2024 Draft Prospects

[JDR720]

He's a pure post up big. Jokic/Embiid can score at all 3 levels.

When was the last time we had a pure post center in the NBA?

I get people love this kid, but there is a reason he's not even a projected top 10 pick. Those kind of centers just aren't in the NBA anymore. The only way I see Edey having success is if they literally make him the #1 option and build the offense around him 4 out 1 in style offense. A guy like that needs space. It's the only way I think he could be a potential star at the next level.

So, now it's not defense, but offense?

His NBA role is to defend the rim, score in the paint and rebound. He is very good at all of those things.

Zubac. Nurkic. Kessler. Allen. Poeltl etc.

He's not a top 10 pick because he's a senior and doesn't have "upside" or whatever. Teams would rather draft athletic players who don't know how to play than experienced skilled players who do.

[JustBuzzin]

He's a pure post up big. Jokic/Embiid can score at all 3 levels.

When was the last time we had a pure post center in the NBA?

I get people love this kid, but there is a reason he's not even a projected top 10 pick. Those kind of centers just aren't in the NBA anymore. The only way I see Edey having success is if they literally make him the #1 option and build the offense around him 4 out 1 in style offense. A guy like that needs space. It's the only way I think he could be a potential star at the next level.

So, now it's not defense, but offense?

His NBA role is to defend the rim, score in the paint and rebound. He is very good at all of those things.

Zubac. Nurkic. Kessler. Allen. Poeltl etc.

He's not a top 10 pick because he's a senior and doesn't have "upside" or whatever. Teams would rather draft athletic players who don't know how to play than experienced skilled players who do.

Well comparing him to those centers seems to be in the same ballpark for my expectations. I don't see star at the next level, but a solid role player center.

No disagreement on what you said. I'm fine taking him outside the top 10.

[wilson115]

Another dude worth a look in the 2nd. Works hard, built like the Hulk, and since he's an Aztec we know he plays honest defense. (See: his old pal Nathan Mensah.) Trouble is he turns 25 this year.

Spoiler:

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[Snidely FC]

“People are talking about Edey going in the first round and I’m asking myself if we’re really talking about a situational big man in the first round?” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Is he going to be a starter? No. Is he going to be a backup every night? Probably not. He’s Boban Marjanovic in my opinion.”

2020-2021. Luka Garza was again named Sporting News Player of the Year, becoming the first repeat winner since Michael Jordan in 1983 and 1984. He averaged 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior.

[GoBobs]

“People are talking about Edey going in the first round and I’m asking myself if we’re really talking about a situational big man in the first round?” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Is he going to be a starter? No. Is he going to be a backup every night? Probably not. He’s Boban Marjanovic in my opinion.”

2020-2021. Luka Garza was again named Sporting News Player of the Year, becoming the first repeat winner since Michael Jordan in 1983 and 1984. He averaged 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior.

The idea that he will be so bad defensively that he won't be able to be a rotation player is just someone's guess though. There is no actual evidence for that. He is not so bad defensively on his current team that they feel the need to take him out of the game.

All the stuff he does well there is actual evidence for.

People said the same thing about Sengun 2 years ago. He won't be able to stay on the floor because he can't defend, when there was a lot of evidence he did a lot of other things well.

Edey will be better defensively if we compare to Sengun.

People that compare to Boban are making a very lazy comparison. Yeah, they are both tall, but Boban was tall because of a medical condition that caused him to grow abnormally. Boban's parents are both like 5'5'' or something. Part of the reason he was a situational player is because he got tired after like 10 min.

Edey has already proven he can play long minutes. If you watch him over the course of the game he is extremely active the whole time.

None of the other giants in college basketball we have seen before put up stats like Edey yet he gets lumped in with that group because of how tall he is.

Tacko Fall for example averaged 11 pts 7.5 reb and 2.6 blks on an extremely poor strength of schedule

Edey put up 24/12/2 vs a very strong schedule and leads everybody in BPM

[GoBobs]

There aren't many other guys in this draft with evidence they will be good at all.

[SWedd523]

You know the draft sucks when dudes are arguing over Reed Sheppard and Zach Edey

[JustBuzzin]

You know the draft sucks when dudes are arguing over Reed Sheppard and Zach Edey

[MPM]

You know the draft sucks when dudes are arguing over Reed Sheppard and Zach Edey

Yes.

[amcoolio]

Edey is unplayable in the NBA. A team will just have a big out on the 3 pt line and then Edey is cooked. He cannot move laterally and nearly every NBA player, even the likes of Nick Richards, will be able to blow by him and have an easy layup or pass

Edit: I just saw JDR mention Jokic's lateral quickness. I'd argue that Jokic moves twice as fast as Edey, so that's saying something about Edey and his slow knees and footwork. I think he's a rich man's Boban, that's a good comparison. He is definitely more skilled, but unfortunately not an NBA player, more suited for Europe or China. I'd take the fat Robbie Avila over Edey in the 2nd round no question. At least with Avila he has quick hands and a path to get in shape

[JustBuzzin]

Edey is unplayable in the NBA. A team will just have a big out on the 3 pt line and then Edey is cooked. He cannot move laterally and nearly every NBA player, even the likes of Nick Richards, will be able to blow by him and have an easy layup or pass

Hell he can barely guard kids in college. Imagine Ja switching on Ja on the perimeter after a pick he's cooked!

[GoBobs]

Edey is unplayable in the NBA. A team will just have a big out on the 3 pt line and then Edey is cooked. He cannot move laterally and nearly every NBA player, even the likes of Nick Richards, will be able to blow by him and have an easy layup or pass

Edit: I just saw JDR mention Jokic's lateral quickness. I'd argue that Jokic moves twice as fast as Edey, so that's saying something about Edey and his slow knees and footwork. I think he's a rich man's Boban, that's a good comparison. He is definitely more skilled, but unfortunately not an NBA player, more suited for Europe or China. I'd take the fat Robbie Avila over Edey in the 2nd round no question. At least with Avila he has quick hands and a path to get in shape

You can argue Jokic moves twice as fast, but you are just making that up.

We have athletic combine numbers that say Edey can move laterally. His shuttle run was faster than GG Jackson, Trace Jackson Davis, and Emoni Bates from his own class. He was way faster than someone you expect to be slow like Gobert.

[amcoolio]

Okay… even if you think he’s agile enough to be in the NBA, which i very much disagree, why would you even want him on this team? He doesn’t shoot and we already have two centers who don’t shoot, and isn’t a rim runner which is what would work best for LaMelo?

If this was 2005, then yes. The comparisons could be made to Yao Ming. I just don’t see how you think he could work on either side of the floor in todays NBA

[KingCat]

Well Furphys season done. I'd take him over the Kentucky guards. We are probably walking away with a role player thus draft and I am OK with it.

[GoBobs]

Okay… even if you think he’s agile enough to be in the NBA, which i very much disagree, why would you even want him on this team? He doesn’t shoot and we already have two centers who don’t shoot, and isn’t a rim runner which is what would work best for LaMelo?

If this was 2005, then yes. The comparisons could be made to Yao Ming. I just don’t see how you think he could work on either side of the floor in todays NBA

He should be one of the best big guys to run the pick and roll with. He already sets great screens. If his man helps, on a guard taking it to the hole, he is a great offensive rebounder. He is a great lob target at 7'4'' with a 7'10'' wingspan. The defender will have to time his jump perfectly to break up the lob. He hits free throws at to good a clip to foul him. If a pick and roll totally breaks down, he has the post up skills to turn it into a post up possession.

[JustBuzzin]

Nobody has mentioned Knecht?

So much talk about scoring, well he's one of the best scorers in the draft. I'm personally not interested because of his age and he plays no defense.

[Snidely FC]

still hoping Hornets look at Harrison Ingram for 2nd rd pick

[JDR720]

Okay… even if you think he’s agile enough to be in the NBA, which i very much disagree, why would you even want him on this team? He doesn’t shoot and we already have two centers who don’t shoot, and isn’t a rim runner which is what would work best for LaMelo?

If this was 2005, then yes. The comparisons could be made to Yao Ming. I just don’t see how you think he could work on either side of the floor in todays NBA

I mean, one of the talking points of the board recently has been than Richards isn't good. And Mark has back issues.

So taking the most dominant college player, who also happens to be a C, makes sense.

The agility stuff isn't backed up by any evidence. Like all the guys I listed previously, you also have guys like Brook Lopez who can't move laterally. And he's one of the best defensive centers in the league.

if you need your center to guard the perimeter like a guard, you have scheme issues that go beyond not being agile enough.

Edey's NBA role is simple and transferable. Guard the paint. Set screens. Rebound.

You don't need him to shoot 3's. Like Zubac. Nurkic etc.

The idea that big, defensive/rebounding centers are dead in todays league isn't backed by any evidence. If anything, the C position is stronger today than it has been in years.

[King Ken]

I've been thinking about this but what about drafting Flip in the top 5 for CHA?

He would be a great fit next to Williams.
He's a + passer
He has high BBIQ
Great size for a 4.
Does move decently for a 4 although positionally limited
Can shoot

I just don't see the need to go young and the development route for CHA. You are good 1-3 with Melo, Miller, and Bridges.
I know Bridges is a hybrid and can also play the 4, I just think Flip makes the most sense to me for CHA.

What do you think? Yay or nay?

I liked Miller a lot more for ya'll than Scoot last year.

[Liver_Pooty]

I've been thinking about this but what about drafting Flip in the top 5 for CHA?

He would be a great fit next to Williams.
He's a + passer
He has high BBIQ
Great size for a 4.
Does move decently for a 4 although positionally limited
Can shoot

I just don't see the need to go young and the development route for CHA. You are good 1-3 with Melo, Miller, and Bridges.
I know Bridges is a hybrid and can also play the 4, I just think Flip makes the most sense to me for CHA.

What do you think? Yay or nay?

I liked Miller a lot more for ya'll than Scoot last year.

I'd throw myself off a damn mountain if we drafted Kyle Filipowski anywhere.