2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[MasterIchiro]

“At 6-foot-9 with good length, possessing elite athleticism, Toppin not only has prototypical physical attributes, he has the skill set to match, as he does about everything you’d want from a modern day power forward. On the offensive end, he is a threat to score on the low block, and around the rim, he is a good shooter from outside, he runs the floor and is a high flyer — pick your poison. Defensively, he is able to utilize his athleticism and physical tools to defend multiple positions, grab rebounds, and protect the rim. To go along with these terrific skills, he has a high motor, an infectious presence on the floor, but almost as important as anything, he has a high basketball IQ — he doesn’t make many mistakes and plays within himself.”

https://warriorswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/22/golden-state-warriors-2020-nba-draft-obi-toppin-dayton-flyers/

[Lwcasu]

“At 6-foot-9 with good length, possessing elite athleticism, Toppin not only has prototypical physical attributes, he has the skill set to match, as he does about everything you’d want from a modern day power forward. On the offensive end, he is a threat to score on the low block, and around the rim, he is a good shooter from outside, he runs the floor and is a high flyer — pick your poison. Defensively, he is able to utilize his athleticism and physical tools to defend multiple positions, grab rebounds, and protect the rim. To go along with these terrific skills, he has a high motor, an infectious presence on the floor, but almost as important as anything, he has a high basketball IQ — he doesn’t make many mistakes and plays within himself.”

https://warriorswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/22/golden-state-warriors-2020-nba-draft-obi-toppin-dayton-flyers/

From watching him play, I thought he may be a SF in the NBA. I also saw a few sites listing him as a possible SF. I do agree, much like I saw in PJ last year, Toppin has a very low chance to bust.

[MasterIchiro]

“At 6-foot-9 with good length, possessing elite athleticism, Toppin not only has prototypical physical attributes, he has the skill set to match, as he does about everything you’d want from a modern day power forward. On the offensive end, he is a threat to score on the low block, and around the rim, he is a good shooter from outside, he runs the floor and is a high flyer — pick your poison. Defensively, he is able to utilize his athleticism and physical tools to defend multiple positions, grab rebounds, and protect the rim. To go along with these terrific skills, he has a high motor, an infectious presence on the floor, but almost as important as anything, he has a high basketball IQ — he doesn’t make many mistakes and plays within himself.”

https://warriorswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/22/golden-state-warriors-2020-nba-draft-obi-toppin-dayton-flyers/

From watching him play, I thought he may be a SF in the NBA. I also saw a few sites listing him as a possible SF. I do agree, much like I saw in PJ last year, Toppin has a very low chance to bust.

Mitch is digging us out of a hole where most of our roster was bust picks, negative assets and Kemba with one foot out the door.

In a short time, Mitch has hit on 4 picks. We don't have the luxury of whiffing at this point. So someone with a high floor who can step in on day one makes sense. His position is not important to me. We have strong guard play plus Malik potentially developing with Martin. We have PJ and Miles. I don't like the centers in this draft. Most of the high picks play in the backcourt.

Toppin profiles as a PF but Marvin will be gone. He can get 20 minutes per game in his first season. And I agree he can play some SF, backing up Miles instead of Batum who's also on his way out. Toppin also offers some rim protection. He's 6' 9" like Biz and every bit as athletic. He doesn't have the 7-6 wingspan but he can be effective in small ball lineups with Bridges and PJ. Toppin has 2-way potential. We need to stock up on 2-way talent. As far as centers go, we can sign one.

[Lwcasu]

“At 6-foot-9 with good length, possessing elite athleticism, Toppin not only has prototypical physical attributes, he has the skill set to match, as he does about everything you’d want from a modern day power forward. On the offensive end, he is a threat to score on the low block, and around the rim, he is a good shooter from outside, he runs the floor and is a high flyer — pick your poison. Defensively, he is able to utilize his athleticism and physical tools to defend multiple positions, grab rebounds, and protect the rim. To go along with these terrific skills, he has a high motor, an infectious presence on the floor, but almost as important as anything, he has a high basketball IQ — he doesn’t make many mistakes and plays within himself.”

https://warriorswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/22/golden-state-warriors-2020-nba-draft-obi-toppin-dayton-flyers/

From watching him play, I thought he may be a SF in the NBA. I also saw a few sites listing him as a possible SF. I do agree, much like I saw in PJ last year, Toppin has a very low chance to bust.

Mitch is digging us out of a hole where most of our roster was bust picks, negative assets and Kemba with one foot out the door.

In a short time, Mitch has hit on 4 picks. We don't have the luxury of whiffing at this point. So someone with a high floor who can step in on day one makes sense. His position is not important to me. We have strong guard play plus Malik potentially developing with Martin. We have PJ and Miles. I don't like the centers in this draft. Most of the high picks play in the backcourt.

Toppin profiles as a PF but Marvin will be gone. He can get 20 minutes per game in his first season. And I agree he can play some SF, backing up Miles instead of Batum who's also on his way out. Toppin also offers some rim protection. He's 6' 9" like Biz and every bit as athletic. He doesn't have the 7-6 wingspan but he can be effective in small ball lineups with Bridges and PJ. Toppin has 2-way potential. We need to stock up on 2-way talent. As far as centers go, we can sign one.

Yeah I totally agree with this. One thing though he definitely has a long wingspan, and add to that he can jump. I was watching the Dayton vs Colorado game and there were three holy s**t dunks. His 3 point shot is kind of ugly, but it drops. He’s definitely got an NBA ready body much like PJ had coming into this rookie season. And likewise I see him as a guaranteed starter in the NBA. Star potential is unknown, and he needs to improve his handles. With today’s position-less game, it makes since to grab Obi. Off topic I hope he somehow ends up with the number 1 for the obvious nickname.

[Soul Rebel]

Currently hold the 8th overall pick just a fraction above Detroit for 7th overall.

3 teams that are only 2 games ahead of us for 4th overall...one of those teams is CLE, who we play next.

I really doubt we catch the trio of NYK/GS/ATL, but 4th overall finish would be fine by me.

[316Hornets]

Currently hold the 8th overall pick just a fraction above Detroit for 7th overall.

3 teams that are only 2 games ahead of us for 4th overall...one of those teams is CLE, who we play next.

I really doubt we catch the trio of NYK/GS/ATL, but 4th overall finish would be fine by me.

Cleveland will be tough to outtank once they trade Love. I think the Pelicans and Kings should win more once some of their stars come back(Zion, Bagley, Fox). Wizards are looking pretty crappy and they seem to be actively tanking or Beal is just getting injured all the time.

If I had to guess, I think we will be picking 6th(ATL,NYK,GSW,WAS,CLE) at best unless we face a major injury or trade Zeller/Biz.

[predators]

Currently at 20% odds to move into the top 4. I think they finish some where between 5 - 9 giving us a 20 - 37 % chance to jump into the top 4 pick. Which is fine by me. The flatter odds have gotten rid of the incentive of being extra **** terrible.

[LofJ]

There isn't much difference in the guys available after Wiseman and Edwards in my opinion. So if we don't move up into the top 2 it's not a huge deal if we stay in whatever draft slot we end up with.

[316Hornets]

If we want to tank, the schedule looks to be in our favor

Read on Twitter

[bravor]

There isn't much difference in the guys available after Wiseman and Edwards in my opinion. So if we don't move up into the top 2 it's not a huge deal if we stay in whatever draft slot we end up with.

I do agree that this incoming draft does not have many real potential 'stars' (even Wiseman has flaws) but otoh, i think there are many quality players that can be found even in the second round. So geting a top 2 pick and using any of the 2nd (hopefully more than the 2 that Hornets have currently) could land major upgrades where it's necessary (C/SF/two ways guard).
As long as you don't pick another Bennett (something Hornets never did despite their draft record), any 1st or 2nd pick has probably some good market value.

[No-Man]

the guy I like for the Hornets, and I do think the team is gonna end up with a top8 pick, is Okongwu

obv if you are lucky enough to jump up, Ball or Edwards would be good options as well

[Hornet Mania]

The more I think about it the less interest I have in drafting Wiseman. Perimeter players have overtaken bigs in value, I'm not convinced building around a C is a good idea. Aside from Embiid and Jokic no other true Cs are really making superstar impact these days, the other good ones are PFs masquerading as Cs because of small lineups (Davis, Horford). I think Wiseman is probably 20 years too late to make his maximum impact, like a lot of other very talented young bigs who would have thrived in a league that values post play.

So far I've crossed out Wiseman and Cole Anthony as guys I'd want us to draft. Wiseman is a big in a league where the value of a C is lower by the day, Anthony is a SG in a PG's body and I didn't see a lot in his time before getting injured to suggest he's super special offensively. At this point I'm sold on Graham as PG, Graham+Anthony seems like a backcourt that will be defensively abused.

[DY_nasty]

The few good Cs out there destroy teams though. The lack of C isn't what you're highlighting, its the lack of franchise Cs.

[bravor]

The problem being that the few potential good centers in next draft will probably be taken in the top5. I don't get why this franchise keep fighting for 8/10 position when so many franchise even in the West ate obviously and shamelessly tanking.
It's not like Hornets will convince any potential star to join the team in FA.

[DY_nasty]

We don't even need a franchise player of a center, just someone who can rebound and dive at the rim at a tyson chandler-type level lol. if we were just an average rebounding and defensive team we'd be CHILLIN in the playoffs right now

from there, we're good enough to watch our cap free up naturally - and if sacramento and phoenix can make their money talk than anyone can. our problem with free agency hasn't been getting guys to come, its being in the position to actually offer the bag in the first place. historically, we're never in the free agency market because we're typically not allowed to play with anything close to a max contract.

if the clippers and nets can turn it around, i reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllly can't subscribe to the "we'll suck forever because that's just the way it is" stuff. put yourself in position to be successful and so far we're doing it. its a long season and the worst of our schedule is still to come. we're probably looking at a top 10 pick at the least and top 5 at best. even if WE don't like what's out there, someone else could and that's still an asset in itself.

[bravor]

There is some space between full tank and tanking enough, that's all i am saying.
The difference between top 5 and top 10 is quite big to me in last draft (even though here and there you can find gems after the top 10, but some utterly bad prospects).

2017/2018/2019
Fultz/Ayton/Williamson
Ball/Bagley/Morant
Tatum/Doncic/RJ
Jackson/JJJ/Hunter
Fox/Young/Garland
Isaac/Bamba/Culver
Markkanen/Carter/White
Ntilikina/Sexton/Hayes
DSJ/Knox/Hachimura
Collins/Bridges/Reddish

the gap in talent (and potential stars) looks pretty huge to me, especially last two years obviously. That does not mean you can't find a gem after the top10 but if even some of the crappy 2017 top 5 draftees seem to become real nba players. We can't say the same with many 6-10 players for last three years (and i am pretty sure it can be said for the previous).
Again, a high lottery does not guarantee you won't mess up, but it surely diminish the risk (starting by not picking the BPA by default, imagine if the BPA for next draft for Charlotte is another tweener or another PF?)

[BigSlam]

The more I think about it the less interest I have in drafting Wiseman. Perimeter players have overtaken bigs in value.

And yet opposing bigs, even average ones, destroy us!!

I’m with DY. We don’t necessarily need a super star C (although it’d be nice), but we do need a serviceable C who can at the very least protect the paint/rim and not have bricks for hands.

I like Wiseman. I also really like Zeke.

Zeke reminds me of prime LMA. Super fluid, moves really well, has good hands, good size, can get off the floor pretty quickly and has a killer mid range J.


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[Lwcasu]

The more I think about it the less interest I have in drafting Wiseman. Perimeter players have overtaken bigs in value.

And yet opposing bigs, even average ones, destroy us!!

I’m with DY. We don’t necessarily need a super star C (although it’d be nice), but we do need a serviceable C who can at the very least protect the paint/rim and not have bricks for hands.

I like Wiseman. I also really like Zeke.

Zeke reminds me of prime LMA. Super fluid, moves really well, has good hands, good size, can get off the floor pretty quickly and has a killer mid range J.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm for the best player available, regardless of position. If that guy is Obi/Hayes/Avdija or Hampton then great. I don't want to pass on those guys to take a big just because it's a better fit. Now, if the FO genuinely believes a big has more upside and will be a good fit, I understand the pick. In today's modern NBA you just need one star and then put the right pieces around them. We may already have that star. That has yet to be determined (Graham, Rozier, or even PJ all have potential). But, if we lock in on one position, then we may hurt our chances of getting that star. Personally, I like Obi, Advija, and Killian Hayes. I wouldn't take a center outside of Wiseman because I just don't see the value in this draft. That could change.

[Lwcasu]

Another guy I like that is down in the mock drafts is Jaden McDaniels. I think he'll rise on draft day. He has a lot of things going for him and we already drafted his brother.

[BigSlam]

This draft class doesn't excite me at all.

I'd be happy to trade this years 1st and a bad contract (Bats?) for an additional 1st round pick next year so that we have at least 2 x 1st round picks going into the 2021 draft.