Hal’s Draft Thread

[Hal14]

Trade #16. I don't see anyone who could help much at that spot. Maybe it could help unload Kemba.

What about this guy?

Watch on YouTube

Slated to go no. 15 in this recent mock draft:

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2021-nba-mock-draft-4-0-cade-cunningham-evan-mobley-jalen-suggs-go-1-2-3-as-lottery-picture-clears-up/

2nd best big man in the draft after Mobley, who's consensus top 3 pick.

6'10", he's the complete backage at center, dominating in the Turkey professional league and playing on Turkish national team, only 18 years old

sorry, 6'10" is too tall, we don't draft "those types" of players around here

(tankathon has him 9th on their big board; does he really weigh 240lbs?)
okay now that I've watched 6 minutes of the video I'm sold -- let's move up and get him:) Homeboy has some nice all-around game, including some advanced passing touch! And lol @ the play at 5:00 -- looks like, based on this single play, that he is ready for big-game rotation minutes with the Boston Celtics!

haha I was sold after the first 30 seconds, only 30 seconds in I saw a really nice pass, a pull-up 3-pointer, a blocked shot, a jump grab offensive rebound and dunk while still in mid air, and a play where he caught a pass rolling to the basket and right in stride showed insane quickness/explosiveness to the rim as he threw down the 1 handed jam.

he's listed as 240 lbs, word is he actually slimmed down from 270 a year ago.

Not sure if Ainge is gonna trade up. Maybe we just hope and pray that either Sengun, Giddey or Jalen Johnson is still on the board at 16 and if not we trade the pick? Maybe, just maybe, one of them is still there at 16..

[31to6]

There's no question we'll wish we were drafting 14th again when the day comes, but let the chips fall where they may.
I just want to stockpile highlight clips of about 10 guys I like so I can be happy regardless.
Sengun, Kai Jones, the Kentucky guy (Isaiah Jackson), Isaiah Todd, Jalen Johnson -- I'm halfway there in like 30 minutes of effort.
Then Danny will draft another shooting guard, you can never have enough shooting

[Hal14]

There's no question we'll wish we were drafting 14th again when the day comes, but let the chips fall where they may.
I just want to stockpile highlight clips of about 10 guys I like so I can be happy regardless.
Sengun, Kai Jones, the Kentucky guy (Isaiah Jackson), Isaiah Todd, Jalen Johnson -- I'm halfway there in like 30 minutes of effort.
Then Danny will draft another shooting guard, you can never have enough shooting

haha yeah..right now on ESPN's rankings, they have Johnson 7th, Giddey 13th and Sengun 14th. So seems unlikely that one of them slips to 16 but you nevah know, I'm crossing my fingers.

Don't know much about those other guys. you said..

[Hal14]

This mock has the Celtics picking Jalen Johnson at no. 16.

They have Sengun going no. 21 to the knicks.

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2021-nba-mock-draft/

IDK, I might actually pick Sengun over Johnson if I'm the Celtics and both of them are still on the board at 16.

Johnson has some red flags with the way he left the duke program, and with such a small sample size of college games and minutes played per game in less than a half a season..

That Sengun video sure looks good.

Seems like no way in hell Giddey will fall to us. I don't see Ainge trading up to get Giddey when we still have Kemba under contract for 2 more years.

This mock also has Sengun going no. 21, and it has Jalen Johnson going no. 23, wow, we might actually have a chance to grab 1 of these guys:

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/2021-nba-mock-draft-51-first-round-projections-after-season

This mock has us picking Johnson no. 16, with Sengun getting picked no. 18:

https://elitesportsny.com/2021/05/19/2021-nba-draft-esnys-1st-round-mock-draft-4-0/

[Dogen]

Jalen johnson in mock drafts:

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2021-nba-mock-draft/
Number 16
https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/
Number 14
https://www.espn.com/nba/draft/bestavailable
Number 7
https://clutchpoints.com/2021-nba-mock-draft-ncaa-tournament-final-four/
Number 20
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/2021-nba-mock-draft-51-first-round-projections-after-season
Number 23
http://www.mynbadraft.com/NBA-Mock-Draft
Number 6
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2021-nba-mock-draft-4-0-cade-cunningham-evan-mobley-jalen-suggs-go-1-2-3-as-lottery-picture-clears-up/
Number 23

I want jalen johnson If he goes to position 14-18

Would love Jalen Johnson at 16 unfortunately I don't think he will be there.

The average of those 7 mocks is... 15.571428571428571

Looks like we might just miss him, unless rounding up.

[playa-hater]

While I am all for the BPA at a 3-4 or 4-5 position, having a tall athletic PG (6'5 ish) wouldn't be bad either.

there are about 4 or 5 prospects to look at

As stated already.

Tre Mann may be a sleeper.

[Hal14]

While I am all for the BPA at a 3-4 or 4-5 position, having a tall athletic PG (6'5 ish) wouldn't be bad either.

there are about 4 or 5 prospects to look at

As stated already.

Tre Mann may be a sleeper.

Eh, IDK. I feel like a stretch 4 or a center are bigger needs than a PG.

We have Kemba under contract for 2 more years, we have Smart under contract for 1 more year, we have Pritchard and also Yam Madar who may come over this summer.

IMO a big PG is a distant 3rd on our list of needs after stretch 4 and center.

If Giddey somehow falls to us or we trade up to get him, great. If not, I'd rather not take a PG. Giddey is 6'8" and his ability to find the open man, make insane passes and make his teammates better is nuts. Mann has good size at 6'5" but 6'5" ain't 6'8". Mann is a good shooter and is smooth with the ball. But he is a scorer. Looking at his stats from last year in college his usage % and assist % are even worse than Kemba's. Both of them are basically identical usage % at 26%. Kemba's assist % is 24% compared to Mann's assist % which is 22%.

So while it's nice that Mann bigger, we would have the same problem we have now when it comes to ball movement.

If we get a new PG, it needs to be a pass-first PG who can run the offense and get the ball to our scorers, rather than focusing on scoring himself.

Giddey fits exactly what we need in a PG. If we can get him, great. But if not, I think we're better off picking a stretch 4 or center..or trading the pick..

[CelticFaninLBC]

Seems resigning Smart solves the need for a "big pg."

[Hal14]

Seems resigning Smart solves the need for a "big pg."

Smart is more suited for the 2. He's better playing off the ball and doesn't have good enough ball handling to play the 1 for a good team.

[Curmudgeon]

Seems resigning Smart solves the need for a "big pg."

Smart is more suited for the 2. He's better playing off the ball and doesn't have good enough ball handling to play the 1 for a good team.

Excuse me? Smart has by far the lowest assist to turnover ratio on the team.

[Hal14]

Seems resigning Smart solves the need for a "big pg."

Smart is more suited for the 2. He's better playing off the ball and doesn't have good enough ball handling to play the 1 for a good team.

Excuse me? Smart has by far the lowest assist to turnover ratio on the team.

And?

What I see with my eyes when I watch the games:

-Smart is more suited for the 2
-He's better playing off the ball
-doesn't have good enough ball handling to play the 1 for a good team
-A PG needs to be able to dribble drive into the lane and find the open man, either kickouts for 3's or dump offs to bigs - Smart is weak at that

Just because a guy has a good assist to turnover ratio, doesn't mean they're a good PG. And having the best assist to turnover ratio on this team isn't saying much..

[CelticFaninLBC]

Seems resigning Smart solves the need for a "big pg."

Smart is more suited for the 2. He's better playing off the ball and doesn't have good enough ball handling to play the 1 for a good team.

The ball will mostly be with either Tatum or Brown though...

Smart's biggest drawback is his 33% 3 point shot.

[playa-hater]

While I am all for the BPA at a 3-4 or 4-5 position, having a tall athletic PG (6'5 ish) wouldn't be bad either.

there are about 4 or 5 prospects to look at

As stated already.

Tre Mann may be a sleeper.

Eh, IDK. I feel like a stretch 4 or a center are bigger needs than a PG.

We have Kemba under contract for 2 more years, we have Smart under contract for 1 more year, we have Pritchard and also Yam Madar who may come over this summer.

IMO a big PG is a distant 3rd on our list of needs after stretch 4 and center.

If Giddey somehow falls to us or we trade up to get him, great. If not, I'd rather not take a PG. Giddey is 6'8" and his ability to find the open man, make insane passes and make his teammates better is nuts. Mann has good size at 6'5" but 6'5" ain't 6'8". Mann is a good shooter and is smooth with the ball. But he is a scorer. Looking at his stats from last year in college his usage % and assist % are even worse than Kemba's. Both of them are basically identical usage % at 26%. Kemba's assist % is 24% compared to Mann's assist % which is 22%.

So while it's nice that Mann bigger, we would have the same problem we have now when it comes to ball movement.

If we get a new PG, it needs to be a pass-first PG who can run the offense and get the ball to our scorers, rather than focusing on scoring himself.

Giddey fits exactly what we need in a PG. If we can get him, great. But if not, I think we're better off picking a stretch 4 or center..or trading the pick..

I am well aware of our needs and no one is saying a tall PG is as or more needed. but the draft often does not fall like we need. every "big player" we want may be gone. the best player to get is always the one that is the BPA, vs reach for a player because we may need his position.

Just using recent examples of need vs Talent, the LAL took Lonzo over Tatum, because they needed a PG more. Same for Philly taking Fultz over Tatum. Then you have the all-time greatest blunder, Portland taking Sam Bowie over Jordan because they drafted C Drexler the year before and didn't "need" another 2 guard.

I am looking at best players first and foremost. Hope that it is a Bigger one, but won't lock into drafting a lesser big over talent at another position.

[Hal14]

While I am all for the BPA at a 3-4 or 4-5 position, having a tall athletic PG (6'5 ish) wouldn't be bad either.

there are about 4 or 5 prospects to look at

As stated already.

Tre Mann may be a sleeper.

Eh, IDK. I feel like a stretch 4 or a center are bigger needs than a PG.

We have Kemba under contract for 2 more years, we have Smart under contract for 1 more year, we have Pritchard and also Yam Madar who may come over this summer.

IMO a big PG is a distant 3rd on our list of needs after stretch 4 and center.

If Giddey somehow falls to us or we trade up to get him, great. If not, I'd rather not take a PG. Giddey is 6'8" and his ability to find the open man, make insane passes and make his teammates better is nuts. Mann has good size at 6'5" but 6'5" ain't 6'8". Mann is a good shooter and is smooth with the ball. But he is a scorer. Looking at his stats from last year in college his usage % and assist % are even worse than Kemba's. Both of them are basically identical usage % at 26%. Kemba's assist % is 24% compared to Mann's assist % which is 22%.

So while it's nice that Mann bigger, we would have the same problem we have now when it comes to ball movement.

If we get a new PG, it needs to be a pass-first PG who can run the offense and get the ball to our scorers, rather than focusing on scoring himself.

Giddey fits exactly what we need in a PG. If we can get him, great. But if not, I think we're better off picking a stretch 4 or center..or trading the pick..

I am well aware of our needs and no one is saying a tall PG is as or more needed. but the draft often does not fall like we need. every "big player" we want may be gone. the best player to get is always the one that is the BPA, vs reach for a player because we may need his position.

Just using recent examples of need vs Talent, the LAL took Lonzo over Tatum, because they needed a PG more. Same for Philly taking Fultz over Tatum. Then you have the all-time greatest blunder, Portland taking Sam Bowie over Jordan because they drafted C Drexler the year before and didn't "need" another 2 guard.

I am looking at best players first and foremost. Hope that it is a Bigger one, but won't lock into drafting a lesser big over talent at another position.

Yeah, I guess I just figure that if Giddey, Johnson and Sengun are all off the board when we pick at 16, we still would probably better off picking a 4 or a 5 like Kai Jones, Usman Garuba or Isaiah Jackson over a PG/SG/SF who might have slightly more talent.

It seems very unlikely based on the various mocks I've seen that Giddey, Johnson, Sengun, Jones, Garuba and Jackson will all be off the board by the time our pick comes up at 16..

[playa-hater]

Eh, IDK. I feel like a stretch 4 or a center are bigger needs than a PG.

We have Kemba under contract for 2 more years, we have Smart under contract for 1 more year, we have Pritchard and also Yam Madar who may come over this summer.

IMO a big PG is a distant 3rd on our list of needs after stretch 4 and center.

If Giddey somehow falls to us or we trade up to get him, great. If not, I'd rather not take a PG. Giddey is 6'8" and his ability to find the open man, make insane passes and make his teammates better is nuts. Mann has good size at 6'5" but 6'5" ain't 6'8". Mann is a good shooter and is smooth with the ball. But he is a scorer. Looking at his stats from last year in college his usage % and assist % are even worse than Kemba's. Both of them are basically identical usage % at 26%. Kemba's assist % is 24% compared to Mann's assist % which is 22%.

So while it's nice that Mann bigger, we would have the same problem we have now when it comes to ball movement.

If we get a new PG, it needs to be a pass-first PG who can run the offense and get the ball to our scorers, rather than focusing on scoring himself.

Giddey fits exactly what we need in a PG. If we can get him, great. But if not, I think we're better off picking a stretch 4 or center..or trading the pick..

I am well aware of our needs and no one is saying a tall PG is as or more needed. but the draft often does not fall like we need. every "big player" we want may be gone. the best player to get is always the one that is the BPA, vs reach for a player because we may need his position.

Just using recent examples of need vs Talent, the LAL took Lonzo over Tatum, because they needed a PG more. Same for Philly taking Fultz over Tatum. Then you have the all-time greatest blunder, Portland taking Sam Bowie over Jordan because they drafted C Drexler the year before and didn't "need" another 2 guard.

I am looking at best players first and foremost. Hope that it is a Bigger one, but won't lock into drafting a lesser big over talent at another position.

Yeah, I guess I just figure that if Giddey, Johnson and Sengun are all off the board when we pick at 16, we still would probably better off picking a 4 or a 5 like Kai Jones, Usman Garuba or Isaiah Jackson over a PG/SG/SF who might have slightly more talent.

It seems very unlikely based on the various mocks I've seen that Giddey, Johnson, Sengun, Jones, Garuba and Jackson will all be off the board by the time our pick comes up at 16..

One thing I like to do is make a top 5 list of potential players at our spot (16th?) regardless of position. Then I will add the weight of "need" into the equation. Meanwhile everything is still so early in the process, we are all just speculating on who will actually be there. I am hoping things go back to normal and the NBA will have it's annual draft Combine.

As I look into the current videos of players, I do think this draft is better than I first thought a few months ago. There will be a good prospect at 16 for us for sure.

[GoGreen]

Eh, IDK. I feel like a stretch 4 or a center are bigger needs than a PG.

We have Kemba under contract for 2 more years, we have Smart under contract for 1 more year, we have Pritchard and also Yam Madar who may come over this summer.

IMO a big PG is a distant 3rd on our list of needs after stretch 4 and center.

If Giddey somehow falls to us or we trade up to get him, great. If not, I'd rather not take a PG. Giddey is 6'8" and his ability to find the open man, make insane passes and make his teammates better is nuts. Mann has good size at 6'5" but 6'5" ain't 6'8". Mann is a good shooter and is smooth with the ball. But he is a scorer. Looking at his stats from last year in college his usage % and assist % are even worse than Kemba's. Both of them are basically identical usage % at 26%. Kemba's assist % is 24% compared to Mann's assist % which is 22%.

So while it's nice that Mann bigger, we would have the same problem we have now when it comes to ball movement.

If we get a new PG, it needs to be a pass-first PG who can run the offense and get the ball to our scorers, rather than focusing on scoring himself.

Giddey fits exactly what we need in a PG. If we can get him, great. But if not, I think we're better off picking a stretch 4 or center..or trading the pick..

I am well aware of our needs and no one is saying a tall PG is as or more needed. but the draft often does not fall like we need. every "big player" we want may be gone. the best player to get is always the one that is the BPA, vs reach for a player because we may need his position.

Just using recent examples of need vs Talent, the LAL took Lonzo over Tatum, because they needed a PG more. Same for Philly taking Fultz over Tatum. Then you have the all-time greatest blunder, Portland taking Sam Bowie over Jordan because they drafted C Drexler the year before and didn't "need" another 2 guard.

I am looking at best players first and foremost. Hope that it is a Bigger one, but won't lock into drafting a lesser big over talent at another position.

Yeah, I guess I just figure that if Giddey, Johnson and Sengun are all off the board when we pick at 16, we still would probably better off picking a 4 or a 5 like Kai Jones, Usman Garuba or Isaiah Jackson over a PG/SG/SF who might have slightly more talent.

It seems very unlikely based on the various mocks I've seen that Giddey, Johnson, Sengun, Jones, Garuba and Jackson will all be off the board by the time our pick comes up at 16..

This is what I'm saying. Like... ONE of these guys just GOT to be avbl there...

[Hal14]

I am well aware of our needs and no one is saying a tall PG is as or more needed. but the draft often does not fall like we need. every "big player" we want may be gone. the best player to get is always the one that is the BPA, vs reach for a player because we may need his position.

Just using recent examples of need vs Talent, the LAL took Lonzo over Tatum, because they needed a PG more. Same for Philly taking Fultz over Tatum. Then you have the all-time greatest blunder, Portland taking Sam Bowie over Jordan because they drafted C Drexler the year before and didn't "need" another 2 guard.

I am looking at best players first and foremost. Hope that it is a Bigger one, but won't lock into drafting a lesser big over talent at another position.

Yeah, I guess I just figure that if Giddey, Johnson and Sengun are all off the board when we pick at 16, we still would probably better off picking a 4 or a 5 like Kai Jones, Usman Garuba or Isaiah Jackson over a PG/SG/SF who might have slightly more talent.

It seems very unlikely based on the various mocks I've seen that Giddey, Johnson, Sengun, Jones, Garuba and Jackson will all be off the board by the time our pick comes up at 16..

One thing I like to do is make a top 5 list of potential players at our spot (16th?) regardless of position. Then I will add the weight of "need" into the equation. Meanwhile everything is still so early in the process, we are all just speculating on who will actually be there. I am hoping things go back to normal and the NBA will have it's annual draft Combine.

As I look into the current videos of players, I do think this draft is better than I first thought a few months ago. There will be a good prospect at 16 for us for sure.

Agreed. The draft is still well over 2 months away so certain players can rise or fall a decent amount between now and then.

The combine is going to be june 21-27:
https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/nba-draft-2021-key-dates-lottery-combine-draft-night#:~:text=When%20is%20the%20NBA%20Draft,and%20strength%20and%20agility%20testing.

I also agree that it looks like we should be able to get a really good player at 16. Just finished watching videos of Kai Jones. Damn, very impressive really like him. My top 4 guys I am hoping 1 of them is still available at 16 (in no order) are Giddey, Johnson, Sengun and Jones. It seems like a pretty good chance that at least 1 of them will still be there at 16. Seems like almost zero chance that Giddey will be though. But I've seen Sengun, Jones and Johnson all go 21st or even later in recent mocks.

I'm now pretty much convinced we should not trade this pick - we should be able to get a really good player that can be part of our long term plan.

[playa-hater]

Yeah, I guess I just figure that if Giddey, Johnson and Sengun are all off the board when we pick at 16, we still would probably better off picking a 4 or a 5 like Kai Jones, Usman Garuba or Isaiah Jackson over a PG/SG/SF who might have slightly more talent.

It seems very unlikely based on the various mocks I've seen that Giddey, Johnson, Sengun, Jones, Garuba and Jackson will all be off the board by the time our pick comes up at 16..

One thing I like to do is make a top 5 list of potential players at our spot (16th?) regardless of position. Then I will add the weight of "need" into the equation. Meanwhile everything is still so early in the process, we are all just speculating on who will actually be there. I am hoping things go back to normal and the NBA will have it's annual draft Combine.

As I look into the current videos of players, I do think this draft is better than I first thought a few months ago. There will be a good prospect at 16 for us for sure.

Agreed. The draft is still well over 2 months away so certain players can rise or fall a decent amount between now and then.

The combine is going to be june 21-27:
https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/nba-draft-2021-key-dates-lottery-combine-draft-night#:~:text=When%20is%20the%20NBA%20Draft,and%20strength%20and%20agility%20testing.

I also agree that it looks like we should be able to get a really good player at 16. Just finished watching videos of Kai Jones. Damn, very impressive really like him. My top 4 guys I am hoping 1 of them is still available at 16 (in no order) are Giddey, Johnson, Sengun and Jones. It seems like a pretty good chance that at least 1 of them will still be there at 16. Seems like almost zero chance that Giddey will be though. But I've seen Sengun, Jones and Johnson all go 21st or even later in recent mocks.

I'm now pretty much convinced we should not trade this pick - we should be able to get a really good player that can be part of our long term plan.

I like your top 4 for sure. Just think Giddey and Kai will be gone. JJ and Sengun I really have no idea where they may go.

[Hal14]

Funny we're talking about Kai Jones. Watching a breakdown on him right now. I'd be super happy with him!

6'10" incredible athlete that can defend 1-5. High motor, tough. Very low volume 3 pt shooter, but he does take the shot. Give him more reps & confidence, could end up being decent on that end.

Feel like he's got Brad Stevens type player written all over him. Gonna be watching some more breakdowns; draft season is always fun

Yeah I'm onboard with Kai Jones -- 6'11" with RWilliams-esque athleticism, some shooting ability, some dribble/drive ability, and really mobile on perimeter D -- even getting a poke steal or two out there!

We play so well with RWilliams in the lineup, yet he's so fragile, that I'd love to get another one of him.
IF we manage to lose two play-in games and end up landing him, it'll have been worth it.
If we don't, and the Hornets draft him, hopefully we won't be cursing our luck this time next year.
Hornets don't need more athleticism, they should switch to drafting undersized nice guys, it works!

Watch on YouTube

I really like Jones. The athleticism and way he ferociously dunks the ball, reminds me of Time Lord and Montrez Harrell - except Jones is even a step quicker than them, and he can make dribble drive moves, and his turnaround jumpers from 17 feet away, and hit 3's.

He's a perfect 4/5 combo. You literally could play Jones at the 4 and Time Lord a the 5. Because Jones is quick enough to defend smaller guys plus Jones can space the floor with the 3 point shot and ability to face up from the 3 point line and dribble drive. That could be a scary duo with Jones and Time Lord out there together. But at the same time, Jones can play some 5.

My only question with him, is why did he only average 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 22.8 mins a game and only start 4 out of his team's 26 games last year?

Jones was 1st on his team in BPM and with how good he looks on film, you would have thought he would have played more and put up bigger numbers. Something doesn't add up..

[aporel18]

My top 5 for #16:

1a. Kai Jones. In two years he could be the PF the Cs need badly.
1b. Usman Garuba. He'll contribute in his rookie year and will grow faster than advertised. A bit undersized, so he's not 1a, but you know Ainge will love this pick.

2. Jalen Johnson. Looks great, but a bit of a gamble and only if Kai and Usman are off
3. Josh Giddey. He can be a great player, but he'll need too much time to develop
4. Ziaire Williams. Very talented, but thin as a rail... he'll need time and eating a lot

If none of the above are available, trade down so you can get more value, then draft

5. Tre Mann. The kind of guard we're missing, if he plays defense, he'll be great.