2020 NBA Draft Thread

[sully00]

Scouts told mainstream fans that Luka was at his ceiling and two teams even believed it lmao. If they can do it again for Hampton, that'd be great.

I am not sure that isn't true. I think one of things that has helped Doncic adapt so quickly to the league is that he was physically developed already and he had a pretty crazy skill set. He will get more comfortable and he will learn more things but he is who he is. The challenging piece with any of these guys is how they slot into the NBA.

I think on this side of the pond we find it difficult to assume and accept the Dirk Nowitzki principal. That a guy can come from overseas and be better than everyone else. That this period of adjustment just isn't really going to be necessary.

[Bleeding Green]

Luka has improved so much since he came to the NBA, it's just because he's a white euro that people think he's tapped out physically. What human is tapped out physically at age 19? He is who he is? As in the best under-25 player in the NBA?

[snowman]

Guys, I get so tired of other teams bringing in bench players that can actually shoot the ball. Is this lost concept for players drafted by Boston ? I have read post after post from die hard Celtic fans too often that start out with " once he develops a jump shot" that I want to throw up in my mouth. Guys, my rule of thumb is, if they can't shoot a free throw, more than likely, they won't be able to shoot three's. Not a guarantee, but odds are good on that. But, if they are shooting free throws at less than 75%, we need to stay away from them. We don't need any more dunkers / rim rattlers or what ever you want to call them. If that were what we needed, then Javonte Green would be signed to a max contract by now. We need shooters. I thought we had one in Edwards, but he can only do it against the Pistons it seems. At pick #14 we need a wing like Aaron Nesmith, Seddiq Bey (the exception to my rule) or Josh Green and at pick #26, we need a point guard like Kira Lewis, Tyrell Terry, or Tyrese Maxey ( I know he is listed as a shooting guard, but his assist numbers are point guard like). There are any number of bigs we can get with the 30th. I know that any one from each of the 2 lists would be more productive off the bench than Javonte Green and Vincent Poirier.

[SLCceltic]

RJ Hampton would be a dream at 14. I thought the was supposed to be a top-5 player going into this season on a lot of mocks. Get as many fast, long as ****, athletic guards and wings and hope some of them develop a jumper. I can't believe how many nice guards and wings are in this draft, and all I see is people talking this draft down, kind of crazy to me.

ESPN
Ringer
Athletic
SI
Yahoo
Bleacher
Netscouts
Tankathon
CBS
SB NAtion

all have RJ outside the top 14

https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/20/2020-consensus-mock-draft

I didnt think he would be available at all at pick 14 until recently. Its a no brainer, imo, if he is there, grab him.

He can break down defenses in the NBA now. He has an elite skill that can translate on day 1.

RJs transition game is nice but he doesn't shoot well enough to invest in for this particular championship window ....it will take 3 or 4 years for his shot to dev if it develops at all ! our transition game is already very good not sure how much he moves the needle in his first 2/3 seasons ...

Shooters that can contribute now and Bigs who can start alongside Jays and Kemba is all DA should be looking at ! imo

[djFan71]

Since we like trading picks with PHI: 26, 30, 47 for 21 & 34.

Upgrade to 21 and get 2 shots in the range we're hoping people fall to. And the downgrade from 30 to 34 isn't many slots, but you don't have to roster them. We lose 47 who we' have a hard time finding even a 2-way slot for, and is close enough to UDFA territory anyways.

Not that this is be-all-end-all, but it's almost exact value (32.5 vs 31), so seems somewhat feasible:
http://nbasense.com/draft-pick-trade-value/2/kevin-pelton-2

[Spin Move]

I don't really think there is a way for us to get to Wiseman at 2 or 3, but he is who I see being really special coming out of this draft, If we could somehow package GH, the picks, and some combination of our 1st and 2nd year players I would give anyone on the roster other then Tatum, Brown, Walker Smart to move up (I would really prefer not to give up Thies,but hey I think this guy will be an all star so I would if I had to).

[100proof]

I don't really think there is a way for us to get to Wiseman at 2 or 3, but he is who I see being really special coming out of this draft, If we could somehow package GH, the picks, and some combination of our 1st and 2nd year players I would give anyone on the roster other then Tatum, Brown, Walker Smart to move up (I would really prefer not to give up Thies,but hey I think this guy will be an all star so I would if I had to).

I would rather just try an pull Naz Reid from Minny.

Great size, strong as hell, smart, can make and take threes. Most likely considerably cheaper.

Watch on YouTube

[wco81]

I don't really think there is a way for us to get to Wiseman at 2 or 3, but he is who I see being really special coming out of this draft, If we could somehow package GH, the picks, and some combination of our 1st and 2nd year players I would give anyone on the roster other then Tatum, Brown, Walker Smart to move up (I would really prefer not to give up Thies,but hey I think this guy will be an all star so I would if I had to).

I've only seen a couple of videos of Wiseman, one a HS game vs. Evan Mobley and another a workout video.

Doesn't seem to have any back to the basket game. It's all face up, at least in these highlights, catch the ball at the elbow or FT line and dribble drive.

IN the workout, he's doing between the legs crossover dribbles, pulling up midrange jumpers. Is he some KD wannabe, thinking he's going to crossover NBA 3s?

Warriors fans wonder if he would do any dirty work, like protect the rim, rebound, bang against bigger centers if needed. The idea is that he would be a rim runner/pick and roll diver, rebound, defend the rim for a couple of years, maybe extend his range to the 3 point arc.

The physical tools are there but the heart may not be.

In the HS game, he doesn't seem to aggressively try to challenge shots. Playing it like an all-star game, minimal defense, just get his own.

He would fill a need if the Warriors drafted him. But nobody is thinking he will be some special, future cornerstone.

[24istheLAW]

Luka has improved so much since he came to the NBA, it's just because he's a white euro that people think he's tapped out physically. What human is tapped out physically at age 19? He is who he is? As in the best under-25 player in the NBA?

I don't think Luka has improved all that much physically in the NBA. He's naturally very strong, and people just tend to overlook that quality in the draft. Whereas length and leaping are considered 'talent'.

I do think he can still improve his fitness. Because of his prodigious qualities, he never had to micromanage his fitness and diet, and we've seen him gain and lose weight as a pro. I could see him getting more athletic if he consistently works on his body.

Athletically he reminds me a bit of Paul Pierce, Pierce was a better leaper and probably more athletic, but their profiles are similar, bigger bodies and good at moving people and just nimble enough.

[sully00]

I don't really think there is a way for us to get to Wiseman at 2 or 3, but he is who I see being really special coming out of this draft, If we could somehow package GH, the picks, and some combination of our 1st and 2nd year players I would give anyone on the roster other then Tatum, Brown, Walker Smart to move up (I would really prefer not to give up Thies,but hey I think this guy will be an all star so I would if I had to).

It doesn't sound like he is going to be that high anymore. I think he might be in play at 7-10. If he can't show he has a face up game before the draft I think he is going to be a tough sell at the top of the draft.

I would still trade up for him and I buy into him as a player. I just think this draft is going to be about the PG's and the 6'9" bigs who can bang on the boards and make 3's.

[snowman]

I'm all in on getting a top shooting wing (6'6 -6'8) (Aaron Nesmith or Saddiq Bey) with a good 3 point shot, which I hope one or both would be available with the 14th pick. This would be insurance for Hayward's decision, and to replace Javonte Green.

I would also like for us to get one of the pg's that is available that is bigger than 6'1 (All of these guys are 6'3 or bigger) (Tyrese Maxey, Kira Lewis, Cole Anthony, Theo Maledon, or Nico Mannion) One or more of them will be available at 26. I think any of these guys would beat out Waters, and be Wannamaker's FA decision insurance or replacement.

Then with the 30th there should be a couple 6'10 or taller bigs to chose from. ( Zeke Nnaji, Udoka Azubuike, Daniel Oturu or even Vernon Carey). No more 6'6 -6'7 power forwards / small ball centers please. All of the guys would be better that Poirier.

[BostonCouchGM]

RJ Hampton would be a dream at 14. I thought the was supposed to be a top-5 player going into this season on a lot of mocks. Get as many fast, long as ****, athletic guards and wings and hope some of them develop a jumper. I can't believe how many nice guards and wings are in this draft, and all I see is people talking this draft down, kind of crazy to me.

ESPN
Ringer
Athletic
SI
Yahoo
Bleacher
Netscouts
Tankathon
CBS
SB NAtion

all have RJ outside the top 14

https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/20/2020-consensus-mock-draft

I didnt think he would be available at all at pick 14 until recently. Its a no brainer, imo, if he is there, grab him.

He can break down defenses in the NBA now. He has an elite skill that can translate on day 1.

RJs transition game is nice but he doesn't shoot well enough to invest in for this particular championship window ....it will take 3 or 4 years for his shot to dev if it develops at all ! our transition game is already very good not sure how much he moves the needle in his first 2/3 seasons ...

Shooters that can contribute now and Bigs who can start alongside Jays and Kemba is all DA should be looking at ! imo

this I feel is how G.M.s end up passing on guys with higher upside with potential to be starters and even stars for high floor ham n eggers. Giannis was too skinny, no way do you want to wait 3-4 years for him to bulk up. Take the polished Olynyk!. Jokic is too fat and has poor conditioning. No point waiting for him to get into shape when he won't see the floor for 4 years? Just take that kid from Kentucky Bill Simmons loves who has played in big games, James Young. Michael Porter Jr. has injury concerns. Why take that unnecessary risk? Time after time Danny does exactly as you suggest and passes on the higher upside player.

Kawhi didn't shoot well in college, shooting 29% from three. But he worked hard on his shot the summer before his rookie season and has shot 38% pretty steadily every year since. You can't teach speed, athleticism, body control, court vision, and passing instincts. RJ has all of this. At worst he's a PG with great size for our 2nd unit as Wannamaker's replacement. If he develops or not we need someone with size and length and I find it hard to believe he wouldn't work hard with the young leaders we have on this team like Jaylen and Tatum.

[Bleeding Green]

You must be insane if you want teams to just take the highest upside player every time. For every Giannis there are 100 Jonathan Benders. Every Jokic there are 100 Vasilije Micics. You want to wind up with one g ood player every half decade surrounded by failed player after failed player? Ainge even takes high upside, low floor players like Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams, Jordan Mickey, Terry Rozier, Fab Melo. Romeo Langford is a high upside player.

Was James Young some polished college player? Should have taken the super high upside Bruno Caboclo instead. Not even a remotely good faith argument to suggest taking Jokic at pick 17 when he went at 41.

I really wish Ainge had taken Fultz, the high upside guard instead of the polished Tatum.

[winsomme2]

ESPN
Ringer
Athletic
SI
Yahoo
Bleacher
Netscouts
Tankathon
CBS
SB NAtion

all have RJ outside the top 14

https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/20/2020-consensus-mock-draft

I didnt think he would be available at all at pick 14 until recently. Its a no brainer, imo, if he is there, grab him.

He can break down defenses in the NBA now. He has an elite skill that can translate on day 1.

RJs transition game is nice but he doesn't shoot well enough to invest in for this particular championship window ....it will take 3 or 4 years for his shot to dev if it develops at all ! our transition game is already very good not sure how much he moves the needle in his first 2/3 seasons ...

Shooters that can contribute now and Bigs who can start alongside Jays and Kemba is all DA should be looking at ! imo

this I feel is how G.M.s end up passing on guys with higher upside with potential to be starters and even stars for high floor ham n eggers. Giannis was too skinny, no way do you want to wait 3-4 years for him to bulk up. Take the polished Olynyk!. Jokic is too fat and has poor conditioning. No point waiting for him to get into shape when he won't see the floor for 4 years? Just take that kid from Kentucky Bill Simmons loves who has played in big games, James Young. Michael Porter Jr. has injury concerns. Why take that unnecessary risk? Time after time Danny does exactly as you suggest and passes on the higher upside player.

Kawhi didn't shoot well in college, shooting 29% from three. But he worked hard on his shot the summer before his rookie season and has shot 38% pretty steadily every year since. You can't teach speed, athleticism, body control, court vision, and passing instincts. RJ has all of this. At worst he's a PG with great size for our 2nd unit as Wannamaker's replacement. If he develops or not we need someone with size and length and I find it hard to believe he wouldn't work hard with the young leaders we have on this team like Jaylen and Tatum.

I think when we talk about "high ceiling" players and DA passing on them the question to ask is "high ceiling" according to who?

There are probably going to several "high ceiling" players available at 14 this year. Our own personal evaluations of each player are largely irrelevant when we're debating whether or not DA took a high ceiling guy with the pick. Many didn't like Romeo Langford but he certainly was a high ceiling pick irrespective of our own individual assessment of him.

If DA picks Maxey, for instance, that's a high ceiling pick whether or not any one of us isn't crazy about him as a player.

Personally, I don't see Pokusevski is as a great prospect but I certainly look at him as a high ceiling prospect.

So long story short, I don't think a big picture criticism of DAs unwillingness to take high ceiling guys all that revealing. It really comes down to their own evaluation of THAT particular player.

And this year, their evaluations are gonna be super important because I'm pretty certain they are going to have the chance to pick someone at 14 that will become an all star in this league. Maxey and Hampton both are on that list. I'm not as high on Hampton as others but he's got the resume for sure.

[Bill Lumbergh]

I'm all in on getting a top shooting wing (6'6 -6'8) (Aaron Nesmith or Saddiq Bey) with a good 3 point shot, which I hope one or both would be available with the 14th pick. This would be insurance for Hayward's decision, and to replace Javonte Green.

I would also like for us to get one of the pg's that is available that is bigger than 6'1 (All of these guys are 6'3 or bigger) (Tyrese Maxey, Kira Lewis, Cole Anthony, Theo Maledon, or Nico Mannion) One or more of them will be available at 26. I think any of these guys would beat out Waters, and be Wannamaker's FA decision insurance or replacement.

Then with the 30th there should be a couple 6'10 or taller bigs to chose from. ( Zeke Nnaji, Udoka Azubuike, Daniel Oturu or even Vernon Carey). No more 6'6 -6'7 power forwards / small ball centers please. All of the guys would be better that Poirier.

Good post. I am right there with you on all that, with the exception that I would also take a flyer on the high upside, energetic, athletic Achiuwa. He definitely has boom or bust potential, though. Your sweet shooting wings are for sure the safer pick, and I would be happy with either of the guys you mentioned. We must get some scoring punch off the bench. I like your center choices at 30, too. Of those, I’d probably take a chance on Carey. I don’t think that centers are quite as obsolete as they are thought to be. It is still smart to have at least one banger on your team. Nobody wants the next Okafor, I get it. Carey is very skilled though, and at 30, you’re not really risking much.

[themoneyteam2]

You must be insane if you want teams to just take the highest upside player every time. For every Giannis there are 100 Jonathan Benders. Every Jokic there are 100 Vasilije Micics. You want to wind up with one g ood player every half decade surrounded by failed player after failed player? Ainge even takes high upside, low floor players like Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams, Jordan Mickey, Terry Rozier, Fab Melo. Romeo Langford is a high upside player.

Was James Young some polished college player? Should have taken the super high upside Bruno Caboclo instead. Not even a remotely good faith argument to suggest taking Jokic at pick 17 when he went at 41.

I really wish Ainge had taken Fultz, the high upside guard instead of the polished Tatum.

I can't like this post enough. The contradictions are hilarious. And btw, he's the same guy saying Ainge should have picked 6'3" point guard Kendrick Nunn over Robert Williams in that draft, despite Timelord clearly having a higher upside lol.

Anyways, there are a lot of guys with "high ceilings" at 14. Maxey, Cole Anthony, Patrick Williams, Precious Achiuwa, and RJ Hampton I would all classify as guys with high upside.

You can't teach speed, athleticism, and body control of RJ Hampton but right now he severely lacks court vision and passing instincts. Not sure how anyone can watch him both in HS and in Australia and claim he has passing instincts and vision right now lol. Those two things, along with this jump shot, are his biggest weaknesses since he's really not a true point guard and has been a combo guard in AAU and overseas. He will develop his jumper but his overall feel for the game right now is pretty poor which is a bit worrisome.

[Homerclease]

If Wiseman somehow falls out of the top 5, then Boston should be packaging everything they got to try to move up for him. The top players in the east not named Jayson Tatum are Giannis and Embiid. Give me the 7’1 Wiseman to help combat these guys going forward and stop letting the damn west get all the young talented bigs too

[themoneyteam2]

ESPN
Ringer
Athletic
SI
Yahoo
Bleacher
Netscouts
Tankathon
CBS
SB NAtion

all have RJ outside the top 14

https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/20/2020-consensus-mock-draft

I didnt think he would be available at all at pick 14 until recently. Its a no brainer, imo, if he is there, grab him.

He can break down defenses in the NBA now. He has an elite skill that can translate on day 1.

RJs transition game is nice but he doesn't shoot well enough to invest in for this particular championship window ....it will take 3 or 4 years for his shot to dev if it develops at all ! our transition game is already very good not sure how much he moves the needle in his first 2/3 seasons ...

Shooters that can contribute now and Bigs who can start alongside Jays and Kemba is all DA should be looking at ! imo

this I feel is how G.M.s end up passing on guys with higher upside with potential to be starters and even stars for high floor ham n eggers. Giannis was too skinny, no way do you want to wait 3-4 years for him to bulk up. Take the polished Olynyk!. Jokic is too fat and has poor conditioning. No point waiting for him to get into shape when he won't see the floor for 4 years? Just take that kid from Kentucky Bill Simmons loves who has played in big games, James Young. Michael Porter Jr. has injury concerns. Why take that unnecessary risk? Time after time Danny does exactly as you suggest and passes on the higher upside player.

Kawhi didn't shoot well in college, shooting 29% from three. But he worked hard on his shot the summer before his rookie season and has shot 38% pretty steadily every year since. You can't teach speed, athleticism, body control, court vision, and passing instincts. RJ has all of this. At worst he's a PG with great size for our 2nd unit as Wannamaker's replacement. If he develops or not we need someone with size and length and I find it hard to believe he wouldn't work hard with the young leaders we have on this team like Jaylen and Tatum.

I get that you hate Ainge and pretty much all the players on the Celtics (you said the Knicks have a better young core ). With that said, I agree with your sentiment on going for guys with higher upside but at the same time you also want guys who can contribute. I think Ainge has had a solid mix of doing that in his draft history. Of course all GMs would like a do over with Giannis and Jokic lol.

Passed on the "higher upside" Fultz to take the more polished Tatum.
Took Jaylen Brown who had a huge ceiling if he figured out his shooting as opposed to taking the sure thing Buddy Hield.
Romeo Langford, similar to RJ Hampton, former top 5 recruit with shooting issues but high upside.
Took Robert Williams who was considered lottery talent due to his athleticism and defensive upside.

The team desperately needs shooting off the bench next year which I think you would agree with. I'm not anti-Hampton at all but I wouldn't at all be against taking a guy like Saddiq Bey who I know will contribute and be a Day 1 role player with this core as opposed to waiting a few years for RJ Hampton to deliver Terry Rozier production. I also am higher on Saddiq Bey's ceiling than maybe most. Teams just have to weight how important getting a day 1 contributor is as opposed to waiting a few years. For Boston as a top 5 team, they need shooting and scoring badly which ideally you'd add in free agency. I could see them taking one guy to bolster their bench right now, which includes high upside guys like Cole Anthony or Maxey or Precious, or wait for a guy like Hampton to develop. Could go either way.

[SLCceltic]

ESPN
Ringer
Athletic
SI
Yahoo
Bleacher
Netscouts
Tankathon
CBS
SB NAtion

all have RJ outside the top 14

https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/20/2020-consensus-mock-draft

I didnt think he would be available at all at pick 14 until recently. Its a no brainer, imo, if he is there, grab him.

He can break down defenses in the NBA now. He has an elite skill that can translate on day 1.

RJs transition game is nice but he doesn't shoot well enough to invest in for this particular championship window ....it will take 3 or 4 years for his shot to dev if it develops at all ! our transition game is already very good not sure how much he moves the needle in his first 2/3 seasons ...

Shooters that can contribute now and Bigs who can start alongside Jays and Kemba is all DA should be looking at ! imo

this I feel is how G.M.s end up passing on guys with higher upside with potential to be starters and even stars for high floor ham n eggers. Giannis was too skinny, no way do you want to wait 3-4 years for him to bulk up. Take the polished Olynyk!. Jokic is too fat and has poor conditioning. No point waiting for him to get into shape when he won't see the floor for 4 years? Just take that kid from Kentucky Bill Simmons loves who has played in big games, James Young. Michael Porter Jr. has injury concerns. Why take that unnecessary risk? Time after time Danny does exactly as you suggest and passes on the higher upside player.

Kawhi didn't shoot well in college, shooting 29% from three. But he worked hard on his shot the summer before his rookie season and has shot 38% pretty steadily every year since. You can't teach speed, athleticism, body control, court vision, and passing instincts. RJ has all of this. At worst he's a PG with great size for our 2nd unit as Wannamaker's replacement. If he develops or not we need someone with size and length and I find it hard to believe he wouldn't work hard with the young leaders we have on this team like Jaylen and Tatum.

You are right about drafting BPA, I am merely suggesting some free-er swings towards BPA/need because we have 2 extra picks ! and for the record DA always drafts BPA (at least in his mind haha)

Patrick Williams is my top hope at #14, hard to believe that he is still around this late ! but it is possible !!!

After PW Vernon Carey Jr, Cole Anthony, Tyrell Terry and even Aaron Nesmith are all better prospects than Hampton imo .......and will all contribute and move the needle for us MUCH much sooner than Hampton ! Carey's size scoring and passing would fit our system alongside Jays and Kemba very very well !! but he may not have the highest upside of all remaining prospects ... we NEED size

Hampton is a much smaller Ben Simmons, but with a fixable/serviceable jumpshot and FT% ....I would be very happy drafting him at 26 !

[themoneyteam2]

RJs transition game is nice but he doesn't shoot well enough to invest in for this particular championship window ....it will take 3 or 4 years for his shot to dev if it develops at all ! our transition game is already very good not sure how much he moves the needle in his first 2/3 seasons ...

Shooters that can contribute now and Bigs who can start alongside Jays and Kemba is all DA should be looking at ! imo

this I feel is how G.M.s end up passing on guys with higher upside with potential to be starters and even stars for high floor ham n eggers. Giannis was too skinny, no way do you want to wait 3-4 years for him to bulk up. Take the polished Olynyk!. Jokic is too fat and has poor conditioning. No point waiting for him to get into shape when he won't see the floor for 4 years? Just take that kid from Kentucky Bill Simmons loves who has played in big games, James Young. Michael Porter Jr. has injury concerns. Why take that unnecessary risk? Time after time Danny does exactly as you suggest and passes on the higher upside player.

Kawhi didn't shoot well in college, shooting 29% from three. But he worked hard on his shot the summer before his rookie season and has shot 38% pretty steadily every year since. You can't teach speed, athleticism, body control, court vision, and passing instincts. RJ has all of this. At worst he's a PG with great size for our 2nd unit as Wannamaker's replacement. If he develops or not we need someone with size and length and I find it hard to believe he wouldn't work hard with the young leaders we have on this team like Jaylen and Tatum.

You are right about drafting BPA, I am merely suggesting some free-er swings towards BPA/need because we have 2 extra picks ! and for the record DA always drafts BPA (at least in his mind haha)

Patrick Williams is my top hope at #14, hard to believe that he is still around this late ! but it is possible !!!

After PW Vernon Carey Jr, Cole Anthony, Tyrell Terry and even Aaron Nesmith are all better prospects than Hampton imo .......and will all contribute and move the needle for us MUCH much sooner than Hampton ! Carey's size scoring and passing would fit our system alongside Jays and Kemba very very well !! but may not have the highest upside of all rwmaining prospects ...

Hampton is a much smaller Ben Simmons, but with a fixable/serviceable jumpshot and FT% ....I would be very happy drafting him at 26 !

If Ainge picks Vernon Carey in the 1st round that'd be a huge mistake, and I'm confident he won't since they don't draft 1990s style bigs who aren't a rim protector, can't play pick and roll defense, and can't switch onto anyone else.