Following Potential 2020 draftees
- Thread starter Game6Conley
- Start date
I'd be surprised if the Jazz take Nnaji in the first round. It would probably mean there are real off-court problems with both Paul Reed and Jaden McDaniels, and it would mean they're not interested in Bolmaro. Also, if the Jazz want a 4/5 who can shoot with range, they'd be more likely to take Jalen Smith. Neither Nnaji nor Smith look like they'll be great defensively on the perimeter right now, however.
The appeal of Nnaji is that he's a roll-man with size, good motor and some shooting touch from mid-range. He's probably going to play most of his minutes at the 5 in the mold of a Derrick Favors.
I think the Jazz are looking for two archetypes. One is a versatile guard with some size to play next to Mitchell, both on and off the ball. That's the appeal of a player like Hampton, Maledon or Bolmaro. If they re-sign Clarkson, then maybe this is less of a need. The other archetype is an athletic two-way wing or forward with length, like Williams, Reed or McDaniels. It's possible that Brantley will show out in Orlando and dampen the urgency of this need a little. Another athletic wing that could interest the Jazz would be Josh Green.
If they end up drafting a big, to me it means that there are red flags with the other guys.
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I wouldn't be surprised if they took Nnaji just because he's a big with some shooting potential. I don't think that they will take him though. I just think that there will be better options available. I agree that they'd probably be more likely to take Jalen Smith than Nnaji just because he's a more proven and versatile shooter, rim protector and rebounder. Smith is a straight 5 on defense though. I don't think you want him guarding in space very often. His best value will come as a drop big. Which makes him unlikely choice as well since we have Rudy/Tony.
I'm like 99% sure that the Jazz wouldn't take Jaden McDaniels under any circumstance. Pretty sure the attitude stuff is real.
I don't really see why Clarkson won't be on the Jazz next year. The Jazz are trying to contend and have no way to replace his production if he leaves. They pretty much NEED him back. He has strong incentive to stay too because he's played his best basketball here and has a good chance to win here.
I like Hampton. He's a great athlete with a raw base of skills to build on. He's just not great at anything right now. I don't think he'll help a team much in his first contract, especially in the first few years. I feel like the Jazz need a guy who will make a quicker impact if possible. But in the highly unlikely event that Hampton is there when the Jazz pick... I'd be fine with it.
I like Josh Green as well. He has a skill that could help a team early in his career and that's his defense. Especially strong on ball. I also think he's an underrated passer. He's not gonna initiate plays or run an offense but he makes quick decisions and they are usually good. He needs work on offense everywhere else though. He shot 36% from three but he has worrisome mechanics. He bends his knees inwards when he shoots which is really weird. He's not a very good finisher at the rim either. But overall just like Hampton I wouldn't be upset if he was the pick.
The only things that really appeal me about Maledon is that he has the size to play two positions and I think that his jumper is pretty good. But overall I'm not a fan. I think that there are several better guard options in this class. The main problem is that his defense is so bad that he might not stick in the league. The Jazz don't really need another guard who doesn't offer resistance.
We've been over Bolmaro. I just don't get the first round appeal. He has no value as an off ball player on offense because he can't shoot and he's not a cutter. You can't have him initate offense because he's not a shooting threat. The passing is more flash than substance.... he turns it over a lot trying to force flashy passes. And defensively he's just overaggressive in blitzing ball handlers. That's why he has a high steal rate. It's like a college kid who gets a lot of steals in a full court press scheme or by playing at the top of a zone scheme. It's not a indicator of good defense it's just an indicator of an opportune situation. He's not going to be able to do that in the NBA without getting cooked. The handle, size, passing creativity certainly makes him intriguing. There's just not enough there that's more than a theory to make me comfortable in him as a first round pick though.
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Maledon has the tools to defend and he's still young. I haven't given up on him on that end and think he could have some sneaky SGA potential. He plays very conservatively and under control in Euroleague, and I think he's capable of making more big plays than he's shown. He doesn't have much star potential per se, but he should be a steady, complementary player.
The appeal of Bolmaro is his combination of size, handle, passing and IQ. His shooting has been patchy, but the sample size has been small. I'm projecting him to improve and become an adequate shooter. He was shooting confidently when Euroleague resumed a few weeks ago. A 6'7" wing with advanced vision, IQ and passing can dominate a game. The Jazz, in particular, like wings who can create in pick-and-roll, and that's something Bolmaro should be able to do at a high level. He'll need a year or two to mature physically, but then I think he should have an impact. He's also potentially a three-position defender.
When Gordon Hayward first came in the league he was a skinny 6'7" guy with a very basic handle, a first step that was average at best, streaky shooting, and athleticism that made people wonder if he'd be able to defend in the NBA. What Hayward had though was IQ. He knew how to see plays develop and to execute them. That's what gave him a foundation to build upon. Bolmaro has that level of feel, timing and even better playmaking than Hayward had.
Another guy I like is Jared Butler in the 2nd round. He does some things that remind me of George Hill one minute, and DWill the next. There are so many guards in this draft that I think he's being underrated.
I think the Jazz would make a concerted effort to trade up to draft Patrick Williams, Devin Vassell or Aleksej Pokusevski. I think they really want to hit with their pick this year. I just don't know if they'd be able to pull it off. They'd need to find a team that's tired of drafting young players--maybe a team like Phoenix.
Game6Conley
Well-Known Member
Yes. And I trust the source that gave me the info.
Josh Hall, a 5-star recruit from Moravian Prep (5th-year senior), is reportedly staying the the draft and hiring an agent. I wouldn't mind picking him up if he goes undrafted. He's 6'9", 200 lbs with some handle and shooting touch.
Leandro Bolmaro is up to #14 on Bleacher Report's Big Board.
Carry on.
Carry on.