2023 NBA Draft Megathread

[Elizah Huge]

I know we’re supposed to just forget that he absolutely vanished at the end of the year and that he was involved in a murder but I am increasingly not sure why we’re supposed to forget those things.

The murder thing is a nothing burger. Barely any top prospects played well in the tournament either.

 

[NUMBERICA]

If Orlando is a Bilal team... I wonder if we could use that to move up or get more from OKC to move back. Like if Orlando is the promise at 11 then OKC ponies up a bit more to get to #9... maybe Orlando love Bilal and Dick and thinks they can get both while moving back to 9.

Bilal being a hot commodity is a good thing we can capitalize on. If someone did happen to jump up and take Bilal top 8 that would be amazing too.

I’m here for everyone going into a hysteria about a JV man of mystery across the ocean.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

The murder thing is a nothing burger. Barely any top prospects played well in the tournament either.

I don't think it's a nothing burger. Even if he doesn't have any criminal or civil liability, certain teams could question the "cultural fit." Jazz are a squeaky-clean organization.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I'd just draft Whitmore rather than trade for Keldon Johnson.

Detroit might not have that choice though.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

If there was a weird Bilal bidding war and OKC offered #12, Our 2024 1st, and another first later or like 25 2nds (they have a ton) I think that might be amazing value... and we likely still land Black/Wallace/Bufkin.

Also if Orlando likes Bilal/Ausar/Whitmore about the same I could see them being fine moving back to #9 while collecting the Lakers pick or another.

I think the Orlando option is the better of the two... but it could get interesting.

At very least we should start a bunch of rumors about wanting Bilal... whether OKC or another team trades above us for him or we get a premium for moving back or something... we should lean in as it would mean one of the top 7 wing/forward players slides to us.

 

[Elizah Huge]

I don't think it's a nothing burger. Even if he doesn't have any criminal or civil liability, certain teams could question the "cultural fit." Jazz are a squeaky-clean organization.

If he falls out of the top-3 it will be a huge mistake.

 

[NUMBERICA]

The murder thing is a nothing burger. Barely any top prospects played well in the tournament either.

He was especially ***, though. And he’s considered a top-3 lock. And I personally know 0 people involved in a murder. It’s not nothing.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I don't think it's a nothing burger. Even if he doesn't have any criminal or civil liability, certain teams could question the "cultural fit." Jazz are a squeaky-clean organization.

So I don’t actually think he should necessarily be seen as a bad apple despite the FACT he was involved in a murder. I certainly do have concerns about how all of that impacts his psyche, though.

 

[NUMBERICA]

He was especially ***, though. And he’s considered a top-3 lock. And I personally know 0 people involved in a murder. It’s not nothing.

Closest I got is someone in my sphere got drunk and ran over a kid in the middle of the road late at night (the kid lived, but was in critical condition) and he laid low for a few days while other people in my sphere cleaned blood off his car (he eventually turned himself in, which I should maybe give him credit for but I just can’t).

I am not a fan of this sphere of people and I don’t hang out with them anymore. They were/are scum ****s.

Cool story bro.

All’s I’m saying is being involved in a murder is not some ho hum ****.

 

[default]

All’s I’m saying is being involved in a murder is not some ho hum ****.

That situation clearly shows a lack of good judgement, regardless of criminal charges. I can see why teams consider his judgement when they are making this huge of an investment in players.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Closest I got is someone in my sphere got drunk and ran over a kid in the middle of the road late at night (the kid lived, but was in critical condition) and he laid low for a few days while other people in my sphere cleaned blood off his car (he eventually turned himself in, which I should maybe give him credit for but I just can’t).

I am not a fan of this sphere of people and I don’t hang out with them anymore. They were/are scum ****s.

Cool story bro.

All’s I’m saying is being involved in a murder is not some ho hum ****.

Yeah and the initial reporting was bad… I think what changed my mind on him a bit is there was some info that he did not see the text about the gun and was already on the way to pick up his friend… it’s not great but I think he does have a believable account where he legitimately was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m sure the truth is somewhere in the middle.


And just an FYI I was pretty down on him after the initial account of the story was released. It’s a tough one.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

That situation clearly shows a lack of good judgement, regardless of criminal charges. I can see why teams consider his judgement when they are making this huge of an investment in players.

In one side of the story he was headed to pick up his friend, didn’t know about the gun, and got the infamous text on the way and didn’t see it.


The truth is generally in the middle. It’s not as clear that he’s a kid with bad judgement or if he had bad friends. Those guys were also on the team so it wasn’t like some dudes he was long time friends with.

It’s a tough one though.