So who will be BPA and 8 and 10?

[Spud2nique]

I say package them and try to make move for difference maker.

Problem is 8 and 10 won’t get you as high as #3 and #4 is too much for that package.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I love that we're in a perfect position to snare two of the five players I consider to have ceilings that compete with Zion, and thus, are at least candidates for elite cornerstone status. In order of said ceiling...

1. Cam
2. Bouya
3. Bruno
4. Bol

I further love that it's at least conceivable based on the current post-lottery mocks out there (which will change, of course) that we could work a trade w/ #10 that would grant us not just two, but three of those... in particular, if Ainge falls in love with someone, there is at least some recent precedent for two teams exchanging #10 for #14/#20... problem with that, based on what I'm seeing Celtic fans say on their realGM board, they probably have a similar shopping list, and could take Bouya, Bruno or Bol off the board at #10 after all, and thus, really screwing with that strategy.

So, the conservative in me is winning the argument... if Cam's still there, get him w/ #8... if he's not get the next high ceiling guy, Bouya... then probably Bruno, but if the Wizards grab him, then it's Bol.

But, but, but.... I still look for Schlenk to be seeking a deal that swings him a 2020 unprotected or nearly-unprotected 1st with a team on the decline. Of course, some team would really have to get big-time infatuated, probably with Cam or Bouya, to make that deal... doubtful, but not out of the question.

[jayu70]

I say package them and try to make move for difference maker.

A difference maker in the draft or a young player already under contrac?
From my understanding...Zion is the only difference maker.
#8 and #10 won't be enough to get him.

[D21]

If we follow what Schlenk said, he will try to trade up, but I don't know who he will target.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

If we follow what Schlenk said, he will try to trade up, but I don't know who he will target.

Unless I missed something, all he really committed to is that he didn't think he wants to go to training camp with 5 newbies.

That could very well mean, yes, he'll trade up, but his attention will be on #35/#41/#42 for a late 1st rounder.

Or, it could very well mean, he's fully anticipating punting to 2020 using some of the picks he has.

Or, it could very well mean, he's fully anticipating drafting some euro-stashes.

He's made other teams aware that they should not hesitate to call him if they're interested in talking a deal, but still has a lot of latitude even if he confines himself to what he said... which even that, isn't necessarily a given... no rules against changing one's mind based on new information.

[Buzzard]

I don't have a real clue but I like:

The not so obvious:
Coby White, see him as a Bradley Beal or CJ McCollum. Dynamic scoring fit next to Trae.
Rui Hachimura, I think he could come in day one and give Prince a run for his money.

The obvious:
Reddish, Langford, Hayes, Fernando

If anyone ahead of us cannot pass on Reddish, there is a good chance White will be there.

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

Here are guys projected to go 8-14 (and therefore be available when we pick) according to a few post-lottery mocks. Hawks projected picks are bolded:

CBS: Jarrett Culver, Nassir Little, Brandon Clarke, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Grant Williams, Sekou Doumbouya

ESPN: Cam Reddish, Sekou Doumbouya, Jaxson Hayes, PJ Washington, Brandon Clarke, Bol Bol, Kevin Porter Jr.

Tankathon: Jaxson Hayes, Sekou Doumbouya, Coby White, Brandon Clarke, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford, Kevin Porter Jr.

Sporting News: Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, Sekou Doumbouya, Brandon Clarke, Nassir Little, Rui Hachimura, PJ Washington

Basketball insiders: Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford, Nassier Little, Sekou Doumbouya, Brandon Clarke

[Ice Trae]

I want Reddish/Hayes but i'm really feeling Reddish/Doumbouya as well. Doumbouya can be special imo

[High 5]

I didn’t like Reddish in the top 4, but I’d be much more inclined to take the risk at 8. Still not sure he’s worth it.

And I’ll be honest, I didn’t see Culver much outside of the championship game and he was awful that night. Poor decision-making, poor shooting, and seemed to be overmatched by whatever Virginia threw at him. I’m not saying anything about his NBA future based on a single game but that was a terrible first impression.

[Sultanofatl]

I say package them and try to make move for difference maker.

A difference maker in the draft or a young player already under contrac?
From my understanding...Zion is the only difference maker.
#8 and #10 won't be enough to get him.

Youngish player under contract. We have enough youth.

[thecampster]

According to https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-mock-draft-2019-lottery-results-let-pelicans-take-zion-williamson-at-no-1-grizzlies-get-ja-morant-at-no-2/

We take Nassir Little and Jaxson Hayes per this mock and pass on Bol Bol, Cam Reddish and Sekou Doumbouya. Another "experts agree" head shake.

[Eddielives]

I'm a bit confused as to how Bol is being considered this high. I mean the writing is on the wall with his foot injury. It's literally like taking a pick and hoping against reality that his foot is going to magically become strong enough to stay together when there's proof that it can't already.

[thecampster]

It's easy really. He's 7'2" tall in a weak draft year. Its a mud against the wall pick.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Taking the baton from AHF's good work above...

The Athletic: Cam Reddish, Nassir Little, Jaxson Hayes, Sekou Doumbouya, Rui Hachimura, P.J. Washington, Brandon Clarke

Sports Illustrated: De’Andre Hunter, Jaxson Hayes, Goga Bitadze, Nassir Little, Sekou Doumbouya, Kevin Porter Jr., P.J. Washington

USAToday: Jaxson Hayes, Coby White, Romeo Langford, Kevin Porter Jr., Sekou Doumbouya, Rui Hachimura, P.J. Washington

Bleacher Report: Cam Reddish, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford, Sekou Doumbouya, Jaxson Hayes, Kevin Porter Jr., Goga Bitadze

NetScouts: Jarrett Culver, Sekou Doumbouya, Bol Bol, Jaxson Hayes, Keldon Johnson, Rui Hachimura, P.J. Washington

SB Nation: Sekou Doumbouya, Cam Reddish, Brandon Clarke, Jaxson Hayes, Romeo Landford, Kevin Porter Jr., Goga Bitadze

Yahoo: Cam Reddish, PJ Washington, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford, Nassir Little

The Big Lead: Jaxson Hayes, Sekou Doumbouya, De'Andre Hunter, Romeo Langford, PJ Washington, Nassir Little, Brandon Clarke

Heavy: Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Bol Bol, Coby White, PJ Washington, Romeo Landford, Sekou Doumbouya

Basketball Insiders - Maresca: Cam Reddish, Romeo Langford, Jaxson Hayes, Bol Bol, Sekou Doumbouya, Brandon Clarke, Rui Hachimura

Basketball Insiders - Blancarte: Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, Romeo Langford, Nassir Little, Bol Bol, KZ Okpala, Sekou Doumbouya

Basketball Insiders - Davies: Jarrett Culver, Jaxson Hayes, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford, Nassir Little, Sekou Doumbouya, Keldon Johnson

Basketball Insiders - Kyler: Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford, Daniel Gafford, Nassir Little, Bruno Fernando

NBC Sports: Coby White, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Romeo Langford, Keldon Johnson, Nassir Little, Brandon Clarke

MSN/Yardbarker: De'Andre Hunter, Sekou Doumbouya, Bol Bol, Brandon Clarke, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, Nassir Little

NY Post: Cam Reddish, Sekou Doumbouya, Bol Bol, Nassir Little, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, Brandon Clarke

Chi Sun-Times: Jaxson Hayes, Sekou Doumbouya, Coby White, Brandon Clarke, Bol Bol, Romeo Landford, Tyler Herro:

NBADraftRoom: DeAndre Hunter, Bol Bol, Sekou Doumbouya, Nickiel Alexander-Walker, KZ Okpala, Cam Reddish, Nassir Little

Stadium: Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish, Rui Hachimura, Nickiel Alexander-Walker, Sekou Doumbouya, Romeo Langford, Mfiondu Kabengele

Newsday: Cam Reddish, Sekou Doumbouya, Jaxson Hayes, Romeo Langford, Nassir Little, Hui Hachimura, Brandon Clarke

Slam: Kevin Porter, Jr., Rui Hachimura, DeAndre Hunter, Jarrett Culver, Jaxson Hayes, Bruno Fernando, Daniel Gafford

The Ringer: Cam Reddish, Sekou Doumbouya, Jaxson Hayes, Brandon Clarke, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford, Nassir Little


So, I count...

[thecampster]

9 games so small sample but 21 pts, 9.6 boards and 2.7 blocks in 29.7 mpg as a freshman. Can shoot from outside. Its a risk but a calculated one.

[Eddielives]

He's got a stress fracture in his foot, not to mention a questionable desire for the game. It's only easy if you ignore those facts. I kinda like to know the whole story.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I'm a bit confused as to how Bol is being considered this high. I mean the writing is on the wall with his foot injury. It's literally like taking a pick and hoping against reality that his foot is going to magically become strong enough to stay together when there's proof that it can't already.

Yes, foot injuries can be complicated and problematic.

But no, it's pretty clear that players can come back from those.

[EazyRoc]

Kevin Porter is someone else to consider. He’s another high potential player who I think has the floor of a good sixth man. We need a player on the wing that can get his own shot. Kevin Huerter has the potential but so far lacks the fire. TP doesn’t have the ability to create separation, creativity, or ability to consistently blow by his guy.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Some things will still move around over the next 6 weeks, but after 24 hours, we now have some snapshot of what the consensus seems to be as independent observers publish their concoctions...


Referencing the chart above, I like it that Reddish and Bol are as typically picked as they are. If we use both picks, we need to swing for the fences. We won't be picking down in this territory for a few years, one would expect anyhow, and so players with high ceilings will be especially difficult for us to grab in the future.

If Reddish is gone, then it will be interesting because that will likely mean that Hunter is out there. He's a safe pick, but that doesn't really appeal to me for reasons just stated. Would prefer Doumbouya.


I don't like that Hayes is picked as much as he is because that would be picking someone for a role on the team, filling a perceived void... and like Schlenk has said recently, and I obviously agree, we can't get sucked into that way of thinking just yet... there will be drafts in the future where it will be time for that, but not right now.


I also am more persuaded than I was before that a conservative approach is likely best... don't get cute and trade out of #10, expecting you can add to Reddish at #8 with Doumbouya at BOS' #14 and possibly then Fernando at BOS' #20. That would be a dream to get 3 of the 5 high ceiling players I see in this draft (others being Williamson and Bol). But it's too risky, at least as it stands right now. Again, though, some shaking up will happen between now and draft week. Some players aren't going to work out very well at the combine or for their team visits, and some could be revealing some injuries that weren't previously known.


Having said that, if the rumors out of BOS are true that Ainge is hot for Bol, since I place a higher value on Bruno Fernando anyhow, there's an argument that says swing that deal for #14 and #20, and see what extra prize you can find at #20.

[thecampster]

He's got a stress fracture in his foot, not to mention a questionable desire for the game. It's only easy if you ignore those facts. I kinda like to know the whole story.

Speaking of really tall, I'm kind of amazed that Tacko Fall isn't getting 1st round consideration based solely on being 7'6" (or 7'7" depending on what you read).

I'm thinking at 35, 41, 44 the Hawks should take that flyer on him. I could also see them packaging 2 of those 2nd rounders and Plumlee for a bigger salary (like Whiteside) and using the 3rd pick for Tacko. As a backup big playing 10-15 minutes a night he'd be scary just for defensive impact.