2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD 2

[bballsparkin]

I needed that Colorado win my bracket is not looking great lol.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Any love for KJ Simpson at 31?

I am beginning to be a believer, why I have Colorado in my final four.

Cody Williams’ injury might help him drop to us, and we could also target KJ at 31. Grab 2 Colorado guys with our picks which helps with chemistry and comfort early on.

[ItsDanger]

Read on Twitter

Start being aggressive in the draft.

[RoteSchroder]

I wouldn't mind taking Edey, there's some serious upside there (with the obvious defensive risk), but if he's not in the 2nd round, I don't think any other prospect comes close to Hansen Yang's upside at #31. There are still things to be concerned about and he needs a lot of polishing, but he's 18 and his playstyle is in the Marc Gasol/Sabonis/Sengun/Jokic mold of players.

5 blocks per game in the U19 World Cup. Next highest was 2.7 blocks/game. Teams were already doubling him when he was going 1v1 in the post. Had better overall stats than Sarr and Risacher (although he played more minutes and had a ton of TO's).

[dohboy_24]

Any love for KJ Simpson at 31?

I am beginning to be a believer, why I have Colorado in my final four.

Cody Williams’ injury might help him drop to us, and we could also target KJ at 31. Grab 2 Colorado guys with our picks which helps with chemistry and comfort early on.

If we're going to draft teammates with 2 or 3 of our picks (#6, #17, #32), I'd rather Ja'Kobe Walter (#6) + Yves Missi (#17) from Baylor or Stephon Castle (#6) + Donovan Clingan (#17) from UConn than Cody Williams (#6) + KJ Simpson (#32) from Colorado.

In the case of Colorado and UConn, we could theoretically use all three (3) picks on teammates to come away with Cody Williams (#6) + Tristan daSilva (#17) + KJ Simpson (#32) from Colorado or Stephon Castle (#6) + Donovan Clingman (#17) + one of Tristen Newton/Alex Karaban/Cam Spencer (#32) in the second round, but a 2-man combo of Walter/Clingan or Castle/Missi likely has more potential than a 2-man combo of Williams and Simpson even though the latter have the benefit of being teammates.

[Thaddy]

I wouldn't mind taking Edey, there's some serious upside there (with the obvious defensive risk), but if he's not in the 2nd round, I don't think any other prospect comes close to Hansen Yang's upside at #31. There are still things to be concerned about and he needs a lot of polishing, but he's 18 and his playstyle is in the Marc Gasol/Sabonis/Sengun/Jokic mold of players.

5 blocks per game in the U19 World Cup. Next highest was 2.7 blocks/game. Teams were already doubling him when he was going 1v1 in the post. Had better overall stats than Sarr and Risacher (although he played more minutes and had a ton of TO's).

Hansen looks much more mobile than Edey. I see him rising to be a late 1st round pick and potentially even mid 1st. Yang's positioning and understanding of rotations is unicorn for his age.

[Mark_83]

I am looking at Pascal the player in college vs. Davis and Skal in college, and coming to the conclusion that Pascal left college a much better basketball player than both of those guys. He had an extra year of college experience, sure, but he was better. They sure as **** didn't come into the league better than Pascal.

You keep saying they were more highly regarded for their talent and potential...except they weren't actually highly regarded by NBA executives at the time, at all. They were both mediocre (Davis) and bad (Skal) as freshmen. It's why they were not high picks even though they were touted highschoolers and played at major programs as 1 and dones.

You are arguing with things I am not saying. It is truly mind boggling that Pascal worked to be an all nba level player from where he started. But that doesn't mean started worse than those two plugs.

Again, revisionist history. Not a single person on this board would have said Pascal was as talented as those guys in their draft year. Those who supported the pick were basically trust Masai and IBM Watson guys.

Vanvleet went undrafted in 2016. Subsequently became better than half of the first rounders that year. Kris Dunn (the bust taken 5th overall), was still a more talented player than him at the time from a pure physical tools and skills standpoint.

Looking back at a few threads, the Skal hype was huge. Surprisingly, there were still a number of fans who didn't like Skal/Davis or didn't want to draft them at all.

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1455089
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1455723
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1450597
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1453111

Siakam mentioned here by CoachJReturns:
viewtopic.php?t=1450597&start=1900

I remember having an epic meltdown when we picked Siakam. I didnt find him impressive at all beyond his measurements and stats against weak competition. Shows we can only determine so much from watching games and videos. We weren't privvy to the draft workout of him fathering Skal and couldn't interview him to get a sense of his character.

[BoyzNTheHood]

I am beginning to be a believer, why I have Colorado in my final four.

Cody Williams’ injury might help him drop to us, and we could also target KJ at 31. Grab 2 Colorado guys with our picks which helps with chemistry and comfort early on.

If we're going to draft teammates with 2 or 3 of our picks (#6, #17, #32), I'd rather Ja'Kobe Walter (#6) + Yves Missi (#17) from Baylor or Stephon Castle (#6) + Donovan Clingan (#17) from UConn than Cody Williams (#6) + KJ Simpson (#32) from Colorado.

In the case of Colorado and UConn, we could theoretically use all three (3) picks on teammates to come away with Cody Williams (#6) + Tristan daSilva (#17) + KJ Simpson (#32) from Colorado or Stephon Castle (#6) + Donovan Clingman (#17) + one of Tristen Newton/Alex Karaban/Cam Spencer (#32) in the second round, but a 2-man combo of Walter/Clingan or Castle/Missi likely has more potential than a 2-man combo of Williams and Simpson even though the latter have the benefit of being teammates.

Walter is going to be a better pro than a college player but 6 might be a reach for him. The same goes for Castle, I’m a huge fan but at 6 I’d struggle. I’d rather trade down if I wanted Walter or Castle.

And then you say Williams and Simpson which is literally the same thing I said.

[RoteSchroder]

I wouldn't mind taking Edey, there's some serious upside there (with the obvious defensive risk), but if he's not in the 2nd round, I don't think any other prospect comes close to Hansen Yang's upside at #31. There are still things to be concerned about and he needs a lot of polishing, but he's 18 and his playstyle is in the Marc Gasol/Sabonis/Sengun/Jokic mold of players.

5 blocks per game in the U19 World Cup. Next highest was 2.7 blocks/game. Teams were already doubling him when he was going 1v1 in the post. Had better overall stats than Sarr and Risacher (although he played more minutes and had a ton of TO's).

Hansen looks much more mobile than Edey. I see him rising to be a late 1st round pick and potentially even mid 1st. Yang's positioning and understanding of rotations is unicorn for his age.

I only got Castle/Hansen as my main draft targets so far. I'd be ok with something like:

Top 6 - Castle (Holland if Castle's not there, there's limited upside with the Kentucky guards imo, though they're more well-polished. Not the biggest Topic fan either)

Indiana pick - Yang (major reach?)

Detroit pick - Kolek (a number of role player prospects in later rounds that are interesting imo, haven't figured out who I like yet)

Castle/Yang/Kolek would be a pretty risky draft. I'm guessing there would be some backlash with fans. Ivisic and KyShawn are on my avoid list for now unless we get another low 2nd, I would take Holmes, Oso and Da Silva over them though.

[dohboy_24]

Walter is going to be a better pro than a college player but 6 might be a reach for him. The same goes for Castle, I’m a huge fan but at 6 I’d struggle. I’d rather trade down if I wanted Walter or Castle.

And then you say Williams and Simpson which is literally the same thing I said.

Nope, I said...

Walter + Missi (Baylor teammates) >> Williams + Simpson (Colorado teammates)
Castle + Clingan (UConn teammates) >> Williams + Simpson (Colorado teammates)
Walter + Clingan (not teammates) >> Williams + Simpson (Colorado teammates)
Castle + Missi (not teammates) >> Williams + Simpson (Colorado teammates)

[BoyzNTheHood]

Walter is going to be a better pro than a college player but 6 might be a reach for him. The same goes for Castle, I’m a huge fan but at 6 I’d struggle. I’d rather trade down if I wanted Walter or Castle.

And then you say Williams and Simpson which is literally the same thing I said.

Nope, I said...

Walter + Missi (Baylor teammates) >> Williams + Simpson (Colorado teammates)
Castle + Clingan (UConn teammates) >> Williams + Simpson (Colorado teammates)
Walter + Clingan (not teammates) >> Williams + Simpson (Colorado teammates)
Castle + Missi (not teammates) >> Williams + Simpson (Colorado teammates)

Fair. I misread it

[tecumseh18]

Siakam mentioned here by CoachJReturns:
viewtopic.php?t=1450597&start=1900

Prescient, but the same guy says this a few posts later in the same thread:

If we're taking a rotation guy like Sabonis at 9th, I hope someone with more upside falls to 27th. Skal, Maker etc...

None of us know anything. I didn't want short-armed Sabonis at #9, and was happy with Jak. Actually, I was hanging out with some RealGMers for that draft at a sports bar (St. Louis' near Rogers Centre), and when Raptors were on the clock at #27, we were all chanting "Skal, Skal, Skal". I'll never forget DG's face when he was looking at the Woj tweet on his phone, seconds before the announcement.

[Thaddy]

I wouldn't mind taking Edey, there's some serious upside there (with the obvious defensive risk), but if he's not in the 2nd round, I don't think any other prospect comes close to Hansen Yang's upside at #31. There are still things to be concerned about and he needs a lot of polishing, but he's 18 and his playstyle is in the Marc Gasol/Sabonis/Sengun/Jokic mold of players.

5 blocks per game in the U19 World Cup. Next highest was 2.7 blocks/game. Teams were already doubling him when he was going 1v1 in the post. Had better overall stats than Sarr and Risacher (although he played more minutes and had a ton of TO's).

Hansen looks much more mobile than Edey. I see him rising to be a late 1st round pick and potentially even mid 1st. Yang's positioning and understanding of rotations is unicorn for his age.

I only got Castle/Hansen as my main draft targets so far. I'd be ok with something like:

Top 6 - Castle (Holland if Castle's not there, there's limited upside with the Kentucky guards imo, though they're more well-polished. Not the biggest Topic fan either)

Indiana pick - Yang (major reach?)

Detroit pick - Kolek (a number of role player prospects in later rounds that are interesting imo, haven't figured out who I like yet)

Castle/Yang/Kolek would be a pretty risky draft. I'm guessing there would be some backlash with fans. Ivisic and KyShawn are on my avoid list for now unless we get another low 2nd, I would take Holmes, Oso and Da Silva over them though.

I haven't watched a lot of tape on Yang but the CBA is really bad. I'm hoping to watch some tape of him in drop coverage against former NBA level guards to gauge his defensive talent. Unless he looks above average athleticism wise in work outs I would skip him.

[Holla]

You know what we need, a NEW bench mob
We need a new Pascal, Freddy, OG, Jak to all motivate and push each other to get better and with 3
(coulda been 4) draft picks this year I believe we can get a decent bench mob

[BoyzNTheHood]

I would LOVE to sign this kid as a UDFA. He has been through so much adversity. He shouldn’t be here right now, but he is, and he’s doing amazing things! A two-way wing player with an epic back story? Sounds Jimmy Butler-esque to me. If he passes his physicals I’d be all over him.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

[ill-Will03]

I would LOVE to sign this kid as a UDFA. He has been through so much adversity. He shouldn’t be here right now, but he is, and he’s doing amazing things! A two-way wing player with an epic back story? Sounds Jimmy Butler-esque to me. If he passes his physicals I’d be all over him.

Read on Twitter

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I was watching this game and this kid just screams winner to me, constantly made winning plays all over the court. Would absolutely love to add him to the team next season.

[CazOnReal]

Somebody needs to convince me that Zach Edey isnt better than even say, Jakob Poetl? I see a solid NBA player, Puts his head down and gets to work.. He is absolutely a 1st round pick in this draft

Edey isn't anywhere near the passer Poeltl is.

While true, Poetl isn't anywhere near the shooter, freethrow shooter or presence down low that Edey. So aside from his passing skills, what is Poetl better at? maybe feel for the game possibly? cant think of anything else.

Better feel, better mobility and in general has proven himself to be an NBA caliber center despite his shooting faults.

[Mark_83]

I would LOVE to sign this kid as a UDFA. He has been through so much adversity. He shouldn’t be here right now, but he is, and he’s doing amazing things! A two-way wing player with an epic back story? Sounds Jimmy Butler-esque to me. If he passes his physicals I’d be all over him.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

Didn't see the game but I was literally just about to post about this kid after checking out the WAC leader boards. Based on some prospect discussions earlier in the day about weaker conferences I was looking for any stats outliers from the WAC and he was all over the leaderboards. I wouldn't be surprised if Masai was aware of him since he played (albeit very briefly) with JFL at DePaul, and he's cousins with Ish Wainwright.

https://edemirnba.substack.com/p/tyon-grant-foster-scouting-report

For the NBA, Grant-Foster offers a combination of defensive versatility, a constant motor, and a variety of ways to score.

[Yallbecrazy]

Somebody needs to convince me that Zach Edey isnt better than even say, Jakob Poetl? I see a solid NBA player, Puts his head down and gets to work.. He is absolutely a 1st round pick in this draft

I think the concern is defensively. As in too big and slow. Hopefully he proves people wrong.

True, footspeed will certainly be a sticking point and its hard to tell here in college where not everyone is a superior athlete.

He can't guard on the perimeter at all, so he won't do well against 4 out and 5 out offenses in the NBA. He also won't get to just stand in the paint like in college.
I see times where he gets played off the floor in the NBA and other times where he is a positive.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Grant Foster would be 25 years old as an NBA rookie next march and needs to be on ball to be effective yet isn't good enough to be efficient against NBA players in isolation. There's nothing to get excited about at all. Send him to Europe if he wants to continue playing basketball so that he can play in a far less competitive league where he can actually carve out a career for himself.