2022 NBA Draft Thread

[mr570]

Ivey at 2 is not the first person who has said that if that's what he implied. For the Thunder at 2? Some Sac writer mentioned OKC and the Kings and OKC liking Ivey. I just really would not understand that move though.

[retrobro90]

now i'm worried we might draft Ivey (don't want Banchero either). Wouldn't mind drafting Sharpe but Ivey...damn.

I honestly don’t care. I didn’t invest time in to this draft. Any opinion I have is based on me echoing the opinions of others. I see a basis too like any of the top three. The podcast today did a decent job selling me on the thunder. I’m going to sit back and let Sam do the work and I’ll be excited and hopeful at the results.

Fair enough. Presti knows better about the prospects than us and even if I like some players more than others, I'm not sold on any of them to become franchise players.

The podcast did a great job indeed. Derek Murray had some unpopular takes (not Chet biggest fan, very high on Ivey even at #2, low on AJ Griffin, possibilities of moving down to 4) but it was very interesting.
The way he talked about how teams are gonna tank to another level next season because of Victor and Scott Henderson was great too and he's certainly right. Gonna be a tough fight to have a 28% chance to be able to draft one of them.

I didn't think he was low on him--just provided the right perspective which is that if your evaluators determine he's gonna be able to get back to his previous high school level athleticism then you trade up to get him without hesitation. If the thought is that he'll never be that player again then he's not worth trading up for.

His Ivey optimism made me go back today. I'd been lower on Ivey as a prospect based on the same things he continues to get flagged for (lack of left hand, no in-between/mid range game) but going back to his highlights and film today he's got more in his passing arsenal than he's given credit for. Not an elite passer or thinker of the game but his separation is enough of a tool to create open looks for others whether that's a wide open pocket pass or kickout to a shooter. His first step is just absolutely nuts.

[mr570]

Okay after giving that pod a listen myself... something about this guy feels off. I don't doubt he has connections to the organization. But the way he talks up his points is just strange. His reasoning for Ivey working in OKC makes no sense (3 guard lineup talk) and Ivey's desired traits run counter to the entire drafting ethos of the last three years.

The Thunder are clearly looking for skilled, high-IQ basketball players first and foremost. Ivey's profile sounds like Russ 2.0. And Chet is just as much of a dog as Ivey is, too. So I don't understand why that earns Ivey any points over Chet.

I guess I do believe that this guy spoke with someone within the Thunder organization. But I don't believe that they told him anything substantial.

[ThunderBolt]

Okay after giving that pod a listen myself... something about this guy feels off. I don't doubt he has connections to the organization. But the way he talks up his points is just strange. His reasoning for Ivey working in OKC makes no sense (3 guard lineup talk) and Ivey's desired traits run counter to the entire drafting ethos of the last three years.

The Thunder are clearly looking for skilled, high-IQ basketball players first and foremost. Ivey's profile sounds like Russ 2.0. And Chet is just as much of a dog as Ivey is, too. So I don't understand why that earns Ivey any points over Chet.

I guess I do believe that this guy spoke with someone within the Thunder organization. But I don't believe that they told him anything substantial.

Although if Sam picked Ivey it would bring a common draft feeling of being completely caught off guard. Whether it’s Giddey, trading away sengun, picking bazley or multiple other selections, Sam seldom makes the predicted selection. Poku was on of the few rumors that turned out to be true.

[bbms]

Okay after giving that pod a listen myself... something about this guy feels off. I don't doubt he has connections to the organization. But the way he talks up his points is just strange. His reasoning for Ivey working in OKC makes no sense (3 guard lineup talk) and Ivey's desired traits run counter to the entire drafting ethos of the last three years.

The Thunder are clearly looking for skilled, high-IQ basketball players first and foremost. Ivey's profile sounds like Russ 2.0. And Chet is just as much of a dog as Ivey is, too. So I don't understand why that earns Ivey any points over Chet.

I guess I do believe that this guy spoke with someone within the Thunder organization. But I don't believe that they told him anything substantial.

Yeah, it was a nice chat and stuff, he also mentioned his tenure there was more in the relationships department than analysis. To me, lots of his evals on the top tier guys were common sense, except for his take on Jabari being the highest upside in the class and Ivey being T1, which imo are minority opinions.

IMO Ivey is closer to being overtaken by Daniels, Murray and Mathurin than being a top 2 pick really, just like Kuminga slipped after teams got deep in the process.

Daniels in particular, given Barnes success last year.

[timO]

Ivey at 2 is not the first person who has said that if that's what he implied. For the Thunder at 2? Some Sac writer mentioned OKC and the Kings and OKC liking Ivey. I just really would not understand that move though.

dont overreact man

the thunder will pick chet or jabari at #2

the thing is set

its the #12 who is very open

[RunOKC]

Off topic but you gotta love all these self righteous Rockets fans who believe they're tanking the "correct way" and the Thunder are an abomination to the league for tanking the exact same amount of time

[Dadouv47]

Off topic but you gotta love all these self righteous Rockets fans who believe they're tanking the "correct way" and the Thunder are an abomination to the league for tanking the exact same amount of time

those guys forget Rockets had to tank to get lucky on that dummy 52%/48% coin flip to keep their pick last season

[ThunderBolt]

Off topic but you gotta love all these self righteous Rockets fans who believe they're tanking the "correct way" and the Thunder are an abomination to the league for tanking the exact same amount of time

Unfortunately the glory of self righteousness is short lived when your owner is Tilan Fertitta. Oh, and tanking works if your gm is smart.

[Devilanche]

Off topic but you gotta love all these self righteous Rockets fans who believe they're tanking the "correct way" and the Thunder are an abomination to the league for tanking the exact same amount of time

those guys forget Rockets had to tank to get lucky on that dummy 52%/48% coin flip to keep their pick last season

It’s ok so long as we are going tank the “wrong way” to the top pick for next season .

[Dadouv47]

Off topic but you gotta love all these self righteous Rockets fans who believe they're tanking the "correct way" and the Thunder are an abomination to the league for tanking the exact same amount of time

those guys forget Rockets had to tank to get lucky on that dummy 52%/48% coin flip to keep their pick last season

It’s ok so long as we are going tank the “wrong way” to the top pick for next season .

Next season gonna be frustrating no matter what happens...you want SGA/Giddey/#2/#12/Dort/Mann to play well but still rooting to get the most L u can get and have good lotto picks (and still "only" 28% at Victor or Scott at best). It was easier to root against us last season with only SGA and a bunch of bad players.

It should be a fun season though if u don't think about the lottery...likely the best one of our rebuild if nothing goes super wrong.

[Devilanche]

those guys forget Rockets had to tank to get lucky on that dummy 52%/48% coin flip to keep their pick last season

It’s ok so long as we are going tank the “wrong way” to the top pick for next season .

Next season gonna be frustrating no matter what happens...you want SGA/Giddey/#2/#12/Dort/Mann to play well but still rooting to get the most L u can get and have good lotto picks (and still "only" 28% at Victor or Scott at best). It was easier to root against us last season with only SGA and a bunch of bad players.

It should be a fun season though if u don't think about the lottery...likely the best one of our rebuild if nothing goes super wrong.

Next season going be dependent on the minutes that’s given to SGA , Giddey , Dort , Kenrich , muscala .

Playing them more just bring more wins

[Big nick]

I really like kenrich and moose but I think we need to trade them this will let young guys get max playing time. It will also guarantee we will lose more games. I hope we give Dort the contract he deserves. Hope we draft two, try to move up from 12 with the other picks and add some frps to move up. Need to move on from maledon he's just not progressing. I think we give baze one more year.

[Dadouv47]

It’s ok so long as we are going tank the “wrong way” to the top pick for next season .

Next season gonna be frustrating no matter what happens...you want SGA/Giddey/#2/#12/Dort/Mann to play well but still rooting to get the most L u can get and have good lotto picks (and still "only" 28% at Victor or Scott at best). It was easier to root against us last season with only SGA and a bunch of bad players.

It should be a fun season though if u don't think about the lottery...likely the best one of our rebuild if nothing goes super wrong.

Next season going be dependent on the minutes that’s given to SGA , Giddey , Dort , Kenrich , muscala .

Playing them more just bring more wins

Have to play SGA, Giddey and Dort. Gotta trade at least one of Kenrich or Muscala (if not both) even if I like them. They both like OKC somehow and are good leaders but Kenrich will want a decent extension and Muscala won't be part of our future.

if we can get a Chet/AJG/SGA/Giddey/Dort line up with Bazley, Mann, Wiggins and JRE coming from the bench, it won't be that easy to be a bottom 2 in the West (except if some are badly underperforming)

[retrobro90]

Read on Twitter

Say what you want about "Well he can't say anything definitive" but to me this sounds like he's headed our way

[Devilanche]

Read on Twitter

Say what you want about "Well he can't say anything definitive" but to me this sounds like he's headed our way

Yea . Usually people would say they would love to be the number one pick …

[namlede]

even though Chet has a relationship with Suggs, he knows his life will be much easier with a offensive passing wizard in Giddey.

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[Balkman32]

even though Chet has a relationship with Suggs, he knows his life will be much easier with a offensive passing wizard in Giddey.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using RealGM mobile app

I think this is more on the organization rather than the PG’s.

[Balkman32]

I really like kenrich and moose but I think we need to trade them this will let young guys get max playing time. It will also guarantee we will lose more games. I hope we give Dort the contract he deserves. Hope we draft two, try to move up from 12 with the other picks and add some frps to move up. Need to move on from maledon he's just not progressing. I think we give baze one more year.

The Thunder didn’t play Kenrich and Mike to play the young guys and they are valuable to this team. It’s important to have vets on the roster that keep all accountable.

I don’t think a love up is needed. We have picks 4 picks in the top 34. Just get 4 guys and let’s see how they fit.

[ThunderBolt]

Relative to Banchero and Chet, I feel like Smith’s fit with okc is a bit undersold.