2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watch - Revised Poll

[Desertfox]

Well James Jones is drafting so who knows who is on his draft board.

Not that hard to find out, just look for the unathletic, fifth-year senior, with an injury history, that can shoot, at a position we don't need, thats supposed to go in the 2nd round. That or "Cash Considerations".

[Ghost of Kleine]

Hope the Suns are looking at shooting guards.

Aaron Nesmithand Saddiq Beywould easily be the best shooting/ scoring guards that we could target for added 3 point shooting and bench scoring in general. Although, it's really tough, As we really have multiple critical issues that must be addressed:

- 3 point / perimeter shooting.
- perimeter defense.
- rim protection.
- playmaking.
- rebounding.

I honestly hope that we walk out with a combination of a big AND a high level scoring guard. Any of............Toppin / Nesmith, Jalen Smith/ Saddiq Bey, Toppin/ Saddiq Bey, Jalen Smith, Or A big man and **Grant Riller ** ( who's unstoppable at getting to the rim. And being clutch. I really think that we should look to supplement our bench depth and scoring depth and overall talent with a combination of those players and vets from free agency. If we've learned nothing else from this season, It's that our bench depth is nearly nonexistent. And that we need depth at multiple positions. And we also need a lot more talent infused into the roster too.

[No-Man]

I like Toppin and if he is BPA that's fine but I don't think he will fit all that well with Ayton

[Ghost of Kleine]

I like Toppin and if he is BPA that's fine but I don't think he will fit all that well with Ayton

Maybe not or maybe? Hard to tell depending upon how he might advance his overall game. I do really like his tenacity and aggressive style of play that he could bring though. And the hope would be that would carry over to Ayton possibly resulting in him becoming more dominant and consistenly aggressive. I also would like Jalen Smith, But do agree that even though he's a 4/5, He's not very fluid in his movement. And yes, He does play a lot like a center in that his movement is a bit mechanical. But IF he could develop along the lines of an Ibaka type big, He could still bring solid value I think, With his shotblocking and floor spacing.

What are your thoughts on Pokusevski? And Riller? IF we were to trade back, I would have real intetest in a Aleksev Pokusevski/ Grant Riller combination.

[RunDogGun]

I am really liking Toppin if he is available. Tankathon has us grabbing Nico with Toppin going right after us. I would much rather grab Toppin.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I'm really liking Saddiq Bey as a potential backup to Booker, And for adding additional scoring off the bench. I believe that RunDog first mentioned him around a month or two ago. And upon reviewing his game tape, He looks to have big time scoring and shotmaking potential. Now I understand how people feel about adding more potential rookies on this team. However, For this draft in particular, It's really solid with top rotation and potential starter level players.

So my suggestion would be:

We take a power forward ( **Toppin, or Smith, or Pokusevski??) with our pick, Then we trade Oubre to either Minnesota ( 1st choice) or New York for additional assets and their secondary first round pick.

To New York-
https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7289747

Oubre for Bobby Portis/ Reggie Bullock/ their pick ( in the 20s') We take Saddiq Bey, And also their 2nd round pick ( #38) use for Grant Riller. Then grab one of Jerami Grant, Joe Harris or Bogdanovic in free agency, For our veteran needs.

To Minnesota-
https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7289745
Oubre/ Diallo/ Okobo for James Johnson and their other first round pick ( around #16). Same as above, Wherein at 16, We take Saddiq Bey at 16. However, Then we trade Diallo and Okobo to Charlottefor their 32nd pick ***( or to Dallas for their 31st) So we can take Grant Riller

[bwgood77]

I like Toppin and if he is BPA that's fine but I don't think he will fit all that well with Ayton

Because you don't see him as a stretch 4 or you because you feel they are both weak defensively?

[No-Man]

He is fine as a stretch 4, but his forte is as a roller really and Ayton doesn't stretch it enough, obv both are meh to bad on defense and have similar limitations, lack of motor/power/intimidation, both are chunky kinda

I don't see it working all that well on either end to be honest

[Mr Puddles]

If he's available, I really like Deni Avdija. High BBIQ player with the potential to become a stretch 4 who can pass and guard multiple positions.

[No-Man]

I agree that Avdija is probably the best fit in this class for this team, I'd be shocked if he is available that low though

Patrick Williams is the other F I really like, maybe he will be available trading down though, same with Trayce Jackson-Davis, I guess Haliburton will fit well too

[Blonde]

Hard to believe Toppin is a 22 year old sophomore. I think I graduated at 22.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Hard to believe Toppin is a 22 year old sophomore. I think I graduated at 22.

It's important context. It's why there's so much debate about where he should fall in the draft.

[oddity]

Do you believe Deni can be a stretch 4 tho? He's pretty thin rn and plays more like a wing.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Do you believe Deni can be a stretch 4 tho? He's pretty thin rn and plays more like a wing.

I don't think he's that thin. I think he'll be a small 4 in the league after a couple years. He's got the athleticism to pull it off. He's in my top 5, along with Toppin, Haliburton, Okongwu and Hayes. But I don't think there's a chance in hell we draft him, because he's not ready.

[Bogyo]

Do you believe Deni can be a stretch 4 tho? He's pretty thin rn and plays more like a wing.

I don't think he's that thin. I think he'll be a small 4 in the league after a couple years. He's got the athleticism to pull it off. He's in my top 5, along with Toppin, Haliburton, Okongwu and Hayes. But I don't think there's a chance in hell we draft him, because he's not ready.

I'm not sold on him being a 4 either. If we would draft him somehow we would (should?)have to trade Kelly for a PF. But he will be gone by our pick for sure. If not, just take him, run and never look back.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

He's absolutely John Collins 2.0 or an Amare/ John Collins hybrid.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

He's absolutely John Collins 2.0 or an Amare/ John Collins hybrid.

Man, John Collins's treatment by the mocks that year was funny. Putting up all these great numbers, but IIRC the scouts all said he wasn't athletic/defensive enough to be all that great in the NBA. Was picked #19 in that draft.

Just goes to show you that NUMBERS MATTER MORE. For whatever reason, scouting tends to be the art of obfuscating the obvious.

Which makes you wonder, is Toppin being so heralded primarily because this class is so weak? If that's the case, and this is one of those 2013-type drafts, perhaps we should be looking for deep value - foreigners who are poorly understood or youngsters who might take a few years to develop (http://www.tankathon.com/players/aleksej-pokusevski). Starting to see why JJ&Co. were shopping that pick at the deadline. Pickin' ain't easy.

Will say, Toppin's EFG% is actually a lot higher than Collins because of 3FGA. But he's much older than Collins was a soph, so... yeah. Just not a great draft. Minny's #4 pick doesn't have the value it would in other years.

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

He's absolutely John Collins 2.0 or an Amare/ John Collins hybrid.

Man, John Collins's treatment by the mocks that year was funny. Putting up all these great numbers, but IIRC the scouts all said he wasn't athletic/defensive enough to be all that great in the NBA. Was picked #19 in that draft.

Just goes to show you that NUMBERS MATTER MORE. For whatever reason, scouting tends to be the art of obfuscating the obvious.

Which makes you wonder, is Toppin being so heralded primarily because this class is so weak? If that's the case, and this is one of those 2013-type drafts, perhaps we should be looking for deep value - foreigners who are poorly understood or youngsters who might take a few years to develop (http://www.tankathon.com/players/aleksej-pokusevski). Starting to see why JJ&Co. were shopping that pick at the deadline. Pickin' ain't easy.

Will say, Toppin's EFG% is actually a lot higher than Collins because of 3FGA. But he's much older than Collins was a soph, so... yeah. Just not a great draft. Minny's #4 pick doesn't have the value it would in other years.

Of course he has gotten a lot more attention because this class is really weak, but I still think he'd be a good prospect in drafts. He's kind of like a Ja in some respects. A sophomore playing in a small conference putting up big numbers. However, he has really almost seemingly singlehandedly made them a top 5 team in the country. I was a little hesitant on Ja putting up his #s in a low tier conference (though it was much lower tier than Dayton's) but sometimes putting up #s for these smaller school teams leading them to the tourney turns out some pretty good players, like Nash and Curry, for example.

It will be interesting to see how he does in the tourney. The will to win is a big thing to me....that and rising to the occasion. Especially when you are at such an unheralded school where it is a lot harder to shine.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

He's absolutely John Collins 2.0 or an Amare/ John Collins hybrid.

Man, John Collins's treatment by the mocks that year was funny. Putting up all these great numbers, but IIRC the scouts all said he wasn't athletic/defensive enough to be all that great in the NBA. Was picked #19 in that draft.

Just goes to show you that NUMBERS MATTER MORE. For whatever reason, scouting tends to be the art of obfuscating the obvious.

Which makes you wonder, is Toppin being so heralded primarily because this class is so weak? If that's the case, and this is one of those 2013-type drafts, perhaps we should be looking for deep value - foreigners who are poorly understood or youngsters who might take a few years to develop (http://www.tankathon.com/players/aleksej-pokusevski). Starting to see why JJ&Co. were shopping that pick at the deadline. Pickin' ain't easy.

Will say, Toppin's EFG% is actually a lot higher than Collins because of 3FGA. But he's much older than Collins was a soph, so... yeah. Just not a great draft. Minny's #4 pick doesn't have the value it would in other years.

Of course he has gotten a lot more attention because this class is really weak, but I still think he'd be a good prospect in drafts. He's kind of like a Ja in some respects. A sophomore playing in a small conference putting up big numbers. However, he has really almost seemingly singlehandedly made them a top 5 team in the country. I was a little hesitant on Ja putting up his #s in a low tier conference (though it was much lower tier than Dayton's) but sometimes putting up #s for these smaller school teams leading them to the tourney turns out some pretty good players, like Nash and Curry, for example.

It will be interesting to see how he does in the tourney. The will to win is a big thing to me....that and rising to the occasion. Especially when you are at such an unheralded school where it is a lot harder to shine.

Ultimately, I agree with you. Each prospect is different. That Dayton team really is the Obi Toppin show. That Wake Forest team John Collins was on was 19-14, 10th in the ACC. Wins are the stat that I most flagrantly omitted in the analysis above. I wouldn't pass on him if somehow he fell to us. He's in my top 5 for sure, and he might be my frontrunner for #1 at this point. I'm a little stuck on Okongwu, but I'm pretty sure our front office wouldn't be.

P.S. I see you recently changed your tune (to align more closely with mine) re Devin. I'm guessing that if a great but not spectacular player were offered for the #1 pick (say, Kemba, Collins, Porzingis, McCollum, Jrue), you would not consider it? I'm assuming you wouldn't deal it for JJJ, Bagley or Bamba... so it's certainly worth considering how many young big men have been selected that high of late who have yet to make an impact on the league.

[DirtyDez]

What’s the highest we can jump again? Ik it used to be top-3 but the Lakers went from 11 to 4 last year didn’t they?