Big Board 7.0 Chad Ford

[Chris_Sanders]

Chad Ford has his new big board up after polling 30 GMs about where guys rank. I can't put up the article so I will just list for discussion.

1. Fultz - Celtics may be willing to trade down to the top 4

2. Ball - Father becoming a real issue now with scouts. Still should be a Laker unless Fox blows up the workouts

3. Jackson - Consensus #3 but bad fit for Philly. Philly needs shooting. May try to trade with Celtics.

4. Tatum - Most NBA Ready. Boston apparently big fans but will want a Kings ransom

5. Fox - Still only 170 and an inch shorter than expected but wowed teams in interviews at the combine. Several teams have him rated over Ball now.

6. Isaac - Gaining steam. Could leap over Tatum. ESPN Analytics have him as the top prospect (for whatever that is worth)

7. Malik Monk - Might go #3 to Philly as the best scorer in the draft. Won't get past Orlando

8. Dennis Smith - Top 3 pick in other drafts. Talent above him is all incredible

9. Zach Collins - Has a complete skill set for a big man in the current NBA

10. Markkanen - Only Wolves and Mavericks a possibility in the top 10. Seen as Olynyk like player

11. Ntilikina - NY and Mavericks in love with him. A lock to go top 10

12. Giles - A top talent but could fall due to medical

13. Anunoby - Same as Giles. Could fall but big time talent

14. Kennard - Teams disappointed he didn't do athletics at the combine. Should go 12-17 based on basketball IQ and shooting.

15. Mitchell - Had a huge combine. Could vault into the lottery.


16-30 in a bit.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

My quick takeaway is nothing is settled and teams will be moving around.

 

[hsandhu]

I heard Broussard and bill simmons also say Boston are big fans of tatum, so seems to be real.

Does ford mention anything about Boston trading down with suns?

 

[Folster]

I heard Broussard and bill simmons also say Boston are big fans of tatum, so seems to be real.

Does ford mention anything about Boston trading down with suns?

I think Philly is a more likely candidate for a trade with Boston.

Plus, if we move up to the #1 pick then we likely will move Bledsoe.

What do you guys think it would take to get the 1st pick from Boston? I think it would take at least the #4, a Miami pick, and a player like Warren.

 

[Folster]

It would be hilarious if we jumped the Lakers and took Ball. I wouldn't like it but it would be funny.

 

[Finito]

Wow that's a really bad review on Lauri

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Wow that's a really bad review on Lauri

It was actually meant to be a compliment.

 

[elindholm]

Thanks for posting that, Chris.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Thanks for posting that, Chris.

I am checking Chad Ford's stuff daily right now. I am really pumped for this draft. If anything new comes up I will keep posting it.

 

[elindholm]

I don't want Ball or Fox. Ball, because he'll be a disaster, and Fox, because it makes no sense to reach for another PG. If they figure out a way to move up for Fultz, fine; otherwise it's Jackson, Tatum, or Issac.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think Philly is a more likely candidate for a trade with Boston.

Plus, if we move up to the #1 pick then we likely will move Bledsoe.

What do you guys think it would take to get the 1st pick from Boston? I think it would take at least the #4, a Miami pick, and a player like Warren.

If Philly trades with Boston does that mean Jackson falls to us?

I am sure people in Boston are looking at Tatum and thinking Paul Pierce.

 

[Folster]

I don't want Ball or Fox. Ball, because he'll be a disaster, and Fox, because it makes no sense to reach for another PG. If they figure out a way to move up for Fultz, fine; otherwise it's Jackson, Tatum, or Issac.

I agree, but I have this feeling that McDonough really likes Ball. He's shown a history of locking in on guys in which he has invested a lot of scouting time.

 

[Folster]

If Philly trades with Boston does that mean Jackson falls to us?

I guess if Boston is set on taking Tatum.

I am sure people in Boston are looking at Tatum and thinking Paul Pierce.

Definitely the fans.

 

[TJ]

I don't want Ball or Fox. Ball, because he'll be a disaster, and Fox, because it makes no sense to reach for another PG. If they figure out a way to move up for Fultz, fine; otherwise it's Jackson, Tatum, or Issac.

It's likely not happening, but I see Lonzo as a great NBA player and would love for the Suns to take him. I see a lot of Jason Kidd when I watch Lonzo. I know people are caught up with his dad, but I truly feel LaVar's impact on a team won't be an issue. LaVar was the same annoying guy when Lonzo was playing at UCLA, and UCLA had a huge turnaround year.

Having said that, I think Phoenix needs to do what it can to at least get Josh Jackson.

 

[GatorAZ]

Someone will get a heckuva player in Dennis Smith. He's perfect for the NBA and has Westbrook explosiveness.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'm convinced we're targeting Tatum and have little interest in Jackson or Ball. If Tatum is gone, I won't be shocked to see us trade the pick.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

It will be very interesting to see how Issac does in workouts. Tatum's lack of athleticism scares me. Jackson's lack of perimeter shooting is a concern.

Issac definitely needs to add bulk, but he is a good shooter and seems to fit the mold of players McD favors.

 

[JCSunsfan]

If Philly trades with Boston does that mean Jackson falls to us?

It will be very interesting to see how Issac does in workouts. Tatum's lack of athleticism scares me. Jackson's lack of perimeter shooting is a concern.

Issac definitely needs to add bulk, but he is a good shooter and seems to fit the mold of players McD favors.

i just don't get "Tatums lack of athleticism". He seems plenty athletic to me. He is just a smooth player. He is strong and can turn on the jets when he needs to.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

i just don't get "Tatums lack of athleticism". He seems plenty athletic to me. He is just a smooth player. He is strong and can turn on the jets when he needs to.

Nearly every scouting report on the guy says his weakness is his average athleticism and his lack of defense.

• Lacks defensive mentality. Loses focus off-ball, dies on screens. He has the ability but doesn’t play with much effort or NBA-level physicality.
• Lacks defensive versatility. Flat-footed on the perimeter; gets toasted by guards. Thin in the waist, so gets overpowered by bigs.
  

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't care which player I look at, the ones I like or the ones I don't, it seems like all I see are flaws. I keep thinking about giving up on this draft class and then I hear Ryan and people like him once again heaping praise on it. I see plenty of depth, players in the late 20's that can help a team but I'm not positive I see a star in this group.

I guess I can see Fultz getting close to stardom but I'm thinking maybe Lillard level, tops, and I'm not even confident of that. I hate Ball's family situation and I'm very concerned over the question marks about his half court game. I hate Jackson's shot and his off the court problems.

I don't like De'Aaron's horrible 3 point shot or his lack of true point guard skills. I don't like Tatum's slow feet and lack of defensive awareness/intensity. I don't like the fact Isaac is so weak with the ball considering he was a point guard just a couple years ago and asthma is just one of the many other concerns surrounding him.

And on it goes... I'm starting to think that the only reason some GM's are touting this group is in order to keep trade value high. I think Tatum, Isaac, trade for young veteran, trade down and trade out are the most likely options with one of the "trade" options the most likely.

 

[Sunburn]

I don't care which player I look at, the ones I like or the ones I don't, it seems like all I see are flaws. I keep thinking about giving up on this draft class and then I hear Ryan and people like him once again heaping praise on it. I see plenty of depth, players in the late 20's that can help a team but I'm not positive I see a star in this group.

I guess I can see Fultz getting close to stardom but I'm thinking maybe Lillard level, tops, and I'm not even confident of that. I hate Ball's family situation and I'm very concerned over the question marks about his half court game. I hate Jackson's shot and his off the court problems.

I don't like De'Aaron's horrible 3 point shot or his lack of true point guard skills. I don't like Tatum's slow feet and lack of defensive awareness/intensity. I don't like the fact Isaac is so weak with the ball considering he was a point guard just a couple years ago and asthma is just one of the many other concerns surrounding him.

And on it goes... I'm starting to think that the only reason some GM's are touting this group is in order to keep trade value high. I think Tatum, Isaac, trade for young veteran, trade down and trade out are the most likely options with one of the "trade" options the most likely.

This is pretty much exactly what I've been worrying about. Steve put it in words for me.

 

[Folster]

Nearly every scouting report on the guy says his weakness is his average athleticism and his lack of defense.

• Lacks defensive mentality. Loses focus off-ball, dies on screens. He has the ability but doesn’t play with much effort or NBA-level physicality.
• Lacks defensive versatility. Flat-footed on the perimeter; gets toasted by guards. Thin in the waist, so gets overpowered by bigs.

James Harden had the exact same weaknesses coming out of ASU and still does.

 

[Jay Cardinal]

Thanks for sharing. I hope the Suns will look to grab one of Ball, Fultz or Jackson. If we can't get one of those 4, I would rather trade down in the 8-10 range and roll the dice there. I dont see a big difference between 4 and 10, lots of players with potential there.

 

[chickenhead]

I don't care which player I look at, the ones I like or the ones I don't, it seems like all I see are flaws. I keep thinking about giving up on this draft class and then I hear Ryan and people like him once again heaping praise on it. I see plenty of depth, players in the late 20's that can help a team but I'm not positive I see a star in this group.

This is pretty much exactly what I've been worrying about. Steve put it in words for me.

Everyone in Ford's top 10 is a freshman. If they were seniors in strong programs some of the flaws we see as fundamental might the have been improved if not corrected. But that's not realistic for top prospects anymore. Thanks goodness for rookie contracts, I guess.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Everyone in Ford's top 10 is a freshman. If they were seniors in strong programs some of the flaws we see as fundamental might the have been improved if not corrected. But that's not realistic for top prospects anymore. Thanks goodness for rookie contracts, I guess.

Sure but it's been a long time since seniors ruled the draft, it's been freshman and sophomores for quite some time. And we're also in the age of the older freshman too, players like Josh Jackson would have been sophs or maybe even juniors 20 years ago. Besides, I don't think Jackson's problems, on the court or off the court, go away.

I don't think Fox is a natural point guard, and that rarely changes. Fultz? Maybe. But Tatum's shortcoming is foot speed, that's not likely to improve much with age either. I'm not saying this is a wasted class, I'm just arguing against the idea it's special. I think it's very deep but the elite simply aren't all that elite IMO.