Thank Nation! Pre-Lottery: Denver 9th, NY pick 7th (PART 4)

[CunningLinguist]

It isn't about 'next season' for the PG/C/SG/SF positions on the team because we have players in the pipeline to fill future voids.

But at PF, we have 2Pat for one season and nobody to take his place. Some project Bruno there, but that is at least 2 years away, probably 3 consider how much he still needs to learn and how much body mass he would need to add.

We need a couple PFs added NOW so that at least one can be our starter in a year (assuming we can't resign 2Pat - and realistically we won't want to when cap space peaks and everyone is bidding for him next summer).


However, even if we can't find a 'ready to start in a year' PF in this draft, at least the glut of PFs available (10 will go in the first round!) will shake loose some other more developed PFs that might not have reached their potential - and they will be available on the cheap. This is what happened in Charlotte, when they drafted Kaminsky and let Biyombo go to make room for him. The same thing will happen to 10 other PFs this summer as the drafting teams try to make room for them.

PF will become the most saturated position in the league, ahead of PGs a year from now. So at least we won't have to pay through the nose for one. Who knows, maybe we can even find the cash to retain 2Pat. But I doubt it. He will be looking to get paid. His big contract for his prime years. If we are giving DD and Kyle $50M/yr, we just won't be able to afford him. And everyone will have a new batch of cap space next summer as well. SO I'll wish 2Pat well, and hope the PFs we added this summer are ready to go.

That is why Masai will NOT consider Skal or Thon. They are too far behind at least 6 other first round PFs. 7 if Rabb stays in the draft.

Do you know something the rest of us don't?

We can always trade for a PF to hold us over until a younger player is developed. The draft should be about selecting who you think will be the best player several years down the line. If Masai thinks someone like Skal or Chriss has a good chance to be better than Sabonis 5 years from now, that's who he should select. The draft is about long-term solutions. Trying to address short-term problems with long-term solutions doesn't make sense to me.

[BoyzNTheHood]

It isn't about 'next season' for the PG/C/SG/SF positions on the team because we have players in the pipeline to fill future voids.

But at PF, we have 2Pat for one season and nobody to take his place. Some project Bruno there, but that is at least 2 years away, probably 3 consider how much he still needs to learn and how much body mass he would need to add.

We need a couple PFs added NOW so that at least one can be our starter in a year (assuming we can't resign 2Pat - and realistically we won't want to when cap space peaks and everyone is bidding for him next summer).


However, even if we can't find a 'ready to start in a year' PF in this draft, at least the glut of PFs available (10 will go in the first round!) will shake loose some other more developed PFs that might not have reached their potential - and they will be available on the cheap. This is what happened in Charlotte, when they drafted Kaminsky and let Biyombo go to make room for him. The same thing will happen to 10 other PFs this summer as the drafting teams try to make room for them.

PF will become the most saturated position in the league, ahead of PGs a year from now. So at least we won't have to pay through the nose for one. Who knows, maybe we can even find the cash to retain 2Pat. But I doubt it. He will be looking to get paid. His big contract for his prime years. If we are giving DD and Kyle $50M/yr, we just won't be able to afford him. And everyone will have a new batch of cap space next summer as well. SO I'll wish 2Pat well, and hope the PFs we added this summer are ready to go.

That is why Masai will NOT consider Skal or Thon. They are too far behind at least 6 other first round PFs. 7 if Rabb stays in the draft.

Do you know something the rest of us don't?

We can always trade for a PF to hold us over until a younger player is developed. The draft should be about selecting who you think will be the best player several years down the line. If Masai thinks someone like Skal or Chriss has a good chance to be better than Sabonis 5 years from now, that's who he should select. The draft is about long-term solutions. Trying to address short-term problems with long-term solutions doesn't make sense to me.

Exactly. And it's not like 2Pat can't be re-signed because he's entering his prime. It's unlikely that he values himself so highly to price himself out of our range. If anyone thinks Masai is going to pick a PF who's more ready if someone else has a better long-term outlook they're mistaken. It's a good thing some people on here don't run the team. No foresight whatsoever.

[TheGoodDoctor]

With Rabb and Brown out I'm pretty much locked on Luwawu.

It's too damn bad Valentine's defense sucks or I'd take a look at him because he's definitely a great shooter & playmaker.

[HolyMage110]

why is ellenson so high on draft boards?
Mans been on mock drafts anywhere between 6 and 10

[nabbs]

With Rabb and Brown out I'm pretty much locked on Luwawu.

It's too damn bad Valentine's defense sucks or I'd take a look at him because he's definitely a great shooter & playmaker.

Why are they out??

[deeps6x]

With Rabb and Brown out I'm pretty much locked on Luwawu.

It's too damn bad Valentine's defense sucks or I'd take a look at him because he's definitely a great shooter & playmaker.

Why are they out??

Are they out for sure? I must have missed that.

[Double Bubble]

NBADraft.net has us as the 8th pick, but you guys were saying 9th correct?

[MEDIC]

I feel like many people here are picking based on need when we should only look look at BPA and upside. In some ways you could look at our like a Least Holes Approach. A guy like Timothe Luwawu or Demetrius Jackson are guys that will do well in the NBA and have long careers because they can shoot, are athletic and can likely defend their position. So what if it duplicates what we have already?

When you get into the PF draft market there are so many question marks about size, skill, and fit into the modern NBA. The guys that can shoot leave a huge hole on defense. Do you really want a guy like Ryan Anderson? (Ellenson) Or do you want a defender at PF that can't shoot or create in the post? (Davis). Other guys are huge projects that are undersized (Chriss, Rabb, Bentil) or have some mental make-up issues (Skal).

Well said. I feel the same way.

I'm fine with Masai taking a PF, but at this point I don't honestly think any of them are BPA. Of course there are lots of workouts & measurements to be done that will change a lot of perceptions.

[Badonkadonk]

NBADraft.net has us as the 8th pick, but you guys were saying 9th correct?

That busted-ass website is missing the Knicks pick. Idiots.

[BoyzNTheHood]

The way Myles Turner is playing against us makes me want Skal on this team even more. No, they're not the same player, but a young big man who can block shots, defend and hit a mid-range jumper is very valuable. When Turner is in the game he makes a big difference, except for the fact that he can't play without fouling. But that will disappear with more experience. I can see Skal taking a similar path if picked by us. He can develop in the background while our main guys carry the load.

[TheGoodDoctor]

The way Myles Turner is playing against us makes me want Skal on this team even more. No, they're not the same player, but a young big man who can block shots, defend and hit a mid-range jumper is very valuable. When Turner is in the game he makes a big difference, except for the fact that he can't play without fouling. But that will disappear with more experience. I can see Skal taking a similar path if picked by us. He can develop in the background while our main guys carry the load.

Turner looks a lot smoother than Skal.

Skal imo looks robotic in his movements. I hope that it's just the case of Cal not knowing how to use his big men offensively which to me seems to be because no one could tell in his system just how good KAT and Davis were so maybe we can pray that's it. But just from what we can see, I'm not so sure it is.

[BoyzNTheHood]

The way Myles Turner is playing against us makes me want Skal on this team even more. No, they're not the same player, but a young big man who can block shots, defend and hit a mid-range jumper is very valuable. When Turner is in the game he makes a big difference, except for the fact that he can't play without fouling. But that will disappear with more experience. I can see Skal taking a similar path if picked by us. He can develop in the background while our main guys carry the load.

Turner looks a lot smoother than Skal.

Skal imo looks robotic in his movements. I hope that it's just the case of Cal not knowing how to use his big men offensively which to me seems to be the case because no one could tell in his system just how good KAT and Davis were so maybe we can pray that's the case. But just from what we can see, I'm not so sure it is.

Turner is a cut above Skal. Even last year I was infatuated with Turner coming out of Texas and thought that he was another steal for Indy just like Paul George was. I honestly believed he should've went Top-5. Those two are going to dominate the East very soon together. But in relation to my Skal comparison it's simply based on the fact that they can both shoot a mid range shot, block a ton of shots and defend.

[HolyMage110]

i honestly wouldnt be surprised if Masai picks Skal if everyone we wanted were off the board. High defensive upside that had a mid range game. With a few years of developing he could be a real good player.

[TheGoodDoctor]

The way Myles Turner is playing against us makes me want Skal on this team even more. No, they're not the same player, but a young big man who can block shots, defend and hit a mid-range jumper is very valuable. When Turner is in the game he makes a big difference, except for the fact that he can't play without fouling. But that will disappear with more experience. I can see Skal taking a similar path if picked by us. He can develop in the background while our main guys carry the load.

Turner looks a lot smoother than Skal.

Skal imo looks robotic in his movements. I hope that it's just the case of Cal not knowing how to use his big men offensively which to me seems to be the case because no one could tell in his system just how good KAT and Davis were so maybe we can pray that's the case. But just from what we can see, I'm not so sure it is.

Turner is a cut above Skal. Even last year I was infatuated with Turner coming out of Texas and thought that he was another steal for Indy just like Paul George was. I honestly believed he should've went Top-5. Those two are going to dominate the East very soon together. But in relation to my Skal comparison it's simply based on the fact that they can both shoot a mid range shot, block a ton of shots and defend.

Fair enough.

Believe me I see the skill Skal has because if he could develop his ballhandling and extend his range he would actually remind me of a skinnier, poorman's KAT which obviously huge praise but he's been so damn disappointing. If Cal can effect his game by benching him and hurting his confidence, Casey will bury him. He definitely won't be my first choice with his bust potential but being a fan of upside as I am, I also won't want to punch a hole through my screen like I felt like doing when we took Ross and I'm sure I would sell myself on him. With how badly he hurt his stock, he definitely has the potential to be the steal of the draft, million dollar question is will he?!

[UneducatedFan86]

Do Not Draft On NEED! Draft BPA. If they happen to fit a need, awesome! Great! Yay! If not, then you worry about that later. This team needs young high-ceiling talent.

[raptor jesus]

The thought of Norm and Luwawu on the wing is very intriguing. I've seen Luwawu mentioned in several circles as a 'Bucks target' so I'm glad we beat them out in the coin toss.

[TheGoodDoctor]

The thought of Norm and Luwawu on the wing is very intriguing. I've seen Luwawu mentioned in several circles as a 'Bucks target' so I'm glad we beat them out in the coin toss.

Add to this Wright....and we're locking down teams defensively.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Turner looks a lot smoother than Skal.

Skal imo looks robotic in his movements. I hope that it's just the case of Cal not knowing how to use his big men offensively which to me seems to be the case because no one could tell in his system just how good KAT and Davis were so maybe we can pray that's the case. But just from what we can see, I'm not so sure it is.

Turner is a cut above Skal. Even last year I was infatuated with Turner coming out of Texas and thought that he was another steal for Indy just like Paul George was. I honestly believed he should've went Top-5. Those two are going to dominate the East very soon together. But in relation to my Skal comparison it's simply based on the fact that they can both shoot a mid range shot, block a ton of shots and defend.

Fair enough.

Believe me I see the skill Skal has because if he could develop his ballhandling and extend his range he would actually remind me of a skinnier, poorman's KAT which obviously huge praise but he's been so damn disappointing. If Cal can effect his game by benching him and hurting his confidence, Casey will bury him. He definitely won't be my first choice with his bust potential but being a fan of upside as I am, I also won't want to punch a hole through my screen like I felt like doing when we took Ross and I'm sure I would sell myself on him. With how badly he hurt his stock, he definitely has the potential to be the steal of the draft, million dollar question is will he?!

I honestly see him more as an Ibaka type that KAT, but KAT would obviously be better and more desired. I just think he already has a mid range shot and that will develop into a 3 with time. I also think that Casey will give the kid a shot only because of his defense. Then again, I can also see Casey killing his career with the lack of trust. Cal already did a lot of damage by jerking him in and out of the lineup like a yoyo.

At 9 Skal might be the BPA and the best fit long term. But I think people need to temper their expectations of him. He had a decent run to end his high school career and people immediately elevated him above Simmons and Ingram, which was ridiculous. The kid should always have been ranked as a lotto pick, but around where he is now.

[WWSRD]

Moving up for Jamal Murray just became a very real possibility.

[0 - 100]

Moving up for Jamal Murray just became a very real possibility.

Indeed and it's not 100% sure Derozan will be back. And Lowry can walk in a year too.

Murray is a home run pick for us on so many levels.