NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2 (Merged)

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Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

The 'rumors' (if you can call them that - I think whispers is more apt) at least around local media, is that PA is going to be ultra-aggressive in this draft to get a difference maker. Could be interesting given the fact that there aren't many to start w/ in this draft.

I don't think it's entirely out of the realm of possibilities though that if they have someone they like start to fall, we could see $ and this year's & next year's pick sent for a mid-late lotto pick to get him. Assuming we're at least as competitive next year as we were this year, that'd be us trading a mid-20's pick in a loaded year for an early-teens pick in a very weak year. Given the added compensation of cash and our picks this year, and assuming we got a guy we really wanted (I still keep coming back to Brandon Knight, but I wouldn't be shocked if Bismack were a target as well), seems like that type of a deal would be a good swap for us and would seem to make sense for at least a few teams that don't necessarily NEED immediate help from a rookie (the Clippers stand out to me as a good example of this type of team).

Also wouldn't be surprised to see PA open up his wallet in a big way at this draft. I expect that there will be at least a few teams that want absolutely nothing to do with this draft, and given how many NBA teams are hemorrhaging money, $3 Mil could be worth it for a late-teens/early-20s type pick if there's a guy there worth buying (Faried? One of the Morrises? PG? Shooter?...)

I also can see us being aggressive, and spending some money on the draft.

Couple of things one, we can't trade next year's pick, since our 2013 is traded to Charlotte. Also, the Clippers traded their pick to Cleveland.

But yeah, I can see us being aggressive to get into the lotto, if the price is right. I can easily see us taking on salary to do it, to get someone like Knight, Irving(pipe dream), Kantner, or Biyombo. Looking at a team like Detroit, perhaps. Or, maybe even Charlotte. Sitting at 9. I dunno who we'd target. but Miller, able to be cut right away, for Diop and #9. I know they need to rebuild. However, it's a savings, if Miller is cut, of about 14 million on Diop's deal. WHo knows.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

The only real difference maker in this draft for a team like Portland is Kyrie Irving.

Trading into the top-2 is a pipedream.

Yes & no. Obviously Irving would be ideal but he's just not even close to realistic. I guess it depends on your definition of a difference-maker and what you're paying to get him...

If a quality backup PF (Biyombo would be ideal IMO), PG prospect (Walker, Knight, or to a lesser extent -- *gulp* Jimmer), or a dynamic wing (like Burks) were to start slipping for whatever reason and we didn't pay a king's ransom for it (which I don't think cash from one of the wealthiest men in the world, along w/ 2 late 1st rounders would be) then I think that move could make a difference.

Superstar/quality long-term starter difference? Maybe not. But any incremental improvement - at this point - would be a win in my book...
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Since the class is weak possibly it would be easier to trade up. I would consider going after Jonas Valanciunas. http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jonas-Valanciunas-5622/

I still think trading with Washington, taking Rashard Lewis' contract and saving them a lot of money is the way to go. Of course if we drafted this kid, Oden might have a snit and not want to sign with us. Brandon Knight is another that might be available with Washington pick, not sure if he would ever be a difference maker.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

I don't see why Oden would "have a snit". There's literally not a single big man in this draft class who would beat out Greg for minutes if Greg can play. Not Jonas, not Enes, not Biyambo.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Brandon Knight is another player I think would be a difference maker with his ability to finish at the rim and from long range (38 3pt%).
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

I don't see why Oden would "have a snit". There's literally not a single big man in this draft class who would beat out Greg for minutes if Greg can play. Not Jonas, not Enes, not Biyambo.

Maybe i used the wrong word, but i think he might interpret it as a lack of confidence in him by management and therefore be more likely to want to go elsewhere.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Brandon Knight is another player I think would be a difference maker with his ability to finish at the rim and from long range (38 3pt%).

Totally agree.

Not sure how likely it is, but I'm hoping he slips due to teams viewing him as a "tweener" w/out a position... I view him as a Franchise PG that needs a year or two to develop (Westbrook, Conley, Augustin, and Holiday all needed time too).

If he falls to 8 or 9 I'd be chomping at the bit to move up to get him...
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Maybe i used the wrong word, but i think he might interpret it as a lack of confidence in him by management and therefore be more likely to want to go elsewhere.

I'm one of the biggest GO supporters left, but if he has that attitude it'd seem to be a 1-way street.

We've stuck by him and shown confidence in him throughout everything he's gone through even though he's shown us almost nothing for that confidence.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Derrick Williams has the classic tweener game. I'm not averse to taking tweeners altogether, but just something about this guy that makes me shy away from him. I don't think Minny takes him @ 2.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Derrick Williams has the classic tweener game. I'm not averse to taking tweeners altogether, but just something about this guy that makes me shy away from him. I don't think Minny takes him @ 2.

Williams athletic ability makes up for him being a tweener in my book.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Isaiah Thomas: 5'9" | 5'10.5" - He has the same reach as Chris Paul.

Kemba Walker: 5'11.75" | 6'1" - Virtually identical numbers to Mike Conley.

Jimmer Fredette: 6'0.75" | 6'2" - This can't bode well for his stock.
 
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Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

DX finally put up their player comparisons:

Kyrie Irving: Deron Williams

Derrick Williams: Michael Beasley w/a brain

Kemba Walker: Ty Lawson

Jonas Valanciunas: Andris Biedrins meets Joakim Noah

Brandon Knight: Chauncey Billups

Jan Vesely: Andrei Kirilenko

Bismack Biyombo: Ben Wallace

Enes Kanter: Kevin Love

Donatas Motiejunas: Pau Gasol

Alec Burks: Brandon Roy

Kawhi Leonard: Shawn Marion

Marcus Morris: David West meets Al Harrington

Markieff Morris: Rasheed Wallace (w/o the crazy)

Klay Thompson: Mike Miller (prime)
 
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Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Williams athletic ability makes up for him being a tweener in my book.

IDK, he has that Marvin Williams look (although Derrick's stats are better). Marvin was drafted 2nd behind Bogut, and before both CP3 and DWill in 05.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

While I agree that I'm not sold on Derrick W. yet, I think any comparison b/w he and Marvin is a bit lazy (and I'm not singling you out, yuyuza...I've heard a lot of the talking heads say that b/c he's projected at #2) b/c Marvin was the freshman 6th-man on a championship team that had Ray Felton, Rashad McCants (who I still like) Sean May and David Noel. Derrick as a soph was Pac-10 PotY, and the face of a team that was a bucket away from the Final Four, losing to the eventual champs
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

DX has posted full measurements from the Draft Combine in Chicago.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre...011&source=All&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&sort=

Athletic testing results should come in tomorrow.

The guys that I've liked in the first round I think helped themselves here.

I was worried about Makieff Morris' length as Marcus, his twin brother, was measured as having only a 6 7" wingspan about a year ago, (which turned out to be incorrect) but ended up coming in at a respectable 6' 9.25" in shoes with a 6' 10.75" wingspan and a 8' 10.5" standing reach. Not great measurables, but not as undersized as I thought he might be.

Klay Thompson, who I think is a sleeper in this draft might have squeaked himself into the top 10 today. Came in at 6' 7.25" in shoes with a 6' 9" wingspan and a 8' 7.5" standing reach. Great size for a guy with prototypical 2 guard skills.
 
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Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

you don't think "character issues" will hurt Klay that much?
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

you don't think "character issues" will hurt Klay that much?

Might. But I like how he handled the situation and he seems like he's regretful. He was asked by Andy Katz about it at the combine yesterday, and he came off as a a good kid who just made a mistake.

Don't think most teams are going to fret over it, although a team like Portland might be one of the few that might.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

IDK, he has that Marvin Williams look (although Derrick's stats are better). Marvin was drafted 2nd behind Bogut, and before both CP3 and DWill in 05.

I don't see Marvin Williams in him. Their motors aren't even comparable. Marvin has none, while Derrick thrives off his.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

you don't think "character issues" will hurt Klay that much?

Character issues? He got caught with pot....puh-lease! If you had to live in Pullman for 9 months out of the year, you'd smoke the herb, too.

Smoking pot isn't a character issue.

What teams should be concerned about is his inconsistency.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Weed doesn't qualify as a character issue to me.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

Kenneth Faried is only 6'7" (w/shoes) but his standing reach is insane for a person that small (9'0")
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

6'6" w/o and his wingspan is only 7'0", decent but not freakish like Batum or Prince.

He should have no problem defending the four spot.

For example, Paul Millsap is the same height as Faried with a 7'2" winspan but only has a 8'9.5" reach.
 
Re: NBA Draft Thread Vol. 2

(5'10") Isiah Thomas has a bigger reach than (6'1") Kemba Walker.

Marshon Brooks is a freak - 6'4.25" (w/o shoes) and a 7'1" wingspan o0
 

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