Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread

[jayu70]

I'd take him if we can acquire an actual starter at C for him to learn under. Oddly, I'd be more ok with us taking Ball otherwise. Don't tell @jammalo I said that.

I still lean towards auctioning off the pick though.

I don't watch college basketball so I can't comment on any of these players being good or not. As you indicated, the draft may not hold 'any Lebrons' but I'd only be ok trading the pick (top #3) for a superstar player (bearingin mind doing so also invloves moving 1 maybe 2 of the current core players) I'd be OK trading down to acquire future picks but it'll have to be to a team slated in the high lottery next season, I'd also be ok drafting whoever and filling in the deficit roster spots via FA.
I know you are an advocate of trading the pick, it just has to be for the right deal.

I think you're absolutely right ... in theory.

Me? I don't even need it to be a blockbuster situation. My issue is I'm done waiting on development. For me, there's value in not needing a guy to take the customary 2-3 years to become a player.

Thus, trading for even a all-star level player is fine for me. Like a McCollum-type (not him, because I don't like him, just saying someone on his level). That, on it's face, would be a bad value deal. However, for us, I think that would be what we need.

Certainly more than having another 'shiny new toy' to stake Schlank's job security on. The problem with tankin'-GM's is they can always point to 'oh, this guy needs time that's why we suck' as a way of keeping their jobs.

I don't want him to have that eggscuse anymore. Get us some dudes that can play now.

Here's the thing, I understand your impatience with developing young players but it's par the course in a rebuild. I think we need to see it true at least to the end of this year.
Now if either Huerter, Reddish and Hunter show me that they'll be more that just solid starters I'd willingly toss the pick. I don't think they've shown enough like Trae has to say the rebuild through drafting is over.

[kg01]

I don't watch college basketball so I can't comment on any of these players being good or not. As you indicated, the draft may not hold 'any Lebrons' but I'd only be ok trading the pick (top #3) for a superstar player (bearingin mind doing so also invloves moving 1 maybe 2 of the current core players) I'd be OK trading down to acquire future picks but it'll have to be to a team slated in the high lottery next season, I'd also be ok drafting whoever and filling in the deficit roster spots via FA.
I know you are an advocate of trading the pick, it just has to be for the right deal.

I think you're absolutely right ... in theory.

Me? I don't even need it to be a blockbuster situation. My issue is I'm done waiting on development. For me, there's value in not needing a guy to take the customary 2-3 years to become a player.

Thus, trading for even a all-star level player is fine for me. Like a McCollum-type (not him, because I don't like him, just saying someone on his level). That, on it's face, would be a bad value deal. However, for us, I think that would be what we need.

Certainly more than having another 'shiny new toy' to stake Schlank's job security on. The problem with tankin'-GM's is they can always point to 'oh, this guy needs time that's why we suck' as a way of keeping their jobs.

I don't want him to have that eggscuse anymore. Get us some dudes that can play now.

Here's the thing, I understand your impatience with developing young players but it's par the course in a rebuild. I think we need to see it true at least to the end of this year.
Now if either Huerter, Reddish and Hunter show me that they'll be more that just solid starters I'd willingly toss the pick. I don't think they've shown enough like Trae has to say the rebuild through drafting is over.

My rebuttal is that I don't think anyone in this draft is a needle-mover so punting on the draft doesn't even cause me to raise an eyebrow.

Aw yeah, the kg v burd battle we've been waiting for.

[jayu70]

I think you're absolutely right ... in theory.

Me? I don't even need it to be a blockbuster situation. My issue is I'm done waiting on development. For me, there's value in not needing a guy to take the customary 2-3 years to become a player.

Thus, trading for even a all-star level player is fine for me. Like a McCollum-type (not him, because I don't like him, just saying someone on his level). That, on it's face, would be a bad value deal. However, for us, I think that would be what we need.

Certainly more than having another 'shiny new toy' to stake Schlank's job security on. The problem with tankin'-GM's is they can always point to 'oh, this guy needs time that's why we suck' as a way of keeping their jobs.

I don't want him to have that eggscuse anymore. Get us some dudes that can play now.

Here's the thing, I understand your impatience with developing young players but it's par the course in a rebuild. I think we need to see it true at least to the end of this year.
Now if either Huerter, Reddish and Hunter show me that they'll be more that just solid starters I'd willingly toss the pick. I don't think they've shown enough like Trae has to say the rebuild through drafting is over.

My rebuttal is that I don't think anyone in this draft is a needle-mover so punting on the draft doesn't even cause me to raise an eyebrow.

Aw yeah, the kg v burd battle we've been waiting for.

That maybe true - but there are always surprises.

[CP War Hawks]

Mcdaniels looks way too intriguing to me. He's basically a bigger, more athletic version of Red. I want finishers in this draft and would become the 2nd best one behind Collins.

[Jamaaliver]

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Tyrese Haliburton | 6-5 guard | 19 years old, sophomore | Iowa State

Haliburton’s having a monstrous all-around season for Iowa State, and would be a pretty exceptional backcourt fit with Luke Kennard. He’s averaging a pretty absurd 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.7 assists for Iowa State, even as the Cyclones struggle. He’s also posting a 51.6/41.0/75.0 shooting slash line that makes it look like he’s one of the most efficient players in the country, and his defensive ability at 6-foot-5 is pretty strong both on and off ball.

So why is he not a top-five pick? I think he has a shot to be that, but the tape doesn’t quite pop in the way that the numbers do. The jump shot concerns NBA teams because it takes some time to get off and has a bit of a funky release. He doesn’t have crazy burst, which might mean he’s more of an off lead guard who pushes in transition as opposed to a true halfcourt lead guard.

The Athletic

[shakes0]

Mcdaniels looks way too intriguing to me. He's basically a bigger, more athletic version of Red. I want finishers in this draft and would become the 2nd best one behind Collins.

I've seen him play a handful of times. I like him as well. He's looked just as good as anyone else in this **** draft.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

2020 NBA Draft Big Board:

4. Onyeka Okongwu (USC, C, Freshman)



Shooting 70.0 percent on post-ups and 73.7 percent on rolls, USC's Onyeka Okongwu is also allowing opponents to convert just 27.3 percent of their shots around the basket. He's been dominant in the paint at both ends, scoring off advanced moves and quick jumps while blocking 2.9 shots in 28.5 minutes per game.

It's worth noting he did get outmuscled by Washington's enforcer Isaiah Stewart, another first-round caliber center.

Some scouts would still rather bet on Wiseman, but for us, Okongwu has flashed lots of defensive upside and more scoring versatility than the other bigs.

He's also made nine of 22 jump shots and 69.9 percent of his free throws, and if he can surprise NBA teams with more shooting touch in workouts, Okognwu's draft stock could mirror our big-board ranking.



8. Tyrese Haliburton (Iowa State, PG, Sophomore)



The believability meter for Tyrese Haliburton's pro potential has risen dramatically this season.

He's more than doubled his scoring rate to 16.6 points per game from 6.8. It's still Haliburton's passing IQ that separates him from other guards, as he's averaging 7.7 assists and 2.6 turnovers per game, even though his teammates shoot 29.4 percent from three. His facilitating will continue to drive his NBA value, while having more dangerous scorers and shooters around him should only optimize his special playmaking instincts.

However, he's moved into the top 10 because of his improved jumper and scoring in the lane. Haliburton is making 2.5 threes per game at a 41.7 percent clip, and after converting just one pull-up and two runners as a freshman, he's already hit 10 dribble jumpers and 11 of 23 runners in 2019-20.

A lack of blow-by explosiveness remains a drawback. He is not the type to breakdown defenses with penetration. His pull-up is also still questionable because of a low-pushing release that doesn't appear conducive to shooting off the dribble.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Mcdaniels looks way too intriguing to me. He's basically a bigger, more athletic version of Red. I want finishers in this draft and would become the 2nd best one behind Collins.

I've seen him play a handful of times. I like him as well. He's looked just as good as anyone else in this **** draft.

Jaden McDaniels (Washington, Freshman)


Draft projection: Late lottery

Boom comparison: Brandon Ingram

Bust comparison: Kevin Knox

Washington's Jaden McDaniels has the potential to spark imaginations with his 6'9" size and guard skills. That mix hints at upside that's likely to draw top-10 interest. But how realistic is it to expect McDaniels to become sharp enough around the perimeter that he's consistently scoring on pull-ups, step-backs, threes and floaters—shots that drive his appeal as a mismatch and separate him from other forwards?

On one hand, he's flashed glimpses of distance shooting, mid-range shot-creation and athletic finishes at the rim. And at 19 years old, he still has a big window to build on each of his these skills.

But he also isn't proficient in any offensive area, ranking in the 37th percentile as a spot-up player, 54th percentile as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, 49th percentile off screens, 28th percentile as a cutter and 43rd percentile in transition. He's made two isolation baskets this season.

Averaging an encouraging 2.4 assists, McDaniels has delivered some impressive passes. But a sky-high 3.5 turnovers per game (for a non-lead guard) highlight his lack of polish and questionable decision-making.

Exciting sequences of shot-blocking and defensive range have also been clouded by lapses in awareness.

His talent and skill versatility will have every lottery team thinking about McDaniels' potential. He also deserves to be on bust watch (if taken that highly) because of a lack of bankable strengths and uninspiring intangibles.

He could wind up mirroring oversized wing Brandon Ingram (6'7", 190 lbs) by gradually sharpening his shot-creation and shot-making skills. McDaniels will look more like Kevin Knox if he struggles with physicality, one-on-one scoring execution, shooting consistency and defensive IQ.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

There's no way I could depend on this kid or his people to be a franchise savior for any team I root for.

LaMelo Ball returns to the US without telling his teammates

The projected No. 1 overall pick left Australia without even telling his teammates

After shutting down his season early with the Illawarra Hawks due a foot injury, LaMelo Ball has returned to the United States to continue with his rehabilitation process.

Melo's departure doesn't appear to sit well with the Hawks owner.

"I'm really disappointed that he didn't say goodbye to his teammates and his coach," Simon Stratford said, according to ABC News' Timothy Hernandez.

Hawks teammate Todd Blanchfield added he wasn't told Ball was leaving the country.

"It's news to me, but (Ball's camp has) got an agenda they have to take care of. At the end of the day he's thinking of the bigger picture and has bigger things in mind."

Vavel.com

[Jamaaliver]

[Jamaaliver]

Thoughts on this kid?

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[HMFFL]

2020 NBA Mock Draft: Georgia's Anthony Edwards goes No. 1, followed by James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball


https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2020-nba-mock-draft-georgias-anthony-edwards-goes-no-1-followed-by-james-wiseman-and-lamelo-ball/amp/#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[Jamaaliver]

Isaac Okoro

As of late January 2020, Isaac Okoro offers a uniquely well-rounded game with the potential to instantly contribute at the next level on defense. There are no guarantees of dynamic on-ball play or reliable shooting in the immediate future, however, which may limit his potential for “top pick” consideration. Nonetheless, Isaac’s all-around prospects suggest that he may be the best candidate for his archetype: for any team that is intrigued by a heady wing that projects for a high “floor” and sneaky upside, a selection landing as high as the #7-10 range would be warranted.

The Stepien

[Jamaaliver]

Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton Is A Basketball Genius

Haliburton has stepped into a primary creator role for the Cyclones, establishing himself as one of the nation’s best and most exhilarating play makers. His usage rate has spiked to 20.1 percent, he’s hoisting 11.7 shots per contest, and he’s more than doubled his assist rate from 17.3 percent to 36.3.

Haliburton's 7:3 assist-to-turnover ratio underlines his elite decision-making. His athletic limitations will, to a degree, quell the functionality of his distributing in the NBA. But he has more than enough in his toolkit to be the type of ball-handler who puts his teammates in optimal scoring situations.

Haliburton’s best trait as a playmaker is not his capacity for merely executing a wide variety of passes. He certainly can, but what distinguishes him from others is the accuracy and timeliness of those decisions. I’ve not seen a better pocket passer than Haliburton this season. In pick-and-rolls, he almost always feeds his big man in stride, enabling them to finish at the rim or promptly elevate for an open jumper. He hits cutters on target and drops skip passes into the pockets of shooters.

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Note the placement of those passes from Haliburton. Aside from the corner three attempt, his teammates do not have to go out of their way to corral the ball, allowing them to focus on the next step. He simplifies the game for others, an important trait for any ball-handler. His flexibility and contortion mean he can whirl feeds from awkward angles and his rare vision only further amplifies the value of such a skill.

Spoiler:

But the draft is about projection and the manner in which Haliburton derives his scoring doesn’t feel translatable, particularly because of an aversion to contact and debilitating burst as a driver. Through 18 games, he’s only registered 31 shots at the rim in the half-court, ranks in the 46th percentile efficiency-wise (17-for-31, 54.6 percent) and has a free throw rate of .152. The inability to explode past defenders and unwillingness to consistently absorb contact plays out on film.

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Compounding these downhill scoring flaws are his unorthodox shooting mechanics, which often prevent him from firing off the bounce in cramped quarters and leave me wondering how he produces equity as an on-ball scorer in the NBA. He’s shooting 26.5 percent on pull-up jumpers (13-for-49, 32nd percentile) in the half-court and, anecdotally, it feels like most of those makes come from way deep, without much defensive pressure, after dancing behind a screen.

If Haliburton can’t beat switches off the dribble or shoot over the top, and doesn’t have a consistent jumper or the explosiveness as a driver to exploit drop coverage, it seems unlikely that defenses are going to honor him as a pick-and-roll scorer. This scenario allows teams to sell out to contain rollers and shooters, cognizant of the fact that his optimal creation route is through passing. He will not bend opponents and spark rotations with his scoring threat, at least not consistently. We’ve already seen these issues manifest; Haliburton ranks in the 23rd percentile in pick-and-rolls and when passes are factored in, he’s in the 35th percentile. A dearth of complementary teammates affects the latter mark, but the former is based on individual production, and he falls short.

If he cannot efficiently put points on the board in isolations or pick-and-rolls, with most of his scoring coming as a spot-up shooter or attacking closeouts, his offensive potential is severely capped. Scoring gravity occupies defenses more than any other trait and someone like Lonzo Ball — who lacks it and is unable to maximize his passing genius — establishes a blueprint of the problems Haliburton could face in the NBA without pull-up shooting or rim magnetism.

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His passing, projectable spot-up jumper, defensive playmaking, and high-level intelligence leave me confident he carves out a lengthy career as a positive NBA player. But he is so depleted in crucial areas for primary ball-handlers — strength, explosion, rim frequency, pull-up shooting and free-throw drawing — and that’s where the disconnect arises. Mainstream boards peg him as a top-five prospect. I cannot reach such a level of credence, despite my appreciation for the aesthetic nature of his game and the joy his film provides. Regardless of the many limitations, Tyrese Haliburton is a player with too much goodness to ignore, whose uninspiring ceiling and bankable floor render him a fringe lottery candidate on my big board.

Uproxx

[Jamaaliver]

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[tbhawksfan1]

I'm not a fan of Ant, Ball or Wiseman. Like some guys later. Hope TS is thinking trading back or out. Use Nets pick maybe with a trade up to grab OO maybe.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

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