CTMagicUK

I'm starting to think Hansen Yang is worth taking a risk on even in the first round. 7'1, awesome passer and ball handler for his size. Probably not good enough defensively to be a starter really so his median outcome is a backup big who gives you playmaking but there's like an outside chance he's like a 7'1 Sabonis type and that's worth taking a punt on at some point.

Just let me have this, no other basketball is bringing me joy at the moment. We're probably going to need it anyway. (The irony is I'm too tired to actually post about prospects I just thought the timing was too good.)

Tahaad Pettiford is one draft guy I just don't get. He's 6'1, 170, that's like Trae Young build (admittedly he has a 6'5 wingspan which is better than Young's). If Trae Young wasn't a totally elite pull up shooter, pick and roll playmaker and passer he'd be borderline unplayable in the NBA. Trae Young absolutely dominated college ball as a freshman. Tahaad Pettiford averaged 11.6 points and 3 assists on 56% TS. He might be really good. But it's such a razor thin margin for error and with small guards I feel like I need to see them dominate versus trying to project them to grow etc.

The Florida HC out here blowing up Weltman's spot. If someone trades above us for Clayton now we know why lol Either that or he just thinks saying the Magic doesn't anchor Clayton in a particular draft range since we have two picks.

Shout out to Tim Connelly. They clowned him for trading for Rudy Gobert. Then they went to the WCF. Then they clowned him for trading KAT for Randle to avoid a massive tax bill and keep the rest of the core. Then they went back to the WCF with Randle playing arguably his best basketball of his career. Either that guy is extremely lucky or he just sees things different to everyone else.

We should pick Rocco Zikarsky in the second round (in a world where we keep a 2nd round pick and he's available). 18 year old 7 footers are always worth a gamble.

At the combine the league assigns the meetings I believe.

Been a Miles Byrd guy all year, think he might creep into the first round. The defense is too good.

Haven't actually done the math but just off the dome there's no way we can afford Vassel and JJJ long term with the Paolo max hitting next year.

Walter Clayton Jr has had a terrific combine. I'm never a big fan of jumping on the hype of the guy who has a big tournament run (see: Shabazz Napier) but I'd be totally cool with us picking him given his skillset compliments us so well.

Devin Booker. Otherwise I'd rather just keep the pick and see how it pans out.

Looking at a Knicks/Pacers ECF and that makes me feel great about our future because I honestly don't believe either of those teams is levels above us and both those teams feel closer to "maxed out" than us (whether that's salary commitments, assets, development, some combination of all 3).

I've heard some rumours Devin Booker might be available. I doubt it with the Suns not controlling their own picks , but if true that's the move I want. Whatever matching salary we need, whatever picks we have, everyone available except Paolo/Franz/Suggs. Suggs Booker Franz Paolo Starting C (depends who gets traded for matching salary) Is a tough starting lineup, one I think makes us a real contender.

Good for Jameer.

No worries :) Wouldn't necessarily be one year, I think any move would be with the intention of extending him. I agree with the idea he doesn't necessarily fix our playmaking issue on his own but I'm thinking about it as there being more than 1 way to score a run. Maybe he's not a home run on his own but he could be a double and get us half way there. Maybe.

Unsurprisingly there's no consensus on any of our picks across any of the mainstream draft guys. A couple sites have us picking Clayton with the Nuggets pick but that feels like "Florida guy who can shoot + Florida franchise that can't shoot" rather than any intel. We have 4 picks in this draft. I'd be very surprised if we roster even 2 rookies this year. Pick 57 is already cash and a future pick in my mind.

Tough for Jase Richardson. Short of 6'1 with a 6'6 wingspan is hardly ideal for someone who isn't really a PG. Rasheer Fleming you are an Orlando Magic.

I don't believe the lottery is rigged but I understand why people do given these results. Horrendous.

Yea should have included them. Wemby/Giannis is nightmare fuel, I'd be glad they're out west.

Lots of chatter that Austin Reaves is basically 100% getting traded given his redundancy with Luka.

Houston or OKC look best placed for Giannis. Lots of assets, young playoff teams, obvious fits in the front court. I don't think Giannis fits at all here fwiw even though I guess you'd have to try if he was open to coming here and playing the 5 full time.

Simons has played half his NBA minutes at PG, he's a better ball handler, pick and roll creator and pull up shooter than anyone currently on the roster. He's a combo guard, and the part of my post you didn't clip specifically mentioned he could be the 6th man which wouldn't condemn us to any fixed starting 5.

I've warmed on Anfernee Simons quite considerably since last summer for a number of reasons: He's an expiring contract who Portland clearly seems to have a vested interest in moving on from and going with Scoot and Sharpe so he shouldn't cost a lot in assets to acquire. Along the lines of the above, he should be reasonable to extend. Not cheap but also not near max money or anything. Even if his defense proves too bad to be a starter I think he's an incredibly exciting as a 6th man bucket getter at least in the regular season. Cole Anthony but actually consistently good essentially. I saw some stat somewhere or other that he was actually one of the most blitzed pick and roll players in the whole league. He wouldn't see that look nearly as often if he was running pick and roll with Paolo. Paolo would absolutely kill in the short roll game with a numbers advantage.

If Porzingis wasn't terribly injury prone I think he'd be an awesome player to add. But 30 year old, who'll need a new long term deal, already had tonne of injuries... It's a pass from me.

Lauri is a super weird fit with our core. I get the idea of "just acquire good players and make it work" but... Lauri basically forces you to play massive jumbo lineups of Suggs/Franz/Lauri/Paolo/[insert a C] and that doesn't really help us with our playmaking issues. The alternative is Paolo at the 5 which he just doesn't have the help defensive instincts (or willingness to do the grunt work) to make work.