2024 NBA Draft Thread

[baseline bum]

For this reason, in many respects (and we've discussed this before) I'd rather have #5 and #8 than #1 and #7. The latter is going to be more expensive, but more importantly it might force you into taking a prospect you don't really like that much (Sarr, Risacher, Topic) just because you're in that range (note: I have no idea who the Spurs actually like of course, I'm just not a huge fan of those three in particular, personally. I'd rather have Dilly + Matas than Sarr + Collier, for example).

If you want Dilly and Matas good luck at #5 and #8

[baseline bum]

I'm the same. I don't really want a top three pick because they're going to be a expensive role players at best.

Then trade it. Don't get the complaints about rookie contracts. At #1 Victor's final year of his rookie contract is like $16.9 million. You're worried about spending that for a prospect but don't give a about Zollins making $17 million?

[baseline bum]

For all the fans of Risacher, Topic, Dilllingham, Matas, and Sarr here, I'm going to laugh when the Spurs end up getting a top 3 draft pick and take Ron Holland as the entire board melts down

Entire board should melt down if they pick that scrub

[SpursBills]

Entire board should melt down if they pick that scrub

I'm not a fan of G league ignite prospects in general but front office has shown a tendency to pick against grain for better or for worse in the past so I wouldn't be surprised. See: Primo, Samanic, Livio Jean Charles, Derrick White

[Dejounte]

Primo would go number 1 in this draft. That’s how bad the top of the draft is.

[Ariel]

This again?

Risacher is definitely the cleanest fit, but it's not inconceivable they could prefer Dillingham to Ivey and shop the latter while he still probably retains most of the sheen he had.

Dillingham could easily play with Ball the same way Rozier III did by being able to cross match defensively and interchange offensively.

Yes Detroit could take him and move Ivey or Charlotte could take him and go forward with a less than ideal pairing with Lamelo, but those scenarios entail their own challenges (like Detroit getting back fair value for Ivey and Weaver losing his job for tripping over the same stone for the umpteenth time, or Charlotte laying its foundation around the wildest offensive and worst defensive backcourt in the league) to the point where the gap in Dillingham's favor would have to be pretty large for those teams to take him over other better fitting prospects. So yes, it isn't inconceivable (for starters, we don't even know who is picking where) but he's the one player in the top 5/6 where it's easier to see him falling from where his talent level would indicate, rather than rising.

[Chinook]

There is no BPA. That's what I keep saying. There is not a point in the first eight picks where a person could legitimately say one player is the pick over any other.

What I'm saying is this is wrong, extremely wrong. These eight players will not all be the same. BPA is not a universal concept where everyone agrees who the best player is. I don't care who the media, ST or even I think is the best player. I care that the Spurs have their idea and go with it and not think like you're suggesting that the draft is flat. No drafts are ever flat. They might be ambiguous, but they aren't flat.

I'll say this again, and hopefully people will understand even if they disagree: The Spurs should not worry about their current roster needs when drafting with their first and hopefully Toronto's this summer. I mean that positionally as well as in terms of skill-set. Things like shooting, passing and defense are factors that go into judging a player, but it shouldn't matter if the Spurs currently lack some of those qualities. They need to come out if the lottery with the most talent they can for the hand they're dealt. That talent doesn't have to be a consensus selection, and it doesn't have to be fully ready for the NBA. But it needs to be there. Get the talent around Victor and then see how it comes together. Don't pass on that talent (as perceived by the front office) in an effort to create a winning roster around Wemby for 2024-2025.

[TD 21]

Yes Detroit could take him and move Ivey or Charlotte could take him and go forward with a less than ideal pairing with Lamelo, but those scenarios entail their own challenges (like Detroit getting back fair value for Ivey and Weaver losing his job for tripping over the same stone for the umpteenth time, or Charlotte laying its foundation around the wildest offensive and worst defensive backcourt in the league) to the point where the gap in Dillingham's favor would have to be pretty large for those teams to take Dillingham over other better fitting prospects. So yes, it isn't inconceivable since, for starters, we don't even know who is picking where, but he's the one player in the top 5/6 where it's easier to see him falling from where his talent level would indicate, rather than rising.

I don't disagree. My point is these are the worst teams in the league, mostly lacking star or potential star power in a draft also projected to lack it.

If they think Dillingham, for example, has it, I doubt they'd hesitate to pull the trigger (especially if they slide a few spots).

Here's another scenario: The Craptors 1st conveys, Dillingham is available at the slot and the Pistons prefer him to Ivey and the Spur prefer Ivey to the available guards.

They need to come out if the lottery with the most talent they can for the hand they're dealt. That talent doesn't have to be a consensus selection, and it doesn't have to be fully ready for the NBA. But it needs to be there. Get the talent around Victor and then see how it comes together. Don't pass on that talent (as perceived by the front office) in an effort to create a winning roster around Wemby for 2024-2025.

Well yeah, if they think one prospect is clearly superior to the rest, of course they should select them. If not though, then fit should absolutely play a bigger role.

[Mr. Body]

Then trade it. Don't get the complaints about rookie contracts. At #1 Victor's final year of his rookie contract is like $16.9 million. You're worried about spending that for a prospect but don't give a about Zollins making $17 million?

I don't think there's going to be much interest in the top picks this year.

[Mr. Body]

Primo would go number 1 in this draft. That’s how bad the top of the draft is.

No.

[Dejounte]

No.

Yes.

[Mr. Body]

If you want Dilly and Matas good luck at #5 and #8

After combines and workouts, I see Buzelis going in the top 4. Dillingham will be closer to the middle or later lottery. This board loves Dillingham - I do, obviously - but this is definitely not shared widely. He's all over the place, but we will probably, I think, see Sarr-Risacher-Williams go before him, Buzelis going before him, probably Topic. After that, maybe Sheppard, and others.

[Chinook]

Well yeah, if they think one prospect is clearly superior to the rest, of course they should select them. If not though, then fit should absolutely play a bigger role.

For a team that lacks talent like the Spurs and who is setting itself up to make a trade within the next couple of seasons, fit's pretty open. A lot of people seem worried about drafting a guy with weaknesses shared by current Spurs because it may lead to the team not improving as much next year as they'd like. In I think that concern is short-sighted. Wemby is pluripotent enough to fit with anyone, Vassell's archetype doesn't really place restrictions on the lineup around him, and no one else is good enough to worry about. You don't pass up on a guy because Jones, Sochan and Collins aren't good shooters or Johnson and Branham struggle defensively. The Spurs can replace all those guys. If the talent is extremely close, then that's one thing. But the gap doesn't have to be all that large for me to pick talent at this stage.

[baseline bum]

After combines and workouts, I see Buzelis going in the top 4. Dillingham will be closer to the middle or later lottery. This board loves Dillingham - I do, obviously - but this is definitely not shared widely. He's all over the place, but we will probably, I think, see Sarr-Risacher-Williams go before him, Buzelis going before him, probably Topic. After that, maybe Sheppard, and others.

Dillingham getting picked #7 to #13 after a rock solid season in this weak draft where literally everyone other than Risacher who was supposed to be at the top has underwhelmed? Not a chance unless he blows out his knee or something. Maybe in a perfect storm of lottery order I could see him #6 I guess.

[baseline bum]

I'm not a fan of G league ignite prospects in general but front office has shown a tendency to pick against grain for better or for worse in the past so I wouldn't be surprised. See: Primo, Samanic, Livio Jean Charles, Derrick White

Overrating Holland wouldn't be going against the grain considering he came into this season hyped to be a top candidate for the #1 pick

[TD 21]

For a team that lacks talent like the Spurs and who is setting itself up to make a trade within the next couple of seasons, fit's pretty open. A lot of people seem worried about drafting a guy with weaknesses shared by current Spurs because it may lead to the team not improving as much next year as they'd like. In I think that concern is short-sighted. Wemby is pluripotent enough to fit with anyone, Vassell's archetype doesn't really place restrictions on the lineup around him, and no one else is good enough to worry about. You don't pass up on a guy because Jones, Sochan and Collins aren't good shooters or Johnson and Branham struggle defensively. The Spurs can replace all those guys. If the talent is extremely close, then that's one thing. But the gap doesn't have to be all that large for me to pick talent at this stage.

I mostly agree, but the thing with shooting and defense is, they're universal. Wembanyama and Vassell will need those things around them the same way anyone would.

I wouldn't pass on most of these players because of fit with the rest, I'd do so because I see them having a hard time fitting on a contending team.

[baseline bum]

I wish Sheppard had a little more size. He looks like such a small 6'3" to be a combo guard instead of a straight point. God damn his three point stroke is sweet though.

[heyheymymy]

Dillingham already has 2 fouls

[Mr. Body]

Dillingham already has 2 fouls

He fouls a lot.

[heyheymymy]

Knecht 10
Rest of team 8

[onechance87]

sheppard a shooter

[baseline bum]

Knecht 10
Rest of team 8

Damn is dude singlehandedly dragging them to a four seed? Let my dog outside and dude put up like 7 points in the time I was gone.

[BackHome]

Knecht is legit - Sheppard has a beautiful shoot - Reeves playing really good

[alfahdlan]

Whew

[Splits]

If you want to pick a 1 seed to get dropped in your bracket before the Sweet 16, it is Tennessee.