2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[JCSunsfan]

So which of these potential draftees will have the greatest immediate impact and which will be more of a longer term project?

I think we are looking for immediate impact guys now in this stage of the timeline.

To me, the immediate impact guys are Young and Ayton, maybe Doncic (which seems weird given his age). The longer term projects are Jackson, Bagley, and to a certain extent Bamba (but his defense will make a difference immediately).

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

So which of these potential draftees will have the greatest immediate impact and which will be more of a longer term project?

I think we are looking for immediate impact guys now in this stage of the timeline.

To me, the immediate impact guys are Young and Ayton, maybe Doncic (which seems weird given his age). The longer term projects are Jackson, Bagley, and to a certain extent Bamba (but his defense will make a difference immediately).

Porter is probably a short-term impact if the injury isn't an issue. I think Bagley is a project in some ways, but I also think he'll be able to score right away.

Another highlight from Jackson, who averages 3.4 blocks in 23 mpg and also shoots 45% from 3:

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[ColdPickleNachos]

I think anyone on the top 7 has a chance to make an impact right away, honestly. Of course, some won't, but they are all pretty good candidates to come in and contribute right away.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Kansas and Oklahoma are playing on ESPN right now, for those who would like to see more of Trae Young.

 

[Raindog]

I think Ayton and Bagley are sure day one impacts.

Doncic and Young are bigger questions marks. I am not 100% convinced either will have an immediate impact, and there is some possibility of bust with both. So to me, they are both second tier level prospects after the above two.

The next tier is Bamba and Porter - a bit higher risk/reward with both. They could be studs - if Bamba develops his skill level, and Porter doesn't have lingering injury issues.

Then you can take your pick of JJ, Sexton, the Bridges, Carter and Knox at the next tier. Hopefully, we will be picking higher than this. I would be pretty pleased with anyone in the top six.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Kansas and Oklahoma are within 1 point with 3:23 to go. (On ESPN)

Young with 24 points on 7-9 shooting!

Still has 5 turnovers, but also 7 assists.

 

[Praxis]

Trae Young is gonna get OU to an Elite Eight on his own. His teammates are not very good and cause a lot of his turnovers. Hope the Suns can draft him.

 

[GatorAZ]

Dat pick and pop

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

The knock on Young coming into this game against Kansas was efficiency. He led his team to a victory with 26 points and 9 assists while missing only two shots from the field. Extremely impressive.

 

[Mainstreet]

Kansas and Oklahoma are within 1 point with 3:23 to go. (On ESPN)

Young with 24 points on 7-9 shooting!

Still has 5 turnovers, but also 7 assists.

Once Young had the ball with 42 seconds left, the game was over... even missing 2 FTs at the end.

He has that air of confidence.

 

[Praxis]

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[Praxis]

A Young-Booker backcourt would make Suns games must-watch TV. Lots of talent in this draft but we need a PG and fans need a reason to invest after almost a decade of insignificance.

 

[Mainstreet]

A Young-Booker backcourt would make Suns games must-watch TV. Lots of talent in this draft but we need a PG and fans need a reason to invest after almost a decade of insignificance.

Young resembles Nash a lot in his game but I do not remember Nash being this dynamic in college.

Nash did not even stand out his first few years in the NBA.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/steve-nash-1.html

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nashst01.html

 

[Mainstreet]

Kevin Knox of Kentucky is looking good tonight against Mississippi State.

 

[Praxis]

I think he likes Nash so much because he recognizes they have similar court instincts. As I said earlier, a lot of his turnovers are caused by his teammates not seeing what he sees. This would solve itself with more talent around him.

 

[SirStefan32]

I think he likes Nash so much because he recognizes they have similar court instincts. As I said earlier, a lot of his turnovers are caused by his teammates not seeing what he sees. This would solve itself with more talent around him.

Well, he's not gonna find much of that in Phoenix, outside of Booker and Warren.

 

[Praxis]

Well, he's not gonna find much of that in Phoenix, outside of Booker and Warren.

Already more talent than OU and let's see what happens in the offseason.

 

[Chaplin]

Well, he's not gonna find much of that in Phoenix, outside of Booker and Warren.

For a rookie, that's good enough.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Based upon where we are in the lottery, the worst case scenario is probably Young or Jackson.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Here's a great write-up on Mitchell Robinson:

https://www.thestepien.com/2018/01/26/mitchell-robinson-nba-youngboy/

The conclusion:

"I can see Robinson sliding to the second round and then ending up the best big in this entire class like DeAndre Jordan. At the same time, I can also totally see him constantly bouncing between the G-League and NBA and never sticking too long for any one team as a limited shot blocking machine with poor all-around defensive instincts like a Keith Benson type. There are just so many more questions than answers about Robinson at this point, and sadly, that’s likely to remain so until he is drafted."

Lots of red flags, but the upside is immense.

 

[Mainstreet]

Here's a great write-up on Mitchell Robinson:

https://www.thestepien.com/2018/01/26/mitchell-robinson-nba-youngboy/

The conclusion:

"I can see Robinson sliding to the second round and then ending up the best big in this entire class like DeAndre Jordan. At the same time, I can also totally see him constantly bouncing between the G-League and NBA and never sticking too long for any one team as a limited shot blocking machine with poor all-around defensive instincts like a Keith Benson type. There are just so many more questions than answers about Robinson at this point, and sadly, that’s likely to remain so until he is drafted."

Lots of red flags, but the upside is immense.

He is good enough to take a chance on him if he slides in the draft. The Suns could make him a project and see what happens.

 

[elindholm]

The conclusion:

"I can see Robinson sliding to the second round and then ending up the best big in this entire class like DeAndre Jordan. At the same time, I can also totally see him constantly bouncing between the G-League and NBA...

I'm not sure that "I really have no clue about this guy" qualifies as a "conclusion." How hard is it to say, "He might be really good, but he might not"?

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I'm not sure that "I really have no clue about this guy" qualifies as a "conclusion." How hard is it to say, "He might be really good, but he might not"?

Well, I mean he definitely works towards understanding through the rest of the long, nuanced article.

It's more definitive stuff than I have found elsewhere on Robinson. Between sitting the year out and subpar high school competition, he is a real enigma as a prospect.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The best video of Robinson is in the McDonalds all-star game when he was going against Bamba, Ayton and the rest. He did ok there.

When I watch him play, I get concerned. He is really lanky in a Skal way. Plus, he moves strangly. He is flat-footed or on his heels all the time. Odd gait.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Today is a fun day for watching prospects!

At noon on CBS, #2 Virginia takes on #4 Duke, and you can see Marvin Bagley, Wendell Carter, and Duke's other NBA prospects take on probably the best defense in the country.

Basically concurrently (12:15 on ESPN), it's Alabama vs. Oklahoma, which means Trae Young vs. Collin Sexton.