Draft projects to watch besides Wembanyama & Henderson

[Atl Spur]

Exstatic, who pissed in your cereal? You are on one……..going full Fran Fraschilla

[mo7888]

What would you say about trading out and trying the compete next season? We would still have additional picks coming and can get more picks by trading our talents if we want to return to bottom barrel tanking

I wouldn't trade out. I'm pretty stoked about the top 8 or so in this draft and feel pretty good down until 19 or 20 where I think it drops off. I'm not nearly as high on next years draft. All that being said, I'd consider trading back if I'm outside of the top 2 but only if I could get 2 top 10 picks in this draft for the trouble. I have 3-9 all being in the same tier so I'd rather have 6 + 8 than 3, for example. If that weren't available I'd just pick wherever we end up and try and do a deal with someone just outside of the lottery for their pick by offering both our 2nd's + the Charlotte pick. I wouldn’t want to add 3 rookies to this roster. As for competing next year, we don't necessarily have to trade our pick to do that. We have plenty of cap room and/or future picks to add pieces to become compe ive if we choose to.

[exstatic]

Exstatic, who pissed in your cereal? You are on one……..going full Fran Fraschilla

There's just a pile of players in the top 5-7 that I have no use for. I don't even think that Smith Jr. is the best prospect from Arkansas. For years, I wondered how teams got it so wrong. There's just too much hype carryover from HS/AAU, and they never see the plateau or even regression in college, or they choose to ignore it.

[Mr. Body]

I'm with exstatic here more or less. If you pay attention to pre-season hype, you're going to get messed up. High school rankings are secretly ed. I swear it goes like this -- once Kentucky or Duke take interest in a player, the ranking agencies move them up. Bronny is a base-ass high school player and he's been shoved into like slot 10 or something. There's so much money and influence, it's not a fair process.

This is why people are still talking about Emoni Bates for some reason. He had like two good games for a -tier college team that lost a ton of games. He'll get drafted in the second, but really that's just lingering hype.

Nick Young is pretty much the same. He doesn't look good. He looks like a worse Johnny Davis, although, yes, his injuries might have an impact. But if you came in without knowing anything about what wags said eight months ago, you wouldn't pick him out as a lottery player.

I see these as reasons NBA teams crock their drafts every year. Yes, there is pressure from owners and fanbases who've heard about the players for months the same way. It's almost a guarantee that more than half of a top 10 is going to crash and burn.

[exstatic]

I'm with exstatic here more or less. If you pay attention to pre-season hype, you're going to get messed up. High school rankings are secretly ed. I swear it goes like this -- once Kentucky or Duke take interest in a player, the ranking agencies move them up. Bronny is a base-ass high school player and he's been shoved into like slot 10 or something. There's so much money and influence, it's not a fair process.

This is why people are still talking about Emoni Bates for some reason. He had like two good games for a -tier college team that lost a ton of games. He'll get drafted in the second, but really that's just lingering hype.

Nick Young is pretty much the same. He doesn't look good. He looks like a worse Johnny Davis, although, yes, his injuries might have an impact. But if you came in without knowing anything about what wags said eight months ago, you wouldn't pick him out as a lottery player.

I see these as reasons NBA teams crock their drafts every year. Yes, there is pressure from owners and fanbases who've heard about the players for months the same way. It's almost a guarantee that more than half of a top 10 is going to crash and burn.

Supposedly, Lacob’s son pressured their FO into drafting both Wiseman and Kuminga. They could have had LaMelo and Wagner.

[JPB]

I'm with exstatic here more or less. If you pay attention to pre-season hype, you're going to get messed up. High school rankings are secretly ed. I swear it goes like this -- once Kentucky or Duke take interest in a player, the ranking agencies move them up. Bronny is a base-ass high school player and he's been shoved into like slot 10 or something. There's so much money and influence, it's not a fair process.

This is why people are still talking about Emoni Bates for some reason. He had like two good games for a -tier college team that lost a ton of games. He'll get drafted in the second, but really that's just lingering hype.

Nick Young is pretty much the same. He doesn't look good. He looks like a worse Johnny Davis, although, yes, his injuries might have an impact. But if you came in without knowing anything about what wags said eight months ago, you wouldn't pick him out as a lottery player.

I see these as reasons NBA teams crock their drafts every year. Yes, there is pressure from owners and fanbases who've heard about the players for months the same way. It's almost a guarantee that more than half of a top 10 is going to crash and burn.

Indeed, and that's because everyone, including here and me, like to act and talk like they knew and had an expert and thorough appreciation of the draft, empowerment style... That's the game but still one month ago the indisputable, universal consensus was Wemby + Scoot then a huge cliff. Now Scoot isn't even guaranteed at 2 and other players emerge. Come back in two months and the situation will still evolve... The only certainty is Wemby #1.

[Ariel]

Indeed, and that's because everyone, including here and me, like to act and talk like they knew and had an expert and thorough appreciation of the draft, empowerment style... That's the game but still one month ago the indisputable, universal consensus was Wemby + Scoot then a huge cliff. Now Scoot isn't even guaranteed at 2 and other players emerge. Come back in two months and the situation will still evolve... The only certainty is Wemby #1.

The problem is you're supposed to make up your mind on a player based on a very limited sample of meaningful games, and one month may be 20% (or more) of a player's track record. Furthermore, assessments are based on projection rather than production, so last year the baseline for Scoot had baked into it his expected progress this year. If he deviates from projections, then his stock takes a hit. That's how it goes, and there's no way around it, because the information available (to most of us) is very limited.

[exstatic]

The problem is you're supposed to make up your mind on a player based on a very limited sample of meaningful games, and one month may be 20% (or more) of a player's track record. Furthermore, assessments are based on projection rather than production, so last year the baseline for Scoot had baked into it his expected progress this year. If he deviates from projections, then his stock takes a hit. That's how it goes, and there's no way around it, because the information available (to most of us) is very limited.

I think that's Scoot's biggest negative. He hit a gleague plateau. Not good. College guys have been dinged for going back to school and not improving forever.

[duncan2150]

Good news for us imo

[Atl Spur]

Scoot will be fine….hold my feet to the fire on this one.

[slick'81]

Scoot will be fine….hold my feet to the fire on this one.

we trust ya analysis atl

[ace3g]

[JPB]

I'd like to brag that it's pretty much everything I've seen and projected in Miller for weeks but, you know...

Anyway, it really seems of court issues are really not a factor with Miller in that draft. And I persist in thinking it won't be for Wright either. On pure BB, he's more than ever my man at 2. Maybe we'll get more info at some point.

[Mr. Body]

Suddenly Scoot Henderson isn't a generational talent, he's not 'number one pick' in any other draft, suddenly he's not transcendent.

It's such a typical pattern. There's barely a reason to pay attention to draft prospects until around January or so, when college players have enough games under their belt to suggest who they are.

I continue to have eyes open about Ignite going forward. Henderson should be drafted high. I have no disagreements there - my thing was about how overhyped he was and how too many people regurgitated the hype. My interest is more how Ignite guys show up in the NBA, whether they're ready or not. In other forum's it's impossible to suggest it's not as competetive or teaching as the NCAA. You get downvoted instantly, but it's probably true. Henderson is probably their best talent coming out; how ready will he be?

Thompson twins will be even more interesting.

[BackHome]

I am kind of shocked ESPN pretty much giving him a pass but who knows maybe the have more information then the rest of us. From just pure basketball skill set I would easily take him now at the second pick he would fit very nicely with Vassell, Sochan, and him starting at the 3. It was kind of weird that the knock on him his first season was that his mid game was not good but in High School that is what he was known for being excellent in that area.

After reading all of Exstatic post I have become so depressed about this draft if we don't land Wemb. with the number 1 pick. l kinda agree with him the Thompson twins super athletic but they are Deer who can't shoot if you can not shoot when your playing basketball by 20 years old something is very wrong. Then got Nix Smith who just seems to injury prone I don't know if his body will make the adjustment and he is not a true PG, that leaves Cam who know kind of looks like a better Keldon, but is that good enough for our first pick?

[heyheymymy]

Building my bracket for the NCAA tournament and wondering if a draft candidate's team's tournament advancement depth will correlate with that candidate's selection value. Seeding path may well provide teams with draft candidates extra games and additional pressure situations to demonstrate their worth. Notice that Baylor has a decent path. UCSB and Crighton/NC State should give some showcase time for George until the team hits the wall against 2 seed Ariz.

#3 Gonzaga goes through Grand Canyon State (lol) and TCU before facing the Goliath in possibly Kansas. Does Strawther boost himself into the late 1st with such a potentially smoother tourney path affording him the luxury of optimal audition conditions?

Does Kentucky's path buy more screen time for Cason Wallace to showcase and improve draft value? Providence, Kansas St. and Mich St. Not too easy but somewhat gentler of a path. Looks like Wallace will try to play through injury so that factors in if so.

Also some cool regional matchups with Texas possibly facing Houston to lock in a Final Four appearance for the team that wins that one. After a probable Texas vs Texas A&M 2nd round matchup.

[heyheymymy]

One more thought but Jalen Wilson will play his way ahead of the Spurs early 2nd if Kansas does well. Was watching a game last week, they lost to Texas. But Jalen Wilson looked pretty decent, def at least a good 2nd round selection but I could see a late first reach stealing him away from an early 2nd bargain for someone.

[Mr. Body]

One more thought but Jalen Wilson will play his way ahead of the Spurs early 2nd if Kansas does well. Was watching a game last week, they lost to Texas. But Jalen Wilson looked pretty decent, def at least a good 2nd round selection but I could see a late first reach stealing him away from an early 2nd bargain for someone.

I feel like no one takes four year players in the first round anymore. I'd definitely take a good look at him with the second. Would be nice to get a player who actually knows how to play basketball on the team, and at a place of need.

[Mr. Body]

Building my bracket for the NCAA tournament and wondering if a draft candidate's team's tournament advancement depth will correlate with that candidate's selection value. Seeding path may well provide teams with draft candidates extra games and additional pressure situations to demonstrate their worth. Notice that Baylor has a decent path. UCSB and Crighton/NC State should give some showcase time for George until the team hits the wall against 2 seed Ariz.

#3 Gonzaga goes through Grand Canyon State (lol) and TCU before facing the Goliath in possibly Kansas. Does Strawther boost himself into the late 1st with such a potentially smoother tourney path affording him the luxury of optimal audition conditions?

Does Kentucky's path buy more screen time for Cason Wallace to showcase and improve draft value? Providence, Kansas St. and Mich St. Not too easy but somewhat gentler of a path. Looks like Wallace will try to play through injury so that factors in if so.

Also some cool regional matchups with Texas possibly facing Houston to lock in a Final Four appearance for the team that wins that one. After a probable Texas vs Texas A&M 2nd round matchup.

I feel like serious tournament runs/play impacted players' draft stock in the past. Nowadays, I have no idea. The whole draft process is entirely y nowadays.

[heyheymymy]

Like I felt like Suggs hitting that long wild shot to advance to the champ game won him some serious draft considerations and might've vaulted him a bit beyond his own worth lol. Could've had at least Giddey instead for sure, not sure who else but still seems like Suggs isn't totally worth the #5 at least not yet.

[heyheymymy]

holy I did not realize Jalen Wilson was already 22 very good call lol

"not on the timeline"

[rascal]

I think you can safely say it about Portland. Sharpe is nauseatingly bad, like bottom few on RAPTOR in the league.

Sharpe has superstar upside. 25+ future scorer.

[spurs1990]

Hot Shot Miller can be the third Tide big man the Spurs would have since Horry and McDyess. His performance during this tourney will be the smoking gun to see if he shoots up to San Antonio’s radar

[rascal]

Hot Shot Miller can be the third Tide big man the Spurs would have since Horry and McDyess. His performance during this tourney will be the smoking gun to see if he shoots up to San Antonio’s radar

I don't think the Spurs will draft Miller. They are getting Wemby anyways. The Spurs will have the worst overall record in the end and get Wembanyama. It's already happened in the future.

[heyheymymy]

I don't think the Spurs will draft Miller. They are getting Wemby anyways. The Spurs will have the worst overall record in the end and get Wembanyama. It's already happened in the future.

prayingdog.jpg but I feel that energy too