2017 NBA Draft Thread

[Jamaaliver]

The thread no one wants to consider just yet:

The 2017 NBA Draft will be the "strongest in a decade", according to multiple NBA scouts and general managers. Chad Ford projects 10-15 potential All-Stars in the class, headlined by Markelle Fultz.

Here


At some point we have to decide: do we want to go all-in on making the playoffs with another 46+ win team...

or do we want to potentially snag us another cornerstone player and possibly get off the treadmill at long last.


Thoughts? Concerns? Predictions?

Is trading away [our] vets and embracing a losing season out of the question?

Who do you guys like from this draft?
What position(s) should we address?
Is this a 'Best Player Available' kind of scenario?
Or should we target guys that only fit our system?

[Jamaaliver]

Today we are in 6th place in the Conference.

Today we have a negative efficiency differential.

Today we have a losing record.

We just got swept by the Timberwolves...for the second year in a row.

It's time to try something different.

A young, gifted, potential All-Star would be a great building block for the future...

[ATL Boy]

I get what you're saying Jamaal, embracing the tank would be more beneficial than a first round exit long term...

But man, I'd have a miserable time as a fan rooting for losses. Would just feel wrong, like it did with the Falcons in 2013.


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[afectar]

I'm all for tanking, but only if we can land in the top 5 in the draft. Maybe call up Dallas and see if they would give up there pick.

[Yungsta404]

With Bud as GM/Pres and Coach, there is no way hes going to embrace going through a rebuild. He doesn't have much patience for young players and he doesn't want to taint his coaching record.

[Jamaaliver]

With Bud as GM/Pres and Coach, there is no way hes going to embrace going through a rebuild. He doesn't have much patience for young players and he doesn't want to taint his coaching record.

Yeah, this sounds about right. FTR, I'm not in favor of a full on rebuild, either. Just a necessary course correction from the mediocrity we've settled back into.

The irony here...is that Bud's coaching record is already suffering due to his poor personnel decisions. Take away 33-2, and his tenure here has been just okay.


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[afectar]

Unless we can acquire a superstar via trade, I strongly believe it's time get one through the draft. If this draft is as deep as people think it is, it might be the right move. At least the team will be exciting to watch

Right now the Hawks are one of the most boring teams in the league and they are losing. SA tanked one year and got TD we should do the same lol

[Jamaaliver]

Mock Draft by Bleacher Report:

21. Atlanta Hawks: Johnathan Motley (Baylor, PF/C, 6'10", Junior)
Johnathan Motley's ceiling isn't too exciting, but the Atlanta Hawks won't focus on upside at No. 21. They'll look for a rotation player who can contribute on a rookie contract over the few years. As Paul Millsap, Mike Muscala and Mike Scott enter free agency, the Atlanta Hawks may need to add frontcourt depth.

Motley is skilled around the basket with a 6'10", 230-pound frame and 7'3 ½" wingspan. The Hawks could call on him early for inside scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking.

The flashes of post moves, mid-range shooting and face-up drives help push Motley into the first round. Between his developing skills, tools and effectiveness at the rim, there is enough here for the Hawks to feel good about his carving out a role.

Here


At least he and Taurean would have a good on-court rapport right off the bat...

[jayu70]

Mock Draft by Bleacher Report:

21. Atlanta Hawks: Johnathan Motley (Baylor, PF/C, 6'10", Junior)
Johnathan Motley's ceiling isn't too exciting, but the Atlanta Hawks won't focus on upside at No. 21. They'll look for a rotation player who can contribute on a rookie contract over the few years. As Paul Millsap, Mike Muscala and Mike Scott enter free agency, the Atlanta Hawks may need to add frontcourt depth.

Motley is skilled around the basket with a 6'10", 230-pound frame and 7'3 ½" wingspan. The Hawks could call on him early for inside scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking.

The flashes of post moves, mid-range shooting and face-up drives help push Motley into the first round. Between his developing skills, tools and effectiveness at the rim, there is enough here for the Hawks to feel good about his carving out a role.

Here


At least he and Taurean would have a good on-court rapport right off the bat...

Are there better PF higher up in draft who might fit the bill?
We have the Brookyln 2017, Minny 2018 protected 1st, Cavs 2019 protected 1st to add to #21 to possibly move up?
Or Bazemore and #21 for a higher pick.

[dlb731]

The main issue in trying to move up in the draft is that 29 other teams ALSO know how stacked this draft is... So a team isn't as willing to let go of its pick so easily.

[Jamaaliver]

The main issue in trying to move up in the draft is that 29 other teams ALSO know how stacked this draft is... So a team isn't as willing to let go of its pick so easily.

Agreed.

The time to try and move up is now, moving productive vets to bad teams. And even then, it's a cr@pshoot what type of pick you end up with.

MIL, MIN, SAC don't need more young players on their squads. They have too many as it is. If we had vet players in their primes to trade them, that'd likely be more enticing to a SAC team still trying to build around Boogie. Or a MIN team desperate just to make the playoffs.

[jayu70]

The main issue in trying to move up in the draft is that 29 other teams ALSO know how stacked this draft is... So a team isn't as willing to let go of its pick so easily.

Agreed, that is why trades like these won't occur until the draft as players start to fall off the board.
If a team is targeting a certain player and he gets picked before their turn, that is where some movement might occur.

[ATL Boy]

This may be just me but I'd rather take the risk with a player who has a higher ceiling over taking the safe approach by selecting the high floor. The only way this team is getting a star is through the draft, and I'm willing to roll those dice in what people call "the strongest draft in a decade."


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[Jamaaliver]

This may be just me but I'd rather take the risk with a player who has a higher ceiling over taking the safe approach by selecting the high floor. The only way this team is getting a star is through the draft, and I'm willing to roll those dice in what people call "the strongest draft in a decade."


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+1000

I'd rather whiff on a project like Bebe than a low ceiling system player like Adreian Payne.



Question: If the best player available is a PG or SG, do you roll the dice and select that player?
Even with Dennis, Bazemore, THJ and/or Bembry potentially blocking them in the short term?

[reazun]

This may be just me but I'd rather take the risk with a player who has a higher ceiling over taking the safe approach by selecting the high floor. The only way this team is getting a star is through the draft, and I'm willing to roll those dice in what people call "the strongest draft in a decade."


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I agree. I really wish that pick for Korver was for this year, but of course Cleveland would not do that

[MaceCase]

Wasn't the same superlative thrown around for 2014 draft with talking heads considering it the best draft rivaling the Bron, Melo, Wade draft? As it stands, only Embiid looks like he has a perennial shot at an All Star team so I consider the hype with a mound of caution.

[simon24]

Wasn't the same superlative thrown around for 2014 draft with talking heads considering it the best draft rivaling the Bron, Melo, Wade draft? As it stands, only Embiid looks like he has a perennial shot at an All Star team so I consider the hype with a mound of caution.

Parker, Wiggins, Gordon, Randle, Jokic should be All-Stars eventually.

[MaceCase]

Wasn't the same superlative thrown around for 2014 draft with talking heads considering it the best draft rivaling the Bron, Melo, Wade draft? As it stands, only Embiid looks like he has a perennial shot at an All Star team so I consider the hype with a mound of caution.

Parker, Wiggins, Gordon, Randle, Jokic should be All-Stars eventually.

No, making just an All Star game or a couple someday down the line doesn't put you in the same sentence as a group of guys that collectively have run off 12 straight starting from their second seasons and dominated the landscape of the NBA yet that was the comparative thrown at the 2014 draft.

Outside of Embiid, only Jokic could even make the argument that they're currently the best player on their given team so again I don't buy into the superlatives thrown around draft classes. Could it be a good draft or a deep draft? Sure, but I find the whole "best since..." or "greatest in..." labels to be a bit much.

[jayu70]

Wasn't the same superlative thrown around for 2014 draft with talking heads considering it the best draft rivaling the Bron, Melo, Wade draft? As it stands, only Embiid looks like he has a perennial shot at an All Star team so I consider the hype with a mound of caution.

Parker, Wiggins, Gordon, Randle, Jokic should be All-Stars eventually.

No, making just an All Star game or a couple someday down the line doesn't put you in the same sentence as a group of guys that collectively have run off 12 straight starting from their second seasons and dominated the landscape of the NBA yet that was the comparative thrown at the 2014 draft.

Outside of Embiid, only Jokic could even make the argument that they're currently the best player on their given team so again I don't buy into the superlatives thrown around draft classes. Could it be a good draft or a deep draft? Sure, but I find the whole "best since..." or "greatest in..." labels to be a bit much.

Exactly, they were supposed to be franchise players, guys you build your team around. So far - they are not.

[MaceCase]

Parker, Wiggins, Gordon, Randle, Jokic should be All-Stars eventually.

No, making just an All Star game or a couple someday down the line doesn't put you in the same sentence as a group of guys that collectively have run off 12 straight starting from their second seasons and dominated the landscape of the NBA yet that was the comparative thrown at the 2014 draft.

Outside of Embiid, only Jokic could even make the argument that they're currently the best player on their given team so again I don't buy into the superlatives thrown around draft classes. Could it be a good draft or a deep draft? Sure, but I find the whole "best since..." or "greatest in..." labels to be a bit much.

Exactly, they were supposed to be franchise players, guys you build your team around. So far - they are not.

Precisely why you can count me out from actively tanking. It can cost you far more than you can gain for years to come.