Peat, Yaxel and Morez Johnson

[JMAC3]

How do you guys currently have this group ranked? Feels like they are all undersized 5s to me that can't really shoot it yet. Can any of them get away with playing the 4 full time in modern NBA?

[JMAC3]

https://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=morez-johnson-jr--yaxel-lendeborg--koa-peat

[BigGargamel]

I think Yaxel is a good enough shooter.

[babyjax13]

I think Peat and Yaxel are clearly 4s. Yaxel can probably hit some 3s and improve that shooting, his shot doesn't look broken. He reminds me a bit of PJ Washington. Peat has the ball skills to play some 4 but just can't shoot. I think he has reasonably soft hands, so even though I don't love his form I kind of think he can improve enough to hit threes eventually (a la Aaron Gordon), but there isn't really anything from looking at his stats or even watching him shoot that would suggest I should be as optimistic as I am. Johnson I think is a center. He isn't quite as mobile as the other guys but is still mobile, he plays with a lot of that "FU" energy you'd expect from small-ball 5s, doesn't really have the ability to dribble, but I think his shot is going to matter. Not saying it will be elite, but he reminds me a lot of Beef Stew.

[Klomp]

Every time I see Koa Peat, I think of Noah Penda.

[BlazersBroncos]

Every time I see Koa Peat, I think of Noah Penda.

Same - but a poor mans Noah Penda. Penda can shoot a bit at least.

Yaxel is 1. Might be a meh shooter but has tons of tools that you want from a role player. James Johnson type IMO.

Morez is a small ball C. If he hits I see a Haslem / Taj type.

Koa is just a ball of clay that might develop some NBA tools by the time his rookie deal ends.

1. Yaxel
2. Morez
3. Koa

[Klomp]

Yaxel has the highest floor, but the lowest ceiling
Morez has the lowest floor, but the highest ceiling
Peat is somewhere in the middle, and the biggest unknown

[JMAC3]

Watching Peat play the other night he didn't seem as small as I thought he would, wonder if he measures closer to a listed 6-10 in the NBA.

[RipCity71252]

Watching Peat play the other night he didn't seem as small as I thought he would, wonder if he measures closer to a listed 6-10 in the NBA.

Looked slightly taller than Joshua Jefferson, who's listed at 6'9" but who knows how accurate that listing is...

But either way, agree that he's closer to 6'10 in shoes than 6'8" for sure.

[RookieStar]

BTW... small ball 5?

I always thought those guys were undersized 4s coming into the league. Someone correct me but arent they 6'8ish ( who knows really with college measurements)

[SNPA]

Someone explain to me how Morez isn’t Beef Stew?

[tmorgan]

Someone explain to me how Morez isn’t Beef Stew?

Maybe. Stewart is such a unique player that I’m not sure anyone is the next Stewart until they get a bunch of playing time.

Morez has a lot of energy and enthusiasm, but even with long arms, not every short-ish long-armed big has the timing (or mental fortitude) to block shots and protect the rim the way Stewart does. Stewart sees every attempt on him as a personal affront and is willing to take whatever pain is necessary to meet people at the rim. It’s a very uncommon thing.

[JMAC3]

Someone explain to me how Morez isn’t Beef Stew?

Stewart had a block rate of 7% in college.

Morez block rate this year is 4.9%

So a little bit of a gap there, Stewart also shot more midrange in college. 53 non rim 2s, Morez only has 17.