Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread

[Jamaaliver]

Summer Stock Watch: Where 2020 NBA Draft Prospects Stand

Cole Anthony, North Carolina

He’s been reasonably hyped for the past couple of years, but Anthony has become one of the more heavily nitpicked incoming freshmen in this year’s class in NBA circles, and an intriguing early topic of discussion. North Carolina appears ready to hand him the keys, and what he does with them and how he handles the transition will be a big determinant in where he’s eventually selected. Barring anything wild, Anthony will be a lottery pick, but the diverse skill sets and relative quality of a guard-heavy class make it hard to say much else with confidence. Anthony was generally quite good at the Nike Skills Academy, making jumpers, attacking the paint and keeping defenders off balance with the ball in his hands. His handle is terrific, he’s explosive in space, and he seems likely to live at the foul line this season. Anthony competes consistently and seems like a lock to post big counting stats for the Tar Heels. It‘s tough to deny his quality and polish, and the level of floor they create.

Anthony has also filled out well physically in his upper body the past couple years, although as some scouts note, perhaps to the point where he might be close to maxed out from that perspective. He’s listed at 6’3”, but appears a couple inches shorter up close. There are some innate drawbacks here—his natural playmaking inclinations leave something to be desired, and he can be prone to overdribbling in the interest of making things happen rather than understanding when to defer, pick his spots and move the ball. There continue to be whispers around the industry that Anthony’s leadership skills leave something to be desired, and that his high school peers never particularly enjoyed playing alongside him, a situation that should come to a head one way or another at Carolina, where he’ll be tasked with a lot of responsibility. There’s been some use of now-Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton as a point of comparison at a similar stage—granted, Anthony is less than a year younger than Sexton and will be 20 years old on draft night. Teams will be faced with evaluating all that he brings to the table: Anthony could end up a top-five pick, or inch close to the latter half of the lottery.


Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv

After leading Israel to a win at the U20 European Championships, Avdija goes into the fall with a great deal of momentum, with some making a case for him as the top international prospect, and projecting for the moment as a lottery pick. It’s probably too soon to call him a lock for a top-five selection, as there are still a lot of questions for him to answer at the pro level, where he’s yet to secure consistent playing time for Maccabi’s senior team. There’s some expectation that they will make room for him, and the next step will be producing consistently outside his age group, where his outstanding competitive juice, size and passing skills have set him head and shoulders above his peers over the last couple years. It seems inevitable those strengths will draw Luka Doncic comparisons, and it’s worth addressing immediately that Avdija is nowhere near that level at the same age: Doncic was quite clearly a generational prospect in Europe, and there may never be another teenager who accomplishes the things he did for Real Madrid. The sooner our brains can separate those two situations, the better.

All that said, Avdija has some compelling strengths and notable weaknesses that have been clearly on display, dating back to winning MVP at Basketball Without Borders in February, where he dazzled for stretches as a passer and thrived in an unstructured environment. The playmaking ability is the most projectable part of his game, although his shortcomings as an athlete and ball-handler mean he’ll likely need a ball screen to operate most effectively long-term. He’s excellent hitting ahead in transition and finding teammates, and can grab and go off the glass and use his size to his advantage in the open floor. Avdija is a capable set shooter, if not an overly dynamic one pulling up, but his perimeter skill set makes sense as a bigger guard in the modern NBA. Defensively, he won’t have the athletic tools to be great, but his feel for team defense should help make him passable as he adds strength. He may have to defend fours or be hidden on shooters long-term, which is somewhat concerning. Still, if Avdija can improve as an off-ball option and maximize his strengths, evolving into a starting-caliber NBA player is within reach. His situation this season and how he handles it will determine how high he’s drafted.

SI.com

[Jamaaliver]

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[HMFFL]

Jimma Gatwech is skipping College and train st Core 4 Sports in Atlanta for a year before he enters the NBA Draft.

https://247sports.com/player/jimma-gatwech-46078952/

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[Jamaaliver]

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Edwards possesses a unique blend of strength, speed and body control that give him tremendous upside. He’s an extremely physically gifted get for Georgia, with decent length, a strong build and good overall size. He’s most effective with the ball in his hands in a James Harden-esque way and is an incredibly versatile asset, which is why the McDonald’s All-American could also be handed the keys to run point, where he creates an immediate matchup problem for most opponents. Nicknamed ‘AntMan,’ Edwards boasts an explosive athleticism, above average handles and a nimbleness that helps him navigate seemingly effortlessly in traffic. He’s a good passer with great vision and an aggressive scorer. He can break down defenders and is a terrific finisher at the rim, has developed into a solid threat from three and is also well-equipped to wreak havoc in the mid-range and make shots off the catch or on the move. As a senior, Edwards averaged 25.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, doing damage across a slew of stats. He’s a capable playmaker but his decision-making could use some polish and he needs to work on his shot selection. His potential is sky-high. The McDonald’s All-American also brings a defensive boost to Crean’s young squad thanks to his sheer physical ability. Edwards should be expected to shoulder a heavy load this season.

SI.com

[King Ken]

Jimma Gatwech is skipping College and train st Core 4 Sports in Atlanta for a year before he enters the NBA Draft.

https://247sports.com/player/jimma-gatwech-46078952/

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[tbhawksfan1]

Just a wild idea. What if TS see this as another top pick year and moves Parker / Len / Evans / Crabbe / Parsons before the deadline?

Maybe not so crazy and a golden opportunity to do the rebuild right..?

Hawks are projected from about 30 to 35 wins which should be good for a 7-10 pick. If TS pulls the plug, especially with Parker / Len who could have takers and value? Remember the article from this summer where TS said he wants his young guys to grow before he brings in big help?

If TS traded Len / Parker and expirings and made a strong move in the draft, it could get very interesting.

Hawks projected say #8 pick could move up to 4/5 range. Add the Nets top 20 with more picks acquired in Len / parker moves and Hawks could have another draft with a top 5 and another top 10.

Bold move? Doin the rebuild right?

[Jamaaliver]

^Not a bad idea. But Trav has consistently turned down trade opportunities of expirings at the trade deadline as he prioritizes cap flexibility more than modest draft assets.

Especially at this point, when we are currently stacked with young players on rookie deals and still have 2 first round picks next summer.

I'd think maintaining that $70+ million in projected cap space is the priority.

I won't be surprised if Bembry gets moved at some point this season...especially if we don't extend him the QO.

[Jamaaliver]

I really wish we could have seen the kid play NCAA ball for a year or two...

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[kg01]

*sigh*

ol, jammjamm still scouting potential Trae replacements.

We're gonna have a good year. Huh, jam?

[Jamaaliver]

*sigh*

ol, jammjamm still scouting potential Trae replacements.

We're gonna have a good year. Huh, jam?

I do expect we'll be more competitive than last year. I do believe we'll win 30+ games and just miss out on the 8th seed.

I hope we jump from the #12 pick to a top-4 selection.




You keep trying to make this a me vs Trae thread...it's not. I hope (expect) Trae to be here for the next decade. It's clear that Travis's vision is for us to play in a system comparable to Golden State's. Trae Young is kinda perfect for that.

[kg01]

*sigh*

ol, jammjamm still scouting potential Trae replacements.

We're gonna have a good year. Huh, jam?

I do expect we'll be more competitive than last year. I do believe we'll win 30+ games and just miss out on the 8th seed.

I hope we jump from the #12 pick to a top-4 selection.

You keep trying to make this a me vs Trae thread...it's not. I hope (expect) Trae to be here for the next decade. It's clear that Travis's vision is for us to play in a system comparable to Golden State's. Trae Young is kinda perfect for that.

We are in agreement on the expected season outcome.

The only thing I'm trying to do is mess with your sensibilities since you make it so easy.

I do find it odd that you're always scouting point guards. I typically am ok with the BPA mentality but it appears we've hitched our wagon/style of play to one we consider special. I expect us to lean away from drafting that position, all things being equal. That's all.

[Jamaaliver]

I do find it odd that you're always scouting point guards. I typically am ok with the BPA mentality but it appears we've hitched our wagon/style of play to one we consider special. I expect us to lean away from drafting that position, all things being equal. That's all.

That's a fair question.

I simply don't know much about any of this year's top prospects. And until the games begin, I'm limited to what SI, ESPN actually post about -- to this point that's been Euros and combo guards.


But if you want a divisive, controversial thought from Jamstrodamus:



Huerter, Reddish and Hunter are best suited at the same 2 positions: SG and SF. Unless we shift Collins to Center and Hunter to PF...one of these guys will end up as the odd man out.

• Is Huerter a goner if Cam Reddish develops the way we hope he will?
• Is Cam better suited as 6th man capable of filling in at PG, SG, SF or PF?
• Would Cam even accept a long term role coming off the bench or force his way out ala James Harden?
• Are we better off packaging Huerter and picks for a proven vet?

[kg01]

I do find it odd that you're always scouting point guards. I typically am ok with the BPA mentality but it appears we've hitched our wagon/style of play to one we consider special. I expect us to lean away from drafting that position, all things being equal. That's all.

That's a fair question.

I simply don't know much about any of this year's top prospects. And until the games begin, I'm limited to what SI, ESPN actually post about -- to this point that's been Euros and combo guards.

But if you want a divisive, controversial thought from Jamstrodamus:



Huerter, Reddish and Hunter are best suited at the same 2 positions: SG and SF. Unless we shift Collins to Center and Hunter to PF...one of these guys will end up as the odd man out.

• Is Huerter a goner if Cam Reddish develops the way we hope he will?
• Is Cam better suited as 6th man capable of filling in at PG, SG, SF or PF?
• Would Cam even accept a long term role coming off the bench or force his way out ala James Harden?
• Are we better off packaging Huerter and picks for a proven vet?

*sigh* Here we go again.

I'd call that a good 3-man rotation for the 2/3, sometimes 4.

And I'd say you're more Ms. Cleo-liver than Jamastrodamus. Ohhhh, kg's in midseason form.

C'mon, you laughed.

[Jamaaliver]

Huerter, Reddish and Hunter are best suited at the same 2 positions: SG and SF. Unless we shift Collins to Center and Hunter to PF...one of these guys will end up as the odd man out.

• Is Huerter a goner if Cam Reddish develops the way we hope he will?
• Is Cam better suited as 6th man capable of filling in at PG, SG, SF or PF?
• Would Cam even accept a long term role coming off the bench or force his way out ala James Harden?
• Are we better off packaging Huerter and picks for a proven vet?

*sigh* Here we go again.

I'd call that a good 3-man rotation for the 2/3, sometimes 4.

I agree that it's a good 3-man rotation.

But are the players willing to accept these roles long term?
Can we afford to pay huge rookie contract extensions to guys coming off the bench?


You have to take contract status into account for all these talented young players. Collins is up for a rookie contract extension next summer. Followed by Trae and Huerter in 2021. And Reddish, Hunter in 2022.

Collins will angle for a max contract. (I'm not sure he gets it.)
Trae will undoubtedly get a max contract extension offer.

After that...things get dicey.

NOTE: We're likely to have 2 more first round picks in summer 2020.

[kg01]

Huerter, Reddish and Hunter are best suited at the same 2 positions: SG and SF. Unless we shift Collins to Center and Hunter to PF...one of these guys will end up as the odd man out.

• Is Huerter a goner if Cam Reddish develops the way we hope he will?
• Is Cam better suited as 6th man capable of filling in at PG, SG, SF or PF?
• Would Cam even accept a long term role coming off the bench or force his way out ala James Harden?
• Are we better off packaging Huerter and picks for a proven vet?

*sigh* Here we go again.

I'd call that a good 3-man rotation for the 2/3, sometimes 4.

I agree that it's a good 3-man rotation.

But are the players willing to accept these roles long term?
Can we afford to pay huge rookie contract extensions to guys coming off the bench?


You have to take contract status into account for all these talented young players. Collins is up for a rookie contract extension next summer. Followed by Trae and Huerter in 2021. And Reddish, Hunter in 2022.

Collins will angle for a max contract. (I'm not sure he gets it.)
Trae will undoubtedly get a max contract extension offer.

After that...things get dicey.

NOTE: We're likely to have 2 more first round picks in summer 2020.

And we come full circle to why you're scouting point guards. You want to blow the team up before having to deal with *gasp* paying our players.

The cycle of tanking never ends for you does it, @jam?

I'm only half kidding. Obviously you want to spend prudently but, I mean, you gotta pay somebody at some point if you expect to have a winning team. These are good problems to have especially when we're used to overpaying guys to not win.