2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watch - Revised Poll

[WeekapaugGroove]

My old brain struggles with the fact there are two Bey's and a Bane in this draft lol

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[Ghost of Kleine]

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With this one, Dallas might consider it, IF they believe that they can flip the 10th pick for a win now piece ( player). But when checking into the ideas of such trade framework, It seemed that the majority consensus was that they'd prefer to use their 18th and 31st picks to either offload the contracts of Wright and/or Powell. OR secure an impact player that would help them win more now. So they might just consider the 10th pick with no returning salary, IF they believe that they can flip it for such a player? Perhaps for Kennard? Or for Josh Richardson? Or to a team willing to take back salary for assets?

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This trade could be solid, But I'm not sure why they'd do it honestly as is, Because they drastically need frontcourt help. And Holmes was great for them, They apparantly love him, And I believe there's a lot of mutual interest there between the two parties in him staying there. I think that in order to get the deal done, We'd either have to take back a good portion of salary, or else find a 3rd team facilitator to take back Hield for them. I personally kind of like Milwaukee in that scenario honestly.

1- Phoenix/ Sacramento/ Milwaukee
https://tradenba.com/trades/MnVUWHosX

Phoenix gets- DJ Wilson/ Robin Lopez ( Both 1 yr deals)/ 12th pick ( Sacramento)/ 24th pick ( Milwaukee).

Sacramento- gets- Eric Bledsoe (defensive backcourt compliment to Fox)/ Ilyasova/ Dragan Bender ( flier)/ 10th pick ( + 4 million in cap space).

Milwaukee gets- Hield ( additional elite shooting)/ Bjelica ( potent scoring off the bench)/ 34th pick ( + 3.6 million in additional cap space).
Or with Sacramento:

1- Phoenix/Sacramento/ Philadelphia
https://tradenba.com/trades/Y7_GImfPC

Phoenix gets- Josh Richardson/ 12th/ 34th pick. Adds a defensive playmaker and the 12th/ 34th picks.
12- Tyrell Terry or Lewis.
34- Xavier Tillman or Killian Tillie?

Philly gets- Buddy Hield/ Nemanja Bjelica/ Ty Jerome. Adds a ton of shooting, And gets under the luxury tax.

Sacramento gets- Horford/ 10th/ 24th pick ( + 4 million in cap space).
** Sacramento can think about using the 10th pick attached in a trade to dump Barnes IF they choose to prioritize more cap space. Perhaps to either Detroit or to New York?

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) Tweeted:
Draft buzz https://t.co/MZqdRSrl0i

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?s=20

According to multiple sources, Vanderbilt's Aaron Nesmith is generating interest from late-lottery teams, including the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. Some skeptics see him as a one-dimensional player, but as one scout put it: "The only thing going for Nesmith is he can truly shoot at an elite level right now in the league. That's his skill, and it's a major skill."

How would everyone feel if we passed on Lewis/ Terry/ Bane just to take Nesmith?

[WeekapaugGroove]

Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) Tweeted:
Draft buzz https://t.co/MZqdRSrl0i

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?s=20

According to multiple sources, Vanderbilt's Aaron Nesmith is generating interest from late-lottery teams, including the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. Some skeptics see him as a one-dimensional player, but as one scout put it: "The only thing going for Nesmith is he can truly shoot at an elite level right now in the league. That's his skill, and it's a major skill."

How would everyone feel if we passed on Lewis/ Terry/ Bane just to take Nesmith?

I wouldn't love it but hey I can't totally hate a shooter. Last year it seemed like Cam was labeled only a shooter and he ended up having a pretty nice all around game so I'd wait to see Nesmith play before killing the pick.

Lewis really seems to be gaining steam to the point he might not even be there at 10. By all accounts he's an impressive dude so I'd bet he's killing it in interviews.

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) Tweeted:
The @hornets have eyes set on James Wiseman 3 weeks out from NBA draft, based on 2 NBA sources’ intel. Details here: https://t.co/gA5Qg0VlqB

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?s=20

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) Tweeted:
Draft buzz https://t.co/MZqdRSrl0i

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?s=20

According to multiple sources, Vanderbilt's Aaron Nesmith is generating interest from late-lottery teams, including the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. Some skeptics see him as a one-dimensional player, but as one scout put it: "The only thing going for Nesmith is he can truly shoot at an elite level right now in the league. That's his skill, and it's a major skill."

How would everyone feel if we passed on Lewis/ Terry/ Bane just to take Nesmith?

I wouldn't love it but hey I can't totally hate a shooter.

Lewis really seems to be gaining steam to the point he might not even be there at 10.

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Yeah, Word around the NBA is that both the Pistons ( At 7) and New York ( At 8) are pretty high on him. For what it's worth, I think that the suns are currently just doing there due diligence on all of the drafts top shooters/ playmakers in there range, And should have their board finalized soon. I do think that it's going to actually come down to Nesmith/ Bane/ Terry honestly.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) Tweeted:
Draft buzz https://t.co/MZqdRSrl0i

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How would everyone feel if we passed on Lewis/ Terry/ Bane just to take Nesmith?

I wouldn't love it but hey I can't totally hate a shooter.

Lewis really seems to be gaining steam to the point he might not even be there at 10.

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Yeah, Word around the NBA is that both the Pistons ( At 7) and New York ( At 8) are pretty high on him. For what it's worth, I think that the suns are currently just doing there due diligence on all of the drafts top shooters/ playmakers in there range, And should have their board finalized soon. I do think that it's going to actually come down to Nesmith/ Bane/ Terry honestly.

I'm still not excited about Lewis. I see him as a first rounder, not a lottery guy.

For a while now I've thought Nesmith is the most obvious choice, with Bane being one of the more likely surprise picks.

I'd be shocked if we drafted Tyrell Terry. Doesn't fit the mold for us at all. I wonder if our gestures towards point guards are a head fake.

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2915568-warriors-rumors-gsw-in-close-contact-with-players-in-nba-drafts-8-10-range

Warriors Rumors: GSW in 'Close Contact' with Players in NBA Draft's 8-10 Range
ROB GOLDBERG
OCTOBER 28, 2020

SNY (@SNYtv) Tweeted:
"[The Warriorrs] have been in close contact with players that are projected more towards 8-10"

Should the Knicks make a move with the Warriors to move up in the NBA Draft? It's a brand new episode of The Putback with @IanBegley!

FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/K094ClQW5B https://t.co/mMyWOJMO3j

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?s=20

Could it be New York trading up for Ball? Washington trading up for Wiseman or Okungwu? Or could it actually be Phoenix trading up for Haliburton? Toppin or Hayes?

I still love the potential idea of a Toppin/ Bane combination! Or what about a Haliburton/ Tillman or Tillie combination? Or better yet a Haliburton/ Tyler Bey combination of ELITE basketball IQ, Elite defense, and versatility/ playmaking.

[bwgood77]

If we're looking for a wing, I don't know why we'd be fixated with Bane. I'd take Saddiq Bey frankly if we were targeting a wing.

Excellent size at 6'8 with a 6'11 wingspan. Extremely mature and high IQ player. Villanova put him in a number of positions this year, both on and off ball, and he managed to hold his own in all. I really like the fact he actually ran some PnR, shot the three, and finished inside as well.

Smart defender as well.

Now I don't think he's athletic enough to be a future star, but I could see him become a really nice starting calibre SF somewhere down the line (something like a Warren with better ball-handling and playmaking).

I like Saddiq Bey. As a wing, like a 3 and multi positional defender, he'd be the better guy. With Bane you get a guy who can guard 1s and 2s but also be a secondary distributor and he's a little better at the little things other than passing, like rebounds, blocks and steals, despite his size.

I think we are probably looking more for a secondary ball handler and guy who could play the other guard with Rubio or Booker.

[bwgood77]

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Wow, Haliburton at 10 and Josh Green at 12. Also Maxey ahead of Wiseman.

[bwgood77]

Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) Tweeted:
Draft buzz https://t.co/MZqdRSrl0i

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?s=20

According to multiple sources, Vanderbilt's Aaron Nesmith is generating interest from late-lottery teams, including the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. Some skeptics see him as a one-dimensional player, but as one scout put it: "The only thing going for Nesmith is he can truly shoot at an elite level right now in the league. That's his skill, and it's a major skill."

How would everyone feel if we passed on Lewis/ Terry/ Bane just to take Nesmith?

I love great shooters but he seems like he is JUST a shooter....now that does make sense when you hit over 50% from 3, but he doesn't set up others at all really.

Now, if we just want to surround Booker with elite shooters to stretch the floor, it makes sense, but at the same time we have Cam and Bridges who both shot 40% from 3, at least down the stretch of the season (Bridges, 40.5% from Feb-bubble).

And if we added Bane or Terry that would be another guy that hit over 40% but gave us other things too and would play a guard spot and be another guy that passes a little more.

[Djedefre]

Kira has a lot of ?? in his game, but he may be the only guy in this draft that has that one trait that's not only legit NBA level but possibly the best in the league form day one - ridiculous leg motor, not just that 1st step but especially speed of his hop steps. That alone in combination with his hang time and good length may guarantee him to live off it in this league, even if he never develops anything else in his game. Wouldn't be shocked if he goes in top10, au contraire.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Kira has a lot of ?? in his game, but he may be the only guy in this draft that has that one trait that's not only legit NBA level but possibly the best in the league form day one - ridiculous leg motor, not just that 1st step but especially speed of his hop steps. That alone in combination with his hang time and good length may guarantee him to live off it in this league, even if he never develops anything else in his game. Wouldn't be shocked if he goes in top10, au contraire.

Yeah I think speed is an underrated trait, it puts even good defenses in bad positions as they scramble on a break. Plus as you mention his first step to beat his man off the dribble is big in today's NBA.

Look at what Payne brought in the bubble, his speed was a major part of why the second unit worked so well. (Hitting 3s a ridiculous clip helped too)

Edit add: Lewis measurements:

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?s=19

The wingspan and adding a little weight are the positive numbers. He's a little short but passable.
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[Kerrsed]

This draft is going to be crazy with movement and isnt going to resemble the draft order that the lottery selected.

Hornets trade up to #1 to draft Wiseman.
Knicks trade up to #2 to draft Ball.
Wolves trade down to #3 to draft Edwards.
Bulls stay at #4 and draft Avdija.
Cav's stay at #5 and draft Toppin.
Hawks stay at #6 and draft Haliburton.
Wizards trade up to #7 to draft Okongwu.
Warriors trade down to #8 to draft Hayes.
Spurs trade up to #9 to draft Okoro.
Celtics trade up to #10 to draft Vassell.
Wizards trade down to #11 to draft Achiuwa.
Kings stay at #12 and draft Lewis Jr.
Pelicans stay at #13 and draft Bey.
Suns trade down to #14 to draft Smith.
Knicks trade up to #15 to draft Maxey.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) Tweeted:
Draft buzz https://t.co/MZqdRSrl0i

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?s=20

According to multiple sources, Vanderbilt's Aaron Nesmith is generating interest from late-lottery teams, including the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. Some skeptics see him as a one-dimensional player, but as one scout put it: "The only thing going for Nesmith is he can truly shoot at an elite level right now in the league. That's his skill, and it's a major skill."

How would everyone feel if we passed on Lewis/ Terry/ Bane just to take Nesmith?

I love great shooters but he seems like he is JUST a shooter....now that does make sense when you hit over 50% from 3, but he doesn't set up others at all really.

Now, if we just want to surround Booker with elite shooters to stretch the floor, it makes sense, but at the same time we have Cam and Bridges who both shot 40% from 3, at least down the stretch of the season (Bridges, 40.5% from Feb-bubble).

And if we added Bane or Terry that would be another guy that hit over 40% but gave us other things too and would play a guard spot and be another guy that passes a little more.

That's my thinking on Bane as well. As Nesmith is as you said, predominantly a spot up shooter, Ok at defense, pretty solid at OTD movement scoring, Has a decent bit of bounce/ burst. But not great at rotational/ lateral defense. Having said that, He'd be a reasonable SG version of Cam Johnson. But I wouldn't at all have him ahead of Bane ( 1), Terry ( 2) Lewis ( 3) Then actually Saddiq Bey ( 4), And then Nesmith ( 5). Heck, I might find better value honestly in Isiah Joe in the late first/ early 2nd, As he's also 6'6, Is a very potent 3 PT shooter, And is actually very solid at perimeter defense. Has good rotational and lateral quickness. Or of course my favorite as an undrafted/ two way option: Sam Merrill, Who shot over 47% on spot up no dribble threes for the better part of his 4 yr career at Utah.
Zach Milner (@ZachMilner13) Tweeted:
Currently digging a little deeper into Sam Merrill's shooting throughout his career.

Merrill had a career 42.0 3PT%, and shot 47.8% on "Spot Up No Dribble" 3s. Incredible shooter. https://t.co/GmDwq14S6Q

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?s=20 I really just love the low cost value in potentially getting another elite shooter/ playmaker at the lowest possible cost. Because it drastically increases the odds that they outplay their contracts at that amount. Meaning they'll be viewed as a positive asset. But overall, I want:

1- Bane.
2- Terry.
3- Lewis.
4- Saddiq Bey.
5- Nesmith.
Again, Not listing Haliburton or Hayes, Because I truly don't believe that either will make it past Chicago, Detroit, And New York. But IF they somehow do, Then For me it becomes:
1- Haliburton.
2- Hayes-
4- Terry.
5- Lewis.

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/10/29/rumor-lamelo-ball-struggling-in-interviews-could-slip-in-draft/

Rumor: LaMelo Ball struggling in interviews, could slip in draft

By Dan FeldmanOct 29, 2020, 4:00 PM EDT


LaMelo Ball could go to the Timberwolves with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball and D'Angelo Russell would be an awkward fit in Minnesota’s backcourt, but Ball might be the best prospect available. He’s widely expected to get selected high in the draft.Or at least was.

Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer on Sports Radio WFNZ:

Here is what I’m hearing from the league at large: LaMelo Ball is not performing very well at job interviews. I’ve heard that from multiple sources. He is not improving his perception via job interview. There are people drafting later in the top ten who were not preparing for the possibility of Ball still being around. And I’m not saying that he will not be a top-three pick. I am saying that I know for a fact that there are teams later in the top ten who are doing more research on him, because they no longer think it’s a given he will"

Not terribly surprising if true. But could sure shake things up a bit!

[WeekapaugGroove]

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/10/29/rumor-lamelo-ball-struggling-in-interviews-could-slip-in-draft/

Rumor: LaMelo Ball struggling in interviews, could slip in draft

By Dan FeldmanOct 29, 2020, 4:00 PM EDT


LaMelo Ball could go to the Timberwolves with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball and D'Angelo Russell would be an awkward fit in Minnesota’s backcourt, but Ball might be the best prospect available. He’s widely expected to get selected high in the draft.Or at least was.

Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer on Sports Radio WFNZ:

Here is what I’m hearing from the league at large: LaMelo Ball is not performing very well at job interviews. I’ve heard that from multiple sources. He is not improving his perception via job interview. There are people drafting later in the top ten who were not preparing for the possibility of Ball still being around. And I’m not saying that he will not be a top-three pick. I am saying that I know for a fact that there are teams later in the top ten who are doing more research on him, because they no longer think it’s a given he will"

Not terribly surprising if true. But could sure shake things up a bit!

Yeah not exactly shocking with his father and the fact he's been anointed as a 'star' since like 8th grade that he might not come across the best in interviews.

Id guess NY is probably his floor, I feel it would be hard to pass on his upside at a position of need if he was there.

I'm scared of him as a prospect but if he slid to 10 sure why not roll the dice.

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[TheLogician]

I like Nesmith. I would be fine with that pick, especially if others are off the board.

[Blonde]

Give Rubio a PG to mentor for the next two years. It will be the most valuable thing Rubio can do for this team during his contract (not meant at all as a slight against Ricky). If all of Hayes, Lewis, and Haliburton are off the board I might rethink this. But I am still relatively high on other PG prospects in Cole Anthony, Terry, and Maxey who would be available.

Less keen on non-initiator types like Bane or Nesmith, and even less interested in most of the bigs in this class. I could be sold on Bane in the mid teens.

[TheLogician]

Tyrese Maxey pro day on ESPN2 right now.