Ongoing draft/lottery discussion [OPEN SPOILERS]
- Thread starter hrdboild
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I really don't want Hezonja. He can shoot, he's a big wing player with above-average athleticism, he definitely is not lacking for confidence. But he already plays like a diva from what I've seen. He excuses himself from playing defense or plays it with very little effort which is inexcusable for me. He doesn't get along with his teammates. No doubt he's a talented player but we don't need a youtube highlight reel with an inflated sense of his own worth right now, we need a team player who's willing to accept any role and work for everything from the ground up. I just don't see Hezonja as a good fit for the culture of this team. Give me a humble, hard-working kid who's more committed to the defensive end of the court than putting up points and I'll be happy.
I thought this was interesting:
Carmichael Dave @CarmichaelDave 25m25 minutes agoAntelope, CA
My updated Kings' draft rankings (provided they pick 6): 1. Winslow (if available) 2. WCS 3. Hezonja Note 2 and 3 are a basic coin flip.
My updated Kings' draft rankings (provided they pick 6): 1. Winslow (if available) 2. WCS 3. Hezonja Note 2 and 3 are a basic coin flip.
Kinda my take on him too. Seems like a teenage punkass. Of course, if we bring in Rondo and McGee, Hezonja's iffy attitude will fit our team culture perfectly!
If we draft him, I'll hope for the best. Definitely seems like the type of player Karl can mold into something special. But I'll be just as happy if we get WCS, Mudiay, Winslow, or even Johnson.
There will be a lot of interesting prospects available when we pick. I'm still leaning towards WCS, but with all the new stuff coming out about him health/attitude wise, I'm not as enamored as before.
If we draft him, I'll hope for the best. Definitely seems like the type of player Karl can mold into something special. But I'll be just as happy if we get WCS, Mudiay, Winslow, or even Johnson.
There will be a lot of interesting prospects available when we pick. I'm still leaning towards WCS, but with all the new stuff coming out about him health/attitude wise, I'm not as enamored as before.
I really can't blame any player for refusing to work out with us. Vivek/PDA/Mullin made this franchise super toxic. PDA and Mullin are gone, but Vivek is still here, no doubt flailing about like a crazy man behind the scenes, working his "Irritant magic".
One can hope that with Vlade, our culture, and the outsider's opinion on this franchise change for the better.
If Winslow is there, and Vlade likes him, I think he'll make the pick. Winslow has awesome 2 way potential.
One can hope that with Vlade, our culture, and the outsider's opinion on this franchise change for the better.
If Winslow is there, and Vlade likes him, I think he'll make the pick. Winslow has awesome 2 way potential.
I'd be okay with Winslow. He's a solid all-around prospect. I do think both Mudiay and Johnson will be better pros so I would obviously take them over Winslow if given the chance -- but I don't think a Winslow pick would be a mistake, just a slight miss. He can fit in on most teams and play a valuable role. Cauley-Stein, Porzingis, or Hezonja are the picks I would be very unhappy about. All of them have bust potential that outweighs their upside in my opinion.
Pretty much the same for me although I would put a line between Mudiay and Winslow and put in there that I would explore trading the pick if Mudiay and WCS aren't there (looks like both will be).
1. WCS
2. MUDIAY
------------------------> Look at possibility of trading pick if 1 or 2 aren't available.
3. WINSLOW
4. HEZONJA
As far as I know Carmichael Dave has never clarified why he feels Mudiay is not on the Kings draft board.
Some early speculation that it was because Mudiay refused to workout for (or even interview with) the Kings but obviously that's not the issue since Winslow also didn't workout for Sacramento officials. And Steph Curry did everything in his power to not have the Warriors draft him and they did anyway. So then it has to be based on talent and/or fit. If CD is right then what are the Kings seeing with Mudiay?
Some early speculation that it was because Mudiay refused to workout for (or even interview with) the Kings but obviously that's not the issue since Winslow also didn't workout for Sacramento officials. And Steph Curry did everything in his power to not have the Warriors draft him and they did anyway. So then it has to be based on talent and/or fit. If CD is right then what are the Kings seeing with Mudiay?
The only thing I can figure is their stated desire for a veteran playmaker. It sounds like they want to either upgrade at PG in free agency or stick with Collison and then use the draft to add a wing player or a big man. Which sortof makes sense to a point, but if the player with the highest upside in the draft slides to #6, I think you have to take him anyway. He can play off the bench for a couple years and earn the starting nod. He came off the bench in China and completely changed the game whenever he was out there. He's also a good defender with the size to handle some SGs and some SFs so it's not like he couldn't find a role even if we don't want to hand the starting PG spot to a rookie.
Personally I think the interest in Rondo is real. It makes a lot of sense with Cousins and Rudy both stumping for him. I also think we're probably zeroing in on the 3 wing players likely to be available at our spot (Winslow, Johnson, Hezonja) but would still consider Mudiay if he's on the board. It sounds like Vlade is going to lean on Mike Bratz a lot for his scouting expertise and Mike Bratz reportedly was the biggest champion of Elfrid Payton in last year's draft. If that's true, I think both Emmanuel Mudiay and Stanley Johnson are possibilities for us. I loved Elfrid Payton last year and I love Mudiay and Johnson this year for a lot of the same reasons -- all of them are solid defenders, hard workers, possess excellent physical tools, and are committed to winning as a team. Both George Karl and Vlade have said we need to add defenders. If Bratz agreed with me on Payton's potential, maybe he will about Mudiay and Johnson's potential too? I guess we'll find out soon.
Personally I think the interest in Rondo is real. It makes a lot of sense with Cousins and Rudy both stumping for him. I also think we're probably zeroing in on the 3 wing players likely to be available at our spot (Winslow, Johnson, Hezonja) but would still consider Mudiay if he's on the board. It sounds like Vlade is going to lean on Mike Bratz a lot for his scouting expertise and Mike Bratz reportedly was the biggest champion of Elfrid Payton in last year's draft. If that's true, I think both Emmanuel Mudiay and Stanley Johnson are possibilities for us. I loved Elfrid Payton last year and I love Mudiay and Johnson this year for a lot of the same reasons -- all of them are solid defenders, hard workers, possess excellent physical tools, and are committed to winning as a team. Both George Karl and Vlade have said we need to add defenders. If Bratz agreed with me on Payton's potential, maybe he will about Mudiay and Johnson's potential too? I guess we'll find out soon.
Maybe not - it seems that the last few years we've expected a lotof wheeling and dealing on draft day and when it came time...not much happened. There's lots of talk, but I'd be completely unsurprised if most teams stayed put tomorrow. Philly will almost certainly sell off some of those second rounders, but outside of that...could be quiet despite the noise right now.
Yes. I had brought this up a few weeks back and very people seemed too concerned about this on this board:
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....boards-due-to-concerns-about-old-foot-injury/
Apparently, the screw inserted to help the stress fracture heal is not healing at a proper 90 degree angle, but at a 45 degree angle. I can see this affecting WCS causing a need for another surgery to correct this problem. This could possibly make him miss some games, if not a whole season to allow this to heal properly.
I know a similar issue caused Julius Randal to slide in last year's draft and the Lakers ignored the concerns took him early. Look what happened to Randal. He played one game and was re-injured for the whole season. Also, Embiid had injury concerns and he may miss another year. Very scary for a big man to come in to the draft with injury concerns.
Can the Kings really gamble on this happening to WCS?
I would go for Mudiay, if there are really any serious injury concerns with WCS foot.
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....boards-due-to-concerns-about-old-foot-injury/
Apparently, the screw inserted to help the stress fracture heal is not healing at a proper 90 degree angle, but at a 45 degree angle. I can see this affecting WCS causing a need for another surgery to correct this problem. This could possibly make him miss some games, if not a whole season to allow this to heal properly.
I know a similar issue caused Julius Randal to slide in last year's draft and the Lakers ignored the concerns took him early. Look what happened to Randal. He played one game and was re-injured for the whole season. Also, Embiid had injury concerns and he may miss another year. Very scary for a big man to come in to the draft with injury concerns.
Can the Kings really gamble on this happening to WCS?
I would go for Mudiay, if there are really any serious injury concerns with WCS foot.
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Portland is finalizing a trade to send Nic Batum to Charlotte for Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson, league sources tell Yahoo.
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