The Official 2023 Draft Thread

[payitforward]

I don't like any one from 3-8or 9 the hompspns look like smaller Morris twins redux scoot worries me walker has bust written all over him black and whitmore look like tweeners that we are talking about picking up off waivers in a few years. Iq like Tayler Hendrick, Grady dicks and Carson Wallace. I Really feel like we need to trade back.

Who would you trade back with?

Well a few options I see. I also think that in these deals maybe we can get a team to take Todd, Gill, or cooks as added value

Starting off with

OKC for
#12, #37, and the clippers 2024 first.

NO
For #14 and the Lakers 2024 pick, maybe a future second or something.

Jazz
#16,#28 and a future second

The Nets
#21 and #22 and maybe a future second

Indy
#26,#29,#32

Something along those lines is what I would shoot for. Maybe we can't get that much but if a team falls in love with witmore or black or one of the twins falls or scoot falls. We might be able to max out value.

I agree about trading down, but I don't think OKC would do that deal. I wouldn't. But, it's close enough that it could be worked out.

I'm not sure NO would do your deal either -- even without a future second.

The Jazz & Nets deals seem more realistic. OTOH, I don't think we get enough back in the Indy deal!

[DCZards]

They all have better athletic profiles than Black. Simply put, they are better prospects. Amen can't shoot and I really do question that but he's otherwordly athlete with a lighting quick first step. His brother is not far behind as an athlete and his jumper has shown signs of growth. Scoot is confident shooter in the mid-range and also has flashed from 3.

I’d probably be happy if the Zards drafted Amen or Ausur. Athleticism is important…although I think it’s often overrated.

Personally, I prefer Black’s combination of size, skill and smarts to the athleticism of the Thompsons. And, while maybe not a great athlete, Black is a good athlete. He had the second highest max vertical leap and the fifth highest standing vertical leap among guards at this year’s combine.

I disagree in the case of Anthony Black or any other non-C that struggles to make open shots to the point they don't even take many. It definitely matters like a mf'er when you can't shoot. Athleticism is only overrated when you the player has a ridiculous skill level that can compensate for it.

Black does have a "ridiculous skill." It just happens to be between his ears.

[gambitx777]

Who would you trade back with?

Well a few options I see. I also think that in these deals maybe we can get a team to take Todd, Gill, or cooks as added value

Starting off with

OKC for
#12, #37, and the clippers 2024 first.

NO
For #14 and the Lakers 2024 pick, maybe a future second or something.

Jazz
#16,#28 and a future second

The Nets
#21 and #22 and maybe a future second

Indy
#26,#29,#32

Something along those lines is what I would shoot for. Maybe we can't get that much but if a team falls in love with witmore or black or one of the twins falls or scoot falls. We might be able to max out value.

I agree about trading down, but I don't think OKC would do that deal. I wouldn't. But, it's close enough that it could be worked out.

I'm not sure NO would do your deal either -- even without a future second.

The Jazz & Nets deals seem more realistic. OTOH, I don't think we get enough back in the Indy deal!

I agree with you. I think the OKC and NO deal would have to have them fall in love with a guy or be a last minute hair trigger a guy fell to 8 and they jump on it thing

The Indy deal I can see us adding value by having them take a number of todd, cooks, or gill.

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[FAH1223]

Read on Twitter

[Dat2U]

I’d probably be happy if the Zards drafted Amen or Ausur. Athleticism is important…although I think it’s often overrated.

Personally, I prefer Black’s combination of size, skill and smarts to the athleticism of the Thompsons. And, while maybe not a great athlete, Black is a good athlete. He had the second highest max vertical leap and the fifth highest standing vertical leap among guards at this year’s combine.

I disagree in the case of Anthony Black or any other non-C that struggles to make open shots to the point they don't even take many. It definitely matters like a mf'er when you can't shoot. Athleticism is only overrated when you the player has a ridiculous skill level that can compensate for it.

Black does have a "ridiculous skill." It just happens to be between his ears.

And that will have him playing in the NBA for years but its certainly not guarantee of him being a starting caliber PG. I honestly think he favors comparably to Delon Wright and sees the floor better. Delon has a long & solid NBA career but is not a NBA starting guard. Unless he becomes a plus shooter and a more aggressive scoring threat, I see a similar career for Black.

[payitforward]

Well a few options I see. I also think that in these deals maybe we can get a team to take Todd, Gill, or cooks as added value

Starting off with

OKC for
#12, #37, and the clippers 2024 first.

NO
For #14 and the Lakers 2024 pick, maybe a future second or something.

Jazz
#16,#28 and a future second

The Nets
#21 and #22 and maybe a future second

Indy
#26,#29,#32

Something along those lines is what I would shoot for. Maybe we can't get that much but if a team falls in love with witmore or black or one of the twins falls or scoot falls. We might be able to max out value.

I agree about trading down, but I don't think OKC would do that deal. I wouldn't. But, it's close enough that it could be worked out.

I'm not sure NO would do your deal either -- even without a future second.

The Jazz & Nets deals seem more realistic. OTOH, I don't think we get enough back in the Indy deal!

I agree with you. I think the OKC and NO deal would have to have them fall in love with a guy or be a last minute hair trigger a guy fell to 8 and they jump on it thing....

Better yet would be to enrich what we offer OKC by a little to make the deal work. They owe us a '24 R2 pick, for example. We could zero that out.

...The Indy deal I can see us adding value by having them take a number of todd, cooks, or gill.

No, in this case I want Indy to add value!

In any case, why do you want to trade Cooks? We haven't seen him play!

[gambitx777]

I agree about trading down, but I don't think OKC would do that deal. I wouldn't. But, it's close enough that it could be worked out.

I'm not sure NO would do your deal either -- even without a future second.

The Jazz & Nets deals seem more realistic. OTOH, I don't think we get enough back in the Indy deal!

I agree with you. I think the OKC and NO deal would have to have them fall in love with a guy or be a last minute hair trigger a guy fell to 8 and they jump on it thing....

Better yet would be to enrich what we offer OKC by a little to make the deal work. They owe us a '24 R2 pick, for example. We could zero that out.

...The Indy deal I can see us adding value by having them take a number of todd, cooks, or gill.

No, in this case I want Indy to add value!

In any case, why do you want to trade Cooks? We haven't seen him play!

I just want more spots for rookies. I don't dislike cooks at all. I don't wanna get rid of him at all costs like Gill and Todd. But I wouldn't mind moving him.

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[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Hendricks seems to me to be the guy with the most upside that we might have a chance at. I kind of like most of the players we’ve been linked to, but I’m hoping Hendricks falls to us. Like the efficiency and defensive versatility.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Hendricks seems to me to be the guy with the most upside that we might have a chance at. I kind of like most of the players we’ve been linked to, but I’m hoping Hendricks falls to us. Like the efficiency and defensive versatility.

I'm with you on Hendricks. I am also intrigued by Lively.

[gambitx777]

Hendricks seems to me to be the guy with the most upside that we might have a chance at. I kind of like most of the players we’ve been linked to, but I’m hoping Hendricks falls to us. Like the efficiency and defensive versatility.

I'm with you on Hendricks. I am also intrigued by Lively.

I really like hendricks! Much more than I like any of the tweeners .

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[SUPERBALLMAN]

Hendricks seems to me to be the guy with the most upside that we might have a chance at. I kind of like most of the players we’ve been linked to, but I’m hoping Hendricks falls to us. Like the efficiency and defensive versatility.

I'm with you on Hendricks. I am also intrigued by Lively.

I really like hendricks! Much more than I like any of the tweeners .

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I have more players I want to look into , but right now Taylor Hendricks is the player I like for the Wizards at 8. I like his D, his all-around skill and versatility, his 3 & D potential, and his fit. I do like Cam Whitmore, but I assume he's gone before 8.

If we somehow end up in the later 1st round I like the 2 French prospects Bilal Coulibaly & Cidy Sissoko, and I like both of them a lot. If we trade back from 8 and come out with these 2 I'd be thrilled. I love the skill level and upside of both of these guys.

2nd round I'm eyeing 2 of the stars of the combine, Olivier-Maxence Prosper & Brandin Podziemski. 2 high motor role players, although they may have worked their way to late 1st.

[gambitx777]

I'm with you on Hendricks. I am also intrigued by Lively.

I really like hendricks! Much more than I like any of the tweeners .

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I have more players I want to look into , but right now Taylor Hendricks is the player I like for the Wizards at 8. I like his D, his all-around skill and versatility, his 3 & D potential, and his fit. I do like Cam Whitmore, but I assume he's gone before 8.

If we somehow end up in the later 1st round I like the 2 French prospects Bilal Coulibaly & Cidy Sissoko, and I like both of them a lot. If we trade back from 8 and come out with these 2 I'd be thrilled. I love the skill level and upside of both of these guys.

2nd round I'm eyeing 2 of the stars of the combine, Olivier-Maxence Prosper & Brandin Podziemski. 2 high motor role players, although they may have worked their way to late 1st.

Yeah I've been going hard on guys like Bilal and pod all spring.

I like hendricks and I really like Wallace at 8 but I feel a trade back is smart this year.

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[payitforward]

...why do you want to trade Cooks? We haven't seen him play!

... I don't dislike cooks at all.... But I wouldn't mind moving him.

Above all, I presume, move him for more picks -- i.e. more bullets to use to move around in this draft & get guys we want. Fair enough; I agree.

[payitforward]

...I feel a trade back is smart this year.

The logic behind trading back is the same every year.

1. Past pick #3 there is very little correlation between where a guy was taken in the draft & how well he does in the league. I.e. NBA GMs are incapable of drafting players in an order that turns out to be highly correlated with how well players do in the league.
2. Given the above, having multiple picks is a hedge against failure.

Note that
a) #1 above is, quite simply, a fact. If you want to deny it, feel free to show me all the drafts in which the #4 & 5 picks turned out to be the 4th & 5th best players in that year's draft (or better of course...).
b) #2 above is logic -- there is no such thing as a factual argument against the point.

No, that does not mean that #20 is as valuable as #10 -- or even as valuable as #19.

But it does mean that it would be sensible to prefer having, say, 15, 29 & 52 over having 10 & no other pick.

[TGW]

Hendricks seems to me to be the guy with the most upside that we might have a chance at. I kind of like most of the players we’ve been linked to, but I’m hoping Hendricks falls to us. Like the efficiency and defensive versatility.

Yes. His upside is through the roof, IMO. 6'9, 7"0 wingspan, can shoot the basketball lights out. Small forward potential.

Walker, then Dick, and then Black for me (given that the twins are taken before our pick).

[dobrojim]

Gonna try to find time to go back at watch some of this past NCAA tourney to watch Black and Hendricks.

[Dat2U]

Hendricks seems to me to be the guy with the most upside that we might have a chance at. I kind of like most of the players we’ve been linked to, but I’m hoping Hendricks falls to us. Like the efficiency and defensive versatility.

Yes. His upside is through the roof, IMO. 6'9, 7"0 wingspan, can shoot the basketball lights out. Small forward potential.

Walker, then Dick, and then Black for me (given that the twins are taken before our pick).

Hendricks is a 4 who will play some 5 and should likely never see more than spot minutes at the 3.

[Dark Faze]

I don't think Black's numbers were good enough. Really high minutes per game but still only averaged 5 rebounds and 4 assists despite those being the "meat" of his game. The mediocre rebounding in particular is troubling. Assist to turnover ratio not great.

To compare, Giddey was a 7 and 7 guy. Lonzo averaged 7.6 and 5 with a similar minute range to Black.

[TGW]

Hendricks seems to me to be the guy with the most upside that we might have a chance at. I kind of like most of the players we’ve been linked to, but I’m hoping Hendricks falls to us. Like the efficiency and defensive versatility.

Yes. His upside is through the roof, IMO. 6'9, 7"0 wingspan, can shoot the basketball lights out. Small forward potential.

Walker, then Dick, and then Black for me (given that the twins are taken before our pick).

Hendricks is a 4 who will play some 5 and should likely never see more than spot minutes at the 3.

Why is he strictly a 4/5? He makes threes, and can put the ball on the floor. I even saw instances where he came off screens.

I don't think his skillset is relagated to a 4/5.

[Dat2U]

Wiz fans in a nutshell:

All season: 'We need a real star. Beal can't be your best player!'

Draft time: 'We should trade our lottery pick for a pick in the mid-teens so we can get a late 1st rounder and an additional 2nd!'