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Following Potential 2018 Draftees

Bodhi said:
Multiple MVP comps.

K, I’m changing my opinion. Dude goes 1st. How can he not?
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Because it's just a comp.

All I'm saying if you are thinking of him as a pure scorer like a Curry or Jimmer, I think you are thinking about him wrong. He is more of a true PG who has been influenced by Curry. His team in Oklahoma was just so terrible he had to take all the offensive burden for them to have any chance.
 
Xthren said:
I think Trae Young has the most bust potential of anyone projected to go in the lottery.
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I've never been so meh about a player, then get so high on 'em, then get so low on 'em over the course of a few months.

He could be great. I wouldn't wanna pick him though unless he fell past 8.
 
Bodhi said:
Let’s talk about positive stuff now, like how well Mo runs the court and how athletic he is with insane measurements.
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Put him in a Capela role, he could be pretty great- though not as good on switches.

Not a bad stroke either. He'll get pushed around a lot as he has a really light base.
 
Mike Schmitz's feedback on Josh Okogie from the Combine ---

Josh Okogie | SG | Georgia Tech

The 19-year-old sophomore turned in an excellent combine performance across the board, shining in both scrimmages, measuring 6-4½, 211 pounds with a 7-0 wingspan while posting the top athletic composite score of any player to participate. Okogie's closest athletic testing comparison in recent years is Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, and his sprint time ranks in the top 1 percent of all-time combine results. With a physical profile somewhat similar to Norman Powell (much stronger at the same age), Okogie showcased his tremendous defensive versatility, checking up to four positions for stretches while tracking down 50-50 balls, attacking the rim in space and knocking down 2-of-4 open 3s.

Okogie, who is younger than some freshmen in this draft, still really lacks as a ball handler in the half court. His feel for the game is limited, regularly driving with his head down in traffic or pulling up for a contested 2 in transition. Some of that is a product of playing a go-to scoring role on an underwhelming Georgia Tech team, but his lack of offensive polish is his clear downside right now. With that said, his defensive versatility, toughness, athletic profile and shooting potential could help him sneak into the first-round conversation should he decide to stay in the draft.

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IMO, the fact that he put up 18 ppg while being underdeveloped really says something about his potential longer term.
 
Mike Schmitz's feedback on Kevin Huerter from the Combine ---

Kevin Huerter | SG | Maryland

Although he played only one game and his stats weren't exactly eye-popping (9 points and 3 assists on 3-for-9 shooting), Huerter stood out as the top prospect to take the floor in 5-on-5 play. He entered with a lot of quiet fans in NBA circles, many of whom were likely hoping for a pedestrian performance in order to keep him under the radar. The 19-year-old sophomore showed his talent, though, knocking down a pair of deep 3s while shining as one of the best playmakers on the floor, with more talent as his disposal than he displayed at Maryland. He can run the pick-and-roll at 6-7, shows excellent passing out of pindowns and plays with a level of poise you don't always see from players his age.

Huerter also impressed throughout the interview process, according to NBA teams. Younger than Bamba and Michael Porter, Huerter has positional size, a versatile shooting stroke and the feel for the game teams are looking for. He still has some questions to answer about how many positions he can defend at the NBA level, but he's competitive with size, solid athleticism and an improving frame (added 25 pounds over the past three years). Huerter looks every bit of a potential first-round pick should he stay in the draft, but he is heavily considering going back to Maryland in hopes of becoming a lottery pick next year in what's widely considered a much weaker draft.
 
Kevin Huerter is probably the guy that comps closest to Klay Thompson in this draft. He probably is big enough to play the 3 in most matchups.

 
Catchall said:
Mike Schmitz's feedback on Josh Okogie from the Combine ---

Josh Okogie | SG | Georgia Tech

The 19-year-old sophomore turned in an excellent combine performance across the board, shining in both scrimmages, measuring 6-4½, 211 pounds with a 7-0 wingspan while posting the top athletic composite score of any player to participate. Okogie's closest athletic testing comparison in recent years is Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, and his sprint time ranks in the top 1 percent of all-time combine results. With a physical profile somewhat similar to Norman Powell (much stronger at the same age), Okogie showcased his tremendous defensive versatility, checking up to four positions for stretches while tracking down 50-50 balls, attacking the rim in space and knocking down 2-of-4 open 3s.

Okogie, who is younger than some freshmen in this draft, still really lacks as a ball handler in the half court. His feel for the game is limited, regularly driving with his head down in traffic or pulling up for a contested 2 in transition. Some of that is a product of playing a go-to scoring role on an underwhelming Georgia Tech team, but his lack of offensive polish is his clear downside right now. With that said, his defensive versatility, toughness, athletic profile and shooting potential could help him sneak into the first-round conversation should he decide to stay in the draft.

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IMO, the fact that he put up 18 ppg while being underdeveloped really says something about his potential longer term.
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At worst maybe he becomes a great 3&D player, that's not terrible for a 21st pick. Not gonna find a player that checks all the boxes at 21.
 
History tells us most of these guys aren’t gonna be difference makers or nba players at all... so it’s just about finding the ones that have the best chances...
Catchall said:
Mike Schmitz's feedback on Josh Okogie from the Combine ---

Josh Okogie | SG | Georgia Tech

The 19-year-old sophomore turned in an excellent combine performance across the board, shining in both scrimmages, measuring 6-4½, 211 pounds with a 7-0 wingspan while posting the top athletic composite score of any player to participate. Okogie's closest athletic testing comparison in recent years is Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, and his sprint time ranks in the top 1 percent of all-time combine results. With a physical profile somewhat similar to Norman Powell (much stronger at the same age), Okogie showcased his tremendous defensive versatility, checking up to four positions for stretches while tracking down 50-50 balls, attacking the rim in space and knocking down 2-of-4 open 3s.

Okogie, who is younger than some freshmen in this draft, still really lacks as a ball handler in the half court. His feel for the game is limited, regularly driving with his head down in traffic or pulling up for a contested 2 in transition. Some of that is a product of playing a go-to scoring role on an underwhelming Georgia Tech team, but his lack of offensive polish is his clear downside right now. With that said, his defensive versatility, toughness, athletic profile and shooting potential could help him sneak into the first-round conversation should he decide to stay in the draft.

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IMO, the fact that he put up 18 ppg while being underdeveloped really says something about his potential longer term.
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Okogie is now in my top 15... bring the total up to 60 guys in my top 15.
 
If the suns don’t take Doncic they are dumb... dude is just bananas.

There are so many bigs you can get... I’m super leery of the super talented big that has motor issues and doesn’t affect defense positively.
 
Catchall said:
Mike Schmitz's feedback on Josh Okogie from the Combine ---

Josh Okogie | SG | Georgia Tech

The 19-year-old sophomore turned in an excellent combine performance across the board, shining in both scrimmages, measuring 6-4½, 211 pounds with a 7-0 wingspan while posting the top athletic composite score of any player to participate. Okogie's closest athletic testing comparison in recent years is Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, and his sprint time ranks in the top 1 percent of all-time combine results. With a physical profile somewhat similar to Norman Powell (much stronger at the same age), Okogie showcased his tremendous defensive versatility, checking up to four positions for stretches while tracking down 50-50 balls, attacking the rim in space and knocking down 2-of-4 open 3s.

Okogie, who is younger than some freshmen in this draft, still really lacks as a ball handler in the half court. His feel for the game is limited, regularly driving with his head down in traffic or pulling up for a contested 2 in transition. Some of that is a product of playing a go-to scoring role on an underwhelming Georgia Tech team, but his lack of offensive polish is his clear downside right now. With that said, his defensive versatility, toughness, athletic profile and shooting potential could help him sneak into the first-round conversation should he decide to stay in the draft.

======

IMO, the fact that he put up 18 ppg while being underdeveloped really says something about his potential longer term.
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The only problem is having to listen to Harpring talk about Georgia tech all the time when he is on the floor.
 
I'll do a Big Board for the Jazz -- picks 11 - 21 -- assuming the top 10 are out of our reach.

Note: The Jazz might offer their pick at #21, plus a player like Burks or Bradley, plus one or more non-guaranteed contracts, to a team like Milwaukee or Washington that needs financial help, or to Phoenix (picking at #17) that needs a vet or two and likely can't attract good FAs right now. That might get the Jazz up to the #15 - #17 range, but I'm not sure how they could higher than that. Denver purportedly wants a young vet to play the 3 and might actually play ball with us, believe it or not, but they're better off keeping their pick.

Assume the first 10 picks play out with the following guys being off the board: Doncic, Ayton, Bagley, Bamba, Jackson Jr., Porter Jr., Carter, Mikal Bridges, Young, Sexton.

IMO, the next 11 picks of interest to the Jazz would likely then be:

11) Miles Bridges (Versatile scorer who can play either forward spot. I see him as the Caron Butler of this draft.)

12) Jerome Robinson (Natural-born scorer with deep range, ability to get downhill, and creative finishing at the rim; enough size to guard many wings, though he may never be more than an average defender. He can also play on the ball next to Mitchell. Has star potential.)

13) Josh Okogie (Dwayne Wade measurables with the ability to play on or off the ball, make plays above the rim, and wreak havoc with his speed and length. Still only 19 with a largely undeveloped offensive game. He may have the most potential to become an All Star of the players outside the top 10 of this draft. If he shows improved shooting, he could leapfrog Jerome Robinson.)

14) Kevin Knox (Long scoring combo-forward who can spot up, push the ball and run the floor. He has a limited inside game and limited willingness to crash the boards at this point. Can disengage from time to time, but he's a fluid and talented player.)

15) Keita Bates-Diop (Versatile forward with length and complementary scoring. He's not an All Star, but you're hoping he'll defend something close to Mbah-Moute and face up like Paul Millsap. Positional need and measurables give him a slight nod over Troy Brown.)

16) Troy Brown (Strong, two-way wing who can guard 3 or 4 positions, has good feel, and can create with the ball in his hands. His athleticism is adequate, not great -- think young Paul Pierce. His shooting will need a year or two to develop.)

17) Robert Williams (Replaces Favors on rookie-scale. He's too much raw talent to pass on here, but his offensive game is also like rookie Favors at this stage and may never come around. He keeps our defense top 3 in the league, but will kill our spacing.)

18) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (You're drafting him to be PGOTF. He's like a 6'6" George Hill. Needs to work on his shooting and is a limited player off the ball at this stage.)

19) Lonnie Walker (Two-way player with athleticism and the ability to guard most wings; good shooter, but limited on the ball right now. May turn into a Gary Harris-caliber guard.)

20) Anfernee Simons (Young natural scorer with shooting range. Explosive with the ball, but settles for contested jumpers too often. Combo-guard potential, but needs to add strength and mature to guard NBA athletes. May never be a forceful defender, but could eventually score 20 ppg. He's a year or two away from contributing.)

21) Zhaire Smith (Boom or bust prospect. Extraordinary athlete who needs to improve his shooting to get on the floor. If he grows another couple inches and develops his skills, he could be an Andre Iguodala-caliber two-way player, but he's got a long way to go. May not play much as a rookie. He has the size of a 2-guard, but is too underdeveloped to play there yet.)

Still to be determined: Dzanan Musa, Mitchell Robinson, Elie Okobo, Kevin Huerter, Isaac Bonga
 
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