our draft picks and who we wanted at each pick
free agency signings and if they were great/bad
trades and if they were great/bad
Should have done this earlier, but no way am I going through hundreds of posts about previous drafts.
So post here to go on the record about our drafts, signings and trades and I will update this first post with results.
2020 NBA Draft:
[3] LaMelo Ball and [32] Vernon Carey Jr.
Spoiler:
KEMBAtheMETEOR (formally BizGilWalker): Post draft thought: I wish I had booze
amcoolio: LaMelo-
Hated the kid at first, but quickly warmed up to him over the last few weeks before the draft due to good reports and work ethic. I like him the most out of the top 3 of Wiseman/Edwards/Ball. I am weary of Edwards work ethic and his red flags with not liking basketball, but he will be a good player. I think Wiseman will be another Hassan Whiteside, and you can get those types of players easier. LaMelo has the most star potential and can unlock our offense.
Bigslam: 2020 pick #3 = LaMelo Ball
He was 4th on my personal big board, and even then I wasn't super feeling him.
I think we have drafted him with the hope of him somehow developing a reliable jump shot and that he will stop taking bad shots, things he's said he doesn't want to change. We are also banking on him also improving his defense enough that doesn't make him a liability like he currently is. My worry is that his ability to improve in these areas exceeds how much he will be able to in order to morph into that super star status the "Ball-ievers" think he can/will reach.
I think there will be highlight plays but I think there will be many, many more frustrating plays.
I'll fully support him now he is ours, but I am not optimistic.
I will add that I am very happy that we didn't use any assets to trade up and instead stood pat and took Ball #3 without having to give anything up.
P.S. I am trade marking "Ball-ievers".
DY_nasty: i'm not excited obviously, but hoping for the best nonetheless
countryboi: We didnt do anything dumb to get Ball, He has some NBA elite level skills like his court vision, passing and dribbling. his shot selection is one of some who thinks they are a dead eye shooter and his defense is just trash. if he can get his shot to match his confidence and just give a damn on defense, he could be a major problem. these are some major IFs and I dont like drafting another player that cant shoot but he has the tools to be the best player we have ever drafted
yall asked for a boom or bust pick...well
JMAC3: Ball was my number 1 guy so to get him at 3 without having to trade up made my night. Think we have a chance to make some noise in a few years and ultimately believe Wiseman was limited upside and Edwards character were more concerning than Melo's. Also think we did pretty well in second round, Carey and Richards should give us much needed depth at Center. Riller is shot in the dark, but he can apparently fill it up so never bad to have a guy like that waiting in the wings.
cornchip: My guess: Wiseman was at the top of our board and Minny was asking for too much (probaly Miles and a lightly protected 2021 1st). So we took Ball who is intriguing and talented but I struggle to see the fit. It seems like he's best in transition but who knows what kind of rebounding team we'll be.
It's really going to come down to his shooting imo. I think the FO saw enough in his shooting potential to think he'll be servicable. If he can't shoot, how does he beat defenders using his passing? He isn't overpowerful going to like Simmons, Doncic, and Mitchell, he can't use the threat of his jumper like Murray or Kemba, and he doesn't have the explosive quickness of a Mitchell or Westbrook. It actually reminds me of Lonzo except LaMelo is bigger and more adept in the pick and roll.
On the Carey pick, you could always use a big guy who can bang a bit....but he got switched out on and beat in college. I think he has value but I see him as a situational player.
CuseMayne: LaMelo - Hopefully I can be proved wrong as he's been the player I wanted to avoid during this whole process. As the initial disappointment has worn off, though, if he's going to work his tail off to be a servicable shooter, he does have a few elite skills, and we have young pieces all around that will, at least, make us a fun team to watch. Him being 6'7 could work to play alongside Tae/Terry/Malik, and if he's able to open everything up for Miles/PJ/Twins/McDaniels, it could be really cool. It's a boom or bust pick that nobody can fault us for doing, and it either really clicks or we go back to the drawing board (and the next 2 drafts are seemingly amazing). I think a lot of my, perhaps unfair, bias is how annoyed I've been with the family (mainly LaVar) for the last few years.
Vernon Carey Jr. - Seems pretty promising. Again, at first my knee jerk reaction was negative and that we were picking a slow C with uninspiring measurables that seemed to just be a good college player and the second coming of Al Jefferson at best. The fact that he's seemingly been working a ton and dropped 30 pounds, had a very impressive freshman year, and seems pretty damn polished for a 19 year old has me optimistic. If he earns it I think he should be the backup C this year.
Nick Richards - Similar measurables to Wiseman, seems really athletic and made big strides at Kentucky this year, and for a 2024 second round pick, seems like a solid gamble. Him and Carey seem like opposite players, so it's cool to in a way pit them against one another. After watching some highlights, he reminds me of Nerlens Noel a bit. Definitely happy that we're taking another chance in this draft for some legitimate size and length down low. Might have previous chemistry with PJ as well. See how he does in the G-League, will be a fun player to monitor.
Grant Riller - At first kinda threw my hands up wondering why we picked another PG. Then watched some tape, and sheesh, looks like the guy is a professional scorer. Definitely worth taking a chance at the 56th pick. Three level scorer with a deadly first step and sneaky athleticism at 6'3. Reminded me a bit of Fred VanVleet...who went undrafted and earned his way from the G-League to a big time contributor for a championship. So yeah, let him ball out in the G-League and see what happens.
Nate Darling - Looks like he averaged 21.0PPG for Delaware in 2019-2020. Presumably a shooter, seems like a reasonable candidate for a two-way contract. Let's see how he does in the G-League. Pretty cool name, seems harmless/fitting for a Canadian.
My draft grade for 2020: B+
Vanderbilt_Grad: LaMelo Ball – The team didn’t give up assets to move up and still got a guy that most of the national media was projecting to be the best player available at #1. There are real concerns around LaMelo, but his best case outcome is absurdly good. He was a no-brainer pick at #3 given that the team’s better fit targets (Edwards & Wiseman) were off the board. I have a good feeling about his development path and Charlotte as a landing spot for him in that respect … but I also forecast long term difficulty with both his family and with him wanting to be in a larger market. For the record Okongwu, Halliburton, and Vassell were the guys I most wanted, but I can’t be mad about the LaMelo pick. He has the most upside and potential will alter the course of the franchise for years to come.
Vernon Carey Jr. – Love this pick. I’m skeptical of burning lottery picks on traditional big men, but getting a guy with Carey’s offensive potential in the second round is amazing. Gut feeling is that he will turn out to be a starter and will play really well with LaMelo. I would have picked Xavier Tillman in a vacuum, but Vernon is probably a better fit with LaMelo.
Nick Richards – Can bring the defense that Carey hasn’t show so far. Really like that the team drafted someone with a very different skillset and can see which one develops. I expect that he’ll be an NBA player for several years which is really all you can ask for with a 2nd round pick. Nick is found money since none of us were expecting Mitch to trade for a pick.
Grant Riller – If Riller develops this pick has the potential to be a steal. The team has had really good luck with 2nd round guys so far, and Riller seems like the kind of guy who could actually make it. Had no preference here, but was happy with the pick.
Overall I have to give the team an A-. This was a strong draft showing by Mitch.
UNCNYC:My official picks were
3 - Tyrell Terry
32 - Tyler Bey
56 - Ty'shon Alexander
But I might replace Alexander for any of the UNDRAFTED players of the 2020 draft down the line.
IAN:I wanted to have Wiseman or Hayes but I still like the LaMelo pick. I'm confident that our coaching staff and the young guys we have will have a good effect on him. He may have said that he doesn't think his shooting form needs some work but that will change. I hope Melo turns out to be a superstar because God knows we're long overdue.
316Hornets: I didn't think Lamelo would want to play for us. He seems excited so I would choose Lamelo Ball here if he indeed likes Charlotte. I had him at 100 rating before questioning his loyalty. If there was any question about his loyalty, I would've traded back and chose Hayes.
#32:
After choosing Lamelo, getting an enforcer was all I could think about. I wanted big bully center. Oturu was considered, but ultimately I agree with what the team did here and agree with choosing Vernon Carey Jr.. He is the more physical guy of the two.
#56:
At 56, I wanted Scrubb but he went at 55. So, my choice would be Louis Olinde
luciano-davidwesley: I would have considered Okongwu long and hard but ultimately would have probably drafted Ball too seeing as though Wiseman was off the board.
I don't know enough about the second round prospects to really comment but I definitely would have taken Tyrell Terry if he dropped one more spot to us at 32.
Diop: the only draft pick I've not wanted more than Ball was Biyombo after watching him lose against a chair. But unless there was a market to trade down (will never know, and I don't want to hear your crap Ainge) I'm happy with taking the last of the big 3.
I still liked Hayes and OO who would have been my targets if we could trade down. My ideal night would be trading 3 to Detroit for 7 and 16, taken Hayes and maybe Pokuševski (hope for a unicorn) or even Bey who Detroit got at 19. But that was probably never possible.
I wanted Tilman at #32, but I'm happy with Carey Jr, he seems to talented in the paint to be ignored.
Riller sounds cool as well. The only name I had at that stage was Wesson as a stretch 5. I still think he should land somewhere.
Every year, once the draft is finished, I automatically end up optimistic about who we pick thinking the team must have got it right. Until they slowly kill my soul
Snidely FC: 3: we took Ball
I'd have taken: Tyrese Haliburton
32: we took Vernon Carey Jr
I'd have taken: Xavier Tillman
56: we took Grant Riller
I'd have taken: Sam Merrill
SWedd523: Hornets Pick #3: Ball
My Pick at #3: Okongwu
Hornets Pick #32: Carey
My Pick at #32: Oturu then Bey then Carey
Hornets Pick #56: Riller
My Pick at #56: By this point I didn't care, Riller seems like a good option
Rich4114:It was simple for me, my pick was going to be whichever of Ball, Edwards or Wiseman was available at 3. I would've ranked them as Wiseman 1a, Ball 1b, Edwards 1c. Not worried about fit since we aren't competing and the roster is still a work in progress. As for #32, I was really hoping we could get Jaden McDaniels, but that's mostly because I've heard him talked up recently, he has an attitude and his brother plays on our team already and it'd be fascinating. I am actually very enticed by Vernon Carey though, I didn't know much about him until after we took him and he seems legit. My take is that he's highly undervalued by today's NBA standards, but his talent is unquestionable. I expect him to have a place on the roster come opening night.
amcoolio: LaMelo-
Hated the kid at first, but quickly warmed up to him over the last few weeks before the draft due to good reports and work ethic. I like him the most out of the top 3 of Wiseman/Edwards/Ball. I am weary of Edwards work ethic and his red flags with not liking basketball, but he will be a good player. I think Wiseman will be another Hassan Whiteside, and you can get those types of players easier. LaMelo has the most star potential and can unlock our offense.
Bigslam: 2020 pick #3 = LaMelo Ball
He was 4th on my personal big board, and even then I wasn't super feeling him.
I think we have drafted him with the hope of him somehow developing a reliable jump shot and that he will stop taking bad shots, things he's said he doesn't want to change. We are also banking on him also improving his defense enough that doesn't make him a liability like he currently is. My worry is that his ability to improve in these areas exceeds how much he will be able to in order to morph into that super star status the "Ball-ievers" think he can/will reach.
I think there will be highlight plays but I think there will be many, many more frustrating plays.
I'll fully support him now he is ours, but I am not optimistic.
I will add that I am very happy that we didn't use any assets to trade up and instead stood pat and took Ball #3 without having to give anything up.
P.S. I am trade marking "Ball-ievers".
DY_nasty: i'm not excited obviously, but hoping for the best nonetheless
countryboi: We didnt do anything dumb to get Ball, He has some NBA elite level skills like his court vision, passing and dribbling. his shot selection is one of some who thinks they are a dead eye shooter and his defense is just trash. if he can get his shot to match his confidence and just give a damn on defense, he could be a major problem. these are some major IFs and I dont like drafting another player that cant shoot but he has the tools to be the best player we have ever drafted
yall asked for a boom or bust pick...well
JMAC3: Ball was my number 1 guy so to get him at 3 without having to trade up made my night. Think we have a chance to make some noise in a few years and ultimately believe Wiseman was limited upside and Edwards character were more concerning than Melo's. Also think we did pretty well in second round, Carey and Richards should give us much needed depth at Center. Riller is shot in the dark, but he can apparently fill it up so never bad to have a guy like that waiting in the wings.
cornchip: My guess: Wiseman was at the top of our board and Minny was asking for too much (probaly Miles and a lightly protected 2021 1st). So we took Ball who is intriguing and talented but I struggle to see the fit. It seems like he's best in transition but who knows what kind of rebounding team we'll be.
It's really going to come down to his shooting imo. I think the FO saw enough in his shooting potential to think he'll be servicable. If he can't shoot, how does he beat defenders using his passing? He isn't overpowerful going to like Simmons, Doncic, and Mitchell, he can't use the threat of his jumper like Murray or Kemba, and he doesn't have the explosive quickness of a Mitchell or Westbrook. It actually reminds me of Lonzo except LaMelo is bigger and more adept in the pick and roll.
On the Carey pick, you could always use a big guy who can bang a bit....but he got switched out on and beat in college. I think he has value but I see him as a situational player.
CuseMayne: LaMelo - Hopefully I can be proved wrong as he's been the player I wanted to avoid during this whole process. As the initial disappointment has worn off, though, if he's going to work his tail off to be a servicable shooter, he does have a few elite skills, and we have young pieces all around that will, at least, make us a fun team to watch. Him being 6'7 could work to play alongside Tae/Terry/Malik, and if he's able to open everything up for Miles/PJ/Twins/McDaniels, it could be really cool. It's a boom or bust pick that nobody can fault us for doing, and it either really clicks or we go back to the drawing board (and the next 2 drafts are seemingly amazing). I think a lot of my, perhaps unfair, bias is how annoyed I've been with the family (mainly LaVar) for the last few years.
Vernon Carey Jr. - Seems pretty promising. Again, at first my knee jerk reaction was negative and that we were picking a slow C with uninspiring measurables that seemed to just be a good college player and the second coming of Al Jefferson at best. The fact that he's seemingly been working a ton and dropped 30 pounds, had a very impressive freshman year, and seems pretty damn polished for a 19 year old has me optimistic. If he earns it I think he should be the backup C this year.
Nick Richards - Similar measurables to Wiseman, seems really athletic and made big strides at Kentucky this year, and for a 2024 second round pick, seems like a solid gamble. Him and Carey seem like opposite players, so it's cool to in a way pit them against one another. After watching some highlights, he reminds me of Nerlens Noel a bit. Definitely happy that we're taking another chance in this draft for some legitimate size and length down low. Might have previous chemistry with PJ as well. See how he does in the G-League, will be a fun player to monitor.
Grant Riller - At first kinda threw my hands up wondering why we picked another PG. Then watched some tape, and sheesh, looks like the guy is a professional scorer. Definitely worth taking a chance at the 56th pick. Three level scorer with a deadly first step and sneaky athleticism at 6'3. Reminded me a bit of Fred VanVleet...who went undrafted and earned his way from the G-League to a big time contributor for a championship. So yeah, let him ball out in the G-League and see what happens.
Nate Darling - Looks like he averaged 21.0PPG for Delaware in 2019-2020. Presumably a shooter, seems like a reasonable candidate for a two-way contract. Let's see how he does in the G-League. Pretty cool name, seems harmless/fitting for a Canadian.
My draft grade for 2020: B+
Vanderbilt_Grad: LaMelo Ball – The team didn’t give up assets to move up and still got a guy that most of the national media was projecting to be the best player available at #1. There are real concerns around LaMelo, but his best case outcome is absurdly good. He was a no-brainer pick at #3 given that the team’s better fit targets (Edwards & Wiseman) were off the board. I have a good feeling about his development path and Charlotte as a landing spot for him in that respect … but I also forecast long term difficulty with both his family and with him wanting to be in a larger market. For the record Okongwu, Halliburton, and Vassell were the guys I most wanted, but I can’t be mad about the LaMelo pick. He has the most upside and potential will alter the course of the franchise for years to come.
Vernon Carey Jr. – Love this pick. I’m skeptical of burning lottery picks on traditional big men, but getting a guy with Carey’s offensive potential in the second round is amazing. Gut feeling is that he will turn out to be a starter and will play really well with LaMelo. I would have picked Xavier Tillman in a vacuum, but Vernon is probably a better fit with LaMelo.
Nick Richards – Can bring the defense that Carey hasn’t show so far. Really like that the team drafted someone with a very different skillset and can see which one develops. I expect that he’ll be an NBA player for several years which is really all you can ask for with a 2nd round pick. Nick is found money since none of us were expecting Mitch to trade for a pick.
Grant Riller – If Riller develops this pick has the potential to be a steal. The team has had really good luck with 2nd round guys so far, and Riller seems like the kind of guy who could actually make it. Had no preference here, but was happy with the pick.
Overall I have to give the team an A-. This was a strong draft showing by Mitch.
UNCNYC:My official picks were
3 - Tyrell Terry
32 - Tyler Bey
56 - Ty'shon Alexander
But I might replace Alexander for any of the UNDRAFTED players of the 2020 draft down the line.
IAN:I wanted to have Wiseman or Hayes but I still like the LaMelo pick. I'm confident that our coaching staff and the young guys we have will have a good effect on him. He may have said that he doesn't think his shooting form needs some work but that will change. I hope Melo turns out to be a superstar because God knows we're long overdue.
316Hornets: I didn't think Lamelo would want to play for us. He seems excited so I would choose Lamelo Ball here if he indeed likes Charlotte. I had him at 100 rating before questioning his loyalty. If there was any question about his loyalty, I would've traded back and chose Hayes.
#32:
After choosing Lamelo, getting an enforcer was all I could think about. I wanted big bully center. Oturu was considered, but ultimately I agree with what the team did here and agree with choosing Vernon Carey Jr.. He is the more physical guy of the two.
#56:
At 56, I wanted Scrubb but he went at 55. So, my choice would be Louis Olinde
luciano-davidwesley: I would have considered Okongwu long and hard but ultimately would have probably drafted Ball too seeing as though Wiseman was off the board.
I don't know enough about the second round prospects to really comment but I definitely would have taken Tyrell Terry if he dropped one more spot to us at 32.
Diop: the only draft pick I've not wanted more than Ball was Biyombo after watching him lose against a chair. But unless there was a market to trade down (will never know, and I don't want to hear your crap Ainge) I'm happy with taking the last of the big 3.
I still liked Hayes and OO who would have been my targets if we could trade down. My ideal night would be trading 3 to Detroit for 7 and 16, taken Hayes and maybe Pokuševski (hope for a unicorn) or even Bey who Detroit got at 19. But that was probably never possible.
I wanted Tilman at #32, but I'm happy with Carey Jr, he seems to talented in the paint to be ignored.
Riller sounds cool as well. The only name I had at that stage was Wesson as a stretch 5. I still think he should land somewhere.
Every year, once the draft is finished, I automatically end up optimistic about who we pick thinking the team must have got it right. Until they slowly kill my soul
Snidely FC: 3: we took Ball
I'd have taken: Tyrese Haliburton
32: we took Vernon Carey Jr
I'd have taken: Xavier Tillman
56: we took Grant Riller
I'd have taken: Sam Merrill
SWedd523: Hornets Pick #3: Ball
My Pick at #3: Okongwu
Hornets Pick #32: Carey
My Pick at #32: Oturu then Bey then Carey
Hornets Pick #56: Riller
My Pick at #56: By this point I didn't care, Riller seems like a good option
Rich4114:It was simple for me, my pick was going to be whichever of Ball, Edwards or Wiseman was available at 3. I would've ranked them as Wiseman 1a, Ball 1b, Edwards 1c. Not worried about fit since we aren't competing and the roster is still a work in progress. As for #32, I was really hoping we could get Jaden McDaniels, but that's mostly because I've heard him talked up recently, he has an attitude and his brother plays on our team already and it'd be fascinating. I am actually very enticed by Vernon Carey though, I didn't know much about him until after we took him and he seems legit. My take is that he's highly undervalued by today's NBA standards, but his talent is unquestionable. I expect him to have a place on the roster come opening night.
Kemba/Rozier Sign and Trade:
Spoiler:
Vanderbilt_Grad - "My on record here - Mitch's offer to Kemba was fair in a coldhearted mathematical sense. There was risk in a big contract given Kemba's age and past knee issues ... and MJ's desire to avoid the tax if not winning is a real thing the team has to consider. If Kemba wasn't going to take that level of pay, then the team was better off committing to a rebuild. I can also see why it would have pissed Kemba off. It wasn't a loyalty offer. It wasn't a show of appreciation. It wasn't a 'take a pay cut so we can sign other great help for you.' Instead he got a 'we see you as worth X instead of Y offer' with no trades or free agent signing in sight to really help the team make it to the next level. I'm fine with the pivot to signing Rozier after Kemba left. Elf has been run off two bad teams. Rubio was too expensive. Lin was way worse than I thought. The team is making a bet that Terry will be a real NBA starter. It will be interesting to see if it works out or not."
BigSlam - "I'll go on the record as saying I have no problem with the offer they made to Kemba (assuming the offer was 5/$160).
It was a risk to go in low but if Kemba signed off on it it would have been a massive win for us.
If he was willing to negotiate we had a starting point and could have built up from there.
Unfortunately it would appear Kemba wasn't interested in negotiating and only gave us 1 kick at the can - which I find very interesting. I viewed our offer as a calculated risk. I'm more happy that we didn't sign Kemba at 5/$200-$221 (like some were saying we should have) than I am sad at losing him.
On Rozier: Don't like it. Think he's now being paid double his worth and his signing was a desperation move by the FO when they knew they lost Kemba. Would have been able to rationalize the 3 year deal if it was more like 3/30 and not 3/60. I would have much rather gone into next season with Devonte as our starting PG and signed a cheaper young vet PG to back him up (Elfrid Payton). I'm also worried about how Roziers game will compliment the games, playing styles, needs and development of our younger players (Devonte, Monk, Bacon, Bridges and PJ)."
amcoolio - "Like taking a flyer on Rozier, who I think can have a Kemba like leap. He’s got swag. I don’t like the third year. We should have done 2/38. I love Kemba but 5/221 was too tough a pill to swallow."
25centsandwich - "This was a total disaster. Hope I'm wrong about the results but at this point it's just an absolutely embarassing fiasco. And the more information that gets out, the worse it gets. Arguably the best player in franchise history, the franchises all time leading scorer, a fan favorite, a great locker room guy who has been criminally underpaid (and to add, he publicly stated he would take less than what he could've got multiple times)....and we offer him less than what guys got who aren't even consistent All-Stars. The 5 yr/190 mil contract was the obvious deal to be had. If Kemba walked away from that then I could understand. But to offer him less on a per year basis than what he could've gotten on the open market is just an indefensible decision."
driveandkick - I get all the complaints but I'm totally cool with it. As soon as we found out Kemba was gone we knew the tank was commencing. Tanking is about doing three things: accumulating draft picks, bringing in young players, and creating future cap space for when you hope to compete again. Rozier accomplishes the second thing on that list and hear me out, the third thing too. Yes we're paying him a ton of money over three years, but the thing is we're not even trying to compete for these next two years. We probably won't be during the third year either.
Diop - In regards to Kemba, it was time to move on. I would have preferred a trade last year but I get being unable to due to the all star game. I'm still coming to terms with the Rozier trade but I don't really hate it. It's a way to get something from Kemba leaving and we take a flyer on a young guard. Overpriced, but whatever.
BobsBuddy - IF Rozier performs like he did when filling in for Irving,we then have made a Great decision.
LurkCobain - Listen we all loved Kemba. We loved the nights whe he gave you 60 off 25/30 shooting. Some people tend to forget that he also gave you some 15 off 5/27 nights. After thinking about it some, the team made the right move for the long term. This forces the young guys to jump in the water and stop staring at Kemba like kids waiting for daddy to save them.
bes628 - "Proves we will never be considered an serious franchise under this current leadership. You absolutely do not low ball your franchise GOAT. No serious FA will ever sign here willingly. Our stigma is that we are financially inept, unappreciative, and not committed to winning."
Eoghan(formulary BrotherDave) - On paper the Rozier signing looks bleak. But I'd rather have him than Elfrid Payton I think. I'm just going to be optimistic and hope for the best. On Kemba I wanted the team to trade him for something, anything, and try to retool somehow. They didn't do it b/c it would've been a bad PR move to trade the fan favorite/best player in franchise history. I get that. But now they're getting raked over the coals for letting him walk for nothing anyway. This was a disaster. But honestly I'm not sure if it could be avoided. The NBA landscape is changing so much so fast that standing pat might have been a shrewd move.
BigSlam - "I'll go on the record as saying I have no problem with the offer they made to Kemba (assuming the offer was 5/$160).
It was a risk to go in low but if Kemba signed off on it it would have been a massive win for us.
If he was willing to negotiate we had a starting point and could have built up from there.
Unfortunately it would appear Kemba wasn't interested in negotiating and only gave us 1 kick at the can - which I find very interesting. I viewed our offer as a calculated risk. I'm more happy that we didn't sign Kemba at 5/$200-$221 (like some were saying we should have) than I am sad at losing him.
On Rozier: Don't like it. Think he's now being paid double his worth and his signing was a desperation move by the FO when they knew they lost Kemba. Would have been able to rationalize the 3 year deal if it was more like 3/30 and not 3/60. I would have much rather gone into next season with Devonte as our starting PG and signed a cheaper young vet PG to back him up (Elfrid Payton). I'm also worried about how Roziers game will compliment the games, playing styles, needs and development of our younger players (Devonte, Monk, Bacon, Bridges and PJ)."
amcoolio - "Like taking a flyer on Rozier, who I think can have a Kemba like leap. He’s got swag. I don’t like the third year. We should have done 2/38. I love Kemba but 5/221 was too tough a pill to swallow."
25centsandwich - "This was a total disaster. Hope I'm wrong about the results but at this point it's just an absolutely embarassing fiasco. And the more information that gets out, the worse it gets. Arguably the best player in franchise history, the franchises all time leading scorer, a fan favorite, a great locker room guy who has been criminally underpaid (and to add, he publicly stated he would take less than what he could've got multiple times)....and we offer him less than what guys got who aren't even consistent All-Stars. The 5 yr/190 mil contract was the obvious deal to be had. If Kemba walked away from that then I could understand. But to offer him less on a per year basis than what he could've gotten on the open market is just an indefensible decision."
driveandkick - I get all the complaints but I'm totally cool with it. As soon as we found out Kemba was gone we knew the tank was commencing. Tanking is about doing three things: accumulating draft picks, bringing in young players, and creating future cap space for when you hope to compete again. Rozier accomplishes the second thing on that list and hear me out, the third thing too. Yes we're paying him a ton of money over three years, but the thing is we're not even trying to compete for these next two years. We probably won't be during the third year either.
Diop - In regards to Kemba, it was time to move on. I would have preferred a trade last year but I get being unable to due to the all star game. I'm still coming to terms with the Rozier trade but I don't really hate it. It's a way to get something from Kemba leaving and we take a flyer on a young guard. Overpriced, but whatever.
BobsBuddy - IF Rozier performs like he did when filling in for Irving,we then have made a Great decision.
LurkCobain - Listen we all loved Kemba. We loved the nights whe he gave you 60 off 25/30 shooting. Some people tend to forget that he also gave you some 15 off 5/27 nights. After thinking about it some, the team made the right move for the long term. This forces the young guys to jump in the water and stop staring at Kemba like kids waiting for daddy to save them.
bes628 - "Proves we will never be considered an serious franchise under this current leadership. You absolutely do not low ball your franchise GOAT. No serious FA will ever sign here willingly. Our stigma is that we are financially inept, unappreciative, and not committed to winning."
Eoghan(formulary BrotherDave) - On paper the Rozier signing looks bleak. But I'd rather have him than Elfrid Payton I think. I'm just going to be optimistic and hope for the best. On Kemba I wanted the team to trade him for something, anything, and try to retool somehow. They didn't do it b/c it would've been a bad PR move to trade the fan favorite/best player in franchise history. I get that. But now they're getting raked over the coals for letting him walk for nothing anyway. This was a disaster. But honestly I'm not sure if it could be avoided. The NBA landscape is changing so much so fast that standing pat might have been a shrewd move.
2019 Draft:
[12] PJ Washington
Spoiler:
fatlever - "12 - pj"
amcoolio - "love the pick, would have considered Sekou but PJ was my first choice at 12. Did NOT want Little or Clarke based on our roster makeup."
powerforward - "PJ like the pick- solid floor but also has decent ceiling"
JDR720 - "I would call him a medium upside/medium floor player. Kind of like Miles but more skilled offensively. Didn't have any real opinion of anyone pre-draft. That said, im satisfied with the pick. Probably would've picked Sekou. "
dmutombo321 - "I would have taken a flier on Sekou. Has the potential to become a special player of he puts things together. "
MPM - feels eerily like a Hornets pick - productive but not spectacular player on big NCAA program. Safe and reasonable, but after 30+ years of rooting for this team, I'm no longer a fan of safe/reasonable. I do like him better than a lot of other options, but would've preferred a swing-for-the-fences Sekou. I'll be rooting for him regardless. He was tier 2 of my faves.
UNCNYC - #12 - NAW I was never big on PJ Washington and do not like the pick at all. I give it a C out of an A. I think McDaniels will end up slightly better than him.
KingCat - Dislike the pick. Very boring and mediocre just like last years. In five years we will see that this pick has made no negative or positive impact on the franchise. There will be atleast 4 guys he was taken ahead of that will have much better careers
JMAC3 - Would have taken PJ
driveandkick - Fine with the choice, I would have taken Clarke if it were up to me but PJ was second on that list. I actually think he pairs very nicely with Miles and could even be a 5 in some fun small ball lineups. People are complaining he has a limited ceiling but I don't buy that considering how much he improved at UK. This was a weak draft anyways.
BigSlam - Pick was PJ Washington: Don't mind the pick.
Pick I would have made is PJ Washington: Feel he shows promise as our future PF who plays both ends and with grit.
countryboi - I love the pick i think he and miles are the future and are going to be very solid together. I think at the very least his floor is old Marv.
Braggins - I probably would have went with Sekou at 12 and I also really liked the idea of trading back. The other options in play at 12 for me were Goga, NAW, and Langford, but I would have preferred to trade back if any of those three were the target. I actually think PJ was a really smart pick and will most likely look even better as time goes on and people see how many of the lottery picks from this draft are not nearly as good as people imagined.
316Hornets - PJ if kept the 12th pick
Bassman - At 12 given the availabile players I wanted Sekou so that would have been my pick. Represented a bigger upside potential in some ways. However I am (naturally) weary of anyone French so maybe we dodged a bullet. I like PJ and think he has real potential as a starter so I’m good with our pick.
Swedd523 - I wanted NAW, Goga, PJ in that order. Was also super intrigued by Langford, but didn't think he was a realistic target. I did not want any part of Clarke, Little, or Porter Jr.
BuzzCity - Hated the PJ pick. Wanted NAW
25centsandwich - Like PJ as a player. Indifferent about the pick. I think PJ will be a solid 12-15 year pro. Could also contribute early but I thought NAW fit more of a need and was a better fit.
chellis - I really liked PJ going in to the draft and am happy with the pick. I also wanted NAW or Sekou.
Snidely FC - I wanted Goga Bitadze, but my second choice was PJ Washington, who I prefer to Rui, Sekou, Clarke, Bol Bol, and all the other non-Goga options (actually would also have been good with Luka Samanic at 12)
Najee - I had P.J. Washington going to Atlanta at No. 10 on my board (before the Hawks' trade with New Orleans), so Charlotte picking him at this spot is not that outrageous. Of the players on the board, I liked Sekou Doumbouya the most. He seems to run in transition really well for a player his size, looks to be taller than his listed 6-foot-9 and seems to have some good offensive tools.
Liver_Pooty - NAW, Semou, PJ. I think it was Swedd that really got me warmed up to PJ in the draft chat. I was "ok" with him before. I think NAW is going to be really good. Wanted Semou just because its one of those extreme high upside bust ordeals and its fun to pay attention to.
Chapelchilla - I liked the PJ pick but wanted Goga a bit more at the time.
After seeing the PJ tape more extensively, I like the pick even more. He should be a quality NBA starter.
predators - Langford is the only guy I thought had a higher ceiling and has a reasonable shot at reaching it. No real complaints with P.J. Would have also been fine with Sekou or Little here.
Vanderbilt_Grad - PJ was the guy I wanted.
SpearNMgicHelmt - "12: Sekou Doumbouya. I was okay with PJ Washington though.
KembatheMeteor(formily BizGilWalker) -#12 - honestly no clue, I was sure one of Hachimura or Hayes would fall, but wanted to trade down or out again.
BeesWax - I like the PJ pick and think he will be a solid player for us. Fits well with what we want our 4s to do and can play some small ball 5 IMO.
yasuhara2241 - I feel really good about the PJ pick. For me it was between him and Sekou.
amcoolio - "love the pick, would have considered Sekou but PJ was my first choice at 12. Did NOT want Little or Clarke based on our roster makeup."
powerforward - "PJ like the pick- solid floor but also has decent ceiling"
JDR720 - "I would call him a medium upside/medium floor player. Kind of like Miles but more skilled offensively. Didn't have any real opinion of anyone pre-draft. That said, im satisfied with the pick. Probably would've picked Sekou. "
dmutombo321 - "I would have taken a flier on Sekou. Has the potential to become a special player of he puts things together. "
MPM - feels eerily like a Hornets pick - productive but not spectacular player on big NCAA program. Safe and reasonable, but after 30+ years of rooting for this team, I'm no longer a fan of safe/reasonable. I do like him better than a lot of other options, but would've preferred a swing-for-the-fences Sekou. I'll be rooting for him regardless. He was tier 2 of my faves.
UNCNYC - #12 - NAW I was never big on PJ Washington and do not like the pick at all. I give it a C out of an A. I think McDaniels will end up slightly better than him.
KingCat - Dislike the pick. Very boring and mediocre just like last years. In five years we will see that this pick has made no negative or positive impact on the franchise. There will be atleast 4 guys he was taken ahead of that will have much better careers
JMAC3 - Would have taken PJ
driveandkick - Fine with the choice, I would have taken Clarke if it were up to me but PJ was second on that list. I actually think he pairs very nicely with Miles and could even be a 5 in some fun small ball lineups. People are complaining he has a limited ceiling but I don't buy that considering how much he improved at UK. This was a weak draft anyways.
BigSlam - Pick was PJ Washington: Don't mind the pick.
Pick I would have made is PJ Washington: Feel he shows promise as our future PF who plays both ends and with grit.
countryboi - I love the pick i think he and miles are the future and are going to be very solid together. I think at the very least his floor is old Marv.
Braggins - I probably would have went with Sekou at 12 and I also really liked the idea of trading back. The other options in play at 12 for me were Goga, NAW, and Langford, but I would have preferred to trade back if any of those three were the target. I actually think PJ was a really smart pick and will most likely look even better as time goes on and people see how many of the lottery picks from this draft are not nearly as good as people imagined.
316Hornets - PJ if kept the 12th pick
Bassman - At 12 given the availabile players I wanted Sekou so that would have been my pick. Represented a bigger upside potential in some ways. However I am (naturally) weary of anyone French so maybe we dodged a bullet. I like PJ and think he has real potential as a starter so I’m good with our pick.
Swedd523 - I wanted NAW, Goga, PJ in that order. Was also super intrigued by Langford, but didn't think he was a realistic target. I did not want any part of Clarke, Little, or Porter Jr.
BuzzCity - Hated the PJ pick. Wanted NAW
25centsandwich - Like PJ as a player. Indifferent about the pick. I think PJ will be a solid 12-15 year pro. Could also contribute early but I thought NAW fit more of a need and was a better fit.
chellis - I really liked PJ going in to the draft and am happy with the pick. I also wanted NAW or Sekou.
Snidely FC - I wanted Goga Bitadze, but my second choice was PJ Washington, who I prefer to Rui, Sekou, Clarke, Bol Bol, and all the other non-Goga options (actually would also have been good with Luka Samanic at 12)
Najee - I had P.J. Washington going to Atlanta at No. 10 on my board (before the Hawks' trade with New Orleans), so Charlotte picking him at this spot is not that outrageous. Of the players on the board, I liked Sekou Doumbouya the most. He seems to run in transition really well for a player his size, looks to be taller than his listed 6-foot-9 and seems to have some good offensive tools.
Liver_Pooty - NAW, Semou, PJ. I think it was Swedd that really got me warmed up to PJ in the draft chat. I was "ok" with him before. I think NAW is going to be really good. Wanted Semou just because its one of those extreme high upside bust ordeals and its fun to pay attention to.
Chapelchilla - I liked the PJ pick but wanted Goga a bit more at the time.
After seeing the PJ tape more extensively, I like the pick even more. He should be a quality NBA starter.
predators - Langford is the only guy I thought had a higher ceiling and has a reasonable shot at reaching it. No real complaints with P.J. Would have also been fine with Sekou or Little here.
Vanderbilt_Grad - PJ was the guy I wanted.
SpearNMgicHelmt - "12: Sekou Doumbouya. I was okay with PJ Washington though.
KembatheMeteor(formily BizGilWalker) -#12 - honestly no clue, I was sure one of Hachimura or Hayes would fall, but wanted to trade down or out again.
BeesWax - I like the PJ pick and think he will be a solid player for us. Fits well with what we want our 4s to do and can play some small ball 5 IMO.
yasuhara2241 - I feel really good about the PJ pick. For me it was between him and Sekou.
[36] Cody Martin
Spoiler:
fatlever = "36 - bol bol"
amcoolio - "meh pick, wanted a flyer on high upside player like Bol or Jontay Porter"
powerforward - "I think we accidently took the wrong twin/ not a big fan - wish we would have traded up and got additional pick and got carson Edwards (little jameer nelson vibes to him)"
JDR720 - "Im fine with it, can probably be a solid role-player. Probably would've picked Bol."
dmutombo321 - even with his medical red flags and post injury weight loss, Bol is a tremendous talent and should have been their man. It doesn't get much more low risk and high reward at a pick this low.
MPM - feels like a wasted pick. Bol, Schofield, Gafford, and Horton-Tucker were all on the board and I would've taken any of them (BPA) over Martin. Count me in for Bol here.
UNCNYC - #36 - Joshua Obeisie - I am happy it's Cody Martin and not Caleb due to his ability to play multiple positions including PG. I woulda SLIGHTLY rather had Justin James tho. I will give this grade a C+ because he can play so many positions.
KingCat - Hate this pick. Will never play consistent minutes. Will be playing in the Mexico league within 4 years.
JMAC3 - Would have taken Talen Horton Tucker
driveandkick - Actually like it a lot. He's a high floor guy that is just a good basketball player. 6'6" PG types are always worth taking a chance on. If he can shoot he absolutely has a role in this league.
BigSlam - I had no idea who this dude is. Didn't like the pick.
Pick I would have made is *Daniel Gafford: Feel we needed to address our 5 with an athletic shot blocking and rebounder.
* = If I could have moved up 2 spots by combining our picks #36 and #52 to draft Bruno Fernando who was taken #34 I 100% would have done that. I really like Fernando.
countryboi - I do love a big point but he was a reach i think we could have gotten him at 52 and I would have liked a low risk high reward project like Bol Bol.
316Hornets - Bol Bol
Bassman - At 36 I really didn’t have any knowledge of a particular player still on the board that I wanted (not Bol). Cody strikes as a serviceable bench guy, so hopefully he blossoms into something more. Looks pretty good on tape but was frankly a “who’s that?” when I saw his name.
Swedd523 - I wanted them to trade up and get Fernando as soon as he fell out of the first round. Of the available guys I would've preferred Gafford or Schofield.
BuzzCity - Bol Bol
25centsandwich - Cody Martin. Did not like this pick at all. Martin never impressed me much. Both he and his brother were good college players who had the ball a ton. Would've liked Gafford here if we took NAW. With PJ would've went with Admiral.
chellis - Martin is a good player but a far stretch at 36. I believe he would have been available at 52. I 100% would have taken THT with this pick.
Snidely FC - Hoped Luka Samanic or Grant Williams would fall to us here. With Samanic and Williams gone, wanted Bruno; with Bruno gone I would have taken Talen Horton-Tucker. I thought we would find good value at this pick, disappointed the team reached for a guy many expected to go undrafted
Najee - With some of the projected potential first-round picks falling (Bruno Fernando, K.Z. Okpala), it would have made sense for Charlotte to have gotten involved. Okpala was a player I liked coming into the draft but he was gone at No. 32; I would have offered the No. 36 and 52 picks to move up.
Chapelchilla - I wish the had traded up for Goga, Samanic or Bruno with the 2nd rounders but apparently it was way hard to pull off this year. I don't have high hopes for Martin but we can use a big defensive guard with some creative passing skills. If he is that, I'm fine with the pick to help replace Lamb (starting Bacon, play Martin as back up)
preadtors - 2nd round picks are hard to get worked up over. 6'7" guard that can do a little bit of everything is fine by me even if he is a 5 year senior. In typical Charlotte fashion all the "lay up" 2nd rounders went right before we picked, I bet we panicked a little here.
Vanderbilt_Grad - I had really hoped for a center with Claxton & Bruno falling into the 2nd, but both were gone by 36. I'm willing to give Cody 2.0 (Martin) a chance, but probably would have gone with Bol Bol here.
KembatheMeteor(formily BizGilWaker) - #36 - Admiral Schoefield
BeesWax - Martin was a stretch for me. I like him as a player but don’t. Like the value in the pick. Would rather take a flier on a high ceiling guy like Bol or Porter and hope Martin fell to 52. Like his skill set and don’t mind having him but just not at that spot.
yasuhara2241 - #36: I wanted to trade up for Kabengele or Bruno Fernando but at that pick I was willing to take the flier on Bol Bol. Now after reading up on Cody Martin I don't mind the pick but just don't see the immediate impact.
amcoolio - "meh pick, wanted a flyer on high upside player like Bol or Jontay Porter"
powerforward - "I think we accidently took the wrong twin/ not a big fan - wish we would have traded up and got additional pick and got carson Edwards (little jameer nelson vibes to him)"
JDR720 - "Im fine with it, can probably be a solid role-player. Probably would've picked Bol."
dmutombo321 - even with his medical red flags and post injury weight loss, Bol is a tremendous talent and should have been their man. It doesn't get much more low risk and high reward at a pick this low.
MPM - feels like a wasted pick. Bol, Schofield, Gafford, and Horton-Tucker were all on the board and I would've taken any of them (BPA) over Martin. Count me in for Bol here.
UNCNYC - #36 - Joshua Obeisie - I am happy it's Cody Martin and not Caleb due to his ability to play multiple positions including PG. I woulda SLIGHTLY rather had Justin James tho. I will give this grade a C+ because he can play so many positions.
KingCat - Hate this pick. Will never play consistent minutes. Will be playing in the Mexico league within 4 years.
JMAC3 - Would have taken Talen Horton Tucker
driveandkick - Actually like it a lot. He's a high floor guy that is just a good basketball player. 6'6" PG types are always worth taking a chance on. If he can shoot he absolutely has a role in this league.
BigSlam - I had no idea who this dude is. Didn't like the pick.
Pick I would have made is *Daniel Gafford: Feel we needed to address our 5 with an athletic shot blocking and rebounder.
* = If I could have moved up 2 spots by combining our picks #36 and #52 to draft Bruno Fernando who was taken #34 I 100% would have done that. I really like Fernando.
countryboi - I do love a big point but he was a reach i think we could have gotten him at 52 and I would have liked a low risk high reward project like Bol Bol.
316Hornets - Bol Bol
Bassman - At 36 I really didn’t have any knowledge of a particular player still on the board that I wanted (not Bol). Cody strikes as a serviceable bench guy, so hopefully he blossoms into something more. Looks pretty good on tape but was frankly a “who’s that?” when I saw his name.
Swedd523 - I wanted them to trade up and get Fernando as soon as he fell out of the first round. Of the available guys I would've preferred Gafford or Schofield.
BuzzCity - Bol Bol
25centsandwich - Cody Martin. Did not like this pick at all. Martin never impressed me much. Both he and his brother were good college players who had the ball a ton. Would've liked Gafford here if we took NAW. With PJ would've went with Admiral.
chellis - Martin is a good player but a far stretch at 36. I believe he would have been available at 52. I 100% would have taken THT with this pick.
Snidely FC - Hoped Luka Samanic or Grant Williams would fall to us here. With Samanic and Williams gone, wanted Bruno; with Bruno gone I would have taken Talen Horton-Tucker. I thought we would find good value at this pick, disappointed the team reached for a guy many expected to go undrafted
Najee - With some of the projected potential first-round picks falling (Bruno Fernando, K.Z. Okpala), it would have made sense for Charlotte to have gotten involved. Okpala was a player I liked coming into the draft but he was gone at No. 32; I would have offered the No. 36 and 52 picks to move up.
Chapelchilla - I wish the had traded up for Goga, Samanic or Bruno with the 2nd rounders but apparently it was way hard to pull off this year. I don't have high hopes for Martin but we can use a big defensive guard with some creative passing skills. If he is that, I'm fine with the pick to help replace Lamb (starting Bacon, play Martin as back up)
preadtors - 2nd round picks are hard to get worked up over. 6'7" guard that can do a little bit of everything is fine by me even if he is a 5 year senior. In typical Charlotte fashion all the "lay up" 2nd rounders went right before we picked, I bet we panicked a little here.
Vanderbilt_Grad - I had really hoped for a center with Claxton & Bruno falling into the 2nd, but both were gone by 36. I'm willing to give Cody 2.0 (Martin) a chance, but probably would have gone with Bol Bol here.
KembatheMeteor(formily BizGilWaker) - #36 - Admiral Schoefield
BeesWax - Martin was a stretch for me. I like him as a player but don’t. Like the value in the pick. Would rather take a flier on a high ceiling guy like Bol or Porter and hope Martin fell to 52. Like his skill set and don’t mind having him but just not at that spot.
yasuhara2241 - #36: I wanted to trade up for Kabengele or Bruno Fernando but at that pick I was willing to take the flier on Bol Bol. Now after reading up on Cody Martin I don't mind the pick but just don't see the immediate impact.
. First of all, highschool classes tend to have 500 or more kids graduating at a time. Second off, all the graduating students will all go off to have very different careers and go into many different fields. All the men drafted along with PJ last night are basketball players who are going onto play basketball...There were only like 50 other dudes drafted after PJ, not 500 to compare him to. A much smaller sample size than a highschool class. And fine, I will bite on your question
