Following Potential *2024* Draftees

[The_Jamal]

yeah kind of like we heard Davion could guard the 3 after Monte drafted him? Not to mention Dort has long players around him.

So you think Lu Dort's success as a versatile mult-position defender is because he has long players around him? Really?

What does one off-hand comment Monte made (that's never played out on the court btw, even though you love to bring this up to take digs at Monte), have to do with Iowa thinking Carter could guard up like Dort can? Maybe respond with why you think he can't? That'd actually be a productive discussion.

 

[The_Jamal]

if we draft Carter I have 100 charity bet we are back in the lottery next year and I pay my bets.

Booked.

Stipulation: Carter has to be in the rotation, or this bet is pointless. 42 games minimum, 12 MPG.

 

[The_Jamal]

To be fair, Carter did measure with a longer wingspan than Ellis (6’8.75” vs. 6’8.5”) so let’s not pretend like “length” is only defined by standing reach.

It’s also worth noting that Carter’s vertical was much better than what Ellis posted which I think is a complementary data point to consider when looking at standing reach.

For example, Carter measured with a 8’2” standing reach, 35” standing vertical, and 42” max vertical. That means at a standstill, Carter’s hand can get up to 11’1” to contest a shot, and with a running start, Carter’s hand can get up to 11’8” to contest a shot.

Now let’s consider Keon who measured with a 8’6” standing reach, 28” standing vertical, and 35.5” max vertical. That means at a standstill, Keon’s hand can get up to 10’10” to contest a shot, and with a running start, Keon’s hand can get up to 11’5.5”.

As you can see, Carter can technically contest shots at a higher point than Ellis which helps negate the difference in standing reach while at the same time having a longer wingspan which is more important for deflections, playing the passing lanes, stripping players, disrupting ball handlers, etc.

Then you add to the fact that Carter has been an excellent rebounder for his position in college and will likely be a better rebounder than Ellis and it makes his shorter height/standing reach) less of an issue.

Then you add to the fact that Carter weighed in 26 lbs heavier than Ellis and it helps negate that height that much more as it allows him to bang with stronger players without being moved off of his spot.

But despite Carter having 26 lbs on Ellis, his agility/quickness/speed tests were better as well:

Lane Agility
Devin Carter = 10.63 sec
Keon Ellis = 10.87 sec

Shuttle Run
Devin Carter = 2.90 sec
Keon Ellis = 3.02 sec

3/4 Sprint
Devin Carter = 2.87 sec
Keon Ellis = 3.18 sec


So what do we potentially have in Carter? A defender who is quicker, faster, and stronger than Ellis who technically can contest shots at a higher point in the air than Ellis and will very likely be a better rebounder than Ellis. Now does that mean that Carter will be the better player or defender? Of course not. But I wouldn’t be surprised (and that’s coming from a guy that loves Ellis).

You know what they say, having 2 Keon Ellis's is never a good thing because they're 6'3

 

[SacTownKid]

You know what they say, having 2 Keon Ellis's is never a good thing because they're 6'3

And the thing is it's like, they are both actually considered to have good length anyway. I mean, I can see shying away from one of the G's with more PG sized length like Mccain or Sheppard but Carter isn't that. No, he's not a 6'8" wing, but dudes far from a stub haha.

 

[sactowndog]

Booked.

Stipulation: Carter has to be in the rotation, or this bet is pointless. 42 games minimum, 12 MPG.

fair

 

[sactowndog]

So you think Lu Dort's success as a versatile mult-position defender is because he has long players around him? Really?

What does one off-hand comment Monte made (that's never played out on the court btw, even though you love to bring this up to take digs at Monte), have to do with Iowa thinking Carter could guard up like Dort can? Maybe respond with why you think he can't? That'd actually be a productive discussion.

yes. Because it allows him to cover quicker guards and let longer players be covered by Williams or SGA.

I think Dort and Carter would both guard generally the same kind of player Ellis guards. I looking to fill the gap against larger wings

 

[SacTownKid]

yes. Because it allows him to cover quicker guards and let longer players be covered by Williams or SGA.

I think Dort and Carter would both guard generally the same kind of player Ellis guards. I looking to fill the gap against larger wings

Ellis simply doesn't have the physicality of Dort or Carter even though both Fox and Ellis will do their best. Fox actually appears to be pretty special when players try and bully him though, he's way stronger than the looks. Brown brought up the lack of physicality so many times it was getting annoying, haha. The only clip needed is the one where Carter is bowling through the lane and knocks his own center out of the way to the rim. That's power and no, the Kings don't have that regardless of position. I think the need for someone that can create that kind of chaos at the rim offensively is a far bigger need and would help take a ton of pressure off of Fox.

 

[midtowner]

Carter’s size if very similar to Gary Payton II. If the Kings could draft a GP2 with a 3pt shot, I’m all for it.

My view on this draft is that the Kings need to go for physicality. Carter, Edey, Knecht (and maybe Tyler Smith) play tough and would all put pressure on the rim.

I love me some Furphy - but I don’t think the Kings can wait for someone to grow into their bodies (unless Monte thinks he’s found a star).

 

[sactowndog]

Ellis simply doesn't have the physicality of Dort or Carter even though both Fox and Ellis will do their best. Fox actually appears to be pretty special when players try and bully him though, he's way stronger than the looks. Brown brought up the lack of physicality so many times it was getting annoying, haha. The only clip needed is the one where Carter is bowling through the lane and knocks his own center out of the way to the rim. That's power and no, the Kings don't have that regardless of position. I think the need for someone that can create that kind of chaos at the rim offensively is a far bigger need and would help take a ton of pressure off of Fox.

yeah well OKC put Wallace on Luka and not Dort because Wallace was longer. I love Dort but I would guess OKC looks to get longer at his spot. Dort will go to the bench and could well be gone when his contract is up.

 

[SacTownKid]

yeah well OKC put Wallace on Luka and not Dort because Wallace was longer. I love Dort but I would guess OKC looks to get longer at his spot. Dort will go to the bench and could well be gone when his contract is up.

And if Dort had the potential tools Carter does offensively it might be a different story. Carter is a good defender, I think that's going to be something that translates. How far he guards up, who knows. Every matchup is different. Carter isn't just a defensive specialist. It's the 2 way play that makes him so interesting. Fact is, there are plenty of examples of players his size playing multiple positions so it's very possible. Either way, it's the whole package you draft someone like that for, not just defense. If he pans out, possible starter/star, if not, good defender energy guy off your bench that can run some offense for a team and draw contact.

 

[serbiangoat]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1790451334908424703

Been telling people about Djura for ages really poor mans Booker mixed with really poor mans Luka is a fine player. He killed it in the scrimmage today had like 3 dunks in the halfcourt where he blew by his man and crushed it and showed the playmaking/still super flat shot as well I think just in terms of raw potential he's got a higher upside than both Jovic/Topic (just like Poku did imo but obviously that did not work out). I just don't think he has the elite motor but like Topic does which is freakish which does make him a boom/bust type similar to Poku.

 

[funkykingston]

Been telling people about Djura for ages really poor mans Booker mixed with really poor mans Luka is a fine player. He killed it in the scrimmage today had like 3 dunks in the halfcourt where he blew by his man and crushed it and showed the playmaking/still super flat shot as well I think just in terms of raw potential he's got a higher upside than both Jovic/Topic (just like Poku did imo but obviously that did not work out). I just don't think he has the elite motor but like Topic does which is freakish which does make him a boom/bust type similar to Poku.

I've liked Djurisic for a long time. I was hoping he could be a trade up target in the early 2nd, but I think he's working his way into the first round. Booker is a decent comp, both came into the draft as movement shooters with playmaking potential. Djurisic is about an inch taller, but they both have 6'8" wingspans. Djurisic has been shooting well lately, but he's streakier/more inconsistent than Booker was. Djurisic also isn't quite as quick, either laterally or in terms of his first step so he often has to be a bit craftier to create space for his jumper.

 

[funkykingston]

If the Kings end up moving Davion this off-season, one guy I really, really like in the 2nd round as a defensive backup PG is Jamal Shead.

He's not quite the on ball defender that Mitchell is, but he's a better team defender and a good distributor who should be able to step in and help on day 1.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1791252196702773405

 

[jiimbob]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1791252196702773405

good, this might push down a player such as Cody Williams or Holland.
Saluan may turn out to b the better forward long term, but I feel the other two more an immediate fit.

 

[SacTownKid]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1791252196702773405

He looks like top 10 worthy talent. Ultimate boom or bust.

 

[sactowndog]

good, this might push down a player such as Cody Williams or Holland.
Saluan may turn out to b the better forward long term, but I feel the other two more an immediate fit.

unlikely. I had Spurs taking a guard at 8 but the entire league, or at least not spending multiple years in the lottery, are all taking long wings at the top of the draft.

 

[jiimbob]

unlikely. I had Spurs taking a guard at 8 but the entire league, or at least not spending multiple years in the lottery, are all taking long wings at the top of the draft.

that’s why I said might. Kind of unfortunate that a long wing is exactly what we need and most will be gone by 13. If it’s a wing we want perhaps Jaylon Tyson, George, or maybe even Furphy are in consideration. If not i’m not opposed to bpa and that could be another 6’3 guard. Carter is intriguing.

 

[Noble]

We're really about to talk ad nauseam about Grant and Kuzma for the third or fourth year in a row aren't we

 

[Verres]

My favorite pick for the Kings would be Ron Holland (an athletic two way wing like Kuminga, although I think longterm he will play more 2 and 3 than 4) to pair with Keegan on the wing. I also like Tidjane Salaun, but I think Spurs pick him with the 8 pick and with the 4 pick they select Castle (or Risacher if he is available, which I don't expect). I also expect Ron Holland to go in top 10, although I 'm not sure who picks him. Definitly not Spurs, because although he is very good defensively, he 's not good with making decisions with the ball yet. I see Cody, who woudn't be a bad pick for Kings, going to Thunder.

I see Kings picking either one of Jared McCain, Devin Carter, Kyle Filipowski or Jakobe Walter (I hope he is not he pick, because his poa defense is crap). Out of these only Filipowski is a big and he can't play four full time in the nba. Yes he is mobile - but only for a big. And he didn't really prove yet to be reliable three-point shooter. His improvement from last year is only paper stat. This year he took less threes than last year, he just improved his shot quality. I see him becoming a Kelly Olynyk level player (not the same type but quality wise), so not a high level starter in the league. I wouldn't want too see Kings use this year pick to select a bench role player.
I would prefer picking Tyler Smith. A stretch four with tools for defensive upside. He cannot make defensive reads at a high level at all right now, but I think that is because Ignite was a mess defensively. And he has all the physical tools to improve. Offensively, he is like Jabari Smith or Taylor Hendricks, defensively he is way behind. He would need three years to develop to being able to help Kings. I still think this is the way to go. There aren't many rangy fours with two way ability available in the market and and the Kings were never a popular free agent destination.
Another pick that I like is Johnny Furphy. Already a reliable three-point shooter with quick release. Has very good positional size, athleticism and motor, but only plays off-ball. He is not able to generate his own shot. Not a movement shooter yet, but I expect him to develop into one. He also would need some time to adjust to nba level. I think he will turn out to be a steal, just like Trey Murphy has since drafted in 2021.

I hope both Knecht and Sheppard go in top 10, so there is a chance for Kings to draft a wing that in three to four years turns into a high level starter.
Regarding Sheppard, I think he is a little overrated. For me he is a top 15 pick, not that much better than McCain really. He is not an initiator on offense. Also, he is not very good finishing at the rim, he doesn't use his athleticism there, he shows it sometimes on the defensive side. I also think he wouldn't fit too good with the Kings, who need positional size, one thing Sheppard definitely doesn't have. And for his defense to shine, he needs length around him (he is not difficult to penetrate), which Kings don't have.
I also expect Isiah Collier to drop in Kings range or even fuurther. I consider him a top 5 prospect of this draft. Still, I hope the Kings don't draft him, because we have no place to develop another point guard, even if he will eventually be playing on an all-nba level like Brunson.

In the second round my dream pick would be either Ulrich Chomce or AJ Johnson. But even if they would be available, this front office looks for high floor rather upside, which in my opinion, as already pointed out above, is the wrong path forward and will lead the Kings slowly out of playoffs.

 

[sactowndog]

My favorite pick for the Kings would be Ron Holland (an athletic two way wing like Kuminga, although I think longterm he will play more 2 and 3 than 4) to pair with Keegan on the wing. I also like Tidjane Salaun, but I think Spurs pick him with the 8 pick and with the 4 pick they select Castle (or Risacher if he is available, which I don't expect). I also expect Ron Holland to go in top 10, although I 'm not sure who picks him. Definitly not Spurs, because although he is very good defensively, he 's not good with making decisions with the ball yet. I see Cody, who woudn't be a bad pick for Kings, going to Thunder.

I see Kings picking either one of Jared McCain, Devin Carter, Kyle Filipowski or Jakobe Walter (I hope he is not he pick, because his poa defense is crap). Out of these only Filipowski is a big and he can't play four full time in the nba. Yes he is mobile - but only for a big. And he didn't really prove yet to be reliable three-point shooter. His improvement from last year is only paper stat. This year he took less threes than last year, he just improved his shot quality. I see him becoming a Kelly Olynyk level player (not the same type but quality wise), so not a high level starter in the league. I wouldn't want too see Kings use this year pick to select a bench role player.
I would prefer picking Tyler Smith. A stretch four with tools for defensive upside. He cannot make defensive reads at a high level at all right now, but I think that is because Ignite was a mess defensively. And he has all the physical tools to improve. Offensively, he is like Jabari Smith or Taylor Hendricks, defensively he is way behind. He would need three years to develop to being able to help Kings. I still think this is the way to go. There aren't many rangy fours with two way ability available in the market and and the Kings were never a popular free agent destination.
Another pick that I like is Johnny Furphy. Already a reliable three-point shooter with quick release. Has very good positional size, athleticism and motor, but only plays off-ball. He is not able to generate his own shot. Not a movement shooter yet, but I expect him to develop into one. He also would need some time to adjust to nba level. I think he will turn out to be a steal, just like Trey Murphy has since drafted in 2021.

I hope both Knecht and Sheppard go in top 10, so there is a chance for Kings to draft a wing that in three to four years turns into a high level starter.
Regarding Sheppard, I think he is a little overrated. For me he is a top 15 pick, not that much better than McCain really. He is not an initiator on offense. Also, he is not very good finishing at the rim, he doesn't use his athleticism there, he shows it sometimes on the defensive side. I also think he wouldn't fit too good with the Kings, who need positional size, one thing Sheppard definitely doesn't have. And for his defense to shine, he needs length around him (he is not difficult to penetrate), which Kings don't have.
I also expect Isiah Collier to drop in Kings range or even fuurther. I consider him a top 5 prospect of this draft. Still, I hope the Kings don't draft him, because we have no place to develop another point guard, even if he will eventually be playing on an all-nba level like Brunson.

In the second round my dream pick would be either Ulrich Chomce or AJ Johnson. But even if they would be available, this front office looks for high floor rather upside, which in my opinion, as already pointed out above, is the wrong path forward and will lead the Kings slowly out of playoffs.

We have similar thoughts. My only other thought is the Pels might want to get their pick of guard at 13 between McCain, Walker, Carter, Collier.

 

[hrdboild]

I have a tendency to overthink draft evaluations so this year, rather than trying to make a comprehensive mock draft, I'm just going to post my first impressions of all the guys being mocked in the first round. This is part 1 of 2 and not an overall ranking just the guys I've looked at so far. The names listed in each tier are more or less equal in my eyes talent-wise with preference given to standout skills that I think translate well to the NBA and/or defensive versatility.

The format is... Player Name (pos) -- positives / negatives PROJECTED NBA ROLE. I've bolded and underlined the players who I think also represent good fits for our current roster and franchise situation (on the playoff bubble with a solid existing core of Fox / Murray / Sabonis but looking to solidify our playoff credentials, continue to improve the defense into top 10 territory, and add some more nuance to the offense).

ALL STAR UPSIDE (TIER 1):

1. Alex Sarr (PF / C) -- KG skillset, shooter, unblockable turn-around j, mobile big, wingspan monster, shot eraser / strong enough for NBA bigs? UNICORN BIG
2. Rob Dillingham (PG) -- next level athlete, lightning cross-over, DEEP range pull-up j, cat quick with the ball, threads bullet passes, quick hands on defense / inconsistent follow-through on jumper, poor defensive decision-making - gambles for steals. SUPER SPEEDY PG
3. Ron Holland (SG / SF) -- pocket picker, one-on-one stopper, dunk contest hops, high IQ, finishes in traffic, fearless driver, can defend 1-4 / poor shooter, too many TOs. TWO-WAY ATHLETIC WING

STARTER UPSIDE (TIER 2):

1. Isaiah Collier (PG / SG) -- Ball on a string, defenders bounce off him, post-up guard, elite court vision, plays passing lanes / reckless passer, inconsistent shooter. PLAYMAKING COMBO GUARD
2. Devin Carter (PG / SG) -- Deep range, crafty ballhandler, creative finisher, above the rim hops, bulldog defender, fiery competitor / on the small side. MICROWAVE SCORER
3. Stephon Castle (SG / SF) -- fundamental defender, elite first step, killer hesitation move, coach on the floor, pinpoint passer / poor shooter. TWO-WAY WING (defense-focused)
4. Ja'Kobe Walter (SG / SF) -- self-creation skills, shoots off the catch, gets to the line, beats defenders with first step, three level scorer, finds cutters, active off-ball defender / gets tunnel vision, ineffective on-ball defense. TWO-WAY WING (offense-focused)
5. Matas Buzelis (SF / PF) -- deceptively quick, guard-like handles, uses length effectively, dangerous in triple threat, can finish from all angles, good base on defense - hard to dislodge, owns the paint defensively / 3pt jumper lacks consistency, can sell out for blocks. POINT FORWARD
6. DaRon Holmes II (PF) -- long-range sniper, loves spin move, pick and pop, can face up and back down, gets to the FT line, plays big, blocks everything, active defender / high dribble, passes lack zip, rebounding? TWO-WAY BIG
7. Yves Missi (C) -- reliable screen and roll big, lob target, can drive and finish, moves defenders in the post, very agile defender, guards perimeter and post, gifted shot-blocker, gets to the line / not a playmaker, should be better on the boards, no jumper. THROWBACK BIG
8. Ryan Dunn (SF / PF) -- long strides, hang time, human pogo stick, finds lanes to the basket, funky mid-range fadeaway, uses strength effectively, willing but uncreative passer, weakside shot blocker / too aggressive at times on both ends, doesn't trust jumper. ALL-DEFENSE WING
9. Reed Sheppard (PG) -- ELITE shooter, aggressive defender, lots of steals, makes high IQ plays routinely / limited to PG position by size, lead guard mentality? IDEAL OFF BALL PG
10. Jaylon Tyson (SG / SF) -- mr. crossover, loves to shoot off the dribble, walking bucket, slips by defenders, hunts trailing blocks / dribbles A LOT, low release on jumper, selfish player? SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
11. Ulrich Chomche (PF / C) -- high flyer, paint enforcer, decent shooter, gifted playmaker / limited ball-handling skills, experience? ATHLETIC 3-AND-D BIG

POTENTIAL ROTATION GUYS (TIER 3):

1. Tidjane Salaun (SF) -- impressive athlete in open floor, backdoor lob threat, crafty finisher, active moving off the ball, plays passing lanes / shaky handle, sets up low (needs space to get shot off). OFF-BALL SCORING THREAT
2. Dalton Knecht (SF) -- big time shooter, gets to the basket, high release, versatile scorer, effective in iso situations / reactive defender - often a step slow, not a lot of lateral agility. RHYTHM SHOOTER & SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
3. Cody Williams (SF / PF) -- good open court speed, catch and shoot, finishes over defenders, uses length well on defense / lacks blow-by ability, loose handle, needs to add strength. RHYTHM SHOOTER & SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
4. Zacharrie Risacher (SF / PF) -- catch and shoot, straight line driver, active defender, effective step-back leaner / plays stiff, no left hand, ball-handling skills need work. RHYTHM SHOOTER

[I guess I should briefly explain what these tiers mean. My top tier guys should at-worst be starters but might develop into All Stars. The second tier guys should at-worst be regular rotation players but might be solid starters if they reach their potential. The third tier guys have some work to do in order to be effective NBA players.]

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I have a tendency to overthink draft evaluations so this year, rather than trying to make a comprehensive mock draft, I'm just going to post my first impressions of all the guys being mocked in the first round. This is part 1 of 2 and not an overall ranking just the guys I've looked at so far. The names listed in each tier are more or less equal in my eyes talent-wise with preference given to standout skills that I think translate well to the NBA and/or defensive versatility.

The format is... Player Name (pos) -- positives / negatives PROJECTED NBA ROLE. I've bolded and underlined the players who I think also represent good fits for our current roster and franchise situation (on the playoff bubble with a solid existing core of Fox / Murray / Sabonis but looking to solidify our playoff credentials, continue to improve the defense into top 10 territory, and add some more nuance to the offense).

ALL STAR UPSIDE (TIER 1):

1. Alex Sarr (PF / C) -- KG skillset, shooter, unblockable turn-around j, mobile big, wingspan monster, shot eraser / strong enough for NBA bigs? UNICORN BIG
2. Rob Dillingham (PG) -- next level athlete, lightning cross-over, DEEP range pull-up j, cat quick with the ball, threads bullet passes, quick hands on defense / inconsistent follow-through on jumper, poor defensive decision-making - gambles for steals. SUPER SPEEDY PG
3. Ron Holland (SG / SF) -- pocket picker, one-on-one stopper, dunk contest hops, high IQ, finishes in traffic, fearless driver, can defend 1-4 / poor shooter, too many TOs. TWO-WAY ATHLETIC WING

STARTER UPSIDE (TIER 2):

1. Isaiah Collier (PG / SG) -- Ball on a string, defenders bounce off him, post-up guard, elite court vision, plays passing lanes / reckless passer, inconsistent shooter. PLAYMAKING COMBO GUARD
2. Devin Carter (PG / SG) -- Deep range, crafty ballhandler, creative finisher, above the rim hops, bulldog defender, fiery competitor / on the small side. MICROWAVE SCORER
3. Stephon Castle (SG / SF) -- fundamental defender, elite first step, killer hesitation move, coach on the floor, pinpoint passer / poor shooter. TWO-WAY WING (defense-focused)
4. Ja'Kobe Walter (SG / SF) -- self-creation skills, shoots off the catch, gets to the line, beats defenders with first step, three level scorer, finds cutters, active off-ball defender / gets tunnel vision, ineffective on-ball defense. TWO-WAY WING (offense-focused)
5. Matas Buzelis (SF / PF) -- deceptively quick, guard-like handles, uses length effectively, dangerous in triple threat, can finish from all angles, good base on defense - hard to dislodge, owns the paint defensively / 3pt jumper lacks consistency, can sell out for blocks. POINT FORWARD
6. DaRon Holmes II (PF) -- long-range sniper, loves spin move, pick and pop, can face up and back down, gets to the FT line, plays big, blocks everything, active defender / high dribble, passes lack zip, rebounding? TWO-WAY BIG
7. Yves Missi (C) -- reliable screen and roll big, lob target, can drive and finish, moves defenders in the post, very agile defender, guards perimeter and post, gifted shot-blocker, gets to the line / not a playmaker, should be better on the boards, no jumper. THROWBACK BIG
8. Ryan Dunn (SF / PF) -- long strides, hang time, human pogo stick, finds lanes to the basket, funky mid-range fadeaway, uses strength effectively, willing but uncreative passer, weakside shot blocker / too aggressive at times on both ends, doesn't trust jumper. ALL-DEFENSE WING
9. Reed Sheppard (PG) -- ELITE shooter, aggressive defender, lots of steals, makes high IQ plays routinely / limited to PG position by size, lead guard mentality? IDEAL OFF BALL PG
10. Jaylon Tyson (SG / SF) -- mr. crossover, loves to shoot off the dribble, walking bucket, slips by defenders, hunts trailing blocks / dribbles A LOT, low release on jumper, selfish player? SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
11. Ulrich Chomche (PF / C) -- high flyer, paint enforcer, decent shooter, gifted playmaker / limited ball-handling skills, experience? ATHLETIC 3-AND-D BIG

POTENTIAL ROTATION GUYS (TIER 3):

1. Tidjane Salaun (SF) -- impressive athlete in open floor, backdoor lob threat, crafty finisher, active moving off the ball, plays passing lanes / shaky handle, sets up low (needs space to get shot off). OFF-BALL SCORING THREAT
2. Dalton Knecht (SF) -- big time shooter, gets to the basket, high release, versatile scorer, effective in iso situations / reactive defender - often a step slow, not a lot of lateral agility. RHYTHM SHOOTER & SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
3. Cody Williams (SF / PF) -- good open court speed, catch and shoot, finishes over defenders, uses length well on defense / lacks blow-by ability, loose handle, needs to add strength. RHYTHM SHOOTER & SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
4. Zacharrie Risacher (SF / PF) -- catch and shoot, straight line driver, active defender, effective step-back leaner / plays stiff, no left hand, ball-handling skills need work. RHYTHM SHOOTER

I might be a little higher on Cody Williams and am not sure how far away Chomche is but I like your targets. I think at least one will be there.

I thought Arizona got Holmes into foul trouble and that really swung the game but liked what I saw of him in the first half of that game. Or disliked, given my rooting interest.

Interesting that Tankathon currently has Holmes mocked 28. Currently they have us taking Walter - seems like a player who would be very good for us but still leaves us needing to resolve the HB problem at 4. But might give us a nasty small ball lineup.

 

[sactowndog]

I have a tendency to overthink draft evaluations so this year, rather than trying to make a comprehensive mock draft, I'm just going to post my first impressions of all the guys being mocked in the first round. This is part 1 of 2 and not an overall ranking just the guys I've looked at so far. The names listed in each tier are more or less equal in my eyes talent-wise with preference given to standout skills that I think translate well to the NBA and/or defensive versatility.

The format is... Player Name (pos) -- positives / negatives PROJECTED NBA ROLE. I've bolded and underlined the players who I think also represent good fits for our current roster and franchise situation (on the playoff bubble with a solid existing core of Fox / Murray / Sabonis but looking to solidify our playoff credentials, continue to improve the defense into top 10 territory, and add some more nuance to the offense).

ALL STAR UPSIDE (TIER 1):

1. Alex Sarr (PF / C) -- KG skillset, shooter, unblockable turn-around j, mobile big, wingspan monster, shot eraser / strong enough for NBA bigs? UNICORN BIG
2. Rob Dillingham (PG) -- next level athlete, lightning cross-over, DEEP range pull-up j, cat quick with the ball, threads bullet passes, quick hands on defense / inconsistent follow-through on jumper, poor defensive decision-making - gambles for steals. SUPER SPEEDY PG
3. Ron Holland (SG / SF) -- pocket picker, one-on-one stopper, dunk contest hops, high IQ, finishes in traffic, fearless driver, can defend 1-4 / poor shooter, too many TOs. TWO-WAY ATHLETIC WING

STARTER UPSIDE (TIER 2):

1. Isaiah Collier (PG / SG) -- Ball on a string, defenders bounce off him, post-up guard, elite court vision, plays passing lanes / reckless passer, inconsistent shooter. PLAYMAKING COMBO GUARD
2. Devin Carter (PG / SG) -- Deep range, crafty ballhandler, creative finisher, above the rim hops, bulldog defender, fiery competitor / on the small side. MICROWAVE SCORER
3. Stephon Castle (SG / SF) -- fundamental defender, elite first step, killer hesitation move, coach on the floor, pinpoint passer / poor shooter. TWO-WAY WING (defense-focused)
4. Ja'Kobe Walter (SG / SF) -- self-creation skills, shoots off the catch, gets to the line, beats defenders with first step, three level scorer, finds cutters, active off-ball defender / gets tunnel vision, ineffective on-ball defense. TWO-WAY WING (offense-focused)
5. Matas Buzelis (SF / PF) -- deceptively quick, guard-like handles, uses length effectively, dangerous in triple threat, can finish from all angles, good base on defense - hard to dislodge, owns the paint defensively / 3pt jumper lacks consistency, can sell out for blocks. POINT FORWARD
6. DaRon Holmes II (PF) -- long-range sniper, loves spin move, pick and pop, can face up and back down, gets to the FT line, plays big, blocks everything, active defender / high dribble, passes lack zip, rebounding? TWO-WAY BIG
7. Yves Missi (C) -- reliable screen and roll big, lob target, can drive and finish, moves defenders in the post, very agile defender, guards perimeter and post, gifted shot-blocker, gets to the line / not a playmaker, should be better on the boards, no jumper. THROWBACK BIG
8. Ryan Dunn (SF / PF) -- long strides, hang time, human pogo stick, finds lanes to the basket, funky mid-range fadeaway, uses strength effectively, willing but uncreative passer, weakside shot blocker / too aggressive at times on both ends, doesn't trust jumper. ALL-DEFENSE WING
9. Reed Sheppard (PG) -- ELITE shooter, aggressive defender, lots of steals, makes high IQ plays routinely / limited to PG position by size, lead guard mentality? IDEAL OFF BALL PG
10. Jaylon Tyson (SG / SF) -- mr. crossover, loves to shoot off the dribble, walking bucket, slips by defenders, hunts trailing blocks / dribbles A LOT, low release on jumper, selfish player? SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
11. Ulrich Chomche (PF / C) -- high flyer, paint enforcer, decent shooter, gifted playmaker / limited ball-handling skills, experience? ATHLETIC 3-AND-D BIG

POTENTIAL ROTATION GUYS (TIER 3):

1. Tidjane Salaun (SF) -- impressive athlete in open floor, backdoor lob threat, crafty finisher, active moving off the ball, plays passing lanes / shaky handle, sets up low (needs space to get shot off). OFF-BALL SCORING THREAT
2. Dalton Knecht (SF) -- big time shooter, gets to the basket, high release, versatile scorer, effective in iso situations / reactive defender - often a step slow, not a lot of lateral agility. RHYTHM SHOOTER & SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
3. Cody Williams (SF / PF) -- good open court speed, catch and shoot, finishes over defenders, uses length well on defense / lacks blow-by ability, loose handle, needs to add strength. RHYTHM SHOOTER & SECONDARY PLAYMAKER
4. Zacharrie Risacher (SF / PF) -- catch and shoot, straight line driver, active defender, effective step-back leaner / plays stiff, no left hand, ball-handling skills need work. RHYTHM SHOOTER

[I guess I should briefly explain what these tiers mean. My top tier guys should at-worst be starters but might develop into All Stars. The second tier guys should at-worst be regular rotation players but might be solid starters if they reach their potential. The third tier guys have some work to do in order to be effective NBA players.]

question for you on Chomche. In the Combine he had exceptional quickness as measured by the shuttle run where he was 4th at a time of 2.84 whereas in the lane agility he was 9th from the bottom at 11.74.

How do you explain such a disparity. Does he have tight hips? Could he have stumbled?

 

[hrdboild]

I might be a little higher on Cody Williams and am not sure how far away Chomche is but I like your targets. I think at least one will be there.

I thought Arizona got Holmes into foul trouble and that really swung the game but liked what I saw of him in the first half of that game. Or disliked, given my rooting interest.

Interesting that Tankathon currently has Holmes mocked 28. Currently they have us taking Walter - seems like a player who would be very good for us but still leaves us needing to resolve the HB problem at 4. But might give us a nasty small ball lineup.

Cody Williams' value would grow in my eyes if he develops his playmaking skills. I don't think his handle is NBA ready and he just looks a little out of control and uncoordinated in general when he tries to create off the dribble. His catch and shoot game is solid though with the caveat that he's not shooting at NBA range yet (this is one area where the G-League guys have a bit of an edge for projecting shooting potential).

This relative ranking of age-related "upside" vs. proven skillset is a good example of where I tend to diverge from most of the mock drafts. DaRon Holmes is already developed in the areas where Cody Williams and Zacharrie Risacher just flash potential. It's going to take those guys at least two years to catch up to where Holmes is now and by then we'd have wasted half their rookie contracts so any benefit of them having a longer potential NBA career is negated by wasted contract value and additional bust risk.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Cody Williams' value would grow in my eyes if he develops his playmaking skills. I don't think his handle is NBA ready and he just looks a little out of control and uncoordinated in general when he tries to create off the dribble. His catch and shoot game is solid though with the caveat that he's not shooting at NBA range yet (this is one area where the G-League guys have a bit of an edge for projecting shooting potential).

This relative ranking of age-related "upside" vs. proven skillset is a good example of where I tend to diverge from most of the mock drafts. DaRon Holmes is already developed in the areas where Cody Williams and Zacharrie Risacher just flash potential. It's going to take those guys at least two years to catch up to where Holmes is now and by then we'd have wasted half their rookie contracts so any benefit of them having a longer potential NBA career is negated by wasted contract value and additional bust risk.

You never know how college is going to translate directly but watching Holmes in the tourney game I thought if it went to the NBA it fills our immediate need. Of course the major caveat for me is a guy who fouls out of the most important game of his life gives me pause because I can't shake the feeling NBA refs have it in for us.

 

[hrdboild]

question for you on Chomche. In the Combine he had exceptional quickness as measured by the shuttle run where he was 4th at a time of 2.84 whereas in the lane agility he was 9th from the bottom at 11.74.

How do you explain such a disparity. Does he have tight hips? Could he have stumbled?

I guess the difference would be that the shuttle run tests only start/stop ability and short-range acceleration while the lane agility drill also requires players to side-step and run backwards while testing their ability to seamlessly transition between each.

I don't watch the NBA combine so I couldn't tell you more than that. Out of curiosity, I did take a quick glance at this year's results just now which only confirms why I stopped paying attention to those results in the first place. Dalton Knecht finished first overall in the shuttle run and second overall in the lane agility drill and out of all 18 of these players he's the only one who I noted lacked visible lateral agility in-game. Go figure.

 

[sactowndog]

I guess the difference would be that the shuttle run tests only start/stop ability and short-range acceleration while the lane agility drill also requires players to side-step and run backwards while testing their ability to seamlessly transition between each.

I don't watch the NBA combine so I couldn't tell you more than that. Out of curiosity, I did take a quick glance at this year's results just now which only confirms why I stopped paying attention to those results in the first place. Dalton Knecht finished first overall in the shuttle run and second overall in the lane agility drill and out of all 18 of these players he's the only one who I noted lacked visible lateral agility in-game. Go figure.

sure the tests alone don’t say everything but they are an indication of length and quickness.

what did you see about Chomches ability to flip his hips and change direction. It is a key to being able to stay in front of perimeter players.

 

[jiimbob]

appreciate your take hrdboild, no mention of Clingan or even Edey. Not so big on them?

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1794087815363350669

I guess the Grizzlies are just gonna be fine with playing JJJ at the center spot