2023 Draft Discussion Part 4

[Ell Curry]

Picking for need based on the current roster is rarely a good idea, unless you're a contender who just needs to fill a specific role.

Just take the prospect who projects to be the best, even if that doesn't happen for a few years.

The only issue with this is that Masai probably sees Precious and Koloko as prospects who need playing time, whereas any sort of guard whatsoever who's even somewhat decent can get 15 minutes right away to develop, as our 3rd guard options (if you don't count OG, though he gets minutes at the 2 so he's like a 4th guard) are the MLE, Dowtin or Flynn.

[raincityraptors]

So I have watched a lot more film and some games on Youtube now and I have moved off my original pick of Jordan Hawkins because I think Kobe Bufkin could legitimately start beside Scottie, be the downhill threat we are missing on this team, play decent 2 way defense and grow into being a movement shooter. He is so young too.

I didn't think there would be a good PG left at our pick but Bufkin seems a lot more capable then he got a chance to show. All of the people calling for Bufkin from the start were right.

[gha4life]

I was really high on Sensabaugh earlier in the season because of his efficiency and three-level scoring potential, but moved off a bit because of his defense.

I'm slowly getting back on the bandwagon now because depending on his length I think you can hide him at the 4 or 5 cause he's built like a tank.

This guys past knee issues and his weight is a big red flag , love his game though

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[Thaddy]

NSJr is too skinny to be an effective NBA starter. He's going to be a sixth man at best or flame out like Bouknight did.

The pick is Cissoko. He's the obvious choice before Wallace, Hendricks, Whitmore, Black and several other high "potential" guys. If he's drafted watch him be the starting shooting guard come the start of the season.

Poeltl
Barnes
Achiuwa
Cissoko
VanVleet

This is the best case scenario. Siakam and OG are our highest value guys. Sell high and rebuild on the fly. Raise Fred's value and trade him if the season is lost. PF is Barnes natural position and he has the potential to be better than OG and Siakam in the next 2 years. Achiuwa is a more fluid player than OG and he has similar effectiveness on our defense.

[S ID]

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[HumbleRen]

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[PoundTown]

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?s=20

This kid's one of my favourites and it's not my Michigan bias, I wouldn't touch Jett. The main thing to understand with Kobe is the amount of improvement he's made in his two years, and until Jett went out this year, he was more or less deferred to as the team's third option and perimeter defensive specialist. His role was expanded once everyone saw what he could do halfway through the year when Jett went down with an injury. He is about same age Scottie was when he was drafted as well. He makes plays in the halfcourt that have the skill level and difficulty of NBA players shots. He is way stronger than when he arrived with a lot of length and room left to fill out.

He's in my shortlist at our spot along with Coulibaly and Dick.

[Psubs]

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Bufkin should 100% be drafted before JHS and Keyonte George. I say somewhere in the teens is good. He's a little more dynamic than Cason Wallace. Bufkin reminds me of Gilbert Arenas, who was drafted #31.

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[Jadoogar]

NSJr is too skinny to be an effective NBA starter. He's going to be a sixth man at best or flame out like Bouknight did.

The pick is Cissoko. He's the obvious choice before Wallace, Hendricks, Whitmore, Black and several other high "potential" guys. If he's drafted watch him be the starting shooting guard come the start of the season.

Poeltl
Barnes
Achiuwa
Cissoko
VanVleet

This is the best case scenario. Siakam and OG are our highest value guys. Sell high and rebuild on the fly. Raise Fred's value and trade him if the season is lost. PF is Barnes natural position and he has the potential to be better than OG and Siakam in the next 2 years. Achiuwa is a more fluid player than OG and he has similar effectiveness on our defense.

Unless the goal is to tank, that front court should never be playing together.

[BoyzNTheHood]

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[BoyzNTheHood]

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?s=20

Bufkin should 100% be drafted before JHS and Keyonte George. I say somewhere in the teens is good. He's a little more dynamic than Cason Wallace. Bufkin reminds me of Gilbert Arenas, who was drafted #31.

Watch on YouTube

I’m not sure Bufkin is in the same stratosphere as Gilbert Arenas as a prospect. During Gil’s college days the words combo guard was a red flag, now it’s an asset.

Gil also had an elite first step and was one of the most lethal long range shooters in NBA history. He also famously ranked the pre draft process.

[Psubs]

NSJr is too skinny to be an effective NBA starter. He's going to be a sixth man at best or flame out like Bouknight did.

The pick is Cissoko. He's the obvious choice before Wallace, Hendricks, Whitmore, Black and several other high "potential" guys. If he's drafted watch him be the starting shooting guard come the start of the season.

Poeltl
Barnes
Achiuwa
Cissoko
VanVleet

This is the best case scenario. Siakam and OG are our highest value guys. Sell high and rebuild on the fly. Raise Fred's value and trade him if the season is lost. PF is Barnes natural position and he has the potential to be better than OG and Siakam in the next 2 years. Achiuwa is a more fluid player than OG and he has similar effectiveness on our defense.

Achiuwa likely won't put it all together and be like a Boucher but can guard 2-5. I would trade Achiuwa while he's on his rookie contract (Precious for Isaiah Joe).

I feel like if Cissoko is legit 6'7 without shoes he's like a mashup of Jalen Rose and OG. Luol Deng with less wingpspan and layup package but more playmaking? They both are comfortable posting up and taking the ball from outside.

Watch on YouTube

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

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?s=20

This kid's one of my favourites and it's not my Michigan bias, I wouldn't touch Jett. The main thing to understand with Kobe is the amount of improvement he's made in his two years, and until Jett went out this year, he was more or less deferred to as the team's third option and perimeter defensive specialist. His role was expanded once everyone saw what he could do halfway through the year when Jett went down with an injury. He is about same age Scottie was when he was drafted as well. He makes plays in the halfcourt that have the skill level and difficulty of NBA players shots. He is way stronger than when he arrived with a lot of length and room left to fill out.

He's in my shortlist at our spot along with Coulibaly and Dick.

Considering he is the age of a freshman, I like Kobe a lot and his fast upward trajectory looks real. He needs a year in the g-league before you put him on your bench. He has a really good skillset foundation in place for a guard and the type of guard the Raptors need. He takes really good angles driving to the rim and is quick to act when he receives passes. His handle is really solid and he has good agility, I don't really care about anyone putting him down because he doesn't have an "elite first step", his ability to put the ball on the floor very quickly and head straight to the rim negates the criticism. He adds body strength and suddenly because of his willingness to get to the rim his ftR will increase and he is a great free throw shooter. He looks really good coming off screens and this could be the bread and butter of his offense as he matures as a player. He uses ball fakes well and shows a good amount of craftiness. The tools are there to be an average to above average defender while being a plus player on offense.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

NSJr is too skinny to be an effective NBA starter. He's going to be a sixth man at best or flame out like Bouknight did.

The pick is Cissoko. He's the obvious choice before Wallace, Hendricks, Whitmore, Black and several other high "potential" guys. If he's drafted watch him be the starting shooting guard come the start of the season.

Poeltl
Barnes
Achiuwa
Cissoko
VanVleet

This is the best case scenario. Siakam and OG are our highest value guys. Sell high and rebuild on the fly. Raise Fred's value and trade him if the season is lost. PF is Barnes natural position and he has the potential to be better than OG and Siakam in the next 2 years. Achiuwa is a more fluid player than OG and he has similar effectiveness on our defense.

[Dalek]

If you feel luke warm on these draft guard prospects, Jean Montero is a free agent we could look to steal from Europe who is only 19 and playing well in Spain. Consider what he is doing in one of the best leagues outside the NBA:

17.8 ppg (45/32/79, 55.3% TS)
4.1 ast (35.4 ast%)
3.1 Reb
1.6 stl (3.3 stl%)
25 mins

The guy is an excellent passer, 6'3 and pretty quick. He also is known for his defense. Kind of reminds me of Dennis Schroeder.

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[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I feel red hot on Kobe Bufkin if Cason Wallace isn't there.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

If Masai comes out of this draft with Wallace/Bufkin and Sasser I will bow down and never badmouth him ever again.

[Dalek]

If I think about who will be scorers in the NBA, NSJ if he stays healthy, and GG Jackson is another stand out to me. I know GG is the anti-analytics darling, but despite being the youngest guy playing in college he still managed:

15.4/5.9/0.8

The offensive bag is deep and I would say he reminds me a lot of Pascal Siakam. At age 18, he has years to go especially with passing and reading the game, but hard to ignore the handles and shot creation skill at his size. Play him at PF like Siakam did when he came in and make him be an energy guy who defends and rebounds and gets some chances to create on offense.

His defensive potential is very underrated:
-able to guard quicker guys and keep pace on the perimeter
-guards in the post without giving up space
-acts as a weakside shotblocker
-active rebounder

Watch on YouTube

GG under Pascal would be huge for him developmentally. He just needs coaching and playing on a better team than S. Carolina.

[Psubs]

If you feel luke warm on these draft guard prospects, Jean Montero is a free agent we could look to steal from Europe who is only 19 and playing well in Spain. Consider what he is doing in one of the best leagues outside the NBA:

17.8 ppg (45/32/79, 55.3% TS)
4.1 ast (35.4 ast%)
3.1 Reb
1.6 stl (3.3 stl%)
25 mins

The guy is an excellent passer, 6'3 and pretty quick. He also is known for his defense. Kind of reminds me of Dennis Schroeder.

Read on Twitter

He was a terrible 3pt shooter like Scottie Barnes, thus he wasn't mocked high. He was probably going to be valued around a Theo Maledon. Did he really starting shooting over 32%. With his past struggles, is he going to be able to keep that % over 30 as the line is moved out a few more inches?

He's a definite 2nd round draft pick if he delcares and bring him over in a year or 2.

[Psubs]

If I think about who will be scorers in the NBA, NSJ if he stays healthy, and GG Jackson is another stand out to me. I know GG is the anti-analytics darling, but despite being the youngest guy playing in college he still managed:

15.4/5.9/0.8

The offensive bag is deep and I would say he reminds me a lot of Pascal Siakam. At age 18, he has years to go especially with passing and reading the game, but hard to ignore the handles and shot creation skill at his size. Play him at PF like Siakam did when he came in and make him be an energy guy who defends and rebounds and gets some chances to create on offense.

His defensive potential is very underrated:
-able to guard quicker guys and keep pace on the perimeter
-guards in the post without giving up space
-acts as a weakside shotblocker
-active rebounder

Watch on YouTube

GG under Pascal would be huge for him developmentally. He just needs coaching and playing on a better team than S. Carolina.

He probably the best long-term (3-4 years) project this year, for a rebuilding team.

11. Orlando
12. OKC
13. Toronto

He shouldn't slip past #20 Houston.