2027 Draft Stuff

[babyjax13]

Somewhat loose ordering of prospects. I've seen most of them play at least a bit, but not regularly enough to have a good sense of where they will go yet. Simple thoughts so far, based on limited games for a lot of these guys.

1. Tyran Stokes
Really good ball handler and distributor for a 6-7 player built like a tank. He has nice touch near the rim and on his passes, but poor touch on his shot. Given that he has touch in other areas, my hope is that the jumper can come around.

2. Stefan Joksimović
The handle is really good for someone who is 6-8, but bad for someone who is a point guard. Shows good vision, sometimes has the ability to control the pace of the game. Vertically explosive, certainly wants to finish over people. Physically has a bit of a narrow frame and so he can get pushed out of position or thrown off by contact but he goes to the rim hard enough that his rim pressure is an advantage. I am kind of skeptical about the shot - he has somewhat of an inconsistent form even if it is going in. I think he will fill a similar role to a Franz Wagner/Brandon Ingram/Gordon Hayward as a jumbo pseudo-point guard in a lot of sets - this role would also maximize his off-ball movement.

3. Caleb Holt
Has a reputation as a really good shooter, but I think there are some things to clean up with his footwork on his shot to be more consistent. Moves well off-ball and can get free cutting to the rim or from three. Defensively seems to have good anticipation at jumping passing lanes. Not an elite athlete, doesn't have an elite handle, kind of slow.

4. Jordan Smith
Relentless competitor. Defensively has great anticipation and lateral speed. Strong for his height. Offensively he can put pressure on the rim and his jumper has developed, but it still isn't great. Can move the ball and create opportunities, but not an elite distributor. Feels like he will fill that Jalen Suggs role on a team.

5. Dylan Mingo
Has an insane handle for his size. Can finish through some contact, shot looks nice off the dribble, if he is healthy he will be a scoring machine in college. Has a lot of movement characteristics that are reminiscent of Jamal Crawford, Jordan Clarkson, and Caris LeVert, but he is more physical than all of them.

6. Bruce Branch
Lacks strength and handle is loose. Jumper should develop, moves reasonably well off-ball. Defensively he is disruptive on and off ball with his length.

7. Anthony Thompson

8. Jaxon Richardson
I think he is pretty underrated. The jumper looks pretty decent, the athleticism pops (think well above average, but maybe not elite). I think he even might have a decent handle. Defensively he has good anticipation and physicality. If someone randomly rises into the top-8, it may be Richardson.

9. Motiejus Krivas
Soft hands, really skilled offensively. Makes the right (simple) reads with his passing, has nice footwork inside, can finish through contact and is fairly fluid. I think he will have a three point shot that matters at the pro level. Defensively can be a bit slow footed, but that is the worst I can really say. Again, really fluid and coordinated, and just massive. Much better prospect than Aday Mara who was overdrafted.

10. Jason Crowe Jr.

11. Luigi Suigo
Massive, fairly coordinated and plays with a bit of an edge in international competitions. Shot looks like it will be a real weapon. Slow laterally. I think he is also a better prospect than Mara - kind of reminiscent of Clingan to me.

12. Billy Richmond
His shot has developed and he hits wide open threes. I think the form is going to continue getting cleaned up. Good cutter who puts pressure on the rim, can attack a bent defense. Defensive menace, good anticipation with elite length and vertical + lateral athleticism. I think there is a good chance he returns top-5 value in this draft just by being an excellent 4th starter on a team (think Robert Covington/Derrick Jones Jr. in terms of impact).

13. JJ Andrews
Andrews is a very good athlete with good size as a wing. His jumper is a work in progress but doesn't look terrible, moves well off-ball, extremely high energy. He is a guy who, if his offense develops, will have a chance to rise a lot by the time the draft comes.

14. Hugo Yimga Moukouri
Ugly shot, decent athlete with a good motor, developing handle. Reminds me a lot of early career Jerami Grant (which, a lot of players do). Moves like an NBA player and if the touch improves he will be good.

15. Braylon Mullins
There is a good chance that he will be the best shooter in the draft (Trey McKinney is the other guy that jumps out right now as a shooter). Has some secondary ball handling potential and won't be a complete liability on defense. A bit of a narrow frame, might not be able to defend up a position very well. A team with a big point guard would be ideal.

16. Cameron Williams
17. Miikka Muurinen
18. Deron Rippey Jr.
19. Alijah Arenas
20. Ivan Kharchenkov
21. Baba Oladotun
22. Matt Able
23. Rueben Chinyelu
24. Trey McKenney
Can shoot the leather off the ball. Physical, can finish because of that physicality but not an above-the-rim player. Not going to be a pure point guard or primary ball-handler. Right place, right time player. Competes defensively but doesn't generate steals. There is a decent chance he is a 4-year player unless he really moves up boards in what looks like a weak draft.
25. Massamba Diop
26. Matas Vokietaitis
27. Christian Collins
28. Tyler Tanner
29. Tomislav Ivisic
30. Thomas Haugh

31. Patrick Ngongba II
32. Jasper Johnson
33. Jalen Haralson
34. Tounde Yessoufou
35. David Mirkovic
36. Milan Momcilovic
37. Johann Grunloh
38. Neoklis Avdalas
39. Silas Demary
40. Andrej Stojakovic
41. Dame Sarr
42. JT Toppin
43. Malachi Moreno
44. Jeremy Fears Jr.
45. Nikolas Khamenia
46. John Blackwell
47. Jojo Tugler
48. Eric Reibe
49. Dash Daniels
50. Shon Abaev
51. Amari Allen
52. Myles Byrd
53. Coen Carr
54. Moustapha Thiam
55. Pryce Sandfort
56. Boogie Fland
57. Zvonimir Ivisic
58. Juke Harris
59. Karter Knox
60. Donnie Freeman

Guessing 2027 [parenthesis is the highest I think they can be drafted by round]: Jacob Furphy, Talis Soulhac (2nd), Darius Adams, Cayden Boozer (2nd), Darren Harris, Declan Duru (2nd), Flory Bidunga (2nd), Alex Condon (2nd), Kanon Catchings (2nd), Magoon Gwath (2nd), Kwame Evans (2nd), Cole Rosario (2nd), Taylor Bol Bowen (2nd), Eric Dailey (2nd), (2nd), Tahaad Pettiford (2nd), Aden Holloway (2nd), Joson Sanon (2nd), PJ Haggerty (2nd), Mackenzie Mgbako (2nd), Robert Wright (2nd), Caleb Foster (2nd), Baye Ndongo (2nd), Blake Harper (2nd), Adrian Wooley (2nd), Jarin Stevenson (2nd), Aaron Bradshaw (2nd), Ognjen Srzentic (2nd), Michael Ruzic (2nd), Mouhamed Faye (2nd), Pavle Backo (2nd), Derek Dixon (2nd)

Guessing 2028: Brandon McCoy, Quinn Costello, Abdou Toure, Quentin Coleman, Omer Mayer, Mario Saint-Suprey, Tajh Ariza, Ikenna Alozie, Daniel Jacobsen, Quron Elliott, Adam Atamna, Fallou Mbow, Ian Jackson, Isiah Harwell

[babyjax13]

Big Board (plausible high-end upside)

Tier 1 (future MVP candidate):
None

Tier 2 (all NBA + multi-time all star):
None

Tier 3 (multi-time all-star):
Tyran Stokes
Stefan Joksimović

Tier 4 (maybe an all-star, probably a good starter):
Jordan Smith
Bruce Branch
Caleb Holt

Tier 5 (solid starter):
Motiejus Krivas
Billy Richmond
Braylon Mullins

[Chuck Everett]

Big Board (plausible high-end upside)

Tier 1 (future MVP candidate):
None

Tier 2 (all NBA + multi-time all star):
None

Tier 3 (multi-time all-star):
Tyran Stokes

Tier 4 (maybe an all-star, probably a good starter):
Jordan Smith
Bruce Branch
Caleb Holt

Tier 5 (solid starter):
Motiejus Krivas
Billy Richmond
Braylon Mullins

Richmond's a backup. Quality backup, but if he's a starter for anyone it's because he's next to a superstar or we are terrible. I look at him like Desmond Mason or Fred Jones (though he is taller than both) I love the guy as an athlete and think he'll find a role but I don't think I would want him starting.

[babyjax13]

Big Board (plausible high-end upside)

Tier 1 (future MVP candidate):
None

Tier 2 (all NBA + multi-time all star):
None

Tier 3 (multi-time all-star):
Tyran Stokes

Tier 4 (maybe an all-star, probably a good starter):
Jordan Smith
Bruce Branch
Caleb Holt

Tier 5 (solid starter):
Motiejus Krivas
Billy Richmond
Braylon Mullins

Richmond's a backup. Quality backup, but if he's a starter for anyone it's because he's next to a superstar or we are terrible. I look at him like Desmond Mason or Fred Jones (though he is taller than both) I love the guy as an athlete and think he'll find a role but I don't think I would want him starting.

I think there is more there. I think the shot is going to come around, and he has some basic ability to attack the basket with his handle. Defensively he should be a monster. I am not saying he will be Paul George, but could he be kind of in that Robert Covington/Derrick Jones Jr. tier of useful starters? I think so.

[Cammo101]

Richmond will need to raise his offensive output to be this level or prospect. Not saying it can't happen for him, but given what we have seen so far this is a bit rich for him. I do like him though, in a glue guy sort of way.