2015 Draft Thread - Part 1

[nuposse04]

All the mocks have Looney.
I do not see why the Wiz wouldnt look at Grant, Anderson or Harrell over Looney.

Cause Looney is a prototype S4 and we desperately need one to develop in order to survive in '16 plans fall apart and we don't land an impact big. Grant I'd be ok with, Anderson too if we trade down. Harell would provide good energy but would create more of the same offensive problems with his inability to stretch the floor.

I see Looney sitting much the way Porter did even w/out injury.

Well that is cause Randy has a weird chubby for vets.

Grant, Anderson and Harrell seem more NBA ready
Hard to say which is needed more?

How much more NBA ready they are isn't as important to me is that they have a chance to be borderline star. Harrell is what he is, an energy big with a limited offensive game. Grant would be good, but I wonder how many minutes he would get...again not really opposed to him. Anderson....I'd like him if we didnt have Porter.

Grant-Large PG/SG 6-5 With injuries to Beal & Wall a bit of insurance would be ok and he can learn
for a year with Sessions still on board, then in 2016 he is 3rd gaurd6

Anderson, SG/SF ATHLETIC, great defender, winner, Imagine, Wall, Beal, Anderson, Porter, Gortat, Interesting.
Then you throw in 2016-KD
Harrell could be plugged for Porter and place Porter at SF, lots of options either way.

I understand the notion of getting a banger to get boards, but I'd rather simply sign someone for cheap or just play Blair. Use draft assetts on players with some offensive upside (which the team is lacking). We are already a good defensive team in the regular season and playoffs. The numbers back that up and any argument against that seems wrong and without merit.

Looney only plays the PF, Yes he is long but seems to have some short comings the others dont seem to have based scouting reports, Desire, work ethic, etc

What do you guys think?

I think having a playoff team would inspire the right work ethic for ANY young player we draft. We don't have too many idiots on the team outside of Seraphin. I don't think it is wise to draft assuming you get Durant to play the 4, I think you draft assuming you don't get him. Otherwise you'll end up overpaying on a marginal starting 4 in order to cover your bases. Looney in this offense wouldn't be asked much, and that is true of any S4 we draft. Catch and shoot, occasionally dribble into another jumper. That is well within Looney's ability because he has actually demonstrated he CAN shoot. Unlike other prospects mentioned (not saying its the ones you mentioned).

[hands11]

If Gooden is getting big minutes over our supposed S4 prospect next year we aren't going anywhere as a team.

Right. I heard that before last season. Then they played him and the team looked much better. Specially with PP getting S4 minutes as well. The teams main problem was to much Nene at PF against teams playing S4s because Nene can no extend to cover them. He is floor bound and terrible at close out.

When they stopped doing that against S4 teams, they looked like a totally different team. And that's with pretty much the same roster they had all year already. That why we sweep TOR and would have likely beaten ATL if Wall didn't break his hand game 1.

Here is what I see. They will have their sites on the ECF next year. They will make off season moves to resign or acquire key players they need to do that.

Whoever they draft is going to see only spot minutes.

The clearest openings are back up PG, SG and SF and in that, there is always a place on a team for a multiposition great defender.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Once again, big beats small in Game 2. Well, athletic big beats athletic small. Tristan Thompson has been a huge factor since Love injured his shoulder. I just love what he's done defensively and on the boards at the 4 and 5. Hump can't do the defensive part. He's a role player even if he starts to make his 3's as he's doing in practice.

A lot of Cavalier fans were disappointed with how high Tristan Thompson went in the draft.

In hindsight, Dan Gilbert and his GM got that pick right. He's been better for them than Kevin Love IMO.

Rebounds and energetic defense are Tristan Thompson's trademarks. Willie Cauley-Stein should give some small portion of the coin he's about to make to Thompson. Defense usually doesn't get paid. In WCS case, I'm surprised he's rated so highly. I don't think he is in Thompson's class.

[Dark Faze]

with all due respect, "don't have to run plays for him" is exactly what I don't want to hear--we need guys we can go to when our sets bog down, when we don't have our first or second option--we invested in the ultimate glue guy in Porter, and we really can't afford to do that again. beal was another guy who really can't get his own shot.

Whoever the pick is, he MUST be able to create his own shot. He has to be able to put the ball on the floor.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

control his weight is an understatement

You're not supposed to have that body before you are 50.

I wonder if he'd have been able to transition to football? Dude has an OL body.

[hands11]

Once again, big beats small in Game 2. Well, athletic big beats athletic small. Tristan Thompson has been a huge factor since Love injured his shoulder. I just love what he's done defensively and on the boards at the 4 and 5. Hump can't do the defensive part. He's a role player even if he starts to make his 3's as he's doing in practice.

A lot of Cavalier fans were disappointed with how high Tristan Thompson went in the draft.

In hindsight, Dan Gilbert and his GM got that pick right. He's been better for them than Kevin Love IMO.

Rebounds and energetic defense are Tristan Thompson's trademarks. Willie Cauley-Stein should give some small portion of the coin he's about to make to Thompson. Defense usually doesn't get paid. In WCS case, I'm surprised he's rated so highly. I don't think he is in Thompson's class.

And several here were calling Tristan Thompson trash no more then a few weeks ago.

[nuposse04]

If Gooden is getting big minutes over our supposed S4 prospect next year we aren't going anywhere as a team.

Right. I heard that before last season. Then they played him and the team looked much better. Specially with PP getting S4 minutes as well. The teams name problem was to much Nene at PF. When they stopped doing that, they looked like a totally different team. And that's with pretty much the same roster they had all year already.

Here is what I see. They will have their sites on the ECF next year. They will make off season moves to resign or acquire key players they need to do that.

Whoever they draft is going to see only spot minutes.

What happened to gooden's production the last three games of the semi? Came down to earth. He isn't a traditionally reliable player and won't help us leverage good seeing as evident by his rather meh, regular season production. You can cite post season accolades from the way he played against TOR in the 1st round but if this team wants to actually make the ECF, it needs to seed better and make it easier on themselves. Short of Gooden actually shooting well I wouldn't rely on it.

But hey if you fancy guys who give you 12 PER, 0.47% TS, net 0 ortg/drtg diff, and a WS/48 of 0.094 in the regular season, coupled with with a 12.4 per, 51.0 TS, -3 ortg/drtg diff and a ws/48 of 0.083 in the playoffs...then yah. we're heading to playoff exit again. The guy is fools gold and gets hot for like 2 games and then plummets back to reality the next two. But yah, i've heard of guys wanting him back because of some fools gold production and then reality setting in the most harsh ways possible. He isn't a good player, he isn't horrific, but he isn't someone I'd rely on. At least there is no evidence to warrant it IMO.

[DCZards]

If Gooden is getting big minutes over our supposed S4 prospect next year we aren't going anywhere as a team.

Right. I heard that before last season. Then they played him and the team looked much better. Specially with PP getting S4 minutes as well. The teams name problem was to much Nene at PF. When they stopped doing that, they looked like a totally different team. And that's with pretty much the same roster they had all year already.

Here is what I see. They will have their sites on the ECF next year. They will make off season moves to resign or acquire key players they need to do that.

Whoever they draft is going to see only spot minutes.

I think nuposse is absolutely right. It's nice that Drew has developed a 3 pt. shot that will almost certainly extend his career. But I also think the Zards are in trouble if Gooden is getting anything more than 15-20 minutes at the S4 next season. In fact, I don't see him getting that many minutes if Pierce comes back and the Zards draft a S4 in the first round.

Gooden made a grand total of 5 three pointers in the 6-game series against Atlanta and averaged just a little over 5 pts a game. Not exactly great production. On top of that, he'll be 34 by the start of next season. Zards need to look past Drew and to the future.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

All the mocks have Looney.
I do not see why the Wiz wouldnt look at Grant, Anderson or Harrell over Looney.

I see Looney sitting much the way Porter did even w/out injury.

Grant, Anderson and Harrell seem more NBA ready
Hard to say which is needed more?

Grant-Large PG/SG 6-5 With injuries to Beal & Wall a bit of insurance would be ok and he can learn
for a year with Sessions still on board, then in 2016 he is 3rd gaurd6

Anderson, SG/SF ATHLETIC, great defender, winner, Imagine, Wall, Beal, Anderson, Porter, Gortat, Interesting.
Then you throw in 2016-KD
Harrell could be plugged for Porter and place Porter at SF, lots of options either way.

Looney only plays the PF, Yes he is long but seems to have some short comings the others dont seem to have based scouting reports, Desire, work ethic, etc

What do you guys think?

I think we are seeing similar stuff. That is in large part the list I posted. Any of these 4 would be great.

Tyus Jones Duke 19.0 years old | 6'2" | 185 lbs Leader. Winner.. Baby Curryish
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson AZ 20.3 years old | 6'7" | 211 lbs elite defender. Long. Athletic.
Jerian Grant Notre Dame 22.6 years old | 6'5" | 198 lbs crawford as a PG/SG none jacker leader
Justin Anderson 21.5 years old | 6'6" | 231 lbs athletic and big hands improved shot with 3 range stong base

I know I tend to like too many players....okay, they can't all make it.

Tyus Jones reminds me of old footage of Bob Cousey. He's nowhere near as good as Chris Paul in terms of getting any shot he wants, but he is an excellent passer. If Ty Lawson, Kyle Lowry, and Raymond Felton can all succeed in the NBA; so can Jones. He's certainly a pure point guard.

He wins. He has a physique to be a strong guy. He's not long or NBA quick. But he is powerful and he thinks the game fast. He sees plays way before others.

I don't see how Tyus Jones is a difference maker with Wall at PG. I do think that Jones will be a great pick for another team if he falls out of the lottery, as he is projected to go.

[nuposse04]

The need for a S4 is there regardless of Pierce comes back. To be honest, I don't think you could find a better mentor for said S4 if Pierce comes back. His pumps and jabs are great and thats the kinda vet you'd want to coach up the guy we draft at 19. I'd want him to play too. I wouldn't draft Justin Anderson to sit behind Webster or Butler. That would be a waste of an asset. Quite frankly I hope management mandates Randy that he not be so cruel and curt with our draftees.

[Dark Faze]

thats just not what you want to do at 19--you don't want to draft for need. historically we've seen potential all-stars can be found in that range, but if you limit yourself to a certain type of player...you've really got no shot

If you are desperate for a stretch 4, look for a proven one on the market. if you think the BPA is a stretch 4, great, but again, BPA.

[hands11]

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Rondae-Hollis-Jefferson-Workout-Video-and-Interview-5005/

[hands11]

All the mocks have Looney.
I do not see why the Wiz wouldnt look at Grant, Anderson or Harrell over Looney.

I see Looney sitting much the way Porter did even w/out injury.

Grant, Anderson and Harrell seem more NBA ready
Hard to say which is needed more?

Grant-Large PG/SG 6-5 With injuries to Beal & Wall a bit of insurance would be ok and he can learn
for a year with Sessions still on board, then in 2016 he is 3rd gaurd6

Anderson, SG/SF ATHLETIC, great defender, winner, Imagine, Wall, Beal, Anderson, Porter, Gortat, Interesting.
Then you throw in 2016-KD
Harrell could be plugged for Porter and place Porter at SF, lots of options either way.

Looney only plays the PF, Yes he is long but seems to have some short comings the others dont seem to have based scouting reports, Desire, work ethic, etc

What do you guys think?

I think we are seeing similar stuff. That is in large part the list I posted. Any of these 4 would be great.

Tyus Jones Duke 19.0 years old | 6'2" | 185 lbs Leader. Winner.. Baby Curryish
Jerian Grant Notre Dame 22.6 years old | 6'5" | 198 lbs crawford as a PG/SG none jacker leader
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson AZ 20.3 years old | 6'7" | 211 lbs elite defender. Long. Athletic.
Justin Anderson 21.5 years old | 6'6" | 231 lbs athletic and big hands improved shot with 3 range stong base

I know I tend to like too many players....okay, they can't all make it.

Tyus Jones reminds me of old footage of Bob Cousey. He's nowhere near as good as Chris Paul in terms of getting any shot he wants, but he is an excellent passer. If Ty Lawson, Kyle Lowry, and Raymond Felton can all succeed in the NBA; so can Jones. He's certainly a pure point guard.

He wins. He has a physique to be a strong guy. He's not long or NBA quick. But he is powerful and he thinks the game fast. He sees plays way before others.

I don't see how Tyus Jones is a difference maker with Wall at PG. I do think that Jones will be a great pick for another team if he falls out of the lottery, as he is projected to go.

Same with Sessions.

He backs up Wall and he can share the floor with Wall. And step in if Wall gets injured. Not for next year so much as the year after though.

I'm having a hard time narrowing down those 4 I listed since I like them all.

And I like round two

Michael Frazier Florida 21.2 years old | 6'5" | 199 lbs shooter..38% from 3 guard 1 through 3 Good kid. focused. puts in his work

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPSW7Jt8NFE[/youtube]

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If Gooden is getting big minutes over our supposed S4 prospect next year we aren't going anywhere as a team.

Right. I heard that before last season. Then they played him and the team looked much better. Specially with PP getting S4 minutes as well. The teams name problem was to much Nene at PF. When they stopped doing that, they looked like a totally different team. And that's with pretty much the same roster they had all year already.

Here is what I see. They will have their sites on the ECF next year. They will make off season moves to resign or acquire key players they need to do that.

Whoever they draft is going to see only spot minutes.

I think nuposse is absolutely right. It's nice that Drew has developed a 3 pt. shot that will almost certainly extend his career. But I also think the Zards are in trouble if Gooden is getting anything more than 15-20 minutes at the S4 next season. In fact, I don't see him getting that many minutes if Pierce comes back and the Zards draft a S4 in the first round.

Gooden made a grand total of 5 three pointers in the 6-game series against Atlanta and averaged just a little over 5 pts a game. Not exactly great production. On top of that, he'll be 34 by the start of next season. Zards need to look past Drew and to the future.

Wittman's decision to keep Kris Humphries on the bench vs Atlanta upset me. Small minded approach IMO that causes a breach of trust moving forward. I think the Wizards might as well try to trade Humphries for someone like Kevin Martin.

With all talk of drafting a stretch four, I think Humphries needs to be traded. For one, he's going to get "Webstered" or "Blaired" if Gooden comes back. Secondly, he's going to feel the same way I believe Gortat does about Wittman.

It's a big leap to cast Humphries as a stretch four.

[hands11]

If Gooden is getting big minutes over our supposed S4 prospect next year we aren't going anywhere as a team.

Right. I heard that before last season. Then they played him and the team looked much better. Specially with PP getting S4 minutes as well. The teams name problem was to much Nene at PF. When they stopped doing that, they looked like a totally different team. And that's with pretty much the same roster they had all year already.

Here is what I see. They will have their sites on the ECF next year. They will make off season moves to resign or acquire key players they need to do that.

Whoever they draft is going to see only spot minutes.

I think nuposse is absolutely right. It's nice that Drew has developed a 3 pt. shot that will almost certainly extend his career. But I also think the Zards are in trouble if Gooden is getting anything more than 15-20 minutes at the S4 next season. In fact, I don't see him getting that many minutes if Pierce comes back and the Zards draft a S4 in the first round.

Gooden made a grand total of 5 three pointers in the 6-game series against Atlanta and averaged just a little over 5 pts a game. Not exactly great production. On top of that, he'll be 34 by the start of next season. Zards need to look past Drew and to the future.

Wall was injured in that ATL series. Once they went to heavy Nene, they stopped playing as much S4. It was a different style of offense.

Saying just the ATL series without breaking down what happened is the smallest of sample sizes.

Now Gooden might not even be back. Paul might not be back. Kevin might be gone. Hell, they might make a trade and move Nene.
But if Gooden is back, there is no reason to believe he would get more then 15-20 mins at PF which is what they played him in the playoffs. Hump is going to get minutes at PF as well.

It really depends on what they do with Nene. If he is still here, he will still get some minutes there as well. Right now, its a crowed position.

There is a lot we don't know. I wish they would start FA before they have the draft. Why is it the other way around ?

June 25 draft

July 1-9: July Moratorium (free agent negotiations, but no signings yet)

July 10: Teams may begin signing free agents

[hands11]

Right. I heard that before last season. Then they played him and the team looked much better. Specially with PP getting S4 minutes as well. The teams name problem was to much Nene at PF. When they stopped doing that, they looked like a totally different team. And that's with pretty much the same roster they had all year already.

Here is what I see. They will have their sites on the ECF next year. They will make off season moves to resign or acquire key players they need to do that.

Whoever they draft is going to see only spot minutes.

I think nuposse is absolutely right. It's nice that Drew has developed a 3 pt. shot that will almost certainly extend his career. But I also think the Zards are in trouble if Gooden is getting anything more than 15-20 minutes at the S4 next season. In fact, I don't see him getting that many minutes if Pierce comes back and the Zards draft a S4 in the first round.

Gooden made a grand total of 5 three pointers in the 6-game series against Atlanta and averaged just a little over 5 pts a game. Not exactly great production. On top of that, he'll be 34 by the start of next season. Zards need to look past Drew and to the future.

Wittman's decision to keep Kris Humphries on the bench vs Atlanta upset me. Small minded approach IMO that causes a breach of trust moving forward. I think the Wizards might as well try to trade Humphries for someone line Kevin Martin.

With all talk of drafting a stretch four, I think Humphries needs to be traded. For one, he's going to get "Webstered" or "Blaired" if Gooden comes back. Secondly, he's going to feel the same way I believe Gortat does about Wittman.

It's a big leap to cast Humphries as a stretch four.

Question ..

Have the Wizards actually said they would draft a stretch 4 ? Have they even mentioned it ? Anything ?

Because "all this talk" if its just media heads and realgm people, that's kind of different.

Kris is working on the 3 ball already and he will do it more over the summer. He addressed that in the exit interview.

I have very little doubt a professional like Kris won't add a 3 ball. Trevor Booker added a 3 ball and he was a terrible shooter when he got in the league. It takes work. Kris will put in the work.

I would be shocked it they traded him.

[nuposse04]

I like the fact that kris is adding one but it's always good to have some young potential in the pipeline. That's why I think a 4/5 now makes sense. I also wonder what gortat will be like his last two seasons which makes me wonder if it better to get Upshaw or woods now. I personally really want us to bring over Tomas as soon as possible so I'm not so pressed on a pure pg backup yet. Very open to combo guard like grant and two guards.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

He will never forget looking at Wittman for 10 playoff games and playing 5:14 total.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... elog/2015/

They are FOOLISH if they do not anticipate a blow up in the future. Being a professional is one thing. This coach is loathed by a few IMO.

[80sballboy]

Anybody that compares any player in this draft to Steph Curry should be banned. He's a one-in-a-lifetime player. Not talent, but feel, jumper, work ethic, genes, handle, IQ, and poise. The guy is insane.

[80sballboy]

I like the fact that kris is adding one but it's always good to have some young potential in the pipeline. That's why I think a 4/5 now makes sense. I also wonder what gortat will be like his last two seasons which makes me wonder if it better to get Upshaw or woods now. I personally really want us to bring over Tomas as soon as possible so I'm not so pressed on a pure pg backup yet. Very open to combo guard like grant and two guards.

Failed multiple drug tests at two schools. Probably not going to be drafted. Might need to go to Europe.
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-p ... ehind-him/