2023 NBA Draft Thread

[davey_wavy]

Phone rings, you pick up..

NBA GM just drafted Victor, but wants Paolo badly. (Offers a player for player swap)

Would you give him up?

I thought hard about this. Maybe I’m nuts, but Paolo stays

[Knightro]

Ja Morant: 6'3", 175 lbs, 6'7" wingspan
Derrick Rose: 6'2 1/2", 196 lbs, 6'8" wingspan

Scoot is listed 6'2" 196 and purportedly has a 6'9" wingspan. Even if that wingspan is fudged by a inch or two, he's still right in line with Morant and Rose who are the two guys Scoot is most commonly compared to in his scouting reports.

Both Rose and Morant pretty much had zero trouble making a massive impact in the NBA right away. They each posted OBPM's over 6.0 in their third year in the league.

[basketballRob]

He reminds me of a young AI.

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[Knightro]

Scoot is an absolute dream fit next to Paolo/Wagner. He’s the piece that would potentially solidify us as a future contender for years to come.

But the chances of us getting him are so low. I refuse to get my hopes up.

I don’t think anyone is trading away the No. 1 pick, but I absolutely could see scenarios where teams trade away the No. 2 overall pick.

Wouldn’t Detroit (Ivey/Cunningham backcourt), Oklahoma City (Giddey/SGA backcourt), Charlotte (LaMelo) all potentially be willing to move down from 2?

Houston and New Orleans probably would just take Scoot at 2. Orlando obviously would.

Or if those teams all opted to keep Scoot, I’d be interested in trading for the guy Scoot is replacing.

A lot of options.

[zaymon]

Ja Morant: 6'3", 175 lbs, 6'7" wingspan
Derrick Rose: 6'2 1/2", 196 lbs, 6'8" wingspan

Scoot is listed 6'2" 196 and purportedly has a 6'9" wingspan. Even if that wingspan is fudged by a inch or two, he's still right in line with Morant and Rose who are the two guys Scoot is most commonly compared to in his scouting reports.

Both Rose and Morant pretty much had zero trouble making a massive impact in the NBA right away. They each posted OBPM's over 6.0 in their third year in the league.

Morant is struggling defensively and Rose got injured becouse of his violent explosiveness.
Personally i would trade down if we get #1 or #2 pick and draft someone like Keyonte George or Whitehead.
I would never trade Paolo for Wembanyama.

[PrimeThyme]

Personally i would trade down if we get #1 or #2 pick and draft someone like Keyonte George or Whitehead

I can certainly respect your opinion regarding what you would do if you had the number one pick, but I can assure you that there is not a single GM in the NBA who would think for a second about trading that pick this year.

This is one of the most most hyped/predicted generational talents of all time. Forecasts suggest that drafting Wembanyama alone will raise the value of a franchise regardless of where he goes somewhere in the billions of dollars range.

Victor is as game-changing as they come and we’ve never see someone with his combination of size and skillset. He’s literally a one man defense who also happens to have the offensive skillset of Kevin Durant. If you were able to, I think you could offer any GM with that pick 10+ first rounders and they would turn it down.

I think he’s the real deal, and wouldn’t think for a second either about trading it.

[Petre1978]

Wow both Dick and especially George look amazing right now, just what we need. I am a lot lower on Scoot and Victor than consensus. Playing Scoot next to Banchero would be a crime on offense and Wembenyama will be on skates a lot on defense propably more than Bol Bol.
If top of the draft looks like George (11 on tankathon ?!?!?!?!) it will take a lot to pry that pick from us.

Why are you lower on Wembanyama and Henderson?

I dont like small guards who cant shoot from 3 and tall slim dudes who cant switch and are not elite passers or shooters. I acknowledge that they are very good prospects but they seem like players you need to build around to cover their weaknesses.

My opinion as well.
I think Smith Jr. or George will fit better with Banchero and Wagner.

[KillMonger]

Personally i would trade down if we get #1 or #2 pick and draft someone like Keyonte George or Whitehead

I can certainly respect your opinion regarding what you would do if you had the number one pick, but I can assure you that there is not a single GM in the NBA who would think for a second about trading that pick this year.

This is one of the most most hyped/predicted generational talents of all time. Forecasts suggest that drafting Wembanyama alone will raise the value of a franchise regardless of where he goes somewhere in the billions of dollars range.

Victor is as game-changing as they come and we’ve never see someone with his combination of size and skillset. He’s literally a one man defense who also happens to have the offensive skillset of Kevin Durant. If you were able to, I think you could offer any GM with that pick 10+ first rounders and they would turn it down.

I think he’s the real deal, and wouldn’t think for a second either about trading it.

[Petre1978]

Watch on YouTube

[KillMonger]

Watch on YouTube

[zaymon]

Personally i would trade down if we get #1 or #2 pick and draft someone like Keyonte George or Whitehead

I can certainly respect your opinion regarding what you would do if you had the number one pick, but I can assure you that there is not a single GM in the NBA who would think for a second about trading that pick this year.

This is one of the most most hyped/predicted generational talents of all time. Forecasts suggest that drafting Wembanyama alone will raise the value of a franchise regardless of where he goes somewhere in the billions of dollars range.

Victor is as game-changing as they come and we’ve never see someone with his combination of size and skillset. He’s literally a one man defense who also happens to have the offensive skillset of Kevin Durant. If you were able to, I think you could offer any GM with that pick 10+ first rounders and they would turn it down.

I think he’s the real deal, and wouldn’t think for a second either about trading it.

Thats the hype i am talking about. We could get a lot of players/picks and there is very little chance Wembenyama cames even close to expectations. Durant with game changing defense ? He doesnt dribble like Durant, he doesnt shoot like Durant, he doesnt even look like Durant Banchero is amazing but his lateral footwork is only ok so far. Teams would drool to attack Banchero/Wembenyama in pick and roll, lets not give them this luxury. Between Banchero and Wembenyama i choose Paolo every time.

[nicnac215]

Phone rings, you pick up..

NBA GM just drafted Victor, but wants Paolo badly. (Offers a player for player swap)

Would you give him up?

I thought hard about this. Maybe I’m nuts, but Paolo stays

No chance I trade Paolo for Wemby. Not even going to consider it.

[axl_c_cool]

Not even a thought, I'm not sold 100% on Victor

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[Knightro]

I have to push back on this idea that Scoot Henderson is a bad fit with anyone.

Being ball dominant doesn't matter all that much if you're a plus passer and plus shot creator for others, which Scoot appears to be.

The Magic are 28th in the league in assists per game. They need more distributors. Paolo's been great in isolation and Franz has been very good as the initiator in pick and rolls and I want those things to both continue, but neither guy is a point guard. It's hard to run an effective offense strictly off isolation and secondary pick and rolls.

They're both good creating forwards with the potential to be great, but the Magic still really need someone who can keep the offense organized and explosive in the halfcourt. We know Franz can be an elite cutter and Paolo can be an elite post threat, but neither of those things get utilized nearly enough right now because the Magic lack that high end lead guard.

[Knightro]

10 of the top 11 players who lead the league in field goal attempts coming after 7+ dribbles have all made at least one all-star game.

The only one who hasn't is Cade Cunningham who is barely into his 2nd year and seems primed to make one relatively soon.

Ball dominant is only a negative if you're a bad/unwilling passer or if you're a horrific scorer. Scoot appears to be none of those things. I'd take him in a heartbeat at 2 and not look back.

[OrlChamps2030]

Yeah VW as the next KD seems like a stretch at this point. I don’t see that type of fluidity in his offensive game. For a guy his size, Durant is almost generational in that regard. It’s funny to think just months ago Chet was being compared to KD around here too. I even remember Isaac getting compared to KD as well. Apparently Durants are growing on trees now

[jonbob17]

I have to push back on this idea that Scoot Henderson is a bad fit with anyone.

Being ball dominant doesn't matter all that much if you're a plus passer and plus shot creator for others, which Scoot appears to be.

The Magic are 28th in the league in assists per game. They need more distributors. Paolo's been great in isolation and Franz has been very good as the initiator in pick and rolls and I want those things to both continue, but neither guy is a point guard. It's hard to run an effective offense strictly off isolation and secondary pick and rolls.

They're both good creating forwards with the potential to be great, but the Magic still really need someone who can keep the offense organized and explosive in the halfcourt. We know Franz can be an elite cutter and Paolo can be an elite post threat, but neither of those things get utilized nearly enough right now because the Magic lack that high end lead guard.

I mean yes, the Magic are 28th in assists, but have been missing Fultz, Cole, and Suggs for most of the season. We are probably not 28th bad. Assuming Fultz will pick up where he left off last year, and further improvement by Suggs over the course of the season.

Of course we take Scoot if he is an option. I am not sure how the draft will look after the college season reveals the draft class, but I'd say it's Tier 1a Wembayana, and Tier 1b(maybe tier 2) Scoot all by himself, and then everybody else, like not even close at the moment. Scoot seems like a legitimate #1 pick in plenty of drafts, just not this year, maybe not the last couple. 2021 or 2020 maybe, he's in the conversation.

[zaymon]

I have to push back on this idea that Scoot Henderson is a bad fit with anyone.

Being ball dominant doesn't matter all that much if you're a plus passer and plus shot creator for others, which Scoot appears to be.

The Magic are 28th in the league in assists per game. They need more distributors. Paolo's been great in isolation and Franz has been very good as the initiator in pick and rolls and I want those things to both continue, but neither guy is a point guard. It's hard to run an effective offense strictly off isolation and secondary pick and rolls.

They're both good creating forwards with the potential to be great, but the Magic still really need someone who can keep the offense organized and explosive in the halfcourt. We know Franz can be an elite cutter and Paolo can be an elite post threat, but neither of those things get utilized nearly enough right now because the Magic lack that high end lead guard.

You make strong arguments thats for sure. It reminds me of situation where team with one star trades for second star and the fit is not perfect. The narrative is always- they will figure it out, but sometimes they doesnt. Mitchell and Garland seem to fit next to each other, Young and Murray less while Gobert and Towns seem to disturb each other. You never know until you try. What that cases have in common is shooting. Both Mitchell and Garland can shoot. Murray can kind of shoot. Towns cant shoot. Scoot cant shoot.

[thelead]

The best part of this year's draft for us, IMO, is that we don't need the #1 or #2 pick. We need to land a top 5 or 6 pick IMO to guarantee getting one of the potentially great guards in the draft but if we land 1 high end starter and 1 high end role player (CHI pick) we're set for the future when you consider our cap space and potential trade assets.

[drsd]

The best part of this year's draft for us, IMO, is that we don't need the #1 or #2 pick. We need to land a top 5 or 6 pick IMO to guarantee getting one of the potentially great guards in the draft but if we land 1 high end starter and 1 high end role player (CHI pick) we're set for the future when you consider our cap space and potential trade assets.

Anthony Black is currently mocked around 10. I am hoping for him.


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