2021 Draft thread. Woo! 15th pick here we come! Hoo. Ray.

[payitforward]

Sharife Cooper is a blast to watch -- he is just incredibly active. For a guy to take over 18 shots per 40 minutes plus over 10 FTAs & still hand out almost 10 assists... I find that just amazing. I'm not sure I've ever seen a player quite like him.

His court vision is absolutely elite.

But... I wouldn't take him at #15, that's for sure.

For one thing, add 5 turnovers to that astonishing level of activity. For another, he just can't shoot. & finally... he's just too small.

Still, as I say... man he is a blast to watch!

[Dat2U]

Sharife Cooper is a blast to watch -- he is just incredibly active. For a guy to take over 18 shots per 40 minutes plus over 10 FTAs & still hand out almost 10 assists... I find that just amazing. I'm not sure I've ever seen a player quite like him.

His court vision is absolutely elite.

But... I wouldn't take him at #15, that's for sure.

For one thing, add 5 turnovers to that astonishing level of activity. For another, he just can't shoot. & finally... he's just too small.

Still, as I say... man he is a blast to watch!

To me the production is what matters more than the efficiency. The fact at 6-foot even he's dominating the game from a production standpoint at 19 in really impressive. Some things you can teach and other things you cannot. You can coach him up to limit the TOs, you can't coach up a relentless attack mindset and elite 1st step. To be honest he reminds me of Iverson at G-Town, just filled up the stat sheet, good and bad but overall takeway was that no one could keep him in front defensively.

The shooting is the biggest issue but his ft stroke gives me hope.

Unless someone surprising falls I'm starting to lock in on Cooper as my pick. Worst case scenario, you just drafted Ish Smith's replacement.

[doclinkin]

At this point in the season I love all the prospects that might fall to us. We can't even look forward to the lottery. I just want to fast-forward to the point in the year where we are all disappointed at the selection, then work around to being overly excited and optimistic about the guy we do get.

[Ruzious]

With the Wiz, we have to go through the 5 stages of grief over the pick. We're currently at the bargaining stage. Denial is coming up, and I won't say it's not a river in Egypt.

[NatP4]

Wow this thread took a major turn. I sort of like Cooper as well, got to watch him a ton in person when he was in high school, and I find it bizarre that at the time, his strength was being a lights out shooter off the dribble. People compared him to Kyrie. That was the real strength of the his game.

I’ve always projected that he will become a good shooter, he just doesn’t play any defense at all. He’s almost like Trae Young in college with worse results. A real boom or bust guy.

The biggest factor to remember, Cooper played on an absolutely terrible Auburn team. Every other NBA prospect on that team underachieved. Teams keyed in on Cooper for every possession. You watch the highlights and see that Cooper was trapped on every pick and roll and still had 1-2 defenders step up to help from the weakside after that. Auburn had no shooting or spacing.

I called him a top 5 candidate earlier in the season, I’m just not really convinced on him still. Serious bust potential.

I’m sure he’ll be a guy that scores a lot of points and racks up a ton of assists, probably has a really high usage and needs the ball in his hands. Doesn’t impact the game much at all defensively. The guy has a 6 foot wingspan.

Someone like Jared Butler is probably far more impactful. Can play on or off the ball, much better shooter and defender.

[payitforward]

Sharife Cooper is a blast to watch -- he is just incredibly active. For a guy to take over 18 shots per 40 minutes plus over 10 FTAs & still hand out almost 10 assists... I find that just amazing. I'm not sure I've ever seen a player quite like him.

His court vision is absolutely elite.

But... I wouldn't take him at #15, that's for sure.

For one thing, add 5 turnovers to that astonishing level of activity. For another, he just can't shoot. & finally... he's just too small.

Still, as I say... man he is a blast to watch!

To me the production is what matters more than the efficiency. The fact at 6-foot even he's dominating the game from a production standpoint at 19 in really impressive. Some things you can teach and other things you cannot. You can coach him up to limit the TOs, you can't coach up a relentless attack mindset and elite 1st step. To be honest he reminds me of Iverson at G-Town, just filled up the stat sheet, good and bad but overall takeway was that no one could keep him in front defensively.

The shooting is the biggest issue but his ft stroke gives me hope.

Unless someone surprising falls I'm starting to lock in on Cooper as my pick. Worst case scenario, you just drafted Ish Smith's replacement.

Well, it would be very entertaining!

At this point I'd be really happy to trade the #15 to the Knicks for their #21 & #32. I think there'll be just as good a player available at #21 as at #15 (including probably Cooper), & there'll be some good players at #32 as well.

[NatP4]

I would be real happy with Garuba at 15. That guy is the next Siakam/Draymond. There’s no way he can bust when he plays as hard as he does on defense with such a high basketball IQ. He’s going to be that switch everything rim protector/rebounder that has a massive impact on the game.

Since the start of April, Garuba is shooting 40% from 3. It’s pretty obvious that the shot is coming around. He’ll be just fine from out there, probably allowing him to be a 4 in the NBA. Just an all around good player. Like his upside over some other good prospects like Butler/Duarte.

[NatP4]

I’ve shifted a bit at 15:

1. Giddey
2. Wagner
3. Garuba

Gap

4. Butler
5. Queta
6. Ayayi
7. Duarte

Really I would only be happy with Giddey/Wagner/Garuba at 15. The others would be a good outcome in a trade down. There’s a chance that Garuba goes in the 20s as well, in which case a trade down would still make a lot of sense.

[prime1time]

For people who like Cooper, how do you address the fact that he is a ball dominant player? Most successful backup pg’s can be on ball or off ball. He cannot, at the very least he hasn’t shown it. His numbers are inflated because auburn didn’t have any other creators. His lack of size makes him a defensive liability. His shooting firm needs to be overhauled. And he really makes read/react passes outside of alley-oops. Cooper barring major improvement is basically Ish Smith without the veteran leadership.

A good comparison for him is Tyrese Maxey. When we played the 76ers in the playoffs, Doc ran the whole offense through Maxey when he was in the game. Are we willing to do that with Cooper? If you’re drafting him to be VanVleet I’d think again. Cooper is a ball dominant player and I’d think twice about drafting him if you’re are not planning on putting him a similar situation. I.e., 3 3-point shooters and athletic rim run runner.

[prime1time]

I would be real happy with Garuba at 15. That guy is the next Siakam/Draymond. There’s no way he can bust when he plays as hard as he does on defense with such a high basketball IQ. He’s going to be that switch everything rim protector/rebounder that has a massive impact on the game.

Since the start of April, Garuba is shooting 40% from 3. It’s pretty obvious that the shot is coming around. He’ll be just fine from out there, probably allowing him to be a 4 in the NBA. Just an all around good player. Like his upside over some other good prospects like Butler/Duarte.

Kind of leap to through out Draymond Green? Draymond Green is one of the best passing forwards/offensive initiators the game has ever seen. Now if you have footage of his playmaking please show out because I’ve seen nothing. As for as the Siakam comparison goes, is Garuba approaching the game to be an offensive scorer or a 3 and D? It seems like in your post you want to have your cake and eat it to. You through out comparisons to players who do much more than just 3 and D then you cite his recently improved shooting numbers.

The issue with players like Garuba is always the same. What happens in the playoffs when defenses raise their intensity, run players off the 3-point line and take away east layups? Many “improved” 3-point shooters seem to find their shot missing in these moments. And because of their offensive skill outside of making layups and open 3’s is rudimentary they tend to hold the team back offensively.

Also you talk about Garuba’s upside. How long before Garuba’s a genuine offensive contributor? I’d say 4 years. The Wizards window isn’t nearly long enough to justify drafting him for his offensive ability. For me Garuba is a pass. I can get an athletic big who can do what he does def wifely in the second round. His offensive talent is rudimentary. And it will be years before he’s ready to contribute in the playoffs when teams (when teams take-away all the easy shots).

[prime1time]

I’ve shifted a bit at 15:

1. Giddey
2. Wagner
3. Garuba

Gap

4. Butler
5. Queta
6. Ayayi
7. Duarte

Really I would only be happy with Giddey/Wagner/Garuba at 15. The others would be a good outcome in a trade down. There’s a chance that Garuba goes in the 20s as well, in which case a trade down would still make a lot of sense.

Here’s a question, how do you determine your rankings? Is it based on who you like? Is it based on what our team needs are and the overall direction of the team? Giddey at 15 is a luxury pick imo, that you make when as a team you have no pressing needs. Just take a guy who you think has star upside and give him time to grow. That’s not the Wizards. We were the worst playoff shooting team in the playoffs and we were a terrible shooting team in the regular season. We desperately need shooting. Our lack of shooting is bottlenecking the ability of this team. In this context, no reasonable GM can justify drafting Giddey unless they are able to fix the shooting via another way.

Drafting Giddey without fixing our shooting is like the Packers drafting Jordan Love, it is a complete slap in the face to Beal. Seeing how Beal makes all the calls for this organization we can basically pencil in an athletic wing shooter into our draft pick.

I’d say Wagner, Moody, Duarte, Trey Murphy III are all prime candidates. I can also see Kispert being picked but I doubt he’d be around.

[NatP4]

I’ve shifted a bit at 15:

1. Giddey
2. Wagner
3. Garuba

Gap

4. Butler
5. Queta
6. Ayayi
7. Duarte

Really I would only be happy with Giddey/Wagner/Garuba at 15. The others would be a good outcome in a trade down. There’s a chance that Garuba goes in the 20s as well, in which case a trade down would still make a lot of sense.

Here’s a question, how do you determine your rankings? Is it based on who you like? Is it based on what our team needs are and the overall direction of the team? Giddey at 15 is a luxury pick imo, that you make when as a team you have no pressing needs. Just take a guy who you think has star upside and give him time to grow. That’s not the Wizards. We were the worst playoff shooting team in the playoffs and we were a terrible shooting team in the regular season. We desperately need shooting. Our lack of shooting is bottlenecking the ability of this team. In this context, no reasonable GM can justify drafting Giddey unless they are able to fix the shooting via another way.

Drafting Giddey without fixing our shooting is like the Packers drafting Jordan Love, it is a complete slap in the face to Beal. Seeing how Beal makes all the calls for this organization we can basically pencil in an athletic wing shooter into our draft pick.

I’d say Wagner, Moody, Duarte, Trey Murphy III are all prime candidates. I can also see Kispert being picked but I doubt he’d be around.

You’re all over the place in this post.

1. Russell Westbrook is 33 years old and has 2 years left on his deal. The wizards will need a new PG at some point, and more importantly, just another core piece at any position. Giddey is the 4th best prospect in this draft. It draws no comparison to the Packers situation. Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love can’t play any other position but QB, and also, Giddey and Beal do not even play the same position(I can’t believe I just responded to that).

2. Drafting for fit is always a bad practice. You draft the player that you believe will be the best NBA player.

3. There is footage all over the Internet of Garuba’s passing ability. It is well documented that one of the strengths as a prospect is his playmaking upside.

4. You list Duarte and Wagner in the same category, on draft night they will be 5 years apart in age. There is no comparison.

5. There are tons of UFAs that can add shooting: Forbes, Ellington, Powell, Hardaway, Fournier, Green, Reddick, Richardson, Ariza, Porter, McDermott, and about a billion others. There are plenty of ways to add shooting. Why would we be drafting for a guy that can be some missing piece immediately? You draft to find a core piece for the next 10 years.

[Ruzious]

I’ve shifted a bit at 15:

1. Giddey
2. Wagner
3. Garuba

Gap

4. Butler
5. Queta
6. Ayayi
7. Duarte

Really I would only be happy with Giddey/Wagner/Garuba at 15. The others would be a good outcome in a trade down. There’s a chance that Garuba goes in the 20s as well, in which case a trade down would still make a lot of sense.

I agree with your thinking there - that unless a player you really like is there - trade down. And Pif's idea of trading with the Knicks for 21 and 32 makes a lot of sense - going with that thought process.

As for Garuba, if someone's looking at team needs, he definitely does fill a need - for defense. Outside of Gafford, the Wiz defense needs a ton of improvement. 3 point shooting ain't exactly our only need. With 100 voters getting 10 votes each (5 for 1st team and 5 for 2nd team), there was a total of 1 2nd place vote for a Wiz (Westbrook) for the All-Defensive team. I'd like us to get more than 1 vote out of a thousand in the future.

[doclinkin]

I would be real happy with Garuba at 15. That guy is the next Siakam/Draymond. There’s no way he can bust when he plays as hard as he does on defense with such a high basketball IQ. He’s going to be that switch everything rim protector/rebounder that has a massive impact on the game.

Since the start of April, Garuba is shooting 40% from 3. It’s pretty obvious that the shot is coming around. He’ll be just fine from out there, probably allowing him to be a 4 in the NBA. Just an all around good player. Like his upside over some other good prospects like Butler/Duarte.

Kind of leap to through out Draymond Green? Draymond Green is one of the best passing forwards/offensive initiators the game has ever seen. Now if you have footage of his playmaking please show out because I’ve seen nothing. As for as the Siakam comparison goes, is Garuba approaching the game to be an offensive scorer or a 3 and D? It seems like in your post you want to have your cake and eat it to. You through out comparisons to players who do much more than just 3 and D then you cite his recently improved shooting numbers.

The issue with players like Garuba is always the same. What happens in the playoffs when defenses raise their intensity, run players off the 3-point line and take away east layups? Many “improved” 3-point shooters seem to find their shot missing in these moments. And because of their offensive skill outside of making layups and open 3’s is rudimentary they tend to hold the team back offensively.

Also you talk about Garuba’s upside. How long before Garuba’s a genuine offensive contributor? I’d say 4 years. The Wizards window isn’t nearly long enough to justify drafting him for his offensive ability. For me Garuba is a pass. I can get an athletic big who can do what he does def wifely in the second round. His offensive talent is rudimentary. And it will be years before he’s ready to contribute in the playoffs when teams (when teams take-away all the easy shots).

I haven't looked in to Garuba yet. I will say the strongest correlation between playing time and any other stat is raw points. That is, not scoring efficiency, not FTattempts per possession, not True Shooting% or EFG%. Simply: do they get points when they are on the floor. This appears to be magnified in rookies.

By contrast defensive players struggle to make their mark. It is tough for them to find minutes on the floor and commonly you see them reach acclaim 2-3 years after their more offensively oriented classmates hit that year 3 bump that most get. Rookie defenders get no respect from referees, again unless they can score in a pretty and dynamic fashion. Refs are fans too. Refs gotta ref. If they never blow their whistle then they aren't doing their job. Easier to fweet! at the new kid, than to piss off the fans for taking their star out of the game. Or letting some new punk take their star out of the game. Rookie defenders go through a process of adjustment. Earning respect. Highlight plays are what earn respect quickest.

Triple that for Euro defenders. In Europe you are allowed to clutch and grab and shove. It is legal to goaltend. Handchecking is proper defense. There is a reason Euroball has an emphasis on player and ball movement over a star oriented system. The rules don't protect stars the way they do here. And it is easier to snuff a showboat with smothering and brutal hackers. The highlights I have seen of Garuba in a brief pass I saw him literally throwing players to the floor, while fouling out with the fans chanting his name. LOL. It speaks well for his strength, toughness, competitiveness. Charles Oakley was one of my favorite players ever. Hell I liked Bill Laimbeer for his willingness to play the villain and do the dirty work. I like the attitude. He will need more than that is all.

If I am selecting a defensive player I know they are going to struggle for a bit, and would want to see evidence of smarts and willingness to learn and adjust. Work ethic and understanding of the game. I haven't looked at Destiny Usman Garuba, so he may have this and show it. I'll check. I will say for a young player who is raw and developing, they are going to have to be self-motivated to develop skills other than defense. Because you cannot practice defense alone in a gym, and you can't get on court much unless you can score.

EDIT: where you do get good value is in a talented defensive player's 2nd contract. Or 2nd or 3rd team. I'm always of the mindset that you look around the league for developing defenders who have shown something but are on other team's benches. Especially behind a scoring type star. There you can steal a guy who has a strong +/- effect that is being overlooked. So, in that respect, what defensive players came into the league 3 years ago or so? How are they doing? Should we go get one of those guys? That is how we stole Daniel Gafford: a defensive player overlooked due in part to less pretty offensive skills. Plus he was a foul magnet, since he played hard on defense but got no respect yet.

[NatP4]

I’ve shifted a bit at 15:

1. Giddey
2. Wagner
3. Garuba

Gap

4. Butler
5. Queta
6. Ayayi
7. Duarte

Really I would only be happy with Giddey/Wagner/Garuba at 15. The others would be a good outcome in a trade down. There’s a chance that Garuba goes in the 20s as well, in which case a trade down would still make a lot of sense.

I agree with your thinking there - that unless a player you really like is there - trade down. And Pif's idea of trading with the Knicks for 21 and 32 makes a lot of sense - going with that thought process.

As for Garuba, if someone's looking at team needs, he definitely does fill a need - for defense. Outside of Gafford, the Wiz defense needs a ton of improvement. 3 point shooting ain't exactly our only need. With 100 voters getting 10 votes each (5 for 1st team and 5 for 2nd team), there was a total of 1 2nd place vote for a Wiz (Westbrook) for the All-Defensive team. I'd like us to get more than 1 vote out of a thousand in the future.

Nail on the head as usual. Garuba will play in the NBA from day 1. He’s an elite defender in a really good professional league. Seems like whether he’s a backup energy C at first, or a starting caliber PF hinges on that improvement in the 3 ball. Of course, he does plenty of other things well offensively, but you need spacing in the NBA.

Wiz can address shooting in a million different ways, free agency, buying 2nd round picks and taking guys like Ayayi, Wieskamp, Livers, Grimes, or a handful of other prospects. Just getting Bryant and Avdija back helps the shooting a ton. It’s not nearly as easy to pick up a 19 year old that can guard 1-5 and protect the rim/rebound and has elite basketball IQ.

Since April 1st Garuba is shooting 40.4% from 3 and 85.7% from the FT line.

[NatP4]

Man, I’m late to the party but Garuba has legit star potential. Hard to believe he just turned 19. The most intriguing part of his game is the off the dribble stuff and the quick twitch athleticism. A lot of his upside is minimized in a slow boring euroleague setting where everything is halfcourt grind it out possessions, he’s basically reduced to a spot up corner shooter.

In the NBA, his ability to play with the ball in the open court with a much faster pace and more spacing is going to be a thrill to watch. There’s some impressive coordination and finishing ability with either hand. He’s fantastic on the short roll in the PNR, finding open shooters. He has smooth touch and the form on the jumper looks good. You simply cannot teach that effort/physicality and activity level in a big.

[Ruzious]

For those wondering, Garuba did not have a good bounce-back game against Barcelona Lassa - getting just 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 to's. Makes it seem likely he'll be there for the Wiz, but like Pif alluded to - would he be there at 21 - if we trade down? I'd guess he won't be, but I don't know. Still, there's going to be someone good available at 21 - and then at 32. I think this is a good draft to trade down from 15.

[Frichuela]

Man, I’m late to the party but Garuba has legit star potential. Hard to believe he just turned 19. The most intriguing part of his game is the off the dribble stuff and the quick twitch athleticism. A lot of his upside is minimized in a slow boring euroleague setting where everything is halfcourt grind it out possessions, he’s basically reduced to a spot up corner shooter.

In the NBA, his ability to play with the ball in the open court with a much faster pace and more spacing is going to be a thrill to watch. There’s some impressive coordination and finishing ability with either hand. He’s fantastic on the short roll in the PNR, finding open shooters. He has smooth touch and the form on the jumper looks good. You simply cannot teach that effort/physicality and activity level in a big.

Yes Garuba has huge potential. I have watched him dominate in the U16, U18 international competitions for years and this year he has taken a leap in euroleague as well as in ACB, particularly since March-April. Sure, he has been inconsistent but let's not forget he just turned 19. With him, we are going to have to be patient though, probably more than with Deni. Doc's point on the lack of referee's respect for rookie defenders is very valid.

[Frichuela]

For those wondering, Garuba did not have a good bounce-back game against Barcelona Lassa - getting just 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 to's. Makes it seem likely he'll be there for the Wiz, but like Pif alluded to - would he be there at 21 - if we trade down? I'd guess he won't be, but I don't know. Still, there's going to be someone good available at 21 - and then at 32. I think this is a good draft to trade down from 15.

Agreed. A trade down makes sense in this draft. Apart from the Knicks, there is Oklahoma (#18 and #35 or 36) or if we get very lucky Houston (#23 and #24).

Then there is also the pipedream of trading for Christian Wood. A trade discussed in the general trade board that I would be down with is Bryant + Hutchison + 2023 1st (we take out the protections) + #15 2021 for Wood + #24 2021. In this scenario, we would still draft someone this year. At #24 there is likely to be available a decent combo-guard (Butler, Mann) or 3 pt specialist (Murphy, Duarte).

[pcbothwel]

Man, I’m late to the party but Garuba has legit star potential. Hard to believe he just turned 19. The most intriguing part of his game is the off the dribble stuff and the quick twitch athleticism. A lot of his upside is minimized in a slow boring euroleague setting where everything is halfcourt grind it out possessions, he’s basically reduced to a spot up corner shooter.

In the NBA, his ability to play with the ball in the open court with a much faster pace and more spacing is going to be a thrill to watch. There’s some impressive coordination and finishing ability with either hand. He’s fantastic on the short roll in the PNR, finding open shooters. He has smooth touch and the form on the jumper looks good. You simply cannot teach that effort/physicality and activity level in a big.

It seems like Wagner and Garuba are the easy picks for us as day 1 wing defenders that we try to grow offensively.
I love Garuba and people really dont understand how hard it is for a 19 y/o to get the type of minutes he is getting in that league.

He oozes Draymond Green. Elite defender and underrated passer/IQ. I'd snag him at 15 without blinking and know I got a guy that can play immediately defensively. He's got Bonga's instincts in Faried's body... He's one of the few picks that provides upside along with filling an immediate.