Trae Young leads the NCAA in scoring and assists per game. He might never be the next Steph Curry, but he certainly has the potential as a scorer and play maker to be a very good player at the next level. I would say a comparison to Mike Bibby is more realistic than Steph Curry, and if a team gets that caliber of player they should be very happy with their selection.
Isaac came out of college with a few significant concerns. First, on the offensive end is unlikely to ever be a go to player, and will most likely emerge as a 3rd or 4th option on a good team. Second, he is rake thin and unless he bulks up he might struggle on the defensive end and with durability. And third, it is not clear what his best position in the league will be and he's not an ideal fit at any given position, especially at the 4 and 5 which some people think he might end up playing.
Giles needs to get healthy and stay healthy, then maybe he can become a useful player. At this point it is too early to pin any hopes on him becoming a key part in this team's future.
Randle is a good call in free agency if the price is right. Maybe he can develop into a 3rd option if he chooses the right team.
Bamba is worth consideration because his defensive ability should translate to the NBA, but he is still raw and arguably needs more development than Jackson. Would I take Bamba over Jackson? Perhaps, there are things I prefer about Bamba to Jackson, but there are things I prefer about Jackson to Bamba. It's a tough call. I think if we end up with either of these guys we should be happy.
Bridges is worth consideration if our pick falls outside the top seven. I would argue that, in no particular order, Ayton, Jackson, Bamba, Doncic, Young, and Bagley are the current top seven in this year's draft. After that I would place Mikal and Miles Bridges, Knox, Sexton, and Carter in the same tier. I wouldn't want to see us draft them with a top five pick, but would be happy enough with Bridges if we select outside the top seven because maybe he can be a diamond in the rough. There always seems to be someone taken outside the top picks that emerges after being ignored by plenty of people, so perhaps he can be one of them.
The price for Julius Randle is a MAX contract, that is, 4 year / 100 plus million.
He's going to get it. If not from us, or the Lakers, from another team, perhaps the Bulls, Hawks or Mavs.
There are 5-6 teams including us and the Lakers with the cap space to throw max dollars at him.
Source
As a player in his 3rd year he is eligible for 25% of the salary cap which is projected at 101M in 2018-19 with 6-8% raises.
We can create the room a max contract for him easily if Temple, Koufos or Shumpart opt-out.
Otherwise Vlade (with help from others) will have to get creative but it can be done.
We are already at 20M in projected space which is why I was advocating hard for us to dump George Hill before the deal even if it mattered getting no assets back in return.
There were fans insisting on a 1st round pick from Cleveland to trade away Hill.
Are you kidding me?! Goodbye and don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you!
For as harsh as I have been on Vlade, I commend him on that deal. Well done!
As far as Miles Bridges, why do you NOT think he is worthy of going Top 7?
The guy is great. I will expand on Bridges another time but let me say this real quick:
Miles Bridges is a lefty. He is also prefers to dunk with his right hand. He jabs with his left foot and goes to his left to shoot his silky smooth J. Then he goes hard to the hole with his right hand and dunks and jumps off his left foot.
You understand this ambidexterity is a favorable attribute to keep the defense off-balance?
95% of "draft gurus" are not aware what I just said.
Trae Young is fools gold. You will see.
Do you have any idea how easily Frank Mason and De'Aaron would SMOTHER him defensively and challenge him to go by him or do anything to create space?
There's a requisite amount of athleticism and size and speed to compete against NBA players and Trae Young is very borderline. He has a great shot. He has a beautiful shot. So did Jimmer.
I reserve the right to change my opinion on Trae Young (because it is still early) but for now I see him as a mid first rounder at best.