Kasparas Jakucionis

[UcanUwill]

I think teams that need true franchise player and are building almost from scratch, I imagine they are aiming a bit higher than what Kasparas could provide.

Honestly, which prospects truly have a higher (somewhat realistically attainable) ceiling than him? Besides Flagg and Harper, I'm not sure any of them is a clear step ahead in that regard. A couple are arguable but they tend to come with higher risks, too, IMO.

I know next to nothing about this draft outside of Flagg and KJ, but I know it supposedly very strong(?), Just knowing KJ, hard to believe he would be one of the top guys, especially speaking about ceiling, but again, I am very big pessimist, so maybe I am selling my guy short, IDK.

[Catchall]

That’s where I have him.

He’s clutch.

Kid is a winner.

Where do you want him to go? I think teams that need true franchise player and are building almost from scratch, I imagine they are aiming a bit higher than what Kasparas could provide. But let say if New Orleans salvage what they have and come back from this lost season, maybe Kasparas in New Orleans would fit well?

I want him in Toronto, cause I used to be Raptors fan, so that would reignite that connection I had, but Raptors fans can be incredibly brutal when guy doesn't meat their expectations.

Ideally he goes somewhere where he's not expected to become the #1 option. Some team that already has their franchise cornerstone and needs good complimentary pieces... Maybe he can be a Ginobili to Wemby's Duncan. Although that would require for him to drop outside the lottery, or for the Spurs to trade up.

Kasparas would fit well in Utah, who really needs a lead initiator. I think Utah would take him as high as #4, maybe even #3.

[BlazersBroncos]

This kid in SA would be dirty.

Such an ideal partner to Castle long term at G. Just the perfect ying and yang.

[Jstock12]

Watch on YouTube

[tontoz]

I think he is solidly in the top 5 at this point. I can easily see him going at 3.

[Hoopz Afrik]

This might sound weird but he plays like some weirdly unique mashup between Malcom Brogdon and Goran Dragic. I really like his game and how he's able to operate on and off the ball. I knew he had a name but I didn't see much of him pre-Illinois but I'm bought in at this point. Very fun, exciting, and malleable young prospect.

[MasterIchiro]

This might sound weird but he plays like some weirdly unique mashup between Malcom Brogdon and Goran Dragic. I really like his game and how he's able to operate on and off the ball. I knew he had a name but I didn't see much of him pre-Illinois but I'm bought in at this point. Very fun, exciting, and malleable young prospect.

He definitely plays similar to Dragic. He's slippery and tricky. He hits his shots and sneaks into the paint and can get to the rim. I like him 3.

[vincecarter4pres]

I think he's this year's Reed Sheppard. Heck of a college player and for sure could have a role in the NBA but almost nothing of what you see will transfer as far as being a lead guard. He can't defend. And his athletic limitations will hinder his offense. I don't see him being able to be an above average starting guard in the NBA. Off the bench or low level starter? Sure. He's like Pod or Nembhard.

That is what I fear, tho I wouldn't bring Reed here, I have faith Reed will in fact be very good in the NBA, but I understand evidence does not favor me here, at least so far it doesn't. Reed has that elite skill even at NBA level, shooting. Not sure what Kasparas has what will be elite in the NBA. Maybe Jaku is like Kolek on the Knicks, Kolek looked like savant in summer league, pretty astonishing passing and court vision ability, but will he really work in the NBA? Looks like a guy who would be big star in Europe, but probably caps at McConell, Spencer Dinwiddie in the NBA.

if you go through the Reed threads you'll see me bringing up concerns about whether the shooting would translate because he would no longer be shooting over even smaller guards and it'd be at an NBA distance with NBA athletes contesting. So far that looks to be valid as he's not proven he has that elite skill tbh. He's shooting just 28% on nearly 2.5 attempts per game. I think this would improve with more playing time as he got into a rhythm but it's at least fair to question how good he could be without the otherworldly shooting numbers he had in college. Him going #3 was absurd. And all the "experts" and their parrots had him that high, with some even suggesting he could be #1. The 2024 class really broke these people.

Bro it’s 3 months into the rookie season of a kid buried on a team almost leading the West with a bunch of depth and you’re gloating and cheesing that you called it right he’s a bust.

[vincecarter4pres]

I’ve only seen 2 Illinois games so far, but 3 players come to mind the most:

Deron Williams

Beefier, much more athletic and much quicker first step D’Angelo Russell.

Goran Dragic.



And then don’t stone me on this one, but does anyone see some Jason Kidd when in transition? I’m not at all saying as a direct comp, but there are shades in transition.

[EvanZ]

My only real concern is the athleticism. He has 1 dunk. Such a great prospect otherwise, I think the only question is how limited will he be by lack of athleticism on both sides. Probably hurts him more defensively if he's a 2 and more on offense if you depend on him as a lead guard.

[SeattleJazzFan]

Where do you want him to go? I think teams that need true franchise player and are building almost from scratch, I imagine they are aiming a bit higher than what Kasparas could provide. But let say if New Orleans salvage what they have and come back from this lost season, maybe Kasparas in New Orleans would fit well?

I want him in Toronto, cause I used to be Raptors fan, so that would reignite that connection I had, but Raptors fans can be incredibly brutal when guy doesn't meat their expectations.

Ideally he goes somewhere where he's not expected to become the #1 option. Some team that already has their franchise cornerstone and needs good complimentary pieces... Maybe he can be a Ginobili to Wemby's Duncan. Although that would require for him to drop outside the lottery, or for the Spurs to trade up.

Kasparas would fit well in Utah, who really needs a lead initiator. I think Utah would take him as high as #4, maybe even #3.

he'd fit great in utah. he's exactly what they need. and yeah, i have him at 4.

[tontoz]

I'm not worried about him on D. He has good size, strength and pretty good speed. I don't think he will be a big liability.

[MasterIchiro]

I look at all the other top prospects and see at least some spans of volatility.

But with Jaku, he's remained consistent. No highs, no lows. Steady.

I think his floor is higher than given credit. His upside is as a secondary playmaker as part of a starting backcourt alongside a lead guard.

Like the Cavs system where they run 2 excellent decision makers.

I really covet well-rounded players and IQ. I look to see if the prospect can get to his spots on the floor with the ball in his hands. If he can't be played to pass, dribble, or shoot. One way or the other, he will make the right decision in that situation and burn the defense.

[babyjax13]

My only real concern is the athleticism. He has 1 dunk. Such a great prospect otherwise, I think the only question is how limited will he be by lack of athleticism on both sides. Probably hurts him more defensively if he's a 2 and more on offense if you depend on him as a lead guard.

I do think he has shown more ability to get past the first defender as the season goes, so while I would love more athleticism, I think he will be alright (could obviously be wrong).

[vincecarter4pres]

My only real concern is the athleticism. He has 1 dunk. Such a great prospect otherwise, I think the only question is how limited will he be by lack of athleticism on both sides. Probably hurts him more defensively if he's a 2 and more on offense if you depend on him as a lead guard.

I do think he has shown more ability to get past the first defender as the season goes, so while I would love more athleticism, I think he will be alright (could obviously be wrong).

Yeah his first step isn’t elite, but it’s beyond serviceable, it’s a bit above average on the NBA level. And he is nasty quick off a screen or pushing the ball into a change of direction dribble.

[greg4012]

My only real concern is the athleticism. He has 1 dunk. Such a great prospect otherwise, I think the only question is how limited will he be by lack of athleticism on both sides. Probably hurts him more defensively if he's a 2 and more on offense if you depend on him as a lead guard.

The 1 dunk thing is kind of screaming at me right now. Been my concern as well.

Hot take: Sergio de Larrea is a similar level of prospect to Kasparas (and this coming from someone who is high on both).

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=sergio-de-larrea--kasparas-jakucionis

[Braggins]

Hes been in a bit of a shooting slump lately. It might not mean much, but for someone who is getting drafted significantly based on their shooting youd like to see his 3pt% a little higher than 35.0%.

[SeattleJazzFan]

i get the kasparas comparisons to dragic, but they are off base. he's a pure pg - so much better as a playmaker/passer. dragic was more a combo scoring/attacking guard. dragic averaged fewer than 6 apg in 14 of his 15 seasons in the nba. would expect KJ to exceed that every season of his career in the league.

[UcanUwill]

i get the kasparas comparisons to dragic, but they are off base. he's a pure pg - so much better as a playmaker/passer. dragic was more a combo scoring/attacking guard. dragic averaged fewer than 6 apg in 14 of his 15 seasons in the nba. would expect KJ to exceed that every season of his career in the league.

Dragic was very fast, but pretty bad shooter from 3, for the most of his career anyhow. Dragic is not that far of from Tony Parker, but maybe because he was white and Yugo, people have perception like he was some more traditional Euro PG. He wasnt and I do not get that comparison to be honest.

[CptCrunch]

Jaku has a higher floor in my opinion. Third to only Cooper and Harper.

He isn't Luka and doesn't have to be. He can one of a long line of European play makers playing in the league. Plenty have come before him without having to jump like Javale McGee and Andrew Wiggins.