2023 NBA Draft Prospects

SoCalJazzFan · Post #141 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:01 pm

Could Jordan Hawkins be that Bane or Devin Booker who gets drafted in the teens or later but outperforms his draft position?

Catchall · Post #142 » by **Catchall** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:54 pm

Hoops Addict wrote:Will any premium player fall down to #9 or #10 for the Jazz?

Will Cam Whitmore or Jarace Walker drop to us?

Someone is going to have to reach for Anthony Black, Gradey Dick or Keyonte George. Maybe Orlando? They're in the market for a guard.

Catchall · Post #143 » by **Catchall** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:56 pm

SoCalJazzFan wrote:Could Jordan Hawkins be that Bane or Devin Booker who gets drafted in the teens or later but outperforms his draft position?

He's functionally similar to Malik Monk as an off-movement shooter, imo. He's probably a bit bigger than Monk, but I'd like to see how he measures out. I think teens is the right range for him. He's literally the only prospect remaining in the NCAA tournament, which is why he's garnering attention.

babyjax13 · Post #144 » by **babyjax13** » Tue Mar 28, 2023 5:06 am

Inigo Montoya wrote:I may have to eat my words later but I'm not enamored with either of the Thompsons. I see the appeal though.

I think they are a really risky proposition, that said, I'm intrigued by Ausar because his shot has been improving as the year goes. I think I'd take him before Black or Cason. I still prefer Keyontae George, though.

Catchall · Post #145 » by **Catchall** » Sun Apr 2, 2023 2:57 am

Pels look great with Brandon Ingram running the offense. Ingram has 36 pts and 8 assists against LAC, and he's carving up the Clippers' defense. I get the sense that the Jazz would like to initiate from the wing like the Pels are right now. I wonder how much of that Gradey Dick can do.

If Dick can initiate as well as Ingram is currently, then he becomes an obvious pick for the Jazz.

babyjax13 · Post #146 » by **babyjax13** » Sun Apr 2, 2023 4:42 am

Catchall wrote:Pels look great with Brandon Ingram running the offense. Ingram has 36 pts and 8 assists against LAC, and he's carving up the Clippers' defense. I get the sense that the Jazz would like to initiate from the wing like the Pels are right now. I wonder how much of that Gradey Dick can do.

If Dick can initiate as well as Ingram is currently, then he becomes an obvious pick for the Jazz.

I don't think Dick can do any of that.

Catchall · Post #147 » by **Catchall** » Sun Apr 2, 2023 5:48 am

babyjax13 wrote:
Catchall wrote:Pels look great with Brandon Ingram running the offense. Ingram has 36 pts and 8 assists against LAC, and he's carving up the Clippers' defense. I get the sense that the Jazz would like to initiate from the wing like the Pels are right now. I wonder how much of that Gradey Dick can do.

If Dick can initiate as well as Ingram is currently, then he becomes an obvious pick for the Jazz.

I don't think Dick can do any of that.

I'm not sure. He might. He's got advanced feel and timing. He's had some nice passing sequences. He's not as crafty in general off the dribble as Ingram, but it wouldn't surprise me if he can initiate.

babyjax13 · Post #148 » by **babyjax13** » Sun Apr 2, 2023 6:00 am

Catchall wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:
Catchall wrote:Pels look great with Brandon Ingram running the offense. Ingram has 36 pts and 8 assists against LAC, and he's carving up the Clippers' defense. I get the sense that the Jazz would like to initiate from the wing like the Pels are right now. I wonder how much of that Gradey Dick can do.

If Dick can initiate as well as Ingram is currently, then he becomes an obvious pick for the Jazz.

I don't think Dick can do any of that.

I'm not sure. He might. He's got advanced feel and timing. He's had some nice passing sequences. He's not as crafty in general off the dribble as Ingram, but it wouldn't surprise me if he can initiate.

I think he'll be more of a connective piece than an initiator, but you are right that if he has that to his game he is a lot more interesting.

SoCalJazzFan · Post #149 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Thu Apr 6, 2023 5:35 pm

babyjax13 wrote:
Catchall wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:I don't think Dick can do any of that.

I'm not sure. He might. He's got advanced feel and timing. He's had some nice passing sequences. He's not as crafty in general off the dribble as Ingram, but it wouldn't surprise me if he can initiate.

I think he'll be more of a connective piece than an initiator, but you are right that if he has that to his game he is a lot more interesting.

I'm coming around to Dariq Whitehead, especially if he is 6'7". Disappointing year at Duke, but he had an injury to start the season and another midseason which hampered him, I think. He was a projected top 5 player in this draft before season started. Where is is mocked right now, he could be a steal. He can shoot the lights out from 3, arguably has more athleticism and potential upside than Dick. His senior year in HS (storied Monteverde Academy) had 4-5 asts in half of the games he played so he could play that off ball playmaker/facilitator role I think.

Catchall · Post #150 » by **Catchall** » Thu Apr 6, 2023 9:48 pm

SoCalJazzFan wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:
Catchall wrote:
I'm not sure. He might. He's got advanced feel and timing. He's had some nice passing sequences. He's not as crafty in general off the dribble as Ingram, but it wouldn't surprise me if he can initiate.

I think he'll be more of a connective piece than an initiator, but you are right that if he has that to his game he is a lot more interesting.

I'm coming around to Dariq Whitehead, especially if he is 6'7". Disappointing year at Duke, but he had an injury to start the season and another midseason which hampered him, I think. He was a projected top 5 player in this draft before season started. Where is is mocked right now, he could be a steal. He can shoot the lights out from 3, arguably has more athleticism and potential upside than Dick. His senior year in HS (storied Monteverde Academy) had 4-5 asts in half of the games he played so he could play that off ball playmaker/facilitator role I think.

I think he might measure out closer to 6'4" - 6'5", but I'll be interested to see.

Catchall · Post #151 » by **Catchall** » Sun Apr 9, 2023 2:56 pm

I've probably mentioned it before, but I'm having a hard time buying in on Anthony Black. I think he's a defensive-minded 2/3, rather than a guy who plays on the ball full time. His shooting splits right now line up with Mathisse Thybulle. His lack of shooting limits him off the dribble, and he doesn't have an in-between game. I can't say he's a triple threat guy, I'm not keen on bringing in a guard whose shooting and scoring makes him a project. We have a couple of those already.

Catchall · Post #152 » by **Catchall** » Sun Apr 9, 2023 3:19 pm

babyjax13 wrote:
Catchall wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:I don't think Dick can do any of that.

I'm not sure. He might. He's got advanced feel and timing. He's had some nice passing sequences. He's not as crafty in general off the dribble as Ingram, but it wouldn't surprise me if he can initiate.

I think he'll be more of a connective piece than an initiator, but you are right that if he has that to his game he is a lot more interesting.

Playmaking highlights at 8:08. The passing is fine. The question will be his handle and his ability to create off the dribble.

Watch on YouTube

SoCalJazzFan · Post #153 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 4:17 am

Catchall wrote:I've probably mentioned it before, but I'm having a hard time buying in on Anthony Black. I think he's a defensive-minded 2/3, rather than a guy who plays on the ball full time. His shooting splits right now line up with Mathisse Thybulle. His lack of shooting limits him off the dribble, and he doesn't have an in-between game. I can't say he's a triple threat guy, I'm not keen on bringing in a guard whose shooting and scoring makes him a project. We have a couple of those already.

I agree. He is a great passer, but his size is blinding people to his limitations.

Hoops Addict · Post #154 » by **Hoops Addict** » Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:03 pm

nICK sMITH.....will drop to the 9th or 15th pick maybe.

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/nick-smith/

NBA Comparison: Jamal Crawford
Strengths: 6’5 combo guard … Good size, length, and versatility for position. Can play on or off the ball … Hits shots off the dribble and just needs a little bit of space to get shot off. Quick release. Very dangerous midrange scorer with a very effective floater … Averaged 17.6 points per game on 49.2% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2021 … Good ball-handler, creates offense, and gets where he wants with his dribble, using either hand. Changes speed well with the ball and operates well in traffic. Stays under control when picking up speed … Sees the floor well, alert, and good passing ability. Knows his cross-court options as a passer. Good touch on lob passes … Defends well on and off the ball. Sits and consistently hounds the ball-handler. Fights over screens …

Weaknesses: Slight frame and can get stronger. Finishing at the rim at higher levels may be an obstacle … Good athlete and smooth but isn’t overly explosive … Although he shoots well from midrange and shot a respectable 37.5% 3PT% on 4.8 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL, he can improve 3PT shooting consistency … Can be too content for midrange shots/floaters rather than getting to the rim … Although rebounding isn’t a heavy role for a guard, he doesn’t stand out in that area and his 3.5 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 is below other guards of his caliber. Has the tools and gifts to improve in that area …

Hoops Addict · Post #155 » by **Hoops Addict** » Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:05 pm

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/dariq-whitehead/

Whitehead was a top hgih school player that missed the first half of the season to injury......shot 41% from 3.....is a strong and smooth athlete.....so the Jazz take a chance on him?

Hoops Addict · Post #156 » by **Hoops Addict** » Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:45 pm

Whitehead- Notes: Measured: 6’5.75” barefoot, 6’7.0” in shoes, 8’8.5” standing reach, 207.6 lbs, 6’9.5” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine …

Hoops Addict · Post #157 » by **Hoops Addict** » Thu Apr 13, 2023 11:13 pm

Dariq Whitehead, Duke
Dariq Whitehead celebrates a three for Duke in the NCAA Tournament
Image via Getty/Kevin Sabitus
Position: Guard/Wing
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 195 pounds
Age: 18

If Dariq Whitehead had a healthy season at Duke, he’d likely go in the top seven and as early at No. 5. We never really saw the real Dariq Whitehead at Duke even when he had big games. Whitehead didn’t come into Duke as a shooter but he shot the lights when he was on the floor, shooting 43% percent from deep.

bkohler · Post #158 » by **bkohler** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 1:11 pm

There’s quite a few others I’d prefer over whitehead, I think he’s a reach in the lower teens but If the second pick ends up at 17 I could see it

SoCalJazzFan · Post #159 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 4:26 pm

bkohler wrote:There’s quite a few others I’d prefer over whitehead, I think he’s a reach in the lower teens but If the second pick ends up at 17 I could see it

He was a projected top 5 pick in August before the college season began. He had two injuries, foot near beginning of the season and then a leg injury in January. Good chance that these injuries impeded his season quite a bit.

He is getting mocked in the late teens to mid-20s. He could be a steal with the TWolves pick, particularly if he can fill the role of SF.

Hoops Addict · Post #160 » by **Hoops Addict** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 5:40 pm

https://www.sportsbusinessclassroom.com/scouting-duke-forward-dariq-whitehead/

Last year Whitehead was the concensus #1 rated high school player. A broken foot and injuries prevente him from being the best. He shot 42% for 3 pointers, and if he heals ,,,,,,we could get him for a bargain with the 15th pick.

The 2021 No. 1 overall high school recruit made a name for himself with explosive athleticism and a smooth jumper. He also proved himself with a high IQ.

There was a time that Whitehead was seen as the best young prospect in the country and was a surefire lottery pick. Injuries have played a role in why he may be chosen later in the draft, perhaps in the late teens to 20s. But Whitehead could be the steal of the draft