2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[Diop]

That triple double was something else. I think he's the only franchise-altering player in the draft. Lonzo busted and Lavar is obnoxious and toxic but I'm starting to think we have to take a home run swing.

The future of the NBA is team play. Court awareness is a natural gift. We see it in future superstars like Morant and Doncic. Ball is the only playmaker on their level. He's a fit for our Spurs blueprint. Move the ball. Make the extra pass. Shoot threes or drive. Don't settle for mid-range jumpers.

Kupchak must be salivating over Ball.

he got a hot hand for the triple double, but he's shooting 27% from 3 and 37% overall, so his shooting has been very average most of the year. Definitely talented though and always looking up, his full court football passes are awesome.

[SWedd523]

LaMelo isn't even on my lottery list. Attitude and family issues aside, I'll never spend a lotto pick on a dude with a shot that broken...

does any top 25 guard have a shot that bad?

[MasterIchiro]

I hate the idea of a top lotto pick having one glaring weakness, especially when we drafted a few who had several and got burned. Sucks LaMelo can't shoot, as the rest of his game is on a different tier. Wiseman has to develop a three ball as well. Towns and Davis did it. It's no guarantee. Cole Anthony has a complete game but we don't need a PG. Edwards has a complete game, but doesn't strike me as franchise-altering.

[MasterIchiro]

I know the game is different now and comps are messy. But I have rarely seen the playmaking, vision and court presence of LaMelo since Jason Kidd. I'm envious Morant and Doncic have that potential.

Kidd averaged 40% from the field, 35% from three and was a 12-time All-Star. It's rare to find someone who can make everyone significantly better.

That's the kind of franchise player I want.

Sounds crazy because I hate MKG's broken shot with a passion. I'm drafting a playmaker.

[hotrod]

Great day for college basketball starting right now 11 AM central time with Michigan vs Iowa State. Watch my guy Tyrese Haliburton who leads the nation in assists with 10.3 a game. NC vs Alabama is next. Cole Anthony on display in that one.

Haliburton ended up with 25 points 10 rebounds and 5 assists in loss to Michigan 83-76.

[hotrod]

https://www.theringer.com/2019/11/27/20984769/tyrese-haliburton-iowa-state-nba-draft-prospect

Really good read about Haliburton.

[Pistol King]

The four high lotto picks I want most:

Deni Avdija - SF
Anthony Edwards - SG

LaMelo Ball - PG
Cole Anthony - PG

These are the only ones who give me a stiffy. We'd be lucky to land any of them.

Leaning towards Deni as we witness Luka emerge as a superstar franchise talent.

As someone who follows Maccabi Tel Aviv every week I can tell that what impress me the most about Avdija is his uniqueness potential. He combined a few skills that we usually will not see in one player. A combination of good height, good ball handling, good touch when shooting the ball (though he still need to improve his technique) very high BB IQ and court view, a constant desire to win and a good physical upside. My main concern with him is regarding mentally. Sometimes it feels that he's a bit out of focus or giving not enough effort AS HE CAN. I believe that if he will face the right coaching crew to develop him he'll be amazing player in the NBA. Very unique talent in terms of combined skills.

[bravor]

As talented as he is (and clutch in particular), Avdija can't defend anyone for his life (and i can add Zagars here, or even Maledon for France)
I'd rather see Petrusev here. He might be soft but he has potential on both ends. Or some undersized big like Ballo or Garuba.

[hotrod]

I’ll be interested to see how Obi Toppin and does against Kansas.

[-Ian-]

Read on Twitter

[Snidely FC]

literally half the NBA has 8 or fewer wins; gonna be really tough to tank into a top pick this year

[BuzzCity]

Okafor
Felton
Morrison
MKG
Zeller

Dear Basketball Gods,

I know we’ve screwed up in years past when given a top 5 pick. But if you’d be so kind to let us try again, I’d be very appreciative. Edwards all day and it’s not even close!

Amen

[Snidely FC]

I thought Wiseman being declared ineligible meant we wouldn't see him again this season but turns out he is only suspended and will return in January http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/memphis-wiseman-cleared-compete-jan-12

[chellis]

I thought Wiseman being declared ineligible meant we wouldn't see him again this season but turns out he is only suspended and will return in January http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/memphis-wiseman-cleared-compete-jan-12

Leave it to the NCAA to essentially fine a "student-athlete". What a joke of an organization.

[MasterIchiro]

We look like a late lotto team. Any chance RJ Hampton drops to us?

He profiles as a Kupchak special. Reports are he's holding his own against professional competition. He sounds more NBA ready, like he can contribute in the first or second year of his contract, like Graham, Bridges and PJ. He's so fast and athletic. I watched some footage of him. It's unclear if he's a PG or SG. Combo guards tend to fall but Kupchak seems to value positional versatility. Tweeners still get punished by scouts but all Kupchak's additions seem to be movable parts.

[UNCNYC]

Great day for college basketball starting right now 11 AM central time with Michigan vs Iowa State. Watch my guy Tyrese Haliburton who leads the nation in assists with 10.3 a game. NC vs Alabama is next. Cole Anthony on display in that one.

Haliburton ended up with 25 points 10 rebounds and 5 assists in loss to Michigan 83-76.

Yes he is ballin. I was going to include him in my next depth chart.

[316Hornets]

Tankathon mock draft has us picking Josh Green, SG out of Australia at #9.

Never heard of him, but SG definitely looks like a position of need with Monk and Bacon looking like Swarm players.

[MasterIchiro]

Graham was looking Swarm last season. I'm excited to see what Greensboro does for Cody Martin. He's gonna be in the rotation next year. Marvin and MKG will be gone and Nic will slide to PF to make room for Martin. We should have decent facilitation and defense from our bench. Hopefully Monk can take the next step and find his shot. He's more likely to make a leap than Bacon imo. Anyways, we're looking like a late lottery team.

[bravor]

I can only hope Kupchak will convince to tank as much as possible asap. We are deep enough into the season to know who are the keepers (even though i am still low on Miles) but the highest 1st pick should be the target.

A core of say, Graham - PJ - Wiseman +Monk/Tony Allen light aka Martin would be more than awesome (+ Miles maybe if he figures it out) and more than accelerate the rebuild (especially considering cap flexibility in 1 or two years). Unlike Atlanta's promising youth crew, the potential here is on both ends but there are still some key missing pieces (a 2 ways guard to play from or with Graham and a game changing center - hence Wiseman as the perfect target here if he confirms his potential when he is back on the court).

Not many (around the league or abroad like myself) gonna watch Hornets if they dont strike a 'big name' in next draft. Otoh, if they do, most likely Kemba years will be easily forgotten (with all due respect).

[cornchip]

I REALLY like this Jalen Smith kid from MD. I think he may be a steal.