Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Spud2nique]

The NBA is cyclical...the big man will return one day!!!

Doin it for Brad! I MEAN JAMAAL..

[kg01]

The NBA is cyclical...the big man will return one day!!!

Doin it for Brad! I MEAN JAMAAL..

We know you love the big mens, spud.

Seriously though, I agree bigs will make a return to effectiveness. I just think it has to be the right big(s).

The latest crop seems to focused on offense which imho limits their impact on winning although their stats and measurables are all pretty.

[MaceCase]

In today's wing dominant NBA I'll go with the wing over the center if they exhibit similar overall skills (and no, I don't think Doncic will be the MKG to Ayton's Anthony Davis).

Every team that has been in serious contention for the title the past few years has been led by a wing player/point guard (heck, every team that advanced past the first round last year was led by a wing/PG).


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I think that that would be applicable if Doncic was projected as a hyperquick PG or hyperathletic Wing that could easily flex if not play a large percentage of his minutes at PF/C. That not being the case it's no longer a simple matter of "smalls vs. bigs" although it is a big reason why Porter was the de facto #1 and is still considered a top 5 pick even after the back surgery.

[Spud2nique]

The NBA is cyclical...the big man will return one day!!!

Doin it for Brad! I MEAN JAMAAL..

We know you love the big mens, spud.

Seriously though, I agree bigs will make a return to effectiveness. I just think it has to be the right big(s).

The latest crop seems to focused on offense which imho limits their impact on winning although their stats and measurables are all pretty.

Oh heck no I love the guards and wings and loved the 3 before ..well the last few years..I dunno the league needs a balance of Ewing's and Niques and Jordan's to bring back full excitement...

It was like Knicks Hawks I bet our sf will beat ur center in a superstar matchup..

Now it's lets see how many more 3's our team can hit vs yours..

It's getting old..

[Jamaaliver]

NBA Draft Tracker: Oklahoma PG Trae Young

Trae Young is the talk of the college basketball world after matching the Division I record with 22 assists in the Sooners' win over Northwestern St. on Tuesday. He also scored 26 points in that game, becoming the first player in nearly 2 decades to record at least 20 points and 20 assists in the same game. Young currently leads the nation in scoring and assists, averaging 28.5 ppg and 10.2 apg.

It's more than just the raw numbers that make Young such an intriguing prospect. His ball-handling skills, quick release and unlimited shooting range remind scouts of a young Steph Curry. And, while it's always dangerous to compare an undersized freshman to a 2-time league MVP, remember how undervalued Curry was coming out of Davidson because of concerns about his strength and durability.

Young was recently listed as the number 9 pick in a mock draft done by Basketball Insiders, and he should continue to climb up the ladder if he maintains his current numbers against a tough Big 12 schedule.

Nothing has changed at the top of the draft, where Marvin Bagley, Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic are still the top prizes, but keep an eye on Trae Young throughout the college season. The similarity in his style of play to Curry is pretty remarkable.

Yahoo


I really like this kid and want to take a gamble on him. But, I'm not sure I'd gamble a top 10 pick on him just yet.

Ayton and Bagley have more potential.
Mikal Bridges is more of a sure thing.
Sexton is a better two-way player.

[Jamaaliver]

Looking likely Ayton will be the consensus #1 pick next summer.

2018 NBA Draft: Players Already Improving Their Stock

Deandre Ayton (Arizona, C, Freshman)
Current draft projection: No. 1

Averaging 20.3 points on 62.3 percent shooting, he's surprised with his skill level and ability to dominate offensively. More than just a spectacular athlete, Ayton has given Arizona an option to feature in the half court, where he can create and score against set defenses.

The only worrisome question with Ayton revolves around his defensive instincts and motor. He's blocking shots at a disappointing rate (1.3 per game), and he hasn't looked overly instinctive when it comes to rim protection or pick-and-roll reads.

Trae Young (Oklahoma, PG, Freshman)
Current draft projection: Lottery

On pace to shatter records, Trae Young has emerged as the top breakout story in college basketball. Now the questions are whether his unprecedented success will continue into conference play and if it can eventually translate at the NBA level.

"I need to see him in Big 12 play, but the numbers are speaking for themselves, and also, the team is winning," an optimistic NBA exec told Bleacher Report. Young leads the nation in both scoring and dishing, demonstrating an elite skill level in both departments.

However, at 6'2", 180 pounds without long arms or explosiveness, questions about his potential to execute against NBA defenders will stick through January. Some scouts expressed hesitation this early before calling him a top NBA prospect.

BLEACHER REPORT

[Jamaaliver]

(continued)

Mikal Bridges (Villanova, SF, Junior)
Current draft projection: Late lottery to mid-first round

A standout through two seasons at Villanova for his defense, the 6'6" junior wing is capitalizing on the extra scoring chances Josh Hart left behind.

Bridges is attempting 4.9 more shots per game than last year while playing just 1.1 minutes longer. He's raised his scoring average to 17.1 from 9.8, and he's still converting at 58.2 percent clip inside the arc.

The major development has been the three-ball, which he's knocking down at double the rate as last season. Making 3.2 triples per 40 minutes (up from 1.6) and 55.6 percent of his guarded catch-and-shoot jumpers in the half court, Bridges has established himself as a knockdown threat, strengthening his image as a three-and-D wing.

Averaging 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks, showing the ability to make plays on the ball and guard multiple positions, Bridges continues to build a case as the draft's top perimeter defender.

Khyri Thomas (Creighton, SG, Junior)
Current draft projection: Mid-to-late first round

Khyri Thomas has emerged as a potential first-round name for his shooting, defense and overall efficiency.

He's kicked his offense up a notch, becoming tougher inside the arc and more dangerous behind it. Thomas may be undersized for a traditional NBA 2-guard, but he's athletic with length, a 210-pound frame and jump shot. He's also shooting 61.1 percent on two-pointers.

Pressure defense remains the first strength scouts mention when explaining the draw to Thomas. Scouts are warming up to the idea of Thomas' potential at the next level thanks to his three-and-D ability, fast-break offense and secondary ball-screen playmaking.

[Spud2nique]

I want this Mikal Bridges paired with Bud! Kid gives off crazy Pippen/Kawhi/Alvin Robertson vibe. If we had the 4th or 5th pick I'd take him without hesitation.

[Jamaaliver]

Instead of the Young kid, maybe we can just sign Jimmer from China?

Thought this quote would make you smile:

As [Trae] Young continues to put up huge numbers and Steph Curry-like highlights, he'll make imaginations run wild. But in conversations with NBA scouts, they seem to be trying to figure out if he'll project to be more like Curry or someone like Jimmer Fredette.

Bleacher Report


I really like T Young, but he, admittedly, is a boom or bust prospect.

[kg01]

Instead of the Young kid, maybe we can just sign Jimmer from China?

Thought this quote would make you smile:

As [Trae] Young continues to put up huge numbers and Steph Curry-like highlights, he'll make imaginations run wild. But in conversations with NBA scouts, they seem to be trying to figure out if he'll project to be more like Curry or someone like Jimmer Fredette.

Bleacher Report


I really like T Young, but he, admittedly, is a boom or bust prospect.

Funny, the more gaudy his stats the less I like him. When's the last time a carnival act succeeded in the Nba?

[Jamaaliver]

Alabama Super-Frosh Collin Sexton Set to Crash NBA Draft's Top 5

While Oklahoma freshman Trae Young has captured the college basketball world's attention with his outlandish numbers and shot-making ability, Sexton is at the top of point guard wish lists for the 2018 draft.

He checks most of the boxes for NBA potential. He's not only fast with the basketball, but he also has a tight handle and an advanced feel in knowing how to use a ball screen and his quickness.

"...Sexton's a two-way player. You never have to worry about him trying hard," an NBA scout told Bleacher Report.

His jump shot, or at least its early results, put him ahead of schedule of some of his quick-twitch contemporaries. He's shooting 43.2 percent from beyond the arc, although the sample size is small (only 37 attempts).

He hasn't done much in catch-and-shoot scenarios, but he's been excellent shooting off the bounce, knocking down 17 of 39 jumpers. That's a much more attractive skill in an NBA point guard than the ability to knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers, which is easier to develop through repetition.

Sexton's work using ball screens has also been impressive. He's scoring 1.076 points per possession, according to Synergy, which is a high mark, especially for a freshman.

...Sexton usually makes the right calls: when to pass, when to split or when to reject the screen and go the other way.

Sexton compares favorably to the elite 2016 freshman point guard class and to D Rose and John Wall as freshmen.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks scouts/execs are undoubtedly present at this game. In our backyard--featuring guys we should be considering in the top 5.

Mo Bamba vs. Collin Sexton is Alabama-Texas showdown of top-10 NBA draft picks

A huge crowd of NBA talent evaluators is expected at the BJCC with two potential top-10 draft picks squaring off at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

It'll be Collin Sexton and Alabama vs. Mo Bamba and Texas on a huge night from a number of perspectives. A total of 37 NBA scouts were credentialed (including 11 general managers or assistant GMs) from 24 of the 30 NBA teams.

The Sexton vs. Bamba matchup presents a more interesting pairing than their size would indicate. The 6-foot-3 Alabama point guard will likely see plenty of the long-armed 6-11 forward.

Alabama.com

[ATL Boy]

I'd pull the trigger on a draft night trade of Schroder for a pick that would land us Sexton. I'm buying into the young man.

Maybe the Suns would oblige? A vet, proven PG would be a much bigger help to their young core than another make or miss lotto pick.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Jamaaliver]

I'd pull the trigger on a draft night trade of Schroder for a pick that would land us Sexton. I'm buying into the young man.

Maybe the Suns would oblige? A vet, proven PG would be a much bigger help to their young core than another make or miss lotto pick.

Orlando, Charlotte and Phoenix seem like young teams that could use proven veterans more than another young player.

Would you be willing to include Taurean or J Collins to procure a second top 10 pick?

[ATL Boy]

I'd pull the trigger on a draft night trade of Schroder for a pick that would land us Sexton. I'm buying into the young man.

Maybe the Suns would oblige? A vet, proven PG would be a much bigger help to their young core than another make or miss lotto pick.

Orlando, Charlotte and Phoenix seem like young teams that could use proven veterans more than another young player.

Would you be willing to include Taurean or J Collins to procure a second top 10 pick?

In addition to Dennis? Absolutely not. Especially not Collins. Both of those guys are taking some strides and proving that they could be potential starters on a contender somewhere down the line.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[CP War Hawks]

Philly is another team with a top ten pick they could trade for Schroder. That Lakers pick has some funky restrictions but it looks fairly squared to land at 6-10 which conveys to Philly.

[graymule]

To a starving man, placed at a table filled with all manner of fine food, the only question is,
"Where do I start?"

The Atlanta Hawks, in their tank mode, are starving for young talent. "Where do we start?"

[Spud2nique]

I'd pull the trigger on a draft night trade of Schroder for a pick that would land us Sexton. I'm buying into the young man.

Maybe the Suns would oblige? A vet, proven PG would be a much bigger help to their young core than another make or miss lotto pick.

Orlando, Charlotte and Phoenix seem like young teams that could use proven veterans more than another young player.

Would you be willing to include Taurean or J Collins to procure a second top 10 pick?

Personally I'd include Dennis in a deal before Prince or Collins. I think Prince and Collins need to be part of the big picture moving forward. Sadly, Dennis might not be Bud's guy.

[tbhawksfan1]

Think Bud wants a PG that WILL run the team and can shoot and play D. Even though I like Schro, I'm looking for a top 10 pick for him.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter