2023 Draft Discussion Part 5

[Ell Curry]

I think a guy like Nick Smith Jr you hope to get as a 2nd draft type guy like we should have done with Malik Monk. He's got talent but he's probably a ways away from being a winning basketball player.

Someone like Coby White for instance can shoot, has become a good defender, and you would think as an RFA we might be able to find a way to get him. He hasn't been a good draft pick at all as a #7 pick, but would be a really intriguing MLE signing or if we could find a way to trade for him, like if we get a late first for Trent and send that to Chicago with Boucher for him, if we're willing to pay the tax.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

If Nick Smith Jr. shot like this he would be obvious at our pick as a replacement / backup for FVV. However if he played like this he would be a top 5 pick. If we do decide to take a chance on him, I think this board would implode though.

Even if NSJ shot 45/40/85 in college I still wouldn't take him anywhere near the top 5. The passing was atrocious and he put up 0's all across the stat board in key areas constantly. This guy went full games where he put up 0-1 rebounds 0-1 assists and 0 steals.

What if he becomes a Maxey type?

He's an extreme gamble who I cannot give the benefit of the doubt to. Most people have started to agree and that's why they have him going late in the 1st. You never know which team will pull the trigger, all it takes is one FO to be convinced. But I don't see Maxey at all, he doesn't have the blazing speed Tyrese does or the shooting ability. At least from what I've seen his shot selection decision making just isn't anywhere near Maxey's. We'll see what happens with him, I guess if he falls enough he escapes total bust territory.

[will]

Even if NSJ shot 45/40/85 in college I still wouldn't take him anywhere near the top 5. The passing was atrocious and he put up 0's all across the stat board in key areas constantly. This guy went full games where he put up 0-1 rebounds 0-1 assists and 0 steals.

What if he becomes a Maxey type?

He's an extreme gamble who I cannot give the benefit of the doubt to. Most people have started to agree and that's why they have him going late in the 1st. You never know which team will pull the trigger, all it takes is one FO to be convinced. But I don't see Maxey at all, he doesn't have the blazing speed Tyrese does or the shooting ability. At least from what I've seen his shot selection decision making just isn't anywhere near Maxey's. We'll see what happens with him, I guess if he falls enough he escapes total bust territory.

Wow.

Is Nick Smith Jr. now second round fodder? I remember he was being pegged in the lottery during the season.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

What if he becomes a Maxey type?

He's an extreme gamble who I cannot give the benefit of the doubt to. Most people have started to agree and that's why they have him going late in the 1st. You never know which team will pull the trigger, all it takes is one FO to be convinced. But I don't see Maxey at all, he doesn't have the blazing speed Tyrese does or the shooting ability. At least from what I've seen his shot selection decision making just isn't anywhere near Maxey's. We'll see what happens with him, I guess if he falls enough he escapes total bust territory.

Wow.

Is Nick Smith Jr. now second round fodder? I remember he was being pegged in the lottery during the season.

No idea but a lot of mocks have him in the mid 20's now.

[OAKLEY_2]

Most of the "lure" for me about Bufkin is his shooting because I'm really not that wowed about what he can do off the dribble without it being in a PnR...and with that in mind, if it's mainly shooting as a draw for him, I'm not so sure I'd have him ahead of Jordan Hawkins just because I like the WAY Hawkins gets those 3s more because I'd actually prefer a guy who doesn't need the ball in his hands and to run PnRs to better get his shot off.

Hawkins might be ahead of Bufkin for me...

I like the way Hawkins moves so well off the ball which ofc makes sense since he models his game after Klay & Rip Hamilton. But I just think like Klay playing off Dray, that Hawkins would be a really nice fit with Scottie in the same way and allows Scottie to be more useful with the ball in his hands when he knows there's a moving target (actually noticed some minor chemistry with Yuta from that reason but they didn't get to run actions that often together). I also think that kind of motion shooting shifts a defence so much because everyone knows as Hawkins is running, cutting and zig zagging all over the court, they know they gotta watch him and throws a defence way off when they need to track one guy everywhere he goes while other things are going on in the sets but especially when you have a great passer Scottie that can throw passes to spots almost ahead of time or into small pockets. It's just an enticing combo. Not enough to leap frog my top 3 for our pick but he miiiiight be ahead of Bufkin for me, the more I think about his fit & effect could be on an opposing defence.

I'd love to trade Gary to the Lakers (*ahem they were rumored to be interested in him ALL year) for Beasley + 17 and draft Hawkins, assuming he's still there. If not shout out to Marcus Sasser as back up plan lol but heck who knows maybe Bufkin falls to 17, if Hawkins goes ahead of him.

Lakers won't give up a first in a sign and trade. Still trying to guage if there is a cap space market for Fred consistent with bet on self and if he truly leaves. Bobby Marks says anyone giving Fred 25+ might get value for two of four years. High mileade subcompact with sport package. Of the Raps three best shooters two are UFAs and one is the best trade asset. Guard-point guard is a serious need.

Would OKC deal us Tre Mann, Aleksej Pokusevski, Dario Saric and number 12 for OG? If they had 12 and 13 those picks might be ammunition to move up or stay put and get Wallace/Bufkin or Wallace/Hawkins or Wallace/Howard or... Michigan x 2 Bufkin/Howard. Max Lewis may sneak in there as well.. That would be 5 new roster players. Deletions w/be OG in trade, (retaining Trent allows them to transition from) Fred gone, Thad Young gone, Weiskamp blink gone, and no QO for Banton gone.

Paskal, Poetl, Scottie, Tre Mann, Aleksej Pokusevski Dario Saric, Precious, Cason Wallace, Max Lewis, Chris Boucher, Otto Porter Jr., Jeff Dowtin, Christian Koloko, Gary Trent Jr., Donte diVincenzo, Ron Harper Jr.

One of the coaches like Fernandez, Adelman, Quinn or Darko is getting this job.

That OKC trade you proposed is God awful

So you'd walk from Tre Mann age 22 guard (first round pick equivalent), Aleksej Pokusevski age 21 (first round pick equivalent), Dario Saric 3 point shooting depth big, age 29 and the 12th added to the existing 13th from this crop? 12th probably guarantees Cason Wallace who I think is as blue chip as it gets. The 12th also sets up the 13th pick if anyone drops. So many possibilities to field calls on behalf of other teams in this scenario. There has also been talk of swinging for Scottie buddy Terrance Mann with Fred sign and trades. If we want a reset with less risk I would trust Sam Presti selections here and our scouting staff. Mannx2 would be killer.

[Dalek]

What if he becomes a Maxey type?

He's an extreme gamble who I cannot give the benefit of the doubt to. Most people have started to agree and that's why they have him going late in the 1st. You never know which team will pull the trigger, all it takes is one FO to be convinced. But I don't see Maxey at all, he doesn't have the blazing speed Tyrese does or the shooting ability. At least from what I've seen his shot selection decision making just isn't anywhere near Maxey's. We'll see what happens with him, I guess if he falls enough he escapes total bust territory.

Wow.

Is Nick Smith Jr. now second round fodder? I remember he was being pegged in the lottery during the season.

I don't think he is second round fodder at all, just maybe the injuries concern people enough that he falls out of the high lottery range.

The guy I trust most is Jonathan Givony from ESPN and DX sees NSJ as a lotto pick and he is pretty clear about how we didn't see the true Nick Smith Jr.

Read on Twitter

Plus, NSJ signed with Klutch so you know they value him as a big earner for them - this is a marketable starter level player if he stays healthy. I don't like how skinny he is or his knee issues, but he showed some flashes of why he could be a true lotto pick.

[will]

He's an extreme gamble who I cannot give the benefit of the doubt to. Most people have started to agree and that's why they have him going late in the 1st. You never know which team will pull the trigger, all it takes is one FO to be convinced. But I don't see Maxey at all, he doesn't have the blazing speed Tyrese does or the shooting ability. At least from what I've seen his shot selection decision making just isn't anywhere near Maxey's. We'll see what happens with him, I guess if he falls enough he escapes total bust territory.

Wow.

Is Nick Smith Jr. now second round fodder? I remember he was being pegged in the lottery during the season.

I don't think he is second round fodder at all, just maybe the injuries concern people enough that he falls out of the high lottery range.

The guy I trust most is Jonathan Givony from ESPN and DX sees NSJ as a lotto pick and he is pretty clear about how we didn't see the true Nick Smith Jr.

Read on Twitter

Plus, NSJ signed with Klutch so you know they value him as a big earner for them - this is a marketable starter level player if he stays healthy. I don't like how skinny he is or his knee issues, but he showed some flashes of why he could be a true lotto pick.

Givony is an OG in the mock draft game.

Draftexpress stand up!

[Dalek]

Cool Woj/Givony video on Pro Days and workouts for prospects and who should stay or go:

Watch on YouTube

[LBJKB24MJ23]

What if he becomes a Maxey type?

He's an extreme gamble who I cannot give the benefit of the doubt to. Most people have started to agree and that's why they have him going late in the 1st. You never know which team will pull the trigger, all it takes is one FO to be convinced. But I don't see Maxey at all, he doesn't have the blazing speed Tyrese does or the shooting ability. At least from what I've seen his shot selection decision making just isn't anywhere near Maxey's. We'll see what happens with him, I guess if he falls enough he escapes total bust territory.

Wow.

Is Nick Smith Jr. now second round fodder? I remember he was being pegged in the lottery during the season.

probably due to one dimensionality as a scorer is most likely the outcome. a bench player. streaky shooter probably.

[Bruin]

Nice news for him. What a comeback

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=6Hx3ZCSHlysihvhqh0K3hw

[WuTang_CMB]

Drake and steph curry going to be at Alo tonight

[LBJKB24MJ23]

nbadraft has us selecting Cason Wallace.

Marcus Smart/ IQ comparisons. so a defense first guard. but shooting is probably going to be a development. but good size. 6'4" for a PG/ combo guard. good rebounder.

pretty safe pick at #13.

[mademan]

NJS is the prototypical eye test player. I do think he has more upside than people here give him credit for, and his scoring array with his body (6'5 with 6'9 wingspan) is pretty special. But yes, the question of will he put it together will definitely loom, and he's far from a perfect prospect.

That said, there's almost no way he doesnt go lottery, imo, and I genuinely will not be surprised if a team reaches for him after workouts. He's got size at the guard spot and legitimate talent/skill that you rarely see go outside of the top 5/10 in the draft.

[tdotrep2]

nbadraft has us selecting Cason Wallace.

Marcus Smart/ IQ comparisons. so a defense first guard. but shooting is probably going to be a development. but good size. 6'4" for a PG/ combo guard. good rebounder.

pretty safe pick at #13.

i don't think he lasts until 13.

[HumbleRen]

Woj and Givony just eviscerated GG Jackson on their podcast lol.

His value is in the dumps.

[mademan]

Woj and Givony just eviscerated GG Jackson on their podcast lol.

His value is in the dumps.

im honestly not sure i'd use a 2nd on him. I have zero faith in him ever becoming a rotation player for a winning team in the NBA.

[LBJKB24MJ23]

Woj and Givony just eviscerated GG Jackson on their podcast lol.

His value is in the dumps.

so.... GG?

[HumbleRen]

Woj and Givony just eviscerated GG Jackson on their podcast lol.

His value is in the dumps.

so.... GG?

[DreamTeam09]

I could live with that, he plays like Amare Stoudemire.

Noteven close to the power or face up ability or small ball 5 ability that Amar'e had.

You would've been better of saying CB4, and even CB4 was bigger with more offensive potential

I'm rooting for Miller tho, I knew him personally

Bosh was a mechanical black hole with zero ball handling skills. This guy's a guard that grew up.

The g-league numbers are nice, the shooting from deep could use work. But it's like 32%....so not bad.

Miller was never a guard, they had him at SF/PF when he was here in Canada. Now having worked with him over the years and seeing him in highschool, he didn't grow up as a big man, you're correct there.

He's still closer to Bosh than Amar'e

[DreamTeam09]

nbadraft has us selecting Cason Wallace.

Marcus Smart/ IQ comparisons. so a defense first guard. but shooting is probably going to be a development. but good size. 6'4" for a PG/ combo guard. good rebounder.

pretty safe pick at #13.

i don't think he lasts until 13.

Who takes him before us, I'm almost certain the top 10 is locked in