2017-2018 College Basketball / '18 NBA Draft Thread

[Negrodamus]

Here's a hot take: I'd still consider taking Knox. He was pretty elite at getting himself open toward the end of the year and was putting up good numbers. Moves very well for a 6'9 dude. If he can catch up, defensively, then he would work exceptionally well on our team at a SF/PF with Simmons. Has a real nice stroke. Scores in multiple ways and utilizes the pumpfake well. Part of our "switch everything" defense which will be handy on our team.

You know, we don't have to pick a Wildcat.

We need a shot creator, something Knox isn't really all that good at. He kinda reminds me of Tatum a lil, except I don't think he has the handles of even Tatum. SGA wasn't good in that game, but for the Sixers I would rather have him over Knox. I don't want a guy who is so dependent on screens for this team right now, we have plenty of those now and still have noone we can put at the top of the key and make a game winning shot with the clock rolling down.

Just wish SGA was more explosive.

Trust me, there are plenty of UK players I wouldn't want. But Knox does work in what the Sixers are doing. We need more players who can score on the court with Simmons. I also think Knox is pretty underrated as a creator. Was fairly efficient with his movements once the ball is in his hands. I'm just concerned with him as a defender. I'd take him with the Sixers pick, but not the Lakers.

And yes, SGA is still a top 10 player for me. But he isn't going to be what Donovan Mitchell is this year. He's going to need quite a bit of time before he's killing it in the league, but i'm pretty confident he will.

When you remove Doncic, Ayton, Bamba, and Bagley from the equation, the players I'm truly interested that could fall to us are Trae, Sexton, SGA, and Mikal Bridges. I don't see a compelling reason to trade up. Jaren Jackson or Doncic might be the only reasons, but I'm not sold on how much we'd have to give up to obtain them. Most of the players right outside of our range are really not of interest to me. Our own pick is very meh. Once I know who is declaring, I'll probably want to reach, by draft experts standards, on a player that I like.

[ivysixer2000]

Here's a hot take: I'd still consider taking Knox. He was pretty elite at getting himself open toward the end of the year and was putting up good numbers. Moves very well for a 6'9 dude. If he can catch up, defensively, then he would work exceptionally well on our team at a SF/PF with Simmons. Has a real nice stroke. Scores in multiple ways and utilizes the pumpfake well. Part of our "switch everything" defense which will be handy on our team.

You know, we don't have to pick a Wildcat.

We need a shot creator, something Knox isn't really all that good at. He kinda reminds me of Tatum a lil, except I don't think he has the handles of even Tatum. SGA wasn't good in that game, but for the Sixers I would rather have him over Knox. I don't want a guy who is so dependent on screens for this team right now, we have plenty of those now and still have noone we can put at the top of the key and make a game winning shot with the clock rolling down.

Just wish SGA was more explosive.

Trust me, there are plenty of UK players I wouldn't want. But Knox does work in what the Sixers are doing. We need more players who can score on the court with Simmons. I also think Knox is pretty underrated as a creator. Was fairly efficient with his movements once the ball is in his hands. I'm just concerned with him as a defender. I'd take him with the Sixers pick, but not the Lakers.

And yes, SGA is still a top 10 player for me. But he isn't going to be what Donovan Mitchell is this year. He's going to need quite a bit of time before he's killing it in the league, but i'm pretty confident he will.

When you remove Doncic, Ayton, Bamba, and Bagley from the equation, the players I'm truly interested that could fall to us are Trae, Sexton, SGA, and Mikal Bridges. I don't see a compelling reason to trade up. Jaren Jackson or Doncic might be the only reasons, but I'm not sold on how much we'd have to give up to obtain them. Most of the players right outside of our range are really not of interest to me. Our own pick is very meh. Once I know who is declaring, I'll probably want to reach, by draft experts standards, on a player that I like.

Oh I would certainly take Knox with the Sixers pick, I just don't think he will be there. If we want Knox, it would probably be with the Lakers pick which I think is too high for him. Now if we could figure out a way to move up the Sixers pick, thats different. Of your list, I could see SGA and Bridges maybe being there with the Lakers pick, otherwise we would probably have to move up.

I don't like midgets for this team really, but I do see how Trae and Sexton could help this team in spurts, even if they don't start. They could take TJ's mins away immediately with upside for more plus they have the ability to finish a game. They might be worth moving up a couple of picks, but thats just me. Either of them and Fultz coming off the bench would really give us a spark off the bench since we have plenty of size and can run smaller lineups off the bench. IF Fultz is starting, Trae would be really nice to bring off the bench when we usually put TJ in with Ben....yeah that would be nice.

[LloydFree]

It's always a good day after that fraud Calipari gets dumped out of the tournament.

[Negrodamus]

I do think for what we're looking for, Mikal Bridges is our guy and a very easy target for Colangelo: fills a need, probably a certain amount of consensus among fans, not a reach or really a controversial pick. I could even see him trading up so we don't have to take on any more guaranteed contracts.

[the_process]

I do think for what we're looking for, Mikal Bridges is our guy and a very easy target for Colangelo: fills a need, probably a certain amount of consensus among fans, not a reach or really a controversial pick. I could even see him trading up so we don't have to take on any more guaranteed contracts.

100% this.

On a related matter, going through the schedule; it’s almost impossible to imagine the Sixers ending up worse than 48-34. Which means their own pick is going to end up about 23.

[skulky]

I do think for what we're looking for, Mikal Bridges is our guy and a very easy target for Colangelo: fills a need, probably a certain amount of consensus among fans, not a reach or really a controversial pick. I could even see him trading up so we don't have to take on any more guaranteed contracts.

I agree mikal is the ideal for us, but his value at this point is definitely higher than the lakers pick at 10-12. He’s more in the 7-9 range. The big question is what we would have to give up. We have a lot of middling assets tlc, holmes, Anderson, korkmaz, bolden, all the seconds, even our own first. TJ has exceeded all expectations, but I’d put him on the high end of that group maybe with a value equal to our pick.
The question is how much of that group are you willing to part with to move up.

[Kobblehead]

I still think trading up for supporting players is a bad tactic, regardless of how ideal a fit they are. If we're trading into the top 10, we gotta come away with someone like Shai. Who can provide a 3&D effect while also having the ability to create his own shot whenever he wants.

[Negrodamus]

I do think for what we're looking for, Mikal Bridges is our guy and a very easy target for Colangelo: fills a need, probably a certain amount of consensus among fans, not a reach or really a controversial pick. I could even see him trading up so we don't have to take on any more guaranteed contracts.

I agree mikal is the ideal for us, but his value at this point is definitely higher than the lakers pick at 10-12. He’s more in the 7-9 range. The big question is what we would have to give up. We have a lot of middling assets tlc, holmes, Anderson, korkmaz, bolden, all the seconds, even our own first. TJ has exceeded all expectations, but I’d put him on the high end of that group maybe with a value equal to our pick.
The question is how much of that group are you willing to part with to move up.

I think he'll be closer to 9 than 7. 1-6 are Ayton, Bagley, Doncic, Bamba, Jackson, and probably Porter. At that point in the draft, the idea is to still get a guy who will be a star, especially in this draft. Wendell Carter is extremely alluring. Obviously Trae Young and Collin Sexton had the keys to their respective programs. Miles Bridges has a higher potential to be the go to option. Mikal really sits with SGA as someone that either you're willing to wait on or you need right now but will be a role player. The Cavs are the only team picking ahead of us that are in the playoffs and they will either be rebuilding with LeBron gone or trading the pick/probably not taking Bridges at 5ish.

I do think the biggest threats are the Bulls since they have Kris Dunn and wouldn't really have a need for a PG. Hopefully the Bulls can steal a few wins and the Lakers can continue to suck.

[JojoSlimbiid]

As far as trading up goes my interest/expectations for trading up are almost completely swayed by whether Bolden is coming over or not.

[skulky]

I’m intrigued by shai gilgeous alexander. I loved the switch heavy defense Brett ran with mcw, and could see something similar. I have more confidence in his jumper developing than similar players, but definitely still a concern. I think he’s a high iq player and his skill set maximizes his athleticism. He’s not a jump out of the gym athlete. I like that he’s not high usage rate. He can get to his spots on the floor and really uses his length well. I just imagine adding his skill set and length to our gear ball movement.

I also find miles bridges intriguing. He’s more 3 than d at this point, but has the tools to be a solid man on man and team defender, not some super lock down, but not a negative either, more hold his own. His handle is not the best, but definitely superior to roco. I think he’d be better at driving, especially if his 3 point shot is legit.



Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Mik317]

Can Shai play off ball tho? It seems like his explosion coincided with him getting to play more PG.

[76ciology]

I can see us trading up. Most likely with the Kings where they end up with Mikal Bridges, who compliments with Bogdan and Fox .

And with the Kings pick, I can see us either selecting Porter if he slips or Trae Young. And if you think about it, both will greatly benefit with our red shirt program.

[Mik317]

honestly if BC trades up for anyone it will be Doncic.

Didn't he personally go watch him?

[ivysixer2000]

I can see us trading up. Most likely with the Kings where they end up with Mikal Bridges, who compliments with Bogdan and Fox .

And with the Kings pick, I can see us either selecting Porter if he slips or Trae Young. And if you think about it, both will greatly benefit with our red shirt program.

Guess I'm not alone in wanting a trade up after all, Bridges would be a good addition for us I just want more of a shot creator with the pick. Maybe he could develop it more, but that could take a while.

I would like Trae, especially coming off the bench in TJ's spot. I figure him and Ben could be special together in that role, and although I don't like Sexton as much in that role, to me they are kinda interchangeable. If I can't get one, I'll take the other one if we want to go in that direction.

The league is lead by guards, wings players even Bron can be had in free agency, but guards are hard to come by. We only have Fultz who we hope can do well but we need another one cause Marco, JJ, and TJ isn't something we should base our future on. I would think getting Trae or Sexton would greatly benefit our backcourt and exactly what we need cause our frontcourt is pretty much set (especially if we get Bron, or Leonard, George, whoever even Evans can play some 3 on this team). There are plenty of forwards available as good as Bridges at least right now in free agency for our team.

My priority come draft time is another lead guard, cause they are the hardest to get your hands on....and no that has nothing to do with Fultz, we just need another one to go along with him. And I would move up to do so if we need to do it, just makes sense cause we aren't going to use all those picks anyway.

[sixerswillrule]

Imagine the defensive potential of a Bridges/Covington/Simmons/Bolden/Embiid

[ivysixer2000]

Imagine the defensive potential of a Bridges/Covington/Simmons/Bolden/Embiid

You still have to put the ball in the basket, nice to have those defensive options but we do need some balance with offense and defense, especially come playoff time.

While Bridges and Bolden are better ball handlers than Roco, they really aren't true shot creators.

[Arsenal]

Much rather have Mikal Bridges instead of Shai. We need a sharpshooting 3&D wing more than a quasi-lead guard. Fultz will be back 100% next year, and he and Simmons will have the ball in their hands all the time. We may even add a guy like LeBron, and then we REALLY have no need for another primary ballhandler.

I'm not sold that Shai will be good enough to justify putting the ball in his hands once he's in the NBA. A "shot-creator" in and of itself is not of much value. You need to be a top tier shot-creator to justify dominating the ball on a winning team. Otherwise you're just a guy like MCW putting up counting stats while offering no value aside from being a tank commander.

[ivysixer2000]

Much rather have Mikal Bridges instead of Shai. We need a sharpshooting 3&D wing more than a quasi-lead guard. Fultz will be back 100% next year, and he and Simmons will have the ball in their hands all the time. We may even add a guy like LeBron, and then we REALLY have no need for another primary ballhandler.

I'm not sold that Shai will be good enough to justify putting the ball in his hands once he's in the NBA. A "shot-creator" in and of itself is not of much value. You need to be a top tier shot-creator to justify dominating the ball on a winning team. Otherwise you're just a guy like MCW putting up counting stats while offering no value aside from being a tank commander.

I like Bridges, but if we do add Bron at SF, his mins will take a hit cause we also have Roco there. Granted Bridges could just stand there as a SG and shoot which would fit with Bron, but we draft before free agency. We can't just draft for the sake of getting Bron, then if we don't get him then we are stuck with a bunch of guys (Bridges included) standing around watching Ben and Embiid again.

Thats alot pressure to put on Fultz alone, he needs more help in that aspect with someone else to can not only shoot but get in the lane and finish or find the open guy. Fultz would be the only one on the squad for our future who can do that, if we don't change it right now.

[Arsenal]

Much rather have Mikal Bridges instead of Shai. We need a sharpshooting 3&D wing more than a quasi-lead guard. Fultz will be back 100% next year, and he and Simmons will have the ball in their hands all the time. We may even add a guy like LeBron, and then we REALLY have no need for another primary ballhandler.

I'm not sold that Shai will be good enough to justify putting the ball in his hands once he's in the NBA. A "shot-creator" in and of itself is not of much value. You need to be a top tier shot-creator to justify dominating the ball on a winning team. Otherwise you're just a guy like MCW putting up counting stats while offering no value aside from being a tank commander.

I like Bridges, but if we do add Bron at SF, his mins will take a hit cause we also have Roco there. Granted Bridges could just stand there as a SG and shoot which would fit with Bron, but we draft before free agency. We can't just draft for the sake of getting Bron, then if we don't get him then we are stuck with a bunch of guys (Bridges included) standing around watching Ben and Embiid again.

Thats alot pressure to put on Fultz alone, he needs more help in that aspect with someone else to can not only shoot but get in the lane and finish or find the open guy. Fultz would be the only one on the squad for our future who can do that, if we don't change it right now.

That's all fine and good, but there is an unspoken assumption here that Shai is good enough to be a primary initiator on a winning team. I'm saying I seriously doubt he will be that good. In fact, I'm not sure he will be better than TJ McConnell for his first couple of years.

Therefore I'm taking Mikal.

[sixerswillrule]

Imagine the defensive potential of a Bridges/Covington/Simmons/Bolden/Embiid

You still have to put the ball in the basket, nice to have those defensive options but we do need some balance with offense and defense, especially come playoff time.

While Bridges and Bolden are better ball handlers than Roco, they really aren't true shot creators.

Never meant as the starting lineup, just as a lineup.

Fultz would start over Bolden.