Official Draft Thread 2015-16

[Gomes3PC]

Steals+blocks relative to fouls is typically a good measure for athleticism/defensive ability. Rebounding rate also translates very well. FT% and 3PT% are a bit less correlated - guys who don't shoot well in college can improve, though guys who are already elite college shooters typically turn into above-average NBA shooters.

[Wes-J]

Right now for me it's top 2 or bust. If we land outside of that I hope Ainge trades it in some sort of package for a stud.

I'll still keep an eye on Brown but I'm really not excited about the others. Need to be convinced.

[Celtsfan1980]

If Philly ends up with #2 and we end up with #5 then I don't think Philly will say no to a pick swap and adding the 2018 Brooklyn pick. Sixers have entered win now mode with Colangelo and an NBA ready Dunn makes more sense for them than waiting for Ingram to put on 25 lbs.

The Celtics tank for a small part of one season, and get the worst pick possible. The 76ers tank three straight seasons with some of the worst tanking in NBA history, and they don't get punished once? If there's any team that should be punished for tanking, it's Philadelphia. The fourth pick is more likely than the second for Philadelphia.

[canman1971]

If Philly ends up with #2 and we end up with #5 then I don't think Philly will say no to a pick swap and adding the 2018 Brooklyn pick. Sixers have entered win now mode with Colangelo and an NBA ready Dunn makes more sense for them than waiting for Ingram to put on 25 lbs.

Haha, that made me laugh. I am pretty sure win now and the Sixers should never belong in the same sentence.

[Celtics_History_Lesson]

Possible Celtics picks?

5 Jakob Poeltl

20 Denzel Valentine

21 Domantas Sabonis

31 Zhou Qi

34 Gary Payton II

49 Tim Quarterman

50 Kaleb Tarczewski

57 Kyle Wiltjer

[Wes-J]

Yuck. I would trade all those picks to get at least the second pick.

[165bows]

@nbadraftblog: Going through all my latest stat downloads, Jamal Murray is the Nick Young of college basketball. Efficiency disaster

[165bows]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/wojverticalnba/status/695897025880199169[/tweet]

Dragan Bender profile on Yahoo. Sounds like a good kid.

[Celtsfan1980]

With Sabonis' struggles vs. length, will that give him problems as a Center?

[Patsfan1081]

Bender's stats are pretty underwhelming, and I don't think Ainge seems inclined to take a big risk on a foreign prospect - just hasn't been his thing. Russell also just adds to the logjam we have at combo guard.

If the C's get the #1 pick, only thing I'd be willing to do is trade down to #2 if someone falls in love with Simmons, then "settle" for Ingram plus whatever sweetener the team trading with us needs to throw in to get Simmons.

You can't use Bender's stats to determine anything. Bender is playing for one of the most historic basketball programs outside the U.S.(Maccabi), it's a much higher level of basketball then either the ncaa or the d-leagues. A 17-18 year old playing in a high level euro league team is not granted many minutes, Bender only sees eight minutes a game. Porzingis was given even less minutes his first year on a less talented team, the big difference is Porzingis was drafted at twenty while Bender is only 18 and Porzingis had a couple more years of euro up experience. The risk with Bender is buying out his contract. Vigor Favorani has also played alongside Bender this season and talks highly about him.

[Patsfan1081]

I really hope the front office puts more resources in scouting oversees, especially if we get another lottery pick from Brooklyn next season. There could be two Euros in the top five of a stacked 2017 draft with Hartestein being talked about as the best European prospect since Dirk. The center position especially is starting to look big on talent now and in the future.

[Pacino62]

Does this news change our thoughts on the top 5? I ask because I know nothing about him...lol

Florida State Seminoles 5-star recruit Jonathan Isaac may not play for Florida State and will, instead, try to find his way into the draft.

[Gomes3PC]

Bender's stats are pretty underwhelming, and I don't think Ainge seems inclined to take a big risk on a foreign prospect - just hasn't been his thing. Russell also just adds to the logjam we have at combo guard.

If the C's get the #1 pick, only thing I'd be willing to do is trade down to #2 if someone falls in love with Simmons, then "settle" for Ingram plus whatever sweetener the team trading with us needs to throw in to get Simmons.

You can't use Bender's stats to determine anything. Bender is playing for one of the most historic basketball programs outside the U.S.(Maccabi), it's a much higher level of basketball then either the ncaa or the d-leagues. A 17-18 year old playing in a high level euro league team is not granted many minutes, Bender only sees eight minutes a game. Porzingis was given even less minutes his first year on a less talented team, the big difference is Porzingis was drafted at twenty while Bender is only 18 and Porzingis had a couple more years of euro up experience. The risk with Bender is buying out his contract. Vigor Favorani has also played alongside Bender this season and talks highly about him.

No, the risk is Bender never becomes anything. The reason folks loved Porzingis was he combined upside with strong performance for a top Euro team. Hernangomez this year is producing strong #s too as a 20 year old.

I am sure Bender has a ton of talent, but (a) nobody knows if he can be bought out and (b) nobody knows he can actually play. You're betting on a blank slate - a very tall, very fluid athlete, but a guy who has zero tape/production to base a pick off of. It's very realistic to assume that any team drafting him won't see any semblance of production for 2-3 years, maybe longer and maybe never.

It would be very hard for me if I am in Ainge's shoes to take Bender 3rd unless I felt his ceiling was SO far higher than anyone after that. Even then, I'd probably dangle pick and move down a slot or two if someone else likes him more.

[No-Man]

Porzingis played for the worst team in Spain, Juancho plays for one of the worst teams as well.
Nowhere near close Maccabi's level, albeit this season they are pretty terrible.

They are also 2 years older than Dragan, at Dragan's age, Juancho was a nobody with potential due to his athleticism that only a few of us followed, and Porzingis although he was a known prospect was seeing similar minutes in a much worse team with less expectations and pressure.

Not comparable whatsoever.

The bough out excuse is just dumb and misinformed, Vujcic, Maccabi's president and Bender's mentor has been quoted multiple times on the subject saying that if Dragan is guaranteed a top3-5 pick he will declare and go right away.

[165bows]

Porzingis played for the worst team in Spain, Juancho plays for one of the worst teams as well.
Nowhere near close Maccabi's level, albeit this season they are pretty terrible.

They are also 2 years older than Dragan, at Dragan's age, Juancho was a nobody with potential due to his athleticism that only a few of us followed, and Porzingis although he was a known prospect was seeing similar minutes in a much worse team with less expectations and pressure.

Not comparable whatsoever.

The bough out excuse is just dumb and misinformed, Vujcic, Maccabi's president and Bender's mentor has been quoted multiple times on the subject saying that if Dragan is guaranteed a top3-5 pick he will declare and go right away.

Any opinion on Gershon Yabusele?

[No-Man]

He reminds me of Gary Trent, physical big body that knows where he thrives, he is really long and strong so he might play some small ball C these days I guess, I like Cornelie a bit better, but both are borderline 1st round picks.

[165bows]

He reminds me of Gary Trent, physical big body that knows where he thrives, he is really long and strong so he might play some small ball C these days I guess, I like Cornelie a bit better, but both are borderline 1st round picks.

Couldn't find much about him beyond the basics but his skill set as described sounds like it has good potential. 6'8" with good length, speed and strength and an inside-outside game on offense is something I'd look at gambling a late pick on.

[brackdan70]

Does this news change our thoughts on the top 5? I ask because I know nothing about him...lol

Florida State Seminoles 5-star recruit Jonathan Isaac may not play for Florida State and will, instead, try to find his way into the draft.

My understanding is he will not end up being eligible for this draft because the NBA requires 1 year removed from high school. he is a 5th year senior , so maybe there is a gray area. I don't know much either but read up on him a little. I do not think he would be top 5 in this draft or any draft. skinny and perimeter oriented PF.

[FlatearthZorro]

If we keep our pick or Dallas', I'm keeping my eye on Zhou Qi... Ridiculous size, moves really well, looks skilled, very thin, but should be able to put enough weight to be a PF, and he's quick enough to be a PF at 7"3'...


Gimme Zhou!!!!

[jmr07019]

I'm on the pro-Bender side of the debate above. There is certainly risk with him but there is risk with all the American players projected to go 3-7. I'll gamble on the young 7'er with 3 point range a lots of skill.