Following Potential 2025 Draftees

[Basketball Novice]

Couple things. You jump from 8-10 to 23. I think that is disingenuous. Let’s say he only reaches his floor. To me that is not worse than Jabari Smith. Jabari Smith in his current state would absolutely be picked in the lottery in this draft. I think you are crazy

To me, his floor is much lower. The passing does not look good and if his shooting is only average vs. great I don't know what positive value he will bring. He is a big ball of physical talent and potential but he needs to work on a ton of stuff. I am sure he will develop somewhat in the NBA but I am not interested in the Jazz becoming a development camp for 18 and 19 year olds before we overpay them on their 2nd contracts.

 

[Basketball Novice]

Then again, there are high potential, super young prospects that I do like. Like I said, I just don't believe in what Ace brings to the table.

 

[KqWIN]

Tagging @SoberasHotRod because I know this is one his guys.

I saw some numbers on twitter that Traore’s rim FG% and Rim rate are actually much higher than I expected. Given his very low 2FG% I thought this might be a case of shooting tons of non-rim 2’s. But if the numbers I saw are correct, it would actually be a result of shooting diabolically bad non-rim 2’s.

I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a good thing that he is potentially this horrible on non-rim 2’s, but it’s a better than picture I was painting before.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Tagging @SoberasHotRod because I know this is one his guys.

I saw some numbers on twitter that Traore’s rim FG% and Rim rate are actually much higher than I expected. Given his very low 2FG% I thought this might be a case of shooting tons of non-rim 2’s. But if the numbers I saw are correct, it would actually be a result of shooting diabolically bad non-rim 2’s.

I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a good thing that he is potentially this horrible on non-rim 2’s, but it’s better than picture I was painting before.

Makes sense, that's at least what the little film that's available shows.

And for the record I'm not a Traore homer, I probably was at first, but he's just someone that I've chosen to follow closely. I've wanted to understand how to scout international players and so I've used Traore as an opportunity to learn more.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I don't believe he will work out and I didn't want to be disingenuous and put him at somewhere like 8 or 10 if I don't trust the skillset. In essence, I am not interested in taking the bet on him.

I mean, you really think someone that size/athleticism who can shoot isn't bare minimum top 15?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

To me Traore just looks fine. Don't see a ton of upside. Think he has to shoot to reach whatever upside he has, and the numbers just aren't encouraging.

Don't think the shot looks horrible though. I could see him as high as 18-ish.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

NBA Big Board threw out some shooting stat on Bailey's 3s where was over 40% on guarded 3s and under 30% on open ones.

I think he just had a bad shooting year at Rutgers.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Is Traore known as being a high level defender? That's really the only thing that would sway me on him. Think he just projects as very average offensively with some natural PG skills.

 

[KqWIN]

Physically he’s a different build than Collier, but I think he has the same “if he can shoot” upside and while his shot doesn’t go in it may be less hopeless than Collier’s.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Is Traore known as being a high level defender? That's really the only thing that would sway me on him. Think he just projects as very average offensively with some natural PG skills.

He's not a good defender currently. He's ok on ball, but bad off ball, although he had made some major progress in the last game I saw.

 

[Basketball Novice]

I mean, you really think someone that size/athleticism who can shoot isn't bare minimum top 15?

Size/Athleticism alone isn't enough. The shooting is enticing , I'll give you that, but I think the lack of passing feel is indicative of a lack of overall feel in general. Why isn't he a monster at the rim with his size/athleticism? Why does he settle for jumpers so much? Shouldn't he be racking up steals and blocks if he is this uber athlete with size? Not to say he is horrible on defense but everything feels a bit disappointing with him. I worry about all of that. And its a mystery to me how much he will develop.

There is also the obvious question, if Ace and Harper are that good, what happened with Rutgers? Doesn't someone have to take the blame for that? I get it, it's tough for freshmen to lead a college bball team. But, we are talking a lottery pick here.
And with the Jazz, we are talking a top 5 pick.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

NBA Big Board threw out some shooting stat on Bailey's 3s where was over 40% on guarded 3s and under 30% on open ones.

I think he just had a bad shooting year at Rutgers.

I think it's fair to question Ace as a shooter based on his college stats, but those who have followed him since high school don't question that part of his game.