Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread

[Jamaaliver]

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[jayu70]

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Fifth-Best Landing Spot: Atlanta Hawks

One one hand, LaMelo Ball would help take pressure off Trae Young, who is leading the league in time of possession this season. Opponents would have to deal with defending two of the game's elite passers and playmakers on the floor at the same time. 

But this pairing would require both players needing to adjust, particularly LaMelo. At least Young shot 50.6 percent out of spot-ups and 41.4 percent off screens on limited reps. Ball isn't the shooter that Young is. For LaMelo, playing off the ball means playing away from his strengths.

The Hawks could still run enough actions using Ball to create and set up teammates, specifically John Collins and Clint Capela, high-percentage finishing targets who'd receive even more easy-basket opportunities if the Hawks took the 19-year-old ball-handler.

Atlanta's offensive upside could be huge behind Ball, Young and Collins with shot-makers Cam Reddish, Kevin Huerter and De'Andre Hunter filling in gaps.

On the downside, the Hawks ranked No. 28 in defense, with Young checking in No. 513 out of 513 NBA players in defensive real plus-minus. A Young-Ball backcourt would have difficulty containing dribble penetration, though Capela should improve the team's rim protection.

[jayu70]

10 Days to the Lottery!

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[Jamaaliver]

Atlanta Hawks | Average pick: 4.4

No. 1 pick odds: 12.5% | Top-three pick odds: 36.6%

If they land in the top four, they should pick ...

No. 1: Deni Avdija

No. 2: Isaac Okoro

No. 3: Onyeka Okongwu

No. 4: James Wiseman

Most likely pick: Deni Avdija | G/F

With several building blocks in place, the Hawks probably will look to add a player who can contribute immediately and accelerate the franchise's move back to respectability.

A big guard such as Avdija -- who can defend multiple positions, play on or off the ball and brings considerable experience -- could be attractive here. His ability to play anywhere from 2-4 would make it easier to find minutes alongside existing building blocks Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish and De'Andre Hunter. And as long as his improved perimeter shooting is sustainable, he could be a very good fit with point guard Trae Young. -- Jonathan Givony

ESPN Insider

[Jamaaliver]

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Risers

No. 3 Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State

Spoiler:

Previous rank: No. 9

I've moved Iowa State star Tyrese Haliburton up six spots, from No. 9 to No. 3, because I know exactly what I'm going to get with him. He's a long and tenacious defender with a high basketball IQ who shoots it efficiently, projecting as an ideal two-way guard. Plus, character and work ethic checks are all coming back pristine for teams who have him on their radar.

"He's a pass-first guard," one scout told me recently. "Whatever team gets him, they're going to love what he brings as far as IQ and skill."

There are perhaps higher-upside prospects to consider who I have ranked lower than Haliburton -- namely James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards -- but he's going to be a safe pick (the safest among top 10 prospects?) because of his selfless style of play and immediate projectability as a role player. He'll need to land in the right situation to be successful -- and ideally that'd be a pairing alongside an initiator -- but I feel pretty confident he's going to be an efficient and successful NBA player in the same way he's been an efficient and successful college player the last two seasons.

No. 8 Patrick Williams, Florida State

Spoiler:

Previous rank: No. 23

Checking in at No. 8 is Florida State one-and-done wing Patrick Williams, who has taken a backseat on the attention train to his teammate Devin Vassell throughout the process.

Williams continues to rise because of his 6-foot-8 frame and 6-11 wingspan, coupled with the mix of stuff you just can't teach -- namely the defensive anticipation and the size.

The word I hear each time I talk with someone about him is almost always "raw" from a skills perspective, but it's almost always followed by some iteration of keep an eye on him as a sleeper. I think teams are higher on him than they are leading on -- I know at least two scouts who have him inside the lottery of their own rankings -- and I suspect that in a draft devoid of surefire wings that he's likely to be considered among those with the brightest long-term outlook.

[Jamaaliver]

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[graymule]

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Risers

No. 3 Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
Previous rank: No. 9

I've moved Iowa State star Tyrese Haliburton up six spots, from No. 9 to No. 3, because I know exactly what I'm going to get with him. He's a long and tenacious defender with a high basketball IQ who shoots it efficiently, projecting as an ideal two-way guard. Plus, character and work ethic checks are all coming back pristine for teams who have him on their radar.

"He's a pass-first guard," one scout told me recently. "Whatever team gets him, they're going to love what he brings as far as IQ and skill."

There are perhaps higher-upside prospects to consider who I have ranked lower than Haliburton -- namely James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards -- but he's going to be a safe pick (the safest among top 10 prospects?) because of his selfless style of play.

Good to see my man is #3. Where ever he falls, I hope it is Atlanta where he lands !!

[Jamaaliver]

[KJStark23]

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[Radioblacktive1]

Dude how easy is it to get a job at Bleacher Report?

The Trade: 2020 No. 1 overall pick, PF John Collins, F Cam Reddish, SG Kevin Huerter and C Dewayne Dedmon to Washington Wizards for SG Bradley Beal

[jayu70]

Dude how easy is it to get a job at Bleacher Report?

The Trade: 2020 No. 1 overall pick, PF John Collins, F Cam Reddish, SG Kevin Huerter and C Dewayne Dedmon to Washington Wizards for SG Bradley Beal

[Jamaaliver]

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[Spud2nique]

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Wish he was more raw in the interview.

Teams I name gimme ur impression.

Knicks: WHO DA FCK WANNA PLAY FOR DA KNICKS DOH!

Hawks: F ya I love my city.

Warriors: b!tches in the bay FAKE A$$$ bustas.

Pistons: B!TCH PLEASE

[HMFFL]

NBA Mock Draft: Deni Avdija assigned to Atlanta Hawks in pre-lottery projection

Avdija is a power forward-sized wing with the skill set of a guard, giving him unique positional versatility to tap into on a Hawks team that will be looking to take the next step toward a playoff berth. He played more than 60 games this season, far beyond what teams have seen from most of his fellow prospects. His stellar international résumé indicates he could impact winning almost immediately.

Avdija, a 19-year-old prospect listed at 6’9, is an intriguing player for Atlanta, particularly with regard to his two-way appeal. As noted above, he brings a bit of versatility to the table as a creator, with high-end feel and the ability to distribute. Defensively, Avdija doesn’t project as a star, but he is lengthy and reasonably athletic, using his basketball IQ and toughness to hold up well in most match-ups.

Though most agree that Avdija is a top-10 prospect in this class, there are potential landmines with his projection, and that is similar to the vast majority of players in the 2020 class. Avdija has shown promise with his jump shot in recent days, particularly after the lengthy hiatus prompted by COVID-19, but he has famously struggled as a free throw shooter in the past and his long-term projection as a floor spacer is at least somewhat in doubt.

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/platform/amp/2020/8/18/21373901/nba-mock-draft-2020-atlanta-hawks-pre-lottery-deni-avdija-projection-forward

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[Jamaaliver]

Oh boy...

1. Atlanta Hawks: Anthony Edwards (Georgia, SG, Freshman)

Winning the lottery would give the Atlanta Hawks a chance to add another scoring machine next to Trae Young, who'd benefit from having a second shot-creator in the lineup.

A Young-Anthony Edwards backcourt could put relentless pressure on defenses with their attacking and shot-making.

The Hawks will have conversations about LaMelo Ball, but they may have too many concerns about how his ball-dominant style and mediocre defense will work with Young.

Assuming the Hawks grade Ball and Edwards similarly in a vacuum, fit could play tiebreaker and give the edge to the explosive, 225-pound wing who just made 2.3 threes per game.

[Radioblacktive1]

If we land in the top 3 and keep the pick, do it.

[tbhawksfan1]

NBA Mock Draft: Deni Avdija assigned to Atlanta Hawks in pre-lottery projection

Avdija is a power forward-sized wing with the skill set of a guard, giving him unique positional versatility to tap into on a Hawks team that will be looking to take the next step toward a playoff berth. He played more than 60 games this season, far beyond what teams have seen from most of his fellow prospects. His stellar international résumé indicates he could impact winning almost immediately.

Avdija, a 19-year-old prospect listed at 6’9, is an intriguing player for Atlanta, particularly with regard to his two-way appeal. As noted above, he brings a bit of versatility to the table as a creator, with high-end feel and the ability to distribute. Defensively, Avdija doesn’t project as a star, but he is lengthy and reasonably athletic, using his basketball IQ and toughness to hold up well in most match-ups.

Though most agree that Avdija is a top-10 prospect in this class, there are potential landmines with his projection, and that is similar to the vast majority of players in the 2020 class. Avdija has shown promise with his jump shot in recent days, particularly after the lengthy hiatus prompted by COVID-19, but he has famously struggled as a free throw shooter in the past and his long-term projection as a floor spacer is at least somewhat in doubt.

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/platform/amp/2020/8/18/21373901/nba-mock-draft-2020-atlanta-hawks-pre-lottery-deni-avdija-projection-forward

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

Those free throws though. Dude is Shaq bad