2019 NBA Draft Prep

Post #1781 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:09 pm

2019 NBA Mock Draft: Top three of Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Ja Morant a virtual lock, and then things get interesting
Reid Forgrave says the 2019 draft will get really intriguing after the obvious three names go off the board first

5. Hawks

Cam Reddish | Duke | Fr | SF | 6-8

There have been questions about Cam Reddish this season -- namely, does he have the killer instinct or the motor to be a star? "Is he going to be a 'sometime' player or a 'full-time' player?" one scout wondered. But the ceiling for Reddish is clear: He's got Paul George-like potential. He has ideal size for the type of wing who succeeds in today's NBA. "He's the picture of the small forward in today's NBA," one scout said. Reddish has been in an odd position for Duke this season, having to take a backseat to Zion and Barrett, but it could be good for him in the long run. Playing off the ball in college -- he was a point guard in high school -- could help jump-start him for the role he'll fit into in the NBA. He's the type of guy who may be a better NBA player than he was a college player. The fit with the Hawks has me really, really excited. There are people who were around Reddish a lot in high school who believe he's a better talent than his two Duke teammates.

7. Hawks (from Dallas)

De'Andre Hunter | Virginia | Soph | SF | 6-7

Maybe some overlap with Reddish, who I have going to the Hawks at 5 -- but in today's NBA, you can't have enough talented, athletic, two-way wings who can shoot it. Even though shooting isn't considered one of Hunter's biggest strengths, he's shooting nearly 50 percent from 3 this season. He's an incredibly versatile defender. Some will downgrade him because he's already 21 years old; I still love his multi-positional NBA potential, and so do most scouts I've spoken with. "I love his defense, but he shoots the ball better than people give him credit for," one front-office executive told me. "Look at how far his offense has come. He's still scratching the surface. He'll be more than just a 3&D player."

CBS Sports

Post #1782 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:18 pm

From Sporting News:

NBA Mock Draft 2019: Knicks land Zion Williamson; Duke dominates lottery

Historically, March has been a valuable month for the draft stock of many, as it provides NBA teams with an opportunity to see prospects against high-level competition in a unique environment.

5. Hawks — Jarrett Culver, Wing, Texas Tech

Age: 20.1 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 190

There’s some speculation Culver’s added a few inches to his height thanks to a growth spurt this season, and if true, he’d fit in well on the wing in Atlanta. He’s got the ability to create his own shot as a secondary option offensively and is a willing defender on the other end.

The jumper is still a work in progress. That is probably the skill that will shape his NBA outcome the most.

7. Hawks (via Mavericks) — Romeo Langford, Wing, Indiana

Age: 19.4 | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 202

Stockpiling wings is not a bad move in the modern NBA given teams consistently need depth at the position, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see Atlanta make a play for a pair of them should the franchise end up with two top-10 selections.

Langford has outplayed expectations on the defensive end and has a nose for scoring around the basket. He needs to improve as an outside shooter, though, if he wants to make a long-term impact on the league.

Radioblacktive1 · Post #1783 » by **Radioblacktive1** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:39 pm

If we win the lottery, do you guys see Zion playing mostly small ball Center?

Post #1784 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:50 pm

Radioblacktive1 wrote:If we win the lottery, do you guys see Zion playing mostly small ball Center?

That'd be the first option we try out. IDK if it'd work long-term.

But that's where you stick him to begin with.

If it's a poor fit, then you have to ask the question no one wants to ask:

Is John Collins worth keeping around if he can't play next to Zion?

personanongrata · Post #1785 » by **personanongrata** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:59 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:
Radioblacktive1 wrote:If we win the lottery, do you guys see Zion playing mostly small ball Center?

That'd be the first option we try out. IDK if it'd work long-term.

But that's where you stick him to begin with.

If it's a poor fit, then you have to ask the question no one wants to ask:

Is John Collins worth keeping around if he can't play next to Zion?

I'll take this a step further. Is Trae Young worth keeping if he can't play next to Ja Morant? J/k

Radioblacktive1 · Post #1786 » by **Radioblacktive1** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:20 pm

What’s stopping Zion from being a 3?

King Ken · Post #1787 » by **King Ken** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:32 pm

:x

Jamaaliver wrote:
King Ken wrote:I do like the idea of two wings. I am not sold on drafting a big till the 2nd round. There is no Bamba, Carter Jr., Ayton, or JJJ in this class. My preference is Clarke, Hunter or Reddish

If Chi zeroes in on Darius Garland and offered Wendell Carter Jr to us for #7 or #8 straight up -- would you do it?

Would that change your approach with our earlier pick?

I don't see how they don't land him ahead of us so I see it like this. We are at #2 and they are at #5 or #6. They can get their choice of Garland or Morant. It will cost them a swap of our Dallas pick and their pick and they will get the #2 pick outright for WCJ. Yes indeed.

Their future 2020 and beyond 1st is not valuable like Dallas one was as they are good enough to make the playoffs and they are in the east. WCJ is what we would want and a small pick swap with our Dallas pick

King Ken · Post #1788 » by **King Ken** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:34 pm

Radioblacktive1 wrote:What’s stopping Zion from being a 3?

Perimeter defense. He is a NBA 5 on D

Spud2nique · Post #1789 » by **Spud2nique** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:32 pm

personanongrata wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:
Radioblacktive1 wrote:If we win the lottery, do you guys see Zion playing mostly small ball Center?

That'd be the first option we try out. IDK if it'd work long-term.

But that's where you stick him to begin with.

If it's a poor fit, then you have to ask the question no one wants to ask:

Is John Collins worth keeping around if he can't play next to Zion?

I'll take this a step further. Is Trae Young worth keeping if he can't play next to Ja Morant? J/k

Is this for real? Jesus Christ.

saloonyk8 · Post #1790 » by **saloonyk8** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:57 am

I don't think Wendell Carter will get traded, if he was in this draft he'd probably go number 3.

saloonyk8 · Post #1791 » by **saloonyk8** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 3:03 am

I think Hawks getting number 2 pick would be exciting for the draft cause I bet Schlenk will take Morant just to see what offers he can get from the third and fourth teams in the draft

saloonyk8 · Post #1792 » by **saloonyk8** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 3:05 am

Suns, Bulls are going to want Morant over Barrett. He fits both teams great, will be interesting to see their draft slots

saloonyk8 · Post #1793 » by **saloonyk8** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 3:07 am

Jamaaliver wrote:
Radioblacktive1 wrote:If we win the lottery, do you guys see Zion playing mostly small ball Center?

That'd be the first option we try out. IDK if it'd work long-term.

But that's where you stick him to begin with.

If it's a poor fit, then you have to ask the question no one wants to ask:

Is John Collins worth keeping around if he can't play next to Zion?

Take this a step further. What's the best assets you can get for Collins? Probably AD but you'd have to add Prince and Pick. One idea I had was Gobert.

CP War Hawks · Post #1794 » by **CP War Hawks** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:33 am

Finally got a decent look at Dort. He looks like a bizarro version of Lebron... not quite explosive, smaller, lesser skills, etc. but man he's strong finishing in the paint. Could be a much more physical version of Bembry for the Hawks.

Watch on YouTube

EazyRoc · Post #1795 » by **EazyRoc** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 11:24 am

Radioblacktive1 wrote:What’s stopping Zion from being a 3?

I’m not convinced he can survive full time defending on the perimeter and even so that takes away from his impact as a help defender.

Post #1796 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 2:17 pm

personanongrata wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:I'll do it. It's a weird list, though.

You can guess who's #1 and #2. The rest are PGs or fringe prospects unlikely to go in the 1st round. (Tyrese Haliburton?!?)

Ranking the best NBA draft prospects by stats and scouting

6. Tyrese Haliburton

Iowa State
PG
Top 100: NR
Stats: No. 2

Consensus: 2.1 WARP

7. Darius Garland

Vanderbilt
PG
Top 100: 5
Stats: No. 25

Consensus: 2.0 WARP

10. Shamorie Ponds

St. John's
PG
Top 100: 46
Stats: No. 5

Consensus: 1.8 WARP

12. Chuma Okeke

Auburn
F
Top 100: 33
Stats: No. 10

Consensus: 1.6 WARP

By contrast to Culver, Okeke is far more productive, particularly at the defensive end of the court, where he rates in the top 25 percent of NBA-bound forwards in both steal and block rates. If Okeke's 38 percent career 3-point shooting translates to the NBA (and his 70 percent accuracy on free throws is a concern there), he figures to develop into a useful starter.
ESPN

How come you omitted #6,7,10, and 12?

I was trying to be discreet.

Post #1797 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 4:20 pm

peoriabird wrote:...Barrett is not a good offensive player and not a good enough defender to be taken in the lottery.

This be the hottest of 'Hot Takes' regarding this summer's draft.

Locking this one in on the #PredictionsList.

FTR, I see a surefire 20+ ppg scorer for his career and a repeat All Star. The improved spacing in the NBA should help him tremendously.

Spud2nique · Post #1798 » by **Spud2nique** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 4:25 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:
peoriabird wrote:...Barrett is not a good offensive player and not a good enough defender to be taken in the lottery.

This be the hottest of Hot Takes' regarding this summer's draft.

Locking this one in on the #PredictionsList.

FTR, I see a surefire 20+ ppg scorer for his career and a repeat All Star. The improved spacing in the NBA should help him tremendously.

Wait, in the entire lottery? Like 14 picks, or was he talking top 3? Hmm. Wow. Ok. That’s a pretty bold prediction.

peoriabird · Post #1799 » by **peoriabird** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 4:36 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:
peoriabird wrote:...Barrett is not a good offensive player and not a good enough defender to be taken in the lottery.

This be the hottest of Hot Takes' regarding this summer's draft.

Locking this one in on the #PredictionsList.

FTR, I see a surefire 20+ ppg scorer for his career and a repeat All Star. The improved spacing in the NBA should help him tremendously.

Bad team all star maybe

King Ken · Post #1800 » by **King Ken** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 6:13 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:
Radioblacktive1 wrote:If we win the lottery, do you guys see Zion playing mostly small ball Center?

That'd be the first option we try out. IDK if it'd work long-term.

But that's where you stick him to begin with.

If it's a poor fit, then you have to ask the question no one wants to ask:

Is John Collins worth keeping around if he can't play next to Zion?

I don't see why they couldn't play next to each other. Zion Ben Wallace abilities makes him an excellent defensive fit which is hard to find on avg for John

What direction should Hawks go with their lottery picks?