2018 NBA Draft

[Justwar]

Trent reminds me of Aaron affalo, solid not great but good. Kennard and monk should not be mentioned together because they are nothing alike and nothing alike to Trent. He's one and done though. He was effectively replaced by barrett before he was on campus even.

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[No-Man]

Yeah Trent is leaving, he is gonna get to play a ton, hit shots at a good clip and as a wing with solid size for the 2 that isnt a total sieve on D he is gonna get picked in the 1st round.

[No-Man]

Duval thrives in space, really good transition passes and impressively smart off-ball, finding cuts and reading well how to get to the teeth of the defense even without the threat of shooting.

Of course better teams will play him for that and don't care about his shooting, his touch around the rim seemed okay-ish, can really stay in mid-air and create separation using his shoulder, real strong and long, great frame and a solid athlete, I liked his handle but it's not like he is DSJ or Fultz, he isn't that level of a threat off-the-dribble.

Overall, if someone teaches him how to shoot and if he doesnt float as much on D and is used for what he can do, switching, rebounding, blocking guys with his frame, etc, he can be a solid starter at the next level, but he needs to shoot it.

Reminded me of Bledsoe with some of his off-ball play, and George Hill at times while playing half-court sets, that type of reliable/patience without a ton of creativity unless he has space to eat.

[CalL]

I really prefer next year's draft over this year's draft, because in my opinion there is a lot more versatility at the top. This year's draft was dominated by guards, while next year's draft will be dominated by bigs, but in my opinion this year's non-guards are worse than next year's non-bigs will be (if that makes any sense ...).
In my opinion, if nothing dramatically changes in the next couple of months, the draft should look like this:
1-4: Porter, Bagley, Ayton, Doncic (in no particular order)
5: Bamba
6-12: Carter, Walker, Jackson, Bridges, Knox, Sexton, Trent (in no particular order)
13-14: Duval, Diallo (although i hope that another international player sneaks in here, most likely one out of Bonga/Pons/Kurucs/Hachimura/Musa)

[The Master]

I really prefer next year's draft over this year's draft, because in my opinion there is a lot more versatility at the top.

Don't know what Porter will show, but in this draft there are at least 3 players who would be favourites to be selected first in 2017 draft, and the depth of 2017 draft wasn't that great (still good) either.

[bigboi]

I really prefer next year's draft over this year's draft, because in my opinion there is a lot more versatility at the top.

Don't know what Porter will show, but in this draft there are at least 3 players who would be favourites to be selected first in 2017 draft, and the depth of 2017 draft wasn't that great (still good) either.

You sound ridiculous lmao

[The Master]

You sound ridiculous lmao

I don't think so.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/247995/NBA-Scout-Top-4-Prospects-In-2018-Would-Have-Each-Gone-No-1-In-2017

We can argue about it specifically, but I think this is scouts general perspective in this moment - if you wanted nice peace to your current team, 2017 NBA draft was great, if you want franchise player to build around him a team - 2018 draft is much better.

[juanc]

In what order would you rank the top5 guys when it comes to Athleticism, BBal IQ and skillset? And why?

The best pure athlete in the group imo is Ayton. He has a body that is made for basketball and everything that comes with it. On the 2nd place I would put Bagley. He is a great athlete, but there's just something missing.. Strenght for the C position, quickness for the PF position. Bamba is on my 3rd spot. He has great measurements, but wingspan just isn't everything for me.. 4th is Porter who just isn't in the same league as thr first three. Doncic comes at number 5, but I think that he isn't as bad as some of you think he is.

As for the skill and IQ I am not really sure since I have not watched enough of them..

[No-Man]

In what order would you rank the top5 guys when it comes to Athleticism, BBal IQ and skillset? And why?

The best pure athlete in the group imo is Ayton. He has a body that is made for basketball and everything that comes with it. On the 2nd place I would put Bagley. He is a great athlete, but there's just something missing.. Strenght for the C position, quickness for the PF position. Bamba is on my 3rd spot. He has great measurements, but wingspan just isn't everything for me.. 4th is Porter who just isn't in the same league as thr first three. Doncic comes at number 5, but I think that he isn't as bad as some of you think he is.

As for the skill and IQ I am not really sure since I have not watched enough of them..

In terms of functional athleticism for their position,

Ayton

Bagley

Porter/Bamba/Doncic

in terms of IQ

Doncic


Ayton

Porter/Bamba

Bagley

in terms of level of skills

Doncic

Porter/Ayton

Bagley

Bamba

If we are talking size/length for their position

Bamba/Ayton

Doncic/Porter

Bagley

And if we are talking frame

Ayton/Doncic

Porter/Bamba

Bagley

[doordoor123]

Catching up on games I missed:

6'7 Zac Seljaas from BYU is going to be a guy to track. Great 3 point shooter with good fluidity. He has quick twitch movements and is quick is a straight line. I expect he's only going to get better throughout the year.

6'4 Jaelan Sanford from Toledo also someone to track. Good passer, quick down the lane and a good defender. Good shooter too and great movement off-ball. This guy looks like a long time NBA player.

Oakland is really fun to watch. 6'3 Kendrick Nunn, transfer from Illinois is tearing it up. He averaged 29 points in exhibition play and had 36 in his first game. He also defends and passes.

[Duke4life831]

You sound ridiculous lmao

I don't think so.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/247995/NBA-Scout-Top-4-Prospects-In-2018-Would-Have-Each-Gone-No-1-In-2017

We can argue about it specifically, but I think this is scouts general perspective in this moment - if you wanted nice peace to your current team, 2017 NBA draft was great, if you want franchise player to build around him a team - 2018 draft is much better.

I think the your ridiculous comment was more towards your comment of the 2017 draft not having great depth. 2017 is looking like one of the most deepest drafts we have seen.

[doordoor123]

You sound ridiculous lmao

I don't think so.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/247995/NBA-Scout-Top-4-Prospects-In-2018-Would-Have-Each-Gone-No-1-In-2017

We can argue about it specifically, but I think this is scouts general perspective in this moment - if you wanted nice peace to your current team, 2017 NBA draft was great, if you want franchise player to build around him a team - 2018 draft is much better.

I think the your ridiculous comment was more towards your comment of the 2017 draft not having great depth. 2017 is looking like one of the most deepest drafts we have seen.

Think its way too early to judge the 2018 class.

[doordoor123]

I freaking love Hamidou Diallo. He's going to be a star. He constantly makes the right pass, he's always active, a great defender and he crashes the glass. I like him more than I liked Wiggins at this stage. Would take him top 5 for sure.

[Catchall]

Right now I'm going:

1. Ayton
2. Bamba

3. Doncic
4. Knox
5. Porter Jr
6. Bagley

As a Jazz fan, I'm a fan of Knox, but I'm higher on Porter's overall skill level than Knox's raw athleticism. I agree that Porter Jr. should play the 4. His skill set is ideal for a team-oriented and versatile scoring 4. I think he can do everything on offense and his athleticism and defensive potential are underrated a bit.

Bagley has a nice combination of size, length, athleticism and motor, but right now, his motor and aggressiveness is really the only thing that makes him a better prospect than, say, Marquese Chriss. He's quite raw, and his shooting touch is mediocre.

People compare Bamba's measurements to Rudy Gobert, and that's valid. However, Gobert has a rare competitive drive, motor and coordination for a player that size that I haven't seen in Bamba yet. I could see Bamba dropping out of the top 5 in favor of Jaren Jackson Jr. if Jackson shows he can score efficiently.

[EMG518]

I freaking love Hamidou Diallo. He's going to be a star. He constantly makes the right pass, he's always active, a great defender and he crashes the glass. I like him more than I liked Wiggins at this stage. Would take him top 5 for sure.

I don't see it

[GimmeDat]

I don't feel Diallo on that level, but I do really love what he brings to the table. The way the league is now his jump shot development is such a big variable in terms of his NBA projection though - could mean the difference between being a niche backup or a legit starter.

Don't dislike the form too much, he's got a bit of a hitch not unlike Josh Jacksons, looks more comfortable from mid-range than 3 at the moment, but obviously the results are a work in progress.

Ditto Duval, he's looking really nice but I hope he can improve his jumper and become a quality NBA player.

[No-Man]

Boy have only watched highlights of their two first games but NAW and Walker def look like the top of the class when IT comes to Guards, next to Brown and maybe Sexton

[reanimator]

I actually watched NAW and VT vs Detroit to check out Michigan transfer Kam Chatman and while I think NAW has 1&D potential, I wouldn't read into the box score as VT basically out athleted and ran it down Detroit's throat all game long and I imagine the same vs Citadel.

[yoyoboy]

I am so impressed by Ayton. When I watch Bagley get his 25/10 I'm not nearly as excited as the 19/13 Ayton just had. Ayton is just so skilled and was knocking down the midrange with confidence, his free throw stroke is good, and he's such a big body on defense and can extend so high to get the blocks. Also when he gets low post position he's so hard to stop because he's so overpowering and his touch around the basket is nice.

[doordoor123]

I don't feel Diallo on that level, but I do really love what he brings to the table. The way the league is now his jump shot development is such a big variable in terms of his NBA projection though - could mean the difference between being a niche backup or a legit starter.

Don't dislike the form too much, he's got a bit of a hitch not unlike Josh Jacksons, looks more comfortable from mid-range than 3 at the moment, but obviously the results are a work in progress.

Ditto Duval, he's looking really nice but I hope he can improve his jumper and become a quality NBA player.

In terms of projecting for the next level, Diallo is the prototypical wing to develop. He's a hawk on defense (but needs to gain weight) and he's physical (meaning handsy -- he uses his wingspan to feel out guys that are trying to screen him). I think he's going to be a great pick and roll defender.
He has a great body, but needs to gain weight. And he's super fluid. He might lack the first step Wiggins had, but he moves laterally so much better.
He might have a hitch in his shot, but he has a really nice arc to his shot. I don't think his shot is a big deal at 19 years old and it isn't ridiculously broken.
But wow, he has an excellent feel for the game and pretty good awareness (this has surprised me the most). He's also only aggressive when he needs to be.

Last year I really overvalued skill/wingspand and didn't consider how important physical athletes are in the NBA. True fluidity, speed, athleticism, quick twitch movement and the little things are really important. Strength too (see the Celtics entire roster). On offense feel is super important unless you're just a scorer. If you're not scoring, you need to help others score. Those guys that help others score get more opportunity because its attributed to +/-.

Diallo fits the formula for success really well for a 19 year old. Eventually I even see him shooting well off the dribble because he's super light side-stepping and creates a lot of separation.