2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Jamaaliver]

Those minuses - .
Certain things are coachable/fixable etc. but some of these I just don't like.

Understandable, but at age 19, there is still time. (Dude is a gamer. Fearless. Aggressive. He's got fire and strength.)

Nas Little would be a terrible fit. A wing who can't really PDS but has tremendous tools and will likely be a good player. My comparison is that his impact and value will be a lot like Josh Smith. Stan Johnson was a better prospect but his flaws for me meant his boom or bust potential was higher.

I'm honestly not even sure Little Nas really is a wing. He might be best suited to play small ball-PF.

North Carolina is trying to do a better job of putting Little in positions to succeed, giving him occasional elbow touches to attack in the half court while playing with incredible pace in transition. He's playing far more as a small-ball 4 with a spaced floor, but his struggles have continued.

...Little still flashed some of his impressive physical talent. [In a recent matchup against Zion Williamson], he forced Williamson into a couple tough shots in the paint, using his length and body effectively, and he crashed the glass regularly. He also finished above the rim a few times in space.

He figures to really help himself in workouts -- as he's likely to post Kawhi Leonard-like measurements while showing he has more skill than he flashed in college -- and impress in interviews.

ESPN

[kg01]

Nas Little would be a terrible fit. A wing who can't really PDS but has tremendous tools and will likely be a good player. My comparison is that his impact and value will be a lot like Josh Smith. Stan Johnson was a better prospect but his flaws for me meant his boom or bust potential was higher.

While Nas has everything you need to be a player in the NBA athletically and offensively long term but lacks the feel for the game and likely the impact to be a player who you need on a winner.

StanJo the Banjo seems like an apt comparison for Little. Big difference being Little has never had work ethic/attitude concerns. Apparently those are huge reasons why Johnson busted.

I kinda see Little as having 'rich man's StanJo' potential. Unfortunately that's basically a lesser Justice Winslow. Pass, unless we're talking about a low 1st rnd pick.

[King Ken]

Those minuses - .
Certain things are coachable/fixable etc. but some of these I just don't like.

Understandable, but at age 19, there is still time. (Dude is a gamer. Fearless. Aggressive. He's got fire and strength.)

Nas Little would be a terrible fit. A wing who can't really PDS but has tremendous tools and will likely be a good player. My comparison is that his impact and value will be a lot like Josh Smith. Stan Johnson was a better prospect but his flaws for me meant his boom or bust potential was higher.

I'm honestly not even sure Little Nas really is a wing. He might be best suited to play small ball-PF.

North Carolina is trying to do a better job of putting Little in positions to succeed, giving him occasional elbow touches to attack in the half court while playing with incredible pace in transition. He's playing far more as a small-ball 4 with a spaced floor, but his struggles have continued.

...Little still flashed some of his impressive physical talent. [In a recent matchup against Zion Williamson], he forced Williamson into a couple tough shots in the paint, using his length and body effectively, and he crashed the glass regularly. He also finished above the rim a few times in space.

He figures to really help himself in workouts -- as he's likely to post Kawhi Leonard-like measurements while showing he has more skill than he flashed in college -- and impress in interviews.

ESPN

Short term, I think he is a small ball 4. Long term, he is a 3. He will put up numbers too. He is a great athlete on any level.

[King Ken]

Nas Little would be a terrible fit. A wing who can't really PDS but has tremendous tools and will likely be a good player. My comparison is that his impact and value will be a lot like Josh Smith. Stan Johnson was a better prospect but his flaws for me meant his boom or bust potential was higher.

While Nas has everything you need to be a player in the NBA athletically and offensively long term but lacks the feel for the game and likely the impact to be a player who you need on a winner.

StanJo the Banjo seems like an apt comparison for Little. Big difference being Little has never had work ethic/attitude concerns. Apparently those are huge reasons why Johnson busted.

I kinda see Little as having 'rich man's StanJo' potential. Unfortunately that's basically a lesser Justice Winslow. Pass, unless we're talking about a low 1st rnd pick.

Stan was known for his work ethic. His issue is his mother died right before the season. It broke him. That said, they aren't comparable. Stan was a much better college player. He just had flaws he couldn't overcome. He had a solid feel for the game. Nas doesn't. Nas true comparison is J. Smoove.

[kg01]

Nas Little would be a terrible fit. A wing who can't really PDS but has tremendous tools and will likely be a good player. My comparison is that his impact and value will be a lot like Josh Smith. Stan Johnson was a better prospect but his flaws for me meant his boom or bust potential was higher.

While Nas has everything you need to be a player in the NBA athletically and offensively long term but lacks the feel for the game and likely the impact to be a player who you need on a winner.

StanJo the Banjo seems like an apt comparison for Little. Big difference being Little has never had work ethic/attitude concerns. Apparently those are huge reasons why Johnson busted.

I kinda see Little as having 'rich man's StanJo' potential. Unfortunately that's basically a lesser Justice Winslow. Pass, unless we're talking about a low 1st rnd pick.

Stan was known for his work ethic. His issue is his mother died right before the season. It broke him. That said, they aren't comparable. Stan was a much better college player. He just had flaws he couldn't overcome. He had a solid feel for the game. Nas doesn't. Nas true comparison is J. Smoove.

I'm not insensitive to that. Are you saying he basically never recovered? It's been what almost 4 years. I get mourning, but I'm certain she wouldn't want him to mourn away his career. Life doesn't necessarily get easier the less money you make. That's the track he's on right now and that assuming he's in the league at all after this year. That's literally in doubt.

And I disagree that they aren't comparable. The difference between them is their feel for the game.

[Spud2nique]

If we could manage to snag Nas Little outside the lottery, I'd be in favor of that. We saw all of his warts this season, but he has great size, measurables, athleticism. I'd dangle Taurean and that Cleveland pick to a team to move back into the late teens -- maybe that would entice a team like Detroit or OKC.

Read on Twitter

He'd a be a worthy project -- and a lot of his offensive shortcomings could be mitigated playing alongside a floor general as talented as Trae.

There's no hiding that the UNC freshman flat-out struggled through 33 regular-season games. He figures to really help himself in workouts -- as he's likely to post Kawhi Leonard-like measurements while showing he has more skill than he flashed in college -- and impress in interviews. A fresh start will be good for Little, who came into the season with sky-high expectations and simply hasn't gotten comfortable. But there's no question that even some of Little's biggest fans in NBA front offices are skeptical of using a high pick on him.

ESPN Insider

Noted. Disagree but noted.

[Jamaaliver]

Noted. Disagree but noted.

I kinda hope Nas Little falls to the Spurs. 2-3 years from now we'd get to see exactly what kind of player he could be.

(And a rotation with Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker IV and Little Nas could be one of the greatest defensive squads we've seen this decade.)

[Spud2nique]

Noted. Disagree but noted.

I kinda hope Nas Little falls to the Spurs. 2-3 years from now we'd get to see exactly what kind of player he could be.

(And a rotation with Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker IV and Little Nas could be one of the greatest defensive squads we've seen this decade.)

Team fit is huge. If he goes to the Spurs, heck, if anyone goes to the Spurs, it usually equals success. If he goes to the Pistons, Cavs, Pelicans, or the Magic, I’m worried.

Also, the Spurs seem to have to many guys that play on the inside and have lost all the shooter type of players they used to draft.

Aldridge, Derozan, and even their guards that you mentioned in Murray and White are more of slashers vs the preferred Pop outside players.


I can see your boy Sekou Doumbouya landing with the Spurs and succeeding in their system.

[Jamaaliver]

^All of that seems fair.

I don't see the complete need to focus TOO MUCH on team fit for us. Outside of PG...I think we can grab anyone who fits our culture, philosophy or is simply too talented to bypass.

NOTE: Sekou would be a very 'Spurs-ian' pick, indeed.

[kg01]

Y'all realize this could be Popo's last year(s)? Before Popo, SAS was a pretty middling franchise. No reason they won't return to that once he's gone from a day-to-day perspective.

[Spud2nique]

Y'all realize this could be Popo's last year(s)? Before Popo, SAS was a pretty middling franchise. No reason they won't return to that once he's gone from a day-to-day perspective.

True..could happen and it would be sad imo. Out of all the teams that won multiple championships throughout the 80’s till now, the Spurs were the only franchise I didn’t find annoying.

The Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Bulls, Heat and Warriors all seem to annoy a lot of people but I didn’t see the Spur hate as much.

I dunno, to me, they did things the right way but no shortcuts when it came to hard work. I like the Spurs model for any sports franchise. Finding the gems and diamonds in the draft, coach them up, groom them and win with them.

[Jamaaliver]

Y'all realize this could be Popo's last year(s)? Before Popo, SAS was a pretty middling franchise. No reason they won't return to that once he's gone from a day-to-day perspective.

I'm really interested to see what their succession plan looks like.

They have the structure in place to remain a middling franchise after his departure. But they might need to ultimately do what the Braves did post-Bobby Cox.

Bottom out and start anew.

[Spud2nique]

Y'all realize this could be Popo's last year(s)? Before Popo, SAS was a pretty middling franchise. No reason they won't return to that once he's gone from a day-to-day perspective.

I'm really interested to see what their succession plan looks like.

They have the structure in place to remain a middling franchise after his departure. But they might need to ultimately do what the Braves did post-Bobby Cox.

Bottom out and start anew.

Agreed. Before they hit the reset though, can Pop add a 1/8, 2/7 seed upset over the Warriors to add to his resume? Storybook ending for Pop. I don’t see it happening but it would be pretty fitting.

[Hazer]

I just had the craziest draft scenario pop into my head. IF the Hawks land #1 pick AND the Mavs pick conveys at say #7, leaving Dallas without a 1st round pick this year, Hawks could feasibly draft Zion, offer him to Dallas for Luka, then trade Prince and #7 for say WCJ or JJJ. Trae/Huerter/Luka/Collins/WCJ?JJJ?Star? Good LAWD, can-o-worms, discuss...

[Spud2nique]

I just had the craziest draft scenario pop into my head. IF the Hawks land #1 pick AND the Mavs pick conveys at say #7, leaving Dallas without a 1st round pick this year, Hawks could feasibly draft Zion, offer him to Dallas for Luka, then trade Prince and #7 for say WCJ or JJJ. Trae/Huerter/Luka/Collins/WCJ?JJJ?Star? Good LAWD, can-o-worms, discuss...

At that point, would we be inviting Bob on your yacht for Sunday brunch?

Headline reads:

Trae and Luka fans break bread (who am I kidding top notch gourmet brunch) together!

[Hazer]

I just had the craziest draft scenario pop into my head. IF the Hawks land #1 pick AND the Mavs pick conveys at say #7, leaving Dallas without a 1st round pick this year, Hawks could feasibly draft Zion, offer him to Dallas for Luka, then trade Prince and #7 for say WCJ or JJJ. Trae/Huerter/Luka/Collins/WCJ?JJJ?Star? Good LAWD, can-o-worms, discuss...

So essentially, instead of Zion and Culver with this year’s 2 top-10 picks you come away with Luka and JJJorWCJ. I do it in a heartbeat, Zion is transformational but isn’t dribble-pass-shoot. Luka is transformational too

[Hazer]

I just had the craziest draft scenario pop into my head. IF the Hawks land #1 pick AND the Mavs pick conveys at say #7, leaving Dallas without a 1st round pick this year, Hawks could feasibly draft Zion, offer him to Dallas for Luka, then trade Prince and #7 for say WCJ or JJJ. Trae/Huerter/Luka/Collins/WCJ?JJJ?Star? Good LAWD, can-o-worms, discuss...

At that point, would we be inviting Bob on your yacht for Sunday brunch?

Headline reads:

Trae and Luka fans break bread (who am I kidding top notch gourmet brunch) together!

Unfortunately I didn’t win the $750mill Powerball, so there’s only room for 1 on my fishing kayak

[High 5]

I just had the craziest draft scenario pop into my head. IF the Hawks land #1 pick AND the Mavs pick conveys at say #7, leaving Dallas without a 1st round pick this year, Hawks could feasibly draft Zion, offer him to Dallas for Luka, then trade Prince and #7 for say WCJ or JJJ. Trae/Huerter/Luka/Collins/WCJ?JJJ?Star? Good LAWD, can-o-worms, discuss...

No way the Mavs would trade Luka for Zion. I doubt they'd trade him for anyone at this point. And honestly I'd rather roll the dice on Zion. Trae/Luka would be a defensive nightmare and they're both ball dominant playmakers.

It would take more to get WCJ or JJJ, too.

[Jamaaliver]

Trae/Huerter/Luka/Collins/WCJ?JJJ?Star? Good LAWD, can-o-worms, discuss...

That would be one of the greatest offensive lineups in NBA history...on paper at least.

It's unlikely...but who would have predicted a year ago Dallas having both Luka and Kristaps?

Dream big, Haze. That would indeed be something!!

[atlantabbq99]

I just had the craziest draft scenario pop into my head. IF the Hawks land #1 pick AND the Mavs pick conveys at say #7, leaving Dallas without a 1st round pick this year, Hawks could feasibly draft Zion, offer him to Dallas for Luka, then trade Prince and #7 for say WCJ or JJJ. Trae/Huerter/Luka/Collins/WCJ?JJJ?Star? Good LAWD, can-o-worms, discuss...

I would rather call the Suns and work out a Ayton/Zion trade. Maybe Hawks trade #1 and #7 for #2 and Ayton.