2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD 2

[720]

I’m done with short players. They have limitations no matter how skillful they are.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I’m done with short players. They have limitations no matter how skillful they are.

You would want Maxey on our team right now.

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

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[TNRaps4life]

You can't out tank the grizzlies. They are professional tankers. We should just convey the pick.

[bballsparkin]

You can't out tank the grizzlies. They are professional tankers. We should just convey the pick.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Does anyone know how long Missi has been playing basketball for? I tried looking it up but couldn't find any info. He's still raw but if he keeps playing with the effort and intensity that he did yesterday it changes everything. Yesterday's game was eye-opening how he was able to put the ball on the floor and get to the rack and finish. He showed a level a play he hasn't showed all season. With all his flaws if he hasn't been playing basketball long I could see them being rapidly corrected and his game showing a ton of improvement.

So many guys are coming alive towards the end of the year and flashing promising gameplay.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

"PI: Are there any other particular athletes you look up to from Cameroon?

YM: Oh yeah, I mean, we have a lot in Cameroon like you said. We also have a Pascal Siakam, who's actually the only Cameroon player who won the NBA championship. We also have Christian Koloko, who's playing with Pascal Siakam and the Raptors. So Christian Koloko, for example, played for Arizona last year. I look up to someone like him who moved from college to the NBA, who's actually doing good. Just looking up to players like that and I've been close with some of these guys, so it's just great getting advice from people like them who have experience and that's pretty much it."

It's over Masai is locked in at 15 after he interviews Missi for better or worse.

[PhilBlackson]

I’d take a flyer on Big Z (or even Yang) before Missi.

I don’t see what separates Missi from a player like a Capela & we already seen how a C that can shoot like Kelly despite being undersized is benefiting Scottie & this offence.

Also if we’re going for a raw C, I’d use our SRP on Chomche instead Missi with our FRP. Chomche actually looks more intriguing to me as a prospect than Yves but that’s just me.

[Psubs]

I’d take a flyer on Big Z (or even Yang) before Missi.

I don’t see what separates Missi from a player like a Capela & we already seen how a C that can shoot like Kelly despite being undersized is benefiting Scottie & this offence.

Also if we’re going for a raw C, I’d use our SRP on Chomche instead Missi with our FRP. Chomche actually looks more intriguing to me as a prospect than Yves but that’s just me.

100% Tired of Poeltl not being a threat in a P&R. Also too immobile to dunk regularly.

Around 10-13, have OKC x2, Chicago and New Orleans, all could pick up a big. Hopefully Missi, Filipowski and Clingan get drafted there. Even if Ware, Ivisic or Tyler Smith get taken ahead, all 3 won't be, right?!?!?

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I’d take a flyer on Big Z (or even Yang) before Missi.

I don’t see what separates Missi from a player like a Capela & we already seen how a C that can shoot like Kelly despite being undersized is benefiting Scottie & this offence.

Also if we’re going for a raw C, I’d use our SRP on Chomche instead Missi with our FRP. Chomche actually looks more intriguing to me as a prospect than Yves but that’s just me.

Ware is the most talented of any big but there are major question marks if he will care enough to ever achieve what he's capable of.

[DAcReator]

I’m at the UCON game.. Masai needs to get Castle.

[Karanpal]

I still have kyshawn George for the Indiana pick but I feel like he might got lottery when everything's all said and done .

I know he's older prospect but Caleb love is a guy i think will carve out a long career and could end up a start. Has all the tools to be that just needs to be more efficient

[Psubs]

I’m at the UCON game.. Masai needs to get Castle.

I guess he passes the eye test but he's like the 5th most important player statistically to their success. Even bench player Hassan Diarra matters more to the team according to stats.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/connecticut/men/2024.html

Can Castle ascend like an Anthony Edwards?

We like Kolek with #32, but what about 5 year senior Cam Spencer, shooting 49/44/91, 3.3 ast / 1.1 to's? At worst, can he be a 6'4 Cam Thomas off the bench?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/cam-spencer-1.html

Alex Karaban similar to Kispert?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/alex-karaban-1.html

[grant101]

I’m at the UCON game.. Masai needs to get Castle.

Perfect complement to Quickley in the backcourt, and longterm fit next to Scottie

[DAcReator]

I’m at the UCON game.. Masai needs to get Castle.

I guess he passes the eye test but he's like the 5th most important player statistically to their success. Even bench player Hassan Diarra matters more to the team according to stats.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/connecticut/men/2024.html

Can Castle ascend like an Anthony Edwards?

We like Kolek with #32, but what about 5 year senior Cam Spencer, shooting 49/44/91, 3.3 ast / 1.1 to's? At worst, can he be a 6'4 Cam Thomas off the bench?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/cam-spencer-1.html

Alex Karaban similar to Kispert?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/alex-karaban-1.html

My one game sample assessment of Castle is this

Pros:
1.HIGH -level / talented playmaker/passer (similar to Scottie)
2. Really good defender
3. Showed really crazy flashes of slashing/handles and finished well inside for a guard (6’6)

Cons:
1. DEFERS - similar to Scottie I found he over passes and wants to be a playmaker more than the talented scorer he is/could be
2. Not a great outside shooter yet

Overall: his court vision/IQ is super advanced for a freshman and shooting guard, it’s so intriguing. He has the handles and athleticism to be elite but similar to Scottie his defer-mentality could hold him back from that

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I’m at the UCON game.. Masai needs to get Castle.

I guess he passes the eye test but he's like the 5th most important player statistically to their success. Even bench player Hassan Diarra matters more to the team according to stats.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/connecticut/men/2024.html

Can Castle ascend like an Anthony Edwards?

We like Kolek with #32, but what about 5 year senior Cam Spencer, shooting 49/44/91, 3.3 ast / 1.1 to's? At worst, can he be a 6'4 Cam Thomas off the bench?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/cam-spencer-1.html

Alex Karaban similar to Kispert?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/alex-karaban-1.html

My one game sample assessment of Castle is this

Pros:
1.HIGH -level / talented playmaker/passer (similar to Scottie)
2. Really good defender
3. Showed really crazy flashes of slashing/handles and finished well inside for a guard (6’6)

Cons:
1. DEFERS - similar to Scottie I found he over passes and wants to be a playmaker more than the talented scorer he is/could be
2. Not a great outside shooter yet

Overall: his court vision/IQ is super advanced for a freshman and shooting guard, it’s so intriguing. He has the handles and athleticism to be elite but similar to Scottie his defer-mentality could hold him back from that

He's deferring because he wouldn't be getting minutes at UConn otherwise. In high school he took 11.6 three point attempts per 36 and was a one-man show.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Interesting writeup on DaRon Holmes, he just seems like this year's TJD to me.

https://theswishtheory.com/2024-nba-draft-articles/2024/03/roundtable-2024-nba-draft-sleepers/

Avinash: DaRon Holmes II
DaRon Holmes is putting up one of the most well-rounded, dominant seasons in recent memory, and he’s getting late second round buzz. Here’s why I find that baffling.

Let’s get some things out of the way: DaRon Holmes is somewhat undersized for his position (6’10 in shoes), has middling length (7’0 WS), he is a bit old (August 2002 bday makes him ~senior aged), and he plays in a mid-major conference (although the A10 is arguably just as good as some P5 conferences). These are all valid criticisms, and should certainly be considered in ascertaining his upside. And yet, after watching DaRon for three years, I have two contentions that I will qualify below: 1) DaRon Holmes is putting up one of the greatest rim scoring seasons ever. 2) DaRon Holmes might be the most well rounded big man ever.

Starting with the first contention: from 2008 to 2023, there have been 37 instances where a player dunked 75 dunks or more. Five players have managed to do this twice: Udoka Azubuike, Tacko Fall, Obi Toppin, Chimezie Metu, and of course DaRon Holmes. Currently, DaRon is on pace to be the first player to do this 3 times! This baseline of interior dominance is important, but so is the span of his dominance. Upperclassmen are often maligned for only dominating once they reach a certain age threshold, thereby making their dominance seemingly untranslatable. Well, DaRon has been dunking to oblivion since his freshman season. His freshman season was actually a quasi-statistical doppelganger to Jalen Duren, and he was one of 7 players to dunk 80 times as a freshman (the other 6 were all lottery picks: AD, Ayton, Bagley, Obi, Drummond, and Bam. Dunks are my favorite way of ascertaining functional interior dominance: it’s the play type with the highest conversion percentage, yet it also has the highest barrier to consistent entry.

There’s so many more ways I could reiterate Holmes’ interior goodness. He’s scoring a whooping 80% at the rim on very high volume (will likely hit 200 rim attempts) and he’s getting to the line at an extremely high rate (70 FTR on the season). This combination of dunks/rim %/ FTR is virtually unmatched. For context, there have only been 3 seasons where a player has even reached 65 FTR and 80 dunks: Bam, Mason Plumlee, and Tacko Fall, with DaRon and Edey on pace to crush these numbers this year.

I’ve just spit out a cacophony of numbers to demonstrate DaRon’s interior dominance, some of which may admittedly be redundant. He also happens to be the rare disciplined rim protector, with both a strong rim protection record and foul rate reminiscent of a guard (career 7.6% block and 2.3 fouls per 50). But the main point is that DaRon doesn’t just exhibit above average interior dominance: by all accounts, he is one of the most dominant rim forces we have ever seen. There are some concerns about translatability, sure, but these are all relative. Even adjusting for length, means of winning, and conference strength, DaRon should at least be a solid bet to be a well-above-average rim force in the league.

However, it would be incredibly reductive to call DaRon an interior scoring merchant. He is also one of the best big man passers I have ever seen. He can catch the ball on the perimeter, force his way to the rim off a dribble drive and sling a one handed pass to the weak side for an open 3. He can get to a post-up and time pocket passes on the inside to cutters. He can bring the ball up the court and hit a tween as he scans the floor, and consistently leverages his rim gravity to make connective reads out of the post. This type of ball handling skill and passing acumen is quite rare for a 6’10 big, and it manifests in his 19% assist rate. Defenders truly have to pick their poison with DaRon – sit back and watch your center get absolutely cooked by DaRon inside the post en route to another dunk, or help off your man too hard and watch as DaRon wastes no time finding the open man.

I don’t really care too much about perimeter shooting numbers for prospects, but DaRon is putting up 5 3PA/100 and 37% 3P, while shooting 69% on FTs. Even if I’m not totally sold that he’s going to be a pick and pop force in his prime a la Kevin Love, this is a pretty significant data point. This year, there’s only 18 players 6’10 or taller who even meet 3 3PA/100, 35% 3P, and 65% FT. To me, this is just a testament to DaRon’s perimeter skill and fluidity, and this perimeter volume is already operating as a functional outlet for him to create advantages off closeouts.

It’s pretty clear that DaRon is an impressive passer and shooter – how many big men are able to put up 19% assist and 5 3PA/100 simultaneously? It’s a rare skill set with intuitive translatability, as it’s easy to imagine the utility of a post hub who can pick and pop or even run some delay actions from the jump. At the same time, there’s only been a couple players who have even approached DaRon’s statistical rate of interior dominance, and even fewer who can dominate the rim at both ends.

Here’s the bottom line: there has NEVER been a prospect who approaches DaRon’s goodness at the intersection of feel, shooting, and interior scoring. One of the best statistical rim scorers also happens to be an awesome passer and bonafide shooter, all while protecting the rim at a high level? This is absolutely insane territory, and I’m running out of ways to emphasize this. Since 2008, there have only been 3 players with 50 dunks, 15% assist, and literally just 1 3PA/100: Zion, Obi, and Josh Jackson. None of them were even close to DaRon’s block rate or even 3PA/100 (Zion was the closest at 3.9 3PA/100). For reference, DaRon is on pace to pulverize these thresholds; he’s on pace for 80 dunks, 19% assist, and 5 3PA/100.

I don’t need to cook up another bart query to exemplify the extraordinary nature of this skillset. DaRon Holmes has the most fascinating skill integration for a big that I’ve ever seen, and he does it while being elite to generational in all the facets you want to see for a traditional big man. Oftentimes, when we look for unicorns among bigs, we fail to account for whether or not they are good at traditional big man things. So many scrawny bigs have failed because their movement aesthetics weren’t adequately functional to overcome their physical deficiencies. And now, we have one of the most physically dominant big men in the barttorvik.com era entering the draft, and this player also happens to be able to dribble, shoot and pass at a high level relative to position? And he’s projected to go undrafted by several outlets? By all accounts, his integration of skills in conjunction with his baseline of sheer dominance is incredibly rare and offers a tantalizing combination of high floor and untapped ceiling. This is the type of bet I want my front office making.

Roshan: Jaylon Tyson
The NBA has had a massive talent explosion in the last couple of years, where players with size are coming in more skilled than ever. One of the reasons is the proliferation of wings or bigs that can dribble, pass and shoot. In a class where this player is more of a rarity, Jaylon Tyson has a case for being underrated.

Jaylon Tyson is a 6’7” junior tasked with running the primary ballhandling duties for the California Golden Bears, lighting the Pac-12 up with impressive shotmaking, crafty ball-handling, and reactive passing. In 27 games, 35% of his offensive possessions come from being the pick-and-roll ballhandler where he’s been slicing up defenses with his good first step and leveraging his touch from all three levels of the floor.

He’s been shooting 59% at the rim on 188 attempts (70% unassisted), 42% on 108 midrange attempts (93% unassisted), and 36% on three-point attempts (48% unassisted). If you still don’t believe he has touch, he’s also shooting 77% from the charity stripe for his career (177 attempts), 43% on floaters and hooks this year, and 45% on off-the-dribble jumpers inside the arc this year. Tyson can get to these shots in a lot of creative ways where he’s able to use change of direction, deceleration, and different stride lengths to freeze defenders or cause them to flip their hips. He’s then able to use quickness in short spaces to create space and hunt a shot.

Tyson’s handle is the vehicle for all of his crucial skills on the offensive end, as he has excellent ball control. This enables him to pick the ball up at gather points where primary and help defenders can not dig at it effectively, further lending itself to live dribble passes.

His passing volume mostly contains single-level reads like finding the roller out of pick-and-roll or making connective passes to the next rotational player, but where he shines is how quickly he’s processing these decisions, often locating the help defense. Sometimes the speed of his deliveries can be improved but I can see a pathway to growth in this area because he has manipulated defenses at times with no-look passes. With improved hand strength, he could potentially do this with more volume off of a live dribble.

Tyson is definitely an NBA athlete, dunking 15 times in the halfcourt (3 of which came off of his drives to the rim) with good load time off of two feet. There isn’t a wingspan that I could find but I would say it ranges somewhere between +3 and +5 inches compared to his height. On the defensive end, this length and explosion allow him to stifle smaller ball-handlers. His lateral movement allows him to stay with ball handlers and then hound them with his reach, empowering his ability to create events which can be seen in his 1.7 block percentage and 2.0 steal percentage.

His problem on the defensive end is screen navigation, where he can get caught across screens and has to recover back into the play. Most of this is him not doing his work early with technique and getting skinny, specifically taking larger lateral strides before the opposing big can get positioned with his screen. Currently, he can recover into plays using his burst and length but this will be tougher to do in the NBA with the amount of ground that has to be covered.

I believe this issue is further amplified due to his usage on the offensive end (30% usage) which will persist less in the NBA in a scaled-down role. In the NBA, Tyson will have the chance to play off of better advantage creators, where he can capitalize on tilted defenses off-the-catch. Having to create fewer possessions at the next level, there should be an uptick in three-point efficiency, similar to his sophomore season at Texas Tech where more of his threes were assisted as he shot 40% on 107 attempts. To get even more granular, he shot 43% on catch-and-shoot shots his sophomore year. With a reduced offensive load, it will let him expend more on the defensive end and do his work early with technique.

The skills and athletic traits he has as a primary should translate well to an off-ball role in increased NBA spacing, using burst and explosion to capitalize on advantages, and incorporating his touch and creative handle to create counters when the defense recovers.

These tantalizing skills at prototypical wing size should give the team that drafts Tyson a dynamic scoring wing with the potential to funnel ballhandlers as a defender in the NBA. That sounds like the description of a player who could end up being a starting-caliber player and will be 21.5 years old on draft night; yet, he remains outside of the top 20 on most boards and mocks throughout mainstream media. In my opinion, investing heavily in a player of that caliber is usually justified, particularly in a draft class where there’s a significant shortage of this player type.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

That was one ballsy writeup on DaRon Holmes. The Tyson writeup verbalizes quite well what I feel about him - stick him at wing, reduce workload = increase defensive efficiency, allow him to attack shifted defenses. I also see the outcome where he ends up a starting caliber player, all it takes is envisioning that off-ball role where he merges the defense he showed as a lower USG player at Texas Tech (and improves upon it which he is capable of) with his bread and butter which is his offense. Absolute dynamite efficiency as a cutter and catch and shoot threat last year. Tyson is very very underrated, it's hard to see his upside if you only look at him playing out of position this year for Cal.

[DAcReator]

I guess he passes the eye test but he's like the 5th most important player statistically to their success. Even bench player Hassan Diarra matters more to the team according to stats.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/connecticut/men/2024.html

Can Castle ascend like an Anthony Edwards?

We like Kolek with #32, but what about 5 year senior Cam Spencer, shooting 49/44/91, 3.3 ast / 1.1 to's? At worst, can he be a 6'4 Cam Thomas off the bench?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/cam-spencer-1.html

Alex Karaban similar to Kispert?

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/alex-karaban-1.html

My one game sample assessment of Castle is this

Pros:
1.HIGH -level / talented playmaker/passer (similar to Scottie)
2. Really good defender
3. Showed really crazy flashes of slashing/handles and finished well inside for a guard (6’6)

Cons:
1. DEFERS - similar to Scottie I found he over passes and wants to be a playmaker more than the talented scorer he is/could be
2. Not a great outside shooter yet

Overall: his court vision/IQ is super advanced for a freshman and shooting guard, it’s so intriguing. He has the handles and athleticism to be elite but similar to Scottie his defer-mentality could hold him back from that

He's deferring because he wouldn't be getting minutes at UConn otherwise. In high school he took 11.6 three point attempts per 36 and was a one-man show.

I feel like every nba prospect was a high usage shooting in high school and than college is where their true tendencies/roles come out since they are playing with competent teammates.
I felt very confident from the game I watched that Castle definitely prefers a good assist to a three point shot.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Daron Holmes and Jaylon Tyson seem like no brainer picks. If either fail in the NBA I would be very surprised. The fact that both aren’t projected in the lottery is wild to me.