Draft Day: Round 2

[BlacJacMac]

All the low BBIQ/low feel for the game talk about Fleming has me a bit cautious. Its basically in every single scouting report.

That's an area that we really need to improve on.

I'd still be fine with him or Thiero. But if someone offers us a 1st rounder for the pick, I grab it. A tradable 1st could be the difference in our ability to make a significant trade or not.

[younggunsmn]

Honestly, what happens is going to be a strong indication of how they feel about Leonard Miller. If they see him as someone who is ready to contribute as a power forward, I can see them looking more towards 3-point shooting and point guard. If they are not seeing the development they want to see, they're going power forward the whole way.

Leonard Miller is below Luka Garza in my "prospect" pecking order, just above the soon to be waived Josh Minott.
Never going to be anything and NO REASON TO PASS on a really great PF prospect like Fleming who fell into our laps in the 2nd round.

I have been reading on Fleming. The concern about his lateral quickness makes me think of KBD. There was also concern that he played against weaker competition in his conference. I don’t watch college sports at all, and I have no idea how worried to be about these things? Any thoughts?

My concern with drafting another big is that Finch will not play him. If we assume that JB will rotational this year and next (between 7-14 minutes,) and that Naz and Randle are back, then that is a 4 big rotation. We still badly need another PG, and outside of trading 31 I am not sure how we him. Maybe signing Tyus for the TPMLE if no one offers him more. I would start Tyus, back him up with Dilly and move Mike to 3rd string to accommodate this. I can see us drafting Fleming for the future, but I wonder if we cannot use the pick for more immediate value either by trading it, or drafting Fleming with the intent of trading him later.

Honestly I think its a longshot both Randle and Naz are back.
I expect our team salary to wind up below the first apron this year at a minimum.

The concern with Fleming is we dont know where his BBIQ is at and he didnt play at a major program so the production (which was very good) is harder to translate. Is he a 4/5 tweener?

You can make the same BBIQ and agility and tweener arguments about Naz Reid, who didnt have the body Fleming does when he was drafted, and Naz turned out to be a pretty great player.

I see Rasheed Wallace upside for Fleming with the Length, the Finishing, and the Shooting.
There is no one else in the draft left with that kind of upside.

A Fleming?Beringer 2nd unit would lead the league in dunks. Get them Tyus Jones to run that unit and throw oops.

[Klomp]

I have been as high as anyone here on Rasheer Fleming, but it feels like the team might not feel the same way. If we don't trade the pick, who are the guys who I would look at:

-Adou Thiero
-Noah Penda
-Alijah Martin

[younggunsmn]

I have been as high as anyone here on Rasheer Fleming, but it feels like the team might not feel the same way. If we don't trade the pick, who are the guys who I would look at:

-Adou Thiero
-Noah Penda
-Alijah Martin

If the front office drafted Beringer for his length and athleticism and passes on a player at 31 with those same traits who also shot 39% from 3,
there is either something terribly wrong with Fleming that no one knows about or our entire front office should be fired.

[younggunsmn]

I hate this.
It's a slam dunk pick of a player we all seem to really like and every single mock and talking head has us taking him.
So I know it's not going to happen.

So frustrating. Passing on DeAndre Jordan to trade 34 for cash in 2008 level frustrating.

[jpatrick]

I have been as high as anyone here on Rasheer Fleming, but it feels like the team might not feel the same way. If we don't trade the pick, who are the guys who I would look at:

-Adou Thiero
-Noah Penda
-Alijah Martin

If the front office drafted Beringer for his length and athleticism and passes on a player at 31 with those same traits who also shot 39% from 3,
there is either something terribly wrong with Fleming that no one knows about or our entire front office should be fired.

Two completely different players: Beringer vs Fleming.

My guess is we trade the pick, looking for the best FRP we can find. The value was really killed by college NLI though with so many people withdrawing last minute. If not, I think Fleming or Penda.

Penda is an elite defensive combo forward with elite size. We talk about Fleming’s size, but Penda is 6’7.25” barefoot, near 7’ wingspan, and nearly 8’11” standing reach. Weighing 242 lbs. This is a PF sized guy that is an elite defensive, switchable combo forward, capable of moving his feet to stay in front of wings. As a 20 year old in France, he was assigned the other teams best player. This is the guy that can guard the Lebrons, Tatums, Lukas, that might have too much bulk for McDaniels or at least take the assignment when McDaniels goes to the bench. He also has a high BBIQ. The bad: shot doesn’t go in. Loose handle. Not sure how he scores. He’s Kyle Anderson. We missed Kyle Anderson to some extent this year. If Penda can develop the shot, he is a very valuable player. Vecenie had him at #21 on his board.

All that said, to me, it’s Fleming, Penda, or get a future first. No other options.

[KGdaBom]

Based on the measurables combined with productivity Fleming has to be the pick, but there's more to the game. This is where TC needs to show he has what it takes to make the right selection.

[cmoss84]

Is Cam Whitmore worth #31?

[Norseman79]

If they actually pick at 31, I really think there's only about two or three guys worth taking. Obviously Fleming, then Kalkbrenner, and kind of a toss up after that.

Really, it's interesting because this "could" show their cards as far as the plan with Randle and Reid....or, it might mean nothing

[KGdaBom]

All the low BBIQ/low feel for the game talk about Fleming has me a bit cautious. Its basically in every single scouting report.

That's an area that we really need to improve on.

I'd still be fine with him or Thiero. But if someone offers us a 1st rounder for the pick, I grab it. A tradable 1st could be the difference in our ability to make a significant trade or not.

ESPN Givony is projecting we draft Fleming and processing/BBIQ is mentioned as a weakness. Physically he's a marvel and he shot 39% from 3 last season.

31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)
Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph's

Strengths: Fleming is a toolsy forward with impressive highlights who improved leaps and bounds over the past three years, developing into a highly efficient inside-out scorer to complement his massive 7-foot-5 wingspan, which gives him potential to grow into on defense.

Weaknesses: His feel for the game is a major question, as he does not process the game quickly on either end of the floor. He sometimes struggles to make basic passes and is highly prone to mistakes off the ball defensively.

The verdict: There's a premium on length, shooting and potential defensive versatility in the NBA, and Fleming could bring all three to a team with the patience to develop his awareness and technique defensively while the game hopefully slows down for him offensively. He struggled badly late in the season, but his relative youth and trajectory at St. Joseph's leaves room for optimism about his potential. -- Givony

[LibertyPrime]

This video makes me a little more comfortable about the idea of taking Penda over Fleming.

Watch on YouTube

Even though Fleming's shooting and measurables gives him the edge IMO. But after a few years with Josh Minott seemingly struggling to break out, maybe high basketball IQ is what Finch wants. What do you want from your backup 4?

[Worm Guts]

Is Cam Whitmore worth #31?

I don’t know much about Whitmore, but it doesn’t make any sense to trade the pick for a player that wouldn’t be in the rotation. I don’t think Whitmore would be in our rotation, but maybe that depends on what happens with Randle/Reid?

[KGdaBom]

I hate this.
It's a slam dunk pick of a player we all seem to really like and every single mock and talking head has us taking him.
So I know it's not going to happen.

So frustrating. Passing on DeAndre Jordan to trade 34 for cash in 2008 level frustrating.

Yep. Just about every updated mock has us taking Fleming. That's almost a sure sign we won't.

[BlacJacMac]

Read on Twitter

[BlacJacMac]

Hopefully we can nab Thiero, Penda or Fleming at 36.

[moss_is_1]

Read on Twitter

I'll take that. Get a couple assets and only move back 5 spots, where we should still see a solid player.

[Klomp]

Getting two future seconds is solid value, especially if they have guys they like who should still be around!

[KGdaBom]

Read on Twitter

Well that's evidence that we're not very excited for Fleming to give him up for a later pick and future 2nd rounders.

[BlacJacMac]

Read on Twitter

Well that's evidence that we're not very excited for Fleming to give him up for a later pick and future 2nd rounders.

I'm cool with that. This team needs an influx of High BBIQ guys.

[KGdaBom]

Getting two future seconds is solid value, especially if they have guys they like who should still be around!

It's solid value IF IF IF you aren't sold on any player at 31.