Event 2017 NBA draft thread - April 2017 edition

[BonesJones]

Btw I would put money on Ferguson being a blazer. Call it gut feeling call it whatever, but he just looks like he will be a blazer. Not much to do with his game either. Hard to explain.

Lol I see it. Don't know how to describe it either. He has a "Blazer" face.

 

[BonesJones]

Ferguson and Giles? Where do I sign up

Just hoping Giles doesn't go between 16 and 19. That's all I ask for.

If he goes before 15, it'll make it even more likely Ferguson falls to us.
If he doesn't go between 16 and 19, then take him at 20! That'd be a great pick.

 

[Scalma]

Just hoping Giles doesn't go between 16 and 19. That's all I ask for.

If he goes before 15, it'll make it even more likely Ferguson falls to us.
If he doesn't go between 16 and 19, then take him at 20! That'd be a great pick.

Yeah, someone's gonna take a chance on him, might as well be us. We deserve to be on the opposite end of a knee injury.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Iirc one of the NYC papers had Furguson all the way at #5 overall in their mock a few weeks ago.

 

[Trackjack]

These mock draft are all over place especially after 10 pick.

 

[PDXFonz]

Iirc one of the NYC papers had Furguson all the way at #5 overall in their mock a few weeks ago.

It's a smart bet. With the way the NBA is today, players with his skill set are in high demand, couple that with the fact that he's a prime candidate to out perform the competition and it only makes sense. I haven't thought it through enough to make a mock draft, but if I did I would definitely put him in the top 10.

 

[rotary111]

We need to find a way to get Sac's #8 and #10 to get Ferguson and Collins. That along with Bell would be my dream draft.

Sac isn't that smart so it may be possible.

 

[BonesJones]

We need to find a way to get Sac's #8 and #10 to get Ferguson and Collins. That along with Bell would be my dream draft.

Sac isn't that smart so it may be possible.

Don't see that happening.

Collins will likely be available at 10.

Maybe you could trade 20, 26, and another asset and get 10, then hope Ferguson falls to 15.

 

[rotary111]

I can't wait for the draft combine to help sort some of this out.

Hopefully not to many players opt out for fear of dropping down the board.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Yeah, someone's gonna take a chance on him, might as well be us. We deserve to be on the opposite end of a knee injury.

Giles is 6'11 but like 6" of that is his giraffe neck. I bet he plays a bit small for his height.

 

[Trackjack]

Giles very long and he plays like that when he got chance at Duke.

 

[rotary111]

I don't know about you kids but I'm going to be watching to see if Lonzo Ball gets bumped back a few places partly because of his dad. The look on dads face if LA passes on him would be priceless.
I kind of feel for the kid. But it doesn't seem to bother him so maybe i shouldn't care.

Giles injuries scare me. I see the potential though.

 

[Scalma]

Giles is 6'11 but like 6" of that is his giraffe neck. I bet he plays a bit small for his height.

Lol, he does have a 7'3" wingspan, so good enough for me.

 

[WillG]

At this point, pre-combine, I'd be happy to see us come away with any combo of:
Tatum, Isaac, OG, J Allen, Ferguson, Giles, Adebayo

 

[Sarni]

One of the most exciting things for me about this draft is 76ers possibly stealing Lakers pick. I am rooting so much for it, and I want it to happen through 76ers moving into top 3 themselves. I want Sixers to draft Fultz and one of Smith/Fox. I know they would both be point guards but with Fultz all around play he can exist in a two point guard backcourt IMO. Then they should try to get Ian Clark from Warriors in free agency, even on a crazy contract, for his shooting ability. I thought Malik Monk would have been a better compliment for them IF they were going to get BOTH him and one of the other point guards but I now kind of want to see them with two points (even though Simmons will also do the playmaking). This team would be just incredible to watch in a few years with Fultz, Fox, Simmons and Embiid running around. On fastbreaks they'd absolutely kill everyone with that setup.

Fox/Fultz/Simmons/Saric/Embiid with Holmes and Clark in the rotation it would be absolutely crazy if they all develop.

Of course the distinct possibility is also that they will not get Lakers pick, will draft Smith or Fox at 4th and miss out on Clark and it won't help them much, while Simmons and Embiid struggle with injuries but I want to stay on a positive note.

It'd also help that it'd properly ruin Lakers too. They care so much about the pick this season and have so many plans for it that it'd be double sweet if they were to miss out on top 3 because 76ers moved into top 3

 

[Sarni]

At this point, pre-combine, I'd be happy to see us come away with any combo of:
Tatum, Isaac, OG, J Allen, Ferguson, Giles, Adebayo

No chance in hell we end up with Tatum, and Isaac either. Both will for sure be top 10 picks and in case of Tatum, I can easily see him moving into the top 5.

I think I prefer Justin Jackson to Anunoby. Just not sure about Anunoby's shot, although if he can develop it the way Kawhi has, he could become our mini-Kawhi. Kawhi lite is what we need.

I'd love Zach Collins but it's not happening. Neither Markkanen. If we could steal one of them it'd be great though. Would be sweet if the other two picks we got ended with Hartenstein/Leaf (for stretching the floor) and Adebayo/Giles (rebounding and inside presence). After watching tapes I think I'd actually prefer us to go this direction than draft a backup center, Nurkic is our center of future. With Adebayo's and Giles rebounding both could play 10-12 minutes a game at center comfortably I feel (Adebayo for sure, not absolutely convinced about Giles).

So basically:

#15: Anunoby (if we think he can improve his shot), Justin Jackson, Terrance Ferguson (Leonard lite in case of Anunoby, Middleton in case of Jackson, I don't know who to compare Ferguson with)
#20: Hartenstein or Leaf (our Porzingis lite)
#26: Adebayo or Giles

 

[WillG]

One of the most exciting things for me about this draft is 76ers possibly stealing Lakers pick.

If this happens, I'd immediately consider the draft a resounding success.

 

[WillG]

No chance in hell we end up with Tatum, and Isaac either.

Obviously would require some trading - and Tatum would be hard to get - he'll go 2-4 range. I do think Isaac could be reachable at 5-8 range if we can put a trade package together.

Off-the-cuff I'd consider trading one of our guards + 15th for Porzingas and their 7th. HMmmm . . . .

 

[Sarni]

Obviously would require some trading - and Tatum would be hard to get - he'll go 2-4 range. I do think Isaac could be reachable at 5-8 range if we can put a trade package together.

Off-the-cuff I'd consider trading one of our guards + 15th for Porzingas and their 7th. HMmmm . . . .

CJ + 15th for Porzingis and 7th, hmmm... If we could get one of the elite guards or Isaac at 7th, it'd be a good deal for us. I don't think Knicks do that though. IF they want to trade Porzingis, they will try to involve Celtics and not give up their pick. Then they could possibly pick Fultz/Ball/Smith/Fox in top 3 and pick Isaac or something with their pick. Makes them better. Not sure it works for Celts.

 

[Mediocre Man]

CJ + 15th for Porzingis and 7th, hmmm... If we could get one of the elite guards or Isaac at 7th, it'd be a good deal for us. I don't think Knicks do that though. IF they want to trade Porzingis, they will try to involve Celtics and not give up their pick. Then they could possibly pick Fultz/Ball/Smith/Fox in top 3 and pick Isaac or something with their pick. Makes them better. Not sure it works for Celts.

Why the fuck would NY make that trade?

 

[Sarni]

Why the fuck would NY make that trade?

The trade with us? They wouldn't. Unless they really loved CJ to the extent they were willing to give up two potential superstars for him.

The trade with Celtics? Quite easy, they might prefer to have a top 3 pick than Porzingis if it's true that they have doubts over Porzingis being able to lead the team to glory. Even if they really liked Porzingis, it'd still be wise to consider a top 3 pick when you can get Fultz or Jackson with it. Drafting Fultz/Jackson and Tatum/Isaac/Smith Jr in this draft could likely lead you to huge success in a few years.

It'd be stupid from Celtics though. They can get a better player who is ready now for that top 3 pick and would probably be better off getting a player with that pick anyway. Actually, if I were them, I'd try to move Thomas and Crowder for picks while they are this valuable and build for the future. It's quite apparent that the current roster is far, far from being able to compete.

 

[illmatic99]

I cycle through these prospects, and every time i find someone I like, I keep coming back to OG.

Think he's my guy. He's a 19 yr old, more physical, better handling Aminu. We can fix his shot-- I dig his potential. I love how imposing he is on defense and how well he can finish at the rim. I can see him growing a few more inches before it's all said and done.

His injury history is the only thing stopping me from going all in on his bandwagon.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Watching D.J. Wilson makes me wonder why so many have him going so low.

He's athletic, agile, long for a PF (6'10 with 7'3 wingspan), can shoot and handle the ball, as well as move his feet on perimeter defense and block some shots.

The knock on him is he struggles with physicality, but is that really a big dealbreaker with the way NBA PFs are getting now-a-days? The other knock is rebounding, but he's athletic or long so I don't think that'll be a weakness in the NBA.

Why is this dude projected so low? He seems like a stud. I feel like he's kind of an unknown quantity, and that's why he'll fall. He's being slept on.

Well, here is an opinion from Draft Express: "Although he's very intriguing as a long, rangy stretch four, Wilson also proved that he still has a ways to go before being considered a top-flight power forward prospect. He managed to grab only five defensive rebounds and dish out only one assist in 76 minutes of action during the first two rounds, and left much to be desired as an interior defender both in terms of physicality and toughness." - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/D.J.-Wilson-82837/ ©DraftExpress

Also I see he had back injuries in high school; back issues at that age is scary. Also has had a knee injury.

 

[illmatic99]

Well, here is an opinion from Draft Express: "Although he's very intriguing as a long, rangy stretch four, Wilson also proved that he still has a ways to go before being considered a top-flight power forward prospect. He managed to grab only five defensive rebounds and dish out only one assist in 76 minutes of action during the first two rounds, and left much to be desired as an interior defender both in terms of physicality and toughness." - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/D.J.-Wilson-82837/ ©DraftExpress

Also I see he had back injuries in high school; back issues at that age is scary. Also has had a knee injury.

Lauri is the only stretch PF that interests me in this draft, all these other dudes have something or the other holding them back as prospects. Lauri's rebounding and rim protection are often forgotten because of that very same stretch 4 label. His pick and pop potential with Dame, or a high low with Nurk are hella exciting. I really hope we can trade up.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I cycle through these prospects, and every time i find someone I like, I keep coming back to OG.

Think he's my guy. He's a 19 yr old, more physical, better handling Aminu. We can fix his shot-- I dig his potential. I love how imposing he is on defense and how well he can finish at the rim. I can see him growing a few more inches before it's all said and done.

His injury history is the only thing stopping me from going all in on his bandwagon.

I know you so well.

Anunoby's probably your guy in that range

 

[PDXFonz]

Middleton was selected 39th. Yet another example why you should not write off draft pick because they aren't in the top 10. If we got three players anywhere near his level, we'd be contenders. Myles Turner was selected close to 15 two years ago in a draft that was less hyped than this years draft. If we got a player anywhere near his quality, it would help us immensely.

Yes but if you look at the top 10 of that draft - AD, MKG, Barnes, Dame, Drummond, Beal. That is already 3 all-stars, 3 other great NBA players. I think there is more overall talent in this draft than 2012, whether those players accurately fall in the lottery range always remains to be seen, but while you have potential to draft good, sometimes great players late in the first/or in the second round, you definitely have potential to pick up a franchise changing player in the top 10. You've got to think that with all the talent in this draft it will be similar to 2012 in the sense that 3/10 of the top 10-15 will be all stars at some point in their careers.

Fwiw I think Dennis Smith is a stud and will be the PGOTF for whoever drafts him. If he lands in an optimal situation I could see him winning ROY over a talented Fultz/Fox...Lonzo Ball is an overrated player to me, and I still think his flaws will be exposed in the NBA.

 

[PDXFonz]

I think the Knicks should hold serve with their players and draft Dennis Smith if he's still on the board, he could finally help turn that team into a playoff team.

 

[Sarni]

Yes but if you look at the top 10 of that draft - AD, MKG, Barnes, Dame, Drummond, Beal. That is already 3 all-stars, 3 other great NBA players. I think there is more overall talent in this draft than 2012, whether those players accurately fall in the lottery range always remains to be seen, but while you have potential to draft good, sometimes great players late in the first/or in the second round, you definitely have potential to pick up a franchise changing player in the top 10. You've got to think that with all the talent in this draft it will be similar to 2012 in the sense that 3/10 of the top 10-15 will be all stars at some point in their careers.

Fwiw I think Dennis Smith is a stud and will be the PGOTF for whoever drafts him. If he lands in an optimal situation I could see him winning ROY over a talented Fultz/Fox...Lonzo Ball is an overrated player to me, and I still think his flaws will be exposed in the NBA.

All of Fultz, Fox, Smith, Ball and maybe Ntilikina could be franchise point guards. That's why 76ers, Kings, Knicks and Timberwolves are lucky to be drafting high now. They need them.

As I said, I hope 76ers get a top 3 pick and get both Fultz and one of Fox and Smith Jr, and play them together. Would be absolutely amazing to watch with Simmons and Embiid. People think they need shooters but Embiid, Saric and Fultz can do that, and I actually think Fox can become a competent shooter as his technique looks nice. Also I reckon Simmons shot is not broken either, he needs practice. Embiid was not shooting before NBA either and he is amazing at open threes and both open and contested mid-range.

 

[damianlillard]

i think the blazers should draft josh hart with the cavs pick. that kid has a real potential to be the next brandon roy. plus josh's defense is really good.
15th-patton/og
20-hartenstein/semi
26-hart-jordan bell
i would be really happy with a combination of these guys. i would personally want patton, semi, and hart the most

 

[Trackjack]

Also like Hart he be good in guard rotation player with Dame and CJ. That would give Olshey a chance to find a trade with either Crabbe or ET.