2015 Draft Thread - Part 1

[Illmatic12]

Looney won't even be there at 19. His stock has definitely gone up in the past few weeks.

Chad Ford had him at #19 in his mock last week. Draft Express has him at #23. If anything, he has dropped a bit. It's not so much that he has disappointed, it's just that some other guys like Payne and Hunter have moved up recently.

But who knows. At this point, most leaks to reporters are probably misinformation anyhow. I think anything outside of the first 7 picks or so is a crapshoot.

I'm basing that off of seeing who's been calling him in for workouts, I happened to see that Looney was working out for a bunch of teams in our range or ahead of us (Suns, Celtics, Hawks, Bucks, Jazz etc) and the quotes from the team personnel were all raving about him.

It seems like someone will ultimately end up grabbing him for his length and s4 potential. There are three PFs projected in the 10-20 ish range, if we can't even get one of Portis/Lyles/Looney it will be disappointing.

[Ruzious]

Looney won't even be there at 19. His stock has definitely gone up in the past few weeks.

Chad Ford had him at #19 in his mock last week. Draft Express has him at #23. If anything, he has dropped a bit. It's not so much that he has disappointed, it's just that some other guys like Payne and Hunter have moved up recently.

But who knows. At this point, most leaks to reporters are probably misinformation anyhow. I think anything outside of the first 7 picks or so is a crapshoot.

I'm basing that off of seeing who's been calling him in for workouts, I happened to see that Looney was working out for a bunch of teams in our range or ahead of us (Suns, Celtics, Hawks, Bucks, Jazz etc) and the quotes from the team personnel were all raving about him.

It seems like someone will ultimately end up grabbing him for his length and s4 potential. There are three PFs projected in the 10-20 ish range, if we can't even get one of Portis/Lyles/Looney it will be disappointing.

That's not a good basis. The Bucks just had Christian Wood and others come in yesterday, and there's talk they really want Trey Lyles. There's a lot going on right now, and most of it doesn't mean anything.

[DCZards]

Hey thinker07, you won’t be crushed by me because I think your analysis is pretty much on target. (BTW, you should post more.)

Portis would be my first choice as well. Love the kid’s mobility (especially for his size), his motor and the fact that he already has a well-rounded offensive game, including being able to knock shots down from 3 pt. range. But, like you, I believe Portis will be gone before the Zards pick at 19.

Looney would be my second target. Yeah, he’s raw and needs to put some muscle on that skinny frame. But Looney is long and already knows how to use that length on the boards. And, while the sample size is small, he showed that he can shoot the 3 pter at a decent percentage. I have higher hopes of Looney becoming the Zards S4 than I do of Humphrey developing a consistent 3 pt shot. Looney has as much upside as anybody who will be picked in that 10-20 range, imo.

I’d probably go with Grant as my third choice. At 22 and with 4 yrs of college, he may be the most ready to contribute player that will likely be available when the Zards pick. I really like Grant’s instinctive playmaking and at his size he’ll be able to play and guard both backcourt positions. He’s big enough to even put in some time at the SF alongside Wall and Beal. Jerian will need to become a better shooter, particularly from 3 pt. range, but it’s not unusual for a young player to show marked improvement in their shot if they put in the work.

My dark horse is Justin Anderson. Intelligent kid with an NBA ready body who I think will work extremely hard to improve his game. I don’t think he has anywhere near the upside of a Portis or Looney but he’ll be solid 3 pt. shooter…and will be a beast on defense. It might be a stretch to draft Anderson with the 19th pick though. He's probably someone who should be drafted in the 24-27 range.

[stevemcqueen1]

I really wish we had a second pick in the late teens. That would be nice to have any year, but especially this year because of how deep the class is for quality role players. Multiple good shooting power forwards, multiple good perimeter stoppers, multiple good third guards.

[stevemcqueen1]

I'm seeing Lyles in the late lottery in most of the places I look. This is disappointing, just a few weeks ago he was projected to be available around 19.

I honestly have no feel for how picks 10-20 are going to go. It's not going to surprise me if almost all of the names I want for us go consecutively between 8 and 16.

[stevemcqueen1]

Kristaps Porzingis 7'1.25" w/out shoes, 7'6 wingspan, 230 lbs.

Now I understand why they've been talking about him at second overall. Those are Rudy Gobert-like measurements. Plus he can shoot.

[nate33]

Kristaps Porzingis 7'1.25" w/out shoes, 7'6 wingspan, 230 lbs.

Now I understand why they've been talking about him at second overall. Those are Rudy Gobert-like measurements. Plus he can shoot.

I've never heard of a white guy having that kind of wingspan-to-height ratio. Maybe Kirilenko? Frankly, I don't believe it.

[dckingsfan]

Kristaps Porzingis 7'1.25" w/out shoes, 7'6 wingspan, 230 lbs.

Now I understand why they've been talking about him at second overall. Those are Rudy Gobert-like measurements. Plus he can shoot.

I've never heard of a white guy having that kind of wingspan-to-height ratio. Maybe Kirilenko? Frankly, I don't believe it.

He is that big - and when he used to go for any block his block % would get into the 7s... but defensively he is still pretty raw, not very strong and not a good rebounder - and he should be... he has only one position - stretch 4. Nene would KILL him inside. Not saying I wouldn't take him with the 19th pick though

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Hmmm. Looney played some point guard in high school.

He's the player I think is best at 19 for the Wizards. Portis rates a very close second.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Hmmm. Looney played some point guard in high school.

Saw that. Just like former Hoya and Piston Jerome Williams who had a massive growth spurt late in high school. The combo of Looney's offensive skill, rebounding, and size make him an intriguing prospect.

Looney has prototypical stretch four size and skills. He should be able to compete with players like Kawhi Leonard, Paul Millsap, Draymond Green, DeMarre Carroll, and Jae Crowder.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This is how I look at the draft. It's all about lining up for 2016 and KD, They have a number of holes in the lineup with a limited ability to do too much in free agency because we likely won't want to commit money for the following year. But we need to do well this year and show that we have a solid base for KD. The likliest guess is that Pierce will not return as well.

This says to me the team will sacrifice some upside in return for some ready to play. Also with our roster I think we just don't have enough good shooters at whatever position. Looking at guys who we've worked out (I know EG doesn't always draft guys he worked out) that rules out Wood (not ready to play), RHJ (can't shoot), Looney (not really ready to play), Vaughn (probably too young not ready to play) and rules in Justin Anderson, Bobby Portis, and Jerian Grant, RJ Hunter, and maybe Delon (thought not regarded as a shooter). I would think the guy they want from this list the most is Portis but he is expected to be taken before we pick.

BUT, I've seen that Indiana and Oklahoma both might try to trade out of their spots if their man is gone and they might both be after the same guy - Cameron Payne. I also don't know how committed Boston is to their pick with eleventy million more picks coming in the next several years. We don't have a lot to trade but do have our first for next year which may be of a little less use to us with our new superstar free agent (KD or someone else) and our veteran roster going for the championship. So I wouldn't be stunned to see us trade up for Portis or maybe Lyles. If not I think it will make sense to get one of the "ready" guards - Anderson, Grant, Hunter, Wright. They all may have less upside but look that they could be role players in their rookie years which will make our bench look a lot more solid in the summer of 2016.

While I'm at it - my shocking prediction - EG will NOT sell the 2nd round pick because he won't be able to with Philly having 5 2nd rounders including 3 before our pick -- they're just going to kill any market for our pick.

Before you all crush me -- this is based on the notion we would go for ready and shooters. I'm not saying these are the best talents.

Looney is arguably more ready than Trey Lyles.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

EG is probably going to draft Jerian Grant.

[80sballboy]

Chad Ford's Grade A Draft (best possible player and best fit for each team)

Needs: PF, backup C

Round 1 (19) Trey Lyles, PF, Fr., Kentucky
Round 2 (49) Mouhammadou Jaiteh, F/C, France

Analysis: Néné will be coming into the last year of his contract. The Wizards are set with young players at point guard (John Wall), shooting guard (Bradley Beal), small forward (Otto Porter Jr.) and have a veteran center, Marcin Gortat, in his prime. But power forward is still a major need. I'm torn between Bobby Portis and Lyles here. Portis is more of a sure thing: tough, versatile and a great motor. But I think Lyles presents more upside and the Wizards could still use some upside at that position. I know teams have him ranked much higher, but I think his lack of elite athleticism makes him a better play here in the teens. The Wizards' backcourt is the engine that makes this team run. They just need bigs who will play their role, and I think Lyles is perfect for that. Jaiteh is another big man who is probably under-ranked. Scouts fell in love with him as an 18-year-old, were turned off by a poor performance at the Nike Hoop Summit and have ignored the fact that he's gotten much better the last two seasons. He has the size to be a really good backup big man down the road.

[80sballboy]

Ford has Portis going 20 and Looney going 12 to Utah in his Grade A Draft.

Utah Jazz

Needs: backup PF, C, SG

Round 1 (12) Kevon Looney, F, Fr. UCLA
Round 2 (42) Rakeem Christmas, F/C, Sr., Syracuse
Round 2 (54) Larry Nance Jr., F, Sr., Wyoming

Analysis: The Jazz are one of the few teams in the lottery without any glaring needs. Their starting five of the future is pretty set: Dante Exum at point guard, Alec Burks at shooting guard, Gordon Hayward at small forward, Derrick Favors at power forward and Rudy Gobert at center. That starting five has a chance to be awesome someday, and I don't think anyone in Utah is going to mess with it. Burks is the biggest question mark of the group, but given his recent contract extension, they're going to try to make it work. And even if it doesn't, the way Rodney Hood played toward the end of the season gives them hope that his replacement might already be on their roster.

That frees them to take the best player available, and I think that's Looney. If there is a third tier in this draft, it ends around No. 12 and Looney is the last guy in it. He has the talent of a top-five pick, but it's still unclear where his position will be in the pros, and he's seen as a longer-term project than most. Utah has the flexibility to be able to wait on him. Someday he could be backing up both Favors and Hayward. He's one of the most versatile players in the draft and a steal at No. 12. Christmas doesn't have a huge amount of upside, but he's was super productive his senior year, can play the 4 and the 5 and should provide some rebounding and shot blocking off the bench.

[nuposse04]

I have no idea what people see in Lyles, especially compared to Portis and Looney.

[nate33]

EG is probably going to draft Jerian Grant.

I understand why everyone braces for the worst when it comes to EG and the draft, but I honestly don't see any way EG takes Grant. We've got a top 5 starting PG and a rock solid backup PG. PG is the strongest position on the roster. Why on Earth would we use our pick to draft another PG - particularly one who can't shoot despite being 23 by the start of the season?

I really think the fact that the Wizards so obviously worked out the PG's early on is a tip that it's a smokescreen. EG never telegraphs his picks. He usually tries to throw people off the scent.

We have needs at backup SG, PF and long term backup C. I expect EG to draft one of those - most likely a PF.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Now I understand why they've been talking about him at second overall. Those are Rudy Gobert-like measurements. Plus he can shoot.

I've never heard of a white guy having that kind of wingspan-to-height ratio. Maybe Kirilenko? Frankly, I don't believe it.

He is that big - and when he used to go for any block his block % would get into the 7s... but defensively he is still pretty raw, not very strong and not a good rebounder - and he should be... he has only one position - stretch 4. Nene would KILL him inside. Not saying I wouldn't take him with the 19th pick though

Porzingis reminds me a lot more of Tskitishvili and Jonathan Bender than he does of Pau Gasol or Dirk Nowitzki.

He's not operating in the post in the NBA at that weight. He is also not defending other than blocking shots from the weak side.

I don't think he is as strong as Jan Vesely.

One thing that I see is he appears to have a lot of attitude. He obviously is a great shooter, but so is Steve Novak.

[80sballboy]

I've never heard of a white guy having that kind of wingspan-to-height ratio. Maybe Kirilenko? Frankly, I don't believe it.

He is that big - and when he used to go for any block his block % would get into the 7s... but defensively he is still pretty raw, not very strong and not a good rebounder - and he should be... he has only one position - stretch 4. Nene would KILL him inside. Not saying I wouldn't take him with the 19th pick though

Porzingis reminds me a lot more of Tskitishvili and Jonathan Bender than he does of Pau Gasol or Dirk Nowitzki.

He's not operating in the post in the NBA at that weight. He is also not defending other than blocking shots from the weak side.

He's intriguing but we've seen this before when Chad Ford and Fran Fraschilla go ape-sh-t for some long Euro prospect.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Count me as one who is not sold on Kristaps. I could be very wrong...

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Ford has Portis going 20 and Looney going 12 to Utah in his Grade A Draft.

Utah Jazz

Needs: backup PF, C, SG

Round 1 (12) Kevon Looney, F, Fr. UCLA
Round 2 (42) Rakeem Christmas, F/C, Sr., Syracuse
Round 2 (54) Larry Nance Jr., F, Sr., Wyoming

Analysis: The Jazz are one of the few teams in the lottery without any glaring needs. Their starting five of the future is pretty set: Dante Exum at point guard, Alec Burks at shooting guard, Gordon Hayward at small forward, Derrick Favors at power forward and Rudy Gobert at center. That starting five has a chance to be awesome someday, and I don't think anyone in Utah is going to mess with it. Burks is the biggest question mark of the group, but given his recent contract extension, they're going to try to make it work. And even if it doesn't, the way Rodney Hood played toward the end of the season gives them hope that his replacement might already be on their roster.

That frees them to take the best player available, and I think that's Looney. If there is a third tier in this draft, it ends around No. 12 and Looney is the last guy in it. He has the talent of a top-five pick, but it's still unclear where his position will be in the pros, and he's seen as a longer-term project than most. Utah has the flexibility to be able to wait on him. Someday he could be backing up both Favors and Hayward. He's one of the most versatile players in the draft and a steal at No. 12. Christmas doesn't have a huge amount of upside, but he's was super productive his senior year, can play the 4 and the 5 and should provide some rebounding and shot blocking off the bench.

FWIW I do agree that Looney is a lottery talent.