2019 NBA Draft Prep

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Bitadze, the No. 19 prospect in the ESPN Top 100, is having an outstanding season in the Euroleague for Buducnost, averaging 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 24 minutes while shooting 60 percent from inside the arc, something that's never been accomplished by a teenager in Euroleague history. He is the runaway favorite to win the prestigious Euroleague Rising Star award which will be announced at the final four in May. He posted the highest PER in Euroleague history for a teenager, exceeding that of Luka Doncic's last season.

The 7-foot, 250 pound Bitadze has a case to be considered the top center prospect in the draft thanks to excellent size, girth, and versatile skill level offensively, as he's equally comfortable operating inside the post, on the perimeter or as a finisher in pick and roll situations. His limitations as a defender and overall declining value of big men in today's NBA may hold those aspirations back some, but there are a number of teams that consider him a lottery-caliber prospect nonetheless.

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To me, he's Nurkic.

[shakes0]

If you guys land the #2 pick how much would you be willing to give up to move a spot ahead to get Zion?

I mean would you be willing to deal the second pick, John Collins and an unprotected 2020 first round pick for Zion?

Much more likely the Hawks go the other way and trade down if they get the #2 pick. Especially if someone who really wants Morant is at #3 or #4. Maybe something around Wendell Carter if the Bulls end up outside the top 3?

[Jamaaliver]

If you guys land the #2 pick how much would you be willing to give up to move a spot ahead to get Zion?

I mean would you be willing to deal the second pick, John Collins and an unprotected 2020 first round pick for Zion?

Much more likely the Hawks go the other way and trade down if they get the #2 pick. Especially if someone who really wants Morant is at #3 or #4. Maybe something around Wendell Carter if the Bulls end up outside the top 3?

While I would be very okay trading back for additional assets and ecstatic if we added Wendell Carter to our front court, do you honestly think this front office, hell, this ownership would pass on the chance to pair Zion and Trae for the next decade?

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

If you guys land the #2 pick how much would you be willing to give up to move a spot ahead to get Zion?

I mean would you be willing to deal the second pick, John Collins and an unprotected 2020 first round pick for Zion?

Much more likely the Hawks go the other way and trade down if they get the #2 pick. Especially if someone who really wants Morant is at #3 or #4. Maybe something around Wendell Carter if the Bulls end up outside the top 3?

Disagree.

Much more likely the Hawks offer the moon to get Zion... the chance to land an elite talent is only going to become more difficult after this opportunity.

If you can't grab Zion, you see what is the best unprotected you can get in 2020.

[Jamaaliver]

The 7-foot, 250 pound Bitadze has a case to be considered the top center prospect in the draft thanks to excellent size, girth, and versatile skill level offensively, as he's equally comfortable operating inside the post, on the perimeter or as a finisher in pick and roll situations. His limitations as a defender and overall declining value of big men in today's NBA may hold those aspirations back some, but there are a number of teams that consider him a lottery-caliber prospect nonetheless.

To me, he's Nurkic.

You're not the first to make that comparison. But is that good or bad?

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

It's good. But it's more good for some teams than others.

[Spud2nique]

I read the West loves Morant thing yesterday. I’m calling smokescreen on West. This isn’t his true feelings. That being said, Schlenk looks up to West..what if Schlenk says F it.

Point- Trae
Shooting guard- Ja

Run everyone off the floor with vision and skill

F size!

[shakes0]

If you guys land the #2 pick how much would you be willing to give up to move a spot ahead to get Zion?

I mean would you be willing to deal the second pick, John Collins and an unprotected 2020 first round pick for Zion?

Much more likely the Hawks go the other way and trade down if they get the #2 pick. Especially if someone who really wants Morant is at #3 or #4. Maybe something around Wendell Carter if the Bulls end up outside the top 3?

While I would be very okay trading back for additional assets and ecstatic if we added Wendell Carter to our front court, do you honestly think this front office, hell, this ownership would pass on the chance to pair Zion and Trae for the next decade?

No one's trading out of the #1 slot. Pipe dream. That's why I say it's more likely to go back the other way if hawks get #2.

[Hazer]

Made up my mind, going with my gut over the past couple of months (and vote in this thread’s poll), sticking with Cam Reddish if we don’t bounce to 1st-3rd pick. Perfect measurables, perfect shooting stroke, perfect scenario/system with the Hawks, tenacious D, made a smart agent choice (IQ), and is a gym rat. Tah-dah!

IDEAL would be Hawks bouncing to 2nd, taking Ja with that pick, someone who covets Ja (Phx?) landing 3rd, trading Ja for 3rd pick and 2020 top 3-protected 1st, take RJ at 3rd, then take Cam if he’s still around at 9th. If Cam’s gone by then, whoever topped workout/interviews between Culver/Hunter/Hayes still on the board. Jontay Porter in the 2nd. Colonel Schlenk walks away from this draft with RJ, Cam, Porter, and a 2020 1st they prolly arrest him on the spot for grand larceny.

[Jamaaliver]

Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for Zion Williamson and Other Top 2019 Prospects

Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech, SG, Sophomore)



Best case: Quality/productive starting shooting guard

The national championship game raised doubt over Jarrett Culver's star potential after he struggled to create quality looks against projected top-10 pick De'Andre Hunter. A lack of burst suggests he could have trouble serving as a volume scorer or top-two option for a winning team.

However, the appeal to Culver's game stems from his well-roundedness. An eye-test standout for his size, length and fluidity, he also improved in key areas this season, including his finishing, pull-up shooting and playmaking.

And though his three-point mark dipped to 30.4 percent, he flashed enough shot-making skill for scouts to remain optimistic about his eventual accuracy.

Worst case: Reserve shooting guard

Worst case, Culver remains an average shooter while also struggling to create his own looks.

He'll still find ways to score inside the arc using his physical tools, long strides, changes of speed and finishing instincts. He should also be a fine 2-guard defender given his length, foot speed and effective defense at Texas Tech.

Even if he struggles to reach 35 percent from three, he should still be capable enough to remain a threat as a spot-up shooter in rhythm.

Culver's floor is a role player who checks boxes but doesn't specialize in any one area.

Bleacher Report

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I read the West loves Morant thing yesterday. I’m calling smokescreen on West. This isn’t his true feelings. That being said, Schlenk looks up to West..what if Schlenk says F it.

Point- Trae
Shooting guard- Ja

Run everyone off the floor with vision and skill

F size!

Might even trade Trae, actually, if that's what West thinks.

I'm with Schlenk. West has always been the Draft Godfather.

Does West have reason to mislead?

[King Ken]

After Zion, best player in draft is Ja Morant, even the great Jerry West thinks so.

West believes Morant will be the greatest player in the history of the game. Last week he said Morant is the best player in the draft. This week he said passing on Zion would be akin to passing on Michael Jordan. Do the math = Ja Morant is better than Michael Jordan.

Jerry said he thinks Morant could be the best player in the class. That said, he wouldn't pass on Zion. That would be like passing on MJ. Doesn't mean he is MJ, it means that his value to a franchise is not qualifable. That said, Morant could be better

[King Ken]

If you guys land the #2 pick how much would you be willing to give up to move a spot ahead to get Zion?

I mean would you be willing to deal the second pick, John Collins and an unprotected 2020 first round pick for Zion?

Much more likely the Hawks go the other way and trade down if they get the #2 pick. Especially if someone who really wants Morant is at #3 or #4. Maybe something around Wendell Carter if the Bulls end up outside the top 3?

No one is going to trade Zion so we would just shop #2 as we did with Doncic

[King Ken]

[vine]i[/vine]

The 7-foot, 250 pound Bitadze has a case to be considered the top center prospect in the draft thanks to excellent size, girth, and versatile skill level offensively, as he's equally comfortable operating inside the post, on the perimeter or as a finisher in pick and roll situations. His limitations as a defender and overall declining value of big men in today's NBA may hold those aspirations back some, but there are a number of teams that consider him a lottery-caliber prospect nonetheless.

To me, he's Nurkic.

You're not the first to make that comparison. But is that good or bad?

I like Goga better than Nurk as a prospect.

[Hazer]

An interesting twist if Hawks hop to 2nd: keep Ja as the immediate backup PG and SG behind Trae/Huert. If you feel like Huert can eventually start at SF, you then have Trae-Ja-Huert at 1-2-3. You also have Ja starting at the 1 or 2 if Trae or Huert go down to injury. Or Huert eventually becomes stud 6th man if Ja beats him and we have a superior SF ala Cam or FAcy. Colonel Schlenk has the Hawks in a an extremely enviable position.

[personanongrata]

I read the West loves Morant thing yesterday. I’m calling smokescreen on West. This isn’t his true feelings. That being said, Schlenk looks up to West..what if Schlenk says F it.

Point- Trae
Shooting guard- Ja

Run everyone off the floor with vision and skill

F size!

I would love that. We could have a smallish but talented back court when they are together, and always have a capable point guard on the floor when one is on the bench. Many scouts think Ja could be a generational talent. A 29 win team does not pass on a player like that because of "fit." That would be a major mistake.

[Hazer]

Imagine a Trae/Ja and Huert/Ja backcourt. Damn son

[personanongrata]

An interesting twist if Hawks hop to 2nd: keep Ja as the immediate backup PG and SG behind Trae/Huert. If you feel like Huert can eventually start at SF, you then have Trae-Ja-Huert at 1-2-3. You also have Ja starting at the 1 or 2 if Trae or Huert go down to injury. Or Huert eventually becomes stud 6th man if Ja beats him and we have a superior SF ala Cam or FAcy. Colonel Schlenk has the Hawks in a an extremely enviable position.

You draft Ja, or you trade him (has to be a strong offer). But no way do you pass on him for ho-hum wings like Culver or Hunter. Personally I keep him, let him be the back up point guard for about 18 min, and let him play along side Trae for about 12 min.

[Hazer]

A Trae/Ja, Huert/Ja (or Ja/Huert), Collins/VC, Len/Porter team coached by El-P and GM’d by Schlenk would damn sure be attractive to a max’d Kawhi

[Hazer]

An interesting twist if Hawks hop to 2nd: keep Ja as the immediate backup PG and SG behind Trae/Huert. If you feel like Huert can eventually start at SF, you then have Trae-Ja-Huert at 1-2-3. You also have Ja starting at the 1 or 2 if Trae or Huert go down to injury. Or Huert eventually becomes stud 6th man if Ja beats him and we have a superior SF ala Cam or FAcy. Colonel Schlenk has the Hawks in a an extremely enviable position.

You draft Ja, or you trade him (has to be a strong offer). But no way do you pass on him for ho-hum wings like Culver or Hunter. Personally I keep him, let him be the back up point guard for about 18 min, and let him play along side Trae for about 12 min.

That’s eggZACKLY what I’m saying. Bounce to 2, GOTTA snag Ja. And keep him, unless you’re offered 3rd pick (where you can get RJ) plus a 2020 1st (no more than top-3 protected).