2021 NBA Draft Preview (new thread)

[idiot]

Watched some Ayayi highlights given Tony’s nod that we like him, and would be pretty disappointing if he’s the pick. Very much a below the rim player. Can shoot the three. Good college player

Don’t think he’s an NBA athlete and don’t think he’ll stick in the NBA.

Anyone know anything about Austin Reaves? Tony listed him (on the Bill Riley show) I think, along with Ayayi as darkhorse candidates for the Jazz. Maybe this means second-round possibilities?

Looked only at some of the easily found commentary/analysis of him. Seems something like a combination of a poor-man's Clarkson and a poor-man's Ingles at 6'5", and maybe someone that allows you to move Clarkson if things turn out well for him:

• very strong self-creation abilities; uncanny in finding ways to get his shot off midrange and at the rim, somewhat like Clarkson -- very good hesitation and change of speed to create room for himself without being a top-tier athlete -- very good interior/midrange touch for a guard
• pick & roll vision and passing chops, somewhat like Ingles, though without Ingles's size, of course -- could see development into a secondary playmaker and ability to play both guard positions

His problems seem to be two or three things:

• athleticism/defense. Pretty sure that, though he's a decent college athlete, he's a bit below Clarkson's athleticism. Many sites point to his likely problems on defense at the NBA level, though I found one that says he's a battler and he'll at least give the effort, so he may not be a totally lost cause
• 3 point shot. Though he's a great midrange and foul shooter, his three-point shooting has declined steadily throughout his career as he's become more of a primary offensive threat. Hard to believe with his shooting touch that he doesn't get this straightened out somewhat, but until he gets there, it's a question

Anyone with more insight on him?

I change my preferences all the time, but I've been thinking recently if the Jazz exchanged their pick for two second rounders and came away with Herbert Jones and Reaves (and preferably Chris Smith as an undrafted free agent) they might be onto something. But maybe all of these guys are too flawed to succeed at the NBA level?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Anyone know anything about Austin Reaves? Tony listed him (on the Bill Riley show) I think, along with Ayayi as darkhorse candidates for the Jazz. Maybe this means second-round possibilities?

Looked only at some of the easily found commentary/analysis of him. Seems something like a combination of a poor-man's Clarkson and a poor-man's Ingles at 6'5", and maybe someone that allows you to move Clarkson if things turn out well for him:

• very strong self-creation abilities; uncanny in finding ways to get his shot off midrange and at the rim, somewhat like Clarkson -- very good hesitation and change of speed to create room for himself without being a top-tier athlete -- very good interior/midrange touch for a guard
• pick & roll vision and passing chops, somewhat like Ingles, though without Ingles's size, of course -- could see development into a secondary playmaker and ability to play both guard positions

His problems seem to be two or three things:

• athleticism/defense. Pretty sure that, though he's a decent college athlete, he's a bit below Clarkson's athleticism. Many sites point to his likely problems on defense at the NBA level, though I found one that says he's a battler and he'll at least give the effort, so he may not be a totally lost cause
• 3 point shot. Though he's a great midrange and foul shooter, his three-point shooting has declined steadily throughout his career as he's become more of a primary offensive threat. Hard to believe with his shooting touch that he doesn't get this straightened out somewhat, but until he gets there, it's a question

Anyone with more insight on him?

I change my preferences all the time, but I've been thinking recently if the Jazz exchanged their pick for two second rounders and came away with Herbert Jones and Reaves (and preferably Chris Smith as an undrafted free agent) they might be onto something. But maybe all of these guys are too flawed to succeed at the NBA level?

Austin Reeves is nasty. One of the more fun players to watch. He was like a DeRozan type in college. Disgusting as a scorer and passer. He really needs to be able to shoot the 3 though.

 

[Ineptimusprime]

Anyone know anything about Austin Reaves? Tony listed him (on the Bill Riley show) I think, along with Ayayi as darkhorse candidates for the Jazz. Maybe this means second-round possibilities?

Looked only at some of the easily found commentary/analysis of him. Seems something like a combination of a poor-man's Clarkson and a poor-man's Ingles at 6'5", and maybe someone that allows you to move Clarkson if things turn out well for him:

• very strong self-creation abilities; uncanny in finding ways to get his shot off midrange and at the rim, somewhat like Clarkson -- very good hesitation and change of speed to create room for himself without being a top-tier athlete -- very good interior/midrange touch for a guard
• pick & roll vision and passing chops, somewhat like Ingles, though without Ingles's size, of course -- could see development into a secondary playmaker and ability to play both guard positions

His problems seem to be two or three things:

• athleticism/defense. Pretty sure that, though he's a decent college athlete, he's a bit below Clarkson's athleticism. Many sites point to his likely problems on defense at the NBA level, though I found one that says he's a battler and he'll at least give the effort, so he may not be a totally lost cause
• 3 point shot. Though he's a great midrange and foul shooter, his three-point shooting has declined steadily throughout his career as he's become more of a primary offensive threat. Hard to believe with his shooting touch that he doesn't get this straightened out somewhat, but until he gets there, it's a question

Anyone with more insight on him?

I change my preferences all the time, but I've been thinking recently if the Jazz exchanged their pick for two second rounders and came away with Herbert Jones and Reaves (and preferably Chris Smith as an undrafted free agent) they might be onto something. But maybe all of these guys are too flawed to succeed at the NBA level?

I don’t think Reaves or Ayayi is what we need. If those are the guys the Jazz like, color me pretty disappointed. I think I’d rather trade the pick to move Favs than draft either of those guys.

Herb Jones is definitely an NBA athlete and improves our athleticism from day one. I’d much rather be trying to teach an athlete how to shoot than try to teach a shooter how to be an athlete (impossible).

Hoping we move down into the second. I’d like a Herb Jones and a Marcus Garrett please.

Marcus Garrett will be the hidden gem of this draft that turns into an NBA rotation player. His three-point shooting improved a lot his last year at KU (around 35%) he is 6’5, long and athletic and can guard 1-3. One the best defenders in college basketball. I am a biased Jayhawk, but he’s definitely a Matisse Thybulle type.

I’d be happy with Jones and Garrett If we are trying to do this cheaply, trading down and nabbing two guys like that would have me pretty happy. Definitely address a need.

Here’s what I’d do. Favs and 30 for Delon Wright and Kings second rounder. Draft Herb Jones. Buy a late second and draft Garrett. Adding a KU teammate is the least we can for Doke after the terrible summer he’s had.

We end up with Wright, Jones, and Garrett and immediately upgrade length and athleticism cheaply, and get off Favs. Perfection. And extremely realistic and doable. Read this, FO, and GET IT THE **** DONE.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Isaiah Todd worked out with the Lakers this week. Maybe the Lakers have a deal on the table to move up in the draft, but they're not lottery obviously.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I'm pretty sure Reeves will be able to score at the NBA level, but Im not sure any team is going to want him in that type of role to start his career. He will have to refine his game a lot.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Watched some Ayayi highlights given Tony’s nod that we like him, and would be pretty disappointing if he’s the pick. Very much a below the rim player. Can shoot the three. Good college player

Don’t think he’s an NBA athlete and don’t think he’ll stick in the NBA.

I don't think he's a starter necessarily, but I think he'll stick in the NBA.

 

[Hekate]

Jazz really don't need another below-the-rim finisher. I will be disappointed if they select one. Jazz need someone that can attack the rim as much as defense.

 

[Ineptimusprime]

Watch, and tell me this isn’t exactly what we need. Note the defensive highlights.

second round steal. I’m telling ya. Can lockdown on D, can create his own shot, can hit the open 3 (kinda).

 

[Hekate]

I haven't watched much Kessler Edwards and he seems to have serious limitations, mostly mechanic. But he can fit into the secondary rim protector role and switch onto wings if necessary. He has great length and nail defense is where is it at if you want to capitalize on Gobert's defensive impact.

Shot is weird but quick and it goes in, he will probably never be pull-up threat. Finishing is alright but will probably be only a cut and straight line drive threat. Defensive fit and spacing is intriguing, though.

 

[Ineptimusprime]

Another observation. Trey Murphy, Greg Brown, and Herb Jones all stand out much more in highlights than JT Thor does. Thor moves a little awkward, IMO. Don’t like him much.

Greg Brown is an athletic freak, but appears to be a complete knucklehead the Jazz would never draft.

Trey Murphy, Herb Jones or bust.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Another observation. Trey Murphy, Greg Brown, and Herb Jones all stand out much more in highlights than JT Thor does. Thor moves a little awkward, IMO. Don’t like him much.

Greg Brown is an athletic freak, but appears to be a complete knucklehead the Jazz would never draft.

Trey Murphy, Herb Jones or bust.

Thor is a bit of a project. Very young. Very raw. I don't think you can compare him to Murphy or Jones. Drafting Thor would be a lot like drafting Josh Smith out of high school.

 

[idiot]

I don’t think Reaves or Ayayi is what we need. If those are the guys the Jazz like, color me pretty disappointed. I think I’d rather trade the pick to move Favs than draft either of those guys.

Herb Jones is definitely an NBA athlete and improves our athleticism from day one. I’d much rather be trying to teach an athlete how to shoot than try to teach a shooter how to be an athlete (impossible).

Hoping we move down into the second. I’d like a Herb Jones and a Marcus Garrett please.

Marcus Garrett will be the hidden gem of this draft that turns into an NBA rotation player. His three-point shooting improved a lot his last year at KU (around 35%) he is 6’5, long and athletic and can guard 1-3. One the best defenders in college basketball. I am a biased Jayhawk, but he’s definitely a Matisse Thybulle type.

I’d be happy with Jones and Garrett If we are trying to do this cheaply, trading down and nabbing two guys like that would have me pretty happy. Definitely address a need.

Here’s what I’d do. Favs and 30 for Delon Wright and Kings second rounder. Draft Herb Jones. Buy a late second and draft Garrett. Adding a KU teammate is the least we can for Doke after the terrible summer he’s had.

We end up with Wright, Jones, and Garrett and immediately upgrade length and athleticism cheaply, and get off Favs. Perfection. And extremely realistic and doable. Read this, FO, and GET IT THE **** DONE.

I kind of agree with you on Ayayi. He just seems "meh" at everything. I like Reaves better than him.

I'll have to look into Garrett more, but he seems like a redundancy if we were to get Delon Wright -- maybe a poor man's Delon Wright (based on college stats) -- especially if the Jazz still like Forrest? Why not swing for another big wing or skilled big?

I don't necessarily agree we have to just find the best length/athletes at this point. We've got to balance athleticism with feel for the game, at least as long as we retain Quin (he's not going to be giving serious minutes to guys who don't pressure the other team's defense). I think getting guys who feel the game in a superior way is another path to getting players who outperform their draft position. (I'm not saying anything about Garrett's feel for the game; I don't know enough yet.)