09-10 WizFans Official Draft Thread II

[miller31time]

Continuation of the previous draft thread.

Click here for Part 1

[MDStar]

Same question from the last page:

Since there are more power forwards available than centers, what are the chances that Blatche get's moved to Center depending on who's available when ? It would allow us more flexability to pick up Favors, Cousins, Monroe etc. IMO he has the size to play center in today's NBA. Other than Dwight Howard and maybe Bynum, who else would completely body him down low. Especially if he puts on muscle this off season.

[nate33]

Same question from the last page:

Since there are more power forwards available than centers, what are the chances that Blatche get's moved to Center depending on who's available when ? It would allow us more flexability to pick up Favors, Cousins, Monroe etc. IMO he has the size to play center in today's NBA. Other than Dwight Howard and maybe Bynum, who else would completely body him down low. Especially if he puts on muscle this off season.

Cousins would play center alongside Blatche. Favors would play center alongside Blatche (though he might need a year of tutelage and strength training to defend NBA centers).

I think Monroe is a pure PF and would be a bad pairing with Blatche. I'd rather draft Wesley Johnson to play SF and look to free agency to address the center position.

[nate33]

I was just watching some Youtube mixes of Jan Vesely. I know it's only highlights, but the kid looks like a baller. He has great length (6-11 with a freakish wingspan) and his athleticism is impressive; the kid was nearly bumping his head on the backboard on every dunk. But the thing that surprised me most was that he knocked down a few threes; it's more of a set shot than a jumper, but he has a nice shooting form. He really reminded me of a younger Andrei Kirilenko, but with a perimeter shot. He also has a lot of energy and enthusiasm. There was a bit too much celebrating after his dunks for my tastes, but at least you get the feeling that he truly enjoys basketball.

If we get screwed out of the top 4 of the draft, I'd take a long hard look at Vesely. He might be a better prospect than Wesley Johnson or Greg Monroe. That said, Youtube mixes have a way of making everyone look impressive. I'm not saying we should draft him at #5, I'm just saying he's worth serious scrutiny.

[verbal8]

I was just watching some Youtube mixes of Jan Vesely. I know it's only highlights, but the kid looks like a baller. He has great length (6-11 with a freakish wingspan) and his athleticism is impressive; the kid was nearly bumping his head on the backboard on every dunk. But the thing that surprised me most was that he knocked down a few threes; it's more of a set shot than a jumper, but he has a nice shooting form. He really reminded me of a younger Andrei Kirilenko, but with a perimeter shot. He also has a lot of energy and enthusiasm. There was a bit too much celebrating after his dunks for my tastes, but at least you get the feeling that he truly enjoys basketball.

If we get screwed out of the top 4 of the draft, I'd take a long hard look at Vesely. He might be a better prospect than Wesley Johnson or Greg Monroe. That said, Youtube mixes have a way of making everyone look impressive. I'm not saying we should draft him at #5, I'm just saying he's worth serious scrutiny.

If the Wizards get completely screwed I like Vesely a lot around 7. DX has him listed at 10. I think Aldrich and Wesley Johnson will have more impact in need areas than Vesely initially. However if Monroe stays in school and they are looking at Vesely, Aminu and Ed Davis at 7, I would definitely go with Vesely.

[Rafael122]

Favors is listed as 6'8" right? Does he play like he's that tall or does he play taller than that? Ala Paul Millsap? I can't see how this guy could play center.

[nate33]

Favors is listed as 6'8" right? Does he play like he's that tall or does he play taller than that? Ala Paul Millsap? I can't see how this guy could play center.

DX lists him at 6-10 with an "excellent wingspan". FWIW, he's only 18 so he might have another inch or so of growth left.

[verbal8]

I see favors as a lot like Okafor. I think he will be able to play the Center position and be a good defender, but I don't see him being much of a force offensively.

[Halcyon]

If you view highlight videos to gauge purely the potential upside of a player, I think they are totally fine to use. It does look like Vesely is a versatile player with enthusiasm and energy for the game. You can see him grinning after the dunks and blocks, which is always a good sign. Physically speaking, his frame seems very small though, so you'd have to wonder if he would be able to play the 4 or if he could play the 3. With his skillset he may be able to play the 3, but I don't know if he'll have the quickness or overall dribbling ability to play there on offense. Defensively his wing-span would be ok for playing the 3 I would assume.

I would still take Wesley Johnson or Monroe, who have projectable positions in the pros before this guy Vesely. But the potential is definitely there for this kid.

Also Favors looks like he has a fairly big frame he could build on, and he definitely could grow an inch or two in the next few years. He is definitely more athletic than Okafor and already has a decent offensive repetoire from 10 ft in, while Okafor was much less skilled coming out of college after 3 years. Center is not out of the question.

[Rafael122]

Favors is listed as 6'8" right? Does he play like he's that tall or does he play taller than that? Ala Paul Millsap? I can't see how this guy could play center.

DX lists him at 6-10 with an "excellent wingspan". FWIW, he's only 18 so he might have another inch or so of growth left.

Draft.Net has him as 6'9" so I'm not sure who to believe. That's why I asked and questioned whether could play center if he's that short...not that 6'9 is short but its not ideal center height. The measurements will be very interesting.

[Optms]

If theres anything I picked up from a season ago, its that the top two teams with the worst record will most likely get screwed come lottery night (one of the two will this year anyway), and I think the 3 to 5 range in the final standings will serve Washington immensely when lady luck comes around. This might be the year for some major excitement. You guys remember the year Washington drew the 1st overall pick in the 2001 draft? I'm sure you all remember they were actually at the back end of the worst 3 in the league prior winning the lottery that year. The only good news here is the front office is different, which means no Jordan cherry picking here and the top two players in this draft are almost a sure thing to be sure fire stars.

Wall is obviously the consensus pick here given the opportunity, and if not he should be. He's incredible and as talented of a guard as I've seen coming into the draft in recent memory. If he's out of reach (meaning Washington is picking 2 to 4) then I'd like Turner followed by either Cousins or Favors. Cousins seems to have some character concerns but I really believe you're being too cautious if that turns you off entirely ignoring his talent, potential, and the productivity he had with Kentucky. I'm one who believes Washington needs a big shake up in things and if Turner is out of reach, Cousins is the next big thing which you have to consider taking right away. I was actually split between Favors and Cousins for awhile but Favors rawness scares me much more than Cousins character issues do. Cousins already has proven to more productive at the collegiate level and looks to be productive right off the bat as where Favors might need a couple years of seasoning before making a major impact. And that's if he ever does. Washington could be stuck with Favors for years without seeing him progress like the picks that went ahead of him before realizing that made a mistake. Tyrus Thomas comes to mind when I think of Favors but I still love his potential.

Also, Nate you mentioned Johnson over Monroe? Lord no. I'm actually a little biased being a GT kind of guy but I would love to see him in a Washington uniform because I think he could be a great great fit for the club if and a great pairing with Blatche if on the board. I believe he might be that one sleeper pick within the top 10 this year. Gut feeling. Also, I have Monroe listed as more of a center in the league than a true PF, and view Favors more as a PF than I do center. I think Monroe has the frame to pack on the pounds and weight to play that position. He's a pretty big guy from what I've seen. Favors would be somewhat undersized for the role I think. This all is pending though on actual measurements.

Either way, Washington inside of a top 4 pick this year will have some hard decisions to make. Wall, Turner, Cousins, Favors, are the cherries of the cherry picking in this years draft.

[verbal8]

If theres anything I picked up from a season ago, its that the top two teams with the worst record will most likely get screwed come lottery night (one of the two will this year anyway), and I think the 3 to 5 range in the final standings will serve Washington immensely when lady luck comes around. This might be the year for some major excitement. You guys remember the year Washington drew the 1st overall pick in the 2001 draft? I'm sure you all remember they were actually at the back end of the worst 3 in the league prior winning the lottery that year. The only good news here is the front office is different, which means no Jordan cherry picking here and the top two players in this draft are almost a sure thing to be sure fire stars.

Obviously Kwame Brown was a disaster, but the top of the 2001 draft was riddled with busts. Even the guys who ended up being good, took a while to develop.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-draft-history/?syear=2001

[likwitdesi]

Someone on the Draft Board compared him to Josh Smith. I am not sure if he is THAT athletic but his profile does remind me of him except that he is 6-11 vs Smith who is 6-9. If he can prove in workouts that he can shoot the 3, then I may want to take him over Wes Johnson.

[Hoopalotta]

I don't know if Monroe would do well putting on a lot of weight. A) he needs to be able to take guys off the dribble, even if it's just centers B) the way he runs the court looks like he's thinking "let's try and minimize the impact of each step".

I can see the argument for his putting on some muscle and his legs are pretty skinny, but I'm not sure how it would work out.

Offensively, I think he'd be great, but I call into question his ability to buttress the interior against NBA quality slashers and shed some tears at the thought of what would get done to us on 'the other end'.

[Hoopalotta]

Despite what I said about Monroe, I'd probably take his flaws over the flaws of the other prospects in that 5-6 range, but it sounds like he well might not be coming out.

Without Monroe on the board, I'd have to consider a trade back to the later portion of the lottery if we're looking at the 5th or 6th pick. I'm not saying I'm all over it or would even push for it, but I'd definitely consider that if someone came asking.

There's so many candidates that it would be a mini magnum opus to go into all the possibilities, but if a team 9th-12th fell in love with Cole Aldrich or Wesley Johnson and we could get a nice young player out of it by trading back, I'd give it a listen.

Toronto --> DeRozen (I could see them liking Cole in an attempt to keep Bosh; I like Demar fairly well, myself)
New Orleans --> Collison
Indiana --> Hib-dawg (we'd probably have to throw in some incentive, like Nick/30th/take 2011 back salary, but I'd go there)
Utah --> I don't think they have the assets other than maybe future firsts (including one from MEM)

But if things broke right, you might get a nice player in addition to Vesley or Henry and the gap between those guys and Cole or Wesley might well make it worth it, especially if we're talking Hibbert.

[LyricalRico]

Toronto --> DeRozen (I could see them liking Cole in an attempt to keep Bosh; I like Demar fairly well, myself)

I was thinking about that exact scenario in the context of Toronto preparing for Bosh to leave. But their first goes to MIA this year from the JO-for-Marion deal. That being the case, I'm not sure they have enough assets to trade into the lottery.

They might be better off trying to deal DeRozan straight up for a pick in the 15-20 range to get Whiteside or Alabi.

[Hoopalotta]

The Toronto first is lottery protected though, so it well might be that they keep it and it's the 11th pick.

I could see Cole being attractive in either the 'Bosh stays' or 'Bosh goes' scenarios as he brings a lot of what they need and is fairly polished already (or as I like to say, "he's fairly Polish").

[LyricalRico]

^ Ah, didn't know about the protection. Hmmm...they almost have some incentive to MISS the playoffs in that case. They'll just be fodder for CLE if they make it. By missing the playoffs they at least hold onto the pick to help rebuild after Bosh leaves.

Assuming no playoffs for TOR, would DeRozan and a 12-14 pick be enough to move up to get Aldrich? I don't see that package being able to get them any higher than LAC at #8. But Aldrich might go as high as #6 to the Kings IMO based on Hawes lack of development and love of the perimeter.

[TheBigThree]

If we do end up drafting Favors or Cousins (though I still have a feeling Aldrich might be the best of the bunch), there is no way we move Blatche to PF. That experiment failed already, no need to try it again with Blatche finally coming into his own.

I have to admit, I'd be perfectly comfortable if we picked Johnson. He looks like an extremely solid pick that could come in and contribute right now. He even has a decent jumper.

[Illuminaire]

^ Ah, didn't know about the protection. Hmmm...they almost have some incentive to MISS the playoffs in that case. They'll just be fodder for CLE if they make it. By missing the playoffs they at least hold onto the pick to help rebuild after Bosh leaves.

Does the pick roll over to next year, or simply vanish? If the former, I'd think they'd be pretty desperate to make the playoffs... if Bosh leaves, next year's pick could be the #1 overall.