2020 Draft

[Ruzious]

Very much in a agreement on Big O vs Achiuwa.

If Big O is not there when we pick #9, I’m on the camp of trying to trade down with either:

1) Sacramento, and maybe do #9 for #12 and Holmes (who has 1 year left at $5mn).
2) Boston, and try #9 for #14 + #26

In either case, there are reasonable odds either Nesmith and/or Saddiq Bey will be there at #12 or #14. And if it’s Boston, we could pick a big at #26 (Tillman would be awesome).

Your Boston trade has a lot better chance of happening. I think Sacramento loves Holmes.

[Shoe]

Most likely picks at 9

wings: Devin Vassell, Aaron Nesmith, Saddiq Bey

bigs: Onyeka Okongwu, Precious Achiuwa, Jalen Smith

guards: only if one slides which seems unlikely with Pistons and Knicks before us.

The top 9 seems locked. If it's not Okongwu who falls, I can see us picking Killian Hayes or Tyrese Haliburton, or Isaac Okoro or Obi Toppin. Those guys should be high up on the Wiz big board that they immediately pick whomever is left. Some wildcards could be Aleksej Pokusevski, Tyrese Maxey, RJ Hampton. Our most likely selections seem like role players with no all star potential but good production.

[Dat2U]

Thing is, ideally I want to play Okongwu with Bryant. And I think it should work, but you can't just go by what 90% of the NBA teams are doing - especially when you can follow what the best defensive team in the NBA does. I'd like to hear Doc's view on how best to use him.

Bryant's slow feet will get him played off the floor in the playoffs but it may work for stretches against bigger lineups in the regular season. I just don't think it adequately supplies the floor spacing needed. Teams would just sink in and dare Bryant & Okongwu to make outside shots. Heck, they'll probably do that with Bryant & Hachimura as well. That's why Bertans spacing at the 4 is really needed.

[Ruzious]

Thing is, ideally I want to play Okongwu with Bryant. And I think it should work, but you can't just go by what 90% of the NBA teams are doing - especially when you can follow what the best defensive team in the NBA does. I'd like to hear Doc's view on how best to use him.

Bryant's slow feet will get him played off the floor in the playoffs but it may work for stretches against bigger lineups in the regular season. I just don't think it adequately supplies the floor spacing needed. Teams would just sink in and dare Bryant & Okongwu to make outside shots. Heck, they'll probably do that with Bryant & Hachimura as well. That's why Bertans spacing at the 4 is really needed.

I'm fine with teams giving Bryant open 3's - he made over 40% of his 3's and got better as the season wore on. And I think it's a safe bet that Okongwu will hit open foul line jumpers - ya never know for sure till we see it, but there's no reason he can't. It's not like Okongwu is unskilled - if a defender jumps out at him, he'll take 1 dribble and dunk it. I also think his passing will come around like Bryan't's has. Also, I think the fact that both of them have great hands will help them work with Wall and Beal.

And if we don't think Rui can develop a good 3-ball, we should probably trade him. It's a valid question - to which I do not have a good answer to. His hero, Melo, didn't become an adequate 3 point shooter till his 5th season, but teams weren't so 3 point crazy back then. We'll want him to get there a bit sooner, and that might happen.

[nate33]

Most likely picks at 9

wings: Devin Vassell, Aaron Nesmith, Saddiq Bey

bigs: Onyeka Okongwu, Precious Achiuwa, Jalen Smith

guards: only if one slides which seems unlikely with Pistons and Knicks before us.

The top 9 seems locked. If it's not Okongwu who falls, I can see us picking Killian Hayes or Tyrese Haliburton, or Isaac Okoro or Obi Toppin. Those guys should be high up on the Wiz big board that they immediately pick whomever is left. Some wildcards could be Aleksej Pokusevski, Tyrese Maxey, RJ Hampton. Our most likely selections seem like role players with no all star potential but good production.

From all the mocks I've seen, it seems a pretty sure bet that the following players will be gone before we draft. I'm not saying they are the top 5, but it looks like they'll all go before #9:

Edwards
Wiseman
Avdija
Ball
Toppin

The next group of guys include:

Okongwu
Hayes
Halliburton
Okoro
Vassell
Achiuwa

I didn't see any of the following names appear in the top 8. They will all be there at #9 if we want them:

Williams
Saddiq Bey
Nesmith
Lewis Jr.
Maxey
Hampton
Smith

So it looks like we will be picking from that middle group (or possibly someone from the bottom group if we like them better). Three of them will be gone when we pick, and three will still be on the board. Also, it is pretty likely that one or both of Halliburton and Hayes will be among the three gone when we pick, given the need for guards from Detroit and New York.

Ranking the 6 players in the middle group in order of preference, I would go:

Okongwu
Achiuwa
Okoro
Halliburton
Vassell
Hayes

Since one of Halliburton or Hayes is likely to be gone, it's a pretty sure bet we can land one of Okongwu, Achiwua or Okoro. I'm okay with any of them. Frankly, I'd be okay with Halliburton too.

[payitforward]

Thing is, ideally I want to play Okongwu with Bryant. And I think it should work, but you can't just go by what 90% of the NBA teams are doing - especially when you can follow what the best defensive team in the NBA does. I'd like to hear Doc's view on how best to use him.

Bryant's slow feet will get him played off the floor in the playoffs but it may work for stretches against bigger lineups in the regular season. I just don't think it adequately supplies the floor spacing needed. Teams would just sink in and dare Bryant & Okongwu to make outside shots. Heck, they'll probably do that with Bryant & Hachimura as well. That's why Bertans spacing at the 4 is really needed.

Bryant did shoot almost 41% on 3's. & post a .65 TS%. He's a pretty significant force on offense -- esp. once you realize that the TS% was actually a drop from 67.4% the previous year.

Can't equate Okongwu or Rui with Bryant in that regard.

[nate33]

My ideal scenario would be:

- Trade Ish + Robinson + #37 for Delon Wright + #31
- Draft Okongwu at #9
- Draft Tyler Bey at #31
- resign Bertans
- sign Taj Gibson on a 1-year deal

PG Wall/Brown
SG Beal/Wright
SF Bonga/Bey
PF Hachimura/Bertans
C Bryant/Okongwu

End of Bench: Mathews, Schofield, Gibson, Wagner

[payitforward]

...if we don't think Rui can develop a good 3-ball, we should probably trade him. It's a valid question - to which I do not have a good answer to. His hero, Melo, didn't become an adequate 3 point shooter till his 5th season, but teams weren't so 3 point crazy back then. We'll want him to get there a bit sooner, and that might happen.

Might be good if Rui also shot the 2 at something closer to an average %. Ditto on rebounding.

He is outstanding from the Free Throw line, which helps a person be a bit more optimistic. & he doesn't turn the ball over as much as an average 4, which helps offset the rebounding deficit (tho not altogether...).

I had no idea that Carmelo was "his hero"....

[payitforward]

My ideal scenario would be:

- Trade Ish + Robinson + #37 for Delon Wright + #31
- Draft Okongwu at #9
- Draft Tyler Bey at #31
- resign Bertans
- sign Taj Gibson on a 1-year deal....

Not sure what Gibson still has in the tank, but otherwise... sign me up!

[nate33]

My ideal scenario would be:

- Trade Ish + Robinson + #37 for Delon Wright + #31
- Draft Okongwu at #9
- Draft Tyler Bey at #31
- resign Bertans
- sign Taj Gibson on a 1-year deal....

Not sure what Gibson still has in the tank, but otherwise... sign me up!

A really good full time player would cost too much. A guy like Gibson would be helpful in spurts, or maybe to fill in if there's injuries. I'm mostly looking for a veteran mentor to teach Rui the tricks. I'm uncomfortable with Rui as the only natural PF. Last year, when Rui got hurt, we had to immediately go the waivers and acquire Johnathan Williams, and then started him! You shouldn't be put in a position where you are starting a waiver acquisition.

And it might be helpful from time to time to put a real tough defense on the floor featuring Wall, Wright, Bonga, Gibson and Okongwu - particularly in a situational possession late in the game.

[Ruzious]

Most likely picks at 9

wings: Devin Vassell, Aaron Nesmith, Saddiq Bey

bigs: Onyeka Okongwu, Precious Achiuwa, Jalen Smith

guards: only if one slides which seems unlikely with Pistons and Knicks before us.

The top 9 seems locked. If it's not Okongwu who falls, I can see us picking Killian Hayes or Tyrese Haliburton, or Isaac Okoro or Obi Toppin. Those guys should be high up on the Wiz big board that they immediately pick whomever is left. Some wildcards could be Aleksej Pokusevski, Tyrese Maxey, RJ Hampton. Our most likely selections seem like role players with no all star potential but good production.

From all the mocks I've seen, it seems a pretty sure bet that the following players will be gone before we draft. I'm not saying they are the top 5, but it looks like they'll all go before #9:

Edwards
Wiseman
Avdija
Ball
Toppin

The next group of guys include:

Okongwu
Hayes
Halliburton
Okoro
Vassell
Achiuwa

I didn't see any of the following names appear in the top 8. They will all be there at #9 if we want them:

Williams
Saddiq Bey
Nesmith
Lewis Jr.
Maxey
Hampton
Smith

So it looks like we will be picking from that middle group (or possibly someone from the bottom group). Three of them will be gone when we pick, and three will still be on the board. Also, it is pretty likely that one or both of Halliburton and Hayes will be among the three gone when we pick, given the need for guards from Detroit and New York.

Ranking the 6 players in the middle group in order of preference, I would go:

Okongwu
Achiuwa
Okoro
Halliburton
Vassell
Hayes

Since one of Halliburton or Hayes is likely to be gone, it's a pretty sure bet we can land one of Okongwu, Achiwua or Okoro. I'm okay with any of them. Frankly, I'd be okay with Halliburton too.

I'd take Haliburton over both Achiuwa and Okoro. But I think a lot of teams will really covet Halibturton because he has the single highest floor of any player in the draft and can help every team in the NBA, and there could very well be an offer Tommy can't refuse if he's there at 9.

If any of the top guys slip, it'll be Toppin. I hope he doesn't. I'm also hoping Vassell and Okoro go before 9. There's always some surprise I never would guessed in the top 10... except last year when it wasn't till the 11th pick when Phoenix picked Cam Johnson that I was shocked - and he had a good season - then again any 24 year old rookie picked that high better have a good rookie year.

[Ruzious]

My ideal scenario would be:

- Trade Ish + Robinson + #37 for Delon Wright + #31
- Draft Okongwu at #9
- Draft Tyler Bey at #31
- resign Bertans
- sign Taj Gibson on a 1-year deal

PG Wall/Brown
SG Beal/Wright
SF Bonga/Bey
PF Hachimura/Bertans
C Bryant/Okongwu

End of Bench: Mathews, Schofield, Gibson, Wagner

I think TBey and eventually Bonga are more 4's than 3's, because they don't really have perimeter scoring games.

[queridiculo]

I'm wavering. But what evidence do we have that Okongwu is a shooter teams can't cheat off? He took like 16 jumpers total. Shooting in an empty gym doesn't tell me alot either.

Okongwu is more polished in the low post, but how much impact will that have being a 6-9 C?

[snip]

In Okongwu's defense, I'd say his instincts and his hands are his two best attributes. I see some young Ibaka - not quite the athlete - in terms of timing of when to block a shot. He's also got really quick hands which might get him in trouble early on because he likes to reach but I can see why he gets alot of steals.

Okongwu would likely have the highest floor of anyone we could draft. Can likely take Wagner's place in the rotation the moment he's drafted and be an upgrade.

This is where I find myself with Okongwu, wavering.

What makes Okongwu a better prospect than say Jalen Smith?

What does he bring to the table that you couldn't get from Xavier Tillman?

Every year there's some guy in the draft that favorably compares to somebody on the cusp of breaking out, what are the chances Okongwu is the next Adebayo?

I'll take my chance on the high upside guy in the first round and hope to snag one of Tillman, Azubuike or Oturu in round two.

[WizarDynasty]

Word of advise, never pass up on a 6'9 forward with an explosive first step, factor in that he is available outside of the top 5. This situation almost never occurs in drafts. So if you see a player with these attributes not in top 5, there is something tricky going on. Go study the past 20 years and look at 6'9 players with explosive first steps. Especially if he has length. Everything else is icing on the cake. Don't let the smoke blur your vision. It can take another decade or more for this opportunity to occur again. Also remember that there are no front office friends in the NBA. Nobody get's paid to help another's team make the best choice. If they can pay off a leading scout to push a guy that has elite intangibles down to their spot for a few thousand, why wouldn't they? Just look in this draft for 6'9 plus players with longwingspans and standing reach plus explosive first step. See how many player pop up.

That's why we are lucky to have Leonsis.

[payitforward]

...Okongwu would likely have the highest floor of anyone we could draft. Can likely take Wagner's place in the rotation the moment he's drafted and be an upgrade.

Moritz Wagner is a really bad player. If we draft a big at #9 -- or anywhere in R1 subsequent to a trade -- & he can't keep Wagner off the floor from day 1, we've made a pretty crappy pick....

[payitforward]

Word of advise, never pass up on a 6'9 forward with an explosive first step, factor in that he is available outside of the top 5. This situation almost never occurs in drafts. So if you see a player with these attributes not in top 5, there is something tricky going on. Go study the past 20 years and look at 6'9 players with explosive first steps. Especially if he has length. Everything else is icing on the cake. Don't let the smoke blur your vision. It can take another decade or more for this opportunity to occur again. ...Just look in this draft for 6'9 plus players with longwingspans and standing reach plus explosive first step. See how many player pop up. ...

Do you mean to be pointing to Okongwu & Precious -- both?

I don't follow what you mean by "something tricky going on."

What's a good list of guys with these characteristics taken in the last 10-12 drafts?

[Ruzious]

The draft combine's been going on for about a month, but only a few sets of measurements have been leaked out. Here's Oturu's:

Read on Twitter

12'2 max vert... so he can get 26 inches higher than the rim.

[Ruzious]

This looks like Desmond Bane's got the message from WizNas about hip bend and knee bend. Even if he is bending too much at the waist, he's impressive and someone I'd consider targeting in a trade down to around 18 or so. There's a LOT of similarities between him and Nesmith. I'd like to see how their measurements stack up to each other.

Read on Twitter

[WizarDynasty]

This looks like Desmond Bane's got the message from WizNas about hip bend and knee bend. Even if he is bending too much at the waist, he's impressive and someone I'd consider targeting in a trade down to around 18 or so. There's a LOT of similarities between him and Nesmith. I'd like to see how their measurements stack up to each other.

Read on Twitter

None of those bounces should be inside of his knees, they should have been outside of his shoes, even when he does his speed dribble.

Doesn't have a strong hip bend in his jumper, or landing. and he isn't moving laterally with a hip bend.
He should be dribbling from a hip bend, directly into a pull up jumper. I should see much more dribble outside of his shoe. Most of his handle is inside his shoe which suggests weak handle. He is showing alot more than most who are projected to go in the lottery, but we are talking about Professionals getting paid millions in a very tiny elite pool. Just shows the state of basketball right now. and BBIQ of people on the very top. Hopefully its gets better so i can enjoy watching bball again. Takes years to develop an offhand that has the same stamina and power and your dominant hand. If i was coach, i would see just how long he can bounce that ball with power outside of his foot with his off hand. that immediately tells me how many years he has left to go. and this guy in the video isn't even bouncing the ball behind his shoe. How can you protect the ball if all of your bounces are directly in front on you.
If you can't maintain each bounce behind your ankle as you step forward with you off hand, you are still an amateur. the guy in drill is an amateur, i wouldn't even put this on Social Media. the hip bend is a start, but the dribbling, hip bend, and bouncing behind your ankle as you step forward is something that should have been training for well before pre draft. Hey let's be positive. We all have to start somewhere.
and he should be catching the shot with his hip already bent. Not bending them after he catches the ball and his elbow is below is eyesocket as he is rising. Very elementary shooting form. Elbow is not well coordinated.

[Shoe]

Most likely picks at 9

wings: Devin Vassell, Aaron Nesmith, Saddiq Bey

bigs: Onyeka Okongwu, Precious Achiuwa, Jalen Smith

guards: only if one slides which seems unlikely with Pistons and Knicks before us.

The top 9 seems locked. If it's not Okongwu who falls, I can see us picking Killian Hayes or Tyrese Haliburton, or Isaac Okoro or Obi Toppin. Those guys should be high up on the Wiz big board that they immediately pick whomever is left. Some wildcards could be Aleksej Pokusevski, Tyrese Maxey, RJ Hampton. Our most likely selections seem like role players with no all star potential but good production.

From all the mocks I've seen, it seems a pretty sure bet that the following players will be gone before we draft. I'm not saying they are the top 5, but it looks like they'll all go before #9:

Edwards
Wiseman
Avdija
Ball
Toppin

The next group of guys include:

Okongwu
Hayes
Halliburton
Okoro
Vassell
Achiuwa

I didn't see any of the following names appear in the top 8. They will all be there at #9 if we want them:

Williams
Saddiq Bey
Nesmith
Lewis Jr.
Maxey
Hampton
Smith

So it looks like we will be picking from that middle group (or possibly someone from the bottom group if we like them better). Three of them will be gone when we pick, and three will still be on the board. Also, it is pretty likely that one or both of Halliburton and Hayes will be among the three gone when we pick, given the need for guards from Detroit and New York.

Ranking the 6 players in the middle group in order of preference, I would go:

Okongwu
Achiuwa
Okoro
Halliburton
Vassell
Hayes

Since one of Halliburton or Hayes is likely to be gone, it's a pretty sure bet we can land one of Okongwu, Achiwua or Okoro. I'm okay with any of them. Frankly, I'd be okay with Halliburton too.

Great breakdown. As we get closer I think the 9 pick will come down to Okongwu or Achiuwa. I cannot see us trading down. The Wiz front office I believe are much higher on guys like Robinson, Schofield, Wagner, Pacesniks than anyone on this forum. I imagine they see 9, 37, and one or two undrafted guys as more than enough rookie additions.

Achiuwa's offensive outlook isn't that bleak in my opinion, at least he has variety like in this string of highlights against Cincinnati - a drive left, corner 3, backdoor cut, backdoor lob, post up, fast break. There's at least some potential there.