IF Ace Bailey is off our board… who do we pick?

[idiot]

How is he different to Sexton coming out of college though?

Rather different player type, but some things:

• Much more of a true PG
• Taller
• A lot better at controlling the action, tempo
• Not the pure bucket getter that Sexton was/is
• (At least for those who like him, I presume) much easier to imagine how he eventually makes others around him better

 

[The Midnight]

Rather different player type, but some things:

• Much more of a true PG
• Taller
• A lot better at controlling the action, tempo
• Not the pure bucket getter that Sexton was/is
• (At least for those who like him, I presume) much easier to imagine how he eventually makes others around him better

But is he THAT much if an upgrade on Collier?

 

[idiot]

But is he THAT much if an upgrade on Collier?

That's one question, of course. If he turns into a solid starter and Collier turns into a good backup, is that enough to justify the pick? Maybe. ... Probably. I assume that if the Jazz pick him, they're satisfied with the idea that he's likely to be a good deal better than Collier.

But the bigger question is whether he's a better prospect than the rest that are available at #5? Will he contribute more to a winning team? I trust the Jazz go with who they think best answers this question.

I'm not going to pretend I know the answer to who is actually the best at #5. I kind of like him and think he can be a solid part of a winning team if he develops well, but there are things I like (and dislike) about all of the guys we've talked about. I'm much more doubtful that he (or anyone else at this spot) is likely to turn into a superstar.

 

[The Midnight]

You need to think strategically. If you’re the GM, trying to get a player to drop two spots without, say, taking on the worst contract in the league, a couple things have to go right:

—You have to piss Philadelphia and Charlotte off enough that they skip your target player in the draft.
—You have to make teams below you not make a deal with Philadelphia or Charlotte.

Skipping all workouts, cancelling on Philly at the last minute - good way to piss Morey off.

Windhorst (who Ainge has a cozy relationship with) makes “teams souring on Ace” a subject of national conversation. DraftExpress says Ace passed on Utah - exactly what you’d want the teams below you to think.

I’m just saying - something fishy is going on and I would not be shocked at all if Ainge were behind it. This is how he moves.

Wow, maybe this just happened.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Wow, maybe this just happened.

If that was the actual game plan, and it’s not just luck, it’s one of the best smokescreens I’ve ever seen.

 

[Flc]

Wow, maybe this just happened.

Appreciate that, Niccckkkkkky. It may have been Washington's play and Ainge the Elder screwed them, but Ainge the Younger mentioned it was two weeks ago when the FO decided the best outcome of the draft would be the two players they got and they worked to figure out how to make it happen. Then eight days ago, Ace cancels his workout with Philly.

Ainge hatched the plan to trade for KG three years before it happened. He hatched the plan to acquire Hayward four years before it happened. It'll never be proven one way or another, but I called this in advance based on a hunch because of how I've seen Ainge the Elder move. This all tracks.

 

[Flc]

View: https://x.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1938272680232288675


Probably as much "confirmation" as we're going to get.