2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[LofJ]

He also compared our G-league coach, Nick Friedman, to the Raptors coach and said he is likely going to be getting a lot of attention around the league pretty shortly.

[UNCNYC]

Imagine if we traded back and got Terry with pick 3 and got 2 future 1st. Then use pick 32 and had either Jalen Smith or Zeke Nnaji fall and also get Isaiah Joe to fall at 56.

PICK 15 - Tyrell Terry

PICK 32 - Zeke Nnaji, Jalen Smtih

PICK 56 - Isaiah Joe, CJ Elleby, Ty'shon Alexander

PLUS 2 future 1st. Man we would be set lol

[amcoolio]

I know several posters here aren't a big fan of LaMelo Ball. If he were to drop and you fall in the camp of not wanting to select him, your first call should be to the NYK and try to extract #8 + a future unprotected first. At 8 you should be able to select one of Halliburton, Toppin, Bey.

I don't think Okongwu lasts til 8 so I'm in the camp of staying at 3 to get superior talent.

Unless its the Knicks 2021 unprotected (or top 1). Then of course I would trade back.

[spankymoore7]

Not sure if I would take LaMelo if he were to fall to 3. There is a chance he does because if Minny doesn't take him I doubt the Warriors do. But they could considering their injuries.

For me there are only 4 I am considering for pick 3

Tyrell Terry
Killian Hayes
LaMelo Ball
Isaiah Joe

Isaiah Joe at 3 is way too high imo

[LofJ]

Here's an article about Nick Friedman for anyone who is interested:

https://thepaintedlines.com/the-hornets-hiring-of-nick-friedman-shows-the-organization-is-fully-committed-to-player-development/

He got talked up a lot in the above article (published almost a year ago), but he delivered so it was justified.

This guy spending another year developing the Martin twins, McDaniels, and whoever else we draft in the 2nd this year is exciting.

[UNCNYC]

Not sure if I would take LaMelo if he were to fall to 3. There is a chance he does because if Minny doesn't take him I doubt the Warriors do. But they could considering their injuries.

For me there are only 4 I am considering for pick 3

Tyrell Terry
Killian Hayes
LaMelo Ball
Isaiah Joe

Isaiah Joe at 3 is way too high imo

I agree. I wouldn't hardly take him at 3 (thats why I listed him 4th in that list). I have him in the "thought" tho moreso if I were to trade back he would be what I would be trading the 3rd pick for if the other 3 (who's listed above him) were gone. I would consider him if I didn't like the 3 listed above him more than I do him as far as them being projected high goes.

[SWedd523]

Watch on YouTube

Great video. If you follow this exercise, you take Ball

Actually not at all what I got from the video

[SWedd523]

I read on the Hornets reddit page that Mitch's top 3 are supposedly Ball, Avdija, and Hayes in that order. I wouldn't be surprised if it's accurate because other than the Miles pick he has really prioritized passing with his draft picks.

How credible did this seem? I'm kind of pleasantly surprised to be honest.

It was from Konata Edwards, who does have some local Charlotte connections, so it has credibility.

I have a ton of local Charlotte connections.

I also have zero credibility into what Mitch's Big Board looks like

[LofJ]

How credible did this seem? I'm kind of pleasantly surprised to be honest.

It was from Konata Edwards, who does have some local Charlotte connections, so it has credibility.

I have a ton of local Charlotte connections.

I also have zero credibility into what Mitch's Big Board looks like

He worked for WFNZ in Charlotte and then ESPN prior to writing for UpRoxx, so he's not a rando.

[UNCNYC]

Best draft EVER.

We trade pick 3 for 2 future 1st

DRAFT Tyrell Terry, Zeke Nnaji, Isaiah Joe

Then trade Graham for 2 future 1st and trade Rozier for 1 future 1st

Terry / Martin
Joe / Monk
Miles / Batum
PJ / McDaniels
Zeke / Zeller

and 5 (booker T voice) future 1st rounders lol. That would be Awesome with a capital B. I could see Isaiah Joe having an awesome career in Charlotte.

[yosemiteben]

I like this perspective on bigs - https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/9/4/21422487/nba-playoffs-bam-adebayo-draymond-green-marc-gasol

A big is worth investing in if they (a) can guard multiple positions and (b) have the BBIQ to direct an offense and unlock actions and direct traffic from the 5 spot.

Does OO check all those boxes? Would have to understand their college scheme and watch a lot of game tape to answer that question.

[Hornet Mania]

How credible did this seem? I'm kind of pleasantly surprised to be honest.

It was from Konata Edwards, who does have some local Charlotte connections, so it has credibility.

I have a ton of local Charlotte connections.

I also have zero credibility into what Mitch's Big Board looks like

Oh, we know you're just holding out on us. And we have ways of making you talk.

But back on-topic right now I'm most partial to:

-Hayes
-Edwards
-Wiseman
-Halliburton

Most against:

-Okoro
-Toppin

And equal parts worried and intrigued by:

-Ball
-Avdija
-Okongwu

[Snidely FC]

I like this perspective on bigs - https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/9/4/21422487/nba-playoffs-bam-adebayo-draymond-green-marc-gasol

A big is worth investing in if they (a) can guard multiple positions and (b) have the BBIQ to direct an offense and unlock actions and direct traffic from the 5 spot.

Does OO check all those boxes? Would have to understand their college scheme and watch a lot of game tape to answer that question.

btw I think if you're looking for the best playmaking big man in this draft look at Xavier Tillman who perhaps lacks the physical gifts of OO & Wiseman but imo is the most skilled big man passer and potential QB on both sides of the ball

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

[James Gatz]

I'd LOVE Tillman at 32

[bravor]

Yeah Tillman should be the priority with the 32th if he is still there. He is a safe bet and would have instant trade value even though he is 'already' 22 . Perfect big from the bench for many competing teams.
It obviously depends who is picked at 3 (and if the Hornets keep that pick) though.

It's hard not to be greedy. I wish there was a way (without losing any 21/22/23 1st picks) to get Edwards/Vassel/Tillman and Okongwu. +best remaining pg at 55.
Then pile up assets (good picks) with what Hornets have (except PJ/mb Graham/Martin bro's), tank hard and secure at least one potential star from that 2021 draft to move forward.

[Braggins]

I'm not set on anyone for the third pick and there isn't any prospect in this class that I'm really thrilled about, but the guys I find interesting at this point are (in no order) Okongwu, Wiseman, Deni, and Hayes.

I still don't like Toppin, Ball, or Edwards, but that isn't based on any new info and is just my stance from like a month ago.

[penquin11]

The only player in this draft I'm remotely interested in is Wiseman. I believe that had he played the full NCAAB season he would be the unquestioned #1 pick. Dude only played in 3 games, only had 23 minutes per game, and averaged nearly 20 points per game while pulling down ~11 rebounds (including 4 offensive rebounds per game). I know that is a scarely small sample, but that's how off-putting this draft is in general.

[Liver_Pooty]

I have no damn idea who I want. OO/Wiseman with PJ solidifies our front court for years to come but im also very intrigued with Lamelo and Edwards.

[UNCNYC]

This draft has so many good 2nd round picks that unless we are boneheads we should be able to find at least 1 good one with both 2nd rounders

[UNCNYC]

It's a deep draft so don't be surprised if someone like these guys

Tyrell Terry
Leandro Balmaro
JaDen McDaniels
Jalen Smith
Josh Green
Saddiq Bey
Tyler Bey

Were to fall... I am still picking Joe at 32 regardless of who fall tho if he is there.