Draft Discussion Part 3

[Saberestar]

Thinking about that Fultz's rumor, a fair trade for both sides can be Cauley-Stein, #10 and #5 for Fultz.

The Celtics need a rim protector agile enough to switch on the perimeter, and WCS is perfect at that.

At #5 they can take another big time prospect like Tatum or Isaac. At #10 they can get a big for their bench (Collins or Markkanen).

[MrMiyagi]

Thinking about that Fultz's rumor, a fair trade for both sides can be Cauley-Stein, #10 and #5 for Fultz.

The Celtics need a rim protector agile enough to switch on the perimeter, and WCS is perfect at that.

At #5 they can take another big time prospect like Tatum or Isaac. At #10 they can get a big for their bench (Collins or Markkanen).

Honestly, I think that's the best move for them, but I also think that Isaiah Thomas would be rather upset not to play with his fellow Husky.

[Frank Lee]

Smith is my sleeper

Who's your big sleeper at #32 ? 50 whatever ?


I'll take Peter Jok with the last one. He was working out in Phnx of all places. I dont know at 32 .... but the late picks are where McD needs to find some pink hearts, yellow moons, and green clovers.

PS... just read up more on Jok...eeeeh may be not so much. Sure has a good highlight film though

Dang Frank......I normally don't look at prospects that are not highly touted (top 25), however, I'll take a look at Jok.

Jok was a flat out baller in the big ten.... tough kid from the Sudan I think, great story. But he doesn't grade that well athletically/physically, and doesn't even rate a look see from NBADraft or Draftexpress....hmmm. Good scorer, bad moped driver.

I like these dudes... PJ Dozier, Jonah Bolden, Monte Morris as Future Prescott residents.


all these rumors swirling about. We speculators imagine 3 to 4 trades draft day... and there will probably be none.

[JoRain]

If I remember correctly, if Suns keep their pics as they are, they said they plan to go for stash player with one of their 2nd rounders. So I think deeper look at Euro prospects is in order here.

[MathiasPW]

Thinking about that Fultz's rumor, a fair trade for both sides can be Cauley-Stein, #10 and #5 for Fultz.

The Celtics need a rim protector agile enough to switch on the perimeter, and WCS is perfect at that.

At #5 they can take another big time prospect like Tatum or Isaac. At #10 they can get a big for their bench (Collins or Markkanen).

Honestly, I think that's the best move for them, but I also think that Isaiah Thomas would be rather upset not to play with his fellow Husky.

don´t think Celtics are stockpiling even more draft picks, though. If they canflip #1 for WCS, #5 and #10, they probably keep WCS and flip the other two (plus fillers if needed) for Butler.

[Qwigglez]

Thinking about that Fultz's rumor, a fair trade for both sides can be Cauley-Stein, #10 and #5 for Fultz.

The Celtics need a rim protector agile enough to switch on the perimeter, and WCS is perfect at that.

At #5 they can take another big time prospect like Tatum or Isaac. At #10 they can get a big for their bench (Collins or Markkanen).

Eff that noise, trade Bledsoe for #9, then trade #4 and #9 for #1 and draft Fultz. Would be my dream come true.

[JMac1]

Thinking about that Fultz's rumor, a fair trade for both sides can be Cauley-Stein, #10 and #5 for Fultz.

The Celtics need a rim protector agile enough to switch on the perimeter, and WCS is perfect at that.

At #5 they can take another big time prospect like Tatum or Isaac. At #10 they can get a big for their bench (Collins or Markkanen).

Eff that noise, trade Bledsoe for #9, then trade #4 and #9 for #1 and draft Fultz. Would be my dream come true.

I think that's too much. I really don't see Fultz as a can't miss. I don't see anybody as a can't miss. Just because someone has the number one pick doesn't mean it is going to be the best player. I think teams are playing games (agents too) just to try to build value for their pick. I would love to have 5 and 10 over 1-4...... All day long. Especially if someone like Fox or DSJ gets picked top four.

Sac gets 1 of Ball Fox Fultz Tatum Jackson.....Monk and Lauri or Monk or Collins.....

There is no way you can tell me Fultz alone is for sure better than Tatum and Collins.

I think people are calling the Kings.

If we (wasn't in PHX then) voted for King Holiday back in the early 90's we'd have the number 1 and 4 picks this year.....


Fultz and Tatum to go with Booker, but the evil basketball gods put a hex on McD's thinking and had him trade for Knight and moved us back 2 spots instead of up 1.

[MrMiyagi]

Thinking about that Fultz's rumor, a fair trade for both sides can be Cauley-Stein, #10 and #5 for Fultz.

The Celtics need a rim protector agile enough to switch on the perimeter, and WCS is perfect at that.

At #5 they can take another big time prospect like Tatum or Isaac. At #10 they can get a big for their bench (Collins or Markkanen).

Eff that noise, trade Bledsoe for #9, then trade #4 and #9 for #1 and draft Fultz. Would be my dream come true.

Honestly, I'd rather have the two picks than Fultz.

[Qwigglez]

Fultz looks like he can make an immediate impact coming into the league. I think he has a mixture of John Wall and Damian Lillard in him. I think him and Ben Simmons would win co-rookie of the year. This is all assuming the Suns traded for him because he won't get the playing time with the Celtics. Trading for Fultz would solidify our core going forward and mean the Suns are content with Warren being our starter.
I would be very happy going into next season with Fultz/Booker/Warren/Bender/Chriss as our starting five. I think I would even go as far as even trading the 2018 Miami pick along with Bledsoe to get Fultz. Just the thought of a Fultz/Booker backcourt reminds me of Lillard/McCollum except better. Oh and hopefully a better supporting cast.

Anyway, I know a lot of you may not agree, and I'm fine with that. My opinion though is Fultz is the next big PG coming into the league.

[King4Day]

The idea of that Celtics/Kings trade really does make sense. The C's can add many young pieces AND keep Thomas around long term. The Kings get their star to build around and put butts in seats.
If he really is going to work out for the Kings, then I truly believe that trade will happen. No reason to waste his time otherwise. I'd go as far to say, we could hear a deal announced early next week if the Kings like what they see.

[Qwigglez]

The idea of that Celtics/Kings trade really does make sense. The C's can add many young pieces AND keep Thomas around long term. The Kings get their star to build around and put butts in seats.
If he really is going to work out for the Kings, then I truly believe that trade will happen. No reason to waste his time otherwise. I'd go as far to say, we could hear a deal announced early next week if the Kings like what they see.

It would have to wait til draft day because I'm sure the Celtics would want to make sure their prospects would be there at 5/10.

[King4Day]

The idea of that Celtics/Kings trade really does make sense. The C's can add many young pieces AND keep Thomas around long term. The Kings get their star to build around and put butts in seats.
If he really is going to work out for the Kings, then I truly believe that trade will happen. No reason to waste his time otherwise. I'd go as far to say, we could hear a deal announced early next week if the Kings like what they see.

It would have to wait til draft day because I'm sure the Celtics would want to make sure their prospects would be there at 5/10.

Good call. They prob want Tatum.

[Mulhollanddrive]

This Finals series show that great teams are 90% their best 3-4 players.

Load up as much in whatever package to get Fultz to go along with Booker, get a DPOTY type as the 3rd and we're good until 2030.

[jcsunsfan]

Celtics supposed working out Smith and Sac working out Fultz. Hmmm.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Celtics supposed working out Smith and Sac working out Fultz. Hmmm.

I guess that means there are talks.

Has any team been as quiet as us? I'm under the impression that our main goal at this point is to be entirely unreadable. I have no idea if we have a target other than Ball. Hell, we may be trying to use Ball as a smokescreen - or even using the idea of using Ball as a smokescreen, as a smokescreen!

[taj2133]

it look like ball didn't close door or impress the lakers to pick him or might still pick him
L.A. Lakers Not Entirely Sold on Lonzo Ball, Holding out Hope for Markelle Fultz
KEVIN DING
JUNE 9, 2017
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 07: NBA Prospect Lonzo Ball sits down after a workout with the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Sports Center on June 7, 2017 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Lonzo Ball was fine.

He was humble and respectful in conversation over meals.

He shot the ball well on the court.

He very well might be the Los Angeles Lakers’ draft pick in two weeks’ time.

Yet Ball also didn’t blow the Lakers away or seal any deal in the time he spent with their officials Tuesday and Wednesday, according to sources.

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 07: NBA Prospect Lonzo Ball speaks with the media after a workout with the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Sports Center on June 7, 2017 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The Lakers remain intrigued by Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson, and to a lesser extent De'Aaron Fox, along with Ball for their No. 2 overall pick.

They are hopeful they can get Fultz in for a workout despite speculation that he would work out only for the Boston Celtics, who hold the No. 1 overall pick. Lakers officials just went to meet and scout Jackson in Sacramento on Thursday, and Fox is coming in to see the Lakers on Tuesday.


Ball didn’t separate himself clearly from the pack. The thing is, he never was going to do that in a one-on-none workout format that gave him no one to find with a dynamic hit-ahead pass in transition or a perfectly timed bounce pass for a basket cutter.

Ball met with reporters after his Wednesday workout at the Lakers facility and cited all the shooting he did, and that was because there wasn’t much else for him to do in that format. Further evaluation of his pick-and-roll game or defensive capability wasn’t possible—same as it wasn’t possible to become even more smitten with his passing skills.

Jackson’s workout Thursday was also one-on-none and focused on addressing concerns about his shot. It remains to be seen whether Ball or any of the top prospects allow themselves to be tested in more stressful workouts in their second visits with the Lakers, assuming they have them.


Orlin Wagner/Associated Press
Given that the Lakers have no consensus on their preference yet, daring to go into a three-on-three format to see Jackson’s fierce competitiveness head-to-head, for example, would be valuable intel and could affect the Lakers’ thinking.

For now, the Lakers at least have a better idea of who these four young men are.

They met with Fultz, the most advanced scorer available, and Fox, a rare speed demon, at the NBA Draft Combine last month. This week they’ve gotten to chat with Ball, whose best quality is setting up teammates, and Jackson, a four-position defensive monster.

A quiet and reserved Ball reinforced to the Lakers how different he is from his attention-seeking father, LaVar. Jackson is a go-getter with a clear killer instinct. Fultz aspires to be the best ever. Fox exudes an authentic confidence.


New Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson has been involved at every step of the predraft process, including stepping in during workouts to ask prospects to do something on the spot that he believes is important to see. Johnson, general manager Rob Pelinka and coach Luke Walton had dinner with Ball on Tuesday night. Ball then had lunch with Lakers owners Jeanie, Joey and Jesse Buss on Wednesday.

Five of the aforementioned Lakers basketball decision-makers, not including Jeanie, went to see Jackson on Thursday.

Jackson is the only forward among the four, but the Lakers are not expected to decide based on position. The organizational goal is to get to a point where the team is playing largely positionless basketball the way Walton’s former team, the Golden State Warriors, do—with current youngsters Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson all already capable of bringing the ball up the floor.

Ball raised some eyebrows by saying the Lakers "need a leader, a point guard, and I feel that I can bring that to the team"—potentially a slight to Russell.

However, the Lakers view Russell as a combo guard, and Walton played him primarily at shooting guard late last season.

The NBA draft is June 22.

Kevin Ding is NBA senior writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @KevinDing.
COMMENTS
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2714648-lonzo-ball-may-be-a-star-but-los-angeles-lakers-have-questions-ahead-of-draft

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Not sure who this guy is but supposedly it's good info on many prospects

https://sethsdrafthouse.com/finch-returns-to-dish-on-nba-prospects-fa57b7c494ef

Confirms a lot of my impressions - that Jordan Bell should go mid-first (not that he will), that DSJ is a terrifying selection, that Josh Jackson could be Corey Brewer, and that Tatum should go no lower than #4.

I've been moving back toward Tatum as BPA. My concern has been and remains TJ - I don't think you can fit Tatum and TJ on this roster without killing DJJ's and Bender's development.

[JoRain]

Not sure who this guy is but supposedly it's good info on many prospects

https://sethsdrafthouse.com/finch-returns-to-dish-on-nba-prospects-fa57b7c494ef

Confirms a lot of my impressions - that Jordan Bell should go mid-first (not that he will), that DSJ is a terrifying selection, that Josh Jackson could be Corey Brewer, and that Tatum should go no lower than #4.

I've been moving back toward Tatum as BPA. My concern has been and remains TJ - I don't think you can fit Tatum and TJ on this roster without killing DJJ's and Bender's development.

got similar impressions from that. Feel a little better about Ball if he drops and still don't like Isaac. But if Tatum can become anything close to Melo without the mental glitch, that's a perennial all star. you just can't pass that up. Also, don't feel as bad about him stifling development of TJ and DJJ - I think DJJ has the defensive and athletic ability to play 2 behind booker at times and with Tatum, TJ, Bender, Chriss and maybe Len, that's 5 players to man 3 positions all of whom (except Len) are versatile enough to play multiple positions - plenty of minutes there.

[Fat]

Who you guys want the most at 4?

[NTB]

Who you guys want the most at 4?

JJ if available, if not then Isaac.