2024 NBA DRAFT THREAD 3

[OakleyDokely]

We will win the lottery and we will have the top pick on the first day of the draft and the second day of the draft. We will draft two stars with those picks and we will win the title in 2025 with Scottie dancing his way to the finals MVP award.

[ArthurVandelay]

We will win the lottery and we will have the top pick on the first day of the draft and the second day of the draft. We will draft two stars with those picks and we will win the title in 2025 with Scottie dancing his way to the finals MVP award.

I like your thinking, but for your own safety, put down the glue.

[grant101]

I'm on record for preferring avoiding projects and hitting on singles and doubles with our picks. This is primarily cause the projects that most mention (outside of Collier) are both far away from contributing and have mediocre high-end outcomes. The one potential exception I see is AJ Johnson. He obviously needs to put on weight and strength, but the vision, athleticism, feel, shot-creation and length (he's reportedly up to 6'7) are all there. He's got potential. I'd understand taking a flyer on this kid:

Watch on YouTube

[Thaddy]

I'm on record for preferring avoiding projects and hitting on singles and doubles with our picks. This is primarily cause the projects that most mention (outside of Collier) are both far away from contributing and have mediocre high-end outcomes. The one potential exception I see is AJ Johnson. He obviously needs to put on weight and strength, but the vision, athleticism, feel, shot-creation and length (he's reportedly up to 6'7) are all there. He's got potential. I'd understand taking a flyer on this kid:

Watch on YouTube

I'm on the same page as you. The projects in this draft have some iffy best case scenarios. The difference between Buzelis and Klintman (as an example) isn't much. I'd prefer losing the pick this year and having another development year. A core of Barnes, Barrett, and Quickely just sucks. We need elite prospects in a strong draft.

[OakleyDokely]

We will win the lottery and we will have the top pick on the first day of the draft and the second day of the draft. We will draft two stars with those picks and we will win the title in 2025 with Scottie dancing his way to the finals MVP award.

I like your thinking, but for your own safety, put down the glue.

[PhilBlackson]

I'm on record for preferring avoiding projects and hitting on singles and doubles with our picks. This is primarily cause the projects that most mention (outside of Collier) are both far away from contributing and have mediocre high-end outcomes. The one potential exception I see is AJ Johnson. He obviously needs to put on weight and strength, but the vision, athleticism, feel, shot-creation and length (he's reportedly up to 6'7) are all there. He's got potential. I'd understand taking a flyer on this kid:

Watch on YouTube

I'm on the same page as you. The projects in this draft have some iffy best case scenarios. The difference between Buzelis and Klintman (as an example) isn't much. I'd prefer losing the pick this year and having another development year. A core of Barnes, Barrett, and Quickely just sucks. We need elite prospects in a strong draft.

Please give me some names outside of the top 10 next year that you think are “elite prospects” because it took missing our entire starting lineup and a 15+ game losing streak to stay at 6 lol that’s not happening again. We’ll be leap frogging ATL, CHI, BKN and maybe even MIA if they trade Jimmy. So idk what’s with some of you unrealistic expectations of getting a franchise cornerstone outside of the top 10. I want actual names…

[grant101]

I'm on record for preferring avoiding projects and hitting on singles and doubles with our picks. This is primarily cause the projects that most mention (outside of Collier) are both far away from contributing and have mediocre high-end outcomes. The one potential exception I see is AJ Johnson. He obviously needs to put on weight and strength, but the vision, athleticism, feel, shot-creation and length (he's reportedly up to 6'7) are all there. He's got potential. I'd understand taking a flyer on this kid:

Watch on YouTube

I'm on the same page as you. The projects in this draft have some iffy best case scenarios. The difference between Buzelis and Klintman (as an example) isn't much. I'd prefer losing the pick this year and having another development year. A core of Barnes, Barrett, and Quickely just sucks. We need elite prospects in a strong draft.

Please give me some names outside of the top 10 next year that you think are “elite prospects” because it took missing our entire starting lineup and a 15+ game losing streak to stay at 6 lol that’s not happening again. We’ll be leap frogging ATL, CHI, BKN and maybe even MIA if they trade Jimmy. So idk what’s with some of you unrealistic expectations of getting a franchise cornerstone outside of the top 10. I want actual names…

Nolan Traore, Will Riley, Karter Knox, Hamad Mousa, Jalil Bethea, Rocco Kikarsky (Walker Kessler 2.0), etc. etc. The top of the draft is also stacked (Flagg, Bailey, Maluach, Harper - all of whom would be in contention for #1 this year). There's real talent next year.

[bballsparkin]

Nolan Traore, Will Riley, Karter Knox, Hamad Mousa, Jalil Bethea, Rocco Kikarsky (Walker Kessler 2.0), etc. etc. The top of the draft is also stacked (Flagg, Bailey, Maluach, Harper - all of whom would be in contention for #1 this year). There's real talent next year.

The top of the draft I am aware. I'll have to take your word on the rest. There's no guaranteeing the Raptors are in the top 10 next year however. Especially if the draft is as good as some people think. I'll take the top 6 this year, please. If not,....onto next year.

[Rapsfan07]

I'm on the same page as you. The projects in this draft have some iffy best case scenarios. The difference between Buzelis and Klintman (as an example) isn't much. I'd prefer losing the pick this year and having another development year. A core of Barnes, Barrett, and Quickely just sucks. We need elite prospects in a strong draft.

Please give me some names outside of the top 10 next year that you think are “elite prospects” because it took missing our entire starting lineup and a 15+ game losing streak to stay at 6 lol that’s not happening again. We’ll be leap frogging ATL, CHI, BKN and maybe even MIA if they trade Jimmy. So idk what’s with some of you unrealistic expectations of getting a franchise cornerstone outside of the top 10. I want actual names…

Nolan Traore, Will Riley, Karter Knox, Hamad Mousa, Jalil Bethea, Rocco Kikarsky (Walker Kessler 2.0), etc. etc. The top of the draft is also stacked (Flagg, Bailey, Maluach, Harper - all of whom would be in contention for #1 this year). There's real talent next year.

This is neither here nor there but I'm usually VERY wary for projecting drafts and their potential strength this far in advance. By the time these kids play a season of college ball and are officially measured, a LOT of the perception around them can change. It happens all the time. Remember when everyone was talking about Shabazz Muhammad or RJ Barrett? Or even when Harrison Barnes went one-on-one with KD before getting drafted? Everyone thought these guys were going to be franchise changers.

Now, that's not to take away from any of the aforementioned. I don't know any of them well enough to make any definitive statements but then again, no one does. I prefer to deal with what we have in front of us at the moment.

[Thaddy]

I'm on record for preferring avoiding projects and hitting on singles and doubles with our picks. This is primarily cause the projects that most mention (outside of Collier) are both far away from contributing and have mediocre high-end outcomes. The one potential exception I see is AJ Johnson. He obviously needs to put on weight and strength, but the vision, athleticism, feel, shot-creation and length (he's reportedly up to 6'7) are all there. He's got potential. I'd understand taking a flyer on this kid:

Watch on YouTube

I'm on the same page as you. The projects in this draft have some iffy best case scenarios. The difference between Buzelis and Klintman (as an example) isn't much. I'd prefer losing the pick this year and having another development year. A core of Barnes, Barrett, and Quickely just sucks. We need elite prospects in a strong draft.

Please give me some names outside of the top 10 next year that you think are “elite prospects” because it took missing our entire starting lineup and a 15+ game losing streak to stay at 6 lol that’s not happening again. We’ll be leap frogging ATL, CHI, BKN and maybe even MIA if they trade Jimmy. So idk what’s with some of you unrealistic expectations of getting a franchise cornerstone outside of the top 10. I want actual names…

We're a Poeltl trade away from being Pistons or Wizards level bad. If we lose our pick this year then trading Poeltl for a pick and prospect is the best move we could make. Retooling isn't getting the Raps anywhere. Tank for Flagg, play/develop Barrett, Trent, and Brown into positive assets. Then trade them for more picks. Once we have a strong core through trades and drafting we can spend our collection of picks for good role players. That's what the Knicks wanted to do with the 3 1st rounders for OG.

[grant101]

Please give me some names outside of the top 10 next year that you think are “elite prospects” because it took missing our entire starting lineup and a 15+ game losing streak to stay at 6 lol that’s not happening again. We’ll be leap frogging ATL, CHI, BKN and maybe even MIA if they trade Jimmy. So idk what’s with some of you unrealistic expectations of getting a franchise cornerstone outside of the top 10. I want actual names…

Nolan Traore, Will Riley, Karter Knox, Hamad Mousa, Jalil Bethea, Rocco Kikarsky (Walker Kessler 2.0), etc. etc. The top of the draft is also stacked (Flagg, Bailey, Maluach, Harper - all of whom would be in contention for #1 this year). There's real talent next year.

This is neither here nor there but I'm usually VERY wary for projecting drafts and their potential strength this far in advance. By the time these kids play a season of college ball and are officially measured, a LOT of the perception around them can change. It happens all the time. Remember when everyone was talking about Shabazz Muhammad or RJ Barrett? Or even when Harrison Barnes went one-on-one with KD before getting drafted? Everyone thought these guys were going to be franchise changers.

Now, that's not to take away from any of the aforementioned. I don't know any of them well enough to make any definitive statements but then again, no one does. I prefer to deal with what we have in front of us at the moment.

That's fair enough. I'm not claiming to be an expert on any of the guys I've mentioned, only that from what little I've seen, they look very promising. There are also a bunch more that I've yet to follow-up on, but I know others are really high on. I realize that boards will look different a year from not, but for every prospect that fades, there will be others that emerge. I suppose anything can happen, but all signs point to next year being significantly stronger. Same goes for 2026 btw.

Also, my argument isn't to trade out of this draft completely (I actually think there are several good rotation players in this draft), just that I don't have confidence in the success rate of prospects most likely to be there at #6 (at least not if you place them on the Raptors). I honestly don't think there's much difference between 6 and 14 in this draft. Just my opinion, of course.

[Psubs]

I'm on record for preferring avoiding projects and hitting on singles and doubles with our picks. This is primarily cause the projects that most mention (outside of Collier) are both far away from contributing and have mediocre high-end outcomes. The one potential exception I see is AJ Johnson. He obviously needs to put on weight and strength, but the vision, athleticism, feel, shot-creation and length (he's reportedly up to 6'7) are all there. He's got potential. I'd understand taking a flyer on this kid:

Watch on YouTube

I'm on the same page as you. The projects in this draft have some iffy best case scenarios. The difference between Buzelis and Klintman (as an example) isn't much. I'd prefer losing the pick this year and having another development year. A core of Barnes, Barrett, and Quickely just sucks. We need elite prospects in a strong draft.

I would say that the difference between Johnny Furphy and Klintam isn't much. Buzelis could be Charlie Villanueva.

[alpngso]

Is Topic a better prospect coming out when compared to Josh Giddey?

[Psubs]

Is Topic a better prospect coming out when compared to Josh Giddey?

That's a good recent comp. I think Giddey is taller.

[CazOnReal]

Man I stand corrected. Thought we had a 50/50 chance of keeping the pick. For us to lose the pick a team from 7 and below would need to move up. I wonder if we have the stats through the draft when that has happened

We moved from 8 to 4 to get Scottie. Feels like once every 3 drafts someone moves into the top for from the 7 -10 range.

7 to 4 but I digress.

[OAKLEY_2]

Is Topic a better prospect coming out when compared to Josh Giddey?

That's a good recent comp. I think Giddey is taller.

Giddey was a slasher pre-draft with intense motor. Topic drives straight ahead. Not really a shake and baker but has a decent motor.

[Dalek]

Is Topic a better prospect coming out when compared to Josh Giddey?

Giddey was a worse shooter and finisher coming in, but the promise with Giddey was the passing. Giddey has rare court vision coupled with passing velocity. I don't Topic is a better passer, but he is a better slasher and is a safer overall PG.

I probably give the edge to Topic because he is playing well at a high level and the shooting is less of a concern. He is going to be a pick and roll maestro if given the ball. Giddey is never going to be a guy you build around whereas Topic has a shot at being a star in the right circumstance.

[Dalek]

Raptors are the meme friendly bunch.

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Based on that Jared McCain is a fit. Most social media friendly dude of the bunch just like Gradey in his class.

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[Gavin_TDThree]

Raptors are the meme friendly bunch.

Read on Twitter

Based on that Jared McCain is a fit. Most social media friendly dude of the bunch just like Gradey in his class.

Read on Twitter

McCain at 19 would be sick

[Thaddy]

I'm on record for preferring avoiding projects and hitting on singles and doubles with our picks. This is primarily cause the projects that most mention (outside of Collier) are both far away from contributing and have mediocre high-end outcomes. The one potential exception I see is AJ Johnson. He obviously needs to put on weight and strength, but the vision, athleticism, feel, shot-creation and length (he's reportedly up to 6'7) are all there. He's got potential. I'd understand taking a flyer on this kid:

Watch on YouTube

I'm on the same page as you. The projects in this draft have some iffy best case scenarios. The difference between Buzelis and Klintman (as an example) isn't much. I'd prefer losing the pick this year and having another development year. A core of Barnes, Barrett, and Quickely just sucks. We need elite prospects in a strong draft.

I would say that the difference between Johnny Furphy and Klintam isn't much. Buzelis could be Charlie Villanueva.

Using a top five pick on Charlie V isn't a way to becoming a contender. The issue with high picks on a team like ours, which is lottery level, is the pick might come in and think of themself as the future. Buzelis has a problem where even though he can do something, like shoot from range, he probably shouldn't because he does it at a very poor level. You never really see that with lower picks.