I think that Dumars will draft Cody Zeller

[ChipButty]

For the record, Zeller projects to be a worse defender than Monroe IMO and he's not longer. Zeller has TRex arms 6'11 wingspan and 8'10 standing reach, which will make it hard for him to be an adequate defender on the next level. Comparatively, Monroe has a 7'2 wingspan and 9'1 standing reach.

I wouldnt mind Zeller as the third big off the bench but I don't think he's the BPA at #.8

Yeah but he also moves better than Moose.

Probably a valid point. We've just seen Duncan and Hibbert subbed out during crunch time b/c they are too slow to guard on the perimeter.

Zeller's 8'10 standing reach (Same as or better than Love and Griffin) is fine at PF.

I've been fine with Zeller as an option at #8 for months. I'd also get on the phone with Indiana and see what they are willing to offer for him. Given that he's a hometown favorite and West is a FA, they have to interested. I'd start with Granger + #23 + 2014 first rounder and go from there.

[Warspite]

In theory we're better served drafting Zeller or Len or best big man available and then spending our cap space on guards and swingmen...

but should we take that approach?

IMHO

You do that approach if BPA is a big in the draft. If you think a wing is BPA then you take him. We are basicly looking at filling 3 spots with 2 big FAs and a lottery pick. The order depends on value and building the best possible trio.

We need to find 2 starters and a 3rd big with the 3 options we have (2 big contracts and 1 pick)

[princeofpalace]

Probably a valid point. We've just seen Duncan and Hibbert subbed out during crunch time b/c they are too slow to guard on the perimeter.

Zeller's 8'10 standing reach (Same as or better than Love and Griffin) is fine at PF.

I've been fine with Zeller as an option at #8 for months. I'd also get on the phone with Indiana and see what they are willing to offer for him. Given that he's a hometown favorite and West is a FA, they have to interested. I'd start with Granger + #23 + 2014 first rounder and go from there.

Love and Griffin are 2 of the worst defensive PF's in the league though and thats in large part due to their standing reach and length. Griffin is a lot more athletic than Zeller and that doesn't help him on defense at all. Cody for a number of reasons doesn't project to be a good defender. IMO he's a guy who can score you points and hit that midrange jumper but is going to be a poor defender and average rebounder- which is fine as a third bigman but Im not sold on him as BPA at #8.

[AnnArborpiston]

Drummond (32)
Moose (34)/ Zeller(32)
Iguodala/Middleton/Singler
Knight/
Jennings (or Calderone)

[Kilo]

Pistons brought in Zeller last week - so in the very least I'm happy they had a good look at him.

[ChipButty]

Probably a valid point. We've just seen Duncan and Hibbert subbed out during crunch time b/c they are too slow to guard on the perimeter.

Zeller's 8'10 standing reach (Same as or better than Love and Griffin) is fine at PF.

I've been fine with Zeller as an option at #8 for months. I'd also get on the phone with Indiana and see what they are willing to offer for him. Given that he's a hometown favorite and West is a FA, they have to interested. I'd start with Granger + #23 + 2014 first rounder and go from there.

Love and Griffin are 2 of the worst defensive PF's in the league though and thats in large part due to their standing reach and length. Griffin is a lot more athletic than Zeller and that doesn't help him on defense at all. Cody for a number of reasons doesn't project to be a good defender. IMO he's a guy who can score you points and hit that midrange jumper but is going to be a poor defender and average rebounder- which is fine as a third bigman but Im not sold on him as BPA at #8.

If you don't like Love and Griffin, how about Noah. I know you like Noah

Their combine measurements are very comparable. Noah has a 2.5" advantage on wingspan (which does help defensively), but his standing reach 8'10.5" is essentially the same. Height and verticals are essentially the same. Zeller put up more bench presses and tested better agility wise. Overall, I cannot see how these aren't comparable numbers.

I understand the projections, but they are often wrong and I think they could be wrong here. David Lee is another great rebounder and his standing reach was measured at 8'10.5". Both Lee and Noah slowly improved through college. Zeller's rebounding did improve from his freshman year. Is there a reason it can't continue to improve? What is the limiting factor?

His size? I already covered this.

His athleticism? He tested out great at the combine (highest standing vertical in the last decade for a player 6-9 and taller). His agility numbers were great too.

His basketball IQ? His work ethic/motor? I'd put him at or close to the top of this draft class in both these areas.

Maybe his toughness can be questioned, but I think that's about it and imo it's a bit cliche. I'm not even convinced it's true. He has had his struggles, but he definitely doesn't shy away from playing in the paint.

[oldncreaky]

Signing a big man like Zeller will cost $10 mill a year. So I wont be surprised if we drafted him, who else will be our back-up? Also he can shoot and can create spacing whether he plays with Monroe or Drummond. So He does fulfill a big need on this team, and he would be a steal imo, remember when Noah got drafted 9th and Brewer got picked ahead of him? That's what I feel about Olidipo and Zeller.

Can't teach height!

[princeofpalace]

If you don't like Love and Griffin, how about Noah. I know you like Noah

Their combine measurements are very comparable. Noah has a 2.5" advantage on wingspan (which does help defensively), but his standing reach 8'10.5" is essentially the same. Height and verticals are essentially the same. Zeller put up more bench presses and tested better agility wise. Overall, I cannot see how these aren't comparable numbers.

I understand the projections, but they are often wrong and I think they could be wrong here. David Lee is another great rebounder and his standing reach was measured at 8'10.5". Both Lee and Noah slowly improved through college. Zeller's rebounding did improve from his freshman year. Is there a reason it can't continue to improve? What is the limiting factor?

His size? I already covered this.

His athleticism? He tested out great at the combine (highest standing vertical in the last decade for a player 6-9 and taller). His agility numbers were great too.

His basketball IQ? His work ethic/motor? I'd put him at or close to the top of this draft class in both these areas.

Maybe his toughness can be questioned, but I think that's about it and imo it's a bit cliche. I'm not even convinced it's true. He has had his struggles, but he definitely doesn't shy away from playing in the paint.

Yeah I love Noah, but 2.5 inches in wingspan is a big difference and Noah was great defensive instincts unlike Cody Zeller. Bottom line is that there is no reason to project Cody Zeller as an even halfway decent defensive player. He has neither the instinct nor the physical tools.

David Lee is a great rebounder because he has a nose for the ball, Zeller has not demonstrated that. Lee was a much better rebounder at Florida than Zeller was at Indiana. Furthermore, Lee is yet another terrible defensive PF.

Like I said before, offensively Zeller is sound and would be a good compliment to Monroe/Drummond off the bench but he isn't good enough to replace either in the lineup. He wouldnt be the worst pick, but we can do better IMO

[Piston Pete]

Zeller for us, and at #8, would not be good.

We have bigger holes to fill than 3rd big. Unless a can't-miss big guy (which there are none of in this draft) is there somehow at #8, we need to take a perimeter guy/wing. We need to build around Monroe/Drummond.