2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[yosemiteben]

I can't like Okongwu.

Dude has only made one three pointer all year.

I just can't.

I hear you. I view Okongwu as a potential Bam Adebayo 2.0 and Bam also had 0 3PTAs in his college career. Actually Okongwu's college stats compare very favorably to Bam's. I've read on the draft board that people think he doesn't have the same ballhandling and functional athleticism of Bam, but I didn't watch either in college and really don't know too much about them as prospects.

He definitely seems to be this year's token super athletic big guy, for better or worse.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Just food for thought when looking at prospects.
https://fansided.com/2020/03/02/nylon-calculus-optimizing-nba-lineup-fit/

It's not really draft focused and is heavy on analytics.

[DY_nasty]

Is there any reason to think we could trade our FRP this year for a quality veteran player (perhaps a center/perceived biggest need)? We have a lot of young players to go forward with, and this draft is seemingly pretty top heavy and not very deep. If this is a possible direction we could go in, anyone have any ideas regarding what kind of player we could get for the 6-10th overall pick? Just a thought...still think we're very likely to just pick the best available player wherever we end up after the draft lottery.

I would really be against it. There isn't anyone available for just a pick that would be worth it.

If we did that, I'd actually be pretty peeved too ngl

[HornetJail]

Unless it's Ben Simmons, no

[CuseMayne]

I pretty much agree with you guys, but just hashing out all possible options. I also think we'll very likely be extending the tank/"developmental period" one more year, and then when Batum is off the books, then we can start to look more toward "win now" moves.

[DY_nasty]

I pretty much agree with you guys, but just hashing out all possible options. I also think we'll very likely be extending the tank/"developmental period" one more year, and then when Batum is off the books, then we can start to look more toward "win now" moves.

That was always a given imo

These guys thinking there's gonna be a quick fix franchise savior in one draft got it twisted. We need the best asset we can get, whether its the #1 pick or not, to have a host of *quality* talent to honestly assess and use to shape our direction. We've got one more tank year after this, then its free agency and dealing/adding to our best assets at the time - that'll be the core.

This is a long trip. Guys need to get comfortable.

[UNCNYC]

Many think this draft is weak but I think this draft is extremely deep. The last weak draftimo was 2015. The drafts since have been so deep we have landed 2 potential franchise players in the 2nd round in Graham and McDaniels. This draft has expected talent going in the 2nd round of

PG -
Arturs Zagars, Yam Madar

SG -
Isaiah Joe, Ty-Shon Alexander

SF -
Malcolm Cazalon, Aaron Wiggins, C.J. Elleby, Lamar Stevens

PF -
Amar Sylla, Trendon Watford, Jordan Nwora,

C -
Jalen Smith, Jericho Sims, Neemias Queta, Udoka Azubukie, Ikey Obiagu, Marko Simonovic

Many of these players imo can have good careers and are pretty much considered 2nd rounders.

[Lwcasu]

I can't like Okongwu.

Dude has only made one three pointer all year.

I just can't.

I hear you. I view Okongwu as a potential Bam Adebayo 2.0 and Bam also had 0 3PTAs in his college career. Actually Okongwu's college stats compare very favorably to Bam's. I've read on the draft board that people think he doesn't have the same ballhandling and functional athleticism of Bam, but I didn't watch either in college and really don't know too much about them as prospects.

He definitely seems to be this year's token super athletic big guy, for better or worse.

Also, it’s worth noting Okongwu has a generic wingspan for a big. I think it’s right at 7 feet. He’s athletic and I think his defensive ability is going to translate at the pro level, but it’s worth noting and scares me. My main issue is I think he’ll have difficulty scoring at the NBA level. He’s efficient in college but doesn’t strike me as great. He has every chance to become Tristan Thompson as Bam. He can’t shoot or doesn’t shoot. I would like to say he’s had a tough life and persevere through some stuff and that should also be considered. He also seems to have great character. But he’s not my pick.

I personally think he’ll be somewhere in between those guys, but I don’t see him being much better offensively than Zeller. He will be better defensively as he moves his feet very well has had better athleticism + length. Tobin, Advija, Hayes, Anthony, or McDaniels brother are all better picks for us. I’d rather pursue Drummond or another big in FA; not reach for one in the draft. But if we do pick him, I’ll support the pick and hope I’m wrong.

If he could shoot the 3, he’d be a no brainer. But we could say that about a lot of guys.

[UNCNYC]

I keep imagining a lineup of Graham, both Martin twins and McDaniels brothers in the game at one time lol.

[fatlever]

i want martin quintuplets to be our starting 5.

[GiggitySmalls]

What do you guys think about obi toppin?1

[GiggitySmalls]

I'm really high on toppin he can be a modern day small ball 5 and play the 4 with zeller or willie on the floor. His length matched with pjs assures me it will work. Pj has a 7'3 wingspan and I believe toppin is around that area and hes bigger than Washington. Either way I believe this is a guy we should consider.

[Snidely FC]

What do you guys think about obi toppin?1

did you see last night's game against DEN? We played pretty good, PJ had a great game. We lost because for a five minute stretch in the fourth quarter Jokic decided he didn't want to lose and proceeded to repeatedly clear the paint with his fat ass; he basically shoved Cody and others around with his butt, getting away with multiple moving picks and dropping sweet dimes after clearing space for teammates. Point is...we could use a real Center to protect the paint. I like Toppin as a player. But he is basically a stretch 4 (and not a great defender) so replicates a lot of what we already have with PJ and Miles. I'm not gonna be upset if we get Toppin, cuz I think he is an exciting offensive player, but would prefer a James Wiseman at Center, a tall PG (like Haliburton) or SF (Avdija) to Obi

[GiggitySmalls]

What do you guys think about obi toppin?1

did you see last night's game against DEN? We played pretty good, PJ had a great game. We lost because for a five minute stretch in the fourth quarter Jokic decided he didn't want to lose and proceeded to repeatedly clear the paint with his fat ass; he basically shoved Cody and others around with his butt, getting away with multiple moving picks and dropping sweet dimes after clearing space for teammates. Point is...we could use a real Center to protect the paint. I like Toppin as a player. But he is basically a stretch 4 (and not a great defender) so replicates a lot of what we already have with PJ and Miles. I'm not gonna be upset if we get Toppin, cuz I think he is an exciting offensive player, but would prefer a James Wiseman at Center, a tall PG (like Haliburton) or SF (Avdija) to Obi

I would like Wiseman as well. I just dont think he gets to us. That's why I asked this question. Who's the realistic guy we could get?

[DY_nasty]

who do we absolutely NOT want

[chellis]

who do we absolutely NOT want

Cole Anthony. But I might be the minority.

[BigSlam]

who do we absolutely NOT want

It's a little early to tell for me, but so far:

(in no order)
LaMelo Ball
Cole Anthony (sorry Mistericho)
Nico Mannion
Deni Avdija
Jaden McDaniels
Precious Achiuwa
Isaiah Stewart

As for who interests me:

(also in no order)
Anthony Edwards
Obi Toppin
James Wiseman
Daniel Oturu
Vernon Carey
Tyrese Haliburton
Zeke Nnaji



How about you?

[Rays Pompadour]

I think Cassius Stanley should be in this conversation as a prospect. I'm a Duke fan and I'm not a big fan of any Duke player except this kid. He's young (who isn't?) and slight and his handle is very much lacking, but he has good form on his shot, has good vision and elite athleticism. He's not lottery. But he is first round, maybe mid round if he blows up in the tourney.

[UNCNYC]

who do we absolutely NOT want

PLAYERS I DO NOT WANT

SG -
Tyrese Haliburton
Anthony Edwards

SF
Deni Avdija
Jordan Nwora
Precious Achiuwa
Trevelin Queen (most intruiging name ever)

PF
Obi Toppin
Killian Tillie

C
James Wiseman

-----
PLAYERS I DO WANT

SG
ISAIAH JOE
JAMES BOUKNIGHT
KILLIAN HAYES
Ty-Shon Alexander
Ayo Dosunmu

SF
Malcolm Cazalon
Leandro Bolmaro

PF
Jalen Smith
Trendon Watford

C
Jerico Simms
Udoka Azubukie

[UNCNYC]

I meant to add Travelin Queen to the players I "DO" want. He is one of my sleepers.

My sleepers are

PG -
Yam Mador
Aurturs Zaggers

SG-
ISAIAH JOE
Ty-Shon Alexander
Ayo Dosunmu

SF
Travelin Queen

PF -
Jalen Smith

C
Jerico Simms