Re: 2023 Draft Prospect discussion Part II

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Reece Beekman won ACC DPOY and he has me intrigued based on the the success of Virginia players like Malcolm Brogdon and De’Andre Hunter who won the award.

I checked his advanced stats and they are impressive:

32 Ast%
3.5 Steal %
35 3P FG %
34 FTR
5.9 BPM
3.8 D-BPM

Notable guys with similar advanced numbers from college: Fred VanVleet, Kris Dunn, Kennedy Chandler, Jevon Carter, Delon Wright, Steph Curry, Tyler Ennis and Alex Caruso. He is not a volume shooter at all, but he is a crafty guard who I think is at minimum a Jevon Carter. Given the list of players, I could see Toronto having interest in this high level POA defender, who takes care of the ball and can shoot it a bit. He looks like a bigger Fred VanVleet. Given that he played at Virginia which is a snails pace, he should thrive in Toronto which should open up his game a bit more.

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Notable guys with almost exactly the same stats and advanced stats as Beekman: Jamal Shead.

Shead is a very good defender and playmaker but I am not as sure about his size and shot. You watch a lot of Houston. What is your take on Shead? Is he draftable?

Nope, but Beekman probably isn't either. Maybe a late 2nd rounder at best.

[OakleyDokely]

my rough rankings so far...

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Brandon Miller
3. Scoot Henderson
4. Taylor Hendricks
5. Cam Whitmore
6. Jarace Walker
7. Cason Wallace
8. Anthony Black
9. Kobe Bufkin
10. Riley Kugel
11. Noah Clowney
12. Brice Sensabaugh
13. Leonard Miller
14. Sidy Cissoko
15. Gradey Dick


Don't Like: Nick Smith, Keyonte George, Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, GG Jackson, Terquavion Smith

Undecided: Rayan Rupert, Jett Howard, Maxwell Lewis, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Kyle Filipowski

[PhilBlackson]

We're not getting Hendricks, this team flushed the draft down the toilet the second MLSE decided they want their Playoff profits at all cost which is why we got Poeltl despite sitting in the top 6 in the draft majority of the year & the real reason why none of Fred, Gary or OG we're moved despite endless rumours, not because they weren't good offers, all reports contradict that. Instead they decided we're ok being mid as long as it profits....this team is THE definition of a MID team. Just a mediocre team that's nothing more than a "tough out" due to the effort they play with but don't have the talent to keep up when everyone's effort and coaching is at their best in the Playoffs.

We're going to need INCREDIBLE luck for any top prospect to slip through to us in the draft. Typically they're snatched in the 10-15 range, see SGA, Booker, Mitchell, Klay and now Jalen Williams (who is exactly who I said I was praying we'd draft and stay out of the Playoffs for). I'm not saying Hendricks is that guy (he could be) but odds are way against us being the benefactor of a slept on prospect because usually at the back end of the lottery teams are willing to take a flyer over guys who look to be "NBA ready" good role players ie/ Kris Murray and also why I like Cason Wallace but not in love with him as our pick, seems like he'll obviously be an important rotation player but this team doesn't just need to swap out Gary with a better defending player.....we NEED another star and we could've at least given ourselves a chance had we stayed the course, we'd likely be picking anywhere from 6-12 and I would've liked our odds of coming out with a VERY good player. Now I suspect we will get a good player but not a real difference maker & ceiling raiser. Again just praying for a fluke but the players that should be where we likely land (ie/ 15-17), aren't all that intriguing to me unless maybe we drafted GG Jackson and turned him into the height of his potential. Overall just a depressing forecast ahead for this franchise and disappointing because we did it to ourselves. I would've felt a lot better about this team had we stayed the course both last year & this year, we'd likely have one of Jalen, AJ or Branham right now with another top prospect otw, instead it's 1st rd profits or die trying!

Whos AJ? Andrew Nembhard

Jaylen Williams is nice, and so is Walker Kessler, but again, those guys aren't players you should beat yourself up over. Ya'll aren't even really missing out on the players, but are more distraught at the fact of trading picks. Missing on Bane was bigger than any of the recent misses you guys bring up, and in the Bane draft we actually had a pick to acquire him.

Ya'all crying out about spilled milk, and noteven some organic almond milk, just some goats milk lol.

I'm not sure if you're talking about the C but I'm talking about Jalen Williams, the player who's suddenly being put in the discussion for ROTY and mentioning Bane doesn't strengthen whatever point you think you're making because the odds of someone like Bane being available at the end of the 1st rd vs being there much earlier at the end of the lottery is just basic child-like comprehension that the odds obviously favour the (far) earlier of the two.

Watch on YouTube

I'll also say that you can feel free to quote me on it but Williams will be as good as Bane, if not better long term. He has far more versatility offensively and just overall bball IQ. Just watch how his name grows as OKC continues to improve. Him, SGA & Chet are gonna be a problem in the West for years to come (if Chet can stay healthy). You'll see long term...

[ArthurVandelay]

We're not getting Hendricks, this team flushed the draft down the toilet the second MLSE decided they want their Playoff profits at all cost which is why we got Poeltl despite sitting in the top 6 in the draft majority of the year & the real reason why none of Fred, Gary or OG we're moved despite endless rumours, not because they weren't good offers, all reports contradict that. Instead they decided we're ok being mid as long as it profits....this team is THE definition of a MID team. Just a mediocre team that's nothing more than a "tough out" due to the effort they play with but don't have the talent to keep up when everyone's effort and coaching is at their best in the Playoffs.

We're going to need INCREDIBLE luck for any top prospect to slip through to us in the draft. Typically they're snatched in the 10-15 range, see SGA, Booker, Mitchell, Klay and now Jalen Williams (who is exactly who I said I was praying we'd draft and stay out of the Playoffs for). I'm not saying Hendricks is that guy (he could be) but odds are way against us being the benefactor of a slept on prospect because usually at the back end of the lottery teams are willing to take a flyer over guys who look to be "NBA ready" good role players ie/ Kris Murray and also why I like Cason Wallace but not in love with him as our pick, seems like he'll obviously be an important rotation player but this team doesn't just need to swap out Gary with a better defending player.....we NEED another star and we could've at least given ourselves a chance had we stayed the course, we'd likely be picking anywhere from 6-12 and I would've liked our odds of coming out with a VERY good player. Now I suspect we will get a good player but not a real difference maker & ceiling raiser. Again just praying for a fluke but the players that should be where we likely land (ie/ 15-17), aren't all that intriguing to me unless maybe we drafted GG Jackson and turned him into the height of his potential. Overall just a depressing forecast ahead for this franchise and disappointing because we did it to ourselves. I would've felt a lot better about this team had we stayed the course both last year & this year, we'd likely have one of Jalen, AJ or Branham right now with another top prospect otw, instead it's 1st rd profits or die trying!

The Raptors can just trade up like the Nuggets did for Mitchell and the Clippers did for Shai, if they think there's a special player there. It's not that many spots to move into that 10-15 range if they aren't there already.

I think Raptors will have opportunity to add another pick or swap to get into lottery.

There is just too much smoke around OG over the last year.

Pelicans, Indiana, Portland, Washington, and possibly Orlando and Chicago, if they get top 4, could all be possible trade partners.

[Indeed]

We're not getting Hendricks, this team flushed the draft down the toilet the second MLSE decided they want their Playoff profits at all cost which is why we got Poeltl despite sitting in the top 6 in the draft majority of the year & the real reason why none of Fred, Gary or OG we're moved despite endless rumours, not because they weren't good offers, all reports contradict that. Instead they decided we're ok being mid as long as it profits....this team is THE definition of a MID team. Just a mediocre team that's nothing more than a "tough out" due to the effort they play with but don't have the talent to keep up when everyone's effort and coaching is at their best in the Playoffs.

We're going to need INCREDIBLE luck for any top prospect to slip through to us in the draft. Typically they're snatched in the 10-15 range, see SGA, Booker, Mitchell, Klay and now Jalen Williams (who is exactly who I said I was praying we'd draft and stay out of the Playoffs for). I'm not saying Hendricks is that guy (he could be) but odds are way against us being the benefactor of a slept on prospect because usually at the back end of the lottery teams are willing to take a flyer over guys who look to be "NBA ready" good role players ie/ Kris Murray and also why I like Cason Wallace but not in love with him as our pick, seems like he'll obviously be an important rotation player but this team doesn't just need to swap out Gary with a better defending player.....we NEED another star and we could've at least given ourselves a chance had we stayed the course, we'd likely be picking anywhere from 6-12 and I would've liked our odds of coming out with a VERY good player. Now I suspect we will get a good player but not a real difference maker & ceiling raiser. Again just praying for a fluke but the players that should be where we likely land (ie/ 15-17), aren't all that intriguing to me unless maybe we drafted GG Jackson and turned him into the height of his potential. Overall just a depressing forecast ahead for this franchise and disappointing because we did it to ourselves. I would've felt a lot better about this team had we stayed the course both last year & this year, we'd likely have one of Jalen, AJ or Branham right now with another top prospect otw, instead it's 1st rd profits or die trying!

The Raptors can just trade up like the Nuggets did for Mitchell and the Clippers did for Shai, if they think there's a special player there. It's not that many spots to move into that 10-15 range if they aren't there already.

I think Raptors will have opportunity to add another pick or swap to get into lottery.

There is just too much smoke around OG over the last year.

Pelicans, Indiana, Portland, Washington, and possibly Orlando and Chicago, if they get top 4, could all be possible trade partners.

Said it many times, no roster spot.
There is literally no way the Raptors trade away the most complimenting player connecting with Siakam and Barnes. If we are trading OG, we are most likely trading Siakam ahead.

[Dalek]

We're not getting Hendricks, this team flushed the draft down the toilet the second MLSE decided they want their Playoff profits at all cost which is why we got Poeltl despite sitting in the top 6 in the draft majority of the year & the real reason why none of Fred, Gary or OG we're moved despite endless rumours, not because they weren't good offers, all reports contradict that. Instead they decided we're ok being mid as long as it profits....this team is THE definition of a MID team. Just a mediocre team that's nothing more than a "tough out" due to the effort they play with but don't have the talent to keep up when everyone's effort and coaching is at their best in the Playoffs.

We're going to need INCREDIBLE luck for any top prospect to slip through to us in the draft. Typically they're snatched in the 10-15 range, see SGA, Booker, Mitchell, Klay and now Jalen Williams (who is exactly who I said I was praying we'd draft and stay out of the Playoffs for). I'm not saying Hendricks is that guy (he could be) but odds are way against us being the benefactor of a slept on prospect because usually at the back end of the lottery teams are willing to take a flyer over guys who look to be "NBA ready" good role players ie/ Kris Murray and also why I like Cason Wallace but not in love with him as our pick, seems like he'll obviously be an important rotation player but this team doesn't just need to swap out Gary with a better defending player.....we NEED another star and we could've at least given ourselves a chance had we stayed the course, we'd likely be picking anywhere from 6-12 and I would've liked our odds of coming out with a VERY good player. Now I suspect we will get a good player but not a real difference maker & ceiling raiser. Again just praying for a fluke but the players that should be where we likely land (ie/ 15-17), aren't all that intriguing to me unless maybe we drafted GG Jackson and turned him into the height of his potential. Overall just a depressing forecast ahead for this franchise and disappointing because we did it to ourselves. I would've felt a lot better about this team had we stayed the course both last year & this year, we'd likely have one of Jalen, AJ or Branham right now with another top prospect otw, instead it's 1st rd profits or die trying!

I think everyone here is now overrating Hendricks a bit. I don't see him a high lottery lock so Toronto might be able to get him. The only guy I really hate to miss out on is Cason Wallace. Given the Kentucky guard phenomena, I expect him to be better than in college.

In the 12-17 range, which is where I think Toronto ends up, you can get a project with star upside in GG Jackson or Jett Howard, which won't give immediate returns, but both have huge scoring potential. Curious how Toronto would value a guy like Bilal Coulibaly who is very toolsy and has some star upside just watching his strides and speed with the ball at his size - also at 18 I am not sure if he is done growing.

Watch on YouTube

I will say that the draft media is a bit too freshman heavy in their mocks. One guy completely forgotten like Mouhamed Gueye is completely forgotten, but he has star upside as a stretch four/five who I like better than Flip.

Watch on YouTube

;t=38s

[ArthurVandelay]

The Raptors can just trade up like the Nuggets did for Mitchell and the Clippers did for Shai, if they think there's a special player there. It's not that many spots to move into that 10-15 range if they aren't there already.

I think Raptors will have opportunity to add another pick or swap to get into lottery.

There is just too much smoke around OG over the last year.

Pelicans, Indiana, Portland, Washington, and possibly Orlando and Chicago, if they get top 4, could all be possible trade partners.

Said it many times, no roster spot.
There is literally no way the Raptors trade away the most complimenting player connecting with Siakam and Barnes. If we are trading OG, we are most likely trading Siakam ahead.

There are only 7 guaranteed contracts and one player option for 2022-23. Between that and ability to carry 20 players in the summer, if they want to make a trade(s), roster spots won’t be the limiting factor.

I’ll be extremely disappointed if they bring back this team as currently is. I’m all for patience, but I’m also for accountability and cutting losses.

[Rapsfan07]

'Relevant scorer' is what I said, so this has nothing to do with the quality of player overall. Plenty of really impactful players that aren't in the top 100 scorers in the NBA. I would bet against comps like Poole (also had a really low p/40 in his draft year), because those are exceptions. Those aren't good bets.

Well, we have to make a bet somewhere.

True, but I'll bet on better numbers. The low p/40 players that break out into scoring roles in the NBA are majority raw athlete type lotto picks. Teams are incentivized to develop these picks because when they bust it makes them look worse.

Who would you rather take risk on in the middle of the draft?

[Indeed]

I think Raptors will have opportunity to add another pick or swap to get into lottery.

There is just too much smoke around OG over the last year.

Pelicans, Indiana, Portland, Washington, and possibly Orlando and Chicago, if they get top 4, could all be possible trade partners.

Said it many times, no roster spot.
There is literally no way the Raptors trade away the most complimenting player connecting with Siakam and Barnes. If we are trading OG, we are most likely trading Siakam ahead.

There are only 7 guaranteed contracts and one player option for 2022-23. Between that and ability to carry 20 players in the summer, if they want to make a trade(s), roster spots won’t be the limiting factor.

I’ll be extremely disappointed if they bring back this team as currently is. I’m all for patience, but I’m also for accountability and cutting losses.

20 players in summer only, you have to waive someone at a cost afterward, I assume (since you need to take back salary). Or we are not re-signing someone, which I feel we would lose more than making a marginal trade. In this weak draft, you are really looking at a top 5 pick to compensate for OG (and just for OG), losing anyone from free agent will actually lower our talent level (current & future).

Your claim of "all for patience" doesn't sound right, as the current problem is Barnes not capable of defending nor scoring and need more time to develop, yet, you think we need a change now, which is pretty contradicting.

[Rapsfan07]

I think Raptors will have opportunity to add another pick or swap to get into lottery.

There is just too much smoke around OG over the last year.

Pelicans, Indiana, Portland, Washington, and possibly Orlando and Chicago, if they get top 4, could all be possible trade partners.

Said it many times, no roster spot.
There is literally no way the Raptors trade away the most complimenting player connecting with Siakam and Barnes. If we are trading OG, we are most likely trading Siakam ahead.

There are only 7 guaranteed contracts and one player option for 2022-23. Between that and ability to carry 20 players in the summer, if they want to make a trade(s), roster spots won’t be the limiting factor.

I’ll be extremely disappointed if they bring back this team as currently is. I’m all for patience, but I’m also for accountability and cutting losses.

I couldn't agree more.

Also, I wouldn't be too sure about moving OG before moving Siakam. Masai and Co. were very clear about their feelings around Siakam when they moved a lightly protected 1st and this year's second (as good as a first in this draft) for an expiring Poeltl. They didn't make a move for his best friend AND make the team better for 6 months just to turn around and move Siakam in the summer. I can personally guarantee you that will not happen.

Then you have to consider the fact that there has been quite a bit of smoke around OG's unhappiness with his role on this team AND that outside of moving either him or Barnes, we literally have NO way to improve this team. Everyone else is either expiring (FVV, Trent, Poeltl) and/or necessary for winning both now and in the future (Siakam & Barnes). So the only guy who doesn't fit is OG.

Consider the payroll as well. Trent, FVV & Poeltl are all looking for new contracts this summer, OG and Siakam are next year (we could see Siakam being worth the max) and then Barnes the year after. We can't keep them all and be a contender at the same time. This team is very much at a stalemate and in order to break it, we need to either get extremely lucky in this draft (seeing as we do not have a pick next year) or rebuild. Again, this is why so many of us wanted to rebuild.

I've mentioned that I think Indiana, Portland and Utah are good trading spots for OG as they both have multiple picks in this draft. Chicago is a decent landing space for Vanvleet as well.

As for our pick, all we have to do is keep losing. If we can guarantee ourselves a Top 10 pick, that's all we need. If you can't grab Hendricks or Wallace (or both if you like them that much), then you can move back and grab some of the better role players toward the back end of the draft.

[Rapsfan07]

We're not getting Hendricks, this team flushed the draft down the toilet the second MLSE decided they want their Playoff profits at all cost which is why we got Poeltl despite sitting in the top 6 in the draft majority of the year & the real reason why none of Fred, Gary or OG we're moved despite endless rumours, not because they weren't good offers, all reports contradict that. Instead they decided we're ok being mid as long as it profits....this team is THE definition of a MID team. Just a mediocre team that's nothing more than a "tough out" due to the effort they play with but don't have the talent to keep up when everyone's effort and coaching is at their best in the Playoffs.

We're going to need INCREDIBLE luck for any top prospect to slip through to us in the draft. Typically they're snatched in the 10-15 range, see SGA, Booker, Mitchell, Klay and now Jalen Williams (who is exactly who I said I was praying we'd draft and stay out of the Playoffs for). I'm not saying Hendricks is that guy (he could be) but odds are way against us being the benefactor of a slept on prospect because usually at the back end of the lottery teams are willing to take a flyer over guys who look to be "NBA ready" good role players ie/ Kris Murray and also why I like Cason Wallace but not in love with him as our pick, seems like he'll obviously be an important rotation player but this team doesn't just need to swap out Gary with a better defending player.....we NEED another star and we could've at least given ourselves a chance had we stayed the course, we'd likely be picking anywhere from 6-12 and I would've liked our odds of coming out with a VERY good player. Now I suspect we will get a good player but not a real difference maker & ceiling raiser. Again just praying for a fluke but the players that should be where we likely land (ie/ 15-17), aren't all that intriguing to me unless maybe we drafted GG Jackson and turned him into the height of his potential. Overall just a depressing forecast ahead for this franchise and disappointing because we did it to ourselves. I would've felt a lot better about this team had we stayed the course both last year & this year, we'd likely have one of Jalen, AJ or Branham right now with another top prospect otw, instead it's 1st rd profits or die trying!

I think everyone here is now overrating Hendricks a bit. I don't see him a high lottery lock so Toronto might be able to get him. The only guy I really hate to miss out on is Cason Wallace. Given the Kentucky guard phenomena, I expect him to be better than in college.

In the 12-17 range, which is where I think Toronto ends up, you can get a project with star upside in GG Jackson or Jett Howard, which won't give immediate returns, but both have huge scoring potential. Curious how Toronto would value a guy like Bilal Coulibaly who is very toolsy and has some star upside just watching his strides and speed with the ball at his size - also at 18 I am not sure if he is done growing.

Watch on YouTube

I will say that the draft media is a bit too freshman heavy in their mocks. One guy completely forgotten like Mouhamed Gueye is completely forgotten, but he has star upside as a stretch four/five who I like better than Flip.

Watch on YouTube

;t=38s

I have been thinking quite a bit about Coulibaly. Lots of people on here like Rupert but I wonder, if there's love for Rupert, why not go for Coulibaly? They're similar prospects with Coulibaly being younger and likely available later in the draft.

But yeah as for picking in the 10-12 range, I would absolutely take Wallace over Hendricks if I had to pick one.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Not impressed at all by that footage of Bilal Coulibaly, something's off with him. Takes him a long time to get his shot off, doesn't seem to have an extra gear that would provide the necessary underlying athleticism to make you want to develop him. He processes the action a tick slow. He's 3 years away from being 3 years away.

[Indeed]

Said it many times, no roster spot.
There is literally no way the Raptors trade away the most complimenting player connecting with Siakam and Barnes. If we are trading OG, we are most likely trading Siakam ahead.

There are only 7 guaranteed contracts and one player option for 2022-23. Between that and ability to carry 20 players in the summer, if they want to make a trade(s), roster spots won’t be the limiting factor.

I’ll be extremely disappointed if they bring back this team as currently is. I’m all for patience, but I’m also for accountability and cutting losses.

I couldn't agree more.

Also, I wouldn't be too sure about moving OG before moving Siakam. Masai and Co. were very clear about their feelings around Siakam when they moved a lightly protected 1st and this year's second (as good as a first in this draft) for an expiring Poeltl. They didn't make a move for his best friend AND make the team better for 6 months just to turn around and move Siakam in the summer. I can personally guarantee you that will not happen.

Then you have to consider the fact that there has been quite a bit of smoke around OG's unhappiness with his role on this team AND that outside of moving either him or Barnes, we literally have NO way to improve this team. Everyone else is either expiring (FVV, Trent, Poeltl) and/or necessary for winning both now and in the future (Siakam & Barnes). So the only guy who doesn't fit is OG.

Consider the payroll as well. Trent, FVV & Poeltl are all looking for new contracts this summer, OG and Siakam are next year (we could see Siakam being worth the max) and then Barnes the year after. We can't keep them all and be a contender at the same time. This team is very much at a stalemate and in order to break it, we need to either get extremely lucky in this draft (seeing as we do not have a pick next year) or rebuild. Again, this is why so many of us wanted to rebuild.

I've mentioned that I think Indiana, Portland and Utah are good trading spots for OG as they both have multiple picks in this draft. Chicago is a decent landing space for Vanvleet as well.

As for our pick, all we have to do is keep losing. If we can guarantee ourselves a Top 10 pick, that's all we need. If you can't grab Hendricks or Wallace (or both if you like them that much), then you can move back and grab some of the better role players toward the back end of the draft.

I don't see how OG is unhappy about his role, and there is no evidence. We also provided a lot of opportunities for him to create (posting up, PnR handler, etc.), but his play type of those are among bottom, and pretty sure he knows it as well.

Meanwhile, OG is the best fit with Siakam and Barnes, as neither Siakam and Barnes can guard elite scorer, so we need someone with his skill set who can also stretch the floor, and our success plan (Achiuwa?) isn't even close being that role.

As for the return, it doesn't make us better. Clearly those who doesn't like our record isn't accepting how Barnes has been developed. Our defensive issue has been pretty much Barnes mistakes, which is pretty much costing us games. Now adding more rookies would solve that?

If you are trading OG with assets for Brown, I can understand this can improve the team. Trading OG for a rookie? And that rookie maybe projected as OG (teams are willing to give up a pick better than the player they trade for)? Sorry, I don't see how that is an improvement, it seems to be the same talent level.

[WuTang_CMB]

Even with better on court play with Poeltl, I just don't see how they bring everyone back then just add a 1st rd pick + trade for better bench help. We will be a LT team if not borderline. I just don't see it happening.

I expect Masai to shake up the team in the off-season and I wouldn't at all be shocked if Siakam was moved for a mega package. Trading FVV/Trent in S and T wont net much IMO, trading OG for 3 picks is fun sure but we aren't tanking next season so dont think it makes much sense anymore. Siakam is the guy to really bring in favorable assets of picks / players IMO.

[Yallbecrazy]

Even with better on court play with Poeltl, I just don't see how they bring everyone back then just add a 1st rd pick + trade for better bench help. We will be a LT team if not borderline. I just don't see it happening.

I expect Masai to shake up the team in the off-season and I wouldn't at all be shocked if Siakam was moved for a mega package. Trading FVV/Trent in S and T wont net much IMO, trading OG for 3 picks is fun sure but we aren't tanking next season so dont think it makes much sense anymore. Siakam is the guy to really bring in favorable assets of picks / players IMO.

Next year really is the worst year to tank too (not that we would without a first rnd pick)the draft being supposedly worse than this one although you never know who might come from nowhere.

[grant101]

Not impressed at all by that footage of Bilal Coulibaly, something's off with him. Takes him a long time to get his shot off, doesn't seem to have an extra gear that would provide the necessary underlying athleticism to make you want to develop him. He processes the action a tick slow. He's 3 years away from being 3 years away.

Couldn' t disagree more. His shot prep is a little slow, but the shot itself is clean and demonstrates touch. He's also just 18 with crazy long arms and is obviously still growing into his body. His reactions on drives on the other-hand are super impressive. He's both very instinctive and skilled. Also, the stonger he gets, the more he'll be able to leverage that frame on bully drives. Like any prospect, there's a lot of projecting, but the "3 years away" cliche is lazy and IMO wrong.

[WuTang_CMB]

Even with better on court play with Poeltl, I just don't see how they bring everyone back then just add a 1st rd pick + trade for better bench help. We will be a LT team if not borderline. I just don't see it happening.

I expect Masai to shake up the team in the off-season and I wouldn't at all be shocked if Siakam was moved for a mega package. Trading FVV/Trent in S and T wont net much IMO, trading OG for 3 picks is fun sure but we aren't tanking next season so dont think it makes much sense anymore. Siakam is the guy to really bring in favorable assets of picks / players IMO.

Next year really is the worst year to tank too (not that we would without a first rnd pick)the draft being supposedly worse than this one although you never know who might come from nowhere.

Which is fine. They showed their hand this year by not stealth tanking and trading next yrs pick. But the pressure is on this off-season to really improve the club to be a legit top 4 club. Can't really afford to bring everyone back then have similar 7/11 results. We fked up this year - it happens. But we can't be in the thick of NBA purgatory for a second straight year while being an LT team.

Hoping this pick is a good one or package it with Siakam for something better.

[grant101]

We're not getting Hendricks, this team flushed the draft down the toilet the second MLSE decided they want their Playoff profits at all cost which is why we got Poeltl despite sitting in the top 6 in the draft majority of the year & the real reason why none of Fred, Gary or OG we're moved despite endless rumours, not because they weren't good offers, all reports contradict that. Instead they decided we're ok being mid as long as it profits....this team is THE definition of a MID team. Just a mediocre team that's nothing more than a "tough out" due to the effort they play with but don't have the talent to keep up when everyone's effort and coaching is at their best in the Playoffs.

We're going to need INCREDIBLE luck for any top prospect to slip through to us in the draft. Typically they're snatched in the 10-15 range, see SGA, Booker, Mitchell, Klay and now Jalen Williams (who is exactly who I said I was praying we'd draft and stay out of the Playoffs for). I'm not saying Hendricks is that guy (he could be) but odds are way against us being the benefactor of a slept on prospect because usually at the back end of the lottery teams are willing to take a flyer over guys who look to be "NBA ready" good role players ie/ Kris Murray and also why I like Cason Wallace but not in love with him as our pick, seems like he'll obviously be an important rotation player but this team doesn't just need to swap out Gary with a better defending player.....we NEED another star and we could've at least given ourselves a chance had we stayed the course, we'd likely be picking anywhere from 6-12 and I would've liked our odds of coming out with a VERY good player. Now I suspect we will get a good player but not a real difference maker & ceiling raiser. Again just praying for a fluke but the players that should be where we likely land (ie/ 15-17), aren't all that intriguing to me unless maybe we drafted GG Jackson and turned him into the height of his potential. Overall just a depressing forecast ahead for this franchise and disappointing because we did it to ourselves. I would've felt a lot better about this team had we stayed the course both last year & this year, we'd likely have one of Jalen, AJ or Branham right now with another top prospect otw, instead it's 1st rd profits or die trying!

I think everyone here is now overrating Hendricks a bit. I don't see him a high lottery lock so Toronto might be able to get him. The only guy I really hate to miss out on is Cason Wallace. Given the Kentucky guard phenomena, I expect him to be better than in college.

In the 12-17 range, which is where I think Toronto ends up, you can get a project with star upside in GG Jackson or Jett Howard, which won't give immediate returns, but both have huge scoring potential. Curious how Toronto would value a guy like Bilal Coulibaly who is very toolsy and has some star upside just watching his strides and speed with the ball at his size - also at 18 I am not sure if he is done growing.

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I will say that the draft media is a bit too freshman heavy in their mocks. One guy completely forgotten like Mouhamed Gueye is completely forgotten, but he has star upside as a stretch four/five who I like better than Flip.

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Hendricks can be a solid piece, one that I'd love to add to this roster, but agreed that he's become a little too overrated by some. I see a slightly taller Robert Convington (with the potential to be a little more down the line if everything breaks right).

GG Jackson terrifies me. I have no idea what to make of him. He's super young and obviously skilled so has the potential to develop into a star, but the risk seems too great. Who is going to give him the minutes and reps he needs to develop to his potential?

I love aspects of Jett Howard's game. The ball handling, passing and shooting are great....the defence on the other hand is really really bad. He'd be a tough fit on this team.

I'm fascinated by Coulibably (and imagine Masai would be as well). I'm eager to track how he performs over the next few weeks now that he's with the big club. In any case, the tools and demonstrated improvement he showed with the junior club suggest a super intriguing pre-draft candidate. I imagine he goes top 10 next year if he pulls out.

Love Mo Gueye as an undrafted guy. He's inconsistent, but if he can finally put everything together he's got a real chance to be a player. The skillset is there. I agree with the star-upside, but would rather not spend a pick to take that bet

[BoyzNTheHood]

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[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Bilal blowing by defenders in those vids has more to do with how poorly he was defended rather than showing special dribble penetration and finishing ability. France's U21 league is filled with scrubs. So many times he's just completely uncontested driving to the rim because of a poor defensive rotation or some form of bad defending. Envisioning what he would be doing as a college freshman I don't see him pulling most of that stuff off against NCAA competition. He's too raw for my liking and he's 3 years away from being 3 years away, it's just facts. That's assuming he actually develops his game and his body enough to be successful to any degree against NBA competition.