2018 NBA Draft Thread

[RogerMurdock]

What makes Grayson Allen a better prospect than Devon Hall?

[Douggystyle29]

Honestly imo the depth in this draft is horrible, I think we will be lucky if a good player falls to us. I don’t get why everyone keeps saying that this is a deep draft. Once guys pull out I think you’ll be lucky to get 20 nba players out of this draft

As of right now I completely disagree. I think this is going to be one of the deepest drafts in a long time, especially at shooting guard. But yah, that may change depending on how many players pull out. Right now I am seeing a ton of players projected to be picked in the second round I wouldn't hesitate to take in the first round such as Metu of USC, the guy from Ukraine who played for Kansas who's name I can't spell. Even Wagner from Michigan.

There are a lot of SGs, kind of a bummer because they aren't real high on the need list, but how many of them can create their own shot and play defense? How many have the potential to be quality starters in the league? If the draft is chock full of guys who's ceiling is a catch and shoot role player and who's floor is player in Europe I wouldn't call it a deep draft necessarily. I didn't even look to see how Wagner measured out, is he more athletic than Henry Ellenson?

Wagner's measurements are not that good, he has about a 9'0" standing reach according to DX and is around 6'11" Very similar to Enes Kanter I guess. In comparing Ellenson and Wagner, they have similar builds and measurements but Wagner is more athletic and has a lot better quickness. What I think is going to save Wagner is his super quick first step for a big allowing him to beat other bigs to the basket and create space to get off his shot. He is never going to be a shot blocker I don't think but his perimeter defense is very solid which I think will help him on switches. He should be a solid player coming off the bench IMO. I just see a lot of athleticism in many of the shooting guards in our range like Zhaire Smith, point guards like Shai and others in our range that shoot decent and have very fixable flaws IMO that could pan out to be special. It just seems there are a lot of quick and athletic shooting guards toward the middle and end of the first round which is exciting.

[Ruzious]

I hate Allen so much that I don't even care what he'd bring basketball-wise. I'm all for having scrappy. hard-nosed guys on the team. But he takes it to another level. Total douche bag.

Meh, he seems to have grown up a lot in the last year or so. I wouldn't pick him because... he's not very good. Donte Di is a much better prospect, imo.

[Frank Nova]

I think I've decided how to put my preferences in order finally.

1. Trade way up for Luka - top 3
2. Trade up for Sexton - top 8
3. Trade up for SGA or Mikal/Miles - top 12

Staying at 17;

1. Jontay Porter
2. Donte DiVincenzo
3. Gary Trent Jr.
4. Zhaire Smith
5. Anfernee Simons

Trading back to acquire an asset is also solid especially if we can get 1 of the 5 still. But moving back and missing on those 5 I like;

1. Dzanan Musa
2. Elie Okobo
3. Jalen Brunson
4. Khyri Thomas
5. Keita Bates-Diop
6. Troy Brown

All I want is a very good shooter that can play basketball or a very good basketball player that can shoot. I'm not exactly asking for world peace, its astounding how such an easy concept seems so ground breaking for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Of course this is all subject to change and 99% will before the draft but that's the best I got so far from everything I've watched and read the last few weeks. Those are all the guys I like most and where I like them ranked as 1st round prospects.

Thoughts?

[LuessiT]

Read on Twitter

Think it's good if he comes back with a 3 pointer. I'd still probably go the G-League route 9/10.

[BuildingBucks]

I think I've decided how to put my preferences in order finally.

1. Trade way up for Luka - top 3
2. Trade up for Sexton - top 8
3. Trade up for SGA or Mikal/Miles - top 12

Staying at 17;

1. Jontay Porter
2. Donte DiVincenzo
3. Gary Trent Jr.
4. Zhaire Smith
5. Anfernee Simons

Trading back to acquire an asset is also solid especially if we can get 1 of the 5 still. But moving back and missing on those 5 I like;

1. Dzanan Musa
2. Elie Okobo
3. Jalen Brunson
4. Khyri Thomas
5. Keita Bates-Diop
6. Troy Brown

All I want is a very good shooter that can play basketball or a very good basketball player that can shoot. I'm not exactly asking for world peace, its astounding how such an easy concept seems so ground breaking for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Of course this is all subject to change and 99% will before the draft but that's the best I got so far from everything I've watched and read the last few weeks. Those are all the guys I like most and where I like them ranked as 1st round prospects.

Thoughts?

My thoughts are we have very different opinions on this draft lol which is fine because that's the fun part about it. So many players to have an opinion on when even the "obvious" picks are still uncertain.

Trading up to top 3 I'm taking Mo Bamba but I'm not interested in what we would have to give up for that pick. Top 8 I'm going Wendell Carter or Mikal Bridges, Sexton is at best Eric Bledsoe to me but he was fun to watch in college. Top 12 I'm taking SGA, or Robert Williams, I am not a fan of Miles Bridges at all.

If we stay at 17:
1. Khyri Thomas
2. Chandler Hutchison
3. Jontay Porter
4. Zhaire Smith
5. Landry Shamet

I wouldn't draft Gary Trent Jr 1st round even that's how low I am on him, Anfernee Simons did pretty well at the combine but he won't impact a team for years and I'm not really interested in drafting a player like that when we're trying to win now.

Trading back:
1. Shake Milton
2. Jalen Brunson
3. Donte DiVincenzo
4. Kevin Huerter
5. De'Anthony Melton

I also wouldn't draft Dzanan Musa in the 1st, Troy Brown is solid but not really impressive at anything he's just ok.

[Wisky4life]

Remember we cannot trade our 1st this year. Not sure if we draft a player and then trade if that works.

Our next first we can trade is 2022.

[bizarro]

I hate Allen so much that I don't even care what he'd bring basketball-wise. I'm all for having scrappy. hard-nosed guys on the team. But he takes it to another level. Total douche bag.

Love the Bud photo, Voods. Nice get.

[Frank Nova]

I think I've decided how to put my preferences in order finally.

1. Trade way up for Luka - top 3
2. Trade up for Sexton - top 8
3. Trade up for SGA or Mikal/Miles - top 12

Staying at 17;

1. Jontay Porter
2. Donte DiVincenzo
3. Gary Trent Jr.
4. Zhaire Smith
5. Anfernee Simons

Trading back to acquire an asset is also solid especially if we can get 1 of the 5 still. But moving back and missing on those 5 I like;

1. Dzanan Musa
2. Elie Okobo
3. Jalen Brunson
4. Khyri Thomas
5. Keita Bates-Diop
6. Troy Brown

All I want is a very good shooter that can play basketball or a very good basketball player that can shoot. I'm not exactly asking for world peace, its astounding how such an easy concept seems so ground breaking for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Of course this is all subject to change and 99% will before the draft but that's the best I got so far from everything I've watched and read the last few weeks. Those are all the guys I like most and where I like them ranked as 1st round prospects.

Thoughts?

My thoughts are we have very different opinions on this draft lol which is fine because that's the fun part about it. So many players to have an opinion on when even the "obvious" picks are still uncertain.

Trading up to top 3 I'm taking Mo Bamba but I'm not interested in what we would have to give up for that pick. Top 8 I'm going Wendell Carter or Mikal Bridges, Sexton is at best Eric Bledsoe to me but he was fun to watch in college. Top 12 I'm taking SGA, or Robert Williams, I am not a fan of Miles Bridges at all.

If we stay at 17:
1. Khyri Thomas
2. Chandler Hutchison
3. Jontay Porter
4. Zhaire Smith
5. Landry Shamet

I wouldn't draft Gary Trent Jr 1st round even that's how low I am on him, Anfernee Simons did pretty well at the combine but he won't impact a team for years and I'm not really interested in drafting a player like that when we're trying to win now.

Trading back:
1. Shake Milton
2. Jalen Brunson
3. Donte DiVincenzo
4. Kevin Huerter
5. De'Anthony Melton

I also wouldn't draft Dzanan Musa in the 1st, Troy Brown is solid but not really impressive at anything he's just ok.

Wow, I totally forgot about Huerter. I'd actually put Huerter in my top 5 and bump Simons for the exact reason you said. I like his game and he intrigues me but the mystery aspect also scares me a lot and you're right its probably awhile before he contributes.

Only player you mentioned I'm not crazy about at all is Chandler Hutchison. Hes just not that intriguing to me and I cant justify him as a top 20-25 player. I just like so many more players than me. He doesn't stand out to me. Maybe I need to watch more though..

I honestly think Bledsoe has a low bball IQ and relies on athleticism to overcompensate. I like the Bledsoe comp for Sexton because if he displays that same type of play but plays smarter and under better control, the sky is the limit. Just like the sky was the limit for Bledsoe and he developed way too many bad habits trying to be the man on a bad team. Empty gaudy stats that don't translate to wins and boneheaded mistakes have pretty much summed up Bledsoes career since leaving LAC. Sexton coming in fresh with Giannis and Bud there's a chance maybe hes Westbrook and surpasses Bledsoe right?

Doncic and Sexton are honestly the only 2 I'd trade up high enough to draft. Bamba I have no idea what to even make of him. Hes just an absolutely freakishly large human lol.

Miles Bridges I like, I see some Tobias/Winslow and I like Tom Izzo products.

[Gam]

Remember we cannot trade our 1st this year. Not sure if we draft a player and then trade if that works.

Our next first we can trade is 2022.

We can do a draft day trade.

[bizarro]

I hate Allen so much that I don't even care what he'd bring basketball-wise. I'm all for having scrappy. hard-nosed guys on the team. But he takes it to another level. Total douche bag.

Eh, there at at least 10 guys I'd rather have at 17 (that should be there) over Allen, but I"m sure he'd end up being a solid bench piece and we'd end up liking him if we took him.

I'm sure there at least 10 guys I'd rather have as well. I'm not sure Allen would become a solid bench piece or we'd end up liking him.

[bizarro]

I don't know how you can consider taking Landry Shamet with those foot injuries. I'd definitely take him if I had an early 2nd rounder as there is no guarantee there. BUT, in the mid-1st? With 2 similar foot injuries - one in each foot? I think I'm passing.

[BuildingBucks]

Wow, I totally forgot about Huerter. I'd actually put Huerter in my top 5 and bump Simons for the exact reason you said. I like his game and he intrigues me but the mystery aspect also scares me a lot and you're right its probably awhile before he contributes.

Only player you mentioned I'm not crazy about at all is Chandler Hutchison. Hes just not that intriguing to me and I cant justify him as a top 20-25 player. I just like so many more players than me. He doesn't stand out to me. Maybe I need to watch more though..

I honestly think Bledsoe has a low bball IQ and relies on athleticism to overcompensate. I like the Bledsoe comp for Sexton because if he displays that same type of play but plays smarter and under better control, the sky is the limit. Just like the sky was the limit for Bledsoe and he developed way too many bad habits trying to be the man on a bad team. Empty gaudy stats that don't translate to wins and boneheaded mistakes have pretty much summed up Bledsoes career since leaving LAC. Sexton coming in fresh with Giannis and Bud there's a chance maybe hes Westbrook and surpasses Bledsoe right?

Doncic and Sexton are honestly the only 2 I'd trade up high enough to draft. Bamba I have no idea what to even make of him. Hes just an absolutely freakishly large human lol.

Miles Bridges I like, I see some Tobias/Winslow and I like Tom Izzo products.

I wanted to see Chandler Hutchison at the combine but he got a promise from the Bulls at 22 so he passed on it. This probably isn't the best comparison but he reminded me of Kyle Kuzma when I watched him play. Mo Bamba's 3 point shot looks great from the clips I've seen, he could be a nightmare on defense + NBA 3 range. Still needs work obviously but he could end up being the best player in the draft.

For Sexton I just would rather draft a few other players instead of him, like SGA for example. With Miles Bridges he has the NBA body and athleticism I just don't see enough skill. His jumper improved but I still don't like the look of it, and I'm not confident he'll be able to hit the NBA 3. A lot are high on him so maybe I'm missing something but from the MSU games I watched I was never that impressed.

[emunney]

I don't know how you can consider taking Landry Shamet with those foot injuries. I'd definitely take him if I had an early 2nd rounder as there is no guarantee there. BUT, in the mid-1st? With 2 similar foot injuries - one in each foot? I think I'm passing.

IIRC he hasn't had any problems with either foot since either surgery. The success of the first surgery (in 2015) made him decide to be more aggressive and get the surgery earlier with the 2nd foot. I don't think he's in my top 17 but it's not because of his injury history.

[MidnightBuck]

Trade back into the late 20s and draft DiVincenzo. Draft Brunson in the 2nd round.

That Nova team was the best college basketball team of all time, and I think Bridges (floor = Trevor Ariza), DiVincenzo (floor = Danny Green), and Brunson (floor = JJ Barea) all end up at least being solid rotational guys for years to come.

Don't overthink it or you'll end up with DJ Wilson.

[BuildingBucks]

Trade back into the late 20s and draft DiVincenzo. Draft Brunson in the 2nd round.

That Nova team was the best college basketball team of all time, and I think Bridges (floor = Trevor Ariza), DiVincenzo (floor = Danny Green), and Brunson (floor = JJ Barea) all end up at least being solid rotational guys for years to come.

Don't overthink it or you'll end up with DJ Wilson.

I'm not sure overthinking was the issue, pretty sure no thinking was involved drafting DJ Wilson.

[Gam]

Trade back into the late 20s and draft DiVincenzo. Draft Brunson in the 2nd round.

That Nova team was the best college basketball team of all time, and I think Bridges (floor = Trevor Ariza), DiVincenzo (floor = Danny Green), and Brunson (floor = JJ Barea) all end up at least being solid rotational guys for years to come.

Don't overthink it or you'll end up with DJ Wilson.

The more I look into it, the Nova guy I'm the most interested in (relative to projected draft position) is Spellman. Brunson is a close 2nd.

[Gam]

Trade back into the late 20s and draft DiVincenzo. Draft Brunson in the 2nd round.

That Nova team was the best college basketball team of all time, and I think Bridges (floor = Trevor Ariza), DiVincenzo (floor = Danny Green), and Brunson (floor = JJ Barea) all end up at least being solid rotational guys for years to come.

Don't overthink it or you'll end up with DJ Wilson.

I'm not sure overthinking was the issue, pretty sure no thinking was involved drafting DJ Wilson.

Yeah, I'm not sure how someone in the war room didn't throw a sh*t-fit that DJ was f*cking 9th on our Board.

[BuildingBucks]

Trade back into the late 20s and draft DiVincenzo. Draft Brunson in the 2nd round.

That Nova team was the best college basketball team of all time, and I think Bridges (floor = Trevor Ariza), DiVincenzo (floor = Danny Green), and Brunson (floor = JJ Barea) all end up at least being solid rotational guys for years to come.

Don't overthink it or you'll end up with DJ Wilson.

I'm not sure overthinking was the issue, pretty sure no thinking was involved drafting DJ Wilson.

Yeah, I'm not sure how someone in the war room didn't throw a sh*t-fit that DJ was f*cking 9th on our Board.

I had a list of like 5 players I thought we should draft in that moment and none of them were DJ Wilson. Rest of the night was me trying to find things to convince myself it wasn't a terrible pick. It was.

[BucksFanSD]

Trade back into the late 20s and draft DiVincenzo. Draft Brunson in the 2nd round.

That Nova team was the best college basketball team of all time, and I think Bridges (floor = Trevor Ariza), DiVincenzo (floor = Danny Green), and Brunson (floor = JJ Barea) all end up at least being solid rotational guys for years to come.

Don't overthink it or you'll end up with DJ Wilson.

DiVincenzo and DJ Wilson were both 3 year college players with similar stats/production. Both took a huge rise in the mock drafts after mid-March.