2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Split T]

Jackson is such a good fit next to Booker though. As long as he improves his three point shooting. Having someone who can take the hard defensive covers to help out Booker is pretty big.

That's true, but Mikal Bridges is also a great fit and already can shoot 3's. He doesn't add the playmaking that Jackson does, but he shoots and defends.

[O_Gardino]

Mikal Bridges reminds me of Thunder Dan. He just plays so hard and smart on both ends. He dunks, he shoots, and he can create if you don't take him seriously. He would be a great fit on any team.

[ShelC]

I've been thinking about us making a move for Love in the offseason. Like people have said, it really depends on the Cavs/LeBron's offseason but both later picks (not giving up a top 5) and then Warren and Chriss (not giving up Jackson) might be tempting to them. 4 young players is a haul and you know Warren's a 20 point scorer who can play off LeBron easily. Chriss isn't great for them but gives them a young PF to mold and two picks to work with.

And for us, getting Love gives Booker some legit help who can play inside or out. It also at least shows him we're serious about bringing in talent and vets.

[In2ition]

I've been thinking about us making a move for Love in the offseason. Like people have said, it really depends on the Cavs/LeBron's offseason but both later picks (not giving up a top 5) and then Warren and Chriss (not giving up Jackson) might be tempting to them. 4 young players is a haul and you know Warren's a 20 point scorer who can play off LeBron easily. Chriss isn't great for them but gives them a young PF to mold and two picks to work with.

And for us, getting Love gives Booker some legit help who can play inside or out. It also at least shows him we're serious about bringing in talent and vets.

I don't have a problem with this, but wonder that we won't know LeBron's intentions until a time after the draft and probably even after summer league, because he doesn't have to make a decision.

[Ring_Wanted]

The meta for the franchise is clear as Love indeed shows Booker we are in the business of winning, but Warren, MIA and MIL picks and Chriss is an overpay, unless some bad salary was also dumped by the Suns (Knight, if possible). If it is just Love, I need to keep Warren or one of the picks.

My god we could go a million different ways with all the assets and flexibility we have entering this offseason.

[In2ition]

The meta for the franchise is clear as Love indeed shows Booker we are in the business of winning, but Warren, MIA and MIL picks and Chriss is an overpay, unless some bad salary was also dumped by the Suns (Knight, if possible). If it is just Love, I need to keep Warren or one of the picks.

My god we could go a million different ways with all the assets and flexibility we have entering this offseason.

Agreed. Millions of different ways, but need to be correct.

I think you could get Love with future picks, especially something like the 2019 Suns and the '21 Miami.

[Ring_Wanted]

My god we could go a million different ways with all the assets and flexibility we have entering this offseason.

Agreed. Millions of different ways, but need to be correct.[/quote]
Absolutely. This is the summer of the fruition or gtfo.

I think you could get Love with future picks, especially something like the 2019 Suns and the '21 Miami.

I'd be open to move our own with a range of protection.

[Mori Chu]

We should go all out after Kevin Love. He's an imperfect player but is being undervalued in Cleveland and is capable of being a #2 or #3 guy on a playoff/contending team. He isn't a great defender but would help our rebounding a lot. And he can hit 3s, which we need from that position. I think we could get him without giving up our core assets. It's a smart move.

[INFORMER]

Jackson is such a good fit next to Booker though. As long as he improves his three point shooting. Having someone who can take the hard defensive covers to help out Booker is pretty big.

But is that really true of Jackson? Sure, there is potential because he is athletic and tries on defense, but has he really proven to be a difference maker on that end of the floor?

[specialsauce]

That’s all coaching.

[In2ition]

I'm going to throw this wild scenario. The Suns convince Young and Williams to tank their stock a little, then pick Doncic, Young, Williams and Bonga.

[O_Gardino]

I'm going to throw this wild scenario. The Suns convince Young and Williams to tank their stock a little, then pick Doncic, Young, Williams and Bonga.

Trae isn't going to fall all the way to 15. He's going to "fall" to 6ish.

[In2ition]

I'm going to throw this wild scenario. The Suns convince Young and Williams to tank their stock a little, then pick Doncic, Young, Williams and Bonga.

Trae isn't going to fall all the way to 15. He's going to "fall" to 6ish.

He would have to consciously tank his value in workouts.

[Split T]

I could see him falling to 9 or 10, but probably not beyond that. A big question is who takes him? Magic might, but not if they land top 3. Cavs might take him, but they could also really use one of the defensive bigs. I think the 76ers are probably his floor, he'd be really good there.

Quick mock:
1. Memphis - Doncic
2. Phoenix - Ayton
3. Orlando - Bagley
4. Atlanta - JJJ
5. Dallas - Bamba
6. Cavs - Trae
7. Kings - Porter
8. Bulls - Carter
9. Knicks - Bridges

If Cavs don't take Trae, I don't think the Kings, bulls, or Knicks take him. Maybe Knicks.

[In2ition]

I could see him falling to 9 or 10, but probably not beyond that. A big question is who takes him? Magic might, but not if they land top 3. Cavs might take him, but they could also really use one of the defensive bigs. I think the 76ers are probably his floor, he'd be really good there.

Quick mock:
1. Memphis - Doncic
2. Phoenix - Ayton
3. Orlando - Bagley
4. Atlanta - JJJ
5. Dallas - Bamba
6. Cavs - Trae
7. Kings - Porter
8. Bulls - Carter
9. Knicks - Bridges

If Cavs don't take Trae, I don't think the Kings, bulls, or Knicks take him. Maybe Knicks.

I'm trying to figure out how Young can ensure he plays with his buddy Booker without the Suns giving up assets to get him, if they land a top 2 pick. Also, a possibility of such a perimeter type lineup would be a good "death lineup". Young, Booker, Doncic, Jackson, Williams.

[O_Gardino]

I could see him falling to 9 or 10, but probably not beyond that. A big question is who takes him? Magic might, but not if they land top 3. Cavs might take him, but they could also really use one of the defensive bigs. I think the 76ers are probably his floor, he'd be really good there.

Quick mock:
1. Memphis - Doncic
2. Phoenix - Ayton
3. Orlando - Bagley
4. Atlanta - JJJ
5. Dallas - Bamba
6. Cavs - Trae
7. Kings - Porter
8. Bulls - Carter
9. Knicks - Bridges

If Cavs don't take Trae, I don't think the Kings, bulls, or Knicks take him. Maybe Knicks.

We will see how workouts go, but it's hard to see Orlando or Atlanta passing on Trae. Orlando literally just gave away their young PG of the future for free, and I bet Magic fans would love seeing those Young to Gordon lobs.

[Split T]

Orlando I can see, but only at 4 or 5, not if they land top 3. I don't think Atlanta takes him. They may be moving on from Schroeder at some point, but right now he's still their best player and fairly young. Even not considering him, I think there are too many better prospects they'd have to pass on to draft Trae.

[O_Gardino]

The thing is, Trae still lead the nation in scoring and assists playing NBA Cury/Nash style ball. I'm not saying it's a good decision to take him high, but I can't see all three of Atlanta, Orlando, and Cleveland all passing on him. One of those guys bites. Heck, I could see the Suns picking him if we drop to 3 or 4.

My point is, I think it's a long shot that he drops below 6.

[Split T]

He also really struggled once teams figured out what he was and that the rest of his team was terrible. Some of that will be alleviated by playing with better teammates in the NBA, but I still don't think he's Curry. Or even very close to Curry. I listened to the ringers draft class podcast today and they had some interesting comparisons for him. Mark Price as a best case scenario and Mo Williams as more of a realistic option. I'll add JJ Barea as a worst case scenario.

I just think there are better options. I'd actually take SGA over him and would rather wait and draft one of the many pg's that will be available at 15 than spend a top 5 pick on Trae.

[In2ition]

He also really struggled once teams figured out what he was and that the rest of his team was terrible. Some of that will be alleviated by playing with better teammates in the NBA, but I still don't think he's Curry. Or even very close to. I listened to the ringers draft class podcast today and they had some interesting comparisons for him. Mark Price as a best case scenario and Mo Williams as more of a realistic option. I'll add JJ Barea as a worst case scenario.

I just think there are better options. I'd actually take SGA over him and would rather wait and draft one of the many pg's that will be available at 15 than spend a top 5 pick on Trae.

Could Mo Williams pass? I don't remember him making anyone else better.

I'm going to have a hard time getting the last 2 possessions out of my mind with SGA, where he let the guy get by him for the winning basket and him missing badly when he tried to win it for Kentucky.