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2023 NBA Draft Megathread

Handlogten's Heros said:
Only hesitation on Cason is the back injury and if it was an injury or a condition. I've been saying he is a lock to be gone by 16 but Hollinger noted the back in his article today. I think he could be pretty awesome and not sure why people think he has a low ceiling relative to where we are drafting him. If he is a game manager type - thing Monte Morris - on offense and a dawg defender... that is fantastic.
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His coming in “small” has me thinking big that he could slip to 16 which would make me glue my pants.
 
As I said in the other thread I haven't watched much college basketball this year. I'm coming to the pre-draft process with pretty much clear mind on the prospects. I will watch highlight of the top ~15 or so prospect and will be typing down my VERY SURFACE level impressions of them:
1. Wemby - GOD!
2. Scoot - speed, athleticism, active hands on defense.... very good skill level, very good handle, can finish in the restricted area even against contests, good feel for the pass... can't make out his feel for the game and his ability to operate in the PnR from highlights. The shot looks good, no idea if it's falling enough. I know that supposedly he had a down season, but... if we get the 2-4 pick and he's there... I think I'd be good with that pick. I think he has decently high upside.
3. Brandon Miller - great size and length. Very good skill for his size. The shot looks good... AND he playmakes for his teammates? Another one I would have no trouble taking in the top 3 if we jump to a non-1 spot in the lottery... looks like high level prospect
4. Cam Whitmore - chunky! Looks huge. Has explosiveness, but not sure he's as quick as I'd like... His shot looks good... he shoots both on the catch and off the dribble. Good skill level, but handle looks ... meh? ... Didn't see much/any playmaking for his teammates... Like him don't love him... on highlights :D
5. Amen Thompson - freaky athleticism and physical traits... effortless jumps... very intriguing passing flashes. Looks like a creative passer. Questionable shot... not sure he will ever be an average shooter. Huge defesive potential
6. Ausar Thompson - freaky athleticism and physical traits... effortless jumps... I don't love his shot. Seems like he shoots more/better than his brother... still not sold on it... Like his brother, shows some great passing flashes. Good feel for the game, solid ballhandling...
7. Taylor Hendricks - shotblocker/secondary rim protector? Very good size for a wing. Shooter? Stroke looks nice on the catch. OK... I'm intrigued... good atleticism... on-ball offensive game seems to be work in progress... still... first time I'm seeing any of his highlights, looks really intriguing. Serious 2-way potential.
8. Anthony Black - big guard... some explosive plays on highlights... unselfish... makes the right pass it seems... good feel for the game, good skill, good finding options off the PnR. Defensive potential? The highlight I saw had him shooting some 3s and hitting, but his %s are not great. His FT% is OK at 70%... maybe there's a chance he gets to about average? His shot doesn't looks particularly smooth. Didn't see much self-creation... Lonzo type projection?
9. Jarace Walker - another big wing. Love that this draft has some big wing/guards. Looks huge. Good not great athleticism... shot looks OK... some passing flashes? great shotblocker for a wing. Defensive upside? Not much self-creation besides attacking some close-outs... floaters rather than attacking the rim?
10. Cason Wallace - size OK for a point guard, strong... they are posting him up?!? Doesn't look super athletic... Some great flashes of playmaking for teammates, shooting and even defensive contests at the rim. Shot looks good. Better than most of those other players in the top 10. %s are better too... I think it can translate. Good patience out of the PnR... Is he a lead guard, gets a lot of off-ball shots? Finishes through contact at the rim. Interested to see his stats at the rim... He looks solid but unspectacular. Kind of like... George Hill type?

OK... this is it for me for now... I will continue my exploring of the top of the draft tomorrow... Tell me what I got wrong in here? Favorites so far... (purely based on highlights) ... Top 3, I'd be good with any of them... Amen Thompson, Taylor Hendricks....Anthony Black
 
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default said:
I watched Black play probably 4 games. From that sample size, I saw someone with great size but not strength, a willingness to pass, someone who 1/2 the time showed great defensive promise on the perimeter and other 1/2 he looked lost. I also saw someone that seemed too afraid to even try to shoot even when wide open, someone who didn't want to set screens or do anything else on offense when the ball was not in his hands, and who didn't seem to know where he should be on the court. Some of this can be taught , but some has me very concerned. I have him about 9 or 10 due to potential, but I would prefer someone I have more confidence in or someone I think has more upside. In every one of those games Ricky Council or Jordan Walsh seemed to have the most impact on the team's success, not Black. I don't hate him, but I hope for better.
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Honestly a pretty fair assessment. I watched close to 6-7 of his games and he was all over the board in those as well. Truly a mystery for me where I stand on that dude right now. I could be anywhere from 8-18 on him on draft day.
 
stitches said:
As I said in the other thread I haven't watched much college basketball this year. I'm coming to the pre-draft process with pretty much clear mind on the prospects. I will watch highlight of the top ~15 or so prospect and will be typing down my VERY SURFACE level impressions of them:
1. Wemby - GOD!
2. Scoot - speed, athleticism, active hands on defense.... very good skill level, very good handle, can finish in the restricted area even against contests, good feel for the pass... can't make out his feel for the game and his ability to operate in the PnR from highlights. The shot looks good, no idea if it's falling enough. I know that supposedly he had a down season, but... if we get the 2-4 pick and he's there... I think I'd be good with that pick. I think he has decently high upside.
3. Brandon Miller - great size and length. Very good skill for his size. The shot looks good... AND he playmakes for his teammates? Another one I would have no trouble taking in the top 3 if we jump to a non-1 spot in the lottery... looks like high level prospect
4. Cam Whitmore - chunky! Looks huge. Has explosiveness, but not sure he's as quick as I'd like... His shot looks good... he shoots both on the catch and off the dribble. Good skill level, but handle looks ... meh? ... Didn't see much/any playmaking for his teammates... Like him don't love him... on highlights :D
5. Amen Thompson - freaky athleticism and physical traits... effortless jumps... very intriguing passing flashes. Looks like a creative passer. Questionable shot... not sure he will ever be an average shooter. Huge defesive potential
6. Ausar Thompson - freaky athleticism and physical traits... effortless jumps... I don't love his shot. Seems like he shoots more/better than his brother... still not sold on it... Like his brother, shows some great passing flashes. Good feel for the game, solid ballhandling...
7. Taylor Hendricks - shotblocker/secondary rim protector? Very good size for a wing. Shooter? Stroke looks nice on the catch. OK... I'm intrigued... good atleticism... on-ball offensive game seems to be work in progress... still... first time I'm seeing any of his highlights, looks really intriguing. Serious 2-way potential.
8. Anthony Black - big guard... some explosive plays on highlights... unselfish... makes the right pass it seems... good feel for the game, good skill, good finding options off the PnR. Defensive potential? The highlight I saw had him shooting some 3s and hitting, but his %s are not great. His FT% is OK at 70%... maybe there's a chance he gets to about average? His shot doesn't looks particularly smooth. Didn't see much self-creation... Lonzo type projection?
9. Jarace Walker - another big wing. Love that this draft has some big wing/guards. Looks huge. Good not great athleticism... shot looks OK... some passing flashes? great shotblocker for a wing. Defensive upside? Not much self-creation besides attacking some close-outs... floaters rather than attacking the rim?
10. Cason Wallace - size OK for a point guard, strong... they are posting him up?!? Doesn't look super athletic... Some great flashes of playmaking for teammates, shooting and even defensive contests at the rim. Shot looks good. Better than most of those other players in the top 10. %s are better too... I think it can translate. Good patience out of the PnR... Is he a lead guard, gets a lot of off-ball shots? Finishes through contact at the rim. Interested to see his stats at the rim... He looks solid but unspectacular. Kind of like... George Hill type?

OK... this is it for me for now... I will continue my exploring of the top of the draft tomorrow... Tell me what I got wrong in here? Favorites so far... (purely based on highlights) ... Top 3, I'd be good with any of them... Amen Thompson, Taylor Hendricks....Anthony Black
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About 750+ pages could be summarized to this post.
 
seattlejazzfan said:
guys who have never averaged over 15ppg over an entire season. okay, batum has one where he averaged 15.1. middleton is the only decent comp there, but miller's ceiling is much higher than even him.
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Batum peaked as a guy who could give you 16/7/6 with solid defense. If Miller could do that, I would be thoroughly impressed. I'm not seeing the sky-high ceiling.
 
stitches said:
As I said in the other thread I haven't watched much college basketball this year. I'm coming to the pre-draft process with pretty much clear mind on the prospects. I will watch highlight of the top ~15 or so prospect and will be typing down my VERY SURFACE level impressions of them:
1. Wemby - GOD!
2. Scoot - speed, athleticism, active hands on defense.... very good skill level, very good handle, can finish in the restricted area even against contests, good feel for the pass... can't make out his feel for the game and his ability to operate in the PnR from highlights. The shot looks good, no idea if it's falling enough. I know that supposedly he had a down season, but... if we get the 2-4 pick and he's there... I think I'd be good with that pick. I think he has decently high upside.
3. Brandon Miller - great size and length. Very good skill for his size. The shot looks good... AND he playmakes for his teammates? Another one I would have no trouble taking in the top 3 if we jump to a non-1 spot in the lottery... looks like high level prospect
4. Cam Whitmore - chunky! Looks huge. Has explosiveness, but not sure he's as quick as I'd like... His shot looks good... he shoots both on the catch and off the dribble. Good skill level, but handle looks ... meh? ... Didn't see much/any playmaking for his teammates... Like him don't love him... on highlights :D
5. Amen Thompson - freaky athleticism and physical traits... effortless jumps... very intriguing passing flashes. Looks like a creative passer. Questionable shot... not sure he will ever be an average shooter. Huge defesive potential
6. Ausar Thompson - freaky athleticism and physical traits... effortless jumps... I don't love his shot. Seems like he shoots more/better than his brother... still not sold on it... Like his brother, shows some great passing flashes. Good feel for the game, solid ballhandling...
7. Taylor Hendricks - shotblocker/secondary rim protector? Very good size for a wing. Shooter? Stroke looks nice on the catch. OK... I'm intrigued... good atleticism... on-ball offensive game seems to be work in progress... still... first time I'm seeing any of his highlights, looks really intriguing. Serious 2-way potential.
8. Anthony Black - big guard... some explosive plays on highlights... unselfish... makes the right pass it seems... good feel for the game, good skill, good finding options off the PnR. Defensive potential? The highlight I saw had him shooting some 3s and hitting, but his %s are not great. His FT% is OK at 70%... maybe there's a chance he gets to about average? His shot doesn't looks particularly smooth. Didn't see much self-creation... Lonzo type projection?
9. Jarace Walker - another big wing. Love that this draft has some big wing/guards. Looks huge. Good not great athleticism... shot looks OK... some passing flashes? great shotblocker for a wing. Defensive upside? Not much self-creation besides attacking some close-outs... floaters rather than attacking the rim?
10. Cason Wallace - size OK for a point guard, strong... they are posting him up?!? Doesn't look super athletic... Some great flashes of playmaking for teammates, shooting and even defensive contests at the rim. Shot looks good. Better than most of those other players in the top 10. %s are better too... I think it can translate. Good patience out of the PnR... Is he a lead guard, gets a lot of off-ball shots? Finishes through contact at the rim. Interested to see his stats at the rim... He looks solid but unspectacular. Kind of like... George Hill type?

OK... this is it for me for now... I will continue my exploring of the top of the draft tomorrow... Tell me what I got wrong in here? Favorites so far... (purely based on highlights) ... Top 3, I'd be good with any of them... Amen Thompson, Taylor Hendricks....Anthony Black
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Here's how I would add some color to this list, but it's pretty good and reflects a lot of common opinion IMO. In some of these cases I'm just being devil's advocate and offering the other side even if I don't personally hold that opinion.

Wemby - enough said
Scoot - Had somewhat of an underwhelming season in the G-League. Did not shoot a ton of 3's and is a heavy mid range player. Looks amazing physically, but maybe doesn't get to the rim as much as you'd like.
Miller - I think everyone thinks he has a high floor, but some questions about his potential to be a star. Was a very old freshman.
Whitmore - Explosive bowling ball athlete, very young. Potentially lacking a high level feel/doesn't playmake well
Amen - Played in OTE, which is basically an AAU tournament. 20 years old when there are much younger players. The premier athlete in the draft. Can't shoot at all, but high skill level otherwise
Ausar - OTE concerns also apply. Generally seen as the higher floor, lower ceiling brother due to a better shot....but not quite the same athlete (still very good on his own)
Hendricks - Big riser since the beginning of the season, could be a super role player and that's a big reason why people love him. But maybe lacks some feel, which raises questions about expanding beyond that role
Black - Gets a lot of Lonzo/Giddey comparisons, but probably not at that elite level passer especially in the half court. Defensively one of the best prospects, creates a lot of chaos but also not the best at getting around screens. Shooting is the concern with him.
Walker - Seen as more of a big in the Millsap/Horford/Bam mold than a wing. Built like a tank. Considered an elite defensive prospect. One skill that people love with him is his passing for a big
Wallace - The more "boring" alternative to Black. George Hill is a decent comparison. I think people generally agree with the high floor, lower ceiling judgement. One thing to keep in mind with his athleticism is that he was hurt as the season went on and it was very noticeable. Maybe the best defensive guard in the draft.

If I were to recommend three other prospects to watch, I would suggest these three:

Gradey Dick - Great shooter with good complimentary skills
GG Jackson - Youngest player in the draft, former #1 prospect before he reclassified, absolutely stunk it up in the NCAA but has many fans
Bilal Coulibaly - Personal favorite. Is Wemby's teammate in France. Physical freak who was totally off the radar but has had a 7+ inch growth spurt in the last two years.
 
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KqWIN said:
Here's how I would add some color to this list, but it's pretty good and reflects a lot of common opinion IMO. In some of these cases I'm just being devil's advocate and offering the other side even if I don't personally hold that opinion.

Wemby - enough said
Scoot - Had somewhat of an underwhelming season in the G-League. Did not shoot a ton of 3's and is a heavy mid range player. Looks amazing physically, but maybe doesn't get to the rim as much as you'd like.
Miller - I think everyone thinks he has a high floor, but some questions about his potential to be a star. Was a very old freshman.
Whitmore - Explosive bowling ball athlete, very young. Potentially lacking a high level feel/doesn't playmake well
Amen - Played in OTE, which is basically an AAU tournament. 20 years old when there are much younger players. The premier athlete in the draft. Can't shoot at all, but high skill level otherwise
Ausar - OTE concerns also apply. Generally seen as the higher floor, lower ceiling brother due to a better shot....but not quite the same athlete (still very good on his own)
Hendricks - Big riser since the beginning of the season, could be a super role player and that's a big reason why people love him. But maybe lacks some feel, which raises questions about expanding beyond that role
Black - Gets a lot of Lonzo/Giddey comparisons, but probably not at that elite level passer especially in the half court. Defensively one of the best prospects, creates a lot of chaos but also not the best at getting around screens
Walker - Seen as more of a big in the Millsap/Horford/Bam mold than a wing. Built like a tank. Considered an elite defensive prospect. One skill that people love with him is his passing for a big
Wallace - The more "boring" alternative to Black. George Hill is a decent comparison. I think people generally agree with the high floor, lower ceiling judgement. One thing to keep in mind with his athleticism is that he was hurt as the season went on and it was very noticeable. Maybe the best defensive guard in the draft.

If I were to recommend three other prospects to watch, I would suggest these three:

Gradey Dick - Great shooter with good complimentary skills
GG Jackson - Youngest player in the draft, former #1 prospect before he reclassified, absolutely stunk it up in the NCAA but has many fans
Bilal Coulibaly - Personal favorite. Is Wemby's teammate in France. Physical freak who was totally off the radar but has had a 7+ inch growth spurt in the last two years.
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Nice summary
 
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If those were the teams in the top 4, that would suck so badly for all those teams with the best odds moving back 4 spots and for the Mavs who would lose their pick. OUCH!!!
 
I saw someone say that Cam Whitmore is kind of the Rorschach test of the draft which kinda makes sense after watching him… like if you want to see a future Jaylen Brown esque star, you can see it. And if you want to see a tunnel visioned player who is a bad playmaker and won’t be able to barrel is way through nba players a la Stanley Johnson, Shabazz Muhammad, or Derrick Williams, you can see that too. He was one of the dudes i immediately liked though so I’m riding with him would love him at 9, but he’ll probably go before we pick.
 
NUMBERICA said:
Yeah, look what happened: the legislature used that precipitation to kill the vast majority of legislation that would've actually helped the Great Salt Lake.

(I worked for a legislator during the legislative session and that is all they/we were focused on. The inaction on water was incredibly despiriting.)
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This is upsetting news
 
Portland might put the #3 pick on the market. They're not going to get the return they want for Dame with that kind of contract. If I were Charlotte, I'd entertain trading the pick as well.
 
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