2020 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 -- (8PM, Wed, Nov. 18, ESPN)

[Bluewhale]

I am all right with RJ Hampton at 14, but I do have several player ahead of him for the 14 pick, like Precious Achiuwa, Patrick Willaims, Nesmith, Killian Hayes.

[captain green]

He's a long guard with great lateral athleticism and his defensive metrics are off the **** charts good. He's a UDFA/47 target unless I'm missing something. If they take him it's because his stat profile is so unique and they believe he can shoot. not many guard who rebound and play defense like this. To me he's easily better than Semi Ojeleye tomorrow.

What is so great about Yurtseven? He's older and plays a useless position, can't shoot.

If you are wondering why someone might be bullish on Hinton, read this: https://www.thestepien.com/2019/09/12/draft-notes-nate-hintons-uniqueness/ and watch some of these highlights. Keep in mind this was written after his freshman year and then he improved during his sophomore campaign. This draft is so underrated if you just ignore bigs.

Well for the record I'm not high on yurtseven but understood the need . But after reading this 20) In an ideal world, Hinton would be 6-foot-8 instead of 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6, or he’d be slightly more athletic. Slightly quicker. Slightly more explosive. However, even as is, he’s plenty interesting as a player. Defensive athleticism that translates to defensive performance and is also backed up by a dribble-pass-shoot offensive skill-set, which still seems to be blossoming, is the beginnings of the type of player that has real value in the NBA. One we might end up calling 3&D, yet who ends up being something slightly more. I'm more than satisfied

I don't see the need for a crappy big who can't shoot or move his feet. I can't imagine he is going to be drafted or sought out by any good team in free agency. Can't you just find that guy in europe every year for free?

Yeah in an ideal world Hinton would be way more athletic and a better shooter and then he'd be a top-5 draft pick. Am I reading the mocks wrong? I barely see him on half of them. What's more valuable, a 7 footer who can't shoot or do anything besides play drop coverage or a 6'5 guard with intriguing defense and shooting potential? he's in the Karim Mane, Jalen Harris, Jay Scrubb tier where you just draft them at 47 or sign as a UDFA and hope they develop the weak parts of their game.

Ya when I started scouting yurtseven wasn't on my radar nor Nate to be fair, but the name was mentioned and now it's Hinton. But I do know scrub has a tape and two meetings would you take him over Nate?

[Spin Move]

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-strength-agility/?sort=MODIFIED_LANE_AGILITY_TIME&dir=-1 Here are the agility measurments

Dotson was the fastest player there (not a surprise if you watched him at KU like I did) he is not big but he is a burner, could be a very good backup PG at 30 or 47 as he can create without a pick due to to great speed. Of All the KU Point gaurds that have come out the past decade to me he clearly has the best athletic tools, better then Devonte Grahm or Frank Mason or Collins or Tyshown Taylor, all who spent time in the league.

I like Tyler Bey, Oturo, Paul Reed at 27, if Mcdaniels or Poku drop I like them too
at 30 any leftovers from 27 and I am liking Azabukie, Dotson, Nnaji and Woodson

[flintsky21]

So, who are the 8 players the Celtics have worked out?

Teams are only allowed 10 IN-PERSON workouts.

Confirmed:
R. J. Hampton (New Zealand Breakers)
Precious Achiuwa (Memphis)

Possibly
Saddiq Bey (Villanova)
Aaron Nesmith (Vanderbilt)

Virtual Meeting, i.e. Zoom (Doesn't count against limit of 10 workouts)
Desmond Bane (TCU)
Nate Hinton (Houston)
Zeke Nnaji (Arizona)
Daniel Oturu (Minnesota)
Payton Pritchard (Oregon)
Immanuel Quickley (former Kentucky)
Paul Reed (DePaul)
Jay Scrubb (2 meetings) - maybe he should change his last name considering his desired profession. Was consensus JUCO College Player of the Year, and scheduled to transfer to Louisville if he didn't stay in the NBA Draft.
Lamar Stevens (Penn State)
Tyrell Terry (Stanford)
Killian Tillie (Gonzaga)

Was Cole Anthony one of the eight?

Is it just coincidence that these 2 confirmed workouts are poor man versions of Haliburton and Okungwu respectively, the 2 guys DA is looking to trade up for? Makes me feel like if DA can't trade up on draft day, it's almost certain he's going to settle on Hampton or Precious.

[Squigglepuffin]

I'm trying to understand Ainge evaluation process why would he be high on a player like Nate Hinton? I looked at dudes stats and it abysmal hoping he reevaluating this my God. I could handle yurtseven as 2nd rounder but Nate I don't get it.

Hinton's stats might not jump out at you but his advanced stats/metrics are absolutely insane.

There is only one person in this draft, and (other than Luka - whose pre-NBA advanced stats/metrics were SO insane and SO off the charts they were once in a life time - better than any I've ever seen by a wide margin) only six players of the past 10 years as far as I'm aware who came into the draft with better pre-NBA advanced stats/metrics.

The first is Victor Oladipo, the second is Ben Simmons, the third Zion, the fourth is Lonzo Ball, the fifth is Tyler Bey, and for some reason the sixth is Denzel Valentine.

Players who had advanced stats/metrics going back to 2003 better than Nate Hinton coming into the draft regardless of age:

- Kevin Durant
- Kyle Korver
- Blake Griffin
- Ben Simmons
- Zion Williamson
- Tyler Bey
- Lonzo Ball
- Victor Oladipo
- Denzel Valentine

I could have missed a few but those are pretty much the only players out of hundreds and hundreds of players. There are going to be players that have very good advanced stats but their athleticism is so, so very limited they're worth ignoring. Eg: Luka Garza (just a guess bc I'm not sure what his metrics are though).

And yes, the age a player comes into the draft is obviously going to impact their pre-NBA metrics, and there is the outlier of Valentine but Hinton is still in very good company. His rebounding is what sets him apart. It's a huge part of his game.

FWIW, players in this draft who have horrific (and I mean really, really, really some of the worst I've ever, ever seen bad) advanced stats/metrics are:

- Cole Anthony
- Tyrese Maxey
- Jaden McDaniels
- Myles Powell
- Ashton Hagans

There are players who had horrific advanced stats/metrics coming into the draft who actually turned out to be nice players but they are very, very few and far between and are usually players who have athleticism that is superior to the majority of NBA players. Russell Westbrook is one such player.

[ddb]

This offseason is going to be wild (and quick)! However, I am tempering my expectations of Ainge doing anything "big". I think the problem with being an ECF team 3 out of 4 years is that Danny feels like this team can win as-is, whereas I don't really think that's the case. They need to tweak things a bit and bring in more talent. I'm not sold on the Grant Williams, Robert Williams, Romeo Langford trio of young players quite yet. Hayward and Kemba's health scares me. I come from the camp that believes this is Tatum/Brown/Smart's team and everyone else needs to be in trade talks to improve the roster....that doesn't mean we trade everyone.. just means Danny can't run this thing back. The east will be better. Celtics need to be better.

[JHTruth]

e don’t feel a need to have to do anything,’’ Ainge said. “We like our guys. You can view that as overvaluing our players, but we do value our guys. Our team has been to the final four three of the last four years with a young core group of guys and that’s not nothing. We would like to take a step and the best step right now could be player development, our young players just getting better with more experience.’’ don't like this we needed Hawks pistons and Knicks to move up.
Nate Hinton is the new 2nd rounder that beat out yurtseven.
Ainge also said a trade is happening I'd assume it's the kanter or poirer.
Hampton and a stash and a trade out with Nate as a second rounder unless a trade happens it was 50% now about 30% according to my dude

Definitely my gut feel. All the pundits who said it would be "easy" to move up this draft were waaaaaaaay off (As pundits generally are). Once guys start working out with teams, teams fall in love with this guy or that. My guess is Bolmaro is the second pick.

I think Hampton has All-Star upside but about a 30% chance of reaching it. We shall see..

[JHTruth]

I am all right with RJ Hampton at 14, but I do have several player ahead of him for the 14 pick, like Precious Achiuwa, Patrick Willaims, Nesmith, Killian Hayes.

All those guys will be long gone with the exception of maybe Precious

[JHTruth]

I'm trying to understand Ainge evaluation process why would he be high on a player like Nate Hinton? I looked at dudes stats and it abysmal hoping he reevaluating this my God. I could handle yurtseven as 2nd rounder but Nate I don't get it.

Hinton's stats might not jump out at you but his advanced stats/metrics are absolutely insane.

There is only one person in this draft, and (other than Luka - whose pre-NBA advanced stats/metrics were SO insane and SO off the charts they were once in a life time - better than any I've ever seen by a wide margin) only six players of the past 10 years as far as I'm aware who came into the draft with better pre-NBA advanced stats/metrics.

The first is Victor Oladipo, the second is Ben Simmons, the third Zion, the fourth is Lonzo Ball, the fifth is Tyler Bey, and for some reason the sixth is Denzel Valentine.

Players who had advanced stats/metrics going back to 2003 better than Nate Hinton coming into the draft regardless of age:

- Kevin Durant
- Kyle Korver
- Blake Griffin
- Ben Simmons
- Zion Williamson
- Tyler Bey
- Lonzo Ball
- Victor Oladipo
- Denzel Valentine

I could have missed a few but those are pretty much the only players out of hundreds and hundreds of players. There are going to be players that have very good advanced stats but their athleticism is so, so very limited they're worth ignoring. Eg: Luka Garza (just a guess bc I'm not sure what his metrics are though).

And yes, the age a player comes into the draft is obviously going to impact their pre-NBA metrics, and there is the outlier of Valentine but Hinton is still in very good company. His rebounding is what sets him apart. It's a huge part of his game.

FWIW, players in this draft who have horrific (and I mean really, really, really some of the worst I've ever, ever seen bad) advanced stats/metrics are:

- Cole Anthony
- Tyrese Maxey
- Jaden McDaniels
- Myles Powell
- Ashton Hagans

There are players who had horrific advanced stats/metrics coming into the draft who actually turned out to be nice players but they are very, very few and far between and are usually players who have athleticism that is superior to the majority of NBA players. Russell Westbrook is one such player.

Statistically speaking whomever we get at 47 will be out of the League in 3 years if they even make it. Hinton seems as good a bet to make it as anyone...

[Squigglepuffin]

Statistically speaking whomever we get at 47 will be out of the League in 3 years if they even make it. Hinton seems as good a bet to make it as anyone...

In 5 years time I think people will say Nate Hinton should have been at the very least a lottery pick.

[Curmudgeon]

If Hayward's opt in (or out) date is after the draft, then Ainge may be drafting for another team.

[Homerclease]

I think if we stay put then Hampton is the pick at 14. Not super excited about it but he has the size and athleticism you want at the PG spot. I’m really hoping we can strike a deal and move up. If we can’t, give me Bane and Azibuke at 26 and 30 and call it a night

[Half-Full]

If Hayward's opt in (or out) date is after the draft, then Ainge may be drafting for another team.

That certainly is a possibility. It does seem that the Celtics are looking to trade first. I can see my binky dreams slipping further away with each passing day.

[themoneyteam2]

RJ Hampton has a ridiculous high ceiling and is a freak athlete. I actually like the upside play there, especially with training camp being short this year it feels like it would be harder for rookies to contribute this year anyways.

After last year people clowned him for taking the safe pick high floor, low ceiling guys like Grant Williams and this year going with arguably highest upside with RJ Hampton

[JHTruth]

RJ Hampton has a ridiculous high ceiling and is a freak athlete. I actually like the upside play there, especially with training camp being short this year it feels like it would be harder for rookies to contribute this year anyways.

After last year people clowned him for taking the safe pick high floor, low ceiling guys like Grant Williams and this year going with arguably highest upside with RJ Hampton

Yeah I wouldn't hate it. The dude has legit star upside. I just worry a lot about his playmaking ability. I just don't want another SG on this team who can only shoot so-so. Need an ACTUAL PLAYMAKER. He's working with Penny who was great in the PnR so hopefully he can improve there. Not sure about his natural feel for it though..

[Half-Full]

I think if we stay put then Hampton is the pick at 14. Not super excited about it but he has the size and athleticism you want at the PG spot. I’m really hoping we can strike a deal and move up. If we can’t, give me Bane and Azibuke at 26 and 30 and call it a night

I think Bane may well be gone by pick #26. Why not take him at #14? He is a very good shooter with great range. Good defender, good passer, high motor, high IQ guy. He is a four year player at TCU, and is more likely to be better prepared to step into a role. On the downside is his negative wingspan. All in all, though, he seems to tick a lot of boxes.

[Darth Celtic]

RJ Hampton has a ridiculous high ceiling and is a freak athlete. I actually like the upside play there, especially with training camp being short this year it feels like it would be harder for rookies to contribute this year anyways.

After last year people clowned him for taking the safe pick high floor, low ceiling guys like Grant Williams and this year going with arguably highest upside with RJ Hampton

Yeah I wouldn't hate it. The dude has legit star upside. I just worry a lot about his playmaking ability. I just don't want another SG on this team who can only shoot so-so. Need an ACTUAL PLAYMAKER. He's working with Penny who was great in the PnR so hopefully he can improve there. Not sure about his natural feel for it though..

the fact that the guy watching film on him couldn't find one off the dribble 3 that he made...... Not a good sign.

[JHTruth]

RJ Hampton has a ridiculous high ceiling and is a freak athlete. I actually like the upside play there, especially with training camp being short this year it feels like it would be harder for rookies to contribute this year anyways.

After last year people clowned him for taking the safe pick high floor, low ceiling guys like Grant Williams and this year going with arguably highest upside with RJ Hampton

Yeah I wouldn't hate it. The dude has legit star upside. I just worry a lot about his playmaking ability. I just don't want another SG on this team who can only shoot so-so. Need an ACTUAL PLAYMAKER. He's working with Penny who was great in the PnR so hopefully he can improve there. Not sure about his natural feel for it though..

the fact that the guy watching film on him couldn't find one off the dribble 3 that he made...... Not a good sign.

He's supposedly reworking his shot with Mike Miller and its a lot better. IDK he's a definite project but not sure how much better you're going to get with 14 in this draft

[yeleven11]

Yeah I wouldn't hate it. The dude has legit star upside. I just worry a lot about his playmaking ability. I just don't want another SG on this team who can only shoot so-so. Need an ACTUAL PLAYMAKER. He's working with Penny who was great in the PnR so hopefully he can improve there. Not sure about his natural feel for it though..

the fact that the guy watching film on him couldn't find one off the dribble 3 that he made...... Not a good sign.

He's supposedly reworking his shot with Mike Miller and its a lot better. IDK he's a definite project but not sure how much better you're going to get with 14 in this draft

The kid's got one of the higher upsides out of the guys realistically available at 14. We should go for it if the staff thinks his jumper is fixable. Whatever role-player type people want to draft instead isn't going to play as big of a role as people seem to think. Drafting Hampton even if he's a project is a much better idea IMO

[Darth Celtic]

the fact that the guy watching film on him couldn't find one off the dribble 3 that he made...... Not a good sign.

He's supposedly reworking his shot with Mike Miller and its a lot better. IDK he's a definite project but not sure how much better you're going to get with 14 in this draft

The kid's got one of the higher upsides out of the guys realistically available at 14. We should go for it if the staff thinks his jumper is fixable. Whatever role-player type people want to draft instead isn't going to play as big of a role as people seem to think. Drafting Hampton even if he's a project is a much better idea IMO

sometimes a guy who does everything at all star level but can't shoot is worth a pick. They can develop at least a NBA min average for shooting open 3's and become good, maybe great. too often we end up with MKG.



This year, i just want a guy who can already shoot above average and even if his basketball skills and everything else stink, he can sit in the corner and make a 3 if needed.