2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watch - Revised Poll

[Spin Move]

Jumping into this conversation (I live in Scottsdale though I am former Celtics Mod) I would not spend a top 20 pick on Bane, if you are trading back into the 20's in a Paul trade fine. At 10 if Haliburton is there I think he is a great fit next to Booker. Patrick williams has lots of upside as a switchable 3/4. If Obi falls somehow he would be great next to Ayton on offense. I would not mind a small trade down for a Kira Lewis or a cole anthony a few spots later at 14-16 if we are going point Guard. Jalen Smith next to Ayton would look good if we are trading down as well. Later in the draft A Paul Reed with the an extra pick from a trade down would fit well also. I think we have enough young players on the wing and should focus on 1 and 4. I would not mind Bane in the 20's but not anywhere close to 10. If we were thinking Wing at 10 Nesmith, Vassell Williams are all much better prospects.

Great post. What are your thoughts on Tyrell Terry?

Good shooter and not ball dominant so he would be a decent offensive fit in this lineup, however his combine measurements came much lower then expected (he was supposedly 6'3 without shoes now which had shot up his stock), I worry about him being a defensive liability given his short arms (wingspan under 6'2) and lack of size. I wouldn't mind him in the 20's but he is not the same level of prospect as the guys I mentioned
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro/
Tier 1
Ball
Halliburton
Hayes
Tier 2
Kira Lewis
Cole Anthony
(Most would put RJ Hampton here but I don't trust him and think he is more a SG then PG)
TIer 3
Terry
Maledon
Mannion
Ritter
Dotson
Jones

[Spin Move]

what would aaron nesmith look like? He si the better scorer of this draft and a good defender

Love me some Nesmith, I don't think he is neccesarily the biggest suns need as he is a big SG/average sized SF who shoots the ball really well but the way he runs around the court using screens wearing his man down creating openings with his motion reminds me of Ray Allen, others on the celtics board have mentioned Klay or Buddy Hield. He is a great shooter (limited sample size) and a decent athletle with very good size for an SG, However, we kind of already have an SG in Booker and we have 2 other young wings, I don;t see the need for the suns unless you are simply talking BPA and then it depends who is there, I really think Haliburton is the perfect fit next to Booker 6'5, great spot of shooter, great passer for Ayton, not to ball dominant.

I think Nesmith's D will be the determining factor on him, but his worst case scenario is Duncan Robinson and we all saw how valuable that can be this year.

[Jsbath]

what would aaron nesmith look like? He si the better scorer of this draft and a good defender

Love me some Nesmith, I don't think he is neccesarily the biggest suns need as he is a big SG/average sized SF who shoots the ball really well but the way he runs around the court using screens wearing his man down creating openings with his motion reminds me of Ray Allen, others on the celtics board have mentioned Klay or Buddy Hield. He is a great shooter (limited sample size) and a decent athletle with very good size for an SG, However, we kind of already have an SG in Booker and we have 2 other young wings, I don;t see the need for the suns unless you are simply talking BPA and then it depends who is there, I really think Haliburton is the perfect fit next to Booker 6'5, great spot of shooter, great passer for Ayton, not to ball dominant.

I think Nesmith's D will be the determining factor on him, but his worst case scenario is Duncan Robinson and we all saw how valuable that can be this year.

but for a second unit it would be very valuable, since we need points from the bench

[Spin Move]

what would aaron nesmith look like? He si the better scorer of this draft and a good defender

Love me some Nesmith, I don't think he is neccesarily the biggest suns need as he is a big SG/average sized SF who shoots the ball really well but the way he runs around the court using screens wearing his man down creating openings with his motion reminds me of Ray Allen, others on the celtics board have mentioned Klay or Buddy Hield. He is a great shooter (limited sample size) and a decent athletle with very good size for an SG, However, we kind of already have an SG in Booker and we have 2 other young wings, I don;t see the need for the suns unless you are simply talking BPA and then it depends who is there, I really think Haliburton is the perfect fit next to Booker 6'5, great spot of shooter, great passer for Ayton, not to ball dominant.

I think Nesmith's D will be the determining factor on him, but his worst case scenario is Duncan Robinson and we all saw how valuable that can be this year.

but for a second unit it would be very valuable, since we need points from the bench

Yes but he likley won't be available too much later then 10, I hope at 10 we are drafting a starter. If Haliburton or Hayes are there I like them, if not perhaps a small trade down for a PF like a Jalen Smith or Precious picking up another asset. Maybe staying at 10 for a Patrick williams if managment thinks he will pan out. I think Nesmith is really good, and could play next to Booker and Ayton but we have some real holes at 1 and 4 long term and this will hopefully be our last lottery pick for a while. If he is BPA I can get behind it but I have Haliburton as a better prospect.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[TheLogician]

Bane shoots much faster Nesmith. His strength should help him a lot on defense. He said he studies Danny Green, Malcolm Brogdon, and Eric Gordon because they are a similar size. Flex said Bane reminds him of a higher character Marcus Smart.

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Reposting the Pearlman/Stepien scouting report on Bane (credit Kleine)
https://www.thestepien.com/2020/04/06/desmond-bane-scouting-report/

[Blackification]

I hope we can trade down and get Terry, that would be like the cherry on top of the sundae

[Djedefre]

Bane and Smart can not go in the same sentence if we talk defense. Smart was a real difference maker on that end from day one. Dude was just insane at times. Bane is an ok defender, nothing more, nothing less. The biggest ace up his sleeve could be his alleged devotion and work ethic. That could transform anyone, even the ones with obvious limitations. But at this moment, there's a ton of better options in the lottery or mid 1st rnd.

[bwgood77]

Bane and Smart can not go in the same sentence if we talk defense. Smart was a real difference maker on that end from day one. Dude was just insane at times. Bane is an ok defender, nothing more, nothing less. The biggest ace up his sleeve could be his alleged devotion and work ethic. That could transform anyone, even the ones with obvious limitations. But at this moment, there's a ton of better options in the lottery or mid 1st rnd.

I didn't like that comparision either, except maybe that they can both play off guard and handle/pass. Smart a superior defender but Bane a far superior shooter over sample size.

[bwgood77]

Bane shoots much faster Nesmith. His strength should help him a lot on defense. He said he studies Danny Green, Malcolm Brogdon, and Eric Gordon because they are a similar size. Flex said Bane reminds him of a higher character Marcus Smart.

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Reposting the Pearlman/Stepien scouting report on Bane (credit Kleine)
https://www.thestepien.com/2020/04/06/desmond-bane-scouting-report/

I have mentioned and really like the Brogdon comparison. Brogdon wasn't thought of as a high ranking prospect, going after Ulis (of course that was McD) and was a 4 year guy.

Though Bane is a far better 3 pt shooter coming out and had more assists per game.

[bwgood77]

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[cberry78]

I'll take Bane even if he's not up to Smart level D. I'd much rather outscore and run the other team out of the gym than plod along to a 86-83 W any day.

[TheLogician]

I'll take Bane even if he's not up to Smart level D. I'd much rather outscore and run the other team out of the gym than plod along to a 86-83 W any day.

Yeah, maybe a Brogdon-level team defender which is still damn good. I think he has a good enough handle to create his own shot in the NBA. Nesmith seems more like a C&S guy right now.

[DirtyDez]

One thing I’ve realized after watching Tyrell Terry last year is he must have an incredible agent.

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://arizonasports.com/story/2450107/grant-riller-is-nba-drafts-most-underrated-prospect-ideal-fit-for-suns/

Grant Riller is NBA Draft’s most underrated prospect, ideal fit for Suns
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BY KELLAN OLSON
NOVEMBER 13, 2020 AT 4:00 PM

he best bet is Charleston’s Grant Riller.

Riller, 23, is surely one of the prospects that has been impacted the most by the pandemic. With a mature game built around three-level scoring, he would have thrived in group workouts and undoubtedly dismantled some of those aforementioned names.

Without that, however, he is still seemingly on the first round bubble. ESPN has him ranked 44th and there has surprisingly been little buzz around him, with that instead going to guys like Stanford’s Tyrell Terry.

Riller is the most productive and efficient perimeter player in the draft and it’s not really close.

Last season, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game on 49.9% shooting from the field, 36.2% at three-point range and 82.7% at the free-throw line.Riller’s true shooting percentage was 60.9%, a number he’s held north of 60% in three straight seasons of posting at least 18 points per game. And in these last two, Riller’s been doing it while carrying an offense. His usage percentage exceeds 30% both seasons averaging 21.9 points per game.

The only guards in the last 10 years to do that and get drafted were Damian Lillard, Jimmer Fredette, C.J. McCollum, Buddy Hield and Ja Morant.

Pretty good company, a find intended to give him more credit than just having better numbers over a class with bad ones.

Riller is the best finisher in this class. He’s got a handle with loads of wiggle and has a great grasp of how to control his body. It feels like he can explode out of any motion when he’s facing guys up.

He loves to split a pick-and-roll, and the dude already has freaking counters to it, with an inside-out dribble to fake like he’s going down the middle that forces the big to quickly swivel back inside.

Once he gets to the rim, Riller is comfortable with either hand and always makes sure to give himself a chance at a decent look when he launches himself into the air. There’s a next-level feel to it and why he’s great scoring through contact, drawing nearly seven free throws a game last season too.

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Riller shot 70% (!!!!) at the rim in each of the last two seasons, with only 13% of those being assisted. Thirteen percent! For reference, someone like Morant was even at 27%. And to grab an example of someone you might have seen in college, Trae Young’s number at Oklahoma was 11.4% on that awful Sooners team.

That’s level one of Riller’s scoring, and you bet your bottom dollar two and three are coming.
That burst highlighted in on the finishing comes through with one of the best step-back jumpers the draft has had in years.

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If Riller were to fall to the mid 2nd round, I'd love him as a value pick! I mean, Could you imagine how good Riller could become If mentored by both of Paul and Carter for 2 yrs???

[Spin Move]

Bane is not a top 15 level prospect the thought of him at 10 is silly. He might go low 20's but he has nowehere near teh potential of the Vassels or the Nesmiths, he might be a solid rotation player but his winspan is 6'4 compared to say Nesmith who has a 6'10 wingspan 6 inches is a big difference when it comes to gaurding in the NBA, I think some people are getting carried away about a player many sites have as a 2nd round pick. You can do the exact same thing about Tyler Bey or Robert Woodard, look at some tools and ignore the problems but there is a reason all those guys are talked about 20-40 and not 10-20 they have bigger holes. I like Tyler Bey in the 20's alot. I would rather take him then Bane if we do trade back, his rebounding and three point ability would make him a nice small ball 4 option next to Ayton.

[bwgood77]

I don't understand the Nesmith hype. He obviously shot the ball extremely well from 3 for 1 year, but doesn't give you much anything else. He may have good measurables, but he's not that great of a defender either.

[Spin Move]

I don't understand the Nesmith hype. He obviously shot the ball extremely well from 3 for 1 year, but doesn't give you much anything else. He may have good measurables, but he's not that great of a defender either.

Watch some of his tape if you have not, you will see why everyone who does likes him he really does have the Ray Allen/Klay run run run get open make three game. yes it was a limited number of games but extremly high volume he took 113 threes last year, compare that to say Vassel and Okoro, Vassell shot 106 3's Okoro 70. He is a good athlete and a smart player, average out his 2 years and he is a 42% shooter from 3 with lots of hustle, great length and good athleticism. His floor is good and he has a really high ceiling. He needs to improve his handle a little and get a big stronger to do better driving but the way he moves around the court opens things up not only for himself but also for other players.

[bwgood77]

I don't understand the Nesmith hype. He obviously shot the ball extremely well from 3 for 1 year, but doesn't give you much anything else. He may have good measurables, but he's not that great of a defender either.

Watch some of his tape if you have not, you will see why everyone who does likes him he really does have the Ray Allen/Klay run run run get open make three game. yes it was a limited number of games but extremly high volume he took 113 threes last year, compare that to say Vassel and Okoro, Vassell shot 106 3's Okoro 70. He is a good athlete and a smart player, average out his 2 years and he is a 42% shooter from 3 with lots of hustle, great length and good athleticism. His floor is good and he has a really high ceiling. He needs to improve his handle a little and get a big stronger to do better driving but the way he moves around the court opens things up not only for himself but also for other players.

Well if that is your main argument for putting him signficantly higher than Bane, Bane shot 208 3s last year, and hit over 44%. He also shot over 43% in his 4 years. Nesmith shot 33.7% as a freshman and 41% overall over his 2 years.

Bane is a far better defender and distributor, and you could argue a better 3 pt shooter if you consider sample size. He shot 575 3s in college and hit over 43%. Our backup guard is Cameron Payne, who had one good small stretch where over half the teams had all stars our or rested their key players.

If Paul goes down, we need an NBA ready player that can play off Booker (or relieve Booker when he rests)...Bane and Paul as a defensive guard duo would be very tough, much tougher than Booker and Payne, or Booker and Paul. Bane is a similar player to Brogdon who, in hindsight would have gone a lot higher. I figure if the Suns don't take Bane, he goes in the mid teens or at the latest, late teens.

We already have Bridges and Cam, who can play together or back one another up if the team signs more of a true PF to start.

Theoretically I do like a super stretched floor to give Booker and Paul a ton of space, especially with Ayton in the middle, but Bane can provide that as well.

Okoro isn't a 3 pt shooter so it makes sense and was smart not to take a lot of attempts. Vassell is a 3&D guy.

I think Cam already has those traits that you mention in Nesmith that are Klay-like.

Bane also played in a significantly tougher conference than Nesmith, or Kira or Terry.

[cberry78]

Spoiler:

I don't understand the Nesmith hype. He obviously shot the ball extremely well from 3 for 1 year, but doesn't give you much anything else. He may have good measurables, but he's not that great of a defender either.

Watch some of his tape if you have not, you will see why everyone who does likes him he really does have the Ray Allen/Klay run run run get open make three game. yes it was a limited number of games but extremly high volume he took 113 threes last year, compare that to say Vassel and Okoro, Vassell shot 106 3's Okoro 70. He is a good athlete and a smart player, average out his 2 years and he is a 42% shooter from 3 with lots of hustle, great length and good athleticism. His floor is good and he has a really high ceiling. He needs to improve his handle a little and get a big stronger to do better driving but the way he moves around the court opens things up not only for himself but also for other players.

Well if that is your main argument for putting him signficantly higher than Bane, Bane shot 208 3s last year, and hit over 44%. He also shot over 43% in his 4 years. Nesmith shot 33.7% as a freshman and 41% overall over his 2 years.

Bane is a far better defender and distributor, and you could argue a better 3 pt shooter if you consider sample size. He shot 575 3s in college and hit over 43%. Our backup guard is Cameron Payne, who had one good small stretch where over half the teams had all stars our or rested their key players.

If Paul goes down, we need an NBA ready player that can play off Booker (or relieve Booker when he rests)...Bane and Paul as a defensive guard duo would be very tough, much tougher than Booker and Payne, or Booker and Paul. Bane is a similar player to Brogdon who, in hindsight would have gone a lot higher. I figure if the Suns don't take Bane, he goes in the mid teens or at the latest, late teens.

We already have Bridges and Cam, who can play together or back one another up if the team signs more of a true PF to start.

Theoretically I do like a super stretched floor to give Booker and Paul a ton of space, especially with Ayton in the middle, but Bane can provide that as well.

Okoro isn't a 3 pt shooter so it makes sense and was smart not to take a lot of attempts. Vassell is a 3&D guy.

I think Cam already has those traits that you mention in Nesmith that are Klay-like.

Bane also played in a significantly tougher conference than Nesmith, or Kira or Terry.

This is why I've gotten higher on Bane (even at #10) and why I'm not so high on others, like (sorry GoK) Riller.