The 2017 NBA Draft Thread

[Ruzious]

Posted this on January 3rd. (Before Swanigan went off for 26/10/3/2 as #23 Purdue won at #17 Maryland)

A player to watch:

Caleb Swanigan, 19-yr old Sophomore, Purdue
18.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 56.1% FG, 77.1 %FT, 3.1 turnovers per game


http://www.rotowire.com/cbasketball/player.htm?id=5670&refer=SportsRef

Swanigan powered Purdue with 28 points and 22 rebounds in the overtime loss to Minnesota on Sunday. He hit a layup to send the game to the extra period.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Caleb-Swanigan-71578/

Standing 6-9 in shoes and 247 pounds with a 7-4 wingspan and 9-1 standing reach, Swanigan's physical profile is intriguing and concerning at once when projecting him to the NBA. He's got a strong lower body and excellent wingspan and reach, which he uses to make an impact as a defensive rebounder and post threat. However, the 19-year old has a very wide frame, is flat-footed and lacks lateral quickness, muscle definition and explosion as a finisher and rim protector.

The way I'm looking at it now (with an emphasis on now - meaning I'll probably change my mind daily), there are 4 intriguing bigs that have a chance to be there when the Wiz pick - Swanigan, Leaf, Lydon, and my favorite - John Collins. There's also Motley from Baylor that probably deserves mention. Collins just did something Tim Duncan never did in his 4 years at Wake Forest - scoring 20 plus points in 6 straight ACC games. He has a fouling issue, doesn't have a 3 point shot, and he rarely passes, but I'm convince he's going to make it big in the NBA. Unfortunately, he'll probably get drafted a lot higher than the mocks currently have him (33rd in NBAdraft.net and 25th in draftexpress.com).

[payitforward]

I just cannot bring myself to believe that Swanigan will last until late in R2. If he's there, how could you not take him?

Anyone like Jordan Bell at our relatively low R2 pick position?

[stevemcqueen1]

DX has us picking Thomas Bryant in their current mock. Dude has a 9'4 standing reach. Can't jump at all, but who needs to when you can play above the rim with a 7 inch vertical.

[Ruzious]

DX has us picking Thomas Bryant in their current mock. Dude has a 9'4 standing reach. Can't jump at all, but who needs to when you can play above the rim with a 7 inch vertical.

I think he has some ability, and he's a bruiser, but his stats have gone down this season, and he doesn't rebound as well as I would expect from a big long bruiser who plays with good energy. And the consistency isn't there. I would not pick him in the 1st round.

[stevemcqueen1]

We already have Jason Smith setting tones and bruising bones. No rookie's going to take his job.

[pcbothwel]

DX has us picking Thomas Bryant in their current mock. Dude has a 9'4 standing reach. Can't jump at all, but who needs to when you can play above the rim with a 7 inch vertical.

I think he has some ability, and he's a bruiser, but his stats have gone down this season, and he doesn't rebound as well as I would expect from a big long bruiser who plays with good energy. And the consistency isn't there. I would not pick him in the 1st round.

He's one of the few bigs I have no interest in. I have a feeling that one or two of Bam Bam, Patton, Rabb, Williams, Giles, Leaf, Hartenstein, or Jeanne will be available.

[payitforward]

DX has us picking Thomas Bryant in their current mock. Dude has a 9'4 standing reach. Can't jump at all, but who needs to when you can play above the rim with a 7 inch vertical.

I think he has some ability, and he's a bruiser, but his stats have gone down this season, and he doesn't rebound as well as I would expect from a big long bruiser who plays with good energy. And the consistency isn't there. I would not pick him in the 1st round.

He's one of the few bigs I have no interest in. I have a feeling that one or two of Bam Bam, Patton, Rabb, Williams, Giles, Leaf, Hartenstein, or Jeanne will be available.

Agreed -- but other than Jeanne DR has all your guys way above where our pick is right now. Jeanne is a fascinating player -- 7'2" 195lbs!

John Collins over Thomas all day every day. From his physical characteristics it's hard to see how he'd succeed. But he is absolutely killing it for Wake.

[pcbothwel]

I think he has some ability, and he's a bruiser, but his stats have gone down this season, and he doesn't rebound as well as I would expect from a big long bruiser who plays with good energy. And the consistency isn't there. I would not pick him in the 1st round.

He's one of the few bigs I have no interest in. I have a feeling that one or two of Bam Bam, Patton, Rabb, Williams, Giles, Leaf, Hartenstein, or Jeanne will be available.

Agreed -- but other than Jeanne DR has all your guys way above where our pick is right now. Jeanne is a fascinating player -- 7'2" 195lbs!

John Collins over Thomas all day every day. From his physical characteristics it's hard to see how he'd succeed. But he is absolutely killing it for Wake.

Leaf as well... but either way, they said the same about Oubre too. Guys like Swanigan, Simmons, Hart, Motley, etc. could all rise.

[Ruzious]

DX has us picking Thomas Bryant in their current mock. Dude has a 9'4 standing reach. Can't jump at all, but who needs to when you can play above the rim with a 7 inch vertical.

I think he has some ability, and he's a bruiser, but his stats have gone down this season, and he doesn't rebound as well as I would expect from a big long bruiser who plays with good energy. And the consistency isn't there. I would not pick him in the 1st round.

He's one of the few bigs I have no interest in. I have a feeling that one or two of Bam Bam, Patton, Rabb, Williams, Giles, Leaf, Hartenstein, or Jeanne will be available.

I had forgotten about Robert Williams - I don't think he'll slide to the Wiz, but there's a chance there. Rabb is a guy who seems to be able to do a lot, but when I've watched him, he seems like just an ok player - doesn't really excell at anything. I think Patton's going lotto - for being 7 feet tall and very good. Folks here - I think CCJ and Dat and Doc - pointed him out before the mocks even had him listed. Bam confuses me. First time I saw him, I thought he was a complete stud, but he doesn't do much other than dunk. He should be a great rebounder and shot-blocker, but he isn't.

[payitforward]

He's one of the few bigs I have no interest in. I have a feeling that one or two of Bam Bam, Patton, Rabb, Williams, Giles, Leaf, Hartenstein, or Jeanne will be available.

Agreed -- but other than Jeanne DR has all your guys way above where our pick is right now. Jeanne is a fascinating player -- 7'2" 195lbs!

John Collins over Thomas all day every day. From his physical characteristics it's hard to see how he'd succeed. But he is absolutely killing it for Wake.

Leaf as well... but either way, they said the same about Oubre too. Guys like Swanigan, Simmons, Hart, Motley, etc. could all rise.

josh hart is now #31 on DR. Man that kid puts up numbers! Hard to look past what he does on the court.

In R2, what does anyone think of Joel Berry. Or Chris Boucher -- a real outlier, that one.

[doclinkin]

DX has us picking Thomas Bryant in their current mock. Dude has a 9'4 standing reach. Can't jump at all, but who needs to when you can play above the rim with a 7 inch vertical.

I think he has some ability, and he's a bruiser, but his stats have gone down this season, and he doesn't rebound as well as I would expect from a big long bruiser who plays with good energy. And the consistency isn't there. I would not pick him in the 1st round.

Big long bruiser who is shooting 43% from 3. Good steals numbers for a big. His squad is devastated by injury so his numbers have tailed off as he's basically the only thing they've got going for them. I don't hate him as a prospect with that late 1st pick.

[pcbothwel]

Agreed -- but other than Jeanne DR has all your guys way above where our pick is right now. Jeanne is a fascinating player -- 7'2" 195lbs!

John Collins over Thomas all day every day. From his physical characteristics it's hard to see how he'd succeed. But he is absolutely killing it for Wake.

Leaf as well... but either way, they said the same about Oubre too. Guys like Swanigan, Simmons, Hart, Motley, etc. could all rise.

josh hart is now #31 on DR. Man that kid puts up numbers! Hard to look past what he does on the court.

In R2, what does anyone think of Joel Berry. Or Chris Boucher -- a real outlier, that one.

I think if there is no one at that spot that we fall in love with, then we sell the pick. Honestly, I wouldnt blame them.
If we give Otto the max and go into Lux tax, I have no issue with getting an extra 1.5-2M for Teds pockets.

Again, assuming the player you love doesnt fall, I would sell my 2nd round pick every year if its in the 50's ***
No reason you couldnt pick up the next McClellan as a UDFA.

*** Draft and Stash would be only other possiblilty

[Illmatic12]

I think he has some ability, and he's a bruiser, but his stats have gone down this season, and he doesn't rebound as well as I would expect from a big long bruiser who plays with good energy. And the consistency isn't there. I would not pick him in the 1st round.

He's one of the few bigs I have no interest in. I have a feeling that one or two of Bam Bam, Patton, Rabb, Williams, Giles, Leaf, Hartenstein, or Jeanne will be available.

Agreed -- but other than Jeanne DR has all your guys way above where our pick is right now. Jeanne is a fascinating player -- 7'2" 195lbs!

John Collins over Thomas all day every day. From his physical characteristics it's hard to see how he'd succeed. But he is absolutely killing it for Wake.

Is Jeanne supposed to be comparable to Rudy Gobert? Heard about him a bit last year

[pcbothwel]

He's one of the few bigs I have no interest in. I have a feeling that one or two of Bam Bam, Patton, Rabb, Williams, Giles, Leaf, Hartenstein, or Jeanne will be available.

Agreed -- but other than Jeanne DR has all your guys way above where our pick is right now. Jeanne is a fascinating player -- 7'2" 195lbs!

John Collins over Thomas all day every day. From his physical characteristics it's hard to see how he'd succeed. But he is absolutely killing it for Wake.

Is Jeanne supposed to be comparable to Rudy Gobert? Heard about him a bit last year

Size is the same, but Jeanne is actually a more coordinated athlete with better touch/footwork around the basket and much better range. Gobert was a little better as a shot-blocker and his willingness to mix it up.

Comes down to this. Gobert looks to mix it up a little more and... Work ethic. Gobert has a really strong work ethic and focus on getting better. Thats why he is so good. I have no real insight into that for Jeanne, but if he does... he could be better offensively and a little worse defensively (though Gobert is so good defensively, that a small step down is still great)

Gobert: Defensive awareness, Shot-blocking, physicality, finishing through contact, Work ethic.
Jeanne: Footwork, shooting touch, rebounding, athleticism (Though not much better).

From what I've seen, there is no way Jeanne is available after Gobert's success. Again, Jeanne needs to get stronger and more physical. Really obvious on finishing and getting position both offensively and defensively. His offensive ceiling hurts him now as he gets to cute and settles for long J's...
But man, if Otto, Oubre, and Mahinmi make him more physical and focused... We have a STRONG contender for the next 5-6 years

[Ruzious]

I dunno about Jeanne. You really need physical and mental toughness to play in the paint in the NBA. He may develop it and certainly has high upside, but just looking at videos, I'm skeptical and would probably pass.

[NatP4]

Confession: I would reach on Grayson Allen with our pick.

Please don't hurt me

[Kanyewest]

Not sold on Hart. I think Jenkins has a better NBA game.

Btw: Jay Wright is a big whiner.

I think Bridges is Nova's 2nd best prospect. Jenkins has a pretty jump shot, but I don't see him as being an NBA prospect.

There is a road that Jenkins get to the NBA as a specialist, he already takes a lot of his 3s from the NBA 3 point line. I do like his pump fake and he's a decent passer (ie not a Nick Young player). Questions of course remain about his ability to stay in front of guys although he has improved dramatically.

Hart by the numbers is simply a more efficient player. I would say his chances to become a good player are better since he's good at multiple things from scoring off the dribble, rebounding, and assists. Hart even has a better 3 point percentage this season (although would certainly say that Jenkins is a better shooter from deep).

BTW, I think Nova's second best prospect is Divencenzo, the red shirt freshman. Could be another Josh Hart player but Bridges has better length.

[mictic]

I think we need to use the pick this year. Preferably on a high upside big, though if there's a clear cut BPA, you gotta go with it.
There project to be a couple of bigmen available in the 20s that IMO would go lottery most other years. A guy we pick now would have 3 years of learning from Gortat and Mahinmi before possibly taking the starter spot in '20. He could also be vital in resigning Wall in '19.

[J-Ves]

John Collins and Leaf for me.
Collins- amazing rebounder and exelent shot blocker for his position. Has prototypical size for a PF. Can't shoot threes and has a foul problem, but is only 19. His non existent assist rate is a little worrisome.

Leaf- amazing offensive efficiency and very good rebounder. Solid size for a PF, but I worry a little about his wingspan/standing reach. There's some question about whether his offensive game can translate to the NBA.

[Dat2U]

I'm really focused on two guys so far where we'll likely pick. Josh Hart & Isaiah Hartenstein. Hart has been balling since his freshman year. He's complete lock to be a solid rotation player IMO. A can't miss type as long as the team that drafts him doesn't give up on him as he makes an initial adjustment to this level.

Hartenstein is all upside. He's a legit 7-0 with a nice frame, excellent athleticism and the rough draft sketch of a stretch 4 skillset. His level of raw physical ability is pretty impressive. We desperately need some youth up front with Gortat getting older and Morris still capable of doing Chief Kieff type things. I also love Leaf but I think he'll be long gone by the time we pick if he comes out.

My ideal scenario now is to use the 2018 1st while keeping the 2017 pick to add to our shallow talent base.