2020 Draft

[Jamaaliver]

[Shoe]

I like Okoro but we have Robinson and Bonga who are both offensively challenged small forwards. On the other hand there is a point where if you think he's going to be special than you take him regardless of fit.

[Ruzious]

Is Okoro a better prospect than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was? If you say yes, is he a better prospect than Justice Winslow?

[Shoe]

Is Okoro a better prospect than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was? If you say yes, is he a better prospect than Justice Winslow?

MKG even shot 75% on 5 ft a game his year at Kentucky, so you'd think there was some potential there. Corey Brewer could be added to the defensive wings with no jumper graveyard too. If Okoro is a great pro he'd be the exception I assume.

[youngWizzy]

Got a feeling Tommy is looking for Deni Avdija this draft (of course depending on our draft position). Based on what he said with the team needing more wing depth and defense. I see no possibility of him drafting a big man early in the draft either as he mentioned he doesn't want to pay the center position a whole lot of money.

[pcbothwel]

Is Okoro a better prospect than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was? If you say yes, is he a better prospect than Justice Winslow?

He is the same prospect as Winslow...maybe a little less. Which is why im not that excited.
Hayes, Haliburton, Avdija, and Vassell are better prospects IMHO.

Vassell is a Mikal Bridges Doppleganger. Limited Ceiling due to limited athleticism and play-making instincts, but high level "3 & D" prospect that can score efficiently and guard multiple positions.

[Ruzious]

Got a feeling Tommy is looking for Deni Avdija this draft (of course depending on our draft position). Based on what he said with the team needing more wing depth and defense. I see no possibility of him drafting a big man early in the draft either as he mentioned he doesn't want to pay the center position a whole lot of money.

I'm surprised to hear that he'd say that - even if he was thinking it. Do you have a link?

And using a 1st rounder on a big doesn't mean they'd be spending a lot at the center position.

[payitforward]

I agree about Okoro. No interest whatever. More in Vassell -- but... somehow I think that at #9 we can get a better player than you describe, pc....

As usual, I want to trade down -- unless we can get Wiseman or Okongwu. This looks like quite a deep draft to me.

[youngWizzy]

Got a feeling Tommy is looking for Deni Avdija this draft (of course depending on our draft position). Based on what he said with the team needing more wing depth and defense. I see no possibility of him drafting a big man early in the draft either as he mentioned he doesn't want to pay the center position a whole lot of money.

I'm surprised to hear that he'd say that - even if he was thinking it. Do you have a link?

And using a 1st rounder on a big doesn't mean they'd be spending a lot at the center position.

I meant to say a high first rounder. Should have been more clear as in a top 5 pick.

Here is the entire AMA he did on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ffgunu/hello_im_tommy_sheppard_general_manager_of_the/

This is the link to the specific comment where he said the team needs additional depth at the wing: https://old.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ffgunu/hello_im_tommy_sheppard_general_manager_of_the/fjydih4/

[payitforward]

Got a feeling Tommy is looking for Deni Avdija this draft (of course depending on our draft position). Based on what he said with the team needing more wing depth and defense. I see no possibility of him drafting a big man early in the draft either as he mentioned he doesn't want to pay the center position a whole lot of money.

I'm surprised to hear that he'd say that - even if he was thinking it. Do you have a link?...

That's not exactly what Tommy said. Here's his comment:

"If you look at the way the game is played, it's harder and harder to have significant money tied in to one player at the center position. We found it as a necessity to do center-by-committee. We're pleased with the progress of Thomas Bryant, Moe Wagner, and Anzejs Pasecniks."

[youngWizzy]

Got a feeling Tommy is looking for Deni Avdija this draft (of course depending on our draft position). Based on what he said with the team needing more wing depth and defense. I see no possibility of him drafting a big man early in the draft either as he mentioned he doesn't want to pay the center position a whole lot of money.

I'm surprised to hear that he'd say that - even if he was thinking it. Do you have a link?...

That's not exactly what Tommy said. Here's his comment:

"If you look at the way the game is played, it's harder and harder to have significant money tied in to one player at the center position. We found it as a necessity to do center-by-committee. We're pleased with the progress of Thomas Bryant, Moe Wagner, and Anzejs Pasecniks."

Also worth mentioning he said "Best overall player - certainly we have some needs at the wing for depth. The biggest thing we need is more talent and that's what we're looking to add. We have Chicago's second round pick this year as well, which is looking like a higher pick than expected." in response to their draft board/strategy.

[Shoe]

Got a feeling Tommy is looking for Deni Avdija this draft (of course depending on our draft position). Based on what he said with the team needing more wing depth and defense. I see no possibility of him drafting a big man early in the draft either as he mentioned he doesn't want to pay the center position a whole lot of money.

Yep if we jump in the lottery I bet Tommy will take Deni over Okongwu. If we don't move up in the lottery neither will be there when we pick.

Read on Twitter

[doclinkin]

I agree about Okoro. No interest whatever. More in Vassell -- but... somehow I think that at #9 we can get a better player than you describe, pc....

As usual, I want to trade down -- unless we can get Wiseman or Okongwu. This looks like quite a deep draft to me.

Not even Wiseman for me. He''s long and projects to be a defensive center but his defensive awareness will take a while to catch up with his physical talents. You'll get better value from his second contract than his first. If he were available at the Wiz pick for whatever reason I expect you'd get more production out of a trade down.

[payitforward]

I agree about Okoro. No interest whatever. More in Vassell -- but... somehow I think that at #9 we can get a better player than you describe, pc....

As usual, I want to trade down -- unless we can get Wiseman or Okongwu. This looks like quite a deep draft to me.

Not even Wiseman for me. He''s long and projects to be a defensive center but his defensive awareness will take a while to catch up with his physical talents. You'll get better value from his second contract than his first. If he were available at the Wiz pick for whatever reason I expect you'd get more production out of a trade down.

Actually, I'd say it's pretty rare *not* to get more production by trading down -- certainly from anywhere outside the top 3 picks.

&, by "unless we can get Wiseman or Okongwu" I did mean by way of the ping pong balls, obviously, not at #8 or 9.

I suppose this is entirely a theoretical discussion. Unfortunately. But, are you saying that

1. if your pick was up, & both those guys were available, you'd pick Okongwu over Wiseman? (I assume this would mean we had the #1 pick & that your answer is a clear 'yes')
2. if Wiseman was there but not Okongwu, you would a) trade down or b) pick someone else?

[Shoe]

I agree about Okoro. No interest whatever. More in Vassell -- but... somehow I think that at #9 we can get a better player than you describe, pc....

As usual, I want to trade down -- unless we can get Wiseman or Okongwu. This looks like quite a deep draft to me.

Not even Wiseman for me. He''s long and projects to be a defensive center but his defensive awareness will take a while to catch up with his physical talents. You'll get better value from his second contract than his first. If he were available at the Wiz pick for whatever reason I expect you'd get more production out of a trade down.

But the Wizards would get exclusive rights to his second contract. It's unlikely any draft pick boosts us a lot next year

[payitforward]

Shoe makes a good point.

IMO, under any condition whatever, no matter whether you think your team is good or bad, no matter what position you think most needs improvement on your team, you always & only use any pick on the BPA & never anyone else.

[doclinkin]

Actually, I'd say it's pretty rare *not* to get more production by trading down -- certainly from anywhere outside the top 3 picks.

&, by "unless we can get Wiseman or Okongwu" I did mean by way of the ping pong balls, obviously, not at #8 or 9.

I suppose this is entirely a theoretical discussion. Unfortunately. But, are you saying that

1. if your pick was up, & both those guys were available, you'd pick Okongwu over Wiseman? (I assume this would mean we had the #1 pick & that your answer is a clear 'yes')
2. if Wiseman was there but not Okongwu, you would a) trade down or b) pick someone else?

HOT TAKE: I don't know that I'd take Wiseman at 8 or 9. If there was a juicy trade offered.

But let me make a quick case. The Center position is not strictly devalued in the NBA right now, but the value has changed. The point of the game is still to try to funnel the ball to the basket. So the Big Guy closest to the basket, in location and in height/reach, still ought to have an outsized role, so to speak, on defense. The ball goes to the basket, they stop it from getting there and collect the near bounces. As always.

However, 'tall and athletic' is no longer at quite the premium it used to be. You have to filter for 'game smarts'. Players like Los Bros Lopez or Marc Gasol are not terribly athletic or quickfooted. But they play the role needed for them by anticipating the defense and getting where they need to be before the ball is even in the hands of the shooter. The best in the game at this is Draymond Green. Al Horford, players like that, players who have the smarts to read both teams at once and play out the scenario a few fractional seconds into the future -- they have more of an effect on the game than the guys who simply BIG LONG FAST the game. Those who have feasted at a lower level due to natural measurable gifts and never had to learn to be cunning to get picked or play next.

Thing is, with the emphasis on the perimeter game, nobody in the league is long enough and athletic enough to cover all the avenues of attack. You just have to be like a soccer goalie or baseball player and guess right. Game Smarts is big for Big Men right now. More so even than length and athletics Otherwise JaVale McGee would be a Hall of Famer.

So yes Okongwu. Yes Vernon Carey. Wiseman. I don't know. This Wiseman?

Watch on YouTube

Or one a few years from now. How quickly does he learn when pressed and tested? Because yeah you can;t teach height and athletics, he does look good from that standpoint. But does he love to ball? Does he meet a challenge with determination?

[nate33]

HOT TAKE: I don't know that I'd take Wiseman at 8 or 9. If there was a juicy trade offered.

But let me make a quick case. The Center position is not strictly devalued in the NBA right now, but the value has changed. The point of the game is still to try to funnel the ball to the basket. So the Big Guy closest to the basket, in location and in height/reach, still ought to have an outsized role, so to speak, on defense. The ball goes to the basket, they stop it from getting there and collect the near bounces. As always.

However, 'tall and athletic' is no longer at quite the premium it used to be. You have to filter for 'game smarts'. Players like Los Bros Lopez or Marc Gasol are not terribly athletic or quickfooted. But they play the role needed for them by anticipating the defense and getting where they need to be before the ball is even in the hands of the shooter. The best in the game at this is Draymond Green. Al Horford, players like that, players who have the smarts to read both teams at once and play out the scenario a few fractional seconds into the future -- they have more of an effect on the game than the guys who simply BIG LONG FAST the game. Those who have feasted at a lower level due to natural measurable gifts and never had to learn to be cunning to get picked or play next.

Thing is, with the emphasis on the perimeter game, nobody in the league is long enough and athletic enough to cover all the avenues of attack. You just have to be like a soccer goalie or baseball player and guess right. Game Smarts is big for Big Men right now. More so even than length and athletics Otherwise JaVale McGee would be a Hall of Famer.

So yes Okongwu. Yes Vernon Carey. Wiseman. I don't know. This Wiseman?

Watch on YouTube

Or one a few years from now. How quickly does he learn when pressed and tested? Because yeah you can;t teach height and athletics, he does look good from that standpoint. But does he love to ball? Does he meet a challenge with determination?

Ouch! That video was BRUTAL!

[nate33]

I see no possibility of him drafting a big man early in the draft either as he mentioned he doesn't want to pay the center position a whole lot of money.

I don't know if they'll draft a big man, but I think it is highly unlikely that they go into next season without some more help at center. They're not going to rely on just Bryant and Wagner, since neither can defend. If they don't draft a guy like Okwongu, they'll sign someone like Tristan Thompson, Nerlens Noel, Robin Lopez or Serge Ibaka.

[doclinkin]

Ouch! That video was BRUTAL!

True but to be fair he posted 14/12/1 block on 62% shooting in that game against big time competition in Oregon in only his 3rd game in the NCAAs. Fair to say he has a learning curve but his upside is better than most.