2022 NBA Draft Talk: Never too soon

[Klomp]

Best start looking at lottery prospects.

The absolute highest we can even possibly land at this point is 14, the last spot in the lottery.

I don't believe that is correct:

Game 1: The No. 7 team in the standings by winning percentage will host the No. 8 team, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losing team gets another chance in Game 3.

Game 2: The No. 9 team will host the No. 10 team, with the winner moving on to Game 3. The loser is eliminated and enters the NBA draft lottery.

Game 3: The loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup will host the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup, with the victor grabbing the No. 8 seed in the postseason. The loser of Game 3 also enters the lottery.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33567713/nba-play-tournament-2022-schedule-projections-rules-explained

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How does the NBA play-in tournament work?

The teams that finish between the seventh and 10th seeds in each conference will be subject to a play-in tournament to decide the final playoff spots. The eight teams involved will play a total of six games, or three games per conference.

Game 1 will pit the seventh- and eighth-ranked teams, based on regular season win percentage, with the winner of the game advancing to the playoffs as the seventh seed in their respective conference. The loser would then have to play the winner of the lower-seeded game.

Game 2 will see the ninth-ranked teams host the 10th-ranked teams, in which the winner would advance to play the loser of the seventh versus eighth game.

Game 3 will determine the eighth and final playoff spot in each conference, between the loser of Game 1 and the winner of Game 2.

The losers of Game 2 and Game 3 enter the NBA Draft Lottery following their respective eliminations.

https://www.yahoo.com/video/nba-play-in-tournament-rules-schedule-matchups-145051674.html

That disproves absolutely nothing of what I said.

There are 8 teams in the play-in tournaments. With 45 wins, we are basically ensured to have the best record of the eight teams (losing out and Cleveland winning out would result in tiebreaker coin toss at worst with both teams at 45-37). No matter the result of the tournament, the four that don't make the postseason are arranged 11-14 by record in the lottery odds. Since we are basically ensured to have the best record, that means we are basically ensured to settle with the 14th lottery odds if we lose twice in the play-in tournament, thus landing in the last spot of the lottery at highest.

[BlacJacMac]

I guess I misunderstood:

The absolute highest we can even possibly land at this point is 14, the last spot in the lottery.

As you saying the highest we can draft is 14...

[shangrila]

Best start looking at lottery prospects.

The absolute highest we can even possibly land at this point is 14, the last spot in the lottery.

Thank you for pointing out the obvious.

[Klomp]

I guess I misunderstood:

The absolute highest we can even possibly land at this point is 14, the last spot in the lottery.

As you saying the highest we can draft is 14...

Well obviously we could win the lottery or get a Top 4 pick, but the highest lottery odds we can get is 14th if we lose both play-in games. I believe we could drop as low as 22nd or so. Also keep in mind as the best record among play-in teams (assuming the tiebreaker with CLE explained earlier doesn't happen), making the playoffs would automatically drop us to 18th at best. 15th, 16th or 17th won't happen.

[minimus]

Mentiond in the latest Ben Taylor podcast:

good PoA defender who are able to navigate screens have good defensive technique and strong lower body / hips. Examples: Caruso Jrue Holiday, Marcus Smart. This is something I noticed about V8, who has motor and quick hands to annoy opponent, patrol passing lanes, steal the ball, but Vando does not have strong enough hips / lower body to use them when he defends someone like Doncic. Vando is also 214lbs, Luka is 230 lbs. It means that as group we are destinated to play pesky, overaggressive defense in order to create chaos.

Now I am trying to find any player in 2022 draft, who fits this prototype strong hips / lower body + mobility and defensive discipline. Any thoughts?

[Mamba4Goat]

Am I misremembering or if the Wolves lose in the play in the teams actually in the playoffs go ahead of them, right? So if things went wrong and they lost both games they’d have the 14th pick? (Not saying that I think they will)

[shrink]

Am I misremembering or if the Wolves lose in the play in the teams actually in the playoffs go ahead of them, right? So if things went wrong and they lost both games they’d have the 14th pick? (Not saying that I think they will)

That’s how I read it. Only the teams that miss the playoffs get the top 14 picks.

[shangrila]

Am I misremembering or if the Wolves lose in the play in the teams actually in the playoffs go ahead of them, right? So if things went wrong and they lost both games they’d have the 14th pick? (Not saying that I think they will)

Yes. Lottery is for anyone that doesn't make the playoffs, so if we lose in the play-ins then we'll be 14th (since we'd have the highest record regardless of who loses in the East).

[minimus]

Read on Twitter

?s

Right now he is projected to be drafted as low as 26th pick. I'd strongly consider Jovic if he has potential to be a even average playmaker and good shooter. I think current NBA simply dont have answer to such guys, for instance MPJ.

[Klomp]

Am I misremembering or if the Wolves lose in the play in the teams actually in the playoffs go ahead of them, right? So if things went wrong and they lost both games they’d have the 14th pick? (Not saying that I think they will)

This wasn't updated after the last day of games but....

Well obviously we could win the lottery or get a Top 4 pick, but the highest lottery odds we can get is 14th if we lose both play-in games. I believe we could drop as low as 22nd or so. Also keep in mind as the best record among play-in teams (assuming the tiebreaker with CLE explained earlier doesn't happen), making the playoffs would automatically drop us to 18th at best. 15th, 16th or 17th won't happen.

[Slim Tubby]

Read on Twitter

?s

Right now he is projected to be drafted as low as 26th pick. I'd strongly consider Jovic if he has potential to be a even average playmaker and good shooter. I think current NBA simply don't have answer to such guys, for instance MPJ.

Jovic is the guy I really hope we end up with if we don't use our FRP in a trade.

[shangrila]

Read on Twitter

?s

Right now he is projected to be drafted as low as 26th pick. I'd strongly consider Jovic if he has potential to be a even average playmaker and good shooter. I think current NBA simply don't have answer to such guys, for instance MPJ.

Jovic is the guy I really hope we end up with if we don't use our FRP in a trade.

I'm not a fan. I just don't buy him physically/defensively.

The international that's caught my interest is Ousmane Dieng. Looked like crap to start the season but has come on really strong lately and I think playing in the NBL has been good for him, given how physical a league it is. I'm not exactly sure where I'd draft him, especially given his funky shot mechanics, but a 6-10, athletic playmaker is very interesting.

[minimus]

Read on Twitter

?s

Right now he is projected to be drafted as low as 26th pick. I'd strongly consider Jovic if he has potential to be a even average playmaker and good shooter. I think current NBA simply don't have answer to such guys, for instance MPJ.

Jovic is the guy I really hope we end up with if we don't use our FRP in a trade.

I'm not a fan. I just don't buy him physically/defensively.

The international that's caught my interest is Ousmane Dieng. Looked like crap to start the season but has come on really strong lately and I think playing in the NBL has been good for him, given how physical a league it is. I'm not exactly sure where I'd draft him, especially given his funky shot mechanics, but a 6-10, athletic playmaker is very interesting.

Yeah, Dieng is an interesting prospect. I am big fan of european players, especially from Balkan, because in some cases their experience in Europe might help to adapt in NBA. I recently discovered Aussie Rules and it is very interesting culture as well, that might influence basketball prospects.

[minimus]

We need to find Herbert Jones, Deni Avdija type of wing who can defend 1-4 and hit open threes.

[Klomp]

We need to find Herbert Jones, Deni Avdija type of wing who can defend 1-4 and hit open threes.

A lot of people talk about finding a "traditional 4" but I agree that this is the way to go. I want to load up on guys in the Vanderbilt/McDaniels/Prince mold.

[Klomp]

So I believe we will have a tiebreaker coin toss with Chicago to decide the 18/19 pick. Both teams finished 46-36 in the regular season.

[minimus]

I am intrigued by Sochan. On offensive end he reminds me Wiggins: same great physical tools, questionable finishing at rim, inconsistent jumpshot, bad FT shooter. On defensive end I like his motor, his rebounding, high IQ, quick feets and effort. Also he is only 18 yo, very raw. What if he develops into average shooter and will be able to get stronger? Can he become Deni Avdija type of defender?

[minimus]

It looks like this draft is loaded with defensive minded C, athletic comboforwards and shooting guards. It is also very thin at PG position. L

Also we have very poor FA market, where the best 3&D option is RoCo, the best wing is our Taurean Prince and the best PG former is MIN player Tyus Jones. The best PoA defender on FA market is Donte DiVincenzo, behind him Okogie.

Five our players can be re-signed KAT, DLo, Reid, Nowell and TP.

It will be interesting to see how good Gupta as negotiator is. He can re-sign all our five players are fair price and turn them into assets. Or he can trade them and turn into assets. I don't hold my breath for draft, but I hope we can get something out of Knight, Bolmaro and Wright next year.

[NebWolvesFan]

It looks like this draft is loaded with defensive minded C, athletic comboforwards and shooting guards. It is also very thin at PG position. L

Also we have very poor FA market, where the best 3&D option is RoCo, the best wing is our Taurean Prince and the best PG former is MIN player Tyus Jones. The best PoA defender on FA market is Donte DiVincenzo, behind him Okogie.

Five our players can be re-signed KAT, DLo, Reid, Nowell and TP.

It will be interesting to see how good Gupta as negotiator is. He can re-sign all our five players are fair price and turn them into assets. Or he can trade them and turn into assets. I don't hold my breath for draft, but I hope we can get something out of Knight, Bolmaro and Wright next year.

The 2022 PGs do look a little weak, but I'm intrigued by Kennedy Chandler. He looked really solid as the leader of a really great Tennessee team. I like Chandler over Washington or the G League/Elite guys.

[jpatrick]

We need to find Herbert Jones, Deni Avdija type of wing who can defend 1-4 and hit open threes.

A lot of people talk about finding a "traditional 4" but I agree that this is the way to go. I want to load up on guys in the Vanderbilt/McDaniels/Prince mold.

I think those versatile wing defenders/shooters are infinitely valuable. I do think we need at least one bigger/traditional PF, however, because of Towns lack of rim protection and because we struggle so much to defensive rebound.