Post#118 » by pr0gr4m » Wed Mar 31, 2021 11:16 am
Trading Pascal isn't a good move he's more than a player here he's a symbol.
He represents our franchise and "starting from the bottom" to becoming an NBA champion, all NBAer, and all star.
Powell, Fred, and Siakam are guys we found that no one else wanted or overlooked and we developed into borderline all stars. When you see young guys who go undrafted, they will give our team a fair look considering that history.
This isn't the best year to trade Pascal either. He is being played out of position at center. That's another conversation too.
Playing Siakam at center this year, you could say this year was more so training than actually competing. He developed his ability to create his own shot. Along with that, OG and him got a chance to be the 4/5 and they will bring that physicality when they move down positions.
The biggest thing we need is to fill that center position with a rebounding, switchable, stretch, and preferrably playmaking big man. There isn't any player like that out there but I would give Richaun Holmes a very good look. Other under the radar targets are Zach Collins and Lauri Markkanen.
If you add another player that can hit guys on the roll better Siakam becomes way more effective at the 5. We absolutely need to find this in the draft and I'm looking at the top 5, Wagner, and Giddey for that. Our frontcourt of Siakam and OG is very underrated on offense, especially OG.
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume we don't get a top 5 pick considering our record and upcoming schedule. We need another protocol situation if we really want to tank in the standings and have a good excuse for an immediate comeback next season. I would probably guess we land the 7th or 8th pick.
I'm immediately calling the Thunder and trading down for 10, 18, and a future 1st I can guess they would be after Keon Johnson to play next to SGA.
I have been very divided between Franz and Barnes and ultimately I'm taking Barnes. He's a better ball handling OG that can play the 1 or the 2. That is absolutely lethal once we get his shooting and post game right. At 18 I would take Giddey, he is the youngest player in the draft. Stats from the NBL to the NBA translate well and in comparison to LaMelo and Ferguson he looks like he'll be something in the middle.
I would probably develop both of those guys as point guards, that sounds crazy but absolutely would do that. You bring in a young center like Markannen if we can't get a hold of Holmes and we have likely the most defensive and versatile line up in the whole league. I am projecting that Barnes drops and Franz moves up, but they could both drop as well which would be perfect for us.
Scottie is going to be a lethal point guard in the NBA, his shooting isn't a huge problem how Simmons is and he shares a lot of other similar qualities. He is also a guy that is a prime suspect for blocking 3 point shot, that is valuable in a league where shooting is at an all time high.
I'm going for Barnes at 10 if he's available and Franz at 18 if he drops due to combine stuff. I'm the lowest on Giddey of all 3 because he lacks the wingspan and athleticism to be great. But his comparisons to Ferguson and LaMelo are intriguing.
My thoughts in summary are either we get Markannen or Holmes for the 5. If we get Holmes we can't afford to grab any more non-shooters. Everyone on the court minus Holmes must have 3 point range, or see it as developable. Holmes is the most likely to be brough here so we may draft by need at 18 with him in mind. If we get Barnes at 10 and Franz at 18 we make out like champs.
Imagine this line up:
Holmes
Siakam
OG
Wagner
Barnes
Even without Holmes and Boucher you still have an great defensive team with all bases covered minus post defense. Wagner and Barnes are also great at finding rolling bigs that ultimately help Siakam and our future 5, whoever it may be.
Boucher - 6'11
Siakam - 6'9
OG - 6'7
Wagner - 6'8
Barnes - 6'9
We aren't even talking about wingspans and defense yet.