2024 NBA Draft Thread

[DPG21920]

I agree, but honestly, if you strip away the “its the number one pick” and just look at the player (Sarr or Risacher) does it seem unreasonable? Trading Risacher for the complete control of your own fate and ability to tank for Flagg if you want etc seems like a pretty easy call to me unless you think those guys are superstars (Risacher/Sarr)

To further elaborate: IF ATL wanted to blow it up internally and thought that was the best path, obviously getting their 25 pick back would be imperative. But besides that, on just raw value alone, I dont think its a stretch to say that if Sarr, Risacher and Reed were in the 25’ draft instead of this one, that none of the 3 would go top 10.

So in that regard you are trading pick 12-18 next year for full control over your own pick more or less. Do you think theres a solid chance that you can get an equal player to Risacher, Sarr or Reed at pick 12-18 next year if you are ATL worst case alongside being able to blow it up and truly tank if you want to?

You better value Risacher/Sarr a wholeeeeee lot to argue that its not fair value IMO

[Mr. Body]

The annual vastly overrating the next year's draft is in full effect.

[exstatic]

Would you do it for ATL pick straight up? SA keeps 4 and 8 and gets pick 1?

No. Even if the 2025 ATL pick falls in the 8-12 range and doesn’t jump up into the top 4, it’s a far better draft, and that pick may well be better than 1 in this draft. If it does jump into the top 4, you’ve ed up your chance t draft Wemby’s co-star.

This draft is crap, and NO resources should be spent to move up.

[ChumpDumper]

No. Even if the 2025 ATL pick falls in the 8-12 range and doesn’t jump up into the top 4, it’s a far better draft, and that pick may well be better than 1 in this draft. If it does jump into the top 4, you’ve ed up your chance t draft Wemby’s co-star.

This draft is crap, and NO resources should be spent to move up.

Yeah, I see the Spurs' trading down from 8 if anything this year.

[exstatic]

To further elaborate: IF ATL wanted to blow it up internally and thought that was the best path, obviously getting their 25 pick back would be imperative. But besides that, on just raw value alone, I dont think its a stretch to say that if Sarr, Risacher and Reed were in the 25’ draft instead of this one, that none of the 3 would go top 10.

So in that regard you are trading pick 12-18 next year for full control over your own pick more or less. Do you think theres a solid chance that you can get an equal player to Risacher, Sarr or Reed at pick 12-18 next year if you are ATL worst case alongside being able to blow it up and truly tank if you want to?

You better value Risacher/Sarr a wholeeeeee lot to argue that its not fair value IMO

You’re overvaluing their current talent. ATL won’t finish 12-18, they’ll likely finish 6-12. They’ve been going backwards for 3-4 years, and I see no reason for that to change. Their ownership seems tax averse, and they’ve been offloading players to save money, with little return.

[DPG21920]

The annual vastly overrating the next year's draft is in full effect.

Is it that or underrating this draft?

[DPG21920]

You’re overvaluing their current talent. ATL won’t finish 12-18, they’ll likely finish 6-12. They’ve been going backwards for 3-4 years, and I see no reason for that to change. Their ownership seems tax averse, and they’ve been offloading players to save money, with little return.

Agree. I would not do the deal if I were SA. I was gaming it out for those saying ATL wouldn’t do it or would be “crazy” to do it

[offset formation]

The annual vastly overrating the next year's draft is in full effect.

At least there's a clear #1 prospect. This year I've seen about 6 people in that top spot on projections.

[LeBowen]

At least there's a clear #1 prospect. This year I've seen about 6 people in that top spot on projections.

Wasn't Ron Holland a clear #1 prospect coming out of high school?

[Mr. Body]

At least there's a clear #1 prospect. This year I've seen about 6 people in that top spot on projections.

"Scoot is a generational talent. He would absolutely go number one in any other draft."

[offset formation]

Not said by me, lol. I was never high on Scoot or Amen or Ausar or as even top 3 picks unlike much of the board. The beautiful thing is I put that on record here on multiple threads.

Next year has Cooper Flagg. People are already calling it the Cooper Flagg draft just as tge called last year the Wemby draft. Not quite sure how to respond to your post other than those two points above...wasn't me saying that about Scoot and next year is clearly defined which was my original point.

[offset formation]

Wasn't Ron Holland a clear #1 prospect coming out of high school?

How does that relate to what I posted on next year's draft already being known as the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes other than youre referencing their status' coming out of HS? I certainly never heard Hollands draft after HS be referred to as the Ron Holland sweepstakes

[Mr. Body]

I'd bet money that Cooper Flagg is going to have a good, but not exceptional year at Duke. He's a physical specimen against high schoolers without a lot of polish, and he cannot shoot. Once people actually watch him play it's going to be feeding season. Good, but not generational. Fortunately the draft looks really solid at top anyway.

[LeBowen]

How does that relate to what I posted on next year's draft already being known as the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes other than youre referencing their status' coming out of HS? I certainly never heard Hollands draft after HS be referred to as the Ron Holland sweepstakes

It's Cooper Flagg draft because ESPN needs something to market.
Who knows how's draft going to look this time next year.

[BatManu20]

Still think Sarr ends up going 1st Overall, but this is the Hawks we're talking about here so who knows tbh.

[Mr. Body]

Still think Sarr ends up going 1st Overall, but this is the Hawks we're talking about here so who knows tbh.

Why would anyone take this bet? You're not making any money on Risacher and there's a good chance he doesn't get picked there.

[LeBowen]

Didn't Jabari Smith Jr have the best odds to be picked at #1 in 2022 draft and then he dropped to #3?

[DPG21920]

Most likely outcome (and I say likely very loosely here lol):

Sarr, Risacher, Reed top 3.

So SA, unless they trade up, starts with that base of players being gone by 4 IMO

[BatManu20]

Most likely outcome (and I say likely very loosely here lol):

Sarr, Risacher, Reed top 3.

So SA, unless they trade up, starts with that base of players being gone by 4 IMO

Fully agree. Castle at 4 is perfect form me though cause he's my pet cat in this draft, though I'd honestly be happy with any of those top 4 guys tbh.

[BatManu20]

Didn't Jabari Smith Jr have the best odds to be picked at #1 in 2022 draft and then he dropped to #3?

Yup. Similar situation too. Banchero hadn't worked out with Orlando either, but they were able to land a last-minute sit down with him and then selected him a couple days later.

[NASpurs]

[BatManu20]

Salaun at 4 would be a disaster. Legit.

**Taking a swing on Salaun at 8 is one thing, but drafting him over Castle or Sheppard at 4 would be another. I'd never forgive BW tbh.

[Uriel]

Givony and Woo's today's mock and "intel".

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/sto...s-all-58-picks

First round

1. Atlanta Hawks

Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Bourg (France) | Age: 19.2

The Hawks continue to signal that they have not yet determined their draft night direction, which makes sense considering the nature of this draft, how even the talent at the top is and trade opportunities that could unfold once they are on the clock.

They simultaneously have decisions to make with players already on their roster, especially Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, who seem destined to part ways in the not-too-distant future. The New Orleans Pelicans loom as a potential destination for one of them, with Brandon Ingram the most attractive and attainable target on the Pels' roster. Jalen Johnson appears to be the only player the Hawks will not consider moving.

Risacher, as he has for much of the pre-draft cycle, continues to hold firm as the choice at No. 1 following a positive workout with Atlanta. The feedback from those who have seen him in the United States is that he is a better passer and does a better job of initiating contact and playing through physicality than is expected with his lean frame.

Donovan Clingan, another favorite of the Hawks' coaching staff, remains in play at No. 1, but he might be a more realistic option if the Hawks trade down a few spots with the San Antonio Spurs, something that might not materialize until the Spurs are on the clock at No. 4.

The Hawks getting back their 2025 unprotected first-rounder from San Antonio would be a huge boon, but it isn't clear whether the Spurs would be willing to pay such a high price, while other great trade opportunities do not appear to have materialized thus far.

NBA teams say the Hawks are indicating they could take Alex Sarr at No. 1, which some speculate might be more an attempt to force the Washington Wizards to trade up. -- Jonathan Givony

That’s too steep a price to pay in my book for such a flat draft. I like Risacher too and he’s #1 on my draft board, but I certainly wouldn’t give back Atlanta’s 2025 pick for him. The most I’d be willing to give up is pick #35, which the Hawks probably would say no to. Given that, I’d be happy to let them pick whoever they want at #1 and then pick the highest available player on our draft board at #4.

[Mr. Body]

That’s too steep a price to pay in my book for such a flat draft. I like Risacher too and he’s #1 on my draft board, but I certainly wouldn’t give back Atlanta’s 2025 pick for him. The most I’d be willing to give up is pick #35, which the Hawks probably would say no to. Given that, I’d be happy to let them pick whoever they want at #1 and then pick the highest available player on our draft board at #4.

Givony has been a massive backer of Risacher throughout the cycle. There's no other player he's pushed so relentlessly and over-praisingly. He's also the one who created and is still pushing the narrative of the Spurs trading up and giving a lot for him.

A lot of what he's saying is kind of bull , too. So what if Risacher is showing as a better passer in workouts? What the are workouts? How does he pass in actual games? ty.

Why does it matter if he initiates contact in workouts? He shies away from it in games. WTF.

[Uriel]

Based on the latest ESPN mock, the Spurs’ big board appears to be:

1. Risacher
2. Sheppard
3. Castle
4. Dillingham
5. Buzelis
6. Knecht
7. Williams
8. Salaun
9. Topic

The mock also stated that the Spurs will take a “best player available” approach to both picks, which means picking the highest available player on this big board for both #4 and #8.