robillionaire wrote:PGs:
Lamelo is the only PG prospect I’d really be excited about, would take 1st overall and throw a “after all these years we finally got a pg” party.
After that Hayes and Cole would be in my tier 2 and I might be unenthusiastically leaning towards Cole just because I know at least he will get you some buckets. I’m not entirely sure about the fit with Hayes and his left handed dominance although I’d still be optimistic if we walk away with him. This is considering 7th-8th pick. Wouldn’t reach for them over Edwards or Wiseman. But you could do worse at 7 or 8. Cole admittedly didn’t live up to the hype at UNC but I’m starting to be in the camp of thinking maybe he’s a little under rated at this point when people are putting him outside the top 10 and think it would be worth the gamble. Plus I just don’t like any other prospects that would be in that range enough to take over Hayes and Cole.
Maxey, Kira, Mannion, Maledon, Tre Jones, are in my “see who falls to 27” tier. Would not trade up for them. If I had to order them: Maxey, Kira, Mannion, Tre, Maledon.
Would not draft Haliburton top 8, I do think he has some skills but I don’t think he’s the kind of guard we need, his offensive ability is about the same as Frank as in he’s not a real scoring threat other than spot up or catch and shoot 3s, can’t really go to the rim or get to the line, can’t make pull-up jumpers, good defender but not as good as Frank, not as tall or large wingspan as frank, the main thing he has over him is is shooting and honestly Frank’s shooting confidence had been slowly improving, and I’m still not sure Haliburton’s shot isn’t fools gold because the form is so ugly. I see him more as a late lottery pick 10-14, would still take him over the “see who falls to 27” guys but below Lamelo Hayes and Cole.
I didn’t list Hampton because I’m not really sure if he’s a PG but I’d put him somewhere around late lottery like Haliburton. Between the two I’d take the upside of Hampton. These two are my tier 3.
Now that I’ve worked it all out in my head
1. LaMelo
2. Cole
3. Hayes (I keep going back and forth on the order of these two, today it’s Cole)
4. Hampton
5. Haliburton
6. Maxey
7. Kira
8. Mannion
9. Tre
10. Maledon
Don’t criticize this without putting your own top 1-10 PG. No ties
Good write up and I agree most part.
Out of all players in this draft LaMelo worries me most, and I must say I don't see what others see in him. His main upsides are being 6'7 and he's a great passer, but to me his downsides out weight his upsides. He's a worse defender than Calderon, and a worse shooter than Frank (Frank has the better form). To me he's basically a shorter Ben Simmons without the Defense.
I flip flop between both Hayes and Cole but I tend to lean towards Cole more. Hayes can become better, but he is a 4 year project. Are fans patient enough to wait for him? Cole to me is the point guard we need, someone that can score, pass, has some decent athleticism, and plus he's a NYer, he's use to this spot light. Yeah I know he has his flaws, but I don't feel he truly had his opportunity with the team he was on and also due to his injuries. Haliburton is another guard I like, but what worries me about him is his weight. He's been in college for 2 years and hasn't put on anything. Outside of that he's a very good player, I may not see an all star in him, but I feel that he can be that Mike Conley. That player that provides everything for your team - Floor general, defense, good shooting percentage....
Kira Lewis is a speed demon, can get by just anybody with his first step, but he has low level athleticism and he finishes at the rim like Mudiay. He's also a poor decision maker and sometimes throws the worst passes a guard could ever make (loves to leave his feet and commits to the pass before it's thrown). Like I said above he's a speed demon, but that's not always good because he plays out of control.
Tre Jones is another Derek Fisher, solid, but nothing special.
Going by picking 6th, if we moved up Edwards or trade down would be my choice.
1) Cole Anthony. Best case Steve Franchise, worst case a more athletic Trey Burke
2) Hayes. best Case - Luka Doncic, worst - Frank Ntilikina
3) Lamelo Ball - Best case Penny, worst - Calderon
4) Haliburton - Best Conley, Worst - Donte Exum
Players I would trade up from 27th
5) Devin Vassell
6) Aaron Nesmith
7) RJ Hampton
8) Tyrese Maxey
Players I would take at 27th
9) Patrick Williams
10) Precious Achiuwa
11) Cassius Stanley
12) Jalen Smith