Potential sleepers

[doordoor123]

Sounds like Reed has some of the same personality issues as Reggie Perry supposedly does.

No it doesnt. People don't realize all players believe they have a certain role. That doesnt mean its true. Both Zach LaVine and Malik Monk thought they were point guards, but they've carved out their role just fine. Ayton thought he was a PF, but is doing fine as a center. More recently Al Horford still thinks hes a PF, but he pretty clearly cant play that position anymore. Players just cant try to prove it or get owned by players who actually play that position right now because there are no workouts/competition.

[ElectricMayhem]

While I have the Sparty mark next to my name, I don't see myself as much of a homer. I had a strong feeling Draymond would succeed in the NBA and I get the exact same feeling about Xavier Tillman Sr. He led the NCAA in box score plus/minus (Most of the leaders in that statistic tend to do well in the NBA), he is humble, hardworking, intelligent, and a defensive beast. I see Tillman Sr. outplaying his draft slot and having a long career, not as a star but as an important cog on a team (anywhere from rotation player to starter).

I wish I could say the same for Cassius Winston. He was an amazing college player who deserved the opportunity to play for a national championship this year. As a pro, he may be able to carve out a career as a backup. I'm 50/50 on that. He's got the skill and the brain, just not the NBA body.

[getrichordie]

Wanted to toss a few names into the discussion:

— Niven Hart (super bouncy guard w/ good looking shot)

— Vit Krejci (big guard/wing who reminds me of a young AK47; can pass, defend, and reason to be optimistic about shot)

— Jordan Ford (undersized quick-ish guard who is a talented scorer and can fill up the basket; potential 6th man)

[Ruzious]

While I have the Sparty mark next to my name, I don't see myself as much of a homer. I had a strong feeling Draymond would succeed in the NBA and I get the exact same feeling about Xavier Tillman Sr. He led the NCAA in box score plus/minus (Most of the leaders in that statistic tend to do well in the NBA), he is humble, hardworking, intelligent, and a defensive beast. I see Tillman Sr. outplaying his draft slot and having a long career, not as a star but as an important cog on a team (anywhere from rotation player to starter).

The similarities between Draymond and Tillman are stunning. I concur.

[elias808]

Sleeper for the late 2nd or UDFA: Kylor Kelley from Oregon State. Very much a project, but high lvl shot blocker with decent ft% for a 7'.

[getrichordie]

Sleeper for the late 2nd or UDFA: Kylor Kelley from Oregon State. Very much a project, but high lvl shot blocker with decent ft% for a 7'.

I feel like the whole world knows KK is going to the Blazers as an UDFA.

[getrichordie]

A.J. Lawson is another interesting guy. Needs to improve efficiency but shot 35% from 3 over past two seasons on roughly 9 attempts per 100. Posted a respective 2.1 STL% and 2.3 STL% in freshman and sophomore year. A little over 20. Good athlete at 6'6/180 with a +4 wingspan. Good FTr at ~38% career average but needs to improve free throw shooting. Likely a G-League or 2-way guy...

[getrichordie]

Watch on YouTube

[nolang1]

I don't know if it's because he's assumed to be drafted higher and therefore not a sleeper, but I'm seeing recommendations for a lot of these scoring point guards who aren't so much better at defense or playmaking than someone like Markus Howard who is only 21 and much more lethal at hitting threes and getting to the line.

[BlazersBroncos]

I feel like the whole world knows KK is going to the Blazers as an UDFA.

Yep, he will likely compete with Moses Brown for the 3rd string developmental C spot. Even though Moses is younger, I would take KK. Fun fact, his teeth were so jacked up that he had to RS his freshman year at a CC to get them fixed. I can only assume Mr. Kelley didnt have the easiest childhood based on that. Hope he makes it.

[getrichordie]

Watch on YouTube

[Mirotic12]

I don't see Georgios Kalaitzakis on any mock drafts. But he is in the draft pool and he was measured at 6-8, with a 7-1 wingspan. He can play offense and defense at both guard spots and at small forward. He can also play both on and off the ball, and he can run an offense and run pick and roll.

He has a good handle with either hand, good passing, good outside shooting, and he's a good rebounder. And he's athletic and a good finisher with both hands.

So I am pretty sure he would be universally seen as a first round pick if he had been coming from the NCAA.

Watch on YouTube

[The-Power]

I don't see Georgios Kalaitzakis on any mock drafts. But he is in the draft pool and he was measured at 6-8, with a 7-1 wingspan. He can play offense and defense at both guard spots and at small forward. He can also play both on and off the ball, and he can run an offense and run pick and roll.

He has a good handle with either hand, good passing, good outside shooting, and he's a good rebounder. And he's athletic and a good finisher with both hands.

So I am pretty sure he would be universally seen as a first round pick if he had been coming from the NCAA.

He's shooting 29% on 3's (and even worse the two years before), sub-40% on 2's, considerably more turnovers than assists. And he's 21 years old, doing all of that in the LKL (Lithuania) on the league's second worst team. Yet, according to you, he's an all-rounder who's good at virtually everything and the only reason he's not a first-round prospect is because he's not playing in the U.S. Yeah, I'm not buying that. Instead of complaining about prospects of the NCAA being overhyped, you should take a long and hard look in the mirror when it comes to your hyping of Greek prospects.

[Mirotic12]

He's shooting 29% on 3's (and even worse the two years before), sub-40% on 2's, considerably more turnovers than assists. And he's 21 years old, doing all of that in the LKL (Lithuania) on the league's second worst team. Yet, according to you, he's an all-rounder who's good at virtually everything and the only reason he's not a first-round prospect is because he's not playing in the U.S. Yeah, I'm not buying that. Instead of complaining about prospects of the NCAA being overhyped, you should take a long and hard look in the mirror when it comes to your hyping of Greek prospects.

The NBA regularly drafts foreign players that didn't even play at all, or were playing on high school teams. They have drafted guys in the lottery with nowhere near as much a resume as playing in the Lithuanian League.

And he played against a EuroLeague team twice, and did well - certainly way better competition than any NCAA player ever had, or any guy playing in the Australian NBL for that matter.

Also, you can't judge if a guy can shoot or play, or what his skills are, solely by looking at a stat sheet. Which is very obviously what you are doing. It's like when so many people claimed Doncic wouldn't shoot in his draft threads, because "his 3 point percentage is too low". Try watching a game sometime.

Kalaitzakis against a EuroLeague team (and they were using their regular players):

Watch on YouTube

No NCAA player ever played against a team near to that level.

Kalaitzakis against Lietkabelis (a FIBA Champions League team):

Watch on YouTube

Kalaitzakis against Rytas (a EuroCup team):

Watch on YouTube

[No-Man]

I like Kalaitzakis and he would be def top45 for me if... I didn't just hear this week that he is pulling his name out...

[No-Man]

I don't see Georgios Kalaitzakis on any mock drafts. But he is in the draft pool and he was measured at 6-8, with a 7-1 wingspan. He can play offense and defense at both guard spots and at small forward. He can also play both on and off the ball, and he can run an offense and run pick and roll.

He has a good handle with either hand, good passing, good outside shooting, and he's a good rebounder. And he's athletic and a good finisher with both hands.

So I am pretty sure he would be universally seen as a first round pick if he had been coming from the NCAA.

He's shooting 29% on 3's (and even worse the two years before), sub-40% on 2's, considerably more turnovers than assists. And he's 21 years old, doing all of that in the LKL (Lithuania) on the league's second worst team. Yet, according to you, he's an all-rounder who's good at virtually everything and the only reason he's not a first-round prospect is because he's not playing in the U.S. Yeah, I'm not buying that. Instead of complaining about prospects of the NCAA being overhyped, you should take a long and hard look in the mirror when it comes to your hyping of Greek prospects.

He is right in this case though, he had a terrible role in LKL (he is not really a PG but played in a team that gave him that responsability) and he should be way better as a play-making wing with his size, still skinny but should bulk up nicely and has length, he moves incredibly well and has a great handle for a guy who is 6'8

I think he is raw and needs development but he is def a dude I'd have circle in red for the 2nd round as a stash if he actually stayed in this class (like I said my intel says otherwise, so he is just a scratch for me for now, same with Jokubaitis, Raieste and Krejci, all out)

[nolang1]

A couple years ago towards the beginning of the season I was thinking of Trent Forrest as a super off the radar player who could be a first rounder or maybe even a lottery pick if his 3-point shot came around. Well, he graduated without it coming around yet but he should be looked at in the second round. When you think about all the different things that need to develop for a lot of players to make it in the NBA versus Forrest simply being a three ball away (and even then you can say that there are still non-shooting point guards who manage to stick around - hell, you could probably say Caruso is a comparison for him), I would definitely not mind making that gamble in the 50s.

His three-point and free-throw percentages have incrementally improved year by year and he's a couple weeks younger than Fultz, who I think most would agree is also young enough that he can continue to (re)develop his jumper. Throw the shot out the window and compared to the other point guards in the draft he's at least arguably the strongest, the most athletic, and the best defender, and by all accounts he's probably the best as well in terms of being a hard worker, a competitor, a good teammate, and all that other intangible/culture stuff.

[Stillwater]

A couple years ago towards the beginning of the season I was thinking of Trent Forrest as a super off the radar player who could be a first rounder or maybe even a lottery pick if his 3-point shot came around. Well, he graduated without it coming around yet but he should be looked at in the second round. When you think about all the different things that need to develop for a lot of players to make it in the NBA versus Forrest simply being a three ball away (and even then you can say that there are still non-shooting point guards who manage to stick around - hell, you could probably say Caruso is a comparison for him), I would definitely not mind making that gamble in the 50s.

His three-point and free-throw percentages have incrementally improved year by year and he's a couple weeks younger than Fultz, who I think most would agree is also young enough that he can continue to (re)develop his jumper. Throw the shot out the window and compared to the other point guards in the draft he's at least arguably the strongest, the most athletic, and the best defender, and by all accounts he's probably the best as well in terms of being a hard worker, a competitor, a good teammate, and all that other intangible/culture stuff.

should definitely get some interest as a defensive specialist late 2nd to UDFA but will probably make a roster on a two way contract and float around between the league the g league and thats it.
His shooting is so bad he doesnt even try to shoot from what I have seen and given there were much better options on the roster like Vassell and Williams why would he. He plays smart but sometimes his limitations hurt the team.
I 'd pick him up if I was LAC at 56 57 whatever and or maybe higher like Kings at 52 as a better defensive backup or 3rd pg

[Stillwater]

Uros Trifunovic is a name I keep thinking should be getting late first looks, really dont know much about him, but of what I have seen and read looks like a decent NBA caliber wing prospect.At minimum a point forward worth stashing in 2nd

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

[getrichordie]

Uros Trifunovic is a name I keep thinking should be getting late first looks, really dont know much about him, but of what I have seen and read looks like a decent NBA caliber wing prospect.At minimum a point forward worth stashing in 2nd

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

I made a thread about him a while back. I think he is an interesting wing prospect but might not have the athleticism to warrant first round.

Only European guy that I think should go first round is Avdija...

Early to mid second round picks should look at Vit Krejci and Borisa Simanic.