2021 Draft

[bigfoot]

Pretty simple that Jones is gonna draft someone who is a good shooter and free throw shooter as well as an upperclassman. Just look for the guy with the hardhat and lunch pail and that's your man.

[bwgood77]

I'm pretty happy with how the lottery turned out. Pistons did some blatant tanking this year, but they've been treadmilling for so long. Warriors won't be ending up with a blue chip prospect. I do feel for the Magic a bit with their poor injury luck, I'm a fair bit higher on Cade, Mobley, Green, and Suggs than guys like Kuminga and Barnes. Thunder have to be pretty upset too.

Rockets have an interesting opportunity in pairing KPJ and Wood with Mobley, Green, or Suggs. Cavs potentially having to choose between Green and Suggs with Sexton and Garlard there, and Mobley with Jarrett Allen there is interesting as well.

Really curious to see the direction we go. I see late first round picks as a good opportunity to aim high on potential and drops due to injury concerns, but I'm never against trying to secure another 3-and-D wing. I wouldn't hate guys like Ayayi, Dosunmu, or Nix either. I don't think being locked into a position is wise given draft picks at that point don't typically amount to much, just take whoever our staff thinks can be the best player and make the minutes work if they're good enough to play early on. Young talent itching for minutes is a good problem.

If Jared Butler is there, do you like him?

If our medical staff cleared him and he cleared the Fitness-to-Play review I'd take a look at him. I thought I had seen him mocked around us before the medical issue came up though, so I don't know if that'd be the right risk.

Wow, I didn't know he was referred to the Fitness-to-Play panel.

[bwgood77]

Pretty simple that Jones is gonna draft someone who is a good shooter and free throw shooter as well as an upperclassman. Just look for the guy with the hardhat and lunch pail and that's your man.

Well that's a lot of who has been mentioned. Joel Ayayi, Jared Butler, Ayo Dosunmu

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) Tweeted:
Ohio's Jason Preston had a great day at the NBA Combine, shooting the ball extremely well, playing strong defense and whipping the ball all over the floor to teammates in impressive fashion. Has an outstanding feel for the game and an extremely high skill-level. https://t.co/4Ua4RabuZP

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This kid has good size at 6'4 with a 6'9 wingspan, Is a really impressive passer, plays hard defense, and hits around 39% from three. Might be a solid consideration in the 2nd round IF we add a mid to late 2nd round pick. In this scenario of course we take the BPA available ( wing or Big) at 29. Any of JT Thor, Trey Murphy 3rd, Greg Brown, Ssndro Mamukelashvili could be awesome for us!

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) Tweeted:
Auburn's JT Thor went 15/25 in the NBA Combine's 3-point star shooting drill yesterday, best among frontcourt players so far. Thor measured 6'8 1/2 barefoot, 203 pounds with a 7'3 wingspan and 9'2 standing reach. https://t.co/tljpcwaPAs

Read on Twitter

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[MrMiyagi]

Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) Tweeted:
Auburn's JT Thor went 15/25 in the NBA Combine's 3-point star shooting drill yesterday, best among frontcourt players so far. Thor measured 6'8 1/2 barefoot, 203 pounds with a 7'3 wingspan and 9'2 standing reach. https://t.co/tljpcwaPAs

Read on Twitter

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But can he hit the middy?

[Mulhollanddrive]

I'm surprised at how poor Cade Cunningham's efficiency has been in college given his narrative.

Also thought the same about Anthony Edwards.

Spending a no.1 pick on a player shooting 43% FG and 106 Offensive Rating against college players then expecting them to become a 47% FG and 115 Offensive Rating type player against NBA athletes is an incredible leap of faith.

[MrMiyagi]

I'm surprised at how poor Cade Cunningham's efficiency has been in college given his narrative.

Also thought the same about Anthony Edwards.

Spending a no.1 pick on a player shooting 43% FG and 106 Offensive Rating against college players then expecting them to become a 47% FG and 115 Offensive Rating type player against NBA athletes is an incredible leap of faith.

Here are some True Shooting %s, ORtg, and OBPM comparisons:
Cade: 57.4% TS, 106.4 ORtg, 5.1 OBPM
A. 56.6% TS, 111.4 ORtg, 3.5 OBPM
B. 53.4% TS, 116.3 ORtg, 6.8 OBPM
C. 55.2% TS, 114.7 ORtg, 4.6 OBPM
D. 57.8% TS, 116.5 ORtg, 5.5 OBPM

Spoiler:

A. Jayson Tatum
B. Donovan Mitchell
C. Brandon Ingram
D. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

[Mulhollanddrive]

The Cade Cunningham metrics that raised question marks for me were:

106 O-Rating
3.5 Assists
4.1 Turnovers
46% From 2

I'm not seeing his skill, size, court vision coming through in those numbers similar to what Doncic, Simmons, Haliburton were putting up.

He might be closer to RJ Barrett.

I remember being a Lonzo sceptic a few years back and being very unpopular back then, same train of thought that the narrative doesn't match reality.

[darealjuice]

The Cade Cunningham metrics that raised question marks for me were:

106 O-Rating
3.5 Assists
4.1 Turnovers
46% From 2

I'm not seeing his skill, size, court vision coming through in those numbers similar to what Doncic, Simmons, Haliburton were putting up.

He might be closer to RJ Barrett.

I remember being a Lonzo sceptic a few years back and being very unpopular back then, same train of thought that the narrative doesn't match reality.

Counterpoint: His teammates sucked and he got all of the defense's attention much like Trae Young at Oklahoma, while RJ Barrett was playing with Zion and Cam Reddish at Duke and was still inefficient. I don't think he's Luka level, but he's a really good prospect. 20/6/3.5 on 58 TS% and 40 3PT% in the Big 12 with his supporting cast was not easy. His tape as a playmaker is a lot better than his assist numbers and ATO in my opinion. ORTG is also a team stat, and he had a positive ORTG relative to his team.

I was a Lonzo skeptic because he literally couldn't shoot off the dribble outside of his step back going left and he never ran pick and roll at UCLA (plus his shot was hideous), but my biggest concern with Cade is that he's not an extremely explosive athlete or particularly strong/thicc like Luka.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) Tweeted:
Sam Hauser yesterday during shooting drills, pretty convincing stroke for 6-8 forward. Career 44% 3PT, 88% FT https://t.co/g9cvVYqKbi

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Sam Hauser is another great shooter in the Bojan Bogdanovic ( Utah) mold. Who couldn't use more offense on the perimeter these days!

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) Tweeted:
Auburn's JT Thor went 15/25 in the NBA Combine's 3-point star shooting drill yesterday, best among frontcourt players so far. Thor measured 6'8 1/2 barefoot, 203 pounds with a 7'3 wingspan and 9'2 standing reach. https://t.co/tljpcwaPAs

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But can he hit the middy?

Yeah. He's solid and developing further offensively, polishing up his game as most young players do.
https://www.btlscouting.org/auburn/jt-thor

Scouting Report

Strengths

- Defensive versatility can defend multiple positions 

- Runs the floor well

- Finishes well above/around the rim

- Shoots it well in the mid-range

- Good help-side shot-blocker

- Can put the ball on the floor 

https://oanow.com/sports/college/auburn/auburn-s-jt-thor-shows-off-ability-in-loss-to-kentucky/article_347d77b6-6e4c-11eb-8c77-972e85e4302c.html

Thor excelled down the stretch against the Wildcats by scoring 18 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field in the game’s final eight minutes and 18 seconds of action. Thor ended the game with 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including a 5-of-6 mark from 3-point range.

Watch on YouTube

His primary value ( much similar to Bridges early on) will be based upon his elite defensive versatility as he can guard 1-5 ( small ball 5s'). But is somewhat streaky at times in his offense. Personally, I'd draft him, And stash him in the G league for development and further seasoning whilst Satic finishes out his contract and Smith is ready to replace him. By then, after next season ( yr or two) you bring him back on board as a backup 3-5 multipositionalwing/ forward (situationally), With both players costing us significantly less than the full midlevel that Saric is currently making. Allowing us to appropriate more salary to other critical positions.
** He or Herbert Jones would of course also provide added wing depth and insurance against losing Bridges???

[kennydorglas]

I'm running some numbers for this draft and later in the week will post some thoughts.

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://www.nbabigboard.com/p/draft-combine-measurements

Some important measurements and numbers to consider. I had no idea that Shariffe Cooper was taller than originally advertised!!! We'd be very smart to trade up for him somehow IF possible!

Draft Combine MeasurementsOur first look at the real measurements of the top prospects in the draft

Chad Ford
Jun 22

Draft Combine MeasurementsOur first look at the real measurements of the top prospects in the draft

Chad Ford

Jun 22110

Also: Check out our analysis of the Combine athletic testing here!

The NBA released official measurements for the many of the top prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft on Tuesday.

Here are a few takeaways from that list:

Utah State’s Neemias Queta was the tallest player at 6’11.25” w/o shoes.

Queta also had the longest wingspan at 7’4” and the tallest standing reach at 9’4.5."

Oral Roberts’ Max Abmas was the shortest player at 5’10.5” w/o shoes.

Duke’s Jalen Johnson had both the widest and the longest hands.

Florida State’s RaiQuan Gray was the heaviest player at 268.6 pounds. He’s 6’6.5” w/o shoes. He had a 17.3% body fat percentage. That’s not great.

Tennessee’s Yves Ponds had just 4% body fat.

Players who measured taller than expected (w/o shoes):

Ziaire Williams (6’8.25” … nearly 6’10” in shoes)
Sharife Cooper (6”3.5”)

Analysis: There are rarely players who measure significantly taller than we expect. Williams measuring nearly 6’10” in shoes should bode well for him as a projected wing (though his wingspan is pretty pedestrian).

Cooper’s height looks like a typo. Scouts were expecting him to come in measured at around six feet or smaller. That’s just stunning if he’s really that tall, based on his listed height of 6’ 1” at Auburn.

Players who measured shorter than expected (all measurements w/o shoes):

Max Abmas (5’10.5”)
Davion Mitchell (6’0”)
Josh Christopher (6’3.25”)
Tre Mann (6’3.25”)
Keon Johnson (6’3.25”)
James Bouknight (6’3.5”)
Marcus Bagley (6’6”)
Roko Prkačin (6’7.5”)

Players with the longest wingspans relative to their height:

Moses Moody (+8.25”)
Scottie Lewis (+8”)
Miles McBride (+7.75”)
Scottie Barnes (+7.75”)
Nah’Shon Hyland (+7.25”)
Yves Pons (+7.25”)
David Johnson (+7.25”)
Isaiah Mobley (+7”)
Ayo Dosunmu (+6.75”)
Trendon Watford (+6.75”)
Jericho Sims (+6.25”)
Aaron Henry (+6.25”)
DJ Steward (+6.25”)
Herbert Jones (+6.25”)
Josh Christopher (+6”)
McKinley Wright IV (+6”)

Players with the shortest wingspans relative to their height:

Tre Mann (+0.75”)
Matt Hurt (+1”)
Corey Kispert (+1”)
Austin Reeves (+1.75”)
Jared Butler (+1.75”)
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (+2”)
Marcus Zegarowski (+2”)

Again! Cooper should be priority #1 for us in this draft! McBride ( 2) and Dosunma ( 3 ). But I wouldn't be at all upset with taking Hyland as a surprise pick, IF he can be expected to gain some weight and strength! And IF Paul could teach him better more elite playmaking skills. He's got elite shooting, is quick and crafty. And he really showed great flashes of playmaking potential in the combine scrimmages.

Also, finding a way to trade in for another pick to get either Sims or Queta would be ideal for our positional needs and cap flexibility.

[Ghost of Kleine]

https://www.nbabigboard.com/p/draft-combine-athletic-testing

Speed/ agility/ vertical burst testing!
* Hyland did well in agility. 2nd best time behind scotty Lewis at 10:53 seconds.

* Terrence Shannon is explosive like Oubre. Had a 40 inch vertical.
* Ayo Dosunma had a 40 inch vertical.
* Greg Brown had a 40 inch vertical.

NBA OFFICIAL MEASUREMENTS LIST
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro/

[sunsbg]

Some important measurements and numbers to consider. I had no idea that Shariffe Cooper was taller than originally advertised!!! We'd be very smart to trade up for him somehow IF possible!

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=LNH

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) Tweeted:
Went to watch Joe Wieskamp work out while I was in Chicago this week. Here's some snippets of what we saw. https://t.co/pqUKJQqYJ2

Read on Twitter

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[Barkley6]

From CBS Sports:

David Duke | Providence | Jr. | PG | 6-5, 205
Does a 6-5 point guard who last season was top four in the Big East in points and assists per game bring you any interest? What about if he shot 40.2% the last two seasons from 3-point range on 231 attempts? I feel like I might be on an island here, but Providence's David Duke is someone who profiles as potential first-round material. He gets dinged a bit because he's older -- 21 -- and because he's not the most explosive prospect. But the ability to shoot it and generate offense at his size from the lead guard spot is what NBA teams look for and need. He checks enough boxes that right now he's a near-lock to be drafted, and someone who I think could be right on the cusp of a top-30 selection by the draft.

This has James Jones written all over it. Biggest knock is that he's 21 already. We know that won't phase Phoenix. He's got great size, true combo guard ability, and can shoot the ball really well. Not the most efficient player, turnovers were slightly high, and only shot about 40% from 2pt range. But he averaged 18/5/6 as a Junior. Could definitely benefit from some CP3/Book tutelage and be a useful player. Not saying to take him at 29, but I wouldn't be surprised as JJ is known to reach a little.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Some important measurements and numbers to consider. I had no idea that Shariffe Cooper was taller than originally advertised!!! We'd be very smart to trade up for him somehow IF possible!

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=LNH

Thanks for the clarification on that man! I do appreciate it.

And honestly, I find this to be even better for us if he really isn't, Because I think that somewhat increases the potential of him falling to us at 29. I see Cooper as the ideal Chris Paul clone with his elite passing and ballhandling to be mentored by Paul himself. I think IF Paul could mentor him on his elite midrange game and defense/ poise, Cooper could emulate that incredibly well. Also, If he's still young enough, Then perhaps he might still get that 2-3 inch growth spurt and if that were to happen???? Then lookout for what that could provide us in the backcourt!!!

But all in all, I'd be cool even with him at 6'0 or 6'1 IF it meant he'd drop to us as a result.

[RunDogGun]

From CBS Sports:

David Duke | Providence | Jr. | PG | 6-5, 205
Does a 6-5 point guard who last season was top four in the Big East in points and assists per game bring you any interest? What about if he shot 40.2% the last two seasons from 3-point range on 231 attempts? I feel like I might be on an island here, but Providence's David Duke is someone who profiles as potential first-round material. He gets dinged a bit because he's older -- 21 -- and because he's not the most explosive prospect. But the ability to shoot it and generate offense at his size from the lead guard spot is what NBA teams look for and need. He checks enough boxes that right now he's a near-lock to be drafted, and someone who I think could be right on the cusp of a top-30 selection by the draft.

This has James Jones written all over it. Biggest knock is that he's 21 already. We know that won't phase Phoenix. He's got great size, true combo guard ability, and can shoot the ball really well. Not the most efficient player, turnovers were slightly high, and only shot about 40% from 2pt range. But he averaged 18/5/6 as a Junior. Could definitely benefit from some CP3/Book tutelage and be a useful player. Not saying to take him at 29, but I wouldn't be surprised as JJ is known to reach a little.

What an unfortunate name.