Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part III

[nate33]

The more I think about it, the more I want Burke.

The way I see it, we are going to build a team around Wall. It's going to be filled with catch-and-shoot role players who defend but who can't create their own shot. Right now, Nene is the only guy besides Wall who can generate offense, and he can only do it when healthy. (Beal may be another offense creator at some point in his career, but not now.) Nene isn't going to be around forever. The point is, the offense fails without Wall on the floor because it's designed to work when Wall is on the floor. Without Wall, we are dead in the water. The solution is to find another version of John Wall to run the offense when Wall isn't on the court. Obviously, we don't have a #1 overall pick at our disposal to find a superstar caliber player, so what we want is a guy close to Wall offensively, even if he isn't so good on defense. Playing on the 2nd unit, his defensive liabilities won't hurt as much.

In this draft, that guy is Trey Burke. Burke can run the offense when Wall sits. And with Burke on the roster, we won't go 5-28 if Wall misses 33 games.

I'd try and trade up from our 2nd round pick to a late 1st rounder (over-the-cap teams with late 1sts may want to trade away that guaranteed contract). With that late 1st, I'd take one of the numerous defensive bigs, or McCollum.

[popper]

The more I think about it, the more I want Burke.

The way I see it, we are going to build a team around Wall. It's going to be filled with catch-and-shoot role players who defend but who can't create their own shot. Right now, Nene is the only guy besides Wall who can generate offense, and he can only do it when healthy. (Beal may be another offense creator at some point in his career, but not now.) Nene isn't going to be around forever. The point is, the offense fails without Wall on the floor because it's designed to work when Wall is on the floor. Without Wall, we are dead in the water. The solution is to find another version of John Wall to run the offense when Wall isn't on the court. Obviously, we don't have a #1 overall pick at our disposal to find a superstar caliber player, so what we want is a guy close to Wall offensively, even if he isn't so good on defense. Playing on the 2nd unit, his defensive liabilities won't hurt as much.

In this draft, that guy is Trey Burke. Burke can run the offense when Wall sits. And with Burke on the roster, we won't go 5-28 if Wall misses 33 games.

I'd try and trade up from our 2nd round pick to a late 1st rounder (over-the-cap teams with late 1sts may want to trade away that guaranteed contract). With that late 1st, I'd take one of the numerous defensive bigs, or McCollum.

I was against drafting Burke with our first because there appears to only be about 13 min. of playing time for him. Rendering a high pick for a 13 min. player seems a waste. McCollum seemed like a better fit because he can back up both guard positions. However, if Wall is indeed becoming a good shooter then he could easily handle some SG backup minutes to ensure that Burke gets sufficient burn. I guess it's more of a defensive issue but Wall's size leaves no doubt he can cover opposing wings. It could work.

Wall 22 min at point and 13 min. at wing
Beal 35 min. at wing
Burke 26 min at point

[pancakes3]

That's super conservative to spend a top 10 pick on a super sub. Bledsoe went 18th, Collison went 21st, and Maynor went 20th. Of course Burke is better than those three but you want Burke to play in the same capacity.

[The Consiglieri]

I could see the value in Burke, especially if we consider him a tradeable asset, maybe at the '14 deadline to pick up more ammo for the '14 draft day bonanza. I don't expect our team to be smart enough to steal '14 draft assets, but one can dream.

My one issue with Burke is that it's problematic to use a top 8 draft pick on a player who will never start unless something catastrophic happens. Otoh, I think Burke is more valuable and has more potential to become special, even considering his athletic and height limitations, than anyone in the draft projected top 10 other than Noel, McLemore and Bennett. I consider most of the guys in our range in this draft to be basically adequate starters in terms of their ceiling, that's probably not worth taking over a Burke. But will Burke be available at 7, 8, or 9? I tend to doubt it.

Right now, the feeling I get is that the draft board is:

1. Noel
2. McLemore
3. Smart
4. Porter
5. Bennett
6. Oladipo
7. Burke
8. Muhammad
9. Len
10. McCollum/Zeller

This is subject to change pending these games and workouts etc.

I am intrigued by Burke because when I look at that top 10, I see only 2 guys that I think have more upside than Burke. And again, my Burke love is a product of believing that his pass first vision, and execution as a passer combined with his confidence and range as a shooter, and ability to break down defenses mean that he'll be at worst, a good starting point guard in this league, even with his liabilities. Definitely an intriguing idea.

[nate33]

I was against drafting Burke with our first because there appears to only be about 13 min. of playing time for him. Rendering a high pick for a 13 min. player seems a waste. McCollum seemed like a better fit because he can back up both guard positions. However, if Wall is indeed becoming a good shooter then he could easily handle some SG backup minutes to ensure that Burke gets sufficient burn. I guess it's more of a defensive issue but Wall's size leaves no doubt he can cover opposing wings. It could work.

Wall 22 min at point and 13 min. at wing
Beal 35 min. at wing
Burke 26 min at point

Yes. Though when Wall and Burke share the court together, I'd have Wall be the primary ball handler on offense with Burke playing like a SG. (On defense, Wall would guard the SG and Burke guards the PG.)

[nate33]

That's super conservative to spend a top 10 pick on a super sub. Bledsoe went 18th, Collison went 21st, and Maynor went 20th. Of course Burke is better than those three but you want Burke to play in the same capacity.

I think it makes sense only because we have a team that is so highly dependent on PG play. If Burke pans out merely to be the second-coming of Jameer Nelson, then I think it'll work out just fine. Jameer is a starting caliber player, but it's not a crime against humanity to bring a guy like that off the bench as long as he plays 25-30 minutes a night. He's not THAT good.

If Burke pans out to be the next Chris Paul, then we have a very pleasant dilemma. One of Wall/Burke would have to be traded, but we'd get great value in return. One way or another, we would all end up happy we chose Burke with the 7-9th pick in the draft.

Another upside is that Burke is NBA ready right now. There would be no waiting a year or two for a project to develop. We would immediately have a quality player on an ultra cheap rookie contract.

[popper]

BTW - I think Nate is exactly right that our offense is dependent upon a speedy penetrating distributor and so if it's not Burke then we need to pick up a FA or a PG with a second round pick. I like Price but he's not adequate in more that just a few minutes per game. We need someone to take over when Wall is out periodically with injuries.

[sfam]

The more I think about it, the more I want Burke.

The way I see it, we are going to build a team around Wall. It's going to be filled with catch-and-shoot role players who defend but who can't create their own shot. Right now, Nene is the only guy besides Wall who can generate offense, and he can only do it when healthy. (Beal may be another offense creator at some point in his career, but not now.) Nene isn't going to be around forever. The point is, the offense fails without Wall on the floor because it's designed to work when Wall is on the floor. Without Wall, we are dead in the water. The solution is to find another version of John Wall to run the offense when Wall isn't on the court. Obviously, we don't have a #1 overall pick at our disposal to find a superstar caliber player, so what we want is a guy close to Wall offensively, even if he isn't so good on defense. Playing on the 2nd unit, his defensive liabilities won't hurt as much.

In this draft, that guy is Trey Burke. Burke can run the offense when Wall sits. And with Burke on the roster, we won't go 5-28 if Wall misses 33 games.

I'd try and trade up from our 2nd round pick to a late 1st rounder (over-the-cap teams with late 1sts may want to trade away that guaranteed contract). With that late 1st, I'd take one of the numerous defensive bigs, or McCollum.

This.

He's definitely my #1 hope where we draft (unless we win the lottery), but I doubt he's there at #8.

[mhd]

I think the Burke talk is moot. He'll be a Piston IMO. He's local, looks NBA ready, and is much better than Brandon Knight. If the Pistons pass, he'll be a Hornet. Vasquez has played well, but he's a FA soon. The Hornets don't need a big, and Burke could play next to Vasquez easily.

[hands11]

The more I think about it, the more I want Burke.

The way I see it, we are going to build a team around Wall. It's going to be filled with catch-and-shoot role players who defend but who can't create their own shot. Right now, Nene is the only guy besides Wall who can generate offense, and he can only do it when healthy. (Beal may be another offense creator at some point in his career, but not now.) Nene isn't going to be around forever. The point is, the offense fails without Wall on the floor because it's designed to work when Wall is on the floor. Without Wall, we are dead in the water. The solution is to find another version of John Wall to run the offense when Wall isn't on the court. Obviously, we don't have a #1 overall pick at our disposal to find a superstar caliber player, so what we want is a guy close to Wall offensively, even if he isn't so good on defense. Playing on the 2nd unit, his defensive liabilities won't hurt as much.

In this draft, that guy is Trey Burke. Burke can run the offense when Wall sits. And with Burke on the roster, we won't go 5-28 if Wall misses 33 games.

I'd try and trade up from our 2nd round pick to a late 1st rounder (over-the-cap teams with late 1sts may want to trade away that guaranteed contract). With that late 1st, I'd take one of the numerous defensive bigs, or McCollum.

Then you would like seeing this.

http://nbadraft.net/nba_mock_drafts/recent_consensus

I couldn't agree more about the need for better back up PG options. It was actually something I wanted for this year as well. I think they made some progress with Price but they still need more. He still isn't a pure PG. His handles aren't good enough.

That would really help the Wizards if there was constant pressure on the other team. Right now its more like they are trying to figure out how to best survive resting Wall. So they need another PG that can press the defense and keep it rolling.

Adding Burke would clearly be an upgrade. But if they can't or don't add him, I hope they get someone like Pierre. He would instantly be the player with the best handles on the team.

Its easy to imagine the impact a player like that would have. Instead of the offense slowing down when Wall goes out, you could actually have a player that is as quick or quicker that causes the other team fits for a 4-5 minutes burst. That player could even run a more uptempo offense with the subs if they want.

The question isn't really do that need that player, if just how do you add them. Is it worth your top pick or can you add that player with a lower pick or via FA or trade.

[Zonkerbl]

If the BPA is a PG, draft the fricking BPA. He's a fricking rookie, he better come off the bench and LIKE IT. If he blows up we can either run with it or trade him.

[sfam]

Then you would like seeing this.

http://nbadraft.net/nba_mock_drafts/recent_consensus

They're just trying to punk us.
I agree with mhd - I just don't see Burke being there when we pick. I'd love it if he is, and would love it more if EG took him.

EDIT: Interestingly, all our picks are for PGs...definitely punking us.

[Zonkerbl]

Here's a more interesting question: What if we won the lottery? Do we pick McLemore?

[sfam]

Here's a more interesting question: What if we won the lottery? Do we pick McLemore?

I think we pick Noel without thinking twice. If we did think twice, it would be Porter. McLemore doesn't seem to offer much beyond elite scoring at the SG position. Beal should already have that covered for us. Our needs are another starting quality Big, a third (combo) guard, and another quality SF (assuming Ariza or Webster leave).

[Rafael122]

Here's a more interesting question: What if we won the lottery? Do we pick McLemore?

Nope, we'd pick Noel. Perfect situation for both parties, Noel can rehab his knee, maybe come back in January while Okafor and Nene hold the fort down.

[hands11]

Then you would like seeing this.

http://nbadraft.net/nba_mock_drafts/recent_consensus

They're just trying to punk us.
I agree with mhd - I just don't see Burke being there when we pick. I'd love it if he is, and would love it more if EG took him.

EDIT: Interestingly, all our picks are for PGs...definitely punking us.

I know its nothing we can't count on but it seems people forget this is a lottery. They could land the 1, 2 or 3

Edit. Posted this before ready the last couple posts.

[Rafael122]

Then you would like seeing this.

http://nbadraft.net/nba_mock_drafts/recent_consensus

They're just trying to punk us.
I agree with mhd - I just don't see Burke being there when we pick. I'd love it if he is, and would love it more if EG took him.

EDIT: Interestingly, all our picks are for PGs...definitely punking us.

I know its nothing we can't count on but it seems people forget this is a lottery. They could land the 1, 2 or 3

Edit. Posted this before ready the last couple posts.

Can't remember a team jumping from 9 to the top 3. At least recently.

[nate33]

Can't remember a team jumping from 9 to the top 3. At least recently.

This came up a couple of days ago. Chicago jumped from 9 to 1 to land Rose. Cleveland (via the Clippers pick) jumped from 8 to 1 to land Kyrie Irving.

[DCZards]

I get the idea of drafting the BPA and that player could very well be Burke when the Zards draft. And the Zards do indeed need a quality backup guard.

But there's a more important need, imo, and that's for a young big. For that reason, I'd take a Len over the 6 foot Burke, who is not a combo guard but pretty much strictly a PG at that size. Unless Wall gets hurt, Burke is destined to be perennial back-up. And I don't see using a top ten pick on a backup, especially when there is a desperate need for a big man.

I think you can get a solid backup guard either later in the draft or through free agency. Jarrett Jack would be my free agent target.

Or maybe that solid backup is Satoransky in the next year or two.

[sfam]

I get the idea of drafting the BPA and that player could very well be Burke when the Zards draft. And the Zards do indeed need a quality backup guard.

But there's a more important need, imo, and that's for a young big. For that reason, I'd take a Len over the 6 foot Burke, who is not a combo guard but pretty much strictly a PG at that size. Unless Wall gets hurt, Burke is destined to be perennial back-up. And I don't see using a top ten pick on a backup, especially when there is a desperate need for a big man.

I think you can get a solid backup guard either later in the draft or through free agency. Jarrett Jack would be my free agent target.

Or maybe that solid backup is Satoransky in the next year or two.

While I wouldn't at all be sad about taking Len, when Wall goes out, our offense is atrocious. Some days Price almost looks NBA quality, but often we are almost unwatchable. Burke would give us a firm 3 guard rotation where when either Wall or Beal goes out, he would give us terrific outside shooting, the ability to penetrate and dish. He could backup Beal as well as Wall, so he becomes more than a perennial backup. He becomes an integral part of our offense. We could even go with 3 guard sets in an up-tempo small ball approach. Bottom line, I think Burke would make a big difference in our W-L record this upcoming year. Len may do this as well in a few years, but Burke makes an immediate impact.