Mock Draft Kings #2 lists
- Thread starter PurpleHaze
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Why?!
Michael Porter Jr was widely considered to be #1 or at worst a #3 prospect coming into this year. He didn't all of a sudden lose that talent in one season. If we are brutally honest, this team is is need of a pure scorer and a SF so Porter might actually be the best fit of the lot in the long run.
You have ball handlers in Fox and Bogdanovic in your back court, a scorer at SF in Porter.....it could work. Porter is the potential home run type of pick that I have been talking about for the last 12 months. The back surgery he had is not considered major and there are many players that have had it in the past and went on to have a very successful NBA career (our own GM, assistant GM and Dwight Howard being some of the players to have had the same surgery).
I am not against getting Porter provided that we research the living day lights out of him and I mean EVERYTHING. The upside with the kid is really high. He has the length to play some PF as well, can score from anywhere and has ability to create his own shot. Now there are no doubt some real questions that need to be asked and answered but its not like we are talking about a Papagiannis type reach. I would not be surprised in the slightest if Port doesn't fly up the draft boards the closer we get to the draft and not just because of Kings. Atlanta, Memphis and Dallas would also have real interest.
Michael Porter Jr was widely considered to be #1 or at worst a #3 prospect coming into this year. He didn't all of a sudden lose that talent in one season. If we are brutally honest, this team is is need of a pure scorer and a SF so Porter might actually be the best fit of the lot in the long run.
You have ball handlers in Fox and Bogdanovic in your back court, a scorer at SF in Porter.....it could work. Porter is the potential home run type of pick that I have been talking about for the last 12 months. The back surgery he had is not considered major and there are many players that have had it in the past and went on to have a very successful NBA career (our own GM, assistant GM and Dwight Howard being some of the players to have had the same surgery).
I am not against getting Porter provided that we research the living day lights out of him and I mean EVERYTHING. The upside with the kid is really high. He has the length to play some PF as well, can score from anywhere and has ability to create his own shot. Now there are no doubt some real questions that need to be asked and answered but its not like we are talking about a Papagiannis type reach. I would not be surprised in the slightest if Port doesn't fly up the draft boards the closer we get to the draft and not just because of Kings. Atlanta, Memphis and Dallas would also have real interest.
Last 32 games he averaged 18ppg 5.9rpg 2apg on 44% from the field and 26% from 3.
He wasn't perfect but he he showed a big improvement as the season went on and showed real flashes. I'm not talking about flashes like a couple shots here and there like our rookies did. I'm talking complete games where he looked like a high caliber starting player in the making. He looked pretty impressive at driving to the rim by seasons end. He's a bit wild but if he's able to reign that in, he's gonna be good.
He wasn't perfect but he he showed a big improvement as the season went on and showed real flashes. I'm not talking about flashes like a couple shots here and there like our rookies did. I'm talking complete games where he looked like a high caliber starting player in the making. He looked pretty impressive at driving to the rim by seasons end. He's a bit wild but if he's able to reign that in, he's gonna be good.
So, I've been checking out the mocks and have noticed that a lot of the recent updates have Doncic going #1 and Ayton #2.
Up until now, I think that most of the prospect debate has been with us assuming Ayton is off the table at 2. The conversations have very much been along the lines of Doncic vs Porter vs Bagley with a few calling for JJJ or Bamba.
So here's the question for all you Porter, Bagley, JJJ and Bamba jockeys out there:
IF we have a Ayton available to us at 2, do you still take your guy?
I would easily take Ayton, but I've been on the "take whoever of the two is left" train since the lotto results.
Up until now, I think that most of the prospect debate has been with us assuming Ayton is off the table at 2. The conversations have very much been along the lines of Doncic vs Porter vs Bagley with a few calling for JJJ or Bamba.
So here's the question for all you Porter, Bagley, JJJ and Bamba jockeys out there:
IF we have a Ayton available to us at 2, do you still take your guy?
I would easily take Ayton, but I've been on the "take whoever of the two is left" train since the lotto results.
Absolutely! Ayton is my #1 prospect and at the very least you are going to have a 20/10 type player. Get him playing both ways and you have a franchise player.
I think this one would be a no brainer for me. I just can't see Suns passing on Ayton. I know its the Suns so nothing should surprised BUT surely not!
I think this one would be a no brainer for me. I just can't see Suns passing on Ayton. I know its the Suns so nothing should surprised BUT surely not!
I am still a believer that Fox is an all-star level talent and I think by about year 3 or 4 he will be at that level. I think Ayton will get there as well regardless of which team picks him up.
If you can get your team sorter at two of the most difficult position to fill you are well on the way to being a good team. How good depends on how good those two guys end up being.
If you can get your team sorter at two of the most difficult position to fill you are well on the way to being a good team. How good depends on how good those two guys end up being.
Fox showed a lot of promise, but I'm not a believer yet. In terms of Ayton, I think he'll immediately come in and dominate the NBA. With enough touches, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he got a few AS votes in his first year.
If Fox-Ayton is your scoring duo, then you need nothing but 3pt shooters surrounding them. Lower usage wings who can shoot the 3 and defend the perimeter at a high level. I'd instantly ship off WCS in exchange for a stretch 4 or SF.
I really hope JJ is able to get stronger. He can be a valuable NBA role player, but he was physically outmatched against NBA players.
If Fox-Ayton is your scoring duo, then you need nothing but 3pt shooters surrounding them. Lower usage wings who can shoot the 3 and defend the perimeter at a high level. I'd instantly ship off WCS in exchange for a stretch 4 or SF.
I really hope JJ is able to get stronger. He can be a valuable NBA role player, but he was physically outmatched against NBA players.
If Luka does go #1, then getting Porter after trading down for atlanta ( I can see Atlanta trading 2019 #1 pick or 19th pick if Ayton is avail)
We really need a star SF!!! Its a swing for the fence move. If Porter really is #1 best SF in this Draft and Giles who was a #1 Prospect
both turn out to be Stars and you get a Rebound/Defense player like Nurkic,
I just do not see any FA SF that can complete our team if we get Ayton or Bagley
We really need a star SF!!! Its a swing for the fence move. If Porter really is #1 best SF in this Draft and Giles who was a #1 Prospect
both turn out to be Stars and you get a Rebound/Defense player like Nurkic,
I just do not see any FA SF that can complete our team if we get Ayton or Bagley
Video Breakdown: Focusing on the Strengths and Weaknesses of Michael Porter Jr. @Adrian Wojnarowski has him falling to #15 on #ESPN latest Mock Draft @NBA_YouTubers #NBA #MichaelPorterJr Watch Now: youtube.com/watch?v=reRscc… pic.twitter.com/ofK4XjYN4U
OK I changed my mind get ayton LOL
OK I changed my mind get ayton LOL
For starters getting Porter would require us to trade back into the draft and I don't have confidence in Vlade Divac to necessitate a trade that makes that worth it.
Secondly there is the injury. It's definitely not a career ender, but he is the biggest unknown in the draft. He dominated in high school, but so did Skal who was thought to be one of the most polished offensive players coming into college. Once there we found out that his game wasn't as bulletproof at that level. Not knowing how he plays against real competition is something I don't think our organization should risk.
Lastly, is just my personal opinion on him. I've heard the sexy comparisons to guys like Kevin Durant and even Kevin Garnett, but I can't get Andrew Wiggins out of my head when I watch his highlights. He's not a playmaker and doesn't move well without the ball. I also have questions about his post up game. He doesn't look strong enough to work in the post and he settles a lot on awkward runners. He showed ability to knock down the 3, but he looks much more comfortable taking jumpers.
I'm no scout, but right now I don't know why we would roll the dice on a guy like Porter when we have much safer options on the board, all of whom project to be very good NBA players.
Secondly there is the injury. It's definitely not a career ender, but he is the biggest unknown in the draft. He dominated in high school, but so did Skal who was thought to be one of the most polished offensive players coming into college. Once there we found out that his game wasn't as bulletproof at that level. Not knowing how he plays against real competition is something I don't think our organization should risk.
Lastly, is just my personal opinion on him. I've heard the sexy comparisons to guys like Kevin Durant and even Kevin Garnett, but I can't get Andrew Wiggins out of my head when I watch his highlights. He's not a playmaker and doesn't move well without the ball. I also have questions about his post up game. He doesn't look strong enough to work in the post and he settles a lot on awkward runners. He showed ability to knock down the 3, but he looks much more comfortable taking jumpers.
I'm no scout, but right now I don't know why we would roll the dice on a guy like Porter when we have much safer options on the board, all of whom project to be very good NBA players.
For all the Rubio hype, he had many glaring holes in his game coming into the NBA draft, mainly his shooting, defense, slight frame and elite athleticism.
The shooting concerns were legitimate and his defense has become acceptable.
I think Doncic is more of the full package than Rubio ever showed in Europe. Doncic has the size, the court vision, the handles, the passing, the scoring, the BBIQ. He is acceptable in defense. What Doncic lacks is elite athleticism.
But, if you look at the players dominating the playoffs this year, besides LeBron, no one is physically a monster. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, and Chris Paul would not be considered freak athletes or have elite athleticism. What these players do have though is elite skills and basketball IQ. They know how to take advantage of every angle or weakness and exploit it to win. That is where I think Doncic has over the other player available at #2. Doncic has elite skills and basketball IQ.
The shooting concerns were legitimate and his defense has become acceptable.
I think Doncic is more of the full package than Rubio ever showed in Europe. Doncic has the size, the court vision, the handles, the passing, the scoring, the BBIQ. He is acceptable in defense. What Doncic lacks is elite athleticism.
But, if you look at the players dominating the playoffs this year, besides LeBron, no one is physically a monster. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, and Chris Paul would not be considered freak athletes or have elite athleticism. What these players do have though is elite skills and basketball IQ. They know how to take advantage of every angle or weakness and exploit it to win. That is where I think Doncic has over the other player available at #2. Doncic has elite skills and basketball IQ.
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For me, MPJ, JJJ, Bamba, Trae Young and all of those guys represent too much of a risk to be drafted at #2. Every year skilled but "raw" guys like these get picked high due to their undeniable potential, but so many times they never fulfill that potential. Guys that come to mind are Tristan Thompson, Enes Kanter, Ben McLemore, Dion Waiters, Anthony Bennet, Etc.
Obviously we want to walk away from this draft with the best possible player, but I don't think we can afford to whiff on another pick. Walking away from this draft with a bust would be the absolute WORST case scenario. For me, I'm taking Ayton, Doncic, or Bagley. I think at the very least, you likely walk away with a solid NBA player with one of those 3. I'm certainly no draft guru, but I see much higher bust potential with everyone else on the board.
Obviously we want to walk away from this draft with the best possible player, but I don't think we can afford to whiff on another pick. Walking away from this draft with a bust would be the absolute WORST case scenario. For me, I'm taking Ayton, Doncic, or Bagley. I think at the very least, you likely walk away with a solid NBA player with one of those 3. I'm certainly no draft guru, but I see much higher bust potential with everyone else on the board.
I'm still going with Dončić ... He plays like a star already and while I think an adjustment period is definitely needed, once he gets past that look out. The kid is a flat baller. The only other player I would consider is Ayton. MPJ is only if we trade back, which as I've said before would be stupid. Keep the pick, get your guy, and go home.
Agreed, but I think that Vlade already has Doncic name on his draft day card filled out now.
I think that Vlade is putting out smoke screens to make sure someone doesn't trade up to #1 and steal Doncic from the Kings.
I'm still banking on it being Doncic or Ayton on draft night too.
I think that Vlade is putting out smoke screens to make sure someone doesn't trade up to #1 and steal Doncic from the Kings.
I'm still banking on it being Doncic or Ayton on draft night too.
If Rubio were 6'8" and actually developed a jumpshot he probably would have been a multi-year All Star. Go back and watch some tape of his early years in Minnesota -- he mastered the art of passing like no other player I've seen. His inability to score was a big impediment to that Minnesota team ever making a run at the playoffs though. Oh and people seem to have forgotten this but he tore his ACL midway through his rookie year so we never really got to see him reach his full potential.
Actually, just thinking about all that wasted potential with a young K Love, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams, and Anthony Randolph with Rick Adelman manning the sideline makes me sad. David Kahn never should have traded for Michael Beasley-- it was clear after 2 seasons in Miami that he didn't take the job seriously and that set them on a trajectory (Beasley as the focal point of the offense) that they never recovered from-- stiffling the ball movement, pushing Williams first to the bench and then into a terrible fit at the PF position and just generally leading them down a dead end alley for 2 years right when their core should have been developing chemistry together as a high flying unit based around exceptional passing and two forwards who could space the floor (similar to what happened after Pete D'Alessandro traded for Rudy Gay actually). That same group of players could have been the current Warriors if they just moved the ball, pushed the pace relentlessly on fastbreaks and shot volume threes. Turns out they missed their era by about 5 years. Yeah, let's change the subject.
Actually, just thinking about all that wasted potential with a young K Love, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams, and Anthony Randolph with Rick Adelman manning the sideline makes me sad. David Kahn never should have traded for Michael Beasley-- it was clear after 2 seasons in Miami that he didn't take the job seriously and that set them on a trajectory (Beasley as the focal point of the offense) that they never recovered from-- stiffling the ball movement, pushing Williams first to the bench and then into a terrible fit at the PF position and just generally leading them down a dead end alley for 2 years right when their core should have been developing chemistry together as a high flying unit based around exceptional passing and two forwards who could space the floor (similar to what happened after Pete D'Alessandro traded for Rudy Gay actually). That same group of players could have been the current Warriors if they just moved the ball, pushed the pace relentlessly on fastbreaks and shot volume threes. Turns out they missed their era by about 5 years. Yeah, let's change the subject.
I sure hope so. The Kings twitter has been pumping Porter, and Grant was weaving him into the conversation at #2 on the radio yesterday (and nobody will ever convince me that he is not a bought and paid for mouthpiece). But if we get Ayton or Doncic I will be really happy. Even Bagley. Not Porter with the #2 omg