2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[MasterIchiro]

I think that if anyone trades up, it's going to be for Ball. I also think that is the ONLY way that Ball goes before 3, because I don't think Minny or GS takes him at their spots. We better hope that someone trades up.

The MJ/Edwards pic leaked. Edwards was so excited to meet MJ that he posted it, and we couldn't control the narrative. We totally want Edwards, MJ doesn't leave Florida for just a scouting trip. He wanted to meet him and talk with him, to make sure he was our guy. The Wiseman thing is all smoke to try and cover for it. If we are smart, we will be linked to Ball soon for the second smokescreen. Trying to get interest up on those two guys. That's the only we can possibly get Edwards at our spot.

There is no way the Wolves pass on Edwards with the Malik Beasley fallout. We're just not getting him. The Wolves won't trade him either I don't think. The teams gunning for Ball are likely taking aim at the Warriors', knowing Edwards is the pick for the Wolves. Hopefully the Warriors find some team to overpay for Ball. Or else they take our backup plan Avdija and Ball falls to us. I would try to get 4 from the Bulls + WCJ. Yes I'd take Toppin 4.

[316Hornets]

With the shortened season, we should probably just take the biggest project so we get another high lotto pick next summer. That's probably going to be Wiseman. I feel like Ball and Edwards are better prospects, but I'd sacrifice their upside for another high lotto pick.

[James Gatz]

I think no matter what rookie we draft they aren't likely to help. Okongwu is probably the only guy I think would add win totals for us next year. I'm not worried about any of the top 3.

[fatlever]

Ball would be 3rd string pg for us next year (also competing with monk and martins for guard mins), that's bigger project to me than wiseman, who could eventually start over cody/biz by end of year.

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[Diop]

Ball would be 3rd string pg for us next year (also competing with monk and martins for guard mins), that's bigger project to me than wiseman, who could eventually start over cody/biz by end of year.

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Is biz still contracted? I thought he had expired

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Ball would be 3rd string pg for us next year (also competing with monk and martins for guard mins), that's bigger project to me than wiseman, who could eventually start over cody/biz by end of year.

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Is biz still contracted? I thought he had expired

He did

[BigSlam]

So who has our FO been rumored to be linked to now?

Wiseman, Edwards, Okongwu, Hayes, Toppin.....

It seems like the FO is doing a masterful job of trying to manipulate other FO's and leverage the #3 pick by keeping everyone guessing and being linked to a lot of different prospects.

Mitch over here playing chess while, when he was GM, Cho was struggling to understand the rules of checkers.

[PhilBlackson]

Assuming Edwards and Wiseman are gone, I'd draft Okongwu, be 100% happy with that pick then pursue a better wing in next year's draft than role the dice with better wing prospects in next year's draft.

At least ensure you get a really good player out of a questionable draft than roll the dice on another bust.

[Hornet Mania]

At this point I feel like my list of prospects has solidified. Right now I'd be happy with any of the following (in no particular order):

-Edwards
-Wiseman
-OO
-Hayes
-Halliburton

If we come out of this draft with any of them I'll be a happy camper. Deni, Ball and Toppin seem extremely iffy to me, rather stay away.

[KGdaBom]

I think that if anyone trades up, it's going to be for Ball. I also think that is the ONLY way that Ball goes before 3, because I don't think Minny or GS takes him at their spots. We better hope that someone trades up.

The MJ/Edwards pic leaked. Edwards was so excited to meet MJ that he posted it, and we couldn't control the narrative. We totally want Edwards, MJ doesn't leave Florida for just a scouting trip. He wanted to meet him and talk with him, to make sure he was our guy. The Wiseman thing is all smoke to try and cover for it. If we are smart, we will be linked to Ball soon for the second smokescreen. Trying to get interest up on those two guys. That's the only we can possibly get Edwards at our spot.

There is no way the Wolves pass on Edwards with the Malik Beasley fallout. We're just not getting him. The Wolves won't trade him either I don't think. The teams gunning for Ball are likely taking aim at the Warriors', knowing Edwards is the pick for the Wolves. Hopefully the Warriors find some team to overpay for Ball. Or else they take our backup plan Avdija and Ball falls to us. I would try to get 4 from the Bulls + WCJ. Yes I'd take Toppin 4.

IMO it's not a sure thing that the Wolves draft Edwards, but the Beasley situation just made it more likely.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Great read about Tyrell Terry

https://fansided.com/2020/11/04/tyrell-terry-nba-draft-work/

[KGdaBom]

Great read about Tyrell Terry

https://fansided.com/2020/11/04/tyrell-terry-nba-draft-work/

Yep. Going at 17 to The Minnesota Timberwolves.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Great read about Tyrell Terry

https://fansided.com/2020/11/04/tyrell-terry-nba-draft-work/

Yep. Going at 17 to The Minnesota Timberwolves.

He's as high as 11 on some national big boards. Might not last that long.

[KGdaBom]

Great read about Tyrell Terry

https://fansided.com/2020/11/04/tyrell-terry-nba-draft-work/

Yep. Going at 17 to The Minnesota Timberwolves.

He's as high as 11 on some national big boards. Might not last that long.

40/60 he makes it to our pick 17. I'm hopeful.

[LofJ]

If the Celtics aren't able to trade up or out and pick at 14 I'd be surprised if they don't take Terry.

[Rich4114]

My slightly uninformed mostly based on high level info, highlights and gut preferences of players is this:

1) Wiseman
2) Edwards

3) Trade down to mid-late lotto for future picks and take Vassell

I am seeing all of the Okongwu talk. I am equally done with undersized bigs as I am guards or SF's with broken shots. I could convince myself to get excited about Ball only because of his ball handling and passing ability, but I'd be really worried about the bust potential. Whoever we draft MUST be able to start on this roster day one. Not a question. Can't be this lacking in overall talent and then draft top 3 without being able to start the guy.

[Rays Pompadour]

The narrative of Charlotte trading up for Wiseman makes more sense with subsequent reports they're interested in Okongwu. If the Timberwolves wanted to extract maximum value from Charlotte, they can't really have the Hornets highly value Okongwu. Not saying Mitch doesn't highly value Okongwu (we pretty much all do on this board), but making said interest public may be part of a smart negotiating ploy to keep the Timberwolves within reason with what they should ask for the #1 pick. I still say Wiseman is worth no more than Bridges or Monk, #3 and #32, and I'd even be hesitant to let #32 go.

On a separate note, I just read an ESPN breakdown of cap space and Charlotte is set to have $50M in cap, which the site says is a dangerous amount to have. They suggest Charlotte spend some of that cap now (Horford? Miles Turner?) to prevent overspending later on and to keep all options open at #3 (meaning a non-big man like Avdija or Ball).

[amcoolio]

The narrative of Charlotte trading up for Wiseman makes more sense with subsequent reports they're interested in Okongwu. If the Timberwolves wanted to extract maximum value from Charlotte, they can't really have the Hornets highly value Okongwu. Not saying Mitch doesn't highly value Okongwu (we pretty much all do on this board), but making said interest public may be part of a smart negotiating ploy to keep the Timberwolves within reason with what they should ask for the #1 pick. I still say Wiseman is worth no more than Bridges or Monk, #3 and #32, and I'd even be hesitant to let #32 go.

On a separate note, I just read an ESPN breakdown of cap space and Charlotte is set to have $50M in cap, which the site says is a dangerous amount to have. They suggest Charlotte spend some of that cap now (Horford? Miles Turner?) to prevent overspending later on and to keep all options open at #3 (meaning a non-big man like Avdija or Ball).

We'll offer Bogdan Bogdanović a offer sheet, Sac will match, and it will make it look like we tried to spend

Then at trade deadline take a bad contract for a future first or two for a contending desperate team

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

On a separate note, I just read an ESPN breakdown of cap space and Charlotte is set to have $50M in cap, which the site says is a dangerous amount to have. They suggest Charlotte spend some of that cap now (Horford? Miles Turner?) to prevent overspending later on and to keep all options open at #3 (meaning a non-big man like Avdija or Ball).

It's not really 'dangerous' ... it's just that the team is going to have to spend a certain amount anyway. Basically there is a salary floor as well as a cap. If the team is under that cap they are forced to spend the money anyway on the existing players.

For example if the floor is 20 mil more than what the team is spending, then all players on the Hornets roster get a percentage of that 20 mil.

This coming year, with the escrow being so large, it might actually mean that the Hornets players get paid close to what they were expecting to earn contractually.

[316Hornets]

Pistons gone on record that they want to move up to get Ball. Big thing will be what the Warriors want to do.

Assuming Twolves go Edwards, Warriors select Wiseman/Deni, we'll be sitting at 3 with a whole lot of leverage. I just hope that if someone gives us a big offer, we have the patience to give up this pick.