who is big and mobile and can hit long range shots and also block shots. Sadly there isn't too much to pick from either from this draft or from Free Agency. I am liking Big Z from Kentucky though; hopefully he will be around for the Pacers pick.

Yup!

That’s who I’m hoping for too it’s just damn OKC/Presti that worries me will their 2 picks. If I were to guess today who they take it would (heartbreakingly) be both guys that I wish we had a shot at - Salaun & Big Z. It’s actually insane how much potential the Thunder have moving forward…

It looks like Utah is going to keep their pick. Top 10 protected and they are currently 11th, 0.5 games out of 9th, 2-8 in last 10 and on a 3 game losing skid. One less pick for OKC is a good thing for Raptors.

[OakleyDokely]

Kyshawn George, last 15 games:

26.0 MIN, 9.4 PPG, 3.5 REB, 2.5 AST, 1.3 STL, .449 FG, .417 3PT (4.8 ATT), .714 FT, .603 TS

I see some Cam Johnson / Trey Murphy III in him. He's already a legit shooter as a freshman.

[Psubs]

I really believe we need to add a unicorn big type to our core - someone who is big and mobile and can hit long range shots and also block shots. Sadly there isn't too much to pick from either from this draft or from Free Agency. I am liking Big Z from Kentucky though; hopefully he will be around for the Pacers pick.

Yup!

That’s who I’m hoping for too it’s just damn OKC/Presti that worries me will their 2 picks. If I were to guess today who they take it would (heartbreakingly) be both guys that I wish we had a shot at - Salaun & Big Z. It’s actually insane how much potential the Thunder have moving forward…

They already have Chet, need more beef! I wonder with #10 and 11 they go UConn Double with Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan!!! I doubt that Cody Williams will be there at #10 to join his brother Jalen.
They can just let guys like Gordon Hayward, and prospects TyTy Washington/Usman Garuba, just walk for nothing and not sweat it.

PG SGA - Wallace - Castle
SG Dort - Joe - Castle
SG JalenW - Wiggins - KenrichW
PF Giddey - JaylinW/Dieng
C Chet - Clingan - JaylinW

They can bring along Castle slowy and groon him to be the starting SG. Clingan allows Chet to eventually play more PF in a year or so.

[WuTang_CMB]

i'd take tyler smith or tyson all day

[Dalek]

Trying not to have my bias towards Pitt blind me, but when I watch Carlton "Bub" Carrrington, I think he is worth the Pacers pick.

Key players in the same range:

Kyshawn George
Hunter Sallis
Jaylon Tyson
Ja'Kobe Walter

Bub is only 18 and the youngest player and has been key to the 19-10 record for Pitt. They are fringe bubble team for the tournament and this is with a freshman PG leading them which is special.

Per 36:
14.7 PPG
5.7 REB
4.6 AST

-He is a better passer than all those players on the list with a very good 4.2-1.9 assist to turnover ratio.
-Averages more PPG than George.
-Rebounds more other than Tyson.
-Out of all the players he has the quickest pull-up jumper - especially from two-point range.

In match-ups: outplayed Hunter Sallis and Pitt won the game; outplayed RJ Davis in a loss to UNC; played poorly in two games against Duke.

Overall, there is just a lot of skills I like. The shot creation, the speed on-ball and passing. He is basically a quick decision maker and generally makes the right play. And when I watch him shoot he reminds me of Brandon Ingram. If this kid grows more, watch out!

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[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Really souring on Williams and Risacher lately while Buzelis has impressed with quicker processing, better shooting and more confident movement on the floor. Buzelis might just need some time to get stronger just like Dick but his defensive motor clearly looks superior to that of the aforementioned prospects and it seems like he's genuinely a good kid who cares a lot about basketball. There is a notable difference in how he looks on film now compared to months ago. He has had a bag the whole time but earlier in the year he was less fluid and more indecisive, he undoubtedly possesses a deeper bag than the aforementioned guys as well.

In the one case you have a guy with more natural talent who started the year cold in terms of statistical production while you have two other guys who started the year blazing hot yet are less talented. Neither Risacher nor Williams can chain together moves like Buzelis can and neither of them show the interest on defense that Buzelis does. Buzelis possesses a better pre-19 y/o resume and has thus far demonstrated the capacity for more multi-dimensional impact. 54/42/80 splits in high school suggest his current production is an anomaly and as he adapts to the physicality of the NBA which his clear love of basketball and work ethic should allow him to, there should be a return to the norm. This is the vision of Buzelis that makes the most sense to me thus far but I needed to see some signs of improvement and life which he has shown more recently. His background is as a SWIMMER so that's why his body is not basketball strong atm but I think you need to just give him time and bet on him due to character and skill.

I think given where I'm trending with him and feeling more confident in the alternative vision/outcome I have of Reed Sheppard and his limitations, the top 4 players in this draft in no particular order yet are

Buzelis
Sarr
Topic
Holland

Three of these four guys possess the greatest multidimensional impact ability while Topic possesses elite offensive ability if his shot starts to fall. The only other player who can hang in theory in terms of multidimensional statistical impact is Stephon Castle given his clear proficiency with 2pt fg%, FTR, ORB, stocks and contain and contest D. If Castle becomes a knockdown shooter then in retrospect he will deserve to be in this class and should nevertheless not be far from it. I know a few people who would place Dillingham and Collier near the top but I'm not ready to go there and believe that after this group of players is when a Reed Sheppard, Filipowski and others should be considered.

Personally I don't even know why I got so excited about Ware because I never allow myself to look at players with motor and maturity questions in a positive light and always avoid like the plague and I have serious questions about Collier and Ware. Ultimately it's been frustrating trying to get a read on a lot of these guys thus far but I'm starting to feel like I have an idea who the top guys are and then who should go directly after them. End of lottery and beyond gets murkier but the demonstrated skill difference between most of those guys is more minimal.

[Psubs]

Trying not to have my bias towards Pitt blind me, but when I watch Carlton "Bub" Carrrington, I think he is worth the Pacers pick.

Key players in the same range:

Kyshawn George
Hunter Sallis
Jaylon Tyson
Ja'Kobe Walter

Bub is only 18 and the youngest player and has been key to the 19-10 record for Pitt. They are fringe bubble team for the tournament and this is with a freshman PG leading them which is special.

Per 36:
14.7 PPG
5.7 REB
4.6 AST

-He is a better passer than all those players on the list with a very good 4.2-1.9 assist to turnover ratio.
-Averages more PPG than George.
-Rebounds more other than Tyson.
-Out of all the players he has the quickest pull-up jumper - especially from two-point range.

In match-ups: outplayed Hunter Sallis and Pitt won the game; outplayed RJ Davis in a loss to UNC; played poorly in two games against Duke.

Overall, there is just a lot of skills I like. The shot creation, the speed on-ball and passing. He is basically a quick decision maker and generally makes the right play. And when I watch him shoot he reminds me of Brandon Ingram. If this kid grows more, watch out!

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I would be cool to steal him at #31.

[Smalltown]

I would be cool to steal him at #31.

I wouldn't be mad at taking a swing at him there. But taking him with the Pacers pick I just can't make that stretch.

[Dalek]

Trying not to have my bias towards Pitt blind me, but when I watch Carlton "Bub" Carrrington, I think he is worth the Pacers pick.

Key players in the same range:

Kyshawn George
Hunter Sallis
Jaylon Tyson
Ja'Kobe Walter

Bub is only 18 and the youngest player and has been key to the 19-10 record for Pitt. They are fringe bubble team for the tournament and this is with a freshman PG leading them which is special.

Per 36:
14.7 PPG
5.7 REB
4.6 AST

-He is a better passer than all those players on the list with a very good 4.2-1.9 assist to turnover ratio.
-Averages more PPG than George.
-Rebounds more other than Tyson.
-Out of all the players he has the quickest pull-up jumper - especially from two-point range.

In match-ups: outplayed Hunter Sallis and Pitt won the game; outplayed RJ Davis in a loss to UNC; played poorly in two games against Duke.

Overall, there is just a lot of skills I like. The shot creation, the speed on-ball and passing. He is basically a quick decision maker and generally makes the right play. And when I watch him shoot he reminds me of Brandon Ingram. If this kid grows more, watch out!

Read on Twitter

I would be cool to steal him at #31.

I think if he ends up a second round projected he could and probably should stay in school. I just doubt he will slip past teams like Boston or Denver if he stays in the draft. He has positional size, shotmaking to be a six man type and worth a first given his age and potential for growth. A couple other swing factors for me, his dad is a also named Bub and coaches basketball. He is second cousin to Rudy Gay so there is basketball in his genes. If we develop this kid, I think with the footwork and pull-up shooting, we could have an SGA type of guard - I am leaning towards him - just have to keep watching his play.

[DreamTeam09]

Will Kaleel ware be there at the Pacers pick? He's solid too

[LoveMyRaps]

Watch on YouTube

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QUICKLEY
DICK
BARRETT
BARNES
WARE

[ArthurVandelay]

I’m just going off the boxscore here but Salaun was back in action. His shot is still MIA (1/4, 0/3 3pt) but he had 10 rebounds and 6 assists. The 6 assists is a new element to his game. I don’t think he made 6 passes prior to this game lol

[UnbelievablyRAW]

If the NY pick they got from Dallas keeps rising, hopefully its still on the table for BB. Then we can pick up another guard/wing along with a C in within the top 20 while still having pick 31