Road to a Championship start here, 2022 Draft.

[Roddy B for 3]

Would NOLA be interested in something like
#4 for #8 + Hayes + 2025 Bucks first
???

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Would NOLA be interested in something like
#4 for #8 + Hayes + 2025 Bucks first
???

This is actually a good trade for Nola value wise in that with Zion back & having to extend Nance as the small ball 5 when he's not playing backup 4, with other players like BI, Herb & Murphy also capable of playing minutes at the 4. NO's soon to own 3 max contracts with Zions extension, they would probably want to avoid Hayes impending rookie extension, so to consolidate him, is to a potential benefit.

If I had to give up any of the owned FRP's, it would be the Bucks pick

So essentially, it comes down to who's at 4 & if NO's like the target.

Some will say Ivey.. I would say unless they move on from CJ, they would be a terrible defensive backcourt.

If Kings were intersted in a deal like this, I would actually include Detroit or Pacers. Let them get the 4th pick for a different return & target.

Something like -

NO-s trade (#8, Hayes, Graham, 25 Bucks FRP) for (#6, #1, Rose)

Pacers trade - (#6, Brogdon) for (#4, Holmes, Graham)

Knicks trade - (#11, Rose, Reddish) for (Brogdon)

Kings trade - (#4, Holmes) for (#8, Hayes, Reddish, Bucks FRP)

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NO-s trade - (#8, Hayes, Graham, 25 Bucks FRP) for (#6, #1, Rose)

Pacers trade - (#6, Brogdon) for (#4, Holmes, Graham)

Knicks trade - (#11, Rose, Reddish) for (Brogdon)

Kings trade - (#4, Holmes) for (#8, Hayes, Reddish, Bucks FRP)


If NO's wanted to squeeze value out of something like this. They could take Shapre at 6 & poach OKC. Me I'd take Sharpe/Mathurin whoever they loke best of the 2 & draft WIlliams at 11 as Kings most likely take Sochan at 8.

Jonas - #11 Williams - Hermangomez
Zion - Nance - Murphy
Herb - Murphy - Naji
BI - #6 Sharpe/Mathurin - Naji
CJ - Rose - Alvarado

or take one of Sharpe/Mathurin at 6, Dieng at 11 & trade the 2 2nds for Koloko late firt earle 2nd round.

Jonas - 2nd round Koloko - Hermangomez
Zion - Nance - #11 Dieng
Herb - Murphy - Naji
BI - #6 Sharpe/Mathurin - Naji
CJ - Rose - Alvarado

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Seeing NO's fans kicking around 8 & Graham for 12. Basically, 8 & 15 for 12. Personally, I don't know why people like to compound mistakes.. NO's lucked into the top 8 pick & are going to waste 4 spots to dump a player they just spent the 15th pick on. 3 spots behind the pick they trading for...

OKC values Sharpe as the 2nd best prospect in this draft behind Chet & would take him at 3/4, if they could. They know his camp is dictating his direction to them & believe he will be cheaper at 7/8.

You take Sharpe & put him in the G league to develop if necessary, try & rebuild Graham's value. If not, he can be utilized as a trade filler at the deadline or offseason as any considerable upgrade will require return salary.

Don't force the issue. That's when you make mistakes.

They want Sharpe who they have behind only Chet. If he falls to 8. NO's accept no less than #12 & their 23 pick unprotected. Maybe a concession of top 1 protected to unprotected in 24. The price they would have to pay if they wanted the 3rd or 4th pick.. where they value Sharpe as a prospect.

Personally, I'd keep Sharpe either way.

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I see alot of the draft talk surrounding the NO's 8th pick. A Mathurin, Daniels debate & can't help myself.

- Mathurin is supposedly tapped out as a role player despite being more productive with a less rounded game, currently
- A shooting coach will not only fix Daniels shot but turn him into a 40% elite shooter. Off screens, off movement etc..
- Is Mathurin a bad defender or does he lack focus where it would be easier to readjust focus than turn a non shooter into an elite shooter.
- Competitive nature is reason Mathurin did more with less & why he will continue to get better on his current flaws. Whereas Daniels has the tool box & was underwhelming, with more.
- For the defensive edge & length Daniels would have over Mathurin. The offensive & defensive balance Mathurin could bring to the table for NO's would be far more impactful.

Is it easier to teach insticnt & feel or how to refine an ability ?
Is it easier to teach a guy how to be an elite shooter or get him to commit to playing defense when focus is lacking ?
Is it easier to teach a player with tools how to be competitive or teach a competitor how to utilize his obvious tools ?

As I've already pointed out before this post. Mathurin averaged 18pts as his teams #1 option without a handle on good efficiency because of his competitve nature. He did more offensively, with less. Yet his ceiling is projected as a role player by some because there's no way he can tighten his handle to help him get to his spots better, improve his passing though he's shown promiss & or his defensive focus under Green's influence where NO's fans just witnessed a team of non defenders buy in to playing D & not giving up, fold, from a 1-12 start... What's the odds Green can get a guy lacking focus with the defensive ability to buy in to playing defence ? vs a good shooting coach teaching a poor shooter how to be an elite shooter, with no conscience ?.

A 2 way role player, is Mathurin's floor, not ceiling.. To have him at that, you'd have to assume he cannot improve any aspect of the flaws in his game. That's what potential ultimately is, the room to improve... Who of the 2 prospects has the most room to improve. A guy underwhelming with a complete skillset or a guy doing more with no handle ?.

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If Daniels is what NO's fans think he is, he should be going ahead of Mathurin who has holes in his game to rectify.

With Mathurin mocked at 5/6 & 2 team in the top 7 willing to trade out of project a team would pay for.. I have Daniels falling to 8. At which point, I'd trade back for Sochan +. Assuming OKC is trading up for Sharpe who's probably gone before 8...

I have NY trading up from 11 for Ganiels or Charlotte with 13/15. With NY, it would require a FRP be included.

The people that like Daniels, like him for his length, defense & 1-3 maybe 4 switchability. He can handle the ball & playmake but is a work in progress as a shooter floor spacer.. This is why I would trade down for Sochan +. You get a better motor, defender & 1-5 switchability. while adding an additional asset.

If it's 13/15 from Charlotte - Sochan & Agbaji. Then use the 2 2nd round picks to trade up early 2nd for Koloko.

Basically - salary dump Graham & or Temple, open a roster spot, come out the draft with Sochan, Agbaji & Koloko for 8, 41, 52.

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Philly trade - (Green, Wang) for (Hayes, Plumlee)

Charlotte trade - (Plimlee, Thor, #13, #15) for (Wang, Temple, #8)

Team in 30-35 tange trade for (#41, #52)

NO's trade (Hayes, Temple., #8, #41, #52) for (Green, Thor, #13, #15, #30-35)


- Biyout Thor's 4/1 (4m) contract, open a roster spot apposed to dealong with Temple's 2/5 (10m) contract.
- Trading Hayes to Philly. avoids his extension & dumps Temples alary., opens a roster spot for Greens expiring.
- Consolodates the 2 2nds into a defensive rim runner Koloko late first, erly 2nd round.
- Draft Sochan at 13, Agbaji at 15 & Koloko at 30-35

- if Sochan is off the board. Williams at 13 & Andrew Nembhard early 2nd

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Read this morning after supposedly cancelling with NO's, Sharpe is scheduled to worki out with rhe Pacers. He's not falling past 7. Portland don't want a project & like the Kings want a win now move, someone to compliment Dame, especially defensively like the Dort name that's been thrown around.. plus.

1-4 Smith, Chet, Banchero, either Ivey or Murray

If it's Murray, Kings keep the pick. Ivey trade

4/5, which ever of Ivey Murray fall

6, Sharpe, Daniels, Mathurin

If Detroit reach on their rumored interest for Mathurin, Murray at 6

7, Trade regardless of who is at 7, trade with OKC if Sharpe is on the board which means he can go higher but i's not falling past 7.

8, Daniels or Mathurin. Where either Detroit or Pacers decide which is which.

For me if Mathurin is off the board, I'd go with trading down for Sochans defensive versatility + additional asset, possibly salary dump over selecting Daniels.

My next post, I'll make a player comparison of Daniels & Sochan to show why I would trade down if Daniels falls. Knicks have rumred interest in him & will give up 11 + for him.

NO's trade - (Graham, Temple, #8 Daniels) for (Burks, #11 Sochan, FRP)

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Jonas with the ball in his hands is a post player roll option, who needs spacing
Zion with the ball in his hands is a post player who needs spacing
BI with the ball in his hands likes the mid range game, who needs spacing
Herb is not an offensive liability but he can & is improving from range as the defensive backbone.

Who NO's draft at 8 between Mathurin & Baniels. The main skill should be the ability to shoot/move, play off ball. The fact that Mathurin has the defensive tools in addition but lacks the focus with a coach like Green, he's the better potential fit.

You put Daniels defense & inconsistent shooting, you clog up the offense so you better be able to play some defense, where teams will look to attack the defensive weak links in the rotation, where NO's have several, with no rim protector to cleanup erase mistakes. Teams will poke holes in the defense regardless of how good Daniels could be defensively. Mathurin's offensive skillset on the other hand unlocks the teams offensive potential. Then when you factor he has the defensive tools with Greens ability to get players to buy in... It's an easy choice for me.

Daniels might be a better overall player on another team, IMO, Mathurin elevates/unlocks this team & it's star players.

- He doesm't require the ball in his hands to be effective, Daniels will
- Elite off ball movement/Shooting, where Daniels is a work in progress from range
- Has the confidence, described as poor shot selection, to punish players for going under on screens with Zion & Jonas as roll men.
- Has the potential to improve his handles.
- He's shown vision & a willingness to improve his passing game.
- Has the defensive sixe, length & athleticism to play defense, 1-3 switchability. with a coach like Green who got a team of non defenders in a 1-12 start, to buy in
- Then factor both these young players roles coming in. 18ppg in Arizona tasked wih being the #1 option with limited handles... now asked to defend & move off ball vs Daniels who played a role with a bigger skillset currently at ignite & shot terribly for most the season..

This is an easy choice for me. Daniels should in theory be going before Mathurin. I have Mathurin at 8 because of his "FIT' potential as well as the combined player potential.

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A betting odds mock had an interesting take. After the big 3, Detroit enamored with Ivey, trade 5 & Grant for 4. They have Ivey going 4 & Sharpe going 5. Kings get the best of both worlds with a win now player/fit & high potential pick with Sharpe. They could then shop 5 to OKC if they choose to go all in or want to acuire Dort, more assets. That's some great value out the 4th pick for Sacramento.

This betting mock has the top 6 as

Smith, Chet, Banchero, Ivey, Sharpe, Murray.

Murray falling to 6 & Detroit using Grant to ensure Ivey, is key. These 2 teams supposedly have interest in Mathurin. They have Daniels going 7 where I think a team like the Knicks trade up from 11.

With some of the stronger odd of the 4-8 range, Mathurin going 8.

Now we talk'in.. IMO everyone does well in this scenario.

https://fansided.com/betsided/posts/2022-nba-mock-draft-based-odds-predicting-lottery-every-team

Kings get great value out the 4th pick
Detroit use Grant to secure their top option Ivey
Pacers happy Murray fall to 6
Knicks leap frog NO's to trade up for Daniels
Mathurin at 8. NO's better not trade down

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NO's trade - (CJ, Hayes, Graham, #6, #41, #52, Bucks FRP) for (Irving, 12, 34)

OKC trade - (Dort, #12, Micic, #34) for (Graham, #8)

Nets trade - (Irving) for (CJ, Hayes, Dort, #41, #52, Bucks FRP)

- NO's get the best talent in trade
- Consolidate & shed long term salary with Hayes impending extension
- balance the roster & minute distribution.

Draft one of - Sochan, Agbaji, Davis @ 12, Koloko at 34

Jonas - (#34 Koloko) - Hermangomez
Zion - Nance - (#12 Sochan)
BI - Murphy - Temple
Herb - Micic - Naji (#12, Agbaji/Davis)
Irving - Alvarado - Kira

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With the new Cam rumor for 8.. connect the dots.

Pacers Brogdon is linked to Washington/Knicks for the 10th/11th pick.
Pacers have interest in Mathurin @6 where if they ultimately land 8 they can pass at 6 & net at 8
Suns who are a 60 win contender would like to swap Cam out for Brogdon to backup Paul & 8 comes before 10/11

By offering Cam to NO's , Suns cut Washington/Knicks out the picture. Pacers pass at 6, pick Murray, net Mathurin at 8

I'm going to tell you now disregarding Cams contract status. Mathurin will end up the better player.

If Pacers want him let them have to pick him at 6. Cam has tapped out as a bench 3 &D option who's about to get paid because he played a key role on a contender. Great set shooter whereas Mathurin can kill you off the bounce, screens as well as wide open looks. Cam is not a movement shooter like Mathurin. He's currently a better defender but that will change.. With Green & Brewer they will get Mathurin to buy into playing D.

Don't do it. I'd Sooner give up Hayes, Kira & or the Bucks pick with the 8th pick to move up to 6 for Mathurin than trade 8 for Cam who's a role player like Brogdon set to get paid.

If Suns are moving him to free cap to sign/retain Ayton, why are Pels who are about to sign Zion with BI & CJ any different?

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I had Mikal Bridges at 8 for the Raptors when Philly drafted him. Suns traded a future first to poach him, rest is history.

As I mentioned above, Cam Johnson is capped out as a set shooter, 3&D bench role player that's about to get paid because of the success of his team.

IMO Mathurin will be a better version of Johnson for NO's. When Green & Brewer get him to buy into playing defense consistently for PT, he will have a much higher ceiling for NO's, on rookie scale & control.

Make the Pacer have to choose between Murray & Mathurin at 6. I believe Sharpe goes top 5 in trade where Kings can trade back to 5 for Sharpe in netting Grant, possibly repackage Sharpe at 5 to OKC for an additional win now player, pick & future asset if they're not enamored with the idea of Sharpe being a project..

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NO's started out the 21 season trading the 2022 15th pick for Graham to compliment point Zion with a catch & shoot option. Without Zion, NO's were laking another player that can create & playmake...

Deadline they trade for CJ who take that intended role from both Zion & Graham.

2022 point Zion is returning to action on a max contract for a 1-4 core of CJ/Herb/BI/Zion

2022 draft talking about trading the 8th pick for a &D SF Cam who will be behind all of Herb/BI/Zion in the rotation. Whereas at 6'6" near 7' wingspan, Mathurin at 8 can play point next to Herb with point Zion back, with point BI. People argue both shold be playing off ball but theoretically they both would when they take turns against defenses that favor them handling the ball. What I'm basically saying here is Mathurin would be that set & movement shooter that can eventually replace a 30yo CJ who I think will ultimately benefit this team as it's 6th man vs overpaying for a player that won't break the starting rotation, unless you take one of the core members out.

C - Jonas physical post big, Nance small ball 5, Koloko early 2nd defensive rim runner, Hermangomez quality depth.
PF - point Zion
SF - point BI
SG - Herb - sixth man - CJ
PG - #8 Mathurin (6'6", 7' wingsoan, athletic, great at moving off ball, high perceentage set & movement shooter, who has basic PG skills having run an offense for Arizona. 3rd option behind Zion & BI).

Mathurin at 6'6" with a 7' wing span playing PG, is what 6'8" cam is at SF. Reason I have Mathurin over Griffin aswell was his foot speed... 1-2/3 switchability, apposed to 2/3-4 for Griffin which is what Cam would be.. Stuck behind Zion, BI & Herb but atleast on rookie scale & control.

All that is needed in Drafting Mathurin, is Green & Brewer getting him to buy into playing defense because the ability is already there.. & In what would be a lesser role/usage than in Arizona. He shot over 40% in his rookie capaign under the same lower usage of not having to carry the offense. Mathurin could focus more energy on defense because he will be limited to playing off ball apposed to carrying the offense for NO's. An elite off ball/movement & set shooter on rookie scale & control. I'm just hoping one of Pacers & Detroit who need to draft more based on potenital don't **** this up for NO's. If NO's fans are right Daniels should be going before Mathurin because part of Mathurin selection for me is based on fit potential to unlock this teams offense. There's no reason he should be going to a bad team over Sharpe & or Daniiels. If NO's team makeup was different, Mathurin might not ne my pick.

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Kings decision is going to control this draft for NO's. If Sharpe goes 4/5 based in trade/s. Detroit take Ivey, Pacers take Murray.

Kings can literally use the pick in trade twice if they draft Ivey. Trade back to 5 for Grant & Sharpe where OKC have interest & have the option to develop or flip having squeezed grant out of dropping one spot over taking Ivey to play next to Fox with a need to win now. They can't do this type of value trade otherwise because Detroit would just take & keep Ivey.

This leaves Murray for Pacers with several teams willing to trade up for a PG Daniels in Washington & Knicks with Portland also looking for win now moves, to leap NO's potential interest.

Basically my ideal draft scenario assuming NO's keep the pick in this occurance.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Many are giving credit for the Herb selection & he was a great pick. However if it wasn't a complete surprise of a pick NO's had the 17th pick & 34 selections could have snatched him up.. just saying.

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Best team in the league last yr & divisional rivals running into financial issues that might break up their roster & start their decline before CP leaves..

NO's .. how can we help.

When Cam won't see significant playing time playing behind Zion, BI & to a lesser extent Herb. Another potential 20m bench player if retained for the 8th pick & with NO's in a similar impending financial situation since trading for CJ.

Why is Portland at 7 who want a win now trade, not interested ? IMO Cam would be a better fit for then & Dame, Suns, along with the cap they saved last yr in trade to make an extension even more viable. Don't they have a trade exception big enough to absorb Cam ? I know Pels have one but it would put them in the luxury tax if their goal is to save money.

Has me thinking Suns are using the Pels to bolster value.

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Saw the rumor of Ayton for Miles Bridges. Starts to make some sense from the Suns pioint of view in trading Cam for 8.

Ayton for Miles Bridges would replace losing Cam.

In trading Cam for the 8th pick. Suns can then draft a C at 8 to cheaply replace Ayton who netteed Miles. Drafting one of Duren, Williams, Sochan...

Considering Cam is to be extended next year. Suns are turning Aytons & Cams extensions into a Miles extension & rookie scale C in this scenario.

Hard luck Suns, best check in with Portland.

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Realgm article says OKC want to trade up for either Ivey or Sharpe.

This is where Kings who want to win now can capitalize on this fact, if true. Detroit prefer Ivey, aswell. So with Thunder having interest in Ivey & Sharpl. Kings can leverage Detroit against OKC's Ivey interest at 4, trade the 4th pick twice.

Trade back with Detroit so they have the preference of Ivey at 4. Then take Sharpe at 5 & trade down with OKC for additional value.

Kings could walk out this draft with something like Grant, Dort, Micic, #12 Williams/Sochan, FRP/s

This would also mean the picks 4.5.6 would most likely run Ivey, Sharpe, Murray.... leaving one of Mathurin/Daniels at 8 for NO's.

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On the eve of the draft my board remains.

Smith
Sharpe
Mathurin
Sochan

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New Orleans have reached the fork in the roas, it's draft day.

Current news & mocks have Sharpe falling.

- Hawks & Indiana targeting Murray in trade at 4 apposed to Detroit targeting Ivey at 4 with their recent trade of Grant.

- Grant to Portland for a future first & not the 7th is telling of a big & wing draft combo Murray/#7 guard. I think they think Ivey is there at 5. So instead of an additional pick they open 20m in additional cap space where teams like the Suns willing to trade Cam Johnson for cap space.. your potential trade to 7 for Mathurin pick replacement now is #5 Ivey & Cam ?.

- Indiana are mocked to taking Mathurin when they're trading Brogdon & have both Hali & Duarte. I think if Atlanta fail to trade up for Murray at 4. Indiana are trading one of Duarte or Mathurin + for Murray.

-- Raptors entering the frey at 7, with Woj reporting Sharpe & Daniels at 7/8. I think they're potentially trading OG for their Canadian representative Sharpe who has top of both 22 & 23 draft potential. I could be wrong but he fits Massai's draft profile.

- Leaving NO's with Daniels, Sochan, Dieng. Where I believe Sharpe's workout cancellation with NO's & the disintrest is a bluff/misdirection of interest. Where early in the process their was reports hoping/thinking he could angle his way to a drop.

Ideally Hawks get through at 4 with Murray, INdiana take a different path than drafting Mathurin. Sharpe goes 7, leaving NO's the choice between Mathurin & Dieng.

Choose wisely.. This is, the fork in the road.