2018 Pick Watch (Philly, LAL 1 or 6-30, etc)

[PLO]

Not sure why someone would trade back from 5 to 10 for only the 17th pick unless they thought they could get a top 5 guy at 10.

We're in a pretty unique position because there are elite talents in this draft that are extraneous to our needs; for example we don't need an Ayton because we already have one. Bamba (or though there are questions over whether he is elite) is in the same category. Even a Jackson we don't really "need" - he'd be great but really a bit of a luxury for us given our marquee player does all the things he does except better.

All of the other teams in the mix for a top 10 pick really do need these types of players - even the Celtics. So I agree with what you say - there's no team that is going to trade out of the top 10 unless they get an absolute king's ransom for the trade. To me there's some pretty risky prospects that will go in that top 10 (Marvin Bagley is one) but teams desperately short of talent will pick him there, so perhaps its good not to be in a position to pick a player like that given I think there's a good chance he'll bust relative to where he's picked.

The only real players we need in terms of starting rotation are the wings - the two elite ones in this draft are MPJ and Doncic, and I can't see either of them falling to a spot where we could trade up to get them. Even then MPJ's back injury is a real worry in terms of his long-term outlook.

Thankfully there are some very good wing/combo prospects that will fall just outside the top 10, and hopefully if the Laker pick transfers to us and with our own pick we'll have two bites of the apple at it.

[phiphan]

I think Tier 2 prospects end around pick #8. Unfortunately there's no hope for the Lakers to get there.

[76ciology]

I think Tier 2 prospects end around pick #8. Unfortunately there's no hope for the Lakers to get there.

Hope we trade up

[76ciology]

After Doncic, who's the best PG prospect in 2018 and 2019 draft? Barett in 2019 is a SG right?

Any generational type players? Maybe Ayton in 2018 and Zion in 2019? I dont buy the hype in both for their dominance is being a man among boys compared to their competition which rarely translates in the NBA.

[Kobblehead]

After Doncic, who's the best PG prospect in 2018 and 2019 draft? Barett in 2019 is a SG right?

Any generational type players? Maybe Ayton in 2018 and Zion in 2019? I dont buy the hype in both for their dominance is being a man among boys compared to their competition which rarely translates in the NBA.

The top freshmen PG prospects are:
Trae Young
Collin Sexton
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Young and Sexton will go early because they're big scorers. SGA will probably be available at the Lakers pick and could be a shrewd pick-up for us. Of the three, he's the only guy that projects to be the 2-way player. He has a freaky 7 foot wingspan.

I think Jaren Jackson might be the guy with the most generational talent potential in this draft. Ayton and Bagley are rare scorers for bigmen, but both have defensive deficiencies. Jackson is nearly unblemished as a basketball talent.

[JojoSlimbiid]

After Doncic, who's the best PG prospect in 2018 and 2019 draft? Barett in 2019 is a SG right?

Any generational type players? Maybe Ayton in 2018 and Zion in 2019? I dont buy the hype in both for their dominance is being a man among boys compared to their competition which rarely translates in the NBA.

Unless something strange crops up the only elite PG prospect I see possibly on the horizon is Cole Anthony assuming he continues to grow and fill out.

[Wilfried]

So, if we can't get 1 of the Bridges', I want Gafford with the LA pick

[PLO]

After Doncic, who's the best PG prospect in 2018 and 2019 draft? Barett in 2019 is a SG right?

Any generational type players? Maybe Ayton in 2018 and Zion in 2019? I dont buy the hype in both for their dominance is being a man among boys compared to their competition which rarely translates in the NBA.

The top freshmen PG prospects are:
Trae Young
Collin Sexton
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Young and Sexton will go early because they're big scorers. SGA will probably be available at the Lakers pick and could be a shrewd pick-up for us. Of the three, he's the only guy that projects to be the 2-way player. He has a freaky 7 foot wingspan.

I think Jaren Jackson might be the guy with the most generational talent potential in this draft. Ayton and Bagley are rare scorers for bigmen, but both have defensive deficiencies. Jackson is nearly unblemished as a basketball talent.

I reckon we're much less likely to take a one and done with the Lakers pick given our window for contention is basically open, unless something absurd happens and we have MPJ, Jackson or Doncic fall to us. If I was going to lay a bet now I'd reckon they'll go wing then probably a developmental combo guard with our own pick. Its a shame SGA has been so good because he's out of our own picks range as of now.

I think they'll be looking for someone more physically mature with that first pick, and overall wings do have more value than combo guards, hence I think a junior like either of the Bridges fit both criteria.

[Kobblehead]

With free agency and Markelle Fultz being unknowns, I think we have to put a premium on getting a shotcreator with our early pick.

SGA is the best of both worlds. He's long and instinctive enough to fulfill the duties of a switch versatile wing while also possessing the shotcreating ability to function as a featured offensive player.

[the_process]

With free agency and Markelle Fultz being unknowns, I think we have to put a premium on getting a shotcreator with our early pick.

SGA is the best of both worlds. He's long and instinctive enough to fulfill the duties of a switch versatile wing while also possessing the shotcreating ability to function as a featured offensive player.

Unless somehow Mikal Bridges slips to 10-11 (wherever the Laker pick is) or they trade the pick, I agree SGA should be the guy.

[Negrodamus]

With free agency and Markelle Fultz being unknowns, I think we have to put a premium on getting a shotcreator with our early pick.

SGA is the best of both worlds. He's long and instinctive enough to fulfill the duties of a switch versatile wing while also possessing the shotcreating ability to function as a featured offensive player.

I’m glad we see eye to eye on this. He’s the guy who is completely overlooked in the draft that could end up being a marquee player in this draft.

[Sixers2125]

I think we should trade both of our 1st round picks for future 1st round picks. Sounds crazy but hear me out.

I firmly believe that unless Cleveland wins the championship LeBron is coming here. We're gonna need every dollar we can get to sign him and hopefully resign Redick.

We'll also be introducing a lot of new talent next year that I don't even know if we'll have roster space or playing time available for our picks. LeBron, Fultz, Korkmaz, Bolden, and maybe Lessort will all be new additions to the lineup. Then you also know LeBron will attract a few ring chasing vets.

The biggest reason to do this is... In a few years we're gonna be totally capped out. We'll have to max out Ben and we'll probably wanna pay Saric too. We'll basically be limited to signing guys to min contacts. Having extra 1st rounders will be HUGE. Imagine Golden State or Houston having multiple 1st rounders.

Anyway I'm thinking long term, I think a strategy like this could help.

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[phiphan]

SGA reminds me of Dejounte Murray.

[Kolkmania]

With free agency and Markelle Fultz being unknowns, I think we have to put a premium on getting a shotcreator with our early pick.

SGA is the best of both worlds. He's long and instinctive enough to fulfill the duties of a switch versatile wing while also possessing the shotcreating ability to function as a featured offensive player.

I’m glad we see eye to eye on this. He’s the guy who is completely overlooked in the draft that could end up being a marquee player in this draft.

I haven't seen enough of Kentucky to properly judge since you guys have put a lot more energy into this. However from the few games I've seen SGA play he's nowhere near ready to be a shotcreator in the NBA. He can properly read the defense, but not really a threat from three (just above 1 attempt per game), not an explosive athlete who can get to the rim at will and a railthin frame.

I can understand the allure of SGA, but I wouldn't want to be reliable on him next year as a PO team.

[Negrodamus]

With free agency and Markelle Fultz being unknowns, I think we have to put a premium on getting a shotcreator with our early pick.

SGA is the best of both worlds. He's long and instinctive enough to fulfill the duties of a switch versatile wing while also possessing the shotcreating ability to function as a featured offensive player.

I’m glad we see eye to eye on this. He’s the guy who is completely overlooked in the draft that could end up being a marquee player in this draft.

I haven't seen enough of Kentucky to properly judge since you guys have put a lot more energy into this. However from the few games I've seen SGA play he's nowhere near ready to be a shotcreator in the NBA. He can properly read the defense, but not really a threat from three (just above 1 attempt per game), not an explosive athlete who can get to the rim at will and a railthin frame.

I can understand the allure of SGA, but I wouldn't want to be reliable on him next year as a PO team.

I wouldn't draft him to be a starter for next years team. If anything, he's a safe insurance for Fultz with the ability to play next to him when his body takes form. Both Fultz and him have long wingspans (Fultz 6'10; SGA, reportedly is 7') which will allow both to defend all wing positions.

Both of them run the PnR exceptionally well and are both great decision makers. I get the gripes of SGA as an off the dribble three point shooter, which he's not yet; but he has been a knockdown assisted 3 point shooter (near 40%).

I also think his frame is likely to take on weight, unlike someone like Malik Monk. I don't think his weight, much like his shot, will be a major concern moving forward. We're drafting what he can become, not what he currently is.

[PLO]

With free agency and Markelle Fultz being unknowns, I think we have to put a premium on getting a shotcreator with our early pick.

SGA is the best of both worlds. He's long and instinctive enough to fulfill the duties of a switch versatile wing while also possessing the shotcreating ability to function as a featured offensive player.

I’m glad we see eye to eye on this. He’s the guy who is completely overlooked in the draft that could end up being a marquee player in this draft.

I haven't seen enough of Kentucky to properly judge since you guys have put a lot more energy into this. However from the few games I've seen SGA play he's nowhere near ready to be a shotcreator in the NBA. He can properly read the defense, but not really a threat from three (just above 1 attempt per game), not an explosive athlete who can get to the rim at will and a railthin frame.

I can understand the allure of SGA, but I wouldn't want to be reliable on him next year as a PO team.

As you can see from a few posts above yours, I'm basically in agreement with you. Our window for contention is basically open now. That leaves me in a quandary however because I recognize SGA's talent, like his game IQ pops for me every time I watch him play; he's also improving from game to game. Physically however he's really several years away from seeing consistent minutes on an NBA floor, especially on a contending team.

Ideally we want players who can do something in an off-ball role and can do it a la Tatum from game one next season. However if that's your ambit going into the draft you can pass on better talents for the sake of getting a ready-to-contribute-now player.

The best of both worlds for me is picking a starting-now caliber player with the Lakers pick (knock on wood it goes to us) and we can pick up SGA with our own pick and basically red-shirt him for his first year like what happened with Simmons, Fultz and Embiid, but I don't think he's going to be there with our own pick.

[Arsenal]

Anyone watching Zhaire Smith on Texas Tech this year? 18 year old freshman. He's our pick (w/the Lakers pick) on Tankathon at #11 overall right now. Saw a couple of glowing articles on him at The Stepien - writers I trust re: draft analysis.

Perhaps he would be a great consolation prize if we miss out on Mikal.

[JojoSlimbiid]

Bouncy athlete Smith is but I don't recall a single time I've seen him dribble in the half court.

[PLO]

Blazers win, at least keeps the Lakers in check.

[Arsenal]

Blazers win, at least keeps the Lakers in check.

Yea GD Lakers finally lost a game. They have no business winning as much as they have recently. Hopefully they collapse into the close.

Dame Dolla was an assassin in the 4th. He cut their throat. Ice cold.