2023 NBA Draft Megathread

[NUMBERICA]

That is bad logic. Chances are the pick is higher than 28 and we don’t own a pick next year most likely.

Also, the idea that we know how good or bad a draft is a year+ before it’s happened is wack. I’m old enough to remember how bad 2011 was supposed to be and it turned out being the best draft since probably 2003.

Also, all things equal, I don’t think it’s necessarily ideal to bring in 3+ rookies with serious intent to develop at the same time.

 

[Coach Ellis]

View: https://twitter.com/msinger/status/1667206925451182082


They get the least favorable pick out of these in 2024:

1st-round pick (OKC)
1st-round pick (LAC)
1st-round pick protected 1-4 (HOU)
1st-round pick protected 1-10 (UTA)

I would definitely trade 28 for that pick straight across. Not sure if Denver does it but they could package 28/37 to move up even more.

Depending on the protections, I probably would’ve done #28 for that 2029 Nuggets pick straight up. Saved them a step.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

It’s the lesser of the four picks they have. It’s not that complicated. You’re way overthinking this.

I’m not… trust me

 

[Coach Ellis]

View: https://twitter.com/msinger/status/1667206925451182082


They get the least favorable pick out of these in 2024:

1st-round pick (OKC)
1st-round pick (LAC)
1st-round pick protected 1-4 (HOU)
1st-round pick protected 1-10 (UTA)

I would definitely trade 28 for that pick straight across. Not sure if Denver does it but they could package 28/37 to move up even more.

Another reason to make the trade, is it gives us 3 new teams - OKC, Houston and the Clippers - to root against for next year. Actively rooting for the Wolves, Nets and 76ers to lose as many games as possible was one of the best parts of this past season. And I already pretty much hate all 3 of those teams.

 

[HeatCheck]

Probably means nothing but interesting nonetheless:


View: https://twitter.com/DraftDummies/status/1667715274852937728

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I think some of you are going to be in for a rude awakening on draft night when Black goes top-8 and Wallace falls to the late lottery.

I'd be thrilled if Anthony Black goes in the top 8, especially if it pushed Ausar or Walker to the Jazz at 9.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Probably means nothing but interesting nonetheless:


View: https://twitter.com/DraftDummies/status/1667715274852937728

This twitter thread is nonsense. People are calling out the OP on it one after another.

 

[HeatCheck]

Some Sunday morning draft reading:


View: https://twitter.com/NoCeilingsNBA/status/1667885552731824131

 

[HeatCheck]

This twitter thread is nonsense. People are calling out the OP on it one after another.

Didn't read any of the comments. I'm guessing each one of these prospects is going to have their backers/naysayers... I will say the sophomore combo guard really hasn't found huge NBA success but maybe Bufkin breaks the mold.

Just passing along a few draft items as I find them.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Some Sunday morning draft reading:


View: https://twitter.com/NoCeilingsNBA/status/1667885552731824131

His role on his French team is still limited. He's not a priority in their offense most of the time. He's likely capable of doing more than he's showing. If a team like Utah that's rebuilding can give him some rope, he might surprise you with what he can do.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Didn't read any of the comments. I'm guessing each one of these prospects is going to have their backers/naysayers... I will say the sophomore combo guard really hasn't found huge NBA success but maybe Bufkin breaks the mold.

Just passing along a few draft items as I find them.

Tyrese Haliburton, Deron Williams, Terry Rozier, Jaden Ivey and Donovan Mitchell are all 'combo-guards' who broke out as sophomores and have found success in the NBA. There are enough counter-examples that I don't think that thread means anything. Plus, Kobe is 19, which means he's performing at the same age as a number of freshmen.

A player has NBA-level size and skills, or he doesn't. The examples he's using, like Bouknight, Davis, etc., are players with limitations everyone knew about.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Tyrese Haliburton, Deron Williams, Terry Rozier, Jaden Ivey and Donovan Mitchell are all 'combo-guards' who broke out as sophomores and have found success in the NBA. There are enough counter-examples that I don't think that thread means anything. Plus, Kobe is 19, which means he's performing at the same age as a number of freshmen.

A player has NBA-level size and skills, or he doesn't. The examples he's using, like Bouknight, Davis, etc., are players with limitations everyone knew about.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Tbh - Bufkin (so far) reminds me of what I thought we were getting with Donovan. I think the physical profile is so different that it’s impossible to compare the two. . . but I remember thinking that their tape feels similar - minus the big athletic dunks that Donovan flashed more if.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Also, the idea that we know how good or bad a draft is a year+ before it’s happened is wack. I’m old enough to remember how bad 2011 was supposed to be and it turned out being the best draft since probably 2003.

Also, all things equal, I don’t think it’s necessarily ideal to bring in 3+ rookies with serious intent to develop at the same time.

HH of all people should know that pick could end up being anything. That pick would have been 20 this year. Sign me up for that. It’s likely going to be the lesser of OKC’s and LAC’s first which could easily end up in the teens.

Plus like Ellis said it gives us multiple teams to root extra hard against which is an added bonus. Worst case scenario happens and our pick ends up in the top-10 we have a top-10 pick and another pick in the mid-teens to early 20’s.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

This is exactly what I was thinking. Tbh - Bufkin (so far) reminds me of what I thought we were getting with Donovan. I think the physical profile is so different that it’s impossible to compare the two. . . but I remember thinking that their tape feels similar - minus the big athletic dunks that Donovan flashed more if.

If Bufkin hits, I think he can be a significant player. There's just no point throwing a damper on his draft stock due to what Tre Mann has done, or what James Bouknight has done. There just isn't a meaningful comparison to be made there.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

It might be some group think but sometimes when enough people say stuff you can believe it… you don’t have to do your contrarian bull **** on everything. When dudes have said it they have quite literally said it’s not just top end… they think the depth is not there either. They have the ability to scout a lot of dudes… not just top end guys. Some classes suck… it happens. I think this class is damn good… give me the pick this year thx.

I'm not being a contrarian, I'm just telling you what they mean when they say weak draft.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Wasn’t 2023 supposedly a weak draft outside of the top too?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Probably means nothing but interesting nonetheless:


View: https://twitter.com/DraftDummies/status/1667715274852937728

It means a he thought of the negative ones instead of thinking about Donovan Mitchell and probably a number of other examples.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Wasn’t 2023 supposedly a weak draft outside of the top too?

No. People were pretty high on this draft class, including several prospects that have disappointed, like Whitehead, NSJ, Lively, Ware and some others.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I'm not being a contrarian, I'm just telling you what they mean when they say weak draft.

And I’m telling you they said what they meant… not a great draft at the top or with depth atm.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Wasn’t 2023 supposedly a weak draft outside of the top too?

Very much the opposite… people loved it and a number of dudes disappointed. I think it’s still very good.