NBA Draft Prospects Discussion

[OE32]

I hate the #4. Guys like Chriss and Bender might be our pick at that spot. Sabonis and Ellenson may fall to #13. Meanwhile, Brice Johnson may be there at #28. Who will be the better NBA player? NO IDEA.

Brice Johnson is very underrated. I would definitely take him over Chriss and Ellenson.

I agree he is very underrated. My doubts about him are from osmosis - other people who watch a lot more than I do rank him significantly lower. I stand by the Marion comp - no player has ever reminded me so much of the Matrix. If it weren't for the apparent consensus that he is not worthy of a pick in said range, I'd think him worth a mid-lotto selection. And for how Sabonis compares - I'm not really sure. Next to Len, I'd like a leaper. Sabonis has the tools to be great down low and in the half-court. They will both be great rebounders. Sabonis will be the better post defender, more than likely, while Johnson will surely be the better weakside and perimeter defender. I think Johnson will have a better midrange game in the NBA due to his quick, high release. I suspect Sabonis will be the better 3 point shooter due to their respective forms, but it's hard to be sure. Sabonis will also be the better interior scorer.

I will say this - I'd be more excited about drafting Brice Johnson than any of these guys, because he plays both sides, above the rim, has a rare tool that can't be taught (quick-twitch, though Sabonis has motor) and he can start right away. There - I've talked myself into it. Brice Johnson at 13. Which means a guard with our top pick? The only guy worth taking at #4 is Jamal Murray, and I'm confident Boston won't be foolish enough to pass him up. The #2 guard on my list is Dejounte Murray - about whom I know we have real disagreement.

I'd also say - I prefer Poeltl to Len. Assuming we don't trade Chandler, it makes more sense to have Poeltl than Len on the roster.

The FO has stated that it won't have more than two rookies on the roster next season, but I'd love to add all of (1) either Murray, (2) Johnson and (3) Poeltl. Fantasy time!

Denver receives: Oladipo, Ilyasova, #4
Orlando receives: Gallinari, Len, #15
Phoenix receives: #7 (Poeltl), #11 (D. Murray) (select Johnson #13)

OR

Denver receives: Knight, Ilyasova, #4
Orlando receives: Gallinari, Len
Phoenix receives: Oladipo, #7 (Poeltl), #15 (Johnson)

The thing to consider here is that Oladipo is up for an extension, which decreases his value significantly due to the cap explosion. Denver may prefer Knight.

There's also the simple #4 for #7 and #19 if we're confident that Johnson will be available in that range. Maybe we send the Bulls #19 and #28 for #14 in that scenario. We'd still have to move Alex. Maybe Alex + #19 for Taj + #14? Maybe Alex + #19 for #10? IDK.

[Shabazz]

I have a serious distrust for college seniors.

Also, the FO is making a mistake by limiting how many rookies they want on the roster next year. I agree that from a development perspective there's a saturation point with young players and developing 1 young guy can come at the expense of developing another, but rookie contracts are gold right now. Plus, most "draft-and-stashes" will wait the 3 years to come over so they're not subject to the rookie scale, unless that's renegotiated in the new CBA.

[O_Gardino]

The FO has stated that it won't have more than two rookies on the roster next season, but I'd love to add all of (1) either Murray, (2) Johnson and (3) Poeltl.

Who said that? I missed that interview.

Not that I don't believe it. The FO thinks we are a playoff team,and they want to win now. We all know that. We have 4 free agents, at least one of which we want back for sure, and 4 draft picks. The next couple of weeks are going to be interesting.

[Superbone]

The FO has stated that it won't have more than two rookies on the roster next season, but I'd love to add all of (1) either Murray, (2) Johnson and (3) Poeltl.

Who said that? I missed that interview.

Not that I don't believe it. The FO thinks we are a playoff team,and they want to win now. We all know that. We have 4 free agents, at least one of which we want back for sure, and 4 draft picks. The next couple of weeks are going to be interesting.

The closest thing I've heard is McDonough saying something like, "We probably won't have 3 rookies on the team next year."

[OE32]

How about Len & Knight for Oladipo and Ilyasova? Don't imagine Oladipo would be too happy about being slotted as a sixth man, if not this year then in the near future. I prefer his defense to Knight's... um... not defense?

Gimme dat Poeltl.

[carey]

How about Len & Knight for Oladipo and Ilyasova? Don't imagine Oladipo would be too happy about being slotted as a sixth man, if not this year then in the near future. I prefer his defense to Knight's... um... not defense?

Gimme dat Poeltl.

If Len goes out to Orlando then Vucevic better be coming back.

[TOO]

How about Len & Knight for Oladipo and Ilyasova? Don't imagine Oladipo would be too happy about being slotted as a sixth man, if not this year then in the near future. I prefer his defense to Knight's... um... not defense?

Gimme dat Poeltl.

If Len goes out to Orlando then Vucevic better be coming back.

I'd be all over that.

[OE32]

How about Len & Knight for Oladipo and Ilyasova? Don't imagine Oladipo would be too happy about being slotted as a sixth man, if not this year then in the near future. I prefer his defense to Knight's... um... not defense?

Gimme dat Poeltl.

If Len goes out to Orlando then Vucevic better be coming back.

I'd be all over that.

I wouldn't. Though I think ORL would.

All of this is moot, though, if the FO likes Bender. I think he will be available at #4.

[INFORMER]

Brice Johnson is very underrated. I would definitely take him over Chriss and Ellenson.

You think so? He seems like Jared Jeffries to me.

Nothing like Jeffries. Jeffries could facilitate, but wasn't a scorer, lacked athleticism, played below the rim and was a mediocre rebounder. Brice Johnson is one of the best rebounders in the draft, can play above the rim, and has a similar ability to find buckets like Shawn Marion early in his career.

[INFORMER]

How about Len & Knight for Oladipo and Ilyasova? Don't imagine Oladipo would be too happy about being slotted as a sixth man, if not this year then in the near future. I prefer his defense to Knight's... um... not defense?

Gimme dat Poeltl.

If Len goes out to Orlando then Vucevic better be coming back.

That would be an awful trade for Orlando.

[In2ition]

Brice Johnson is very underrated. I would definitely take him over Chriss and Ellenson.

You think so? He seems like Jared Jeffries to me.

Nothing like Jeffries. Jeffries could facilitate, but wasn't a scorer, lacked athleticism, played below the rim and was a mediocre rebounder. Brice Johnson is one of the best rebounders in the draft, can play above the rim, and has a similar ability to find buckets like Shawn Marion early in his career.

I entirely agree with this.

[OE32]

Brice's mobility on defense is particularly attractive. I think he'll be one of the best bigs switching onto guards in the game, right off the bat.

[Ring_Wanted]

What if we add a lot of IQ with Sabonis, Valentine and one gamble? Could Valentine really last until #28? Doubt it. Is he Evan Turner? Would I sign Evan Turner? Hahhah. I've liked him forver and he has turned into a very nice 6th man. Can we use him (or one of his type) as the leader of a secon unit?

Next, would I trade Bledsoe for MCW, #10?

I truly want to move on from these PG we have right now. The experiment has beel a fail, I don't care about the assets spent. Don't try to pull a few games at the start of the season then injuries. Neither is special as a point guard. At anything, really. Bledsoe has still one chance of approaching allstar status. Anyway, what's done is done, now it is time to really create something. If people is so down on this draft as they've been campainging since the start of the season, maybe a number of teams wouldn't be opposed to using their highest pick to acquire one PG locked on a reasonable contract. Why is Knight still not a freaking 76r?

Also, go crazy and offer Bledsoe-#4 for Miles Turner. If they bite (which they won't, but just in case), then move around one of your bigs to find a fit at PF and play the kids as fast as you can.

[Ring_Wanted]

So nobody would like Prince as a 3D SF/PF?

[OE32]

So nobody would like Prince as a 3D SF/PF?

I prefer Bembry.

[carey]

Also, go crazy and offer Bledsoe-#4 for Miles Turner. If they bite (which they won't, but just in case), then move around one of your bigs to find a fit at PF and play the kids as fast as you can.

You're really saying they wouldn't trade Turner for Bledsoe and #4? That's a heist by the Pacers. That's two of the team's top 3 assets right now. McDonough would be fired on the spot.

[ShelC]

I really like Turner but giving up the 4th is ludicrous. Even offering the 13th would make me hesitate.

Maybe one of our PGs, 4th and 13th for George and the 20th.

[Ring_Wanted]

I really like Turner but giving up the 4th is ludicrous. Even offering the 13th would make me hesitate.

Maybe one of our PGs, 4th and 13th for George and the 20th.

Ha! I wish they woult still be listening after that 'and'.

[djy2j]

This is the part of the draft process that I don't enjoy so much. I agree with you dj, I am waffling and want Jamal Murray too. I only worry about the defense with a Booker and Murray backcourt.

You aren't wrong. However, Curry and Thompson were below average defensively coming into the league and now different story. So it's not like we are contending next year anyway. Let them take their lumps on defense. Just make sure the right coaching is in place to develop them which hasn't been the case IMO lately. That's what you should worry most about.

[djy2j]

I really like Turner but giving up the 4th is ludicrous. Even offering the 13th would make me hesitate.

Maybe one of our PGs, 4th and 13th for George and the 20th.

Myles Turner will be better than whoever is the # 4 pick in this years draft. He's already adapted nicely to the NBA game as only a 19 yr old. He's smarter and more mature than his age. Example: he already has been highly involved in a local program to feed a clothe the homeless. Not typical for a 19 yr old pro athlete. This kid has the desire to be great on and off the court. As armchair GM I would trade the #4 pick this year for him.

Pacers aren't trading George. He and Andrew Luck are the face of the city and the Pacers are hard enough to market as is. The brawl took forever for them to recover in terms of getting fans excited again and they won't ruin that by trading George. They will ride him until the wheels fall off.