2023 NBA Draft Megathread

[Saint Cy of JFC]

The Bilal stuff just seems like a smoke screen to me. They know OKC is very interested and trying to get something from them. Bilal is the opposite prospect you pick if you are trying to go through a quick rebuild, which our org keeps saying they don't want a long process.

Whoever you pick at 9 isn't likely to be a huge contributor early so the short term approach doesn't really make sense. If we are to believe the quick turnaround stuff it's probably more applicable to how they approach free agency and trades.

You could argue Bilal is the most advanced defender and therefore the closest to contributing.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

This would be kind of underwhelming. I like Bilal but not sure I like him enough to take him at 9, especially when there's a good chance someone like Hendricks could still be on the board, and there are a lot of guards I like more than George.

If Ainge does not like Black or Wallace or thinks a pg is available at 16 I could see this. I don't love it either but would trust the FO I guess. My top 25 for us:

1- Wemby
2- Scoot
3- Miller
4- Whitmore
5- Amen
6- Ausar
7- Hendricks
8- Black
9- Wallace
10- Walker
11- Bufkin
12- Miller
13- Dick
14- Bilal
15- George
16- hawkins
17- Whitehead
18- Jett Howard
19- JHS
20- Sidy
21- Jones
22- NSJ
23- Clowney
24- Max Lewis
25- Rupert

So I think George/Bilal is not an ideal outcome... especially if we trade up. As I think we could have 3 guys in that top 25. If you told me we landed Black/Wallace and Bilal but had to move up... then fine.

 

[The Midnight]

It's an Exum-like swing.

That’s my concern.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Do we think this is reliable information?

This is literally the most intel we've received on the Jazz's draft strategy this whole off season.

I think the Jazz have Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. They're probably leaking Plan C.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

With FVV likely gone I think Wallace officially has a floor of 13 to Toronto. Wouldn't be shocked to see them go with JHS or George at 13. I think our best route to a pg is to take them at 9 and then hope Bilal or Miller or some other wing slides a bit.

Hard time declaring any kind of floor for any of the PGs. Teams could easily have different stylistic preferences across the board for these guys

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Whoever you pick at 9 isn't likely to be a huge contributor early so the short term approach doesn't really make sense. If we are to believe the quick turnaround stuff it's probably more applicable to how they approach free agency and trades.

You could argue Bilal is the most advanced defender and therefore the closest to contributing.

If we don't draft a pg I think its a hint we address it in FA and then we are taking a fast track. Bilal should be able to function in Ochai bench type minutes early and grow from there.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Stein is probably most tied into Dallas... wonder if he knows there is some dialogue between us and Dallas. Seem like pretty natural trade partners. Maybe 16/28 for 10 and we take McGee's deal?

If I were Dallas, I'd ask to swap THJ for Ochai -- better money, better defense, equal shooting. Don't think the Jazz would do that though.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Whoever you pick at 9 isn't likely to be a huge contributor early so the short term approach doesn't really make sense. If we are to believe the quick turnaround stuff it's probably more applicable to how they approach free agency and trades.

You could argue Bilal is the most advanced defender and therefore the closest to contributing.

I get what you are saying, but I'm thinking a more proven guy at 9 could be ready to contribute by the end of year 1, early year 2. I see Bilal as a guy that takes 2-3 years just to bulk up and get up to NBA speed. I could be wrong.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

If we don't draft a pg I think its a hint we address it in FA and then we are taking a fast track. Bilal should be able to function in Ochai bench type minutes early and grow from there.

I picture him spending most of his time in the G-League next year.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I see it the other way, I don't think we should go PG at #9 because it's likely that Keyonte, Cason, Bufkin, JHS will be there. At #9 I think you take whoever falls or Bilal/Dick.....I guess there's a chance Black doesn't go top 8, but I'm assuming he does and that leaves us with a choice between Ausar/Hendricks/Walker (whoever falls) and Bilal/Dick. I'd take one of these guys and wait on the PG/combo guard.

Its more about my personal belief in the guys in that range. I don't think George is a pg, I don't think JHS is good. After Bufkin I'm not a big fan of the pgs. Miller isn't a wing but I love him... so if Bilal isn't there I think Miller has a chance to be. I'd settle in on Hawkins if they all got snatched up. I'd have Cason, Black, Bufkin all a tier above the other pg prospects... my first choice is take a falling wing. I might take Walker as trade bait and move back to get the guard I want.

 

[Jingled]

So I think George/Bilal is not an ideal outcome... especially if we trade up. As I think we could have 3 guys in that top 25. If you told me we landed Black/Wallace and Bilal but had to move up... then fine.

Yeah, I'd feel a lot better about Black/Wallace or even Bufkin and Bilal. Just a lot of guards I would rather have than George.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I get what you are saying, but I'm thinking a more proven guy at 9 could be ready to contribute by the end of year 1, early year 2. I see Bilal as a guy that takes 2-3 years just to bulk up and get up to NBA speed. I could be wrong.

Yeah but most of these guys were pretty underwhelming college players. If we are going the most proven route, it would probably be Gradey Dick at 9? He was one of the better freshman in the hardest conference on a team that is known for not being Freshman friendly.