GimmeDat wrote:realEAST wrote:GimmeDat wrote:
Ideally you get a wing and a big, not that that thinking should stop you from drafting the best player regardless of position, but I'd also say that in the current league, wings, as long as they are versatile, are probably the pieces you can have the most of. A lot of wings go a long way, especially when you can swing some to the 4 or 1 at times depending on lineups.
Porter is a 4/3 in my eyes, though here he'd have to play more 3 and play 4 in the second unit or when/if Markkanen is pushed to the 5. Walker is a 2/3, maybe a dash of 1 in certain lineups, so long as he improves his feel more. There's a lot you could do with both those guys.
Williams is the one and probably only big I would consider with the Pels pick. He sort of is what he is, which is a rim player with little skill on both ends, but he's absolutely dynamic in that role. (*Actually the other one is maybe Johntay Porter.)
If not for Knox or someone similar falling, which would also require the Pels pick to be at 12 or 13, my order or preference would be
1a) Walker
1b) Williams
2) Brown
3) J.Porter
4) Musa
The other guy we should keep an eye on is Sexton. I think he's going to drop into the Pels pick range, and frankly if that's the case I'm not sure where I'd have him on that above list.
I know you've followed Walker for a while, do you think he can play SF for extended stretches in NBA? I've seen him as more of a combo guard than pure wing, but could be wrong.
Btw, at that spot and among those guys, I think I'd take Sexton, maybe it's his rep coming in this year and him playing with grit, but I think he is too talented not to take at that point of draft.
I definitely think he's more of a 2 than 3, and with that in mind maybe he's not a great fit here, but I do think he can play some 3 because he's long and athletic, depending on the lineup.
My initial reaction to thinking Sexton would fall is 'what a steal, snap him up' - this is a guy I had top 7 or 8 going in to the season. And yeah, maybe he is the best pick who would be falling in to our lap at that point and that I'm just being overly negative, but the fact that he's not an efficient shooter, he often has tunnel vision and isn't a great facilitator, and that his percentages at the rim aren't actually very high either, is a lot of big holes for a PG to have.
That being said, there's some big tools as well. Stud defender, gets to the line 10 times per 40, high work ethic, lanes should open up for him in the NBA, etc.
At worst, I take Williams/Walker over him, at best, he's the obvious BPA. What do you think?
Defensively, Walker reminds me somewhat of Norman Powell, who I also think is best suited defending 2s, but can guard some SFs depending on matchup (players like Hardaway, even Batum - speaking of size), but not bulkier guys.
As for Sexton, I had high expectation coming into season, and was pretty disappointed despite occasional big, it's almost better to say good game. And I completely agree with your break down.
That said, even not excelling, imo he still showed more than for ex. Walker or Williams (this is not a kick towards them), and with his tools you hope he puts it together.
Westbrook paralels are inevitable too, imo with the way he plays but also considering that Westbrook wasn't regarded that high at the time and his develoment was pretty surprising for most. But if he isn't as exceptional as Westbrook, that type of play rarely translates to team success.
Still if we pick at #12-14, I'd take him on potential, if he pans out he could be great, and if not he still is pretty good bench guy, which isn't bad for pick in that range
