2020 Draft

[youngWizzy]

Watched USC vs Long Beach State the other day. Okongwu didn’t show much as a scorer , but his defensive instincts were on display . He is also a very good and willing passer for a big which I wasn’t expecting.

I’m not quite as high on his ceiling though. He’s a little on the small side .. plays like Adebayo but not as big or powerful. Think he can at least be a similar role player to Dwight Powell on the Mavericks.

Here's a neat tool that allows you to compare the final collegiate seasons of similar prospects over the years:

I comped him to Wendell Carter, Jr., Montrezl Harrell and Dwight Powell.

Okongwu measures out well against all of these guys. I clearly need to watch more video of him against high level competition.

Well Adebayo measured at 6' 8.75" w/o shoes and weighed in at 242.6 pounds at the combine. Okongwu is listed at 6'9" 245 pounds. He doesn't need offensive "skills" in the modern NBA. He simply just needs to be good at setting screens and rolling which is all the Wizards need from him. It really is about time we get a vertical spacer who his quick laterally and can rebound.

[Ruzious]

Watched USC vs Long Beach State the other day. Okongwu didn’t show much as a scorer , but his defensive instincts were on display . He is also a very good and willing passer for a big which I wasn’t expecting.

I’m not quite as high on his ceiling though. He’s a little on the small side .. plays like Adebayo but not as big or powerful. Think he can at least be a similar role player to Dwight Powell on the Mavericks.

Here's a neat tool that allows you to compare the final collegiate seasons of similar prospects over the years:

I comped him to Wendell Carter, Jr., Montrezl Harrell and Dwight Powell.

Okongwu measures out well against all of these guys. I clearly need to watch more video of him against high level competition.

Well Adebayo measured at 6' 8.75" w/o shoes and weighed in at 242.6 pounds at the combine. Okongwu is listed at 6'9" 245 pounds. He doesn't need offensive "skills" in the modern NBA. He simply just needs to be good at setting screens and rolling which is all the Wizards need from him. It really is about time we get a vertical spacer who his quick laterally and can rebound.

And watch out for Adebayo. I think he's one of the most improved players in the NBA. He recently had 2 trip dubs, and he really provides a defensive presence - when I've watched anyway - that I think he was lacking. Okongwu doesn't look as strong as Adebayo, but considering he just turned 19, he's likely got some growing into his frame left.

[payitforward]

Okongwu looks absolutely great!

Really, so do Reed, Toppin & Bey.

[prime1time]

Let's bring some reason back to the conversation. We will likely have a top 10 pick. I understand that a player might look good but we need to project the team forward. What position Okongwu play? He's an undersized 5 who doesn't shoot 3's. So either we play him at the 5 and live with the fact that he might struggle matching up with true 5's or he plays the 4, we have a normal 5 (likely Bryant or Wagner) and we lose floor spacing. In addition, Rui as he currently is constituted cannot guard 3's, so at the very least, they would compete directly for minutes.

Barring a truly dominant aspect of their game, the league is moving past undersized tweeter big-men who can't shoot. If you're drafting him to be a solid role player, fine. But it should be acknowledged that a competent GM can easily address that issue with vet mins once we have a competitive team.

People in here might disagree with me, but when you are as bad as the Wizards have been for the last couple of years and you have high draft picks, there should only be one goal. Drafting elite talent. That's why I never got on the Brandon Clarke bandwagon. As efficient as he is, will he ever be an elite player in this league? No. So here's the question for everyone in this thread. Who in this draft has the potential to be a franchise changing player?

[youngWizzy]

Is there a 2nd round draft pick thread? A guy I like who is projected in the 2nd round on Tankathon is Payton Pritchard. He could easily carve out a T.J McConell like role in the NBA. I don't really care that he is a senior, he is and will be a good player.

[payitforward]

Is there a 2nd round draft pick thread? A guy I like who is projected in the 2nd round on Tankathon is Payton Pritchard. He could easily carve out a T.J McConell like role in the NBA. I don't really care that he is a senior, he is and will be a good player.

Start that thread, Wizzy!!

[payitforward]

Let's bring some reason back to the conversation. We will likely have a top 10 pick. I understand that a player might look good but we need to project the team forward. What position Okongwu play? He's an undersized 5 who doesn't shoot 3's. So either we play him at the 5 and live with the fact that he might struggle matching up with true 5's or he plays the 4, we have a normal 5 (likely Bryant or Wagner) and we lose floor spacing. In addition, Rui as he currently is constituted cannot guard 3's, so at the very least, they would compete directly for minutes.

Barring a truly dominant aspect of their game, the league is moving past undersized tweeter big-men who can't shoot. If you're drafting him to be a solid role player, fine. But it should be acknowledged that a competent GM can easily address that issue with vet mins once we have a competitive team.

People in here might disagree with me, but when you are as bad as the Wizards have been for the last couple of years and you have high draft picks, there should only be one goal. Drafting elite talent. That's why I never got on the Brandon Clarke bandwagon. As efficient as he is, will he ever be an elite player in this league? No. So here's the question for everyone in this thread. Who in this draft has the potential to be a franchise changing player?

A GM's job in the draft, this year or any year, is to get the maximum total value for your team. That's true whether you are the Wizards or any other team. You can't do better than getting maximum value, & any other goal you set will simply get in the way of reaching that one.

Your team's situation can affect how you go after that goal, but it can't affect the goal. If you only have room on your squad for one rookie, b/c you are just all that good, then that will affect your strategy. For example, it'll make it unlikely that you trade down to get two picks in R1. Duh. OTOH, it would not get in the way of trading down to a lower pick & getting that 2d pick the following year. Or getting it with the intention of using it in some other way (e.g. to trade up the next year).

So far, among the rookies who've played significant minutes, Brandon Clarke has been head & shoulders above the rest -- to speak plainly. If we look at guys who've played let's say 15 minutes a game or more, there isn't a single other player within shouting distance of Clarke in productivity.

As to "beauty contest" BS like "elite talent," it has literally zero meaning. Someone who scores nearly 24 points per 40 minutes at a TS% that verges on 70% is awfully good.

As to whether someone will or won't be an "elite player" in the league, I'm happy to put that notion in the trash can too. It's not helpful. What's an "elite player" anyway? How many of them are there in the league at any given time? 10? 15? Are there 20 "elite players?"

Go take a look at the top 10 players taken in 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 -- who are the "elite players?" I don't mean guys who in your opinion look great in the beauty contest & might some day be outstanding but aren't right now. Those aren't elite NBA players.

My list out of those 4 drafts, those 40 top picks? Karl Anthony Towns, Ben Simmons & Luka Doncic. That's it. A lot of people here wouldn't include Simmons. After his rookie season, I thought Tatum might become terrific, but he was worse last year & worse yet this year.

So, you know what? If Luka Doncic is there when you use one of your "high draft picks," you bet -- pick him! Duh. Was the he the guy you'd have wanted in 2018? I'm guessing maybe not. I could be wrong, of course, but I don't remember a lot of people here saying "Luka Doncic is head and shoulders the best player in this draft. Do anything you can to get him." You didn't say that, did you? I sure didn't.

How about in 2015? How far above Jahlik Okafor did you have KAT rated? Or, in 2016 -- did you rate Pascal Siakam an "elite talent?" He went #28. Or did you maybe have Brandan Ingram, Dragan Bender, Kris Dunn, Buddy Hield, Marquese Chriss, & Thon Maker (that's 6 of the top 10 players taken that year) rated ahead of Siakam? I sure did.

After all, Siakam was already 22. Who drafts someone that old? No chance he'll be an "elite player," right? Guess what -- Brandon Clarke is having a way better rookie season than did Pascal Siakam.

[payitforward]

In the absence of Draftexpress, I've come to like NBA Draftroom. http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/2020-nba-mock-draft.html

They have us taking Tyrese Haliburton at #7. Any thoughts on this kid?

[Shoe]

I think the player who ends up the best in this draft... most mocks have him late lotto - is Killian Hayes. Big strong PG who - at 18 (!) - has tremendous change of pace moves - very good athlete, and he's starting to hit 3's. Lots of experience in Europe. Honestly, I'm not sure why others don't rate him higher, because I think he's the total package. If his 3 ball keeps improving - not sure how you can defend him. He does need to cut down on the to's, but what 18 yo pg doesn't? We talked about him earlier in this thread, but he just had a game where he hit 5 of 7 3's.

I wonder if he could have the potential of a mini Harden mini Luka. He looks like a legit 6'5 (not a Brad Beal 6'5).

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[Jamaaliver]

In the absence of Draftexpress, I've come to like NBA Draftroom. http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/2020-nba-mock-draft.html

They have us taking Tyrese Haliburton at #7. Any thoughts on this kid?

He's growing on me. His best case scenario is peak-Malcolm Brogdon (in my estimation). Most reasonable expectation is George Hill. He's a great complementary piece, but is unlikely to grace an All Star game.

A solid pick outside of the top 5 in an underwhelming draft.

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[gambitx777]

They have us taking Cole Anthony right now. I wouldn't mind this draft being a good one to trade back a few picks to get an extra first in 2022 that big highschool draft.

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[Illmatic12]

They have us taking Cole Anthony right now. I wouldn't mind this draft being a good one to trade back a few picks to get an extra first in 2022 that big highschool draft.

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I would even be in favor of trading back to get an extra pick in the 2021 draft. Next year's class looks significantly better than this year's.

Anthony is a fine prospect, but there are backcourt-starved teams who would want him a lot more than Washington would. So if we end up in that range I would love to trade back to a team willing to give up their 2021 first. Then with our 2020 pick take a defensive prospect like Okoro or Okongwu, . Or Wiz RealGM favorite Tyler Bey:

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[Ruzious]

In the absence of Draftexpress, I've come to like NBA Draftroom. http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/2020-nba-mock-draft.html

They have us taking Tyrese Haliburton at #7. Any thoughts on this kid?

He's growing on me. His best case scenario is peak-Malcolm Brogdon (in my estimation). Most reasonable expectation is George Hill. He's a great complementary piece, but is unlikely to grace an All Star game.

A solid pick outside of the top 5 in an underwhelming draft.

It's an underwhelming draft at the top, but it could be a really good draft for pg's. And Haliburton's one - he has a lot of the same plusses and minuses that Hayes has, and they're the same height, but Hayes is so much heavier - and with the same quickness and speed. Haliburton's probably a better pure PG and a very good prospect, but I think Hayes can be a star.

[pcbothwel]

In the absence of Draftexpress, I've come to like NBA Draftroom. http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/2020-nba-mock-draft.html

They have us taking Tyrese Haliburton at #7. Any thoughts on this kid?

He's growing on me. His best case scenario is peak-Malcolm Brogdon (in my estimation). Most reasonable expectation is George Hill. He's a great complementary piece, but is unlikely to grace an All Star game.

A solid pick outside of the top 5 in an underwhelming draft.

It's an underwhelming draft at the top, but it could be a really good draft for pg's. And Haliburton's one - he has a lot of the same plusses and minuses that Hayes has, and they're the same height, but Hayes is so much heavier - and with the same quickness and speed. Haliburton's probably a better pure PG and a very good prospect, but I think Hayes can be a star.

Agreed. Anthony, Hayes, and Mannion are the cream of the crop. I'd love nothing more than to get the 2nd pick and ship Wiseman off to the highest bidder. Move back 3-4 spots and draft one of the PG's while picking up Reed, Lewis, Avdija, Okoro, or Bey later on.

[Jamaaliver]

Agreed. Anthony, Hayes, and Mannion are the cream of the crop. I'd love nothing more than to get the 2nd pick and ship Wiseman off to the highest bidder. Move back 3-4 spots and draft one of the PG's while picking up Reed, Lewis, Avdija, Okoro, or Bey later on.

This is my hope for my Hawks at this point...get a top-3 pick and trade back for multiple picks later in the lottery.


(Though that didn't work out so well for my guys the last time we did it.)

Spoiler:

[Illmatic12]

First good offensive game for Scottie Lewis .. we’ll see if he keeps it up.

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?s=21

Kid is an absolute freak defensively but his awful offensive production has kept him out of lottery projections thus far.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Anyone like Aaron Nesmith ? 6-6 Sophmore SF from Vanderbilt, is a very good defender and potential big time 3pt threat. Coach is Jerry Stackhouse.

http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/aaron-nesmith.html

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[pcbothwel]

First good offensive game for Scottie Lewis .. we’ll see if he keeps it up.

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?s=21

Kid is an absolute freak defensively but his awful offensive production has kept him out of lottery projections thus far.

His skills and frame are concerning, but man his upside is tremendous as an Elite 3 & D player.

I am happy that at least one of Mannion, Cole Anthony, Haliburton, or Hayes will be there for us. All 4 are legit NBA starting PG's and I could be talked into any of them.
My sleeper backup pick if we pick closer to 10 would be Lewis though. Really good draft for us in the 4-8 range though.

[Illmatic12]

First good offensive game for Scottie Lewis .. we’ll see if he keeps it up.

Read on Twitter

?s=21

Kid is an absolute freak defensively but his awful offensive production has kept him out of lottery projections thus far.

His skills and frame are concerning, but man his upside is tremendous as an Elite 3 & D player.

I am happy that at least one of Mannion, Cole Anthony, Haliburton, or Hayes will be there for us. All 4 are legit NBA starting PG's and I could be talked into any of them.
My sleeper backup pick if we pick closer to 10 would be Lewis though. Really good draft for us in the 4-8 range though.

Just had his second good game in a row .. even knocking down some long jumpers. Ok now this is getting interesting:

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?s=21

[nate33]

First good offensive game for Scottie Lewis .. we’ll see if he keeps it up.

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?s=21

Kid is an absolute freak defensively but his awful offensive production has kept him out of lottery projections thus far.

His skills and frame are concerning, but man his upside is tremendous as an Elite 3 & D player.

I am happy that at least one of Mannion, Cole Anthony, Haliburton, or Hayes will be there for us. All 4 are legit NBA starting PG's and I could be talked into any of them.
My sleeper backup pick if we pick closer to 10 would be Lewis though. Really good draft for us in the 4-8 range though.

Just had his second good game in a row .. even knocking down some long jumpers. Ok now this is getting interesting:

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?s=21

I dunno. He's small, only 6-5. That's shooting guard size with a small forward's skill set - not all that useful unless he's a great shooter, which he isn't.

If he was 6-7, then he might project as a Kelly Oubre/Jaylen Brown type of SF who can switch 1-4, hit catch-and-shoot 3's with respectable efficiency, and attack closeouts; but at 6-5, he needs a much better offensive repertoire because he has to play SG.