2024 NBA Draft Thread - June 26/27

[Bernman]

Mogbo, Dunn, Missi, Ware, Klintman, and hell, I’d even say Bona would make more sense if we were looking to craft more versatile defensive personnel. And that’s just guys in our range. So no, I don’t really see Holmes as a switchable defensive guy in the NBA, at all.

So switchable = "raw athlete". Little consideration of instincts or actual performance.

[midranger]

Holmes looks a bit heavy footed, stiff, and mechanical to me. Not a fluid mover.

That doesn’t mean he can’t be switchable, but I don’t think it helps.

[Ron Swanson]

Are you guys seriously asking me to take the hyperbolic internet quote that Holmes can "switch all 5 positions" from a site called "Sports Business Classroom" seriously? I mean, here's a DX scouting report on Bobby before the 2015 Draft:

Defensively, Portis is constantly active and has the potential to guard either interior or perimeter players. He can leverage his size and strength to slow down big men in the paint and showed the ability to move his feet well enough to stay in front of guards on the perimeter when Arkansas switched on the pick and roll. With the intensity he brings to the court combined with his physical tools, he could help a team in multiple ways defensively and has the potential to be a nice asset for a NBA team on this end of the floor. -

Yeah, they really nailed that one...

Holmes looks a bit heavy footed, stiff, and mechanical to me. Not a fluid mover.

That doesn’t mean he can’t be switchable, but I don’t think it helps.

This. I don't know what to tell people other than to watch the tape. No need to feel personally attacked because I don't see any evidence Holmes is a "switchable" NBA defender unless you just have a really loose definition of that word.

[ReasonablySober]

The Ringer's summary of Holmes.

Throwback big who can block shots and finish lobs, with the benefit of modern switchability.

[Ron Swanson]

Direct quote under "weaknesses" from that same Hoopshype scouting report talking up his versatility:

https://hoopshype.com/lists/daron-holmes-ii-nba-draft-scouting-report-and-intel/

* Uncertainty about handling switches defensively at the NBA level

[ReasonablySober]

I just think no one knows dick, especially with 30th ranked guys from Dayton.

[RiotPunch]

If we are rolling with Lopez again, Dunn is super attractive as a roamer on D. He covers ground like a mother ****. The shot is dreadful and concerning, but the form is not too bad and pretty compact.

[RiotPunch]

I think Holmes has a strong skillset to be switchable (as in 4-5). Growth spurt in college, still getting used to his new body. Hopefully he can add more weight and remain nimble, but he can hold his own on switches from what I've seen.

[ReasonablySober]

FWIW, according to the Ringer and a quick "Control-F"

Switchable!
Alex Sarr
Devin Carter
Tidjane Salaun (across most **PERIMETER** positions)
Cody Williams
Ron Holland (onto **QUICKER** players)
Bobi Klintman
Tristan Da Silva
Yves Missi
Tyler Smith
Daron Holmes II
Jaylon Tyson
Ryan Dunn
Oso Ighodaro
Harrison Ingram
Jonathan Mogbo
Jalen Bridges
Ulrich Chomche
Justin Edwards
Zyon Pullin
Jaylen Wells (has the **SIZE** to switch. unclear if he can)

Not Switchable
Matas Buzelis
Daron Holmes II (??? I think their headline on him is misleading!)
PJ Hall (unless he improves)

You gotta be a complete loser if you can't switch. Everyone can in this class, I guess.

[RiotPunch]

KOC was very lazy in his evals this year (he has never been good at it.)

[RiotPunch]

Obviously, competition level is a legit question mark in some of these, but Holmes does well in a pinch if he has to switch onto a guard/wing.

https://youtu.be/YrES_3MDdNo?si=ePwxQCQgqmbBmn3j&t=1081

[emunney]

FWIW, according to the Ringer and a quick "Control-F"

Switchable!
Alex Sarr
Devin Carter
Tidjane Salaun (across most **PERIMETER** positions)
Cody Williams
Ron Holland (onto **QUICKER** players)
Bobi Klintman
Tristan Da Silva
Yves Missi
Tyler Smith
Daron Holmes II
Jaylon Tyson
Ryan Dunn
Oso Ighodaro
Harrison Ingram
Jonathan Mogbo
Jalen Bridges
Ulrich Chomche
Justin Edwards
Zyon Pullin
Jaylen Wells (has the **SIZE** to switch. unclear if he can)

Not Switchable
Matas Buzelis
Daron Holmes II (??? I think their headline on him is misleading!)
PJ Hall (unless he improves)

You gotta be a complete loser if you can't switch. Everyone can in this class, I guess.

A very confusing list. KOC says anything at all in these write-ups.

[drone3]

Super high on Dunn or Missi for 1st pick

Have watched way too much Pacôme Dadiet and I'm leaning more towards Cam Christie for the 2nd pick. Cam's shot is gorgeous and love the pairing with Ajax and or Dunn

[Badgerlander]

I like Missi but I’m interested in Dunn as a wing defender. I just think his best spot on offense is the dunker spot. Battier had great recognition/anticipation but he didn’t have the hops that Dunn has. Dunn is a solid help defender at the rim and very switchable, not a guy thats going to play the drop and protect the rim.

Battier could plop out at the 3-pt line because he could shoot 3's. Dunn can't be there because he can't do that, or drive. There's nowhere to put him but inside + p&r. That doesn't mean he could do that effectively at 6'6 w/ an 8'7 standing reach. He's got to go up, from a standstill much of the time, against trees.

That's the rub. It might make him difficult to play until he shoots. And if he does, good chance it would be w/ another team. Then you might as well draft a real big who can actually play in the dunker spot/p&r effectively (if that even works next to Giannis).

Again I’m interested in drafting a wing defender over a big. If Dunn isn’t the guy because of his lack of offense then pick another wing, not a center. I am not opposed to drafting a center but I think the sweet spot of this draft for us is the wings. I could see a guard falling to us as well. Just looking at projections and how I would rank bpa I am betting that the centers will start to thin out by pick 20 or so

[Badgerlander]

Obviously, competition level is a legit question mark in some of these, but Holmes does well in a pinch if he has to switch onto a guard/wing.

https://youtu.be/YrES_3MDdNo?si=ePwxQCQgqmbBmn3j&t=1081

https://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2024-03-23/arizona-wildcats-vs-dayton-flyers-condensed-game-202421146

https://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2024-03-21/dayton-flyers-vs-nevada-wolf-pack-condensed-game-202421058

Switchable to me means if a guard forces a switch at the top of the key the center is able to move his feet enough to limit dribble penetration towards the basket without looking like Larry Sanders at the club. Holmes has good instincts on the corners but I don’t see prime Robert Williams athleticism there. Holmes looks like Bobby against arizona’s bigs at times and they aren’t exactly nba level guys

[midranger]

I do think there’s an unusual number of 6’7-6’9 wings that I could envision as two way contributors in this draft.

I also think there’s an above average number of athletic 6’10-6’11 bigs with a good motor available this draft.

Both suit needs for us. So that’s good.

Not surprised the “switchable” mentions list is long this year.

[midranger]

Obviously, competition level is a legit question mark in some of these, but Holmes does well in a pinch if he has to switch onto a guard/wing.

https://youtu.be/YrES_3MDdNo?si=ePwxQCQgqmbBmn3j&t=1081

https://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2024-03-23/arizona-wildcats-vs-dayton-flyers-condensed-game-202421146

https://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2024-03-21/dayton-flyers-vs-nevada-wolf-pack-condensed-game-202421058

Switchable to me means if a guard forces a switch at the top of the key the center is able to move his feet enough to limit dribble penetration towards the basket without looking like Larry Sanders at the club. Holmes has good instincts on the corners but I don’t see prime Robert Williams athleticism there. Holmes looks like Bobby against arizona’s bigs at times and they aren’t exactly nba level guys

Agree with all this.

I could see Holmes playing defense like Myles Turner, if you took away Turner’s high level shot blocking. Turner isn’t a super fluid mover, but the defense also doesn’t fall apart completely if he’s switched onto a guard after a high screen.

Turner minus shot blocking is NOT a plus defender, to be sure. But he also wouldn’t kill you if he’s rebounding well, moving the ball on time, and making those midrange to three point shots. I think Holmes could be that guy.

[Badgerlander]

My priority list of our needs

1. POA defender
2. Starting guard
3. Wing defender
4. Depth behind Middleton
5. Scorer
6. Guard depth
7. Eventual Brook replacement

[Badgerlander]

Obviously, competition level is a legit question mark in some of these, but Holmes does well in a pinch if he has to switch onto a guard/wing.

https://youtu.be/YrES_3MDdNo?si=ePwxQCQgqmbBmn3j&t=1081

https://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2024-03-23/arizona-wildcats-vs-dayton-flyers-condensed-game-202421146

https://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2024-03-21/dayton-flyers-vs-nevada-wolf-pack-condensed-game-202421058

Switchable to me means if a guard forces a switch at the top of the key the center is able to move his feet enough to limit dribble penetration towards the basket without looking like Larry Sanders at the club. Holmes has good instincts on the corners but I don’t see prime Robert Williams athleticism there. Holmes looks like Bobby against arizona’s bigs at times and they aren’t exactly nba level guys

Agree with all this.

I could see Holmes playing defense like Myles Turner, if you took away Turner’s high level shot blocking. Turner isn’t a super fluid mover, but the defense also doesn’t fall apart completely if he’s switched onto a guard after a high screen.

Turner minus shot blocking is NOT a plus defender, to be sure. But he also wouldn’t kill you if he’s rebounding well, moving the ball on time, and making those midrange to three point shots. I think Holmes could be that guy.

Holmes can block shots. I don’t think he is on the level of Myles but he is pretty good

[msiris]

Jaylon Tyson is a switchable defender. Why on earth would you take Dunn over him over him when you can get a guy who can score at all three leveis as well.