2023 NBA Draft Megathread

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think if the Jazz are taking back bad salary they’d love to offset that with dumping Gay though. And I don’t think they take back Bertans and send two first rounders and Olynyk just to get to 10.

I’d love to do this trade and also figure out how to trade a future first with 9 to get up to 5. If we somehow came away with Walker and Bilal, that would be incredible

He’s expiring… their preference is likely to send him out but it’s not a priority… so if it he doesn’t get moved then they will waive him. Dallas needs some room this year to use the full MLE… so I could see it being a requirement.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I don't think there was, but (and take this for whatever you think it's worth -- I'm taking it mostly as Tony's personal opinion) he was kind of down on Cam as a prospect generally. Compared him to Al Jefferson in the sense of likely producing 20 ppg for years without any real contribution to winning.

Cam Whitmore is 18 years old and has never played in an NBA setting. In terms of physical tools, he's the closest comp to Jaylen Brown in this draft. It's true that he's mostly played the role of a play finisher, but it's up to coaches to use him the right way and get him to fit int a scheme. There's a ton of two-way potential there. I don't think you can say he's an empty-calories type player.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Cam Whitmore is 18 years old and has never played in an NBA setting. In terms of physical tools, he's the closest comp to Jaylen Brown in this draft. It's true that he's mostly played the role of a play finisher, but it's up to coaches to use him the right way and get him to fit int a scheme. There's a ton of two-way potential there. I don't think you can say he's an empty-calories type player.

Al was empty calories because he stopped the ball and was a ****** defender at the most important defensive position. Cam stops the ball but projects as a good or great defender at a less important position. I get what he was going for but I think a defensive Maggette is what might be a less than ideal outcome for Whitmore… but he could be more if Hardy gets in his head.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Al was empty calories because he stopped the ball and was a ****** defender at the most important defensive position. Cam stops the ball but projects as a good or great defender at a less important position. I get what he was going for but I think a defensive Maggette is what might be a less than ideal outcome for Whitmore… but he could be more if Hardy gets in his head.

I think the criticism of Cam Whitmore right now is that his game isn't very diverse. If he drives right, he's going to the rim. If he goes left, he's stepping back to take a jumper. He needs to expand his game and add a counter or two--learn to drive left, learn to pull up, and learn to get off the ball.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

An important note about Brown vs Whitmore comps is that Brown came off as a very cerebral dude. That probably gave Ainge the belief that he would improve his basketball feel/IQ.

 

[SteakNEggs]

My inside source has told me we have notified prospect Victor Wembanyama that we will take him if he's there at 9.

 

[fishonjazz]

Everyone nutjobbed me for my criticism of Hendricks, and everyone of those weaknesses discussed in that scouting video were my gripes for him. And people said I was just being a hater. I don’t think he’s worth taking 9, because of athleticism and defense and 3pt is put him 12-15 range.

Ah so you want the jazz to draft a guy without weaknesses. Ya, good luck with that.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Vecenie's Mock Draft: Henderson or Miller? Reading through smoke screens

Draft insider Sam Vecenie says there is more smoke screening than usual this year. Here's his read based on conversations around the NBA.

theathletic.com

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I really dont want Keyonte at 16

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

Ah so want the jazz to draft a guy without weaknesses. Ya, good luck with that.

Not what I’m saying. But his weaknesses are not good ones to have if you want to value a guy top 9

 

[fishonjazz]

That dunk at 1:40

Damn, that looked like he took off from the free throw line distance. With ease

 

[NUMBERICA]

Ah so want the jazz to draft a guy without weaknesses. Ya, good luck with that.

There are two: Wallace and Bufkin.

 

[idiot]

I really dont want Keyonte at 16

I'm not a big fan there. He didn't measure at the combine, but I think he's kind of close to Cason Wallace height-wise. Going to be hard for him to thrive as a 2, and I don't think he's a 1.

 

[HermanG]

Podztime

 

[fishonjazz]

If we trade up for anyone but Whitmore (realistically) I'm gonna be upset.

Me too. Especially if we trade up for a twin, black or jhs. I would be ok'ish if we trade up for Walker too.

 

[Elizah Huge]

He literally had a weekly pod and drops his rumors notebook regularly… closer to transaction cycles he gets more prominent. His info can be dated like some rumor mongers but he gives it pretty straight… he’s got a dry sense of humor I appreciate and has a different less polished way of giving the info. He sometimes gets pieces of the story and doesn’t connect everything perfectly but I don’t think he’s a guy that makes **** up. Just will give it straight cuz he doesn’t care that much about getting aggregated.

I don’t get how Jake Fischer is **** but Rafael Barlowe is gospel lmao. Confirmation bias at its finest.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I'm not a big fan there. He didn't measure at the combine, but I think he's kind of close to Cason Wallace height-wise. Going to be hard for him to thrive as a 2, and I don't think he's a 1.

I think he's a bit bigger than Wallace, probably the same size as Bufkin w/ more mass.

I just dont love his playstyle, but it can be super effective if the player is high level at it. He seems like a guy who wants to take hard shots. When he did an interview he said the hardest skill he had to learn to master was hitting shots with a hand in his face. So he thinks he's a master at taking tough shots already.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

And George was reportedly 20 lbs overweight all season. How are you just 20 lbs overweight as a regular sized guard at 19 years old?

 

[fishonjazz]

Not what I’m saying. But his weaknesses are not good ones to have if you want to value a guy top 9

So what are some good weaknesses to have? Poor shooter, poor defender, poor ball handler? What are the good weaknesses you are looking for in a player?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I dont think I will ever be happy with my big board. I randomly hyper-focus on a player and talk myself into or out of them by like 3-5 slots every day. I had Keyonte just inside the top 20 the last week or so now I want to put him outside the top 20.