2023 NBA Draft Thread 3

[Ralof]

First personal mock after lottery:

1)SAN ANTONIO Wembanyama-lol

2)CHARLOTTE Henderson - simply they take the BPA at #2

3)PORTLAND Miller - they take BPA also,hopefully they will trade Lillard or will be a mess

4)HOUSTON Amen Thompson - super athletic passer to trigger Green and Jabari,also projected super on D

5)DETROIT Whitmore - a bet on potential they have to do at this point

6)ORLANDO Ausar Thompson - versatile athletic"connector" good on D and with work ethic ,WeHam would salivating for.

7)INDIANA Jarace Walker - good pair with Turner and with Hali,they could go with Hendricks also.

8)WASHINGTON Anthony Black - playmaking and D perfect for Porz-Beal-Kuz trio,match made in heaven tbh.

9)UTAH Taylor Hendricks - jazz my candidate to trade-up,think Ainge will look for a player with more potential on offense

10) DALLAS Cason Wallace - they could trade the pick as well,if not Wallace could help them a bit immediately

11)ORLANDO Kobe Bufkin - can see WeHam falling in love with this player,complete,potential on D and smart guy

12)OKLAHOMA Bilal Coulibaly - super D,athletic and explosive,uber wingspan,Presti already has a boner

13)TORONTO Gradey Dick - they need shooters even more than those armies in Ukraine,lol

14)NEW ORLEANS Keyonte George - they could trade,if not they take a swing hoping to find a creator with potential

i dont see Charlotte taking Scoot. they have Rozier for years and Ball as PG. they arent bringing in Scoot and moving his bad shooting off ball and they arent taking the ball out of Ball's hands and moving him to SG. I easily see Charlotte taking Miller, as Oubre is a FA and use Miller at SF.

Ball is lettterally 2 meters tall(but that in reality does not matter since he does not plays D at any postion,lol)
can shot from distance and basically they have not other projectable good player outside mark williams who is a center.

Rozier,seriously?would be packed in an hearthbit and honestly who cares.Same for Oubre or any other one on that roster.

Clearly is perfect legit to say they should draft Miller if they think is a better player.

but to say that you do not draft henderson because you have lamelo,it's the same to say magic shoud not draft him cause we have banchero.

the more ball creators you have,better it is,always and especially when you are building a team from ashes.

[tiderulz]

First personal mock after lottery:

1)SAN ANTONIO Wembanyama-lol

2)CHARLOTTE Henderson - simply they take the BPA at #2

3)PORTLAND Miller - they take BPA also,hopefully they will trade Lillard or will be a mess

4)HOUSTON Amen Thompson - super athletic passer to trigger Green and Jabari,also projected super on D

5)DETROIT Whitmore - a bet on potential they have to do at this point

6)ORLANDO Ausar Thompson - versatile athletic"connector" good on D and with work ethic ,WeHam would salivating for.

7)INDIANA Jarace Walker - good pair with Turner and with Hali,they could go with Hendricks also.

8)WASHINGTON Anthony Black - playmaking and D perfect for Porz-Beal-Kuz trio,match made in heaven tbh.

9)UTAH Taylor Hendricks - jazz my candidate to trade-up,think Ainge will look for a player with more potential on offense

10) DALLAS Cason Wallace - they could trade the pick as well,if not Wallace could help them a bit immediately

11)ORLANDO Kobe Bufkin - can see WeHam falling in love with this player,complete,potential on D and smart guy

12)OKLAHOMA Bilal Coulibaly - super D,athletic and explosive,uber wingspan,Presti already has a boner

13)TORONTO Gradey Dick - they need shooters even more than those armies in Ukraine,lol

14)NEW ORLEANS Keyonte George - they could trade,if not they take a swing hoping to find a creator with potential

i dont see Charlotte taking Scoot. they have Rozier for years and Ball as PG. they arent bringing in Scoot and moving his bad shooting off ball and they arent taking the ball out of Ball's hands and moving him to SG. I easily see Charlotte taking Miller, as Oubre is a FA and use Miller at SF.

Ball is lettterally 2 meters tall(but that in reality does not matter since he does not plays D at any postion,lol)
can shot from distance and basically they have not other projectable good player outside mark williams who is a center.

Rozier,seriously?would be packed in an hearthbit and honestly who cares.Same for Oubre or any other one on that roster.

Clearly is perfect legit to say they should draft Miller if they think is a better player.

but to say that you do not draft henderson because you have lamelo,it's the same to say magic shoud not draft him cause we have banchero.

the more ball creators you have,better it is,always and especially when you are building a team from ashes.

its not like Scoot is leagues better than Miller that you have to have him. And again, Scoots best role is with the ball in his hands. LaMelo's best role is with the ball in his hands. neither are great players playing off ball. If the separation was great between Scoot and Miller i would say yes. but as it is, i think they choose the similar player that fits the team need too. just my opinion

[jonbob17]

I'm ready to trade 6 and 11 for Mikal Bridges.

I don't know why I read... Mile Bridges and was about to go crazy.... Hahaha... Luckily I checked. And yup... I would do this in a heart beat too.

Whew

that offer would get you Miles Bridges, not the one you want...although Miles is pretty damn good too.

Yah, the numbers Mikal was putting up in Brooklyn were so absurd, basically any chance of getting him with out a star going back to Brooklyn is not going to happen. 26 points on 60% TS for a wing who is already regarded as one of the better wing defenders around.

I thought around the trade deadline that our two first rounders would be enough, but that ship has sailed.

[jonbob17]

#6 + #11 + your choice of Cole or Suggs (not both).

What is the best return we can get for this offer on the open market??

Anfernee Simons ?

That is a huge overpay for Simons, who has really turned into a nice scoring guard, but is still one of the worst defenders in the league. 6 and 11 is pretty valuable. Unfortunately probably not valuable enough to move into top 3 of this draft. Suggs is very valuable. 6 years of team control and plays elite defense, and offense has shown signs of improvement (even if he still doesn't look like a lead guard)

I wouldn't trade for him, but I would think pick 6 and matching salary. If they want to role the dice on Isaac, Cole, Harris, Okeke, whatever, are neutral value deals. Bol Bol probably has some value, but not a lot.

[Skybox]

i dont see Charlotte taking Scoot. they have Rozier for years and Ball as PG. they arent bringing in Scoot and moving his bad shooting off ball and they arent taking the ball out of Ball's hands and moving him to SG. I easily see Charlotte taking Miller, as Oubre is a FA and use Miller at SF.

Ball is lettterally 2 meters tall(but that in reality does not matter since he does not plays D at any postion,lol)
can shot from distance and basically they have not other projectable good player outside mark williams who is a center.

Rozier,seriously?would be packed in an hearthbit and honestly who cares.Same for Oubre or any other one on that roster.

Clearly is perfect legit to say they should draft Miller if they think is a better player.

but to say that you do not draft henderson because you have lamelo,it's the same to say magic shoud not draft him cause we have banchero.

the more ball creators you have,better it is,always and especially when you are building a team from ashes.

its not like Scoot is leagues better than Miller that you have to have him. And again, Scoots best role is with the ball in his hands. LaMelo's best role is with the ball in his hands. neither are great players playing off ball. If the separation was great between Scoot and Miller i would say yes. but as it is, i think they choose the similar player that fits the team need too. just my opinion

I think Scoot is MUCH better than Miller and has true star upside. I see Miller as a solid rotation guy like Jabari Smith (or even Zaire Williams ) more than I see the next Ingram or KD. But, the fit for Scoot in CHA or POR is really questionable. Lamelo is great and young and it seems that Dame isn't going anywhere soon, so that might be in play. I'd happily throw our two and the DEN pick for Scoot. I think he's got greatness written on him.

[tiderulz]

Ball is lettterally 2 meters tall(but that in reality does not matter since he does not plays D at any postion,lol)
can shot from distance and basically they have not other projectable good player outside mark williams who is a center.

Rozier,seriously?would be packed in an hearthbit and honestly who cares.Same for Oubre or any other one on that roster.

Clearly is perfect legit to say they should draft Miller if they think is a better player.

but to say that you do not draft henderson because you have lamelo,it's the same to say magic shoud not draft him cause we have banchero.

the more ball creators you have,better it is,always and especially when you are building a team from ashes.

its not like Scoot is leagues better than Miller that you have to have him. And again, Scoots best role is with the ball in his hands. LaMelo's best role is with the ball in his hands. neither are great players playing off ball. If the separation was great between Scoot and Miller i would say yes. but as it is, i think they choose the similar player that fits the team need too. just my opinion

I think Scoot is MUCH better than Miller and has true star upside. I see Miller as a solid rotation guy like Jabari Smith (or even Zaire Williams ) more than I see the next Ingram or KD. But, the fit for Scoot in CHA or POR is really questionable. Lamelo is great and young and it seems that Dame isn't going anywhere soon, so that might be in play. I'd happily throw our two and the DEN pick for Scoot. I think he's got greatness written on him.

Miller considered by most as the best college player, plays solid D, and through the year developed into more than just a shooter. I could easily see current Brandon Ingram as a comp (im not bringing up KD, silly to compare anyone to a HOF'r right now). And Scoot has potential, but we've seen many potential players never get there. His outside shooting has to improve otherwise he is another in a list of athletic, smaller players. and again, i saw this watching him grow up (he and my kid were in school since 1st grade). a big fan of his and hope he does great.

[eyriq]

NBA Big Board podcast says Gradey tested poorly at the combine and hurt his stock.

[Skybox]

NBA Big Board podcast says Gradey tested poorly at the combine and hurt his stock.

I don't see that as a surprise...maybe that keeps him at 11

[JoshuaPotter]

NBA Big Board podcast says Gradey tested poorly at the combine and hurt his stock.

How was his stock hurt? What specifically set him back?

Honestly I see JJ Reddick as....I mean I see Gradey Dick as a JJ Reddick type. So 11 makes sense.

[JoshuaPotter]

NBA Big Board podcast says Gradey tested poorly at the combine and hurt his stock.

I don't see that as a surprise...maybe that keeps him at 11

Gosh one can only hope. Now if only WeHam has the sense to get him.

[Ralof]

NBA Big Board podcast says Gradey tested poorly at the combine and hurt his stock.

well,would be nothing unexpected.

also,the private workouts could be the coffin in the bare for him as a lottery pick.

[jonbob17]

I think Scoot is MUCH better than Miller and has true star upside. I see Miller as a solid rotation guy like Jabari Smith (or even Zaire Williams ) more than I see the next Ingram or KD. But, the fit for Scoot in CHA or POR is really questionable. Lamelo is great and young and it seems that Dame isn't going anywhere soon, so that might be in play. I'd happily throw our two and the DEN pick for Scoot. I think he's got greatness written on him.

I like Scoot and have him waffling at #2 on my current Magic board (not that it matters), but behind Miller on overall big board.

I am just curious why he is getting a pass for his down year when compared to a guy like Amen.
Scoot shot 27.5% from 3 on low volume. Granted he was playing in a grown man's league, and Amen, well, wasn't. But it's not like the G League is a defensive struggle either. Our old friend Gary Clark averaged 20ppg this year on 42% from 3 (hmm, maybe someone should give this guy another shot)

Scoot is athletic, plays lead guard, and is small. Amen is allegedly a lead guard, big, and athletically is probably miles ahead of Scoot.

I had been reviewing Scoot's year recently, because i just knew we were going to get lucky:( and I think everyone remembers those televised games against Wemby's Mets.

If you were just looking at the size and stats
Amen 6'6" 7' wingspan (actual combine) 16.4/5.9/5.9 66.2% 2pt 25% on 3pt 65.6% FT 2.3 steals.
Scoot 6'2" 6'9" wingspan (didnt measure for combine) 16.5/5.4/6.5 46.5% 2pt 27.5% 3pt 76.4% FT 1.1 steals.

Scoot played 31 minutes a game vs 27 minutes for Amen. Both took 2.7 threes a game

If you would have asked me two weeks ago I would have said Scoot is easily the 2nd best prospect in this draft, and I may have said I am not sure if I would take Amen at 11.

But Why? I don't have any trust in the competition the Thompsons played against. They were high school kids, and not even the best high school kids. Scoot playing against pretty good players maybe the 3rd or 4th best league in the world, at least in terms of players, European leagues imo play better basketball. Scoot is a full year younger.

I guess I had talked myself into Scoot being able to shoot. 76.4%FT isn't too bad. Will he...I don't know, I had been looking at Anthony Black for the Magic, and his 30% from 3 has me worried, but again it is the 6'6" without shoes he measured at combine along with what looks to be good defense and pretty good passing at the size that has me interested.

I don't know, I am just wondering if I am just trusting all the mock draft and big boards too much on Scoot. I mean it was basically a coronation for him and we all got to see what he could do on the big stage head to head against Wemby...

If we were picking at 2 or 3 I'd probably be leaning Scoot just because of the need and potential of him hitting Derek Rose type comps, but if we are talking about giving up the kitchen sink to move up to pick him...I don't know. To be honest i might just rather have two bites of the apple and take a guard and a wing (hopefully two of Wallace/Hendricks/Gradey)

I am not trying to bang the drum for Amen he has me all kinds of scared, but at least he almost certainly is going to be a good defender and he has a huge size advantage, better athleticism, and even if he winds up as a wing, he will be a wing with guard skills (besides the shooting)

If Scoot doesn't shoot what is he a much less athletic version of Russell Westbrook or Jah Morant? Maybe John Wall, but not quite the passer, and he's probably not as tall as these guys either.

[Petre1978]

NBA Big Board podcast says Gradey tested poorly at the combine and hurt his stock.

well,would be nothing unexpected.

also,the private workouts could be the coffin in the bare for him as a lottery pick.

Why???

[yoyojw17]

NBA Big Board podcast says Gradey tested poorly at the combine and hurt his stock.

I don't see that as a surprise...maybe that keeps him at 11

that was my thought too. haha. well... maybe this helps us attain him at 11. or he's tanking to go to the magic as 11. haha... jk

[OrlChamps2030]

#6 + #11 + your choice of Cole or Suggs (not both).

What is the best return we can get for this offer on the open market??

Anfernee Simons ?

That is a huge overpay for Simons, who has really turned into a nice scoring guard, but is still one of the worst defenders in the league. 6 and 11 is pretty valuable. Unfortunately probably not valuable enough to move into top 3 of this draft. Suggs is very valuable. 6 years of team control and plays elite defense, and offense has shown signs of improvement (even if he still doesn't look like a lead guard)

I wouldn't trade for him, but I would think pick 6 and matching salary. If they want to role the dice on Isaac, Cole, Harris, Okeke, whatever, are neutral value deals. Bol Bol probably has some value, but not a lot.

Quick thought experiment -

Say we do 6 + Okeke + Harris for Simons

We either stay Pat at 11 and take Dick or (maybe unrealistic?) trade up to 9 with the Denver pick and take whoevers left of Hendricks/Walker/Whitmore?

Fultz/Cole
Simons/Suggs
Franz/Dick
Paolo/Isaac/Bol
WCJ/Goga/MoW

Is this anything? If healthy this looks like a play-in team that can continue to ascend and develop.

Or is everyone out on Simons and would rather go for FVV instead?

[jonbob17]

Anfernee Simons ?

That is a huge overpay for Simons, who has really turned into a nice scoring guard, but is still one of the worst defenders in the league. 6 and 11 is pretty valuable. Unfortunately probably not valuable enough to move into top 3 of this draft. Suggs is very valuable. 6 years of team control and plays elite defense, and offense has shown signs of improvement (even if he still doesn't look like a lead guard)

I wouldn't trade for him, but I would think pick 6 and matching salary. If they want to role the dice on Isaac, Cole, Harris, Okeke, whatever, are neutral value deals. Bol Bol probably has some value, but not a lot.

Quick thought experiment -

Say we do 6 + Okeke + Harris for Simons

We either stay Pat at 11 and take Dick or (maybe unrealistic?) trade up to 9 with the Denver pick and take whoevers left of Hendricks/Walker/Whitmore?

Fultz/Cole
Simons/Suggs
Franz/Dick
Paolo/Isaac/Bol
WCJ/Goga/MoW

Is this anything? If healthy this looks like a play-in team that can continue to ascend and develop.

Or is everyone out on Simons and would rather go for FVV instead?

If the FO thinks Simons is their guy, i think something like that would make some sense. I'd probably keep the Denver pick for future acquisitions, unless a guy they really had ranked high, or the last guy and a huge drop off was about to be picked. That a future first seems like a lot to move up 2 spots, when at least to me there should be a nice rotation player at 11. But you know how this FO is though with their guy and drop offs in talent.

I think a lot of people are in on Simons...look he's a scorer. I just think we have holes at both guard positions. While I like Fultz, and think he is a good player in this league, his shooting is a problem, especially for the team as it is built right now.
On Suggs, I think even if he could just shoot a bit better he is incredibly valuable, and if he gets better at any other offense, like pick and roll, self-creation, he's just a much more valuable player than Simons especially in the playoffs. In any competitive playoff series Simons going to get switched on and targeted relentlessly.

I am betting on Suggs becoming that player. It's hard for me to think about bringing a player in that is going to block his path to minutes. I am not saying i won't entertain it, but the player blocking or replacing him better be a really complete player.

We do need to upgrade one guard position, but might need to be patient. I think it is perfectly reasonable splitting up the 96 guard minutes 3 ways too. Top three guards get 30 minutes a game, and 6 minutes to the other guard.

I like FVV, I don't know think he will be available. Toronto added players at the deadline, rather than subtract. I don't know that FVV is the be all end all. He's a good player, and would certainly be an upgrade, ehh, you know what if he is available i would make a run 4/140...sure. I would want FVV, Suggs, and one of Cole/Fultz splitting those 96 minutes.

Other than a guy like that I'd say aim big. Go for Lillard, probably cost an arm and a leg and doesnt match our timeline. IF it was just pick 6 and 11 for Lillard....sure....I have a weird hunch that Steph could be available, and think he will age gracefully.

If Dallas were to decide that Kyrie isn't going to work. Let's do it.

I'd be happy with Chris Paul, would even extend him a year. I imagine the Lakers are keeping Russell, i don't hate that idea.

I guess what I am saying is we should target a PG, preferably one who can shoot. If we look to add a SG through free agency or by trade it should be like a top 10 in the league type 2 guard, or at least a very complete (shooting and defense)

I am also perfectly happy developing another guard through the draft. I like Wallace, and think he and Suggs would kind of be duplicates, but duplicates that would be good enough to play together. Like I said 60+ minutes between the two staggered, with a more traditional PG soaking up the rest

[VFX]

We can take a Portland trade off the table. They have publicly said they are building around Lillard and will likely shop their pick for an immediate competitor.

So the two teams vocal about shopping their picks are Portland (#3) and Dallas (#10).

Doesn’t help Orlando for move up situations.

[Knightro]

We can take a Portland trade off the table. They have publicly said they are building around Lillard and will likely shop their pick for an immediate competitor.

So the two teams vocal about shopping their picks are Portland (#3) and Dallas (#10).

Doesn’t help Orlando for move up situations.

Not necessarily. Just means the Magic need to get creative and perhaps bring a third team into the mix.

Something like...

No. 3 to Orlando
Win Now Vet to Portland
No. 6 and No. 11 to third team pivoting to more of a rebuild

All the Magic need is for some team to value 6 and 11 combined more than 3 individually, which doesn't seem totally outrageous.

[Residual-Heat]

We can take a Portland trade off the table. They have publicly said they are building around Lillard and will likely shop their pick for an immediate competitor.

So the two teams vocal about shopping their picks are Portland (#3) and Dallas (#10).

Doesn’t help Orlando for move up situations.

Not necessarily. Just means the Magic need to get creative and perhaps bring a third team into the mix.

Something like...

No. 3 to Orlando
Win Now Vet to Portland
No. 6 and No. 11 to third team pivoting to more of a rebuild

All the Magic need is for some team to value 6 and 11 combined more than 3 individually, which doesn't seem totally outrageous.

or 6 to third team (say raptors and siakam), 11 to 4th team (say myles turner)

[JoshuaPotter]

We can take a Portland trade off the table. They have publicly said they are building around Lillard and will likely shop their pick for an immediate competitor.

So the two teams vocal about shopping their picks are Portland (#3) and Dallas (#10).

Doesn’t help Orlando for move up situations.

Not necessarily. Just means the Magic need to get creative and perhaps bring a third team into the mix.

Something like...

No. 3 to Orlando
Win Now Vet to Portland
No. 6 and No. 11 to third team pivoting to more of a rebuild

All the Magic need is for some team to value 6 and 11 combined more than 3 individually, which doesn't seem totally outrageous.

I think to get Scoot we have to throw in the Denver + next years FRP protected as well in this 3 way trade.

Although generally I share MagicMatic stance. As usual. I don't necessarily see where a 3rd team or even 4th team benefits but doesn't want the Scoot pie.