Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Jamaaliver]

I'd feel more inclined to draft Trae if Bud was still here and if we had a concrete trade offer for Dennis in the works.

It'd also be hard to pass on so many talented young big men in this draft for such a risky prospect at PG. I'd only take Trae at #7 or later.

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Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young (Oklahoma, PG, Freshman)

Projected pick: No. 4

Expected candidates: Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Michael Porter Jr.

Surprise option: Trae Young

The Atlanta Hawks' second-leading scorer is Taurean Prince at 14.1 points per game. Their second-leading assist man is Kent Bazemore at 3.5. The lack of offensive weapons in this rotation is problematic, and even Dennis Schroder comes with questions.

Young would give Atlanta a much-needed punch of shot-creating, shot-making and playmaking. Plus, Prince and John Collins may benefit from a two-point guard lineup, given Schroder's and Young's ability to set the table and draw attention.

At this stage, the Hawks have no identity, but they can create one by loading up in the backcourt and building through their guard play, particularly with two ball-handlers who can apply constant pressure.

Projected pick: No. 4

Expected candidates: Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Michael Porter Jr.

Surprise option: Trae Young

The Atlanta Hawks' second-leading scorer is Taurean Prince at 14.1 points per game. Their second-leading assist man is Kent Bazemore at 3.5. The lack of offensive weapons in this rotation is problematic, and even Dennis Schroder comes with questions.

Young would give Atlanta a much-needed punch of shot-creating, shot-making and playmaking. Plus, Prince and John Collins may benefit from a two-point guard lineup, given Schroder's and Young's ability to set the table and draw attention.

At this stage, the Hawks have no identity, but they can create one by loading up in the backcourt and building through their guard play, particularly with two ball-handlers who can apply constant pressure.

[Jamaaliver]

I find myself now somewhat hoping we fall to #5 so we can grab this kid with no worry or risk:

2018 NBA Draft: 1 Surprise Prospect Each Lottery Team Should Target



Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke, C, Freshman)

Projected pick: No. 3

Expected candidates: Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mohamed Bamba

Surprise option: Wendell Carter Jr.

Bagley's athleticism points to higher upside, but that's not always how it works, and Carter's fit can be easier to picture. His production and efficiency also went overlooked on Duke's loaded roster: 20.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.1 blocks per 40 minutes on 56.1 percent shooting.

Scouts expect Carter to thrive in a more open NBA, especially if he's paired with a perimeter scorer like Harrison Barnes at the 4.

At 6'10", 259 pounds with 7'3" length, he has the size, post game and shot-blocking ability to play center, but also a developing jumper (19-of-46 3PTM) that's helped strengthen comparisons to Al Horford, who similarly compensates for limited explosiveness with inside-out skill and fundamentals.

Though his bounce and versatility don't match Bagley's, Carter offers more convincing rim protection and shooting touch, along with a strong back-to-the-basket game and overall physical inside presence.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

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[Spud2nique]

I find myself now somewhat hoping we fall to #5 so we can grab this kid with no worry or risk:

2018 NBA Draft: 1 Surprise Prospect Each Lottery Team Should Target



Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke, C, Freshman)

Projected pick: No. 3

Expected candidates: Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mohamed Bamba

Surprise option: Wendell Carter Jr.

Bagley's athleticism points to higher upside, but that's not always how it works, and Carter's fit can be easier to picture. His production and efficiency also went overlooked on Duke's loaded roster: 20.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.1 blocks per 40 minutes on 56.1 percent shooting.

Scouts expect Carter to thrive in a more open NBA, especially if he's paired with a perimeter scorer like Harrison Barnes at the 4.

At 6'10", 259 pounds with 7'3" length, he has the size, post game and shot-blocking ability to play center, but also a developing jumper (19-of-46 3PTM) that's helped strengthen comparisons to Al Horford, who similarly compensates for limited explosiveness with inside-out skill and fundamentals.

Though his bounce and versatility don't match Bagley's, Carter offers more convincing rim protection and shooting touch, along with a strong back-to-the-basket game and overall physical inside presence.

Bleacher Report

I stopped reading when I saw projected pick #3...in his dreams.

[Jamaaliver]

I stopped reading when I saw projected pick #3...in his dreams.

LOL

That's my fault. I edited that excerpt inaccurately. The article speculates Mavs should consider him as a sleeper selection.

That Dallas Team is projected to have the #3 pick.




My. Bad.

[Jamaaliver]

What Every NBA Lottery Team Should Do If It Wins No. 1 Pick

Atlanta Hawks


Chances of winning the lottery: 13.7 percent

Option A: Draft Doncic

The one hole in DeAndre Ayton's game may make him difficult for the Atlanta Hawks to select. The team [would] have to decide if its wants to build around two bigs in John Collins and Ayton, neither of whom are known as strong defenders.

Instead, the safer play is drafting Doncic to play shooting guard. Dennis Schroder, who finished behind only James Harden in field goals made per game off drives, would be a fitting backcourt partner for Doncic, since his only question mark is explosiveness.

Otherwise, he'd give Atlanta needed secondary playmaking and shot-making from the wing.




Option B: Explore trading down

If the Hawks don't see a major difference between the top handful of prospects, it would be worth looking to move down for either rim protectors like Jackson or Bamba or another playmaker in Young.

The Hawks have few players or prospects of value and may want to acquire multiple assets instead of banking on Ayton, Doncic or Bagley to become All-Stars.

If the Hawks can guarantee themselves one of Jackson, Bamba or Young and then acquire a future lottery pick, quality starter or exciting young talent via trade, they should look into it.

Bleacher Report

[dms269]

JJJ is growing one me. I was hesitant at the beginning and compared his game to Marvin but I’ve reconsidered drafting him because he’s not as much a Marvin duck butt as I initially saw in him. He and Collins would be a versatile 4/5 combo for years to come. Super young and raw but I’m starting to see more of a Kevin Garnett in this kid than a Marvin Williams.

Warming up to him. This is going to be a pretty good draft and we need another pick in the top 10. Let’s face it we have 3 firsts and a second round pick and there’s no way we bring in 4 rookies, so why not trade a package of Dennis, Baze #19, #30 and #33 to move into that aforementioned top 10 and just being in 2 legit rookies to pair with Prince and Collins.

I'm not sure how we could move up. Baze isn't going to net positive value. As much as we love Dennis, I think his value is seen more neutral or negative than positive. Our best bet is to take on a contract for an earlier 20s, then package that with 19 to try and move into the mid teens.

A 24 yo PG with last season avg on a very bad team: PTS: 19.4 ASST 6.2 REB 3.1 PER 17.41 on a good contract is neutral or negative? I hope you don't work in marketing or FO

He was 16th in PER this past season for all PGs. In terms of TS% he was tied for 47th in the league. He might have scored 19 ppg , but his percentages are horrible. He is considered a black hole on defenses (-2.2 d+/-). 15.5M fir the next 3 seasons is really not considering a good contract due to his production. He has to improve either his shooting or defense, he can't be bad at both and be a starting pg. Rondo (who he was compared to at the start of his career was a defensive anchor early in his career. Later he has developed a shot. Dennis has to do that.

If you think his value is high check the trade/transactions board and propose a trade.

[tbhawksfan1]

Never said I think his value is high, said if TS wants to trade him, get a good deal

[Spud2nique]

I stopped reading when I saw projected pick #3...in his dreams.

LOL

That's my fault. I edited that excerpt inaccurately. The article speculates Mavs should consider him as a sleeper selection.

That Dallas Team is projected to have the #3 pick.




My. Bad.

Oh I see what happened...lol...ya that was confusing but I just saw the entire BR article and it had Jaren Jackson Jr. #1 to the Suns so I guess it was surprise picks instead of who teams should actually take.

I’m hopeful of moving into the top 3 picks in next week’s lotto draw but at the very least I don’t want to fall to 7th, that’s my biggest nightmare...I guess even 6th.

A top 5 pick will give us a few choices and land us a good/great player.


Note: However when I go to tankathon and play the lottery and the Hawks end up 6th or 7th they end up targeting a Porter jr. or Trae Young for us at that range vs a Bagley or JJJ at the 4th/5th slot.

Let the chips fall where they may..(seriously though not 7th I can’t have 3 teams behind us leapfrog us).

[Jamaaliver]

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[Spud2nique]

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I will enjoy the draft workouts in a few weeks when the big boys go head to head against one another. I’m most excited to see..

Bagley vs JJJ

Ayton vs Bamba

Young vs Sexton

Porter jr vs Mikal Bridges


That’s when we can get a better idea of who shoots up the draft boards and who falls.

[tbhawksfan1]

With so much talent, it's going to be interesting to see how GMs actually draft. There are always surprises like Collins sliding to #19 last season

[Jamaaliver]

Wendell VS JJJ intrigues me....

[tbhawksfan1]

Wendell VS JJJ intrigues me....

Yeah, me too. Thinking we end up in a spot where we are left with a coice between JJJ, Trae, Carter or Bamba and that is a tough decision for me. Think I'd choose JJJ for the two way potential with Carter a very close second.

[jayu70]

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[jayu70]

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[Spud2nique]

Wendell VS JJJ intrigues me....

Yeah, me too. Thinking we end up in a spot where we are left with a coice between JJJ, Trae, Carter or Bamba and that is a tough decision for me. Think I'd choose JJJ for the two way potential with Carter a very close second.

Wendell has the lowest ceiling of them all in my opinion. What you see right now from him might be close to final product. Not putting a ceiling on the kid but I just feel Trae, Bamba and JJJ have a much higher ceiling.

The skill set that Wendell has right now can only be sharpened. This is actually a compliment to his all around game in that he do a little bit of everything right now. The same can’t really be said for the other three. An example would be JJJ, he is super raw. The guy is an athlete freak that is a great rebound but outside of that he seems like he hasn’t been taught anything. He has room to grown as far as scoring in the post and even his outside game, his shot looks funky and can be tweaked for sure.

I guess that’s where the risk comes as far as the draft. Do you want a guy that when you watch him today, you know he will be capable of going a lot of things good but not possibly great, a 10 year starter but possibly never an all star. (Wendell) Or do you want a guy that is just scratching the surface of what he can do but hasn’t done it yet and can either be a star/superstar or on the flip side a complete bust. (JJJ)

[MaceCase]

I like JJJ because of his pick and roll defense plus switch potential. Wendell seems more like paint dweller but kudos to his mom for her switch ability against the NCAA.

[Spud2nique]

I’d go JJJ over Wendell myself. I mean we are almost building from scratch so we need some superstar potential imo.

[kg01]

I wouldn't take Carter in the 1st round at all.