Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part V

[hands11]

What if you took Burke and had a 3gaurd set like GS at atimes (Klay, Steph, Jack)

Wall and Burke aren't good enough shooters to play together IMO. They're streaky and ball dominant/need to take dribbles before they shoot.

This is the combination Nate wanted a few weeks back while I was advocating CJM instead.

Both options are now in play if the Wizards wanted to do either.

[hands11]

YES!

The Porter pick this year is like the Beal pick last year. Both guys are perfect fits for their position and perfect next to Wall. Both have great stats across the board. Both are high IQ guys who don’t make a lot of mistakes. And both have a combination of size/athleticism worthy of a lottery pick.

Do they have both great size and great athleticism? No, because if they did they would be superstars.
Wall, Beal, Porter—I love the sound of that. Legit two-way players at the 1-2-3. They will be long and TENACIOUS on D. Wall will be able to break down the defense, and Beal and Porter will be able to make smart decisions or hit open shots. They won’t make the kind of mistakes that cripple teams.

Will they be heavily invested in their wings at the expense of bigs? Possibly. But Porter’s probably not going to get a max deal, and the first max deals for young players under the new CBA aren’t THAT big. We can swing big for defensive bigs in the next few drafts, and maybe we’ll have the opportunity to trade for a stretch four or sign one as a FA.

This team is going to be FUN to watch. Good day to be a Wiz fan. Also, there are other decent options if Porter’s not available, so even if EG screws up the pick, I’m not as worried as I was last year.

ETA: Evan Turner doesn’t fit a position. He’s like a slow tall point guard who can’t shoot or break anyone down and isn’t great on defense. But he can rebound well.

Personality, age and talent, it is easy to see Otto fitting in best. I don't feel that way at all when thinking Wall, Beal, Bennett. Or Shabbazz. VO feels like a good fit with his personality but not as good as Otto.

Burke I think could fit but he has big plans for himself. I could see the added tension between him and Wall. He would already have one foot out the door the day he arrived. Thats one reason I never thought Burke was a good fit here. But being able to pick him is an asset in a trade down. Now CJM, I could see him blending in nicely.

But nothing feels like a natural personality fit like Otto does. If you add him, Trevor A is a trade asset at the deadline. Unless of course they are making serious playoff noise. At that point you have a serious decision to make. Make a run and get nothing for him the next year or trade him for something you can use longer term.

[hands11]

The thing with Bennett is that baby ain't much of a baby. He's 20. Now it's true that people mature but I can't think of many knuckleheads that buckled down and matured, at least during the tenure of their rookie contract. It takes a couple of years, upwards of a decade to take supremely talented multimillionaires who play a game for a living to get their head screwed right.

I hope that Bennett is a smokescreen but I fail to see why. Neither Cleveland nor the Magic are threats to draft Porter and none of the teams immediately below us have any attractive trade bait.

I know some on this board are narrative-driven rather than stat-heads. I rooted around the internet and found this article about Porter's HS years. Apologies if this has already been linked to:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/9547 ... -be-a-star

Like I said, he is the best personality fit. Sounds very Bealish. If they do add Porter, it feels like the team would have a very defined young core 3 players and all are franchise type personalities.

Porter feels like a Bird type personality to me. Not the most athletic, but a winner and a worker. And like the article explains, basketball is a way of life. I could see those three really bounding.

[Dark Faze]

And the flexibility Ernie has by getting Porter is pretty huge. Helps in his contract negotiations with Webster, gives him flexibility in a potential Ariza trade, lets him definitively lock in on moving Singleton...etc

Getting Bennett complicates things since he's a PF. Does he beat out Booker for minutes off the bench? We still have gaping needs at SF. Okafor isn't going to sign an extension with us if Nene moves to C and Bennett starts at PF.

Bennett as the pick is just too much of a risk for Ernie IMO.

Wall
Beal
Otto
Nene
Okafor

Extend Okafor to the length of Nenes contract so that when they expire we have a nice amount of cash available for a replacement big.

Try to retain Webster on the cheap. He has zero leverage in terms of negotiations with Porter on board. He had a foot towards Europe with his injury history and play before coming to the Wizards. Preferably a contract like 2 million over the length of Nenes contract.

Lots of options then. Trade Ariza for a piece where you need it, get a free agent point, trade up with your second rounders + singleton to get another good pick--maybe we can move up and get a Withey or Kabongo.

It just makes way too much sense.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Technically, Webster and Ariza each could be gone. So could Okafor, but that is unlikely. At SF one must be signed this summer and the other could opt out.

If Otto is the pick it increases the likelihood either are not back. I wonder how much of an upgrade Porter provides? His frame is a concern. How ready is he to play if Ariza opts out or if Webster receives a better offer to play elsewhere?

I wonder if drafting Oladipo to replace Martin, Temple, and play SF in a small lineup makes sense? I believe Oladipo's elite athleticism stand to make him a Vince Carter-like prospect.

Those thoughts make me think the main goal is to add a a franchise C. If not that, add a premier stretch PF. I think a trade down where the Wiz end up with a Larry Sanders or another proven starting C or PF that isn't too old to build around is a wise way to go.

I hope to see both Okafor and Ariza opt in. Trading either, or packaging them with Vesely, Singleton, Seraphin, and/or Nene could really solidify the Wizards roster for years to come. I would like Webster back for the long haul at the right price.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The thing with Bennett is that baby ain't much of a baby. He's 20. Now it's true that people mature but I can't think of many knuckleheads that buckled down and matured, at least during the tenure of their rookie contract. It takes a couple of years, upwards of a decade to take supremely talented multimillionaires who play a game for a living to get their head screwed right.

I hope that Bennett is a smokescreen but I fail to see why. Neither Cleveland nor the Magic are threats to draft Porter and none of the teams immediately below us have any attractive trade bait.

I know some on this board are narrative-driven rather than stat-heads. I rooted around the internet and found this article about Porter's HS years. Apologies if this has already been linked to:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/9547 ... -be-a-star

Like I said, he is the best personality fit. Sounds very Bealish. If they do add Porter, it feels like the team would have a very defined young core 3 players and all are franchise type personalities.

Porter feels like a Bird type personality to me. Not the most athletic, but a winner and a worker. And like the article explains, basketball is a way of life. I could see those three really bounding.

Also, Porter is a guy Randy Wittman will have no problems with. It's been said 100 times and I will make it 101, Porter is a great fit chemistry-wise. He's even from Missouri, like Beal.

My only qualm is he's not a superstar or even a star necessarily in the making. Porter has the length and offensive tools to improve quite a bit, however.

[mhd]

What about this trade:

Wiz trade #3+Ves+Singleton+Booker for #9+Ryan Anderson
NO trade #6+Anderson for #3+Derrick Williams+Singleton
Min trade #9+Williams for #6+Ves+Booker

NO trades up to ensure they get Mclemore, Porter, etc. as the top wing (whomever they like). Min trades up to ensure they get a top wing (be it Oladipo, Porter, Mclemore, or Shabaaz). Moreover, Flip is familiar with Booker (who'd be a good backup PF there). Wiz get the much needed stretch PF in Ryan Anderson while still getting a big man in the future in Len who doesn't need to play right away.

NEW LINEUP:
PG: Wall/Price
SG: Beal/Webster/Temple
SF: Webster/Ariza
PF: Nene/Anderson
C: Emeka/Seraphin/Len

[tontoz]

I am still stunned. Porter certainly seems like the obvious pick just like Beal was last year. The question is what to do if the Cavs take him.

Porter's standing reach is the same as Josh Smith. He has an all-around game and plays both ends. I think he has to be number 1 on the Wizards board.

[stevemcqueen1]

The top two players in this draft are Noel and McLemore, IMO. Assuming they go 1 and 2, I think it comes down to Porter or Bennett (with Len as an outside possibility) for the Zards. Porter is the safest bet. He doesn't have the upside of a Bennett or Len but nor does he carry the risk of being a bust.

I believe Porter will always (quietly) exceed people's expectations. Some of his best moments with the Hoyas came when he was coolly orchestrating the offensive flow and not looking to score. Yet when G'Town needed a hoop Porter usually delivered. He understands that playing winning bball means playing both ends of the court with passion, patience and smarts.

Otto's work ethic, high bball and humility makes him a great fit alongside Wall and Beal.

This is where I find myself settling into.

McLemore and Noel go 1 and 2 in some order. Though Cleveland could surprise and go Dipo IMO. Burke, Porter, Bennett, Zeller, McCollum, and Dipo fill out the rest of the top eight. After 8, there is a dropoff IMO. I'd go Bazz at 9, Len at 10, Olynyk at 11 I suppose.

I like Zeller, Porter, and Dipo best for us. But I might pass on Dipo because he's a natural SG and I don't want to get too small. Porter is very very easy to get onto the floor with Wall and Beal. Dipo could end up being the best player in the class. But he won't get that opportunity for us. Team building is zero sum.

It would probably come down to Zeller vs. Porter for me. Zeller is a better athlete, but Porter probably has a better body for his position because of his length. Both have good upside but as a SF, Porter has a better chance at contributing early. Same age, similar personalities, similar elite production elevating their programs into top notch status. Porter hasn't been scrutinized anywhere near as much as Zeller. I'd be fine with either as the pick, I think both are long term starters for a winner.

But Porter needs to get a lot bigger and stronger. As much so as Zeller, if not more. If we draft Porter, I might try and trade Ariza. He should have a little value.

Also, if you draft Porter, still sign Webster. We need shooters always and he can play SG.

This depth chart looks good for next year.

PG: Wall
SG: Beal, Webster, Ariza
SF: Porter, Webster, Ariza
PF: Nene, Booker, Porter, Ariza
C: Okafor, Nene, Seraphin, Vesely

We need a back up PG.

[nate33]

And the flexibility Ernie has by getting Porter is pretty huge. Helps in his contract negotiations with Webster, gives him flexibility in a potential Ariza trade, lets him definitively lock in on moving Singleton...etc

Getting Bennett complicates things since he's a PF. Does he beat out Booker for minutes off the bench? We still have gaping needs at SF. Okafor isn't going to sign an extension with us if Nene moves to C and Bennett starts at PF.

That's one way of looking at it, I guess. Seems pretty ridiculous to me.

Adding Otto doesn't give us "flexibility", it gives us a log jam where we have to move Ariza or Webster to free up minutes for Otto. Other teams would see us needed to dump assets, which would only drive down their trade value.

Meanwhile, Bennett is a perfect fit at a position of need. Nene probably still starts at PF, but he'll play more than half of his minutes at C, freeing up 30 or so minutes at the PF position for Bennett. Bennett is a stretch four with a perimeter game who would perfectly complement Wall. He'd be taking minutes from Booker (when healthy), Singleton or Vesely; a clear upgrade no matter how you look at it.

And I don't get how people keep referring to our "need" or "gaping hole" at SF. SF is rock solid. We've got 48 minutes of quality SF play plus Webster can steal about 10 minutes at SG and Ariza can steal 10 minutes at PF. Seriously, what can Porter do that Ariza can't already do better? Ariza is a better defender, an equivalent rebounder, a better passer, and has shot from deep very well when alongside Wall. I can't shake the notion that when we add Porter, there will be no short term improvement whatsoever on our roster. All it would do is free up about $5M in cap room because we won't have to keep both Webster and Ariza going forward. One will be enough.

The only problem with Bennett, as has been rightfully pointed out previously, is his attitude and motor. I don't think he is incapable of playing D, but he certainly seems less than enthusiastic about it. If interviews and background checks continued to reinforce the concern that Bennett won't give max effort as a pro, then he should be avoided.

[Rafael122]

We're assuming Webster is coming back. I for one think he's gone. Ernie doesn't need to complicate things by drafting Porter and re-signing Webster. Means Ariza's trade value lowers and I actually think he brings more to the table than Webster. So in essence, yeah, we do have a gaping hole at the 3. There's no long term answer there. And let's not forget Porter can play the 4 in spurts. He needs to bulk up, but he's got a 7'2'' wingspan.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Maybe we should trade our 3 picks to a team with 2 1st rounders, like ATL, maybe some team that wants Burke. Instead of 1 good player, we can come out with something like McCollum & Adams, or Dieng & Bullock for example.

[stevemcqueen1]

My big Board would like this at the moment:

1. Noel
2. Trade for Kanter+lower pic
3. Porter
4. Bennett
5. Random trade down scenario.

I think Porter played at 205 last season, I suspect he'll at least be able to play at that by season start, I want to see him get to 225 within a year or two though. He has the frame to fill out. Although bench press isn't a great way to judge NBA strength I guess it is encouraging he did 9 reps at the combine even though he's still on the Tauyshaun side. I think Porter's ceiling is a rich man's Batum.

I've pretty much taken Bennett off my board. I just don't see him working with Wittman.

Porter looks like he has good upper body strength. He's got good muscle tone. He's just got no bulk and has a skinny base.

But he gets it done. That kind of defines him for me:
- Didn't play AAU, still ended up a top college player and NBA prospect.
- Not that strong nor a leaper, but he gets a TON of rebounds outside his area.
- Not fast and looks awkward when he runs, but he creates space for himself to shoot and finishes well in transition.
- Got a funny looking jumper but it goes in.

People are always going to be wondering how he's as good as he is throughout his career because he's so unconventional. But he's going to play winning basketball and get great results in spite of being an abnormal player. He's just figured out what works for himself and mastered his own approach to the game. He's an odd bird.

The way the team is constructed today, I'm starting to agree that you just take Porter and be done with it. You got a good player who fits perfectly, move on to the next step in the build--finding a long term C.

I wonder if Sacramento would trade DeMarcus Cousins for the 3rd pick straight up?

I'm thinking:
1.) Cousins
2.) Porter
3.) Zeller
4.) Trade down

is my board for #3.

[stevemcqueen1]

Maybe we should trade our 3 picks to a team with 2 1st rounders, like ATL, maybe some team that wants Burke. Instead of 1 good player, we can come out with something like McCollum & Adams, or Dieng & Bullock for example.

I wouldn't trade #3 alone for Atlanta's picks. It's worth far more than 17 & 18. Adams and McCollum aren't going to be available at those slots and Bullock will probably be available at our second rounder.

[Dark Faze]

How doesn't Otto give us flexibility? Ariza is a potential free agent after next season and Webster is up for contract renewal. Webster can break down at any moment and Arizas future here isn't a lock--Ernie tried to trade him at the deadline, He's an LA guy and the Clippers will want to get younger (Caron is expiring soon).

I don't understand the "if the interviews and background checks reinforce the concern" about Bennetts D. Obviously dude is going to say he's going to work hard on that end. You have to base it off the evidence you have and the dude is Blatche 2.0 in regards to his attitude (talking about having guard skills) and interests on the court.

And huh @ Otto not adding improvement to the team. He's better at every aspect of basketball when compared to Webster other than shooting, and Otto was a 42% deep ball player last year with a FT% of 77. Far higher defensive upside and better in transition on day 1.

And again, a move would be made that would make the roster better if you get Porter. Whether that's trading Ariza and adding bench depth, or not signing Webster and using capspace to add bench depth, etc.

[doclinkin]

I'm just so glad. The lottery couldn't have worked out better for the Wizards. I didn't want Noel. After Arenas, and now with Nene, the last thing the Wizards need is another player who can't stay on the court. But when I saw Cleveland also in the top 3, I was like no the one other team that would take Porter. But then they got #1 which puts them in Noel land. Fine, let them take the risk, and leave Porter for us!


I love Porter for this team. I love his classic old school game, matching his old school classic name. What a fun team this will be for years to come, reminds me of the teams from the 70's. John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter. Porter is like the Tim Duncan version of a SF. His game appears boring. But it is fundamentally strong and diverse. Porter scores inside and out, he can attack with swooping layups extending his long arms, finger rolls in the lane, post ups, runners, turn around Js, mid range jumpers, 3 pointers. He can shoot and finish through contact, gets to the line, passes and sets up teammates, defends, gets steals, boxes out, keeps moving on both ends of the floor, hustles, rebounds, gets loose balls, makes the smart play, court awareness, BBIQ, blocks shots, runs the floor, communicates, leadership. He is as ideal a pick for the Wizards this year as Beal was last year.

...

Also, I haven't heard any speculation about if Porter is drafted, does Ariza possibly decide to opt out as a free agent rather than possibly end up on the bench behind a rookie?

He won't end up on the bench behind a rookie. If Webster isn't signed, Ariza will start. Ariza won't leave that much $ on the table, no one will sign him for a deal bigger than he is getting right now, and no one is signing role-players for that kind of jingle while staring down the barrel of the austerity plan CBA.

Ariza may agitate to be swapped to a contender, as I believe he did last year, based on body language, the fact that he wasn't starting, and the willingness to swap him with Caron. That is Ted's M.O. (part of the 10 point plan, keep only players who want to be here. See Jordan Crawford, eg.). But that plan is still on the table for him, and this year his contract becomes even more valuable as a trade asset, so if he were unhappy here he's still got an exit plan.

My only quibble with Porter by himself is that he makes us good but not great. A solid playoff team down the road, but no champion. Essentially if he lives up to expectations he becomes the hybrid of this year's Webster and Ariza we want: enough range and offense to be reliable, not streaky, enough defense to be an asset not a liability. But all that means is that we get similar results to this year when healthy: we make the playoffs and put up a good fight against anybody. But no championship threat with out a long term answer as a 2-way Big.

Difference is we're good with youth who develop and grow together. We'll all enjoy rooting for that team. And maybe Ariza nets us an asset somehow. I'm jut greedy enough to want to trade down and net more. Maybe Porter, or the best of the prospect bigs, or Oladipo -- PLUS, um, something else.

Step One: collect underpants...
Step Three: World Domination!

We clearly don't have enough underpants yet.

[dandridge 10]

My pick would be Porter for all the reasons already discussed...two way player, high IQ, size for his position, work ethic, etc. To me, he is the perfect fit for how this team is trying to be molded.

I don't understand the love at all for Bennett. Tweener PF that doesn't play defense and takes bad shots. No thanks, I've already seen that play with Antawn Jamison. If we aint going to take Porter, I'd rather trade the pick to get a stretch 4 that actually has size to play that position (e.g., Andersen).

I'm tired of drafting "athletic" guys with upside. I want someone that just knows how to play the game, plays both ends of the court, and has a high work ethic. That's Porter, or alternatively Dipo. There is nothing wrong with making the safe pick. Had we taken this approach before, we would not be stuck with Vesely.

I also don't understand people arguing that Porter shouldn't be the pick because he does not have "star" potential. I don't see Porter having any less star potential than any of the other prospects. All of them have huge question marks and that is the reason that this is considered a weak draft.

In the end, my choices would be:

1. Porter
2. Trade the pick for someone like Kanter or Anderson + a lower pick
3. Dipo

[stevemcqueen1]

What if you took Burke and had a 3gaurd set like GS at atimes (Klay, Steph, Jack)

Wall and Burke aren't good enough shooters to play together IMO. They're streaky and ball dominant/need to take dribbles before they shoot.

Burke can shoot fine without dribbling. He's pretty darn accurate now, and most likely will get better. Wall has gotten better as well. Burke, Wall and Beal would be a great 3 guard rotation. The question is would we get more out of this over a Bennett or Porter?

Burke is a streak shooter, not someone who can be consistently relied upon to nail open shots. I saw a lot of games this year where he'd be 1-8 or so and just could not get his shot to go. And Wall has almost no catch and shoot ability and must be on the ball at all times pretty much.

Burke is a starting PG whose primary strength will be as a facilitator and secondary scorer off the bounce. He's just not a good fit for us. McCollum would be a better pick as a third guard for our construction, he's a much better shooter than Burke and can legitimately play and defend the 2. Burke is a PG and only a PG. We'd have to use him in a fairly limited way--something we already have Price for. You would get far more value out of a Porter selection, as you would with a Bennett selection if Wittman wasn't the coach. Those guys would be long term starters.

[Nivek]

YODA update with all athletic test info (available) added. Here's the top 10:

1. Oladipo
2. Zeller
3. Noel
4. McLemore
5. Porter
6. Adams
7. Bennett
8. Burke
9. Olynyk
10. Carter-Williams

Oladipo looks like a worthy top pick. His final YODA rating is about the same as Ray Allen (JR), Patrick Ewing (SR), Jordan (SO), Chris Paul (FR), Ty Lawson (JR). The only guy in the database with a rating this good that was a bust: Michael Beasley. Hansbrough's final rating was close, but a notch below, and he's at least a useful role player.

Zeller looks like a solid 2nd pick in most drafts.

At 3, the Wizards will be able to choose between several players who rate in YODA as being worth a top 5 pick.

Unlike some others, I don't think Oladipo has the size to play SF regularly in the NBA. His standing reach would be well-below average for a SF, although his athleticism would still be outstanding. He'd still rate as the top pick if I evaluate him as a SF, but I think he (and his future team) would be happier if he's a SG.

[pancakes3]

I am still stunned. Porter certainly seems like the obvious pick just like Beal was last year. The question is what to do if the Cavs take him.

Porter's standing reach is the same as Josh Smith. He has an all-around game and plays both ends. I think he has to be number 1 on the Wizards board.

I'm assuming in the hypothetical where the cavs take Porter, the Magic also take Noel or trades it to someone else that takes Noell? I would hope then we also trade down. With Noel and Porter off the board right off the bat, we're better off drafting a big man back where we were slotted in the bottom top 10, Zeller/Len/Adams territory.

That or trade for the future. Our top 3 for next year's top 3 protected with filler sounds better and better with Porter off the board.