NBA 2017 Draft Prospects Thread

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In 2nd round I really like Jonah Bolden. He did nothing at UCLA last year but this year overseas he has been great. He is a stretch 4 with great size and is a solid defender. If he had stayed at UCLA I think he would have broken out this year playing with Ball and would be a 1st rd pick.

Then of course there is Dillon Brooks who is projected as a 2nd rd pick in a lot of mocks but I think in the end he goes 1st rd. Maybe even to the jazz which I would be okay with.

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What are people saying about Terrance Ferguson? His shot is beautiful, nice and high on his release and flicks his wrist and off the fingertips like Ray Allen.

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With him being overseas there hasn't been much talk of him but I think Terrence Ross is a good comparison. Definitely a player we should look at if he is around when we pick. His upside is extremely high and I think he will end up being a really good 3pt shooter. In the end I would be surprised if he is around when we pick at 25 though because his upside is so high but every year gm's surprise me and let guys slip like Scal this last year.

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[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

In 2nd round I really like Jonah Bolden. He did nothing at UCLA last year but this year overseas he has been great. He is a stretch 4 with great size and is a solid defender. If he had stayed at UCLA I think he would have broken out this year playing with Ball and would be a 1st rd pick. RealGM mobile app

I was just coming in here to post about this guy. I'd love to get him.

Good body and solid skill set. Can defend the paint and moves well on the perimeter. Has a solid shot with potential to stretch it out to the 3. Good vision and passing abilities. Solid athleticism.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him go higher than most places are projecting. There's a lot to like about him.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

What are people saying about Terrance Ferguson? His shot is beautiful, nice and high on his release and flicks his wrist and off the fingertips like Ray Allen.

Has the athletic tools except he lacks size/strength right now. Seems to play hard. Doesn't have good handles though.

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What are people saying about Terrance Ferguson? His shot is beautiful, nice and high on his release and flicks his wrist and off the fingertips like Ray Allen.

Watch on YouTube

Haven't seen enough of him, but from what I'm hearing he's a shooting guard that can't shoot(or at the very least is extremely inconsistent). His athleticism pops on the highlights I've seen, but I don't know how much of it is functional in NBA-game situations. He will be a project for sure.

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A few opinions:

Luke Kennard would fit right into the Jazz's offense as another shooter and ball mover on the wing. He needs to learn how to defend though. Worth picking in the late first.

I think Hartenstein is going to be a beast in the league, like a combination of Steven Adams and Marc Gasol. He has that size and at least that level of athleticism to go along with a developing skill set at age 18.

I'm not as sold on Zach Collins as some others. By NBA standards, his size and athleticism appear mediocre for a PF/C. I get that he has high IQ and a pretty complete skillset.

The other Jazz fan board has really turned me on to Chimezie Metu from USC. He's got a ton of upside for the PF spot, a lot like Marquese Chriss last year, and he's developed quite a bit in the last year from being a pure dunker and rim runner to a guy who can play out on the floor and knock down some shots.

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I've said my piece on Hartenstein - he's a Cousins clone when it comes to attitude and behavior... with the exception that he's nowhere near as talented. Nobody will be taking his **** for long in the league.

Metu, as far as I know, will probably stay in school, he's interesting whenever he decides to declare.

I love Kennard's skill level and craftiness. There's so much Hayward in his game, it's unreal. It's spooky watching him and Hayward do the exact same moves step by step - the change of direction and change of speed mid-stride, the off-foot finishes, the drive and stop -> spin step back jumpers. The problem is... he's not as big and long and not as athletic as Hayward and his defense is atrocious. It might be worth it drafting him at the end of the first to see if we can develop him into a passable defender.

And here about my second round favorite, Aleksandar Vezenkov:

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Tell me that shooting stroke doesn't get you drooling. I have no idea if he will even be able to stay on the floor defensively and if Gobert would be able to mask his limitations, but for the price(second round pick), I feel like we can afford to take a chance. The kid is automatic from 3. He's having a 70% TS% season for Barcelona.

[KqWIN]

I think Vezenkov can definitely fill the Mirza/Mike Scott role. If he's a smart player he can be like Tolliver. How's his toughness? Are the defensive issues due to physical limitations or toughness, IQ, effort ect.

Nik Slavica is still my second round guy.

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I think Vezenkov can definitely fill the Mirza/Mike Scott role. If he's a smart player he can be like Tolliver. How's his toughness? Are the defensive issues due to physical limitations or toughness, IQ, effort ect.

Nik Slavica is still my second round guy.

Physical limitations. He's a smart team defender and plays with good level of physicality and effort. Just not the quickest or jumpiest of an athlete. He might be the worst athlete in the league if/when he comes over.
(at 9:15)

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Hartenstein is a Cousins clone? Really? His attitude is that bad?

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Hartenstein is a Cousins clone? Really? His attitude is that bad?

No, it's not nearly that bad. The kid is competitive and gets fired up. Fine by me. He has a high desire to be great. Super young and needs a good situation to develop in.

Also, Vezenkov is extremely skilled, but he's the worst athlete in this draft by a mile. He can't dunk to save his life and would be a huge liability on defense. He's also undersized.

Also, Kennard is a massive liability on defense and is undersized. I'm not sold on him. He's a very smart player and is an elite shooter, but I just don't know where he fits in on a team. Off the bench shooter? Fine, but could he play on the Jazz if he can't guard anyone? Will he be able to get his shot off against NBA athletes? I think Grayson Allen has a better outlook than he does.

Someone to keep an eye on in the second round: Malcolm Hill. I watched some tape on him recently and really liked what I saw. He'd be a great fit for a team off the bench. I think DraftExpress just slotted him into one our second round picks.

Another handful of guys to check out: Monte Morris, Jarom Blossomgame, Wesley Iwundu, Kostja Mushidi, Luke Kornet and Moses Kingsley (if he enters).

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Hartenstein is a Cousins clone? Really? His attitude is that bad?

No, it's not nearly that bad. The kid is competitive and gets fired up. Fine by me. He has a high desire to be great. Super young and needs a good situation to develop in.

Admittedly I haven't watched him as much as Cousins, but in both games I saw he was every bit as whiney, pouty, tantrum throwing of a cry baby that Cousins is. He also does the exact thing that Cousins does when he doesn't get his own on offense - don't go back on D. There was one case where he didn't get to finish an offensive possession and got pissed at his teammates and on purpose stopped playing D the next possession and gave up a walk in layup. Maybe I caught him in two consecutive bad games when it comes to his attitude but I somehow doubt it. BTW DX has the exact same concerns about him in their write up about him:

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2016-FIBA-U18-European-Championship-Scouting-Reports-Big-Men-5766/

Weaknesses: -Very reactive to his mistakes. Blames teammates outwardly. Taunts opponents. Body language goes south as soon as adversity strikes. Has a short fuse that he'll need to get a better handle on - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Isaiah-Hartenstein-81574/ ©DraftExpress

[KqWIN]

Vezenkov doesn't look that to be that bad of an athlete, granted I've only seen him in highlights. He seems to be able to move well at least, not clunky. The curious part of his profile is his extremely high 2P%. Not sure he can get away with anything close to that at the NBA level. Does anyone know where I can find his shot chart?

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Vezenkov doesn't look that to be that bad of an athlete, granted I've only seen him in highlights. He seems to be able to move well at least, not clunky.

He's very ground-bound. His movement is not awkward or clunky but he lacks burst and smooth change of direction and great lateral quickness. He is very smart though. Seems to anticipate opponent's moves well... just not sure that will be enough in the league. The other problem is that besides not being good vertical athlete, he also has below average length.

He actually reminds me a bit of Ingles when it comes to his athleticism on offense - below the rim, very crafty. Just... Jingles seems to have longer arms and even better instincts on D.

The curious part of his profile is his extremely high 2P%. Not sure he can get away with anything close to that at the NBA level. Does anyone know where I can find his shot chart?

Yeah, that's been an interesting development. It seems like about half of his FGAs come from 3 and the other half inside. For him to get 60% 2pFG%, he needs to be pretty good from wherever he shots. One thing one cannot deny is just how crafty and skilled he is. I guess he's had to be in order to overcome his ground-bound game. When he was in Aris he was a versatile scorer - catch and shoot 3s, a little off the dribble, attacking closeouts, a little post ups(he was starting to perfect the turn around jumper from the post), a little on drives. He now seems more limited in his role, more of a role player for Barcelona, although, he still gets about 17-18 points per 40.

[KqWIN]

Vezenkov doesn't look that to be that bad of an athlete, granted I've only seen him in highlights. He seems to be able to move well at least, not clunky.

He's very ground-bound. His movement is not awkward or clunky but he lacks burst and smooth change of direction and great lateral quickness. He is very smart though. Seems to anticipate opponent's moves well... just not sure that will be enough in the league. The other problem is that besides not being good vertical athlete, he also has below average length.

He actually reminds me a bit of Ingles when it comes to his athleticism on offense - below the rim, very crafty. Just... Jingles seems to have longer arms and even better instincts on D.

I was about to mention Ingles. No one is going to mistake Joe for a high flier or speed demon, but he moves very well. I bet it has something to do with his footwork. Nothing about his game is fast, but it is efficient. He takes one step where someone like Alec might take 3 steps. That's the same impression I get from seeing Vezenkov. Some of these ground bound players are just more effective than guys with raw athleticism because their mechanics are better.

I'm in on him. Definitely worthy of being drafted.

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Maybe I missed it if discussed but after striking gold with gobert why not go back for more?

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Maybe I missed it if discussed but after striking gold with gobert why not go back for more?

the other skinny big kid? or Alpha?

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Maybe I missed it if discussed but after striking gold with gobert why not go back for more?

the other skinny big kid? or Alpha?

Jeanne is very unique. Having him play close to gobert in the d league next year would be great for him.

If favs is on the move then a look at swanigan and lessort makes sense.

Jeanne could be a back up stretch 5 or best case scenario he could play next to gobert down the road. If you have Exum at the one that's a feakishly long team.

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Oh and Monte Morris in the 2nd works for me with the pg situation up in the air. He does not turn the ball over and can provide spacing off the ball.