Post#1267 » by doclinkin » Mon Sep 14, 2020 4:08 am
Ok based on various rankings here's my read on the Top 10:
Anthony Edwards. At the top of many mocks, but could fall to 9 based on team needs ahead of us. If so: Not interested. Athletic but low % scorer, not making great reads or decisions. Could be good defender, could improve, still lots of static in the gap between potential and what he is right now.
James Wiseman. Raw potential, with a combo of both size and athleticism. Bigs are no longer at a premium, but he won't fall. "You can't teach height". Front offices still look at athletic bigs with nimble feet and bouncy legs. Is he worth trading up for? My read: even if he develops like he should he will reach his potential in his 2nd contract at the earliest. His top end is as a phenom, all star, renaissance Big. There's a large delta between that and his floor. I'm not the guy buying a player based on potential, unless they also exhibit BBIQ and love of the game. So far he is fast hardware, slow hardware. Not the risk I take for burning assets on a trade up. But he's a marvel. Someone may end up very happy. He is in a position of need as a defending rebounding big.
LaMelo Ball. Fast mind. Great height for the position. Basketball lifer, this is what he does. Young but already professionally tested, but on losing Pro teams. Iffy shooting percentages, sometimey defense despite good tools. He makes reads and passes that others won't. May check out if he is not in winning situations? May fall to 9 if people dislike the intangibles. Worth it? Not worth trading up for, for me, so I'd listen to trade down talk if someone behind us wanted him, depending on who else was available.
Killian Hayes. Poise and precocious calm for a PG. Good size. More smooth than explosive. Tested as a pro in a good league, but not dominant there. Solid. Probably won't fall. Not sure I'm as excited about him as the market and scouts are. So: Same deal, if he fell I'd be curious who wanted him. No complaint if he were an understudy guard on this team, he's got the right attitude and will be able to carry the 2nd team until he pushes for a starting spot. As an asset though he would be undervalued out of the gate. Unless we needed an instant PG (knock wood). And even then I expect Ish would start. Not worth a trade up.
Deni Avdija. Flashy highlights. In a weaker league. Looks good on tape. But low shooting %. IF he fell? Not my kind of player (is he a dominant defender? can he get his own while gaurded or force fouls, can he hit from outside and stretch things, does he pass and make players around him better with spacing and reads -- if not standout in one of these categories, I'm looking around). And I doubt he matches the analytics (no ranged shot, etc). I listen for trades, but pass either way.
Onyeka Okongwu. My guy. If any of the above fall it is because a team picked him earlier than the mocks. His effort and attitude and defensive focus stand out more than his anthropometrics and athletics. And he will need to improve both passing and his jumper. But he fits exactly what we need next to either of Rui or Bryant. Or Bertans. Trade up? I would, yes.
Isaac Okoro. I don't like that he came up shortest against his toughest competition. Not my guy. If he slipped to 9 its probably because somebody I like more leapfrogged him. Not the kind of player that I expect teams behind us would offer anything to jump and snatch. So probably no great trade down is dangled. That said, good BBIQ, 'everybody eats' glue guy, good balance of hardware and software, you're picking a long time pro who will stick in the league and earn his contract and be appreciated by coaches. I don't fuss if we pick him. A discount version of Iguodala, like. He aiight.
Obi Toppin. Well, hell, he'd be fun to watch stack up (empty) stats. He can score in bunches. He'd have fun playing next to John Wall. Scorers earn $$$ and interest from other teams front offices and fans, so he'd be a good trade asset in future moves. Meanwhile, highlights and loud crowds. Paradoxically this pick would amuse me. Basketball is entertainment, he brings that factor. Somebody might offer a load to snatch him. A team that needs sizzle. I'd listen. If we picked him for that team and our targets didn't slip to those picks, then hey, we at least get some sizzle for a bit. What the hell.
Devin Vassell. No complaints for me if he slips and we pick him. A fit in talent at a need position. Defenders often take a while to adjust and make their mark in the league, but he also can hit an outside shot from range and at speed. And gives 100% effort, 40 feet and side to side. Coaches love that player, and will find time for them, in game and late game even if he waits to start. Young enough to have real upside. And his weaknesses are our strengths (playmaking off the dribble). If he is at our pick I figure its destiny and we take him. He is the ideal fit next to Beal and Wall. A risk is only that he makes us good, but not great, a treadmill above average team. But why complain about getting good? He is a risk to jump players ahead of him in the mocks. Would he be worth a trade up? Personally I'd think about it. Depending on the ask. Yeah I think I would.
Tyrese Halliburton. A-level IQ. C-level body and athleticism. A glue guy on a winning team. Smart enough to find a role. Here he fits as the first guard off the bench playing well next to either Wall or Beal. If he is the best talent available, I still am seeing who wants him. But teams like Golden State and the Spurs love players like this. So that gives me pause.