Our other R1 pick.

[J-Ves]

Noa Essengue is the pie in the sky pick for our FO. Hes long, skilled, young, and French

[dobrojim]

Re Essengue, he's really young. Tank says 18.5 is his
draft age. And his strengths are strong (4 stars). And weaknesses few.

We should be able to get another solid piece with 18.
The Smart trade really worked out better than was
reasonably expected.

[The Consiglieri]

Essengue's one of my fav targets with the pick. I agree w/the sentiment that we are probably more likely to take an Essengue swing if we get hosed. If we end up landing a top 2-3 pick, especially top 2, it wouldn't shock me if they were a touch more conservative at 18, but if we get hosed, I could see them flat out drafting for ceiling and risking a lower floor.

That's just a guess though. It's also worth reemphasizing the age deal, and how all of their draftees and acquired youngsters from the '23/'24 classes etc have been 21 or younger in their draft year. Definitely seems like they're steering clear of overage prospects, period, even in trades for young prospects.

[The Consiglieri]

Re Essengue, he's really young. Tank says 18.5 is his
draft age. And his strengths are strong (4 stars). And weaknesses few.

We should be able to get another solid piece with 18.
The Smart trade really worked out better than was
reasonably expected.

Its basically a legit trade up, except we gave up nothing to accomplish it, simply moving from 26th to 18th because Memphis totally imploded completely and nearly in totality (thankfully not that far), and so we moved up 8 slots. EIGHT. I still can't believe it. Need that horseshoe to continue being firmly planted up our collective backsides for another 14 months or so .

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Reynaud looks more like a late 1st than a middle second rounder to me

[payitforward]

In the R2 thread, doc wrote...

I suspect we won’t use (our R2 pick) except to trade up from 18 in the first round

That's an interesting idea, of course.

Hmmm.... suppose 18 & 40 would buy us 14.... We might well get Collin Murray-Boyles at that spot!

Doc -- is this the kind of deal you had in mind? Assuming for a moment that we were pretty sure Sorber would be there at 18, would you trade up in this way to get CM-B instead?

[doclinkin]

In the R2 thread, doc wrote...

I suspect we won’t use (our R2 pick) except to trade up from 18 in the first round

That's an interesting idea, of course.

Hmmm.... suppose 18 & 40 would buy us 14.... We might well get Collin Murray-Boyles at that spot!

Doc -- is this the kind of deal you had in mind? Assuming for a moment that we were pretty sure Sorber would be there at 18, would you trade up in this way to get CM-B instead?

Answered this sort of in the 2nd round thread but:

I don't think this front office operates under the "pretty sure" doctrine. If they like a guy they go up and get him. They don't wait around hoping for a guy to be there. Dawkins says he will be "aggressive" in the draft, and history agrees.

I personally am 'pretty sure' Sorber will be gone by 18. If he is their guy I suspect they will spend some of their 2nd round capital to climb the ladder to ensure he's theirs. I personally think they'd target Sorber over CMB due to the "positional size" thing. He's both younger and bigger. If they are trading up for positional size + youth (or even trading for an extra 1st pick to chase a guy that falls late) the guys who are probable targets are:

Trade up
Maluach
Sorber
Essengue
Carter Bryant
Asa Newell

Extra late first:
Joan Beringer
Ben Saraf
Will Riley
edit: add Noah Penda

Would I like CMB? Yes I would. I think he is an outlier defender, a paradigm shifting glue guy who fits his own mold. I think he's the kind of player that other teams will later use as an example. "We need to get a CMB-type guy in this draft". But so far only Draymond has ever been that kind of player as the centerpiece of a championship team, and he may be 1-of-1 in most GMs minds. I think he is mocked too high compared to where he is drafted, But you never know. it only takes one GM or coach to fall in love with a guy. Somebody may not be scared away by his shooting and stature. Still there's a chance he falls to 1-2 picks away from 18. At that point if Sorber is gone, why not throw a smattering of 2nds to climb a pick or two?

Would I take him over Sorber? He's in a 3 way coin flip for me between Sorber, CMB, and Queen. I think in that order as of today but it changes depending on what footage I watched recently. I'm happy if any of them fall.

I would trade up for an extra late pick for Rasheer Fleming and Yaxel Lendeborg. Both are fun to watch, so I get greedy. They're older so probably not on the radar for this front office. But I want. They're going to be good. They're my Tari Easons this year: I know they will both be good and should have gone earlier than wherever they are picked.

[payitforward]

Glad to see you mention Lendeborg -- that kid can play! His numbers are off the charts, & watching footage of him it's easy to see why!

He's older than Sorber, to be sure, but I still think I might take him over Sorber. Or just take him at 18 if Sorber is gone (& maybe even if he's there). Doesn't mean Will would agree.

What can this kid not do?

Watch on YouTube

[doclinkin]

Glad to see you mention Lendeborg -- that kid can play! His numbers are off the charts, & watching footage of him it's easy to see why!

He's older than Sorber, to be sure, but I still think I might take him over Sorber. Or just take him at 18 if Sorber is gone (& maybe even if he's there). Doesn't mean Will would agree.

What can this kid not do?

Watch on YouTube

I've been on him early. (In Pt 1 of the thread). He popped out in one of my stat searches for BBIQ big men and only got better.

The most hopeful sign for me is his assist numbers. Front court assists translate to productive defense at the NBA level. Crazy that he was a baseball player until he was nudged to try basketball. The fact that he came to the game late accounts for his stealth profile, otherwise he would've been on everybody's list a few years ago. But his stat growth is startling and impressive. As is his athleticism. A player who gets better that quickly is going to get good and stay good. Consistent, productive, and will add to their game every year.

He's mocked late but this is the sort of player who will kill it in the combine 5-on-5's and a team will fall in love with his game. I will not be surprised if he is taken mid-first. Funny thing is normally I'd say he'd be snatched by the Grizzlies. They draft by stats alone, never mind what a player looks like or how old they are. Small market, need to contend every year to stay relevant. Can't afford to pass up production or wait on a guy 4 years to break out. But we have their pick this year, right where I'd expect them to snatch the Yax.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

At 18 my list would include Carter Bryant, Asa Newell, Thomas Sorber, Rasheer Fleming, Noah Penda, Drake Powell, Hansen Yang.

I could see any of Bryant, Asa, Sorber go in the lottery. I could see any of Penda, Powell, Yang still on the board at 40. Mocks are all over the place. I'd be happy with anyone on that list at 18, and certainly at 40 if they last that long. My top choice would be Bryant.

If I had to guess at who's the best combination of high on my list AND still on the board at 18 I would say Fleming.

[DCZards]

At 18 my list would include Carter Bryant, Asa Newell, Thomas Sorber, Rasheer Fleming, Noah Penda, Drake Powell, Hansen Yang.

I could see any of Bryant, Asa, Sorber go in the lottery. I could see any of Penda, Powell, Yang still on the board at 40. Mocks are all over the place. I'd be happy with anyone on that list at 18, and certainly at 40 if they last that long. My top choice would be Bryant.

If I had to guess at who's the best combination of high on my list AND still on the board at 18 I would say Fleming.

I agree with pretty much all of this. I too expect Sorber and Bryant to be gone before 18 and for Fleming to be the one most likely to be available with that pick.

I’m intrigued by Drake Powell. Haven’t watched a lot of his tape but I’ve been impressed by the little I’ve seen. Hoping he’s there at 40.

[payitforward]

Glad to see you mention Lendeborg -- that kid can play! His numbers are off the charts, & watching footage of him it's easy to see why!

He's older than Sorber, to be sure, but I still think I might take him over Sorber. Or just take him at 18 if Sorber is gone (& maybe even if he's there). Doesn't mean Will would agree.

What can this kid not do?

Watch on YouTube

I've been on him early. (In Pt 1 of the thread). He popped out in one of my stat searches for BBIQ big men and only got better.

The most hopeful sign for me is his assist numbers. Front court assists translate to productive defense at the NBA level. Crazy that he was a baseball player until he was nudged to try basketball. The fact that he came to the game late accounts for his stealth profile, otherwise he would've been on everybody's list a few years ago. But his stat growth is startling and impressive. As is his athleticism. A player who gets better that quickly is going to get good and stay good. Consistent, productive, and will add to their game every year.

He's mocked late but this is the sort of player who will kill it in the combine 5-on-5's and a team will fall in love with his game. I will not be surprised if he is taken mid-first. Funny thing is normally I'd say he'd be snatched by the Grizzlies. They draft by stats alone, never mind what a player looks like or how old they are. Small market, need to contend every year to stay relevant. Can't afford to pass up production or wait on a guy 4 years to break out. But we have their pick this year, right where I'd expect them to snatch the Yax.

Would you pick him as high as 18? Or, would you do my suggested 18 & 40 for 26 & 27 swap? Think he'll be available to take there?

[doclinkin]

Glad to see you mention Lendeborg -- that kid can play! His numbers are off the charts, & watching footage of him it's easy to see why!

He's older than Sorber, to be sure, but I still think I might take him over Sorber. Or just take him at 18 if Sorber is gone (& maybe even if he's there). Doesn't mean Will would agree.

What can this kid not do?

Watch on YouTube

I've been on him early. (In Pt 1 of the thread). He popped out in one of my stat searches for BBIQ big men and only got better.

The most hopeful sign for me is his assist numbers. Front court assists translate to productive defense at the NBA level. Crazy that he was a baseball player until he was nudged to try basketball. The fact that he came to the game late accounts for his stealth profile, otherwise he would've been on everybody's list a few years ago. But his stat growth is startling and impressive. As is his athleticism. A player who gets better that quickly is going to get good and stay good. Consistent, productive, and will add to their game every year.

He's mocked late but this is the sort of player who will kill it in the combine 5-on-5's and a team will fall in love with his game. I will not be surprised if he is taken mid-first. Funny thing is normally I'd say he'd be snatched by the Grizzlies. They draft by stats alone, never mind what a player looks like or how old they are. Small market, need to contend every year to stay relevant. Can't afford to pass up production or wait on a guy 4 years to break out. But we have their pick this year, right where I'd expect them to snatch the Yax.

Would you pick him as high as 18? Or, would you do my suggested 18 & 40 for 26 & 27 swap? Think he'll be available to take there?

I don't think he will. There are a few issues. He has a large NIL offer from Michigan of just about rookie scale for the 24th pick (2.3m, vs 3m for the 18th pick). I don't doubt that boosters can come up with a bit of extra $ if that is what it takes to induce him to stay. Then its a matter of whether he wants to start the clock on his pro career, or if he thinks he can earn a better draft spot after a year on a bigger stage.

The deadline to return to school is after the combine. Many players are testing the NBA draft just to learn their purported value. Some are in it to improve their NIL offers. Some will drop out of the draft after talking with teams. This is already the smallest draft class in decades. Like since before the 1-and-done era. There will be talent that skips out after the draft, which drives up competition for valuable players.

Finally, Yaxel's game is the exact sort of player who earns a name in the combine 5-on-5 play. The players who look good in those scrimages are those who can rebound, pass, create with the ball in their hands, and hit the 3 ball. Yax has athleticism that will make him standout in both anthropometric/athletic testing, and functionally in these games. Someone gives him a mid first offer to entice him to stay. He will trot it back to Michigan for a counteroffer, but I bet he stays and gets taken before the 20's. Like I said he is the exact sort of player that Memphis would have taken with their 18th pick, if we hadn't stolen it from them. That's about his right valuation in my opinion, someone is going to interview him and decide he's their guy.

If you like a guy, you take the guy. You don't gamble on him being available later. To me you trade down if you have a few players you value equally and don't mind which one falls to you. If so you can afford to slip a spot or two. You really can't put a ton of faith in the mocks, nobody is getting honest intel this time of year.

[payitforward]

Makes sense. So... would you take Yaxel at 18? Over Sorber?

[DCZards]

Makes sense. So... would you take Yaxel at 18? Over Sorber?

I like what I’ve seen in the videos of Yaxel that have been posted but I’m taking Sorber if he’s there at 18. I saw several of his games at G’Town and Sorber is as fundamentally sound a 19 yr old big as you’re going to find—on both ends of the court. He’ll be gone before 18.

[doclinkin]

Makes sense. So... would you take Yaxel at 18? Over Sorber?

Dawkins wouldn't. Sorber is younger and bigger. Plays with a veteran presence despite being a teenybopper. Played in a tougher conference. I'd bet they bank on his upside. Like I said I think Sorber goes earlier though. If the Wiz want him they may see him selected before their slot and have to bargain for a trade up.

The players I think mocked too high right now and likely to slip are guys like Jakucionas. Demin. Liam McNeely. Jase Richardson. Nolan Traore. Ben Saraf. I think CMB slips some but not as far as 18. Likewise Jakucionas and Demin.

Players a risk to hopscotch the #18 pick are guys like: Sorber. Noa Essengue. Carter Bryant. Maybe Joan Beringer, Noah Penda. Young players who will measure well, foreign players that the mocks are less familiar with but the scouts have been tracking a while. I'd bet the front office likes this cluster as well, for similar reasons. (Youth, athleticism, talent/upside). Of that bunch I'd trust Dawkins' judgement if he spent 2nd rounders to climb up and get a guy.

There's a cluster of guys like Yaxel and Rasheer and Danny Wolf that I think will climb with workouts and the combine. Those are the guys I think we are in the mix for at 18. Of the ones that slip to our pick and the ones that climb up I like the climbers better

Dawkins list and my list are surely different. But I know Lendeborg is going to be special. An energizer battery glue guy. I like Fleming's steady growth and improvement, I buy his 3FG% and defense. We'd be happy with Danny Wolf as an upgraded version of Vukcevic, better rebounder and passer, more willing defender if similarly overmatched. WIth smarts that affect a game outcome. Basically with this group I'm okay with whichever is available. Currently I think I have these three in that order. Yax. Sheer. Wolf. Sorber ahead of them.

[closg00]

Makes sense. So... would you take Yaxel at 18? Over Sorber?

I like what I’ve seen in the videos of Yaxel that have been posted but I’m taking Sorber if he’s there at 18. I saw several of his games at G’Town and Sorber is as fundamentally sound a 19 yr old big as you’re going to find—on both ends of the court. He’ll be gone before 18.

I think there’s a chance that Sorber could be drafted before Queen, I agree that he won’t be there at 18.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Makes sense. So... would you take Yaxel at 18? Over Sorber?

I like what I’ve seen in the videos of Yaxel that have been posted but I’m taking Sorber if he’s there at 18. I saw several of his games at G’Town and Sorber is as fundamentally sound a 19 yr old big as you’re going to find—on both ends of the court. He’ll be gone before 18.

I think there’s a chance that Sorber could be drafted before Queen, I agree that he won’t be there at 18.

I'm Interested to see what he does at the combine. I haven't seen any updates regarding his foot surgery. At the time of his surgery, I never saw much information, just that it was for "Turf Toe", and he was expected to make a full recovery, although I never saw any kind of time frame given.

Most mocks I've seen have him below 18.

[payitforward]

TBH, every one of the guys we've discussed for 18 looks like he has a chance to be a very good NBA player.

As good a chance, come to think of it, as Tre Johnson or VJ Edgecombe -- at least that's how it looks to me.

& there'll be a good player on the board at 40 too.

Especially if we get #1 or #2, our 3 picks should make for a giant talent jump on draft night.

[payitforward]

I think there’s a chance that Sorber could be drafted before Queen, I agree that he won’t be there at 18.

Most mocks I've seen have him below 18.

Ditto... but of course who knows....