09-10 WizFans Official Draft Thread

[likwitdesi]

I like that Monroe is not a sieve on defense. According to DX, his high basketball IQ transfers on over to making smart defensive rotations and helping out his teammates with them as well. However, he is not going to be an enforcer in the paint either. That might be okay, though, because McGee could take on that role if he puts on more mass.

[pancakes3]

What about Sylven Landesburg at #30 or is he a poor man's Nick Young? I am liking Zoubek as a 2nd round pick as a defensive center.

Zoubek is going undrafted in all likelihood, especially given the surplus of big men in this year's draft. He's a summer camper, and i would be happy to have him at summer camp. Landesberg on the other hand will get drafted in the 2nd round. personally i would like to draft him. i think he has 1st round talent, but the circumstances have made him a 2nd round pick. He's a prototypical SG who does all the things you want your sg to do: shoot efficiently, get to the hole easily, and rebound long misses.

I think he's as good a sg prospect as willie warren, elliot williams, or avery bradley on size alone. his academic suspension is a red flag for commitment issues. however that just tells us he doesn't have evan turner's determination to be the best that he could be. that could be an issue for the 10th man off the bench where hustle trumps talent a lot of the time.

however i think his future with our team as with any other rookie will lie in the hands of our knucklheaded triumvirate. Blatche, McGee, and Young are the core of our team now whether we like it or not. they've been here the longest, they've got the best player in their posse, and they're all going to get resigned (even Young imo). Livingston is going to get initiated into this group over the summer imo. He seems to have good rapport with the guys based on on-court production, and it'd be good to develop that chemistry. it's a shame that dom is gone or else he could have filled out that young lineup rather well. maybe paul george at #30 will be a nice consolation.

anyway, it's in my opinion that we will draft sg/sf's in this draft with a chance of Parakouski, Varnardo, or Brackins with the 2nd rounder. guys on my radar would be: Turner, Wes Johnson, John Anderson, Hayward, Paul George, Elliot Williams, and Landesberg.

[Ruzious]

I like that Monroe is not a sieve on defense. According to DX, his high basketball IQ transfers on over to making smart defensive rotations and helping out his teammates with them as well. However, he is not going to be an enforcer in the paint either. That might be okay, though, because McGee could take on that role if he puts on more mass.

McGee could take on what role? That's a misprint, right?

[verbal8]

And can I be the first to predict Demarcus Cousins will be an epic bust?

You won't be the first. It's acknowledged by all that Cousin's is a high risk/high reward type of player. He has greater bust potential than the other top names in the 3-5 range, but he also has a better chance of becoming a legit star.

I would say the chances of being elite players is similar for Cousins and Wall. However the downside for Cousins is far greater and more damaging. Barring injury Wall at the very worst should be a solid and productive pro. "Joe Smith level" would be his "bust" potential. Cousins has a greater chance of being a bust and could even not only be unproductive, but could have a bad attitude that would make his team worse than if was not on it. I think Cousins is more likely to be an elite player than a bust, but I think the risk is what puts him behind Wall and Turner.

[Severn Hoos]

I know nbadraft.net is viewed as the "lesser" of the two main draft sites, but their current mock had me thinking:

http://www.nbadraft.net/2010mock_draft

#...Team..........Player..............H.....W....P.......School.........C
1 New Jersey...John Wall............6-4...195..PG.....Kentucky.......Fr.
2 *Minnesota....Evan Turner........6-7...217..SG.....Ohio State.....Jr.
3 Sacramento...Derrick Favors......6-9...246..PF.....Georgia Tech..Fr.
4 Golden St.....Wesley Johnson.....6-7...205..SF.....Syracuse.......Jr.
5 Washington...DeMarcus Cousins..6-11..280..PF/C...Kentucky......Fr.

Now, it's possible it could actually work out that way (if the draft were to remain in this order post-Lottery). Because the thing it brought to mind is - would the Warriors draft a guy like Cousins? Is there any way he could work with their system as it is today? [Note - I suspect Nellie will retire now that he has the all-time wins record, so by Draft Day they could have an entirely different staff & system, making this point, well, moot.]

If the Warriors were in fact 4th (or 3rd, for that matter) and looking at drafting a guy like Cousins - or Favors, who might be considered somewhat redundant with Randolph & Wright? - I'm not convinced they take the big man anyway. If they're smart, they'll make a trade to move down a slot or two, but even that gives the Wiz an opportunity to step in with an offer.

Or - and here's where it gets a little crazy - do you offer up McGee for their pick, assuming it's in the top 4? I don't think they'd do it, but it sure looks to me like McGee is more to their style of player, and he's had his best games against them. Maybe all is not lost if the Wiz don't get a top 4 pick, provided the W's are there to make a deal?

[verbal8]

I know nbadraft.net is viewed as the "lesser" of the two main draft sites, but their current mock had me thinking:

http://www.nbadraft.net/2010mock_draft

#...Team..........Player..............H.....W....P.......School.........C
1 New Jersey...John Wall............6-4...195..PG.....Kentucky.......Fr.
2 *Minnesota....Evan Turner........6-7...217..SG.....Ohio State.....Jr.
3 Sacramento...Derrick Favors......6-9...246..PF.....Georgia Tech..Fr.
4 Golden St.....Wesley Johnson.....6-7...205..SF.....Syracuse.......Jr.
5 Washington...DeMarcus Cousins..6-11..280..PF/C...Kentucky......Fr.

Now, it's possible it could actually work out that way (if the draft were to remain in this order post-Lottery). Because the thing it brought to mind is - would the Warriors draft a guy like Cousins? Is there any way he could work with their system as it is today? [Note - I suspect Nellie will retire now that he has the all-time wins record, so by Draft Day they could have an entirely different staff & system, making this point, well, moot.]

If the Warriors were in fact 4th (or 3rd, for that matter) and looking at drafting a guy like Cousins - or Favors, who might be considered somewhat redundant with Randolph & Wright? - I'm not convinced they take the big man anyway. If they're smart, they'll make a trade to move down a slot or two, but even that gives the Wiz an opportunity to step in with an offer.

Or - and here's where it gets a little crazy - do you offer up McGee for their pick, assuming it's in the top 4? I don't think they'd do it, but it sure looks to me like McGee is more to their style of player, and he's had his best games against them. Maybe all is not lost if the Wiz don't get a top 4 pick, provided the W's are there to make a deal?

If Nellie does stay in Golden State or they keep his philosophy they might be willing to swap picks for Nick Young. They get a relatively young guy who can contribute at the NBA level and still get to pick a guy they like. I think in Golden State, Nick Young could end up being as productive as Wesley Johnson.

[likwitdesi]

I like that Monroe is not a sieve on defense. According to DX, his high basketball IQ transfers on over to making smart defensive rotations and helping out his teammates with them as well. However, he is not going to be an enforcer in the paint either. That might be okay, though, because McGee could take on that role if he puts on more mass.

McGee could take on what role? That's a misprint, right?

He already has the mentality. Remember those comments a month ago when he said he wants to be the guy who strikes fear into opponents from taking a shot? He can't take on that role now because he is skinny, but who is to say he can't when he puts on 15-20 more pounds?

Remember that Haywood went from a finesse player into becoming our enforcer during his time here.

[Pollinator]

ESPN reporting that Ed Davis is declaring for the draft.

Wherever we end up, he'll be there if we want him.

[mhd]

I'd take Ed Davis over Aminu and probably Wesley Johnson. He had NO GUARDS this year. Bonus that he's a lefty, and a really good rebounder.

[likwitdesi]

I'd take Ed Davis over Aminu and probably Wesley Johnson. He had NO GUARDS this year. Bonus that he's a lefty, and a really good rebounder.

Where would he fit on our team?

[Ruzious]

I'd take Ed Davis over Aminu and probably Wesley Johnson. He had NO GUARDS this year. Bonus that he's a lefty, and a really good rebounder.

I'll buy the "no guards" excuse for Favors, but I don't buy that at all for Davis. He just did not play with much effort or intensity this season - even when he was healthy. He was surrounded by guys who were HS All-Americans, and while Drew is no Ty Lawson and can't shoot, he can run a college offense.

And Davis is strictly a PF. I think he's an excellent talent who can rebound and defend, but he hasn't shown anything offensively other than he can score when he gets the ball inside against smaller players. He's not particularly physical and isn't going to muscle people in the NBA. He can help some teams; I don't think he could help the Wiz.

[floppymoose]

If Nellie does stay in Golden State or they keep his philosophy they might be willing to swap picks for Nick Young. They get a relatively young guy who can contribute at the NBA level and still get to pick a guy they like. I think in Golden State, Nick Young could end up being as productive as Wesley Johnson.

GS is covered up in wings who can score. If you want SG/SFs GS can field two teams worth. Ellis, Azubuike, Morrow, Williams, Maggette, George. We traded Belinelli for George's corpse and 3 million, just because we had nowhere to play him. We waived Bell just because we needed the roster spot for a big and knew that Bell was redundant. Swapping down for Nick Young? I don't see it.

[Ed Wood]

I'd take Ed Davis over Aminu and probably Wesley Johnson. He had NO GUARDS this year. Bonus that he's a lefty, and a really good rebounder.

I'll buy the "no guards" excuse for Favors, but I don't buy that at all for Davis. He just did not play with much effort or intensity this season - even when he was healthy. He was surrounded by guys who were HS All-Americans, and while Drew is no Ty Lawson and can't shoot, he can run a college offense.

And Davis is strictly a PF. I think he's an excellent talent who can rebound and defend, but he hasn't shown anything offensively other than he can score when he gets the ball inside against smaller players. He's not particularly physical and isn't going to muscle people in the NBA. He can help some teams; I don't think he could help the Wiz.

If Davis fails to qualify for the "no guard" big man hardship clause because he played with Larry Drew there's no way Favors gets by on the same defense having played alongside Iman Shumpert and Mfon Udofia. Both of whom were All-Americans in high school, and it's not like Drew outplayed Shumpert and Udofia last year either, all three were terrible.

I also have no idea why Favors is considered to be more capable of playing center than Davis. In general while watching both this past season I felt that Davis was much more of a center for UNC than Favors was for Tech. He uses his size better defensively and tended to remain anchored in the paint more frequently than did Favors. Davis is more or less the same size as well; Favors is the more explosive athlete but explosive athleticism really isn't a trait that defines whether a player would work as a center. I share your concerns about Davis athletically; from what I saw it was pretty much lefty hook shot or nothing when he had to create his own offense, but between his youth, rebounding and defense I see enough there that I'd definitely look at the kid if the Wizards come by a second first round pick via trade and he drops much farther than the top 5-10.

[Hoopalotta]

However, [Monroe] is not going to be an enforcer in the paint either. That might be okay, though, because McGee could take on that role if he puts on more mass.

I could go with that, I'm not saying it's GOING to happen, but I foster some hope still that McGee can grow as a defensive presence and still has a high ceiling in that regard.

Tools --> Yes
Mentality --> I think so
Experience --> No
Muscle --> uhmmm....
Reads --> You just had to go there, didn't you?

But I've seen McGee spook a lot of guys around the hoop with his length, so I don't think it's as crazy as it sounds.

[likwitdesi]

What about offering Javale an extension now before he presumably blows up next season? Javale and Dray are going to both be FAs in 2 years and it would make sense to try to lock up JaVale now. I would offer 3 deals:

3 yr/12 mil
4 yr/18 mil
5 yr/25 mil (the extension Haywood signed early in his career)

Given the uncertainty of the new CBA, JaVale might just go for it. At worst, this is less than what Gortat is getting paid and I have no doubt that JaVale is going to be better than him.

[Hoopalotta]

We can't offer Javale an extension until after his third season on the rookie scale.

[Rafael122]

What about offering Javale an extension now before he presumably blows up next season? Javale and Dray are going to both be FAs in 2 years and it would make sense to try to lock up JaVale now. I would offer 3 deals:

3 yr/12 mil
4 yr/18 mil
5 yr/25 mil (the extension Haywood signed early in his career)

Given the uncertainty of the new CBA, JaVale might just go for it. At worst, this is less than what Gortat is getting paid and I have no doubt that JaVale is going to be better than him.

I understand where you're going with this. McGee has 2 years left on his rookie deal though.

If anything, I would look into locking up Blatche long term next season (he would still have 1 more year on his deal), and then look into extending Javale the season after that.

[Ruzious]

I'd take Ed Davis over Aminu and probably Wesley Johnson. He had NO GUARDS this year. Bonus that he's a lefty, and a really good rebounder.

I'll buy the "no guards" excuse for Favors, but I don't buy that at all for Davis. He just did not play with much effort or intensity this season - even when he was healthy. He was surrounded by guys who were HS All-Americans, and while Drew is no Ty Lawson and can't shoot, he can run a college offense.

And Davis is strictly a PF. I think he's an excellent talent who can rebound and defend, but he hasn't shown anything offensively other than he can score when he gets the ball inside against smaller players. He's not particularly physical and isn't going to muscle people in the NBA. He can help some teams; I don't think he could help the Wiz.

If Davis fails to qualify for the "no guard" big man hardship clause because he played with Larry Drew there's no way Favors gets by on the same defense having played alongside Iman Shumpert and Mfon Udofia. Both of whom were All-Americans in high school, and it's not like Drew outplayed Shumpert and Udofia last year either, all three were terrible.

I also have no idea why Favors is considered to be more capable of playing center than Davis. In general while watching both this past season I felt that Davis was much more of a center for UNC than Favors was for Tech. He uses his size better defensively and tended to remain anchored in the paint more frequently than did Favors. Davis is more or less the same size as well; Favors is the more explosive athlete but explosive athleticism really isn't a trait that defines whether a player would work as a center. I share your concerns about Davis athletically; from what I saw it was pretty much lefty hook shot or nothing when he had to create his own offense, but between his youth, rebounding and defense I see enough there that I'd definitely look at the kid if the Wizards come by a second first round pick via trade and he drops much farther than the top 5-10.

Drew's a point guard - which by itself differentiates him from Shumpert and... who? Drew averaged 5.9 assists in 28.8 minutes per game - pretty impressive for a college PG. Shumpert - being a PG in the fabulous Foye fashion - averaged 4.0 in 30.1 mins per g - with a sparkling 1.3 assist/to ratio.

Favors is probably a good 20lbs of muscle heavier than Davis at a year younger than Davis. He's physically stronger and tougher, and he's more aggressive.

[Surfman]

Who do you guys like between these 5 SG prospects.

W. Warren
E. Williams
A. Bradley
D. Jones
T. White

I expect at least 3, maybe 4, of them to be there when we pick at 30.

[Rafael122]

None.

Judging by Young's recently play and the potential to re-sign Livingston, I think we could get away with a 3 guard rotation.