2020 Pre-Draft Discussion

[BeesWax]

316 ... that second video was one of the worst things I've ever seen. I want those minutes of my life back.

To break stuff down. Could the Hornets draft LaMelo? Yes. Could they trade for Lonzo? Not easily. The salaries are too far apart. To make it work other guys would need to be involved. The simplest working deal would be JJ + Lonzo for Terry ... and that's a bad deal for the Pels. They need JJs shooting. Beyond that you are starting with deals involving Jrue and the Pels will need significant value back to trade that guy.

Beyond that I'm not sure that having both Balls on the same team would ever be a good idea.

edit: would be SUPER amusing if the Hornets traded LaMelo for Lonzo as a part of a bigger deal

I think in the new year it would just have to be Miller and Lonzo for Terry. If I am not mistake Terry's deal drops some and Lonzo will shoot up to $11M add in Miller at $7M and you are getting pretty close. Still not saying it is a good idea but making the money work may not be as hard as you think.

[UNCNYC]

Hey guys here is where I am at regarding our picks. I rounded off our 1st pick to 5 players that I would consider taking with pick #3. The next group of players are players that I HOPE fall to us at pick #32. As you can see imo there will be some good options still on the board deep and I actually left about 4 other players off the list for pick #56...

This is who I would take in order from best to worse if available at each of our picks.

PICK 3 -
SG - Killian Hayes
SG - LaMeLo Ball
PG - Tyrese Haliburton
PG - Devon Dotson
SG - Tyrell Terry

PICK 32 -
C - Zeke Nnaji
PF - JaDen McDaniels
SF - Tyler Bey
SG - Leandro Balmoro
C - Jalen Smith
SF - Josh Green
PF - LaMar Stevens
SF - Saddiq Bey
SG - CJ Elleby
SG - Karim Mane

PICK 56 -
SF - Elijah Huges
SG - Ty-Shon Alexander
C - Rayshaun Hammonds
PF - Malik Fitts
SF - Jay Scrubb
PG - Malachi Flynn
PG - Skylar Mays

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

So I wasted some time looking at several draft sites today. This class really doesn't have a consensus set of picks. Anyway based on average rankings

Added a few new sites to what I've been looking at and wanted to reformat this. So here it is formatted by tiers:

Tier 1
* LaMelo Ball (Highest rank: 1 - Tankathon, CBS, Fansided, Hollinger / Lowest rank: 4 - Dean on Draft)
* Anthony Edwards (Highest rank: 1 - ESPN, NBADraft.net, Yahoo, SI, BB Insider, Atlantic / Lowest rank: 7 - Tankathon)

Tier 2
* Onyeka Okongwu (Highest rank: 1 - Dean on Draft / Lowest rank: 9 - Atlantic)
* James Wiseman (Highest rank: 2 - SI, Dean on Draft / Lowest rank: 14 - Fansided)
* Killian Hayes (Highest rank: 1 - Ringer / Lowest rank: 9 - ESPN, SI, B Insider)

Tier 3
* Tyrese Haliburton (Highest rank: 3 - CBS / Lowest rank: 11 - Fansided)

Tier 4
* Deni Avdija (Highest rank: 4 - ESPN / Lowest rank: 16 - Hollinger)
* Obi Toppin (Highest rank: 2 - NBADraft.net / Lowest rank: 15 Fansided)

Tier 5
* Isaac Okoro (Highest rank: 5 - SI / Lowest rank: 13 - Tankathon)

[BlackOutBuzz]

Just listened to Vecenie's pod with Hollinger:

First mention of the Hornets comes while discussing the bigs. They're talented, but Hollinger hates the idea of taking big men in the top 5 (in general). He says the league is way too "big-happy" relative to their impact; cites Ayton and Bagley over Luka and Trae.

That said, he mentions that Charlotte may be the one team that could justify it. There are enough talented young pieces that what's missing is a center, but then you're drafting for need on a team that needs talent everywhere. People assume Wiseman would be the guy, but thinks Okungwu should and would also be considered.

Then they get into sort of a pick-by-pick analysis, obviously Charlotte comes up third. Vecenie starts reading off Hornets draft picks - dating back to Kemba - as described by their college accolades (Frank gets a mention). It's a narrative-building move, basically we prefer college success more than NBA translatability. Hollinger calls this "a recipe for Obi Toppin;" they have a good laugh at the idea.

They only briefly touch on the possibility of Ball at 3. Mainly asking if we'd pass up on him with Graham and Rozier in the fold. Consensus was we shouldn't, but they could see it happening.

No mention of Edwards to Charlotte, largely because he went 1 in their mock. It was Ball vs. Edwards for pick 1, and the thought was that Minnesota has to do everything to keep Towns happy, which means keeping his good friend (Russell) happy, which means NOT drafting another guard that would take the ball out of his hands. All the picks after that are more open-ended, though; as they don't think Golden State will be picking at 2.

Finally, Charlotte comes up a final time as they discussed teams that could trade back. Amazingly, they think we shouldn't because we actually have a nice stable of assets(!), and the priority should be drafting a top tier talent at 3.

TL;DR: CLT only team that could justify going big in top 5; could be any of Wiseman, Okungwu, or Toppin.

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[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I still wouldn't call my own opinions super informed yet, but here are the guys I feel good about:
* Tyrese Haliburton ... just seems to have good useable NBA skills. Draft seems to undervalue guys with skills vs potential sometimes.
* Onyeka Okongwu ... feels like he's actually going to be the guy that everyone hopes James Wiseman will be.

Guys that feel high risk / high potential reward to me
* LaMelo Ball
* Anthony Edwards
* James Wiseman
* Obi Toppin

Guy's I'm not feeling good about:
* Killian Hayes ... he looks like a feather could knock him down
* Deni Avdija ... just not impressed and his good stuff really feels like wishcasting to me


Actual mock draft wise I'm expecting LaMelo and Anthony to go 1-2. I'm not buying that the Warriors will draft Wiseman. If one of those guys drops then I expect the Hornets to draft them. Provided that they are gone, then I'm feeling like it will come down to one of Okongwu / Wiseman / Toppin for Mitch.

[Rich4114]

Trading for Lonzo so we can pair him with LaMelo sounds like a science experiment and not like improving the team. Sure it's fascinating, but let's focus on what would make this team better not just briefly interesting.

Maybe another comparison for Wiseman if he is more mobile than the current top bigs but less mobile than the KAT's/AD's of the world (assuming he does not have their shooting range/touch) is Tyson Chandler. Prime Tyson Chandler is certainly something this team would benefit from. But I do know the emphasis JB puts on playmaking/passing from his Spurs background so if LaMelo is really as good as people suggest in that category and the first two picks are Wiseman/Edwards I can definitely see them selecting LaMelo. He can technically play on the court at the same time as Devonte and Terry since he's 6'7". I do not see Terry in Charlotte beyond this season however and we should be making no long term decisions based on his presence.

[DY_nasty]

He's Pre-injury McDyess-lite if anything

[amcoolio]

Just take Edwards and flip Rozier and Zeller for Horford and 21 (McDaniels or Mannion or Hampton)

Graham/Edwards/Bridges/Washington/Horford

I like Okongwu but he is undersized. Can you play him an PJ together?

[Rich4114]

We keep getting caught up on how the pieces fit together when it's pretty evident the Hornets plan to just take whoever they think is the best overall talent regardless of position. Who their top 3 are is the real question.

[MasterIchiro]

Just listened to Vecenie's pod with Hollinger:

First mention of the Hornets comes while discussing the bigs. They're talented, but Hollinger hates the idea of taking big men in the top 5 (in general). He says the league is way too "big-happy" relative to their impact; cites Ayton and Bagley over Luka and Trae.

That said, he mentions that Charlotte may be the one team that could justify it. There are enough talented young pieces that what's missing is a center, but then you're drafting for need on a team that needs talent everywhere. People assume Wiseman would be the guy, but thinks Okungwu should and would also be considered.

Then they get into sort of a pick-by-pick analysis, obviously Charlotte comes up third. Vecenie starts reading off Hornets draft picks - dating back to Kemba - as described by their college accolades (Frank gets a mention). It's a narrative-building move, basically we prefer college success more than NBA translatability. Hollinger calls this "a recipe for Obi Toppin;" they have a good laugh at the idea.

They only briefly touch on the possibility of Ball at 3. Mainly asking if we'd pass up on him with Graham and Rozier in the fold. Consensus was we shouldn't, but they could see it happening.

No mention of Edwards to Charlotte, largely because he went 1 in their mock. It was Ball vs. Edwards for pick 1, and the thought was that Minnesota has to do everything to keep Towns happy, which means keeping his good friend (Russell) happy, which means NOT drafting another guard that would take the ball out of his hands. All the picks after that are more open-ended, though; as they don't think Golden State will be picking at 2.

Finally, Charlotte comes up a final time as they discussed teams that could trade back. Amazingly, they think we shouldn't because we actually have a nice stable of assets(!), and the priority should be drafting a top tier talent at 3.

TL;DR: CLT only team that could justify going big in top 5; could be any of Wiseman, Okungwu, or Toppin.

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Easy choice for me between Wiseman, Okongwu and Toppin. MKG should be the last offensively challenged player this franchise ever takes, especially with the game trending this way and with the Hornets last in offense.

[amcoolio]

We keep getting caught up on how the pieces fit together when it's pretty evident the Hornets plan to just take whoever they think is the best overall talent regardless of position. Who their top 3 are is the real question.

True, but with our existing players we'd get less value trading them than for what their worth.

Wiseman almost seems too good a fit and will start immediately. Whereas if we take Edwards then he needs to play right away and a lot so he can develop. But he wouldn't start if Rozier is still here

[Rich4114]

We keep getting caught up on how the pieces fit together when it's pretty evident the Hornets plan to just take whoever they think is the best overall talent regardless of position. Who their top 3 are is the real question.

True, but with our existing players we'd get less value trading them than for what their worth.

Wiseman almost seems too good a fit and will start immediately. Whereas if we take Edwards then he needs to play right away and a lot so he can develop. But he wouldn't start if Rozier is still here

I see that angle. We are just so burned and all have PTSD over the collection of awful choices this franchise has made over so many years now. Whoever we draft at number 3 ought to freaking start and know how to shoot a basketball ffs.

[LofJ]

I really hope the Wolves take Ball number one. It will make it a lot harder for the Warriors to find veteran value for their pick. I think they're hesitant to draft any of the consensus top 3, so a trade down is what I expect to see happen. Atlanta will be the team to watch there, Hunter or Reddish with the 6th pick would likely get it done. That leaves us at 3 with Wiseman still on the board.

And as I've said before I like Wiseman, he easily has the highest floor among the top 3. We also have a wide open roster spot waiting for him. But...taking a big with the way the league is right now scares me. I don't envy Mitch, he needs to nail this pick, but it isn't going to be easy.

[BigSlam]

Just listened to Vecenie's pod with Hollinger:

Vecenie starts reading off Hornets draft picks - dating back to Kemba - as described by their college accolades (Frank gets a mention). It's a narrative-building move, basically we prefer college success more than NBA translatability. Hollinger calls this "a recipe for Obi Toppin;" they have a good laugh at the idea.

This feels like a realllllllllllllly lazy take from them to me.

I mean, we don’t have the same GM, scouting group or head coach as then so why apply that same narrative?

And if they are going to lump picks like the Felton, May and Morrison ones in there as well we didn’t even have the same owner then.

Feels like they are pushing a narrative there.


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[UNCNYC]

I'd say it's MEANT if we draft LaMelo Ball, trade for Lonzo Ball, and have JaDen McDaniels fall to us at pick 32.

Ball Brothers, Martin Twins, McDaniel Brothers

[BlackOutBuzz]

Just listened to Vecenie's pod with Hollinger:

Vecenie starts reading off Hornets draft picks - dating back to Kemba - as described by their college accolades (Frank gets a mention). It's a narrative-building move, basically we prefer college success more than NBA translatability. Hollinger calls this "a recipe for Obi Toppin;" they have a good laugh at the idea.

This feels like a realllllllllllllly lazy take from them to me.

I mean, we don’t have the same GM, scouting group or head coach as then so why apply that same narrative?

And if they are going to lump picks like the Felton, May and Morrison ones in there as well we didn’t even have the same owner then.

Feels like they are pushing a narrative there.


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Honestly I was waiting for them to mention Ammo. I was hoping nuance was coming, like "but in fairness Mitch is there now and has his own proven track record" but NOPE!

Also weird considering they're apparently high on our current assets.

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[dmutombo321]

Count me in the Wiseman or bust camp. With his measurables and athleticism, he's a young Tyson Chandler at the worst - a high level rebounder/shot blocker/rim runner, which is not a bad get at #3 for a draft as weak as this one. He seems to have flashed some offensive skills too though and if he develops, could be a bigger Bosh or poor man's David Robinson.

If Wiseman is off the board, I'd explore trading down. If the Knicks truly covet Ball, swap them for their #8 and their pick in next year's stacked draft with minimal protection. Then walk into 2021 draft with two top 10s.

Could also talk to the Hawks about their # 6 for our 3 where we could grab a Haliburton, Toppin or Deni and get a young prospect like the aforementioned reddish or hunter in the process.

Lots of options..

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[driveandkick]

Not trying to be an ahole or anything, I’d just genuinely like to hear from the Wiseman camp why I should even draft him over Okongwu? What is he better at?

[BigSlam]

Not trying to be an ahole or anything, I’d just genuinely like to hear from the Wiseman camp why I should even draft him over Okongwu? What is he better at?

Measureables.


(not that I’m in any “camp”).

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[UNCNYC]

I'd say it's MEANT if we draft LaMelo Ball, trade for Lonzo Ball, and have JaDen McDaniels fall to us at pick 32.

Ball Brothers, Martin Twins, McDaniel Brothers