2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD 2

[aminiaturebuddha]

I'm no expert, but it seems like this draft is short somewhere between a top 3-4 guys and next year's has an extra 2-3, so my guess is a pick around #11/12 next year and a pick around #6 this year are equal.

My preference is we pick a project (lots of them around at #6, I can't speak with regards to the non-NCAA guys, but from what I've seen Cody Williams, Walter and Dillingham should all be solidly negative players as rookies (maybe Walter can be an okay backup 2 but the others I can't imagine it, even though Williams' potential to be quite good down the line is obvious), give him too much playing time and lose 60 times next year.

If the Raps lose 60 times next year, then the problem is that Scottie isn't worth being a core guy to build around anyway, especially if he's got what should be solid starters in Quickley, Barrett, and Poeltl surrounding him.

What the team really needs is lottery luck, either this year (I think top 3 would be useful) or, if the pick is transferred, then next year. But the same can be said for every rebuilding team. Just ask the Pistons, who have been bad for a while but haven't had lottery luck, as compared to the Spurs who cashed in on their 14% chance lottery ticket in the most important draft in a generation.

Some stuff you just can't plan for, but you can keep adding solid players and hope that eventually luck turns your way, and then take advantage of opportunities when they arise (as the Raps did when they made the Kawhi trade, or the Lakers did when Davis wanted out of NO).

60 losses with KO as your starting C with no depth/bench of projects and rookies wouldn’t be an indictment on the ability to build around Barnes.

Did Poeltl get waived? Are the Raps expected to just keep $40 million in cap space and not sign anyone? Why would you assume that KO will be the starting center, and that the team will have no depth?

In the most reasonable situation for next year where the team has Barnes, Quickley, RJ, Poeltl, Gradey, KO, Ochai, a couple of free agent signings, and draft picks - yes, losing 60 games would absolutely be a massive indictment on the ability to build anything successful around Scottie.

[BoyzNTheHood]

One sliver of positivity on this draft:

This draft is deep with quality role players who could carve out long careers on successful teams. But it’s lacking a clear-cut top prospect.

https://www.theringer.com/college-basketball/2024/4/1/24117783/ncaa-tournament-nba-draft-final-four-preview

3. Alabama’s Mark Sears is a Jalen Brunson clone.

As a left-handed, 6-foot-1, 185-pound point guard, Mark Sears looks like Jalen Brunson, moves like Jalen Brunson, and plays like Jalen Brunson. Brunson is about an inch taller and was about 10 pounds heavier when he was drafted in 2018, but their games are extremely similar.

Watch any highlight, and it’s easy to see the similarities. Much like Brunson, Sears is a deadeye shooter from 3 both off movement and off the dribble, while he also showcases hard-nosed at-rim finishing skills. He uses crafty moves to create space for his own shot or deliver the ball to his teammates. Brunson was a bit more deceptive when operating from midrange at Villanova, but Sears is asked to play a different style since Alabama emphasizes layups and 3s while ignoring the midrange. Sears had shown more shiftiness at his prior school, Ohio, before his transfer in 2022.

As my Mismatch cohost Chris Vernon said last week, “You’ve gotta think to yourself, Brunson’s immense success helps [Sears].” I think so, too. Sears will skyrocket into the middle of the first round in my next Big Board update, and he might end up even higher if he aces his big test against UConn this weekend. Sears will need to get by Castle and Newton and score over Clingan.

It’ll be a monumental challenge that’ll propel him up draft boards if he succeeds. But it’ll be understandable if he falls short or even struggles, considering he’s one of the only sources of creation for Alabama. I still love his overall game aside from scoring. He can pass. He competes on defense. He’s a leader. And yes, it helps that we’ve seen a player a lot like him blossom into a star.

Returning to my previous post. Player A is Brunson in his draft year. Player B is Sears. Not going to say he's a star in waiting, but he's being slept on not even being ranked to go in the second round of most mocks (hence, my FVV comps).

Player A, Junior PG, Big East
(Draft Age: 22 years 2 months)
(Per 40) 23.8pts 3.8reb 5.8ast 1.2stl
52.1/40.8/80.2

Player B, Senior PG, SEC
(Draft Age: 22 years 1 month)
(Per 40) 25.7pts 5reb 4.9ast 2stl
50.4/43.4/85.9

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[WuTang_CMB]

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Instead of the overnight undrafted scramble, front offices will shift into a night of strategic planning, particularly for teams preparing to make selections early in the second round.


How much this change impacts draft strategy remains to be seen. Team sources told ESPN that picks in the 20s and 30s could potentially take on additional value due to the extended break in the draft. In theory, teams might aim to trade up to snag their preferred players before the rest of the league has had an entire night to reevaluate the board. Team sources also said they believe a stronger trade market could open up, particularly for picks in the 30s, due to the added time to examine the board.

Most importantly, teams will have more time to parse through the flurry of transactions that typically happen on the clock or close to it. The changes brought by the 2023 collective bargaining agreement introduced a second-round exception to facilitate signing rookies to multiyear minimum deals without impacting offseason cap space, giving high-payroll teams even more incentive to nail those picks.

"The increased pressure we face to trade picks from the end of the lottery through pick 60 requires more time to process in the moment," one Western Conference executive told ESPN. "Two days allows for the possibility of a longer transaction cycle around the draft and celebrates a signature moment in the league's calendar."

[ArthurVandelay]

One sliver of positivity on this draft:

This draft is deep with quality role players who could carve out long careers on successful teams. But it’s lacking a clear-cut top prospect.

https://www.theringer.com/college-basketball/2024/4/1/24117783/ncaa-tournament-nba-draft-final-four-preview

3. Alabama’s Mark Sears is a Jalen Brunson clone.

As a left-handed, 6-foot-1, 185-pound point guard, Mark Sears looks like Jalen Brunson, moves like Jalen Brunson, and plays like Jalen Brunson. Brunson is about an inch taller and was about 10 pounds heavier when he was drafted in 2018, but their games are extremely similar.

Watch any highlight, and it’s easy to see the similarities. Much like Brunson, Sears is a deadeye shooter from 3 both off movement and off the dribble, while he also showcases hard-nosed at-rim finishing skills. He uses crafty moves to create space for his own shot or deliver the ball to his teammates. Brunson was a bit more deceptive when operating from midrange at Villanova, but Sears is asked to play a different style since Alabama emphasizes layups and 3s while ignoring the midrange. Sears had shown more shiftiness at his prior school, Ohio, before his transfer in 2022.

As my Mismatch cohost Chris Vernon said last week, “You’ve gotta think to yourself, Brunson’s immense success helps [Sears].” I think so, too. Sears will skyrocket into the middle of the first round in my next Big Board update, and he might end up even higher if he aces his big test against UConn this weekend. Sears will need to get by Castle and Newton and score over Clingan.

It’ll be a monumental challenge that’ll propel him up draft boards if he succeeds. But it’ll be understandable if he falls short or even struggles, considering he’s one of the only sources of creation for Alabama. I still love his overall game aside from scoring. He can pass. He competes on defense. He’s a leader. And yes, it helps that we’ve seen a player a lot like him blossom into a star.

Returning to my previous post. Player A is Brunson in his draft year. Player B is Sears. Not going to say he's a star in waiting, but he's being slept on not even being ranked to go in the second round of most mocks (hence, my FVV comps).

Player A, Junior PG, Big East
(Draft Age: 22 years 2 months)
(Per 40) 23.8pts 3.8reb 5.8ast 1.2stl
52.1/40.8/80.2

Player B, Senior PG, SEC
(Draft Age: 22 years 1 month)
(Per 40) 25.7pts 5reb 4.9ast 2stl
50.4/43.4/85.9

Fingers crossed these guys, Like Sears, Clingan, Edey, continue to rise…or are available when the Raptors pick.

[Thaddy]

kind of annoying to navigate but heres some synergy stats for draft guys, topic looks like an elite finisher at the rim
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ukthsv4UfogWmg_Kh3L3sJYmOgaGzYOP/view?pli=1

He isn't facing NBA level defenders. I doubt that ability works in the NBA. He isn't an athletic freak and he can't shoot. I'm surprised he's ranked so high.

Elite finishing is a touch/feel thing. Being able to adjust and have different angles to hit shots around the rim at different speeds. At elite levels that can translate no matter the athletic ability of the player. Think Goran Dragic or Manu in their prime. Not saying that's Topic, but those are the compa he's getting, and a reason he's rated so highly by some.

I doubt he's played against a C like Wemby, Chet, or even Sarr. These are athletic and lengthy guys he's never experienced before. Those guys are all rookies too. You have Embiid, Giannis, Clax, Poeltl, and the top 15 Cs that he would likely struggle against.

[ArthurVandelay]

If the Raps lose 60 times next year, then the problem is that Scottie isn't worth being a core guy to build around anyway, especially if he's got what should be solid starters in Quickley, Barrett, and Poeltl surrounding him.

What the team really needs is lottery luck, either this year (I think top 3 would be useful) or, if the pick is transferred, then next year. But the same can be said for every rebuilding team. Just ask the Pistons, who have been bad for a while but haven't had lottery luck, as compared to the Spurs who cashed in on their 14% chance lottery ticket in the most important draft in a generation.

Some stuff you just can't plan for, but you can keep adding solid players and hope that eventually luck turns your way, and then take advantage of opportunities when they arise (as the Raps did when they made the Kawhi trade, or the Lakers did when Davis wanted out of NO).

60 losses with KO as your starting C with no depth/bench of projects and rookies wouldn’t be an indictment on the ability to build around Barnes.

Did Poeltl get waived? Are the Raps expected to just keep $40 million in cap space and not sign anyone? Why would you assume that KO will be the starting center, and that the team will have no depth?

In the most reasonable situation for next year where the team has Barnes, Quickley, RJ, Poeltl, Gradey, KO, Ochai, a couple of free agent signings, and draft picks - yes, losing 60 games would absolutely be a massive indictment on the ability to build anything successful around Scottie.

Poeltl could be traded. If they want to be bad next year, that is the way to do it. They are 2-22 without Poeltl including 2-9 with Barnes.

The cap space could be used to take undesirable contracts in exchange for picks and prospects.

So now that you know where Poeltl went, in this situation, losing 60 games wouldn’t be an indictment on the ability to build around Scottie, rather it would be the 4th out of 5th season with poor roster construction, except this time it would be intentional.

[OakleyDokely]

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Instead of the overnight undrafted scramble, front offices will shift into a night of strategic planning, particularly for teams preparing to make selections early in the second round.


How much this change impacts draft strategy remains to be seen. Team sources told ESPN that picks in the 20s and 30s could potentially take on additional value due to the extended break in the draft. In theory, teams might aim to trade up to snag their preferred players before the rest of the league has had an entire night to reevaluate the board. Team sources also said they believe a stronger trade market could open up, particularly for picks in the 30s, due to the added time to examine the board.

Most importantly, teams will have more time to parse through the flurry of transactions that typically happen on the clock or close to it. The changes brought by the 2023 collective bargaining agreement introduced a second-round exception to facilitate signing rookies to multiyear minimum deals without impacting offseason cap space, giving high-payroll teams even more incentive to nail those picks.

"The increased pressure we face to trade picks from the end of the lottery through pick 60 requires more time to process in the moment," one Western Conference executive told ESPN. "Two days allows for the possibility of a longer transaction cycle around the draft and celebrates a signature moment in the league's calendar."

As of now, the Raps would have the top pick of draft night pt 2, which could be interesting.

[Landomar]

As soon as I found out who Sears was, I was very surprised to see him not ranked on mocks. The Jalen Brunson comparison is obvious from watching him play. Brunson in the NBA has done way better than expected, but he still managed to get picked 33rd in his draft year. If you have a pick in the 30s this year, you absolutely should be considering Sears.

[BoyzNTheHood]

As soon as I found out who Sears was, I was very surprised to see him not ranked on mocks. The Jalen Brunson comparison is obvious from watching him play. Brunson in the NBA has done way better than expected, but he still managed to get picked 33rd in his draft year. If you have a pick in the 30s this year, you absolutely should be considering Sears.

How much of Brunson’s development had to do with learning tricks from Luka? Maybe none at all, but I’m just throwing it out there because Luka is the master, along with Joker, at scoring on people while being slow footed.

[OakleyDokely]

As soon as I found out who Sears was, I was very surprised to see him not ranked on mocks. The Jalen Brunson comparison is obvious from watching him play. Brunson in the NBA has done way better than expected, but he still managed to get picked 33rd in his draft year. If you have a pick in the 30s this year, you absolutely should be considering Sears.

I think it comes down to the fact that there just aren't many guys his size who succeed in the NBA anymore, so it really takes a special player to make it.

His stats are very good though and he definitely looks like a guy who should be drafted at least.

[billy_hoyle]

He isn't facing NBA level defenders. I doubt that ability works in the NBA. He isn't an athletic freak and he can't shoot. I'm surprised he's ranked so high.

Elite finishing is a touch/feel thing. Being able to adjust and have different angles to hit shots around the rim at different speeds. At elite levels that can translate no matter the athletic ability of the player. Think Goran Dragic or Manu in their prime. Not saying that's Topic, but those are the compa he's getting, and a reason he's rated so highly by some.

I doubt he's played against a C like Wemby, Chet, or even Sarr. These are athletic and lengthy guys he's never experienced before. Those guys are all rookies too. You have Embiid, Giannis, Clax, Poeltl, and the top 15 Cs that he would likely struggle against.

I'm saying it doesn't matter if he's played against a Chet, Giannis etc.. He's the type to flummox the shot blocker with weird angles and great touch. He might be one of those guys that are difficult to block. You've seen them; the Luka, the SGA, the Dragic, the Nash, the Tony Parker's. Guys that are difficult to bother.

[OakleyDokely]

Sarr scares me a lot. If the shot doesn't come around, you're basically taking a switchable defender who can block some shots with a top pick. In a normal draft, he feels like a guy who should be taken in the late lottery. I'm not sure he's a better prospect than Lively II.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Sarr scares me a lot. If the shot doesn't come around, you're basically taking a switchable defender who can block some shots with a top pick. In a normal draft, he feels like a guy who should be taken in the late lottery. I'm not sure he's a better prospect than Lively II.

What if Sarr becomes Jonathan Isaac? Is he worth the #1 pick?

[tdotrep2]

Sarr scares me a lot. If the shot doesn't come around, you're basically taking a switchable defender who can block some shots with a top pick. In a normal draft, he feels like a guy who should be taken in the late lottery. I'm not sure he's a better prospect than Lively II.

What if Sarr becomes Jonathan Isaac? Is he worth the #1 pick?

a 7"2 non injury prone isaac? lol yes

[niQ]

Sarr scares me a lot. If the shot doesn't come around, you're basically taking a switchable defender who can block some shots with a top pick. In a normal draft, he feels like a guy who should be taken in the late lottery. I'm not sure he's a better prospect than Lively II.

I feel like that's the tale of this whole draft . There's going to be a bunch of very solid players.

Which players have the upside to be more than solid role players?
General question to anyone.

[DreamTeam09]

Sarr scares me a lot. If the shot doesn't come around, you're basically taking a switchable defender who can block some shots with a top pick. In a normal draft, he feels like a guy who should be taken in the late lottery. I'm not sure he's a better prospect than Lively II.

As a Dallas Mavs fan, Sarr has more offensive potential entering their draft year compared to Lively. Defensively I would go with lively. I wouldn't say late lottery in a deep draft tho. If Sarr was in last year's draft he gets drafted as high as Washington maybe...

[ArthurVandelay]

Sarr scares me a lot. If the shot doesn't come around, you're basically taking a switchable defender who can block some shots with a top pick. In a normal draft, he feels like a guy who should be taken in the late lottery. I'm not sure he's a better prospect than Lively II.

I’m actually starting to really like Sarr.

His games vs Ignite showed what he can do with NBA spacing and less clutching/grabbing as per NBA rules/style of play.

He actually has a handle and can take the ball in the open court. He is going to create some matchup difficulties.

You’re right on the shot. The shot is going to determine his ceiling.

[And1Skip]

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Instead of the overnight undrafted scramble, front offices will shift into a night of strategic planning, particularly for teams preparing to make selections early in the second round.


How much this change impacts draft strategy remains to be seen. Team sources told ESPN that picks in the 20s and 30s could potentially take on additional value due to the extended break in the draft. In theory, teams might aim to trade up to snag their preferred players before the rest of the league has had an entire night to reevaluate the board. Team sources also said they believe a stronger trade market could open up, particularly for picks in the 30s, due to the added time to examine the board.

Most importantly, teams will have more time to parse through the flurry of transactions that typically happen on the clock or close to it. The changes brought by the 2023 collective bargaining agreement introduced a second-round exception to facilitate signing rookies to multiyear minimum deals without impacting offseason cap space, giving high-payroll teams even more incentive to nail those picks.

"The increased pressure we face to trade picks from the end of the lottery through pick 60 requires more time to process in the moment," one Western Conference executive told ESPN. "Two days allows for the possibility of a longer transaction cycle around the draft and celebrates a signature moment in the league's calendar."

As of now, the Raps would have the top pick of draft night pt 2, which could be interesting.

Yep, Raps front office isnt going to sleep. They will use the entire overnight and next day to gather intel, make numerous calls, etc. before selecting what could be a draft sleeper, and one of those 2nd rounders that no one thought much of, but becomes a star, like Jokic. Remember how rushed the Raptors mgmt normally are in the 2nd round in those OpenGym/Behind the Draft shows?

[Mark_83]

One sliver of positivity on this draft:



https://www.theringer.com/college-basketball/2024/4/1/24117783/ncaa-tournament-nba-draft-final-four-preview

3. Alabama’s Mark Sears is a Jalen Brunson clone.

As a left-handed, 6-foot-1, 185-pound point guard, Mark Sears looks like Jalen Brunson, moves like Jalen Brunson, and plays like Jalen Brunson. Brunson is about an inch taller and was about 10 pounds heavier when he was drafted in 2018, but their games are extremely similar.

Watch any highlight, and it’s easy to see the similarities. Much like Brunson, Sears is a deadeye shooter from 3 both off movement and off the dribble, while he also showcases hard-nosed at-rim finishing skills. He uses crafty moves to create space for his own shot or deliver the ball to his teammates. Brunson was a bit more deceptive when operating from midrange at Villanova, but Sears is asked to play a different style since Alabama emphasizes layups and 3s while ignoring the midrange. Sears had shown more shiftiness at his prior school, Ohio, before his transfer in 2022.

As my Mismatch cohost Chris Vernon said last week, “You’ve gotta think to yourself, Brunson’s immense success helps [Sears].” I think so, too. Sears will skyrocket into the middle of the first round in my next Big Board update, and he might end up even higher if he aces his big test against UConn this weekend. Sears will need to get by Castle and Newton and score over Clingan.

It’ll be a monumental challenge that’ll propel him up draft boards if he succeeds. But it’ll be understandable if he falls short or even struggles, considering he’s one of the only sources of creation for Alabama. I still love his overall game aside from scoring. He can pass. He competes on defense. He’s a leader. And yes, it helps that we’ve seen a player a lot like him blossom into a star.

Returning to my previous post. Player A is Brunson in his draft year. Player B is Sears. Not going to say he's a star in waiting, but he's being slept on not even being ranked to go in the second round of most mocks (hence, my FVV comps).

Player A, Junior PG, Big East
(Draft Age: 22 years 2 months)
(Per 40) 23.8pts 3.8reb 5.8ast 1.2stl
52.1/40.8/80.2

Player B, Senior PG, SEC
(Draft Age: 22 years 1 month)
(Per 40) 25.7pts 5reb 4.9ast 2stl
50.4/43.4/85.9

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I think Brunson is an outlier player in terms of what he turned into, but I would be shocked if Sears was not at least a backup PG on some team eventually. The kid has that dog in him. Can't wait to see if he can avoid being locked up by Castle in their matchup. It's gonna be a big time challenge.

[DreamTeam09]

One sliver of positivity on this draft:



https://www.theringer.com/college-basketball/2024/4/1/24117783/ncaa-tournament-nba-draft-final-four-preview

3. Alabama’s Mark Sears is a Jalen Brunson clone.

As a left-handed, 6-foot-1, 185-pound point guard, Mark Sears looks like Jalen Brunson, moves like Jalen Brunson, and plays like Jalen Brunson. Brunson is about an inch taller and was about 10 pounds heavier when he was drafted in 2018, but their games are extremely similar.

Watch any highlight, and it’s easy to see the similarities. Much like Brunson, Sears is a deadeye shooter from 3 both off movement and off the dribble, while he also showcases hard-nosed at-rim finishing skills. He uses crafty moves to create space for his own shot or deliver the ball to his teammates. Brunson was a bit more deceptive when operating from midrange at Villanova, but Sears is asked to play a different style since Alabama emphasizes layups and 3s while ignoring the midrange. Sears had shown more shiftiness at his prior school, Ohio, before his transfer in 2022.

As my Mismatch cohost Chris Vernon said last week, “You’ve gotta think to yourself, Brunson’s immense success helps [Sears].” I think so, too. Sears will skyrocket into the middle of the first round in my next Big Board update, and he might end up even higher if he aces his big test against UConn this weekend. Sears will need to get by Castle and Newton and score over Clingan.

It’ll be a monumental challenge that’ll propel him up draft boards if he succeeds. But it’ll be understandable if he falls short or even struggles, considering he’s one of the only sources of creation for Alabama. I still love his overall game aside from scoring. He can pass. He competes on defense. He’s a leader. And yes, it helps that we’ve seen a player a lot like him blossom into a star.

Returning to my previous post. Player A is Brunson in his draft year. Player B is Sears. Not going to say he's a star in waiting, but he's being slept on not even being ranked to go in the second round of most mocks (hence, my FVV comps).

Player A, Junior PG, Big East
(Draft Age: 22 years 2 months)
(Per 40) 23.8pts 3.8reb 5.8ast 1.2stl
52.1/40.8/80.2

Player B, Senior PG, SEC
(Draft Age: 22 years 1 month)
(Per 40) 25.7pts 5reb 4.9ast 2stl
50.4/43.4/85.9

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No way that's what 185 looks like,