2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD

[ItsDanger]

In college, its a crowded floor often, the talent isn't as good. An athletic and aggressive player can rack up steals/blocks especially given a team style. Going against NBA talent is a different story. Foul trouble and a non-shooter staying on the floor suggests a bench player. I'd target these kind of players when the team has the scoring sorted out.

Draft talent, trade for need.

[WuTang_CMB]

Agreed. The calculus changes drastically if he can shoot. But the numbers seem to indicate that he can't.

I remain open and hopeful though.

I'd take him at 18-20 if he's there. Shooting limitations are an issue but the defense is intriguing and something we are lacking after losing OG. In a perfect world we grab him with the 31st pick but he's not lasting that long. In a draft like this I much rather take a chance at 20 on a guy with proven defensive capability and try and get his shot going.

I suppose that's a fair opinion to have. I just think looking at our history, the only non-shooters we've taken in recent years that have developed a reliable/semi-reliable shot is Barnes and Pascal. I'm personally tired of trying to make guys something they aren't and watching 5 minute droughts of no one on the team being able to score.

Anyway, my hope is that we keep our pick and draft Risacher or Williams, which would make this all moot but if we're going with a project player, I think Ware is the way to go. Again, this is all contingent upon whether or not Dunn does well at the shooting drills.

If we lose our pick its a different story i think. But i like dunn in a vacuum at 20

[TeamDisgruntled]

What’s the consensus on filipowski? I’ve watched like two games and I worry about foot speed and lack of ups when it comes to finishing around the rim and defence at nba level. Some of these guys in college finish well purely due to size discrepancy but he seems crafty enough around the basket.

[Psubs]

In college, its a crowded floor often, the talent isn't as good. An athletic and aggressive player can rack up steals/blocks especially given a team style. Going against NBA talent is a different story. Foul trouble and a non-shooter staying on the floor suggests a bench player. I'd target these kind of players when the team has the scoring sorted out.

Draft talent, trade for need.

Robert Covington is a free agent. Just offer the MLE for 4 years with no raises and he's signed.

[mademan]

You can work with shaky shooting as long as Dunn has the work ethic and the BBIQ. With multiple picks in the draft, if we keep 6, im more than ok taking him in the teens. We're gonna need a wing defender to put beside Scottie/IQ and youre not finding a perfect one thats coming in ready made. Guys like Herb Jones are found in the middle/end of the 1st round precisely because they have holes in their game

[Bruin]

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[Mark_83]

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This guy would be such a perfect fit. Long, athletic, wing defender who can shoot. One of the youngest players in the draft. French-speaking. Flashes of shot-making off the bounce.

[WuTang_CMB]

Salaun or Risacher would be ideal fits next to Scottie

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[Rapsfan07]

Risacher and Williams are at the top of my list of wanted player.

Grabbing any of these guys with our own pick would be a massive break, the importance of which cannot possibly be overstated.

[Rapsfan07]

Salaun or Risacher would be ideal fits next to Scottie

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I think he could wind up in the top 10.

[Dalek]

That Yves Missi is just such a big dude and can run the floor. He is also pretty young (will only just be 20 on draft day) that he can still develop being more than a dunker and a shotblocker.

He really reminds me of Capela when he was younger and wanted to run hard.

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[nivisi9]

As weak as this draft is sold I think there's 2 guys near the top who would fit perfect as cornerstones

We should do everything we can to acquire them if we get some lottery luck..

2024 could be the one year you can more easily trade up

I'm talking about Risacher and Sarr

Risacher is going to end up as a rich man's Michael Porter with shades of Tatum in his prime

let's say we get some lottery luck..

top 3# pick take Risacher or Sarr

then trade IND pick / OKC pick / 2026 IND pick and maybe one other asset to trade into top 5-7 to grab the other one

PG - Quickley
SG- Risacher
SF- OG/Barrett
PF- Barnes
C - Sarr

I'd even consider offering close to the Max to try and sign OG if possible

All of a sudden rebuild is done in one offseason.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

That Yves Missi is just such a big dude and can run the floor. He is also pretty young (will only just be 20 on draft day) that he can still develop being more than a dunker and a shotblocker.

He really reminds me of Capela when he was younger and wanted to run hard.

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Missi reminds me of less athletic James Nnaji. You can actually plagiarize most of this scouting report down to the reported wingspan:

Strengths: Athletic, mobile center … Very good size for a big … Has amazing length (reports suggest wingspan between 7’5 and 7’7 feet) … Bouncy, a very good leaper either off two feet or one foot … Already has an NBA body … Built like a tank, it’s really difficult even for physically imposing bigs to move him … Understands his role and limitations, doesn’t try to do too much … Coachable, will always do what his coach asks him to do… Has a translatable game to the next level … Likes to play physically, doesn’t back down to anyone … Runs the floor very well for a big… A great, strong finisher at the rim … Wants to dunk everything … Sets good, strong screens either on or off the ball … He doesn’t have a problem setting screens constantly during the same play… Good at setting picks in pick and rolls, has nice mobility in his hips … The definition of a rim runner… Very good in pick and roll actions, with dynamic dives to the basket … Occasionally slips in Pick and Roll to have a running start, catching his opponents off guard … A point guard’s ideal partner in Pick and Roll actions when it comes to lobs, he jumps high enough to grab almost any pass … Can absorb contact well when finishing at the rim… Moves well without the ball … He is effective when standing in the dunking spot to receive a pass … Great offensive rebounder, crashes the boards and adds pressure to his opponent … Makes his presence felt on defense … A good post up defender, knows how to use his body and length … A good rim protector due to size and athleticism, tries to contest every shot … Has shown promise when defending in flat or drop coverage in Pick and Roll actions … Has good enough mobility and lateral quickness to support switch defense to some degree …

Weaknesses: Has average feel for the game … Game is still pretty raw and depends mostly on his instincts … Being a part of an established club had it’s consequences, since he had limited playing time for years … There is a concern that his limited playing time slowed down his development … Limited skillset offensively… Depends on his teammates to be effective on offense … His post up game needs a lot of work, it is kind of mechanical for now, with just a jump hook … He should add some counter moves, or any moves to that matter when Posting Up … He needs to improve finishing plays with his left (weak) hand … Has no shooting range, does all his damage in the paint … Shooting mechanics need work … A bad free throw shooter can be a target in games … He is kind of hit or miss when he does a short roll in Pick and Rolls, he can either dribble once and score, travel or make a bad pass … Playmaking isn’t there yet… Foul prone, he has the tendency to make an occasional “bad” foul due to his lack of experience and reps … It remains a question mark how he will react when he is matched athletically and physically against more polished bigs … Average defensive rebounder, depends too much on his physical tools and at times forgets to box out … Not always focused on defense when defending off the ball … Chasing for blocks leads to offensive rebound opportunities for his opponents … Has problems when he is asked to defend Pick and Rolls doing Hedge Out or Blitz, he occasionally turns his back to the ball and leaves his man open …

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

As weak as this draft is sold I think there's 2 guys near the top who would fit perfect as cornerstones

We should do everything we can to acquire them if we get some lottery luck..

2024 could be the one year you can more easily trade up

I'm talking about Risacher and Sarr

Risacher is going to end up as a rich man's Michael Porter with shades of Tatum in his prime

let's say we get some lottery luck..

top 3# pick take Risacher or Sarr

then trade IND pick / OKC pick / 2026 IND pick and maybe one other asset to trade into top 5-7 to grab the other one

PG - Quickley
SG- Risacher
SF- OG/Barrett
PF- Barnes
C - Sarr

I'd even consider offering close to the Max to try and sign OG if possible

All of a sudden rebuild is done in one offseason.

Risacher also made me think of Tatum as well but I didn't bust that comp out, you're the first person I've seen throw Tatum's name out there.

I see similarities with his outside and midrange game. Risacher doesn't show anywhere near the kind of driving and finishing that Tatum did at Duke, but Risacher definitely isn't just a 3+D guy, the dude has a legit dribble pull up game and at least has the tools to be equally as good if not slightly better defensively.

[ArthurVandelay]

Salaun or Risacher would be ideal fits next to Scottie

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I think Risacher is the better player now, but it isn’t by as much as it was even a month ago. Salaun is really improving fast.

But long term, I think Salaun has a higher ceiling.

Risacher could be like a Bojan Bogdanovic..a very high end role player, lights out shooter.

Salaun could be a star.

[Dalek]

Bobi Klintman is now playing in the NBL and looks like a FRP who could be taken with the Indy pick or even later in the first but I think a player like him is a plug and play for a playoff team.

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From a talent perspective the kid looks great - good shooting stroke, positional size (6'10") and good IQ.
Averaging 9/5 on 54/36/80 is probably one of the best numbers for a draft prospect going to the NBL from an efficiency POV. From what I have seen of his games he is not a creator, but thrives off-ball as a shooter. Just a really solid bench forward to draft.

He also played with Gradey Dick at Sunrise Christian Academy in high school which ties him to the Raps a bit.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Updated Board Feb 6th:

1. Zaccharie Risacher
2. Cody Williams
3. Nikola Topic
4. Alexandre Sarr
5. Reed Sheppard
6. Ron Holland
7. Stephon Castle
8. Kyle Filipowski
9. Ja'Kobe Walter
10. Kevin McCullar
11. Ryan Dunn
12. Tidjane Salaun
13. Rob Dillingham
14. KJ Simpson

Moving Williams up because while I've had doubts about his ability to self-create enough to be a #1 or #2 his feel and processing on offense is like that of a 10 year NBA vet and he's elite C&S + transition scorer. Should be able to outsmart opponents on the offensive end and ultimately there is a good enough chance he can become a primary or secondary option, even if he fails we are likely talking about an elite 13 shot a night guy mostly playing off his teammates.

Topic down for now and I'd rather see him prove himself when he gets back from his injury leading up to the draft but open to moving back up.

Stephon Castle with 2 big games looking comfortable, setting with wide base releasing shot and ultimately even with questions surrounding role and position he can impact the game in many ways. Will need to continue to string together good performances and show promise on the shot and feel for offense or he can fall back down into teens or out of lotto, but he just seems really hard-nosed and has impressed with his ability to generate and absorb contact at the rim among many other things.

McCullar solid but will be 24 years old during rookie year, if he were showing what he is and putting up same stats as a 20 year old right now he'd probably be around where Sheppard is. Still, there's a chance for him to show more growth in the NBA.

Salaun super toolsy but looks lost on court at times, can't put him in top 6 which has higher tier players at the moment. Want to see if he peaks in coming months and shows more including better on-court awareness.

[RoteSchroder]

Virginia players are a product of their system, so beware. I would not target a player like that middle of the 1st, maybe later on in the draft. Raps roster is short on shot creation, so you need to swing at some offensive players. If they bust, so be it.

Yep, this is my thinking as well.

McCullar is theoretically a two-way high floor, low ceiling plug and play senior and Ware could be Myles Turner-esque. I'd much rather swing on those guys.

Not sure why anyone would want McCullar with the Indiana pick.

McCullar - a man playing against kids. Ugly looking shot. Questionable if it'll work in the NBA. He's not even hitting three's at an exceptionally high rate (36%). Jack of all trades, master of none. If the stars align, maybe he'll be a two-way role player. If you look at another older rookie, Kobe Brown, he shot 45.5% from 3 in his final year after three years of bricks in college. Brown is shooting 28% in the NBA and G-league now (although rookies should get some leeway, older rookies are on a shorter timeline and should be near NBA-ready). McCullar's history of bricks, weird form, being comparatively old as hell, low upside and low floor makes him a 2nd rounder for me. I'd rather just swing at a high upside player with the second though.

Dunn - draftable at the OKC/LAC pick and onwards. Gotta bank on him developing his offense or 3 point shooting, which is a risk. A Caruso/OG type player is very valuable, but you could end up with an unplayable player, which makes his floor very low. When things don't work out for these type of players, they end up like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (although MKG had one of the worse shooting forms I've ever seen).

Ware - supposedly has motor issues, but it seems like to me it's low IQ issues. Turner's shot blocking rate was over 2 times greater than Ware's in college. I see him being closer to Bobby Portis than Turner. He has a higher floor than Dunn/McCullar imo, but I'd still pass at the Indiana pick.

[Bruin]

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[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Virginia players are a product of their system, so beware. I would not target a player like that middle of the 1st, maybe later on in the draft. Raps roster is short on shot creation, so you need to swing at some offensive players. If they bust, so be it.

Yep, this is my thinking as well.

McCullar is theoretically a two-way high floor, low ceiling plug and play senior and Ware could be Myles Turner-esque. I'd much rather swing on those guys.

Not sure why anyone would want McCullar with the Indiana pick.

McCullar - a man playing against kids. Ugly looking shot. Questionable if it'll work in the NBA. He's not even hitting three's at an exceptionally high rate (36%). Jack of all trades, master of none. If the stars align, maybe he'll be a two-way role player. If you look at another older rookie, Kobe Brown, he shot 45.5% from 3 in his final year after three years of bricks in college. Brown is shooting 28% in the NBA and G-league now (although rookies should get some leeway, older rookies are on a shorter timeline and should be near NBA-ready). McCullar's history of bricks, weird form, being comparatively old as hell, low upside and low floor makes him a 2nd rounder for me. I'd rather just swing at a high upside player with the second though.

Dunn - draftable at the OKC/LAC pick and onwards. Gotta bank on him developing his offense or 3 point shooting, which is a risk. A Caruso/OG type player is very valuable, but you could end up with an unplayable player, which makes his floor very low. When things don't work out for these type of players, they end up like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (although MKG had one of the worse shooting forms I've ever seen).

Ware - supposedly has motor issues, but it seems like to me it's low IQ issues. Turner's shot blocking rate was over 2 times greater than Ware's in college. I see him being closer to Bobby Portis than Turner. He has a higher floor than Dunn/McCullar imo, but I'd still pass at the Indiana pick.

Which players are you high on enough to warrant selections around end of lottery range? Honestly it's hard figuring it out because of the massive amount of players with holes in their games. This entire draft is a circus of apparent mediocrity after a certain point.