2018 NBA Draft Thread

[leroyjw10]

"If a team is looking for extra incentive, Giannis will be an unrestricted free agent in 2021. One agent said it’d be a savvy move to sign Kostas as a means of developing a relationship with Giannis by proxy. Seems like a good reason for the Bucks to acquire Kostas, doesn’t it?"
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/5/21/17374906/nba-draft-combine-rumblings-takeaways

why am I reading this LOL

It makes sense if you think Kostas is a worthwhile draft pick to begin with, but I can't help but think that the agent that said this is Kostas' agent.

The big takeaways concerning the Bucks from that article is that Jontay Porter and DiVincenzo are both reportedly leaning towards returning to school.

The Kostas point is definitely a legit concern. You can't fault Giannis for being too invested in family, but I think he'd put playing with family before personal success. I read that he's been working with Kostas since the season ended, which again, hard to fault him, but ideally he'd be playing with better players, not his far inferior brother.

[M-C-G]

The big takeaways concerning the Bucks from that article is that Jontay Porter and DiVincenzo are both reportedly leaning towards returning to school.

I saw Porter's dad was quoted along the lines of if they believe he will be a first round pick then he would stay in the draft. I am not sure really why many mocks are putting him in the early 2nd round. He should be a first rounder easily IMO.

Next year's draft is much weaker and being so young I can see why Jontay might decide to return.

I think he measured a little better than expected and tested better than expected. Also, I don't watch a lot of college BB these days, but it sounded like he had a rough start to the season and then finished pretty strong (maybe in the second half). Could be some concerns.

But I'd promise him at 17 if he shut down his workouts, just too damn good of a fit for this team and too damn good of a fit for this coach.

[VooDoo7]

"If a team is looking for extra incentive, Giannis will be an unrestricted free agent in 2021. One agent said it’d be a savvy move to sign Kostas as a means of developing a relationship with Giannis by proxy. Seems like a good reason for the Bucks to acquire Kostas, doesn’t it?"
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/5/21/17374906/nba-draft-combine-rumblings-takeaways

why am I reading this LOL

The big takeaways concerning the Bucks from that article is that Jontay Porter and DiVincenzo are both reportedly leaning towards returning to school.

Well this would be a kick in the nuts to all the teams outside the lottery.

[M-C-G]

"If a team is looking for extra incentive, Giannis will be an unrestricted free agent in 2021. One agent said it’d be a savvy move to sign Kostas as a means of developing a relationship with Giannis by proxy. Seems like a good reason for the Bucks to acquire Kostas, doesn’t it?"
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/5/21/17374906/nba-draft-combine-rumblings-takeaways

why am I reading this LOL

The big takeaways concerning the Bucks from that article is that Jontay Porter and DiVincenzo are both reportedly leaning towards returning to school.

Well this would be a kick in the nuts to all the teams outside the lottery.

If both guys are realistically in play for mid first round pick, I'd have a hard time seeing them go back to school. Robert Williams just did that and not only didn't improve his stock, but likely dropped. These guys see those things.

[JHSFIVE]

Good read for those interested:

https://www.thestepien.com/2018/05/19/ball-handling-passing-defensive-versatility-wings-2018-draft/

Mirrors my stance that Mikal Bridges is somewhat overrated.

That's it, I'm all in on Huerter.

Considering his quicks defending the perimeter, Huerter’s added strength (assuming it doesn’t impact his mobility negatively) should make him a very versatile defender at the NBA level, even given his below-average length relative to his size. When added to his high-level flashes as a handler and passer, Huerter performs extremely well in the defensive versatility/passing/ball handling framework, and that is before adding in that he is arguably the best shooter among this group of players. His low steals (0.77 per 40 pace-adjusted, last among the wings studied in this piece) are somewhat of a flag, but like Miles Bridges, a lot of that can be chalked up to his college scheme as Maryland posted the 17th-lowest steal percentage in the NCAA last season. Huerter is young with easily projectable two-way impact, and I’m comfortable saying he’s a top-15 prospect in this class.

Read on Twitter

While he's yet to officially declare, it seems that he's just waiting on a 1st rd promise or 2. I agree that shooting and overall BBIQ is a major need for this team. I'm all for taking a guy that could potentially play the Korver role.

[VooDoo7]

The big takeaways concerning the Bucks from that article is that Jontay Porter and DiVincenzo are both reportedly leaning towards returning to school.

Well this would be a kick in the nuts to all the teams outside the lottery.

If both guys are realistically in play for mid first round pick, I'd have a hard time seeing them go back to school. Robert Williams just did that and not only didn't improve his stock, but likely dropped. These guys see those things.

The smart thing to do, IMO, is stay in the draft. Especially if you get a promise in the mid-1st. Unless they're hearing they'd likely be late-1st, which would be a surprise.

But everybody is different. We've seen plenty of kids go back to school in the past. Some have helped their stock, some have hurt it.

[leroyjw10]

The big takeaways concerning the Bucks from that article is that Jontay Porter and DiVincenzo are both reportedly leaning towards returning to school.

I saw Porter's dad was quoted along the lines of if they believe he will be a first round pick then he would stay in the draft. I am not sure really why many mocks are putting him in the early 2nd round. He should be a first rounder easily IMO.

Next year's draft is much weaker and being so young I can see why Jontay might decide to return.

I think he measured a little better than expected and tested better than expected. Also, I don't watch a lot of college BB these days, but it sounded like he had a rough start to the season and then finished pretty strong (maybe in the second half). Could be some concerns.

But I'd promise him at 17 if he shut down his workouts, just too damn good of a fit for this team and too damn good of a fit for this coach.

I think he tested about the way most expected him to, which is to say not very well. He had the highest body fat percentage, the slowest 3/4 court spring and lowest vertical. Maybe a bit taller than expected, but not much of a wingspan. Shot pretty well.

But I think all of that was expected. Any team that drafts him knows they're not drafting him for his athleticism, they're drafting him for his skills, which he has in abundance. Reading other articles, it feels a little like Porter's moving from underrated to overrated. That being said, I'd still take him without a hesitation.

[bizarro]

I'm soooooo down for 'Mikal Bridges is overrated' to help him slip all the way to 17.

[Ron Swanson]

Just worried that Porter is gonna be a defensive sieve at the next level. Not necessarily a deal-breaker now that we have a good defensive coach who is adept at hiding players' weaknesses on that end (Jeff Teague says hi), but you can only scheme so much to hide front court players who are weak defensively or not great athletes. For instance, even as great of an offensive player Nikola Jokic is, that team's defensive potential is always gonna be capped with him defending the rim as your starting 5.

[bizarro]

I am not enthused the Tankathon mock consistently has us taking Anfernee Simons.

[HurricaneKid]

Just worried that Porter is gonna be a defensive sieve at the next level

These are my feelings on this as well. His upside is Caleb Swanigan to me. And no matter what he gives you offensively his abject inability to play in space is going to limit him to a mid bench backup who can't play meaningful minutes. I cannot ask Bud to take on more limitations than he is already going to have to manage.

I am also AMAZED than Doncic appears to be falling as he pairs his Euroleague MVP with a Final 4 MVP and Championship. There are 7 other players on his team that played/could have played in the NBA. He makes 8. And he led the team to a title. At 19.

[bizarro]

Has anyone watched Kevin Hervey play?

Kevin Hervey (See brief write-up here: https://nbadraft.theringer.com/?player=kevin_hervey&_ga=2.178275300.1349549892.1526918661-1940765384.1526918661) was the most intriguing player of the combine. At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, the UT Arlington forward hit spot-up 3s, defended multiple positions, and hit a tough contested jumper off the dribble, which is something he did a lot of in college. Health is a concern—he’s torn both of his ACLs already—but his potential is tantalizing in the late first or early second round, areas where risks can be taken. With Hervey, a team may hit a home run.

[machu46]

Has anyone watched Kevin Hervey play?

Kevin Hervey (See brief write-up here: https://nbadraft.theringer.com/?player=kevin_hervey&_ga=2.178275300.1349549892.1526918661-1940765384.1526918661) was the most intriguing player of the combine. At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, the UT Arlington forward hit spot-up 3s, defended multiple positions, and hit a tough contested jumper off the dribble, which is something he did a lot of in college. Health is a concern—he’s torn both of his ACLs already—but his potential is tantalizing in the late first or early second round, areas where risks can be taken. With Hervey, a team may hit a home run.

Can't even find highlights on YouTube lol. I think I'm good on guys with ACL histories for a little while though.

[bizarro]

Just worried that Porter is gonna be a defensive sieve at the next level

These are my feelings on this as well. His upside is Caleb Swanigan to me. And no matter what he gives you offensively his abject inability to play in space is going to limit him to a mid bench backup who can't play meaningful minutes. I cannot ask Bud to take on more limitations than he is already going to have to manage.

I am also AMAZED than Doncic appears to be falling as he pairs his Euroleague MVP with a Final 4 MVP and Championship. There are 7 other players on his team that played/could have played in the NBA. He makes 8. And he led the team to a title. At 19.

Yeah, it's silly. Doncic is a phenomenal talent. He has everything you're looking for - young, efficient, deep range, handles the ball, has length, plays controlled, has explosion, excelled at the highest level of Euro competition. There's still a fear of the Euro bust, imho, due to the Milicic flop. Doncic is a prototypical high upside multi-faceted Point Wing for the modern NBA.

[M-C-G]

I saw Porter's dad was quoted along the lines of if they believe he will be a first round pick then he would stay in the draft. I am not sure really why many mocks are putting him in the early 2nd round. He should be a first rounder easily IMO.

Next year's draft is much weaker and being so young I can see why Jontay might decide to return.

I think he measured a little better than expected and tested better than expected. Also, I don't watch a lot of college BB these days, but it sounded like he had a rough start to the season and then finished pretty strong (maybe in the second half). Could be some concerns.

But I'd promise him at 17 if he shut down his workouts, just too damn good of a fit for this team and too damn good of a fit for this coach.

I think he tested about the way most expected him to, which is to say not very well. He had the highest body fat percentage, the slowest 3/4 court spring and lowest vertical. Maybe a bit taller than expected, but not much of a wingspan. Shot pretty well.

But I think all of that was expected. Any team that drafts him knows they're not drafting him for his athleticism, they're drafting him for his skills, which he has in abundance. Reading other articles, it feels a little like Porter's moving from underrated to overrated. That being said, I'd still take him without a hesitation.

I guess I will say Porter having a better Shuttle Run than Duval or DeVincenzo were pretty surprising to me. The vert and sprint I am less worried about, because part of drafting Porter is that you are banking on his body maturing and him becoming a better athlete. I guess the degree to which you think his body matures probably factors in to how good you think he can become.

I don't know, I get the concerns, but this guy just offers a good amount of upside, incredible fit, high floor and think his passing and shooting could really be a weapon on this team.

[Brewhoopfan]

I know the best college players aren't always the best NBA prospects. But, it's possible the national player of the year, Jalen Brunson, will be the 4th player selected FROM HIS OWN TEAM. That's crazy.

[machu46]

I don't envision him being a target for Milwaukee anyways, but I've been hearing it all year and Adam Zagoria is reporting it now...Tyus Battle likely to remain in the draft according to a source close to the Battle family.

[Ron Swanson]

I'm not super high on any of the Villanova guys outside of Bridges. Could obviously see Brunson carving out a long career as a backup combo guard with his shooting, but I'd aim for something higher. I'm also kind of concerned that Bridges might be Corey Brewer....

[bizarro]

I'm not super high on any of the Villanova guys outside of Bridges. Could obviously see Brunson carving out a long career as a backup combo guard with his shooting, but I'd aim for something higher. I'm also kind of concerned that Bridges might be Corey Brewer....

I see way more Otto Porter to his game than Corey Brewer. But, I guess I see where you go with that. Bridges is just a much much better offensive player than Brewer. Where he needs to really work on his game is his horizontal game. He's currently much more a vertical player. But, man, for me personally, I can't think of a more sure thing as a plug and play solid 3 and D guy in this draft. He's just a really good basketball player. And, somehow, in this late process he is slipping.

[leroyjw10]

I don't envision him being a target for Milwaukee anyways, but I've been hearing it all year and Adam Zagoria is reporting it now...Tyus Battle likely to remain in the draft according to a source close to the Battle family.

I know very little about Battle outside of him going to Syracuse, but that's all I really need to know. No offense to any alum and Boeheim fans, but that program consistently churns out NBA flops. I'd guess just 1 in 10 NBA draft picks from Syracuse actually pans out, if that.

I mean ... yikes. https://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Atlantic-Coast-Conference/1/Syracuse/382/nba-draft