2023 Draft Discussion Part 5

[ATLTimekeeper]

The only way that happens is if Masai accepts the Washington job the next day.

Nick Smith Jr is like the last person i would want to draft. Giving me James Bouknight vibes.

I don't like NSJ either, generally speaking I don't like undersized 2 guards at all, I just have this feeling Masai is going to look for offense with this pick.

I do like Hawkins, though. George is intriguing but I'm not sold on his efficiency

I don't think any of those players resemble a pick that Masai has made in the NBA in his entire career, let alone with the Raptors. I could see them taking Bufkin or Podziemski or even Colby Jones. I still think they're going with one of the French wings.

[ArthurVandelay]

My DRAFTBOARD 2.0

Wemby
Brandon Miller
Scoot
Bilal Coulibaly
Cason Wallace
Brandin Podziemski
Kobe Bufkin
Marcus Sasser
Gradey Dick
Taylor Hendricks
Leonard Miller
Jarace Walker
Amari Bailey
Dariq Whitehead
Rayan Rupert
Jaylen Clark
Sidy Cissoko
Anthony Black

[Mark_83]

He's not talked about much at our pick due to the presence of Yak and Koloko on the roster, but Lively is going to be a heck of a player, especially if he gets on the right team. The guy is a game-changing rim protector (along the lines of a Gobert), except he can actually switch on the perimeter and not get obliterated. I also think there's some stretch-5 upside here in addition to his rim running. He didn't take a lot but he has a pretty smooth looking shot from deep going back to high school.

Watch on YouTube

[PaperHoops]

Amari Bailey appears to be watching film on Jalen Brunson. His PnR game is patient. The lefty is comfortable both distributing and scoring. He doesn’t always turn the corner with force and uses excellent pace to make decisions.

I’m surprised he isn’t locked into the lottery at this point in most mocks I’ve read.

I also think he’s a fit here. Anyone else?

I want Amari on this team but not at 13 since he’s not projected that high. I wouldn’t mind trading down or trading for an extra pick to get him though. I think he’ll have a successful career since he plays on both ends

Amari should be a lottery pick but his numbers were not as good as they could have been and he should have been way more aggressive. He just doesn't always act and play like a star player and can defer to teammates. It is a big difference between Keyonte George who also had veteran guards around him like Flagler and just kind of did his own thing getting up a ton of shots.

For the early part of the UCLA season Amari was just feeling his way in and really just deferring to Tyger Campbell and being a defender/role player. When injuries bumped his role up he was basically a 17/5 guard, and his numbers bumped up more when really given the opportunity to lead at the Combine scrimmages.

I really like him, high character, cerebral like Jalen Brunson, as you said. What bugs me is he doesn't show enough pull-up shooting, a key guard skill, and his at the rim finishing can often be weak. He has all this athleticism, but somehow he just doesn't always translate attacking the rim. To me, I ask if he ends up a role player like Norm Powell or something starter level.

You nailed this one on the head.

When you talked about high character - UCLA was a top 5 team most of the season before injuries took their toll late. Bailey was patient and didn’t pout when he wasn’t the focal point. He was a top 5 recruit prior to the season as well. Playing under Cronin and learning how to play defence at the college level (Kenpom 1-2 defence most of the year) will translate well.

I prefer Bailey over George, Smith and some of the other guards/wings that will be available.

Cason Wallace/JHS also have my attention purely out of what I believe the Raptors need from a position stand point.

[Psubs]

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Do people see a light, less powerful version of Anthony Edwards? Edwards didn't shoot a high % either but did shoot 79% FT. Though I think Ant grew an inch during his rookie season so he's now what 6'5 without shoes?

He does have that alpha irrational confidence.

I guess not having to be the #1 option right away his shot-selection gets better and his passing choices, not so bad; maybe his A/T gets to 1.5.

[Jadoogar]

Nick Smith Jr is like the last person i would want to draft. Giving me James Bouknight vibes.

I don't like NSJ either, generally speaking I don't like undersized 2 guards at all, I just have this feeling Masai is going to look for offense with this pick.

I do like Hawkins, though. George is intriguing but I'm not sold on his efficiency

I don't think any of those players resemble a pick that Masai has made in the NBA in his entire career, let alone with the Raptors. I could see them taking Bufkin or Podziemski or even Colby Jones. I still think they're going with one of the French wings.

I don't think that's the best way to look at it. At some point, you have to consider roster fit. We can't just keep drafting long wing defenders with limited offensive upside.
I'm not saying draft a guard just for the sake of drafting a guard but if all else is equal (or close), take the guy who will fit best with this roster

[DreamTeam09]

NJS and George are getting a lot of disrespect just because they didn't have efficient szns. Freshmans shooting inefficient at big time D1 colleges are almost to be expected.

Yes other players freshmans were efficient, but to disregard everything else is doing your team and yourself a disservice

[ATLTimekeeper]

NJS and George are getting a lot of disrespect just because they didn't have efficient szns. Freshmans shooting inefficient at big time D1 colleges are almost to be expected.

Yes other players freshmans were efficient, but to disregard everything else is doing your team and yourself a disservice

Personally it's not just shooting %s. NJS and George bring little else to the table that makes me believe that they're winning players. The bar should be really high for high usage players.

[dozo]

He's not talked about much at our pick due to the presence of Yak and Koloko on the roster, but Lively is going to be a heck of a player, especially if he gets on the right team. The guy is a game-changing rim protector (along the lines of a Gobert), except he can actually switch on the perimeter and not get obliterated. I also think there's some stretch-5 upside here in addition to his rim running. He didn't take a lot but he has a pretty smooth looking shot from deep going back to high school.

Watch on YouTube

Read on Twitter

I think he's on OKCs radar. He would be a nice fit next Chet and a lob threat for Shai and Giddy.

[ArthurVandelay]

He's not talked about much at our pick due to the presence of Yak and Koloko on the roster, but Lively is going to be a heck of a player, especially if he gets on the right team. The guy is a game-changing rim protector (along the lines of a Gobert), except he can actually switch on the perimeter and not get obliterated. I also think there's some stretch-5 upside here in addition to his rim running. He didn't take a lot but he has a pretty smooth looking shot from deep going back to high school.

Watch on YouTube

I mentioned recently I could see Orlando or New Orleans having interest. Fits a need for both teams.

[mademan]

Lively should be on a lot of teams radars. He's that rare C that can defend, block shots and step out and shoot 3's. He's a Myles Turner.

[Kevin Willis]

We should compare Keyonte to Jamal Freakin' Murray. Jaden Hardy might be a better comparison. I apologize Jamal for the disrespect from this board for not knowing who you were, are and will be.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I don't think that's the best way to look at it. At some point, you have to consider roster fit. We can't just keep drafting long wing defenders with limited offensive upside.
I'm not saying draft a guard just for the sake of drafting a guard but if all else is equal (or close), take the guy who will fit best with this roster

Of course if two prospects are = (or close) draft for fit. I'm all about drafting for perfect fit. fwiw, I do think that you can play long defensive players together more easily, and offensive upside can sometimes be hidden for professional prospects. For example Cissoko was a higher usage player in the lower Spanish levels. He scored over 20 in 8 of his last 19 games. Seems like there's some scoring upside there that looks worse when you just scan his statline.

[ItsDanger]

Supposedly Lively has 3 pt potential, but I never saw any evidence of it. That being said, he's the only C in that 11-25 range really. So some team may reach if they want a C.

[Dalek]

He's not talked about much at our pick due to the presence of Yak and Koloko on the roster, but Lively is going to be a heck of a player, especially if he gets on the right team. The guy is a game-changing rim protector (along the lines of a Gobert), except he can actually switch on the perimeter and not get obliterated. I also think there's some stretch-5 upside here in addition to his rim running. He didn't take a lot but he has a pretty smooth looking shot from deep going back to high school.

Watch on YouTube

Read on Twitter

I think he's on OKCs radar. He would be a nice fit next Chet and a lob threat for Shai and Giddy.

Poeltl is not officially on our roster and Koloko is no reason to skip on a special prospect. I see Lively on the cusp as a lottery pick because of what is mentioned in those posts. He says he can hit threes and space the floor and he previously did that prior to Duke. Duke had Flip being the stretch big and it made Lively strictly into a rim runner. I think he has huge potential to a passer and occasionally space the floor which I don't think Kolo or Poeltl will offer. He is also bigger and more athletic than both players.

We drafted Poeltl years ago over Sabonis, so I would not discount it happening again. Lively is just that good. I'd love to get another first this year.

[ArthurVandelay]

Mark Williams was projected in mid-20s last year around March and then went 14.

I could very easily see the same for Lively. Different players but could see same outcome.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

He's not talked about much at our pick due to the presence of Yak and Koloko on the roster, but Lively is going to be a heck of a player, especially if he gets on the right team. The guy is a game-changing rim protector (along the lines of a Gobert), except he can actually switch on the perimeter and not get obliterated. I also think there's some stretch-5 upside here in addition to his rim running. He didn't take a lot but he has a pretty smooth looking shot from deep going back to high school.

Watch on YouTube

Not sure I agree about any offensive upside but he's an amazing defender and very good rebounder. Duke was nothing without this guy on the court this year.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Lively would fit well on the Miami Heat.

[Mark_83]

He's not talked about much at our pick due to the presence of Yak and Koloko on the roster, but Lively is going to be a heck of a player, especially if he gets on the right team. The guy is a game-changing rim protector (along the lines of a Gobert), except he can actually switch on the perimeter and not get obliterated. I also think there's some stretch-5 upside here in addition to his rim running. He didn't take a lot but he has a pretty smooth looking shot from deep going back to high school.

Watch on YouTube

Read on Twitter

I think he's on OKCs radar. He would be a nice fit next Chet and a lob threat for Shai and Giddy.

Poeltl is not officially on our roster and Koloko is no reason to skip on a special prospect. I see Lively on the cusp as a lottery pick because of what is mentioned in those posts. He says he can hit threes and space the floor and he previously did that prior to Duke. Duke had Flip being the stretch big and it made Lively strictly into a rim runner. I think he has huge potential to a passer and occasionally space the floor which I don't think Kolo or Poeltl will offer. He is also bigger and more athletic than both players.

We drafted Poeltl years ago over Sabonis, so I would not discount it happening again. Lively is just that good. I'd love to get another first this year.

Depending on how his body develops I'm picturing either a Nic Claxton with range from 3, or a Jarrett Allen with range from 3. I'd move Precious/Trent/Boucher for a pick in the teens to get him if there are any takers. I have some concerns about his rebounding rate, but the guy averaged 2.5 blocks in under 20 minutes a game!

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Mark Williams was projected in mid-20s last year around March and then went 14.

I could very easily see the same for Lively. Different players but could see same outcome.

I loved Mark Williams and still do. Will be interesting to see how he develops.