Wizards 2019 Draft Thread - Part II

[doclinkin]

I still don't see how LAL pass on Garland. He's represented by Klutch, and he fills a huge need as a quick PG scorer. He could play with Lonzo and is by far the best talent at 4. If the Cavs take Culver, then the Suns take White, the Bulls probably take Hunter, and Atlanta might take Sekou (fearing we'd take him and knowing they could get Hayes at 10 since we aren't taking a center at 9). That would suck for us honestly unless we love Bol. Who would Boston want at 9? Ainge could conceivably love Bol.

So let's assume no trade down scenarios exist. No one wants to move up. Garland at 4. Culver, 5. White, 6. Hunter, 7. Doumbouya is snatched up at 8? What do you do?

Here's what my board would look like:

1. C Goga Bitadze
2. C Bol Bol
3. PF Brandon Clarke
4. SG Tyler Herro
5. C Jaxson Hayes
6. PF P.J. Washington
7. C Mfiondu Kabengele

Lots of centers on that list. Should we reach for a non-C instead? I admit I do think Bitadze will be very good and I'm confident about that so I'm torn.

Luka Samanic. He reads as a guy who will be worth his pick wherever you draft him.

Complete game at a precocious age. Range, inside moves, hesitations. The handle and the passes he is making. Check him at age 17:

Watch on YouTube

(EDIT-- wrong video. I will post the under 18 one, but still this is a good representation of what he does)

And he plays positional defense. I like the mindset of Croatian athletes in general. Since Drazen Petrovic. Tough mugs, unafraid of the moment. They come up in the leagues that have nets around the court to prevent objects from being thrown at players during games. I'd take him before Bol or Hayes. I like Goga too. But we desperately need some smarts and skill in an outside-in Big who can handle. I think he will produce more and earlier than a guy like Sekou, even if Sekou has higher upside. The kid just already has a pro game in all the little things. Like if Otto Porter had a little bit more heart and flair and fire to his game.

[doclinkin]

Here's the under 18 reel. Check his footwork. Hesitation moves. Handle at 6'11", rocking the cradle and making the touch pass or behind the back. Anticipation on steals and blocks. Being in the right place to catch and shoot. Etc. Grown man game at an early age:

Watch on YouTube

#action=share

We still need a rebounding and rim defending Big as a change of pace ( I still want Bruno), but Luka can be our small ball 4 and our big SF. And we continue to stockpile team smarts instead of guys who look the part but don't yet have a complete game. (Hayes, Bol, among them). He's a basketball lifer, his dad was a high level Euro pro, who is now a GM for a Croatian team.

Says something that Spurs GM RC Buford scouted him in Europe a couple times this past year. If the Spurs offered us their picks to move up to 9 this is the guy I'd wonder if they were targeting.

[doclinkin]

Hmm the metaphysicals don't love him though: January 9 is Muggsy Bogues, but it is also Michael Beasley and Terrance Jones. I'll have to look him up. Maybe do my zodiac draft again LOL

[montestewart]

Hmm the metaphysicals don't love him though: January 9 is Muggsy Bogues, but it is also Michael Beasley and Terrance Jones. I'll have to look him up. Maybe do my zodiac draft again LOL

Before MJ was born, February 17 featured a Big 3 of Stacey Arceneaux, Gene Dyker, and Ray Kuka.

[Ruzious]

I still don't see how LAL pass on Garland. He's represented by Klutch, and he fills a huge need as a quick PG scorer. He could play with Lonzo and is by far the best talent at 4. If the Cavs take Culver, then the Suns take White, the Bulls probably take Hunter, and Atlanta might take Sekou (fearing we'd take him and knowing they could get Hayes at 10 since we aren't taking a center at 9). That would suck for us honestly unless we love Bol. Who would Boston want at 9? Ainge could conceivably love Bol.

So let's assume no trade down scenarios exist. No one wants to move up. Garland at 4. Culver, 5. White, 6. Hunter, 7. Doumbouya is snatched up at 8? What do you do?

Here's what my board would look like:

1. C Goga Bitadze
2. C Bol Bol
3. PF Brandon Clarke
4. SG Tyler Herro
5. C Jaxson Hayes
6. PF P.J. Washington
7. C Mfiondu Kabengele

Lots of centers on that list. Should we reach for a non-C instead? I admit I do think Bitadze will be very good and I'm confident about that so I'm torn.

Luka Samanic. He reads as a guy who will be worth his pick wherever you draft him.

Complete game at a precocious age. Range, inside moves, hesitations. The handle and the passes he is making. Check him at age 17:

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

(EDIT-- wrong video. I will post the under 18 one, but still this is a good representation of what he does)

And he plays positional defense. I like the mindset of Croatian athletes in general. Since Drazen Petrovic. Tough mugs, unafraid of the moment. They come up in the leagues that have nets around the court to prevent objects from being thrown at players during games. I'd take him before Bol or Hayes. I like Goga too. But we desperately need some smarts and skill in an outside-in Big who can handle. I think he will produce more and earlier than a guy like Sekou, even if Sekou has higher upside. The kid just already has a pro game in all the little things. Like if Otto Porter had a little bit more heart and flair and fire to his game.

I'm on board with Samanic at 9 - given Dat's scenario of the top 8. While I'm interested in Bol, Bitadze, and Hayes, I'd rather not draft a center. Actually, I think Samanic is going to get thicker and be a big 4. He's got reasonably wide shoulders, so I think he will get significantly stronger. This is a draft in which every pick from 4 or 5 on through 12 could be relatively equal talent-wise.

[TGW]

Samancic is projected in the second round in pretty much every major mock draft. Taking him at #9 would be a monumental reach.

Buy a second rounder (the Wiz are in talks with Philly for one of their's), and draft him where he's supposed to go. No need to reach.

If that situation arises, you trade down, nab more 2nd rounders, and take Goga between 15-20.

[payitforward]

Ummm, does this affect us in any way? Won't the same guys be gone before #9 rolls around, maybe just in a different order depending on what the Cavs do? So.... ????

If it knocked Garland down to a pick that is more attainable for us in a trade up then maybe I'd be for it. Though I don't see what we have to offer. I get a feel that he would be a good fit on offense next to Beal. Our own Dame/CJ pairing, where Garland's range would allow Beal to do even more Bradleyesque things, more room in the mid range, more open shots coming off screens, more room to attack the rim if teams aren't sure which player to key on. This is my only trade up spotlight, or the only one plausible. I don't think he falls past LA, but if he did slip I'd see if we could put together a package to hop up a spot or two. Maybe an option to swap picks in future years would be enough.

in general I think yeah we could get a solid player or two if we did trade down. But, I honestly don't think we will get takers for our pick. Celtics are trying to put together trade packages for a big splash. Atlanta has a mess of pics but why would they swap up one spot? Either we want the same player as them, or we don't and they get him for free anyway.

And if the Spurs were trying to trade up I'd be really leery of trying to trade that pick and try to guess who was on the board they were trying to make a play for, so I could snatch him myself.

Maybe the Nets picks. All of or some combo of 17, 27 and 31?

To me high round 2 players are better than late 1sts due to contract issues and the Gilbert rule.

Trading up never occurred to me; thanks for the suggestion -- it makes great sense if it gets us Garland (even more if it gets us Zion! but...). Problem is, of course, that as you say we have nothing to trade. & I'd be leery of mortgaging our future picks/positions, given how resource poor we already are.

I'd be perfectly happy with the 3 nets' picks for our #9, but I don't know that they go for the deal. ...

[payitforward]

This is a really interesting article on stepien -- especially it will interest nate (who I hope didn't already provide a link to it!):
https://www.thestepien.com/2019/03/29/draft-notes-latent-value-respect-draft/

Supports nate's point about Centers & my point about trading down.

[FAH1223]

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[Illuminaire]

Like if Otto Porter had a little bit more heart and flair and fire to his game.

SOLD.

[Ruzious]

Samancic is projected in the second round in pretty much every major mock draft. Taking him at #9 would be a monumental reach.

Buy a second rounder (the Wiz are in talks with Philly for one of their's), and draft him where he's supposed to go. No need to reach.

If that situation arises, you trade down, nab more 2nd rounders, and take Goga between 15-20.

You're relying on out-dated and/or very bad mocks. There's no chance he lasts till the 2nd round.

[doclinkin]

Samancic is projected in the second round in pretty much every major mock draft. Taking him at #9 would be a monumental reach.

Buy a second rounder (the Wiz are in talks with Philly for one of their's), and draft him where he's supposed to go. No need to reach.

If that situation arises, you trade down, nab more 2nd rounders, and take Goga between 15-20.

You're not playing right. The exercise is:
Zion
Morant
Barret
Garland
Culver
Hunter
White
Sekou

Are all gone. No trade downs. Who do you want. Right now we have no 2nd round pick. If its me I want Samanic or Goga at that point. Goga is also slated late. I think the mocks are wrong. No such thing as a reach if you get the guy you like and he produces. To my eye it looks like Luka will out-perform guys mocked to go earlier on potential alone.

[doclinkin]

Like if Otto Porter had a little bit more heart and flair and fire to his game.

SOLD.

Caveat being shorter arms. But basically there's a reason there are what 8 (?) Croatian players in the league right now. They are trained since early to play every postion on the court, offense and defense, and are tough mugs who play with ferocity and passion. Since Drazen the country has raised basketball players like a wolf pack raises pups. They play the right way like it is life or death to do so.

[doclinkin]

Ummm, does this affect us in any way? Won't the same guys be gone before #9 rolls around, maybe just in a different order depending on what the Cavs do? So.... ????

If it knocked Garland down to a pick that is more attainable for us in a trade up then maybe I'd be for it. Though I don't see what we have to offer. I get a feel that he would be a good fit on offense next to Beal. Our own Dame/CJ pairing, where Garland's range would allow Beal to do even more Bradleyesque things, more room in the mid range, more open shots coming off screens, more room to attack the rim if teams aren't sure which player to key on. This is my only trade up spotlight, or the only one plausible. I don't think he falls past LA, but if he did slip I'd see if we could put together a package to hop up a spot or two. Maybe an option to swap picks in future years would be enough.

in general I think yeah we could get a solid player or two if we did trade down. But, I honestly don't think we will get takers for our pick. Celtics are trying to put together trade packages for a big splash. Atlanta has a mess of pics but why would they swap up one spot? Either we want the same player as them, or we don't and they get him for free anyway.

And if the Spurs were trying to trade up I'd be really leery of trying to trade that pick and try to guess who was on the board they were trying to make a play for, so I could snatch him myself.

Maybe the Nets picks. All of or some combo of 17, 27 and 31?

To me high round 2 players are better than late 1sts due to contract issues and the Gilbert rule.

Trading up never occurred to me; thanks for the suggestion -- it makes great sense if it gets us Garland (even more if it gets us Zion! but...). Problem is, of course, that as you say we have nothing to trade. & I'd be leery of mortgaging our future picks/positions, given how resource poor we already are.

General agreement. Though in this case I think Garland would prove worth it and swapping into a top 4 pick is rare. I also think there is no way LA would go for it. Under LeBJ they are in win-now mode at all times. Future pick position means nothing to them.

[Illuminaire]

Caveat being shorter arms. But basically there's a reason there are what 8 (?) Croatian players in the league right now. They are trained since early to play every postion on the court, offense and defense, and are tough mugs who play with ferocity and passion. Since Drazen the country has raised basketball players like a wolf pack raises pups. They play the right way like it is life or death to do so.

That versatility is incredibly useful in the modern NBA. There is a spectrum of playmaking 3/4s in the league, and a good one can unlock a team's maximum potential. Draymond being the alpha prime of that player type, a game-changing swingman who does a lot of everything (except shoot ).

If you can land someone with Otto's skillset, more force to their game, and more of Green's takeover mindset... in this draft, that's probably as good as you're going to get.

I need to watch more videos of this kid now, see where he is on that spectrum of players.

[Illuminaire]

As for trading up, I think the Wiz can only get Garland if they are willing to trade Beal.

#4(Garland) / Ball / Ingram / 2021 unprotected future 1st is what I'd ask for.

[doclinkin]

Caveat being shorter arms. But basically there's a reason there are what 8 (?) Croatian players in the league right now. They are trained since early to play every postion on the court, offense and defense, and are tough mugs who play with ferocity and passion. Since Drazen the country has raised basketball players like a wolf pack raises pups. They play the right way like it is life or death to do so.

That versatility is incredibly useful in the modern NBA. There is a spectrum of playmaking 3/4s in the league, and a good one can unlock a team's maximum potential. Draymond being the alpha prime of that player type, a game-changing swingman who does a lot of everything (except shoot ).

If you can land someone with Otto's skillset, more force to their game, and more of Green's takeover mindset... in this draft, that's probably as good as you're going to get.

I need to watch more videos of this kid now, see where he is on that spectrum of players.

On his youth squads they ran the offense through him as a high post distributor, he is noted to have good one touch passes with accuracy. The knocks on him aside from reach are that he doesn't yet have the strength to bang and finish through contact (though he does have low post moves and a hook that work well anyway ) and that while he has an excellent handle for his size he doesn't yet finish well off the dribble (what power forward does?) and that his stroke is nice but he still sometimes hesitates (deciding to pass, shoot, or attack) if he went right up with it he would not give defenses a chance to react.

In other words, he is young and has been tasked to do a ton. He needs weight room time. BUt the smarts are there, the desire is there, the fundmentals are there, the skill set is there, already at age 19. He doesn't need to be taught, he just needs to work out and get stronger.

[doclinkin]

As for trading up, I think the Wiz can only get Garland if they are willing to trade Beal.

#4(Garland) / Ball / Ingram / 2021 unprotected future 1st is what I'd ask for.

At that point he loses value to me in terms of synergy. I like him _with_ Beal (his AAU coach and mentor) or not at all. Or at least not at the price he would cost.

[nate33]

Samancic is projected in the second round in pretty much every major mock draft. Taking him at #9 would be a monumental reach.

Buy a second rounder (the Wiz are in talks with Philly for one of their's), and draft him where he's supposed to go. No need to reach.

If that situation arises, you trade down, nab more 2nd rounders, and take Goga between 15-20.

I think Samancic will definitely move into the first round, but I agree that it would be a squandering of assets to take him at #9. At the very least, we should be able to trade down to the 14-16 range and get him, while picking up an additional 2nd round pick in the process.

[taj2133]

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