2019 Draft Discussion

[Liver_Pooty]

Nassir making 3s in a workout does nothing for me. Zeller in his predraft workout for the kings looked like Dirk out there.

[KingCat]

Read on Twitter

No. No. Jesus Christ no. Not again.

Don't understand that reaction. Stepien has him ranked as fifth best prospect in the class.

Because he is a 23 year old undersized tweener with no elite skills, no jumper and we literally drafted Miles Bridges just last season.

[Liver_Pooty]

Read on Twitter

No. No. Jesus Christ no. Not again.

Don't understand that reaction. Stepien has him ranked as fifth best prospect in the class.

Because he is a 23 year old undersized tweener with no elite skills, no jumper and we literally drafted Miles Bridges just last season.

3rd in the nation in blocks. Elite offensive rebounder. I think he'd be a great small ball center.

[bravor]

He is physical and tough player, something this team never had. If i had one question mark with his profile, it concerns Borrego, as i don't know how good his passing skills are (he can pass the ball, though let's say he's not Noah 2.0). And most of all he would bring intimidation in the paint and complement other guys (young crew). And hopefully a good option in the post unlike what we have seen too often here ('jump shooting/perimeter shooting team')
It's not like at 12 Hornets are gonna select a true gem without any flaw. Anyway it will be hard to see him available at 12 but if the report is not a smokescreen (it would be Dallas i would think so), he would be a perfect complement for Frank/Bridges and even Kemba if he stays.

Harrell, Collins (and couple more) are all undersized pf/c or c and it's gonna be hard for someone to argue they don't impact the game in this league.

[PerkinsFor3]

Yet, Clarke is practically undersized for SF.

[SWedd523]

This team is never going to win anything without at least one more high level scorer.

They should be flinging all of the "who projects to score the most points" poo at the wall until they find something that sticks.

Drafting an undersized center because he rebounds good will move the needle maybe a tick.

[Braggins]

Brandon Clarke seems like bust city to me. He has the same standing reach as Jeremy Lamb with the skillset of a hustle/energy PF/C and hes already almost 23 years old. He has very little offensive skill and can't stretch the floor. He seems like hes basically an older version of Miles Bridges but with no jump shot or relevant offensive skill, even worse length, but admittedly better mobility. I'm still very early in my draft research so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but as of right now my ignorant opinion is to stay far away from Clarke.

He did absolutely crush all the athletic testing and had great block/steal numbers, so thats definitely intriguing. He could be an amazing defender, but even if he pans out, he doesn't seem like the type of a player a team in desperate need of stars has the luxury of picking.

Harrell, Collins (and couple more) are all undersized pf/c or c and it's gonna be hard for someone to argue they don't impact the game in this league.

Collins has +4.5" standing reach compared to Clarke and Harris has +7.5". Collins is two years younger than Clarke.

I honestly don't really like any of the prospects being mocked in our range that much at this point. I think guys like Bol Bol, Doumbouya, Reddish, and Hayes, will be long gone by 12.

Romeo Langford is one of the few in our range that catch my eye at this point. Hes got a lot going for him but his stock seems to be held back by his bad 3pt shooting numbers but he played last season with a thumb injury in his shooting hand and his shooting was actually the biggest thing he was being hyped for coming out of high school, so he could be a steal. I could also see his stock rising in workouts and us not having a chance at him either.

Talen Horton-Tucker is another interesting one.

[Snidely FC]

Good press for a couple of guys we might see rising in the rankings following this week's NBA combine, Luka Samanic and Nic Claxton:

Luka Samanic balled out in the scrimmage portion of Thursday's combine, scoring 13 points in a stellar outing in fewer than 20 minutes played. The 6-foot-9 1/2 forward tested well, too, with a shuttle run, max vertical leap and three-quarter court sprint that all rated inside the top 5 of draft-eligible players at his position.

Samanic showed off a pure, smooth shooting stroke that netted him a 5-for-7 outing in his scrimmage. And better yet, Samanic showed the type of agility and versatility that NBA scouts were thrilled to see.

Givony was stoked over Samanic

Croatian forward Luka Samanic also turned some heads, both in the drills portion of the combine and in the scrimmage:

Jonathan Givony
✔
@DraftExpress
One of the most interesting guys to watch is 6'11 Croatian Luka Samanic, the lone non-US based player here. Certainly looks the part, has a pretty stroke and is extremely young. Fact that he's playing is notable. European players, like Rudy Gobert, have struggled in the past.

Jonathan Givony
✔
@DraftExpress
Samanic continues to play well, reminding me why we once had him projected as a lottery pick. Some NBA executives have told me that his situation reminds them of Rodions Kurucs somewhat, who just had a great rookie year.

Jonathan Givony
✔
@DraftExpress
Strong first half for 6'11 Croatian forward Luka Samanic. Had some terrific possessions switching onto guards, showing his deep defensive stance and strong lateral quickness staying in front and contesting jumper. Also showing nice toughness on glass. Helping himself here early

Jonathan Wasserman
✔
@NBADraftWass
Impressive first half from Samanic. Not only looks like he belongs but standing out as a top player. Just pulled off a sweet spin move. Flashed some handles earlier. Appears tougher inside than I thought.

Nic Claxton also drew praise after the combine:

Georgia sophomore big man Nicolas Claxton -- wow. He ran the floor really well, showed off some nice post moves, and was generally a havoc-wreaking menace when he was scrimmaging.

Claxton ate Moses Brown's lunch on multiple occasions when they were matched up, including a swat that surprised Brown himself. His potential as a floor-spacer and rim-running big man has opened up folks' eyes in Chicago, and it's possible he benefitted more than any other big man from Thursday's scrimmage portion of the combine.

[Snidely FC]

apropos of Claxton, an article on the Stepien with interesting discussion about why it makes sense to promise a guy like Claxton to draft him in the second round but offer him a first round contract, and why it makes more sense to take a Center later in the draft. https://www.thestepien.com/2019/03/22/draft-notes-nic-claxton-first-evaluation-can-matter/

[KingCat]

He is physical and tough player, something this team never had. If i had one question mark with his profile, it concerns Borrego, as i don't know how good his passing skills are (he can pass the ball, though let's say he's not Noah 2.0). And most of all he would bring intimidation in the paint and complement other guys (young crew). And hopefully a good option in the post unlike what we have seen too often here ('jump shooting/perimeter shooting team')
It's not like at 12 Hornets are gonna select a true gem without any flaw. Anyway it will be hard to see him available at 12 but if the report is not a smokescreen (it would be Dallas i would think so), he would be a perfect complement for Frank/Bridges and even Kemba if he stays.

Harrell, Collins (and couple more) are all undersized pf/c or c and it's gonna be hard for someone to argue they don't impact the game in this league.

Zeller, MKG, and Bridges were all drafted under the premises that they are “physical” and “tough”. But once these guys hit the pro scene, it’s hard to be the dominate alpha on the court and their physical skills rarely transition effectively.

Also with the state that the franchise is in, they cannot afford to draft a guy like Clarke hoping that he lives up to his potential if a Montrez Harrel. They gotta draft guys like Kevin Porter in hopes that he can become a Donovan Mitchell, or Bol Bol in hopes he can become a Porzingis, or a guy like Hayes in hopes he is this drafts John Collins. Drafting these low bust, low ceiling guys like Clarke is major factor as to why the hornets are in this treadmill of a situation

[amcoolio]

Really don't know anything about the draft prospects this year but that Luka Samanic guy sounds like someone we need

If we keep the pick I would rather go for the high upside pick as well. I don't agree that we always take low ceiling players. Malik Monk is a high upside player, more so than Mitchell was.

[Lwcasu]

I prefer Bol Bol, Hayes, or Reddish if he slips. I believe Bol Bol is gonna be there and I believe we’ll pass. Gonna 100% anger me too. I could get on the Brandon Clarke train, but like others said, he’s not exactly the type of prospect we need. He as a limited offense game at best and gets a whole lot of points off the fast break, put backs, weak post moves and lobs. A lot of that isn’t gonna transfer. The defense will transfer.

[predators]

He is physical and tough player, something this team never had. If i had one question mark with his profile, it concerns Borrego, as i don't know how good his passing skills are (he can pass the ball, though let's say he's not Noah 2.0). And most of all he would bring intimidation in the paint and complement other guys (young crew). And hopefully a good option in the post unlike what we have seen too often here ('jump shooting/perimeter shooting team')
It's not like at 12 Hornets are gonna select a true gem without any flaw. Anyway it will be hard to see him available at 12 but if the report is not a smokescreen (it would be Dallas i would think so), he would be a perfect complement for Frank/Bridges and even Kemba if he stays.

Harrell, Collins (and couple more) are all undersized pf/c or c and it's gonna be hard for someone to argue they don't impact the game in this league.

Harrell has a 7'4" wingspan. John Collins a 6'11"....Brandon Clarke's is 6'8". He'd be the smallest of small ball centers. You can be shorter, but you have to at least be long.

He's also the only productive, undersized for his position player that's projected in our range, so he's likely our pick.

My guess is his light burns fast and bright and then he's out of league as soon as the athleticism starts to go. Every player people compare him to are functionally much larger players.

[yosemiteben]

How does a dude with a small wingspan lead the entire NCAA in blocked shots while playing less than 30 mpg? That's bizarre.

[KingCat]

How does a dude with a small wingspan lead the entire NCAA in blocked shots while playing less than 30 mpg? That's bizarre.

Mainly cause he is playing against a bunch of future dentist, lawyers and bankers

[Lwcasu]

How does a dude with a small wingspan lead the entire NCAA in blocked shots while playing less than 30 mpg? That's bizarre.

Mainly cause he is playing against a bunch of future dentist, lawyers and bankers

His tournament performance was really good

[Liver_Pooty]

How does a dude with a small wingspan lead the entire NCAA in blocked shots while playing less than 30 mpg? That's bizarre.

Mainly cause he is playing against a bunch of future dentist, lawyers and bankers

17 pts and 5 rebounds in 23 minutes against duke

[UNCNYC]

Not high on CLarke anymore. He's kinda too small to play Center and nothing spectacular makes you desire him for PF. He has potential but not much imo.

[JMAC3]

Nba draft tiers

Tier 1
Zion
Morant
Barrett

Tier 2
Culver
Hunter
Garland

Tier 3
Coby White
Cam Reddish
Jaxson Hayes

Tier 4
Nasir Little
Romeo Langford
Sekou Doumbouya
Bol Bol
Brandon Clarke
PJ Washington
Rui Hachimura
Kevin Porter Jr

Tier 5
Tyler Hero
Keldon Johnson
Goga Bitadze
Nickel Alexander-Walker
KZ Okpala

Tier 6
Talen Horton-Tucker
Cam Johnson

Seems most likely we get a guy in tier 4.

Wildcard guys to me are:
Bol Bol
Kevin Porter
Doumbouya
Nas Little
Romeo Langford

This group has more upside possibly but a higher bust potential

The second group of safer guys:
PJ Washington
Rui Hachimura
Brandon Clarke

Those three have higher floors meaning I think they are very likely starters. But may not have as high of ceilings

They all should be solid defensive guys, who can switch a lot and play minutes as small ball center.

I think we could go either direction, some of it will depend on what Kemba does.


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[JMAC3]

Not high on CLarke anymore. He's kinda too small to play Center and nothing spectacular makes you desire him for PF. He has potential but not much imo.

Yeah his small winspan makes me look at him more like Andre Roberson now. More of a wing stopper than a small ball center.


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