2020 NBA Draft Thread

[jambalaya]

I'd probably take a PF. A half dozen I'll look at closer before I tout them.

[Kizz Fastfists]

There isn't a position they don't need. It should be BPA.

[jambalaya]

if there is a clear mistake to still be available guy, take him. Short of that I'd probably take the best PF from the remaining board unless you have felt that PF depth was clearly inferior (which I doubt this year).

with so many draft picks coming, I'd say the early ones should generally be play immediately and find out if they are a starter, sub or trade asset. I don't want folks piled 3-4 deep at a position and not getting testing.

If Presti decisively weeds out other positions, I'd be more willing to consider those positions. I'd say he is unlikely to do that at the wings in next 7 months. At PG he may or may not but that probably goes to SGA afterwards. Center is less needed unless they moved Adams and they probably won't.

[ThunderBolt]

If Steven Adams is the center of the future, I’m going to just be a mavs fan.

[Kizz Fastfists]

The Thunder have ONE player that should be locked into the starting lineup long-term. SGA can play PG or SG. Therefore you take the BPA. If that is a center then you take the center. Adams is a guy you want as a backup not a starter in the modern NBA. Adams would have been great 25 years ago, but he hasn't developed a mid-range game and doesn't fit as a big in the modern game. If the best player is a PG you take them and SGA stays at SG. If the best player is a SG you take them and SGA is your PG. If it is a SF then you take them because there isn't anyone there to block a big time player as Ferguson can play SG and hasn't developed enough to block a big time player.

Diallo can't shoot so he isn't blocking anyone taken in the top 10. Bazely hasn't shown enough and can play SF or PF. There is absolutely no reason to try to lock into a specific position/role at this point in the rebuild.

[ThunderBolt]

Onyeka Okongwu intrigues me. Anyone got any thoughts?

[jambalaya]

On first look he appears to be athletic. Pretty strong, quick hops. Plays thru contact. Has touch. Handle was kinda loose but he'll use it and seems to get away with it. Blocks. Yeah, another power forward to consider further. Might be able to play some center.

Right or wrong, the first possible comp to come to mind was LaMarcus Aldridge.

ESPN does not have him ranked but has LaMelo very high? I think that is absurd. I do not trust them. I trusted them pretty much in past but not now. LaMelo has had about 3 big games out of 12 and all against the weakest teams in an overrated minor league. Maybe he is coming of age but I remain skeptical because of little D, weird shot form and still terrible for season shooting numbers.

Okongwu played with the Balls in high school and won Mr. California twice and 3 state titles. Need to hear more about his college play. Heard he had a huge opening night.

After seeing some college highlights, another name that came to mind was Antonio McDyess.

Plays pretty upright. Might need to learn to get lower sometimes. Some similarity in that regard to Hachimura.

[spearsy23]

Absolutely everyone who has seen lamelo agrees that he's helping his stock.

[jambalaya]

I've watched long highlights from most of his NBL games and 1 full game and I dislike more than I like by a wide margin.

Touting or taking #1 appears absolutely insane to me. I would not take him top 5. Top 10 is probably a mistake too. If you want to play winning basketball any time soon or probably ever.

[ThunderBolt]

Does anyone really think Presti would let Lavar ball anywhere near this franchise?

[Kizz Fastfists]

Does anyone really think Presti would let Lavar ball anywhere near this franchise?

If Presti has LaMelo as the best player on the board and passes on him out of fear of Lavar then Presti needs to be fired. A 6'7 PG that I believe will be the youngest player in the draft with his ball handling and passing is a great building block. At his size the defensive potential is huge. The issue is that he can't shoot. Since we know Presti has never cared about shooting I expect him to be very high on LaMelo and if OKC has a shot at him I could see Presti taking him. I haven't heard anything from Lavar this year, although I haven't been looking, but LaMelo might be smart enough to tell him to stay away from his career as he has potentially seen enough to know that Lavar has hurt all of his kids' future at this point.

As for Okongwu, from my understanding he is basically a traditional big. He could be a late first round pick if he comes out. At best he is Clint Capela. I wouldn't want OKC taking him as they have never encouraged a big man to develop their shooting and I don't see that changing. He'd be good on his rookie contract, but when Presti overpays him on his extension there will be a lot of crying about his limited offense.

[ThunderBolt]

Does anyone really think Presti would let Lavar ball anywhere near this franchise?

If Presti has LaMelo as the best player on the board and passes on him out of fear of Lavar then Presti needs to be fired. A 6'7 PG that I believe will be the youngest player in the draft with his ball handling and passing is a great building block. At his size the defensive potential is huge. The issue is that he can't shoot. Since we know Presti has never cared about shooting I expect him to be very high on LaMelo and if OKC has a shot at him I could see Presti taking him. I haven't heard anything from Lavar this year, although I haven't been looking, but LaMelo might be smart enough to tell him to stay away from his career as he has potentially seen enough to know that Lavar has hurt all of his kids' future at this point.

As for Okongwu, from my understanding he is basically a traditional big. He could be a late first round pick if he comes out. At best he is Clint Capela. I wouldn't want OKC taking him as they have never encouraged a big man to develop their shooting and I don't see that changing. He'd be good on his rookie contract, but when Presti overpays him on his extension there will be a lot of crying about his limited offense.

What a short memory people have about LaVar. It’s not a matter of being scared of LaVar but the dude is a clown that creates drama. Team chemistry is important. If lavar is on first take blaming Shai for lamelo’s struggles, that’s a problem regardless if the gm is presti, pelinka or Masai. Lonzo seemed like a good kid. I hope lamelo is similar but lavar is a problem. Period.

Okongwu is a pretty good free throw shooter so I think it’s reasonable to think he good have more range that Capela.

[spearsy23]

Does anyone really think Presti would let Lavar ball anywhere near this franchise?

If he's clearly the bpa and presti passes on him because cUlTuRe, then presti has learned nothing and needs to go.

[ThunderBolt]

Sam Vecenie’s first 2020 draft board

Spoiler:

1 Anthony Edwards, Georgia G 18 6-4 6-8
2 Cole Anthony, North Carolina G 19 6-3 6-4
3 James Wiseman, Memphis C 18 7-1 7-6
4 LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks G 18 6-6 N/A
5 Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky G 18 6-3 6-6
6 Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv F 18 6-9 N/A
7 Theo Maledon, ASVEL G 18 6-4 N/A
8 Jaden McDaniels, Washington F 18 6-10 N/A
9 R.J. Hampton, New Zealand Breakers G 18 6-5 6-6
10 Obi Toppin, Dayton F/C 21 6-9 6-11
11 Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State G 19 6-5 N/A
12 Isaac Okoro, Auburn W 18 6-6 6-9
13 Isaiah Stewart, Washington C 18 6-9 7-3
14 Nico Mannion, Arizona G 18 6-2 N/A
15 Precious Achiuwa, Memphis F 19 6-9 7-2
16 Killian Hayes, Ulm G 18 6-5 N/A
17 Kira Lewis Jr., Alabama G 18 6-3 6-6
18 Onyeka Okongwu, USC F/C 18 6-8 7-0
19 Scottie Lewis, Florida W 19 6-5 7-0
20 Isaiah Joe, Arkansas W 19 6-5 N/A
21 Josh Green, Arizona W 19 6-5 6-10
22 Tre Jones, Duke G 20 6-2 6-3
23 Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt W 20 6-5 6-10
24 Matthew Hurt, Duke F 19 6-9 6-11
25 Paul Reed, DePaul F 21 6-9 N/A
26 Kahlil Whitney, Kentucky W 19 6-6 7-0
27 Trendon Watford, LSU F 19 6-9 7-2
28 Patrick Williams, Florida State F 18 6-8 7-2
29 Vernon Carey, Duke C 18 6-10 7-0
30 Jordan Nwora, Louisville

[ThunderBolt]

He's growing on me. Also, intrigued by Jaden Mcdaniels and Okongwu.

Watch on YouTube

[jambalaya]

I like Toppin pretty well if available in middle of first round.

Paul Reed might be alright in late 1st.

[ThunderBolt]

I like Toppin pretty well if available in middle of first round.

Paul Reed might be alright in late 1st.

How is Toppin defensively?

[jambalaya]

I'd say active, smart, versatile. Maybe too upright. Not super strong but good hands, good feet. I dunno how good in NBA but probably at least ok.

[jambalaya]

Avdija in Euroleage: 2 pts, 2 rebs, weak shooting in 11 minutes per game. Better in Israeli league but I don't think much of the averge level of competition there. I would not take him in the lottery and not even close for me. In the 30s or 40s, maybe. Long term project.

[jambalaya]

Toppin, Haliburton or probably trade down.