2024 Draft Prospects

[Bassman]

Summary from ESPN + about Risacher:

Based on what we've gathered around the league, Risacher is trending as a top-five selection in the 2024 NBA draft. The valuable positional prototype he fits and his strong present trajectory have given him some momentum going into the back half of the season and the pre-draft process. Scouts share some of the same concerns I have surrounding his shot-creation, shooting, and how that might limit his upside, but there's also a sense of security in the skills he already has at a good level for his age.

The sense I've gotten from scouts around the NBA is that in a stronger draft, Risacher would likely be drafted in the mid-to-late lottery, as opposed to the top half. That highlights the value versatile two-way players with size and feel tend to have, no matter the draft.

[JDR720]

Can Sarr play PF?

Would be cool to have a giant frontcourt with him and Mark.

[wilson115]

He's like Kai was or Thor on offense. A project. Defensively's where the real intrigue is right now.

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[Diop]

He's like Kai was or Thor on offense. A project. Defensively's where the real intrigue is right now.

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he's way ahead of Thor and Kai on offense, Wildcats literally let him bring the ball up and start the offense occasionally.

he's just not a massive post threat yet, he's more of a face up player where his ball skills and movement get him good looks.

NBL is a fast scrappy league, not many bullying big men, but you gotta be able to handle the ball if you want to drive in this league as the guards will swipe at it.

Sarr has shown the ability to adjust to that.

[wilson115]

he's way ahead of Thor and Kai on offense, Wildcats literally let him bring the ball up and start the offense occasionally.

he's just not a massive post threat, more of a face up player.

Just has me thinking of the flashes we saw from Kai, but I see your point. Is there any hope he gets to Mobley's level on both ends?

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[Diop]

he's way ahead of Thor and Kai on offense, Wildcats literally let him bring the ball up and start the offense occasionally.

he's just not a massive post threat, more of a face up player.

Just has me thinking of the flashes we saw from Kai, but I see your point. Is there any hope he gets to Mobley's level on both ends?

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he's worked his ass off in Perth, so I won't say no chance, he does like to play like a big guard more often than not though. He's more Porzingis mould to me.

[JDR720]

Cleveland have made it work with Mobley and Allen, then I think we can make it work with Sarr and Mark.

Sarr seems skilled enough, or at least potentially skilled enough, to become a solid 3pt shooter. Higher bust potential though, and makes me paranoid of another Kai or Vonleh.

[JMAC3]

Sarr makes a lot of sense for us. Assume we are healthy and he is the first big off the bench for either Mark or Miles.
Mobley comp makes a lot of sense, but I don't think Sarr is that level of offensive player yet.

I am not sure him and Mark are a great fit longterm, but if you have him as BPA when we pick I would just try it. Especially given Mark injury concerns right now.

[JMAC3]

Let's put it this way.

I want the smartest basketball player on the basketball court in the draft, not the most gifted on either end or both ends.

Unearth the gem and the rest will take care of itself. The smartest player is going to elevate the talent of every Hornet, so collectively the draft generates a greater share of NBA wins.

I don't want to limit the pick by fixating on individual talents matched with team needs.

We see the benefits already of an overhaul of IQ.

Keep it going. Double down.

To me that is Risacher or Williams.

Risacher just seems like the most mature ready now player in the draft. He's playing against grown men and holding his own. He can be a terrific system player who just makes the right play. We already have our stars in Melo/Miller. Now it's a about adding winning high IQ players around them.

I would be happy if we end up with Risacher or Williams.

I like Risacher and Williams as well, but not sure I have seen anything to say they are the smartest players in the draft.

[JustBuzzin]

Let's put it this way.

I want the smartest basketball player on the basketball court in the draft, not the most gifted on either end or both ends.

Unearth the gem and the rest will take care of itself. The smartest player is going to elevate the talent of every Hornet, so collectively the draft generates a greater share of NBA wins.

I don't want to limit the pick by fixating on individual talents matched with team needs.

We see the benefits already of an overhaul of IQ.

Keep it going. Double down.

To me that is Risacher or Williams.

Risacher just seems like the most mature ready now player in the draft. He's playing against grown men and holding his own. He can be a terrific system player who just makes the right play. We already have our stars in Melo/Miller. Now it's a about adding winning high IQ players around them.

I would be happy if we end up with Risacher or Williams.

I like Risacher and Williams as well, but not sure I have seen anything to say they are the smartest players in the draft.

Who said they are the smartest players in the draft?

I said they both have a high IQ by the way they play the game.

[JMAC3]

Let's put it this way.

I want the smartest basketball player on the basketball court in the draft, not the most gifted on either end or both ends.

Unearth the gem and the rest will take care of itself. The smartest player is going to elevate the talent of every Hornet, so collectively the draft generates a greater share of NBA wins.

To me that is Risacher or Williams.

You just did lol.

It could be true, I just think we are very surface level on draft coverage right now. Most people have watched highlights, looked at boxscores etc..

I don't think much has really been made about BBIQ, Defense, Work Ethic etc... all stuff that will ultimately decide the order of the top 5 prospects (Holland, Sarr, Williams, Risacher, Topic).

[JustBuzzin]

Let's put it this way.

I want the smartest basketball player on the basketball court in the draft, not the most gifted on either end or both ends.

Unearth the gem and the rest will take care of itself. The smartest player is going to elevate the talent of every Hornet, so collectively the draft generates a greater share of NBA wins.

To me that is Risacher or Williams.

You just did lol.

It could be true, I just think we are very surface level on draft coverage right now. Most people have watched highlights, looked at boxscores etc..

I don't think much has really been made about BBIQ, Defense, Work Ethic etc... all stuff that will ultimately decide the order of the top 5 prospects (Holland, Sarr, Williams, Risacher, Topic).

I could be wrong. I'm not saying I'm right. Just my opinion they just seem to play with a high basketball IQ.

[JMAC3]

Also worth a note, it has been officially confirmed
We added the Rockets 2024 2nd and Sixers 2025 2nd.
Sent out Celtics 2024 2nd and Clippers 2028 2nd.

If season ended today we hopped up from 60th-39th in the 2nd round.

[JMAC3]

39 would be a great spot to take another Center, we need to add size desperately to this roster.

Our 2 main PF are 6-6 and 6-7.

[HornetJail]

Also worth a note, it has been officially confirmed
We added the Rockets 2024 2nd and Sixers 2025 2nd.
Sent out Celtics 2024 2nd and Clippers 2028 2nd.

If season ended today we hopped up from 60th-39th in the 2nd round.

Sixers and Celtics picks will both be in the 50s unless Embiid gets hurt next season, so that's largely a wash. Clippers is a total mystery box pick, but Houston is guaranteed to be around #40 at this point.

Good enough for me.

[JMAC3]

Also worth a note, it has been officially confirmed
We added the Rockets 2024 2nd and Sixers 2025 2nd.
Sent out Celtics 2024 2nd and Clippers 2028 2nd.

If season ended today we hopped up from 60th-39th in the 2nd round.

Sixers and Celtics picks will both be in the 50s unless Embiid gets hurt next season, so that's largely a wash. Clippers is a total mystery box pick, but Houston is guaranteed to be around #40 at this point.

Good enough for me.

I like adding the 2025 over the 2028, get it sooner, we have plenty of time to recoup 2nds 4 years from now.

One thing I would like to do moving forward is select more international prospects in the 2nd. Who cares if they don't ever come over, if one of those guys hits it is usually way worth it.

[JMAC3]

I feel like the positions guys are listed at in mock drafts this year are all over the place.
Here is where I see guys most natural positions in NBA.

Alex Sarr, PF for first 2 years and then moved to Center once stronger.
Risacher, 2/3.
Cody Williams 3. Too skinny to play 4.
Topic, point guard, trying to play him off the ball will be a bad fit.
Buzelis, he is a 4, he isn't quick enough to play the 3 and he isn't strong enough to play 5.
Walter, 2 and probably only 2.
Holland, 3. Idk why so many places have him listed at 4. He plays nothing like a 4.

[EmpireFalls]

I honestly want Holland if we aren’t able to get Sarr.

Risacher feels utterly redundant with Miller (though he is obviously good, French Keegan Murray), Cody Williams I don’t see it with, he’s not a good athlete and was horrific vs Arizona on Saturday, and guys like Topic, Dillingham etc. are too LaMelo like to really be viewed as long term starters.

I think Holland’s blend of athleticism rim pressure and willingness on defense gives us the dynamism this roster lacks. He gives me Kuminga vibes and with Bridges being a question mark, getting an athletic wing with rim pressure is helpful.

[luciano-davidwesley]

I honestly want Holland if we aren’t able to get Sarr.

Risacher feels utterly redundant with Miller (though he is obviously good, French Keegan Murray), Cody Williams I don’t see it with, he’s not a good athlete and was horrific vs Arizona on Saturday, and guys like Topic, Dillingham etc. are too LaMelo like to really be viewed as long term starters.

I think Holland’s blend of athleticism rim pressure and willingness on defense gives us the dynamism this roster lacks. He gives me Kuminga vibes and with Bridges being a question mark, getting an athletic wing with rim pressure is helpful.

The only problem with Kuminga is he is still all hype and accomplished nowt so far. If we got Kuminga in this draft with a top 7 pick that would be pretty underwhelming to me.

[LofJ]

We have no idea who we'll be in a position to draft until after the lottery takes place. I think Sarr, Risacher, Holland, Tyler Smith, and Castle will end up being the top 5 prospects though. They have the best combination of size and two-way versatility in this class.

After them you're looking at skilled, but possibly defensively weak players like Topic, Sheppard, Williams, Walter, and Dillingham. Then you have guys that could develop into two-way guys, but kinda suck right now like Buzelis, Salaun, and Collier.

If we end up outside of the top 5 and don't want to draft a guard (i.e. Topic or Sheppard) I wouldn't hate taking a long look at Kyle Flipowski. I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up as one of top 5 players from this draft a decade from now. Skilled big men that can pass, shoot, and not kill you defensively are doing VERY well in the league right now.