Justin Jaudon

I'm fine bringing MCW back as a defensive specialist wing. If we trade Harris, his role would probably be fine, because you can find 15-20 minutes for him at that point without breaking too much into the young guards' minutes. Also remember Fultz is probably gone for at least half the season, so he'll get minutes early in the season even with Harris on board. I like MCW as a culture guy, a spark plug defensively, and he's a pro. He's the kind of guy you want on your team at any level of a rebuild, because he does positive things and his energy is infectious. He just can't be a guy you rely on too much, because his offense can go from acceptable to detrimental at the drop of a hat. He's a pitbull you keep on a leash, but he can put a little bit of dog in these other guys, which is a good thing.

It's certainly possible. I'm honestly more concerned with his ball handling and flexibility than anything else. His shooting stroke looks good, and he's smart about how and when he takes shots, so he could develop into a really solid shooter with more reps. But he won't become an elite scorer unless he works on ball handling and flexibility, because guys in the NBA can take away what you do if it's not deceptive (or just physically overwhelming like Giannis or Lebron or Zion). What has impressed me in doing study on him is obviously his vision and feel for the game, which is elite for a prospect. Jrue wasn't really that guy at this age at all. He could be considerably better than Jrue. I just think a mix of Jrue/Deron Williams is a good positive expectation for the guy. He's a championship player, just I don't think one who's going to elevate a bad team to that level. He will be more and more valuable the better the team around him gets, which is actually awesome. That's hard to find.

I can agree with pumping the breaks on 'scoring alpha' for sure. I don't see that. I do see a Jrue Holiday type that can go off sometimes and contribute always in some way. He may be more of a leader than Jrue though. I'm all over the place on Suggs, because while he shouldn't be a #1 option as a scorer, he could be a face of the franchise guy/all-star based on the fact he projects to be a really good all-around player. There aren't a lot of two-way guards who do a little of everything the way he does, and those guys usually translate to winning when you find them.

I approve of this draft. Wouldn't have liked Wagner if we hadn't lucked into Suggs, like him a lot since we did. Wagner's floor is a good piece that can give solid minutes, ceiling is elite role player. Suggs intrigues the hell out of me. Someone needs to sit him down and make him binge watch Jrue Holiday for hours every day. Then follow that up with binge watching Deron Williams. Suggs and a full-potential Cole is a scary thought for a backcourt. Very similar to Lowry/Van Vleet (though I think Suggs is more Holiday than Lowry). Wagner and Isaac are going to give other forward lineups fits. Been a long time since I went into a draft feeling as bad about it as this one and came out feeling as good. I don't know about Suggs' fit once Markelle is back, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Okay, so I've finally convinced myself I like someone in this draft. Moses Moody is going to be at least a decent starter at the 2, and I do think he has some star potential if he improves his ball-handling. Might be interesting to see what Golden State would give us to move up (7 & 14 would be awesome; time for us to rob someone for once).

I'm trying so hard to talk myself into liking Scottie Barnes. I don't think I've ever disliked a prospect we're rumored to be looking at so much. I get that the defense is good. But I've not seen a lottery pick with so little scoring ability. The guy can't shoot off the dribble (like, at all; it's really, really bad), can't shoot off the catch, can't post up. He doesn't even have a floater or push shot. He cannot score unless it's a layup or dunk (and I'm not sure I've seen him do that in anything but an open lane). He's going to be the worst half-court offensive player in the league.

Crazy thing is, I could easily see five years from now Kai Jones and Zaire Williams being the steals of the draft. I could also see either of them basically out of the league by then. They are insane boom or bust guys, really. Wouldn't mind drafting one of them, but I would hate to spend 8. Trade back into the first? Doubt we take three first rounders into next season. Trade 5 and 8 for three then back into the mid-first and get one of those guys...that's a beautiful thought. Imagine a fully realized Mobley/Isaac/Williams front line if all three reach their potential. That's scary.

I misspoke. I'd trade 8 for him and 20.

No, but I'd swap 8 and 20 for him.

Right now I'm leaning toward extreme youth and potential: Kuminga and Sengun Mostly because I don't really love any of the prospects, so go for upside and pray. I'm having a hard time talking myself into Barnes at all. I still just don't see it.

I just don't see the Scottie Barnes love. He seems like he has a ceiling of a more athletic but less smooth Kyle Anderson. Dude has like no offensive upside at all.

That dude was like a hyperbolic stereotype of a Kentucky fan. Reminded me of my brother-in-law.

The odds of getting that generational player who'll change your franchise are crazy stacked against you. The odds of a small market team keeping that guy long enough to really matter? Don't forget to add that on. Because if you don't win big by the time they're done with that second contract (you know, when they're just entering their prime), they'll just leave for a bigger market team that can afford to play loose with salary because they know they don't have to field a decent team to make money or attract free agents. The league is broken, and the draft lottery is a major part of it. It keeps the smaller market organizations fielding terrible teams trying to luck into a superstar, while the larger market teams just wait until those smaller market superstars are developed, and then poach them. Think about it. LA doesn't have to develop players. LA can't develop players. LA had several high draft picks who were all considered busts until they went elsewhere and suddenly they were good. The Clippers can fall right into that same thing. Philly 'developed' Ben Simmons right into a mental breakdown, but they don't have to worry about him leaving, or Joel Embiid, no matter how much they lose. Miami looked like they might be the exception last year, actually developing at least half of their team, then proved themselves frauds this year, so they'll probably just start gutting the team again and wait for free agents. Milwaukee has somehow kept it together, though. Kudos to them. Better get it done quick, though, or Giannis will be demanding a trade. But hey, they'll get lots of draft picks from LA or New York for him, and they can play the lottery with the rest of the peasants.

Gordon. And I would do that trade with Houston in a heart beat. Hell, throw in Ross and the Fournier trade exception and I'll take Wall too. But I'm really high on Jalen Green, so...

Bones isn't going second round. Too good a shooter.

Trying to talk myself into the guy: what negatives can we say about Kuminga that we couldn't have also said about Anthony Edwards? What positives can we say about Edwards that we couldn't also say about Kuminga? Not saying they're the same player. But athletically they're both equally freakish. Edwards' knocks in college were bad shot selection, poor 3pt shooting on too high a volume, and lack of interest on defense. His strengths were freakish athleticism and strength for his position, plus fearlessness going for buckets. Kuminga is as good an athlete, and while he isn't as heavy he seems to be equally strong; I haven't seen enough of him to judge his aggressiveness as a scorer fairly, but he took the most shots of anyone on that GLeague team, including Green. Again, not equating the two exactly, just wanting to see what kind of responses the comparison gets.

As a little ray of hope: of the best players on the teams currently in the conference finals, one was drafted top ten, and none were top 3. Kawhi and Paul George were both later picks. Devin Booker was outside the top ten and even Paul way back when was just 4th. Trae Young was 5th and John Collins was 19th. Giannis was mid-first round and Middleton was second round. The only top 3 pick having any real impact on these teams is Ayton, the third or even fourth best player on that team.

James Bouknight is at least interesting. If he can get his shot straight he could be a beast.

I think in the right situation Mitchell and Anthony can co-exist. But Fults/Mitchell/Anthony, a decision would have to be made.

I wouldn't hate Mobley, other than that I've seen this before in Orlando: long defensive guy who looks like he's made of tooth picks. Hasn't really worked out for us yet.

Looking quickly at what's probably going to be there, I think I'd go Mitchell with 5 and then swing for the fences with Giddey. Just a battle royal at the PG spot, see who survives. And I suppose Giddey could probably play with any of those guys except maybe Fultz. I just don't like this draft as much as some people seem to. I liked Cade and Green and that's about it.

Why would we not do that though? Who cares about Love's contract on a rebuilding team?

Yeah, I mean, looking at who's likely to be available, I'd take Mitchell at 5. I wouldn't like it, because I might be able to get him at 8. But I don't like anyone else likely to be available.

I actually do like Mitchell, but he creates a potential massive logjam at PG, which I guess isn't really that big of a problem. Just not what you want with 5. If he's there at 8 it's a no-brainer to me.

I don't like anyone at 5. Trade 5 and 8 for 3, but only if Houston is stupid enough to pick Mobley.