The Official 2023 Draft Thread

[80sballboy]

I've been saying this I like this kid form NDSU Grant Nelson. 6-11 good size. Strong, good speed. Can shoot, block shots and play defense. He's one of those guys who's not special at anything but he can do everything well enough.

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Nelson can't shoot (26.9% 3pt) and 52.1% for a 6-11 guy in that conference isn't that great. Everyone seems to fall in love with a tall, athletic white guy who can dunk on people. His three-point numbers have progressively gotten worse in the last three years. Take a flier on a late 2nd-round pick? Sure. Maybe if his name was Nelsonavic he might be late first-round material.

[payitforward]

Taking Edey at 8 (or Holmes for that matter) would be completely nuts. Like a fireable offense. In my opinion.

Of course! If you can get him lower down. I am saying I will not be surprised if he proves to be one of the top 10 best players in the draft. And if he stays in the draft I think he won't be there for our first 2nd round pick.

Even at 42, although I do think he's a quality pick there, it would be better if he changed his name to Edovici. Give him a better chance of competing with Holmesovich once Leronivan gets the paper back on his name change.

A little bit the same with Kofi Cockburn, come to think of it -- he would for sure have been drafted if he'd changed that to Kofiya Ncockburniaye, right?

[NatP4]

I’d go Vukcevic at 42, but would be happy with Edey, Kalkbrenner, Tubelis, or Nowell.

[gambitx777]

I've been saying this I like this kid form NDSU Grant Nelson. 6-11 good size. Strong, good speed. Can shoot, block shots and play defense. He's one of those guys who's not special at anything but he can do everything well enough.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

Nelson can't shoot (26.9% 3pt) and 52.1% for a 6-11 guy in that conference isn't that great. Everyone seems to fall in love with a tall, athletic white guy who can dunk on people. His three-point numbers have progressively gotten worse in the last three years. Take a flier on a late 2nd-round pick? Sure. Maybe if his name was Nelsonavic he might be late first-round material.

I dispute this his freshman year he shot about 35% from 3 then his attempts doubled and he shot 32% I think he just had a slump last year his FG% has gotten better every year. He's a solid shooter for a big boy and again he's mobile can move, and again he can shoot with a little work he will do it better. We have two seconds rounders. Is take this kid at 59 (57) cuz if a guy like pod is there at 42 you jump on that or if some great falls.

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[80sballboy]

I've been saying this I like this kid form NDSU Grant Nelson. 6-11 good size. Strong, good speed. Can shoot, block shots and play defense. He's one of those guys who's not special at anything but he can do everything well enough.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

Nelson can't shoot (26.9% 3pt) and 52.1% for a 6-11 guy in that conference isn't that great. Everyone seems to fall in love with a tall, athletic white guy who can dunk on people. His three-point numbers have progressively gotten worse in the last three years. Take a flier on a late 2nd-round pick? Sure. Maybe if his name was Nelsonavic he might be late first-round material.

I dispute this his freshman year he shot about 35% from 3 then his attempts doubled and he shot 32% I think he just had a slump last year his FG% has gotten better every year. He's a solid shooter for a big boy and again he's mobile can move, and again he can shoot with a little work he will do it better. We have two seconds rounders. Is take this kid at 59 (57) cuz if a guy like pod is there at 42 you jump on that or if some great falls.

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That's assuming he stays in the draft. To me, he's a guy that you draft late in the second round and stash in the G-League hoping he can improve his shooting.

[gambitx777]

Nelson can't shoot (26.9% 3pt) and 52.1% for a 6-11 guy in that conference isn't that great. Everyone seems to fall in love with a tall, athletic white guy who can dunk on people. His three-point numbers have progressively gotten worse in the last three years. Take a flier on a late 2nd-round pick? Sure. Maybe if his name was Nelsonavic he might be late first-round material.

I dispute this his freshman year he shot about 35% from 3 then his attempts doubled and he shot 32% I think he just had a slump last year his FG% has gotten better every year. He's a solid shooter for a big boy and again he's mobile can move, and again he can shoot with a little work he will do it better. We have two seconds rounders. Is take this kid at 59 (57) cuz if a guy like pod is there at 42 you jump on that or if some great falls.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

That's assuming he stays in the draft. To me, he's a guy that you draft late in the second round and stash in the G-League hoping he can improve his shooting.

Sure! I don't argue that he might hit the transfer portal for a year. But I see some potential there. Definitely as a late second or a two way guy!

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[closg00]

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[payitforward]

I've been saying this I like this kid form NDSU Grant Nelson. 6-11 good size. Strong, good speed. Can shoot, block shots and play defense. He's one of those guys who's not special at anything but he can do everything well enough.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

Nelson can't shoot (26.9% 3pt) and 52.1% for a 6-11 guy in that conference isn't that great. Everyone seems to fall in love with a tall, athletic white guy who can dunk on people. His three-point numbers have progressively gotten worse in the last three years. Take a flier on a late 2nd-round pick? Sure. Maybe if his name was Nelsonavic he might be late first-round material.

I dispute this his freshman year he shot about 35% from 3 then his attempts doubled and he shot 32% I think he just had a slump last year his FG% has gotten better every year. He's a solid shooter for a big boy and again he's mobile can move, and again he can shoot with a little work he will do it better. We have two seconds rounders. Is take this kid at 59 (57) cuz if a guy like pod is there at 42 you jump on that or if some great falls.

His numbers got better every year. & they were very good this season.
But... it's a pretty low-level conference.

All the same, you two basically seem to agree that he'd be a candidate w/ our #57 pick.

[dckingsfan]

Several drafts have us taking Ausur Thompson - thoughts?

[joshuacf]

Several drafts have us taking Ausur Thompson - thoughts?

I'm worried about the level of play in OTE. I understand this is a drawn-out point, but the Thompson twins are 20-year-olds playing against mostly 16-19 year-olds.

To be fair, they were also very good prospects in HS, which is why they are still lottery talents. Amen has such ridiculous athletic upside to where I would take him at #4 just based on that. When it comes to Ausur, I'd rather have Anthony Black.

Both Ausur and Anthony need to work on their jump shot. Ausur is more athletic. Anthony is a better ball-handler and had a slightly higher FT%. For me, it just comes down to Black being a year younger and having played in the SEC.

And then also, I understand BPA, but Anthony is a better fit alongside Johnny/Deni/Kispert than Ausur is.

[80sballboy]

Latest Mocks from last few days

Anthony Black
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10077027-2023-nba-mock-draft-3-trade-ideas-to-shake-up-the-lottery

Black
https://www.si.com/nba/draft/mock-drafts-and-big-boards/2023-nba-mock-draft-projected-picks-following-the-2023-draft-lottery

Black
https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2023-nba-mock-draft/

Taylor Hendricks
https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

Hendricks
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/2023-nba-mock-draft-plenty-of-intrigue-following-victor-wembanyama


Ausar Thompson
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2023-nba-mock-draft-brandon-miller-gets-nod-over-scoot-henderson-after-hornets-land-no-2-pick-in-lottery/

[NatP4]

Several drafts have us taking Ausur Thompson - thoughts?

I'm worried about the level of play in OTE. I understand this is a drawn-out point, but the Thompson twins are 20-year-olds playing against mostly 16-19 year-olds.

To be fair, they were also very good prospects in HS, which is why they are still lottery talents. Amen has such ridiculous athletic upside to where I would take him at #4 just based on that. When it comes to Ausur, I'd rather have Anthony Black.

Both Ausur and Anthony need to work on their jump shot. Ausur is more athletic. Anthony is a better ball-handler and had a slightly higher FT%. For me, it just comes down to Black being a year younger and having played in the SEC.

And then also, I understand BPA, but Anthony is a better fit alongside Johnny/Deni/Kispert than Ausur is.

Respectfully disagree. The Thompson twins have really shown well in the exhibition games they have played against better competition.

To me, Ausar has a passable-to-solid jumpshot that has been rapidly improving. Black just has no perimeter game at all. I’m a fan of Black, and he reminds me of a Lonzo Ball type quality role player, but there is a large gap in talent here. Ausar has elite/one of the top players in the league potential. He’s an elite defender that can switch 1-3 from day 1, and he’ll fill the box score with steals/blocks/rebounds/assists. Think he’ll be a league average spot up shooter.

These are guys with 99 percentile athleticism at 6’7 with 7 foot wingspans.

Think Ausar goes 7 to Orlando though.

[TGW]

I've been saying this I like this kid form NDSU Grant Nelson. 6-11 good size. Strong, good speed. Can shoot, block shots and play defense. He's one of those guys who's not special at anything but he can do everything well enough.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

Nelson can't shoot (26.9% 3pt) and 52.1% for a 6-11 guy in that conference isn't that great. Everyone seems to fall in love with a tall, athletic white guy who can dunk on people. His three-point numbers have progressively gotten worse in the last three years. Take a flier on a late 2nd-round pick? Sure. Maybe if his name was Nelsonavic he might be late first-round material.

I dispute this his freshman year he shot about 35% from 3 then his attempts doubled and he shot 32% I think he just had a slump last year his FG% has gotten better every year. He's a solid shooter for a big boy and again he's mobile can move, and again he can shoot with a little work he will do it better. We have two seconds rounders. Is take this kid at 59 (57) cuz if a guy like pod is there at 42 you jump on that or if some great falls.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

He had the best shuttle time at the combine. Placed in the top third in most of the drills. Measured well at 6'10 with a 7'0 wingspan. Good call.

[dckingsfan]

Several drafts have us taking Ausur Thompson - thoughts?

I'm worried about the level of play in OTE. I understand this is a drawn-out point, but the Thompson twins are 20-year-olds playing against mostly 16-19 year-olds.

To be fair, they were also very good prospects in HS, which is why they are still lottery talents. Amen has such ridiculous athletic upside to where I would take him at #4 just based on that. When it comes to Ausur, I'd rather have Anthony Black.

Both Ausur and Anthony need to work on their jump shot. Ausur is more athletic. Anthony is a better ball-handler and had a slightly higher FT%. For me, it just comes down to Black being a year younger and having played in the SEC.

And then also, I understand BPA, but Anthony is a better fit alongside Johnny/Deni/Kispert than Ausur is.

Respectfully disagree. The Thompson twins have really shown well in the exhibition games they have played against better competition.

To me, Ausar has a passable-to-solid jumpshot that has been rapidly improving. Black just has no perimeter game at all. I’m a fan of Black, and he reminds me of a Lonzo Ball type quality role player, but there is a large gap in talent here. Ausar has elite/one of the top players in the league potential. He’s an elite defender that can switch 1-3 from day 1, and he’ll fill the box score with steals/blocks/rebounds/assists. Think he’ll be a league average spot up shooter.

These are guys with 99 percentile athleticism at 6’7 with 7 foot wingspans.

Think Ausar goes 7 to Orlando though.

I have been trying to think of why Orlando wouldn't take him and can't come up with a reason. He would fit so well with their young core.

I am hoping something weird happens like they sign Harden.

[joshuacf]

Several drafts have us taking Ausur Thompson - thoughts?

I'm worried about the level of play in OTE. I understand this is a drawn-out point, but the Thompson twins are 20-year-olds playing against mostly 16-19 year-olds.

To be fair, they were also very good prospects in HS, which is why they are still lottery talents. Amen has such ridiculous athletic upside to where I would take him at #4 just based on that. When it comes to Ausur, I'd rather have Anthony Black.

Both Ausur and Anthony need to work on their jump shot. Ausur is more athletic. Anthony is a better ball-handler and had a slightly higher FT%. For me, it just comes down to Black being a year younger and having played in the SEC.

And then also, I understand BPA, but Anthony is a better fit alongside Johnny/Deni/Kispert than Ausur is.

Respectfully disagree. The Thompson twins have really shown well in the exhibition games they have played against better competition.

To me, Ausar has a passable-to-solid jumpshot that has been rapidly improving. Black just has no perimeter game at all. I’m a fan of Black, and he reminds me of a Lonzo Ball type quality role player, but there is a large gap in talent here. Ausar has elite/one of the top players in the league potential. He’s an elite defender that can switch 1-3 from day 1, and he’ll fill the box score with steals/blocks/rebounds/assists. Think he’ll be a league average spot up shooter.

These are guys with 99 percentile athleticism at 6’7 with 7 foot wingspans.

Think Ausar goes 7 to Orlando though.

Ausar shot 29.3% from 3 in the regular season, 38.5% in the playoffs (which was only 5 games). I'll give you that he's a better shooter than Black is, but I don't think the distance is huge. Black shot 30% from 3 which is obviously pretty bad, but it isn't so deficient as to suggest that he could never improve. I'd say 35% from 3 is achievable for Black.

I think that Black has underrated bounce; he had a 39-inch vertical at the combine, which was 5th highest. Ausur is a better athlete no question though.

I also think that Black's ball-handling ability is going to allow him to play point in the NBA while Ausur is going to end up as a wing. I think Black being 6'7 running point is going to create a lot of favorable matchups that Ausur won't have.

Ausur is a top prospect, and an argument could be made for taking him over Black. Ultimately if we took Ausur I think we would need to trade Deni. I want to see whatever rookie we take (and Johnny Davis) get legitimate minutes and I don't think that is going to happen behind Deni and Kispert.

We always wonder why a guy like Troy Brown doesn't work out in Washington. It's in large part because we slashed his minutes! Let these guys play 30+ minutes a night like Beal and Wall did, and like other rebuilding teams let their rookies play. If it's clear they aren't ready for that many minutes, then reassess. Hopefully, if we take Ausur, we give him the playing time he needs to develop.

[Dat2U]

To my Anthony Black supporters. Please tell me how a guy like that's a relative non-shooter at guard won't get exposed in the playoffs? What's the most recent example of a guy like that doing well in the playoffs?

[Dat2U]

We always wonder why a guy like Troy Brown doesn't work out in Washington. It's in large part because we slashed his minutes! Let these guys play 30+ minutes a night like Beal and Wall did, and like other rebuilding teams let their rookies play. If it's clear they aren't ready for that many minutes, then reassess. Hopefully, if we take Ausur, we give him the playing time he needs to develop.

Troy Brown Jr was a reach at the time and the wrong pick. He was immature & couldn't shoot. His defensive effort and all around game was always tied to his ability to make shots. He never made enough so he's basically become a journeyman.

[NatP4]

We always wonder why a guy like Troy Brown doesn't work out in Washington. It's in large part because we slashed his minutes! Let these guys play 30+ minutes a night like Beal and Wall did, and like other rebuilding teams let their rookies play. If it's clear they aren't ready for that many minutes, then reassess. Hopefully, if we take Ausur, we give him the playing time he needs to develop.

Troy Brown Jr was a reach at the time and the wrong pick. He was immature & couldn't shoot. His defensive effort and all around game was always tied to his ability to make shots. He never made enough so he's basically become a journeyman.

Was actually pretty good for the Lakers this year. 38% from 3, 50% from 2. First time he’s been decently efficient. Has developed into a solid defender.

But yeah, journeyman. Reach of a pick that eventually develops into a decent role player for a different team every year.

Pretty hilarious that they had Divincenzo, Brunson, Simons, Grayson Allen, Josh Okogie, Rob Williams, Shamet, Devont Graham, Mitchell Robinson, and Jevon Carter on the board.

[Dat2U]

In my opinion there are 7 really interesting players who represent the top 7 in this draft. These are lottery caliber guys in any year. 4 freaks of nature in Wemby, the Thompson twins & Cam. One of the better PG prospects to enter the league in Scoot who is a pretty elite athlete in his own right. A 6-9 savant in Brandon Miller & a sweet shooting shot blocker in Taylor Hendricks who compares well to the 3rd pick in last years draft, Jabari Smith Jr.

PG***S. Henderson, Am. Thompson
SG***Au. Thompson
SF***B. Miller, C. Whitmore
PF***T. Hendricks
C***V. Wembanyama

So of course the Wizards pick 8th! Who hoo!

However there's another 20 guys that would be a potential lottery or mid 1st rounder in any given year.

PG***K. Bufkin, A. Black, N. Smith Jr, J. Hood-Schifino, M. Sasser
SG***K. George, J. Hawkins, B. Podziemski, C. Jones, R. Rupert
SF***G. Dick, B. Sensabaugh, J. Howard, B. Coulibaly, M. Lewis, D. Whitehead
PF***J. Walker, L. Miller, K. Murray
C***D. Lively II

Beyond that I see approximately 16 more potential/fringe 1st round guys before the draft begins to drop off a bit.

PG***A. Bailey
SG***S. Cissoko, T. Shannon Jr, T. Smith
SF***B. Sheppard, J. Jacquez Jr, J. Phillips, J. Strawther
PF***G. Jackson, T. Vukcevic
C***Z. Edey, N. Clowney, J. Nnaji, A. Sanogo, T. Jackson-Davis, D. Holmes II

A good amount of intriguing 2nd round talent as well. 27 guys I think are worthy of at least being drafted. Some good UDFA candidates here.

PG***T. Alexander, R. Beekman, I. Wong, J. Walker
SG***S. Lundy, S. Rice, R. Council IV, J. Mintz
SF***J. Walsh, J. Miller, E. Bates, A. Jackson Jr, K. Johnson, D. Mitche
PF***O. Maxence-Prosper, D. Timme, K. Brown, B. Klintman, J. Wilson, T. Camara, M. Gueye, A. Tubelis, G. Nelson, C. Hawkins
C***R. Kalbrenner, O. Tshiebwe

I think this draft is that strong enough that it warrants acquiring at least one additional first rounder if possible. Avdija, Morris/Wright would be my candidates.

Ideally I'd love to come away with one of the top 7 and one out of the next 20. That's a strong draft.

Even better, deal Beal and come out with 2 of the top 7.

Currently looking at the the 8 spot, I hope Walker and/or Black moves up. Those are probably the only candidates to move up into the top 7 at the moment. One moving up pushes either Amen, Ausur, Taylor or Cam down to us. I'd be happy with either one and any of the 4 immediately becomes the most athletic player on the team.

At 42. Your looking at whoever is left from the 3rd list. A C to push Jay Huff out of relevance or probably a 3rd string wing, one of the Julian's makes sense here.

[payitforward]

Hindsight is always 20 20.

Brown went at 15, meaning there were another 15 guys taken after him in R1. 8 of them are either out of the league or have done nothing of merit. & you can add the guy taken #31 to that same list -- there were people on this board who were talking him way up!

OTOH...

Jevon Carter (32)
Jalen Brunson (33)
Devonte' Graham (34)
Mitchell Robinson (36)
Gary Trent Jr. (37)
Jarred Vanderbilt (41)
Bruce Brown (42)
Hamidou Diallo (45)
DeAnthony Melton (46)
Svi Mykhailiuk (47)
Keita Bates Diop (48)
Shake Milton (54)
Kenrich Williams (undrafted)
Garrison Mathews (undrafted)

...have all had meaningful careers so far.

For that matter, 5 of the first 13 picks in the 2018 draft have turned out to be one or another kind of major disappointment: Bagley, Bamba, Sexton, Knox, & Robinson.

Here are the guys taken at #15 in the 20 drafts from 2001-2020: Steven Hunter, Bostjan Nachbar, Reece Gaines, Al Jefferson, Antoine Wright, Cedric Simmons, Rodney Stuckey, Robin Lopez, Austin Daye, Larry Sanders, Kawhi Leonard, Mo Harkless, Giannis, Adreian Payne, Kelly Oubre, Juancho Hernangomez, Justin Jackson, Troy Brown, Sekou Doumbouya, Cole Anthony.

That's 2 great players (Kawhi & Giannis), 1 good player (Al Jefferson), a handful of meh journeymen, & at least 11 outright busts. Without any doubt, Troy Brown Jr. was an above average pick in that bunch.