2024 Draft Prospects

[KingCat]

I wanted Scoot last year due as Melo insurance. Very glad we didn't end up going that direction, but I am now feeling the same way about wanting Topic for pretty much the same reason.

[JustBuzzin]

I wanted Scoot last year due as Melo insurance. Very glad we didn't end up going that direction, but I am now feeling the same way about wanting Topic for pretty much the same reason.

Drafting with a top 5 pick you can't choose a player based on insurance.

If we draft Topic he needs to be a starter and be able to play with Melo.

I haven't really watched Topic much. Do you think he and Melo can play together?

[KingCat]

I wanted Scoot last year due as Melo insurance. Very glad we didn't end up going that direction, but I am now feeling the same way about wanting Topic for pretty much the same reason.

Drafting with a top 5 pick you can't choose a player based on insurance.

If we draft Topic he needs to be a starter and be able to play with Melo.

I haven't really watched Topic much. Do you think he and Melo can play together?

My logic is if this draft is as historically bad as people are saying, then maybe we have no choice but to draft a guy knowing he is likely insurance to one of our current core guys (looking at Clingan for Mark/Holland for Bridges/ Topic for Melo).

As for if they can play with each other, I'm really not certain. It's would be pretty experimental. I think the best case scenario (besides Topic and Lamelo's games actually end up perfectly complimenting each other) is we end up in a Hali-Fox situation where we are able to flip one for a high quality player.

[JDR720]

Realistically, if we keep Miles, then only 1 spot in the starting lineup is up for grabs. The other 4 spots are locked in if we're healthy.


Melo
?
Miller
Miles
Mark


Assuming Miles keeps being durable and Miller doesn't break his back or something. It would be smart to draft someone who can fill in for either Mark or Melo when they (especially Melo) gets hurt, because we all know they'll get hurt again.


Topic and Reed can play PG/SG. Topic due to size (Melo may also play SG with him) and Reed due to skillset.

Sarr, Chingan and Edey can play C. Sarr should be able to play PF too.


Then there are several wings who can't do either, but would also be solid picks. Risacher, Williams, Holland, Buzelis, Walter and Castle.


If I had my current rankings.

1- Sarr
2- Topic
3- Risacher
4- Williams
5- Buzelis
6- Reed
8- Chingan
9- Holland
10- Walter
11- Edey
12- Castle

[JMAC3]

As it relates to Topic, he is the youngest player in the draft so him coming off the bench for a year wouldn't be the worst outcome, but at the same time he has dominated at every stage he has played... U18 Fiba, Serbian League, angt, ABA... the only thing he hasn't done was Euroleague but I am confident he would have been very solid there as an 18 yr old if not for getting hurt 30 mins in.

The shooting with Topic actually doesn't really worry me once I started to look past just the simple 3pt% in ABA. He shot 37% in Serbian league, 45% at angt, and he is a 88% free throw shooter. At just 18 I think he profiles as at least a 36-37% type of guy on good volume. The bigger worry with him and Melo pairing right now is neither are a defender.

The silver lining would be they are both 6-6+ and if both are handling more of a creation role that should leave both with more energy to exert defensively. Topic is only 18 as well, a good coach could still mold him into a solid defender imo.

[JMAC3]

The other guy that I like at the top of my board is Holland, who would immediately introduce a bolt of lightning into our defense and open court abilities. He is probably somewhere between 6-6 and 6-8 with great length which profiles as a SF in my opinion. So team fit I would play bigger with Miller at the 2 and Holland at the 3. He is another guy who didn't shoot the 3 ball great, but he showed enough willingless to shoot them and at least an okayish free throw.

He is still relatively raw and managed to score 19 ppg in the Gleague, as his skill progresses he has the upside to be a very good two way wing. Just depends imo if you are valuing additional playmaking or additional defense when looking at both guys.

[Snidely FC]

Ron Holland is at the top of my list.

At 18 and 6'8, his athleticism, motor and defensive impetus give him a high floor at the influential wing position

I like Topic too but don't believe that he and LaMelo become their best versions while coexisting

[KingCat]

Is it just me or is Holland being more harshly judged than other prospects in this draft?

Like I see the red flags, but I don't see how he isn't a top 5 pick in an odd draft like this.

[SWedd523]

Is it just me or is Holland being more harshly judged than other prospects in this draft?

Like I see the red flags, but I don't see how he isn't a top 5 pick in an odd draft like this.

He's getting the taint from Scoot and other G Leaguers not going well and the Ignite bombing out.

It trips me out seeing folks talk about guys like Sheppard and KNex when actual NBA level prospects are hanging out

[LofJ]

Holland is a better prospect than Jaylen Brown was coming out of college. We could do a lot worse than that in what appears to be a very weak draft.

[fatlever]

one thing i think is important for this team right now are the intangibles character, work ethic, bball iq. we can't afford another monk, bouk, kai, types to influence an already immature lockerroom

do any of the projected top 10 have character red flags?

[fatlever]

dillingham vs reed

how to separate these two as prospects?

who is better point guard? playmaker? passer?
who is better shooter?
who is better defender?
who is better off the dribble? getting to rim?

are they both simply 6'3" combo guards? or are either legit point guards?

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=rob-dillingham--reed-sheppard

[JustBuzzin]

one thing i think is important for this team right now are the intangibles character, work ethic, bball iq. we can't afford another monk, bouk, kai, types to influence an already immature lockerroom

do any of the projected top 10 have character red flags?

If you looking for high IQ you draft Castle. His only weakness is his jumpshot. We have enough shooting around him with Melo/Miller that we can bring him along slowly. If this guy can improve his shooting we looking at a potential all-star. From day 1 he's going to bring defense, unselfish play on offense, and hopefully it rubs off on everyone else. I feel like Castle is the perfect guard you put next to Melo/Miller. Let him lead the defense and his offense will come along over time.

[KingCat]

one thing i think is important for this team right now are the intangibles character, work ethic, bball iq. we can't afford another monk, bouk, kai, types to influence an already immature lockerroom

do any of the projected top 10 have character red flags?

Good news is both Sarr and Holland are said to have good work ethics and motors. Coincidentally, I've seen both compared to our very own Gerald Wallace.

So far the only guy who's mental I question is Cody Williams. After a strong start, the dude just kinda faded away. Looked disinterested on the court at times to me. I personally would like to see him go another year in college without a injury slowing him down.

[JMAC3]

dillingham vs reed

how to separate these two as prospects?

who is better point guard? playmaker? passer?
who is better shooter?
who is better defender?
who is better off the dribble? getting to rim?

are they both simply 6'3" combo guards? or are either legit point guards?

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=rob-dillingham--reed-sheppard

Dillingham imo is the better prospect.

Reed is probably the more natural point, but Dillingham is much better as a PnR passer right now.
They are both great shooters, wouldn't really give either the edge just because Dillingham is willing to take and make the tough ones while still shooting 45% from deep. Reed is more calculated with his shot selection hence the higher %.
Dillingham also is much better at getting to the rim and creating his shot in general.
I don't think either is a very good on ball defender, but Reed is the better overall defender.

I think both are more combo guards, who really best case is they move to the 1. If both are undersized 2s, then neither turn into very good players.

[JMAC3]

one thing i think is important for this team right now are the intangibles character, work ethic, bball iq. we can't afford another monk, bouk, kai, types to influence an already immature lockerroom

do any of the projected top 10 have character red flags?

If you looking for high IQ you draft Castle. His only weakness is his jumpshot. We have enough shooting around him with Melo/Miller that we can bring him along slowly. If this guy can improve his shooting we looking at a potential all-star. From day 1 he's going to bring defense, unselfish play on offense, and hopefully it rubs off on everyone else. I feel like Castle is the perfect guard you put next to Melo/Miller. Let him lead the defense and his offense will come along over time.

My thing with Castle is we haven't seen Uconn need him yet and him step up to win games. I get not having to 80% of the time so he chills plays his role. Would be great to see them struggle in one of their next games and him be the guy that bails them out.

Hard for me to say he has that dog, or incredibly high bbiq because he can play like dog water and Uconn still win by 15 on almost any given night. That doesn't scream I have been through the dark and emerged as top dog. I still really like him but I also get some Isaac Okoro vibes the more I watch him.

[JMAC3]

one thing i think is important for this team right now are the intangibles character, work ethic, bball iq. we can't afford another monk, bouk, kai, types to influence an already immature lockerroom

do any of the projected top 10 have character red flags?

If you looking for high IQ you draft Castle. His only weakness is his jumpshot. We have enough shooting around him with Melo/Miller that we can bring him along slowly. If this guy can improve his shooting we looking at a potential all-star. From day 1 he's going to bring defense, unselfish play on offense, and hopefully it rubs off on everyone else. I feel like Castle is the perfect guard you put next to Melo/Miller. Let him lead the defense and his offense will come along over time.

If Castle improves to a good catch and shoot 3pt guy that doesn't equal allstar for me. There is a very big difference from being able to create, take and make your own shots vs I can make the shots I am supposed to make. He has the pedigree that I think maybe he has that in him somewhere, but I think he is more of a superstar role player like a Marcus Smart type on the high end outcomes.

[Bassman]

We really need to luck up into 1 or 2, as even in a weak draft the best options are right there. Over the last several days I’ve been watching tons of tape and scouting reports on these guys. I’m looking for eye test data, not highlights. Extended play across many games. To me, the clear best players reside in the first two picks. Today this is how I see the top 5 right now:

1. Risacher - the best combination of skills and ability in this group. Shooter, defender, playmaker and a good athlete. His shot is sweet, quick release, solid foundation. Can drive to the basket and finish strong. Nice size. Would be a great compliment to Miller, Miles and Melo.

2. Sarr - He’s a big man with promise and potential. Would be a weak 5 but could be a quality 4 with added training, strength and experience. Strong defender, good in the paint, solid athlete. Shot looks good but needs improvement from 3.

3. Topic - I’m not as convinced Topic belongs here as some. His talent is there for sure, as a distributor, defender, etc. Not GREAT talent mine you, but good skills and size for a PG. His shooting can be a liability, but not sure who else has this kind of POTENTIAL for being a starter other than Holland (who’s a heck of an athlete but a poor shooter from range).

4. Clingan - In a strong draft class he’d be mid lottery at best, but here Clingan represents the next best opportunity to grab a possible starter in the league. Strong, great size, great hands, finishes well, good shot blocker and good athleticism for a center. Concerns with his injury history (if warranted) would drop him further back from here for me.

5. Castle* - I could be convinced to flip this pick for multiple others or even ahead of Clingan, but Castle is a heck of a defender who can score when the opportunity presents itself. He is not a good shooter however, and I am tired of drafting poor shooters. NOTE asterisk * Could also go Holland here, or Knecht. Holland on potential, Knecht for a sure shooter and scorer to put next to Melo. Neither play defense like Castle.

[fatlever]

dillingham vs reed

how to separate these two as prospects?

who is better point guard? playmaker? passer?
who is better shooter?
who is better defender?
who is better off the dribble? getting to rim?

are they both simply 6'3" combo guards? or are either legit point guards?

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=rob-dillingham--reed-sheppard

Dillingham imo is the better prospect.

Reed is probably the more natural point, but Dillingham is much better as a PnR passer right now.
They are both great shooters, wouldn't really give either the edge just because Dillingham is willing to take and make the tough ones while still shooting 45% from deep. Reed is more calculated with his shot selection hence the higher %.
Dillingham also is much better at getting to the rim and creating his shot in general.
I don't think either is a very good on ball defender, but Reed is the better overall defender.

I think both are more combo guards, who really best case is they move to the 1. If both are undersized 2s, then neither turn into very good players.

how do you think they compare to tre mann and nsj as combo guard prospects? honestly, the last thing we need is more combo guards. seems like both are better prospects to nsj and mann, based on shooting and playmaking.

[Chapelchilla]

Underwhelming draft class it seems but if we are picking 4th or so we need to at least land a solid rotation guy. Someone with at least one elite skill that should translate if there are no complete players available this year. It seems like Clingan could be that guy. He can rebound, block shots and moves well for a big. Or one of the UK guards with their shooting. I am not sure if Holland, Williams, or Castle have any elite skills. They seem like just guys (haunting me with memories of MKG). Maybe one of the foreigners is best, I have not seen them.
Clingan also fills a need with Mark being iffy. Micic kinda provides cover for Melo but we could use another combo guard too. If we know were not keeping Miles then maybe one of those Castle types gets more interesting. Weird draft though. Go State!