Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[ATL Boy]

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2018/6/18/17474926/nba-draft-rumors-atlanta-hawks-jaren-jackson-jr-luka-doncic-first-round-2018-report

A report that we're "souring" on JJJ and are looking to take Doncic at 3: my favorite report of draft season so far.

[Jamaaliver]

I’m assuming we are looking at both of these guys with picks 30 or 34?

Musa has been projected between 18-25 for a few months.

Okobo was considered an early 2nd rounder in January. But he's rocketed up draft boards since March and is expected to go between 15-23.

Both seem like reasonable candidates to be drafted by SAS at #18. It'll take some serious coaching to mold them into NBA players.
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Okobo has the higher upside as a two-way starter but is currently a SG in a PG's body.

Musa is a straight gunner with complete confidence and no conscience. I think he'll do really well if drafted by Utah.

[Jamaaliver]

You type like Brad talks. Just a natural assumption

I get that a lot.

[Jamaaliver]

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2018/6/18/17474926/nba-draft-rumors-atlanta-hawks-jaren-jackson-jr-luka-doncic-first-round-2018-report

A report that we're "souring" on JJJ and are looking to take Doncic at 3: my favorite report of draft season so far.

Coming in hot like this so late in the process...this feels like a false/planted rumor.

Not sure by whom, though.


I believe all the excitement regarding JJJ's defensive potential. But I don't think he's ready for all the responsibility of being a franchise pillar.



I say pass on JJJ at #3.

Give me Doncic or trade back for more assets...These seem like the only two viable options for a franchise as devoid of talent as we are.

[Bob8]

There’s a lot of rumors, but I don’t know how many GM’s and owners went together with some assistants to have a nice dinner in Europe, with a player they don’t want to draft? Unfortunately Luka is going to the Kings.

[kg01]

There’s a lot of rumors, but I don’t know how many GM’s and owners went together with some assistants to have a nice dinner in Europe, with a player they don’t want to draft? Unfortunately Luka is going to the Kings.

Whattup Bob-O! Why so sad about Doncic-to-SAC? Did you really want him here? Serious question.

I've thought all along that he was bound for SAC which isn't good for us since that means future-bust Bagley is still on the board.

[Jamaaliver]

For as skeptical as I am on JJJ...this might be the single most ideal draft for us that I've seen.

OUR ULTIMATE ‘GRADE A’ MOCK DRAFT

This draft is full of mystery. Teams are trying to trade up or down looking for the best prospect, and everyone's big board looks different. Our experts are here to help. Dive right in



3 • Atlanta Hawks
Jaren Jackson Jr.


19 • Atlanta Hawks
Elie Okobo


30 • Atlanta Hawks
Khyri Thomas

ESPN

[Jamaaliver]

Drafting a top-5 center? Riskier than ever before

As the league trends toward more 3-pointers and switching defenses, are teams drafting for an era that no longer exists?

Small-ball succeeds deep in playoffs

Here's a remarkable statistic about the influence of centers in this year's playoffs. In this year's conference finals, both of which went seven games, the four teams got a combined three minutes by players listed as 7-foot or taller.

For the most part, the centers who had the biggest impact in the late rounds of the 2018 playoffs were smaller, more versatile players, such as Al Horford of the Celtics and the Cavaliers' frontcourt of Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson -- all of them drafted as power forwards, a position Horford and Love continue to play at times.



Center production available cheaply

Back in the early 2000s, the fear was that the center position was going extinct for lack of talent. The problem now is the opposite of that. With higher 3-point attempt rates providing so much spacing around spread pick-and-roll offenses, the productivity of centers has never been better -- making useful centers easy to find.



...the top teams in this year's draft could be investing precious picks into centers not dramatically better than those available at relatively low prices in free agency, and players who may have a tough time making an impact deep in the playoffs if their teams become contenders. That should give teams looking at centers some reason to re-evaluate before the draft.

ESPN

[macd-gm]

Drafting a top-5 center? Riskier than ever before

As the league trends toward more 3-pointers and switching defenses, are teams drafting for an era that no longer exists?

Small-ball succeeds deep in playoffs

Here's a remarkable statistic about the influence of centers in this year's playoffs. In this year's conference finals, both of which went seven games, the four teams got a combined three minutes by players listed as 7-foot or taller.

For the most part, the centers who had the biggest impact in the late rounds of the 2018 playoffs were smaller, more versatile players, such as Al Horford of the Celtics and the Cavaliers' frontcourt of Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson -- all of them drafted as power forwards, a position Horford and Love continue to play at times.



Center production available cheaply

Back in the early 2000s, the fear was that the center position was going extinct for lack of talent. The problem now is the opposite of that. With higher 3-point attempt rates providing so much spacing around spread pick-and-roll offenses, the productivity of centers has never been better -- making useful centers easy to find.



...the top teams in this year's draft could be investing precious picks into centers not dramatically better than those available at relatively low prices in free agency, and players who may have a tough time making an impact deep in the playoffs if their teams become contenders. That should give teams looking at centers some reason to re-evaluate before the draft.

ESPN

This is just exactly the thing. It's why I don't want a center with the third pick. It's a different game now and honestly it isn't going to change. Dwight Howard type centers aren't going to return as marquee players because you can get the same type of contribution from much cheaper guys.

[taj2133]

Read on Twitter

[kg01]

There’s a lot of rumors, but I don’t know how many GM’s and owners went together with some assistants to have a nice dinner in Europe, with a player they don’t want to draft? Unfortunately Luka is going to the Kings.

Actually though, this reminds me of last year when Cuban and whoever were all over the internet showing interest in Ntilikina ... only to end up taking the other guy.

Smells like a 'trying to hard' smokescreen, honestly. But why though? They got the #2 pick, who are you tryna fool? SAC's taking Porter so they're probably tryna 'Ainge' us into trading up? Is Schlenk that dumb? Based on the evidence .... I'm dubious.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

This tidbit deinfitely feels like it was released by Trae's agents.


Has anyone else reported that Trae 'slayed' during his Atlanta workout?

[taj2133]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Lakers Draft Video: Elie Okobo Scouting Report


Okobo has advanced shot creation capabilities for a player his age, doing a great deal of his work as a jump shooter off of the dribble. His jumper is pure, and his free throw percentage (81.9%) bodes well for the transition to the NBA 3-point line. He flashed impressive court vision alongside his pull-up abilities, which is a strong foundation of skills to build off of for a lead guard in the NBA.

He’s more of a crafty finisher than an athletic one and can have some difficulty finishing at the rim as a result. He frequently jumps to pass and can get caught in the air with nowhere to go. He can also struggle to handle ball pressure, and his 1.79 assist-to-turnover ratio is mediocre relative to his NBA counterparts.

Defensively, he has some tools to work with, but doesn’t always apply them. His motor is questionable at best, and his defensive stance both on and off of the ball is sloppy. He will likely be glued to a bench until he can apply his physical ability more consistently, but he isn’t incapable of that.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

A guy to consider at #22 or #30...

Dude reminds me of a young Steve Smith with that silky smooth jump shot from 18+ feet out.

Read on Twitter

[Spud2nique]

A guy to consider at #22 or #30...

Dude reminds me of a young Steve Smith with that silky smooth jump shot from 18+ feet out.

Read on Twitter

I like this kid a lot. He just looks like a versatile dude with no ego and a beautiful stroke. I’d take a look at 19 for sure depending what else is on the board. Still like Khyri Thomas a bit more.

[Jamaaliver]

Still like Khyri Thomas a bit more.

Khyri should be a starter in this league for easily over a decade.

I can't get a read on where he'll be drafted. I've seen as high as #15 to WAS and a few mocks where he falls to #29-#30.

He feels like a can't miss prospect with an admittedly low floor.

[Spud2nique]

Still like Khyri Thomas a bit more.

Khyri should be a starter in this league for easily over a decade.

I can't get a read on where he'll be drafted. I've seen as high as #15 to WAS and a few mocks where he falls to #29-#30.

He feels like a can't miss prospect with an admittedly low floor.

Khyri Thomas
Zhaire Smith
Chandler Hutchinson (I know this guy is older but I can’t shake the fact that he’s a baller)

[Spud2nique]

NBA.com mock...I like it a lot.

http://www.nba.com/article/2018/06/18/morning-tip-2018-mock-draft