2023 NBA Draft (tonight's discussion on pg 58)

[Dame Lizard]

I find it fascinating that Phoenix might be the first team to throw caution to the wind and
make their move before the new CBA is fully implemented.

Let's see if they can "surf" the area between the first and second tax apron for I see they have
10 guys under contract and have a SRP in the upcoming draft to fill a roster spot.

If that's the case, I wonder if Dame changes his mind, if teams like the LAC, GSW also throw
caution to the wind and follow suit. Miami apparently thinks so and sat out trading for Beal.

Did Miami sit out? I thought Beal just preferred Phoenix, and given he had a no trade clause, he got what he wanted?

[Norm2953]

I find it fascinating that Phoenix might be the first team to throw caution to the wind and
make their move before the new CBA is fully implemented.

Let's see if they can "surf" the area between the first and second tax apron for I see they have
10 guys under contract and have a SRP in the upcoming draft to fill a roster spot.

If that's the case, I wonder if Dame changes his mind, if teams like the LAC, GSW also throw
caution to the wind and follow suit. Miami apparently thinks so and sat out trading for Beal.

Did Miami sit out? I thought Beal just preferred Phoenix, and given he had a no trade clause, he got what he wanted?

As I understand it, Miami could have easily beaten the offer and Beal was willing to there.

Beal's NTC dictated he had to approve the teams he went to. Miami apparently feels the events of
this week will ultimately cause Dame to ask out.

It would certainly be interesting in the period between the old and new CBA rules, there is a feeding
frenzy with the contenders pushing to add before the new rules arrive

[Tim Lehrbach]

If Portland keeps #23, I hope they are looking at Jaime Jacquez. Team needs guys who can get a damn rebound. I could see him having Josh Hart impact right out of the gate, possibly with better scoring in time. I don't take home run swings late in the draft very seriously; would usually rather nab somebody I'm reasonably sure can contribute on his rookie deal. I don't see any star-potential guys being overlooked this year, hence looking in the direction of somebody like Jacquez. Unless I've missed it, surprised not to see him mentioned given the team's weaknesses.

[BlazersBroncos]

KP seems like a pretty realistic target at this point, and even w/ his injury issues I would be hard pressed to not make the move if the cost is Simons / Nurkic - we likely could get Wright back as well.

He is just about the ideal C for a Dame led squad IMO - but I am so wary on his injuries and overall attitude.

Wonder if we could use Little and Keon in place of Simons - and still make the ever talked about Simons for DDR swap - this team is a contender IMO -

G - Damian Lillard / Delon Wright
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Delon Wright
F - Demar DeRozan / Matisse Thybulle
F - Jerami Grant / Brandon Miller
C - Kristaps Porzingis / Drew Eubanks

[JasonStern]

The NBA/players association really need to set up contracts so that if a player decides to sit out games, then they don't get paid.

That's the only way the Wizards would have had any leverage with that NTC.

Eh. I see nothing wrong with the NTC. Wizards voluntarily offered it. Beal didn't need to stay with the Wizards.

But I 100% agree with not paying players that sit out games. I don't work - I don't get paid. I mean, they deserve some sick time and there should be some paid time off for actual injuries.

But if they cheat the system, then they'd just half ass it. Start chucking the ball from half court. Make the coach bench you. So I don't think there is really a solution to this other than to establish a winning culture that takes care of their players so that they actually want to play there.

[JasonStern]

Would MJ give up Melo for pick 3?

would you all do that? Lamelo for #3?

I wouldn't. If we needed a PG, then I may reconsider.

Exactly. No need for another point guard. That's the Dame+Scoot dilemma.

Value wise, LaMelo Ball is not worth #3. But as soon as the #3 pick is made, he probably is. Drive the car off of the dealer's lot dilemma.

I find it fascinating that Phoenix might be the first team to throw caution to the wind and
make their move before the new CBA is fully implemented.

After years of Sarver selling picks to save money instead of putting those Nash/Amare/Marion teams over the top, good for them. If the goal is winning a 'chip, this is the time for SPAM. Every CBA makes that harder.

KP seems like a pretty realistic target at this point, and even w/ his injury issues I would be hard pressed to not make the move if the cost is Simons / Nurkic - we likely could get Wright back as well.

He is just about the ideal C for a Dame led squad IMO - but I am so wary on his injuries and overall attitude.

Wonder if we could use Little and Keon in place of Simons - and still make the ever talked about Simons for DDR swap - this team is a contender IMO -

G - Damian Lillard / Delon Wright
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Delon Wright
F - Demar DeRozan / Matisse Thybulle
F - Jerami Grant / Brandon Miller
C - Kristaps Porzingis / Drew Eubanks

You can't trade Simons+Nurkic for Porzingas, then trade Simons for DDR. Either team would reject it. Trading Porzingas and trading DDR means both teams are looking to get younger. Simons is a 21ppg scorer at the age of 23 and has value to a rebuilding team.

I'm fine with a Simons+Nurkic for Porzingas trade. Not excited, but fine. The problem is the Wizards have no interest in Nurkic. So you'd need to find a home for Nurkic. Dallas maybe? But then what are they going to offer Washington that they want?

I still like keeping it simple. BPA at #3. Simons for DDR (add #23, Little, whatever filler if needed). Retain our free agents. MLE for a SF/PF. Run it back, but with DDR+#3+Free Agent instead of a poor fitting Simons. Then hope everyone stays healthy.

Random, but how odd is it to have #3, #23, #43? Three picks in a draft, all separated by 20 spots.

[Tim Lehrbach]

This may be totally off but I need to get it out of my head: is Brandon Miller the guy every team hopes somebody else will draft so they don't have to take the risk (of limited upside, legal/civil trouble)? I just have a hunch he slides. Don't know who Portland would take or trade for in that instance.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

This may be totally off but I need to get it out of my head: is Brandon Miller the guy every team hopes somebody else will draft so they don't have to take the risk (of limited upside, legal/civil trouble)? I just have a hunch he slides. Don't know who Portland would take or trade for in that instance.

Really, he seems like one of the safest picks IMO. He can score, pass, shoot, defend, rebound all pretty well. Hard for me to see him not contributing in some role unless he is just totally disinterested in basketball such as Ben Simmons or something.

I think people overstate the limit of his athleticism on his upside. He isn't a super duper Shaedon Sharpe type elite athlete but he has all the physical tools necessary to be a very very good player and most importantly he is able to translate those tools and skills into legit production on the court. Paul George, Brandon Ingram type impact is not out of reach at all.

[DusterBuster]

This may be totally off but I need to get it out of my head: is Brandon Miller the guy every team hopes somebody else will draft so they don't have to take the risk (of limited upside, legal/civil trouble)? I just have a hunch he slides. Don't know who Portland would take or trade for in that instance.

Giovanny of Draft Express compared him favorably to a Jason Tatum type forward. I think most of us are old enough here to take those comparisons with a grain of salt, but that would track in line with this being a strong draft and him being a pretty consensus top 3 pick.

Seems like most of the reasons people put Scoot ahead of him is the intangibles and Scoot having some insane athleticism for his size.

[Norm2953]

Just take who is left on the board between Scoot/Miller.

The Hornets board has both Scoot/Miller fans and the Miller fans keep pointing out who the
last unanimous SEC player of the year was (Anthony Davis), Apparently both the Hornets and
Blazers management types have thoroughly investigated the off court issues and feel what
happened was poor judgement from a 19 year old, not a character flaw.

Miller is a guy however who some think might be a 6-9 guard in 2023-24. He's going to need to
get a lot stronger but he should be a much safer pick than Scoot or Amen.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Appreciate the reassurances. Excited to see what happens on Thursday.

I could never be a GM. Would never be able to talk myself into making any critical moves.

[BlazersBroncos]

Colin Castleton is a below the radar big man who has alot of Isaiah Hartenstein to his game. He is old (23) and cant shoot outside the paint, but managed 3BPG and close to 3APG at Florida last year. #43 may be too rich for him, but its a new name that I figured should be brought into discussion while we look for another guy over 6'9.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=ytu8_lCpASqsmEN-XvYq2g

[DeBlazerRiddem]

OK I dont want them to trade the pick and have been pretty consistent on that for a while but lets not characterize it as a once in a lifetime opportunity, only the Spurs can really say that lol

[DusterBuster]

OK I dont want them to trade the pick and have been pretty consistent on that for a while but lets not characterize it as a once in a lifetime opportunity, only the Spurs can really say that lol

Actually didn’t mean to post the reply there, just the Woj piece.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Colin Castleton is a below the radar big man who has alot of Isaiah Hartenstein to his game. He is old (23) and cant shoot outside the paint, but managed 3BPG and close to 3APG at Florida last year. #43 may be too rich for him, but its a new name that I figured should be brought into discussion while we look for another guy over 6'9.

My late first / early second round big right now is Vukcevic. The Balkans make some good young big's these days and he looks to have some real offensive ability. Defense might be kind of lacking but I think his offensive package with his frame is worth taking a swing on if looking for a big around there.

[The Sebastian Express]

I just want to state that the rumors leading up to and in other areas is that the Heat did have an offer for Beal, but Beal wanted to go to Phoenix.

I think this is far more likely, especially considering the low price for which he was traded. If Bradley really wanted to go to Miami for a good deal for the Wizards, that Phoenix deal would've been there in July no matter what the Suns might otherwise claim.

[Goldbum]

Colin Castleton is a below the radar big man who has alot of Isaiah Hartenstein to his game. He is old (23) and cant shoot outside the paint, but managed 3BPG and close to 3APG at Florida last year. #43 may be too rich for him, but its a new name that I figured should be brought into discussion while we look for another guy over 6'9.

This is a guy I'm high on. There are a lot of guys with more hype at 43 but I think he helps us more than any of them. I like so much about his game, elite passing and shot blocking to go with fantastic fundamentals and above average athleticism. I've got a thing for fundamentally sound big men with real passing chops, I like TJD for the same reasons.

[BlazersBroncos]

Colin Castleton is a below the radar big man who has alot of Isaiah Hartenstein to his game. He is old (23) and cant shoot outside the paint, but managed 3BPG and close to 3APG at Florida last year. #43 may be too rich for him, but its a new name that I figured should be brought into discussion while we look for another guy over 6'9.

This is a guy I'm high on. There are a lot of guys with more hype at 43 but I think he helps us more than any of them. I like so much about his game, elite passing and shot blocking to go with fantastic fundamentals and above average athleticism. I've got a thing for fundamentally sound big men with real passing chops, I like TJD for the same reasons.

Ya, I like TJD alot as well, but dont see the roster fit (He would be ideal next to a true stretch 5) - at the same time, physically he is pretty similar to Bam in many ways - dont think he is as good, but its something of note. Brandon Clarke is my comp.

If Castleton can finish above the rim on the PNR he is a pretty ideal fit here - would love if he could shoot the 3 but you dont find a ideal prospect at 43.

[DusterBuster]

FWIW, it seems like more and more national mocks are locking in on Miller going to Charlotte...

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft
https://sports.yahoo.com/portland-is-determined-to-improve-around-damian-lillard-and-holds-interest-in-bam-adebayo-145358329.html

"Miller has been considered the favorite of the Hornets’ front office, sources told Yahoo Sports, and Charlotte appears headed toward selecting Miller after San Antonio crowns Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 pick Thursday." (which is funny because yahoo sports mock still has Scoot 2, but might be outdated)