Chuma Okeke drafted #16 by the Orlando Magic

[pepe1991]

Okeke will be 2nd string SF as soon as he comes back.

When did Okeke play SF ? Highschool? What makes you belive he can play SF in nba?
Also as soon as he comes back is in October of 2020
As long as Magic keep Aminu, Isaac and Gordon, Okeke won't recive more than 10-14 mpg

i think he looks fluid enough to play SF. even if as just a 3&D

Maybe, maybe not. Winslow was , just like him, 6'7 PF at college that couldn't play that in NBA .Last year he found himself spot as ballhandler, but mostly because Dragić was out and Tyler Johnson was traded , so it was by default.

[tiderulz]

When did Okeke play SF ? Highschool? What makes you belive he can play SF in nba?
Also as soon as he comes back is in October of 2020
As long as Magic keep Aminu, Isaac and Gordon, Okeke won't recive more than 10-14 mpg

i think he looks fluid enough to play SF. even if as just a 3&D

Maybe, maybe not. Winslow was , just like him, 6'7 PF at college that couldn't play that in NBA .Last year he found himself spot as ballhandler, but mostly because Dragić was out and Tyler Johnson was traded , so it was by default.

a Bruce Bowen type role is easily attainable by Okeke. i wouldnt want him to be a major ball handler right now, but playing hard defense, shooting the 3, being active on defense, that is easily within his skill set.

[pepe1991]

i think he looks fluid enough to play SF. even if as just a 3&D

Maybe, maybe not. Winslow was , just like him, 6'7 PF at college that couldn't play that in NBA .Last year he found himself spot as ballhandler, but mostly because Dragić was out and Tyler Johnson was traded , so it was by default.

a Bruce Bowen type role is easily attainable by Okeke. i wouldnt want him to be a major ball handler right now, but playing hard defense, shooting the 3, being active on defense, that is easily within his skill set.

Well, we will have to wait for year and half at least to find out ...
I still think that drafting him at 16# was reach.

[tiderulz]

Maybe, maybe not. Winslow was , just like him, 6'7 PF at college that couldn't play that in NBA .Last year he found himself spot as ballhandler, but mostly because Dragić was out and Tyler Johnson was traded , so it was by default.

a Bruce Bowen type role is easily attainable by Okeke. i wouldnt want him to be a major ball handler right now, but playing hard defense, shooting the 3, being active on defense, that is easily within his skill set.

Well, we will have to wait for year and half at least to find out ...
I still think that drafting him at 16# was reach.

he was considered a lottery pick before the injury, i dont think him as a player was a reach. For the Magic, who already had PF/SF's and signed another in Aminu, maybe, unless this is a precursor to a trade of one of them.

[zaymon]

If Okeke or Alexander-Walker end up as a "secondary playmaker in NBA", the both would be BPA at their respective draft slots. After the lottery, a team is typically drafting for bench depth, historically.

A 3rd, 4th man on a starting roster is a huge value pick at 16 or 17.


..

Still Weltman projects Okeke to be better. Guys its not like Weltman picked Okeke by mistake. We had NAW for couple of days here, they went to dinner together. NAW was available for us and Weltman without hesitation chose Chuma with big smile on his face. NAW ceiling projects to be Fournier who everybody here dislike. I dont get the love. Its players like Chuma that are the most valuable assets right now. What has NAW that makes him better than Okeke ? Becouse i dont see him as a lead ball handler.

NAW is a ball handler. Have you watched him play? He is capable of running the point.

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He is a ball handler, but projected to be a secondary rather than primary one. He was not very successful running point in college. His shot mechanics are not very dynamic. If he was projected to be a lead ball handler he would go in the lottery. I dont think we really need him, guys with his skillset went for around mle. Of course he can explode and defy the odds but so do Chuma.

[ezzzp]

If Okeke or Alexander-Walker end up as a "secondary playmaker in NBA", the both would be BPA at their respective draft slots. After the lottery, a team is typically drafting for bench depth, historically.

A 3rd, 4th man on a starting roster is a huge value pick at 16 or 17.


..

Still Weltman projects Okeke to be better. Guys its not like Weltman picked Okeke by mistake. We had NAW for couple of days here, they went to dinner together. NAW was available for us and Weltman without hesitation chose Chuma with big smile on his face. NAW ceiling projects to be Fournier who everybody here dislike. I dont get the love. Its players like Chuma that are the most valuable assets right now. What has NAW that makes him better than Okeke ? Becouse i dont see him as a lead ball handler.

NAW is a ball handler. Have you watched him play? He is capable of running the point.

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He might be...but you have to remember that a lot of guys that are "capable of running point" (like Fournier) prior to the NBA can't once they get to NBA.

What you have seen is him vs other college kids or in SL vs guys of whom 99% won't ever be on an NBA roster playing in a scrimmage game. Those SL units met for first time last week and have no real system in place on either end of the floor.

That doesn't mean he can't be a primary ball handler in NBA, just that you have to wait and see what he looks like vs NBA teams.

Wether he ends up a primary ball handler or a secondary one doesn't make him better or worse, that's just a role. DJ is a primary ball handler, that doesn't make him better than Bradley Beal who is a secondary ball handler. The question is what tier he can they elevate to within that role.

The FO might think that Okeke can be a better 2-way versatile forward than NAW could be a primary/secondary playmaker.

We won't know the answer to wether they were right or wrong for another 3-4 years.

Even if one player is better in the first year, it doesn't mean anything...MCW was best rookie in 2013 over Giannis, Oladipo, CJ McCollum and Gobert. You also have to remember that players in NOLA are going to get way over hyped because they're going to be the "hot new young team of the future" the NBA will try to promote...just like Minnesota was with Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and KAT a few years ago. They had 1000x more hype and attention in first few seasons than Jokic/Murray core in Denver...but look at it now.

[Skin]

Instead Okeke will rot behind Gordon, Isaac, Aminu, and Iwundu.

Okeke will be 2nd string SF as soon as he comes back.

When did Okeke play SF ? Highschool? What makes you belive he can play SF in nba?
Also as soon as he comes back is in October of 2020
As long as Magic keep Aminu, Isaac and Gordon, Okeke won't recive more than 10-14 mpg

What does that have to do with anything? College position doesn't dictate NBA position. Have you not heard our FO & Clifford talk about how much they love his versatility? But yeah, 10-14 mpg sounds about right for a rookie second string player.

PG Augustin / MCW
SG Fournier / Ross
SF Gordon / Okeke
PF Isaac / Aminu
C Vucevic / Bamba

[yoyojw17]

Still Weltman projects Okeke to be better. Guys its not like Weltman picked Okeke by mistake. We had NAW for couple of days here, they went to dinner together. NAW was available for us and Weltman without hesitation chose Chuma with big smile on his face. NAW ceiling projects to be Fournier who everybody here dislike. I dont get the love. Its players like Chuma that are the most valuable assets right now. What has NAW that makes him better than Okeke ? Becouse i dont see him as a lead ball handler.

NAW is a ball handler. Have you watched him play? He is capable of running the point.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

He might be...but you have to remember that a lot of guys that are "capable of running point" (like Fournier) prior to the NBA can't once they get to NBA.

What you have seen is him vs other college kids or in SL vs guys of whom 99% won't ever be on an NBA roster playing in a scrimmage game. Those SL units met for first time last week and have no real system in place on either end of the floor.

That doesn't mean he can't be a primary ball handler in NBA, just that you have to wait and see what he looks like vs NBA teams.

Wether he ends up a primary ball handler or a secondary one doesn't make him better or worse, that's just a role. DJ is a primary ball handler, that doesn't make him better than Bradley Beal who is a secondary ball handler. The question is what tier he can they elevate to within that role.

The FO might think that Okeke can be a better 2-way versatile forward than NAW could be a primary/secondary playmaker.

We won't know the answer to wether they were right or wrong for another 3-4 years.

Even if one player is better in the first year, it doesn't mean anything...MCW was best rookie in 2013 over Giannis, Oladipo, CJ McCollum and Gobert. You also have to remember that players in NOLA are going to get way over hyped because they're going to be the "hot new young team of the future" the NBA will try to promote...just like Minnesota was with Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and KAT a few years ago. They had 1000x more hype and attention in first few seasons than Jokic/Murray core in Denver...but look at it now.

Some people also don't realize that the trajectories of players can be drastically effected by the team that drafts them, environment they are in ... etc. So us drafting NAW over Chuma might not yield the same results as NO.... for better or for worse. Fit matters too. like i think Wiggins outlook would have been totally different if he joined an established team that allowed him to mature in their system. Imagine if he got the Kawhi treatment by the Spurs. And that's why i love what WeHam does in catering to what they believe is best for nurturing them.

Yeah... was thinking about it recently when Fournier is pushing 4 assist... then i remembered that he was originally a point guard/ shooting guard combo being drafted by Denver. lol

[VFX]

NAW is a ball handler. Have you watched him play? He is capable of running the point.

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He might be...but you have to remember that a lot of guys that are "capable of running point" (like Fournier) prior to the NBA can't once they get to NBA.

What you have seen is him vs other college kids or in SL vs guys of whom 99% won't ever be on an NBA roster playing in a scrimmage game. Those SL units met for first time last week and have no real system in place on either end of the floor.

That doesn't mean he can't be a primary ball handler in NBA, just that you have to wait and see what he looks like vs NBA teams.

Wether he ends up a primary ball handler or a secondary one doesn't make him better or worse, that's just a role. DJ is a primary ball handler, that doesn't make him better than Bradley Beal who is a secondary ball handler. The question is what tier he can they elevate to within that role.

The FO might think that Okeke can be a better 2-way versatile forward than NAW could be a primary/secondary playmaker.

We won't know the answer to wether they were right or wrong for another 3-4 years.

Even if one player is better in the first year, it doesn't mean anything...MCW was best rookie in 2013 over Giannis, Oladipo, CJ McCollum and Gobert. You also have to remember that players in NOLA are going to get way over hyped because they're going to be the "hot new young team of the future" the NBA will try to promote...just like Minnesota was with Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and KAT a few years ago. They had 1000x more hype and attention in first few seasons than Jokic/Murray core in Denver...but look at it now.

Some people also don't realize that the trajectories of players can be drastically effected by the team that drafts them, environment they are in ... etc. So us drafting NAW over Chuma might not yield the same results as NO.... for better or for worse. Fit matters too. like i think Wiggins outlook would have been totally different if he joined an established team that allowed him to mature in their system. Imagine if he got the Kawhi treatment by the Spurs. And that's why i love what WeHam does in catering to what they believe is best for nurturing them.

Yeah... was thinking about it recently when Fournier is pushing 4 assist... then i remembered that he was originally a point guard/ shooting guard combo being drafted by Denver. lol

I agree that opportunity matters in the context of the draft as well as the team, but I don’t really understand how you believe this is this case between Chuma and NAW.

Are you saying that NAW is going to have more opportunity and fit better in NO than he would in Orlando?

JJ, Moore, Holiday, Ball, and Hart are their rotation of guards. NAW would be next off the bench for DJ or Fournier in Orlando. Chuma Okeke is coming off the bench behind AG,JI,Aminu, and Ross currently.

So yes, you are correct that “fit matters”. That isn’t the case in this current context.

[Skin]

I never gave NAW a thought as a full time PG. He could be special if he could pull that off. ... and if that becomes the case, there is reason to have some wonder... but I don't live life thinking about regret. It does nothing for you.

Overreacting about SL seems par for the course around here though.

[basketballRob]

a Bruce Bowen type role is easily attainable by Okeke. i wouldnt want him to be a major ball handler right now, but playing hard defense, shooting the 3, being active on defense, that is easily within his skill set.

Well, we will have to wait for year and half at least to find out ...
I still think that drafting him at 16# was reach.

he was considered a lottery pick before the injury, i dont think him as a player was a reach. For the Magic, who already had PF/SF's and signed another in Aminu, maybe, unless this is a precursor to a trade of one of them.

I searched and never found a mock with him as a lottery pick prior to the injury

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[tiderulz]

Well, we will have to wait for year and half at least to find out ...
I still think that drafting him at 16# was reach.

he was considered a lottery pick before the injury, i dont think him as a player was a reach. For the Magic, who already had PF/SF's and signed another in Aminu, maybe, unless this is a precursor to a trade of one of them.

I searched and never found a mock with him as a lottery pick prior to the injury

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Okeke has lottery talent for a player who should be available late in the first round. He’s a prospect worth being patient for.

https://www.sbnation.com/2019/6/20/18678138/nba-draft-sleepers-2019-grant-williams-chuma-okeke

However, if he had not sustained the injury and played with his team into the Final Four, some prognosticators suspect that he perhaps could have been knocking on the door of the lottery portion of the first round.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/2019-nba-draft-scouting-report-chuma-okeke/ar-AABvgG8

He's a borderline lottery pick in my book, full strength or not

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2837313-2019-nba-drafts-best-kept-secrets#slide2

Would be a mid-first-rounder if not for the ACL tear he suffered in the Sweet 16. With his size and athleticism, he was a matchup nightmare at the college level

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2019/06/19/nba-draft-still-viewed-part-mavericks-potential-return-relevance-even-no-top-pick

[yoyojw17]

He might be...but you have to remember that a lot of guys that are "capable of running point" (like Fournier) prior to the NBA can't once they get to NBA.

What you have seen is him vs other college kids or in SL vs guys of whom 99% won't ever be on an NBA roster playing in a scrimmage game. Those SL units met for first time last week and have no real system in place on either end of the floor.

That doesn't mean he can't be a primary ball handler in NBA, just that you have to wait and see what he looks like vs NBA teams.

Wether he ends up a primary ball handler or a secondary one doesn't make him better or worse, that's just a role. DJ is a primary ball handler, that doesn't make him better than Bradley Beal who is a secondary ball handler. The question is what tier he can they elevate to within that role.

The FO might think that Okeke can be a better 2-way versatile forward than NAW could be a primary/secondary playmaker.

We won't know the answer to wether they were right or wrong for another 3-4 years.

Even if one player is better in the first year, it doesn't mean anything...MCW was best rookie in 2013 over Giannis, Oladipo, CJ McCollum and Gobert. You also have to remember that players in NOLA are going to get way over hyped because they're going to be the "hot new young team of the future" the NBA will try to promote...just like Minnesota was with Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and KAT a few years ago. They had 1000x more hype and attention in first few seasons than Jokic/Murray core in Denver...but look at it now.

Some people also don't realize that the trajectories of players can be drastically effected by the team that drafts them, environment they are in ... etc. So us drafting NAW over Chuma might not yield the same results as NO.... for better or for worse. Fit matters too. like i think Wiggins outlook would have been totally different if he joined an established team that allowed him to mature in their system. Imagine if he got the Kawhi treatment by the Spurs. And that's why i love what WeHam does in catering to what they believe is best for nurturing them.

Yeah... was thinking about it recently when Fournier is pushing 4 assist... then i remembered that he was originally a point guard/ shooting guard combo being drafted by Denver. lol

I agree that opportunity matters in the context of the draft as well as the team, but I don’t really understand how you believe this is this case between Chuma and NAW.

Are you saying that NAW is going to have more opportunity and fit better in NO than he would in Orlando?

JJ, Moore, Holiday, Ball, and Hart are their rotation of guards. NAW would be next off the bench for DJ or Fournier in Orlando. Chuma Okeke is coming off the bench behind AG,JI,Aminu, and Ross currently.

So yes, you are correct that “fit matters”. That isn’t the case in this current context.

Totally get that. That was referring to the catering for Isaac and Bamba. Both are not physically ready for this league but were placed with the "let's take if slowly" approach. Those are individuals that should never be thrusted into the limelight. They might crumble under the pressure and the demand of the league and really not look too hot. But with what we currently have around them... they can effectively and naturally grow into their roles.

Note... i didn't say either... better or for worse ... could go either way. I don't know. He's not on our team... and won't be as a rookie... and the season hasn't started yet. So i left any comments up in the wind. p.s. i was fully expecting to hear his name being called when it was our turn. but ... it didn't happen.... and i've come to like and understand the chuma selection as well.

[yoyojw17]

I never gave NAW a thought as a full time PG. He could be special if he could pull that off. ... and if that becomes the case, there is reason to have some wonder... but I don't live life thinking about regret. It does nothing for you.

Overreacting about SL seems par for the course around here though.

Especially when it comes down to helping fuel the fire about the current or past management. haha

imagine if Kevin Porter, Nassir little, keldon johnson or okpala were killing it as well.

yet... Okeke still sucks though cuz he still can't play. lol

[Blue_and_Whte]

he was considered a lottery pick before the injury, i dont think him as a player was a reach. For the Magic, who already had PF/SF's and signed another in Aminu, maybe, unless this is a precursor to a trade of one of them.

I searched and never found a mock with him as a lottery pick prior to the injury

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Okeke has lottery talent for a player who should be available late in the first round. He’s a prospect worth being patient for.

https://www.sbnation.com/2019/6/20/18678138/nba-draft-sleepers-2019-grant-williams-chuma-okeke

However, if he had not sustained the injury and played with his team into the Final Four, some prognosticators suspect that he perhaps could have been knocking on the door of the lottery portion of the first round.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/2019-nba-draft-scouting-report-chuma-okeke/ar-AABvgG8

He's a borderline lottery pick in my book, full strength or not

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2837313-2019-nba-drafts-best-kept-secrets#slide2

Would be a mid-first-rounder if not for the ACL tear he suffered in the Sweet 16. With his size and athleticism, he was a matchup nightmare at the college level

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2019/06/19/nba-draft-still-viewed-part-mavericks-potential-return-relevance-even-no-top-pick

Thanks for doing the leg work on this.

[basketballRob]

I searched and never found a mock with him as a lottery pick prior to the injury

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Okeke has lottery talent for a player who should be available late in the first round. He’s a prospect worth being patient for.

https://www.sbnation.com/2019/6/20/18678138/nba-draft-sleepers-2019-grant-williams-chuma-okeke

However, if he had not sustained the injury and played with his team into the Final Four, some prognosticators suspect that he perhaps could have been knocking on the door of the lottery portion of the first round.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/2019-nba-draft-scouting-report-chuma-okeke/ar-AABvgG8

He's a borderline lottery pick in my book, full strength or not

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2837313-2019-nba-drafts-best-kept-secrets#slide2

Would be a mid-first-rounder if not for the ACL tear he suffered in the Sweet 16. With his size and athleticism, he was a matchup nightmare at the college level

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2019/06/19/nba-draft-still-viewed-part-mavericks-potential-return-relevance-even-no-top-pick

Thanks for doing the leg work on this.

Yes thank you. Looking at that last link it said he'd be a mid first round pick if he didn't suffer that injury. I still haven't seen an archive of a mock draft that showed him as a lottery pick. I think he was projected where we drafted him prior to the injury

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[tiderulz]

https://www.sbnation.com/2019/6/20/18678138/nba-draft-sleepers-2019-grant-williams-chuma-okeke


https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/2019-nba-draft-scouting-report-chuma-okeke/ar-AABvgG8


https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2837313-2019-nba-drafts-best-kept-secrets#slide2


https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2019/06/19/nba-draft-still-viewed-part-mavericks-potential-return-relevance-even-no-top-pick

Thanks for doing the leg work on this.

Yes thank you. Looking at that last link it said he'd be a mid first round pick if he didn't suffer that injury. I still haven't seen an archive of a mock draft that showed him as a lottery pick. I think he was projected where we drafted him prior to the injury

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which is on the edge of lottery and a fair statement. Who knows if he hadnt gotten hurt. 1 or 2 more games might have pushed him up more. there were quite a few people projected as lottery that dropped hard too, so a no-injury Okeke very well might have been a lottery pick. Not a top-10, but lottery pick

[pepe1991]

Okeke will be 2nd string SF as soon as he comes back.

When did Okeke play SF ? Highschool? What makes you belive he can play SF in nba?
Also as soon as he comes back is in October of 2020
As long as Magic keep Aminu, Isaac and Gordon, Okeke won't recive more than 10-14 mpg

What does that have to do with anything? College position doesn't dictate NBA position. Have you not heard our FO & Clifford talk about how much they love his versatility? But yeah, 10-14 mpg sounds about right for a rookie second string player.

PG Augustin / MCW
SG Fournier / Ross
SF Gordon / Okeke
PF Isaac / Aminu
C Vucevic / Bamba

So Aminu at 29 will be playing 16 mpg ?
Guy is career starter on 27 mpg, he didn't come to Orlando to be cheerleader

[Blue_and_Whte]

When did Okeke play SF ? Highschool? What makes you belive he can play SF in nba?
Also as soon as he comes back is in October of 2020
As long as Magic keep Aminu, Isaac and Gordon, Okeke won't recive more than 10-14 mpg

What does that have to do with anything? College position doesn't dictate NBA position. Have you not heard our FO & Clifford talk about how much they love his versatility? But yeah, 10-14 mpg sounds about right for a rookie second string player.

PG Augustin / MCW
SG Fournier / Ross
SF Gordon / Okeke
PF Isaac / Aminu
C Vucevic / Bamba

So Aminu at 29 will be playing 16 mpg ?
Guy is career starter on 27 mpg, he didn't come to Orlando to be cheerleader

Yeah i have to agree here, i dont think he signed with Orlando for16 measly minutes which makes the signing even more of a head scratcher.

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[Knightro]

Based strictly off what he showed in college, I think Okeke settles in to being a stretch 4.

We’ll have to see how his body and skill set develops over time. Does he bulk up or lean out? Does his ball handling catch up?

Too many unanswered questions at the moment.