2020 NBA Draft Thread: Bulls pick 4th!

[MrFortune3]

Knicks have the assets to pull off a trade.
...
If Hayes or Deni drop to #8 would make sense to trade down.

Hayes could, but I don't think there's any chance Deni does. He's been going up lately as concerns over Wiseman & Ball fitting into the NBA keep growing.

Some GS fans think they'll take Deni at #2.

"While the Warriors are high on both Deni Avdija and Isaac Okoro, Avdija would be the likelier pick between them if Anthony Edwards is off the board at No. 2," Goldberg wrote in a recent mailbag. ...

Avdija has seen his stock soar over the last year, having recently been named the youngest MVP in the history of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. The 19-year-old averaged 13.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists across 28 regular-season games for Maccabi Tel Aviv, proving to be both a playmaking and perimeter threat.

"Avdija has a higher floor, and higher upside," Goldberg continued. "A natural playmaking forward, the 19-year-old Israel product is a strong finisher with a quick first step capable of stretching his game beyond the arc.

"The Warriors need to get better defensively, but they’re also in need of playmaking. They can’t rely on (Steph) Curry and Draymond Green while hoping for (Andrew) Wiggins, Jordan Poole and Eric Paschall to take major steps. Avdija provides an immediate infusion of playmaking and size, at 6-foot-9, 220 pounds."

Everyone assumes GS will trade Wiseman on draft day, but I'm not sure if the demand for Wiseman is as huge as everyone thinks it is, at least so much that a team is willing to give up a top tier NBA player which is what GS wants to make a run next year.

Ya'll are gonna stop with this Deni not on the Bulls killing my dream nonsense.

It's going to be Edwards, Ball, Wiseman 1-3 and Deni to the Bulls. I will hear no further foolishness!

[Portiseyes]

I think the 3 is our biggest position of need - or a wing defender in general. I'd really like a rookie who is basically Jimmy Butler or Kawhi as rookies. Defensive hornet with a frame that suits high athleticism. I really think Isaac Okoro could fit the bill. Sounds like he's a work in progress on offense, but most mocks seem to think he has plenty of potential. I wouldn't expect starter minutes his first year though. Aaron Nesmith is also intriguing as a much different small forward - all spot-up sharpshooter who excels at off-ball movement (I love how hard Kyle Korver and JJ Redick run to get an open shot)

Anyway, I would suuuuure like to work out a trade down with the Knicks and steal an asset out of it (or ditch Felicio or something equally squee-inducing). I haven't watched more than a couple random Youtubes, though, so I'll have to spend some more time looking at them - and also Hayes, who looks like a fit for us (even perhaps a trade of Coby or Zach if we nab Hayes?).

I just don’t see any wings worth taking at the 4 spot. Maybe if we were at the 8 spot you take a flyer on Vassell (3andD) or Okoro (hope he develops a jumper). Wouldn’t touch Deni anywhere in the lottery, stiff-ass mofo with a 5% FT, no thanks.

With Ball or Hayes likely falling to the 4th pick, the best value, and I think biggest need for the Bulls, is at distributor/creator. With their length they can guard the 3 in late game small-ball situations. I take Hayes because I don’t think he’ll be a defensive liability.

That way, next season we can either resign Otto for a team friendly extension and/or go hard in the ‘21 draft which has a lot more wing talent.

[Portiseyes]

Obviously if you can get someone to give up an extra pick then that changes the equation (most likely if Ball drops to 4), but I think it’s unlikely given how the next two drafts are shaping up.

[PlayerUp]

Speaking of Pokusevski, here is this years prospect that could shoot up into the lottery or become available in the early 2nd Round. Some impressive predraft workouts will quickly change his draft position.

Watch on YouTube

Trade Lauri for a couple picks and nab this guy with one of them. His playmaking is intriguing.

Definitely up for that if it's on the table.. I feel pretty bleak about Lauri's market right now, though.

I could see a team like Phoenix offering the #10 for Lauri pair him next to Ayton. Would be a solid frontcourt for them.

If we want Pokusevski, we should position ourselves to have a pick around #14-#18. I doubt he goes before that unless he looks amazing during predraft workouts. Despite it being a weak lottery draft, the rest of the draft does seem rather deep with alot of undeveloped freshman and international prospects. Would be nice to have at least 2 1st Rd Picks here.

I'm on board with trying to acquire another pick and getting Pokusevski. If not Pokusevski, would go Kira Lewis Jr.

[PlayerUp]

We could use a third big. I know people are high on gafford but there is a reason he fell into the second round. He can play his role well but I don't see massive improvements in his overall game

We could but we don't need one. Bigman are less impactful to the game today than a dominant backcourt. We really need to boost our backcourt with a pure PG, dynamic SF and of course a true #1. That will push us forward.

[PlayerUp]

You win with superstars in the NBA. I don't think there are any in this draft.

Statistically every draft has a top all star or superstar in it.

Consider this: every draft class since 2000 (excluding this year's because it's too early) has had at least two All-Stars. In the 18 drafts from 2000 to 2018, all but one class has had three or more All-Stars. Fourteen of those 18 drafts have produced at least four. And nine of them - so, half - had at least five All-Stars.

Read here: https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/some-say-2020-nba-draft-class-weak-history-shows-plenty-talent-can-be-had

[sco]

Knicks have the assets to pull off a trade.

#8
#27
#38
2021 and 2023 Mavs 1st Rd Pick
Knicks 2021 1st Rd Pick
Knicks 2022 1st Rd Pick

If Hayes or Deni drop to #8 would make sense to trade down.

#8 + Knicks 2021 first (lightly protected) is a trade I’d love to make.

Thats asking too much I dont think they will budge. I wouldnt mind 2022 top 5 protected or both Mav picks or 27/38/DSJ

How about taking on Randle's contract as an enticement. A deal like:

Lauri, Sato, Kornet for #8, Randle, Knox works $-wise. Lauri provides an immediate lift to NY at PF in terms of pairing with Barrett/Robinson. Sato gives them "theoretical PG play and 3pt shooting". Kornet played well for them and also gives 3pt shooting.

[StunnerKO]

DSJ's about to be out of the league. Used to think he was a decent prospect.. but was terrible in NY and the jumper falling off a cliff basically did in any of his potential. All he can basically do well at this point is jump high.

Thibs about to save him

[drosereturn]

Trade Lauri for a couple picks and nab this guy with one of them. His playmaking is intriguing.

Definitely up for that if it's on the table.. I feel pretty bleak about Lauri's market right now, though.

I could see a team like Phoenix offering the #10 for Lauri pair him next to Ayton. Would be a solid frontcourt for them.

If we want Pokusevski, we should position ourselves to have a pick around #14-#18. I doubt he goes before that unless he looks amazing during predraft workouts. Despite it being a weak lottery draft, the rest of the draft does seem rather deep with alot of undeveloped freshman and international prospects. Would be nice to have at least 2 1st Rd Picks here.

I'm on board with trying to acquire another pick and getting Pokusevski. If not Pokusevski, would go Kira Lewis Jr.

Yeah pokus really interesting im willing to trade anyone for this guy and someone like cole anthony. The late teens have so much value these guys could easily be better than high lottery ones. Just need few extra picks to hit.

[Jvaughn]

I guess it's just me, but I just don't see it in Poku. Seems like people think he's going to be sort of hidden gem superstar in the making, but I don't see anything differentiating him. I've watched tons of footage, but I just can't find it in me to get excited about him. What am I missing?

[rtblues]

The case for Devin Vassell. Dude is just solid as hell.
I ain't buying some of the over-hyped names at the top this draft. mostly a bunch of flawed maybes.
I'm sold on Vessell at #4. Just too good not to take!

Watch on YouTube

[sco]

https://sports.yahoo.com/2020-nba-mock-draft-15-053434716.html

Was watching this segment on Wiseman. He looks way more skilled than I thought in terms of ball handling and shooting. Yahoo compared him to AD/Bosh - less bothered than I used to be if we got "stuck" with him.

[Andi Obst]

https://sports.yahoo.com/2020-nba-mock-draft-15-053434716.html

Was watching this segment on Wiseman. He looks way more skilled than I thought in terms of ball handling and shooting. Yahoo compared him to AD/Bosh - less bothered than I used to be if we got "stuck" with him.

He's nowhere near a Bosh or AD level prospect. We wouldn't even discuss about who the first pick will be if he was.

[Andi Obst]

I guess it's just me, but I just don't see it in Poku. Seems like people think he's going to be sort of hidden gem superstar in the making, but I don't see anything differentiating him. I've watched tons of footage, but I just can't find it in me to get excited about him. What am I missing?

I absolutely get why people are concerned about him as a potential bust. His body is definitely not ready and we really don't have a lot of footage of him playing.

What made me rank him top 5 on my board is a combination of the insane shooting and passing flashes for his size, the rim protection which could make him at least viable on defense, the extremely young age and the fact that after my top 3 (Ball, Hayes, Edwards) nobody really stands out to me.

[PaKii94]

The case for Devin Vessell. Dude is just solid as hell.
I ain't buying some of the over-hyped names at the top this draft. mostly a bunch of flawed maybes.
I'm sold on Vessell at #4. Just too good not to take!

Watch on YouTube

The defense is orgasmic and his shooting should translate. @2:00 it shows he can make the right play. Anything else he can provide on offense is the cherry on top

[cjbulls]

I guess it's just me, but I just don't see it in Poku. Seems like people think he's going to be sort of hidden gem superstar in the making, but I don't see anything differentiating him. I've watched tons of footage, but I just can't find it in me to get excited about him. What am I missing?

I absolutely get why people are concerned about him as a potential bust. His body is definitely not ready and we really don't have a lot of footage of him playing.

What made me rank him top 5 on my board is a combination of the insane shooting and passing flashes for his size, the rim protection which could make him at least viable on defense, the extremely young age and the fact that after my top 3 (Ball, Hayes, Edwards) nobody really stands out to me.

Have you watched the videos of him? The one I saw he was playing against boys. I don’t know how much stock to put into defensive talent showing through at that level.

And his efficiency numbers in high end competition, albeit very small sample size, are pretty weak.

FG% last 3 years: 39.4, 44.9, 40.4
3pt%: 27.3, 52.6, 32.1
FT%: 50.0, 75.0, 78.3

https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/175104/aleksej-pokusevski

[PaKii94]

I guess it's just me, but I just don't see it in Poku. Seems like people think he's going to be sort of hidden gem superstar in the making, but I don't see anything differentiating him. I've watched tons of footage, but I just can't find it in me to get excited about him. What am I missing?

I absolutely get why people are concerned about him as a potential bust. His body is definitely not ready and we really don't have a lot of footage of him playing.

What made me rank him top 5 on my board is a combination of the insane shooting and passing flashes for his size, the rim protection which could make him at least viable on defense, the extremely young age and the fact that after my top 3 (Ball, Hayes, Edwards) nobody really stands out to me.

Have you watched the videos of him? The one I saw he was playing against boys. I don’t know how much stock to put into defensive talent showing through at that level.

And his efficiency numbers in high end competition, albeit very small sample size, are pretty weak.

FG% last 3 years: 39.4, 44.9, 40.4
3pt%: 27.3, 52.6, 32.1
FT%: 50.0, 75.0, 78.3

https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/175104/aleksej-pokusevski

The fundamental skills are there but I don't see his body/athleticism matching up to maximize it.

[Andi Obst]

Have you watched the videos of him? The one I saw he was playing against boys. I don’t know how much stock to put into defensive talent showing through at that level.

Watched like 5 or 6 full games and a whole lot of clips of him to get an impression and read a lot about him from people I trust when it comes to the draft. I think people still massively underrate how terrible the level of play in an average NCAA game is when they judge the competition some international guys faced pre-draft. There are very few guys who actually competed at a high level before being drafted (Luka Doncic, for example).

I'm not going to tell anyone that Poku is a safe pick but if there ever was a draft to take risks at the top, it's this one. Poku is absolutely worth it IMO.

[Leslie Forman]

Have you watched the videos of him? The one I saw he was playing against boys. I don’t know how much stock to put into defensive talent showing through at that level.

And his efficiency numbers in high end competition, albeit very small sample size, are pretty weak.

FG% last 3 years: 39.4, 44.9, 40.4
3pt%: 27.3, 52.6, 32.1
FT%: 50.0, 75.0, 78.3

https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/175104/aleksej-pokusevski

I'm not about to go and say that some kid who's never played above the Greek second division is gonna be a star, but just for comparison, Giannis did even less.

It's about his tools and potential player archetype, nothing more. Going in the teens is about right for someone so raw. I mean, are RJ Hampton or Tyrese Maxey really blowing your skirt up any more?

[weneeda2guard]

#8 + Knicks 2021 first (lightly protected) is a trade I’d love to make.

Thats asking too much I dont think they will budge. I wouldnt mind 2022 top 5 protected or both Mav picks or 27/38/DSJ

How about taking on Randle's contract as an enticement. A deal like:

Lauri, Sato, Kornet for #8, Randle, Knox works $-wise. Lauri provides an immediate lift to NY at PF in terms of pairing with Barrett/Robinson. Sato gives them "theoretical PG play and 3pt shooting". Kornet played well for them and also gives 3pt shooting.

I like this deal