Way too early NBA draft thread 2021

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

Cade probably does too many things well at his size to not go #1, but damn do I want to see his 5th gear. He’s an unsatisfying watch as often as not.

[StunnerKO]

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[Southpaw]

We might not need to deliberately tank to get a top 5 pick. How many teams are clearly worse than us right now?

I’d say all of these teams are either worse, very similar, or slightly better:

OKC
Detroit
Washington
New York
Cleveland
Minnesota
Golden State
Orlando
Charlotte
Atlanta
Sacramento

COVID could help a lot of teams win games they shouldn’t win (guys being out)

Don't think ATL belongs on that list, maybe even SAC. Other than that, I agree. Tho only OKC is clearly worse than us imo. Maybe CHA.

[coldfish]

IMO, there are very few teams that are bad in the NBA. At the end of the season, I expect that there will be a huge grouping of teams around 0.500. A lot of young teams are stepping up like Atlanta, Orlando, New York and Cleveland.

I think the Bulls are better but I suspect they are still going to be around the 5th worst team in the NBA. With the new lottery odds, that would give them a relatively equal chance to draft anywhere from #1 to #8 with, you guessed it, #7 being most likely.

[DuckIII]

What do you guys think of Andre Curbelo as a pro prospect? I don’t mean after this season because I doubt he comes out. But perhaps after next season?

The difference he makes when he’s on the floor is outrageous at the college level. I think he’ll make a strong and fun to watch pro.

[gobullschi]

We might not need to deliberately tank to get a top 5 pick. How many teams are clearly worse than us right now?

I’d say all of these teams are either worse, very similar, or slightly better:

OKC
Detroit
Washington
New York
Cleveland
Minnesota
Golden State
Orlando
Charlotte
Atlanta
Sacramento

COVID could help a lot of teams win games they shouldn’t win (guys being out)

I would not include Atlanta and probably Sacramento, but otherwise I agree.

Atlanta is one of those teams that I view as 'one year ahead' of where Chicago is. They added some solid veterans to help develop their young players with Gallinari, Bogdanović, & Rondo. They do have a a similar history of injuries as Chicago (Gallinari, Capella, Collins are injury prone). Their two best players (Young & Collins) are both below average defensive players, similar to the Bulls (LaVine & Markkanen). Young and Collins appear to better than LaVine and Markkanen, but I like Patrick Williams more than DeAndre Hunter. The 2021 draft is such a pivotal year for Chicago (IMO)

[DroseReturnChi]

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So excited to bring him over next yr and get rid of Carter as starting center.
I wouldnt be surprised if he became Jokic mold and they even from same club.

[Brothaman33]

What do you guys think of Andre Curbelo as a pro prospect? I don’t mean after this season because I doubt he comes out. But perhaps after next season?

The difference he makes when he’s on the floor is outrageous at the college level. I think he’ll make a strong and fun to watch pro.

I love watching him. I've watched every Illini game and aside from Ayo he stand out the most.

In my opinion, its obviously still too early, but I see a cross between Delon Wright and Rubio.

He is an an NBA passer right now, and its across the whole spectrum. Passes with both hands, lobs, entry pass, off the bounce, eyes on the back of his head, ally oops, he can do it all. Much like Rubio and Wright, he has quick hands and affects the game in so many areas that you can't leave him off the floor. Quick crossover, but his handle can get loose, which is expected for a Freshman, he'll have to clean that up. I was floored by how skilled he was when he came in, I thought he was just a run around with his head cut off kid, but no, he has legitimate basketball IQ. He is so smart on the court and does a ton of stuff you can't teach.

He hasn't shown a 3 point shot yet, just doesnt take or make many, and he is fairly athletic, but nothing jumps off the page at you. He is capable of throwing a dunk down but he's not gonna poster anyone. NBA scouts will complain about his size, he's only about 5'11", 6'0".

Next year will be the coming out party. If he puts in the work and takes the reigns, he could be a guy whole can put up a 15/8/6 line with 2 steals. I think he has early second to late first round to maaaaaybe mid first round potential, but he has to be able to shoot.

He's a guy any team would love to have if he continues to progress at this rate.

[DuckIII]

Curbelo’s vision and passing instincts and feel for pace and spacing are next level even by NBA standards. The impact he makes on the Illini’s offense the second he steps foot on the floor just jumps out unlike anything you see from a player who rarely shoots.

I agree that he’ll need to show he can hit a consistent 3 to go mid-first and that his size on draft day will depress his value at the time. But I also see a player who once he gets into the NBA, a team is going to have a very hard time keeping him off the floor.

Imagine what a guy with his offensive strengths would do for a team like the Bulls, for example. The things he does can’t be taught and are rare even by NBA standards. The question is how much will the weaknesses (size and potentially shooting) offset that?

[Rose2Boozer]

Outside of the lottery, Jared Butler is my favorite point guard. If there was an NCAA tournament last year, Butler would more than likely be in the NBA right now. He was my pick for the prospect who would get the largest tournament bump.

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[PlayerUp]

Outside of the lottery, Jared Butler is my favorite point guard. If there was an NCAA tournament last year, Butler would more than likely be in the NBA right now. He was my pick for the prospect who would get the largest tournament bump.

Watch on YouTube

For the record here the Bulls finally get their own 2nd Rd Picks back that Gar/Pax dumped in poor trades. Bulls should have a high 2nd Rd Pick this draft.

[PlayerUp]

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So excited to bring him over next yr and get rid of Carter as starting center.
I wouldnt be surprised if he became Jokic mold and they even from same club.

We need some luck at this point. Currently this team is stuck with not enough talent to get anywhere.

[gobullschi]

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So excited to bring him over next yr and get rid of Carter as starting center.
I wouldnt be surprised if he became Jokic mold and they even from same club.

We need some luck at this point. Currently this team is stuck with not enough talent to get anywhere.

The avenue for filling this team with enough talent is wide open though. If WCJ can stay healthy and increase his trade value, a package of 2021 1st, 2022 1st, & WCJ should be enough to get a guy like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Suggs, or Evan Mobley.

Suddenly, the Bulls core has two top 5 picks + two top 7 picks + LaVine + enough cap space to sign two difference makers.

Simonovic developing into a rotational piece would be icing on the cake.

[PhilLeotardo]

Why would Sacramento “not be real”? They’ll collapse based on what? They have a brand new FO & tons of talent. They’re back on track after that weird, injury-riddlers hiccup last season

I don’t believe in their big 3. Fox Hield Bagley.

Hali already hurt missing games too. Per WT

....who says Hield is part of their “big3”? Who says they even have a “big 3” in place? They have two potentially-elite, extremely talented youngsters, and a potentially high level, high IQ guy in Haliburton in place as well....that’s more than most teams can say. They’ll be fine. They backtracked last year because they had a lunatic nut for a GM, but he’s a goner, and they will get themselves back on track. They have nothing but time & talent on their side, just need to dial it in & focus on developing guys

[PhilLeotardo]

So excited to bring him over next yr and get rid of Carter as starting center.
I wouldnt be surprised if he became Jokic mold and they even from same club.

We need some luck at this point. Currently this team is stuck with not enough talent to get anywhere.

The avenue for filling this team with enough talent is wide open though. If WCJ can stay healthy and increase his trade value, a package of 2021 1st, 2022 1st, & WCJ should be enough to get a guy like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Suggs, or Evan Mobley.

Suddenly, the Bulls core has two top 5 picks + two top 7 picks + LaVine + enough cap space to sign two difference makers.

Simonovic developing into a rotational piece would be icing on the cake.

Whoa. Hang on. Wait....what!?!?!

[gobullschi]

We need some luck at this point. Currently this team is stuck with not enough talent to get anywhere.

The avenue for filling this team with enough talent is wide open though. If WCJ can stay healthy and increase his trade value, a package of 2021 1st, 2022 1st, & WCJ should be enough to get a guy like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Suggs, or Evan Mobley.

Suddenly, the Bulls core has two top 5 picks + two top 7 picks + LaVine + enough cap space to sign two difference makers.

Simonovic developing into a rotational piece would be icing on the cake.

Whoa. Hang on. Wait....what!?!?!

What do I need to spell out?

[PhilLeotardo]

I’d toss good money on this Simonovic dude never even coming over, let alone replacing Wendell Carter hahaha. Id throw my life savings on Simonovic never having a 20/10 game in the NBA, let alone being a starter on an NBA team. WCJ is infinitely more talented than Simonovic & actually has an NBA-ready body, something Simonovic will likely never possess. And it isn’t like WCJ is some 1%er elite big man talent either

Also, if he does in fact come over & prove (against ALL odds) to be some sort of wunderkind sleeper talent, you’d hope that replacing that pillow soft scrub Markkanen would be order #1 on the list

Also, ROFL! at the person above who suggested that WCJ + couple picks tossed in would be enough to net Cade Cunningham!!!!! Whatever y’all are chiefing on, pass it along, mates. This forum, I swear

[Chi town]

Why would Sacramento “not be real”? They’ll collapse based on what? They have a brand new FO & tons of talent. They’re back on track after that weird, injury-riddlers hiccup last season

I don’t believe in their big 3. Fox Hield Bagley.

Hali already hurt missing games too. Per WT

....who says Hield is part of their “big3”? Who says they even have a “big 3” in place? They have two potentially-elite, extremely talented youngsters, and a potentially high level, high IQ guy in Haliburton in place as well....that’s more than most teams can say. They’ll be fine. They backtracked last year because they had a lunatic nut for a GM, but he’s a goner, and they will get themselves back on track. They have nothing but time & talent on their side, just need to dial it in & focus on developing guys

The Kangz have sucked since Divac and Bibby. Two of my good friends are big Kings fans and haven't had anything to cheer about for years. Who are these elite youngsters? Fox? Bagley's Dad is tweeting @ the team to trade him. Hali is fragile and I expect him to miss lots of games until he fills in his frame.

They will be fine if that means missing the playoffs and not being bad enough to get a top pick... and when they do they pick an injury prone big over a generational talent. GM isn't their issue its their owner who calls all the shots and meddles with everything. As much as you proclaim you know with such confidence I'm shocked you don't know this.

[PhilLeotardo]

The avenue for filling this team with enough talent is wide open though. If WCJ can stay healthy and increase his trade value, a package of 2021 1st, 2022 1st, & WCJ should be enough to get a guy like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Suggs, or Evan Mobley.

Suddenly, the Bulls core has two top 5 picks + two top 7 picks + LaVine + enough cap space to sign two difference makers.

Simonovic developing into a rotational piece would be icing on the cake.

Whoa. Hang on. Wait....what!?!?!

What do I need to spell out?

...how about the part where a package of: an injury prone 7th pick big man in his early 20s (who will need to get paid very soon)+a lower top 10 2021 pick+a probably low pick in a considerably worse 2022 draft = a prodigious young talent, who has been garnering Magic Johnson comparisons, & is widely considered to be the first overall pick in what is looking like one of the strongest drafts ever

Yeah, seems super realistic....I can definitely see lots of teams going for that. 3 worse players in exchange for potentially one of the best players in the league /s

[gobullschi]

Whoa. Hang on. Wait....what!?!?!

What do I need to spell out?

...how about the part where a package of: an injury prone 7th pick big man in his early 20s (who will need to get paid very soon)+a lower top 10 2021 pick+a probably low pick in a considerably worse 2022 draft = a prodigious young talent, who has been garnering Magic Johnson comparisons, & is widely considered to be the first overall pick in what is looking like one of the strongest drafts ever

Yeah, seems super realistic....I can definitely see lots of teams going for that. 3 worse players in exchange for potentially one of the best players in the league /s

Depends on where the Bulls are drafting this year.

Although they will likely be healthier this season, compared to last, I suspect it will take at least 20 games into the season before the Bulls have a decent understanding of how to run Billy Donovan’s offense and defense. Most of our core hasn’t even been healthy to establish some cohesiveness, which is another hurdle they will need to overcome. Add all that with a very difficult schedule and you can reasonably project a top 5-10 pick. I suspect the Bulls will move OPJ and/or Young for additional draft assets, which will likely increase the Bulls odds at a good pick. (i.e make them worse)

Take all of that into consideration and combine it with the new lottery rules, and the Bulls will have decent odds at another top 4 pick. Chicago and a Charlotte both moved into the top 4 after finishing 7th and 8th.

I prefaced WCJ’s health and production being vital for his trade value to increase. Billy’s doing a good job increasing his role on the team to accomplish that.

Trading a future (2022) first round pick when your drafting in the top 10 is still is very valuable. Plus, that draft class might be expanded with guys straight from high school.

*Also - I listed the top 5 guys so you choosing the #1 player and ignore the other 4 to try and ‘strengthen’ your point is just weak.