The Draft (Postseason Edition): 1/16/31/59 (NEW POLL)

[TheLogician]

From a production point of view the key stats for a modern big (shooting and rim protection) might favour Jackson over Ayton and Bagley.

Points + Blocks Per 36:
Jackson 23
Ayton 23
Bagley 23

3PT%
Jackson 1.1 makes per game @ 39%
Bagley 0.7 makes per game @ 39%
Ayton 0.3 makes per game @ 34%

FT%
Jackson 79%
Ayton 73%
Bagley 62%

My downside with Jackson is whether he can expand his scoring skillset and cut down on fouls.

I watch a lot of college hoops. Ayton is an elite rebounder and has a full offensive arsenal. He has the athleticism and nimbleness to become a great defender. Don't fool yourself with stats and projections.

This can go both ways... Don't fool yourself with aesthetics and athletic ability....

You're just being daft. Ayton is much better than Jackson Jr. and would be a better fit on the Suns.

[jredsaz]

Read on Twitter

[oddity]

You think Grizzlies would trade Pick 3 or 4 along with Parsons
for
Warren, Chriss and Pick 16?

No.

I dunno. If they landed the #4 pick, they might not be as high on it and would be willing to dump Parsons' contract for that coup.
The real question is, would the Suns? I don't think we would.

How much would we really need to spend on FAs with a core of Booker/Jackson + 2 of Luka/Ayton/JJJ/Bagley/MPJr/Trae?
As for the other side of this trade, I doubt that a few mid-level assets will entice Memphis into giving up a top 5 pick. Sure, that contract is terrible, but if tanking teams should be eating big contracts, why wouldn't Memphis commit to the rebuild instead of dumping an important pick just to gamble in the Free Agency. I see no reason why the Grizzlies would make that trade.

[Sunsdeuce]

Read on Twitter

We knew that awhile ago. I told them that was old news and they blocked me. Realgm is 1000x better than them anyway.

[Kerrsed]

I told them we got that info the night it happened and it was old news......then my comment mysteriously was deleted. Everyones reporting on it now because Scott Bordow just posted the article that talked about it, so we out-scooped everyone on it by 2 days!!!

Good Job Board!

[Sunzgunz]

No.

I dunno. If they landed the #4 pick, they might not be as high on it and would be willing to dump Parsons' contract for that coup.
The real question is, would the Suns? I don't think we would.

How much would we really need to spend on FAs with a core of Booker/Jackson + 2 of Luka/Ayton/JJJ/Bagley/MPJr/Trae?
As for the other side of this trade, I doubt that a few mid-level assets will entice Memphis into giving up a top 5 pick. Sure, that contract is terrible, but if tanking teams should be eating big contracts, why wouldn't Memphis commit to the rebuild instead of dumping an important pick just to gamble in the Free Agency. I see no reason why the Grizzlies would make that trade.

Im with you! I dont think the next 2 drafts will be nearly as good as the last 2. If there where a dradt to mortgage the furture for, its this one.

I would probably take anyone in this years top 7 over next years number 1. With that said, id trade next years pick, top 3, top 1, or maybe not at all, for a top 7 pick this year.

Without tanking, we win atleast 25 games this year.
A healthy TJ and Booker with the JJ that ended the season is another 5-10 wins.
Ayton or Doncic is probably another 5 wins. If Doncic falls a spot or two, lets go all in, or even for another top 7 guy.

I think we *would end up with 35 to 40 wins with a young exciting up and coming team! ...and a draft pick somewhere between 12-16.

But they dont know that

[bwgood77]

I completely disagree with that Stepien piece. They're seriously underrating his athleticism and mobility, it's insane to me that they think it'll be a liability for him as a center at the next level. He's so much more mobile than guys like Whiteside and Nurkic that they compare him to on defense. Their examples of him being an athletic liability on defense are him being beat from the perimeter by NBA athlete-level slashers and one bad close out lol? They knock him for a few bad back to the basket plays, but what successful team even plays in the post a lot anymore? Even the plays where they say he's bad in pick and roll are 2 bad passes and a foul lol... I can literally pull up clips that are the opposite of their talking points in 5 minutes.

I don't get how some of the same people that would want to pay Capela big money this offseason can hate on Bamba. You want the modern center that cleans up the offensive and defensive glass, finishes lobs above the rim, protects the rim at an elite level, can contain on the perimeter, and looks to be a developing spot up 3 point shooter? There you go. He needs weight, but so does literally every draft prospect besides maybe Ayton. Big men rarely come into the league ready to bang with the big boys.

He's not someone we should be drafting, but the him being a mid-late lottery pick is ridiculous lol. Just another "slow" Texas center that's misused by Shaka Smart, drops in the draft, and people wonder "why?" 2-3 years later.

Yeah, his best ability to me besides interior rim protection that will make it hard for guards, but how quickly he can cover ground with his length, steps and wingspan. He can recover quickly. If I worry about things it is that he is 216 lbs and I think he could have trouble with physical centers, though you don't have too many really physical centers these days. That and his shot. 27.5% 3pt and 68% FT is a little worrisome. And can you play him when teams go small?

[TheLogician]

Ayton, MPJ, Bagley, and Doncic is my top four. I'd be happy with any of them. If we move back into the lottery I hope it's for a PG. Some mocks have Young falling and I'd jump on that. I love his shooting and play-making ability. I'd also be fine with Kemba as long as we don't overpay. The Hornets clearly want a fresh start (Kupchak hired, Clifford fired).

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

We knew that awhile ago. I told them that was old news and they blocked me. Realgm is 1000x better than them anyway.

I was just going to say that's old news. They blocked you? That's a little ridiculous.

[bwgood77]

No.

I dunno. If they landed the #4 pick, they might not be as high on it and would be willing to dump Parsons' contract for that coup.
The real question is, would the Suns? I don't think we would.

How much would we really need to spend on FAs with a core of Booker/Jackson + 2 of Luka/Ayton/JJJ/Bagley/MPJr/Trae?
As for the other side of this trade, I doubt that a few mid-level assets will entice Memphis into giving up a top 5 pick. Sure, that contract is terrible, but if tanking teams should be eating big contracts, why wouldn't Memphis commit to the rebuild instead of dumping an important pick just to gamble in the Free Agency. I see no reason why the Grizzlies would make that trade.

Yes, they took their tanking very seriously. Probably because they want to get a top 5 guy.

[thamadkant]

I watch a lot of college hoops. Ayton is an elite rebounder and has a full offensive arsenal. He has the athleticism and nimbleness to become a great defender. Don't fool yourself with stats and projections.

This can go both ways... Don't fool yourself with aesthetics and athletic ability....

You're just being daft. Ayton is much better than Jackson Jr. and would be a better fit on the Suns.

And you can't read properly.

Pick 3 And 4 is what is being discussed when mentioning JJJ.

[AtheJ415]

Some are being a bit too hard on Ayton. I get that his defense is maybe a problem early on, but imo worst case scenario he is Towns. The Okafor comparisons are weak because they are not comparable athletes even if their numbers in terms of PPG and Rebounds are similar. Also, Ayton has shown the touch to shoot to at least deep 2 range, and with a slight bit of work (needs a bit more arch) can stretch to 3. It probably will take a year or 2 but he has the touch to shoot from deep. For instance, he's way ahead of Embiid at the same stage as a shooter. To me, Ayton is most similar to Embiid from a physical and raw skills standpoint, and his floor is Towns imo. I don't see how you pass on him at 2. He can absolutely bully everyone with his size and strength while outrunning most of the bigs in this league and that is monsterously rare. It's like a more nimble Cousins with a great attitude instead of a bad one.

JJJ is younger but we already have that ultra versatile and athletic type of project in both Bender and Chriss. I know JJJ is better than both but I see him more as an Ibaka type. He didn't take many shots at MSU (partly by design, but maybe he is just more the role player type), and so I don't think he ever really becomes an offensive force. He can be a great defender who can hit an open jumper and attack a closeout, but I don't see him as a guy being the 1st or 2nd option in an NBA offense in the future. What he does is certainly valuable (he could be a true stretch 5 who isn't a stiff), but to me not comparable to Doncic, Ayton, Young, or maybe even Porter. We need the defense, but we need offense too, and the guys who can carry an NBA offense in this league are the most valuable relative to the 1 way defenders who are just okay on O (for instance you pick Curry over Beverly every day). That's why I want Doncic, Ayton, Young, and Porter in that order. To me they are the safest while still having the most potential to be the 1st or 2nd factor offensively on an elite offense. It is easier to find those defensive role player types in FA who can round out the D than playmakers. To take JJJ in the top 4 of this draft imo you are gambling on him becoming a playmaker. That may happen, but I see this point in our team history as one where we shouldn't go ultra risky. That's also why I don't have Bamba top 4 either.

[AtheJ415]

This can go both ways... Don't fool yourself with aesthetics and athletic ability....

You're just being daft. Ayton is much better than Jackson Jr. and would be a better fit on the Suns.

And you can't read properly.

Pick 3 And 4 is what is being discussed when mentioning JJJ.

I know some don't like it now given how the year ended but I still take Young at 3 or 4 ahead of JJJ. He was a monster before his team failed him after everyone started triple teaming him. With NBA spacing I think he'll be great. His vision is very underrated. You have to get some defensive bigs behind him and Book, but I think a good defensive coach will improve Bender and Chriss a lot on that end, and that will be a start.

[TheLogician]

This can go both ways... Don't fool yourself with aesthetics and athletic ability....

You're just being daft. Ayton is much better than Jackson Jr. and would be a better fit on the Suns.

And you can't read properly.

Pick 3 And 4 is what is being discussed when mentioning JJJ.

No, you can't. Go back and read the post. Mulhollanddrive suggested Jackson Jr. is comparable statistically to Ayton and Bagley.

[sunskerr]

I think I'm back on the Doncic train after watching Ben Simmons this playoffs. Good god would it be great if we could have a player like that running our system. And Doncic can even shoot threes.

[Revived]

I personally think McD is higher on Ayton than Doncic. Whenever he's being asked in interviews and radio shows and such, he's been mentioning lately how front court is a higher priority for them than pg or anywhere else. I feel like it's subtle hints that he's on Ayton train.

Like most of you, I also like Doncic better than Ayton but I don't think McD sees it that way.

Of course if our pick drops to 2 or 3 then it's all irrelevant anyway.

[juanc]

Today at 8:15 pm(CET- central european timezone) real is playing vs Panathinaikos. It's the 1st game of the euroleague playoffs. Pao has a very athletic team led by former NBA player Calathes(who is having the best season of his carer)

[Mulhollanddrive]

I think McDonough wants a defensive PG next to Booker and he always likes his bigs with unicorn upside.

[Saberestar]

Today at 8:15 pm(CET- central european timezone) real is playing vs Panathinaikos. It's the 1st game of the euroleague playoffs. Pao has a very athletic team led by former NBA player Calathes(who is having the best season of his carer)

This is why I am not superhigh about Doncic...

Calathes is a borderline NBA player and he is averaging 14.2 points, 8.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals in EuroLeague.

I know that he is a veteran and Doncic is only 19 and bla bla bla...but the level of competition is not strong.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Recent notable NBA players and their last season in Europe:

Luka Doncic averaged 15 and 5 @ 19 years old
Kristaps Porzingis averaged 11 and 4 @ 19 years old
Rudy Gobert averaged 8 and 5 @ 20 years old
Pau Gasol averaged 12 and 5 @ 20 years old
Tony Parker averaged 22 and 6 @ 20 years old
Marc Gasol averaged 15 and 7 @ 24 years old
Manu Ginobili averaged 18 and 4 @ 24 years old