Following Potential 2020 draftees

[Game6Conley]

I like Givony. Vecenie has clear opinions that he articulates very well, but his projections sometimes really miss the mark.

Are Givony's personal opinions really fully reflected in his mocks/best available lists though? I feel like you can tell that answers no just by watching the updates on the mocks..


Jalen Smith would be a good example this year... Why now, months after the games have ended, has he skyrocketed from outside of their top60 to into their top30?? Was it some change of heart? that sounds like major bs to me..

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Players in the top 10 range of the draft who would be great on the Jazz (out of reach): Edwards, Okoro, Hayes, Haliburton, Toppin
Players in the 11 - 20 range who could be great on the Jazz (a few somewhat realistic trade-up targets): Vassell, Hampton, Nesmith, Williams, Pokusevski
Players in the 21 - 25 range who make sense for the Jazz (guys who you'd expect they'd draft): Bey, Green, Reed, Bolmaro, Maledon

Players whom I think the Jazz are probably really excited about: Okoro, Toppin, Hampton, Pokusevski, maybe Reed, maybe Bolmaro

Complete wildcard: Jaden McDaniels

 

[SCS]

I fully expect the Jazz to draft a big wing or versatile big with their pick.

This season was a rollercoaster. But I think that their were enough positive signs (especially after the trade for Clarkson) that the Jazz are likely to keep this core group (Mitchell, Gobert, Conley, Bogdanovic, Ingles, O'neale, Clarkson) together and give it one more shot next season in hopes that everything comes together at the right time.

I think that they are still in contention mode. And if that's accurate then the goal of this draft pick will likely be to supplement the roster with something it doesn't have. Because we're going to be limited in free agency. Right now the two things we lack in the rotation are...

1) Athleticism and size on the wing. Which mainly rears it's head on the defensive end. Bogey struggles on D. Royce is an athlete and a defender but at 6'4 he has some issue guarding bigger wings. Joe is limited physically.

And

2) An athletic versatile two way big. Jeff Green was supposed to be the stretch/small ball 5 and it didn't work out. Ed Davis was supposed to provide defense, rebounding, hustle and it didn't work out. Bradley and Niang are each so one dimensional it kinda hurts.

Some guys that I think the Jazz will take a hard look at: Patrick Williams, Precious Achiuwa, Aleksej Pokusevski, Saddiq Bey, Jaden McDaniels, Tyler Bey, Paul Reed, Robert Woodard, Jordan Nwora

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I fully expect the Jazz to draft a big wing or versatile big with their pick.

This season was a rollercoaster. But I think that their were enough positive signs (especially after the trade for Clarkson) that the Jazz are likely to keep this core group (Mitchell, Gobert, Conley, Bogdanovic, Ingles, O'neale, Clarkson) together and give it one more shot next season in hopes that everything comes together at the right time.

I think that they are still in contention mode. And if that's accurate then the goal of this draft pick will likely be to supplement the roster with something it doesn't have. Because we're going to be limited in free agency. Right now the two things we lack in the rotation are...

1) Athleticism and size on the wing. Which mainly rears it's head on the defensive end. Bogey struggles on D. Royce is an athlete and a defender but at 6'4 he has some issue guarding bigger wings. Joe is limited physically.

And

2) An athletic versatile two way big. Jeff Green was supposed to be the stretch/small ball 5 and it didn't work out. Ed Davis was supposed to provide defense, rebounding, hustle and it didn't work out. Bradley and Niang are each so one dimensional it kinda hurts.

Some guys that I think the Jazz will take a hard look at: Patrick Williams, Precious Achiuwa, Aleksej Pokusevski, Saddiq Bey, Jaden McDaniels, Tyler Bey, Paul Reed, Robert Woodard, Jordan Nwora

I don't disagree with this, but Conley has one more year on his deal, Mudiay is likely going to leave this offseason, and Ingles turns 33 next year. It wouldn't surprise me if the Jazz try to find a versatile guard with some size to play next to Mitchell starting a year from now, someone who can share the burden of running the offense. That's why Bolmaro and Maledon also make some sense.

 

[SCS]

I don't disagree with this, but Conley has one more year on his deal, Mudiay is likely going to leave this offseason, and Ingles turns 33 next year. It wouldn't surprise me if the Jazz try to find a versatile guard with some size to play next to Mitchell starting a year from now, someone who can share the burden of running the offense. That's why Bolmaro and Maledon also make some sense.

True. But if that's the approach we're going with then we aren't really trying to contend next year. Because we don't really have another way to fill these holes. Unless we're going to rely on a UFA or a lower end FA to fill the gaps. That didn't really work last year.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

True. But if that's the approach we're going with then we aren't really trying to contend next year. Because we don't really have another way to fill these holes. Unless we're going to rely on a UFA or a lower end FA to fill the gaps. That didn't really work last year.

We've got Brantley and Juwan Morgan who can play some minutes at the 4. It wouldn't take too much to trade for someone like Bobby Portis, Thad Young or Alfarouq Aminu.

It's unlikely a rookie is going to come in and make a difference. Reed has potential, but he needs his shot fixed. If they draft Pokusevski, it's going to be his 3rd year before he makes the rotation, similar to Tony Bradley. I don't think the Jazz want a non-shooter like Precious Achiuwa or Isaiah Stewart.

 

[SCS]

We've got Brantley and Juwan Morgan who can play some minutes at the 4. It wouldn't take too much to trade for someone like Bobby Portis, Thad Young or Alfarouq Aminu.

It's unlikely a rookie is going to come in and make a difference. Reed has potential, but he needs his shot fixed. If they draft Pokusevski, it's going to be his 3rd year before he makes the rotation, similar to Tony Bradley. I don't think the Jazz want a non-shooter like Precious Achiuwa or Isaiah Stewart.

The Jazz refuse to play Brantley or Morgan over Niang or Bradley. It's obvious they don't believe in those guys to be in the rotation.

Portis and Young both make too much for us to trade for without giving up a significant rotation piece and creating a different problem in our rotations.

Aminu... maybe. But no guarantees he's an answer. He's been declining for a few years and will be coming off a major injury.

Although I would agree that a rookie in most instances won't make a difference in year one, I'm pretty sure a versatile big like Reed or Achiuwa would make a difference if given the chance. What Niang and Bradley provide is a pretty low bar to hurdle.

Precious Achiuwa is just as good of a shooter as Leandro Bolmaro lol. So if we're going with the non-shooter argument then I mean I guess we should eliminate him too.

I'm not gonna get hung up on shooting. Obviously the Jazz value shooting. But it's not like every player they draft is going to be a lights out shooter.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

The Jazz refuse to play Brantley or Morgan over Niang or Bradley. It's obvious they don't believe in those guys to be in the rotation.

Portis and Young both make too much for us to trade for without giving up a significant rotation piece and creating a different problem in our rotations.

Aminu... maybe. But no guarantees he's an answer. He's been declining for a few years and will be coming off a major injury.

Although I would agree that a rookie in most instances won't make a difference in year one, I'm pretty sure a versatile big like Reed or Achiuwa would make a difference if given the chance. What Niang and Bradley provide is a pretty low bar to hurdle.

Precious Achiuwa is just as good of a shooter as Leandro Bolmaro lol. So if we're going with the non-shooter argument then I mean I guess we should eliminate him too.

I'm not gonna get hung up on shooting. Obviously the Jazz value shooting. But it's not like every player they draft is going to be a lights out shooter.

First of all, both Niang and Bradley are 3rd-year players who have developed into their roles. Niang is a legit shooter and floor spacer, and Bradley is a legit rebounder and roll man. Morgan and Brantley are rookies who are still learning the pro game.

As for shooting at the 4 spot, yes, the Jazz care about it very much. They wouldn't put Royce O'Neale on the floor until he hit 37% on his catch-and-shoot 3s, and obviously the Jazz would prefer to put Niang on the floor than Jeff Green, in large part because Niang shoots.

Achiuwa hasn't shown either the shooting or, more importantly, the ball skills to play out on the floor. His best role is at the 5, and he really showed out in Memphis after Wiseman was disqualified. On the Jazz, that means he's a backup energy big behind Gobert, something the Jazz don't really need. I don't think the Jazz are going to draft him. With Reed there's at least more potential for him to be a versatile two-way player, if they can fix the hitch in his shot.

 

[Game6Conley]

Reports swirling that the Warriors will take Edwards #1 if they win the lotto..


Then it stands to reason their FA target would be Marc Gasol...

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Reports swirling that the Warriors will take Edwards #1 if they win the lotto..

Then it stands to reason their FA target would be Marc Gasol...

You think Gasol will sign for the mid-level?

 

[Game6Conley]

 

[SCS]

First of all, both Niang and Bradley are 3rd-year players who have developed into their roles. Niang is a legit shooter and floor spacer, and Bradley is a legit rebounder and roll man. Morgan and Brantley are rookies who are still learning the pro game.

As for shooting at the 4 spot, yes, the Jazz care about it very much. They wouldn't put Royce O'Neale on the floor until he hit 37% on his catch-and-shoot 3s, and obviously the Jazz would prefer to put Niang on the floor than Jeff Green, in large part because Niang shoots.

Achiuwa hasn't shown either the shooting or, more importantly, the ball skills to play out on the floor. His best role is at the 5, and he really showed out in Memphis after Wiseman was disqualified. On the Jazz, that means he's a backup energy big behind Gobert, something the Jazz don't really need. I don't think the Jazz are going to draft him. With Reed there's at least more potential for him to be a versatile two-way player, if they can fix the hitch in his shot.

Both Niang and Bradley had awful stretches that really hurt us. The fact that Brantley and Morgan didn't get any run at all when our backup bigs struggled pretty much all season says a LOT about how the team feels about them. Yeah they are rookies without defined roles yet. But they didn't even get a look when our bench was nightmarish. Not even a one or two game "**** it" let's try this.

Like I said, obviously they value shooting. But I think you're too focused on shooting. Just because they value it doesn't mean every player they draft will have that skill.

I think you are underrating Achiuwa's ball skills. He has shown the ability to grab a rebound and take it from end of the floor to the other himself. He can face up and drive. He's shown some vision. It's just a raw unharnessed offensive package. The template is good.

Also you are VERY wrong when you say that we don't need an energy big. Thats exactly what we need. Some Jazz stats from this season....

3 point % - 1st in the NBA

^^^^ Every key player involved in making us #1 should be back next season.

Offensive Rebounds - 26th in the NBA
Rebounds - 13th in the NBA
Steals - 30th in the NBA
Blocks - 29th in the NBA
Field Goal Attempts per game - 29th in the NBA

Hell let's assume you are right and Achiuwa is just a 5 (I disagree, I think he's more versatile, but let's say he is). I think having him on the floor as the backup 5 instead of Bradley makes Niang more viable. He would cover Niangs weaknesses better than Bradley. Bradley is just a drop big whereas Achiuwa can guard different positions allowing the Jazz to more easily hide Niangs shortcomings defensively. Achiuwa would also create more turnovers than Bradley is leading to more breaks and easier offense. He'd be a better passer. The Jazz could experiment with more 5 out stuff and give shooters even more space.

See the great thing about drafting an Achiuwa or Reed IMO is that it gives our rotations more flexibility. Quin has different play style options. You're looking at it as less shooting. I'm looking at it as the shooting is still there but there's also a new element to what we can do. All the stuff the Jazz had this season would still be available to them.