2023 Draft Discussion Part 4

[WuTang_CMB]

OKC spent a lot time scouting Leonard Miller last year at Fort Erie. They probably would have taken him in the second round. Toronto did too and also interviewed him at the combine. I think based on the landscape of prospects at end of lotto, that Miller pops out the most due to his upside, nba body and improvement in the last 12 months. He was a nothing player this time last year.

Also, if Cason wallace gets past Dallas, I think its very real he drops to us.

[Psubs]

Just thinking about Sasser and where he ends up. My pick if I was a betting man would be Memphis.

Ja is going to be out for a while and they gotta keep afloat with Tyus Jones. Sasser is going to be able to play right away and he defends and shoots it so he can help in key areas.

Memphis should that the best forward/swingman available. GG Jackson if he falls, Kris Murray, Rupert, Sidy Cissoko.

[God Squad]

None of those guys are Masai types.

Coulibaly here we come.

See, that's who I want. But I've learned not to get my hopes up. Just constantly seeing these three bums in particular mocked to us bothers me.

I'd be shocked if he goes for them. Like even more shocked than when they went for Scottie.

I tend to agree. TBH it just seems that these "draft" guys are looking for spots to dump the polarizing guys. Example, I don't know where NS/JHS are going to be drafted, but I can easily see both of them falling to 15-20 area.

I'm a little more open to George, but not even close to being a top priority for us. Especially when I think there are simply better prospects.

[God Squad]

Givony new mock

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/37654799/2023-nba-mock-draft-projecting-all-58-picks-post-lottery

How did threading the needle work out for GS?

The Blazers are attempting to thread a tight needle between navigating Damian Lillard's prime and rehauling an increasingly young roster highlighted by the promises flashes displayed by last season's lottery pick, Shaedon Sharpe.

this mock is kinda shyt

OKC, TOR dumb picks for them

Just looking for spots to dump NS, George and JHS IMO. Wouldn't surprise me if Nick and Hood drop into the 16-20 area.

[Yallbecrazy]

OKC and TOR sorta like a lot of the same type of guys so it sucks they are directly in front of us.

Our needs are different, OKC needs bigs, rim protection, and shooting,
We need creation and shooting from guards.

[Mister Ze]

Portland is better off dealing Lillard than trading young assets to build around him.

[mtcan]

OKC spent a lot time scouting Leonard Miller last year at Fort Erie. They probably would have taken him in the second round. Toronto did too and also interviewed him at the combine. I think based on the landscape of prospects at end of lotto, that Miller pops out the most due to his upside, nba body and improvement in the last 12 months. He was a nothing player this time last year.

Also, if Cason wallace gets past Dallas, I think its very real he drops to us.

Leonard Miller fits the profile of a Masai Ujiri kind of pick. Tall, long wingspan and questionable basketball ability.

[God Squad]

I get enraged reading these tweets smdh

Read on Twitter

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Duff & Los will likely tell you Purdle was worth it and tanking doesn't work.

[WuTang_CMB]

Happy that Houston got 4. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon even if they get Harden.

Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson (as per mocks where they usually follow), Sengun, Eason

It's just a bunch of guys that need great coaching and patience.

[Duffman100]

I get enraged reading these tweets smdh

Read on Twitter

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Duff & Los will likely tell you Purdle was worth it and tanking doesn't work.

Does tanking work? What's the evidence?

[God Squad]

I get enraged reading these tweets smdh

Read on Twitter

?t=OahGxCpuTvmzG79NGQZPiw&s=19

Duff & Los will likely tell you Purdle was worth it and tanking doesn't work.

Does tanking work? What's the evidence?

Does tanking guarantee a championship? Of course not. But clearly you and Los see the roster completely different than I do. I see a depleted team, with subpar stars and depth. One of the most obvious teams in the league that needs to pivot from "making the play-offs/play-in" and focus on high lotto picks.

At the end of the day all this will be proven in a matter of time. & I firmly believe TwO will be right and whatever team your on begins to move goalposts.

[God Squad]

I get enraged reading these tweets smdh

Read on Twitter

?t=OahGxCpuTvmzG79NGQZPiw&s=19

Duff & Los will likely tell you Purdle was worth it and tanking doesn't work.

Does tanking work? What's the evidence?

You can't win the lotto if you don't play. We were sitting pretty in the 5-7 range. We literally punted odds and a draft pick for Purdle.

No exaggeration needed.

[Duffman100]

Duff & Los will likely tell you Purdle was worth it and tanking doesn't work.

Does tanking work? What's the evidence?

Does tanking guarantee a championship? Of course not. But clearly you and Los see the roster completely different than I do. I see a depleted team, with subpar stars and depth. One of the most obvious teams in the league that needs to pivot from "making the play-offs/play-in" and focus on high lotto picks.

At the end of the day all this will be proven in a matter of time. & I firmly believe TwO will be right and whatever team your on begins to move goalposts.

I don't have any goalposts. There is no evidence that tanking works. Do I think that means tanking can NEVER work? Of course not, there isn't nearly enough tangible use cases or data.

But as I've said constantly is that there are multiple avenues to win. Tanking is one avenue, iteratively building on an established roster is another, and there are probably a whole bunch more.

The attitude that tanking is the ONLY answer and avenue to build a winning roster is bizarre to me.

[God Squad]

Portland is better off dealing Lillard than trading young assets to build around him.

Yeah, I can't even really entertain trade ideas. Every year it's the same thing.. The trades we want never come to fruition.

[Yallbecrazy]

Especially in a draft where the #13 pick is only slightly less likely to be really good than the #2 pick.

[Lord_Zedd]

Happy that Houston got 4. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon even if they get Harden.

Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson (as per mocks where they usually follow), Sengun, Eason

It's just a bunch of guys that need great coaching and patience.

Jabari Smith and their 4th pick are going to be sacrificed for another star to pair with Harden

[WuTang_CMB]

OKC spent a lot time scouting Leonard Miller last year at Fort Erie. They probably would have taken him in the second round. Toronto did too and also interviewed him at the combine. I think based on the landscape of prospects at end of lotto, that Miller pops out the most due to his upside, nba body and improvement in the last 12 months. He was a nothing player this time last year.

Also, if Cason wallace gets past Dallas, I think its very real he drops to us.

Leonard Miller fits the profile of a Masai Ujiri kind of pick. Tall, long wingspan and questionable basketball ability.

If all his picks were Bruno types you would be right but go look at the history.

[Raptorfan2012]

Happy that Houston got 4. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon even if they get Harden.

Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson (as per mocks where they usually follow), Sengun, Eason

It's just a bunch of guys that need great coaching and patience.

Jabari Smith and their 4th pick are going to be sacrificed for another star to pair with Harden

I tried drafting up a trade for Pascal to Houston for 2-3 of their young guys, but apparently its not possible since they don't have much salary to match Pascal's. Bummer.

[DG88]

I get enraged reading these tweets smdh

Read on Twitter

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Duff & Los will likely tell you Purdle was worth it and tanking doesn't work.

Does tanking work? What's the evidence?

In the extreme sense of scorched earth tanking probably doesn't work. But whether it's strategic or not it's an avenue to cheap talent that you can build with. From there as you develop that talent you then add pieces through trade, free agency or more draft picks. The biggest thing is getting the piece to build with.

[WuTang_CMB]

#13. Toronto Raptors - Kobe Bufkin | Guard | Michigan
14.0 PTS | 4.5 REB | 2.9 AST | 1.3 STL | 0.7 BLK

48.2 FG% | 35.5 3P% | 84.9 FT%

While this doesn’t directly align with Project 6’9”, Kobe Bufkin does coincide with Toronto’s affinity for positional size. Bufkin is still on the leaner side, but the 15-20 pounds of muscle he put on entering this season clearly paid dividends. Bufkin is a versatile combo guard who does a bit of everything at a really high level. The on/off numbers with him this season were absurd, which is encouraging given how it aligns with the tape. Bufkin’s shot is silky smooth and should only continue to improve. He leverages his off-ball movement to consistently create on-ball scoring opportunities by running off screens or deftly operating DHOs. He can be an explosive finisher at the rim, but he also has a great understanding of angles as he consistently finished with both hands. Bufkin also has long-term on-ball upside as his shifty ball-handling led to plenty of mid-range jumpers. Bufkin needs to continue to grow his passing arsenal, but there are encouraging signs. Defensively, not many players have quicker hands than he does. He competes hard and should be a versatile defender in a few years after additional strength training. The Raptors could be in for a tumultuous next couple of years, but Bufkin is the type of player who can help them compete now or be a focal point of their rebuild.

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2023-nba-mock-draft-v7