Draft Thread Part 2

[Reeko]

I previously said he was the safest pick in the draft, but the more I watch and dig into him, Moses Moody looks to have the best upside, defensive quality and star potential. He reminds me most of Jimmy Butler - a talented, hardworking, and just a dog on both sides of the ball who has skills to get freethrows which Toronto lacks. He basically can play right away off the bench, but at his age, size, and skill, can move beyond just a 3 and D guy.

-Good two guard size at 6'6" with a 7 foot wingspan.
-Movement shooter capability
-Decent mid-range pull-up
-High level team defender and hustling competitor - always in a low defensive stance
-A better playmaker than he showed
-Knack for generating freethrows (tied for seventh in NCAA Div 1)

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

What I really like is his character. He seems like a humble, grinder type who has some serious game. When you think that he played with Cade Cunningham in high school then became a leader on Arkansas, no matter where he was he was a high level player and teammate. When you listen to him, he just sounds like our type of no nonsense winner.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Seems more like a Paul Pierce. Not exciting pick but may be solid value.

I guess at worst, he's Kelly Oubre.

I don't think Toronto is ever in a situation where they need to a risky swing at a high boom/bust prospect. I think they did that in the 20s with Bruno because if it didn't work out, it was no huge loss at that range. From a lottery perspective, you want a guy that can produce and won't be a waste time and resources. To tank and get yourself a 2-3 year project is awful especially if you plan to be competitive the next year.

To me the biggest draft success story last year was Tyrese Haliburton. He was a 12 pick who wasn't a guy that a lot of people were excited about, but now he is the likely ROY and future partner in the Kings backcourt. Similarly, Devin Vassell at 11 was a great pick because right away he is able to defend and shoot 40% from three. Maybe neither of those guys are exciting athletes, but they had NBA level skills like Moody does. Moody may not have has the same pure shooting numbers, but he led his team on both ends.

Eh, a lot of people were excited about Haliburton. Not just on here, but even Stephen A Smith was raving about him and how he should've been the Knicks pick, before the draft. A lot of people saw him as a top 5 pick, it baffles me, and I'm sure many others, that he fell all the way to 12.

[Indeed]

I previously said he was the safest pick in the draft, but the more I watch and dig into him, Moses Moody looks to have the best upside, defensive quality and star potential. He reminds me most of Jimmy Butler - a talented, hardworking, and just a dog on both sides of the ball who has skills to get freethrows which Toronto lacks. He basically can play right away off the bench, but at his age, size, and skill, can move beyond just a 3 and D guy.

-Good two guard size at 6'6" with a 7 foot wingspan.
-Movement shooter capability
-Decent mid-range pull-up
-High level team defender and hustling competitor - always in a low defensive stance
-A better playmaker than he showed
-Knack for generating freethrows (tied for seventh in NCAA Div 1)

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

What I really like is his character. He seems like a humble, grinder type who has some serious game. When you think that he played with Cade Cunningham in high school then became a leader on Arkansas, no matter where he was he was a high level player and teammate. When you listen to him, he just sounds like our type of no nonsense winner.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Moody's advanced numbers look pretty good, which fits the profile of the type of player the Raps usually target in the draft. However, watching Moody play, he did not stand out as a lottery type talent to me. I had a futures bet on Arkansas so I watched all their games in the tournament, and Moody was super passive (disappeared for stretches) and displayed a limited move set - he had a hard time creating shots, and mostly stuck to forcing one dribble pull ups, some of which were very ugly. I'm generally not an eye test guy, and granted the sample of games I watched is small, but I'm quite leery of him in the lottery.

This is what I see as well, which is why I am not excited about Moody and his lack of creativity. Maybe it was his handle, but at 6'6 with a long wingspan, he may not be the scoring swingman that we are looking for, neither going to carry the offense. I feel more like Jeremy Lamb.

[Dalek]

I previously said he was the safest pick in the draft, but the more I watch and dig into him, Moses Moody looks to have the best upside, defensive quality and star potential. He reminds me most of Jimmy Butler - a talented, hardworking, and just a dog on both sides of the ball who has skills to get freethrows which Toronto lacks. He basically can play right away off the bench, but at his age, size, and skill, can move beyond just a 3 and D guy.

-Good two guard size at 6'6" with a 7 foot wingspan.
-Movement shooter capability
-Decent mid-range pull-up
-High level team defender and hustling competitor - always in a low defensive stance
-A better playmaker than he showed
-Knack for generating freethrows (tied for seventh in NCAA Div 1)

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

What I really like is his character. He seems like a humble, grinder type who has some serious game. When you think that he played with Cade Cunningham in high school then became a leader on Arkansas, no matter where he was he was a high level player and teammate. When you listen to him, he just sounds like our type of no nonsense winner.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Moody's advanced numbers look pretty good, which fits the profile of the type of player the Raps usually target in the draft. However, watching Moody play, he did not stand out as a lottery type talent to me. I had a futures bet on Arkansas so I watched all their games in the tournament, and Moody was super passive (disappeared for stretches) and displayed a limited move set - he had a hard time creating shots, and mostly stuck to forcing one dribble pull ups, some of which were very ugly. I'm generally not an eye test guy, and granted the sample of games I watched is small, but I'm quite leery of him in the lottery.

I think it is fair to be critical of him as a prospect in the tournament, but his team made it to the Elite 8, and he was still generating freethrows and defending even when his shot was not falling. That's what I like about him, is that even at 18/19 years old he found ways to impact winning. You also have to look at how he was cast in Arkansas. He was a pretty low usage player compared to Mason Jones last year.

[Indeed]

I guess Springer could leap like last season's Patrick Williams. We need a couple of those and maybe Kuminga drops to us.

1. Houston - Cade
2. Minnesota - Mobley (pair with KAT)
3. Orlando - Jalen Green or Suggs
4. Detroit - Jalen Green or Suggs
5. Cleveland - Scottie Barnes (to playmake for Garland, Sexton and have Okoro at SF)
6. OKC - Need a gamble here! Maybe Jalen Johnson?
7. Sacramento - Need a gamble here!

Oh I dunno.

I still see Detroit and Cleveland taking a risk for a higher ceiling players with Jalen Green and Kuminga

1. Houston - Cade
2. Minnesota - Mobley
3. Orlando - Suggs (wish for Mobley?)
4. Detroit - Jalen Green
5. Cleveland - Kuminga
6. OKC - Keon Johnson (Perhaps they need guards)
7. Sacramento - Scottie Barnes (Replacing or playing with Holmes)
8. Orlando - Jalen Johnson (Gordon 2.0?)

Anyway, those would be the top 7 regardless their order, I suppose.
And Jalen Johnson, Moody, Kai Jones, Wagner, Springer, Kispert may round out the top 12 or 13?

[Psubs]

To me the biggest draft success story last year was Tyrese Haliburton. He was a 12 pick who wasn't a guy that a lot of people were excited about, but now he is the likely ROY and future partner in the Kings backcourt. Similarly, Devin Vassell at 11 was a great pick because right away he is able to defend and shoot 40% from three. Maybe neither of those guys are exciting athletes, but they had NBA level skills like Moody does. Moody may not have has the same pure shooting numbers, but he led his team on both ends.

Let's hope for droppers like Haliburton.

If we can't see them being better than Trent Jr then go after a forward or PF/C.

In 2019, I think Hachimura was considered to possibly crack the top 5 but Darius Garland jumped to #5 from outside the top 10.

In 2018, I think Wendell Carter Jr was a reach at #7 as he was borderline lottery and SGA was avaiable at #11.

Gotta hope for those, even though Garland is pretty good but you can get a Malachi Flynn at #29.


International scouting.

Hukporti with a 2nd pick? Imagine taking Wagner in the 1st round? Signing Theis! SHIZER!!!

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31352746/nba-draft-why-victor-wembanyama-world-most-intriguing-long-term-prospect

[StringerBell]

I previously said he was the safest pick in the draft, but the more I watch and dig into him, Moses Moody looks to have the best upside, defensive quality and star potential. He reminds me most of Jimmy Butler - a talented, hardworking, and just a dog on both sides of the ball who has skills to get freethrows which Toronto lacks. He basically can play right away off the bench, but at his age, size, and skill, can move beyond just a 3 and D guy.

-Good two guard size at 6'6" with a 7 foot wingspan.
-Movement shooter capability
-Decent mid-range pull-up
-High level team defender and hustling competitor - always in a low defensive stance
-A better playmaker than he showed
-Knack for generating freethrows (tied for seventh in NCAA Div 1)

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

What I really like is his character. He seems like a humble, grinder type who has some serious game. When you think that he played with Cade Cunningham in high school then became a leader on Arkansas, no matter where he was he was a high level player and teammate. When you listen to him, he just sounds like our type of no nonsense winner.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

THIS!!!!! I find it amazing nobody's really talking about him. Think Moody will be a walking bucket in the NBA. Offensively, he has great shooting mechanics and with enough reps should be able to shoot 40%+ from NBA 3. Doesn't have great handle but doesn't need to have one. Great footwork, a fadeaway J, nice dribble pull up and his 7'0" wingspan will allow him to get his shot off against contests. Add in the ability to draw fouls and dude's gonna average 20ppg EASY in todays NBA. Just imagine the Raps development staff working with his already solid skillset. Not to mention he's still only 18! He's also a willing passer, sees the floor well, great defender, and has he intangibles as you mentioned. If Moody's there at 7 or 8, Raps HAVE to take him. Think he'd be a great fit with FVV/Flynn/GTJ in the backcourt.

[Mark_83]

Seems more like a Paul Pierce. Not exciting pick but may be solid value.

I guess at worst, he's Kelly Oubre.

I don't think Toronto is ever in a situation where they need to a risky swing at a high boom/bust prospect. I think they did that in the 20s with Bruno because if it didn't work out, it was no huge loss at that range. From a lottery perspective, you want a guy that can produce and won't be a waste time and resources. To tank and get yourself a 2-3 year project is awful especially if you plan to be competitive the next year.

To me the biggest draft success story last year was Tyrese Haliburton. He was a 12 pick who wasn't a guy that a lot of people were excited about, but now he is the likely ROY and future partner in the Kings backcourt. Similarly, Devin Vassell at 11 was a great pick because right away he is able to defend and shoot 40% from three. Maybe neither of those guys are exciting athletes, but they had NBA level skills like Moody does. Moody may not have has the same pure shooting numbers, but he led his team on both ends.

Eh, a lot of people were excited about Haliburton. Not just on here, but even Stephen A Smith was raving about him and how he should've been the Knicks pick, before the draft. A lot of people saw him as a top 5 pick, it baffles me, and I'm sure many others, that he fell all the way to 12.

Concur on Halliburton. Would have to pull up old threads but I remember saying he was a steal falling to 12. He was an analytics darling.

[StringerBell]

I previously said he was the safest pick in the draft, but the more I watch and dig into him, Moses Moody looks to have the best upside, defensive quality and star potential. He reminds me most of Jimmy Butler - a talented, hardworking, and just a dog on both sides of the ball who has skills to get freethrows which Toronto lacks. He basically can play right away off the bench, but at his age, size, and skill, can move beyond just a 3 and D guy.

-Good two guard size at 6'6" with a 7 foot wingspan.
-Movement shooter capability
-Decent mid-range pull-up
-High level team defender and hustling competitor - always in a low defensive stance
-A better playmaker than he showed
-Knack for generating freethrows (tied for seventh in NCAA Div 1)

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

What I really like is his character. He seems like a humble, grinder type who has some serious game. When you think that he played with Cade Cunningham in high school then became a leader on Arkansas, no matter where he was he was a high level player and teammate. When you listen to him, he just sounds like our type of no nonsense winner.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Moody's advanced numbers look pretty good, which fits the profile of the type of player the Raps usually target in the draft. However, watching Moody play, he did not stand out as a lottery type talent to me. I had a futures bet on Arkansas so I watched all their games in the tournament, and Moody was super passive (disappeared for stretches) and displayed a limited move set - he had a hard time creating shots, and mostly stuck to forcing one dribble pull ups, some of which were very ugly. I'm generally not an eye test guy, and granted the sample of games I watched is small, but I'm quite leery of him in the lottery.

This is what I see as well, which is why I am not excited about Moody and his lack of creativity. Maybe it was his handle, but at 6'6 with a long wingspan, he may not be the scoring swingman that we are looking for, neither going to carry the offense. I feel more like Jeremy Lamb.

It's all about reps, reps, reps. From a skillset perspective the base is already there and you can see he has a great feel on the offensive end. All his game needs is a little polish.

[Psubs]

I guess Springer could leap like last season's Patrick Williams. We need a couple of those and maybe Kuminga drops to us.

1. Houston - Cade
2. Minnesota - Mobley (pair with KAT)
3. Orlando - Jalen Green or Suggs
4. Detroit - Jalen Green or Suggs
5. Cleveland - Scottie Barnes (to playmake for Garland, Sexton and have Okoro at SF)
6. OKC - Need a gamble here! Maybe Jalen Johnson?
7. Sacramento - Need a gamble here!

Oh I dunno.

I still see Detroit and Cleveland taking a risk for a higher ceiling players with Jalen Green and Kuminga

1. Houston - Cade
2. Minnesota - Mobley
3. Orlando - Suggs (wish for Mobley?)
4. Detroit - Jalen Green
5. Cleveland - Kuminga
6. OKC - Keon Johnson (Perhaps they need guards)
7. Sacramento - Scottie Barnes (Replacing or playing with Holmes)
8. Orlando - Jalen Johnson (Gordon 2.0?)

Anyway, those would be the top 7 regardless their order, I suppose.
And Jalen Johnson, Moody, Kai Jones, Wagner, Springer, Kispert may round out the top 12 or 13?

The last 3 games in the tourney for Kispert really showed him shrinking (though Wagner had a bad final game he's still much younger). I think he should fall maybe to Memphis (like getting a foward version of Bane and weapon for Ja to dish to) or Boston at #18 (becaus of drafting Pritchard and Nesmith valuing shooting). If he falls all the way to #20 Houston (from Portland) they have to take him if he's going to be Joe Harris 2.0.

[F22_Raptor]

Watch on YouTube

Looks like Badji was mentioned as a potential 1st round draft pick for the Raps.

I really enjoyed the blocks and oops in this clip!

Here's footage of him in the Spanish third league on the same team as Leandro Bolmaro. Shows more mobility and offensive game.

Watch on YouTube

Pretty thorough writeup on him here: https://advanceprobasketball.com/2020/12/17/ibou-dianko-badji-scouting-report-by-alex-brown-ahb-analytics/

Seems like a Bruno type of project, if Bruno were the size and shape of Rudy Gobert.

Thanks Mate, I didnt realize he was super raw.

[Psubs]

I don't think Toronto is ever in a situation where they need to a risky swing at a high boom/bust prospect. I think they did that in the 20s with Bruno because if it didn't work out, it was no huge loss at that range. From a lottery perspective, you want a guy that can produce and won't be a waste time and resources. To tank and get yourself a 2-3 year project is awful especially if you plan to be competitive the next year.

To me the biggest draft success story last year was Tyrese Haliburton. He was a 12 pick who wasn't a guy that a lot of people were excited about, but now he is the likely ROY and future partner in the Kings backcourt. Similarly, Devin Vassell at 11 was a great pick because right away he is able to defend and shoot 40% from three. Maybe neither of those guys are exciting athletes, but they had NBA level skills like Moody does. Moody may not have has the same pure shooting numbers, but he led his team on both ends.

Eh, a lot of people were excited about Haliburton. Not just on here, but even Stephen A Smith was raving about him and how he should've been the Knicks pick, before the draft. A lot of people saw him as a top 5 pick, it baffles me, and I'm sure many others, that he fell all the way to 12.

Concur on Halliburton. Would have to pull up old threads but I remember saying he was a steal falling to 12. He was an analytics darling.

I would've taken him ahead of Hayes but Detroit gambled and we'll see. Hayes did get hurt and secured them a top 5 pick so it actually worked out better for them. Had they had Haliburton they may be where the Raptors are around 26-36. So everything happens for a reason.

[Dalek]

Moody's advanced numbers look pretty good, which fits the profile of the type of player the Raps usually target in the draft. However, watching Moody play, he did not stand out as a lottery type talent to me. I had a futures bet on Arkansas so I watched all their games in the tournament, and Moody was super passive (disappeared for stretches) and displayed a limited move set - he had a hard time creating shots, and mostly stuck to forcing one dribble pull ups, some of which were very ugly. I'm generally not an eye test guy, and granted the sample of games I watched is small, but I'm quite leery of him in the lottery.

This is what I see as well, which is why I am not excited about Moody and his lack of creativity. Maybe it was his handle, but at 6'6 with a long wingspan, he may not be the scoring swingman that we are looking for, neither going to carry the offense. I feel more like Jeremy Lamb.

The creative dribble types like Tre Mann and James Bouknight are likely not able to defend that well at the NBA level because they are both on the small-side of 6'5 (both having thin builds), and both are not high level passers. So while they do well on offense on self-creation, they lack in being able to defend adequately which may mean they are not likely future NBA starters on a playoff team.

Guys like Giddey and Barnes are great from a size and creativity perspective, but Giddey likely can't defend and it is hard to see Barnes becoming a primary scoring option unless he is a PF primarily.

While Moody is not an exciting event creator, he has enough handle to draw fouls. For players in the 6'5" to 6'9" that made 50+ 3s his 48.2 FTr was tops in college last year. It's the 3s, freethrows, mid-range pullups, movement shooting and defense that make me think this guy looks the part of a starting level wing on a good team.

Like OG and Pascal, his handle and pull-up dribble game will need to improve and likely will with training. But, he has a great base to work from.

[Dalek]

I previously said he was the safest pick in the draft, but the more I watch and dig into him, Moses Moody looks to have the best upside, defensive quality and star potential. He reminds me most of Jimmy Butler - a talented, hardworking, and just a dog on both sides of the ball who has skills to get freethrows which Toronto lacks. He basically can play right away off the bench, but at his age, size, and skill, can move beyond just a 3 and D guy.

-Good two guard size at 6'6" with a 7 foot wingspan.
-Movement shooter capability
-Decent mid-range pull-up
-High level team defender and hustling competitor - always in a low defensive stance
-A better playmaker than he showed
-Knack for generating freethrows (tied for seventh in NCAA Div 1)

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

What I really like is his character. He seems like a humble, grinder type who has some serious game. When you think that he played with Cade Cunningham in high school then became a leader on Arkansas, no matter where he was he was a high level player and teammate. When you listen to him, he just sounds like our type of no nonsense winner.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

THIS!!!!! I find it amazing nobody's really talking about him. Think Moody will be a walking bucket in the NBA. Offensively, he has great shooting mechanics and with enough reps should be able to shoot 40%+ from NBA 3. Doesn't have great handle but doesn't need to have one. Great footwork, a fadeaway J, nice dribble pull up and his 7'0" wingspan will allow him to get his shot off against contests. Add in the ability to draw fouls and dude's gonna average 20ppg EASY in todays NBA. Just imagine the Raps development staff working with his already solid skillset. Not to mention he's still only 18! He's also a willing passer, sees the floor well, great defender, and has he intangibles as you mentioned. If Moody's there at 7 or 8, Raps HAVE to take him. Think he'd be a great fit with FVV/Flynn/GTJ in the backcourt.

I think the lack of hype is mostly because he was put in a 3 and D box, but from what I have seen, he is not a stationary shooter at all, being able to shoot off movement, plus he has some mid-range tricks in his bag. It is the recipe for guys like Middleton and Butler, but also guys like Mikal Bridges or DeAndre Hunter who are the future stars of the NBA.

[mademan]

Still hoping Jalen Johnson drops to the Raps. I think he's a lot better than given credit for. He's got tremendous potential as a point forward who can shoot and defend, which is incredibly valuable in today's league

[StringerBell]

I previously said he was the safest pick in the draft, but the more I watch and dig into him, Moses Moody looks to have the best upside, defensive quality and star potential. He reminds me most of Jimmy Butler - a talented, hardworking, and just a dog on both sides of the ball who has skills to get freethrows which Toronto lacks. He basically can play right away off the bench, but at his age, size, and skill, can move beyond just a 3 and D guy.

-Good two guard size at 6'6" with a 7 foot wingspan.
-Movement shooter capability
-Decent mid-range pull-up
-High level team defender and hustling competitor - always in a low defensive stance
-A better playmaker than he showed
-Knack for generating freethrows (tied for seventh in NCAA Div 1)

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

What I really like is his character. He seems like a humble, grinder type who has some serious game. When you think that he played with Cade Cunningham in high school then became a leader on Arkansas, no matter where he was he was a high level player and teammate. When you listen to him, he just sounds like our type of no nonsense winner.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

THIS!!!!! I find it amazing nobody's really talking about him. Think Moody will be a walking bucket in the NBA. Offensively, he has great shooting mechanics and with enough reps should be able to shoot 40%+ from NBA 3. Doesn't have great handle but doesn't need to have one. Great footwork, a fadeaway J, nice dribble pull up and his 7'0" wingspan will allow him to get his shot off against contests. Add in the ability to draw fouls and dude's gonna average 20ppg EASY in todays NBA. Just imagine the Raps development staff working with his already solid skillset. Not to mention he's still only 18! He's also a willing passer, sees the floor well, great defender, and has he intangibles as you mentioned. If Moody's there at 7 or 8, Raps HAVE to take him. Think he'd be a great fit with FVV/Flynn/GTJ in the backcourt.

I think the lack of hype is mostly because he was put in a 3 and D box, but from what I have seen, he is not a stationary shooter at all, being able to shoot off movement, plus he has some mid-range tricks in his bag. It is the recipe for guys like Middleton and Butler, but also guys like Mikal Bridges or DeAndre Hunter who are the future stars of the NBA.

Extremely underrated skill.

[CoinTossRoss31]

I used to be really bummed about missing the top 5 but now I'm intrigued by a couple guys ..

Keon Johnson #1. I think outside the top 5 he has the best chance out of anyone of being a superstar.

Barnes

Moody

Wagner

[PhilBlackson]

I guess Springer could leap like last season's Patrick Williams. We need a couple of those and maybe Kuminga drops to us.

1. Houston - Cade
2. Minnesota - Mobley (pair with KAT)
3. Orlando - Jalen Green or Suggs
4. Detroit - Jalen Green or Suggs
5. Cleveland - Scottie Barnes (to playmake for Garland, Sexton and have Okoro at SF)
6. OKC - Need a gamble here! Maybe Jalen Johnson?
7. Sacramento - Need a gamble here!

Oh I dunno.

I still see Detroit and Cleveland taking a risk for a higher ceiling players with Jalen Green and Kuminga

1. Houston - Cade
2. Minnesota - Mobley
3. Orlando - Suggs (wish for Mobley?)
4. Detroit - Jalen Green
5. Cleveland - Kuminga
6. OKC - Keon Johnson (Perhaps they need guards)
7. Sacramento - Scottie Barnes (Replacing or playing with Holmes)
8. Orlando - Jalen Johnson (Gordon 2.0?)

Anyway, those would be the top 7 regardless their order, I suppose.
And Jalen Johnson, Moody, Kai Jones, Wagner, Springer, Kispert may round out the top 12 or 13?

These would be my guesses if the draft order remained as is (which it won't especially considering since the draft odds have changed at least 2 non top 5 teams have made it in there; of course all praying we're one of those ) but this is how I think it would be if it were to...


1. HOU - Cade: it's really hard to picture any team passing on him, while he may not be Luka, teams will fear being the team to pass on him as others did Luka. Even though he's more Tatum with better passing and floor generalship, he's going to be a flat out stud, hard to picture him not working out

2. MIN - Mobley: I think they would actually love to take Suggs but they've clearly invested in making KAT happy with DLo and Suggs would clearly make him expendable. Towns is sadly an awful defender so I think they'll just look to continue to appease him and take a big to cover up his many faults defensively

3. ORL - Green: I absolutely wish this was us (and that we wouldn't make the mistake of taking Suggs if we were in that position) but I don't see the Magic taking another PG after investing in Fultz and then Anthony. They just moved Evan, T-Ross likely won't be sticking around so it's an easy fit and just hella fortunate to have a box office talent that will get them on TV again a la Pelicans with Zion

4. DET - Suggs: Hayes just suffered a MAJOR hip injury which many athletes never come back looking the same from see Bo Jackson and even little Isaiah Thomas - not to mention he already looked underwhelming. He'd actually be a helluva fit with Bey, Jackson, Stewart, Sekou etc moving forward and give them a much needed floor general which they sorely lack and I think Casey will love him

5. CLE - Kuminga: a very fortunate fit with their glut of PGs, then they can push Okoro over to SG since he's more that size and Kuminga can play SF or alternatively allow both PGs to play and go small ball with Okoro at SF and him at PF as they desperately try to kick Kevin Love out

6. OKC - J.Johnson: they have SGA/Maldeon at PG with Dort emerging at SG, bring in Johnson to help rebound and switch defensively with Poku, I think they'd have an ok young core with obviously a TON more picks to roll the dice on and there's plenty of talent at the SG position that they can take another shot at SG later (Christopher, Mann, Mitchell etc)

7. SAC: Scottie Barnes: they're overloaded at their guard positions, they don't seem to be too in love with Bagley anymore and they just must get better defensively so I think he'll be the pick there which is unfortunate for Barnes lol

8. ORL: Josh Giddey: I think they surprise people and take Giddey. Neither Fultz or Anthony are great distributors and they just cleared the runway at SG for Green with Isaac and Bomba as their post players so Josh should help them share the ball bit better

Then there's us and I think it's one of 3 players...

9. TOR - Kai Jones OR James Bouknight OR Keon Johnson

Bouknight (or K Johnson) because he could become one of the better scoring SGs in time and I like the strategy of in time him growing into a starting position and moving Trent to a PG like role then move Freddy for an upgrade at C but regardless I think he is a very Raptor like pick because he has good defensive instincts but he's also a smart, versatile player I think Nurse will like and almost allow some replication between starters FVV/Trent and Flynn/Bouknight where there isn't much dip (if any in time). I don't think Keon Johnson is the same personality or "cultural" fit but he has an outside chance because he just has some really nice raw potential that perhaps our scouting department is too tough for them to pass on developing

BUT I could likewise see the Raps taking Kai Jones, although I'm no longer a huge fan of it because I just don't like players with low production. It's generally a bad sign of unassertiveness and likely means he will be another kid that will develop into a heck of a roleplayer that will excite our fans with his flashes of great athleticism, but come Playoff time, I'd just prefer having more guys like Bouknight to get us a bucket than Jones just being another cog in the system. It's not like he's an excellent defender but again I'm sure in time we'd make something of him. I'd just personally like another scoring option for the Playoffs and prefer pursuing Paul Reed (who think is/will be a MUCH better option) in a S&T of Kyle to PHI. If we don't take him I can see him dropping all the way to the Hornets

10. NOP - K. Johnson: give the Pelicans an athletic defender to replace some of what they lost in trading Jrue, not sure if they'll pay Hart to stick around and of course gives them decent upside with NAW remaining in a role I think he's best suited at as a 6th man spark plug type. If Keon is gone, then they take Bouknight for similar reasons and to open up the floor for Zion which could make him look incredible and make us question if we took the right guy

11. IND - Moody: I'm sure this is where most people assume Kispert lands (and it's certainly not out of the question) but I think they'll look to add to their guard play with Brogdon and LeVert (who's health is never really been a given) but I won't deny its not hard to see them taking CK lol

12. WAS - Williams: Zairie is going to need time to develop anyways, so he can learn behind Beal and Russ and eventually after probably another full year or so, they'll finally entertain trading Beal and allow Zairie a chance to grow into game

13. GSW - Springer: he's a good defender, taller than Mitchell who would need to play back up to Steph. Springer offers better value is somewhat of a smaller security blanket for Klay's health, the kid can shoot as well and provide probably more upside than Davion with better ability to switch on forwards

14. SAS - Wagner: Spurs like smart players that can fit within a system, they have a glut of wings who he'll be able to help space the floor for and help distribute the ball as he's a fairly decent passer

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I think Kai Jones is being over-hyped now and maybe he makes the leap like Jalen Smith to #10.

I think the best spot for him is San Antonio at #14 with Aldridge gone and Gay a pending FA. He can play behind Eubanks for 1 season.

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Moody's advanced numbers look pretty good, which fits the profile of the type of player the Raps usually target in the draft. However, watching Moody play, he did not stand out as a lottery type talent to me. I had a futures bet on Arkansas so I watched all their games in the tournament, and Moody was super passive (disappeared for stretches) and displayed a limited move set - he had a hard time creating shots, and mostly stuck to forcing one dribble pull ups, some of which were very ugly. I'm generally not an eye test guy, and granted the sample of games I watched is small, but I'm quite leery of him in the lottery.

This is what I see as well, which is why I am not excited about Moody and his lack of creativity. Maybe it was his handle, but at 6'6 with a long wingspan, he may not be the scoring swingman that we are looking for, neither going to carry the offense. I feel more like Jeremy Lamb.

The creative dribble types like Tre Mann and James Bouknight are likely not able to defend that well at the NBA level because they are both on the small-side of 6'5 (both having thin builds), and both are not high level passers. So while they do well on offense on self-creation, they lack in being able to defend adequately which may mean they are not likely future NBA starters on a playoff team.

Guys like Giddey and Barnes are great from a size and creativity perspective, but Giddey likely can't defend and it is hard to see Barnes becoming a primary scoring option unless he is a PF primarily.

While Moody is not an exciting event creator, he has enough handle to draw fouls. For players in the 6'5" to 6'9" that made 50+ 3s his 48.2 FTr was tops in college last year. It's the 3s, freethrows, mid-range pullups, movement shooting and defense that make me think this guy looks the part of a starting level wing on a good team.

Like OG and Pascal, his handle and pull-up dribble game will need to improve and likely will with training. But, he has a great base to work from.

Maybe he can improve some of those, but wouldn't expect him to take over games (as the scouting report said):

Watch on YouTube

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Maybe he can improve some of those, but wouldn't expect him to take over games (as the scouting report said):

Watch on YouTube

Ya, what makes him a better prospect than Isaiah Todd? Based on video, I can't see a skill that he's much better at than Todd, and Todd is a forward.

Moody shot 36% from college 3 while Todd shot 36% from NBA range. At least Todd is 6'10. I think their handles are comparable


Back to Kuminga dropping out of the top 5. Is Kuminga, so much a better prospect than teammate Todd that, Todd isn't even in the 1st round.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/teams/GLI/2021.html

He shot better than teammates Jarrett Jack and comparable from 3 as Jalen Green. He's just not possibly a #1 option. Better suited as a #3 option on a championship team. He's like Jalen Johnson with less intangibles.