2020 Draft - Part II

[TGW]

Achiewa sounds about right. One, because it’s unimaginative (they want size and defense, and he’ll be the best defending big on the board in their view) and two, he said the keywords “play fast” in his workout. Nothing gives the wizards FO a bigger boner then someone who plays fast.

Nwora in the 2nd also sounds about right.

[Ed Wood]

Sure, let's go with fit and solid slot value in the first and a value proposition in the second:

Round one - Devin Vassell
Round two - Grant Riller

Comedy option - if we're picking via Boston's firsts in a trade down (I do not think this will happen)

at 14 - Kira Lewis Jr.
at 26 - Xavier Tillman
round two - Tyler Bey (why is this different - who can say)

Undrafted free agent - Trevelin Queen

[WizarDynasty]

It's gotta be Achiuwa. John Wall is going to absolutely love running with Achiuwa. We are going to see so much Bro love. John Wall and Break neck speed with Achiuwa sprinting 20 times in a row and not getting tired catching fast court lobs. Achiuwa on the pick and roles catching lobs, and sprinting back on defense to contest 3 pointers, and guarding and shutting down the best perimeter player each night.. scotty pippen. Wiz are finally going to get there version of Scotty Pippen.

We are finally going to see Wall at his best.
For second round pick.

I see us trading a few spots and grabbing Jahmius Ramsey.
I see us buying a pick and grabbing Azubuike if he is there, gives us much needed toughness for a really cheap. Need his toughness in practice. Won't find his type in free agency.
You have Rui and Hachi at the forward spots, that can switch interchangeably. Achiuwa is way longer almost 6 inches longer than Hachi. Hachi at 8'7 and Achiuwa at 9'2.
I think we pick up whatever guard slips to 37 that has size and quickness and can shoot a little. AS long as they have more size and quickness that Ish smith.

[DCZards]

4. I checked out the Hayes video. He’s nice. He’s very good at creating for himself and teammates, which is something I love in a player. But with Wall, Beal and Brown ahead of him, Hayes will have a hard time finding minutes. And, while Tommy S. may claim differently, I believe that “win now” is very much a priority given that the Zards top two players are in their prime. So I expect Tommy to draft a player who can contribute sooner rather than later and I don’t see Hayes filling that role.

I don't think minutes would be much of a problem. Troy would move to full time SF and Hayes would get all the backup minutes at PG and SG. Basically, you need 5 players to man all 48 minutes at PG, SG and SF. Our 5 players would be Wall, Beal, Bonga, Hayes and Brown.

I expect Ish or Napier to get minutes. The Zards are going to want another proven vet in that backcourt mix. That will mean less (or very few) minutes for Hayes.

[Dat2U]

Watch on YouTube

If Deni can create & make off the dribble shots like that in real games that increases his value significantly in my eyes.

I didn't like how Obi brings the ball down to "gather" it on his jumper. Not sure he gets that off unless its a clean look.

[Dark Faze]

If Deni were to fall to us then things would be interesting.

[Dat2U]

A very positive scouting report of Killian Hayes:

Watch on YouTube

I'd be happy if we ended up with him too.

I'd be happy as well. Not sure how Wall & Beal would feel but they obviously trust Sheppard more than they did Ernie.

[Dat2U]

Bold prediction:

I think Onyeka Okongwu to the Wizards is a smoke screen. I think they love Deni Avdija and he's the one they would trade up for if available.

If they stick at 9 the pick will be Patrick Williams even ahead of Okongwu if both are on the board. If Williams is gone, then its probably a trade down or someone like Issac Okoro or Precious Achiuwa.

[Dat2U]

Bold prediction:

I think Onyeka Okongwu to the Wizards is a smoke screen. I think they love Deni Avdija and he's the one they would trade up for if available.

If they stick at 9 the pick will be Patrick Williams even ahead of Okongwu if both are on the board. If Williams is gone, then its probably a trade down or someone like Issac Okoro or Precious Achiuwa.

Based on Sheppard's track record, Avdija fits the type of guy he likes, so does Williams. High character guys with a good physical profile who love the game and a perceived upside. Guys can be taught up, raw talent can't. Skills can be developed but desire or love for the game can't.

Also I believe the Wizards will go for a veteran C in free agency. I don't think they have any plans on starting a rookie or going in next year with just Bryant/Wags/Rookie. They have big playoff aspirations in a prove it year to Beal. Any C they draft will probably not see many minutes next season.

[nate33]

Bold prediction:

I think Onyeka Okongwu to the Wizards is a smoke screen. I think they love Deni Avdija and he's the one they would trade up for if available.

If they stick at 9 the pick will be Patrick Williams even ahead of Okongwu if both are on the board. If Williams is gone, then its probably a trade down or someone like Issac Okoro or Precious Achiuwa.

I don't see it. Avdija is too much like Rui: a combo forward who doesn't shoot the 3 ball that well. Seems like a bad fit, unless they've soured on Rui already.

Pat Williams makes a bit more sense as a prototypical 3&D wing who could theoretically guard 1 through 4. (I don't think he is THAT good defensively, but maybe they do.)

I'm not overthinking this. I think they want Okongwu to fill the most glaring weakness on the roster. The only question is: what's Plan B?

[nate33]

I expect Ish or Napier to get minutes. The Zards are going to want another proven vet in that backcourt mix. That will mean less (or very few) minutes for Hayes.

I can't think of a team less in need of a proven veteran backup point guard. We have the most experienced starting back court in the NBA.

[Ed Wood]

I don't see it. Avdija is too much like Rui: a combo forward who doesn't shoot the 3 ball that well. Seems like a bad fit, unless they've soured on Rui already.

I'm not firmly out on Rui, but I don't really agree with this logic. The Wizards aren't really in a position to have a compelling reason to eschew anybody in the draft for a better fit who's a less compelling overall talent. That's a complicated proposition because it begs the question - assuming in this case that Avdija is a better prospect than Williams - but I think it's entirely the right thing to do even if what it means is going to depend on your read on various players.

I like Beal and Wall and have high hopes for their resumed duet, but you have to have a pretty compelling roster to bunt for base hits in the draft in my eyes. Also this is, again, very much a matter of perspective, but drafting-to-fit is doubly weird to me when one of the consensus picks to enact that plan (Achiuwa) is also a pretty significant developmental project whom people are glomming into for a combination of virtues (versatile defensive efficacy, efficient finishing, stretch play) none of which he actually has at an NBA level at this point.

Avdija is like... a fine-ish value pick at 9 I guess? He has the same obvious issue that everyone is kind of banking that everyone else we want to draft will work through (poor shooting, iffy shooting predictors). I feel about him a lot like I feel about Okoro (obviously the specifics ups and downs are different) - he's a player who should be a first round pick & probably a lottery pick especially in this draft but I'm not champing at the bit cuz evidence suggests dude (either dude) can't shoot.

e: Short version - whoever we pick is probably going to be a middling-at-best contributor initially, and Deni's development track kind of entails his becoming a player who would fit with Rui (if Rui also improves) if he's going to be a good NBA player anyway. If you don't think he will we shouldn't draft him because you think he's a bad prospect.

[badinage]

I’m seeing talk — deep in the web — that the Wizards are looking at Aron Baynes, who’s an unrestricted free agent.

Who knows how creditable it is.

But ... if so, what would it signal about the draft and their moves this week?

[DCZards]

I expect Ish or Napier to get minutes. The Zards are going to want another proven vet in that backcourt mix. That will mean less (or very few) minutes for Hayes.

I can't think of a team less in need of a proven veteran backup point guard. We have the most experienced starting back court in the NBA.

You misunderstood. I'm not saying that the Zards will bring in another a vet PG. What I'm saying is that either Ish (who's under contract) or Napier, who I prefer, would get minutes ahead of Hayes.

[Ed Wood]

I’m seeing talk — deep in the web — that the Wizards are looking at Aron Baynes, who’s an unrestricted free agent.

Who knows how creditable it is.

But ... if so, what would it signal about the draft and their moves this week?

I don't think adding a veteran frontcourt player means essentially anything for anyone but Mo Wagner and has no bearing at all on my expectations for the team's draft.

[prime1time]

There are going to be a lot of rumors flying around the next couple of days. Until it’s confirmed, I will take everything with a grain of salt. I remember reading a lot of stuff before the draft last year and having no clue we were going to draft Rui. A lot of misinformation out there.

[wall_glizzy]

I’m seeing talk — deep in the web — that the Wizards are looking at Aron Baynes, who’s an unrestricted free agent.

Who knows how creditable it is.

But ... if so, what would it signal about the draft and their moves this week?

Not much, imo. I like him - he was on my list in a previous post where I was advocating for the Wizards to pursue a Celtics-style center by committee approach - but he's not someone whose presence would completely displace Bryant (or even Okongwu/Achiuwa). Just a different positional archetype to throw out there against the giant bigs of the world.

[doclinkin]

I expect Ish or Napier to get minutes. The Zards are going to want another proven vet in that backcourt mix. That will mean less (or very few) minutes for Hayes.

I can't think of a team less in need of a proven veteran backup point guard. We have the most experienced starting back court in the NBA.

You misunderstood. I'm not saying that the Zards will bring in another a vet PG. What I'm saying is that either Ish (who's under contract) or Napier, who I prefer, would get minutes ahead of Hayes.

Still the question isn't this year, the question is over the player's career. Hayes fits the profile of the kind of character and talent Tommy looks for. He is a solid quiet hard worker who happens to have a ton of talent and advanced understanding of the game at a young age. As an understudy for Beal and Wall he can pick up a great deal. To this point we have had no back up to Beal at the offguard spot. Currently we are betting on Troy developing a jumper to fill that role. Would it be good to have another 6'5" ballhandling guard with a smooth shot? I think this squad would be an ideal graduate school for the young pro. We have seen the error of having zero developing talent behind our starters. Hell last year was the first time in forever that we had decent depth at point. Unless you count Gil and Wall together. Either way we are putting a lot of weight on a 30 year old's PG's rebuilt leg. There will be additional guard minutes available if the team is smart and has monitored restrictions on Wall's workload. That's just at point. I can't think of a time when we have ever had 2 good shooting guards. Aside from Larry and Gil playing together, since together they were the birth of the combo guard era.

If Hayes is the best talent on the board, I don't hate the pick. If he is good enough then maybe he makes Ish a solid trading piece. If he is truly good enough then it provides insurance if, for whatever reason, we don't have the services of our all star pair.

[prime1time]

I can't think of a team less in need of a proven veteran backup point guard. We have the most experienced starting back court in the NBA.

You misunderstood. I'm not saying that the Zards will bring in another a vet PG. What I'm saying is that either Ish (who's under contract) or Napier, who I prefer, would get minutes ahead of Hayes.

Still the question isn't this year, the question is over the player's career. Hayes fits the profile of the kind of character and talent Tommy looks for. He is a solid quiet hard worker who happens to have a ton of talent and advanced understanding of the game at a young age. As an understudy for Beal and Wall he can pick up a great deal. To this point we have had no back up to Beal at the offguard spot. Currently we are betting on Troy developing a jumper to fill that role. Would it be good to have another 6'5" ballhandling guard with a smooth shot? I think this squad would be an ideal graduate school for the young pro. We have seen the error of having zero developing talent behind our starters. Hell last year was the first time in forever that we had decent depth at point. Unless you count Gil and Wall together. Either way we are putting a lot of weight on a 30 year old's PG's rebuilt leg. There will be additional guard minutes available if the team is smart and has monitored restrictions on Wall's workload. That's just at point. I can't think of a time when we have ever had 2 good shooting guards. Aside from Larry and Gil playing together, since together they were the birth of the combo guard era.

If Hayes is the best talent on the board, I don't hate the pick. If he is good enough then maybe he makes Ish a solid trading piece. If he is truly good enough then it provides insurance if, for whatever reason, we don't have the services of our all star pair.

Are we betting on Brown Jr. filling that role? Looks like we are still trying to figure it out. Brown Jr. always struck me as a wing.

[Ed Wood]

This is a bad time to bring it up - because it cuts against that sentiment and I think Hayes is 1/1A for the player I like the most in the entire draft so I'd certainly draft him regardless of other concerns at 9, but I'm kind of okay continuing to see how Garrison Mathews works out in those limited backup minutes behind Beal.