2018 NBA Draft Thread

[ThunderBolt]

Keita Bates-Diop, somehow that needs to happen he will be a stud you can take that to the bank

Why do you say that?

[Thunder Up]

Keita Bates-Diop, somehow that needs to happen he will be a stud you can take that to the bank

Why do you say that?

He may be an older draftee, but after dealing with injury issues he's still elevating his game and growing his game...
He can be an above average or at the least an average defender on the 3 and 4 positions

He's deadly in the midrange and the mid-post, great cutter, has a three ball, high bbiq and gives 100% effort every game

Oh and he's 6'8 with a 7'3 wingspan

[bondom34]

http://www.tothemean.com/2018/06/10/nba-draft-2018.html

Newer draft model, has some interesting info for all the NCAA guys.

[Osirus89]

http://www.tothemean.com/2018/06/10/nba-draft-2018.html

Newer draft model, has some interesting info for all the NCAA guys.

Yo this is awesome. Its kind of similar to the probability model on The Stepien, but I like this one a bit better.

This model really loves Brandon McCoy. Most places look like they project him to be a mid to late 2nd rounder, but it sees something in him.

[Osirus89]

Thoughts on Lonnie walker and Zhaire Smith?

There is a lot to like about both of them and a lot that can make you cautious.

Ode to Oden did a good breakdown of Zhaire Smith, Lonnie Walker, and Troy Brown
https://www.thestepien.com/2018/05/24/ep-57-zhaire-smith-lonnie-walker-troy-brown/

The guys on the pod remarked about both of them being extremely athletic, but also potentially having issues being decision makers with the ball.

[ThunderBolt]

Thoughts on Lonnie walker and Zhaire Smith?

There is a lot to like about both of them and a lot that can make you cautious.

Ode to Oden did a good breakdown of Zhaire Smith, Lonnie Walker, and Troy Brown
https://www.thestepien.com/2018/05/24/ep-57-zhaire-smith-lonnie-walker-troy-brown/

The guys on the pod remarked about both of them being extremely athletic, but also potentially having issues being decision makers with the ball.

From what I’ve read it seems walker is much harder to get a feel for. He has the talent to be a star but also has serious bust potential. Zhaire is intriguing to me but even if we trade for a late first, I think he’ll go too early.

[ThunderBolt]

I know some on this board love him. How good can he really be?
https://thunderousintentions.com/2018/06/12/nba-draft-khyri-thomas-offers-2-way-skillset/

[bondom34]

I know some on this board love him. How good can he really be?
https://thunderousintentions.com/2018/06/12/nba-draft-khyri-thomas-offers-2-way-skillset/

Granted most of my reading has been the last few weeks, but he's my favorite later 1st round guy. Seems he can defend and shoot, but not much of a ball handler which actually could work with Russ.

From ESPN during their season:

Quick scout

High-level defender who can guard point guards, shooting guards and some small forwards at the NBA level thanks to his strong frame and 6-10 wingspan. Great feet. Plays with energy.

Capable shooter when set. Career 40.4 percent from 3 on 198 attempts. Can make a one-dribble pull-up if run off the line.

Solid straight-line driver and finisher. Strong frame. Shooting 65.8 percent from 2 this season.

High-IQ player who can make basic reads while on the move. Good cutter.

Not a shot creator in the half court. Rudimentary ball handler. Limited pull-up game.

Not the most dynamic shooter. Best with time and space. History of inconsistency despite strong overall percentages.

[ThunderBolt]

Any chance he drops?
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23782580/draft-prospect-kevin-huerter-surgery

[Balkman32]

Memphis is looking to move Parsons and is willing to attatch the #4 pick. I wonder if they are looking for an expiring contract (Melo) or if they want the sapce for this summer.

The Griz can create $32 million in cap room if they move off Parsons and the one year deals of Green and McLemore. But, they would have to remove the cap hold of Tyreke, whihc I know can be a deal breaker becasue they held out for a first last year.

The Thunder could in theory trade Melo, Singler + for Parsons, Green, McLemore & the #4 pick. I am sure the Grizz are really interested in taking no players and trading into space so they can create a trade exception. But, this is an interesting avenue that the Thunder can take if Melo opts in and approved a trade.

[bondom34]

Memphis isn't that dumb.

[ThunderBolt]

Great move for OKC if they are starting to rebuild. If there is one city in the nba that is clearly a step down from OKC, it’s memphis. Melo ain’t going there.

[spearsy23]

If Memphis is trading 4 it's for a win now piece to pair with Conley and Gasol, not cap relief...

[Kizz Fastfists]

You must have meant Russ and not Melo. That is the only way Memphis would consider sending #4 to OKC. They would also have to find a team to give them something to help them win now for Conley.

[Osirus89]

I know some on this board love him. How good can he really be?
https://thunderousintentions.com/2018/06/12/nba-draft-khyri-thomas-offers-2-way-skillset/

Granted most of my reading has been the last few weeks, but he's my favorite later 1st round guy. Seems he can defend and shoot, but not much of a ball handler which actually could work with Russ.

From ESPN during their season:

Quick scout

High-level defender who can guard point guards, shooting guards and some small forwards at the NBA level thanks to his strong frame and 6-10 wingspan. Great feet. Plays with energy.

Capable shooter when set. Career 40.4 percent from 3 on 198 attempts. Can make a one-dribble pull-up if run off the line.

Solid straight-line driver and finisher. Strong frame. Shooting 65.8 percent from 2 this season.

High-IQ player who can make basic reads while on the move. Good cutter.

Not a shot creator in the half court. Rudimentary ball handler. Limited pull-up game.

Not the most dynamic shooter. Best with time and space. History of inconsistency despite strong overall percentages.

I'm wondering if Khyri Thomas is more of a less offensively skilled Jrue Holiday or a better shooting, defensive minded Reggie Jackson.
Either one sounds great if its somehow possible to draft him.

[Dn4sty]

I know some on this board love him. How good can he really be?
https://thunderousintentions.com/2018/06/12/nba-draft-khyri-thomas-offers-2-way-skillset/

Granted most of my reading has been the last few weeks, but he's my favorite later 1st round guy. Seems he can defend and shoot, but not much of a ball handler which actually could work with Russ.

From ESPN during their season:

Quick scout

High-level defender who can guard point guards, shooting guards and some small forwards at the NBA level thanks to his strong frame and 6-10 wingspan. Great feet. Plays with energy.

Capable shooter when set. Career 40.4 percent from 3 on 198 attempts. Can make a one-dribble pull-up if run off the line.

Solid straight-line driver and finisher. Strong frame. Shooting 65.8 percent from 2 this season.

High-IQ player who can make basic reads while on the move. Good cutter.

Not a shot creator in the half court. Rudimentary ball handler. Limited pull-up game.

Not the most dynamic shooter. Best with time and space. History of inconsistency despite strong overall percentages.

I'm wondering if Khyri Thomas is more of a less offensively skilled Jrue Holiday or a better shooting, defensive minded Reggie Jackson.
Either one sounds great if its somehow possible to draft him.

I think he’s Jrue like (better defender/worse offense)

I think a bigger more physical Avery Bradley

[Thunder Up]

Jalen Brunson, Devonte Graham, Tony Carr, Khyri Thomas

We HAVE to land one of these four

[bondom34]

Asuch as I will root for Tony, don't really think he's an NBA player yet. He needed another year in school badly.

[spearsy23]

Yeah, devonte isn't an NBA player.

[Dn4sty]

So what are your draft predictions? Does OKC make some type of splash?