165bows wrote:Hal14 wrote:165bows wrote:I was big on TJD coming into the draft, was on my list of desired picks - that said, if no one wanted to give him a second round deal that does say quite a bit. A standard second round deal would be for a lot more money and would lock him into a team control for 24-27, basically his prime years.
I do think GS is a great fit for him as they like passing bigs and probably have some playing time. I really do wonder if his defense is suspect though (GS was willing to give Trevion Williams a go after he couldn't hook on in Boston).
Only other better fit for him imo would have been Boston, since they have bigs handle/pass a lot but they also have shooting in the front court so he could have played a real hybrid 4/5 spot here.
Well, I think starting around pick 35, teams are gonna try and see if you will take a 2-way rather than having to commit a standard roster spot to a guy picked that late in the draft. So I don't really see it as a red flag. It happens every year where guys slip later in the 2nd round than anticipated (Jaden Hardy, EJ Liddell, Jabari Walker in 2022. In 2023 it was TJD, Rayan Rupert, Cissoko and GG Jackson).
TJD's defense is good. Solid for a big at switching out on the perimeter, good rim protector. His only issue defensively is being able to body up, muscle and defend really big guys like Zach Edey and Hunter Dickinson down in the low post, who had their way with him. But really big huge guys like that posting up on the low block is not a very common thing in today's NBA.
His fit with GS could be pretty good. Especially if the jumper comes along. He did not shoot much at all in college and when he did, they didn't go in, but he did look pretty good shooting jumpers at his Pro Day at the combine so we'll see if that translates..
TJD is much better defensively than Trevion Williams. Night and day difference there. TJD is also more athletic, more explosive, more mobile..was much more productive in college..
Personally I think if that was his only issue on D he would have been a first round pick. Pretty confident he will be a good shot blocker (or at least weak side shot blocker) but that's something tons of guys can do and isn't nearly enough. We will see what he does there but I'm suspicious his D is, uh, suspect.
Nah. His D is pretty good. He fell to 2nd round because he was old for a prospect and can't shoot. Plus, is a little bit undersized for a big. Those 3 things combined and it's tough to go 1st round - especially in a draft class with that was deep and talented..
