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

[Illuminaire]

I wonder if he will slip to #3 or #4 behind Suggs and/or Green.

It’s really hard to imagine teams passing on all of those physical tools. I think it goes Cunningham-Mobley-Green-Suggs, and there’s a real possibility that Suggs drops to 5 after Kuminga because of “upside”

I have some real concerns about Mobley though. He’s not really an alpha type and he’s actually super soft on the defensive glass. He’s way too talented to not become a great NBA player though. His pogo stick finishes around the basket are Anthony Davis like.

Mobley needs to take a thousand catch and shoot jumpers and pick-and-pop jumpers a day every day until the draft. His swing skill will be shooting. If he can be a knock down shooter, teams will happily overlook his lack of girth and just play him at PF until he fills out.

100%.

He has the passing skills and footspeed to play the four. He does not have the handles or shooting touch... yet.

Something to consider: Evan Mobley was 6"4 in 2016. I see scouting sites listing him as 6"9 before he enrolled at USC. According to his wikipedia entry, he didn't start to play basketball seriously until highschool. So he's just settling into his body *and* still learning the game... and he's already this good.

[Ruzious]

I remember saying early in the season that Franz Wagner looked a lot stronger than he did last season. Well...

[NatP4]

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[NatP4]

Now I’m seeing discussion about Wagner going top 7, so I guess he’s no longer a secret.

[Ruzious]

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Love the way he fights through screens (esp the 28-32 second part) - Wiz really need more of that. I was thinking - we don't need another tweener forward, but now I'm thinking maybe we do need that as long as the new guy adds defense - and he does - as well as providing a 3 point threat. He does that - even though he does go on cold streaks from 3. And it might be time to trade Bertans - though it's not a necessity if we have a creative coach.

[nate33]

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Love the way he fights through screens (esp the 28-32 second part) - Wiz really need more of that. I was thinking - we don't need another tweener forward, but now I'm thinking maybe we do need that as long as the new guy adds defense - and he does - as well as providing a 3 point threat. He does that - even though he does go on cold streaks from 3. And it might be time to trade Bertans - though it's not a necessity if we have a creative coach.

I like Wagner and was very impressed by these clips, but you were right with your first thought, we don't need another tweener forward. He looks like the same player as Avdija, only probably a bit better defensively and off ball, with Avdija being better offensively with the ball in his hands.

I know people will repeat the mantra: "take the best player available", but I just don't see how we can properly develop Wagner and Avdija at the same time. One of them will get squeezed out and it will end up being a wasted pick. Or, at best, they both pan out well, but we will be forced to let one of them depart in restricted free agency (meaning we spent all the time developing them and didn't get the pay off). You just can't have three consecutive drafts be combo forwards.

I'd love to have a guy like Wagner on the team, but we would have to trade Avdija. And you never get full value when trading a guy on the 2nd year of his rookie deal.

Oh how I wish we would have drafted Haliburton.

[NatP4]

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Love the way he fights through screens (esp the 28-32 second part) - Wiz really need more of that. I was thinking - we don't need another tweener forward, but now I'm thinking maybe we do need that as long as the new guy adds defense - and he does - as well as providing a 3 point threat. He does that - even though he does go on cold streaks from 3. And it might be time to trade Bertans - though it's not a necessity if we have a creative coach.

I think he’s a very similar player to Avdija but a much better defender. Wagner can protect the rim and guard bigs in the paint just as well as he can generate steals and lock down any and every perimeter player. He’s a generational prospect on the defensive end, like a Draymond Green, that guards 1-5 at an elite level and gives A+ effort. He competes like a Marcus Smart.

I can certainly see the wiz moving on from Bertans and Bonga after drafting Wagner (although it would be the wrong move). The better option would be to move Hachimura on draft night and keep Bonga and Bertans. It will never happen though. This team becomes a juggernaut on the defensive end if they go into next season with Avdija-Wagner-Gafford in the frontcourt.

One thing is for absolute certain to me though: in the 5-12 range, Franz Wagner is far and away the best player/prospect. I expect the wiz to pick around 8th again.

[NatP4]

If Hachimura was “untouchable” at the deadline, does that mean we could get a mid level 1st round pick on draft night for him?

Would OKC trade the 15th overall pick for Hachimura? They are still in need of young bigs to build around SGA. That 15th pick could be a really good PG prospect like Josh Giddey or Jared Butler.

[nate33]

If you ask me right now, after Hachimura has apparently "broken out" over his last 8 games, I'd say he is indeed untouchable. At the moment, he looks like a high quality two-way player with great work ethic, great character, and plenty of room to grow on offense.

Now it's certainly possible that the last 8 games have been a fluke and he reverts back to the passive, often invisible guy we've seen for the first half of the season. But if he keeps his current pace up, I'm not trading him. Other than John Wall, it's been a long time since we've had a legit, above-average athlete at his position who is also skilled.

[Ruzious]

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Love the way he fights through screens (esp the 28-32 second part) - Wiz really need more of that. I was thinking - we don't need another tweener forward, but now I'm thinking maybe we do need that as long as the new guy adds defense - and he does - as well as providing a 3 point threat. He does that - even though he does go on cold streaks from 3. And it might be time to trade Bertans - though it's not a necessity if we have a creative coach.

I think he’s a very similar player to Avdija but a much better defender. Wagner can protect the rim and guard bigs in the paint just as well as he can generate steals and lock down any and every perimeter player. He’s a generational prospect on the defensive end, like a Draymond Green, that guards 1-5 at an elite level and gives A+ effort. He competes like a Marcus Smart.

I can certainly see the wiz moving on from Bertans and Bonga after drafting Wagner (although it would be the wrong move). The better option would be to move Hachimura on draft night and keep Bonga and Bertans. It will never happen though. This team becomes a juggernaut on the defensive end if they go into next season with Avdija-Wagner-Gafford in the frontcourt.

One thing is for absolute certain to me though: in the 5-12 range, Franz Wagner is far and away the best player/prospect. I expect the wiz to pick around 8th again.

I'm a big believer in the importance of defense, and I think there is a wide gap between Deni and Wagner there. I don't know whether or not Deni will close that gap. To me, that's the question. I'm not sure I want to be the team's future on Deni becoming a good defender - particularly because of the immaturity I see in him. Otoh, he's a kid, he'll improve. But on the other otoh, he doesn't have good wingspan or reach, and he lacks the defensive aggression that seems to come naturally with Franz. All 3 of these guys are multi-talented, so a smart coach should find ways to play all 3 of them over 30 minutes.

[Dat2U]

If you ask me right now, after Hachimura has apparently "broken out" over his last 8 games, I'd say he is indeed untouchable. At the moment, he looks like a high quality two-way player with great work ethic, great character, and plenty of room to grow on offense.

Now it's certainly possible that the last 8 games have been a fluke and he reverts back to the passive, often invisible guy we've seen for the first half of the season. But if he keeps his current pace up, I'm not trading him. Other than John Wall, it's been a long time since we've had a legit, above-average athlete at his position who is also skilled.

He was already untouchable due to the marketing component. His recent play ensures he'll remain a long term piece. I'm still unsure of what's his best position but the improvement I'm most surprised about is his perimeter defense. I remarked a few weeks ago he just looks more comfortable there.

I'm curious to how he'd look with an extended absence by Westbrook as the clear 2nd option.

[NatP4]

If you ask me right now, after Hachimura has apparently "broken out" over his last 8 games, I'd say he is indeed untouchable. At the moment, he looks like a high quality two-way player with great work ethic, great character, and plenty of room to grow on offense.

Now it's certainly possible that the last 8 games have been a fluke and he reverts back to the passive, often invisible guy we've seen for the first half of the season. But if he keeps his current pace up, I'm not trading him. Other than John Wall, it's been a long time since we've had a legit, above-average athlete at his position who is also skilled.

He was already untouchable due to the marketing component. His recent play ensures he'll remain a long term piece. I'm still unsure of what's his best position but the improvement I'm most surprised about is his perimeter defense. I remarked a few weeks ago he just looks more comfortable there.

I'm curious to how he'd look with an extended absence by Westbrook as the clear 2nd option.

It would be pretty awesome to land Suggs and then somehow get an extended run without Westbrook(maybe due to rest or a trade) to see Rui as the secondary scoring option and Deni as a secondary playmaker due to Suggs not being a ball dominant player.

[FAH1223]

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[Illuminaire]

Wagner has the speed and footwork to defend almost any position, and he's a great facilitator on offense with both passing and movement. In the right system, with the right coach, you could play Beal (or PG)-Dani-Wagner-Rui-Center for stretches.

If there are other players in the same tier when the Wiz pick, sure, there might be a better fit. But if there are only wings left in his tier... I'd say just make it work.

[Ruzious]

I guess Isaiah Jackson is no longer a player we should consider - now that we have Gafford - too similar?

[NatP4]

I guess Isaiah Jackson is no longer a player we should consider - now that we have Gafford - too similar?

Good point. Almost the exact same prospect.

I have shifted towards researching guards because of Gafford. What you think of Josh Giddey?

[NatP4]

Baylor looks totally lost without Davion Mitchell

[NatP4]

Mitchell back in the 2nd half now and carrying this Baylor team. His first step, and athleticism in general, is explosive. Probably the quickest first step in the country, can go left or right. That is going to translate to the NBA, going to blow by NBA defenders.

Great leader, never got rattled when he struggled early and got into foul trouble.

Moody has been a total no show again. His tournament performance has been a major red flag.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Geez Mitchell looks good....

[NatP4]

Geez Mitchell looks good....

Yeah, it’s time to re-evaluate Mitchell. He’s special.