The Official 2023 Draft Thread

[Dat2U]

I really like Cam (outlier athleticism) & Taylor Hendricks (versatile shooter with ++ rim protection).

I think I take those 2 before trading down.

I like Ausur as well ... would be fine with drafting him at 8 but I would consider a trade down. Same with Gradey Dick.

[GoneShammGone]

Hmmmm.... so Wiretap is now reporting that Miller has been in poor shape and that interviews "haven't gone great". Anyone believe he could drop? If so, how far?

[9 and 20]

For draft people, pls compare Anthony Black to Troy Brown. Also Deni.

[FAH1223]

For draft people, pls compare Anthony Black to Troy Brown. Also Deni.

For starters,

Anthony Black is a PG. He can get into the paint. He runs the PNR. And he gets to the FT line.

Deni Avdija and Troy Brown are not PGs.

[Rafael122]

I heard a snippet of Givony and Lowe, and Givony said it's a consensus pretty much that Miller will go to Charlotte.

[NatP4]

For draft people, pls compare Anthony Black to Troy Brown. Also Deni.

For starters,

Anthony Black is a PG. He can get into the paint. He runs the PNR. And he gets to the FT line.

Deni Avdija and Troy Brown are not PGs.

Also, Brown was a pretty awful defender with the Wizards. Black is really solid on that end, and can definitely help a team there.

[80sballboy]

Never watched Ausar extensively and while I'm impressed at the physical tools and high IQ, seems like he has a ways to go in terms of finishing drives with contact and shooting off the catch (30.1%). That's a concern, but you aren't getting the perfect player at 8. A 7-foot wingspan and 42-inch vert is impressive and looks like he can be a secondary ballhandler.

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[TGW]

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[joshuacf]

What do people like for our 2nd round pick? I think DaRon Holmes could be a nice option. Great energy, rim protection/defense are solid, not a black hole when he gets the ball in the paint. I think he could play and contribute right away behind Gaff.

[doclinkin]

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I knew he would go off. The combine games are tailor made for a guy like him. Like Jalen Williams before him he will rise after these games. I've been saying I think Podz converts to a PG at the next level, his game feel is stellar, and the size advantage plus anticipation skills may mitigate the speed disadvantage he may have against the quickest of the quick.

[WallToWall]

What do people like for our 2nd round pick? I think DaRon Holmes could be a nice option. Great energy, rim protection/defense are solid, not a black hole when he gets the ball in the paint. I think he could play and contribute right away behind Gaff.

We have #42 and #57.
If we plan to sign and keep Kuzma, then we should trade Avdija.
I would look to trade with Utah if possible. Our #8 + Avdija for Utah #9 + Utah #16. I would also trade our 2 second round picks to move into a pick in the mid #30s. Most projections have a clear delineation in talent around #37.

[FAH1223]

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[doclinkin]

I really like Cam (outlier athleticism) & Taylor Hendricks (versatile shooter with ++ rim protection).

I think I take those 2 before trading down.

I like Ausur as well ... would be fine with drafting him at 8 but I would consider a trade down. Same with Gradey Dick.

I'm trying on Whitmore. I want to like a hometown kid who actually cheers for and wants to play for the local team. Because F+++ you KD.

What do you say about his passivity out there. He Is active in diving towards the basket when the shot goes up, makes sharp cuts into the lane, but otherwise tends to wander and float. He has a nice catch and shoot jumper from 3, but does not work to get open off the ball. For all his strength and quickness advantage, he doesn't work for rebounds at the other end. He will steal the ball for sure, but more often he will lose track of his man, give them way too much space on screens, let them cut backdoor while he is ball watching. Pro scouts are going to pick him apart unless he can learn and adjust quickly.

I can't help but see shades of Rui in his game. A guy with top level talent who does not apply it due to either a lack of fire, or stunted game feel. Or perhaps youth in the case of Whitmore? He won't turn 19 until July. Maybe the game slows down for him as he grows up and learns he can assert himself due to superior strength? He's in the wrong place at the wrong time too often though. Seems to me that's an awareness issue. Game smarts are a talent as well as athleticism.

Mostly though: I don't see a competitive spirit in his game. He's aggressive with the ball, disinterested in everything else. On a random Tuesday night in February is he going to care to put in effort? In the offseason is he going to add to his game? Maybe a new GM changes the culture, but institutional change can take a while. Our team has never shown the ability to develop players, especially ones lacking in fundamentals.

Of the three you mention I'd take Hendricks and Ausar before Whitmore. Maybe in that order, though Ausar impresses me as one who really does live and breathe the game, loves to compete. If Hendricks or Ausar fall, snatch them.

Whitmore though, help me out. I think teams will offer serious value for those draft rights. I say okay, let them develop him, this team has too many holes to afford another project player that needs to be taught basic skills like passing, and defending off the ball.

[payitforward]

Any extended report on, or even just impressions of, what anyone is seeing at the Combine will be very welcome!

[NatP4]

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I knew he would go off. The combine games are tailor made for a guy like him. Like Jalen Williams before him he will rise after these games. I've been saying I think Podz converts to a PG at the next level, his game feel is stellar, and the size advantage plus anticipation skills may mitigate the speed disadvantage he may have against the quickest of the quick.

I’m taking him at 8 if Ausar doesn’t drop. He’s going to be a star lead guard. Reminds me of a bigger Jalen Brunson.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I guess I’m hoping for Ausar.

Crazy athleticism and excellent vision and feel. Finishing is worrisome, but I’m guessing that comes as he fills in

[AFM]

I'm not taking a white boy in the first top 60.

[doclinkin]

But at least he knows his weaknesses, and has shown ability to work on things like his jumper:

“I’m just a competitor, someone who wants to win,” Whitmore said. “I have the alpha dog mentality and (am) someone who puts their head down, wants to work, wants to impact the team in any way possible. Off the floor, just brings that joy to the team, the chemistry where we can have that bond with my teammates and coaching staff.”

His range shooting has shown potential but will need work, though Whitmore said he has already made strides to make himself more of an NBA shooter.

“Getting downhill is something I always had,” Whitmore said. “I never had a problem with that. Something I improved on was my shooting, catch-and-shoot ability. It’s something I really paid attention to to improve on that. That’s something you’ll see in the NBA.

“I still have to improve on my body also, but mostly, skill-wise I have to improve. Just overall, having that all-around game, all-around body where it will help me in the NBA, and I think I will be successful.

“Defensively, just rotating off ball, on ball and me putting pressure on the ball. One through five, guarding every position.”

Ultimately I care a bit less if he is a willing passer, so long as he finishes the play with the ball in the basket. We have had willing passers but few players eager to take on all opponents to slam it home. So far in game footage he has been passive to me, even if he thinks otherwise, but maybe that was the freshman deferring to older players.

If he is our pick I will have to talk myself into him. But I expect he will be picked earlier. I just wonder which player gets bumped down to us.

[Jay81]

But at least he knows his weaknesses, and has shown ability to work on things like his jumper:

“I’m just a competitor, someone who wants to win,” Whitmore said. “I have the alpha dog mentality and (am) someone who puts their head down, wants to work, wants to impact the team in any way possible. Off the floor, just brings that joy to the team, the chemistry where we can have that bond with my teammates and coaching staff.”

His range shooting has shown potential but will need work, though Whitmore said he has already made strides to make himself more of an NBA shooter.

“Getting downhill is something I always had,” Whitmore said. “I never had a problem with that. Something I improved on was my shooting, catch-and-shoot ability. It’s something I really paid attention to to improve on that. That’s something you’ll see in the NBA.

“I still have to improve on my body also, but mostly, skill-wise I have to improve. Just overall, having that all-around game, all-around body where it will help me in the NBA, and I think I will be successful.

“Defensively, just rotating off ball, on ball and me putting pressure on the ball. One through five, guarding every position.”

Ultimately I care a bit less if he is a willing passer, so long as he finishes the play with the ball in the basket. We have had willing passers but few players eager to take on all opponents to slam it home. So far in game footage he has been passive to me, even if he thinks otherwise, but maybe that was the freshman deferring to older players.

If he is our pick I will have to talk myself into him. But I expect he will be picked earlier. I just wonder which player gets bumped down to us.

We just need someone to take jarad walker before our pick

[joshuacf]

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I knew he would go off. The combine games are tailor made for a guy like him. Like Jalen Williams before him he will rise after these games. I've been saying I think Podz converts to a PG at the next level, his game feel is stellar, and the size advantage plus anticipation skills may mitigate the speed disadvantage he may have against the quickest of the quick.

I’m taking him at 8 if Ausar doesn’t drop. He’s going to be a star lead guard. Reminds me of a bigger Jalen Brunson.

If he's the guy I think you have to trade back. I've seen him mocked as high as 20 but mostly in the 30's range.

Certainly, this guy can shoot and from what I've heard is a solid playmaker. I think he'll find a place in the NBA off of his 3-point shooting alone. Definitely some athleticism concerns however and I question if his role in the NBA is lead guard or bench scorer.