The Official 2023 Draft Thread

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I do really like Sidy Cissoko...

If he'd be an "awesome" wing for the Thunder at 12, is taking him at 8 that much of a reach?

He is a highly skilled player with all the physical tools, very young with major upside but already with major professional experience, superb passer + top tier defensive potential.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nba-draft-sidy-cissoko-makes-for-awesome-wing-project-for-okc-thunder/ar-AA1bKx6x

Watch on YouTube

[NatP4]

Yeah, I think Cissoko goes 12-16 range. His physicality/motor/defensive IQ will make him a major plus on defense that can switch 1-4. On O, he’s going to be a quality secondary playmaker, and a guy that can pay on or off ball. Settles in as a good spot up shooter and a great slasher/cutter.

Was only 18 years old, leading the Ignite in on/off differential this year.

[doclinkin]

Was only 18 years old, leading the Ignite in on/off differential this year.

At an on/off of -1.2.

I like that he's young and talented, lots of upside, not so much production. All about projection and potential. But showing skills early is a good sign. There is quality talent in this draft but depending who falls I'd rather trade back and pick up a prospect plus a proven player.

Shoot, looking at the G-League stats, I could see Scoot actually falling a bit. Two concussions may raise concerns.

Nobody on that squad was all that productive. Leonard Miller performed well based on lowered expectations, I suppose.

[Rafael122]

Amen's shot needs alot of work. So much so he may slip to 8 if Houston & Orlando decide they need more shooting instead. Indy & Detroit are no threats to take him. At 8 I bite that his 99.9% tier athleticism at 6-7 covers for his shot defencies while they clean up his form. Don't let him become Ben Simmons and not take him at all. Russ was never a good shooter but his outlier athleticism, aggressiveness and willingness to fire up mid-range jumpers made him a supreme threat.

With Ausur's shot looking like its much further along as well as his established comfort level off the ball, you wonder if Houston, Orlando or Indiana doesn't consider him ahead of Amen.


Despite concerns about Taylor Hendrick's feel offensively and finishing ability, I don't have concerns about his work ethic or shot making ability.

Cam really does scream Jaylen Brown to me, good and the bad. Michael Porter III is another tunnel vision scoring F that's a comparable. His combo of athleticism, power & intriguing skill and something I'm willing to take a risk on.

My worst case scenario is if Amen, Ausur, Cam & Taylor all are gone which means Jarace & Black are there ... the two guys I think are solid but not clear starters to me without serious improvement in terms of outside shooting.

At that point, I'd entertain a trade down or decide between Gradey Dick & Cason Wallace.

I've got Victor, Miller, Scoot and Whitmore going top 4. If Houston are going to sign Harden, them drafting Amen or Ausur makes no sense since both guys need the ball in their hands. Between Harden, Sengun, Green and KPJ as ball handlers, it just seems like a waste of a pick. Whitmore or even Hendricks as a 3 and D fits Harden's style more, and I can see Whitmore being the rim runner in Harden pick and rolls. Hendricks would be the pick and pop guy Harden likes to pass it to for the 3.

Detroit is a wildcard but the rumor is Walker shut his pro day down b/c he has a promise from a team. I haven't seen anything online to suggest Walker has any workouts scheduled, so I'm curious if that team is Detroit. He's been linked to Detroit in most mock drafts.

Indiana doesn't have a need for either Thompson twin, so that leaves Orlando as the wild card.

[NatP4]

Was only 18 years old, leading the Ignite in on/off differential this year.

At an on/off of -1.2.

I like that he's young and talented, lots of upside, not so much production. All about projection and potential. But showing skills early is a good sign. There is quality talent in this draft but depending who falls I'd rather trade back and pick up a prospect plus a proven player.

Shoot, looking at the G-League stats, I could see Scoot actually falling a bit. Two concussions may raise concerns.

Nobody on that squad was all that productive. Leonard Miller performed well based on lowered expectations, I suppose.

16 points 4.5 assists 1.4 steals 1.2 blocks 60% TS. 18 years old.

https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-summary/?sort=DIFF_NET_RATING&dir=1

[NatP4]

Ausar is a fit in Houston and Indiana. The twins are different players.

Houston would be just as smart to trade Jalen Green and take Amen/Ausar. Green is awful

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Yeah, I think Cissoko goes 12-16 range. His physicality/motor/defensive IQ will make him a major plus on defense that can switch 1-4. On O, he’s going to be a quality secondary playmaker, and a guy that can pay on or off ball. Settles in as a good spot up shooter and a great slasher/cutter.

Was only 18 years old, leading the Ignite in on/off differential this year.

Basically everything we’ve hoped Deni would be.

Reminding me of Jalen Williams last year... Can’t take him he’s projected lower than our pick, so we end up with Johnny Davis. Sometimes you have to open your eyes, and Sidy passes the eye test. He’s got the size, length, strength, fluidity/coordination, Good hands & touch, athleticism, explosiveness, IQ, vision, high effort, coachability. And as an 18 yr old playing in a professional league on a team where his role was to be a complimentary player he was pretty highly productive, and was improving as the season went on.

[gambitx777]

Bilal is gonna be this year's Williams but how far will reach up the boards.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Bilal is gonna be this year's Williams but how far will reach up the boards.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

I like him too! Probably more of a project, but potentially higher upside. I’d be happy with either.

[Rafael122]

Is Bilal actually going to work out with teams or is he just rising b/c of his game/tape?

[doclinkin]

Was only 18 years old, leading the Ignite in on/off differential this year.

At an on/off of -1.2.

I like that he's young and talented, lots of upside, not so much production. All about projection and potential. But showing skills early is a good sign. There is quality talent in this draft but depending who falls I'd rather trade back and pick up a prospect plus a proven player.

Shoot, looking at the G-League stats, I could see Scoot actually falling a bit. Two concussions may raise concerns.

Nobody on that squad was all that productive. Leonard Miller performed well based on lowered expectations, I suppose.

16 points 4.5 assists 1.4 steals 1.2 blocks 60% TS. 18 years old.

https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-summary/?sort=DIFF_NET_RATING&dir=1

Hmm.

B-ref has him with a 30% 3FG.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/teams/GLI/2023.html

The G-League site says 36% in the link you gave:
https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-traditional/?sort=FG3_PCT&dir=1

But 30% under his own stats:
https://gleague.nba.com/player/1631321/sidy-cissoko

I'm thinking the site you linked to has faulty info. Everywhere else I look show him with FG 45%, FT 64%, 3FG 30% .
Which does not equate to a 60% TS.

[Dat2U]

At an on/off of -1.2.

I like that he's young and talented, lots of upside, not so much production. All about projection and potential. But showing skills early is a good sign. There is quality talent in this draft but depending who falls I'd rather trade back and pick up a prospect plus a proven player.

Shoot, looking at the G-League stats, I could see Scoot actually falling a bit. Two concussions may raise concerns.

Nobody on that squad was all that productive. Leonard Miller performed well based on lowered expectations, I suppose.

16 points 4.5 assists 1.4 steals 1.2 blocks 60% TS. 18 years old.

https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-summary/?sort=DIFF_NET_RATING&dir=1

Hmm.

B-ref has him with a 30% 3FG.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/teams/GLI/2023.html

The G-League site says 36% in the link you gave:
https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-traditional/?sort=FG3_PCT&dir=1

But 30% under his own stats:
https://gleague.nba.com/player/1631321/sidy-cissoko

I'm thinking the site you linked to has faulty info. Everywhere else I look show him with FG 45%, FT 64%, 3FG 30% .
Which does not equate to a 60% TS.

I don't think we have enough SGs that can't shoot. Him and Johnny will give the ballboys their money's worth.

[Frichuela]

16 points 4.5 assists 1.4 steals 1.2 blocks 60% TS. 18 years old.

https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-summary/?sort=DIFF_NET_RATING&dir=1

Hmm.

B-ref has him with a 30% 3FG.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/teams/GLI/2023.html

The G-League site says 36% in the link you gave:
https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-traditional/?sort=FG3_PCT&dir=1

But 30% under his own stats:
https://gleague.nba.com/player/1631321/sidy-cissoko

I'm thinking the site you linked to has faulty info. Everywhere else I look show him with FG 45%, FT 64%, 3FG 30% .
Which does not equate to a 60% TS.

I don't think we have enough SGs that can't shoot. Him and Johnny will give the ballboys their money's worth.

So true

[9 and 20]

Houston takes Amen Thompson at 4. Ausar Thompson gets to 8. Houston offers up Jalen Green, who doesn't fit with Harden, for 8. What does Winger do?

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Hmm.

B-ref has him with a 30% 3FG.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/teams/GLI/2023.html

The G-League site says 36% in the link you gave:
https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-traditional/?sort=FG3_PCT&dir=1

But 30% under his own stats:
https://gleague.nba.com/player/1631321/sidy-cissoko

I'm thinking the site you linked to has faulty info. Everywhere else I look show him with FG 45%, FT 64%, 3FG 30% .
Which does not equate to a 60% TS.

I don't think we have enough SGs that can't shoot. Him and Johnny will give the ballboys their money's worth.

So true

Keep in mind that's from the NBA line. Ant Black for example shot 30% from the college 3.

[Jay81]

i think their is an outside chance Amen falls to 8

[NatP4]

At an on/off of -1.2.

I like that he's young and talented, lots of upside, not so much production. All about projection and potential. But showing skills early is a good sign. There is quality talent in this draft but depending who falls I'd rather trade back and pick up a prospect plus a proven player.

Shoot, looking at the G-League stats, I could see Scoot actually falling a bit. Two concussions may raise concerns.

Nobody on that squad was all that productive. Leonard Miller performed well based on lowered expectations, I suppose.

16 points 4.5 assists 1.4 steals 1.2 blocks 60% TS. 18 years old.

https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-summary/?sort=DIFF_NET_RATING&dir=1

Hmm.

B-ref has him with a 30% 3FG.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/teams/GLI/2023.html

The G-League site says 36% in the link you gave:
https://stats.gleague.nba.com/team/1612709930/onoffcourt-traditional/?sort=FG3_PCT&dir=1

But 30% under his own stats:
https://gleague.nba.com/player/1631321/sidy-cissoko

I'm thinking the site you linked to has faulty info. Everywhere else I look show him with FG 45%, FT 64%, 3FG 30% .
Which does not equate to a 60% TS.

60% TS on BBall reference as well

https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/c/cissosi01d.html

RealGM has him at 60.1% TS

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Sidy-Cissoko/Summary/175693

Must be all wrong, although you could simply calculate it yourself and see that is does equal 60% TS

[SUPERBALLMAN]

i think their is an outside chance Amen falls to 8

God I hope not

[prime1time]

I do really like Sidy Cissoko...

If he'd be an "awesome" wing for the Thunder at 12, is taking him at 8 that much of a reach?

He is a highly skilled player with all the physical tools, very young with major upside but already with major professional experience, superb passer + top tier defensive potential.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nba-draft-sidy-cissoko-makes-for-awesome-wing-project-for-okc-thunder/ar-AA1bKx6x

Watch on YouTube

Thunder are a very interesting team. To me he seems redundant with what they already have. Giddey, Jalen Williams, Dortz, Jaylin Williams, Andrew Wiggins, Ousmane Dieng and Jeremiah-Robinson Earl.

Given what he projects as, the amazing amount of players in the league who are similar to him, I don't see the value of drafting him so high. These kind of players can easily be found in free agency. We've drafted Troy Brown Jr., Rui and Deni Avdija. The Thunder have at least 3 or 4 on their team. Soon teams will have to make decisions on guys like Isaac Okoro, Obi Toppin, Jonathan Kuminga, Ziare Williams, Jalen Johnson, Kai Jones and Patrick Williams.

The sad reality is that if we drafted him, we'd just try to turn him into a 3 and D player, completely negating his passing ability. Passing ability is nice, but without effective ball handling and some threat to score outside the paint, it is pretty much an irrelevant ability. Ultimately, my question is this. If Troy Brown Jr and Deni Avdija didn't work out here, why would Sidy Cissoko work out? Nothing the NBA loves more than to take these wings with all around games and solid defensive potential and turn them into a 3 and D.

The all-around wing with potential is the new undersized scoring guard. They are not skilled enough offensively to run the offense through so they end up just spacing the floor for the main offensive creator. Of course, because they are used to having the ball in their hands and initiating the offense, their off-ball skills are underwhelming and most of them are mediocre 3-point shooters at best. The vast majority of these kind of players fall down the same rabbit hole. Either he drastically improves his offense to become a main option ala Kawhi/Butler/PG/Jaylen Brown or they drastically improve their 3-point shooting and become great at playing off the ball and supporting the star.

Without adequate 3-point shooting, nothing else that he brings to the table from an off-the-ball perspective really matters. And even if you insist that it has value (the way some Avdija supporters do) because so many other wings can do the same thing they are literally interchangeable pieces. Mikal Bridges is the growth path you want to find when drafting wings.

[Dat2U]

The fascination Wiz fans with jack-of-all-trade type wings who can't throw it in the ocean is insane. These types had their own grip on me in eatlier years but lessons were learned going all the way back to Jared Jeffries to MKG (lol) to the more current examples. The only non-shooter I'm considering is Amen because his athleticism is so other-worldly, even if it doesn't improve there may be a pathway to where he's impactful. Guys like Black, Cissoko and Rayan Rupert don't have that uber athleticism to lean on & provide examples of the past Wizards front office theory that shooting is the easiest thing to add - but it never is. However if a guy can't make shots by the time he's 19 to 21, its highly unlikely he adds the skill to become a good shooter later on.