Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[kg01]

On the offensive end though, Ayton looks amazing. He looks just like KG in high school, with his quickness, control, balance, athleticism and awareness. It's not really fair of me to say this, and compare him to an all time great like Hakeems, but watching Ayton on the offensive end and his smoothness, just reminds me of Hakeems' smoothness.

And he's only 19. He's the only true 2-way player IN THE TOP 5.

He's rumored to not be truly hungry and have a questionable work ethic. Those are the only reasons he isn't universally ranked #1.

Hopefully that changes at Arizona now that he's rated behind Bagley and the Euro kid.

I'm curious to see if there's some disruption in their coaching staff (based on the FBI stuff) and how he responds to it. If work ethic is an issue, he'll likely go into the ol' 'gettin' ready for the draft' tank at some point and it'll be obvious in his play.

[Jamaaliver]

^ I would also add Wendell Carter to the list. He is #2 on my early board. He looks like a Budz' player. And pair perfectly with Collins. He is an above average athletic center with a jump shot. He kind of reminds me of DeMarcus Cousins in high school.

Somebody here or some article somewhere they likened Wendell Carter to Al Horford? Is he more of a Horford or a Cousins?

Wendell Carter (Duke, PF/C)

NBA comparison: Al Horford


Physical tools/athleticism
At 6'10", 259 pounds, Wendell Carter has a similar shape and (average) athleticism as Al Horford (6'10", 245 lbs), who's starred for years despite lacking highlight-reel bounce. With good size and feet, Carter should be interchangeable between the 4 or 5 like Horford.

Simple skill set
Horford was always rock-solid for mastering a simplified skill set. Back-to-the-basket moves, short corner face-ups, mid-range jumpers—that's Carter's game. Nothing about it is overly flashy. Carter shows sound back-to-the-basket footwork and the agility to face up and make a quick move. And his jumper looks soft and promising.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

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The appeal with Brown is based in his physical tools. He’s 6’5″ in shoes with a wingspan that eclipses 6’8″ and strength that should translate immediately to the NBA level. He’s already strong enough to guard 1-3 professionally, and could bring even more versatility down the line.

Being a strong defender and plus athlete already gives Brown a solid floor moving forward, which makes his offensive potential all the more appealing.

Brown also boasts plenty of upside as a playmaker. He’s more traditionally labeled as a 2-guard, but makes quality reads in the pick-and-roll, as well as in transition. His ability to attack in transition with the same ferocity he shows driving the lane is rare, but having the awareness needed to make the right passes while doing is even more impressive.

Getting the ball in Brown’s hands and allowing him to get out and push the pace is the recipe for success, both individually and with whichever team he’s on.

Reminds me a bit of Avery Bradley minus the 3-pt shot. Could be worth a look.

[Spud2nique]

^ I would also add Wendell Carter to the list. He is #2 on my early board. He looks like a Budz' player. And pair perfectly with Collins. He is an above average athletic center with a jump shot. He kind of reminds me of DeMarcus Cousins in high school.

Somebody here or some article somewhere they likened Wendell Carter to Al Horford? Is he more of a Horford or a Cousins?

Wendell Carter (Duke, PF/C)

NBA comparison: Al Horford


Physical tools/athleticism
At 6'10", 259 pounds, Wendell Carter has a similar shape and (average) athleticism as Al Horford (6'10", 245 lbs), who's starred for years despite lacking highlight-reel bounce. With good size and feet, Carter should be interchangeable between the 4 or 5 like Horford.

Simple skill set
Horford was always rock-solid for mastering a simplified skill set. Back-to-the-basket moves, short corner face-ups, mid-range jumpers—that's Carter's game. Nothing about it is overly flashy. Carter shows sound back-to-the-basket footwork and the agility to face up and make a quick move. And his jumper looks soft and promising.

Bleacher Report

That's it! That's where I read it

[ATL Boy]

^ I would also add Wendell Carter to the list. He is #2 on my early board. He looks like a Budz' player. And pair perfectly with Collins. He is an above average athletic center with a jump shot. He kind of reminds me of DeMarcus Cousins in high school.

Indeed...Also Bridges from Michigan State. I guess that makes it a top 7, but still love a top 5, top 3, top 2 pick.

Ps Somebody here or some article somewhere they liked Wendell Carter to Al Horford? Is he more of a Horford or a Cousins?

Hmm, so is he someone who will bolt to our conference rival after his contract is up or will he stay loyal to us, even to a fault (I think Cousins was insanely loyal to the most dysfunctional franchise in the NBA)?

[atlantabbq99]

^ I would also add Wendell Carter to the list. He is #2 on my early board. He looks like a Budz' player. And pair perfectly with Collins. He is an above average athletic center with a jump shot. He kind of reminds me of DeMarcus Cousins in high school.

Indeed...Also Bridges from Michigan State. I guess that makes it a top 7, but still love a top 5, top 3, top 2 pick.

Ps Somebody here or some article somewhere they liked Wendell Carter to Al Horford? Is he more of a Horford or a Cousins?

To me Cousins and Horford are similar players, the difference between the two is that Horford id 240lbs and Cousins is 300lbs. Both guys are athletic with good touch, the biggest difference between the two is that when Horford tries to post somebody up and back him down, he ends up losing and ends up taking a runner or fade away jump shot but at 300lbs, when Cousins is in the post and backs somebody down, he usually wins and ends up a foot away from the basket.

Wendell Carter as a high school senior is already listed at 270lbs, i don't know if this is true, but when you watch him on film, he is defiantly not a "skinny Brandon Ingram" high schooler, Wendell looks like a defensive end.

If Wendell can keep getting stronger and get a playing weight of 280-290lbs, i think he can become an all star caliber NBA player.

[Jamaaliver]

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Doncic continues making his case to be top pick next summer. He's had a pretty great 2017.

I think he meshes best with Collins on the court.

I think Ayton is purely the most talented.

I think Porter would have the biggest impact on this team because of his shooting ability.

But Bagley seems like a duplication of John Collins on the court. Bagley just seems like a more talented JC Kid.

[Jamaaliver]

This is a great, deep dive very early in the evaluation process:

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[Spud2nique]

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Doncic continues making his case to be top pick next summer. He's had a pretty great 2017.

I think he meshes best with Collins on the court.

I think Ayton is purely the most talented.

I think Porter would have the biggest impact on this team because of his shooting ability.

But Bagley seems like a duplication of John Collins on the court. Bagley just seems like a more talented JC Kid.

I told you...you will always return to Doncic. Lol. I think he's the next huge star in the NBA to Coke from Europe. In the mold of Drazen but more of a playmaker and not as good a shooter..(but not many were or are).

Top 5 or bust!!!!

[Jamaaliver]

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Doncic continues making his case to be top pick next summer. He's had a pretty great 2017.

I think he meshes best with Collins on the court.

I told you...you will always return to Doncic.

Top 5 or bust!!!!

This is the concern.

He is sooooo slow.

[Spud2nique]

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Doncic continues making his case to be top pick next summer. He's had a pretty great 2017.

I think he meshes best with Collins on the court.

I told you...you will always return to Doncic.

Top 5 or bust!!!!

This is the concern.

He is sooooo slow.

Slow n steady wins the race..

[tbhawksfan1]

Doncic will have to really impress this season to go over the bigs. Think Hawks need to be thinking upside as this will take time. If Ayton has as good a season as the other top guys, he's my choice. A real big with those moves, shot, strong and athleticism........

[Jamaaliver]

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So is there anyone in this draft capable of going toe-to-toe with Giannis in the years to come?

I'm thinking Bagley, Ayton and Bamba. Maybe.

If we have to go through Giannis in five years, do we have a chance with this core plus a single lottery draftee?


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[atlantabbq99]

I'm skeptical of Michael Porter, and as for now, I wouldn't want the Hawks to draft him.

People have compared him to Joe Johnson, which is a scary comparison if you're a Hawks fan

He is not as athletic as Lebron
He is not as long as Durant or Giannis
He is not a shooter like Curry

Based on what I have seen, Porter looks like to have a ceiling of Carmelo or Paul Pierce or Antwan Jamison to me, and a floor of Michael Beasley or Marvin Williams.

I'll be watching Porter alot this year, and my opinion on him could change if he has a stellar freshmen year. My bench mark for him will be Durant's freshmen year in Texas and shooting over 40% from three.

[atlantabbq99]

Doncic will have to really impress this season to go over the bigs. Think Hawks need to be thinking upside as this will take time. If Ayton has as good a season as the other top guys, he's my choice. A real big with those moves, shot, strong and athleticism........

You're right. Doncic is a white shooting guard in a draft full of talented 7 footers. The only way i'm drafting Doncic is if i'm for sure that he will be the next Klay Thompson or better.

It will hurt alot if Hawks take Doncic and he turns to be another Mario Hezonja, and passed up on guys like Ayton, Wendell, or Bagley

[Jamaaliver]

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________________________________________________________________________________________________

Doncic is a white shooting guard in a draft full of talented 7 footers.

Just a suggestion. But you should edit/remove this.


It's poor taste and equating race with talent/athleticism is a slippery slope.

Spoiler:

This is no better than Ferry repeating, "He has a little African in him" as far as I'm concerned.

[Jamaaliver]

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Production
What’s even more astounding is how efficient he’s been as well. In seven games currently on Sports Reference, between the Spanish league and EuroLeague, Doncic is averaging 15.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game shooting 50 percent from the field and over 81 percent from the free throw line. He’s doing all that despite shooting just 32 percent from 3.

That’s an interesting number for Doncic because between his free throw numbers and his ability to hit pull-up 3s, there shouldn’t be that much concern about the jumper. And yet, there’s that below-average 32 percent. We’ll have to see what it looks like in a few months time. On a per-36 basis, Doncic’s numbers pop even more: 21.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists.



Vision
Doncic is one of those players, even at 18, who the game just seems to come naturally to. The 6’8″ forward may one day be able to run an offense, at least out of the pick-and-roll, because of his size, feel and vision.

He makes passes that only generational talents flashed at that age. We’re talking Ben Simmons, LeBron James vision here. Adding more scoring to his passing and tough rebounding is developing his reputation more and more into a player with very few weaknesses. That’s been evident as he’s taken over the EuroLeague.

[Jamaaliver]

Updated big board from Bleacher Report:

1. Luka Doncic (Slovenia, PG/SG, 1999)

Luka Doncic is leading it [Eurobasket] scoring, averaging 24.0 points to go along with 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists through four games, which has helped Real Madrid get off to a 4-0 start.

No one as young as Doncic has ever consistently filled up box scores and beat pros, including NBA players such as Kristaps Porzingis and the Gasol and Hernangomez brothers, at EuroBasket.

Doncic can't match the NCAA stars' explosiveness or bounce, but his success against tougher competition than college is too convincing. Between his tools, versatility, IQ and track record, he'll have a strong No. 1 overall case by June.

2. DeAndre Ayton (Arizona, C, Freshman)

Ayton looks like a legitimate No. 1 overall talent with monster tools (7'1", 250 lbs, 7'5 ½" wingspan) and developing versatility today's NBA values. Back-to-the-basket scoring, mid-range shooting, three-point range—the Bahamian center flashed the same package of skills and fluidity that helped Karl-Anthony Towns rise atop the 2015 board.

A potential volume rebounder with defensive upside in rim protection, Ayton comes off as a full-package, two-way stretch 5.

[Jamaaliver]

A few prospects I really like:

3. Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri, SF/PF, Freshman)

Bank on plenty of 20-plus-point efforts from Michael Porter Jr. at Missouri.

NBA teams will ultimately look at Porter as a potential top option. At 6'10", he's unique and attractive for his size and perimeter scoring skills. Porter has a smooth shooting stroke with three-point range and the valuable ability to create, separate and knock down pull-ups or runners off the dribble.

Between his size and athleticism, he's also a good bet for multiple easy buckets at the rim every game.

Bleacher Report


If we keep Bud and draft this kid, we'd finally have a player capable of efficiently throwing up 25+ points every night.

This kid has face of the franchise written all over him.

NOTE: Pro comparison most often cited is Durant. This might be too high to aim for. His floor seems somewhere around a healthy Danilo Gallinari. His ceiling is a more athletic Dirk Nowitzki.

[Jamaaliver]

...I think we need a wing (subject to change) that can handle and give us some offense off the dribble - who fits that mold?

After some solid showings during Duke's exhibition season, Gary Trent is now considered a top 20 pick. Here's the low down on him and a couple of other wings:

14. Gary Trent Jr. (Duke, SG, Freshman)

There were initially questions about Gary Trent Jr.'s early role, but Trent started (15 points) during Duke's exhibition game against Northwest Missouri. And it seemed pretty obvious he's ready to play a big role for the Blue Devils right away.

A pure scorer, Trent is already dangerous around the perimeter with his three-ball and ability to separate and shoot off the dribble. And he'll find ways to convert off improvisation using unconventional runners around the key.

He'll have to avoid stopping ball movement, taking bad shots and going through prolonged slumps. But Trent will draw NBA interest for his scoring and shot-making, assuming he's consistent and productive enough after one year at Duke. It wouldn't be shocking if Trent stayed for two seasons.

^The kid is raw and years away from being NBA ready, but he fits the bill. Likely best suited as a 6th man. He profiles as a Jamal Crawford, Monta Ellis scorer.

16. Bruce Brown Jr. (Miami, SG, Sophomore)

Bruce Brown Jr. figures to be one of the ACC's top producers as a sophomore, having already shown he can score 30 points against North Carolina and 25 against Duke.

From a scouting perspective, on one hand, Brown packs 6'5" size, athleticism and combo-guard versatility with the ability to attack, catch fire and take over or make plays for teammates (3.2 assists per game). He can be a pest defensively with his quickness and competitive edge (1.5 steals).

Brown will have the chance to rise Donovan Mitchell-style if he can improve his three-ball and lead Miami to wins as a reliable No. 1 option.

^Defensive combo-guard. Think Avery Bradley/Wes Mathews with a questionable three point shot.

7. Lonnie Walker IV (Miami, SG, Freshman)

Lonnie Walker IV is set for a significant role in Miami.

His stock rose last April after he scored 19 points at the Jordan Brand Classic. Walker passes the NBA eye test with 6'4", 192-pound size, an impressive 6'10 ½" wingspan and plenty of athleticism.

He'll enter the one-and-done discussion with a smooth three-ball, slashing ability and defensive tools that point to two-way potential. Walker could wind up staying another year, instead looking to crack the top 10 in 2019.

^Profiles as a stud. His floor is KCP/Gary Harris. His ceiling...