2020 NBA Draft Thread

[100proof]

This is why I’m warming up to Aleksej Pokuševski. Will he bust? Probably. But he has a unicorn combination of size [legit 7 footer], handle, vision, athleticism and shooting.

Its a long shot, and he needs to add 30+ lbs of muscle, but the foundation is there for an incredibly useful player.

Not opposed to him at 30th if he is there personally.

Think 14, not 30

I dont think I believe in him enough to use the 14th, that was my point anyways.

[Homerclease]

The Celtics are one of a handful of teams that have a legit shot at a title and are very young. Ainge needs to try and hit a homerun with these picks 14, 26 and 30.

Try to find a player with high potential that could grown into a big role and play alongside Jayson and Jaylen for the next 6-10 years.

Don’t do the “safe play” and draft an NBA ready player that will be nothing more than a 8 point, 5 rebound role player their whole career.

Shoot for the moon.

This is why I’m warming up to Aleksej Pokuševski. Will he bust? Probably. But he has a unicorn combination of size [legit 7 footer], handle, vision, athleticism and shooting.

Its a long shot, and he needs to add 30+ lbs of muscle, but the foundation is there for an incredibly useful player.

I’m in agreement with Celts17 as well but the guy I’ve got eyes on is Patrick Williams. So much potential with that kid that I’m starting to think he’s gone by 14. Vassell would be my first choice but I’m not expecting him to be there either.

At 26 give me Jalen Smith if he’s there. 30 I hope we can trade out of

[hugepatsfan]

The Celtics are one of a handful of teams that have a legit shot at a title and are very young. Ainge needs to try and hit a homerun with these picks 14, 26 and 30.

Try to find a player with high potential that could grown into a big role and play alongside Jayson and Jaylen for the next 6-10 years.

Don’t do the “safe play” and draft an NBA ready player that will be nothing more than a 8 point, 5 rebound role player their whole career.

Shoot for the moon.

A team with a legit shot to win the title is exactly the type of team that makes more sense to do the "safe play". Because those "shoot for the moon", "boom or bust". "high ceiling", etc. type guys are available in the mid 1st where we pick for a reason. They're usually very raw and not ready to play with huge development left. So for that team that has, as you say "a legit shot at a title" they contribute nothing while that "safe play" pick is by definition someone you expect to be playing and helping.

I'm on board with you on preferring upside over floor at #14 (at #26, #30 just take whatever you can get from what's left). But I say that in spite of the fact that we have a legit shot at a title. Because it's unrealistic to expect that someone with upside at #14 is ready to play and help in the next year or two at a high level. If they were, they wouldn't be on the board at #14. But I love the idea of a guy developing to be a core piece alongside Tatum/Brown down the line and think we can get the win-now role players in other ways.

[Curmudgeon]

Well, in NBAdraft.net's consensus mock Nesmith is 18th and Saddiq Bey is 26th. Bey will move up because he has legit sf size and a very good pedigree (DeMatha, Villanova).

I wonder if Ainge might not be looking at an international guy he can stash at #14. e.g. Maledon or Hayes if one of them slips. Someone always slips. Romeo Langford was the 14th pick last year, yes?

[Scoonie]

What does everyone think about Precious Achiuwa?

[hugepatsfan]

The Celtics are one of a handful of teams that have a legit shot at a title and are very young. Ainge needs to try and hit a homerun with these picks 14, 26 and 30.

Try to find a player with high potential that could grown into a big role and play alongside Jayson and Jaylen for the next 6-10 years.

Don’t do the “safe play” and draft an NBA ready player that will be nothing more than a 8 point, 5 rebound role player their whole career.

Shoot for the moon.

This is why I’m warming up to Aleksej Pokuševski. Will he bust? Probably. But he has a unicorn combination of size [legit 7 footer], handle, vision, athleticism and shooting.

Its a long shot, and he needs to add 30+ lbs of muscle, but the foundation is there for an incredibly useful player.

I’m in agreement with Celts17 as well but the guy I’ve got eyes on is Patrick Williams. So much potential with that kid that I’m starting to think he’s gone by 14. Vassell would be my first choice but I’m not expecting him to be there either.

At 26 give me Jalen Smith if he’s there. 30 I hope we can trade out of

Vassel, Pat Williams, Kira Lewis, Achiuwa are the guys that I think have the most upside here.

Vassel - think Spurs version of Danny Green but a little more offensive punch. Would be an advanced metric/impact stats darling here as the third wing alongside Tatum/Brown.

Pat Williams - Atlanta Milsap but not quite as much scoring. Would be an awesome PF to compliment Tatum/Brown at the 2/3 and give us length and switchable on the perimeter.

Achiuwa - Will settle in as a Bam Adebayo type player with some Jaerami Grant to him if the shot develops.

Kira Lewis - would be the perfect PG for this system as on ball/off ball combo threat to score at the top of the roster with Tatum/Brown.

[Celts17Pride]

The Celtics are one of a handful of teams that have a legit shot at a title and are very young. Ainge needs to try and hit a homerun with these picks 14, 26 and 30.

Try to find a player with high potential that could grown into a big role and play alongside Jayson and Jaylen for the next 6-10 years.

Don’t do the “safe play” and draft an NBA ready player that will be nothing more than a 8 point, 5 rebound role player their whole career.

Shoot for the moon.

This is why I’m warming up to Aleksej Pokuševski. Will he bust? Probably. But he has a unicorn combination of size [legit 7 footer], handle, vision, athleticism and shooting.

Its a long shot, and he needs to add 30+ lbs of muscle, but the foundation is there for an incredibly useful player.

Thing is, how many times have we heard that story? The team has all-stars so not sure if looking for the next Euro unicorn is in the cards.

I think we're going to get that 8 and 5 guy again at 14 Well, in order of need:

1. back up pg (Kemba knee insurance) with good handles, ability to penetrate defense and a decent 3pt shot (Maxey, Anthony, Lewis)
2. Poor man's Hayward to replace Gordo and give us a modern 3-D player off the bench (Bey, Vassell)
3. Active big rim runner to go with Thies/Williams for more bodies to get run over by Embiid and Giannis (Achiuwa, P Williams)

You can get a 8 pt, 5 reb guy in free agency. Grab a young player who has a chance to be something significant.

[Dogen]

This is why I’m warming up to Aleksej Pokuševski. Will he bust? Probably. But he has a unicorn combination of size [legit 7 footer], handle, vision, athleticism and shooting.

Its a long shot, and he needs to add 30+ lbs of muscle, but the foundation is there for an incredibly useful player.

Thing is, how many times have we heard that story? The team has all-stars so not sure if looking for the next Euro unicorn is in the cards.

I think we're going to get that 8 and 5 guy again at 14 Well, in order of need:

1. back up pg (Kemba knee insurance) with good handles, ability to penetrate defense and a decent 3pt shot (Maxey, Anthony, Lewis)
2. Poor man's Hayward to replace Gordo and give us a modern 3-D player off the bench (Bey, Vassell)
3. Active big rim runner to go with Thies/Williams for more bodies to get run over by Embiid and Giannis (Achiuwa, P Williams)

Where were going, we’ll be able to use exceptions to sign 8-5 guys. Maxey is still my #1 option, but im seriously warming up to Poku

I like Maxey too.

I've been intentionally avoiding the scouting videos on Poku, if only because these skinny 7 ft eurocorns are like crack to me and now I've watched two videos after seeing your post and god help me I'm already relapsing thanks a lot SWC!

I fall for it everytime. Bring on the Pokuman memes! He is the perfect Giannis/Kristaps hybrid machine!

But from what I see, he looks more mobile and crafty than, say, fellow unicorn Dragan Bender did at that age, and Poku has some nice handles, can run the floor, and the jumper looks soaking wet. But, to call him a stick would be generous. I see some clips of his rebounds and some nifty plays but not much there about some fundamentals -- like, can he stay in front of his man on defense? The Celtics don't need a tall guy to camp out at the 3 point line and be a liability on the other end.

On the other hand, Giannis, Porzingis, and KG were all rail thin when they came into the league and seemed to turn out just fine, and Pokusevski at 18 still has time to fill out. He even responded to some critics on one of the scouting videos https://youtu.be/GnH3gHnOeO0:

Aleksej Pokusevski
2 months ago

Update, I grew about 1.5 inches since..I'm only 18 y'all I'm still growing I know I need to put some weight on..chill

[SmartWentCrazy]

The Celtics are one of a handful of teams that have a legit shot at a title and are very young. Ainge needs to try and hit a homerun with these picks 14, 26 and 30.

Try to find a player with high potential that could grown into a big role and play alongside Jayson and Jaylen for the next 6-10 years.

Don’t do the “safe play” and draft an NBA ready player that will be nothing more than a 8 point, 5 rebound role player their whole career.

Shoot for the moon.

This is why I’m warming up to Aleksej Pokuševski. Will he bust? Probably. But he has a unicorn combination of size [legit 7 footer], handle, vision, athleticism and shooting.

Its a long shot, and he needs to add 30+ lbs of muscle, but the foundation is there for an incredibly useful player.

I’m in agreement with Celts17 as well but the guy I’ve got eyes on is Patrick Williams. So much potential with that kid that I’m starting to think he’s gone by 14. Vassell would be my first choice but I’m not expecting him to be there either.

At 26 give me Jalen Smith if he’s there. 30 I hope we can trade out of

Vassell is the definition of 8-5 guy. Both will be gone by 14, anyways.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Well, in NBAdraft.net's consensus mock Nesmith is 18th and Saddiq Bey is 26th. Bey will move up because he has legit sf size and a very good pedigree (DeMatha, Villanova).

I wonder if Ainge might not be looking at an international guy he can stash at #14. e.g. Maledon or Hayes if one of them slips. Someone always slips. Romeo Langford was the 14th pick last year, yes?

NBADraft.net is garbage.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Thing is, how many times have we heard that story? The team has all-stars so not sure if looking for the next Euro unicorn is in the cards.

I think we're going to get that 8 and 5 guy again at 14 Well, in order of need:

1. back up pg (Kemba knee insurance) with good handles, ability to penetrate defense and a decent 3pt shot (Maxey, Anthony, Lewis)
2. Poor man's Hayward to replace Gordo and give us a modern 3-D player off the bench (Bey, Vassell)
3. Active big rim runner to go with Thies/Williams for more bodies to get run over by Embiid and Giannis (Achiuwa, P Williams)

Where were going, we’ll be able to use exceptions to sign 8-5 guys. Maxey is still my #1 option, but im seriously warming up to Poku

I like Maxey too.

I've been intentionally avoiding the scouting videos on Poku, if only because these skinny 7 ft eurocorns are like crack to me and now I've watched two videos after seeing your post and god help me I'm already relapsing thanks a lot SWC!

I fall for it everytime. Bring on the Pokuman memes! He is the perfect Giannis/Kristaps hybrid machine!

But from what I see, he looks more mobile and crafty than, say, fellow unicorn Dragan Bender did at that age, and Poku has some nice handles, can run the floor, and the jumper looks soaking wet. But, to call him a stick would be generous. I see some clips of his rebounds and some nifty plays but not much there about some fundamentals -- like, can he stay in front of his man on defense? The Celtics don't need a tall guy to camp out at the 3 point line and be a liability on the other end.

On the other hand, Giannis, Porzingis, and KG were all rail thin when they came into the league and seemed to turn out just fine, and Pokusevski at 18 still has time to fill out. He even responded to some critics on one of the scouting videos https://youtu.be/GnH3gHnOeO0:

Aleksej Pokusevski
2 months ago

Update, I grew about 1.5 inches since..I'm only 18 y'all I'm still growing I know I need to put some weight on..chill

I did too cause i hate his archetype. But damnit, im tantalized by his raw tools. I see his archetype as similar to Porzingis with more passing vision. Im willing to take that risk— itll be basically our last chance to do so.

[Dogen]

This is why I’m warming up to Aleksej Pokuševski. Will he bust? Probably. But he has a unicorn combination of size [legit 7 footer], handle, vision, athleticism and shooting.

Its a long shot, and he needs to add 30+ lbs of muscle, but the foundation is there for an incredibly useful player.

Thing is, how many times have we heard that story? The team has all-stars so not sure if looking for the next Euro unicorn is in the cards.

I think we're going to get that 8 and 5 guy again at 14 Well, in order of need:

1. back up pg (Kemba knee insurance) with good handles, ability to penetrate defense and a decent 3pt shot (Maxey, Anthony, Lewis)
2. Poor man's Hayward to replace Gordo and give us a modern 3-D player off the bench (Bey, Vassell)
3. Active big rim runner to go with Thies/Williams for more bodies to get run over by Embiid and Giannis (Achiuwa, P Williams)

You can get a 8 pt, 5 reb guy in free agency. Grab a young player who has a chance to be something significant.

I do think a few of these players have a chance to be something significant and even more. But for a team with multiple young all stars and championship aspirations over the next few years, a rookie that can come in and make solid plays and defense while giving 8 and 5 would be.... um... significant.

There are guys in FA out there who fill that need every year, but for whatever reason Danny and Brad seem to prefer to grow their own. If they bring in FA's next year I expect some of the picks will be moved, traded or turned into future considerations.

But yeah, if Danny thinks there is a young player to be had with star level potential, I hope they go for it, put him on the multi-year plan, and bring in some vet help next season to shore up the bench.

[Dogen]

Where were going, we’ll be able to use exceptions to sign 8-5 guys. Maxey is still my #1 option, but im seriously warming up to Poku

I like Maxey too.

I've been intentionally avoiding the scouting videos on Poku, if only because these skinny 7 ft eurocorns are like crack to me and now I've watched two videos after seeing your post and god help me I'm already relapsing thanks a lot SWC!

I fall for it everytime. Bring on the Pokuman memes! He is the perfect Giannis/Kristaps hybrid machine!

But from what I see, he looks more mobile and crafty than, say, fellow unicorn Dragan Bender did at that age, and Poku has some nice handles, can run the floor, and the jumper looks soaking wet. But, to call him a stick would be generous. I see some clips of his rebounds and some nifty plays but not much there about some fundamentals -- like, can he stay in front of his man on defense? The Celtics don't need a tall guy to camp out at the 3 point line and be a liability on the other end.

On the other hand, Giannis, Porzingis, and KG were all rail thin when they came into the league and seemed to turn out just fine, and Pokusevski at 18 still has time to fill out. He even responded to some critics on one of the scouting videos https://youtu.be/GnH3gHnOeO0:

Aleksej Pokusevski
2 months ago

Update, I grew about 1.5 inches since..I'm only 18 y'all I'm still growing I know I need to put some weight on..chill

I did too cause i hate his archetype. But damnit, im tantalized by his raw tools. I see his archetype as similar to Porzingis with more passing vision. Im willing to take that risk— itll be basically our last chance to do so.

OK, pass the pipe man -- I'm all in!

Yeah, I see a skinnier Porzingis with better handle and court vision. These videos are so selective and deceptive though in that it's really hard to gauge the level of the competition. The guy moves so freely to the hoop, but will an average NBA defender lock him up? I think the size and shooting ability is, like Porzingis, the thing that can be counted on. A guy 7' 3" with outside shooting is a definite asset, but it's not enough.

If the Celtics "bring him in" (is that how it works now, or are the workouts on Zoom?) and the Celtics feel that he has that Jaylen Brown/ Giannis / Porzingis work ethic, than by all means he could be a steal at 14. But, like Porzingis, if that is true he will probably move into the first half of the lottery once the news is out.

[Dogen]

In other words, if Pokuševski shows signs of being the real deal, I don't see how he gets past the Spurs at #11!

[CelticsPride18]

This draft will be tough to evaluate with no workouts. I really want Maxey and it seems like drafting guards from UK are recipe for success. A Maxey/Langford/Brown/Tatum/Williams would be an awesome 2 way lineup.

[SmartWentCrazy]

In other words, if Pokuševski shows signs of being the real deal, I don't see how he gets past the Spurs at #11!

Yah, my fear is more that, as one of the guys with actual star upside, he’ll be long gone by the time we pick

[djFan71]

In other words, if Pokuševski shows signs of being the real deal, I don't see how he gets past the Spurs at #11!

Yah, my fear is more that, as one of the guys with actual star upside, he’ll be long gone by the time we pick

Just reading the past 2 pages of you on Poku is the exact journey I've been on with him. Hated the archetype, got tantalized, now worried he'll be gone.

[Froob]

Any heavy defensive bigs? Kanter and Tacko really the only big boys on the roster.

[Dogen]

In other words, if Pokuševski shows signs of being the real deal, I don't see how he gets past the Spurs at #11!

Yah, my fear is more that, as one of the guys with actual star upside, he’ll be long gone by the time we pick

One more observation on my new obsession Aleksej Pokuševski, then back to life!

He doesn't look like he's going to have the frame to be able to fill out like Porzingis or Giannis. Sure he can put on muscle, but he is not broad shouldered like those guys, so there will be a limit.

Having said that, the shooting/handling/passing might make for a tall backcourt-oriented player. I have a comparison to share, with some apprehension because comparisons are odious, but aside from the obvious Porzingis archtype as a modern euro, I think I see a little Toni Kukoc in him, a more mobile SF type. Kukoc might have been even better if he played in today's NBA.

[Dogen]

Any heavy defensive bigs? Kanter and Tacko really the only big boys on the roster.

This draft appears to be lighter on beefcake than any I can remember. Would be unusual I think, but maybe only 2-3 guys will go in the first round that are 6'10" 240lbs or more?