Dreaming the perfect off-season

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Draft acquisitions

- Zion Williamson
- Bruno Fernando
- KZ Okpala
- Ty Jerome
- Luka Semanic

Free agent acquisitions

- Khris Middleton
- Jeremy Lin
- Justin Patton

Release

- Miles Plumlee
- Justin Anderson

[Geaux_Hawks]

Zion on the bench?! Meh..

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns in the low post.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns low post and high post.

I mean you could run a Hi/Lo motion offense. This takes advantage of the your perimeter shooters and passing, while allowing Zion to get his positioning inside and also use his passing. If Collins continues to grow as a spacer, that will only make it more deadlier. In this particular offense, I would definitely just draft Reddish also. This is the kind of offense he needed at Duke. My goodness he should have went to Kansas.

Anyway, Hi/Lo motion is about as good as you're going to get with Zion and Collins in your frontcourt, and it's probably going to be predicated on Collins being able to space the floor efficiently.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

In the mix proposed, I'd add TJ McConnell as a good fit as the primary back-up to Trae, and all the more given Pierce's prior association.

[kg01]

In the mix proposed, I'd add TJ McConnell as a good fit as the primary back-up to Trae, and all the more given Pierce's prior association.

Would we be able to get Bruno and KZ? Aren't they both projected around the same range?

Also, would something like George Hill be available as a backup? Probably not. I'm just not high on McConnell. Overrated, even as a backup. 76ers are seeing that lately.

[fuzzy1]

Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns in the low post.

I don't think so, Zion has an incredibly versatile game. I doubt he'd post up for us much at all, except on switches.

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

[kg01]

Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns in the low post.

I don't think so, Zion has an incredibly versatile game. I doubt he'd post up for us much at all, except on switches.

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

Eh, not sure I agree with this.

[fuzzy1]

Starters in red.

As all of us know by now, having talked about it ad nauseum, it's difficult to say how you're going to play him because he really brings SF, PF and C skills. So, I've just listed him under the 4 because that's the median.

The scary part about getting Zion is that I think you're going to have to design an offense around him that doesn't really exist in the NBA right now... one that from possession to possession has Zion and Collins taking turns in the low post.

I don't think so, Zion has an incredibly versatile game. I doubt he'd post up for us much at all, except on switches.

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

Eh, not sure I agree with this.

Maybe not "incredibly" so, but I think he'll grab and go and run fast breaks, grab offensive boards, can rim run, can post, can face up and (potentially) run the pick and roll, and ALSO be the screen setter in the pick and roll, can play off ball and on ball. His shot isn't great and that could hold him back by squeezing the spacing, but with a creative coach he can do a lot, and we've got a creative coach. Zion is much more skilled than he gets credit for.

[kg01]

I don't think so, Zion has an incredibly versatile game. I doubt he'd post up for us much at all, except on switches.

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

Eh, not sure I agree with this.

Maybe not "incredibly" so, but I think he'll grab and go and run fast breaks, grab offensive boards, can rim run, can post, can face up and (potentially) run the pick and roll, and ALSO be the screen setter in the pick and roll, can play off ball and on ball. His shot isn't great and that could hold him back by squeezing the spacing, but with a creative coach he can do a lot, and we've got a creative coach. Zion is much more skilled than he gets credit for.

I mean, nowadays, just about every player in the upcoming draft "can" do all those things. The question is how many can do them at a high enough level to truly be effective at the NBA level.

I just think there is some legitimate question as to what degree Williamson can be "multiple" offensively. He's the sure #1 pick but it's not because his game is complete. He has some major holes.

[fuzzy1]

Eh, not sure I agree with this.

Maybe not "incredibly" so, but I think he'll grab and go and run fast breaks, grab offensive boards, can rim run, can post, can face up and (potentially) run the pick and roll, and ALSO be the screen setter in the pick and roll, can play off ball and on ball. His shot isn't great and that could hold him back by squeezing the spacing, but with a creative coach he can do a lot, and we've got a creative coach. Zion is much more skilled than he gets credit for.

I mean, nowadays, just about every player in the upcoming draft "can" do all those things. The question is how many can do them at a high enough level to truly be effective at the NBA level.

I just think there is some legitimate question as to what degree Williamson can be "multiple" offensively. He's the sure #1 pick but it's not because his game is complete. He has some major holes.

Agree to disagree on that. I don't think players like Barrett or Morant can play off ball (and have the same shooting questions), the other top big men (except for maybe Clarke) are one dimensional offensively, I question Culver's athleticism, etc. His game may not be complete but it's pretty close.

And for the record, I don't think Zion will be a #1 option offensively, I see as a #2 or #3 guy, but can be the best player on a title team thanks to his defense / glue potential.

[kg01]

Maybe not "incredibly" so, but I think he'll grab and go and run fast breaks, grab offensive boards, can rim run, can post, can face up and (potentially) run the pick and roll, and ALSO be the screen setter in the pick and roll, can play off ball and on ball. His shot isn't great and that could hold him back by squeezing the spacing, but with a creative coach he can do a lot, and we've got a creative coach. Zion is much more skilled than he gets credit for.

I mean, nowadays, just about every player in the upcoming draft "can" do all those things. The question is how many can do them at a high enough level to truly be effective at the NBA level.

I just think there is some legitimate question as to what degree Williamson can be "multiple" offensively. He's the sure #1 pick but it's not because his game is complete. He has some major holes.

Agree to disagree on that. I don't think players like Barrett or Morant can play off ball (and have the same shooting questions), the other top big men (except for maybe Clarke) are one dimensional offensively, I question Culver's athleticism, etc. His game may not be complete but it's pretty close.

And for the record, I don't think Zion will be a #1 option offensively, I see as a #2 or #3 guy, but can be the best player on a title team thanks to his defense / glue potential.

Heh, agree to agree to disagree.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

In the mix proposed, I'd add TJ McConnell as a good fit as the primary back-up to Trae, and all the more given Pierce's prior association.

Would we be able to get Bruno and KZ? Aren't they both projected around the same range?

Also, would something like George Hill be available as a backup? Probably not. I'm just not high on McConnell. Overrated, even as a backup. 76ers are seeing that lately.

On the first question, it's true that Bruno, KZ and Jerome are all projected in the back half of the first round--and of course, there's always some appreciable movement between the end of the season and draft night, so we'll have to wait until June really to see whether any of those go higher or a lower or stay the same.

Key to the scenario is that (a) the Dallas pick is as high as #6 and no lower than #9, (b) Bruno remaining in that 18-ish range, and (c) that Boston would be a willing dance partner.

Based on this... https://sports.sites.yale.edu/nba-draft-pick-value ... you have to do a little projection because the math nerd from Yale only looks at the lottery slots, but if #14 is worth $3.46, then in view of the trend in the math, you end up with Boston's #14 (from SAC), #18 (from LAC) and own #22 being worth approximately $6.62.

If we end up with #6 (not looking likely today but still plausible), we'd be overpaying big-time since it calculates at $10.53.

But if we end up with #9, that calculates at $6.78. Almost perfect.

Bruno #14... who I personally have pegged at the top 5 talent in this draft getting incredibly undervalued... then, KZ #18... and Jerome #22.

To the other point, there's always this thing of trying to keep things within the bounds of some reality.

I'm looking for a free agent veteran (at least 4 years) point guard who is established but probably not whining about being the #2, given all the minutes Trae will play. He needs to be approximately adequate at everything, including defense, though if he's renown for his motor, that's probably all the better coming off the bench.

Surveying the FA field and considering the history with Pierce has with McConnell... I'm persuaded that that's a pretty decent match.

[observer1995]

Zion seems like he faces up quite a bit when I’ve looked at him. You’d probably only want to post him up against a mismatch.

Anyway, my totally unrealistic wants:

Win the lottery and draft Zion.
Have the Dallas pick turn out to be somewhere between 6 and 8 and trade down with it to the middle of the first round and draft Bruno Fernando (edit: it might not be a bad idea to take him with the Dallas pick alone either).
Draft either Ty Jerome or Carsen Edwards in the 2nd round with the first pick there, then with one other pick, either draft a guy you’d be redshirting in Jontay Porter, or a draft and stash (Samanic, although he wants to come over, or someone I don’t know of at the moment).
Be able to lure Malcolm Brogdon away from Milwaukee with a 4-year contract that isn’t heartbreaking.
Resign Dewayne Dedmon and sign a veteran PG that won’t cost too much.

With all that, I think you end up keeping Prince and with this 12-man grouping for 19/20:

PG: Trae Young/veteran PG/Jerome or Edwards
SG: Malcolm Brogdon/Kevin Huerter/DeAndre Bembry
SF: Zion Williamson/Taurean Prince/DeAndre Bembry/Kevin Huerter
PF: John Collins/Zion Williamson (you get creative here, he starts but only plays 5 minutes initially then comes in with the bench)
C: Dewayne Dedmon/Alex Len/Bruno Fernando

Idk, I think that looks good, but it isn’t perfect. Milwaukee really is in a pretty interesting spot on Brogdon vs Middleton, I think they choose the slightly younger guy and Middleton is the odd man out but it’s still interesting.

[peoriabird]

If Zion can play small forward then he would be very valuable to the Hawks but that is a big if!

[observer1995]

You don't give up on Zion being able to play at SF or making him and Collins work immediately, you at least try to make it work at first like what I said if you win the lottery, where he plays SF on occasion and then Collins plays small ball C on occasion with both him and Zion in. Then if it doesn't work, you trade one of the guys for a good package.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Liking that Jerome is having a good game. As opposed to a great game. No need to ratchet up that draft slot.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

In the mix proposed, I'd add TJ McConnell as a good fit as the primary back-up to Trae, and all the more given Pierce's prior association.

Would we be able to get Bruno and KZ? Aren't they both projected around the same range?

Also, would something like George Hill be available as a backup? Probably not. I'm just not high on McConnell. Overrated, even as a backup. 76ers are seeing that lately.

On the first question, it's true that Bruno, KZ and Jerome are all projected in the back half of the first round--and of course, there's always some appreciable movement between the end of the season and draft night, so we'll have to wait until June really to see whether any of those go higher or a lower or stay the same.

Key to the scenario is that (a) the Dallas pick is as high as #6 and no lower than #9, (b) Bruno remaining in that 18-ish range, and (c) that Boston would be a willing dance partner.

Based on this... https://sports.sites.yale.edu/nba-draft-pick-value ... you have to do a little projection because the math nerd from Yale only looks at the lottery slots, but if #14 is worth $3.46, then in view of the trend in the math, you end up with Boston's #14 (from SAC), #18 (from LAC) and own #22 being worth approximately $6.62.

If we end up with #6 (not looking likely today but still plausible), we'd be overpaying big-time since it calculates at $10.53.

But if we end up with #9, that calculates at $6.78. Almost perfect.

Bruno #14... who I personally have pegged at the top 5 talent in this draft getting incredibly undervalued... then, KZ #18... and Jerome #22.

To the other point, there's always this thing of trying to keep things within the bounds of some reality.

I'm looking for a free agent veteran (at least 4 years) point guard who is established but probably not whining about being the #2, given all the minutes Trae will play. He needs to be approximately adequate at everything, including defense, though if he's renown for his motor, that's probably all the better coming off the bench.

Surveying the FA field and considering the history with Pierce has with McConnell... I'm persuaded that that's a pretty decent match.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

These mock drafts of late, incredibly enough to muah, seem to be putting Fernando Bruno in the back half of the first round, and fairly routinely in the mid-to-late 20s even.

Okpala appears to be more consistently listed in the late teens to mid 20s.

Jerome gets some sporadic love, but still seems a question mark for the 1st round.

The conventional wisdom on Semanic is that, at best, he sneaks into the last picks of the 1st, but is almost surely destined for the 2nd.

The dream isn't only still alive, it's thriving enough that I'm ambitious enough to add Thubulle to my wish list, who generally seems to be showing up in the 20s.

#9 for Boston #14, #20 and #22, and then

#14 for Brooklyn #16 and #27...

#1: Williamson
#16: Okpala
#20: Fernando
#22: Thubulle
#27: Jerome
#35: Semanic

[King Ken]

Zion is a 5 to me. I don't care what no one says, in the NBA, he is a 5. It's not his best position but he doesn't really have one for the NBA. He is positionless. Doesn't fit at the 3/4/5 but he can dominate at all of them spots. He is a baller.

My dream draft is:

Zion/Reddish and I don't give a damn about the rest to that degree

Then it's Sign Al Horford or sign DeMarre Carroll. Resign Jeremy Lin and VC and I am happy.