2024 Draft Thread - Part II

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Read on Twitter

He's someone I'd like to see the Zards draft at 26...assuming that Sarr is not the #2 pick.

If the Wizards take him at 26 I will not be mad.

[dckingsfan]

A trade was proposed where we end up with 2, 13, 26 & 45.

Who would your picks be in this particular case?

[doclinkin]

For the draft people -

I don't know that Edey will ever be as good as Yao Ming, but if Yao were in this draft, would he also have the same types of 'too slow' questions marks?

I get the impression that people think Shaq would be a bench player in this league. Poor FT shooting, drop coverage defender, no range on his shot.

My feeling is that if a player proves dominant enough they shift the paradigm. The NBA 'is' a certain way until it alters, and then the game reshuffles. I don't think there is an orthodoxy of a right way to play at this level, since the playstyle commonly shifts when a particular player hits the scene and begins to win.

If Yao were entering the league he would still be a huge threat on offense, huge deterrent under the basket, and force teams to adjust. Any player that is able to post 60+% true shooting with a 30+% usage rate is a danger to face. Yao was doing that in the era of HOF bigs and rough low post play. Now? The open paint is a kiddie pool for a big who can finish on the inside. And players with a ~10% offensive rebound rate can hoover hundreds of extra possessions a season.

Maybe that means less in a league where the average win margin is now over 10 points, with more blowouts this year than ever before, but I get the sense that the NBA is trying to reel that in. I would not be surprised if they were feeling pressure from their partnership with the big gambling organizations. (Close games equal more action. And I'd expect more in-game prop bets). Anyway they sure tightened it up in the 2nd half of the season. I'd expect that trend to continue. Blowouts are boring.

Ball goes in basket. Tall man is closest. Give tall man the ball, see score change for you. If short men cannot stop the tall man, the game slows down. Transition game slower. If tall man catches all misses, his team controls the pace. Walk it up, slow it down, fewer crazy shots, more time for tall man to stuff the ball in.

A dominant big man can be three of the four factors by himself. High efficiency, extra possessions, extra free throws vs teams who have to hack to stop him. The only vulnerability is to teams with unstoppable outside shooting. But that is everybody's kryptonite. The team that solves that will force the next paradigm shift. Though that 'team' may be the guys with the whistles.

[payitforward]

(Ware is)... someone I'd like to see the Zards draft at 26...assuming that Sarr is not the #2 pick.

Count me in on that!

[dckingsfan]

(Ware is)... someone I'd like to see the Zards draft at 26...assuming that Sarr is not the #2 pick.

Count me in on that!

Pass...

Watch on YouTube

;t=462s&ab_channel=HoopsProfile

[DCZards]

(Ware is)... someone I'd like to see the Zards draft at 26...assuming that Sarr is not the #2 pick.

Count me in on that!

Pass...

Watch on YouTube

;t=462s&ab_channel=HoopsProfile

Checked out this video. Found it interesting that the guy doing the analysis chose to focus on only one game…a game against Ohio St. where Ware was in foul trouble and played just 26 mins, which matched a season low in minutes.

He pointed out some legit concerns about Ware’s intensity but I’m skeptical of the focus on a single game. It’s really a kinda amateurish analysis… as many of these random analysis are.

What’s undeniable is that Ware was a top rebounder and shot blocker in one of the nations best conferences.

[prime1time]

By the time the Wiz are competitive Avdija, Kuzma and Kispert will be traded. We should not be making drafting decisions based on their presence on the roster. We'll see what Wiz leadership does but imo, a rebuild doesn't start unitl you have at least 1 player with elite potential. We curently don't have one and their are none in this draft. So the earliest we could get one is next year. If we do his prime would be 6+ years from now (he'd be competitive 3 years from now at best). I have no problem drafting a PG or a Center, but only if we genuinely believe they are the best prospect on the board. Not drafting someone because we have already drafted role players who play the same position doesn't make sense.

Not to mention the fact that the NBA is moving to position-less basketball. You can say that BC will not be a 2, but it's a distinction without importance because BC will be able to guard 2's or 1's or 3's or 4's. If you could create your ideal team, everyone would be able to switch 1-4 if not 1-5. From an offensive perspective, the league has moved to a dominant guard/3 point shooters/big man dynamic. And even teams with more ball movement, have guys that can shoot the 3, put the ball on the floor and create (albeit to different degrees) and a big. All that to say, a lineup next year of BC, Avdija, Kuzma, Kispert and Bagley. Is it a completely acceptable lineup. Even if we drafted a pg, would he be ball dominant (i.e. take the ball out of Avdija's, Kuzma's, BC's hands)?

Lastly, we should point out that the WIzards are, to put it mildly, not good. We had the second worst record in the league. We are enganging an OKC esque rebuild without having a PG or Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony to jump start the process. There is no SGA on this roster. And look at how long the OKC rebuild took. Assuming we are committed to the rebuild, the future roster that is competitive will be vastly different than the one we have today. That's not to say that the players on this team are bad. Porzingis is going to the Finals. Caldwell-Pope just won last year. Gafford, looks to be on his way to the finals. Avdija, Kuzma and Kispert are all talented enough to be major contributors on championship rosters.

The goal should be to maximize the value of the players you draft. If we had a star and there was a pathway to building a contender keeping these guys, then I'd be the first one to say we should keep them. But we don't. And these guys have much more value on a contending team seeking the extra "edge."

[prime1time]

Seeing Risacher take off in the playoffs, it's clear to me that he's a different level than everyone else in this draft. Hopefully, the Hawks are caught up with the potential of Sarr and let Risacher fall to us.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Let's put this in perspective. This is the same league that Wemby and BC played in last year. The most points Bilal scored in a game last year was 16. At 19, he's basically leading the team scoring wise and he's doing it with a heavy dose of 3-point shooting. It's tough to look at these performances and really argue for anyone else in this draft. As impressive as BC's rise was last year, Risacher's improvement has been just as impressive imo. Sarr or Risacher. And it's really not close.

[payitforward]

Makes perfect sense, prime. The key point is clearly expressed at the end: "maximize the value of the players you draft."

Which means, essentially, *always* draft the best player available. Never do otherwise. & that's true no matter who is already on your roster come draft night. Trades are best used to balance positional strength on your team. Don't use the draft to do that! Not if it means passing on the bpa.

[pcbothwel]

By the time the Wiz are competitive Avdija, Kuzma and Kispert will be traded. We should not be making drafting decisions based on their presence on the roster. We'll see what Wiz leadership does but imo, a rebuild doesn't start unitl you have at least 1 player with elite potential. We curently don't have one and their are none in this draft. So the earliest we could get one is next year.

To be fair. SGA and Dort were a part of not 1, but 2 straight 20-win, bottom 5 teams in OKC.
How about KAT with the Twolves?
I mean, what business does a 25-win pacer team have keeping McConnell around?

I have no doubt that Kuz will be gone, but if we sign Kispert to a modest 3–4-year extension, then they (Deni & Kispert) SHOULD be pieces as we turn the corner to contend.

We have ZERO idea what Bilal is/will be, and we are capping ourselves way to early on Deni.
Deni may not be Jimmy Butler, but what about Maxey, Brunson, Sabonis, Markkanen, Bane, etc.

[prime1time]

Makes perfect sense, prime. The key point is clearly expressed at the end: "maximize the value of the players you draft."

Which means, essentially, *always* draft the best player available. Never do otherwise. & that's true no matter who is already on your roster come draft night. Trades are best used to balance positional strength on your team. Don't use the draft to do that! Not if it means passing on the bpa.

I'd have to really think hard about to come up with scenarios where I wouldn't draft the highest player on the draft board. Tbh, in most scenarios the better move would be to trade with another team who actually needs said player. Imo, the question isn't whether we should draft who's left between Risacher or Sarr but rather should we stay where we are or trade back. I think there's clear separation between those two players.

[DCZards]

By the time the Wiz are competitive Avdija, Kuzma and Kispert will be traded. We should not be making drafting decisions based on their presence on the roster.

While I agree that the Zards shouldn’t be making draft decisions based on the current roster, I totally disagree that Deni will (or should be) traded. Deni is 23 yrs old and on a great trajectory. Unless the Zards get a trade offer that they simply can’t refuse, I’m keeping Deni around for the long haul. I’d hope that the Zards will have a quality team in 3-4 years, at which time Deni will still only be 26 or 27 yrs old…and in his prime. Why would the Zards and we Zards’ fans not want that to happen?

Lastly, we should point out that the WIzards are, to put it mildly, not good. We had the second worst record in the league. We are enganging an OKC esque rebuild without having a PG or Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony to jump start the process. There is no SGA on this roster. And look at how long the OKC rebuild took

Did it really take OKC a long time to rebuild? Here’ how many wins OKC has had in the last 4 seasons.

2020-21 — 22 wins
2021-22 — 24 wins
2022-23 — 40 wins
2023-24 — 57 wins

Three years from 22 wins to being the top team in the western conference with 57 wins. That’s not a long time.

Of course, it helps to have great drafts and a superstar like SGA

[prime1time]

Makes perfect sense, prime. The key point is clearly expressed at the end: "maximize the value of the players you draft."

Which means, essentially, *always* draft the best player available. Never do otherwise. & that's true no matter who is already on your roster come draft night. Trades are best used to balance positional strength on your team. Don't use the draft to do that! Not if it means passing on the bpa.

I'd have to really think hard about to come up with scenarios where I wouldn't draft the highest player on the draft board. Tbh, in most scenarios the better move would be to trade with another team who actually needs said player. Imo, the question isn't whether we should draft who's left between Risacher or Sarr but rather should we stay where we are or trade back. I think there's clear separation between those two players.

[prime1time]

By the time the Wiz are competitive Avdija, Kuzma and Kispert will be traded. We should not be making drafting decisions based on their presence on the roster.

While I agree that the Zards shouldn’t be making draft decisions based on the current roster, I totally disagree that Deni will (or should be) traded. Deni is 23 yrs old and on a great trajectory. Unless the Zards get a trade offer that they simply can’t refuse, I’m keeping Deni around for the long haul. I’d hope that the Zards will have a quality team in 3-4 years, at which time Deni will still only be 26 or 27 yrs old…and in his prime. Why would the Zards and we Zards’ fans not want that to happen?

Lastly, we should point out that the WIzards are, to put it mildly, not good. We had the second worst record in the league. We are enganging an OKC esque rebuild without having a PG or Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony to jump start the process. There is no SGA on this roster. And look at how long the OKC rebuild took

Did it really take OKC a long time to rebuild? Here’ how many wins OKC has had in the last 4 seasons.

2020-21 — 22 wins
2021-22 — 24 wins
2022-23 — 40 wins
2023-24 — 57 wins

Three years from 22 wins to being the top team in the western conference with 57 wins. That’s not a long time.

Of course, it helps to have great drafts and a superstar like SGA

True, but my point still stands. We don't have an SGA and we are in year one. OKC is basically what happens when everything goes right (other than Josh Giddey). You start a rebuild and you're bringing in a ton of assets. We don't have that. Another example is Philly.

[NatP4]

Risacher is shooting 35% from 3 and 57% from the FT line in the playoffs.

Playoff numbers overall: 27.8 minutes per game: 16.2 points 8.4 rebounds 0.6 assists 0.8 steals 3.2 turnovers 0.4 blocks on 58/35/57 shooting splits.

2pt scoring way up, rebounding way up. 5 assists to 19 turnovers, A/TO ratio is brutal.

[dobrojim]

Makes perfect sense, prime. The key point is clearly expressed at the end: "maximize the value of the players you draft."

Which means, essentially, *always* draft the best player available. Never do otherwise. & that's true no matter who is already on your roster come draft night. Trades are best used to balance positional strength on your team. Don't use the draft to do that! Not if it means passing on the bpa.

I'd have to really think hard about to come up with scenarios where I wouldn't draft the highest player on the draft board. Tbh, in most scenarios the better move would be to trade with another team who actually needs said player. Imo, the question isn't whether we should draft who's left between Risacher or Sarr but rather should we stay where we are or trade back. I think there's clear separation between those two players.

As a blanket statement, I'm skeptical. Seems to me there are many variables that would/ought to
be considered before consummating such a deal starting with what is the trading partner willing
to give up. Doesn't every team in fact need the best player(s) they can draft?

[dobrojim]

dupe post

[dckingsfan]

Count me in on that!

Pass...

Watch on YouTube

;t=462s&ab_channel=HoopsProfile

Checked out this video. Found it interesting that the guy doing the analysis chose to focus on only one game…a game against Ohio St. where Ware was in foul trouble and played just 26 mins, which matched a season low in minutes.

He pointed out some legit concerns about Ware’s intensity but I’m skeptical of the focus on a single game. It’s really a kinda amateurish analysis… as many of these random analysis are.

What’s undeniable is that Ware was a top rebounder and shot blocker in one of the nations best conferences.

I think his motor and BBIQ is lacking. Not sure that can be fixed. I think there are other Cs I would much prefer.

[nate33]

By the time the Wiz are competitive Avdija, Kuzma and Kispert will be traded. We should not be making drafting decisions based on their presence on the roster. We'll see what Wiz leadership does but imo, a rebuild doesn't start unitl you have at least 1 player with elite potential. We curently don't have one and their are none in this draft. So the earliest we could get one is next year. If we do his prime would be 6+ years from now (he'd be competitive 3 years from now at best). I have no problem drafting a PG or a Center, but only if we genuinely believe they are the best prospect on the board. Not drafting someone because we have already drafted role players who play the same position doesn't make sense.

Not to mention the fact that the NBA is moving to position-less basketball. You can say that BC will not be a 2, but it's a distinction without importance because BC will be able to guard 2's or 1's or 3's or 4's. If you could create your ideal team, everyone would be able to switch 1-4 if not 1-5. From an offensive perspective, the league has moved to a dominant guard/3 point shooters/big man dynamic. And even teams with more ball movement, have guys that can shoot the 3, put the ball on the floor and create (albeit to different degrees) and a big. All that to say, a lineup next year of BC, Avdija, Kuzma, Kispert and Bagley. Is it a completely acceptable lineup. Even if we drafted a pg, would he be ball dominant (i.e. take the ball out of Avdija's, Kuzma's, BC's hands)?

Lastly, we should point out that the WIzards are, to put it mildly, not good. We had the second worst record in the league. We are enganging an OKC esque rebuild without having a PG or Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony to jump start the process. There is no SGA on this roster. And look at how long the OKC rebuild took. Assuming we are committed to the rebuild, the future roster that is competitive will be vastly different than the one we have today. That's not to say that the players on this team are bad. Porzingis is going to the Finals. Caldwell-Pope just won last year. Gafford, looks to be on his way to the finals. Avdija, Kuzma and Kispert are all talented enough to be major contributors on championship rosters.

The goal should be to maximize the value of the players you draft. If we had a star and there was a pathway to building a contender keeping these guys, then I'd be the first one to say we should keep them. But we don't. And these guys have much more value on a contending team seeking the extra "edge."

It's utterly ludicrous to argue that Avdija should be traded because he is not on the team's timeline. The guy just turned 23.

I've seen this sentiment more than once, and I think part of it is just a reflexive and perhaps subliminal apprehensiveness about young players getting expensive once their rookie contracts are up. An elite role player like Deni is exactly the type of guy who might get paid a whole lot on the market and suddenly screw up the team's cap situation, sort of like what happened with Otto Porter. But the important thing to remember here is that this WILL NOT HAPPEN with Deni. Deni is already locked into an ultra cheap contract for FOUR MORE YEARS. Take a moment to let that sink in. Four years is an eternity in the NBA, and also happens to be the same length as a rookie contract.

Look at it this way. If we drafted, say, Tristan da Silva in June, and he turned out to be an elite role player in his rookie year, posting 19, 9 and 4 with good defense, would we immediately trade him for fear that he isn't on our timeline? Of course not! He would be considered a core piece for the future. So why would you trade Deni?

[dckingsfan]

↑↑↑↑↑↑

Bilal, Vukcevic, Avdija (and perhaps Baldwin & Butler) should be part of a core moving forward and should be considered in the rebuild.

I think the point prime1time was making was that we should still take the BPA regardless of those players. And certainly with respect to Kuzma, Kispert & Poole.

And his position on positionless basketball and taking the BPA seems solid.

But Avdija wants to be here, signed a great declining contract and is improving materially year over year. Yeah, he is a keeper for the rebuild.