2023 NBA Draft Thread

[Skybox]

I know it's beaten to death on every thread but we can't know what we have until we get half of our team on the court. It's maddening.

Depending on how Isaac looks, priorities might shift. Same could be said for Fultz and Suggs together in backcourt. Right now, I'd take two lottery shots at finding our Donovan Mitchell, Poole, SGA, Herro, or trade for a proven one. I believe our frontcourt, as is, could be really formidable and deep - if ever healthy and tuned into one another...if WCJ really isn't an ideal fit, I don't think it'd be tough to trade for a more limited, but better fitting guy-someone like a Clint Capela (who's being run out by Okongwu). With Paolo and Franz's versatility, WCJ might be more talented than we need in some areas and less than we need in others. I've proposed WCJ for Wiseman and Moody...which I'm far from solid on, but I really like Moody and what if the guy in Wiseman's body woke up? If he'd just block everything, dunk everything, and set solid picks - it might be less but better than WCJ. Having said that, I'm VERY content to roll with WCJ - he just keeps coming up as playoff-ready for a contender due to his maturity and smarts. We don't have much else to offer to a team in contention that might not have the patience to develop their young guys vs their window closing. Isaac is very likely our best Center, next to Paolo and Franz, but certainly not something to count on until we see him move and how they gel.

Bol's fun and is providing significant impact, but no way do I draft or plan around him...he's primarily a weak side shot blocker, no way he slows down a Center not named Bamba. He's more Bo Outlaw-like. I like him as a situational, mess up the other team's plans, wild card. He's so unconventional that I like him being deployed in unpredictable, harder to plan for ways. As others have said, I think his impact could be minimized by other teams making him more of a defensive priority. I like him very much as a secret weapon...kind of like Jose Alvarado's fun and unconventional backcourt steal phenomenon. I see his incredible numbers and I'm grateful, but I'm not buying him as a foundational piece that can maintain anything close to that. He belongs, but let's not get carried away with the All-Star stuff. He can be subbed in at multiple positions, create havoc on both ends, exploit mismatches and then check back out before the other team knows what the heck just happened. Then, repeat.

[basketballRob]

We're in a good draft position now. 4th and 9th.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Bensational]

Its tough to tell right now, becouse there is always a suprise player, and some players slide after hot start.
Overall its a very interesting debate, it touches the core strategy how we want to build our roster.

I am not sure Bol is a lock to start. Right now teams dont know how to defend him, but team will make better scouting reports
Carter is a fascinating case. On one hand he potentially occupies similar spaces to Banchero but he is also the only one who can set good screens, perform creative handoffs. Bol physical limitations prevent him for being ideal pick and roll/pop partner for Banchero. Bol is better at weak side blocks and shooting so its really hard to evaluate all those things. So far both combinations are net positive, Bol/Banchero +3.5, Carter/Banchero +1.1. There is also a case to play 3 of them together. That combination is also doing well, but then there is almost no space for our new draft pick if we count Wagner and one of Suggs/Fultz/Anthony/Harris.

1. Wembenyama- picking Victor would mean we are leaning towards rim protection at the expense of perimeter creation, shooting and perimeter defense.It would also propably send Bol to the bench. Both Bol and Wemby are weak physically, have their limitations going to the rim and Wemby is not a good shooter right now.
Suggs/Wagner/Banchero/Carter/Wembenyama- its a variation of our current starting lineup which is not doing especially great in limited sample. It performs better when Suggs or Bol are swaped for wing sized shooters. Suggs is often lost on offense and Bol on defense. I am not the biggest fan picking Wemby. He is covering some Paolo and Wendell weaknesses but also creates new ones. On offense its a step back from Bol.

2. Henderson- picking Scoot would make us look even more similar to Cavaliers.
Suggs/Henderson/Wagner/Banchero/Carter(or Bol)
This lineup is very dependent on all our starters making progress as shooters. Hard to tell if Scoot accuracy is real this season. Its propably safe to say he will never be a knockdown 3 point shooter. I think picking Scoot could make Jalen expendable. We would need at least one 40%+ shooter next to Banchero and Henderson to not be laughing stock of the nba once again. Not taking trades into account:
Henderson/Harris(spot waiting for big trade)/Wagner/Banchero/Bol(Carter)
Once again not by favourite fit with the current team, but it will be hard to pass on Scoot.

3. Thompson Amen- its hard to not mention Amen. 6'7 ultra athletic point guard. Picking him would mean Banchero being more of a screener and isolation scorer. Defensively the fit is best in class hands down.
Thompson/Harris(trade?)/Wagner/Banchero/Bol(Carter)
Another example where Bol is giving us lineup flexibility. With WCJ starting it would be extremely hard to pull off. Thats propably Weltmans dream lineup on one side of the floor. A lot would depend on Banchero Iso scoring on offense and i mean A LOT.

4. Miller- fast riser. Comparisons to T-Mac make most of magic fans drool. First player who is potentially a very good volume shooter. His passing and length also fit seamlessly on our team (pace, space, pass, size). I really like the fit, but worry a bit about our foot speed on defense.
Suggs/Wagner/Miller/Banchero/Carter(Bol)
Crazy versatile lineup which could morph depending on matchups:
Wagner/Miller/Bol/Banchero/Carter-> Suggs/Harris/Wagner/Miller/Banchero

5. Keyonte George- another volume shooter. He has nice frame, can work as a secondary ball hander. Really good fit, propably the best among draftees not including a trade.
Suggs/George/Wagner/Banchero/Carter(Bol)

6. Whitehead/Whitmore- two big wings who would have similar role on our team. Doesnt hate them but fit depends on jumpers. They would make us very strong and physical, similar to Celtics. You can argue they fit Weltmans vision more than George.
Suggs/Whitehead(Whitmore)/Wagner/Banchero/Bol(Carter)

Bulls pick could be potentially top 10 or middle of first round. I would look at Gradey Dick, Jett Howard, Terquavion Smith, Kris Murray, Dillon Mitchell. My god its a deep class. Weltman you sly fox.

ps. and we also have Isaac..... mindblowing

To be honest, Miller is my favourite right now and that’s admittedly influenced by his hot start. I’d struggle to pass on Wemby or Scoot for him, but he’s the guy who I think could really propel this team far if his shooting translates. Having him as a kick out option could really open things up for Paolo and Franz. He could be Klay Thompson-ish in some regards. He just seems to do it all but also doesn’t need the ball in his hands the whole time.

Wemby will likely take time. Him and Paolo could form a combo similar to LeBron and AD in time, supported by Franz + Suggs + a shooter. I know the Lakers have looked trash lately, but they were good enough to win a ring 2 seasons ago (albeit in strange circumstances of the bubble), and they’re just currently very poorly constructed.

I think Scoot is showing he has some very good potential as a lead guard and strong vision, but his passing/playmaking hasn’t looked as naturally gifted as someone like Giddey did/does. However he’s showing a lot for someone so young, so I think his growth curve will be pretty expedited compared to other young prospects.

Amen Thompson has a solid build but his jump shot looks terrible. He has been making some nice plays and passes but that league he’s in looks more like a varsity league or a pro-am league because it’s pretty disorganised and freewheeling. I’m not as sold on him as I’d hoped to be, but there’s still loads of time to evaluate.

[thelead]

I'm not a fan of the Thompson twins. They could end up being great but they are a year older than others in their class and I don't love how they went the easy route and are playing in a low-talent league to prep for the NBA.

[MagicManMike]

I know it's beaten to death on every thread but we can't know what we have until we get half of our team on the court. It's maddening.

Depending on how Isaac looks, priorities might shift. Same could be said for Fultz and Suggs together in backcourt. Right now, I'd take two lottery shots at finding our Donovan Mitchell, Poole, SGA, Herro, or trade for a proven one. I believe our frontcourt, as is, could be really formidable and deep - if ever healthy and tuned into one another...if WCJ really isn't an ideal fit, I don't think it'd be tough to trade for a more limited, but better fitting guy-someone like a Clint Capela (who's being run out by Okongwu). With Paolo and Franz's versatility, WCJ might be more talented than we need in some areas and less than we need in others. I've proposed WCJ for Wiseman and Moody...which I'm far from solid on, but I really like Moody and what if the guy in Wiseman's body woke up? If he'd just block everything, dunk everything, and set solid picks - it might be less but better than WCJ. Having said that, I'm VERY content to roll with WCJ - he just keeps coming up as playoff-ready for a contender due to his maturity and smarts. We don't have much else to offer to a team in contention that might not have the patience to develop their young guys vs their window closing. Isaac is very likely our best Center, next to Paolo and Franz, but certainly not something to count on until we see him move and how they gel.

Bol's fun and is providing significant impact, but no way do I draft or plan around him...he's primarily a weak side shot blocker, no way he slows down a Center not named Bamba. He's more Bo Outlaw-like. I like him as a situational, mess up the other team's plans, wild card. He's so unconventional that I like him being deployed in unpredictable, harder to plan for ways. As others have said, I think his impact could be minimized by other teams making him more of a defensive priority. I like him very much as a secret weapon...kind of like Jose Alvarado's fun and unconventional backcourt steal phenomenon. I see his incredible numbers and I'm grateful, but I'm not buying him as a foundational piece that can maintain anything close to that. He belongs, but let's not get carried away with the All-Star stuff. He can be subbed in at multiple positions, create havoc on both ends, exploit mismatches and then check back out before the other team knows what the heck just happened. Then, repeat.

Why do you turn a draft thread in to your hard on for Bol Bol?

You obviously aren’t willing to let your eyes see the impact he makes on the floor. When he is on the floor no matter the other players with him we are a top 10 defensive team (look it up stats back this) when he isn’t on the floor we are 27th in the league.

Don’t be an idiot and beat your drum against Bol. Literally he is doing all the things people expect stickboy in OKC to maybe do one day and Wemby to do next year. He has barely played in the NBA. Hell he has BARELY played since high school. He is having as good or great impact in less minutes than Dwight did his rookie year. And for basically having no playing time for any years his production is damn near unfathomable.

Let’s keep the thread on its subject. There is a Bol Bol thread all on its own.

Also consider the fact that the FO obviously wants long tall players that can do it all, us drafting a SG in the mold you are wanting is a very small chance. It would have to be such an obvious choice like when Suggs fell in the draft. But if you remember, many questioned drafting Franz. Even bashed the FO during summer league. Turns out they know what they want and are doing.

They also basked the resigning of Bol and Bamba. Turns out both players are having career years. Which is what happens when you give tall players time to DEVELOP on the court. Tall players and point guards take the longest to develop. It’s also the reason Fultz was signed even as he was hurt. Because his skill set NO ONE has on this team. He is a natural creator for others, he just can’t shoot from that far outside the paint.

[Petre1978]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

The next Magic player.
Surely a big favorite in the FO.

[Skybox]

I know it's beaten to death on every thread but we can't know what we have until we get half of our team on the court. It's maddening.

Depending on how Isaac looks, priorities might shift. Same could be said for Fultz and Suggs together in backcourt. Right now, I'd take two lottery shots at finding our Donovan Mitchell, Poole, SGA, Herro, or trade for a proven one. I believe our frontcourt, as is, could be really formidable and deep - if ever healthy and tuned into one another...if WCJ really isn't an ideal fit, I don't think it'd be tough to trade for a more limited, but better fitting guy-someone like a Clint Capela (who's being run out by Okongwu). With Paolo and Franz's versatility, WCJ might be more talented than we need in some areas and less than we need in others. I've proposed WCJ for Wiseman and Moody...which I'm far from solid on, but I really like Moody and what if the guy in Wiseman's body woke up? If he'd just block everything, dunk everything, and set solid picks - it might be less but better than WCJ. Having said that, I'm VERY content to roll with WCJ - he just keeps coming up as playoff-ready for a contender due to his maturity and smarts. We don't have much else to offer to a team in contention that might not have the patience to develop their young guys vs their window closing. Isaac is very likely our best Center, next to Paolo and Franz, but certainly not something to count on until we see him move and how they gel.

Bol's fun and is providing significant impact, but no way do I draft or plan around him...he's primarily a weak side shot blocker, no way he slows down a Center not named Bamba. He's more Bo Outlaw-like. I like him as a situational, mess up the other team's plans, wild card. He's so unconventional that I like him being deployed in unpredictable, harder to plan for ways. As others have said, I think his impact could be minimized by other teams making him more of a defensive priority. I like him very much as a secret weapon...kind of like Jose Alvarado's fun and unconventional backcourt steal phenomenon. I see his incredible numbers and I'm grateful, but I'm not buying him as a foundational piece that can maintain anything close to that. He belongs, but let's not get carried away with the All-Star stuff. He can be subbed in at multiple positions, create havoc on both ends, exploit mismatches and then check back out before the other team knows what the heck just happened. Then, repeat.

Why do you turn a draft thread in to your hard on for Bol Bol?

You obviously aren’t willing to let your eyes see the impact he makes on the floor. When he is on the floor no matter the other players with him we are a top 10 defensive team (look it up stats back this) when he isn’t on the floor we are 27th in the league.

Don’t be an idiot and beat your drum against Bol. Literally he is doing all the things people expect stickboy in OKC to maybe do one day and Wemby to do next year. He has barely played in the NBA. Hell he has BARELY played since high school. He is having as good or great impact in less minutes than Dwight did his rookie year. And for basically having no playing time for any years his production is damn near unfathomable.

Let’s keep the thread on its subject. There is a Bol Bol thread all on its own.

Also consider the fact that the FO obviously wants long tall players that can do it all, us drafting a SG in the mold you are wanting is a very small chance. It would have to be such an obvious choice like when Suggs fell in the draft. But if you remember, many questioned drafting Franz. Even bashed the FO during summer league. Turns out they know what they want and are doing.

They also basked the resigning of Bol and Bamba. Turns out both players are having career years. Which is what happens when you give tall players time to DEVELOP on the court. Tall players and point guards take the longest to develop. It’s also the reason Fultz was signed even as he was hurt. Because his skill set NO ONE has on this team. He is a natural creator for others, he just can’t shoot from that far outside the paint.

Welcome the the Forum. Learn the rules of polite engagement or go away...Everything I said about Bol or anyone else was put in context to our draft priorities...I feel like I was fair in my assessment of Bol. He's a pleasant surprise, completely unconventional, but limited, IMO, and not really leading this team to wins...sorry you don't agree, but every shot he takes surprises me when, after bouncing around the rim, it falls in (I know, 60% of the time)

[KillMonger]

Watch on YouTube

like the kid.....he looks taller than i heard, he looks a bit taller than 6'3

Watch on YouTube

[Magic#1]

Watch on YouTube

like the kid.....he looks taller than i heard, he looks a bit taller than 6'3

Watch on YouTube

Suggs
George
Franz
Paolo
Wendell

That has some real potential. I also second the potential of Black. He looks like he has the tools to help a team win. Good overall player who would fit.

[fendilim]

Emoni Bates remindd me of Nick Young lol

How is he doing? His competition level doesnt seem to be one of the tougher divisions. And how is he now off the court?

[jonbob17]

I'm not a fan of the Thompson twins. They could end up being great but they are a year older than others in their class and I don't love how they went the easy route and are playing in a low-talent league to prep for the NBA.

I usually prefer talent, athleticism, and defense to shooting, but I just don't see how these two are going to shoot well enough in the NBA, and certainly not enough for this shooting-desperate Magic team.

[Skybox]

1. Is he a potentially generational talent like Ja or Westbrook (Scoot)?
2. Can he shoot?...if yes, continue to question #3, if not -NO Thanks

[RookieStar]

As much as we are all excited... let's be real here.

Focus your search on the Michigan players. You know we will be picking one of them. lol

[Petre1978]

As much as we are all excited... let's be real here.

Focus your search on the Michigan players. You know we will be picking one of them. lol

Why Michigan?

Jett Howard would be a nice option for the Bulls pick.

[zaymon]

As much as we are all excited... let's be real here.

Focus your search on the Michigan players. You know we will be picking one of them. lol

Why Michigan?

Jett Howard would be a nice option for the Bulls pick.

Wagners, Houstan, Brazdeikis.

[Petre1978]

As much as we are all excited... let's be real here.

Focus your search on the Michigan players. You know we will be picking one of them. lol

Why Michigan?

Jett Howard would be a nice option for the Bulls pick.

Wagners, Houstan, Brazdeikis.

I would be more than ok with Howard.

[drsd]

I am really looking forward to the Bulls missing the playoffs so that one of the mid-tier wings can be drafted.

Nick Smith, Anthony Black, Keyonte George, Dillon Mitchell, or the twins are all options on this.

The Vučević trade just keeps looking better and better!


..

[RookieStar]

As much as we are all excited... let's be real here.

Focus your search on the Michigan players. You know we will be picking one of them. lol

Why Michigan?

Jett Howard would be a nice option for the Bulls pick.

You haven't noticed the trend? Especially with our owners?

[RookieStar]

As much as we are all excited... let's be real here.

Focus your search on the Michigan players. You know we will be picking one of them. lol

Why Michigan?

Jett Howard would be a nice option for the Bulls pick.

Wagners, Houstan, Brazdeikis.

Never forget the scrubs we took for Summer League, GLeague, 2ways, and etc

[drsd]

The Bulls start a six-game road swing. We want lotto balls!!!