2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD

[disoblige]

Our FO said today, we will be losing our pick to SA. They probably decided not to risk our pick for next year. TWO is dead for now.

edit: "its going to SA". May be I misunderstood. It was weirdly phrased.

What he was saying was that regardless of getting worse or better you're still under the gun of the lottery balls. No point in playing a game of chicken. If we convey we convey if we don't we don't. I personally would rather get it over with. Not as enthused with this draft after looking at the prospects in the top 10. I think there are some good role players that can be had with the Pacers pick and project with the Detroit pick. Next year we're still going to be bad anyways so we'll still have a lottery pick to add to this core and whatever we get in a future Brown trade.

I'm not too happy about it. There were excellent players at the top of even the worst drafts(the Bargnani draft) like Roy and Aldridge. Raptors supporters would be in for a nightmare if the Spurs developed a star from our selection.

[Mark_83]

The NBA gave the Spurs Wemby when really they should've given him to Charlotte as they were the only bottom franchise to have zero championships. The Spurs already have their poor 1st pick; they should just give Toronto #4 again.

#1 Washington/Charlotte - Cody Wiliams
#2 Washington/Charlotte - Sarr/Risacher
#3 San Antonio - Sarr/Risacher
#4 Toronto - Topic, Reed Sheppard, Ron Holland, Rob Dillingham, Ja'Kobe Walter
#5 Detroit - Topic, Reed Sheppard, Ron Holland, Rob Dillingham, Ja'Kobe Walter
#6 Portland - Topic, Reed Sheppard, Ron Holland, Rob Dillingham, Ja'Kobe Walter
#7 Memphis - Topic, Reed Sheppard, Ron Holland, Rob Dillingham, Ja'Kobe Walter

I think after the top 8 it's more of a crap shoot. Maybe Stephon Castle, Matas Buzelis?

For the Pacers pick, I hope that one of Tidjane Salaun, Johnny Furphy, Kel'el Ware, Dalto Knect, Fillipowski, or Ivisic are still on the board. That's 16 players I've listed and the Pacers pick is #18 right now, so pretty good odds.

I have a feeling the NBA is going to gift us our pick this year. I had the same feeling and called us moving up in the Scottie draft. I think Topic goes to the Spurs. Sarr goes to Wizards. Detroit gets Risacher. Raps get pick #6 and no higher than pick #4.

[Spates]

Nique Clifford

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

So, what is so significant about double-double No. 8 for Toppin, other than the fact that it once again shows how much of a runaway winner to this point of the season he's been as the Mountain West Freshman of the Year?

How about the fact that he has now passed Lobo legend and former NBA player Kenny Thomas for having the most double-doubles ever by a Lobo freshman:

UNM double-doubles as a freshman:

*8 — JT Toppin (2023-24)

7 — Kenny Thomas (1995-96)

2 — Three Lobos tied

* At least nine games remaining.

When Toppin hit that final bucket, the Lobos bench was up cheering as though the game was still in doubt.

"And we knew it, too. When he scored the bucket, we were all excited, man, because that dude — JT is so special man," Lobo guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. said. "I mean he doesn't even know how special he is, yet. I think once he's able to really hone in on his body and just take care of himself and really work on his game, the sky's the limit for that kid. NBA, wherever he wants to play, he can play. And I tell him this every day to stay confident himself. Stay in that gym and stay keep his head right because he's he's got he's gonna be going special places.

Added his coach, Richard Pitino: "Kenny Thomas is one of the all time greats (at UNM) and for JT to be able to come in and do that just shows how special he is and how good he can become. He's an easy kid to coach. He's got the same demeanor every day. He works and he produces. That's the biggest thing is his production level when he's on the court is so good."

Is #31 too early? We could be looking at a rich man's Kevon Looney. We can mold this kid into something special.

[Brinbe]

Read on Twitter

shows that you never really know with the draft. he looked terrible in college last year but he's panning out now

[Psubs]

Our FO said today, we will be losing our pick to SA. They probably decided not to risk our pick for next year. TWO is dead for now.

I don't recall Bobby saying that.

What I heard was if we end up Top 6 then fine. If we don't, that's fine too. But they aren't going to play for lottery positions, they'll leave it up to the lotto balls.

My worry with the Olynyk trade is there is a non-zero chance that he improves our record enough to ensure that pick is conveyed, while not helping us be particularly competitive and could easily sign with a contender in the summer.

Now obviously the other part of the deal is getting Ochai but he really hasn't shown much so far, despite being a lottery pick. Not to mention our guard rotation is overstocked.

Just feels like if you were going to trade Schroeder and a 1st, you should have been able to get back better than Ochai and an expiring Olynyk.

Only 6 games but when playing over 30 mpg he's shooting 49/45/100. Hi TS% goes up every 10 min increment more he plays.

[Psubs]

Read on Twitter

shows that you never really know with the draft. he looked terrible in college last year but he's panning out now

It's really the 1 head to head game vs Brandon Miller, where they went toe-to-toe and I think into OT but Miller and his team were just a little better. That also reminds me of the head to head matchup of Cade vs Austin Reeves. Reeves was just willing his team to battle as a senior vs this freshman.

[DG88]

Our FO said today, we will be losing our pick to SA. They probably decided not to risk our pick for next year. TWO is dead for now.

edit: "its going to SA". May be I misunderstood. It was weirdly phrased.

What he was saying was that regardless of getting worse or better you're still under the gun of the lottery balls. No point in playing a game of chicken. If we convey we convey if we don't we don't. I personally would rather get it over with. Not as enthused with this draft after looking at the prospects in the top 10. I think there are some good role players that can be had with the Pacers pick and project with the Detroit pick. Next year we're still going to be bad anyways so we'll still have a lottery pick to add to this core and whatever we get in a future Brown trade.

I'm not too happy about it. There were excellent players at the top of even the worst drafts(the Bargnani draft) like Roy and Aldridge. Raptors supporters would be in for a nightmare if the Spurs developed a star from our selection.

Sure but we're not going to be bad enough to guarantee us keeping the pick anyways so who cares. Yes weak drafts have produced some players but for Aldridge there's a Bargnani. For every Lowry there's a Quincy Douby. It's a crapshoot at the end of the day especially in weak drafts.

[Psubs]

So, what is so significant about double-double No. 8 for Toppin, other than the fact that it once again shows how much of a runaway winner to this point of the season he's been as the Mountain West Freshman of the Year?

How about the fact that he has now passed Lobo legend and former NBA player Kenny Thomas for having the most double-doubles ever by a Lobo freshman:

UNM double-doubles as a freshman:

*8 — JT Toppin (2023-24)

7 — Kenny Thomas (1995-96)

2 — Three Lobos tied

* At least nine games remaining.

When Toppin hit that final bucket, the Lobos bench was up cheering as though the game was still in doubt.

"And we knew it, too. When he scored the bucket, we were all excited, man, because that dude — JT is so special man," Lobo guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. said. "I mean he doesn't even know how special he is, yet. I think once he's able to really hone in on his body and just take care of himself and really work on his game, the sky's the limit for that kid. NBA, wherever he wants to play, he can play. And I tell him this every day to stay confident himself. Stay in that gym and stay keep his head right because he's he's got he's gonna be going special places.

Added his coach, Richard Pitino: "Kenny Thomas is one of the all time greats (at UNM) and for JT to be able to come in and do that just shows how special he is and how good he can become. He's an easy kid to coach. He's got the same demeanor every day. He works and he produces. That's the biggest thing is his production level when he's on the court is so good."

Is #31 too early? We could be looking at a rich man's Kevon Looney. We can mold this kid into something special.

I'd be cool with him at #31 as a Boucher replacement that's a little bit stronger and higher IQ. Who knows, maybe he develops like Pascal?

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

So, what is so significant about double-double No. 8 for Toppin, other than the fact that it once again shows how much of a runaway winner to this point of the season he's been as the Mountain West Freshman of the Year?

How about the fact that he has now passed Lobo legend and former NBA player Kenny Thomas for having the most double-doubles ever by a Lobo freshman:

UNM double-doubles as a freshman:

*8 — JT Toppin (2023-24)

7 — Kenny Thomas (1995-96)

2 — Three Lobos tied

* At least nine games remaining.

When Toppin hit that final bucket, the Lobos bench was up cheering as though the game was still in doubt.

"And we knew it, too. When he scored the bucket, we were all excited, man, because that dude — JT is so special man," Lobo guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. said. "I mean he doesn't even know how special he is, yet. I think once he's able to really hone in on his body and just take care of himself and really work on his game, the sky's the limit for that kid. NBA, wherever he wants to play, he can play. And I tell him this every day to stay confident himself. Stay in that gym and stay keep his head right because he's he's got he's gonna be going special places.

Added his coach, Richard Pitino: "Kenny Thomas is one of the all time greats (at UNM) and for JT to be able to come in and do that just shows how special he is and how good he can become. He's an easy kid to coach. He's got the same demeanor every day. He works and he produces. That's the biggest thing is his production level when he's on the court is so good."

Is #31 too early? We could be looking at a rich man's Kevon Looney. We can mold this kid into something special.

I'd be cool with him at #31 as a Boucher replacement that's a little bit stronger and higher IQ. Who knows, maybe he develops like Pascal?

I haven't seen him mocked but it means nothing, many NBA teams could grade him highly before draft night. He'd be one of the youngest players available to be drafted. He has had monster games on the glass against legit teams like SDSU and others so he's not just beating on inferior competition. There's so much to like about what he's doing right now but I do suppose his skill set will bottleneck his draft range. Even better if he actually ends up as a UDFA.

[ItsDanger]

Read on Twitter

shows that you never really know with the draft. he looked terrible in college last year but he's panning out now

Was available to any aggressive GM. That's not Raps style though. They'd rather wait around. What a missed opportunity.

[RealFaction]

Are any of those guards mocked to us in the top 6 guys that can play next big next to IQ? If we're mocked to take a 6'3 guy because he's BPA then I'd rather trade the pick on draft day

Nikola Topic is a 6'6" PG. With him being from Serbia, Darko might have a love affair with him like he did with Schroder, lol.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Are any of those guards mocked to us in the top 6 guys that can play next big next to IQ? If we're mocked to take a 6'3 guy because he's BPA then I'd rather trade the pick on draft day

Nikola Topic is a 6'6" PG. With him being from Serbia, Darko might have a love affair with him like he did with Schroder, lol.

He would be an amazing fit

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Cody Williams wearing the Batman mask last night. A bit of a head scratcher, I'm in constant conflict if what I'm seeing is a role playing starter or a young man with a legitimate shot at evolving into a top option on a team. It depends what day you catch him on, but I think the point I brought up about him having gone up against really mediocre if not outright poor defenses this year should carry some weight when evaluating him as well. You watch how he played last night and don't see anything more than a guy who will mostly play off others at the NBA level. It's probably best to be prudent and wait for a larger sample size before coming to conclusions regarding what he becomes at next level.

[nivisi9]

Are any of those guards mocked to us in the top 6 guys that can play next big next to IQ? If we're mocked to take a 6'3 guy because he's BPA then I'd rather trade the pick on draft day

Nikola Topic is a 6'6" PG. With him being from Serbia, Darko might have a love affair with him like he did with Schroder, lol.

He would be an amazing fit

would he really though with IQ in the backcourt?

I feel like that be a really soft backcourt defensively that would regularly get TORCHED

doesn't seem like a championship backcourt long term.

[nivisi9]

Cody Williams wearing the Batman mask last night. A bit of a head scratcher, I'm in constant conflict if what I'm seeing is a role playing starter or a young man with a legitimate shot at evolving into a top option on a team. It depends what day you catch him on, but I think the point I brought up about him having gone up against really mediocre if not outright poor defenses this year should carry some weight when evaluating him as well. You watch how he played last night and don't see anything more than a guy who will mostly play off others at the NBA level. It's probably best to be prudent and wait for a larger sample size before coming to conclusions regarding what he becomes at next level.

Honestly Risacher is the prize of this draft

he's going to be a rich man's Michael Porter with some Paul George/Tatum in his prime

it's unfortunate Masai is completely punting on this draft when we could have a legitimate shot at him (or trading up for him) if we kept our pick.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Nikola Topic is a 6'6" PG. With him being from Serbia, Darko might have a love affair with him like he did with Schroder, lol.

He would be an amazing fit

would he really though with IQ in the backcourt?

I feel like that be a really soft backcourt defensively that would regularly get TORCHED

doesn't seem like a championship backcourt unfortunately.

Defensively is a big question mark. I was referring specifically to offense. Having a 6’6” ball handler taking the pressure off Quickley would be ideal. But I keep coming back to Quick being better as a 6th man. His lack of true point guard skills kind of limits us if he’s the guy moving forward unless he actually becomes Maxey lite. But at a certain point he is what he is, and he’ll be 25 soon enough.

[WuTang_CMB]

Nikola Topic is a 6'6" PG. With him being from Serbia, Darko might have a love affair with him like he did with Schroder, lol.

He would be an amazing fit

would he really though with IQ in the backcourt?

I feel like that be a really soft backcourt defensively that would regularly get TORCHED

doesn't seem like a championship backcourt unfortunately.

Topic if available at 6 would likely be BPA and at this point we gotta take what's there. IQ is the future but no harm in taking another bigger guard to load up and give us options down the road. We are trying to develop IQ's playmaking game but Topic is already natural at creating and getting in the lane. Super shifty. Just load up and we analyze

[aminiaturebuddha]

Cody Williams wearing the Batman mask last night. A bit of a head scratcher, I'm in constant conflict if what I'm seeing is a role playing starter or a young man with a legitimate shot at evolving into a top option on a team. It depends what day you catch him on, but I think the point I brought up about him having gone up against really mediocre if not outright poor defenses this year should carry some weight when evaluating him as well. You watch how he played last night and don't see anything more than a guy who will mostly play off others at the NBA level. It's probably best to be prudent and wait for a larger sample size before coming to conclusions regarding what he becomes at next level.

Honestly Risacher is the prize of this draft

he's going to be a rich man's Michael Porter with some Paul George/Tatum in his prime

it's unfortunate Masai is completely punting on this draft when we could have a legitimate shot at him (or trading up for him) if we kept our pick.

I agree that Risacher should be at the top of draft boards right now. I don't know if I'd go so far as to make a Paul George comparison, but he's definitely one of the smoother athletes in the draft. On a sliding scale of smoothness for wing players from Joey Graham to Paul George, Risacher is much closer to George than anyone else.

However, I'm wondering why you think Masai is "punting" on something that is a literal lottery, and what you see as a "legitimate shot"? Even the Pistons right now only have a 14% chance of getting the 1st overall pick. Is that really a legitimate shot?

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

If Stephon Castle sustains his recent level of gameplay leading up to the draft I think he could really be in the mix for the Raptors at 5 or 6. He has the type of outlier stats they look for, two-way player, hard worker, all the talking points they bring up about guys they bring here can apply to him. Plus they believe in teaching shooting.

He's a much better prospect than Scoot was.