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2024 NBA Draft Mega Thread

Izan Almansa has been better player than Sarr at any level in any competition. Now, that doesn't automatically mean he will be better NBA player, but still... some food for thought...

He's interesting. His physical profile is a bit similar to Joaquim Noah. But in today's NBA, he becomes the physical, energy big. He has upside as a 5 though, I think.
 
Bronny James declared for the draft.

Entered transfer portal to maintain eligibility.
Is it too conspiratorial to think this actually shows LeBron might be closer to the end than we thought? Is it possible he's trying to leverage his name to get his son a spot on an NBA roster while he's still in the league? I.e. he might be retiring soon...ish and he can't/doesn't want to wait on Bronny much longer?
 
This is exactly my fear too. Please not Buzelis

I think Buzelis is a smart pick. A big, long player who can make reads and passes at the top of the key really opens up the floor, and I think Buzelis can probably do this from the 3 spot. I didn't like Buzelis when I thought he had to guard 4s, but as a wing he becomes interesting.
 
Sounds reasonable. '25 and '27 2nds + remove protections on the pick for 32?
Honestly... give me the protections removed and one second rounder and I'd likely do it. Especially because we have 3 rookies and 3 picks coming in this year... and 3 more the next year. I think offloading one late pick this year to improve the value of that lakers pick is tremendous. Allows them to trade the same pick twice essentially by removing protections... allows them to do their other business they want and make Lebron happy. Then Lebron and AD end up broken down and retired and we land the #1 pick in 2027... forcing Adam Silver to make up some BS about compensatory something or other and we have to give it back... okay maybe that last part won't happen.

Can you imagine if the Lakers had to give US a 2027 top 2-3 pick? That might be the same euphoria a championship would produce.
 
Is it too conspiratorial to think this actually shows LeBron might be closer to the end than we thought? Is it possible he's trying to leverage his name to get his son a spot on an NBA roster while he's still in the league? I.e. he might be retiring soon...ish and he can't/doesn't want to wait on Bronny much longer?
No... Lebron actually said he won't be around too much longer... who knows though. I think Lebron signs a max extension this offseason with the Lakers... gets Bronny on the squad and plays out the twilight of his career likely missing the playoffs the next couple seasons.
 
I think he's going to be functionally similar to Valanciunas, just bigger and slower, so you have to figure out a defensive scheme to cover for him.
That's probably a good comp there. Its good value middle of the first... if he ends up doing more than that then its a home run.
 
Honestly... give me the protections removed and one second rounder and I'd likely do it. Especially because we have 3 rookies and 3 picks coming in this year... and 3 more the next year. I think offloading one late pick this year to improve the value of that lakers pick is tremendous. Allows them to trade the same pick twice essentially by removing protections... allows them to do their other business they want and make Lebron happy. Then Lebron and AD end up broken down and retired and we land the #1 pick in 2027... forcing Adam Silver to make up some BS about compensatory something or other and we have to give it back... okay maybe that last part won't happen.

Can you imagine if the Lakers had to give US a 2027 top 2-3 pick? That might be the same euphoria a championship would produce.
Yeah, I'd probably go for that too. I'd want it to be a '27 or later 2nd, though, as it's unlikely LAL will be really bad in '25. They wouldn't own any of their picks, so even with injuries they'd go all in to compete.
 
I still think the Jazz are targeting Risacher, Buzelis, Williams or Holland to add length, athleticism and versatility to the wing. If the Jazz can get Sarr or Topic, then I assume they would.

If the Jazz don't move up in the lottery, I think they'll try to trade up within the top 10 like they did last year.
 
Also, I think Lebron, barring significant injuries, will be good enough to be a real force in this league for at least two more years, probably three. I'm actually more concerned (not really, but if I were a Lakers fan) about AD.
 
Yeah, I'd probably go for that too. I'd want it to be a '27 or later 2nd, though, as it's unlikely LAL will be really bad in '25. They wouldn't own any of their picks, so even with injuries they'd go all in to compete.
Seconds are primarily trade fodder for me but maybe try and get them in even years since we have infinity picks in odd years.
 
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