Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[jayu70]

Things that make you say mmmmmmmm...... solid 3 point shooter and Josh Smith in the same sentence.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Things that make you say mmmmmmmm...... solid 3 point shooter and Josh Smith in the same sentence.

Surefire All-star without questions. One can only dream.

[Jamaaliver]

This kid has a chance to be a star.

Somewhere between Donovan Mitchell and Bradley Beal...

Lonnie Walker IV
Freshman, Shooting Guard

Projection: Lottery
Age: 19 (12/14/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 192 pounds, 6’10.5″Slash Line: .352/.353/.777
Season Averages: 27.0 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.8 3PM

Miami Hurricanes shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV is still some time away from realizing his full potential, a raw talent who’s still in the process of putting it all together.

If [a team] is willing to be as patient with Walker as the San Antonio Spurs were with Kawhi Leonard or the Chicago Bulls were with Jimmy Butler, however, the results could be special.

Walker has immediate playing value as a committed defender who can guard both backcourt positions. He’s somewhat undersized, but his long wingspan and elite athleticism should make up for that issue—and then some.

Offensively, Walker has the unique ability to excel as both an athletic slasher and an effective three-point shooter with deep range on his jump shot.

Walker has a lot of J.R. Smith in his game in the sense that he can be somewhat hot and cold, but he has the tools to dominate when he’s on. Walker will have the benefit of hindsight, however, meaning he could develop into a far more consistent player.

This would admittedly be a risk at No. 5 overall, but Walker has superstar potential. If the Knicks commit to truly developing their talent, this could pan out wonderfully.

Fansided

[Spud2nique]

This kid has a chance to be a star.

Somewhere between Donovan Mitchell and Bradley Beal...

Lonnie Walker IV
Freshman, Shooting Guard

Projection: Lottery
Age: 19 (12/14/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 192 pounds, 6’10.5″Slash Line: .352/.353/.777
Season Averages: 27.0 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.8 3PM

Miami Hurricanes shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV is still some time away from realizing his full potential, a raw talent who’s still in the process of putting it all together.

If [a team] is willing to be as patient with Walker as the San Antonio Spurs were with Kawhi Leonard or the Chicago Bulls were with Jimmy Butler, however, the results could be special.

Walker has immediate playing value as a committed defender who can guard both backcourt positions. He’s somewhat undersized, but his long wingspan and elite athleticism should make up for that issue—and then some.

Offensively, Walker has the unique ability to excel as both an athletic slasher and an effective three-point shooter with deep range on his jump shot.

Walker has a lot of J.R. Smith in his game in the sense that he can be somewhat hot and cold, but he has the tools to dominate when he’s on. Walker will have the benefit of hindsight, however, meaning he could develop into a far more consistent player.

This would admittedly be a risk at No. 5 overall, but Walker has superstar potential. If the Knicks commit to truly developing their talent, this could pan out wonderfully.

Fansided

I’m going to disagree here. Watching his game, I see a ton on inconsistencies everywhere. Also, not a huge fan of anyone’s game that resembles JR Smith’s in any way...even the erratic 3’s that go in at times.

[Jamaaliver]

I’m going to disagree here. Watching his game, I see a ton on inconsistencies everywhere. Also, not a huge fan of anyone’s game that resembles JR Smith’s in any way...even the erratic 3’s that go in at times.

YEAH, that JR Smith comp is not a flattering one.

He has the tools and there are flashes.

He's one of those guys you can tell will be good at 21/22.

But he'll likely come out at age 19.

But hey we're in stage one of the rebuild. We got time to develop young players.

(But, I obviously prefer them closer to finished projects.)

[Jamaaliver]

Updated Big Board Entering March

6. Mikal Bridges (Villanova, SF, Junior)


Half-court offense: 98th percentile

Spot-up: 97th percentile

Jump shots: 91st percentile

Mikal Bridges had an off three-game stretch early in February, but he's back to looking like a lottery pick, averaging 22.3 points over Villanova's last four contests heading into March.

He's hit 14 triples in that span as he continues to strengthen his three-and-D identity. Already in the discussion for top perimeter defender in the draft, Bridges has also emerged as one of its most consistent shooters, even if his mechanics are stiff.

The main question is whether he's on track to improve as a creator. He averages just 2.1 assists in 32.3 minutes, and he's only 5-of-15 out of isolation.

On the other hand, he's become a threat to generate offense off ball screens (.949 PPP), and he's 15-of-29 out of the post.

Scouts view Bridges as a low-maintenance teammate with a high floor, but these flashes of expanding offense potentially hint at something bigger.

Bleacher Report

[Spud2nique]

Updated Big Board Entering March

6. Mikal Bridges (Villanova, SF, Junior)


Half-court offense: 98th percentile

Spot-up: 97th percentile

Jump shots: 91st percentile

Mikal Bridges had an off three-game stretch early in February, but he's back to looking like a lottery pick, averaging 22.3 points over Villanova's last four contests heading into March.

He's hit 14 triples in that span as he continues to strengthen his three-and-D identity. Already in the discussion for top perimeter defender in the draft, Bridges has also emerged as one of its most consistent shooters, even if his mechanics are stiff.

The main question is whether he's on track to improve as a creator. He averages just 2.1 assists in 32.3 minutes, and he's only 5-of-15 out of isolation.

On the other hand, he's become a threat to generate offense off ball screens (.949 PPP), and he's 15-of-29 out of the post.

Scouts view Bridges as a low-maintenance teammate with a high floor, but these flashes of expanding offense potentially hint at something bigger.

Bleacher Report

[/quote]


This is our guy...specially if we fall to 5-7 pick range imo.

[Jamaaliver]

Updated Big Board Entering March

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


Pick-and-roll ball-handler: 87th percentile

Spot-up: 75th percentile

Isolation: 44th percentile

On his 19th birthday Wednesday, Luka Doncic ranked No. 1 in Euroleague in player efficiency rating and No. 2 in scoring, per RealGM.com.

He's coming off two rough games, but he's also played 45 at a higher level than NCAA, where college prospects are only nearing the 30-game mark.

Doncic's perceived ceiling falls short of Ayton's, which is powered by superior strength, length and athleticism. The case for Doncic at No. 1 stems from his unprecedented success and experience, his obvious skill level that fuels NBA-friendly versatility and his basketball IQ and competitiveness that can't be taught.

It's also easy to forget he's a strong 6'8" ball-handler and potential mismatch, even against NBA guards.

Ayton may wind up being the more dominant scorer, but you take Doncic for his impact. It doesn't look like teams drafting in the top two can lose either way.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Between now and tourney time, I'll be making a concerted to focus more time on guys outside the top-6.

Particularly guys we might snag with the MInny pick and haven't been debated to death on this forum:

Arkansas' Daniel Gafford has potential to thrive as traditional big man

[N]ot every big man prospect can be a so-called unicorn. In fact, not every big man needs to be. There are only 17 centers in the NBA this season (min. 500 minutes played) attempting more than 0.5 3-pointers per game. They play for 13 teams, which means about half the league is currently sorting out how to play full-time without a floor-spacing big man.

That’s good news for someone like Arkansas’ Daniel Gafford, a 6-11 freshman who hasn’t attempted a 3-pointer all season. The 19-year-old’s length and athleticism shines in the pick-and-roll game where he’s averaging 1.364 points per possession (91st percentile) as the dive man this season, per Synergy. Gafford shows a good understanding of how to get into space, wait for the pass and then finish: Here

Gafford has potential to score in other ways that should translate to the NBA as well. He’s a good (but not great) offensive rebounder, posting an 11.3 percent offensive rebounding rate. For perspective, that’s similar to DeAndre Jordan’s rate as a freshman at Texas A&M.

Arkansas runs a ton of post-ups for him, and when the offense breaks down, it devolves into searching for entry passes or one-on-one isolations rather than pick-and-rolls.

What the Arkansas freshman lacks as a rebounder, he can help make up for as a rim protector. Gafford’s long arms give him incredible range when chasing guards from the perimeter. He has a good feel for when to rotate over from the weak side, and he does a nice job timing his challenges by waiting for the offensive player to leave the floor.

...the Arkansas freshman could slot in with a late lottery grade — somewhere between picks 11 and 14 — on my draft board. Gafford’s potential rim protection is an important wrinkle that allows him to bring value to an NBA team in a way similar to Clint Capela as an elite rim-running, rim-protecting center.

Sporting News

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Updated Big Board Entering March

6. Mikal Bridges (Villanova, SF, Junior)

Scouts view Bridges as a low-maintenance teammate with a high floor, but these flashes of expanding offense potentially hint at something bigger.

Bleacher Report

This is our guy...specially if we fall to 5-7 pick range imo.

Yeah. He definitely fits the mold of player Travis helped draft for the core in GSW.

He's a junior (like Klay and Steph), has strong fundamentals and shooting (like Klay and Steph), has a good work ethic and beloved by coaches.

If he can regularly hit jumpers coming off screens, I think he can be a lethal option on the wings.



*The only issue I have is...he's unlikely to be the guy to carry a franchise.

With that said, I'm actually (officially) adjusting my goals for this draft class. I'd like a franchise player. But what I want is a championship caliber core of young players.

Mikal can definitely slide into a core alongside almost anyone. That interests me as much as great individual talent.

[macd-gm]

With all the hype about this draft class i'm starting think it's Doncic with the only real superstar potential. Well there's one other guy but i've beat that drum too much. I like Ayton but don't know if he'll be on the level of Davis or not.

[Jamaaliver]

With all the hype about this draft class i'm starting think it's Doncic with the only real superstar potential. Well there's one other guy but i've beat that drum too much. I like Ayton but don't know if he'll be on the level of Davis or not.

I do think Ayton will produce at a high rate.
I just fear it'll be a DeMarcus Cousins scenario where he gets his numbers, but the team doesn't benefit from it.

[jayu70]

I just want us to get THE RIGHT GUY! whoever that is at whatever position.
We cant miss on the pick.

[macd-gm]

I just want us to get THE RIGHT GUY! whoever that is at whatever position.
We cant miss on the pick.

Agreed. but there's always the chance that the draft class doesn't produce any real stars.

[HMFFL]

I just want us to get THE RIGHT GUY! whoever that is at whatever position.
We cant miss on the pick.

Agreed. but there's always the chance that the draft class doesn't produce any real stars.

I believe it will produce minimum of three star talents.
Now, we all have a different opinion of what classifies as a star, but for me it's a player that is the cornerstone of the team, and is a yearly All-Star.
I hope this is the draft that we can turn things around finally.

[thr3ep01nte4]

Here is a nice database for this year's draft prospects by the Stepien:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jyms0Yn7e8YfYMseTGXeQbds5oiCGrq6K899z5-BSIs/edit#gid=853612

Doncic and Bagley have the same standing reach at 8-9.5. Ben Simmons has a standing reach at 8-7, per Draftexpress.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2015-Nike-Hoop-Summit-International-Measurements-4871/

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

6. Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young

Point guard, Oklahoma, freshman (6-foot-2, 180 pounds, 19 years old)

Chau: First: It’s absolutely wild that the Hawks, who I still contend have the worst roster in the NBA by a significant margin, could manage to pick as late as no. 6 (or, gasp, no. 8) in this draft. But it might not be all bad if they have their pick between talents like Young and Bagley this late. I have my concerns about pairing John Collins and Bagley together. Both players are excellent offensive-minded über-athletes, but neither player projects to be a dependable rim protector — overlapping skill sets are all the rage in today’s game, but not when it means doubling down on blind spots.

Young makes more sense, especially if the Hawks are looking to make sweeping forays into playing futuristic basketball. The Oklahoma guard’s air of invincibility may have vanished, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have all the offensive skills you could possibly ask for in a lead guard. If Young can affect the game through his limitless range and on-ball creativity at even a fraction of the level Steph Curry can, he will be a plus player. Dennis Schröder may still be under contract for several years at $15 million annually, but the Hawks are in no rush here as far as immediate impact goes. What they do need to find sooner rather than later is an identity. Young helps them attain one.

I'd be okay with this selection at #6.

[macd-gm]

exactly.

[kg01]

If that dude is still high on Bagley, I question his chops. That he's also high on Young (still) ... well, ya know.

[D21]

With the win of POR over MIN, I just realized one thing about our second pick, which comes from MIN :
it's lottery protected, so better hope MIN make the playoffs, but at the same time, it can be very different : from 3rd to 10th, all teams can make the playoffs, so this pick will be between 25th and 15th, the lastest would be great, but it can also be nothing (for this year) if they end the season at the 9th or 10th spot in the West...

The end of the season of MIN can really impact our draft night : for example, we could trade 15+30+32 to get a much higher pick than if we get only a 25th pick from them (25+30+32)