2024 NBA Draft Thread

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The "Way too Early' Draft prognostication

  • Holland

    Votes: 8 16.3%
  • Sarr

    Votes: 41 83.7%
  • Edwards

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    49
My thoughts are that this draft, at this point, is such a crap shoot that if a team has convictions regarding a player, take him. Does not matter if it is perceived as "too high." Im sure a few teams wish they had the nads to take Giannis or Jokic earlier. This is not the draft to try to project if you can trade down a few spots and still get your player. Every player has unknown, flaws, whatever you want to call it. It's just a matter of what flaws a particular team is willing to endure. Personally, I have little patience for 6'3 shooting guards. This draft is loaded with them.
totally agree, "beauty in the eye of the beholder" is the operative thought to this draft, could see several guys slipping and several rising over the next few months and there is no real consensus on anything here
 
No time or interest for research like in yrs past but I think the only two players who interest me as legitimate building blocks for a team like ours are Sarr and Knecht.
 
Hey @SwissBlazer-- do you know anything about your countryman Kyshawn George? Nbadraftroom describes him as a prototypical 3-D wing with size (6'8"), great handles, good vision, standout defense, solid range (41% from 3), and plenty of room to develop. Is he a Rupert clone or a diamond in the rough?
 
IMO Klingon goes later in the draft like 9-14, we see, this will be a very fluid draft

If Portland doesn't move up, they certainly want players like Clingan and guards being selected before the forwards so the Blazers have more to select from. If they can't get Sarr or Risacher from ping pong ball luck, I would love it if management has to decide between Buzelis, Holland, Williams or Knecht.
 
Here is an interesting scenario that I just came across fiddling with Tankathon. In this scenario it is;

1. Detroit/Risacher
2. Char/Sarr
3. MEM/Clingan
4. POR/Topic
5. WAS/Dillingham
6. SA/
7. SA/

The scuttle butt is Pops wants Topic. Would he trade 6 and 7 for 4 to get his guy? Would Portland do it. Just playing around. Dog days.
 
Given our pick ranges 1-8, what does your top 8 look like in order?
Or if you feel some players are too close to rank, do it in tier, 1-3, 4-6, 7-9
 
Hey @SwissBlazer-- do you know anything about your countryman Kyshawn George? Nbadraftroom describes him as a prototypical 3-D wing with size (6'8"), great handles, good vision, standout defense, solid range (41% from 3), and plenty of room to develop. Is he a Rupert clone or a diamond in the rough?

Hey!

He seems to climb by the day and I fear he will be a late 1st rounder. Never seen him play live but hear a lot of good stuff about his mindset.

Will investigate a bit more
 
Here is an interesting scenario that I just came across fiddling with Tankathon. In this scenario it is;

1. Detroit/Risacher
2. Char/Sarr
3. MEM/Clingan
4. POR/Topic
5. WAS/Dillingham
6. SA/
7. SA/

The scuttle butt is Pops wants Topic. Would he trade 6 and 7 for 4 to get his guy? Would Portland do it. Just playing around. Dog days.
I’d say if the Spurs want him that bad…

We should take him. And keep him.

They aren’t wrong often.
 
Given our pick ranges 1-8, what does your top 8 look like in order?

I don't like boards but if we had to do a board for the Blazers pick, I'd go something like this:

Cody Williams
Reed Sheppard
Nikola Topic
Alex Sarr
Ron Holland
Donovan Clingan
Stephon Castle
Zaccharie Risacher/Matas Buzelis (toss a coin)

Note 1: Cody Williams is still my favorite here simply because he's very efficient in attacking the rim (75% iirc) and is also efficient at catch and shoots (also 70+eFG%) and on the right baseline (71%) while being over 40% from the 3 point line. FT% is solid for a wing at 72%. That means efficiency at three levels - inside, mid-range, and three point territory. He can also make plays and has good vision and is already a pesky defender. Since he has some level of ball handling, that should bode well for him. It's just a matter of him developing that ball handling and various other skills (ex. defensive footwork, pull up jumper) that will unlock other aspects on the floor. A superstar can score from 7-10 spots reliably if we look at shot charts. Theoretically speaking, that Williams has around 3-4 spots nailed down is a good sign and he only needs to be able to develop 2-3 more to get at an All-Star/borderline All Star level so that's why I'm high on him. It's a matter of developing him. If he doesn't develop that far, he'll continue to be passive but with De'Andre Hunter/OG-like skills and capability. If he does develop, he might be Top 2-3 in a redraft.

Note 2: Obviously, going after Sheppard with the current guard lineup is just a waste of a pick so unless the Blazers want to trade one or two PGs, it's highly unlikely to happen. Either way, Reed Sheppard has some highly efficient stats while demonstrating a strong feel for the game and excellent IQ. I'd expect Mike Bibby type offense, where he can knock down open jumpers and drive it in occasionally for a floater/lay up.....combined with John Stockton type court vision and steals.....and no, that's not really an exaggeration nor does it mean his actual decision making is on par with Stockton. But he is highly efficient and has tools to develop that more traditional PG mould. There is a strong record of success with a player like Reed Sheppard

Note 3: Maybe similar situation with Reed can apply to Topic, where he doesn't fit but he has supreme all-around talent resembling SGA due to his ability to attack with quick bursts and finesse (i.e. angling his body while attacking) while being able to make plays. His 87% FT means his three point shooting should develop. NBA players who can shoot that well historically develop good 3pt%. That really means he could have Drazen potential and no, I'm not exaggerating here, either. I think Sheppard and him are very Spurs-like picks.

Note 4: I think Sarr is a 'safe' pick with good talent and a physique to match but I don't know that I see the super player that so many claim.

Note 5: I've sort of flip-flopped on Risacher. When he was firing on all cylinders, he did look legitimate but he's such a coin flip right now. Flip a coin here over him or Buzelis since they both have all-around talent and they have a feel for the game but something isn't clicking for them via three point shooting. Really wish Buzelis went to college instead since I do like his game but cannot tell how impactful it is in the G-League
 
Here is an interesting scenario that I just came across fiddling with Tankathon. In this scenario it is;

1. Detroit/Risacher
2. Char/Sarr
3. MEM/Clingan
4. POR/Topic
5. WAS/Dillingham
6. SA/
7. SA/

The scuttle butt is Pops wants Topic. Would he trade 6 and 7 for 4 to get his guy? Would Portland do it. Just playing around. Dog days.
In that scenario, if the Spurs offered that, I'd take it and select Williams and Knecht.
 
Given our pick ranges 1-8, what does your top 8 look like in order?
Or if you feel some players are too close to rank, do it in tier, 1-3, 4-6, 7-9

I am just looking at need right now. That is players taller than 6'3. Can't teach size, so Sarr is up there but not sure he can be anything more than defense. not impressed with Clingan getting killed in the finals by what many project as a second rounder. Williams has been my early pick as he checks off a lot of needs. But Buzelis, Risacher, Holland and Knecht are all worthy of deep dives. Knecht is most NBA ready. Really will not be upset given how big a crap shoot this draft is. Will trust in management I'm sure. If we were to do the trade I would want Knecht and Williams or Buzelis. I'm sure Sarr and Risacher will be gone.
 
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My dream core

Scoot Henderson 2023
Shaedon Sharpe 2022
Scottie Barnes 2021
Cooper Flagg 2025
Alex Sarr 2024
 
Again, Scoot/Sharpe/Matas Buzelis? Ayton isn’t a good enough core to build around?
 
I see sarr as more of a 4 at least at the beginning—if not the long term. think jjj.

Jackson has settled in as a C. The last 2 seasons he played nearly 90% of the time at C. And Memphis made the commitment to him as the starting C when they traded Adams

twin towers are still pretty rare. Minny & Cleveland go with it but their C's are low-usage rim-protectors and shot-blockers. That's not Ayton
 
The more I see of Reed Sheppard the more I like. I think he's got virtually no bust potential. Dude will impact winning games even if he'll never be a star. It just sucks that he's a 6'3 guard.

Also I have a feeling that if Tidjane Salaun is there at 14, and we haven't traded the pick, we're gonna pick him. Too much random noise about him from folks who talk to people in the organization. Not to mention he's totally a Schmitz/Cronin type pick. Low floor, high ceiling type.
 
Jackson has settled in as a C. The last 2 seasons he played nearly 90% of the time at C. And Memphis made the commitment to him as the starting C when they traded Adams

twin towers are still pretty rare. Minny & Cleveland go with it but their C's are low-usage rim-protectors and shot-blockers. That's not Ayton

I think Sarr is the C and Ayton is the PF in this case. Ayton plays like an old school PF anyways.
 
I think Sarr is the C and Ayton is the PF in this case. Ayton plays like an old school PF anyways.
Agree. There is no reason why DA can't play the 4, at least in some settings.
 
The more I see of Reed Sheppard the more I like. I think he's got virtually no bust potential. Dude will impact winning games even if he'll never be a star. It just sucks that he's a 6'3 guard.

.

BPA - outside the top-3 I would have no problem taking Reed. Easy choice.

Simons will be dealt eventually IMO.
 
Jackson has settled in as a C. The last 2 seasons he played nearly 90% of the time at C. And Memphis made the commitment to him as the starting C when they traded Adams

twin towers are still pretty rare. Minny & Cleveland go with it but their C's are low-usage rim-protectors and shot-blockers. That's not Ayton

Maybe in a few years but Sarr weighs in a 217. Isn't that a little thin for center? Jackson weighs in at 242.
Based on write-ups like this I think he is better suited for PF

https://nbadraftroom.com/alexandre-sarr/
 
The more I see of Reed Sheppard the more I like. I think he's got virtually no bust potential. Dude will impact winning games even if he'll never be a star. It just sucks that he's a 6'3 guard.

Also I have a feeling that if Tidjane Salaun is there at 14, and we haven't traded the pick, we're gonna pick him. Too much random noise about him from folks who talk to people in the organization. Not to mention he's totally a Schmitz/Cronin type pick. Low floor, high ceiling type.

No thanks on Shep, but yes on Salaun please. I like him and Knecht/George with the latter pick.
 
BPA - outside the top-3 I would have no problem taking Reed. Easy choice.

Simons will be dealt eventually IMO.

I admit I don't know a whole lot about any of these guys other than watching Cody Williams a few times. (Other than the write-ups and highlights)

But I would prefer we grab one of these 6 forwards with our pick

Sarr
Risacher
Buzelis
Williams
Knecht
Holland
 
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Maybe in a few years but Sarr weighs in a 217. Isn't that a little thin for center? Jackson weighs in at 242.
Based on write-ups like this I think he is better suited for PF

https://nbadraftroom.com/alexandre-sarr/

Right now? PF. Strength/Ayton as to why. Perhaps down the line a center. There's some versatility there that I'd love to get.
 
I admit I don't know a whole lot about any of these guys other than watching Cody Williams a few times. (Other than the write-ups and highlights)

But I would prefer we grab one of these 6 forwards with our pick

Sarr
Risacher
Buzelis
Williams
Knecht
Holland

I'd throw Salaun and maybe KyShawn George in that list.
 
Jackson played a lot of PF early in his career.

I know...but Memphis decided the twin towers was not effective enough to continue.

I don't know what kind of player Sarr is going to be. But I've seen video of him and he looks like C would be his natural position in the NBA; kind of like Nic Claxton or Adebayo or Myles Turner. I don't think he'll do well trying to guard the new age NBA PF's like Lebron, or Durant or Tatum or Siakam or PG 13. And Ayton certainly couldn't defend those guys
 
I know...but Memphis decided the twin towers was not effective enough to continue.

I don't know what kind of player Sarr is going to be. But I've seen video of him and he looks like C would be his natural position in the NBA; kind of like Nic Claxton or Adebayo or Myles Turner. I don't think he'll do well trying to guard the new age NBA PF's like Lebron, or Durant or Tatum or Siakam or PG 13. And Ayton certainly couldn't defend those guys

I wouldn’t worry about him with Ayton. If you like Sarr, draft him and figure it out later—or move Ayton. Entering the league he’s going to play at the 4 and the 5 while he gets his bearings—and hopefully figures out rebounding—a soft spot for him rn—not to mention the jumper.
 
I wouldn’t worry about him with Ayton. If you like Sarr, draft him and figure it out later—or move Ayton. Entering the league he’s going to play at the 4 and the 5 while he gets his bearings—and hopefully figures out rebounding—a soft spot for him rn—not to mention the jumper.

you may be right....I'm not that good at evaluating prospects from their video clips against non-NBA players. He just looks like C will be his natural position
 

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