2021 Draft thread. Woo! 15th pick here we come! Hoo. Ray.

[Ruzious]

First half observations:

Nix: unstoppable, got a little carried away hunting for his own shot after he got hot, but he basically bullied NBA caliber guards to the basket over and over. 11 points on 6 shots in the 1st half, made some nice passes, took care of the ball.

Green: awful. Total liability on defense, couldn’t guard anyone. Offensively he just puts his head down and drives right everytime. Looks like a high school player out there. Had to get pulled early in the 2nd quarter/rest of half for poor play.

Kuminga: by far the best player on the court. Man amongst boys. This dude is jacked. No one could really guard him. He got into the paint with ease and finished at the basket, made jumpshots, was dominant. It’s only been one half, but I was wrong on Kuminga. He’s legit

I tend to like players like Kuminga, but gotta keep in mind that he's not going to come in the NBA and bully NBA players like that. Having said that, I really like Kuminga's chances. And some folks dramatically overrated Green. Good to hear that about Nix.

[Ruzious]

Read on Twitter

Btw, a couple tweets down - it'd be fun to have young players like Maxey and Thybulle that LOVE defense. They actually get excited to play defense. Come to think of it - Baylor's backcourt's like that.

[NatP4]

Will probably never watch a Gleague game again. That was painful.

Kuminga was really good besides missing his 3s (1-7), his defensive potential is off the charts, but his basketball IQ is a little suspect. He basically wanted to switch and guard the ball handler no matter who it was. He didn’t really crash the glass much. He reminds me of a physically strong and assertive Bonga. Much better at attacking the basket and finishing. He should absolutely be in the top 3 conversation.

Green was terrible like I said before. He made a few shots in the 2nd half, but he’s just a nothing on defense. Way too skinny and jumpy to even stay on his man. On offense he just puts his head down and tries to bulldog it to his right hand. Basketball IQ was brutal. He has serious bust potential and I’m not sure that I would pick him in the 15-20 range.

Nix plays defense on about half the possessions. He really just goes for steals and hardly ever slides his feet. He made some NBA skip passes for wide open 3s and had some really good drive and finishes to the basket. It’s true his athleticism doesn’t pop at all. He’s just a smart player that can score and make plays for teamates and a meh on defense. Probably has the ceiling of a quality combo guard off the bench. I think he’s a 15-20 range pick.

And I’m just posting my observations for people who don’t have the time/option to watch the games. Feel free to tell me to shut up at any time.

[Frichuela]

Will probably never watch a Gleague game again. That was painful.

Kuminga was really good besides missing his 3s (1-7), his defensive potential is off the charts, but his basketball IQ is a little suspect. He basically wanted to switch and guard the ball handler no matter who it was. He didn’t really crash the glass much. He reminds me of a physically strong and assertive Bonga. Much better at attacking the basket and finishing. He should absolutely be in the top 3 conversation.

Green was terrible like I said before. He made a few shots in the 2nd half, but he’s just a nothing on defense. Way too skinny and jumpy to even stay on his man. On offense he just puts his head down and tries to bulldog it to his right hand. Basketball IQ was brutal. He has serious bust potential and I’m not sure that I would pick him in the 15-20 range.

Nix plays defense on about half the possessions. He really just goes for steals and hardly ever slides his feet. He made some NBA skip passes for wide open 3s and had some really good drive and finishes to the basket. It’s true his athleticism doesn’t pop at all. He’s just a smart player that can score and make plays for teamates and a meh on defense. Probably has the ceiling of a quality combo guard off the bench. I think he’s a 15-20 range pick.

And I’m just posting my observations for people who don’t have the time/option to watch the games. Feel free to tell me to shut up at any time.

Thank you Nat. Please keep these emails coming along. Very helpful!!

To me it looks like this is a can't miss top-3 draft or top-4 if you believe in Kuminga.

Problem is I dread the prospect of a late season run for the play-in tournament where we end up with a 7-12th pick again...

[Dat2U]

Will probably never watch a Gleague game again. That was painful.

Kuminga was really good besides missing his 3s (1-7), his defensive potential is off the charts, but his basketball IQ is a little suspect. He basically wanted to switch and guard the ball handler no matter who it was. He didn’t really crash the glass much. He reminds me of a physically strong and assertive Bonga. Much better at attacking the basket and finishing. He should absolutely be in the top 3 conversation.

Green was terrible like I said before. He made a few shots in the 2nd half, but he’s just a nothing on defense. Way too skinny and jumpy to even stay on his man. On offense he just puts his head down and tries to bulldog it to his right hand. Basketball IQ was brutal. He has serious bust potential and I’m not sure that I would pick him in the 15-20 range.

Nix plays defense on about half the possessions. He really just goes for steals and hardly ever slides his feet. He made some NBA skip passes for wide open 3s and had some really good drive and finishes to the basket. It’s true his athleticism doesn’t pop at all. He’s just a smart player that can score and make plays for teamates and a meh on defense. Probably has the ceiling of a quality combo guard off the bench. I think he’s a 15-20 range pick.

And I’m just posting my observations for people who don’t have the time/option to watch the games. Feel free to tell me to shut up at any time.

No Nat. Keep it up bro!

[pcbothwel]

Will probably never watch a Gleague game again. That was painful.

Kuminga was really good besides missing his 3s (1-7), his defensive potential is off the charts, but his basketball IQ is a little suspect. He basically wanted to switch and guard the ball handler no matter who it was. He didn’t really crash the glass much. He reminds me of a physically strong and assertive Bonga. Much better at attacking the basket and finishing. He should absolutely be in the top 3 conversation.

Green was terrible like I said before. He made a few shots in the 2nd half, but he’s just a nothing on defense. Way too skinny and jumpy to even stay on his man. On offense he just puts his head down and tries to bulldog it to his right hand. Basketball IQ was brutal. He has serious bust potential and I’m not sure that I would pick him in the 15-20 range.

Nix plays defense on about half the possessions. He really just goes for steals and hardly ever slides his feet. He made some NBA skip passes for wide open 3s and had some really good drive and finishes to the basket. It’s true his athleticism doesn’t pop at all. He’s just a smart player that can score and make plays for teamates and a meh on defense. Probably has the ceiling of a quality combo guard off the bench. I think he’s a 15-20 range pick.

And I’m just posting my observations for people who don’t have the time/option to watch the games. Feel free to tell me to shut up at any time.

Agreed... I never got the Green hype. Kuminga looked good in spots, but I do agree his IQ at times on defense and rebounding looked concerning. That said, I think he belongs in the top 6 given his youth and skill. I could see a team at 2 or 3 reaching for him over Suggs (Cavs/Detroit/Twolves). I see Cade/Mobley/Kuminga/Suggs 1-4 as a very possible outcome, which makes me feel better if we get #4

[Frichuela]

Will probably never watch a Gleague game again. That was painful.

Kuminga was really good besides missing his 3s (1-7), his defensive potential is off the charts, but his basketball IQ is a little suspect. He basically wanted to switch and guard the ball handler no matter who it was. He didn’t really crash the glass much. He reminds me of a physically strong and assertive Bonga. Much better at attacking the basket and finishing. He should absolutely be in the top 3 conversation.

Green was terrible like I said before. He made a few shots in the 2nd half, but he’s just a nothing on defense. Way too skinny and jumpy to even stay on his man. On offense he just puts his head down and tries to bulldog it to his right hand. Basketball IQ was brutal. He has serious bust potential and I’m not sure that I would pick him in the 15-20 range.

Nix plays defense on about half the possessions. He really just goes for steals and hardly ever slides his feet. He made some NBA skip passes for wide open 3s and had some really good drive and finishes to the basket. It’s true his athleticism doesn’t pop at all. He’s just a smart player that can score and make plays for teamates and a meh on defense. Probably has the ceiling of a quality combo guard off the bench. I think he’s a 15-20 range pick.

And I’m just posting my observations for people who don’t have the time/option to watch the games. Feel free to tell me to shut up at any time.

Agreed... I never got the Green hype. Kuminga looked good in spots, but I do agree his IQ at times on defense and rebounding looked concerning. That said, I think he belongs in the top 6 given his youth and skill. I could see a team at 2 or 3 reaching for him over Suggs (Cavs/Detroit/Twolves). I see Cade/Mobley/Kuminga/Suggs 1-4 as a very possible outcome, which makes me feel better if we get #4

I agree this is a plausible scenario re Suggs.

The game summary below shows Kuminga's athleticism and an impressive block at the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ugQ3hKB20KA

[Ruzious]

I saw that block near the end by Kuminga - that's what explosive leaping ability is.

[dckingsfan]

I still think Evan Mobley is the prize in this draft.

I think he's the biggest difference maker - even though he plays the position that's most downgraded - though I think he'd be fine at PF. There are lots of PGs that are excellent players. There aren't many bigs who excel defensively as well as offensively.

This.

[nate33]

Wow! Kuminga looked pretty damn impressive on offense. He was 8-11 from 2-point range. And you know he'll figure out how to get to the FT line once he learns on the tricks of gaming NBA officials. I was surprised to see his court vision. He was unselfish, making the right play when the defense collapsed on him.

I'll need to watch a real game instead of just highlights to get a sense of his defense.

[Ruzious]

I still think Evan Mobley is the prize in this draft.

I think he's the biggest difference maker - even though he plays the position that's most downgraded - though I think he'd be fine at PF. There are lots of PGs that are excellent players. There aren't many bigs who excel defensively as well as offensively.

This.

Thinking of Mobley playing with a healthy Bryant or even with Wagner?

[nate33]

I think he's the biggest difference maker - even though he plays the position that's most downgraded - though I think he'd be fine at PF. There are lots of PGs that are excellent players. There aren't many bigs who excel defensively as well as offensively.

This.

Thinking of Mobley playing with a healthy Bryant?

I think it works out nicely. Mobley starts out at PF alongside Bryant and slides over to center for 15-20 minutes a game against backups. After a year of development and strength training, he takes over at starting center just as Bryant's contract is up in Summer 2022. We can either resign Bryant at a lower salary to be the backup, or let him walk and find a cheap veteran backup.

What I'm really hoping to see is the Wizards land a top 3 pick ourselves, and then in the offseason, we trade Beal for another top 3 pick. If a team like New Orleans or Orlando lands a top 3 pick, we could probably make a straight up trade: Beal for the pick. Or if Minnesota lands the 4th or 5th pick, we make a trade with Golden State where they get Beal and we package Wiseman and the #5 to get into the top 3.

I'm also okay with keeping Beal, but he has to agree to an extension.

[Ruzious]

And the top 3 could turn into the top 4 or 5. I think Kuminga is going to make it a top 4, and it's possible someone else steps up in the minds of NBA GM's. Getting that Minnesota pick and Wiseman would provide lots of possibilities. If we could convert Wiseman into 2 mid 1sts, that could give us a chance to get the 2 Baylor guards. Pick Mobley with our pick, Kuminga with the Minny pick, and get the Baylor guards in a Wiseman trade... I like it. Let TBJ be our 3rd guard. We still have Bryant, Rui, and Avdija. Re-sign Wagner. Still have Mathews. See if we can get a future 1st for Bertans. Awkward for Westbrook, but that's his problem.

[Error Afflalo]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[prime1time]

So Kuminga and Green are also elite. That puts the draft at 5 elite prospects.

[NatP4]

Jaden Springer reminds me so much of Zhaire Smith. 30 points 4 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals on 11 shots tonight. Plays elite defense. You can probably pencil him in as a quality 3&D combo guard at the next level, and he will still only be 18 years old on draft night.

Maybe an Avery Bradley/Marcus Smart level player that will probably be available in the 10-15 range.

[pcbothwel]

Jaden Springer reminds me so much of Zhaire Smith. 30 points 4 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals on 11 shots tonight. Plays elite defense. You can probably pencil him in as a quality 3&D combo guard at the next level, and he will still only be 18 years old on draft night.

Maybe an Avery Bradley/Marcus Smart level player that will probably be available in the 10-15 range.

I really think the gap between him and Suggs is a lot narrower than people think.

[pcbothwel]

So Kuminga and Green are also elite. That puts the draft at 5 elite prospects.

Not even close. Kuminga is like Siakim and Green is more like Tim Hardaway Jr. I dont get how someone can look at Green and Bouknight and come away with any other impression than Bouknight is a FAR better SG prospect.

[NatP4]

Jaden Springer reminds me so much of Zhaire Smith. 30 points 4 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals on 11 shots tonight. Plays elite defense. You can probably pencil him in as a quality 3&D combo guard at the next level, and he will still only be 18 years old on draft night.

Maybe an Avery Bradley/Marcus Smart level player that will probably be available in the 10-15 range.

I really think the gap between him and Suggs is a lot narrower than people think.

The PG class is definitely the strength of the draft. I’m not sure about a particular order at this point, but there are atleast 10 NBA caliber PGs in this draft:

Suggs, Cunningham, Butler, Mitchell, Nix, Dosunmo, McBride, Wright IV, Cooper, Springer.

Now look at the SG/off ball position.......maybe that’s why Jalen Green is projected so high. Who else would you pick?

[nate33]

Now look at the SG/off ball position.......maybe that’s why Jalen Green is projected so high. Who else would you pick?

Does anybody think Cunningham or Kuminga could play SG? (By "play SG", I really mean defend the SG position.)

It's relevant to our situation if we end up trading Beal for a top 4 pick. Ideally, we could add one of those guys while still keeping Avdija and Hachimura in the starting lineup. (I'm assuming Mobley is gone, or we already drafted him with another top 4 pick.)