2022 NBA Draft - Prospects Discussion

[paulpressey25]

Where does the board stand on Patrick Baldwin?

[MVP2110]

Where does the board stand on Patrick Baldwin?

If the Bucks wanna buy a late 2nd and grab him fine. Otherwise stay away

[machu46]

Where does the board stand on Patrick Baldwin?

I am vehemently against.

[tski1972]

My top three…

1. Dalen Terry
2. Christian Braun
3. Marjon Beauchamp

IF it’s possible, I still prefer Jalen Williams over all these guys.

[buckboy]

Isn't NBAdraft.net the site that has nailed a bunch of our picks in the past?

Well this morning they updated their mock to having us taking Jaylin Williams from Arkansas.

Over Dalen Terry and EJ Liddell no less. This place would burn to the ground.

Wouldn't be my preferred pick at 24 but I love him. IIRC nbadraft.net has always had him around there.

I agree. I wouldn't be mad at all.

[chonestown]

Where does the board stand on Patrick Baldwin?

Broke-ass Channing Frye with a worse hairline.

[Ron Swanson]

Where does the board stand on Patrick Baldwin?

Still feels like it could be a savvy swing for the fences type move if you're getting him at 24. Been listening to a lot of the Simmons/KOC draft podcast stuff, and I kinda agree with Bill's point that maybe we're at stage where we shouldn't too harshly penalize some of these pedigree guys that have a rough 4 months of college ball at 18-19 years old.

With Baldwin it's all about the poor athletic testing numbers though. My question would be how much of that was injury related? If I'm convinced that he just needs to get his body right, then I'd argue you're getting a Top-10 talent in the draft in the late-1st. It was only 3-games before the injuries derailed his freshman year, but remember that Michael Porter Jr. looked similarly rough (33/30/77 shooting splits).

[BucksFanSD]

NbaDraft.net has us picking center Jaylin Williams below at #24.

ESPN's Giovany stating we are looking to trade up for centers Mark Williams or Walker Kesller but currently has us with PF EJ Liddell if we stay at #24.

Here is some more on the Center possibilities.

https://www.nbadraft.net/2022-nba-draft-top-10-centers/

The final installation of the 2022 Positional Rankings comes with the biggest players in the draft – the centers. While there likely won’t be many, or possibly any, taken in the lottery, there is a lot of maturity and readiness with this group with just two freshman in the lot.

Here is a look at our top 10 candidates to do just that as our positional rankings series comes to a close with the NBA Draft a couple days away.

1. Mark Williams 7-1 240 Duke Blue Devils

Despite many having the higher rated recruit Duren first, we feel the skill and length of Williams gives him a close edge. While not quite the physical specimen of Duren, he’s got more readiness and appears to have a more consistent motor. He has shown some ability to defend the pick-and-roll with his size and mobility can contest outside jumpers.

Offensively, Williams is just as impressive, shooting with better efficiency from the field (72%) and solid from the free-throw line (73%). He didn’t make a single 3-pointer in college, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he adds this to his game in the next few years, especially considering the great touch he showed at the charity stripe. With such a loaded roster at Duke, it’s entirely possible that a player like Williams was unable to completely display his potential and ends up a steal.

2. Jalen Duren 6-11 250 Memphis Tigers

The gap is close between Williams and Duren (pictured), but it’s enough to knock the once top rated player in his class down a notch. The lack of production from the perimeter is a big reason why Williams leaped Duren on the list. Granted in the right situation (ie Spurs), Duren could potentially flourish.

The 6-11 freshman is the epitome of a specimen at 6’11 and 250 pounds and really knows how to use his frame to create space for himself down and be a lob threat. He’ll have no trouble developing his rebounding or shot-blocking, but a center with his profile is becoming an endangered species at an alarming rate, dropping his intrigue from a top ten to a mid first in many team’s opinions.

3. Jaylin Williams 6-10 235 Arkansas Razorbacks

While the top two centers in this class are a cut above the rest, Jaylin Williams shines with intangibles and basketball IQ. No one recorded more charges than Williams and his defensive instincts and clutch play give him a lot of intrigue. He has the versatility to guard the perimeter and was constantly finding ways to contribute with over a block and steal per game in his sophomore season.

He draws comparisons to a former Razorback in Bobby Portis because of this defensive tenacity and his ability to stretch beyond the arc and knock down threes. He may not have the superstar highlight reel or stats to match others on this list, but Williams has always been a winner who steps up his level of play in big games on both ends, which makes him an underrated potential first-round prospect.

4. Walker Kessler 7-1 255 Auburn Tigers

Unlike Williams, it is clear to see what makes Kessler special when looking at his sophomore year stats. The 7-1 UNC transfer blocked 4.6 shots per game in just 25 minutes per game and posted a pair of triple doubles with blocks as his third category. His historic shot-blocking season ranks in the top-25 all-time and is the most blocks in a season since Anthony Davis in 2011-12.

Kessler’s massive length and impeccable timing in the lane makes him an outstanding rim-protector and it gives him a good shot to get taken in the late first round. He has a great build and moves really well for a player his size. A team will hope that he can improve as a switch defender and be usable when teams key on him with picks and rolls.

[CharityStripe34]

MD or Pressey should make a "Will the Bucks draft someone or trade the pick?" thread with a poll.

[buckboy]

Jalen Williams is the dream for me. I bet he goes in the lottery though.

After that I like Braun, Terry, Jaylin Williams, Beauchamp & Nembhard.

I think Jalen and Braun will definitely be gone and probably Terry too. At which point I'd try to trade back with Orlando and get 2 of the other 3.

[Brewhoopfan]

Where does the board stand on Patrick Baldwin?

Still feels like it could be a savvy swing for the fences type move if you're getting him at 24. Been listening to a lot of the Simmons/KOC draft podcast stuff, and I kinda agree with Bill's point that maybe we're at stage where we shouldn't too harshly penalize some of these pedigree guys that have a rough 4 months of college ball at 18-19 years old.

With Baldwin it's all about the poor athletic testing numbers though. My question would be how much of that was injury related? If I'm convinced that he just needs to get his body right, then I'd argue you're getting a Top-10 talent in the draft in the late-1st. It was only 3-games before the injuries derailed his freshman year, but remember that Michael Porter Jr. looked similarly rough (33/30/77 shooting splits).

This is where I'm at too. If the Bucks weren't so asset deficient, I'd be fine with the gamble.

[buckboy]

Jaylin Williams has always given me serious Ersan vibes. Which is a huge compliment in my world.

[SupremeHustle]

Just peeped some Jaylin Williams highlights just in case. I don't like how happy he gets after getting buckets lol. What I do like is he takes charges like a champ and seems like he can pass. I didn't look at actual numbers but he hit some 3s in the highlights. There's some good stuff there I think.

[SupremeHustle]

Jaylin Williams has always given me serious Ersan vibes. Which is a huge compliment in my world.

Ersan was my immediate comp when I was watching him but I'm not familiar enough with Williams to say for sure.

[CharityStripe34]

From what little I've seen or read about Jaylin Williams, everyone seems to think he has a very natural feel for the game. That's always a promising sign as a young kid/rookie.

[SupremeHustle]

Never seen Patrick Baldwin play. Just now watched some highlights. From what I saw, how is he not Jayson Tatum and a top 4 pick in this draft? That tape looks pretty good.

[Brewhoopfan]

All this obsession with "going small" and "switching everything" continues to ignore the things that you sacrifice if you don't have the perfect personnel equipped to do it (rim protection, rebounding). Would've thought we learned that after the disastrous Semi Ojeleye experiment where the front office just assumed they could replace PJ with any 6'6 guy with a pulse who's also built like a fire hydrant.

That's not even a defense for drafting Kessler (I wouldn't), but using that same rationale to dismiss any non-floor spacing 5 next to Giannis is exactly how you draft a bust or mediocre end-of-bench guy because he fits "a role" and are blindly focused on a specific player archetype. That's why I wouldn't hesitate to move up and draft a dude like Mark Williams if the opportunity presents itself. Brook regressing to a 31-32% 3PT shooter since his first season under Bud hasn't had a detrimental effect on spacing and the overall offense at all.

Partially why I felt trading for Mo Bamba would be just fine as a Brook replacement who's a decade younger, WAY more athletic and shoots the three at 37% last I checked. And that you can both protect the rim and have switchable, athletic wings. Versatility is great.

I just can't imagine a non-shooting big(Kessler, Williams) fitting into Bud's offense. Bamba can shoot it, and even at 31-32%, Brook is a threat.

[SupremeHustle]

From what little I've seen or read about Jaylin Williams, everyone seems to think he has a very natural feel for the game. That's always a promising sign as a young kid/rookie.

Even in his highlights, there's patience to his game that is evident. Shades of Al Horford. Not my comp, just saying there's a pace to his game that reminds me of Horford.

[BuildingBucks]

I prefer we do not draft Jaylin Williams especially at 24, I'd even prefer Walker Kessler if we wanted to go the big route although no to him too. If drafting a skilled big with a feel for the game is what your after Nikola Jovic will potentially be available, much better prospect than Jaylin.

Why go with Jaylin over Ryan Rollins, Gabriele Procida, Blake Wesley, all who likely will be available also.

[JayMKE]

I wouldn't draft Bobby Portis the defender in the 1st round, is he considered a "switchable" big?