Hibachi_0 wrote:If we were to pick outside the top 2 (where Flagg & Harper are kind of locked) do you think AJ's progression and the upside showing could make the FO lean towards someone like Maluach/Ace at 3-4 before Edgecombe? I believe AJ's improvement should not factor this decision, if the FO believes VJ is the BPA we should take him.
I think it has nothing to do with AJJ. Everything to do with upside. They like guys with length, athleticism, able to guard or play multiple positions, and emphasize less their current accomplishments compared to future projections. Youth, or late growth spurts weigh in as well on their read of future potential.
That may be a relic of our needing to lose to keep our draft picks. That we need to play poorly for a couple years. But if all that is an overall philosophy I think they would lean towards Ace and Khaman who are long and athletic for their positions, over a player like Edge who is an athletic outlier but physically undersized. That said Dawkins was Westbrook's player development coach or the like, so I don't doubt they'll weigh pure athleticism and drive highly as well. I think the combine measurements will influence the decision, both anthro and athletic testing.
Flagg and Harper are locked in. Big, skilled, smart. I have question marks if Harper will end up top 5 of this draft year by the end of his career, but I doubt the Wiz challenge the collective wisdom that he's #2 this year. After that though I'd bet much is in flux. IF I'm guessing, based on their past draft philosophy I'd bet they have it like this:
3. Ace is young, long, and innately talented. Young for his draft class. If they bank on their player development system compared to his shortfalls, he probably has the highest upside in the class. He's a first option scorer, or wants to be. Versatile on offense and defense. Plays as a 6'10" guard/wing, but has shown willingness to play on the interior, rebound, block shots. I personally understand the doubts on his game, but the highlight reel pops off the screen. You're not playing him as a lead ballhandler, you want him to follow his instinct: attack defenses that are designed to stop him. Score anyway. A true high-usage first option scorer is one of the rarest players to find, most expensive in trade.
4. Maluach. A true giant. Mobile for his size. Game is stunted by inexperience, but all reports suggest he is very smart. Diligent worker. Growing quickly. Aggressive and competitive, physical, does not shy away from contact but seeks it. One of the most critical players for post season success is a defensive interior deterrent who is a plus defender from the Pick and Roll and in. A show and recover center. If he develops his offense you have the 2nd most rare sort of player, a playable 2-way Big. In an era where teams are betting big on getting big. Rare to get positional size advantage at the 5 spot because human athletes simply don't grow that big. Why was he only playing 20 mins a game? Load management? Stamina? Abundance of caution? If their medical team says everything looks healthy, and he measures as reported, I can see them being unable to pass him up.
5. Edge. Undeniable athleticism, and high motor. Learning quickly. Defensive attack dog in the back court. Lacks some ball skills that will allow him to attack on offense, and help him transition to a full time position as a combo guard. Give him a skills coach and he will improve though, it's not like anyone is outworking him.
I think 3-5 may shuffle. Whatever the mocks say I would not be startled to see Maluach taken at 3. Or Ace slip to 5. After that I don't know. If we slip to 6 and can't trade up I can see Asa Newell in the mix. Could be Tre as a Poole replacement. Jase Richardson. I personally lean towards CMB due to defense, he's younger than Queen with a higher motor, even if he is smaller. His active in-game intelligence is top end, and his effort never slacks on either end. Credit Nat who tabbed him last year as a Draymond clone. He still hasn't added a reliable ranged jumper, and is still undersized. And it still doesn't matter. The only thing that adds question marks to his draftability is that prolonged losing streak this year. But its not like his effort slacked. If anything he was doing too much out there.
