2020 Draft

[Ruzious]

I actually like Wiseman. He has a good frame. Also my dream situation would be we get number one , trade back to 4 or 5 and Wiseman falls some how and we take him at 5 and get the extra assets.

Can you imagine if we win the loto even at 3 and we could land Wiseman!

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Wiseman is NOT a great prospect. He is not Ayton, Jackson, or Embiid... He is somewhere between Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba, not someone I think puts you over the top and gets me excited in the top 3. Okungwu is a better prospect and has FAR better basketball instincts.

My excitement about getting 2/3 (Wiseman) would be to trade him. Move from 2 to 4/5 (TWolves) for the Brooklyn pick and a 2022 2nd.
Draft Hayes or Haliburton at 4/5 and BPA at 16.

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I said before - I'll be surprised if he's not the 1st pick in the draft. There's just nobody else in the conversation, imo. And even though he only played 3 college games, look at what his stats were
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/james-wiseman-1.html In 69 minutes, he scored 59 points, had 32 rebounds, and 9 blocks, made 20 of 26 shots, only 3 to's and 5 fouls. No matter how bad the competition was, that's tremendous.

And chances are tiny we get the 1st pick, so I'm not going into the what ifs. .

[DCZards]

I actually like Wiseman. He has a good frame. Also my dream situation would be we get number one , trade back to 4 or 5 and Wiseman falls some how and we take him at 5 and get the extra assets.

Wiseman is NOT a great prospect. He is not Ayton, Jackson, or Embiid... He is somewhere between Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba, not someone I think puts you over the top and gets me excited in the top 3. Okungwu is a better prospect and has FAR better basketball instincts.

My excitement about getting 2/3 (Wiseman) would be to trade him. Move from 2 to 4/5 (TWolves) for the Brooklyn pick and a 2022 2nd.
Draft Hayes or Haliburton at 4/5 and BPA at 16.

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I said before - I'll be surprised if he's not the 1st pick in the draft. There's just nobody else in the conversation, imo. And even though he only played 3 college games, look at what his stats were
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/james-wiseman-1.html In 69 minutes, he scored 59 points, had 32 rebounds, and 9 blocks, made 20 of 26 shots, only 3 to's and 5 fouls. No matter how bad the competition was, that's tremendous.

And chances are tiny we get the 1st pick, so I'm not going into the what ifs. .

I'm with you, ruz. I also would be surprised if Wiseman was not the first pick. He's a legit 7 footer, and has some very impressive physical skills as well as ball skills. I certainly don't expect Wiseman to drop past 2 or 3.

I would point out though that two of the 3 college games he played in (and accumulated those great stats in) were preseason games against mediocre teams.

[Shoe]

:roll:

The least skilled players in the NCAA are centers. It's why Oturu is projected to be a late first rounder and why Okongwu isn't a lock for the top 10. The NBA is a different beast when it comes to big men.
Oturu scored 29 against Purdue, but Matt Haarms a 7 foot junior who probably can't cut it in the G-League got 26. Oturu dropped 32 on Penn State, but 6'8 Lamar Steven's scored 33. Minnesota lost both games.

projection > production. Height, wingspan, vertical. The NBAs got 6'7 and 6'8 wings like Luka and LeBron that centers have to rim protect against. Gobert, Jokic, Embiid, Vucevic, Sabonis, Towns are all around that 7 foot mark. I'd say it's Wiseman or we don't take a five, that's just my take, you'd be really rolling the dice to think we'd get someone better than Bryant.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Wizards could really do well just to move back and select Jalen Smith. His defense and rebounding set him apart.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/jalen-smith-scouting-report/
http://www.tankathon.com/players/jalen-smith

I could envision Wall and Beal surrounded by fluid athletes and two-way players in Brown Jr, Bonga/Hachimura, and Smith.

[Ruzious]

The Wizards could really do well just to move back and select Jalen Smith. His defense and rebounding set him apart.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/jalen-smith-scouting-report/
http://www.tankathon.com/players/jalen-smith

I could envision Wall and Beal surrounded by fluid athletes and two-way players in Brown Jr, Bonga/Hachimura, and Smith.

And Smith seems like the kind of person they're looking to add - a hard worker with a great attitude that everyone seems to like. I don't think I've ever seen him get angry at anyone.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

The Wizards could really do well just to move back and select Jalen Smith. His defense and rebounding set him apart.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/jalen-smith-scouting-report/
http://www.tankathon.com/players/jalen-smith

I could envision Wall and Beal surrounded by fluid athletes and two-way players in Brown Jr, Bonga/Hachimura, and Smith.

And Smith seems like the kind of person they're looking to add - a hard worker with a great attitude that everyone seems to like. I don't think I've ever seen him get angry at anyone.

Watch on YouTube

[gambitx777]

I would not be upset at all if we drafted stick.

The Wizards could really do well just to move back and select Jalen Smith. His defense and rebounding set him apart.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/jalen-smith-scouting-report/
http://www.tankathon.com/players/jalen-smith

I could envision Wall and Beal surrounded by fluid athletes and two-way players in Brown Jr, Bonga/Hachimura, and Smith.

And Smith seems like the kind of person they're looking to add - a hard worker with a great attitude that everyone seems to like. I don't think I've ever seen him get angry at anyone.

Watch on YouTube

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[payitforward]

The Wizards could really do well just to move back and select Jalen Smith. His defense and rebounding set him apart.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/jalen-smith-scouting-report/
http://www.tankathon.com/players/jalen-smith

I could envision Wall and Beal surrounded by fluid athletes and two-way players in Brown Jr, Bonga/Hachimura, and Smith.

And Smith seems like the kind of person they're looking to add - a hard worker with a great attitude that everyone seems to like. I don't think I've ever seen him get angry at anyone.

&... if we move back, we get another pick.

Let's say we have the #9 pick -- would you, should we, trade it to Boston for their #17 & #26?

[Ruzious]

The Wizards could really do well just to move back and select Jalen Smith. His defense and rebounding set him apart.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/jalen-smith-scouting-report/
http://www.tankathon.com/players/jalen-smith

I could envision Wall and Beal surrounded by fluid athletes and two-way players in Brown Jr, Bonga/Hachimura, and Smith.

And Smith seems like the kind of person they're looking to add - a hard worker with a great attitude that everyone seems to like. I don't think I've ever seen him get angry at anyone.

&... if we move back, we get another pick.

Let's say we have the #9 pick -- would you, should we, trade it to Boston for their #17 & #26?

It would depend on who's there at 9 and who will be there at 17. Fwiw, I think Smith will be picked somewhere between 9 and 17. If Okungwu or Hayes is there at 9, I would not trade the pick.

[payitforward]

Ok, cool. Myself, I don't start looking seriously until March, so I have little to say about any of these guys except what I get from their numbers. Numbers are the price of admission but not the final arbiter of choices (except when they are -- i.e. when they are overwhelmingly better than anyone else's at the draft pick in question, as in Zion's case & Clarke's).

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Watching USC vs Colorado...

ESPN2 Okongwu vs Tyler Bey

It's a good game !

Plus has some local guys calling the game, Adrian Branch and Dave Feldman...

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Now watching Gonzaga... Man Tillie is good !!

[payitforward]

...Let's say we have the #9 pick -- would you, should we, trade it to Boston for their #17 & #26?

It would depend on who's there at 9 and who will be there at 17. Fwiw, I think Smith will be picked somewhere between 9 and 17. If Okungwu or Hayes is there at 9, I would not trade the pick.

It'd be hard to know who would be there at 17 until after we'd made the trade (doh). If Hayes is all he's cracked up to be, I take your point.

Edit... well, I can't stay totally ignorant, so I just watched highlights of a couple of games. Hayes sees the floor extremely well, & he can make passes you just do not expect him to make. He also looks like he's about 12 years old! -- but that's just me.... Can't wait to see him in the league.

[Shoe]

...Let's say we have the #9 pick -- would you, should we, trade it to Boston for their #17 & #26?

It would depend on who's there at 9 and who will be there at 17. Fwiw, I think Smith will be picked somewhere between 9 and 17. If Okungwu or Hayes is there at 9, I would not trade the pick.

It'd be hard to know who would be there at 17 until after we'd made the trade (doh). If Hayes is all he's cracked up to be, I take your point.

I'd like to hear what you would do and what you think Tommy Sheppard will do. I assume they're different but maybe not.

[Shoe]

[
Bear in mind that we are limited by the size of the roster and the feasibility of grooming so many youngsters at once while also having enough good players to keep Wall and Beal happy. This year was a throwaway season and I'm sure Beal understood that (even if he did express some frustration from time to time). Next year, I don't think Wall and Beal will be that enthusiastic if we sacrifice wins in order to develop players.

We already have the following players under contract:
Wall, Beal, Ish, Brown, Hachimura, Bryant, Wagner, Bonga, Schofield, Robinson. That's 10 guys for sure.

On top of that, the following players have varying likelihoods of being on the roster:
Bertans
Mathews
Napier
Pasecniks
MLE vet

So that's probably at least 12 and maybe as much as 15.

Then we have the draft picks to consider.

I just don't see us trading a high pick for multiple lower picks. If anything, we'll be looking to draft-and-stash our 2nd rounder.

I just want to quote this because I think it's spot on. I can't see us walking away with more than 2 players, and I wouldn't be surprised if we come away with 1 player and 1 draft and stash.

[nate33]

The Wizards could really do well just to move back and select Jalen Smith. His defense and rebounding set him apart.

https://www.nbascoutinglive.com/jalen-smith-scouting-report/
http://www.tankathon.com/players/jalen-smith

I could envision Wall and Beal surrounded by fluid athletes and two-way players in Brown Jr, Bonga/Hachimura, and Smith.

His in-conference stats are even better than his overall stats. He does better against better competition.

His numbers are great. I haven't watch him play and I can't find a good draft breakdown video on him. Why is he so low in the mocks?

[nate33]

:roll:

The least skilled players in the NCAA are centers. It's why Oturu is projected to be a late first rounder and why Okongwu isn't a lock for the top 10. The NBA is a different beast when it comes to big men.
Oturu scored 29 against Purdue, but Matt Haarms a 7 foot junior who probably can't cut it in the G-League got 26. Oturu dropped 32 on Penn State, but 6'8 Lamar Steven's scored 33. Minnesota lost both games.

projection > production. Height, wingspan, vertical. The NBAs got 6'7 and 6'8 wings like Luka and LeBron that centers have to rim protect against. Gobert, Jokic, Embiid, Vucevic, Sabonis, Towns are all around that 7 foot mark. I'd say it's Wiseman or we don't take a five, that's just my take, you'd be really rolling the dice to think we'd get someone better than Bryant.

I'd say there are two models of center that are successful defensively in the NBA. The most common is the extremely long and fairly mobile rim protector like Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis, Brook Lopez or Clint Capela. The other type is the stout, long-armed, switchable, exceptionally mobile guy with great instincts like Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green or Wendell Carter.

If you have neither profile, chances are, you won't be a very good defensive center. Wiseman fits the profile of the rim protector. But I wouldn't rule out Okongwu as a starting-caliber center because he might fit the profile of the stout, long-armed switchable type. (To be fair, those guys are fairly rare. The swing skill for them is basketball IQ. Some guys can adapt to the complicated NBA schemes, some guys can't.)

[Ruzious]

Ok, cool. Myself, I don't start looking seriously until March, so I have little to say about any of these guys except what I get from their numbers. Numbers are the price of admission but not the final arbiter of choices (except when they are -- i.e. when they are overwhelmingly better than anyone else's at the draft pick in question, as in Zion's case & Clarke's).

Right, and I'd rather get 1 great player in the draft than 2 good players.

[pcbothwel]

Watching USC vs Colorado...

ESPN2 Okongwu vs Tyler Bey

It's a good game !

Plus has some local guys calling the game, Adrian Branch and Dave Feldman...

Love them both...
Im locking in on high IQ/Defensive players at this point. Our offense is near elite and watching guys like Bonga, Wagner, and Gpii make the team far more dynamic and enjoyable to watch.

Blocks are important, but im locking in on Steals, Ast:Tov ratio, FTr, and rebounding... so I think I've narrowed down the players that will help be culture setters where they go and solid players:
Bigs:
Lotto: Okongwu: Size aside, Big men who gather STOCKS (Blocks + Steals), dont foul, and score effortlessly are Locks in the NBA. I love him as a prospect.
Later: Paul Reed/Tillman: I think Reed is better version of Gary Clark Jr. Better athlete with better defensive tools and higher offensive upside. 20 y/o junior.
Tillman is a surefire 10 year NBA player. Elite program for developing High IQ players in Mich St. Steals, Assist, sets picks, rebounding, fouls, etc... The draymond comparison is uncanny. Not quite the shooter, but quick feet and hands. If he gets past 25, Im all over him.

Lead Guards:
Lotto: Hayes/Haliburton: My two favorite PG prospects right now. Mature games. Both are good defenders with High IQ's. Both are showing to be elite scorers at all 3 levels. These 2 and Okongwu are the only players im excited about in the top 10.

Later: Tre Jones / Ashton Hagans: Two highly recruited players that do everything but shoot the 3 well. Both came back for there Soph year. Underrated athletes because they dont jump high or have elite length, yet both collect steals and draw fouls (Especially Hagans).

Wings:
Lotto: Green/Vassell: I like Okoro...really, but he is a below average shooter from 3 and the FT line while his defense is a bit overrated and appears to be more projection. Green and Vassell are the ones who have been overshadowed.
I LOVE Greens tenacity, projection, and background. Aussie Rugby player with size, length, athleticism, IQ and shooting projection. Im In, with my only concern being that he comps very much to Miles Bridges, who took a step back this year...
Not as sold on Vassell quite yet. His lack of vision and ability to draw fouls concern me, but he play strong defense, rebounds, and shoots well.

Later: Tyler Bey / Scottie Lewis: I worry about Bey's ceiling because of his age, shooting and vision...but EVERYTHING else looks Great. Size, length, athleticism, hustle, steals, rebounds, FTr, etc.
I'd stay away from Lewis in the 1st, but his ceiling as a lock down defender is Extremely high. There is also some solid shooting projections with him. My issue is, do you wait out his entire rookie contract before he "Figures it out"... not worth it high, but intriguing.

So there it is. Ill keep watching and molding my eval, but the above players are the ones that are truly intriguing me. Wall, Beal, Rui, Bryant, and Bertans are all capable of going off... so having the Troy Brown's and Bongas of the world is really key to keeping the machine fluid and efficient. Okongwu, Hayes, Haliburton and Green are my picks in order for pick 8-10.

Wild card for Shooting in the 2nd: Nesmith, Wieskamp, Isaiah Joe

[payitforward]

It would depend on who's there at 9 and who will be there at 17. Fwiw, I think Smith will be picked somewhere between 9 and 17. If Okungwu or Hayes is there at 9, I would not trade the pick.

It'd be hard to know who would be there at 17 until after we'd made the trade (doh). If Hayes is all he's cracked up to be, I take your point.

I'd like to hear what you would do and what you think Tommy Sheppard will do. I assume they're different but maybe not.

At this point, I don't know who I'd take at #9; I just haven't done the work yet.

As to trading down from that spot, my default would be to do it (for reasons which I've cited so often that I won't bore anyone w/ repetition), but of course there too one does have to look at the prospects in the draft.

As to what Tommy will do... it'd be hard for me to know! So far, he hasn't traded down in any draft (assuming he had a big hand in the drafts of the EG era). OTOH, we've traded up twice in the last ten years. So, if I had to project, I don't think he's likely to trade down, & I don't see a likely way to trade up.

IOW, though I'd like to get 3 players out of this draft, it seems unlikely. If it does happen, my guess is Tommy will have bought a R2 pick as he did last year. The Sixers have 3 of them -- #s 33, 35, & 50. That last one could get Ruz & my pick hit, Tres Tinkle. Maybe even Tillman...?