2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[wilson115]

What is everyones opinion on Cassius Stanley in the 2nd round? Guy is 6'6" wing (SG) with outstanding athletecism, in fact he broke Zion's school record for Vertical jump. As a Freshman he shot 47% overall, 36% from behind the arc, and 74% from the FT line. He was also a very good defender as a Freshman. This is a guy with a lot of potential if things go right for him.

Painted Lines took a good look at him: https://thepaintedlines.com/potential-sixers-draft-target-cassius-stanley/

But who cares. I'd draft him for his highlight reel alone.

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[BlackOutBuzz]

Schmitz actually had Ayton nº1 and defended that opinion so he is not excused, that was the front they presented, they can tell that they didn't know, or whatever but it'd be a lie

Must be thinking of someone else. Either way, it was kinda shocking to learn the NBA wasn't all-in on Luka.

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[BlackOutBuzz]

Nata from Locked in Hornets with a thread that kinda echoes my concerns about going with one of the bigs at 3:

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[SWedd523]

What is everyones opinion on Cassius Stanley in the 2nd round? Guy is 6'6" wing (SG) with outstanding athletecism, in fact he broke Zion's school record for Vertical jump. As a Freshman he shot 47% overall, 36% from behind the arc, and 74% from the FT line. He was also a very good defender as a Freshman. This is a guy with a lot of potential if things go right for him.

Painted Lines took a good look at him: https://thepaintedlines.com/potential-sixers-draft-target-cassius-stanley/

But who cares. I'd draft him for his highlight reel alone.

Watch on YouTube

There are 3 guys you draft in the second round.

1: Lights out shooter
2. Big time athlete
3. Overshadowed Senior from a power conference

That highlight reel is good nuff for me

[Braggins]

The Lakers play pretty much the entire game with Mcgee or Howard at center. The Clippers play pretty much the entire game with Zubac or Harrell at center. The Bucks start Brook Lopez and play him significant minutes. The Raptors start ancient Marc Gasol and back him up with Ibaka. The Nuggets are built around Jokic. The Pacers play pretty much the entire game with Turner or Sabonis at center and plays them together at times. OKC start Steven Adams and play him big minutes. The Jazz are built around Gobert. Portland plays the entire game with Nurkic or Whiteside at center and play them together at times. Philadelphia is built around Embiid. Orlando plays the entire game with a traditional center. Dallas play Porzingas and Boban at center.

None of those guys typically step out and switch onto perimeter players in PnR coverage and thats just looking at the playoff teams. I don't know where people are getting the perception that playing like Houston is that common or that teams aren't playing centers that can't switch onto perimeter players regularly.

Also Wiseman is more mobile than most of the guys I mentioned.

[SWedd523]

The Lakers play pretty much the entire game with Mcgee or Howard at center. The Clippers play pretty much the entire game with Zubac or Harrell at center. The Bucks start Brook Lopez and play him significant minutes. The Raptors start ancient Marc Gasol and back him up with Ibaka. The Nuggets are built around Jokic. The Pacers play pretty much the entire game with Turner or Sabonis at center and plays them together at times. OKC start Steven Adams and play him big minutes. The Jazz are built around Gobert. Portland plays the entire game with Nurkic or Whiteside at center and play them together at times. Philadelphia is built around Embiid. Orlando plays the entire game with a traditional center. Dallas play Porzingas and Boban at center.

None of those guys typically step out and switch onto perimeter players in PnR coverage and thats just looking at the playoff teams. I don't know where people are getting the perception that playing like Houston is that common or that teams aren't playing centers that can't switch onto perimeter players regularly.

Also Wiseman is more mobile than most of the guys I mentioned.

Won't let me +1 for some reason.

Big guys aren't less valuable

There just aren't as many good ones anymore. Dominant bigs still have huge impact on the game, and even serviceable ones make life so much easier for perimeter players.

The demand for quality bigs is every big as high as it used to be

[JMAC3]

I would say for me our pick is a 5 man race. As far as talent, fit and way nba is trending my big board for us is:

1. Edwards
2. Deni
3. Wiseman/OO
4. OO/Wiseman
5. Ball

The everyone else, Toppin is too old and similar to PJ. Halliburton and Hayes are nice pieces but lack superstar potential.

Ball has big time upside, but also has highest bust percentage out of the 5.

The bigs are both great talents, but does a center really make you a championship contender?

Edwards is a stud talent and a great fit next to Tae and the rest of our starters. We need a big time scorer who can get his own shot.

Deni is the best all around player in the draft. Versatile, great passer, solid defender. Shot improving. High IQ. Plays a key position in forward you can run offense through- pretty much all the best players in the league fit this description.


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[No-Man]

Edwards is going to be a huge negative for a couple years I really don't understand why in the world anyone thinks he is more NBA ready, he has no clue about playing basketball, his floor is also obviously lower, he could def bust completely

But hey, you think going up for Doncic was a swing when he was the most obvious nº1 pick since LeBron and a surefire NBA stud since he was like 17 basically, so... I guess I get it

I disagree I think Wiseman goes #2 in the end, he shouldn't but he will, I think Charlotte ends up with Edwards, and yeah, I'd take Toppin too, over all of them but LaMelo

What's stopping the Warriors from taking Toppin over Wiseman? Toppin seems more like their kind of player and seems to fit their system.

I think they won't do it at 2, maybe with a trade down, I'd def pick Toppin if I were them

[UNCNYC]

As you know I am HIGH on Hayes. However if I were GM I would trade the pick ad acquire future picks. But since I am not a real GM I will keep the pick. As of now I have (listed in order of who I would take at that pick)

PICK 1 - Killian Hayes, LaMello Ball, Tyrese Haliburon, Devon Dotson

PICK 2 - CJ Elleby, LaMar Stevens (I would consider taking someone else if someone were to fall here like Balmoro, McDaniels etc..)

PICK 3 - Rayshawn Hammonds, Malik Fitts

Rayshaun Hammonds - he might can be the Center we want. He is 6'9 235 and no mocks have him. He did have a foot injury tho.

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Malik Fitts - Stud. He is a combo forward with an all around game

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[driveandkick]

I love how with every draft fans always bring up the proposition of trading down like it's easy to do and phones are always ringing off the hook with teams wanting your pick. Lol, it takes two to tango. And if this is a draft where there isn't a huge difference in 3 and 8 I can't imagine there are going to be many takers. I'm not saying it would be a bad idea, it's just infinitely more difficult than fans make it out to be. Especially in the NBA.

[BigSlam]

The Lakers play pretty much the entire game with Mcgee or Howard at center. The Clippers play pretty much the entire game with Zubac or Harrell at center. The Bucks start Brook Lopez and play him significant minutes. The Raptors start ancient Marc Gasol and back him up with Ibaka. The Nuggets are built around Jokic. The Pacers play pretty much the entire game with Turner or Sabonis at center and plays them together at times. OKC start Steven Adams and play him big minutes. The Jazz are built around Gobert. Portland plays the entire game with Nurkic or Whiteside at center and play them together at times. Philadelphia is built around Embiid. Orlando plays the entire game with a traditional center. Dallas play Porzingas and Boban at center.

None of those guys typically step out and switch onto perimeter players in PnR coverage and thats just looking at the playoff teams. I don't know where people are getting the perception that playing like Houston is that common or that teams aren't playing centers that can't switch onto perimeter players regularly.

Also Wiseman is more mobile than most of the guys I mentioned.

Won't let me +1 for some reason.

Big guys aren't less valuable

There just aren't as many good ones anymore. Dominant bigs still have huge impact on the game, and even serviceable ones make life so much easier for perimeter players.

The demand for quality bigs is every big as high as it used to be

I’m really not understanding the narrative that bigs aren’t important in today’s NBA.

If that was the case, why have most Charlotte fans been screaming for rim/paint protection and rebounding and for someone to stop opposing bigs from destroying us.

And guys like Jarrett Allan and Jaxson Hayes aren’t in the same model as bigs like DeMarcus Cousins and Jahill Okafor. They are nimble, agile, mobile and defend with their feet while playing above the rim.

Wiseman is a modern big who can play both ways and has all the physical characteristics you need in a modern big.


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[James Gatz]

Is it wrong to think that Edwards is a bit like Harden when the latter was coming out of Arizona St.

Both are/were 19 years old, 6'5" around 220-225 pounds, both are/were great at getting to the rim, scoring and IQ with question marks about lethargic play and/or an inconsistent motor. Both schools that they played for are not considered 'powerhouses' and are overshadowed by the more visible schools (Duke, UK, Kansas, UNC, Michigan St., etc.)

Essentially guys that have the talent, skillset and high ceiling, but a matter of them flipping the switch in order to be that dominant player that they are capable of being.

I will say, I don't really recall Harden having as many games where he disappeared or what Edwards called "bad games" while the former was at ASU.

It's not a bad take I don't think. But I distinctly remember watching Harden and being blown away by how he handled the ball and could get anywhere on the floor he wanted. He's so freaking crafty and he has that ball on a string. Edwards has upside in every category but I don't see a franchise player. I see a number two scorer on a highly competitive playoff team. Boing!

The Harden comp stops at measurements for me. Harden's handle was far superior.

Also something I keep seeing as misinformation here and elsewhere is Edwards ability to get to the rim. While it appears like he should be able to do so whenever he wants, he actually rarely did in college outside of transition. His FTA really worries me as to be an efficient player with his skill set he has to get the line. Okoro actually had a similar amount of FTA 4.8 to 5.1 on half as many shot attempts (8.7 to 15.8).

[MasterIchiro]

It's not that bigs aren't important it's that they're cheap. GS has gone cheap with bigs throughout their dynasty run. The Lakers? Who cares if these teams regularly use traditional centers? There is a glut of them. Multiple elite teams solved the position cheaply.

Kupchak knows fully well he could have obtained Drummond in his prime for pick 32. So he'd rather cough up pick 3 for Wiseman? I can't wrap my head around that. You want to factor salary? The Hawks obtained Capela without sacrificing a lotto pick. I'm out on Wiseman. Mitch can solve the position cheaply, just as the rest of the NBA.

[BigSlam]

Teams like the GSW’s and Lakers can afford to skimp on their big because they have HOF players on their rosters like Curry, Thompson, Green, LeBron, Davis etc.

95% of teams rosters don’t have that kind of composition.


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[UNCNYC]

Count me out on Wiseman totally. I would rather Edwards. Count me out on Edwards as well.

[MasterIchiro]

Teams like the GSW’s and Lakers can afford to skimp on their big because they have HOF players on their rosters like Curry, Thompson, Green, LeBron, Davis etc.

95% of teams rosters don’t have that kind of composition.


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I'm out on Wiseman. If the Hawks can afford to go cheap and the Cavs can afford to go cheap, no way in hell a rebuilding team can't do it with Mitch at the helm. Can't wrap my head around it.

[MasterIchiro]

I refuse to be the one rebuilding team that pays a premium for a center instead of the Hawks, Cavs etc. The Magic are paying their center 30 million to be a fringe playoff team. I'm confident Mitch will pass on Wiseman after the Wolves and Warriors also pass.

[MasterIchiro]

It's Toppin or Edwards for me, assuming Ball goes to the Wolves. I'll take the one the Warriors pass on. I'm flexible and open to being swayed on Haliburton and Avdija (to a lesser extent).

[DY_nasty]

Teams like the GSW’s and Lakers can afford to skimp on their big because they have HOF players on their rosters like Curry, Thompson, Green, LeBron, Davis etc.

95% of teams rosters don’t have that kind of composition.


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I'm out on Wiseman. If the Hawks can afford to go cheap and the Cavs can afford to go cheap, no way in hell a rebuilding team can't do it with Mitch at the helm. Can't wrap my head around it.

What did the Cavs do? Not really sure what you mean there...

And I wouldn't say the Hawks went cheap at all either. Collins was a good prospect in a much more talented draft. That's circumstantial more than anything. They've also acquired a number of young frontcourt guys to invest in, and there's nothing heap about bringing in Clint Capela either.

Toppin though... He's not a better prospect than Thomas Robinson or Derrick Williams. And while I'm not against him really, I just don't think he stands out while picking at #3. This team needs all the help inside that it can get, but Obi's concerns definitely stand out.

[LofJ]

The Sixers, Wolves, Suns, Grizzlies, and Knicks all used a top 4 pick on a center in the last few years. The results so far are pretty mixed. And the other bigs drafted in the top half of the lottery like Bamba, Carter, Markkanen, Okafor, Bender, and Cauley-Stein aren't doing all that great (jury is still out obviously for a few of them).

I think Wiseman is more in the Embiid and Porzingis tier, but the lack of impact most of the guys above have had so far is 100% something that should be taken into consideration. It also should give us pause that most of the guys picked above were selected by the least successful franchises of the last decade. That likely goes both ways and harms their development, but again it gives me pause.