2020 NBA Draft Prospects: Thread III

[urinesane]

Watch on YouTube

Watching this, Doogie made some solid points;

Gersson is under pressure because Glen is selling the team & Lamelo is the best "asset" Gersson can get if he doesn't trade out of the pick, he's the guy that will sell the most tickets over Edwards & Wiseman.

I see us with Lamelo if we don't trade out of this pick

For maybe a month or two, but if Melo doesn't help them win, he won't do much for ticket sales.

[younggunsmn]

Playing devils advocate, it's in our best interest to keep everyone guessing and leak that we like guys even if we don't.
If we zero in on Wiseman, the teams looking to trade up for Ball start dealing with the Warriors,
And vice versa if we zero in on Ball (which makes me think the Ball love is the smokescreen, CHA knows that GSW may very well take Wiseman for themselves if we take Ball, giving them more incentive to trade up than teams looking to deal for Ball who know GSW won't take him for themselves if Wiseman goes 1st).

Taking Wiseman @ 1 puts us in position for a double (or triple) trade down, if we swap to 3 with CHA,
We have potential suitors for Edwards with ATL @ 6, and for Ball with CHI, DET, NY @ 4,7, and 8.
If we really don't like anyone enough to draft and keep at 1, that's probably the best scenario for us.

If We take Wiseman 1st, I put the odds at better than even that the Warriors take Ball and trade down, possibly dumping Wiggins in the process for a package from the Pistons , Knicks, or even Spurs.
That leaves us to keep Wiseman or trade down to 3 with CHA and either keep Edwards or attempt to trade down again with ATL to 6, where there's a chance Okongwu is still there. Even if he's not, maybe we like one of the wings like Vassell or Nesmith or Patrick Williams better than Ball or Edwards.


Edwards + 2021 1st (or even just Bridges+32) >>>>>>>>Ball

I don't like Haliburton, I think he has the same issues as culver with less athleticism.
Okongwu is decent, but value-wise I much prefer Theo Maledon or Jalen Smith in the teens I don't think there's a ton of difference between 5-17.

My ideal best case draft:
1. Wiseman
17. Theo Maledon
33. Zeke Nnaji

Maledon's game is kinda like J-Mac, except he's 6-5 with a 6-8.5 wingspan.

[moonpie]

Watch on YouTube

[jpatrick]

The two HS kids (#1 ranked HS recruits in 21 and 22 classes) that just went against each other on ESPN would be the #1 pick in this draft if eligible. The MN kid Chet Holmgren might be as skinny as my pinky finger but he put on a show.

[wildvikeswolves]

The two HS kids (#1 ranked HS recruits in 21 and 22 classes) that just went against each other on ESPN would be the #1 pick in this draft if eligible. The MN kid Chet Holmgren might be as skinny as my pinky finger but he put on a show.

He is incredibly skinny! I see him working out with his trainer at the Lifetime I go to every now and then. So he’s trying at least. He usually has a little Gopher bag with him. I assume that will change soon

[karch34]

What amazes me is that in a draft where its accepted there's no clear cut #1, but a lot of potentially good depth with some upside if X is fixed that there's been pretty much unanimous consensus there's 3 top players.

Didn't finish the latest Dane Moore podcast but DeBerg was talking about Melo and said comparing to Lonzo, Melo is taller, similar passer, worse shooter and defender. Assuming that's pretty accurate and seeing where Lonzo is now are any of us really pining for a taller version of that in 2-3 years? His one for sure skill is most likely to translate which probably makes the floor higher than other prospects, but with so many PG in league and available in draft is that a needle mover? That's the part I have trouble with getting behind him as pick moreso than any if the other guys.

[karch34]

Playing devils advocate, it's in our best interest to keep everyone guessing and leak that we like guys even if we don't.
If we zero in on Wiseman, the teams looking to trade up for Ball start dealing with the Warriors,
And vice versa if we zero in on Ball (which makes me think the Ball love is the smokescreen, CHA knows that GSW may very well take Wiseman for themselves if we take Ball, giving them more incentive to trade up than teams looking to deal for Ball who know GSW won't take him for themselves if Wiseman goes 1st).

Taking Wiseman @ 1 puts us in position for a double (or triple) trade down, if we swap to 3 with CHA,
We have potential suitors for Edwards with ATL @ 6, and for Ball with CHI, DET, NY @ 4,7, and 8.
If we really don't like anyone enough to draft and keep at 1, that's probably the best scenario for us.

If We take Wiseman 1st, I put the odds at better than even that the Warriors take Ball and trade down, possibly dumping Wiggins in the process for a package from the Pistons , Knicks, or even Spurs.
That leaves us to keep Wiseman or trade down to 3 with CHA and either keep Edwards or attempt to trade down again with ATL to 6, where there's a chance Okongwu is still there. Even if he's not, maybe we like one of the wings like Vassell or Nesmith or Patrick Williams better than Ball or Edwards.


Edwards + 2021 1st (or even just Bridges+32) >>>>>>>>Ball

I don't like Haliburton, I think he has the same issues as culver with less athleticism.
Okongwu is decent, but value-wise I much prefer Theo Maledon or Jalen Smith in the teens I don't think there's a ton of difference between 5-17.

My ideal best case draft:
1. Wiseman
17. Theo Maledon
33. Zeke Nnaji

Maledon's game is kinda like J-Mac, except he's 6-5 with a 6-8.5 wingspan.

Maledon is interesting at 17. I don't see Wiseman and Zeke even in a BPA due to best position with the other areas needing attention.

[younggunsmn]

Maledon is interesting at 17. I don't see Wiseman and Zeke even in a BPA due to best position with the other areas needing attention.

I just think Zeke fits us perfectly as another potential mobile, stretch big and adept rebounder.
At 33 you are hoping to find another rotation player, and I think after a little time in the D-League he would easily usurp Johnson or Juancho.

We still have a bit of a wing glut, and after KAT went down and Gorgui was traded, we finished the season with only one big on the roster, and he didn't look to me like a rotation player.
This draft is unique in how many rotation bigs will be available after many down years, I think we should take advantage and solidify our big rotation for the next few years. Frankly, if we don't draft at least one between 17 and 33 I will be disappointed because I think that is where the value is.

At a glance I don't like the guard/wing value the same in the late 1st and 2nd round.
I like Cassius WInston a bit, his metrics and tape are good, he just doesn't look built like an NBA player.
He's got a bit of Kyle Lowry in him, the lack of fitness and athleticism is a bit of a red flag for me.

Who are some other guards wings I should get excited about @ 33?

[shrink]

FWIW, the Locked On Mock Draft went

MIN Ball
GSW Edwards
CHA Okongwu
CHI Hayes
CLE Okoro
ATL Vassell

- Wiseman fell out of the Top 6

- Their experts select Edwards as the biggest chance to bust

- MIN rep tried to trade down the pick and couldn’t find anything worthwhile

[KGdaBom]

FWIW, the Locked On Mock Draft went

MIN Ball
GSW Edwards
CHA Okongwu
CHI Hayes
CLE Okoro
ATL Vassell

- Wiseman fell out of the Top 6

- Their experts select Edwards as the biggest chance to bust

- MIN rep tried to trade down the pick and couldn’t find anything worthwhile

if I were to bet on who goes #1 equal odds I would bet on Wiseman. I truly believe that both Charlotte and GSW want him and one of them will need to pony up. If GSW trades out of 2 that of course changes things.

[NebWolvesFan]

With Ball working out for three more teams after his second meeting and first workout with Wolves, it's safe to say the Wolves didn't promise to take him at No. 1. I'm really starting to believe the Wolves are taking Wiseman No. 1 - either to keep or to trade. The dream scenario of trading down to No. 3 and gaining assets and then trading down to No. 7 and gaining more assets seem to be on the table.

I don't think Minnesota drafts higher than No. 7.

[Jedzz]

Playing devils advocate, it's in our best interest to keep everyone guessing and leak that we like guys even if we don't.
If we zero in on Wiseman, the teams looking to trade up for Ball start dealing with the Warriors,
And vice versa if we zero in on Ball...

How about they show some interest in any of the other players? You know, the ones all the teams right behind us at picks 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 are just waiting the calendars until they are theirs. No, we have to just talk about the two projects of the top hyped 3 because...reasons.

I don't like Haliburton, I think he has the same issues as culver with less athleticism.

You mean Culver the guy that couldn't maintain a 3pt shot in College? The guy everyone started suggesting was a playmaking point guard without ever really being one in college?

Not quite same guy. Let's leave it at that.

[Dewey]

Seen a few chirps out there on KAT ... is the guy in or out? I got a vide that the DLo addition has not helped as much as hoped. It has been pretty quiet.

[Jedzz]

With Ball working out for three more teams after his second meeting and first workout with Wolves, it's safe to say the Wolves didn't promise to take him at No. 1. I'm really starting to believe the Wolves are taking Wiseman No. 1 - either to keep or to trade. The dream scenario of trading down to No. 3 and gaining assets and then trading down to No. 7 and gaining more assets seem to be on the table.

I don't think Minnesota drafts higher than No. 7.

So MN drafts #7 and someone like Vassel goes #6. But hey we got "assets" for trading down?

At this point if they don't get the trade offers they want I think they should draft the best three college 3pt shooters of the draft that they also can see at least one other redeaming value in. This way they have three chances to at least, at the very least, come out of this draft improving the teams ability to hit their 40 3pt shots at better than the 30% or whatever they did last season. I think they were 28th or 29th in the league in percentage of makes while being 3rd in attempts at 39.7. This is the #1 need for improvement. Nobody with significant struggles to shoot 3s or appears to be far off should be drafted.

[Jedzz]

Seen a few chirps out there on KAT ... is the guy in or out? I got a vide that the DLo addition has not helped as much as hoped. It has been pretty quiet.

Maybe he wants to start a new life back out on the west coast with Clippers or Lakers. They can trade us their worst players and worthless #29/30 picks of the future if either of them even have one to trade in the next 10 years.


Capella, Reddish, #6 and 2021 FRP only protected for #1 from Atlanta. Do they have their #1 next yr?

[Jedzz]

FWIW, the Locked On Mock Draft went

MIN Ball
GSW Edwards
CHA Okongwu
CHI Hayes
CLE Okoro
ATL Vassell

- Wiseman fell out of the Top 6

- Their experts select Edwards as the biggest chance to bust

- MIN rep tried to trade down the pick and couldn’t find anything worthwhile

Is Locked On another set of Professionals?

[Dewey]

FWIW, the Locked On Mock Draft went

MIN Ball
GSW Edwards
CHA Okongwu
CHI Hayes
CLE Okoro
ATL Vassell

- Wiseman fell out of the Top 6

- Their experts select Edwards as the biggest chance to bust

- MIN rep tried to trade down the pick and couldn’t find anything worthwhile

Is Locked On another set of Professionals?

[Jedzz]

What amazes me is that in a draft where its accepted there's no clear cut #1, but a lot of potentially good depth with some upside if X is fixed that there's been pretty much unanimous consensus there's 3 top players.

Right?

I have yet to find a single person show how these big three are actually better at anything over the players all slotted for later.

Edwards is the one grown up body size guy that people claim can score at all three levels. That's if you accept his 3pt% as a positive thing or can somehow get him to increase it 5% and learn to play with a team.

Wiseman is the freak size/athlete guy without enough college proof but with chance to be an insane talent. No reassurance on skill level play yet.

Ball, passing, maybe. Not sure how passing exists without game IQ at this level, but whatevs.

Now compare to the many other players in this draft with passing, game iq, 3pt shooting ability, FT shooting ability, and high defensive play or at least defensive awareness. Nevermind them, we need to focus on the Hyped Big Three that nobody can decide between.

[Jedzz]

Hell, if we really want the Wolves to be successful, we should probably stop arguing amongst the top 3 and just hype all of them as much as we can.

Oh not you too.

[NebWolvesFan]

Seen a few chirps out there on KAT ... is the guy in or out? I got a vide that the DLo addition has not helped as much as hoped. It has been pretty quiet.

Maybe he wants to start a new life back out on the west coast with Clippers or Lakers. They can trade us their worst players and worthless #29/30 picks of the future if either of them even have one to trade in the next 10 years.


Capella, Reddish, #6 and 2021 FRP only protected for #1 from Atlanta. Do they have their #1 next yr?

This is a big year for the Towns/Timberwolves relationship.
If Minnesota..
1. Has a losing year and isn't close to .500
2. New ownership fires Rosas and Saunders

I could see Towns wanting out. He's had so little continuity (3 head coaches, 3 GMs) that I don't think he wants to hang around for another "start over."

That's why Wiseman is the best pick. With new owners coming in, even a successful season could lead to a new coach and POBO and I think Towns will want to walk if Rosas and Saunders are gone.