Official 2022 Draft Thread

[PhilBlackson]

Absolutely, I'm calling it right now Masai will trade up to get Jalen Duren, that kid is only 18 yrs old and is already near 7 feet about 250 lbs, extremely mobile and athletic, also possesses a near 7'6 wingspan and is not done growing. He reminds me of a KG and Amar'e hybrid, this kid will make an impact right away, has an NBA ready body and aggressive mentality that you simply can't teach.Mark Williams is a lumbering big but his size is intriguing, 7'7 wingspan and a 9'8 reach, he reminds me of a lighter version les skilled version of Joel Embiid, he could be had with a late pick if we are interested. I've predicted the last years draft on this messageboard when everyone else is calling for Suggs we picked Barnes. Masai has a drafting history, long armed athletic prospects who can learn under the right tutelage, we will pick Duren if he's available, get back on me when this happens

Put this prediction/page link in your sign then we can fact check come draft time lol I'd legit be shocked if we ended up with Duren.

I think he goes somewhere between 6-9, I'd be surprised if some team would trade back to where we'll be (12-17 seems likely and I'm doubtful BOS can sustain any success and we'll see if ATL really is doing it again especially come post Trade deadline & if Collins is still around). We make the Playoffs then I give it almost no chance. We'd have to finish behind both ATL & BOS to get the 12th and imo we'd have to be that high to move into the 6-9 range. In which case personally I'd be trying to move up to get Sharpe instead and I still like AJ (possibly Mathurin as well) so much I'd be tempted to take him over Duren too. I just like a talented wing scorer come Playoffs more than a rim running, shot blocker.

We have enough talented wing scorers, Masai is going for that size and aggressive mentality on defense and Jalen Duren absolutely fit that mold.

Personally I don't buy that we have enough especially when GT Jr will be able to opt out (and likely will) for a larger deal not to mention we only really have one guy (maybe) that can be counted on to create for himself in the Playoffs in Pascal...and again that's a maybe. In the Playoffs you need at least a couple of players that you can count on to get themselves a bucket and don't tell me Fred. I believe in him to hit some big pitch out shots on the perimeter but not create his own come Playoffs when teams lock into what guys do, not at that size. Gary can shoot but his handle & drives aren't that great yet and OG lacks consistency not to mention can get clumsy when pressured (which he will be). Scottie is barely getting started, despite being unbelievably ahead of the curve in terms of his scoring, he's still not even close to the point of being a go to scorer or someone to count on to get a bucket, he's not a natural one.

Look at vast majority of true top teams in the league, all of them have at least 2 guys that can they can count on to get buckets and the bottomline is you genuinely believe Pascal can be the lead scorer on a championship team?! He's the guy that's going to carry your team vs Giannis/MIddleton, KD/Harden/Kyrie, Steph/Klay/Wiggins/Poole, Kawhi/PG....I don't. I legit don't think having some big rebounding shot blocker is going to be the difference between a chip or not and the league has become so dependent on the perimeter (to the point we're trying to push positionless - which Duren is not) that again I don't see it as being the move at all.

[aligator]

Raps will be looking to draft a G not a C.

[Madhouse]

Raps will be looking to draft a G not a C.

or a F or everything above.

[Ell Curry]

What about Kwame Brown with better hands?

I will bet that Masai doesn't trade up to take Jalen Duren.

I think that's a fair comparison. Kwame with better hands would have been a starter, but that's because he was a really good post defender, and that's no longer anywhere near as important because while there's still Embiid and Jokic, the B+ post players don't get minutes anymore because of their other deficiencies.

I could see Duren falling to us. Centers and PGs are always at risk of falling now. Spurs, Wizards, Memphis and OKC pick ahead of us and could use a 5, but the Wizards have Gafford (whose now out of the rotation?) beginning an extension next year and OKC might want to keep picking big wings and the Spurs seem likely to fall in love with someone like Kendall Brown or Pat Baldwin they can develop. Memphis could use a banger to replace Adams after next year since JJJ can't rebound.

The other way would be if we swapped pick with the Knicks to send them Dragic and take on bad money like the Fournier deal.

[PoundTown]

Dyson daniels intrigues me. I feel as though he could be at least a josh hart type player. Solid wingspan and some point skills, good on d and in transition. I think we can develop the jump shot here. Good insurance if Gary bolts on us or we decide he’s too expensive.

Also, beauchamp also intrigues me a bit as well. I’m more going off highlights with these guys than actually watching the games, but there’s potential with both of them.

[Indeed]

Those pull up 3s and his handle seem to be solid.
I am just not sure about his defense, but is he a 2nd round pick with those skills?

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[Ell Curry]

Kessler's stats are really strong but when you watch Auburn, Jabari Smith is such a good shooter at the 4 that the lane is totally open for Kessler. Very few college centers have that sort of room to get lobs and boards in.

I think Mark Williams is the better prospect because he looks fluid enough to defend forwards on the perimeter, which I really doubt Kessler has the mobility to do.

I'm not super sold on any of the centers in this draft. Can't see us taking one in the first round other than a falling Duren, as he at least has decent form on his jumper and he's so young that maybe his bad habits are fixable.

American centers are just getting worse and worse. Even using the Raptors broad definition of a 5, the only American centers with over 8 boards a game are: AD, Jarrett Allen, Wendell Carter Jr., Christian Wood, Drummond, Robert Williams, Bamba and Mobley. I think we'd rather just trade a first for one of the Orlando guys or Wood like Cleveland did with Jarrett Allen once they prove themselves a bit than hoping one of Kessler or Williams might end up a 12-8 guy at best. We didn't even go after Richaun Holmes who signed for cheap.

Kamagate looks alright, decent numbers against grown men. Not sure he's a physical enough rebounder from the highlights I've seen though.

They all look less likely to be positive NBA starters than Dyson Daniels to me.

[Indeed]

Kessler's stats are really strong but when you watch Auburn, Jabari Smith is such a good shooter at the 4 that the lane is totally open for Kessler. Very few college centers have that sort of room to get lobs and boards in.

I think Mark Williams is the better prospect because he looks fluid enough to defend forwards on the perimeter, which I really doubt Kessler has the mobility to do.

I'm not super sold on any of the centers in this draft. Can't see us taking one in the first round other than a falling Duren, as he at least has decent form on his jumper and he's so young that maybe his bad habits are fixable.

American centers are just getting worse and worse. Even using the Raptors broad definition of a 5, the only American centers with over 8 boards a game are: AD, Jarrett Allen, Wendell Carter Jr., Christian Wood, Drummond, Robert Williams, Bamba and Mobley. I think we'd rather just trade a first for one of the Orlando guys or Wood like Cleveland did with Jarrett Allen once they prove themselves a bit than hoping one of Kessler or Williams might end up a 12-8 guy at best. We didn't even go after Richaun Holmes who signed for cheap.

Kamagate looks alright, decent numbers against grown men. Not sure he's a physical enough rebounder from the highlights I've seen though.

They all look less likely to be positive NBA starters than Dyson Daniels to me.

The reason Duren is not considered in the top 5 is that his basketball IQ maybe in the Boucher level, so he is not perfect.

As for Williams, I prefer him, but he has not shown a better jumpshot.

Regardless, I am not sure we will draft a C, as none of them will be NBA ready. I think we may draft another forward who can shoot the ball. If we get another pick in late 1st or early 2nd, we may look for a prospect C. We also need a VanVleet backup, hope someone in the undraft range (eg. Pippen?)

[Psubs]

Kessler's stats are really strong but when you watch Auburn, Jabari Smith is such a good shooter at the 4 that the lane is totally open for Kessler. Very few college centers have that sort of room to get lobs and boards in.

I think Mark Williams is the better prospect because he looks fluid enough to defend forwards on the perimeter, which I really doubt Kessler has the mobility to do.

I'm not super sold on any of the centers in this draft. Can't see us taking one in the first round other than a falling Duren, as he at least has decent form on his jumper and he's so young that maybe his bad habits are fixable.

American centers are just getting worse and worse. Even using the Raptors broad definition of a 5, the only American centers with over 8 boards a game are: AD, Jarrett Allen, Wendell Carter Jr., Christian Wood, Drummond, Robert Williams, Bamba and Mobley. I think we'd rather just trade a first for one of the Orlando guys or Wood like Cleveland did with Jarrett Allen once they prove themselves a bit than hoping one of Kessler or Williams might end up a 12-8 guy at best. We didn't even go after Richaun Holmes who signed for cheap.

Kamagate looks alright, decent numbers against grown men. Not sure he's a physical enough rebounder from the highlights I've seen though.

They all look less likely to be positive NBA starters than Dyson Daniels to me.

From the highlights I've seen of Kessler he shows well on the P&R then recovers well on the roll man. He's way more under control than Boucher.

[Psubs]

The reason Duren is not considered in the top 5 is that his basketball IQ maybe in the Boucher level, so he is not perfect.

As for Williams, I prefer him, but he has not shown a better jumpshot.

Regardless, I am not sure we will draft a C, as none of them will be NBA ready. I think we may draft another forward who can shoot the ball. If we get another pick in late 1st or early 2nd, we may look for a prospect C. We also need a VanVleet backup, hope someone in the undraft range (eg. Pippen?)

Banton will be ready next season. David Johnson may be able to handle the 3rd PG duties next year instead of Flynn.

Bring back Jalen Harris to be the 3rd SG and 3rd PG.

[Psubs]

Raps will be looking to draft a G not a C.

Nikola Jovic is listed as a 6'10 G.

[Indeed]

The reason Duren is not considered in the top 5 is that his basketball IQ maybe in the Boucher level, so he is not perfect.

As for Williams, I prefer him, but he has not shown a better jumpshot.

Regardless, I am not sure we will draft a C, as none of them will be NBA ready. I think we may draft another forward who can shoot the ball. If we get another pick in late 1st or early 2nd, we may look for a prospect C. We also need a VanVleet backup, hope someone in the undraft range (eg. Pippen?)

Banton will be ready next season. David Johnson may be able to handle the 3rd PG duties next year instead of Flynn.

Bring back Jalen Harris to be the 3rd SG and 3rd PG.

Regardless of Banton, we need a VanVleet backup who can shoot the lights out and defend as a lock down.
I don't think Banton will become elite in shooting 3s, and he will need to show he can consistently make that mid-range pull up shot to be able to consistently create for himself (not far being a rotation player, but not yet).

I think we will need to add a shooter at PF/SF to space the floor, and this draft there are a few.

[Psubs]

The reason Duren is not considered in the top 5 is that his basketball IQ maybe in the Boucher level, so he is not perfect.

As for Williams, I prefer him, but he has not shown a better jumpshot.

Regardless, I am not sure we will draft a C, as none of them will be NBA ready. I think we may draft another forward who can shoot the ball. If we get another pick in late 1st or early 2nd, we may look for a prospect C. We also need a VanVleet backup, hope someone in the undraft range (eg. Pippen?)

Banton will be ready next season. David Johnson may be able to handle the 3rd PG duties next year instead of Flynn.

Bring back Jalen Harris to be the 3rd SG and 3rd PG.

Regardless of Banton, we need a VanVleet backup who can shoot the lights out and defend as a lock down.
I don't think Banton will become elite in shooting 3s, and he will need to show he can consistently make that mid-range pull up shot to be able to consistently create for himself (not far being a rotation player, but not yet).

I think we will need to add a shooter at PF/SF to space the floor, and this draft there are a few.

Nikola Jovic is shooting almost 40% from Euro 3 distance. 6'10 jumbo creator too. He's also still 18 1/2; as young as any freshman prospect.

[Psubs]

If Masai can flip Matt Thomas and Terence Davis for 2nd rounders can he get one for Malachi Flynn?

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[C-R-E-A-M-]

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[Madhouse]

The reason Duren is not considered in the top 5 is that his basketball IQ maybe in the Boucher level, so he is not perfect.

As for Williams, I prefer him, but he has not shown a better jumpshot.

Regardless, I am not sure we will draft a C, as none of them will be NBA ready. I think we may draft another forward who can shoot the ball. If we get another pick in late 1st or early 2nd, we may look for a prospect C. We also need a VanVleet backup, hope someone in the undraft range (eg. Pippen?)

Banton will be ready next season. David Johnson may be able to handle the 3rd PG duties next year instead of Flynn.

Bring back Jalen Harris to be the 3rd SG and 3rd PG.

Regardless of Banton, we need a VanVleet backup who can shoot the lights out and defend as a lock down.
I don't think Banton will become elite in shooting 3s, and he will need to show he can consistently make that mid-range pull up shot to be able to consistently create for himself (not far being a rotation player, but not yet).

I think we will need to add a shooter at PF/SF to space the floor, and this draft there are a few.

we need backup combo guard, 3 and D wing and Center.

But considering the strength are the wings I think we draft one of them.

[Psubs]

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https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Ousmane-Dieng/Summary/148828

He's Bruno 2.0. Maybe 1 year ahead of schedule at the same age?

[Madhouse]

Dieng isn't that dude honestly and I think the Australian League is also already scouted too well but if we are outside the lottery, trying to hit the jackpot with someone from Europe makes plenty of sense. College players are scouted too well to land a mega steal.

I would not mind Jovic at all if we make the playoffs. Not a fan of safe prospects, try to swing big.

[Psubs]

Dieng isn't that dude honestly and I think the Australian League is also already scouted too well but if we are outside the lottery, trying to hit the jackpot with someone from Europe makes plenty of sense. College players are scouted too well to land a mega steal.

I would not mind Jovic at all if we make the playoffs. Not a fan of safe prospects, try to swing big.

I would say that Jovic's floor is Yuta, ceiling is Toni Kukoc.

[Madhouse]

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