2024 NBA Draft Thread

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

The "Way too Early' Draft prognostication

  • Holland

    Votes: 8 16.3%
  • Sarr

    Votes: 41 83.7%
  • Edwards

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    49
Yeah but Giannis is the best case scenario. There’s a million highly athletic dudes who never became anything.

I'm not even comparing them as prospects. I agree. My only point is, we shouldn't judge based off mock drafts. Is there a world where Tidjane Salaun is a more productive player than Matas Buzelis and Cody Williams? Absolutely. It was a reach to take Westbrook where Presti did. If they like Salaun that much, they should take him. They are likely to have a top 12 pick slip to them at 14.
 
I beg people to watch the warts-and-all tape of Salaun and check out his game log, not just the highlights.

no one is saying players don't rise late in the draft cycle. salaun has some very real limitations to his game--that's all.
 
I beg people to watch the warts-and-all tape of Salaun and check out his game log, not just the highlights.

no one is saying players don't rise late in the draft cycle. salaun has some very real limitations to his game--that's all.

Mike Richman was saying that he doesn't have a feel for the game right now.
 
I don't think any GM should ever draft a guy who shot 37% from the field and 27% from 3s... and is 6'1.5" without shoes.

The dude was a top 30-ish player coming out of high school and hasn't done anything to increase that since. He is just not that skilled a basketball player.
 
Mike Richman was saying that he doesn't have a feel for the game right now.

That's not exactly what he said. You're abbreviating it. Not just him, but Sam Vecenie as well. His feel for the game IS his knock. To suggest he doesn't have feel for the game is not correct, obviously.

What everyone agrees on is his great motor, upside on his shot, size and athleticism. I buy his stock more than I don't.
 
I don't think any GM should ever draft a guy who shot 37% from the field and 27% from 3s... and is 6'1.5" without shoes.

The dude was a top 30-ish player coming out of high school and hasn't done anything to increase that since. He is just not that skilled a basketball player.

What are you talking about?
 
I beg people to watch the warts-and-all tape of Salaun and check out his game log, not just the highlights.

no one is saying players don't rise late in the draft cycle. salaun has some very real limitations to his game--that's all.
Oh for sure. My ethos with this draft is taking one swing guy and one high floor guy. Salaun seems like the obvious high ceiling guy, I'm just unsure he'll be at 14.
 
That's not exactly what he said. You're abbreviating it. Not just him, but Sam Vecenie as well. His feel for the game IS his knock. To suggest he doesn't have feel for the game is not correct, obviously.

What everyone agrees on is his great motor, upside on his shot, size and athleticism. I buy his stock more than I don't.
This feel for the game knock was mentioned ad nauseum when i was clamoring to draft Tari Eason two years ago. I dont see it as an issue when evaluating 18 yr olds. If he were 23 with poor bbiq, then i would not be interested.
 
If the FO is sold on Salaun, I don't think he's a reach at #7. If they don't believe he's available at #14, and they really like him, get him at #7. Not saying I would. I just think that if you trust your scouts and your own evaluation ability, do it. A "draft range" or "player value" just as hit or miss as any single pick.
 
This feel for the game knock was mentioned ad nauseum when i was clamoring to draft Tari Eason two years ago. I dont see it as an issue when evaluating 18 yr olds. If he were 23 with poor bbiq, then i would not be interested.

Hard to get a fix on Eason. He missed most of the season with a leg injury.
 
This feel for the game knock was mentioned ad nauseum when i was clamoring to draft Tari Eason two years ago. I dont see it as an issue when evaluating 18 yr olds. If he were 23 with poor bbiq, then i would not be interested.

Or if he had low motor. The fact that he has a high motor that everyone keeps bringing up tells me he's going to be a success on the NBA level. How much of a success? I don't know.
 
This draft is such a wash that it’ll only take me a few minutes to get on board with our pick for the most part. I would struggle a bit more with Dilly, Topic and Knecht at 7 and would need some signifcant other contextual moves to come around.
 
Already hear Pop wants Salaun with #8 to put next to fellow Frenchman Wemby.

If Pop wants him, I want him.

That 19/8 game the other day had me feeling a bit better about him. He looked very confident/fearless logo launching with the game on the line.

There's a lot of low BBIQ players who have had serviceable NBA careers. Off the top of my head: Will Barton, Sexton, D. Russell, Clarkson, Dedmon, Cam Thomas, Whiteside, Drummond, J. Collins, Oubre(?), Lavine....

Saluan does appear to be improving rapidly. Maybe it's more to do with lack of game experience than some unfixable low BBIQ situation. Still, I'm nowhere near taking him at #7 because we're worried Pop wants him at #8. Wemby is probably influencing that decision a bit (him and Saluan are good friends).
 
That 19/8 game the other day had me feeling a bit better about him. He looked very confident/fearless logo launching with the game on the line.

There's a lot of low BBIQ players who have had serviceable NBA careers. Off the top of my head: Will Barton, Sexton, D. Russell, Clarkson, Dedmon, Cam Thomas, Whiteside, Drummond, J. Collins, Oubre(?), Lavine....

Saluan does appear to be improving rapidly. Maybe it's more to do with lack of game experience than some unfixable low BBIQ situation. Still, I'm nowhere near taking him at #7 because we're worried Pop wants him at #8. Wemby is probably influencing that decision a bit (him and Saluan are good friends).

Who has more upside? I think the tools Salaun has are more rare than those projected in the same area. Clingan seems to be more of a sure thing but lower ceiling. I have no problem with taking him at 7 when no one else has differentiated themselves from the rest of the group.
 
Mike Richman was saying that he doesn't have a feel for the game right now.

His feel is limited but...and this is my problem with both Sarr and Salaun (though Sarr should be decent)....players like Giannis, KD, or McGrady already had shot creation and ball handling capability at 18/19 years old.

Speaking as someone who wanted Giannis for Portland, yes, it isn't just athleticism you look at in a star wing/forward. It is how fluid and smooth they are in relation to their ball handling and shot creation, all in addition to some level of efficiency as a scorer.

Let's take a look at what Mike Schmitz wrote regarding Giannis, back in the day:

https://www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Draft-Prospect-of-the-Week-Giannis-Adetokunbo-4090/

Similar to the way Kyle Anderson is used at UCLA, he initiates a lot of his team's offense in the half-court and regularly rebounds the ball and takes it coast to coast, showing fantastic body control. He's an extremely smooth ball-handler and a surprisingly adept passer, looking extremely unselfish and very focused on getting his teammates involved. He's capable of driving left or right and reads defenses far better than you'd expect considering his age and size, as he shows great sparks of creativity and smarts that make it easy to envision him developing into a point forward type as his career progresses.

Salaun doesn't have the above capabilities. It's possible that, with hard work, he can learn to handle the ball better but that's rare and it's even more rare in the context of being able to move and angle your body correctly to blow past defenders, even if you develop handles. Again, that's the fluidity and smoothness aspect.

Essentially, most players are already set by the time they're adults. It's just a matter of efficiency in some aspect so that they can fall back on that, in case the newer parts of their game fail. Thus, Giannis was 60-67% from 2 while being a 70+% FT shooter due to being able to attack in transition, make appropriate cuts, and blow past defenders. His hands were large and useful, active and capable of palming the ball.

Salaun? He can't handle the ball, his playmaking is limited as a result, his FG% isn't great. I'm not going to write him off but it's very likely he becomes something like Cam Johnson, as a higher end projection.

Otherwise, Giannis was always athletic, fluid, and a good ball handler with some playmaking potential from the get go. McGrady and KD? Same thing. In McGrady's case, it was a matter of finding minutes and tightening up his already existent skillset.
 
His feel is limited but...and this is my problem with both Sarr and Salaun (though Sarr should be decent)....players like Giannis, KD, or McGrady already had shot creation and ball handling capability at 18/19 years old.

Speaking as someone who wanted Giannis for Portland, yes, it isn't just athleticism you look at in a star wing/forward. It is how fluid and smooth they are in relation to their ball handling and shot creation, all in addition to some level of efficiency as a scorer.

Let's take a look at what Mike Schmitz wrote regarding Giannis, back in the day:

https://www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Draft-Prospect-of-the-Week-Giannis-Adetokunbo-4090/



Salaun doesn't have the above capabilities. It's possible that, with hard work, he can learn to handle the ball better but that's rare and it's even more rare in the context of being able to move and angle your body correctly to blow past defenders, even if you develop handles. Again, that's the fluidity and smoothness aspect.

Essentially, most players are already set by the time they're adults. It's just a matter of efficiency in some aspect so that they can fall back on that, in case the newer parts of their game fail. Thus, Giannis was 60-67% from 2 while being a 70+% FT shooter due to being able to attack in transition, make appropriate cuts, and blow past defenders. His hands were large and useful, active and capable of palming the ball.

Salaun? He can't handle the ball, his playmaking is limited as a result, his FG% isn't great. I'm not going to write him off but it's very likely he becomes something like Cam Johnson, as a higher end projection.

Otherwise, Giannis was always athletic, fluid, and a good ball handler with some playmaking potential from the get go. McGrady and KD? Same thing. In McGrady's case, it was a matter of finding minutes and tightening up his already existent skillset.

I'm curious: have you looked much at Kal'el Ware?
 
Utility Sports Big Board v 1.0

If you want to watch the video or part of it, remember you can increase the playback speed up to 2x on YouTube.



1. Alex Sarr
2. Reed Sheppard
3. Rob Dillingham
4. Zaccharie Risacher
5. Donovan Clingan
6. Cody Williams
7. Stephon Castle
8. Ron Holland
9. Nikola Topic
10. Ajay Mitchell
11. Matas Buzelis
12. Jared McCain
13. Kel'el Ware
14. Dalton Knecht
15. Baylor Scheierman
16. Devin Carter
17. Carlton Carrington
18. Kyle Filipowski
19. Daron Holmes II
20. Zach Edey
21. Adem Bona
22. Isaiah Collier
23. Tyler Kolek
24. Tidjane Salaun
25. Tyler Smith
26. Nikola Djurisic
27. Johny Furphy
28. Ja'Kobe Walter
29. Justin Edwards
30. Yves Missi
 
Utility Sports Big Board v 1.0

If you want to watch the video or part of it, remember you can increase the playback speed up to 2x on YouTube.


1. Alex Sarr
2. Reed Sheppard
3. Rob Dillingham
4. Zaccharie Risacher
5. Donovan Clingan
6. Cody Williams
7. Stephon Castle
8. Ron Holland
9. Nikola Topic
10. Ajay Mitchell
11. Matas Buzelis
12. Jared McCain
13. Kel'el Ware
14. Dalton Knecht
15. Baylor Scheierman
16. Devin Carter
17. Carlton Carrington
18. Kyle Filipowski
19. Daron Holmes II
20. Zach Edey
21. Adem Bona
22. Isaiah Collier
23. Tyler Kolek
24. Tidjane Salaun
25. Tyler Smith
26. Nikola Djurisic
27. Johny Furphy
28. Ja'Kobe Walter
29. Justin Edwards
30. Yves Missi

That mock works for me. Except I would take Buzelis at 7 instead of Castle.
 
Last edited:
Utility Sports Big Board v 1.0

If you want to watch the video or part of it, remember you can increase the playback speed up to 2x on YouTube.



1. Alex Sarr
2. Reed Sheppard
3. Rob Dillingham
4. Zaccharie Risacher
5. Donovan Clingan
6. Cody Williams
7. Stephon Castle
8. Ron Holland
9. Nikola Topic
10. Ajay Mitchell
11. Matas Buzelis
12. Jared McCain
13. Kel'el Ware
14. Dalton Knecht
15. Baylor Scheierman
16. Devin Carter
17. Carlton Carrington
18. Kyle Filipowski
19. Daron Holmes II
20. Zach Edey
21. Adem Bona
22. Isaiah Collier
23. Tyler Kolek
24. Tidjane Salaun
25. Tyler Smith
26. Nikola Djurisic
27. Johny Furphy
28. Ja'Kobe Walter
29. Justin Edwards
30. Yves Missi


this would be a lucky break for portland. i'd go castle at 7 and try trading up with utah or memphis to snag matas.
 
Utility Sports Big Board v 1.0

If you want to watch the video or part of it, remember you can increase the playback speed up to 2x on YouTube.



1. Alex Sarr
2. Reed Sheppard
3. Rob Dillingham
4. Zaccharie Risacher
5. Donovan Clingan
6. Cody Williams
7. Stephon Castle
8. Ron Holland
9. Nikola Topic
10. Ajay Mitchell
11. Matas Buzelis
12. Jared McCain
13. Kel'el Ware
14. Dalton Knecht
15. Baylor Scheierman
16. Devin Carter
17. Carlton Carrington
18. Kyle Filipowski
19. Daron Holmes II
20. Zach Edey
21. Adem Bona
22. Isaiah Collier
23. Tyler Kolek
24. Tidjane Salaun
25. Tyler Smith
26. Nikola Djurisic
27. Johny Furphy
28. Ja'Kobe Walter
29. Justin Edwards
30. Yves Missi


If Knecht is there at 14, that's a steal.
 
I'm curious: have you looked much at Kal'el Ware?

You know, I was asked about him the other day. I'm still trying to process him.

He didn't do much at Oregon so I didn't really watch him prior to all the recent buzz.

Right now, I'd say the eye test suggests that he has potential to be a Jermaine O'Neal type player with shades of Aldridge. Athletic, can use his body to push inside, uses footwork for a 180 to 360 degree spin so that he can hoist up a hook/jumper/floater, great wingspan makes him hard to stop, two way potential, can run to the rim. I don't view him as a traditional center or as a "modern center" either. He's a PF/C type which, I argue, might be closer to what Mobley is, as an archetype, than Sarr even.

My only problem, right now, is that I'm just trying to configure whether or not he's a Channing Frye/Skal Labissiere type that looks good in high school/college but is lacking something. And what is it that they lacked compared to Aldridge/Bosh or O'Neal?

Right now, I'm leaning towards wingspan being the answer since Bosh, Aldridge were more like 7'4" and above while Frye and Skal were 7'2" and below. Mobley, JJJ, Sheed, Duncan, KG....around 7'4" and above. Don't know about Jermaine O'Neal's though.

There's a lack of a go-to move from Frye and Skal's case too. In Skal's case, he was perceived as soft and lacking in a motor (as was Aldridge but Aldridge had a majestic mid-range and the lengthy arms to back it up....was more efficient too).

Either way, I'm glad people are interested in him enough to stir my attention that way, too. I haven't come to a full consensus on him but I am warming up to him
 
His feel is limited but...and this is my problem with both Sarr and Salaun (though Sarr should be decent)....players like Giannis, KD, or McGrady already had shot creation and ball handling capability at 18/19 years old.

Speaking as someone who wanted Giannis for Portland, yes, it isn't just athleticism you look at in a star wing/forward. It is how fluid and smooth they are in relation to their ball handling and shot creation, all in addition to some level of efficiency as a scorer.

Let's take a look at what Mike Schmitz wrote regarding Giannis, back in the day:

https://www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Draft-Prospect-of-the-Week-Giannis-Adetokunbo-4090/



Salaun doesn't have the above capabilities. It's possible that, with hard work, he can learn to handle the ball better but that's rare and it's even more rare in the context of being able to move and angle your body correctly to blow past defenders, even if you develop handles. Again, that's the fluidity and smoothness aspect.

Essentially, most players are already set by the time they're adults. It's just a matter of efficiency in some aspect so that they can fall back on that, in case the newer parts of their game fail. Thus, Giannis was 60-67% from 2 while being a 70+% FT shooter due to being able to attack in transition, make appropriate cuts, and blow past defenders. His hands were large and useful, active and capable of palming the ball.

Salaun? He can't handle the ball, his playmaking is limited as a result, his FG% isn't great. I'm not going to write him off but it's very likely he becomes something like Cam Johnson, as a higher end projection.

Otherwise, Giannis was always athletic, fluid, and a good ball handler with some playmaking potential from the get go. McGrady and KD? Same thing. In McGrady's case, it was a matter of finding minutes and tightening up his already existent skillset.
Out of curiosity, where do you have Salaun mocked?

I'm so glad we have Schmitz. Thanks for posting that Giannis eval
 
Out of curiosity, where do you have Salaun mocked?

I imagine Salaun should go in that 8-16 range. There is that rumor that the Spurs will take him because Wemby is good friends with him. If not, I can't imagine he wouldn't go past 15 or 16 as some playoff team would definitely try to grab him.

Unless certain players I want are gone, he wouldn't be my ideal #14 pick, though. I do like Salaun as a concept. He is talented, lengthy, and athletic, no doubt. And I think he's the biggest mystery box in awhile. But I'm not sold on just some flashy highlights (players today have gotten pretty good at that). There has to be a level of efficiency in relation to the skills. By that, a stronger go-to move would be such a thing. Because his FT% is pretty decent, I do think he'll be able to develop that 32% 3 ball into something higher so that could eventually turn into a decent go-to move in a few years. I do recall he has decent ball handling and long strides to compliment that but nothing advanced enough that he simply needs to "tighten his handles". He's still not comfortable with the ball, essentially.

It's not fully confirmed but he might fit my 6'8"+7'2" wingspan threshold where players of that caliber simply do well in the NBA, especially if they have large hands like Salaun does.

At minimum, he'll be a solid role player who can earn his way into a starting role if he improves. Like a Cam Johnson. He looks like he could be an MPJ.

Travis Outlaw is another player I think of, when I watch Salaun, where he has sky high potential with a jumper and athleticism (not as great of a leaper though) and can play an important role but something might not click (might be funny if Portland drafts him and gets "Darius Miles/Nic Batum" in Cody Williams too).
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top