RealGM

With the draft just over a month away I thought it a good time to get our big board up and going for this year.

We'll keep each picks thread open for a few days before I or another mod tally the votes, lock the thread and open the next pick thread.


Pick #1 = Wiseman (37%)
Pick #2 = Okongwu (48%)

Haliburton

Sticking with Hayes at #3. I'm shocked you like Haliburton so much Slam. I thought I was the highest on him, he might be my next pick after Hayes is gone (although at some point Edwards' talent will be too much to deny even with the red flags). I feel like his ceiling is lower than a guy like Hayes, who I can imagine as a lead guard, but his skill set seems destined to make him a high-quality rotation player at absolute worst.

It's between Ball and Hayes for me, we need playmaking. I went with Ball because I think he has more trade value.

Hornet Mania wrote:I'm shocked you like Haliburton so much Slam.

Hotrod put me onto him a year or so ago and I've really liked him ever since.

I trust him to have a positive net impact on his team in the NBA more than I do Ball or Edwards - and I also think he has the potential to be something special.

I think he could play along side Tae much more effectively than Ball could and while Ball might have the higher upside, I also think he has a much, much, MUCH higher bust potential than Haliburton.

And with Tae's contract up after next season, we would have the option to move forward with Haliburton as our lead guard if he proved to have star potential (or continue to play him next to Tae moving forward).

I voted Anthony Edwards here, but feel pretty bad about it. My gut is that he has trouble adjusting to the NBA. The problem is that *if he does adjust* then he has the highest ceiling by far. It's a swing for the fences pick that I suspect will miss, but you have to take it.

FWIW I like Haliburton here. He's my next pick.

I can't really in good faith put Halliburton over Hayes. I love his game, but his ceiling is dramatically lower than Hayes'.

For me, I don't see how Hali is ever anymore than a 4th option and while he's a good team defender he's not big enough (175-180lbs) to ever be a wing stopper. He's certainly someone who would help a team but in the top of the draft I want someone who can transform a franchise. He's more valuable on a team in real contention.

I want to go with Edwards but I think Hayes or Advija are better bets here

Advija

James Gatz wrote:For me, I don't see how Hali is ever anymore than a 4th option and while he's a good team defender he's not big enough (175-180lbs) to ever be a wing stopper. He's certainly someone who would help a team but in the top of the draft I want someone who can transform a franchise. He's more valuable on a team in real contention.

I'd love the guy if we could get him without a top 3 pick.

But I also don't think that every player drafted needs to be a premier option or go-to guy on a team either. He'll put on NBA weight because most everyone does and fix his footwork because NBA trainers will demand it. But his innate passing and defensive tools are stuff you're gonna need out of your backcourt in the playoffs. He's a better catch and shoot guard than most of these guys at the top too and that's likely to translate much better than the shot creation on display from others. If anything, a guy who knows with certainty that he's NOT the #1 option and has no delusions of having that role lets things run more smoothly across the board.

I think its easier for guys to grow into that role than grow out of it too.

If we were picking mid-late lotto as usual, I'd be cool with him.

My issue with Haliburton is that he isn't quick enough to beat NBA defenders off the dribble.

I kinda need my PG to be able to reliably beat his man

Hayes is if Westbrook and Tony Parker had a baby. Hayes is also ultra competitive and has that killer attitude to his game that I don't see from Ball or Edwards. He has several goto scoring moves and is a great passer. I think in time he'll learn to be a great shooter too. He's not as athletically gifted as Westbrook but plays more controlled. I'll take that player.

I think Hayes is the most probable actual Hornets pick in this draft. His fit next to Graham is almost perfect. I rate it at 40% Hayes, 30% Wiseman, 20% Edwards, 10% Advija as to what I think Mitch will do.

I stanned for PJ Washington last year (hit), Miles two years ago (meh), and Hayes will be my guy this year

All I care about in this draft is upside. That's why Ball is the guy.

Going with Edwards, but already regretting it.

An interesting comparison I saw for Hayes on the draft forum on here is Ron Harper.

Braggins wrote:An interesting comparison I saw for Hayes on the draft forum on here is Ron Harper.

If somebody whispers that in MJ's ear he's our pick for sure

I'm glad to see so many Hayes fans. I hope someway we land Him, Terry, Joe, Alexander or Elleby

I like Haliburton but I don't see how we can't take Edwards here. That's a gift.

amcoolio wrote:Hayes is if Westbrook and Tony Parker had a baby. Hayes is also ultra competitive and has that killer attitude to his game that I don't see from Ball or Edwards. He has several goto scoring moves and is a great passer. I think in time he'll learn to be a great shooter too. He's not as athletically gifted as Westbrook but plays more controlled. I'll take that player.

I think Hayes is the most probable actual Hornets pick in this draft. His fit next to Graham is almost perfect. I rate it at 40% Hayes, 30% Wiseman, 20% Edwards, 10% Advija as to what I think Mitch will do.

I stanned for PJ Washington last year (hit), Miles two years ago (meh), and Hayes will be my guy this year

I really want to like Hayes, but he suffers from the same thing Haliburton does (to a lesser extent) in that he has difficulty beating his man in a one on one.

I voted deni..because I dont believe Edwards is there at 3.