2016 NBA Draft thread

[GatorAZ]

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheMattPetersen/status/722559758901743616

Figured as much. Trade one and stash the other.

 

[Mainstreet]

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheMattPetersen/status/722559758901743616

Figured as much. Trade one and stash the other.

I think the Suns would like to trade a pick(s) for a PF but if the Suns can't, I think they would prefer to trade one for another first round pick in another year.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So. What do you all think about Tyler Ulis? I tend to dismiss him out of hand just because of his size, but then you see IT dropping 42 in the playoffs, and it makes me wonder if smaller players like this are more of a possibility in today's NBA.

You would think the liability would be defense, but Ulis is clearly a very good defender on the perimeter. Yes, players will be able to shoot over him, but he plays very good position ball, draw alot of charges, and gets alot of steals. So, unless an opposing guard is posting up (which is really rare these days) he should be ok.

He has an excellent blend of being able to distribute AND hold opponents accountable with his shot and range, out to way beyond the three point line. He is also a very smart player.

He is very much like a shorter Steve Nash (except Ulis plays d). Would Steve Nash have been effective if he was 5 inches shorter? Probably. Steve's game did not depend on size at all. Ulis is intriguing. I really would consider taking him with the Cleveland pick.

 

[Errntknght]

I'd be glad to have the Suns take Ulis with any pick because it would signal the end of the dual combo guard offense! Maybe not immediately but once they say how much better it was with a real distributor at the helm, they'd capitulate. Booker clearly lacks creative PG skills but he's a heady player and I trust him to make the right pass in the flow of the game. And he gives a fine second option for an outlet pass - remember way back when Hornacek said that was the reason they wanted two PGs on the floor. (His words, not mine.)

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'd be glad to have the Suns take Ulis with any pick because it would signal the end of the dual combo guard offense! Maybe not immediately but once they say how much better it was with a real distributor at the helm, they'd capitulate. Booker clearly lacks creative PG skills but he's a heady player and I trust him to make the right pass in the flow of the game. And he gives a fine second option for an outlet pass - remember way back when Hornacek said that was the reason they wanted two PGs on the floor. (His words, not mine.)

Calipari said that Ulis was his best player this year and it wasn't even close. Can he thrive in the NBA game?

 

[Mainstreet]

So. What do you all think about Tyler Ulis? I tend to dismiss him out of hand just because of his size, but then you see IT dropping 42 in the playoffs, and it makes me wonder if smaller players like this are more of a possibility in today's NBA.

You would think the liability would be defense, but Ulis is clearly a very good defender on the perimeter. Yes, players will be able to shoot over him, but he plays very good position ball, draw alot of charges, and gets alot of steals. So, unless an opposing guard is posting up (which is really rare these days) he should be ok.

He has an excellent blend of being able to distribute AND hold opponents accountable with his shot and range, out to way beyond the three point line. He is also a very smart player.

He is very much like a shorter Steve Nash (except Ulis plays d). Would Steve Nash have been effective if he was 5 inches shorter? Probably. Steve's game did not depend on size at all. Ulis is intriguing. I really would consider taking him with the Cleveland pick.

I'd be glad to have the Suns take Ulis with any pick because it would signal the end of the dual combo guard offense! Maybe not immediately but once they say how much better it was with a real distributor at the helm, they'd capitulate. Booker clearly lacks creative PG skills but he's a heady player and I trust him to make the right pass in the flow of the game. And he gives a fine second option for an outlet pass - remember way back when Hornacek said that was the reason they wanted two PGs on the floor. (His words, not mine.)

Regardless, I think the Suns need a backup PG to push Price back in the pecking order. He will turn 33 in June although I don't think he has lost any gas. I guess I would like a more pure PG.

I think the Suns can get a potential star at PG if they fall out of the first two draft slots. I have no problem with Ullis with the Cleveland pick. There doesn't seem to be too many free agent candidates at this position.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

He's a guard from Kentucky, so I think it's fair to say that if Ulis is available at a spot that makes sense value wise then the Suns will pick him.

For me personally I would love to get him with a late first or early second round pick. It has been proven through out the history of the NBA that if you have enough game you can get away with being pretty short.

Ideally we would pick him with the intent of him being a good player to come off the bench and run the second offense for years to come. It really comes down to whether or not he would be willing to have that role for an extended period of time. If he doesn't have a similar sized chip on his shoulder as IT than he would probably be OK with that role.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I do like that he is a two way player who can dish and shoot. That is actually a pretty rare combination. IT can dish and shoot, but his D is really limited.

Same with Nash. Bledsoe can drive and dish some, his shot is marginal but he plays good D.

Ulis might surprise if he can overcome the size thing.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

So. What do you all think about Tyler Ulis? I tend to dismiss him out of hand just because of his size, but then you see IT dropping 42 in the playoffs, and it makes me wonder if smaller players like this are more of a possibility in today's NBA.

You would think the liability would be defense, but Ulis is clearly a very good defender on the perimeter. Yes, players will be able to shoot over him, but he plays very good position ball, draw alot of charges, and gets alot of steals. So, unless an opposing guard is posting up (which is really rare these days) he should be ok.

He has an excellent blend of being able to distribute AND hold opponents accountable with his shot and range, out to way beyond the three point line. He is also a very smart player.

He is very much like a shorter Steve Nash (except Ulis plays d). Would Steve Nash have been effective if he was 5 inches shorter? Probably. Steve's game did not depend on size at all. Ulis is intriguing. I really would consider taking him with the Cleveland pick.

Ulis was my sleeper a few months ago, back when he was going late 2nd round or undrafted in most mock drafts. I love his game, and I have been following his stock closely. At the Cleveland pick, he is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, I don't think he lasts that long. Many experts, including Ford, have him going to the Bulls at 14. More than likely, we would have to take him with the Wizards pick if we wanted him. At that point, I still like him, but one of the young power forwards probably makes more sense.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ulis was my sleeper a few months ago, back when he was going late 2nd round or undrafted in most mock drafts. I love his game, and I have been following his stock closely. At the Cleveland pick, he is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, I don't think he lasts that long. Many experts, including Ford, have him going to the Bulls at 14. More than likely, we would have to take him with the Wizards pick if we wanted him. At that point, I still like him, but one of the young power forwards probably makes more sense.

Yup. I wanted Tyler Ulis as a second round pick.

 

[overseascardfan]

If Ulis isn't there at #28. I like Demetrius Jackson, he's very explosive, a healthier Eric Bledsoe as they are identical in size and both have elite athleticism for small guys.

Kay Felder would be an interesting option as he is the same size as Ulis just a little thicker.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think Ingram is the clear cut BPA in this draft but if you're not drafting first, it's more guesswork than anything this season so I'd prioritize by our needs and we desperately need forwards. None of them are sure things but I'd like to see us come out of this with any 2 of Chriss, Ellenson, Rabb, Davis, Luwawu or Skal (or Bender or even Simmons if we're up that high). At least one of them will still be available with our Washington pick.

It would be great if someone like Ulis were to drop to our Cleveland pick but that's looking unlikely now. I could see Tucker being a good fit in Minnesota especially with their new head coach, maybe we can send PJ and the Cleveland pick for the number 5(?) and draft Murray, Hield, Dunn or whichever guard McD likes the best. If not, there are several point guards that will probably be there at the Cleveland pick or in the 2nd round that might work for us including at least 3 from the Pac that interest me (UW, UO and OSU PGs).

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think Ingram is the clear cut BPA in this draft but if you're not drafting first, it's more guesswork than anything this season so I'd prioritize by our needs and we desperately need forwards. None of them are sure things but I'd like to see us come out of this with any 2 of Chriss, Ellenson, Rabb, Davis, Luwawu or Skal (or Bender or even Simmons if we're up that high). At least one of them will still be available with our Washington pick.

It would be great if someone like Ulis were to drop to our Cleveland pick but that's looking unlikely now. I could see Tucker being a good fit in Minnesota especially with their new head coach, maybe we can send PJ and the Cleveland pick for the number 5(?) and draft Murray, Hield, Dunn or whichever guard McD likes the best. If not, there are several point guards that will probably be there at the Cleveland pick or in the 2nd round that might work for us including at least 3 from the Pac that interest me (UW, UO and OSU PGs).

wow. that would be some value for Tucker

 

[AzStevenCal]

wow. that would be some value for Tucker

He's been a horrible starter for us but he could be a very impactful player off the bench for a defensive minded coach like Thibs. If you can get him into top shape (and keep him there) and if you can keep him away from alcohol, his intensity and versatility would fill major holes for Minnesota. And that team does not need another young (possibly) budding star that needs minutes to develop. I know it's unlikely and most will think I'm just trying to package trash for gold but I really believe PJ can be a difference maker as a role player with the right head coach.

 

[Errntknght]

Thibs would probably love the PJ of 3 years ago but now, I seriously doubt it.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Thibs would probably love the PJ of 3 years ago but now, I seriously doubt it.

Get him into the shape he was in a couple of years ago and there's no reason he can't be that player again, in fact he should be even better. He showed more glimpses of the PJ of old during this short stretch of Watson than he did in the year and a half previous under Jeff so I think there's hope that he can get back there (and beyond).

 

[Sunburn]

No chance PJ and the Cleveland pick could net the number 5. PJ and the Washington pick....still probably not.

 

[AzStevenCal]

No chance PJ and the Cleveland pick could net the number 5. PJ and the Washington pick....still probably not.

You're probably right. In almost any other year and almost any other trading partner I'd say you were absolutely right. But Minnesota has an incredibly young nucleus in need of veteran help and PJ is the kind of player their new coach might appreciate. It still probably wouldn't happen but I don't think it's quite in the "no chance" range.

In most years, even if they were looking for someone like PJ, the number 5 pick would draw far better offers than I mentioned. But this draft is so weak once you get past the first 2 picks that I'm not sure there'd be many teams interested in paying a premium to jump up that high. Also, there are two teams with so many extra picks in this draft that it's likely a quality pick could be picked up far cheaper than would normally be the case. Anyway, that's my thinking on it, off base or not.

 

[Russ Smith]

So. What do you all think about Tyler Ulis? I tend to dismiss him out of hand just because of his size, but then you see IT dropping 42 in the playoffs, and it makes me wonder if smaller players like this are more of a possibility in today's NBA.

You would think the liability would be defense, but Ulis is clearly a very good defender on the perimeter. Yes, players will be able to shoot over him, but he plays very good position ball, draw alot of charges, and gets alot of steals. So, unless an opposing guard is posting up (which is really rare these days) he should be ok.

He has an excellent blend of being able to distribute AND hold opponents accountable with his shot and range, out to way beyond the three point line. He is also a very smart player.

He is very much like a shorter Steve Nash (except Ulis plays d). Would Steve Nash have been effective if he was 5 inches shorter? Probably. Steve's game did not depend on size at all. Ulis is intriguing. I really would consider taking him with the Cleveland pick.

he's one of my favorite college players. For his size remarkably tough. The difference between him and PJC at Arizona is startling because they're essentially the same size but Ulis is so much stronger and tougher you rarely see him getting picked on defensively where PJC has been abused for 2 years.

Improving shooter too. I think he'll find a niche in the NBA/

 

[Mainstreet]

I was watching some video this morning and came across A.J. Hammons. He harks back to the days of the traditional center but he could be a candidate for the Cleveland pick or the Suns second round pick. His role in the NBA would likely be a journeyman center however he does have some talent. Perhaps he would be a better risk than a player like Thon Maker. I do think he could be a defensive center.

 

[Russ Smith]

Ivan Rabb stays at Cal.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Ivan Rabb stays at Cal.

He needs another year (so did Jaylen) but that just makes a shaky top of the draft a little shakier.

 

[SirStefan32]

I don't follow Euro basketball or talk to people over there as much as I used to, but people are going crazy over Zizic. I haven't seen him play outside of watching some clips, but from what people over there are saying, he is becoming a beast. My "contacts" are regular people- not scouts and talent-evaluators, so take it with a grain of salt, but I wanted to share what I've been hearing.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't follow Euro basketball or talk to people over there as much as I used to, but people are going crazy over Zizic. I haven't seen him play outside of watching some clips, but from what people over there are saying, he is becoming a beast. My "contacts" are regular people- not scouts and talent-evaluators, so take it with a grain of salt, but I wanted to share what I've been hearing.

Yeah, I keep hearing great things too but then I keep seeing him as a bottom of the round player.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Yeah, I keep hearing great things too but then I keep seeing him as a bottom of the round player.

Yeah. I'm surprised he isn't getting more hype given the success of Jokic and others from the Adriatic League in the NBA.