De'Aaron Fox:
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I want to agree with you but I can't. The earliest Fox can go is #2. And I've said this since March Madness. I can make the rational argument for Ball to the Lakers and have. But just as reasonable counterargument is once the draft is over the hype and promise gives way to reality. It doesn't matter that Ball is a hometown kid with the Magic-like unselfishness if he doesn't have the game to back it up. This is what Magic is debating internally. All the Laker fans want Ball. But I think Magic is immune to this external pressure. What the fans really want is to win and they want excitement. What they really want is a competitive team. If Magic deems Fox as the more strategic decision towards this outcome he will be the pick.
It worries me and I think it should worry every Kings fan wanting Fox that not only did Fox outshine Ball on the court in the biggest game of their careers, a game Magic witnessed in person, he outshines him off the court. He met Magic today and I think that besides impressing with his poise and intelligence, Fox also impressed with his competitiveness. This is what will appeal to Magic as much as some kid being from southern California. That fierce competitiveness is what made Magic great. I am not saying Ball is not a competitor, but the dude does strike me as rather laid back and did not fight vs Kentucky when he was getting schooled. I said right after the lottery the Kings odds of landing Fox were about 50/50. I have not come off that by too much. I think if the Lakers pass on Fox our odds to land him jump to 90/10. There is a 60/40 chance the Lakers take Ball and a 90/10 chance both the 76ers and Suns pass on Fox.
60% * 90% = 54% odds we get Fox. That's advanced analytics right there.
It worries me and I think it should worry every Kings fan wanting Fox that not only did Fox outshine Ball on the court in the biggest game of their careers, a game Magic witnessed in person, he outshines him off the court. He met Magic today and I think that besides impressing with his poise and intelligence, Fox also impressed with his competitiveness. This is what will appeal to Magic as much as some kid being from southern California. That fierce competitiveness is what made Magic great. I am not saying Ball is not a competitor, but the dude does strike me as rather laid back and did not fight vs Kentucky when he was getting schooled. I said right after the lottery the Kings odds of landing Fox were about 50/50. I have not come off that by too much. I think if the Lakers pass on Fox our odds to land him jump to 90/10. There is a 60/40 chance the Lakers take Ball and a 90/10 chance both the 76ers and Suns pass on Fox.
60% * 90% = 54% odds we get Fox. That's advanced analytics right there.
Hope you're right. This could actually put the Kings in a scenario where they can take Fox 5th and then try to trade up for Jayson Tatum.
They'd be crazy to take Lonzo over Josh Jackson, it doesn't add up. I'm not buying that they'll take Lonzo #2 whatsoever.
Josh Jackson is a perfect fit with many of the key cogs of their young core, honestly I've been saying that since before last years draft when it was pretty much a given they were taking Ingram.
Only way they take Lonzo is if they have a godfather deal in place to ship out D'Angelo Russell
They'd be crazy to take Lonzo over Josh Jackson, it doesn't add up. I'm not buying that they'll take Lonzo #2 whatsoever.
Josh Jackson is a perfect fit with many of the key cogs of their young core, honestly I've been saying that since before last years draft when it was pretty much a given they were taking Ingram.
Only way they take Lonzo is if they have a godfather deal in place to ship out D'Angelo Russell
If the Lakers pick Fox, then there's a fair chance the Kings can pick Ball which would not be a bad thing. Also it would mean the Kings might have a better chance at Josh Jackson. Unfortunately some of these players in this draft will wind up being average NBA players - its a statistical likelihood. If Fox is taken, Ball or Smith Jr would be fine by me. I also like the idea of taking Zach Collins for interior defense/blocking at 10 too - you can't teach timing/reactions like that. Watching his highlights, with moderate to high NBA minutes, he could very well be a top 10 league shot blocker - quite desirable.
He's not my first choice and he may not be ideal for this Kings group, but if others aren't there, no problem imo. He's the best transition-game guard in the draft. Think it would be funny if he was drafted by the Kings but wonder if he might try to hold-out thanks to his pops. Not much longer until draft day.
Hold out to do what? Play overseas?
Lavar Ball knows his "brand" only grows if Lonzo succeeds.
It's also why I'm sure he was totally fine with that Footlocker ad where Lonzo rips Lavar's antics. Lavar accomplished what he wanted with his outlandish statements. He got attention for himself, but more importantly he got attention for Lonzo. When that attention became decidedly negative Lavar stepped back (when was the last time we heard from him?) and has likely been all for things like that Footlocker ad that repaint Lonzo in a different light.
He'll go to whatever team drafts him and play well. After all, if the Lakers decide to pass on Ball after his camp/dad made it abundantly clear that was where they wanted him to play, then why would they fight to go to a team that overlooked Lonzo?
I don't think Ball makes it past Philly. And if somehow he did I think Phoenix would take him. A team full of young athletic kids run by a guy who is a genius in transition?
I'd be really, really surprised if Ball fell to #5.
Lavar Ball knows his "brand" only grows if Lonzo succeeds.
It's also why I'm sure he was totally fine with that Footlocker ad where Lonzo rips Lavar's antics. Lavar accomplished what he wanted with his outlandish statements. He got attention for himself, but more importantly he got attention for Lonzo. When that attention became decidedly negative Lavar stepped back (when was the last time we heard from him?) and has likely been all for things like that Footlocker ad that repaint Lonzo in a different light.
He'll go to whatever team drafts him and play well. After all, if the Lakers decide to pass on Ball after his camp/dad made it abundantly clear that was where they wanted him to play, then why would they fight to go to a team that overlooked Lonzo?
I don't think Ball makes it past Philly. And if somehow he did I think Phoenix would take him. A team full of young athletic kids run by a guy who is a genius in transition?
I'd be really, really surprised if Ball fell to #5.
I really dont care whether it goes Ball,Jackson at 2 and 3 , or Jackson,Ball
It really comes down to Phoenix. If they take Tatum or Isaac, we are gonna get Fox, If they take fox and load up at PG, then we are gonna take Tatum or Isaac
Unless big trades change the top 5
If Phoenix tries to bluff and leak Fox rumors to get something from Vlade, Dont cave in Vlade!! Dont give them anything (Except maybe #34)
Take a contract from Portland (for #15 or #20) Package with ten to move up to get either a PG or SF depending on the 5 pick
- because #10 will not get another Future starter at PG/SF
It really comes down to Phoenix. If they take Tatum or Isaac, we are gonna get Fox, If they take fox and load up at PG, then we are gonna take Tatum or Isaac
Unless big trades change the top 5
If Phoenix tries to bluff and leak Fox rumors to get something from Vlade, Dont cave in Vlade!! Dont give them anything (Except maybe #34)
Take a contract from Portland (for #15 or #20) Package with ten to move up to get either a PG or SF depending on the 5 pick
- because #10 will not get another Future starter at PG/SF
Not sure I'd want Monk at 10 but I could see the draft falling this way:
https://sethsdrafthouse.com/mockdraft/home
https://sethsdrafthouse.com/mockdraft/home
Yeah, I don't know about that pick, but in general I agree with Vecenie on a lot this draft. Funny, because in the past that definitely hasn't always been the case.
His line that Isaac is "a high floor player masquerading as an upside pick" perfectly sums up my feelings on Isaac. It's not that Isaac doesn't have upside, he definitely does, but I don't view him as a raw project with unlimited potential. I think he's going to make an impact defensively very soon. Also his tendency to be passive and defer makes me wonder if he can reach his ceiling. I think he's a very valuable player in today's NBA regardless. And he'd fit well with Chriss and Bender as a front court that can switch everything, pass, shoot etc.
He and I also see Monk similarly. That he's an Eddie House or Lou Williams type player off the bench but likely not a starter unless he can really transition to the point or maybe if he gets drafted by Philadelphia.
His line that Isaac is "a high floor player masquerading as an upside pick" perfectly sums up my feelings on Isaac. It's not that Isaac doesn't have upside, he definitely does, but I don't view him as a raw project with unlimited potential. I think he's going to make an impact defensively very soon. Also his tendency to be passive and defer makes me wonder if he can reach his ceiling. I think he's a very valuable player in today's NBA regardless. And he'd fit well with Chriss and Bender as a front court that can switch everything, pass, shoot etc.
He and I also see Monk similarly. That he's an Eddie House or Lou Williams type player off the bench but likely not a starter unless he can really transition to the point or maybe if he gets drafted by Philadelphia.
https://www.sbnation.com/2017/6/14/...ac-nba-draft-workout-rumor-suns-celtics-magic
This rumor supports the Isaac to the suns in the mock. Hopefully suns promised him at 4 and it leaves us fox. Then vlade and the kings break our hearts and draft Tatum
This rumor supports the Isaac to the suns in the mock. Hopefully suns promised him at 4 and it leaves us fox. Then vlade and the kings break our hearts and draft Tatum
I raised this possibility a couple of years ago. Ideally, Kings would want to walk away with a PG and SF from this draft but if you are top 10, you have to take the best talent available which in this case could very well be Monk at 10. Even though Kings have an abundance of SGs, Monk might be too good a prospect to pass up at 10. Certainly better than others that are likely to be available there.
This of course creates a log jam where you potentially decrease the value of your SG assets.
This of course creates a log jam where you potentially decrease the value of your SG assets.
Im going to keep stressing this all off-season but...
positional
flexibility.
I think that's the biggest advantage we have as a core right now. Temple can play 1-3. Bogdan should be able to play 1-3. Malachi 2-3. Buddy is probably the most landlocked of these guys, but I'd be fine giving him a chance to run some PG after the ball-handling he showed us last year.
I think Monk absolutely can play PG for stretches, his ball-handling and creativity off the dribble are both excellent. Like Steel said, use him like Harden is first couple season, Lou Williams, Jamal Crawford type of role; where his position is "SG" but he runs the bench offense. I think what most people are trying to figure out is if he can transition to a 35 MPG PG and be a scoring guard in the vein of a Dame Lillard type of player.
With that said, I would not be mad at all if we took him at 10 and paired him with Fox. We know the play incredibly well together and there's easily 30 MPG a piece between Monk/Fox/Buddy to play. That's a ton of firepower in the back-court and a trio that can all compliment each other really well, in addition to Bogdan on top.
Fox || Monk || Temple
Buddy || Monk || Temple
Bogdan || Temple
I can dig it. Loads of shooting/length and playmaking ability from all 3 spots. Would be absolutely deadly in transition too.
positional
flexibility.
I think that's the biggest advantage we have as a core right now. Temple can play 1-3. Bogdan should be able to play 1-3. Malachi 2-3. Buddy is probably the most landlocked of these guys, but I'd be fine giving him a chance to run some PG after the ball-handling he showed us last year.
I think Monk absolutely can play PG for stretches, his ball-handling and creativity off the dribble are both excellent. Like Steel said, use him like Harden is first couple season, Lou Williams, Jamal Crawford type of role; where his position is "SG" but he runs the bench offense. I think what most people are trying to figure out is if he can transition to a 35 MPG PG and be a scoring guard in the vein of a Dame Lillard type of player.
With that said, I would not be mad at all if we took him at 10 and paired him with Fox. We know the play incredibly well together and there's easily 30 MPG a piece between Monk/Fox/Buddy to play. That's a ton of firepower in the back-court and a trio that can all compliment each other really well, in addition to Bogdan on top.
Fox || Monk || Temple
Buddy || Monk || Temple
Bogdan || Temple
I can dig it. Loads of shooting/length and playmaking ability from all 3 spots. Would be absolutely deadly in transition too.
Bogdan is not a SF, nor is he a PG. I have seen more of Bogdan, both live and on TV more tha probably this whole board combined. Followed him from under age basketball. He is just not going to play PG (especially defensively) and he is not a SF although he mighe be able to pinch some minutes in 3 guard line up. He is a bit of a ball handling SG. He doesn't have the positional flexibility as people here are suggesting.
Excellent post. If they can land Fox and Monk it'd be precisely what you're talking about. Monk needs time and a lot of work to get to playing as a passable PG but I wouldn't rule it out.
Malik Monk (and Bam Adebayo) commited to UK right after Fox, they were waiting to be sure they were playing with him, it's one of the reasons Coach Cal dubbed De'Aaron "The General".
They really do work quite well together, Fox is able to get the defense out of position/on their heels/draw help quickly and Monk is a great option to kick it to once that happens.
Malik Monk (and Bam Adebayo) commited to UK right after Fox, they were waiting to be sure they were playing with him, it's one of the reasons Coach Cal dubbed De'Aaron "The General".
They really do work quite well together, Fox is able to get the defense out of position/on their heels/draw help quickly and Monk is a great option to kick it to once that happens.
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