2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[BlackOutBuzz]

I was active for a bit there after the lottery, but then.......

“...we had a baby a little while back and instead of capology and basketball takes my life now consists of dirty diapers and sleepless nights”.


Fixed that for you BoB.




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Lol ain't that the truth, somehow she just turned 1!

I actually have a mildly interesting story about her and the draft; I'll probably share it Wednesday.

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[LofJ]

I'm thinking the top 3 is going to be Wiseman, Ball, Edwards in that order. Both Wiseman and Ball will be traded, Wiseman to us and Ball to Chicago, NY, or Detroit. I think the Bridges rumor is legit, he'll be what we pay to trade up with Minnesota.

[No-Man]

This is my best Mock based on intel

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Em51MeXXIAAil5D?format=png&name=medium

Kinda what you can expect, OKC trading up to POR's pick using 25+28

[BigSlam]

This is my best Mock based on intel

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Em51MeXXIAAil5D?format=png&name=medium

Kinda what you can expect, OKC trading up to POR's pick using 25+28

You’re a Magic fan, aren’t you?


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[No-Man]

This is my best Mock based on intel

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Em51MeXXIAAil5D?format=png&name=medium

Kinda what you can expect, OKC trading up to POR's pick using 25+28

You’re a Magic fan, aren’t you?


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Nope, I am just sourced

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

This is my best Mock based on intel

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Em51MeXXIAAil5D?format=png&name=medium

Kinda what you can expect, OKC trading up to POR's pick using 25+28

I wouldn't be mad at Edwards ending up as the pick here.

Given all the rumors around Atlanta trading their pick I find it interesting to see Haliburton there at 6.

I share the opinion that Hayes will fall.

[No-Man]

Not an opinion, unless Chicago trades down, Hayes is going late lotto to mid teens

[JMAC3]

Really hope we don’t trade up to 1, But also don’t see much value in trading down.

Pistons pretty much don’t have anything on their roster that’s worth trading down for.

Knicks would have to be Barrett and 8 at least.

Not interested in a bunch of mediocre picks from Boston.

I think we should just take whoever falls to us at this point, they all would be massive improvements to what we currently have.

[amcoolio]

I now have Wiseman third on my list for the 3rd pick behind Ball and Edwards, so I guess we should stay at 3 and hope Edwards or Wiseman pan out

[driveandkick]

Definitely seems like most mocks are starting to settle in with Ball at #1 and Wiseman at #2, which would most likely leave us with Edwards. Of course a trade could throw this off. I also won't be surprised if GSW has an off the radar pick at 2 such as Avdija or someone. Either way I'd say it's most likely we come away with Edwards right now.

[Braggins]

This is my best Mock based on intel

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Em51MeXXIAAil5D?format=png&name=medium

Kinda what you can expect, OKC trading up to POR's pick using 25+28

Whats your opinion of Edwards?

Id be much more willing to trade back if Okongwu is really going to be available in the 7-9 range.

[driveandkick]

This is my best Mock based on intel

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Em51MeXXIAAil5D?format=png&name=medium

Kinda what you can expect, OKC trading up to POR's pick using 25+28

Whats your opinion of Edwards?

Id be much more willing to trade back if Okongwu is really going to be available in the 7-9 range.

Not calling out you in general or anything, but every draft season I'm always amazed at how easy fans think it is to trade back. Like there's a magic button a team can press anytime they are on the clock and be awarded a trade back package. If Ball is going first trading back most certainly won't be on the table for us. And if you trade back to "7-9" in hopes that Okongwu is there that is just way too risky. He could easily go in the 4-6 range, I know the Cavs are apparently high on him.

[Diop]

This is my best Mock based on intel

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Em51MeXXIAAil5D?format=png&name=medium

Kinda what you can expect, OKC trading up to POR's pick using 25+28

You’re a Magic fan, aren’t you?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nope, I am just sourced

[MasterIchiro]

I'm not buying Wiseman to the Warriors. They want to trade the pick for a haul but they need Minny to pass on Ball because LaMelo is the only pick generating significant trade interest (multiple teams rumored to be trying to trade up for him). The Warriors beat writer reported they're not high on Wiseman according to team sources. If you remove Wiseman from 2, the uncertainty in the top 3 resurfaces. The posturing now that Wiseman is going 2 is designed to bait the Hornets into trading up for Wiseman, and the Warriors would still get their guy at 3. Even if their final demand is pick 32, we should stay put and force the Warriors to draft their guy for keeps at 2. Our guy may still be there at 3. Ball will go one and we'll get Avdija or Edwards. Edwards is considered best player in the draft so I wouldn't be surprised if the Warriors take him with the intention of trading him sometime during the season, maybe package him with the Wolves 2021 pick for a star at the deadline when the value of that Wolves 2021 first is more clearly defined.

Then Wiseman is there at 3 and we get to see if Kupchak likes Avdija more than Wiseman. Kupchak has said he scouted Avdija in person so he's on their radar. When asked about his valuation of Avdija, Kupchak implied Avdija has God-given talent and works hard. Kupchak very calmly and composed (he didn't drool on camera) stated Avdija will be a "fine player" in the NBA. Many mocks have Deni going 4 to the Bulls. So picking him at 3 is not a reach. We will see if Hornets draft for need. The fact they're linked to Myles Turner indicates they've at least explored options to solve center outside the draft.

[BlackOutBuzz]

Read on Twitter

Obviously I haven't read all 100k words, but a few early takeaways:

Unsurprisingly, no "tier 1 prospects"

The Big 3 make up tier 2, and come with a "top 5 in a normal draft" label (this feels more accurate to me than all the talk about Ball being a clear number one, but like 6th or 7th in a typical year)

Tier 3 (4-11), in order: Okongwu, Okoro, Avdija, Haliburton, Toppin, Williams, Hayes, Vassell

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[Snidely FC]

I feel like Lamelo Ball has become the clear #1 not necessarily because he is the clear best player or the best fit for MIN but because he seems to be the one guy many a team below wants to trade up for

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I feel like Lamelo Ball has become the clear #1 not necessarily because he is the clear best player or the best fit for MIN but because he seems to be the one guy many a team below wants to trade up for

I agree that he's the clear #1 at this point, but it's not just because of trade value by itself. The reason LaMelo has trade value is because he can be a transformational player.

The fit for the T-Wolves is iffy.

[James Gatz]

I really want us to just take OO and call it a day. It feels like Edwards will be there but how many times do we have to be fooled by physical freaks who have bad feel for the game.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I really want us to just take OO and call it a day. It feels like Edwards will be there but how many times do we have to be fooled by physical freaks who have bad feel for the game.

FWIW, my sense is that Edwards does have feel, he just doesn't have constant effort / motor.

Here's what Sam Vincent had to say in his latest mock that has Charlotte taking Edwards

Charlotte’s developmental coaching staff has been absolutely terrific over the last couple of years, too, and could really be the kind of group that Edwards needs to find his potential in the NBA. I don’t think I’d be totally stunned if the Hornets take Onyeka Okongwu of USC at No. 3 because they really want to fill their need at center. But this is a team that needs star power above all else. It has a lot of really solid pieces who should become high-level starters (if they’re not already there) in PJ Washington, Devonte Graham, and Miles Bridges. If Edwards hits, he’d be the perfect scoring guard they need with that core.

[BigSlam]

Here's what Sam Vincent had to say in his latest mock that has Charlotte taking Edwards

Our ex-head coach Sam Vincent?

He’s publishing mock drafts now? That’s funny.


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