TreyMachine

I mean, it's not like it's that far off. Paulo is 6'10" while Jokic is 6'11". If Paolo could beef up a bit, you definitely could run a team offense similar to Denver.

Did Paolo grow more over the last year?? Love the idea of running him at the 5, though he's not a particularly great interior defender or rebounder, which would concern me on the defensive side.

I can't imagine the NBA will be very happy about this. Nikola Jokic is one of the best players in the world but from a marketability standpoint is subpar, similar to when Tim Duncan was winning with San Antonio. He's certainly not a bad ambassador for the game (humble, great BB IQ), but doesn't have flashy dunks or even a charismatic personality to bring in casual fans.

So many draft on potential they'll learn the game with athleticism and not on BB IQ and intangibles. Best example of this is Jokic. You certainly need athletes but guys like JJ Redick, Austin Reaves, Grant Williams, and others have great value as needed role players on championship teams.

For reference, the Kings has the best team team rating at 118.6. Markelle is elite in the pick-n-roll and basically makes the right decision every time.

I read the first few pages. So sad that so many from back then are no longer on the board.

We have so many young players that need time and minutes. I could totally see us trading out of the first round or trading one of our picks for a pick another year to a team we assume won't be great in 2-3 years. Too many mouths to feed right now. With that being said, the way to work around that is to just trade away some of that young talent, along with the picks, to move up for an elite talent.

What is likelihood we stand pat? I'm giving it an 85% chance we just stay at 6 and 11 and get great role-players to grow with the team that compliment Fultz, Paolo, and Franz. Unless we think Scott / Miller is a can't-miss prospect, I don't see us trading one or two of our core assets, along with our picks, for them.

I audibly lol'd. Thanks Mauro for the throwback. This board was on fire for about 48 hours when that almost happened.

Both players would be great adds. Grant Williams I've followed since college (my wife is a pretty hard core Tennessee fan - was the 2x SEC Player of the Year) and he's not just a hard-working player but is incredibly smart and a great locker room guy (He's the VP of the NBAPA this year, replacing Andre Igudala in that role). He was only a 2nd round pick but has obviously made the most of what natural gifts he has as a 6'6" PF essentially. He'll always be a reserve, but he'll push guys to be the best version of themselves on and off the court. 100% behind this signing as there are intangibles there that won't show up on the stat line.

I'm strapped in for him at #6. If he's European, I'm sure his fundamentals are sound and there's no way he lasts to #11. In all honesty, I love European NBA players and their upside for great team basketball over a lot of USA players. Fundamentals and team concepts (passing, team defense positioning) tend to be a lot higher.

How does this help his transition? Just like... veteran locker room leadership?

He has his right to live and promote whatever he wants, no matter what anyone on here thinks, but I will echo that this somewhat rubs me the wrong way - regardless of my personal positions - because it hasn't felt like he's prioritized getting healthy, supporting his teammates, or living up to his contract as he has promoting his brand and its agenda. Should he play 70+ games next year with meaningful minutes as a contributor to our playoff team, I may feel differently.

Anything promising a guy in the second round is a lot different than promising a guy at the number six or number 11 pick. You just don't know what might transpire unless you are unbelievably high on that guy

But why promise a guy, and even more so, know that the guy will probably put it out there as leverage. I just don't see is leaking or promising anything, even if there's some merit to it. Could be a smokescreen by his agent too

Is there any rationale to save salary cap space knowing the CBA is going to be much harder on luxury taxes in the coming years and presumably our rookies coming up in the next 2-3 years will all see pretty advanced pay raises, including Paolo whom at this rate of growth might get a max contract?

The market is still high for players considering the Rudy Gobert trade. Unless we're looking at multiple picks and young assets, I must think the asks are going to be too high unless the other side really is in desperate need of moving the contract. I think all 3 would have those issues.

I think Houston trades #6 for Jabari. That also tells you how potentially deep this draft is if so.

How deep is this draft seen vs last draft generally? Like, for the sake of argument, what current NBA player would you trade #6 for and be satisfied? Is there anyone?

I think you look at JSJ as a SF on offense and a SG on defense, it works. I'm of course not married to Jabari - I'm just saying he's in a bad culture fit and he compliments our main guys well while creating matchup issues. It's the same thing we had with Dwight, Lewis, and Hedo - big matchups that gave guys matchup issues on offense while having defensive power with great team defense schemes and long length. Just find me an athletic, long, 3&D player to partner with Paolo and Wagner and I'm a happy camper. That's it.

I remember Jabari in particular being a good, long defender. Is that not true? I'm unsure if he has the foot speed though. Franz is a great team defender (always hits his rotations). At the end of the day, I trust management to make the right decision. I just think a 3&D guy who is a long SG would be best for us. I'm still not against Suggs becoming that started SG, but he has to prove a more consistent jumper and the ability to stay healthy.

My thinking as well. Either way, for the basketball fan, this is a great matchup because it's two teams that competed and built their teams from the ground up with the right pieces within a healthy team culture.

You also have to think of it as "What player is needed to perfectly complement the game of Franz and Paolo?" The answer is "someone who is good at spacing the floor to allow for them to drive - all while having the athleticism and drive to play great individual and team defense." JSJ had a bad year last year, but we all were high on him pre-draft and I don't think much has changed. His ceiling is still high in the right system with his physical tools and get his buy-in. My opinion again is that Houston never wanted him but took him because he was the clear #3 - and he likely knows it. Houston's culture is also weird. I just think it's worth rolling the dice on him as a buy-low candidate whom perfectly compliments Franz/Paolo.

It's more thinking of JSJ/Franz/Paolo has extra-tall, athletic wings. Throw out conventional wisdom of positions. We'll have 4 guys on the floor at 6'10" or above that can all shoot 3's and create offense. That's a matchup nightmare for any team on offense or defense.

I actually think, in a situation like that, it might just be that their culture and he are not jiving. We have to remember he wanted to be the number one overall pick and that he's only 20 years old. I think one thing going for the magic is they have a really good culture. in my mind, I would actually trade the #6 pick and the #11 pick for him straight up unless we felt very strongly about someone at #6. The guy is a 6'11" 3&D guy who is an apparent gym rat and competitor and probably has the capacity to shoot 40% from 3PT for his career with his smooth shooting mechanics. I don't think Houston actually ever wanted him. A lineup of Fultz/JSJ/Franz/Paolo/WCJ is a matchup nightmare and a team I would bank on making it to the 2nd round of the playoffs in 3 years.