The Official 2023 Draft Thread

[NatP4]

I have a tough time coming to a conclusion on Scoot. He’s got elite body control, elite passing, has a good motor, good character, high bball IQ guy, put up solid numbers against really good competition at a young age.

The questions are the lack of defensive impact, mostly due to being undersized, and his jumpshot just doesn’t look very projectable. There were some seasons in which John Wall shot a respectable catch and shoot figure and around 35% from 3, but we all know that it didn’t impact the way defenses guarded him. He could make mid range jumpshots, but he took WAY too many. That’s the go-to game for Scoot right now.

I actually think he’s a safe pick that simply might not have the upside that people are claiming he does. He’s a much better prospect than Jaden Ivey, who was the “future superstar” guard from last cycle. People forget that Wall was a defensive monster for about half of his career until he completely stopped trying on that end. He was an elite shot blocking guard that could blow up pick and rolls and even switch 1-5 at times.

There’s a lot less questions than a guy like Amen Thompson, who has not even proven that he knows how to play basketball. He’s just really athletic compared to random 16/17 year old high school players.

[Dat2U]

I must be crazy thinking I'd take Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson huh?

Undersized guard with elite athleticism that can't shoot, where have I seen this before?

The Scoot hype is too strong, but maybe I'm just disappointed how John Wall's tenure fizzled out.

I dunno, tough to be excited about the lottery or the draft in general with this organization.

They'll find a way to **** it up.

Miller really struggles to finish in half court sets and has a negative assist to TO ratio. Not ideal for a primary scoring option. I like him and would be happy with him but he has his warts, as does every non-Wemby prospect in this draft.

Wall also wasn't undersized. At 6-4 he was big for a PG. I don't consider Scoot small either. 6-2 is right about the cut off for an average sized PG.

[nate33]

I must be crazy thinking I'd take Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson huh?

Undersized guard with elite athleticism that can't shoot, where have I seen this before?

The Scoot hype is too strong, but maybe I'm just disappointed how John Wall's tenure fizzled out.

I dunno, tough to be excited about the lottery or the draft in general with this organization.

They'll find a way to **** it up.

Miller really struggles to finish in half court sets and has a negative assist to TO ratio. Not ideal for a primary scoring option. I like him and would be happy with him but he has his warts, as does every non-Wemby prospect in this draft.

Wall also wasn't undersized. At 6-4 he was big for a PG. I don't consider Scoot small either. 6-2 is right about the cut off for an average sized PG.

Yeah, 6-2 and built like a truck. With that kind of strength, he'll hold up in switches, which is the determinant whether you are "undersized" or not. Even 6-0 guys like Lowry and Brunson aren't particularly deleterious to the defense because they can switch onto 3's and 4's and not be shoved under the rim. But if you are really scrawny like Trae Young or Darius Garland, it's a problem.

[gambitx777]

I think this draft is trade back city. And I hope the new GM sees that!

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[Dat2U]

I think this draft is trade back city. And I hope the new GM sees that!

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

What about a trade out draft? Would anyone deal the #2 for LaMelo? I would give serious thought to it, I think his upside is still sky high and he can be a top 3 PG and top 15 player in the league.

Trae Young is another one I'd consider if we are drafting 3 or 4.

If we slip to 8 ... i think I keep the pick and take Taylor Hendricks (slight edge over Gradey Dick). Outside of Wemby, Taylor will be the best defensive player & shot blocker and he's definitely the best and most versatile shooter out the big men scouted.

I'm not against trading down in certain scenarios and there's guys I like later in the draft but I really do like a couple of prospects in that 8 range and would lean to just taking one of my two favs.

[payitforward]

I think this draft is trade back city. And I hope the new GM sees that!

What about a trade out draft? Would anyone deal the #2 for LaMelo? I would give serious thought to it, I think his upside is still sky high and he can be a top 3 PG and top 15 player in the league....

If we could get Lamelo for our pick, I'd do it in a minute.
But... we are unlikely to have the #2 pick. So... how about our pick plus Kuzma in a sign and trade deal that brings back Lamelo?

Solves a slew of problems.

In fact... Charlotte also has the #s 33, 39 & 41 picks. If we could acquire one of those along with Lamelo for our R1 pick & a player (but who? Maybe Wright or Morris?), I'd be very interested in that as well.

Or, depending on where our pick sits, would they be interested in our pick & Gafford for Lamelo & Mark Williams?

[NatP4]

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[Dat2U]

I think this draft is trade back city. And I hope the new GM sees that!

What about a trade out draft? Would anyone deal the #2 for LaMelo? I would give serious thought to it, I think his upside is still sky high and he can be a top 3 PG and top 15 player in the league....

If we could get Lamelo for our pick, I'd do it in a minute.
But... we are unlikely to have the #2 pick. So... how about our pick plus Kuzma in a sign and trade deal that brings back Lamelo?

Solves a slew of problems.

In fact... Charlotte also has the #s 33, 39 & 41 picks. If we could acquire one of those along with Lamelo for our R1 pick & a player (but who? Maybe Wright or Morris?), I'd be very interested in that as well.

Or, depending on where our pick sits, would they be interested in our pick & Gafford for Lamelo & Mark Williams?

Our pick & Kuz would not be possible since the draft is before FA. I would assume our pick would at least need to be top 4 and likely #2 to really have a shot. I like Scoot as prospect but see stardom in Melo so despite salary concerns its a deal I'd probably make.

My dream Kuz trade is a double S&T with the Nets for Cam Johnson. Cam is just the perfect 3&D in my eyes... basically another version of Otto Porter in his prime.

Then trade Beal for Harris, Maxey & 2 future 1sts.

G LaMelo Ball ... Monte Morris ... Jordan Goodwin
G Tyrese Maxey ... Delon Wright ... Johnny Davis
F Cam Johnson ... Corey Kispert
F Deni Avdija ... ??? ... Anthony Gill/Xavier Cooks
C Kristaps Porzingis ... Daniel Gafford

That's a young, exciting team with upside and a solid 9 man rotation.

[payitforward]

Absolutely! That would be a great set of moves!

[Jay81]

What about a trade out draft? Would anyone deal the #2 for LaMelo? I would give serious thought to it, I think his upside is still sky high and he can be a top 3 PG and top 15 player in the league....

If we could get Lamelo for our pick, I'd do it in a minute.
But... we are unlikely to have the #2 pick. So... how about our pick plus Kuzma in a sign and trade deal that brings back Lamelo?

Solves a slew of problems.

In fact... Charlotte also has the #s 33, 39 & 41 picks. If we could acquire one of those along with Lamelo for our R1 pick & a player (but who? Maybe Wright or Morris?), I'd be very interested in that as well.

Or, depending on where our pick sits, would they be interested in our pick & Gafford for Lamelo & Mark Williams?

Our pick & Kuz would not be possible since the draft is before FA. I would assume our pick would at least need to be top 4 and likely #2 to really have a shot. I like Scoot as prospect but see stardom in Melo so despite salary concerns its a deal I'd probably make.

My dream Kuz trade is a double S&T with the Nets for Cam Johnson. Cam is just the perfect 3&D in my eyes... basically another version of Otto Porter in his prime.

Then trade Beal for Harris, Maxey & 2 future 1sts.

G LaMelo Ball ... Monte Morris ... Jordan Goodwin
G Tyrese Maxey ... Delon Wright ... Johnny Davis
F Cam Johnson ... Corey Kispert
F Deni Avdija ... ??? ... Anthony Gill/Xavier Cooks
C Kristaps Porzingis ... Daniel Gafford

That's a young, exciting team with upside and a solid 9 man rotation.

why would philly give us all that for an injured overpaid beal?

[Dat2U]

If we could get Lamelo for our pick, I'd do it in a minute.
But... we are unlikely to have the #2 pick. So... how about our pick plus Kuzma in a sign and trade deal that brings back Lamelo?

Solves a slew of problems.

In fact... Charlotte also has the #s 33, 39 & 41 picks. If we could acquire one of those along with Lamelo for our R1 pick & a player (but who? Maybe Wright or Morris?), I'd be very interested in that as well.

Or, depending on where our pick sits, would they be interested in our pick & Gafford for Lamelo & Mark Williams?

Our pick & Kuz would not be possible since the draft is before FA. I would assume our pick would at least need to be top 4 and likely #2 to really have a shot. I like Scoot as prospect but see stardom in Melo so despite salary concerns its a deal I'd probably make.

My dream Kuz trade is a double S&T with the Nets for Cam Johnson. Cam is just the perfect 3&D in my eyes... basically another version of Otto Porter in his prime.

Then trade Beal for Harris, Maxey & 2 future 1sts.

G LaMelo Ball ... Monte Morris ... Jordan Goodwin
G Tyrese Maxey ... Delon Wright ... Johnny Davis
F Cam Johnson ... Corey Kispert
F Deni Avdija ... ??? ... Anthony Gill/Xavier Cooks
C Kristaps Porzingis ... Daniel Gafford

That's a young, exciting team with upside and a solid 9 man rotation.

why would philly give us all that for an injured overpaid beal?

Once Harden leaves they'll need to appease Embiid or risk him wanting out. Embiid really wanted Beal last year so why not?

[Rafael122]

It would have to be something like Harris and 1 of Melton/Maxey for Beal. I'd personally shoot for Maxey and I have no idea if the Wizards would get a better offer than that. Harris is an expiring and while Maxey is due for an extension, he's younger and his contract would still be cheaper than Beal's.

Sixers can't trade their 2024 since their '23 1st rounder is going to Utah unless it's on draft night 2024. Their '25 pick to OKC will probably convey, which means their '26 is off the table (until draft night), and their pick to BKN is due 2 years after their pick to OKC is due which in this exercise is 2027.

PG - Wright/Morris/Goodwin
SG - Maxey/Davis
SF - Deni/Kispert
PF - Harris/Gill/Todd/Cooks
C - KP/Gafford

I would probably flip Morris for a wing. Wright and Deni have to start to make up for the defensive issues Maxey has.

[payitforward]

It would have to be something like Harris and 1 of Melton/Maxey for Beal....

I'm not sure there's a lot coming back for Bradley Beal, tbh. That contract is a real disincentive. Harris expires next year, & Maxey is a very good player: what does Beal bring as an advantage over Maxey? The opposite if anything.

In any case, what we should be looking for in a Beal trade is the largest number of picks possible.

[doclinkin]

What about a trade out draft? Would anyone deal the #2 for LaMelo?


If we slip to 8 ... i think I keep the pick and take Taylor Hendricks (slight edge over Gradey Dick). Outside of Wemby, Taylor will be the best defensive player & shot blocker and he's definitely the best and most versatile shooter out the big men scouted.

I'm not against trading down in certain scenarios and there's guys I like later in the draft but I really do like a couple of prospects in that 8 range and would lean to just taking one of my two favs.

we are unlikely to have the #2 pick.

I think it's worth talking about scenarios where we are picking in the top 4 though. We are about as likely to pick there as we are to stick at 8 or slip to 9.

8th pick: 32.9% chance
9th pick: 31.1%
Top 4: 29%

Any one of 1,2,3 or 4 is about as likely as slipping to 10, basically a 7% chance for each.

I think a robust and lively discussion on options for those top picks is worth having.
Including listening to trade downs to that 8th pick range.

Me personally I have more interest in some of the picks mocked 7-10 than some of the hypertalents marked for earlier selection.

What if we jumped top 3 and the Spurs slipped to 6 (26% chance they fall there). Would they entertain moving up by trading 6 and 32? (Or Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando). What sort of package would be worth a tradeback to stay within the lotto.

[Rafael122]

What about a trade out draft? Would anyone deal the #2 for LaMelo?


If we slip to 8 ... i think I keep the pick and take Taylor Hendricks (slight edge over Gradey Dick). Outside of Wemby, Taylor will be the best defensive player & shot blocker and he's definitely the best and most versatile shooter out the big men scouted.

I'm not against trading down in certain scenarios and there's guys I like later in the draft but I really do like a couple of prospects in that 8 range and would lean to just taking one of my two favs.

we are unlikely to have the #2 pick.

I think it's worth talking about scenarios where we are picking in the top 4 though. We are about as likely to pick there as we are to stick at 8 or slip to 9.

8th pick: 32.9% chance
9th pick: 31.1%
Top 4: 29%

Any one of 1,2,3 or 4 is about as likely as slipping to 10, basically a 7% chance for each.

I think a robust and lively discussion on options for those top picks is worth having.
Including listening to trade downs to that 8th pick range.

Me personally I have more interest in some of the picks mocked 7-10 than some of the hypertalents marked for earlier selection.

What if we jumped top 3 and the Spurs slipped to 6 (26% chance they fall there). Would they entertain moving up by trading 6 and 32? (Or Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando). What sort of package would be worth a tradeback to stay within the lotto.

It would have to take a monumental offer for me to jump out of 3 to 6. You're going from Scoot, Miller or one of the Thompson Twins to Gradey Dick or Anthony Black. I'm asking for at least 1 of Johnson/Sochan/Vassell plus 6 plus another pick.

[NatP4]

9/16/28 from Utah.

Hands down that’s what I’m doing if I land 2/3/4. I would only consider picking Ausar at one of those picks. I think he has superstar upside, but I’d rather have 9/16/28.

Utah can take Scoot, who I do think will be a good player, but I’m taking Coulibaly/Cissoko/Podziemski. They will all continue to rise into those slots.

[Dat2U]

9/16/28 from Utah.

Hands down that’s what I’m doing if I land 2/3/4. I would only consider picking Ausar at one of those picks. I think he has superstar upside, but I’d rather have 9/16/28.

Utah can take Scoot, who I do think will be a good player, but I’m taking Coulibaly/Cissoko/Podziemski. They will all continue to rise into those slots.

Trading down 7 spots from the 2nd pick for a mid and late 1st seems like ***very poor value***. Especially when your (3) picks all projected to go late 1st/early 2nd. I could see Coulibaly going high as mid-1st but the other two are late 1sts at best.

Its fine wanting your guys. I'm not trading a rare top 2 pick to go mid-level prospect hunting. If I did love a guy later in draft, i'd probably try to use other assets outside a top 2 pick to try to make it happen.

[payitforward]

In any case, you're not getting 9, 16 & 28 for 2. Not even if this year, speculatively, #2 has special value. & especially not from a rebuilding team like Utah -- & double-especially not from Danny Ainge!

For that matter, 3 is not likely to bring 9 & 16. It might well bring, 9 & 28 plus a high R2 pick -- but Utah doesn't have one of those.

[NatP4]

9/16/28 from Utah.

Hands down that’s what I’m doing if I land 2/3/4. I would only consider picking Ausar at one of those picks. I think he has superstar upside, but I’d rather have 9/16/28.

Utah can take Scoot, who I do think will be a good player, but I’m taking Coulibaly/Cissoko/Podziemski. They will all continue to rise into those slots.

Trading down 7 spots from the 2nd pick for a mid and late 1st seems like ***very poor value***. Especially when your (3) picks all projected to go late 1st/early 2nd. I could see Coulibaly going high as mid-1st but the other two are late 1sts at best.

Its fine wanting your guys. I'm not trading a rare top 2 pick to go mid-level prospect hunting. If I did love a guy later in draft, i'd probably try to use other assets outside a top 2 pick to try to make it happen.

Box and one had Cissoko at 15 in his latest mock. A lot of people are now projecting him around 12ish, potentially to OKC. Coulibaly is rapidly rising. I’m not sure if you can get them both with 9&16. Coulibaly will end up going 8-12, Cissoko will go 12-18 range. Podziemski probably stays in the 20-30 range.

Very poor value is taking Taylor Hendricks or Cam Whitmore at 7/8. Yikes that would be bad. Picking Scoot over Miller&Thompson twins, has the potential to be very bad.

[NatP4]

In any case, you're not getting 9, 16 & 28 for 2. Not even if this year, speculatively, #2 has special value. & especially not from a rebuilding team like Utah -- & double-especially not from Danny Ainge!

For that matter, 3 is not likely to bring 9 & 16. It might well bring, 9 & 28 plus a high R2 pick -- but Utah doesn't have one of those.

Hard disagree. Maybe we have to throw in 42&59 to get 28 back.

2/42/59 for 9/16/28 maybe. Utah is absolutely a rebuilding team, that wants to add what they probably view as a “core building block” and marketable player like Scoot Henderson.

That is a very realistic trade