2020 NBA Draft Thread: Bulls pick 4th!

[The Box Office]

So they have enough value to trade, but not to keep?

Personally, No. They're in the negative in my mind. We missed the playoffs 3 consecutive years with LaVine and Lauri.

They don't have enough value to keep. Especially LaVine and Lauri as a duo.

I can keep Wendell and probably Coby White (he better stop ball hogging). Just not LaVine and Lauri.

3 Years?
Y1 Lavine coming back from ACL end of season and Lauri rookie
Y2 Boylen Ball and Otto trade get them playing well to end season
Y3 Most injured team in the league and Boylen

Lavine has not underperformed. Lauri did last year big time. At least half of that is on him. Boylen helped him suck too.

Lets see what these guys can do with a legit coach and system. I'm not attached to any of the players and I'm up for trading all of them if the right deal present itself. I can also see them getting alot better with real player development and a coach.

I understand. It's still 3 consecutive playoffs missed in the books. LaVine is a 3rd wheel on a playoff team. I'm sure LaVine does NOT understand that. He's still bad defensively and he's not a leader.

Lauri is replaceable as hell. He has to go. I know there are few posters here trying to save Lauri's spot, but there is no spot to save. The time is over. His production here is inexcusable. I don't care about the circumstances, bad coaching, and what not. Lauri still has to produce. He also proved to me that he's NOT a gym rat.

Good players ALWAYS find ways to get their stats. Lauri didn't do that.

[LikeMike23]

LaMelo took 17 shots to get those 17 points. That is not good.

LaMelo also shot 36.3% from three, which is a higher three point percentage than Luka Doncic.

Buddy, he shot 37% FROM THE FIELD, he shot 25% from 3 lmao

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/lamelo-ball-1.html

Actually, LaMelo shot 36.3% from three after he became the starting point guard for the Illawarra Hawks.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2019/11/29/lamelo-ball-nbl-stats-triple-double-highlights-r-j-hampton/

Overall, his numbers went up across the board and is a big reason he won Rookie of the Year.

[DannyOcean]

LaMelo also shot 36.3% from three, which is a higher three point percentage than Luka Doncic.

Buddy, he shot 37% FROM THE FIELD, he shot 25% from 3 lmao

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/lamelo-ball-1.html

Actually, LaMelo shot 36.3% from three after he became the starting point guard for the Illawarra Hawks.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2019/11/29/lamelo-ball-nbl-stats-triple-double-highlights-r-j-hampton/

Overall, his numbers went up across the board and is a big reason he won Rookie of the Year.

"He has converted on 36.3% from 3-point range over his last four games as he appears to be settling into a bigger role with the Hawks."

[thedarkstark]

Actually, LaMelo shot 36.3% from three after he became the starting point guard for the Illawarra Hawks.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2019/11/29/lamelo-ball-nbl-stats-triple-double-highlights-r-j-hampton/

Overall, his numbers went up across the board and is a big reason he won Rookie of the Year.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/lamelo-ball-1/gamelog/2020/nbl-australia/

Here are his game logs, you can try and spin it anyway you want whatever helps you sleep at night. The fact is he's an incredibly inconsistent shooter and has been even in high school, his form is trash which will likely never translate to consistency. He's not a good scorer, if you think he is then you're in for a gigantic disappointment. He's a hell of a playmaker, but that's really all he has going for him right now.

[LikeMike23]

Buddy, he shot 37% FROM THE FIELD, he shot 25% from 3 lmao

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/lamelo-ball-1.html

Actually, LaMelo shot 36.3% from three after he became the starting point guard for the Illawarra Hawks.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2019/11/29/lamelo-ball-nbl-stats-triple-double-highlights-r-j-hampton/

Overall, his numbers went up across the board and is a big reason he won Rookie of the Year.

"He has converted on 36.3% from 3-point range over his last four games as he appears to be settling into a bigger role with the Hawks."

There were only 12 games in the season, so 4 games is 1/3 of the entire season. To see a big improvement in that short of a time span is impressive. He got better over the course of the season, which is what you want to see.

[Jcool0]

Actually, LaMelo shot 36.3% from three after he became the starting point guard for the Illawarra Hawks.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2019/11/29/lamelo-ball-nbl-stats-triple-double-highlights-r-j-hampton/

Overall, his numbers went up across the board and is a big reason he won Rookie of the Year.

"He has converted on 36.3% from 3-point range over his last four games as he appears to be settling into a bigger role with the Hawks."

There were only 12 games in the season, so 4 games is 1/3 of the entire season. To see a big improvement in that short of a time span is impressive. He got better over the course of the season, which is what you want to see.

He shot 32% over his last 4 games including 1 for 11 in his last game.

[Dez]

Actually, LaMelo shot 36.3% from three after he became the starting point guard for the Illawarra Hawks.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2019/11/29/lamelo-ball-nbl-stats-triple-double-highlights-r-j-hampton/

Overall, his numbers went up across the board and is a big reason he won Rookie of the Year.

"He has converted on 36.3% from 3-point range over his last four games as he appears to be settling into a bigger role with the Hawks."

There were only 12 games in the season, so 4 games is 1/3 of the entire season. To see a big improvement in that short of a time span is impressive. He got better over the course of the season, which is what you want to see.

Or it was a "hot" streak more like lukewarm though.

[LikeMike23]

Actually, LaMelo shot 36.3% from three after he became the starting point guard for the Illawarra Hawks.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2019/11/29/lamelo-ball-nbl-stats-triple-double-highlights-r-j-hampton/

Overall, his numbers went up across the board and is a big reason he won Rookie of the Year.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/lamelo-ball-1/gamelog/2020/nbl-australia/

Here are his game logs, you can try and spin it anyway you want whatever helps you sleep at night. The fact is he's an incredibly inconsistent shooter and has been even in high school, his form is trash which will likely never translate to consistency. He's not a good scorer, if you think he is then you're in for a gigantic disappointment. He's a hell of a playmaker, but that's really all he has going for him right now.

I never said he was a good scorer. I only made the point that LaMelo doesn't have to be a great shooter to be effective in the NBA, which he doesn't. If he can get rebounds and assists at a decent clip and score in transition, he will be far from a bust. I think LaMelo Ball is a safe pick. Not a future all-star or hall of famer.

[MrSparkle]

Warriors are the wild card and where the draft begins.

I think Edwards at 1 is easy. Russell at point, plug in Edwards at 2 and Culver at 3. Good looking team.

For the Warriors, Ball makes no sense with that roster or Kerr’s style. And would the run and gun Warriors draft a lumbering center with the 2 pick? I doubt it.

I think they draft either Deni, or trade it. Leaning strongly towards trading it.

I agree. I can see GSW asking for Lauri to swap #2 for #4 (Deni). If they want to give up next year's FRP, I'm listening. Kind of a risk giving up Lauri, so it's assuming there's a bonafide star at #2 in AK's mind...

But I also feel like Lauri is ready to start scoring baskets as a 4th option on a good team, and the Bulls are in no position to extend him as a #2 franchise option...

[TyrusRose2425]

Killian Hayes plz

[MrSparkle]

I feel like a lot of things will crystalize after the draft combine:

- What's the difference between LaMelo and Lonzo, and why am I to believe that this Ball will learn to shoot?

- Can Wiseman shoot 3Ps and stay healthy?

- Why is Hayes rated high on some mocks? Maybe he's just a safe, skilled, all-around, leader.

- Can Deni shoot FTs and 3Ps?

- What's Okongwu's offensive floor and ceiling?

- Obi's defensive floor?

Until then, it seems like a lot of people are speculating wildly about one of the weakest top-10 draft classes ever, with the lowest sample size ever.

I can see a reason for CHI to pick up any of the guys in the top-10.... because nobody stands out.

[kodo]

The Ringer updated their mock draft, has CHI taking Ball.

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/

1. Edwards
2. Wiseman
3. Avdija
4. Ball

[Simpleton]

Avdija is my preference but I don't feel strongly one way or the other if we're talking about picking from a group of Avdija/Hayes/Halliburton.

I honestly don't even think Edwards/Wiseman/Ball are that far beyond those three, and I might even argue that Okongwu is a better prospect than Wiseman. Going pure BPA Okongwu might even be my pick, he's basically an Adebayo clone if you can develop his passing ability, but obviously taking another center is far from ideal and I don't think Okongwu is so far and away the BPA at 4 that I'd take him over Avdija.

For those wondering about Avdija, he did win the Israeli League MVP, which is no small potatoes given that it's a top 5ish league in the world outside of the NBA. He's not Doncic but Doncic is a generational player who should win an MVP or three and at some point be the best player in the league, so of course he isn't that, but if he's a guy who can give you 18/8/6 at his peak, you take that and run in this draft.

He quite literally just needs to sharpen his 3-point range, and with the focus on player development I'll give the new regime the benefit of the doubt here. If the Warriors keep the pick (which they won't) it sounds like he's one of their top choices, so maybe we should take a cue from them.

[Jo Jo English]

This is a wee bit exciting!

Take that 2020!

FWIW, I believe Mad Max was set in the year 2021.

Sorry...

Dang it, you just gave me a reason to break out my Mad Max DVD.

(... and my Road Warrior Blu-Ray...)

(... and then temporarily forget that I don't have Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome on home video...)

(... and my Mad Max: Fury Road 3-D Blu-Ray... where I will remember how awkward that last scene was when the steering wheel came towards the screen in that last shot. Like, yeah, I get it. That was supposed to be $$ in 3-D, but even in 3-D it was obnoxious. And I say that as someone who wasn't against 3-D. A lot of the time it works. A lot of the time it is pretty damn great. But not that time. That stupid steering wheel.)

Wait, what were we talking about?

[HomoSapien]

I just did a deep dive on Avdija. I remember looking at him earlier in the summer and not being too impressed. Not sure what I saw, but this time he seemed exceptionally impressive. He easily could be the best player in this draft, and SF is still our biggest hole on the roster.

1. What did you see the second time watching?

2. He offers additional value due to his size and position versatility. This is why if you have Wiseman and Deni rated equal you have to go with the wing. Ainge was early to the game getting wings in Tatum and Brown.

Immensely skilled, great feel for the game, and seems to really attack the hoop with purpose. A lot of young players drive to the hoop without really knowing what they're going to do (Lauri is guilty of this really often), but from what I can see Avidija goes in aggressively looking to score, dunk, create for others, etc. He's also pretty athletic and well-coordinated with nimble feet.

[Chi town]

Avdija is my preference but I don't feel strongly one way or the other if we're talking about picking from a group of Avdija/Hayes/Halliburton.

I honestly don't even think Edwards/Wiseman/Ball are that far beyond those three, and I might even argue that Okongwu is a better prospect than Wiseman. Going pure BPA Okongwu might even be my pick, he's basically an Adebayo clone if you can develop his passing ability, but obviously taking another center is far from ideal and I don't think Okongwu is so far and away the BPA at 4 that I'd take him over Avdija.

For those wondering about Avdija, he did win the Israeli League MVP, which is no small potatoes given that it's a top 5ish league in the world outside of the NBA. He's not Doncic but Doncic is a generational player who should win an MVP or three and at some point be the best player in the league, so of course he isn't that, but if he's a guy who can give you 18/8/6 at his peak, you take that and run in this draft.

He quite literally just needs to sharpen his 3-point range, and with the focus on player development I'll give the new regime the benefit of the doubt here. If the Warriors keep the pick (which they won't) it sounds like he's one of their top choices, so maybe we should take a cue from them.

Well said. Bout where I am.

I trust AK. If Melo is there at 4 I bet he trades back with the Knicks. Hopefully gets their pick next year in the double draft.

[weneeda2guard]

Personally, No. They're in the negative in my mind. We missed the playoffs 3 consecutive years with LaVine and Lauri.

They don't have enough value to keep. Especially LaVine and Lauri as a duo.

I can keep Wendell and probably Coby White (he better stop ball hogging). Just not LaVine and Lauri.

3 Years?
Y1 Lavine coming back from ACL end of season and Lauri rookie
Y2 Boylen Ball and Otto trade get them playing well to end season
Y3 Most injured team in the league and Boylen

Lavine has not underperformed. Lauri did last year big time. At least half of that is on him. Boylen helped him suck too.

Lets see what these guys can do with a legit coach and system. I'm not attached to any of the players and I'm up for trading all of them if the right deal present itself. I can also see them getting alot better with real player development and a coach.

I understand. It's still 3 consecutive playoffs missed in the books. LaVine is a 3rd wheel on a playoff team. I'm sure LaVine does NOT understand that. He's still bad defensively and he's not a leader.

Lauri is replaceable as hell. He has to go. I know there are few posters here trying to save Lauri's spot, but there is no spot to save. The time is over. His production here is inexcusable. I don't care about the circumstances, bad coaching, and what not. Lauri still has to produce. He also proved to me that he's NOT a gym rat.

Good players ALWAYS find ways to get their stats. Lauri didn't do that.

was just saying in another chat that even if we land ball or wisemen I would still trade lauri to the 7th or 8th or 9th pick and grab deni or hayes (if we get wiseman at 4) or another prospect. I can see teams willing to take a shot with lauri then taking whoever is available for them

My main reason is lauri is soon due a deal and I dont see a long term future with him here. I can see a horrible scenario play out where we end up giving him a big deal and really regretting it. If we get wisemen I def see one of lauri or Carter Jr or both being traded.

[weneeda2guard]

The Ringer updated their mock draft, has CHI taking Ball.

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/

1. Edwards
2. Wiseman
3. Avdija
4. Ball

I can see this very same scenario play out

Edwards makes too much sense for the wolves

Wiseman fits better with the warriors and I also can see the warriors trading the pick

And luka mania plus not wanting to deal with the lavar circus could have deni going to Charlotte.

I can def see ball falling to us which im totally fine with.

[NecessaryEvil]

Avdija is my preference but I don't feel strongly one way or the other if we're talking about picking from a group of Avdija/Hayes/Halliburton.

I honestly don't even think Edwards/Wiseman/Ball are that far beyond those three, and I might even argue that Okongwu is a better prospect than Wiseman. Going pure BPA Okongwu might even be my pick, he's basically an Adebayo clone if you can develop his passing ability, but obviously taking another center is far from ideal and I don't think Okongwu is so far and away the BPA at 4 that I'd take him over Avdija.

For those wondering about Avdija, he did win the Israeli League MVP, which is no small potatoes given that it's a top 5ish league in the world outside of the NBA. He's not Doncic but Doncic is a generational player who should win an MVP or three and at some point be the best player in the league, so of course he isn't that, but if he's a guy who can give you 18/8/6 at his peak, you take that and run in this draft.

He quite literally just needs to sharpen his 3-point range, and with the focus on player development I'll give the new regime the benefit of the doubt here. If the Warriors keep the pick (which they won't) it sounds like he's one of their top choices, so maybe we should take a cue from them.

Well said. Bout where I am.

I trust AK. If Melo is there at 4 I bet he trades back with the Knicks. Hopefully gets their pick next year in the double draft.

I doubt the Knicks or any bottom feeding team risks the chance of drafting Emoni Bates just to nab LaMelo this yr

[Simpleton]

Bates isn't coming out until 2022, no?