Who is available as 6th-7th pick

I think the natural inclination is to think Malone wants to recreate the success of Golden State and thus be looking for his version of Curry, his version of Thompson etc.

But once you start with the notion that everyone from Vivek to Malone to D'Alessandro is saying they want to build this team around Cousins I'd think that the notion of building Warrior Kings (trademark pending) would go out the window. Instead I'd think the first litmus test for draft picks would be how they fit with Big Cuz (and potentially Tyreke if they plan to push hard to keep him) rather than being a poor man's Steph or Klay.
You're right about matching Golden State player for player. Malone is not going to do that. I just think he likes size/shooting/D from the SG position that Thompson brings, and the mismatches/floor spacing he creates. He had a front row seat this season to that sort of success.
 
For those who don't want to draft MCW - would you rather have another year of Isaiah Thomas and Tyreke Evans? I think Thomas' shooting is completely overrated, and what little you lose from Thomas to MCW on offense you gain in ball movement, size, more shots for your big guns, and defense. I'd take that.
If you have read many of my posts you know that I am not a big fan of IT starting at PG for the Kings (think he would be good change of pace player off the bench). That being said, I think the Kings would be better with IT starting at PG next to Tyreke than with MCW. I have looked very hard to find something that MCW brings to the table that would help make the Kings a better team, and I can't. His lack of offence would further hurt spacing on the floor (no one would guard him), his PG skills as a creator don't appear to be much better than either IT or Tyreke (no upgrade), and while he would be better on defense than IT we don't know how much better because of the system he played in at Syacuse. Personally, if we want to go with a defensive guard next to Tyreke we should just resign Tony Douglas. He has proven he can play defense at a high level in the NBA, and he can hit the 3 when left open.
 
This is one reason I like Zeller for the Kings. He's solid, a big, and can play a little bit in his rookie season. It also allows the Kings to use Chuck's or JT's or PPats contracts to get back a vet SF. I still want the Kings to resign Cole. Zeller isn't an ideal fit with Cousins, but he adds depth and a possible future starting NBA PF.
I want to like Zeller, but he scares me to death. He really struggled when he went up against players he own size or bigger (or more athletic), and he will be facing players like that almost every night in the NBA (evan at PF). He also showed almost no face up game in college (wasn't asked to), which means he may have to develop one the next couple of seasons. His skill level tells me he will find a niche in the NBA, but it might take longer than many think.
 
I want to like Zeller, but he scares me to death. He really struggled when he went up against players he own size or bigger (or more athletic), and he will be facing players like that almost every night in the NBA (evan at PF). He also showed almost no face up game in college (wasn't asked to), which means he may have to develop one the next couple of seasons. His skill level tells me he will find a niche in the NBA, but it might take longer than many think.
I'm a Zeller fan... if we're looking for upside then he's our guy imo. A skilled seven footer with an off the charts combine? And we might have a chance to get this guy at pick seven in a weak draft?? Could end up being a huge steal... the fact that he's a good, coachable kid sweetens the deal!
 
I'm a Zeller fan... if we're looking for upside then he's our guy imo. A skilled seven footer with an off the charts combine? And we might have a chance to get this guy at pick seven in a weak draft?? Could end up being a huge steal... the fact that he's a good, coachable kid sweetens the deal!
In every draft there are talented players that will go in the lottery that have a very high "bust risk". MCW, Zeller, and Muhammed all fall into that category IMO.
 
In every draft there are talented players that will go in the lottery that have a very high "bust risk". MCW, Zeller, and Muhammed all fall into that category IMO.
Agree with two of the three... I just can't see Zeller busting. He's a solid ten year guy at the minimum... Chris Bosh best case. That's just my take though... obviously everyone sees these guys thru a different lense.
 
What does Zeller do that we would benefit from? Does he bring anything new to the table? How is he going to make our team more dynamic? Is he going to be an all star level guy? Is he going to be better than JT? Why draft him? I honestly don't get it. When there will probably be guys like Adams and Burke still on the board why go and pick Zeller?
 

Kingster

Hall of Famer
Depends on what you mean by "another direction". It could mean looking for a replacement for Tyreke or it could mean looking for a backcourt mate for Tyreke. If that were the case AND they really do like Hardaway and Snell then it would mean Evans back at PG. We'll see.

But as for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope I'm a little surprised they haven't brought him in for a workout. I think he's more of a scorer who can shoot than a true shooter but still, he fits the mold of the other two guys to a large degree.
Good point.
 
What does Zeller do that we would benefit from? Does he bring anything new to the table? How is he going to make our team more dynamic? Is he going to be an all star level guy? Is he going to be better than JT? Why draft him? I honestly don't get it. When there will probably be guys like Adams and Burke still on the board why go and pick Zeller?
A big improvement over JT imo. 82games.com has the PF position as our weakest on the court last year netting a -4.8 per. If we draft Zeller what we'd be hoping to get is a young Chris Bosh... a guy that can score anywhere on the floor from 18ft and in. A PF that will shoot over 75% from the line. A guy that's tall enough and athletic enough to survive in this league defensively. A guy that can run the floor on the break as a 7 footer. He has a lot of potential... time will tell if he turns out to be a good player.

I'm all for Burke and am glad I don't have to make the decision if him, Zeller, and McCollum are all on the board at #7. Adams is a big heck no for me... just not a good enough basketball player to take ahead of some of these other guys that might be available.
 
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Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
A big improvement over JT imo. 82games.com has the PF position as our weakest on the court last year netting a -4.8 per. If we draft Zeller what we'd be hoping to get is a young Chris Bosh... a guy that can score anywhere on the floor from 18ft and in. A PF that will shoot over 75% from the line. A guy that's tall enough and athletic enough to survive in this league defensively. A guy that can run the floor on the break as a 7 footer. He has a lot of potential... time will tell if he turns out to be a good player.

I'm all for Burke and am glad I don't have to make the decision if him, Zeller, and McCollum are all on the board at #7. Adams is a big heck no for me... just not a good enough basketball player to take ahead of some of these other guys that might be available.
Just as likely could be the next Jason Smith.

Not sure about the Bosh thing, given that Bosh's defining characteristic has always been a facing jumper, from the baselines in his prime. That's the entire way he scored all those points. Certainly wasn't by muscling anybody with that weenie body.
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
A big improvement over JT imo. 82games.com has the PF position as our weakest on the court last year netting a -4.8 per. If we draft Zeller what we'd be hoping to get is a young Chris Bosh... a guy that can score anywhere on the floor from 18ft and in. A PF that will shoot over 75% from the line. A guy that's tall enough and athletic enough to survive in this league defensively. A guy that can run the floor on the break as a 7 footer. He has a lot of potential... time will tell if he turns out to be a good player.

I'm all for Burke and am glad I don't have to make the decision if him, Zeller, and McCollum are all on the board at #7. Adams is a big heck no for me... just not a good enough basketball player to take ahead of some of these other guys that might be available.
Does 82games.com measure defensive ability, hustle, and physical intimidation? I agree as to Zeller's offensive abilities but we already have an offensive force in Cousins. What we need is a defender, someone who doesn't yell "ole" when someone attacks the rim. I don't think Zeller is much of a defender and as to fitting on OUR team, he doesn't. Adams would be better. Adams is a preference as he provides a defensive preference. After a year of being preached at that we don't need any more offense, I still am perplexed that it is difficult that many people to understand. We need matching pieces. At this point we have a huge defensive hole in the front court. Every time Zeller's number is called is one less time that Cousins' number is called.

But we all know that or should. As has been pointed out many times, there is only one ball.
 

hrdboild

Moloch in whom I dream Angels!
Staff member
This is looking better and better for us. All we need to happen is for Len, Bennett, and Burke to get picked ahead of us and we're guaranteed one of Noel, McLemore, Oladipo, or Porter. I don't even care which one it is, all four of those guys would be great picks at #7. Len is almost certainly going in the top 5 it sounds like and everyone seems to be really high on Bennett as well. Even Burke isn't a bad pickup if he does fall to us.
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
This is looking better and better for us. All we need to happen is for Len, Bennett, and Burke to get picked ahead of us and we're guaranteed one of Noel, McLemore, Oladipo, or Porter. I don't even care which one it is, all four of those guys would be great picks at #7. Len is almost certainly going in the top 5 it sounds like and everyone seems to be really high on Bennett as well. Even Burke isn't a bad pickup if he does fall to us.
If these three are picked ahead of us, I will change my signature to whoever is left for us. The chance that someone falls to us is actually pretty good. I highly doubt it will be Porter but your point is well made. Something unexpected always happens in a draft and we have six teams before us who need to screw up and leave us with a pretty decent player.
 
This is looking better and better for us. All we need to happen is for Len, Bennett, and Burke to get picked ahead of us and we're guaranteed one of Noel, McLemore, Oladipo, or Porter. I don't even care which one it is, all four of those guys would be great picks at #7. Len is almost certainly going in the top 5 it sounds like and everyone seems to be really high on Bennett as well. Even Burke isn't a bad pickup if he does fall to us.
I just hope Bennett goes ahead of us, then I like the selection we will most likely have
 
Does 82games.com measure defensive ability, hustle, and physical intimidation? I agree as to Zeller's offensive abilities but we already have an offensive force in Cousins. What we need is a defender, someone who doesn't yell "ole" when someone attacks the rim. I don't think Zeller is much of a defender and as to fitting on OUR team, he doesn't. Adams would be better. Adams is a preference as he provides a defensive preference. After a year of being preached at that we don't need any more offense, I still am perplexed that it is difficult that many people to understand. We need matching pieces. At this point we have a huge defensive hole in the front court. Every time Zeller's number is called is one less time that Cousins' number is called.

But we all know that or should. As has been pointed out many times, there is only one ball.
I'm of a differing opinion than the majority on this board I guess. I'd love Ibaka at PF on this team but honestly even the Thunder struggled for offense at times in the playoffs when he was on the floor. I'm not 100% die hard about getting a defensive shot blocker at PF... I mean KG in his prime would be frickin unreal but I'm not as keen on requiring next to nothing on offense out of our PF as most I guess. I'm more into looking at the whole package... how good is the player overall. In my own personal opinion Zeller is >>>>>> Adams as a prospect. Not close enough to come down to giving Adams bonus points for being stronger on the defensive side of the ball.

Cousins may or may not be here long term. Cousins may or may not ever reach his potential. I mean what if at his best he's no better than Zach Randolf? And even if he ends up as the offensive monster we're all hoping I'm not sure an athletic 7 footer who can run the floor and hit the 18 footer is the worst fit next to him. This team needs talent... in the NBA the teams that win acquire talent one way or another and then figure out how to best play to their unique strengths and weaknesses. If we're drafting strictly based on the hope of attaining a player that fits a certain profile we could really end up regretting it in the long run.
 
This is looking better and better for us. All we need to happen is for Len, Bennett, and Burke to get picked ahead of us and we're guaranteed one of Noel, McLemore, Oladipo, or Porter. I don't even care which one it is, all four of those guys would be great picks at #7. Len is almost certainly going in the top 5 it sounds like and everyone seems to be really high on Bennett as well. Even Burke isn't a bad pickup if he does fall to us.
Burke's the wildcard I think... my best guess says all he's still on the board when we're picking.

But even if McLemore is available I dunno that I'm jumping for joy. What does that mean for Tyreke? Back to pg? McLemore and Tyreke is a sketchy backcourt offensively speaking... passing/ball handling is lacking there. I mean I'd be excited at the potential if that is the way we go but looking at it predraft I'm not sold.
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
Another interesting question is what if Bennett is the guy that slips? Do we take an undersized four a year after T-Rob busted for us?
Bennett is a better prospect than Zeller or Adams so I don't understand why you are asking. You already said you'd pick the best prospect and that is Bennett. Who cares if he doesn't fit with the team as you have already stated that doesn't make a difference.