2020 NBA Draft Thread

[Cuban Pete]

Reed is also an elite DRB, has the highest steal rate of any big in the draft, can shoot, and posted a career high 11.6 assist rate this season. I think he's ideal fit for the Pelicans.

I forgot to add, his block rate is solid.

[djFan71]

Reed is also an elite DRB, has the highest steal rate of any big in the draft, can shoot, and posted a career high 11.6 assist rate this season. I think he's ideal fit for the Pelicans.

I forgot to add, his block rate is solid.

Would you take him at 14 if they don't grab him? Or try to get him later?

[playa-hater]

Attention everyone!!!

how about everyone name your TOP 3 choices for 14... after a few days, we can tally up the votes and see who gets the most 1st,2nd and 3rd votes.. should be interesting..

NO TRADE UPs at this time.. also only reasonably possible players at 14..

For me..

1- Nesmith --best shooter who can defend
2- P Williams --versatile, strong and high potential.
3 -Kira Lewis Jr. - IF we go PG, I want him most.

[snowman]

pick 14 option A - Saddiq Bey : our version of Duncan Robinson, but bigger and better defender. .451 % from 3, good rebounder. Future Hayward replacement. Same age as Tatum. With Smart, Tatum, Brown, Bey and Langford we are set at young wings for 10+ years.

pick 14 option B - Aaron Nesmith : even better shooter than Bey, but not as big at 6'6. Avg. more steals and blocks than Bey, but Bey played against PF's in college. Year younger than Tatum. Still will be set a young wings for 10+ years.

pick 14 option C - Kira Lewis : Kimba replacement. Easily better than Waters or Edwards. Good assist and steal numbers.

[Cuban Pete]

Reed is also an elite DRB, has the highest steal rate of any big in the draft, can shoot, and posted a career high 11.6 assist rate this season. I think he's ideal fit for the Pelicans.

I forgot to add, his block rate is solid.

Would you take him at 14 if they don't grab him? Or try to get him later?

I'd pounce.

[31to6]

**** I LOVE pretending I’m a draft expert. Thanks for the good responses on Kira Lewis, all!

At 14 my current goals are:
1. Patrick Williams to slide in next to Tatum and the other Williamses
2. Saddiq Bey — love this cat and his quick release. Plays like Crowder but maybe not a douche.
3. Nesmith — if I liked Buddy Hield as a prospect I feel obligated to like this guy too.
4. Jalen Smith — his nickname is Sticks!
5. Josh Green — seems underrated?
6. Any point guards — again what I hope is we end up with two picks in the teens and no other selections this year (or my dream = trade up for Okongwuuuuuu yeah!)

[djFan71]

I too love to play a draft expert on the internet. If we stay at 14

1) S Bey - seems like you could play him at small ball 4-5 with Jays/Hay and Smart for an insane lineup.
2) J Green - ditto, but seems like he's be more 2-3, maybe 4 in microball.
3) P Reed - 5 only imo. Ideally get him with a slightly later pick.
PGs: I'd accept any if they are shot creators for themselves & others. Don't want just a gunner.

31to6 is in my brain for a lot of that, so if we can get Okongwu, all the happiness.
If not, trade up into 17-19 range is my 2nd preference.

The concerns about P Williams' lateral quickness scare me off. Nesmith I'd be fine with.

[31to6]

I need to know more about Patrick Williams’ (in?)ability to move laterally.

[djFan71]

I need to know more about Patrick Williams’ (in?)ability to move laterally.

Ringer:

Stiff man-to-man defender without the versatility to reliably switch onto guards and wings. He’s clunky moving laterally and changing directions, so he gets burned regularly.

That kinda freaks me out.

To be fair the pluses:

Smart, athletic team defender who communicates and disrupts actions with timely help defense.
Gritty player who hustles hard on defense. He’s had a handful of inspired chasedown blocks. As a rim protector, he’ll put in multiple efforts to get stops.

EDIT: In my 5 minutes of highlight watching, this seems legit to me. He's more solid/strong than fluid to me. But, I really have no clue and just rely on scouting reports more than anything.

[playa-hater]

I too love to play a draft expert on the internet. If we stay at 14

1) S Bey - seems like you could play him at small ball 4-5 with Jays/Hay and Smart for an insane lineup.
2) J Green - ditto, but seems like he's be more 2-3, maybe 4 in microball.
3) P Reed - 5 only imo. Ideally get him with a slightly later pick.
PGs: I'd accept any if they are shot creators for themselves & others. Don't want just a gunner.

31to6 is in my brain for a lot of that, so if we can get Okongwu, all the happiness.
If not, trade up into 17-19 range is my 2nd preference.

The concerns about P Williams' lateral quickness scare me off. Nesmith I'd be fine with.

you like P Reed at 14?? unless he is rising up somewhere, isn't he a late first type of talent??

[playa-hater]

In defense of P Williams he just turned 19 last month (2nd youngest.. Poku #1).. he is a boy in a man's body.. even if he isn't quick enough "YET", to guard some 2s, I believe he could play and defend any of 3-4-5 positions..

[djFan71]

I too love to play a draft expert on the internet. If we stay at 14

1) S Bey - seems like you could play him at small ball 4-5 with Jays/Hay and Smart for an insane lineup.
2) J Green - ditto, but seems like he's be more 2-3, maybe 4 in microball.
3) P Reed - 5 only imo. Ideally get him with a slightly later pick.
PGs: I'd accept any if they are shot creators for themselves & others. Don't want just a gunner.

31to6 is in my brain for a lot of that, so if we can get Okongwu, all the happiness.
If not, trade up into 17-19 range is my 2nd preference.

The concerns about P Williams' lateral quickness scare me off. Nesmith I'd be fine with.

you like P Reed at 14?? unless he is rising up somewhere, isn't he a late first type of talent??

I thought I saw him between 14 & 26 in a mock somewhere, but mainly late 1st/2nd in others, so I have no idea. That's why I said ideally with a lower pick and had him 3rd. None of the PGs give me the feels past early lotto - all seem short or can't shoot or something - and I can't differentiate between them, so I ignored em.

like Bey & Green as my first 2 choices, but if they're both off the board somehow, then I wouldn't hate Reed at 14. More likely if Bey/Green were gone, then someone slid and we take them, but I didn't want to assume that. Or we trade up/down to take Reed in late teens/earlier 20s, but I was trying to play by the rules of just keeping 14.

[djFan71]

In defense of P Williams he just turned 19 last month (2nd youngest.. Poku #1).. he is a boy in a man's body.. even if he isn't quick enough "YET", to guard some 2s, I believe he could play and defend any of 3-4-5 positions..

Wouldn't hate him if they think that's the case. If he can get to at least Theis level on the perimeter you could use him as small ball 5 even, but ideally he can do 4-5 and hold his own. Really, that perimeter D is all that scares me - I just don't wanna get a guy at 14 that can't play in the playoffs.

If you look at the Reed quotes from the last page, it's the opposite, which is why I like him more than others.

[Cuban Pete]

I need to know more about Patrick Williams’ (in?)ability to move laterally.

Ringer:

Stiff man-to-man defender without the versatility to reliably switch onto guards and wings. He’s clunky moving laterally and changing directions, so he gets burned regularly.

That kinda freaks me out.

To be fair the pluses:

Smart, athletic team defender who communicates and disrupts actions with timely help defense.
Gritty player who hustles hard on defense. He’s had a handful of inspired chasedown blocks. As a rim protector, he’ll put in multiple efforts to get stops.

EDIT: In my 5 minutes of highlight watching, this seems legit to me. He's more solid/strong than fluid to me. But, I really have no clue and just rely on scouting reports more than anything.

Patrick Williams

Pros:
2.5 steal rate
.838 FT
5.6 block rate
19yo
22.2 USG%

Cons:
14.0 DRB%
4.4 3ptA/100pos
8.4 Assist%
17.1 TOV%
Tweener: is he a 3 or a 4?

I have him classified as a SF, but based on his passing stats and block rate I see him more as a 4. As he gets stronger and acclimated to an NBA system, I expect his DRBs to improve. His PROS indicate his potential as a stretch 4.

[31to6]

I need to know more about Patrick Williams’ (in?)ability to move laterally.

Ringer:

Stiff man-to-man defender without the versatility to reliably switch onto guards and wings. He’s clunky moving laterally and changing directions, so he gets burned regularly.

That kinda freaks me out.

To be fair the pluses:

Smart, athletic team defender who communicates and disrupts actions with timely help defense.
Gritty player who hustles hard on defense. He’s had a handful of inspired chasedown blocks. As a rim protector, he’ll put in multiple efforts to get stops.

EDIT: In my 5 minutes of highlight watching, this seems legit to me. He's more solid/strong than fluid to me. But, I really have no clue and just rely on scouting reports more than anything.

Thanks — based on this https://www.thestepien.com/2020/02/28/patrick-williams-scouting-report/ maybe I’m out on this guy in the teens — has the strength and athleticism but not the size to compete with someone like Bam. My bad! Back to Okongwu highlights..

[100proof]

14-Kira Lewis Jr
6foot3, long arms, elite speed. very good court vision, very good 3pt shooter. Solid pg potential. Learn from kemba and eventually take over. Ja morant lite with his ability to completely collapse defenses with his speedand good enough ball control to either finish or find open shooters on kickouts.

Watch on YouTube

26: jahmius Ramsay: 6foot4. Long arms6-10
Strong defender, excellent 3pt shooter. Super competitive. Can play pg-sf. Marcus smart, not as good on defense, superior shooter.

Watch on YouTube

30th Get isaiah joe. Trade up if need be with edwards and the 47th. Just get him.
6foot 5, lean at 180 pounds but has a lethal quick shot from anywhere. Think trae young range and speed shooting. Kid took over 10 3s per game in college and hit 39% of them. Instatnt fireplug offense. Alot like tyler herro. Quickly becoming another binkie of mine. His shooting is elite and easily translatable, having a quick trigger tall effortless shooter in your bench is ideal.

Watch on YouTube

Joe wil be considered a steal in this draft right away due to his ability to shoot.

2nd round- desmond bane, poku, scrubb, bolmaro. Lots of choices to gamble here

[playa-hater]

14-Kira Lewis Jr
6foot3, long arms, elite speed. very good court vision, very good 3pt shooter. Solid pg potential. Learn from kemba and eventually take over. Ja morant lite with his ability to completely collapse defenses with his speedand good enough ball control to either finish or find open shooters on kickouts.

Watch on YouTube

26: jahmius Ramsay: 6foot4. Long arms6-10
Strong defender, excellent 3pt shooter. Super competitive. Can play pg-sf. Marcus smart, not as good on defense, superior shooter.

Watch on YouTube

30th Get isaiah joe. Trade up if need be with edwards and the 47th. Just get him.
6foot 5, lean at 180 pounds but has a lethal quick shot from anywhere. Think trae young range and speed shooting. Kid took over 10 3s per game in college and hit 39% of them. Instatnt fireplug offense. Alot like tyler herro. Quickly becoming another binkie of mine. His shooting is elite and easily translatable, having a quick trigger tall effortless shooter in your bench is ideal.

Watch on YouTube

Joe wil be considered a steal in this draft right away due to his ability to shoot.

2nd round- desmond bane, poku, scrubb, bolmaro. Lots of choices to gamble here

I like the first 2 players a lot, BUT wouldn't want to draft 2 guards.. we need at least one forward/bigman

[celticfan42487]

I've hilariously read an listing wrong and up until a moment ago though we had 2 incoming draft second-rounders instead of one incoming and one outgoing (leaving us with 1 overall)

It's too bad because I've been reading the second rounders and there looks like a **** ton of potential prospects in there that could develop into just as good as rolepayers as the second half the of the first rounders lol.

[celticfan42487]

Well when I look at our team.

I factor in team needs of a possible Hayward trade making playmaking first and foremost a priority, but then likely 3point shooting a priority. And I have to assume Romeo Langford figures it out enough to be our new 3 and D guard off the bench.

A need for another Center because Rob Williams inability to take over a role in the bubble terrifies me and if we could get one option and not have to play a million peekaboo games and actually force the other team to adjust to our Center's situational strengths that would be nice.

And for skills what I view of the highest of value is: defensive versatility in our switching defense (unless you're Kemba you can't be a liability in the playoffs and even then it's iffy). Our defense is only as good as our least switchabel defender. And then course knock down 3 point shooting. Everything else to me for a Tatum, Brown, Kemba, Theis team is secondary.

So I want a guy who we can sub in at PG who can play make and defend. Or a big who can defend all around and be athletic (basically a realized TimeLord).

All that said and saying limiting myself to not take anyone in the top 12 in The Ringers mock draft right now, at 14 I'd say my dream picks are.

1) Mourn that I don't see a big that I like

1B) Leanro Bolamaro - Smart, makes every pass in the book, excellent ballhandling 6'7" PG so he should be switchable even if he's not dominant defensively he gives a high effort and has excellent offense and defensive IQ. Also a questionable shot but he can hit a floater, runners, and layups so he could find a Rondo areas of scoring in the system. This guy gives Brad someone he can use situationally off the bench to keep the offense running and a counter to a team in the playoffs if he needs to hide Walker for a bit.

2) Josh Green - this eats into a potential Romeo role, but Green fights hard on defense, is switchable as a wing and hits a set shot 3. Between him and Bey I lean Green because Green's got better athleticism and I value that for defensive versatility. Especially since we'll be playing a lot of small ball and unless you're at least 235 lbs you're probably not going to be an option at C for us.

3) Tyler Bey - A little more athletic Grant Williams but much MUCH thinner (Semi, Grant, Theis all have 15-25 lbs on the kid) so can be pushed around in the post and without Grant's resume for passing. At 216 he's got more of a wings mass to him than someone that would play Center for us. But that extra hops and lack of mass might be just what the doctor ordered. If Bey can figure out a 3 then he has a role and takes over Grant's role on the team. A search for a Center continues.


None of these players are a home run for what we need, and Green as well as Bey kind of eat into Romeo breaking out or Grant ever figuring out a 3. But I take Bolamaro, Green, then Bey at 14 because at 14 I want to come away with someone that I feel like might be able to be a decent bench player. And it's the last time we'll see a pick above the late 20s for a long time.

Then with the lower 2 draft picks and the second rounder I take a project at C, with at least one of them. I'm not happy with the long term potential of Theis and Rob Williams and Kanter. I want better than that especially with Rob's lack of ability to see the floor in this bubble which is really his 3rd year.

And then I take players that are flawed either on defense (small PGs that can shoot or pass) or on 3 point shooting and hope we can somehow work around that and get a reasonable player out of it.

Xavier Tillman is a later Center that intrigues me basically in the same way Theis does now. I see 27% 3 point shooting combined with 70% FT shooting and I think there's potential for growth there. And again for me defensive versatility means a lot. Much like the Heat have built an amazing offense with a collection of 3 point shooters we can have an amazing defense that is only as strong as our weakest link of switchable defenders countering the modern NBA game.

And yeah there are 100 guards in this class that are less than 6'4" and 190 lbs that could be bullied around just like Kemba on defense, but if that's what Ainge feels is best then go for it. We have one in Carsen Edwards that was more highly rated than any of these guys though so I'd rather just bet on him as a short defensive liability 3 point shooter off the bench. Hell I'll sacrifice 3 point shooting again for a solid defender at PG who can run the offense and eat up minutes.

[celticfan42487]

Sidenote my dream off season move is we can convince Baynes to sign here instead of Kanter. (Ibaka I think has proven to be a starter at Center and is priced out as an option or he'd be the real dream).

Baynes 35% 3 point shooting at 4 attempts a game intrigues me greatly and he gives us an option when we have to go through the Greek Freak and Lakers and Clippers of the world (or even 76ers and Magics). Or get Meyers Leonard although I'm suspicious of his defense 39% from 3 for your career is 39% from 3 and he'd be able to counter an Embiid or Bam that way.

Basically, my goal is DEAR **** give Brad Stevens more tools in the toolbox so he can use them to counter what looks like a MIL for sure, but a potential Heat, Nets, twin tower Pacers team in the playoffs next year.

Give our boy at least something close to what Nurse and Spo are allowed to play with and hope for the best.