2022 NBA Draft Thread

Post #201 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat May 14, 2022 3:02 am

CP War Hawks wrote:Not a target for us unless they can acquire a late 1st, but I like Chandler. 6-0 and dunks easily w/o getting very high which indicates elite length.

Noted.

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Post #202 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat May 14, 2022 3:03 am

Is this guy the next great Kentucky guard in the NBA? Another Tyrese Maxey caliber scorer?

I'd take a swing on him at 16...

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TYTY WASHINGTON, G, KENTUCKY | FRESHMAN

Height: 6' 3" | Weight: 200 | Age: 20

Steady yet unspectacular, Washington is more or less a consensus first-rounder, but often left scouts wanting more. He struggled mightily at various junctures, playing through a bad ankle injury for the final two months, but the eye test didn’t quite back up the production at times, even early in the season when he was playing well. This has made for a tricky eval, with his critics wondering what he does at an elite level, but also assuming he’ll receive some benefit of the doubt coming out of Kentucky. He’s shown some intriguing craftiness and poise, and has proven to be a capable shooter, if sometimes over-reliant on his jumper and floaters in the mid-range. The Wildcats needed him badly, but there were also games where he barely made an impact. Washington turns 21 this year and was old for a freshman, making him even more polarizing for teams. He’s not a stellar athlete and he doesn’t get to the line or rim often enough to inspire a ton of confidence in his upside. But his knack for making the right play gives him a chance to succeed as a ball screen-heavy combo guard in the right situation.

Read more at: https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/article261113862.html#storylink=cpy

Post #203 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat May 14, 2022 12:13 pm

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Post #204 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun May 15, 2022 5:52 pm

I seriously hope we aren't drafting for current needs at this point.

BPA all the way.

Hawks Biggest Draft Need

Atlanta Hawks: Perimeter Defense

By virtue of rostering Trae Young alone, Atlanta should always field a formidable offense.

Of course, it will also have glaring defensive questions, too, and while the right blend of lanky stoppers might answer them, the Hawks haven't found them yet.

They need a lockdown defender on the perimeter, and De'Andre Hunter just hasn't shown evidence of ascending to that level. Jimmy Butler exposed that void during the Miami Heat's five-game series win over the Hawks, averaging 30.5 points on 54.3 percent shooting and more than quadrupling his five turnovers with 21 assists.

Bleacher Report

Post #205 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 17, 2022 3:18 am

Ryan Rollins (Toledo, SG, Sophomore)

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Rollins is a super-smooth scorer whose advanced self-creation and three-level shot-making have caught scouts' attention. He didn't face the toughest schedule, however, and despite Rollins clearly needing a reliable jumper to have any chance at the next level, he's finished under 33.0 percent from three in consecutive years. Still, the eye test always looked more convincing than his numbers, and Rollins was dangerous from the mid-range and free-throw line (80.2 percent). He's the type of creator and crafty scorer whose three-point percentage may be easier to ignore, given his age (19) and shot-making ability.

Bleacher Report

Post #206 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 17, 2022 3:46 am

A late riser in the draft process.

Jalen Williams (Santa Clara, SG, Junior)

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Williams seems to be gaining steam during this period of film re-watching. It's tough to find a hole in his physical or statistical profile, with the 6'6" guard/wing having shot 55.1 percent inside the arc, 39.6 percent from three, 50.0 percent on runners and 59.7 percent at the rim, per Synergy Sports. He also totaled 137 assists to 69 turnovers. He just isn't too wiggly or explosive, leaving rhe question of whether he can blow by NBA defenders or create separation? You can already feel the narrative start to shift with talk about Williams becoming a sleeper first-rounder, so scouts will be hoping his camp doesn't get too cocky and keep Williams out of scrimmages.

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Post #207 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 17, 2022 1:50 pm

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Post #208 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 17, 2022 2:06 pm

A homerun swing for a kid who was once projected to go in the top-5 of the draft. Getting him at 15 outside the lottery could be huge for us. He had a terrible season of college basketball for a small school and a bad coach.

He's a sweet shooting PF with limited defense. Think Michael Porter Jr or Kyle Kuzma. If he hits and remains healthy, could be an elite scorer and floor spacer for a team.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee, SF/PF, Freshman)

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Baldwin has a good chance to help himself during workouts after a freshman season that couldn't have gone much worse. The eye test on his jumper (plus high school and FIBA tape) should make it easy for NBA teams to ignore his numbers. And though his lack of explosion does raise questions about how well his creation can translate, there should still be first-round value tied to his shot-making for a 6'9" wing or forward.

It would be hard to imagine a worse season for Baldwin, who lasted 11 games, won three and shot 34.4 percent from the field. The sample size of inefficiency still wasn't big enough to negate everything scouts had seen since 2019 when he first made an appearance at USA Training Camp. Baldwin will presumably just measure, interview and work out in Chicago, so it will be difficult for teams to take much away from his time there. It wouldn't even be surprising if he skips athletic testing, considering the results aren't likely to help.

However, Baldwin still has the potential to erase some bad memories during the predraft process, and his shooting stroke is bound to look persuasive in empty gyms. And given how long he's been on the radar, scouts know not to put much stock into his 26.6 three-point percentage at Milwaukee. Aside from wanting to see his jumper up close, teams will also be eager to get a hold of his medicals based on an ankle-injury history dating back to high school.

Bleacher Report

Post #209 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 17, 2022 2:12 pm

Josh Smith 2.0.

Might be worth a flier in the 2nd round.

Josh Minott (Memphis, SF/PF, Freshman)

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Minott put together some impressive flashes and stretches at Memphis, though averages of 6.6 points and 14.6 minutes seemed to indicate the freshman would try to maximize his draft stock as a college sophomore. He's going all-in early, however, and the eye test and analytics suggest Memphis may have masked some of his impact and potential.

He shot 55.9 percent from two, clearly demonstrated smart passing IQ, registered a 3.1 steal percentage and 5.4 block percentage and finished second on the team in box plus-minus. He's likely to be near the top of the leaderboards during athletic testing in Chicago, but scouts want to know if he has translatable offensive skills or if his quickness, explosion, motor and mind are enough for an energizer role. He's also older for his class, turning 20 in November.

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Post #210 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue May 17, 2022 3:18 pm

I'm not crazy about his fit alongside Trae, but the kid is really talented. TyTy seems like he'll continue this trend of under-drafted UK guards who'll make a name in the league sooner than later. And he has the makings of a strong on-ball defender.

He compares really favorably to Tyrese Maxey.

TyTy Washington (Kentucky, PG/SG, Freshman)

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The Hawks are one of the deeper teams in the NBA on paper and it may not be easy for any rookie to crack their rotation next season. Finding a guard who can both run the team when Trae Young is taking a breather, and also bring enough size and length to play alongside him could be attractive. Washington is effective with or without the ball, knows how to play pick-and-roll and is a strong perimeter shooter, while also being capable of playing in many different lineup configurations. ESPN Insider

Washington's stock took a hit over the past two months, even if there was reason to believe an ankle injury factored into his play falling off. He's still a well-rounded guard with three-point range, a comfortable pull-up game, outstanding floater and high passing IQ. The big question is how much could his athletic limitations hold him back as a creator.

Bleacher Report

Post #211 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed May 18, 2022 1:52 am

We finally know which team is picking 1st!!

Congrats to Orlando.

CP War Hawks · Post #212 » by **CP War Hawks** » Wed May 18, 2022 4:45 am

Not feeling the draft as before. A few guys I felt could be there may no longer will. Going to be some slim pickings, don't like that Cha and OKC have two picks ahead of us. Still looking towards the combine, gotta see how it plays out.

atlantabbq99 · Post #213 » by **atlantabbq99** » Wed May 18, 2022 1:40 pm

Its hard to believe that the Magic have gotten five #1 picks in there short history (and nothing to show for it) and the Hawks have never gotten at least one #1 pick in both St Louis and Atlanta.....