I mean if you're solely looking for a Curry in the draft then you've already lost because you can't find another Curry.
I think I'd avoid reading this if I were you.. Wasn't aware I wrote this much until I did. In short, I just factor in our team needs and apply them to prospects. I evaluate each single prospect to see what they can potentially bring to this team and how they can solve our problem.
Here's just how I personally look at the draft and how we should draft.
1. First, I look at the current trend of the NBA. It is a guard driven league. Then I look at our roster and compare them. There are always outliers, but you need to stay competitive and meet the level of competition. Our guard position is a struggle.
2. Then, I evaluate our roster for our general needs. Our biggest need is perimeter defense. Our 2nd biggest need is consistent 3pt shooting. Our 3rd biggest need is a rim protection. Those are the 3 things we need to answer in the draft.
3. Finally I break it down further into specific positions and our depth chart.
PG- Collison/Ray. Neither players are good playmakers and they're just simple solid. PG is a position we should look to improve if we can. Let's talk about what it lacks. Collison is not a consistent creator. He's also a decent defender, but his size limits him. He fits more as a backup PG than a starting PG because he lacks the talent. When you compare Collison to the rest of the PGs in the NBA, he's a bottom 5. The league has star PGs on almost every team. That's what the Kings need. So they should improve PG if they have the chance to.
- A PG can potentially fulfill 2/3 things we need. Perimeter defense and shooting from 3pt range.
SG- McLemore/Stauskas. Inconsistent young SGs who struggle on both ends. Cannot contain their man nor can they shoot consistently. Neither are NBA starters at this very moment because of their inconsistencies mostly. We should improve our overall SG position because we're relying on 2 guys who cannot shoot the ball consistently, nor can they defend on a daily basis.
- A SG can potentially fulfill 2/3 things we need. Perimeter defense and shooting from 3pt range.
SF- Gay/Casspi?/Williams? Solid starting SF who's an elite player on offense. However, his perimeter defense is lacking.
- A SF can potentially fulfill 3/3 things we need.
PF- Jason Thompson/Carl Landry/Eric Moreland? No starting PF on the roster, but JT is manageable. None provide the rim protecting nor 3pt shooting that we're looking for. It's a spot where we should be looking for a starter and getting rid of one.
- A PF can potentially fulfill 2/3 things we need. Rim protection and 3pt shooting.
Then I take a look at the draft. There are certain players who can fulfill those needs. I'll go by position:
PG- D'angelo Russel, Emanuel Mudiay
SG- Mario Hezonja/ Devin Booker/ RJ Hunter/ Justise Winslow
SF- Justise Winslow/Stanley Johnson/Sam Dekker/Mario Hezonja
PF- Karl Towns/ WCS/ Kristpahs Porzingis/ Frank Kaminsky
I'm just going to select to evaluate SFs.
I'm not looking for the player that can provide us the most out of those 3 things. But I look at what else they can bring to the team aside from their specialties.
Justise Winslow is a hustle and energy type of player. He's the type of player who doesn't give up on plays and rushes up and down the court( high motor). On offense, he's a good 3pt shooter, but struggles from the mid area shots. He's very good at attacking the rim because of his strength and quickness. Has the ability to catch offensive rebounds and lay them in. He's a good passer with some ability to create. He's not the best ball handler, but he is solid. His FT shooting needs work. His shooting mechanics will need to be tweaked up in the NBA. On defense, he's a very good perimeter defender who can jam his opponents. He is also a very good shotblocker at his size.
Winslow basically provides 2/3 things we need. Perimeter defense and 3pt shooting.
Stanley Johnson is a defined player. He has the size and strength to bully opponents. On offense, he has range from almost anywhere on the floor. However, he has to show a bit more consistency with his shooting. He does a good job around the paint area where he'll probably do most his damage in the NBA. On defense, he doesn't have the lateral quickness you want. He's not a good perimeter defender because of his lack of quickness, however he has he size to defend his man in the paint.
Johnson provides 1/3 things we need. 3pt shooting.
Now I look at the 2 and figure who gives us more of what we need and how each player fits in our roster. Johnson is a very similar player to Rudy Gay which would not work out unless you bring Johnson off the bench.
So yes I do look a bit at need when I evaluate these prospects which is why I value some higher and some lower.
I'm honestly not sure if this was the exact answer you were looking for though..
Hindsight is 20/20 as they say.
