NBA 2017 Draft Prospects Thread

[sipclip]

Well Diallo has decided to head back to Kentucky.

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[SoCalJazzFan]

Sorry, but I just don't see how Kuzma is rated higher by a lot of you than DJ Wilson. Neither are super spectacular, but I think a lot of UofU homerism is to blame. All of Wilson's flaws are the same as Kuzma, its just that Kuzma has more flaws or his flaws more severe from what I've seen.

Deonte Burton is interesting, but I think that some of you need to do more research on him. He is super athletic, but short, fat and severely out of shape and doesn't have a position in the NBA, which is probably why he might not get drafted. I would totally take a flyer on him for the NBDL team though just in case he does become an enigma and special. How does that 2 extra player thing work again? Do they have to be drafted, or can they be signed and then assigned to NBDL and owned by team?

[KqWIN]

Sorry, but I just don't see how Kuzma is rated higher by a lot of you than DJ Wilson. Neither are super spectacular, but I think a lot of UofU homerism is to blame. All of Wilson's flaws are the same as Kuzma, its just that Kuzma has more flaws or his flaws more severe from what I've seen.

For the biggest difference is that Kuzma is a second round prospect with an outside chance at being a late first rounder, and Wilson is already seen as a late first rounder. I see them as similar caliber prospects, but Wilson is rated higher and I don't really agree with it. Kuzma was a much more productive player and showcased a lot more ability as a ball handler. He can make plays off the dribble and that's equally as important as being able to shoot from the 4 position imo. Wilson is more athletic, but also didn't do a thing his freshman or sophomore season. You have to be careful there. I also think Kuzma is a tougher player inside and seeks contact. Wilson's FTr is paltry and that's always a red flag for me.

Deonte Burton is interesting, but I think that some of you need to do more research on him. He is super athletic, but short, fat and severely out of shape and doesn't have a position in the NBA, which is probably why he might not get drafted. I would totally take a flyer on him for the NBDL team though just in case he does become an enigma and special.

Again, everything is relative. I think most people see him as a mid/late second rounder if that. I think he's a great value at that spot. Being overweight is obviously not good, but it can also be seen as an area of improvement. Contrary to popular belief, you can improve athleticism once you get to the NBA. A lot of the ones that can are the ones who are on the heavier side. Draymond was fat and so was Millsap. These guys are obviously exceptions, but in the second round all you can look for are exceptions.

How does that 2 extra player thing work again? Do they have to be drafted, or can they be signed and then assigned to NBDL and owned by team?

As far as I understand, they are 16th and 17th roster spots. When they are with the Stars, they get paid a D-League salary. When they are with the Jazz, they get paid an NBA salary. They can't be called up by another team while on a two-way contract.

[pickIBL]

Burton's standing reach is a couple inches longer than jae crowder. If burton did what he did overweight that just raises his ceiling

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I'm updating my big board after some more game watching:

Here's my big board with tiers(+ means the player jumped this number of spots up from last board, and - means the player slid):
--------------------------------------------tier 1
1. Markelle Fultz
--------------------------------------------tier 2
2. Dennis Smith JR +3
3. Josh Jackson
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Jonathan Isaac
6. Lonzo Ball
--------------------------------------------tier 3
7. De'Aaron Fox +2
8. Lauri Markkanen
9. Frank Ntilikina
10. Malik Monk
11. Zach Collins +2
12. OG Anunoby +2
13. Bam Adebayo
--------------------------------------------tier 4
14. Justin Patton -3
15. Donovan Mitchell
16. Ike Anigbou
17. Jonathan Jeanne +2
18. Rodions Kurucs
19. Harry Giles
20. Frank Jackson
21. Hamidou Diallo
--------------------------------------------tier 5
22. DJ Wilson
23. Jarrett Allen
24. Anzejs Pasecniks
25. Justin Jackson (UNC)
26. Kyle Kuzma
27. TJ Leaf
28. Isaiah Hartenstein
29. Terrance Ferguson
30. Jawun Evans
31. Sindarius Thornwell -10
32. Ivan Rabb
33. Luke Kennard +2
34. Thomas Bryant
35. Frank Mason III
...

I cannot keep Dennis Smith down anymore. Every single one of those 3/4 combos has some sort of glaring weakness/transition to NBA question. I just like Smith and his potential more than any of those so this ranking reflects that.

[sipclip]

Sorry, but I just don't see how Kuzma is rated higher by a lot of you than DJ Wilson. Neither are super spectacular, but I think a lot of UofU homerism is to blame. All of Wilson's flaws are the same as Kuzma, its just that Kuzma has more flaws or his flaws more severe from what I've seen.

Deonte Burton is interesting, but I think that some of you need to do more research on him. He is super athletic, but short, fat and severely out of shape and doesn't have a position in the NBA, which is probably why he might not get drafted. I would totally take a flyer on him for the NBDL team though just in case he does become an enigma and special. How does that 2 extra player thing work again? Do they have to be drafted, or can they be signed and then assigned to NBDL and owned by team?

Kuzma in college was a much better all around player than Wilson and they aren't even in the same ballpark from a consistency standpoint. Also I haven't seen anyone actually rate Kuzma higher. For me they are in the same ball park.

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[uber_snotling]

I think Wilson is a reasonable pick at #30. He's long, athletic, runs the floor, shoots well enough to space the floor, can guard on the perimeter. Remember, the Jazz worked him out before the Combine. It depends on who we take at 24 though. If Bam or Leaf are available, I'd take one of them, and draft Frank Jackson or Pasecniks at 30.

Watch on YouTube

Based on his highlights he looks great but then you look at his boxscores and he is insanely inconsistent. I guess the other side of the coin is that if he were more consistent then we would be talking about him as a lottery pick.

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He's also older than Trey Lyles and has an injury history. DJ seems ok but I don't think he's gonna stick in the NBA>

[Daddy 801]

I think Wilson is a reasonable pick at #30. He's long, athletic, runs the floor, shoots well enough to space the floor, can guard on the perimeter. Remember, the Jazz worked him out before the Combine. It depends on who we take at 24 though. If Bam or Leaf are available, I'd take one of them, and draft Frank Jackson or Pasecniks at 30.

Watch on YouTube

Based on his highlights he looks great but then you look at his boxscores and he is insanely inconsistent. I guess the other side of the coin is that if he were more consistent then we would be talking about him as a lottery pick.

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He's also older than Trey Lyles and has an injury history. DJ seems ok but I don't think he's gonna stick in the NBA>

This is literally the first video I have watched of any kid in this draft. I'm just not very invested this year. So, my opinion is not worth a ton.

But this kid looks like a Ingles type of replacement in a year or two with the right training and work. I like the fact he is getting in the paint and rebounding. I like the back door cuts. And he looks long and deceptively athletic(sorta like Ingles/Exum...just using players we see a lot for reference) in a long stride and cover a lot of ground type of way. Downside....he is a junior already. I think it comes down to is he willing to put in the work and what's his attitude like in the interviews, etc.

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This is literally the first video I have watched of any kid in this draft. I'm just not very invested this year. So, my opinion is not worth a ton.

But this kid looks like a Ingles type of replacement in a year or two with the right training and work. I like the fact he is getting in the paint and rebounding. I like the back door cuts. And he looks long and deceptively athletic(sorta like Ingles/Exum...just using players we see a lot for reference) in a long stride and cover a lot of ground type of way. Downside....he is a junior already. I think it comes down to is he willing to put in the work and what's his attitude like in the interviews, etc.

You should watch Markell Fultz. For real! It's a treat.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

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For what it's worth I like Wilson, but I also have some worries about him. He has the trifecta of success - NBA size, NBA athleticism, NBA skill. He's very long (7'3" wingspan, 9'2" standing reach) with the mobility of a wing and the length of a Derrick Favors. He has explosive athleticism off both 1 foot and 2 feet. He is the perfect new age big IMO. His length and mobility will help him defend at a good level with Jazz coaching, IMO. He also has a legit NBA skill - he can shoot. I am completely buying his shot. It looks great and it goes in - both from 3 and from FT. His release is very quick too. I have no worries for his shot in the NBA. At the very least I think he can be a 35-36% shooter. He also seems to have good IQ which can be seen on his cuts. To me he looks like a very good modern day 4 prospect.

The problem with him is... the rest of his game is a bit raw and unrefined, which wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't 21 already. I wonder why he needed to become junior before he shined? I still like him and I still would take him no. 30 without much hesitation.

[SoCalJazzFan]

For what it's worth I like Wilson, but I also have some worries about him. He has the trifecta of success - NBA size, NBA athleticism, NBA skill. He's very long (7'3" wingspan, 9'2" standing reach) with the mobility of a wing and the length of a Derrick Favors. He has explosive athleticism off both 1 foot and 2 feet. He is the perfect new age big IMO. His length and mobility will help him defend at a good level with Jazz coaching, IMO. He also has a legit NBA skill - he can shoot. I am completely buying his shot. It looks great and it goes in - both from 3 and from FT. His release is very quick too. I have no worries for his shot in the NBA. At the very least I think he can be a 35-36% shooter. He also seems to have good IQ which can be seen on his cuts. To me he looks like a very good modern day 4 prospect.

The problem with him is... the rest of his game is a bit raw and unrefined, which wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't 21 already. I wonder why he needed to become junior before he shined? I still like him and I still would take him no. 30 without much hesitation.

He had an injury, I think knee, that kept him out of either the Frosh or Soph year (perhaps bled from one to the other). The criticism that he is soft and needs to muscle up is true, but he has a decent block rate and although his rebounding numbers aren't impressive, he was the highest rebounder on the team. I also like all the attributes you mentioned above. I think that he could easily become what we hoped Lyles would be.

Edit: In fact, grabbing Wilson and trading Lyles with another pick to get a better pick would be a fantastic move by DL, IMO.

[stitches]

For what it's worth I like Wilson, but I also have some worries about him. He has the trifecta of success - NBA size, NBA athleticism, NBA skill. He's very long (7'3" wingspan, 9'2" standing reach) with the mobility of a wing and the length of a Derrick Favors. He has explosive athleticism off both 1 foot and 2 feet. He is the perfect new age big IMO. His length and mobility will help him defend at a good level with Jazz coaching, IMO. He also has a legit NBA skill - he can shoot. I am completely buying his shot. It looks great and it goes in - both from 3 and from FT. His release is very quick too. I have no worries for his shot in the NBA. At the very least I think he can be a 35-36% shooter. He also seems to have good IQ which can be seen on his cuts. To me he looks like a very good modern day 4 prospect.

The problem with him is... the rest of his game is a bit raw and unrefined, which wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't 21 already. I wonder why he needed to become junior before he shined? I still like him and I still would take him no. 30 without much hesitation.

He had an injury, I think knee, that kept him out of either the Frosh or Soph year (perhaps bled from one to the other). The criticism that he is soft and needs to muscle up is true, but he has a decent block rate and although his rebounding numbers aren't impressive, he was the highest rebounder on the team. I also like all the attributes you mentioned above. I think that he could easily become what we hoped Lyles would be.

Edit: In fact, grabbing Wilson and trading Lyles with another pick to get a better pick would be a fantastic move by DL, IMO.

For what it's worth - I'd trust Wilson's D and toughness right now, without a minute of NBA coaching more than Lyles' after 2 years under Quin.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Burton's standing reach is a couple inches longer than jae crowder. If burton did what he did overweight that just raises his ceiling

Haha, good point. However, to me it puts into question his dedication and work ethic, which I think makes or breaks a lot of rookies. It's one of the reasons I am sour on Bam Adebayo (aside from the fact that we shouldn't be drafting a player who will play limited minutes as a backup center to Rudy in the first round). The guys just seems lazy. I think that a lot of these guys have had such a benefit being big and athletic over the course of their HS and AAU experience that they think the red carpet is laid out to the NBA and being an NBA star is a given from what they have been fed the past 5-10 yrs from friends, family and coaches and become complacent.

[pickIBL]

Burton's standing reach is a couple inches longer than jae crowder. If burton did what he did overweight that just raises his ceiling

Haha, good point. However, to me it puts into question his dedication and work ethic, which I think makes or breaks a lot of rookies. It's one of the reasons I am sour on Bam Adebayo (aside from the fact that we shouldn't be drafting a player who will play limited minutes as a backup center to Rudy in the first round). The guys just seems lazy. I think that a lot of these guys have had such a benefit being big and athletic over the course of their HS and AAU experience that they think the red carpet is laid out to the NBA and being an NBA star is a given from what they have been fed the past 5-10 yrs from friends, family and coaches and become complacent.

He's actually a good guy. He wears those pink shoes to tribute his late mother. In hs and aau he may not have gotten the best nutrition advice or may be he was also looking at football. Veggies aren't cheap and some parts of the country are food deserts. The purdue game sold me when his bigger counterpart got pulled down the stretch for rest and he drug iowa state back. If he played alongside a real center they'd have been real contenders. He had scrub help at the 5. It's like Kelvin Cato, Loren Meyer, and even Jackson Vroman were a lifetime ago.

The jazz are known for development, so getting him to 245 is something they can handle. I suspect he buys in too.

[sipclip]

Burton's standing reach is a couple inches longer than jae crowder. If burton did what he did overweight that just raises his ceiling

Haha, good point. However, to me it puts into question his dedication and work ethic, which I think makes or breaks a lot of rookies. It's one of the reasons I am sour on Bam Adebayo (aside from the fact that we shouldn't be drafting a player who will play limited minutes as a backup center to Rudy in the first round). The guys just seems lazy. I think that a lot of these guys have had such a benefit being big and athletic over the course of their HS and AAU experience that they think the red carpet is laid out to the NBA and being an NBA star is a given from what they have been fed the past 5-10 yrs from friends, family and coaches and become complacent.

If we were drafting in the top 10 then I would agree that we shouldn't draft a Rudy backup but at 24 or 30 we absolutely should if we feel that player is the best available. Also I don't think Bam is strictly a center. Like I said in my other post I view him as a similar player to Favors.

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[KqWIN]

If you're expecting more than a backup late in the first round you're going to be disappointed very often.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

For what it's worth I like Wilson, but I also have some worries about him. He has the trifecta of success - NBA size, NBA athleticism, NBA skill. He's very long (7'3" wingspan, 9'2" standing reach) with the mobility of a wing and the length of a Derrick Favors. He has explosive athleticism off both 1 foot and 2 feet. He is the perfect new age big IMO. His length and mobility will help him defend at a good level with Jazz coaching, IMO. He also has a legit NBA skill - he can shoot. I am completely buying his shot. It looks great and it goes in - both from 3 and from FT. His release is very quick too. I have no worries for his shot in the NBA. At the very least I think he can be a 35-36% shooter. He also seems to have good IQ which can be seen on his cuts. To me he looks like a very good modern day 4 prospect.

The problem with him is... the rest of his game is a bit raw and unrefined, which wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't 21 already. I wonder why he needed to become junior before he shined? I still like him and I still would take him no. 30 without much hesitation.

I agree with this assessment expect I would add physicality and toughness to the list of things to worry about. He's terrible at getting to the free-throw line and his rebounding numbers aren't great. Can get bullied in the post at times too.

[sipclip]

For what it's worth I like Wilson, but I also have some worries about him. He has the trifecta of success - NBA size, NBA athleticism, NBA skill. He's very long (7'3" wingspan, 9'2" standing reach) with the mobility of a wing and the length of a Derrick Favors. He has explosive athleticism off both 1 foot and 2 feet. He is the perfect new age big IMO. His length and mobility will help him defend at a good level with Jazz coaching, IMO. He also has a legit NBA skill - he can shoot. I am completely buying his shot. It looks great and it goes in - both from 3 and from FT. His release is very quick too. I have no worries for his shot in the NBA. At the very least I think he can be a 35-36% shooter. He also seems to have good IQ which can be seen on his cuts. To me he looks like a very good modern day 4 prospect.

The problem with him is... the rest of his game is a bit raw and unrefined, which wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't 21 already. I wonder why he needed to become junior before he shined? I still like him and I still would take him no. 30 without much hesitation.

He had an injury, I think knee, that kept him out of either the Frosh or Soph year (perhaps bled from one to the other). The criticism that he is soft and needs to muscle up is true, but he has a decent block rate and although his rebounding numbers aren't impressive, he was the highest rebounder on the team. I also like all the attributes you mentioned above. I think that he could easily become what we hoped Lyles would be.

Edit: In fact, grabbing Wilson and trading Lyles with another pick to get a better pick would be a fantastic move by DL, IMO.

The fact that so many of you have given up on Lyles is nuts to me. I haven't even come close to giving up. I still expect him to be a major contributor for us next season and beyond.

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[stitches]

The fact that so many of you have given up on Lyles is nuts to me. I haven't even come close to giving up. I still expect him to be a major contributor for us next season and beyond.

I haven't given up on him, but he also won't stop me from getting a good player at his position. Also... I was never really super high on him. In the draft he was drafted in I had about 10 players ranked higher than him on the board when we selected him.

[SoCalJazzFan]

The fact that so many of you have given up on Lyles is nuts to me. I haven't even come close to giving up. I still expect him to be a major contributor for us next season and beyond.

I haven't given up on him, but he also won't stop me from getting a good player at his position. Also... I was never really super high on him. In the draft he was drafted in I had about 10 players ranked higher than him on the board when we selected him.

I think that nearly everyone on this board had Booker ahead of Lyles, which in retrospect would have been a great selection.

Lyles certainly still has potential (he has a pretty good handle and passing ability and was a better shooter his rookie year), but someone like DJ Wilson, or other stretch forwards, would appear to be able to come in and immediately have better outside shooting, perimeter defense, and interior defense- so why keep Lyles if that is what we are hoping he will develop into?