2023 Draft Discussion Part 4

[bboyskinnylegs]

Omoruyi is weak offensively, no shooting. Rim runs, dunks, put backs is his offense. I don't really see him as anything but a bench big maybe.

looks like another Biyombo. Hopefully not another Freddie Gillespie

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Omoruyi is weak offensively, no shooting. Rim runs, dunks, put backs is his offense. I don't really see him as anything but a bench big maybe.

I watched him a few times. Nothing there IMO.

[PhilBlackson]

Little part of me (cue Jim Carrey meme) that's still holding onto minor hope that we're gonna fluke into the top 4 again on Tuesday.

[Tofubeque]

Little part of me (cue Jim Carrey meme) that's still holding onto minor hope that we're gonna fluke into the top 4 again on Tuesday.

I wonder what the most unlikely b2b lottery results in history were. Magic in 92 and 93 moved up from 2nd then 11th, 15.2% then 1.5%

[Rapsfan07]

Little part of me (cue Jim Carrey meme) that's still holding onto minor hope that we're gonna fluke into the top 4 again on Tuesday.

Lowkey have a feeling we will

[niQ]

Not sure if already mentioned but Tankathon updated their mock draft: https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Spoiler:

Now have the Raps taking Jordan Hawkins.

[Raptorfan2012]

Not sure if already mentioned but Tankathon updated their mock draft: https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Spoiler:

Now have the Raps taking Jordan Hawkins.

Just hit the Tankathon Sim and got Raptors the 2nd overall pick on the first attempt! Let’s Go!

But yeah afterwards, seems like this site has us picking either Hawkins or Brice S. at 13; Im fine with either choice.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[niQ]

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[Lord_Zedd]

Not sure if already mentioned but Tankathon updated their mock draft: https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Spoiler:

Now have the Raps taking Jordan Hawkins.

Somehow I can see Gradey Dick or Cason Wallace fall in our laps now. Washington is going to do something stupid as usual in the lottery, and Dallas never had a clue what they're doing in the lottery either - minus the obvious Luka pick.

But Jordan Hawkins..... Rather just get Brice since he's the tallest guy with the same skillset as those other SGs, and Brice is actually good at it.

[KillaSham23]

I like Jordan Hawkins. I think Wallace would be a solid get but the shooting fit makes me a little worried. Hawkins fits perfectly with Scottie

[WuTang_CMB]

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20. GG Jackson (South Carolina, PF, Freshman)

Jackson should be salivating at the idea of predraft workouts, a favorable setting for him to showcase his shot-making and help NBA teams forget about the inefficient scoring numbers and ugly assist-to-turnover ratio. It's worth taking them into consideration, as they reflected Jackson's tough shot selection, struggles in traffic and decision-making. But he still hit 55 threes and 45 pull-ups as a 6'9", 18-year-old with enough ball-handling skill to project on-ball creation potential. An ideal landing spot may be one that gives him early minutes and the freedom to play through mistakes.

19. Bilal Coulibaly (Metropolitans 92, SF, 2004)

Coulibaly continues to produce in a supporting role for a Victor Wembanyama-led Mets 92 team headed to the Pro A playoffs. He won't be at the combine with his season still going, but he's generated enough attention with his explosive finishes, spot-up shooting and defensive flashes to earn first-round consideration.

18. Branden Podziemski (Santa Clara, PG/SG, Sophomore)

While Podziemski has shed the sleeper label, some teams may hope that he doesn't scrimmage and increase his chances of moving up boards. There will be others who want more proof that the Santa Clara sophomore can light up a floor full of second-round prospects. An ultra efficient 60.2 true shooting percentage should help validate the 19.9 points per game that were generated off advanced creation, touch and shot-making. His 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game can also alleviate concerns over his frame and defense.

17. Jett Howard (Michigan, SG/SF, Freshman)

Scouts buy Howard's shot-making, question his creation and knock his defense. The versatility to shoot off the catch, dribble and movement will represent his NBA calling card. A lack of ancillary stats (2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.7 blocks) bring up concerns over his athletic limitations and additional avenues for upside. He should be more heavily targeted by teams looking for perimeter and off-ball scoring.

16. Dariq Whitehead (Duke, SG/SF, Freshman)

News that Whitehead will undergo another foot surgery to fix an unhealed injury can actually be viewed as positive. It gives credence to the idea that he wasn't at full strength this year while struggling to get to and finish at the rim. Whitehead still shot 42.9 percent from three, while high-school tape shows more flashes of self-creation and athleticism than we saw this year from a player who was clearly limited by his foot and role. There will be teams who see too much risk, but all it takes is one to buy low on a 6'6" 18-year-old with proven shot-making, untapped scoring and strong defensive tools.

15. Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas, PG/SG, Freshman)

Teams will want Smith to participate in scrimmages and competitive workouts, though neither will happen. He'll hope to use a lack of continuity (caused by a knee injury) as an excuse, as scouts have soured on the 6'5", 185-pound guard who shot 37.6 percent and totaled 29 assists to 27 turnovers. High school results and the eye test still point to a shot-maker who's far more advanced than the small sample size of freshman numbers suggests. Promising spot-up shooting and cutting flashes should also ease concerns over his on-ball questions and overall fit.

14. Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State, SG, Freshman)

While a lack of passing and defense reduce Sensabaugh's offensive margin for error, his scoring efficiency and shot-making versatility were overwhelmingly sharp. He shot 45.8 off the catch, 46.1 percent off the dribble and 51.1 percent from the post, with the latter stat highlighting his ability to hit tougher, off-balance jumpers. While it's worth questioning how much space he'll consistently create, Sensabaugh didn't need much to average 16.3 points in just 24.5 minutes.

13. Kobe Bufkin (Michigan, PG/SG, Sophomore)

Bufkin has enough NBA support to be able to skip NBA combine scrimmages. But the consensus is he's more of a No. 15-30 prospect, as there are still some questions about his potential to create separation and shoot NBA threes. I'm higher on Bufkin and his shot-making, along with his two-way playmaking instincts and outstanding 71.1 percent finishing at the rim. His 48.9 percentage on long twos and 84.9 free-throw percentage ultimately bode well for his shooting development.

12. Anthony Black (Arkansas, PG/SG, Freshman)

NBA teams aren't likely to find new takeaways about Black during the predraft process, considering his pitch mostly focuses on documented positional size and instincts/timing that can only be felt during five-on-five. He could help himself by shooting well in workouts, though regardless, teams figure to look at Black as a two-way playmaker who'll impact games without shot-making firepower, using his passing and defensive IQ and off-ball finishing.

11. Keyonte George (Baylor, SG, Freshman)

George's shot selection and inconsistent shooting may lead teams to see him more as a Jordan Poole type with the instant offense and vulnerability caused by a heavy diet of contested jumpers. The streakiness could turn off top-10 teams. But in the late lottery and mid-first round, there should be enough interest in George's self-creation and shot-making firepower, along with the flashes of breakdown penetration and secondary playmaking. The payoff with George seems most likely to come toward the end of his rookie deal.

[goinrogue]

100% believe the league will rig the draft to get their chosen team wemby (flame away) but I can see Toronto leaping to pick 4.

[DG88]

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[Lord_Zedd]

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft

The Ringer updated mock has us taking Keyonte George

[dozo]

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Stock Up:
Jazian Gortman, Overtime Elite (6’2”, 174 lbs., 6’10” Wingspan) *Earned Combine Invite*Day 1 Stats: 10 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 3/7 FG, ½ 3P, 3/3 FT, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOV, 5 PFDay 2 Stats: 11 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 4/10 FG, ⅓ 3P, 2/2 FT, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TOV, 4 PF

Jazian Gortman came into Elite Camp with a lot to prove given some open skepticism amongst public and private scouts regarding the competition level of the Overtime Elite Program. Overall, Gortman performed above and beyond ALL of my expectations, scoring in double digits both days while looking the part of a legitimate point guard prospect. His shiftiness and overall athletic ability, smooth pull-up jumper, and ability to take space and create open shots in ways other guards couldn’t during the weekend opened the eyes of many and put himself on two-way contract radars. Not to mention his playing of passing lanes to force steals in his first game matched with how he measured out (6’10” wingspan) and suggests potential on the defensive side of the ball as well. Gortman earned his invite up to the combine and could play in those scrimmages as well as he did at Elite Camp, possibly earning himself a draft selection in the second round.

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[Psubs]

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Is he going to the G-League? Or 1st round promise? Indiana?

[OakleyDokely]

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft

The Ringer updated mock has us taking Keyonte George

Just can't see them taking a 6'4 guy who shot 37% from the field.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Read on Twitter

Stock Up:
Jazian Gortman, Overtime Elite (6’2”, 174 lbs., 6’10” Wingspan) *Earned Combine Invite*Day 1 Stats: 10 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 3/7 FG, ½ 3P, 3/3 FT, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOV, 5 PFDay 2 Stats: 11 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 4/10 FG, ⅓ 3P, 2/2 FT, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TOV, 4 PF

Jazian Gortman came into Elite Camp with a lot to prove given some open skepticism amongst public and private scouts regarding the competition level of the Overtime Elite Program. Overall, Gortman performed above and beyond ALL of my expectations, scoring in double digits both days while looking the part of a legitimate point guard prospect. His shiftiness and overall athletic ability, smooth pull-up jumper, and ability to take space and create open shots in ways other guards couldn’t during the weekend opened the eyes of many and put himself on two-way contract radars. Not to mention his playing of passing lanes to force steals in his first game matched with how he measured out (6’10” wingspan) and suggests potential on the defensive side of the ball as well. Gortman earned his invite up to the combine and could play in those scrimmages as well as he did at Elite Camp, possibly earning himself a draft selection in the second round.

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Didn’t some scout or executive say that if he went to the NCAA he would have been invited to the green room for the draft? If that’s true OTE is making it very difficult to judge these guys skills

[720]

Tomorrow is a big day. If we don’t move up (which we likely won’t, thanks Bobby and Masai). Then we have to root for the Blazers or Dallas to get to that 3-4 spot. With those two teams they might look for a trade out of the lottery in that range for real talent to surround Lillard or Luka, those two teams also wouldn’t likely want Scoot since they already have two ball dominant guards. Fingers crossed Masai sees the vision and offers them Siakam if this scenario comes about.