2018 NBA Draft Thread

[LuessiT]

Jarren Jackson is going top 5, which will make it interesting who drops.

Why are you so confident about that? He's a great college shot-blocker, but so are a lot of guys who never made it in the NBA. He has lots of potential but also seems like he's a long way from being ready to play at a high level in the NBA.

He looks like an elite defensive 4/5 hybrid combined with a developed outside shot. Excellent footwork on the defensive end, has no issues at all switching on guards and has lockdown potential on the perimeter. Incredible shot-blocking instincts combined with a decent athletic foundation, great measurements and a developing frame. He's quite foul prone right now, but mostly due to being overagressive and not mature enough (who could blame him, he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft).
On offense his shot is going in. The release point is a bit low, but as a big he's going to get it off. He also has potential as a roll man and can play on the perimeter due to his surprisingly good handling and passing ability. He's going to be able to attack closeouts with time and is a plus finisher at the rim.

He's the prototype every team is looking for in bigs.

[Profound23]

I believe this is going to be one of the best drafts in a long time.

Any of the players listed along with Trae Young and Jackson could be difference makers. A couple will be busts, a couple will become average role players, but I feel at least three of these guys end being stars.

[tydett]

Young doesn't have the quick first step needed to be an NBA guard. Put me down on 12/31/2017 as saying he busts.

[emunney]

If Young busts, it'll be unprecedented. He's having the best freshman season of any point guard in NCAA history. Dude just had 39 and 14 to hang the first L on a top 10 team. He's peerless in the NCAA and he's a 6-2 freshman with average athleticism. Never seen anything like it.

If you look at ALL qualifying NCAA freshman since 1992-1993, Young is tops in both points per game AND assists per game. If you look at all qualifying NCAA players, all classes, in the same time frame, he's 1st in assists and 5th in scoring! All with extremely high efficiency metrics, getting to the line almost 10x/game, close to 2 steals, AND in ~32 minutes.

I completely understand the concerns about him from a physical perspective but I at this point am a true believer. He's can't miss. After a period of adjustment, he's going to shred NBA defenses. He's too skilled and too poised. So much so that he defies comparison.

[Ron Swanson]

Can't miss as in he'll be an NBA starter/fringe All-Star caliber player for a decade plus? Sure, I could buy that. I'm much more skeptical about his potential to approach Curry/Paul levels as the inevitable comparisons from overzealous scouts and fans will surface.

[Badgerlander]

Zhaire Smith and Anfernee McLemore have some stupid bounce

[M-C-G]

After watching ONE highlight video on Trae Young, I'm not sure how much of that game will translate until he gets way, way, way stronger or faster. I think him shooting so deep in that TCU game (and I'll assume that is something he does frequently) creates a lot of open looks for AST where his vision seemed to be good and his passing was okay. Interesting player, will try to watch in a real game.

[Badgerlander]

Read on Twitter

[emunney]

I don't know where you guys get that he's not strong and quick.

[SirChurros]

Young right now looks better than Steph ever did in college and is playing a higher level of competition consistently. Not sure why anyone would doubt whether or not it can translate at this point. Granted, it has only been 13 games.

[M-C-G]

I don't know where you guys get that he's not strong and quick.

Probably the 170 lb frame which I question if he is even that, coupled with, he didn't look quick at all to me, more smart. But I also admitted to watching one highlight video of him. I'd suspect if I go look up scouting reports, I will see plenty of "needs strength" and "marginal/subpar speed". We'll see though.

[ReginaldDwight]

Maybe we need to see him vs a Chair?

[Gianstoppable]

Admittedly I havent watched much Marquette basketball but is Markus Howard as legit as his stats? Hasnt missed a free throw (45 attempts) was 89% last year. Shot 55% from 3 last year on 150 attempts. Shooting over 40% this year on 9 attempts a game. I know hes not really athletic but hes smart and is a knock down shooter. Is he a 2nd rounder, better? Or a guy who needs to prove himself more? I've seen guys with much less counting stats get drafted over potential that this kid is putting up. Hes only 6' with a 6' wingspan though, so not Bucks DNA

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Admittedly I havent watched much Marquette basketball but is Markus Howard as legit as his stats? Hasnt missed a free throw (45 attempts) was 89% last year. Shot 55% from 3 last year on 150 attempts. Shooting over 40% this year on 9 attempts a game. I know hes not really athletic but hes smart and is a knock down shooter. Is he a 2nd rounder, better? Or a guy who needs to prove himself more? I've seen guys with much less counting stats get drafted over potential that this kid is putting up. Hes only 6' with a 6' wingspan though, so not Bucks DNA

I think it comes down to the tournament. If he averages 25 in the tourney and shoots 50% from three, it would be hard for teams in late first round not try to snag him early. He won't ever be stud but could be a good value scorer off the bench.

[Ron Swanson]

The quickness is less of a concern to me because he's got a great handle, and if you have good enough handles then you aren't gonna have a problem blowing by guys in the NBA even if you aren't a John Wall or Eric Bledsoe type athlete. But strength is absolutely gonna be an issue with Young until he works on it. He looks like he's maybe 160 soaking wet.

[emunney]

He's got a lot more functional basketball strength than most college guards. He plays through contact and pins guys on his hip off the dribble as much as anybody. He's not Brogdon but he's solid.

[Nowak008]

If Young busts, it'll be unprecedented. He's having the best freshman season of any point guard in NCAA history. Dude just had 39 and 14 to hang the first L on a top 10 team. He's peerless in the NCAA and he's a 6-2 freshman with average athleticism. Never seen anything like it.

If you look at ALL qualifying NCAA freshman since 1992-1993, Young is tops in both points per game AND assists per game. If you look at all qualifying NCAA players, all classes, in the same time frame, he's 1st in assists and 5th in scoring! All with extremely high efficiency metrics, getting to the line almost 10x/game, close to 2 steals, AND in ~32 minutes.

I completely understand the concerns about him from a physical perspective but I at this point am a true believer. He's can't miss. After a period of adjustment, he's going to shred NBA defenses. He's too skilled and too poised. So much so that he defies comparison.

I haven't been able to watch any college this year... who has been more impressive Young or Doncic?

Seems like Young is getting a lot more pub even though to me Doncic looks like the best NBA prospect in 5+ years.

[yannisk]

The Lakers traded to Suns a wealth of picks in 2012, including a protected 2015 pick, for a Steve Nash sign and trade deal. In 2015, there was a three team deal between the Suns, Bucks and Sixers, in which the Bucks got MCW, Tyler Ennis, Miles Plumlee, the Suns got Brandon Knight and the Sixers got the aforementioned Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick. This pick was top 5 protected in 2015, the Lakers picked second. The pick was top three protected in 2016 and 2017, Lakers picked second two more times. So 2018, it becomes unprotected
https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/7o4hyc/the_story_of_the_2018_lakers_pick_that_will_go_to/

We could have had this pick if Kidd was not an admirer of MCW

[Fotis St]

Since maybe we are going to keep our 1st Round draft pick currently #18 ... was looking for the best C available ... and met

Mitchell Robinson 7'1 225 lbs ... currently projected #23 on nbadraft ... impressed, want to see more

Watch on YouTube

[emunney]

If Young busts, it'll be unprecedented. He's having the best freshman season of any point guard in NCAA history. Dude just had 39 and 14 to hang the first L on a top 10 team. He's peerless in the NCAA and he's a 6-2 freshman with average athleticism. Never seen anything like it.

If you look at ALL qualifying NCAA freshman since 1992-1993, Young is tops in both points per game AND assists per game. If you look at all qualifying NCAA players, all classes, in the same time frame, he's 1st in assists and 5th in scoring! All with extremely high efficiency metrics, getting to the line almost 10x/game, close to 2 steals, AND in ~32 minutes.

I completely understand the concerns about him from a physical perspective but I at this point am a true believer. He's can't miss. After a period of adjustment, he's going to shred NBA defenses. He's too skilled and too poised. So much so that he defies comparison.

I haven't been able to watch any college this year... who has been more impressive Young or Doncic?

Seems like Young is getting a lot more pub even though to me Doncic looks like the best NBA prospect in 5+ years.

Oh Doncic for sure.