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2023 NBA Draft Megathread

Starting to feel at ease with the where the Timberwolves pick is. We have a long way to go until the draft, but I think Bufkin is still on the board there and I think he might be all-around better than both Wallace and George. He’s got dynamism that is like a blend of both players, but his efficiency around the rim (that is largely a product of his burst/quickness) is at a level above both of theirs. I would really like someone that can put pressure on the paint/rim from the perimeter AND someone that might have the ability to comfortably pull up from 3.

If the Jazz can secure Whitmore or Hendricks with the first pick (either through luck or a conservative trade up), and get Bufkin with the Wolves pick, I would be quite pleased.
Bufkin, Hawkins or George should be there. I'm not a huge Keyonte fan but he's worth a late lotto/mid-teens pick for sure.
 
Quick random trade idea. If we are at #9 and Whitmore is available at #7 (I doubt it) I wonder if we could kill two birds with one stone and move #9 and Ochai (or a pick) for Morris or Wright and #7. They need to drop a little salary. I'd prefer Morris but Wright is a nice stopgap PG. Depending on Wright's perceived value maybe #9, #28 is enough to get Wright and #7.
 
Quick random trade idea. If we are at #9 and Whitmore is available at #7 (I doubt it) I wonder if we could kill two birds with one stone and move #9 and Ochai (or a pick) for Morris or Wright and #7. They need to drop a little salary. I'd prefer Morris but Wright is a nice stopgap PG. Depending on Wright's perceived value maybe #9, #28 is enough to get Wright and #7.
#1 Ochai Hater on his grind
 
Quick random trade idea. If we are at #9 and Whitmore is available at #7 (I doubt it) I wonder if we could kill two birds with one stone and move #9 and Ochai (or a pick) for Morris or Wright and #7. They need to drop a little salary. I'd prefer Morris but Wright is a nice stopgap PG. Depending on Wright's perceived value maybe #9, #28 is enough to get Wright and #7.
This type of thing is exactly what I mean when I said “a conservative trade”. I think the Jazz could maybe land Whitmore or likely Hendricks in this manner.
 
i'd be okay with that draft. if ausar and amen can play, that's great value at 13. and whild tjd will be limited in the league, i do think he's a guy who could have a long career in a nba rotation.
That’d be amazing tbh.
 
#1 Ochai Hater on his grind
He’s fine… if he’s a starter next year I’m not sure our offseason went that well. We will see if he gets that summer league Bane glow up.
 
i'd be okay with that draft. if ausar and amen can play, that's great value at 13. and whild tjd will be limited in the league, i do think he's a guy who could have a long career in a nba rotation.
I also just caught that Ausar had more assists per game than Amen. I know there is more to being a point guard, but those numbers shouldn’t be close.

It’s gonna be hard for me to keep Amen above Ausar after seeing that and that Ausar appears to have worked (much) harder on his jumper.
 
For Flip though I think its a good decision. Likely does pretty well with NIL money and Duke is an institution I'd hang around if I wasn't a guy that is for sure going to be a 5-10 NBA guy (I know guarantees and floors are a thing you don't love) I think if you flamed out of the NBA you will have a job at Duke if you stuck around a bit. I legit think Flip is a fringe first rounder and there is real danger in being a second round pick and just being cut loose. If he can guarantee he gets selected top 20 next year spending a year fine tuning things will be worth it.

I could see Flip being a 4 year guy (for real) and ending up doing well with NIL, being a Duke legend, and being selected 1st round still. Hang around the league for 5+ years and then hanging around the Duke program while making a couple hundred grand a year as a local legend. To be clear this is a scenario where he just doesn't quite cut it in the NBA.

There is risk for sure... in his case I think its fine.

I think strictly for his NBA career it's not great, but there's a lot of enjoyment outside of his NBA career to be had. Being a Duke legend might be more important to him. If that's what he wants, it's what he wants but I don't think it's the best choice purely for optimizing his NBA career chances. The college and NBA game are also so different these days it could be counterproductive to his growth as a player. College coaches are asking their bigs to play completely different than NBA bigs on both ends. I think for Flip in particular he might never develop some role player characteristics that help him stay in the NBA as he will asked to be a star big man in college.

He could come back, relieve the concerns about his awful shooting around the rim and 3 point line, and raise his draft stock. He could also come back, be a great college player, and see his stock tank if the questions still don't answered. If he doesn't have a great year....could be bye bye NBA career. You have to improve so much to stay ahead of the "one year older" thing as a prospect and college coaches are not optimizing these players' development for the NBA. It is very much an uphill battle for returning players to improve their NBA stock.
 
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