2024 Draft Prospects

[Diop]

It’s not outrageous to consider Sheppard a top 5 pick.

I get the questions but it’s not like no one else is considering him a top 5 talent

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[luciano-davidwesley]

Probably some better comparisons with the data we have right now are Seth Curry or Steve Kerr. Kerr is the all time leader in 3pt percentage which is great, but never averaged even 10 pts per game in the league. Seth Curry is 8th on the all time 3pt percentage list and has had a nice career, but not the outcome you are hoping for with a lotto pick.

Absolute nonsense

Do you want to explain why you think this is the case or did you just come to diarrhea your feelings?

You came up with the laziest of lazy comps, yet you want a detailed rebuttal? If you've watched Sheppard play you'd know he's clearly more than just generic white shooting guy.

He's shown he can finish at the rim around college bigs. He's a major plus, plus rebounder, ball thief and shot blocker for a guard, let alone a likely PG. Super crafty and great anticipation for where the ball will be. He's shown playmaking chops but this will be his make or break as a prospect as he'll be archtyped as a 1 as a pro.

Steve Kerr did none of those things in College or as a pro.

It's almost as if you saw a 6'3 white guy that can shoot and compared him to another 6'3 white guy who could only shoot. But that was all Kerr could do.

[GoBobs]

Absolute nonsense

Do you want to explain why you think this is the case or did you just come to diarrhea your feelings?

You came up with the laziest of lazy comps, yet you want a detailed rebuttal? If you've watched Sheppard play you'd know he's clearly more than just generic white shooting guy.

He's shown he can finish at the rim around college bigs. He's a major plus, plus rebounder, ball thief and shot blocker for a guard, let alone a likely PG. Super crafty and great anticipation for where the ball will be. He's shown playmaking chops but this will be his make or break as a prospect as he'll be archtyped as a 1 as a pro.

Steve Kerr did none of those things in College or as a pro.

It's almost as if you saw a 6'3 white guy that can shoot and compared him to another 6'3 white guy who could only shoot. But that was all Kerr could do.

I compared him to those guys because they are high efficiency but low volume scorers.

Sheppard is the same size as Rozier. For me to believe he is worthy of a top pick based on scoring ability he has to average more than 12 pts per game.

I still like him right now in the 12-19 range of a normal draft and would like to get him, I just want to trade down if possible.

[JMAC3]

Reed is too dependent on the 3ball. Yes, he had a great game, but it was because he hit 7 threes. He had just 2 buckets inside the 3pt line, which is a common trend all year he hasn't finished at the rim very often.

Even if Sheppard measures on the bigger side of what is expected at 6-3 185, he has already had his wingspan measured and it was 6-3. That is the part not being discussed enough. Marcus Sasser was 6-1. bit with 6-7 wingspan so essentially, he is functionally the bigger player and also 195 lbs.

I know Sasser is a senior (although 13.7 ppg as soph)... but assume we took him in the top 5 last year. He is shooting 40% from three and overall has good shooting numbers. Are you happy with that outcome?

[Rich4114]

Reed seems like a nice prospect, but unless he's clearly better than others ranked around him I'd go for someone who has more strength and/or size because this team lacks that. I wouldn't take a lesser prospect over him just because of size/strength to be clear.

[JMAC3]

Reed seems like a nice prospect, but unless he's clearly better than others ranked around him I'd go for someone who has more strength and/or size because this team lacks that. I wouldn't take a lesser prospect over him just because of size/strength to be clear.

I am not taking him completely off my board, but if he is 6-2 with a 6-3 wingspan it is going to be hard for me to be excited about him in the top 5. Not that he can't find a successful role in the NBA because at worst he probably gives you Sam Merril numbers as an undersized sniper from 3 but his complete lack of ability to get to the rim consistently removes him from considering him a franchise pg in my mind.

[Rich4114]

Reed seems like a nice prospect, but unless he's clearly better than others ranked around him I'd go for someone who has more strength and/or size because this team lacks that. I wouldn't take a lesser prospect over him just because of size/strength to be clear.

I am not taking him completely off my board, but if he is 6-2 with a 6-3 wingspan it is going to be hard for me to be excited about him in the top 5. Not that he can't find a successful role in the NBA because at worst he probably gives you Sam Merril numbers as an undersized sniper from 3 but his complete lack of ability to get to the rim consistently removes him from considering him a franchise pg in my mind.

There’s that Jimmer Fridette vibe I worry about with him as well

[Snidely FC]

Only one NCAA first-round pick in the past 35 years (Michigan's Glen Rice in 1989) has shot over 50% from 3 on more than four attempts per game like Reed Sheppard is doing this season

Impressive

Still...

Hopefully with the Brandon Miller pick the Hornets have seen the wisdom in moving away from drafting the undersized combo guard archetype.

Also, hopefully adding Mann & Micic makes drafting Sheppard surplus to requirements.

Top of my Hornets wish list for this draft remains Cody Williams, Ron Holland, Stephon Castle and Matas Buzelis.

[JMAC3]

Only one NCAA first-round pick in the past 35 years (Michigan's Glen Rice in 1989) has shot over 50% from 3 on more than four attempts per game like Reed Sheppard is doing this season

Impressive

Still...

Hopefully with the Brandon Miller pick the Hornets have seen the wisdom in moving away from drafting the undersized combo guard archetype.

Also, hopefully adding Mann & Micic makes drafting Sheppard surplus to requirements.

Top of my Hornets wish list for this draft remains Cody Williams, Ron Holland, Stephon Castle and Matas Buzelis.

Maybe I am broken, but I could care less if he shoots 45% from 3 or 65%. Either way he is a good shooter and neither number is realistically attainable at the next level.

[MPM]

Reed seems like a nice prospect, but unless he's clearly better than others ranked around him I'd go for someone who has more strength and/or size because this team lacks that. I wouldn't take a lesser prospect over him just because of size/strength to be clear.

I am not taking him completely off my board, but if he is 6-2 with a 6-3 wingspan it is going to be hard for me to be excited about him in the top 5. Not that he can't find a successful role in the NBA because at worst he probably gives you Sam Merril numbers as an undersized sniper from 3 but his complete lack of ability to get to the rim consistently removes him from considering him a franchise pg in my mind.

There’s that Jimmer Fridette vibe I worry about with him as well

You beat me to it. Was going to mention Jimmer. Similarly sized, similarly dynamic, Jimmer was also a bit of a ball hawk that seemed stuck between 1 & 2. Truth be told I haven't seen much of Reed play (just highlights - others can tell me if Jimmer is a decent comp), but wish him luck. Also - yeah - I have a lot of guys ahead of him - Sarr, Risacher, Walter, Castle, Williams, Knecht, Topic, etc . . .

EDIT - I went back and checked Jimmer's Draft Express profile (oh, DX!), and it looks like scouts were far more down on Jimmer's defense and finishing ability than I recall, two areas which aren't necessarily big weaknesses for Sheppard (at least at the college level).

I will tell you this - a lot of the perimeter shots I've seen him hit in the highlight reels he won't be seeing against NBA wing defenders, so he really needs to be able to create, play at the 1. Too much of a gamble for me at his size/reach.

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[LofJ]

Ron Holland reminds me of Jaylen Brown when he first came into the league. Holland is a better shooter than Brown was coming in, but like Brown he will get on the court early in his career because of his defense. That's exactly the type of player we need right now. A guy who plays hard defense and has untapped potential on offense. I have one caveat though, if he thinks he can take anywhere near the amount of shots he did in the G-League he's delusional. If he's self-aware enough to know that won't fly in the NBA then I really like him for this team.

[luciano-davidwesley]

I also just want to make it clear I'm not saying we should definitely draft Sheppard or that he's a definite top 5 pick.

All I'm saying is year after year guys like him go under the radar and way outperform expectations because they don't measure great or they have been stereotyped.

I only would want him if our FO determines that he can be a pure PG at the next level. I'm not looking for a combo guard either.

That being said in a weak draft I wouldn't be averse to trading back to 7-10 to get him as Mann and Micic are solid but hardly guys that should be changing your drafting strategy of BPA.

He has a nifty ability to create separation from bigs when he is getting to the rim and uses his body well to stop bigs getting at his layup, however I agree I'd like to see him doing it with a lot more regularity than he is currently. The idea he can't finish at the rim at all is definitely not correct.

[JMAC3]

I also just want to make it clear I'm not saying we should definitely draft Sheppard or that he's a definite top 5 pick.

All I'm saying is year after year guys like him go under the radar and way outperform expectations because they don't measure great or they have been stereotyped.

I only would want him if our FO determines that he can be a pure PG at the next level. I'm not looking for a combo guard either.

That being said in a weak draft I wouldn't be averse to trading back to 7-10 to get him as Mann and Micic are solid but hardly guys that should be changing your drafting strategy of BPA.

He has a nifty ability to create separation from bigs when he is getting to the rim and uses his body well to stop bigs getting at his layup, however I agree I'd like to see him doing it with a lot more regularity than he is currently. The idea he can't finish at the rim at all is definitely not correct.

I would argue the opposite, year after year teams select guys that are combo guards with no idea what type of role they will play and just hope that it works out. Sometimes it does, but more often than not you end up with inefficient small guards who are not really needle movers.

Reed complete lack to get to the rim is very concerning especially when you consider how much space Kentucky plays with. They are #1 shooting team in the country by 3pt %. So he constantly has driving lanes and also easy assists because he plays with a bunch of shot makers. His ftr is super low because he doesn't have the athleticism to push the ball towards the basket, hence why he hardly ever records more than 1 finish at the rim per game.

[wilson115]

Well, I was pretty hard on Brandon's inability to get to the rim pre-draft. Turns out he's a midrange assassin and Alabama's Moreyball offense hid that. Remember this is a Calipari team Reed's playing for, the man has a rep for making his guards look underwhelming.

That said, I'd still like a big or a big wing with defensive chops picking in the top 5. Already sick of seeing Grant and Cody get busted up trying to guard bigger players.

[GiggitySmalls]

Rom Holland has my attention. His motor and athleticism are tantalizing. He puts pressure on the rim and plays some defense, and is a fast break monster who would look nice with Melo if he's can finally make it on the court. He also fills the big gap at wing for us. He's an extremely impressive athlete. He already plays strong and has a frame that can add muscle. Can guard 4 positions. There is alot to like about this guy.

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[luciano-davidwesley]

Reed seems like a nice prospect, but unless he's clearly better than others ranked around him I'd go for someone who has more strength and/or size because this team lacks that. I wouldn't take a lesser prospect over him just because of size/strength to be clear.

I am not taking him completely off my board, but if he is 6-2 with a 6-3 wingspan it is going to be hard for me to be excited about him in the top 5. Not that he can't find a successful role in the NBA because at worst he probably gives you Sam Merril numbers as an undersized sniper from 3 but his complete lack of ability to get to the rim consistently removes him from considering him a franchise pg in my mind.

I like the Sam Merril comp as a floor, being a great shooter who doesn't get hunted on the other end of the floor.


I have his absolute ceiling as a better shooting but worse playmaking Stockton, 75th percentile outcome is Mark Price, 50th percentile a smaller Brogdon and floor being a rich mans Sam Merrill or rich mans Hornets version of Devonte Graham.

[luciano-davidwesley]

The difference is Kerr and Seth can't do anything besides shoot 3's. Reed has a much better all-around game.

He's more like Derrick White, Brogdon or maybe Mike Conley. All-around PG/SG, although he's a better shooter than those guys. Could see a Booker or Beal if his 1v1 scoring is good enough.

Nobody thought Booker would turn into a 25+ppg scorer, he was once just viewed as a shooter too.

Derrick White was 6.45 in shoes and 189 lb at the combine. Brogdon was even bigger. Neither of them sniffed the lottery and neither is worth trading a top 5 pick for even in a bad draft.

Derrick White and Brogdon are two more examples of guys who drastically outperformed their draft status as they where criminally overlooked. They didn't dunk like Westbrook, Wall or Ja so they were ignored despite their obvious natural instincts and feel for the game. Their successes reinforces the fact if anything that we shouldn't just be looking at the most athletic and tall/long guys at the detriment of actual basketball players.

Brogdon is 6'4, not bigger and at this stage we are merely assuming Sheppard is a lot smaller than 6'3 for some reason.

But I'm sure we'll all feel better about drafting some guy that can't catch a ball but is 6'11 with a 40 inch vertical and the correct skin colour for a basketball player apparently.

[GiggitySmalls]

Sarr
Risacher
Buzelis
Holland
Williams
Castle
Furphy
Topic

All guys worth discussing at length, and the past 15 to 20 posts have been about a non factor dude for our franchise. I don't understand it at all. We moved on from rozier tre Mann is likely gonna end up 6th man brandon at the 2 we need to focus on who goes between Miller and Miles. Unless we can get Sarr. I mean he's a top 2 prospect and with Williams being sketchy, I think he would have to be the guy if we landed the 1st pick overall. Reed is a non factor. If not sarr. All those other forwards mean less depending on injury riddled Martin, who is a specialist at best.

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[luciano-davidwesley]

It’s not outrageous to consider Sheppard a top 5 pick.

I get the questions but it’s not like no one else is considering him a top 5 talent

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The guy has so many strings in his bow and we are all questioning him basically because he is white.

He has a super quick release, his jumper is absolute money, step back, can shoot off the bounce, screen or catch and shoot, subtle hesi, drives, can kick it out (that pass at 0:55 ). He anticipates the passing lanes as good as anyone and he blocks and disrupts shots and dribbles against two guards but yeah he's going to suck in the NBA and be Jimmer lol

[luciano-davidwesley]

Sarr
Risacher
Buzelis
Holland
Williams
Castle
Furphy
Topic

All guys worth discussing at length, and the past 15 to 20 posts have been about a non factor dude for our franchise. I don't understand it at all. We moved on from rozier tre Mann is likely gonna end up 6th man brandon at the 2 we need to focus on who goes between Miller and Miles. Unless we can get Sarr. I mean he's a top 2 prospect and with Williams being sketchy, I think he would have to be the guy if we landed the 1st pick overall. Reed is a non factor. If not sarr. All those other forwards mean less depending on injury riddled Martin, who is a specialist at best.

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If Sheppard is a point guard (which I think he will be judging by the passes he is making) he is absolutely not a non factor and to suggest so is to be disingenuous.

This draft has very little hype at all yet you are going on about the guys above as if it is the 2023 draft and we are debating consensus 5 star NBA prospects like last year.