Draft position thread
- Thread starter Big Cuz 15
- Start date
Somewhat different? To me, they are only similar in stature and alma mater. Williams seems to be a SF/PF tweener that got by being a scorer in college but seems to have no role in the NBA, as he couldn't even manage to be the scoring 6th man the Kings needed with Landry out and IT starting. Gordon could at least be a SF/PF tweener a la Marion in that, even if his offense doesn't develop, he can still get by with his defense.
While he looked great in the second half of the season after moving to PF position, Gordon's defense at SF wasn't impressive, plus he doesn't have Marion's length and elite second/third jumps. People really overestimate, how good Gordon can become, if he doesn't develop offensive skillset. Betting on coach's son, who is also the youngest player in the draft, not developing is a risky proposition though.
Williams didn't "get by" in college, he was a force of nature. His sophomore season he was the best player in college basketball and led his team within 2 pts of the Final 4 (though that draft year didn't produce a lot of top level talent, so I suppose it was a bit of a down year). Gordon is a terrific athlete and a smart defender who probably needs another year in college to work on his skills and prove that he's worthy of an NBA roster spot. Unfortunately, that's not the way this goes so it becomes a guessing game. There's a chance he develops into a very good player, but even very good college players have an uphill battle to becoming very good NBA players. I've still got him in the top 10 on potential but I don't really see how he fits on our team right now and there are certainly safer bets to make at that position in the draft.
Yeah, I suppose you both had valid points. Gordon and Williams are different players -- Williams is probably more SF than PF and the opposite with Gordon. And they have differing skill sets. I don't really see Gordon as a defensive roleplayer, but he has instincts that could prove valuable on that end if we're able to develop the rest of his game enough to keep him on the floor. But I also agree with andremiller07 to a certain extent that bringing in Aaron Gordon and trying to develop him and Williams at the same time seems like a stretch. If Rudy Gay leaves I can see making that attempt, but not with most of the SF minutes accounted for and neither Gordon nor Williams looking like a full-time PF.
Can I say "told you so"? Very strong, long, quick player, who showed massive improvement during his one year in college. It was obvious he will find his place in the League. Still very raw though, so he's only scratching the surface of his potential.
You look for those markers to be combined in a player. Unfortunately this year Vonleh didn't show big in-season improvement and Capela is pretty weak.
You look for those markers to be combined in a player. Unfortunately this year Vonleh didn't show big in-season improvement and Capela is pretty weak.
i liked him alot before the draft and was hoping they would take him with the pick. he's a bit raw which is why he slipped. however, hes shown some passing ability that wasn't highlighted before the draft. drummond was considered raw also but look how he turned out. they have the natural tools which you can't gain (IE thomas robinson). you can't just add 4" height to make yourself taller unless they are some thick ass soles.
hope they don't take gordon. he reeks of tweener like trob and dwill.
hope they don't take gordon. he reeks of tweener like trob and dwill.
Kristaps Porzingis just entered his name to the draft.. he gives out an AK47 feel with his blend of talents and shotblocking specialty with his size and length being able to play the 4.
Should definitely be a guy to look after if we trade down, he has loads of potential and is very young.
Obviously he's more of a work in progress and not someone to come in and contribute, but his potential makes it hard to look away - the way he moves his feet for his size and length is ridiculously.. he needs to add weight but his basketball instincts and god given physical stature are quite rare.
Should definitely be a guy to look after if we trade down, he has loads of potential and is very young.
Obviously he's more of a work in progress and not someone to come in and contribute, but his potential makes it hard to look away - the way he moves his feet for his size and length is ridiculously.. he needs to add weight but his basketball instincts and god given physical stature are quite rare.
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I'm more inclined to trade the pick. Whether it is to obtain a veteran, rid ourselves of Landry, or trade down for two picks.
Playing the odds, I don't see us in the top 3, so we will be picking 7. Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, Exum, Randle, and Vonleh will likely all be gone. If they are, I'm open to trading the pick. I like the idea of dumping Landry with the 7th pick and picking up two mid-first round picks. Phoenix or Chicago could be possible trading partners.
7th pick
Landry
for
14th pick
18th pick (or if they don't want to give up the 18th, we can try the 27th and 50th pick)
Then you go ahead and draft a tandem of Payton and Harris/Stauskas/Anderson/Young/Saric/Hood/Robinson III/Capela depending on who falls to you. Renegotiate Gay's contract, resign Thomas to $5 mil a year, offer Davis or Hill the MLE, sing a C to the vet minimum, and you're on your way to building a competitive team.
PG - McCallum(Payton)/Thomas/Payton(McCallum)
SG - McLemore/Robinson III/Terry
SF - Gay/Williams/Outlaw
PF - Davis/Evans/Acy
C - Cousins/Thompson/(Aldrich or Gray)
With McCallum/Payton and Davis in the starting lineup, the defense should be better. Now we just need to hope McLemore progresses on the defensive side and we should be looking solid defensively on the perimeter.
Playing the odds, I don't see us in the top 3, so we will be picking 7. Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, Exum, Randle, and Vonleh will likely all be gone. If they are, I'm open to trading the pick. I like the idea of dumping Landry with the 7th pick and picking up two mid-first round picks. Phoenix or Chicago could be possible trading partners.
7th pick
Landry
for
14th pick
18th pick (or if they don't want to give up the 18th, we can try the 27th and 50th pick)
Then you go ahead and draft a tandem of Payton and Harris/Stauskas/Anderson/Young/Saric/Hood/Robinson III/Capela depending on who falls to you. Renegotiate Gay's contract, resign Thomas to $5 mil a year, offer Davis or Hill the MLE, sing a C to the vet minimum, and you're on your way to building a competitive team.
PG - McCallum(Payton)/Thomas/Payton(McCallum)
SG - McLemore/Robinson III/Terry
SF - Gay/Williams/Outlaw
PF - Davis/Evans/Acy
C - Cousins/Thompson/(Aldrich or Gray)
With McCallum/Payton and Davis in the starting lineup, the defense should be better. Now we just need to hope McLemore progresses on the defensive side and we should be looking solid defensively on the perimeter.
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Ideally, you would want to add veteran players, but you can't always get what you wish for. If Thomas leaves, the backcourt is our biggest weakness.
We don't have cap space to sign any free agents. We can offer the MLE and veteran minimum contracts. Payton and Robinson III at least help the depth and can provide more adequate talent than players we would get at the veteran minimum. I would prefer to use the MLE on Davis or Hill if we could since they are good compliments to Cousins. That leaves us with a player we got for the veteran minimum or a mid-first round rookie to help out our backcourt.
After the draft, you can always look to trade some of your players for some more vets in your backcourt, but as far as the draft goes, I would prefer to shed Landry's contract and pick up two first rounders while doing so. After the draft we can reassess and look to trade some of our guys for more established vets.
We don't have cap space to sign any free agents. We can offer the MLE and veteran minimum contracts. Payton and Robinson III at least help the depth and can provide more adequate talent than players we would get at the veteran minimum. I would prefer to use the MLE on Davis or Hill if we could since they are good compliments to Cousins. That leaves us with a player we got for the veteran minimum or a mid-first round rookie to help out our backcourt.
After the draft, you can always look to trade some of your players for some more vets in your backcourt, but as far as the draft goes, I would prefer to shed Landry's contract and pick up two first rounders while doing so. After the draft we can reassess and look to trade some of our guys for more established vets.