2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[MasterIchiro]

What it means for the Hornets...

Avdija/Edwards over Bridges
Mitchell Robinson over Wiseman
Pick 27 over pick 32

[Soul Rebel]

Hmmmm.....maybe I overvalue Robinson. Haha. I much prefer the scenario where we only lose Bridges, get to keep 3 and get to pick again at 27.

Maybe you also undervalue Bridges. This proposal illustrates the possibility that the Hornets don't need to sacrifice pick 3 for a traditional center. Mitchell Robinson and players like him can be acquired for far less than top 3 picks. This kind of move rules out Wiseman at 3. I don't think the Warriors would take Wiseman at 2 either. Basically if Ball goes 1 then Warriors will not have a prospect they can flip for impact win-now players, forcing them to select a more finished product like Toppin or Avdija. If the Warriors took Toppin 2 then Kupchak could decide between Edwards as a replacement for Bridges or Avdija. If the Warriors took Avdija or Edwards Kupchak would have to really like either as a replacement for Bridges. That means he has to see Edwards as a SF/SG and Avdija as more of a SF than a PF.

So the whole deal is:

Hornets

Mitchell Robinson
Pick 27

Wolves

Miles Bridges
NYK 2021 2st
Pick 8

Knicks

Lamelo Ball
Pick 32

Hornets walk away from the draft with Edwards or Avdija as our new SF, Mitchell Robinson at C and pick 27. We lose Miles Bridges and pick 32.

I like Bridges quite a bit. Of the 3 of our young core, I rank DG and PJ above Bridges and also see Miles getting the most exposed at his position between these 3 youngsters.

I also really want to move Rozier out. I still view him as a solid asset that should help us with our youth movement.... I can't remember the last time we had an asset that we could afford to move without affecting our long-term growth.

I feel the same way about Deni as I do Ball - Very high boom or bust potential. I'd feel safer with Edwards at 3, though I know Kupchak and Co. did a lot of scouting overseas this past year.

[MasterIchiro]

Hmmmm.....maybe I overvalue Robinson. Haha. I much prefer the scenario where we only lose Bridges, get to keep 3 and get to pick again at 27.

Maybe you also undervalue Bridges. This proposal illustrates the possibility that the Hornets don't need to sacrifice pick 3 for a traditional center. Mitchell Robinson and players like him can be acquired for far less than top 3 picks. This kind of move rules out Wiseman at 3. I don't think the Warriors would take Wiseman at 2 either. Basically if Ball goes 1 then Warriors will not have a prospect they can flip for impact win-now players, forcing them to select a more finished product like Toppin or Avdija. If the Warriors took Toppin 2 then Kupchak could decide between Edwards as a replacement for Bridges or Avdija. If the Warriors took Avdija or Edwards Kupchak would have to really like either as a replacement for Bridges. That means he has to see Edwards as a SF/SG and Avdija as more of a SF than a PF.

So the whole deal is:

Hornets

Mitchell Robinson
Pick 27

Wolves

Miles Bridges
NYK 2021 2st
Pick 8

Knicks

Lamelo Ball
Pick 32

Hornets walk away from the draft with Edwards or Avdija as our new SF, Mitchell Robinson at C and pick 27. We lose Miles Bridges and pick 32.

I like Bridges quite a bit. Of the 3 of our young core, I rank DG and PJ above Bridges and also see Miles getting the most exposed at his position between these 3 youngsters.

I also really want to move Rozier out. I still view him as a solid asset that should help us with our youth movement.... I can't remember the last time we had an asset that we could afford to move without affecting our long-term growth.

I feel the same way about Deni as I do Ball - Very high boom or bust potential. I'd feel safer with Edwards at 3, though I know Kupchak and Co. did a lot of scouting overseas this past year.

Fair enough on Miles Bridges. I like him as well but think he's best as a PF and PJ seems the better piece to build around. Avdija or Edwards at SF seem to fit better next to PJ. The hole long term becomes SG but if Kupchak keeps Rozier one more year, it gives him time to evaluate if Monk or say Edwards is a long term solution at SG. I don't think there is a rush to move Rozier as I think his season is not a fluke. He will build on it while one year ticks off his contract, increasing his value and giving a young team one more year of support for their development. Edwards and Monk are really raw. Avdija is not an SG. No matter which way you slice it, I see Rozier here next year and I see him becoming a more valuable asset. Not to mention, if we help facilitate Ball to the Knicks via Minnesota, we remove the demand for Rozier as the next PG of the Knicks. Maybe the Pistons are a fit one year from now.

[Rich4114]

I am not down on Miles at all. I think he is exactly what we expected him to be in the NBA and at the time seemed like the best pick for us. I wasn't hot on SGA because we had Kemba, but hindsight SGA is looking like a stud you could build around. It goes to show you do not pick for need in the 1st round of the NBA draft you pick for talent.

That being said, many players don't take a leap until year 3-4 which is where Miles and Monk sit. I actually think Monk is the more likely of the two to have the bigger career tbh.

[MasterIchiro]

I am not down on Miles at all. I think he is exactly what we expected him to be in the NBA and at the time seemed like the best pick for us. I wasn't hot on SGA because we had Kemba, but hindsight SGA is looking like a stud you could build around. It goes to show you do not pick for need in the 1st round of the NBA draft you pick for talent.

That being said, many players don't take a leap until year 3-4 which is where Miles and Monk sit. I actually think Monk is the more likely of the two to have the bigger career tbh.

I agree. Monk is more talented while Bridges is more well rounded and developed in his skills. If Monk puts it all together he's gonna be the primary scorer of this team. That player isn't available pick 3 in the 2020 draft.

[Soul Rebel]

Agree on Monk. He has improved each year, and is still only 22 years old. The hope is that the first 3 years was humbling and made him realize that he is no longer a big fish in a small pond.

He has all of the talent, just needs the experience and maturity to round it out. When he's on.... he is a bonafide starting SG that a team can rely on.

Also agree about SGA and drafting for talent over fit. Obviously if a player comes along that crosses both off, then the selection is that much easier.

[MasterIchiro]

Agree on Monk. He has improved each year, and is still only 22 years old. The hope is that the first 3 years was humbling and made him realize that he is no longer a big fish in a small pond.

He has all of the talent, just needs the experience and maturity to round it out. When he's on.... he is a bonafide starting SG that a team can rely on.

Also agree about SGA and drafting for talent over fit. Obviously if a player comes along that crosses both off, then the selection is that much easier.

If you worry too much about fit you sacrifice trade value. How many prolific guards and wings did Cho pass on because of Gerald Henderson and MKG, instead squandering picks on a never-ending quest for a big man going back to Biz, Zeller, Vonleh and Frank? Good God, and with the league steamrolling out towards the perimeter. Then he tried to cover up the mess by drafting PJ Hairston, 3-pt specialist at the YWCA.

Say what you want about LaVine and Booker's terrible defense and empty stats, one brought in Jimmy Butler and the other yielded a Porzingis offer. SGA helped bring in Paul George. And here we are hoping Miles can help fetch a second round pick who turned into Mitchell Robinson. Like LaVine and Booker I consider Toppin a tremendous asset despite his poor defense.

[UNCNYC]

We started the year dreading this draft and now it is the most anticipated and fun draft we have had on this board in forever. Only in 2020 could this happen lol

[MasterIchiro]

Ball is a wild card but so is a powerhouse superteam drafting 2nd. The first two picks could be crazy. So much intrigue. And there is Kupchak lurking at 3 with some assets to tinker with dealings at 1 and 2.

[Rich4114]

For the first time in a while, we have options. I really hope the draft doesn't get moved back.

[UNCNYC]

This draft is a unique one in that we have the 3rd pick and there are EXACTLY 3 players who fit my style of play
the most...

Those players are LaMelo Ball, Killian Hayes, and Tyrese Haliburton.

I am a fan of FLASHY players.

That can be a good thing and a bad.

Because I am a fan of flashy players I over looked guys like Luka Doncic.

That is why I was so high on KOBE.

Even this year guys like Devin Vassell I did not consider drafting due to his fundamental play.

Being a fan of a flashy player has high rewards but often can lead to a harder choice being made because the Devin Vassells
and Patrick Williams type of players usually are safer bets due to them often being more fundamentally sound.

I do notice those players but I often do not notice them until the 2nd round where I try to find a diamond out of leftover players.

One thing about it is if I were a GM I would pick FUN players but I might not produce many wins haha.

[_tijo_]

With all due respect for Deni or Obi or Haliburton, this isn't hard. Unless we are prepared to trade assets to move up, we are getting whoever is left of Edwards, Ball, or Wiseman. Us debating that Ball won't be a fit and we should take Wiseman instead is missing the point... we won't have a choice between them.

Kinda reminds me of the Manning/Leaf draft. Everyone kills SD for taking Leaf. They didn't have a choice. Indy took Manning first, there was no choice for SD. It works the other way too, Seattle doesn't get credit for choosing Durant. Portland picked Oden first. It will be the same for us. Unless we get bowled over with an offer from someone (like the Knicks), I think this draft for us will be determined for us, for better or worse.

I'm hoping we get lucky and the right guy drops to us. I myself hope its Edwards, but am happy that we got pick 3 so we can get a good player regardless.

[James Gatz]

My take is I don't think we should go with Wiseman at 3. I'd be happy with any of Ball, Edwards, Hayes, or even Okongwu.

[DY_nasty]

we could always be that team who takes a massive reach in a bad draft lmao

[UNCNYC]

One last thing on my evaluation style (not that it is of any importance)

But I found it interesting as to what makes me pick certain players and I wanted to share that...

Sometimes I like players because of....

ACTUAL TALENT -
This is where I liked guys like Elijah Huges and Tyshon Alexander. Nothing flashy about them but they can BALL.

SWAG AND STAR POTENTIAL -
This is what intriqued me with guys like Killian Hayes, and LaMelo Ball... Coach Cal I believe once said he used this to evaluate some players but not sure...

ALOOFNESS -
I liked Vit Krejci. What I liked about him was his ability to play 3 positions but also he looks like a guy you wouldn't think
could ball. I actually like the fact that he looked like he couldn't ball lol...

UNIQUENESS -
Take this year... I actually like CJ Ellerby for his name and afro lol. Now don't get me wrong the kid can BALL but that
gave him an edge for me...

NAME -
This is the reason I like YuTa Watanabe two years ago... His name, the fact that he is a foreign born player as well
as his style of play intrigued me... He can play almost 5 positions...

I just wanted to share this because I found it a bit interesting how some of us can arrive at choosing a player.
I guess deep down we are all the same in our choosing... Just maybe differ on what or who we would choose more consistantly.

[LofJ]

we could always be that team who takes a massive reach in a bad draft lmao

Anthony Bennett says what's up?!!

[JMAC3]

UNCNYC... who would you consider your three best calls on prospects since you started posting on the draft here?

Meaning guys you called would be great and are really good?


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Super great question coming from someone who like you who is a MASTER at evaluating talent... I am HUMBLED...

I think Devon Dotson will be a sure thing, I think he has a complete game.

I also like Patrick Williams as a sure thing. He can give you 2 positions and doesn't have a game that can hurt a team...
At the very least will be a great defensive player.

The final player is a tough one... I would have to say Elijah Huges. He does it all... Won't give you a star but will solidify
your SG or SF position...


So my top 3 are Devon Dotson, Patrick Williams, Elijah Huges

Honarable mention - Tyler Bey, and sleeper is Tyshon Alexander

No, my question was who are the guys who you said were sure things 2 years ago and last year during draft that you are proud of for their careers so far.

You had a ton of guys you claimed were better than a bunch of the lottery guys. Guys who you loved in the second round that were future starters... much like you have this year.

Just curious how all these bold calls are working out for you so far. Can you give me 5-10 guys that you were right about recently?


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[amcoolio]

UNCNYC... who would you consider your three best calls on prospects since you started posting on the draft here?

Meaning guys you called would be great and are really good?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Super great question coming from someone who like you who is a MASTER at evaluating talent... I am HUMBLED...

I think Devon Dotson will be a sure thing, I think he has a complete game.

I also like Patrick Williams as a sure thing. He can give you 2 positions and doesn't have a game that can hurt a team...
At the very least will be a great defensive player.

The final player is a tough one... I would have to say Elijah Huges. He does it all... Won't give you a star but will solidify
your SG or SF position...


So my top 3 are Devon Dotson, Patrick Williams, Elijah Huges

Honarable mention - Tyler Bey, and sleeper is Tyshon Alexander

No, my question was who are the guys who you said were sure things 2 years ago and last year during draft that you are proud of for their careers so far.

You had a ton of guys you claimed were better than a bunch of the lottery guys. Guys who you loved in the second round that were future starters... much like you have this year.

Just curious how all these bold calls are working out for you so far. Can you give me 5-10 guys that you were right about recently?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Last year in the "On Record" thread he wanted NAW at 12 instead of Washington

He did like McDaniels and we ended up drafting him though

[LofJ]

We need to do another on the record for this draft, for both the 1st and 2nd round picks.

[BeesWax]

we could always be that team who takes a massive reach in a bad draft lmao

Anthony Bennett says what's up?!!

He really benefited from being hurt. He couldn't work out against any talent and he only played one big during the whole season who was even mentioned as getting drafted and he struggled. Keeping the mystery alive made him a high pick. Without workouts this year someone could pull the same amount on intrigue. That is the one thing that worries me about Wiseman.