2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[ColdPickleNachos]

I thought about subscribing to ESPN Insider but I'm sitting on the fence. However, I miss miss DraftExpress doing their mocks of the first and second rounds plus stats and analysis. I guess I'm wondering about taking the plunge.

I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other. I'm glad I have it, but it honestly feels like more of a replacement for Chad Ford than it does a replacement for Draft Express, even though it's done by the Draft Express guys. I'm assuming the amount of content will ramp up as the draft approaches.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I like that comparison. The Suns could probably get Shamet with the Miami pick, even if it falls in the 20s. He's usually considered a 2nd rounder at this point, but I could see his stock rising.

Part of me prefers a Shamet or Jevon Carter type (unlikely to be a star, but unselfish passer with high efficiency and few mistakes and good defense) even to a prospect like Collin Sexton.

Sexton is incredibly talented with star potential, but I would be worried about taking the ball out of Booker's hands and putting it into the hands of a ball-dominant point guard with a score-first mentality.

Thestepien.com has him going at 31
nbadraft.net at 26

So I think he would be a realistic opportunity with the Miami pick, at least right now. His real strength is his incredible shooting efficiency, which is improving every year. He can take the 25-30 footer, but he picks his spots. He is not a flashy passer, but a good one. His d is pretty good. He would be better if he was stronger. But having a 6-4/5 height with a 7 foot wingspan really helps.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other. I'm glad I have it, but it honestly feels like more of a replacement for Chad Ford than it does a replacement for Draft Express, even though it's done by the Draft Express guys. I'm assuming the amount of content will ramp up as the draft approaches.

That sort of answers my question. I could double down on the information contained in DraftExpress but I'm not looking for more Chad Ford.

Thanks for your opinion.

 

[hcsilla]

I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other. I'm glad I have it, but it honestly feels like more of a replacement for Chad Ford than it does a replacement for Draft Express, even though it's done by the Draft Express guys. I'm assuming the amount of content will ramp up as the draft approaches.

I partially disagree.

Givony and Schmitz brought much more detailed scouting reports and video analyisis about draft prospects than Ford ever did.

However, it is still less than DX did deliver.

espn was quite smart in their rebuilding: they hired one of the best analyst/journalists in Zach Lowe, the two guy who has the best sources in NBA in Woj and the two leading DX contributors which move is killed their biggest rival in draft-related content as well.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I partially disagree.

Givony and Schmitz brought much more detailed scouting reports and video analyisis about draft prospects than Ford ever did.

However, it is still less than DX did deliver.

espn was quite smart in their rebuilding: they hired one of the best analyst/journalists in Zach Lowe, the two guy who has the best sources in NBA in Woj and the two leading DX contributors which move is killed their biggest rival in draft-related content as well.

I don't think we disagree as much as I did a poor job stating my opinion.

It's probably somewhere in between Ford and DX, which is lame since we lost both of those sources as they were. Shrewd move by ESPN, but not good for the draft-loving public. (Not that there aren't other places to get your fix.)

 

[JCSunsfan]

OK. Just want your opinion. You have to put it all on the line. What one player will end up being the BEST player in this draft. Just one.

I am going out on a limb here. Bamba.

He is smart. He is talented. He lacks some strength but he has the frame. But that length and shot blocking ability, wow.

Its a tough choice, but I go with Bamba.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

OK. Just want your opinion. You have to put it all on the line. What one player will end up being the BEST player in this draft. Just one.

I am going out on a limb here. Bamba.

He is smart. He is talented. He lacks some strength but he has the frame. But that length and shot blocking ability, wow.

Its a tough choice, but I go with Bamba.

That is a very tough question that can easily make me end up sounding like a fool...

Also, I hate to bet against Bamba. I think he is a very safe prospect for all the reasons you mentioned and I think he also has massive upside.

I think Bagley ends up a 20 and 10 player in the NBA.

I am also really high on Young.

But if I'm going to pick one player....

Doncic or Ayton....

Doncic or Ayton...

Doncic or Ayton....

This feels like Sophie's Choice.

Alright...

I'll go Ayton. There's too much raw talent there, and he's been incredibly productive to boot. I just can't think of many guys his size who move like they are supposed to be that size. He's an absolute physical freak, and seems like a good kid to boot.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

OK. Just want your opinion. You have to put it all on the line. What one player will end up being the BEST player in this draft. Just one.

I am going out on a limb here. Bamba.

He is smart. He is talented. He lacks some strength but he has the frame. But that length and shot blocking ability, wow.

Its a tough choice, but I go with Bamba.

Ayton. The size, athleticism, and touch are difficult to match. And in an NBA where bigs are becoming more scarce, his mismatch ability will be a huge differentiator.

 

[Hoop Head]

OK. Just want your opinion. You have to put it all on the line. What one player will end up being the BEST player in this draft. Just one.

I am going out on a limb here. Bamba.

He is smart. He is talented. He lacks some strength but he has the frame. But that length and shot blocking ability, wow.

Its a tough choice, but I go with Bamba.

I think Ayton, it's a tough choice though. His size is what sells it though. He'll be a great player for the next 10-15 years because of that. I wanted to pick Young because I think he could have a Steph Curry type of impact, constant 3 point threat but with amazing Nash like playmaking skills and he doesn't have Curry's ankles or Nash's back but if he doesn't have a coach who allows him to play to his skills he might just be a good player. Ayton is the sort of player a team and coach builds a system around, similar to KAT. That's why I think he'll be the best player in this draft.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's so early but I think Ayton is the front-runner. There is a lot of information yet to come.

 

[Russ Smith]

That is a very tough question that can easily make me end up sounding like a fool...

Also, I hate to bet against Bamba. I think he is a very safe prospect for all the reasons you mentioned and I think he also has massive upside.

I think Bagley ends up a 20 and 10 player in the NBA.

I am also really high on Young.

But if I'm going to pick one player....

Doncic or Ayton....

Doncic or Ayton...

Doncic or Ayton....

This feels like Sophie's Choice.

Alright...

I'll go Ayton. There's too much raw talent there, and he's been incredibly productive to boot. I just can't think of many guys his size who move like they are supposed to be that size. He's an absolute physical freak, and seems like a good kid to boot.

The big thing with Ayton is his defense is improving and he's shown of late he moves his feet well enough to guard smaller players. That's huge because in the NBA there will be teams who don't have a real 5 for him to guard and will try to exploit that and make him guard away from the rim, it looks like he's pretty good at doing that.

There were concerns about his work ethic, how hard he would play and practice etc. so far he's improving, on a team that doesn't seem to be playing hard, he's one of the few kids that actually seems to be playing hard.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

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Unfair size-speed-skill ratio.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I sure would like to pry that Nets pick away from Cleveland somehow. Maybe the Miami pick, the Milwaukee pick, and a 2019 Suns first rounder or something.

Would that work?

Monroe, Daniels, Miami (18) first, Milwauke (conditional) first, Suns (19) first (top 5 protected), 2 seconds.

for

Frye, Shumpert, Nets (18) first.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I sure would like to pry that Nets pick away from Cleveland somehow. Maybe the Miami pick, the Milwaukee pick, and a 2019 Suns first rounder or something.

Would that work?

Monroe, Daniels, Miami (18) first, Milwauke (conditional) first, Suns (19) first (top 5 protected), 2 seconds.

for

Frye, Shumpert, Nets (18) first.

I think that trade would have a chance...if the Cavs got top-3 protection on the pick. Even then, I don't think teams are going to want to trade out of the top 5 in this draft for the same reason we desperately want to trade in to the top 5.

 

[Superbone]

I think that trade would have a chance...if the Cavs got top-3 protection on the pick. Even then, I don't think teams are going to want to trade out of the top 5 in this draft for the same reason we desperately want to trade in to the top 5.

I wouldn't want it with top 3 protection.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I wouldn't want it with top 3 protection.

I get that. I just can't envision a scenario where the Cavs trade that pick unprotected without getting a single top-flight asset back.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The "other" Bamba in this draft. Mitchell Robinson. This kid was considered to be right there in this draft class with Ayton, Bamba, and Jackson, but decided to sit out a year and then go in the draft. Could be an under the radar option for the Miami pick.

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[Mainstreet]

And Mitchell Robinson fits an area of need as well... center.

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/mitchell-robinson

It's hard to believe he will stay under the radar though.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

The only thing I worry about with Robinson is intangibles. Look up any interview with the kid and it is a bit of a concern. Not that you have to be good at interviews to be a good player or teammate, but I have some concerns when you combine it with the weird Western Kentucky thing.

 

[GatorAZ]

Trae showing his complete game offensively. Excellent vision in the clutch.

 

[Mainstreet]

The only thing I worry about with Robinson is intangibles. Look up any interview with the kid and it is a bit of a concern. Not that you have to be good at interviews to be a good player or teammate, but I have some concerns when you combine it with the weird Western Kentucky thing.

That three state area where Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky merge very much represents the old South.

 

[Ronin]

Bleacher Report
@BleacherReport

Trae Young was dripping sauce 43 points (10 threes) 11 rebounds 7 assists

 

[JCSunsfan]

Bleacher Report
@BleacherReport

Trae Young was dripping sauce 43 points (10 threes) 11 rebounds 7 assists

I think we will have to be in the top three to get him.

Boy, he just does not cool down.

Somehow, I think he is just destined to a Sun. Don't know why.

 

[hcsilla]

I think we will have to be in the top three to get him.

Boy, he just does not cool down.

I also thought he will slow down after a few or even a half-dozen good/great games. He just doesn't and keeps destroying every opponent.

I really can't recall a player (if one ever existed) that averaged 30PPG/10APG for a top25 college team. Add that he is a freshman and Trae Young is simply writing history.

 

[SirStefan32]

I think we will have to be in the top three to get him.

Boy, he just does not cool down.

Somehow, I think he is just destined to a Sun. Don't know why.

From your mouth to God's ear, JC! There is very little I would not trade to get Young in the Suns uniform next year.