2019 NBA Draft Prep

[Spud2nique]

For some reason, these guys project Dallas to jump into the top-4 and for us to fall back to #7...

NBA Mock Draft: Jarrett Culver jumps into the top 5; Cam Reddish falls

4. Dallas Mavericks: Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech

The Dallas Mavericks would be lucky to jump into the top 5, and should that happen they should jump at the chance at drafting Jarrett Culver, the interesting guard prospect out of Texas Tech. Culver is the player that can do a bit of it all. He has shown the ability to light up the scoreboard on any given night, but is also a better passer than he gets credit for. He has good size, at 6-foot-5 and is a capable defender that will be able to guard multiple positions at the next level.

Couple Culver with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis would create a very interesting young Big 3 in Dallas, and would bring quite the intrigue headed into next season.




7. Atlanta Hawks: Jaxson Hayes, Texas

The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the better young teams in the NBA this season, led by the excellent play of rookie Trae Young and sophomore John Collins. Adding another talented big like Jaxon Hayes could be an interesting option.

While he’s still very much a work in progress, he has an interesting skillset that could work in today’s game. Plus, it doesn’t make sense to reach at this point in the draft. Hayes is almost unanimously a top 10 talent in this draft, and would make an interesting combo with Collins.

Don’t be surprised if Atlanta elected to go wing or guard at this point in the draft as well, but Hayes works too.

Sir Charles in Charge

Brad?


Townsend?

(Rowland breathes a sigh it’s not him)...

[Spud2nique]

Read on Twitter

Schmitz also says Kabengele is a first now. If I’m other centers, I’m not looking forward to playing this guy in individual workouts he’s an animal.


Note: Jamaal, Schmitz also likened him to your boy Wendell but I think personally Wendell is a bit more skilled but a bit less athletic and board hungry.

[Spud2nique]

29, 33, and 35 for me. I’d also add:

Eric Paschall

Luka Semanic

Aubrey Dawkins- Torn on this guy because he’s 24 soon but at 6’6 215, you can’t help but love the size and heart.

Paschall is on the big board but I am not sold on our potential interest. Dawkins is a junior. I don't think he is getting drafted anyway. So I had him as a 2020.

Due to Dawkins age I thought for sure he was a senior. So he’s gonna be coming into the draft as a 25 year old???? Yikes, that’s not great. Thing is he can still ball though.

[Spud2nique]

From the StepBack:

2019 NBA Mock Draft: March Madness is NBA Draft crazy season




5. R.J. Barrett | G/F | Duke

If we’re looking over the grander narrative of Barrett’s season at Duke, the game-winning putback over Central Florida certainly makes up for his awful fourth quarter against Gonzaga in December. Barrett has rightly earned a reputation this year as a gunner who fails to read the game and make plays for teammates consistently. Duke was far less competitive in March when Zion Williamson was out with a knee sprain, another tick mark in the con column for Barrett. The season hasn’t gone Barrett’s way.

However, that the biggest play of his season would be a rebound is fitting. His best secondary skill is grabbing loose boards — he’s strong and active on the glass — and going coast to coast to make plays in space. Far more worrisome is his halfcourt decision-making,

One more thing to note from Duke’s near-second round loss is Barrett’s shooting. As Spencer Pearlman (an NBA Draft Twitter must-follow) noted online, Barrett is starting to eliminate the hitch on his jumper. It looked much smoother on Sunday afternoon and if he’s ever going to improve from the 31.3 percent guy he was as a freshman, that will be a big key.

Barrett only shot 66.2 percent from the line this, which is not a great indicator of his future shooting ability, either. It’s tough to imagine Barrett ever becoming an elite 3-point shooter in the NBA, but Sunday was a big step.





7. Cam Reddish | F | Duke

You have to watch extremely closely to catch the flashes that make Reddish so fascinating. The fact that they are so few and far between is part of what makes him confounding, but the fact they exist at all means he has to be in the top 10 in this draft. We sort of hope he lands someplace like Atlanta to properly fill a role and develop.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Whether it’s a transition dribble move and finish or a step-back shot like the one above, Reddish has footwork and coordination rare in many NBA players. That’s about all he has going for him. His length and athleticism don’t create a consistent impact on the game by any means nor can he create shots for others at all. He’s not a great finisher. Simply put, his role at Duke and injuries made his freshman year a disappointment.

There’s a world in which Reddish is in consideration for the No. 2 pick. Were he to commit to one of the schools that were finalists during recruitment — like Alabama or Auburn — Reddish would have still played against Power 5 competition but had more opportunities on offense. Reddish has been at his best this season when he gets the ball in space, but he’s rarely the one to get the ball in those situations.

However, few NBA teams can offer that. Reddish needs to learn how to fill a role and still impact winning. Landing in Atlanta is his best shot.

Oh my! We ended with this I’d have to give us an A+

[King Ken]

29, 33, and 35 for me. I’d also add:

Eric Paschall

Luka Semanic

Aubrey Dawkins- Torn on this guy because he’s 24 soon but at 6’6 215, you can’t help but love the size and heart.

Paschall is on the big board but I am not sold on our potential interest. Dawkins is a junior. I don't think he is getting drafted anyway. So I had him as a 2020.

Due to Dawkins age I thought for sure he was a senior. So he’s gonna be coming into the draft as a 25 year old???? Yikes, that’s not great. Thing is he can still ball though.

Dawkins even at 25 is going to be in a better situation as he will be a better player

[Spud2nique]

Paschall is on the big board but I am not sold on our potential interest. Dawkins is a junior. I don't think he is getting drafted anyway. So I had him as a 2020.

Due to Dawkins age I thought for sure he was a senior. So he’s gonna be coming into the draft as a 25 year old???? Yikes, that’s not great. Thing is he can still ball though.

Dawkins even at 25 is going to be in a better situation as he will be a better player

I agree but at the same time scouts frown upon age. Wasn’t Taj an old player at USC. He was one of the better rebounders but still fell to late first.

I do love his skills and heart though. Long strides and gets to his spots well. He reminds me of a wing version of Brandon Wright based on lanky body type. It’s a very good basketball body and size.

[King Ken]

Squd, you may get your wish, Johnny Dawkins is looking to Vandy job. Aubrey might just enter while the skillet is hot

[Spud2nique]

Squd, you may get your wish, Johnny Dawkins is looking to Vandy job. Aubrey might just enter while the skillet is hot

Ya if I’m him I’m coming out. He showed a ton of heart against Duke and if that’s his last game, he left a pretty good impression on scouts one would have to think.

[Jamaaliver]

8-)

We drafted - traded for - the top scorer AND assist player. I saw the name of this year's steal leader and thought
he might be available with our "other" pick this year. Don't remember the guard's name. Any one know ??

You're likely thinking of this young man:

Matisse Thybulle (Washington, SF, Senior)



The two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year shouldn't need scoring ability or production to generate first-round interest. On pace to become the only player in at least 27 years to average a three-pointer, two steals and three blocks per game, Thybulle has emerged as a defensive specialist whose three-point shooting could be enough offensively.

Bleacher Report

- Yeah. Him! What do you posters think ??

He's a defensive stud. If he falls to the 2nd round, snatch him up. He's one of the best perimeter defenders to come into the league in a long time. He has a decent 3-pt shot meaning he's definitely playable. Ultimately, he's likely a 6th man option in the NBA.

But he'd be one helluva player to deploy. I don't see him being worthy of a top-20 selection, but anytime after that seems reasonable.



He gets 2 thumbs up from Jamaal:

[Geaux_Hawks]

You're likely thinking of this young man:

Bleacher Report

- Yeah. Him! What do you posters think ??

He's a defensive stud. If he falls to the 2nd round, snatch him up. He's one of the best perimeter defenders to come into the league in a long time. He has a decent 3-pt shot meaning he's definitely playable. Ultimately, he's likely a 6th man option in the NBA.

But he'd be one helluva player to deploy. I don't see him being worthy of a top-20 selection, but anytime after that seems reasonable.



He gets 2 thumbs up from Jamaal:

I would trade a few 2nds for a late first. Maybe even the Cavs protected pick.

[Jamaaliver]

I would trade a few 2nds for a late first. Maybe even the Cavs protected pick.

Absolutely. When Travis traded our #34 pick last year for multiple future 2nds, I have to think that was a part of this strategy. Having 3 2nds this year and multiple 2nds next year makes it more feasible to trade up for picks in the late 20s if a guy we like falls.


I'm skeptical of spending high picks on defense-only players, but a draft built around De'Andre Hunter -- Brandon Clarke -- Matisse Thybulle would most certainly shore up our defense moving forward while giving us depth at every position.

[King Ken]

I would trade a few 2nds for a late first. Maybe even the Cavs protected pick.

Absolutely. When Travis traded our #34 pick last year for multiple future 2nds, I have to think that was a part of this strategy. Having 3 2nds this year and multiple 2nds next year makes it more feasible to trade up for picks in the late 20s if a guy we like falls.


I'm skeptical of spending high picks on defense-only players, but a draft built around De'Andre Hunter -- Brandon Clarke -- Matisse Thybulle would most certainly shore up our defense moving forward while giving us depth at every position.

That would be a coup in my eyes.

Any draft where we leave with Hunter, Reddish, Clarke. My Goodness! Add Thybulle, OMG

[Spud2nique]

You're likely thinking of this young man:

Bleacher Report

- Yeah. Him! What do you posters think ??

He's a defensive stud. If he falls to the 2nd round, snatch him up. He's one of the best perimeter defenders to come into the league in a long time. He has a decent 3-pt shot meaning he's definitely playable. Ultimately, he's likely a 6th man option in the NBA.

But he'd be one helluva player to deploy. I don't see him being worthy of a top-20 selection, but anytime after that seems reasonable.



He gets 2 thumbs up from Jamaal:

They mentioned something about him during the game saying he was one of only 3 players including Nerlens Noel and somebody else I can’t remember that averaged a block and a steal in college basketball for a season or more. Somewhere along those lines but I do like him a lot. Is he more Tony Allen or Thabo?

[Jamaaliver]

Is he more Tony Allen or Thabo?

1.


2. Is there a real difference between those two guys?

[Radioblacktive1]

I hate Cam Reddish and I mean that in the best way possible. Such a stressful prospect.




That being said, I want him and Clarke. If I have to watch Zion suffer on the other lotto teams then hopefully these two can make me feel better.

[Spud2nique]

Is he more Tony Allen or Thabo?

1.


2. Is there a real difference between those two guys?

Thabo is a few inches taller I think...Thabo is the better shooter...no...not much. Always loved having Thabo and DMC, would work nicely with us.

[Spud2nique]

I desperately want Kabengele

I’m not gonna lie. He’d kill a man for the ball.

[personanongrata]

Brandon Clarke deserves to be a top 10 pick, don't care what anybody says.

[Spud2nique]

Sorry if this was posted already. I’ll take Culver and Clarke! That’s a good draft and get Kabs too!

https://sports.yahoo.com/2018-nba-mock-draft-10-whos-getting-picked-after-zion-williamson-164037876.html

[Spud2nique]

Hachimura has no arc on his shot but it works for him ala Drexler.