As I've stated before, Lyles is one of my favorite players in the draft. I looked at him as one of those glue guys that held everything together. Good size at 6'10" with a decent wingspan. A good athlete, but not an elite athlete. Good at everything, but not great an anything. Good BBIQ, player who made good plays at the right time. Unfortunately he got overshadowed by Stein and Towns. Turner is the dark horse. Wasn't used properly at Texas, and I question his athleticism. He doesn't get up and down the court that well, and he's not an explosive leaper. But he is a very very good shotblocker with good instinctive timing. He has good shooting touch inside 20 feet, but he only shot a shade over 27% from the three. And were talking about the college three. But with a lot of work, I can see him becoming a pretty good three point shooter. Cauley-Stein is the best athlete of the three, and might be the best athlete in the draft. Lyles is the most skilled of the three, but doesn't excell in any one thing. Turner could end up being the best player of the three, but he's shown less on the court of the three. He's the mystery man.
2015 Draft Prospects:
- Thread starter bajaden
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It's not that they don't need size, but they are dying without shooting. They might jump through hoops to acquire Hezonja and put him next to MKG in a couple of years. Winslow and Johnson can play next to MKG as well. Plus Vonleh isn't dead as he had some burn late in the season. Hornets have Zeller as well.
I think a playoff team at the end of the 1st round will take a chance on him. Even though it's a guaranteed contract, at that point of the draft it's a low cost risk, especially with the salary cap about to balloon. I think Dallas has a lot of work to do this offseason and won't be gambling on him but beyond their pick I could legitimately see anyone from Chicago at #22 to Golden State at #30 taking a flyer on him.
Unless teams really get bad vibes from his predraft interviews I think he'll be a first rounder and if he can stay on the straight and narrow, a pretty effective backup center and spot starter.
Unless teams really get bad vibes from his predraft interviews I think he'll be a first rounder and if he can stay on the straight and narrow, a pretty effective backup center and spot starter.
As I mentioned in another thread, NBA.com has an article where they claim to be hearing that he will go top 5 and possibly top 3.
If he were to reach his ceiling he seems like an ideal fit next to Cuz, but (1) I have serious doubts about whether he'll reach his ceiling (2) his body, especially those narrow shoulders, concerns me and (3) I think he'll take a few years to develop regardless and we have an unhappy Boogie right now.
Unless Vlade & co are thinking about moving Cousins (and they shouldn't be) then I don't think you can afford to draft Porzingis.
If he were to reach his ceiling he seems like an ideal fit next to Cuz, but (1) I have serious doubts about whether he'll reach his ceiling (2) his body, especially those narrow shoulders, concerns me and (3) I think he'll take a few years to develop regardless and we have an unhappy Boogie right now.
Unless Vlade & co are thinking about moving Cousins (and they shouldn't be) then I don't think you can afford to draft Porzingis.
It just shows you kind of how weak the SG position is becoming. Also tells you that this SG class is kind of weak.. Even with that being said, Booker has potential to be a lights out shooter like Klay or just a role player like Reddick(first few years). Any team that needs a SG should probably draft him or RJ Hunter no matter where they're drafting(except inside*of top 5).
I agree, I think a playoff team will take a flyer on him. However, I don't think that team will be Dallas. They have way too many needs on that team to be taking a defensive C. I think if he reaches 2nd round, we should trade for him.
I agree, I think a playoff team will take a flyer on him. However, I don't think that team will be Dallas. They have way too many needs on that team to be taking a defensive C. I think if he reaches 2nd round, we should trade for him.
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To be fair, very few people had Klay Thompson pegged as a future star. Booker is probably the one sweet shooting SG with the most potential to be more than a role player. Hunter's mechanics and his frame concern me.
And that was my point. Dallas won't gamble. But after that there's a run of 9 teams that all could be willing to gamble on him in the first round.
And that was my point. Dallas won't gamble. But after that there's a run of 9 teams that all could be willing to gamble on him in the first round.
Should've known better by now, than to look at reach numbers, before verticals are in: most guys with short arms yesterday suddenly started flying today. 
Anderson, Connaughton, Young and a few others in more subtle way.
Anderson, Connaughton, Young and a few others in more subtle way.
I've liked Justin Anderson for a long time. The question looming about him, as you probably know, is which Justin Anderson is the real one. The one that shot 33% from the three his first two years, or the one that shot 44% from the three his past season? Finally, whats not to like about Mighty Joe Young. I always thought he should have gotten a little more press, but I guess his age, and the question of what position does he play are factors.
Booker is a good defender, and for a huge part of Kentuckys season, he was their best offensive player. He might be the best shooter in the draft. Trust me, he has a very good mid-range game. A lot of scouts compare him to Klay Thompson. I can see a little bit of that. It remains to be seen if he can defend at the NBA level, but he just set the all time record at the combine in on of the agility drills.
With Justin Anderson getting his hype train going by slouching a bit, he might take a place, that was "reserved" for RHJ before. Given that Rondae only talked about his defense in the interviews, I guess, he hasn't started hitting outside shots just yet. Looks like excellent time to steal one of the best athletes in this draft, who can actually play.
If not that, then acquire a 2nd round pick from Philly. There's no way in hell they use all those picks. Then use the pick on someone like Connaughton who is a terrific athlete and a very good outside shooter. Or, if take a shot at Jefferson if he slides to you. There are going to be some players with upside in the second round. Hell, even Upshaw might be there. I wouldn't have a problem taking him in the 2nd round. Right now, I think his future is iffy. Some playoff team might gamble on him at the bottom of the first. But its more likely that he'll get taken in the 2nd round where there's no guaranteed contract.
It would be a surprise if Jefferson is taken in the 2nd round, but I guess his damm outside shot is coming back to haunt him. I'd grab him in a second in the 2nd round. The 2nd round is starting to get crowded, with players like Christmas and Connaughton making their case. There's been a little talk about Dawson as well, but I'm not very high on him. Another player that should be considered in the 2nd round is the french kid Jaiteh. He's really improved his body. Still raw, and needs at least another year in europe, but he has a lot of upside. I was disappointed in Qualls. Great athlete, but he didn't show much in the games. Christmas impressed me with his newly found outside shot. I wonder if he can continue to shoot like that. He's a little slow on the release, but hey, he hit all of them. Kudo's to him.
I think Payne is one of those guys that a lot of teams are going to regret passing on. It's interesting when you think about some of the top PG's in the NBA, and where they went to school. A lot of them have come from mid-major schools, and yet, the continue to get overlooked to some extent. All of a sudden the world discovered Dellavedova the other night. But anyone that watched him play at St. Mary's knew what a tough kid he was, and if anyone was paying attention this past summer when the USA team was playing the Aussie team, Dellavedova did a great job guarding anyone the US put on the floor.
Anyway, I used a lot of words to say I agree with you. Coming away with both WCS and Payne would make me very very happy. Payne had a great interview by the way for anyone who didn't see it.
Anyway, I used a lot of words to say I agree with you. Coming away with both WCS and Payne would make me very very happy. Payne had a great interview by the way for anyone who didn't see it.
RHJ is not going to drop into 2nd round, but I think, he might end up #6 SF on many team's boards, so he likely isn't cracking top20. And there are two teams (Toronto and Dallas) at #21, 22, who under pressure to get contributors and might not want a rookie, who needs to be developed.
Once people realize, that Tyus Jones is the second-coming of Trey Burke, Payne will move to the fringe of the lottery by default, so it will be pretty costly to acquire him.
Qualls is not a good lateral athlete. Anyone picking him in the first round is making a mistake.
Once people realize, that Tyus Jones is the second-coming of Trey Burke, Payne will move to the fringe of the lottery by default, so it will be pretty costly to acquire him.
Qualls is not a good lateral athlete. Anyone picking him in the first round is making a mistake.
Naw, I've never had Qualls in the first round. He's a good athlete, but on a team where he was the second option, he never really made a case for himself. I think Jones will be a nice solid backup PG for somebody, but I don't see him as a starting PG. So I agree with you. The question is who will be the third PG taken, Payne, or Grant. I like both, but I have Payne ahead of Grant. Just my personal taste. Like I said, I'd be surprised if Jefferson slides into the 2nd round. But that's the rumor I'm hearing, for what that's worth.
Yeah, the really intriguing thing with Payne is that he is a good shooter who also has good court vision/passing. Most PGs come in with one or the other and here he's got a great foundation for both which also happen to be two areas that the Kings need a lot of improvement. He'd also have a shot at my ideal scenario of a young PG to groom behind DC for a season or so before he supplants Collison and makes DC an elite backup PG. The biggest knocks on Payne are level of competition (which doesn't bother me in the slightest) and his body/athleticism. As for his frame, he's built almost exactly like Jeff Teague when Teague came into the league so I'm not all that worried there. But of course he doesn't have the rocket boosters that Teague does and he's not a blow by athlete but then neither are Curry or Lillard. He's certainly not at the level Curry was coming out of school as a shooter or a scorer and he's probably a step down from Lillard as a shooter and not quite the athlete either. But he's a better and more natural passer than either of those guys. Outside of Russell he's my favorite PG in this draft, especially in terms of how he'd fit on the Kings.
Unfortunately I don't think the Kings have the assets to get the second pick to get him. Not unless they get lucky in the lottery with the 2nd or 3rd pick and Towns is off the board. Then I'd try to do some wheeling and dealing.
Unfortunately I don't think the Kings have the assets to get the second pick to get him. Not unless they get lucky in the lottery with the 2nd or 3rd pick and Towns is off the board. Then I'd try to do some wheeling and dealing.
Payne is not a clearly better prospect, than Darren was, let alone replacing Collison after 1 year in the NBA. Even elite talents at PG take time to adapt to NBA, and Payne is not an imposing player - really improved as a sophomore, just like Darren, but still he's not drawing fouls or shooting really well, and he was relying on 3s more than guys like Collison or Teague did in college.
Rondae still on the board past #25 is just stupid: his ability to cut, drive, draw fouls and pass is enough to find minutes off the bench, even if he was an average defender - comparable to first half of last season Casspi - and he will be above average towards the end of his rookie season already. Can defend both swing positions, some combo-guards and stretch 4s. And shot will come in 2-3 years - at least up to 33-35%, where Kawhi's is hovering right now.
Btw just noticed the fact, that Arizona was ridiculously good at drawing fouls. It was obvious watching them, but I didn't think numbers were this good - their FT rate was .471. Even Kentucky was not close at .439, while Duke was at .398 and other elite schools closer to .350. Point is assist numbers of Arizona players were suppressed by lack of shooters and abundance of transition points and FTs, which makes TJ McConnells numbers 11 assists/4 TOs, plus 7 steals over 41 minutes of play during Combine look not that surprising. His per 100 possessions numbers of 20.5 points, 12.4 assists, 4.3 steals and 4.0 TOs, plus career .380 from 3pt rather impressive even for 23 y.o. senior. Given his defense I would definitely take him as 3rd string PG over the other 2 youngsters under contracts with Kings - simply an excellent floor manager.
Rondae still on the board past #25 is just stupid: his ability to cut, drive, draw fouls and pass is enough to find minutes off the bench, even if he was an average defender - comparable to first half of last season Casspi - and he will be above average towards the end of his rookie season already. Can defend both swing positions, some combo-guards and stretch 4s. And shot will come in 2-3 years - at least up to 33-35%, where Kawhi's is hovering right now.
Btw just noticed the fact, that Arizona was ridiculously good at drawing fouls. It was obvious watching them, but I didn't think numbers were this good - their FT rate was .471. Even Kentucky was not close at .439, while Duke was at .398 and other elite schools closer to .350. Point is assist numbers of Arizona players were suppressed by lack of shooters and abundance of transition points and FTs, which makes TJ McConnells numbers 11 assists/4 TOs, plus 7 steals over 41 minutes of play during Combine look not that surprising. His per 100 possessions numbers of 20.5 points, 12.4 assists, 4.3 steals and 4.0 TOs, plus career .380 from 3pt rather impressive even for 23 y.o. senior. Given his defense I would definitely take him as 3rd string PG over the other 2 youngsters under contracts with Kings - simply an excellent floor manager.
LOL @ Jason Jones. It's not the picks that are funny, it's the reasoning.
6. Kings, KristapsPorzingis, 7-0, PF, Latvia: The Kings’ quest to add more shooting continues. Though Porzingis might not help immediately, his size, shooting and athleticism are qualities the Kings want as they remake the roster again.
8. Pistons, Willie Cauley-Stein, 7-0, C, Kentucky: The junior’s game on the defensive end already might be ready for the NBA. If the Pistons lose Greg Monroe in free agency, Cauley-Stein could fill a need immediately.
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article21204156.html
6. Kings, KristapsPorzingis, 7-0, PF, Latvia: The Kings’ quest to add more shooting continues. Though Porzingis might not help immediately, his size, shooting and athleticism are qualities the Kings want as they remake the roster again.
8. Pistons, Willie Cauley-Stein, 7-0, C, Kentucky: The junior’s game on the defensive end already might be ready for the NBA. If the Pistons lose Greg Monroe in free agency, Cauley-Stein could fill a need immediately.
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article21204156.html
