2023 NBA Draft Prospects

SoCalJazzFan · Post #201 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 5:49 am

Catchall wrote:
SoCalJazzFan wrote:
Catchall wrote:There might be a third Thompson in this draft in Bilal Coulibaly.

Watch on YouTube
;t=200s

He's one of my swing for the fences guys if the Jazz keep their #28 pick and he is there.

He won't be there at #28. Pretty sure.

If you see my current top 15 above, I agree with you. I think he’ll be a riser and selected in the teens, if not the lottery.

SoCalJazzFan · Post #202 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 5:57 am

bkohler wrote:As I've already brought it up, Locke's numbers also really liked:
Grant
Hawkins
Sensenbaugh
Hendricks

I find it interesting to see these popup with someone just looking at numbers and not reviewing game film.

I’ve now watched those Locke podcasts. While I appreciate his insights and data, his evaluation system is a little lacking, IMO. Stats for determining athleticism are questionable, if not odd. The rest of the stats are all offensive and mostly shooting centric. No wonder he loves Grady Dick, Sensenbaugh and the like. It will be interesting to see if he changes his tune when he watches film and sees some of their deficiencies.

Does anyone know where he is getting his player rankings (as far as the draft slot he is using)?

Post #203 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 9:32 am

It should be noted that Locke admitted that he hasn't seen any player play yet, and that he's only going off the numbers.

bkohler · Post #204 » by **bkohler** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 11:51 am

Inigo Montoya wrote:It should be noted that Locke admitted that he hasn't seen any player play yet, and that he's only going off the numbers.

Definitely, but I like that because often my eyes fall in love quickly. Seeing someone look at the numbers and talk about players without them knowing anything about the players or having seen them play has caused me to second-guess some of the judgments I've made.

I have no idea how he's getting his player rankings; they don't match the majority of mocks I've seen.

I don't think his numbers are a be-all-end-all by any means, but I think they're an interesting view into the players. Also, as it gets later in the offseason, Locke has a habit of telegraphing who the Jazz are liking, sometimes to an absurd amount, so we'll have to keep our eyes out for that this year (although it might be different with Danny).

NatiboyB · Post #205 » by **NatiboyB** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 1:49 pm

I have been looking around and I don’t know if it’s realistic but do you think your Jazz may look to acquire another lottery pick and try to grab both of the Thompson twins? Or is it a consensus that you have a preference for one over the other? Granted I’m assuming a bit of lottery luck for the Jazz getting into the top 4. But with the additional picks and future assets do you envision trading up for a higher pick than the twolves pick. Or would it be better to just stay in place and continue to accumulate assets by taking in salary?

D Rog · Post #206 » by **D Rog** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 6:01 pm

NatiboyB wrote:I have been looking around and I don’t know if it’s realistic but do you think your Jazz may look to acquire another lottery pick and try to grab both of the Thompson twins? Or is it a consensus that you have a preference for one over the other? Granted I’m assuming a bit of lottery luck for the Jazz getting into the top 4. But with the additional picks and future assets do you envision trading up for a higher pick than the twolves pick. Or would it be better to just stay in place and continue to accumulate assets by taking in salary?

I want the Jazz to get a 2nd pick in the 7-12 range. I would like to do it by giving up #28 this year and 1 or 2 other FRPs (maybe the 2nd best pick the Jazz own in 2025 & 2027. My goal would be (not specifically in this order) Walker, Hendricks & Whitmore. If you can get 2 of them in the lottery then great! If you can only get 1 of them then add Cason Wallace to my list.

The problem I see with taking on a salary is who has salary they are trying to unload and a pick in the 6-14 range? I think Dallas at #10 and the Bertans contract (2 years at about $16M per year) could be a possibility. The problem I see is that may limit the Jazz ability to sign a free agent. Is there a free agent that is a fit this year for the Jazz?

Tony Jones is not confident Jordan Clarkson returns. Can the Jazz work some kind of sign & trade and pick up another lottery pick as part of that deal? Not sure if that is allowed in the CBA.

red4hf · Post #207 » by **red4hf** » Thu Apr 20, 2023 7:21 pm

D Rog wrote:
NatiboyB wrote:I have been looking around and I don’t know if it’s realistic but do you think your Jazz may look to acquire another lottery pick and try to grab both of the Thompson twins? Or is it a consensus that you have a preference for one over the other? Granted I’m assuming a bit of lottery luck for the Jazz getting into the top 4. But with the additional picks and future assets do you envision trading up for a higher pick than the twolves pick. Or would it be better to just stay in place and continue to accumulate assets by taking in salary?

I want the Jazz to get a 2nd pick in the 7-12 range. I would like to do it by giving up #28 this year and 1 or 2 other FRPs (maybe the 2nd best pick the Jazz own in 2025 & 2027. My goal would be (not specifically in this order) Walker, Hendricks & Whitmore. If you can get 2 of them in the lottery then great! If you can only get 1 of them then add Cason Wallace to my list.

The problem I see with taking on a salary is who has salary they are trying to unload and a pick in the 6-14 range? I think Dallas at #10 and the Bertans contract (2 years at about $16M per year) could be a possibility. The problem I see is that may limit the Jazz ability to sign a free agent. Is there a free agent that is a fit this year for the Jazz?

Tony Jones is not confident Jordan Clarkson returns. Can the Jazz work some kind of sign & trade and pick up another lottery pick as part of that deal? Not sure if that is allowed in the CBA.

Nope..... Since the trade would have to happen post-draft, which would mean the team had an agreement with Clarkson prior to the free agency period...... Which would be a violation...... That's how I understand that.......

Hoops Addict · Post #208 » by **Hoops Addict** » Fri Apr 21, 2023 4:42 pm

https://www.nbadraft.net/2023-extended-mock-draft-4-0/

NBA DRAFT.net has a new extended mock draft.

It has us taking #9 Smith #16 Schifino #28 Whitehead.

I do not agree with their predictions.

For #9 they have the Jazz passing on Whitemore......... and Jarace Walker, who would make a great PF with a 7-2 wingspan.

Evaluations

9. Utah: Nick Smith 6-5 185 PG/SG Arkansas Fr.
The NCAA Tournament wasn’t kind to Smith, but his terrific play at the end of the regular season, with three 24-point games or better in his last four, has him ascending into the top ten of the lottery in our mock. Staying on the court hasn’t proven easy, but his production despite these nagging injuries as a true freshman has scouts drooling over the potential of a fully healthy Smith with complimentary offensive talent around him.
--------------------------------------------------

Agree. Smith was a top 5 high school player......who had a knee injury this seasons......it's likely with healing he will improve a lot, and get back to his very high ceiling. I would say Whitehead has the same evaluation, although there is no way a 42.9% 3 point shooter and former best high school player will be around at #28.......I wouldnt mind f the Jazz sanged him at #16.

Ias Whitehead good enough to be taken at #16?

bkohler · Post #209 » by **bkohler** » Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:51 pm

I don't think Whitehead is a terrible pick at 16, but not a great one either. That said I do think NSJ is a terrible pick at nine, especially with those other two on the board. Honestly, if those two are on the board I'm trading 16/28/+ to get #10 as well and taking both Walker and Whitmore.

SoCalJazzFan · Post #210 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:54 pm

^^
Nick Smith Jr and Dariq Whitehead are both interesting cases. Both were highly rated coming out of high school. NSJ started the season with an injury and didn't come back until well into the season, but didn't look good. Dariq got injured early in the season, finally started to look ok, then go injured again in January.

I still believe in the upside of Dariq, and am interested to see how he does in the combine and workouts. He could be a riser/steal (Harrison Barnes could be his floor, and a bigger and more defensive Bradley Beal his ceiling). NSJ, I'm not so sold on.

Post #211 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:58 pm

I'm not on the NSJ bandwagon. Something about how he moves on the court seems awkward, and there are better prospect in that range imho, especially if Whitmore is on the board--that's an easy pick for me.

I don't mind Jalen Hood-Schifino at #16. He'd be one of my main targets in that range.

I also don't mind Whitehead at #28, seems like good value at that spot.

bkohler · Post #212 » by **bkohler** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 9:23 pm

Inigo Montoya wrote:I'm not on the NSJ bandwagon. Something about how he moves on the court seems awkward

He moves so much like Jordan Clarkson, kinda drives me crazy actually.

Hoops Addict · Post #213 » by **Hoops Addict** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:05 pm

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2023-nba-mock-draft-v6

Hoops Addict · Post #214 » by **Hoops Addict** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:39 pm

https://www.on3.com/news/espn-updates-2023-nba-mock-draft-following-ncaa-tournament-brandon-miller-nick-smith-anthony-black-victor-wembanyama/

Hoops Addict · Post #215 » by **Hoops Addict** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:51 pm

https://hoopshd.com/2023/04/25/2023-nba-mock-draft-version-1-0/

Great mock...I think Taylor Hendricks is a lock down defender......dominating.

Hawkins is Ray Allen....a great shooter. Is Dick a better shooter than Hawkins?

1. Detroit: Victor Wembanyama, C (France)
2. Houston: Brandon Miller, SF (Alabama/FR)
3. San Antonio: Scoot Henderson, PG (G-League/FR)
4. Charlotte: Amen Thompson, SG (Overtime Elite/FR)
5. Portland: Ausar Thompson, SG (Overtime Elite/FR)
6. Orlando: Anthony Black, PG/SG (Arkansas/FR)
7. Indiana: Gradey Dick, SG (Kansas/FR)
8. Washington: Jarace Walker, SF/PF (Houston/FR)
9. Utah: Taylor Hendricks, PF/C (UCF/FR)
10. Dallas: Cam Whitmore, SF (Villanova/FR)
11. Orlando: Cason Wallace, PG/SG (Kentucky/FR)
12. Oklahoma City: Nick Smith, PG/SG (Arkansas/FR)
13. Toronto: Keyonte George, SG (Baylor/FR)
14. New Orleans: Rayan Rupert, SG/SF (France)
15. Atlanta: GG Jackson, PF (South Carolina/FR)
16. Utah: Jordan Hawkins, SG (UConn/SO)
17. LA Lakers: Jett Howard, SG (Michigan/FR)
18. Miami: Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG (Indiana/FR)
19. Golden State: Kris Murray, SF/PF (Iowa/JR)
20. LA Clippers: Kobe Bufkin, SG (Michigan/SO)
21. Brooklyn: Dariq Whitehead, SF (Duke/FR)
22. Brooklyn: Dereck Lively II, C (Duke/FR)
23. Portland: Leonard Miller, SF (G-League/FR)
24. Sacramento: Maxwell Lewis, SG/SF (Pepperdine/SO)
25. Memphis: Noah Clowney, PF (Alabama/FR)
26. Indiana: Brice Sensabaugh, SF (Ohio State/FR)
27. Charlotte: Jalen Wilson, SF/PF (Kansas/JR)
28. Utah: Julian Strawther, SF (Gonzaga/JR)
29. Indiana: Colby Jones, SG (Xavier/JR)
30. LA Clippers: Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF (UCLA/SR)

SoCalJazzFan · Post #216 » by **SoCalJazzFan** » Thu Apr 27, 2023 9:57 pm

Latest Hoopshype mock draft (aggregated I believe from various other sources):

https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-mock-draft-scoot-henderson-brandon-miller-jerace-walker/

Notably, with respect to Amen and Ausur Thompson:
“The Thompson twins are 20 years old playing against guys 16 and 17 years old,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “It’s tough to trust them. I don’t like their shooting forms at all.”

But, also:
"Most NBA executives believe each Thompson brother can guard at the pro level immediately and use their athleticism to get to the rim while they develop their jump shots behind the scenes."

I also recently read a Blazer media/fan post that opined that taking Ausur (20 y/o playing vs high school kids and a broken shot) with the 5th pick, as most mock drafts do, would be a big mistake with Cam Whitmore (Big East with better stats and better size) still on the board.

I'm not convinced either way yet, but some interesting perspectives.

Hoops Addict · Post #217 » by **Hoops Addict** » Fri Apr 28, 2023 2:42 pm

SoCalJazzFan wrote:Latest Hoopshype mock draft (aggregated I believe from various other sources):

https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-mock-draft-scoot-henderson-brandon-miller-jerace-walker/

Notably, with respect to Amen and Ausur Thompson:
“The Thompson twins are 20 years old playing against guys 16 and 17 years old,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “It’s tough to trust them. I don’t like their shooting forms at all.”

.

The Thompson twins have not been tested against NCAA stars. Their skills may not translate against NBA stars.

I

Post #218 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Fri Apr 28, 2023 2:55 pm

I'm high on Whitmore and I think he's a much safer bet than either of the Thompsons, while still having a high ceiling. He has decent size, can put it on the floor, can shoot, great strength and very athletic. I'm really hoping he's there at #9.

bkohler · Post #219 » by **bkohler** » Wed May 3, 2023 5:33 pm

Inigo Montoya wrote:I'm high on Whitmore and I think he's a much safer bet than either of the Thompsons, while still having a high ceiling. He has decent size, can put it on the floor, can shoot, great strength and very athletic. I'm really hoping he's there at #9.

If Whitmore would have looked like a monster if he had played in Overtime Elite. I'm not sure I'm 100% sold on him over some others but I think I'm more skeptical of Thompson twins than I am high on Whitmore.

Post #220 » by **Inigo Montoya** » Wed May 3, 2023 7:02 pm

bkohler wrote:
Inigo Montoya wrote:I'm high on Whitmore and I think he's a much safer bet than either of the Thompsons, while still having a high ceiling. He has decent size, can put it on the floor, can shoot, great strength and very athletic. I'm really hoping he's there at #9.

If Whitmore would have looked like a monster if he had played in Overtime Elite. I'm not sure I'm 100% sold on him over some others but I think I'm more skeptical of Thompson twins than I am high on Whitmore.

That's fair. Either way, he looks like a good fit and at least to me, a prime target at #9 if he's still there.