Who is available as 6th-7th pick
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He's a legit 6'1 in shoes (same height as Chris Paul), he has a 6'5.5 wingspan (longer than Paul and Irving), a very good standing reach for his height, and has a strong frame; that's not "small." Now it may turn out that he's a liability on defense, it all depends on how much work he ends up putting in on that end, but he certainly has the physical ability to be at least an okay defender (especially in a well coached system.) In today's NBA where individual PG defense is practically made illegal because of the officiating, and the increase in significance in team defense, to declare he'd be a liability in the NBA at this stage is extremely unfair and premature.
I think where we fundamentally disagree is on whether it's preferable that Evans is made to be the PG and primary initiator and facilitator of the offense. I don't think it is preferable, hence why I would like a player like Burke who can run the pick and roll, facilitate, shoot at a high rate, and make good decisions (things that Evans does not do well,) and at least Burke can spot up well, so it's not like he'd be useless off the ball.
While I suppose it's possible Oladipo can fall, I don't see it as plausible as Burke falling (although I don't consider that likely either.)
I think where we fundamentally disagree is on whether it's preferable that Evans is made to be the PG and primary initiator and facilitator of the offense. I don't think it is preferable, hence why I would like a player like Burke who can run the pick and roll, facilitate, shoot at a high rate, and make good decisions (things that Evans does not do well,) and at least Burke can spot up well, so it's not like he'd be useless off the ball.
While I suppose it's possible Oladipo can fall, I don't see it as plausible as Burke falling (although I don't consider that likely either.)
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I'm warming up to the idea of him and have always liked him overall (especially if we have to just say **** it and go BPA), the concern I have is that I don't know whether he can be the facilitator that Curry is. We have so many scoring guards who are looking for theirs, do we need another? How much longer can we get away with stacking up with those types of players? We're going to need someone eventually that is primarily out to share the ball and facilitate.
To me, if Burke isn't available, Steven Adams is looking like an ideal fit for us with the one big exception of him just not being ready to contribute much.
To me, if Burke isn't available, Steven Adams is looking like an ideal fit for us with the one big exception of him just not being ready to contribute much.
Yet Ranadive doesn't appear to be in a hurry to install a GM, and it sounded in a recent interview like Malone was going to be running the draft. Well, Malone's here. If he's actually going to be in charge of the draft, then we'd best let agents know that and get these kids in for workouts. I really don't want a "workout shutout" like we had last year.
absolutely agreed. if i were ranadive, i would be reaching out to agents and letting them know that coach malone will be running workouts, and will have considerable influence over the process, whether or not a GM is hired prior to the draft. with this draft being as much of a crap-shoot as any in draft history, the kings need to get a closer look at the players who are, at the very least, likely to fall to #7...
This is the stench of the Maloof ownership lingering. Until we become respectable again, this could happen. I think we're the only team that prospects try to avoid. Hopefully we can get a few guys in that are around our spot.
As for McCollum, I still don't want him. I think he'll be a very good shooter, but don't think he's a PG, and I'm not sure his game will translate as well as people think. He's no Lillard, despite what people say. I think he'll be a solid player but there's others I'd prefer.
Also, I think someone mentioned that supposedly Schroeder hasn't impressed in workouts? Is there a link? Because according to twitter, he was quite impressive in his workouts for Dallas. Shame he's only working out for 3 teams (I think) in that range of 14-17 (one of the teams in that range he's skipping, can't remember who).
As for McCollum, I still don't want him. I think he'll be a very good shooter, but don't think he's a PG, and I'm not sure his game will translate as well as people think. He's no Lillard, despite what people say. I think he'll be a solid player but there's others I'd prefer.
Also, I think someone mentioned that supposedly Schroeder hasn't impressed in workouts? Is there a link? Because according to twitter, he was quite impressive in his workouts for Dallas. Shame he's only working out for 3 teams (I think) in that range of 14-17 (one of the teams in that range he's skipping, can't remember who).
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I don't think McCollum will be a PG either. I think he and Tyreke will both be combo guards the way he and Beno were with McCollum having a better stroke, quicker feet and presumably a much higher upside. Re-sign Evans, grab a defensive big to put next to Cousins (maybe Dieng or possibly Nogueira if they grab an extra 1st rounder) and then a role playing SF (maybe Dorrell Wright) and this team is looking better, especially if one or two of Thornton, IT & Jimmer are moved for other role players.
As for Schroeder, it's draft season so it's tough to tell who is telling the truth about anything, but here's the Hoopshype rumors page about Schroeder. Taken at face value he was "impressive" in Dallas, "outplayed" in Houston and "solid but hardly spectacular" in Milwaukee. Who knows?
As for Schroeder, it's draft season so it's tough to tell who is telling the truth about anything, but here's the Hoopshype rumors page about Schroeder. Taken at face value he was "impressive" in Dallas, "outplayed" in Houston and "solid but hardly spectacular" in Milwaukee. Who knows?
Burke looks gone in the fact that Phoenix is trying out six point guards today (and he out competes as expected).
I have been warming and warming to Burke, but my bet is he is gone by #7....
This year's Thomas Robinson is Anthony Bennett.
Question is who do we want Benett or McCollumn? AND if those two are my options (for this team) I go SHABAZZ.
I have been warming and warming to Burke, but my bet is he is gone by #7....
This year's Thomas Robinson is Anthony Bennett.
Question is who do we want Benett or McCollumn? AND if those two are my options (for this team) I go SHABAZZ.
Bennett is better than Robinson, but that's beside the point as we don't want/need him. Why would you have to take McCollum or Shabazz? Neither fill a need and it's very debatable whether they'd be BPA. In my eyes, they wouldn't be. There's a number of players that are arguably more talented AND fit us better.
I'm curious as to whether the Kings will get Oladipo in for a workout.
It's conceivable that he'll fall to us. DX currently has the order as 1. Noel 2. McLemore. 3. Porter. 4. Len 5. Oladipo 6. Bennett 7. Burke.
But with Suns working out a lot of PGs, and Burke supposedly showing well at it, it's possible that Burke goes at 5 to the Sun. Our only objective would be NOP, who could easily prefer to put Bennett next to Davis as they compliment each other quite well, rather than putting Oladipo next to Rivers/Vasquez.
Of course this would mean 'Reke would have to go back to the 1 (or 3, but I don't know if anyone wants that). It'd certainly be a big, strong, athletic and defensive backcourt that Malone would go for. Under his guidance, I really can't think of a better defensive backcourt in the league. Oladipo will be an all-defensive team member within a few years.
It's conceivable that he'll fall to us. DX currently has the order as 1. Noel 2. McLemore. 3. Porter. 4. Len 5. Oladipo 6. Bennett 7. Burke.
But with Suns working out a lot of PGs, and Burke supposedly showing well at it, it's possible that Burke goes at 5 to the Sun. Our only objective would be NOP, who could easily prefer to put Bennett next to Davis as they compliment each other quite well, rather than putting Oladipo next to Rivers/Vasquez.
Of course this would mean 'Reke would have to go back to the 1 (or 3, but I don't know if anyone wants that). It'd certainly be a big, strong, athletic and defensive backcourt that Malone would go for. Under his guidance, I really can't think of a better defensive backcourt in the league. Oladipo will be an all-defensive team member within a few years.
In such a scenario I'd rather just keep Tyreke and draft someone that does fit. However, I don't think it'd be a huge problem having both of them on the roster, and the positives would far outweigh the negatives. But not everyone will see things that way. I'd love a big, physical defensive backcourt.
My hope is that with Mike Malone in charge we'll eventually learn to think defense first. As in, what is the best defensive team we can put on the floor? And once you've established that, then you can talk about how to find easy looks for everybody on offense. Oladipo and Noel are the two best defenders in the draft, that's why they're at the top of my list. We can talk all day about what the team needs to fix offensively, it's a long list. But that doesn't mean anything if we can't first get stops. And anyway, with Cousins' strength in the post and Tyreke's ability to drive to the basket, if we add a competent outside shooter at one of the wing positions, we don't really need anything offensively from the other two starters except BBIQ and hard work.
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Last year my three guys were Davis, Drummond, and MKG, in that order. Defense, defense, and defense.
Needless to say I would have done better than Petrie.
This year Oladipo and Noel stand out to me for that same defensive reason. Gotta admit Gobert is interesting too, but a reach/gamble. Hoping the new front office is a little closer to sharing my vision this time.
Needless to say I would have done better than Petrie.
This year Oladipo and Noel stand out to me for that same defensive reason. Gotta admit Gobert is interesting too, but a reach/gamble. Hoping the new front office is a little closer to sharing my vision this time.
That's not going to happen. The only reason a player ever agrees to a sign-and-trade is to either get more money (max deal - which Tyreke won't get) or to get traded to a team that lacks the caproom to sign him outright by using the threat of signing with a team that does have caproom and leaving his current squad with nothing to show for it.
The Kings would get pennies on the dollar in a sign-and-trade as they have no leverage. Unless your definition of a decent 3 is along the lines of James Johnson then the Kings will need to fill their hole at SF another way.
The Kings would get pennies on the dollar in a sign-and-trade as they have no leverage. Unless your definition of a decent 3 is along the lines of James Johnson then the Kings will need to fill their hole at SF another way.
To be fair to Petrie, the only one of those three on the board for the Kings was Drummond. The other two were gone and the price to move up to get either wouldn't have been worth it. That said, I also wanted either Drummond or a trade down using the reported deal for Lowry and the pick I'd have used to get Henson.
Anyway, I thought it was funny that in the other thread Gobert and Kareem were uttered in the same sentence. It's a stretch for Gobert himself to use Tyson Chandler as an example. Right now Gobert is a fair ways out from reaching Shawn Bradley levels. Hasheem Thabeet went #2 is a fairly weak draft. I'll be curious to see where Gobert gets picked.
If Noel doesn't go #1 I'd offer the #7 and anyone on the roster other than Cousins to trade up and get him. I don't think he has star potential and his style of play makes me think he'll be injured a fair amount but he's the Tyson Chandler/Marcus Camby style player that would be ideal next to Cuz. Re-sign Tyreke and you have a few definite puzzle pieces. I'd consider trading up for Porter as well. I think he'll be a better player than Noel and is also a very good fit with the Kings but athletic, shotblocking bigs are just a more rare breed than versatile SFs and they are very expensive on the open market, even for mediocre ones.
I'm not a fan of Michael Carter-Williams but I wouldn't be upset if he were the pick. He has good defensive potential and gives us a big backcourt with Tyreke. If he's the guy at #7 then it's a good thing Malone is bringing in a shooting specialist as an assistant. Oladipo is obviously going to be a very good defender but after the guys I mentioned there's a dropoff. Adams and Franklin could be good defenders but Adams is a big project and Franklin is a poor fit. Caldwell-Pope could be a good defender and he's a good shooter but it'd also mean Tyreke as the starting PG alongside a guy who doesn't have good ballhandling and doesn't like to pass the ball.
Schroeder and Adetokunbo are mysteries, at least to me. Schroeder looks like he could be a good defender and the Greek Freak has the athleticism to be but who knows how they'll fare against NBA competition, especially since both need to get a good deal stronger.
Len is a big body but he's not a natural shotblocker and he and Cousins would be a slower frontcourt than Randolph and Gasol.
Dieng and Bullock should be very good defender/roleplayers but I seriously doubt they'll merit consideration at #7.
Nogueira is a boom or bust guy but if he reached his potential he could be a Chris Anderson type player next to Cousins.
Otherwise you're looking at good offensive fits who may struggle defensively. McCollum, who I like a lot would have great size against opposing PGs but is not a great athlete. Burke is a true point but his size and lack of elite athleticism means he won't be a stopper by any means. Saric (if he stays in the draft) is skilled and unselfish and reminds me (from just watching YouTube videos mind you) of Hedo. And Karasev has a nice feel for the game and good shooting but will be too slow to play SG and undersized at SF where he still might be too slow to defend. Anthony Bennett played virtually no defense in college. Is that due to his asthma? Who knows?
I've never had less of a read on a draft than this one, especially when it comes to who I think the Kings will/should take. I'll take a wait and see approach with pretty much whoever they draft with the exception of finesse bigs like Zeller or Olynyk.
Trading the pick might be the best option but new regimes don't usually trade away picks since it's their chance to start shaping a roster moving forward. We'll see.
Anyway, I thought it was funny that in the other thread Gobert and Kareem were uttered in the same sentence. It's a stretch for Gobert himself to use Tyson Chandler as an example. Right now Gobert is a fair ways out from reaching Shawn Bradley levels. Hasheem Thabeet went #2 is a fairly weak draft. I'll be curious to see where Gobert gets picked.
If Noel doesn't go #1 I'd offer the #7 and anyone on the roster other than Cousins to trade up and get him. I don't think he has star potential and his style of play makes me think he'll be injured a fair amount but he's the Tyson Chandler/Marcus Camby style player that would be ideal next to Cuz. Re-sign Tyreke and you have a few definite puzzle pieces. I'd consider trading up for Porter as well. I think he'll be a better player than Noel and is also a very good fit with the Kings but athletic, shotblocking bigs are just a more rare breed than versatile SFs and they are very expensive on the open market, even for mediocre ones.
I'm not a fan of Michael Carter-Williams but I wouldn't be upset if he were the pick. He has good defensive potential and gives us a big backcourt with Tyreke. If he's the guy at #7 then it's a good thing Malone is bringing in a shooting specialist as an assistant. Oladipo is obviously going to be a very good defender but after the guys I mentioned there's a dropoff. Adams and Franklin could be good defenders but Adams is a big project and Franklin is a poor fit. Caldwell-Pope could be a good defender and he's a good shooter but it'd also mean Tyreke as the starting PG alongside a guy who doesn't have good ballhandling and doesn't like to pass the ball.
Schroeder and Adetokunbo are mysteries, at least to me. Schroeder looks like he could be a good defender and the Greek Freak has the athleticism to be but who knows how they'll fare against NBA competition, especially since both need to get a good deal stronger.
Len is a big body but he's not a natural shotblocker and he and Cousins would be a slower frontcourt than Randolph and Gasol.
Dieng and Bullock should be very good defender/roleplayers but I seriously doubt they'll merit consideration at #7.
Nogueira is a boom or bust guy but if he reached his potential he could be a Chris Anderson type player next to Cousins.
Otherwise you're looking at good offensive fits who may struggle defensively. McCollum, who I like a lot would have great size against opposing PGs but is not a great athlete. Burke is a true point but his size and lack of elite athleticism means he won't be a stopper by any means. Saric (if he stays in the draft) is skilled and unselfish and reminds me (from just watching YouTube videos mind you) of Hedo. And Karasev has a nice feel for the game and good shooting but will be too slow to play SG and undersized at SF where he still might be too slow to defend. Anthony Bennett played virtually no defense in college. Is that due to his asthma? Who knows?
I've never had less of a read on a draft than this one, especially when it comes to who I think the Kings will/should take. I'll take a wait and see approach with pretty much whoever they draft with the exception of finesse bigs like Zeller or Olynyk.
Trading the pick might be the best option but new regimes don't usually trade away picks since it's their chance to start shaping a roster moving forward. We'll see.
The biggest challenge to rookie bigs is playing inside, where physicality makes a huge jump up from college. Whatever Noel's weight was during the season, he was moved with ease by anyone not weighing 220. Still in college Noel was a great defender with arguably more impact than Davis on defense. But now he comes to men's league, and just as Drummond relative to Davis Adams have two pretty big advantages over Noel: Kiwi's far more physical and he'll be able to play both PF and C. While trailing Drummond in upper body strength and slightly in lower body, jumping and mobility, Adams has much better shooting touch than Drummond and Noel, so he would slot pretty well at PF after a year of polishing his shooting, while Noel has offensive game of a center and probably can be defended by bigger SFs for a while. So no, Adams is not more of a project than Noel is. What Adams doesn't have is three leg injuries. While Noel might still be ahead, he's certainly not worth trading up to #1 or #2 over picking Adams at #7.
Adams is pretty raw offensively, but defensively he's not as raw as his experience might suggest, he seems to have good instincts with his positional D. I think he projects as a very good fit with Cousins, but I don't see anyone here having the patience to take someone like him, but it's not like Gobert is that much more polished than him and his name is bandied about quite a bit.
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