Curious to see where people currently stand with Hezonja. Obviously, it is difficult as fans with limited resources regarding the evaluation of intl players, but he seems to be exactly what we need (offensively) alongside our core 4 (3pt range, alpha mentality, ability to create his own shot). How our FO evaluates his character & defensive potential will likely be the determining factor, but considering how the consensus draft board seems to be shaping up, he appears to be the ideal target out of the realistic options within our projected range.
Towns, Okafor, Russell, & Mudiay appear to be locks for the top 5, with S.Johnson & WCS battling for that 5th spot. I expect all 6 to go before Mario, with the possibility of a few others going ahead of him as well with strong tourneys/combines. He should still be available at least in that 7/8 range, maybe even lower. Is it possible that he falls to us around #12? If not, what would people be willing to give up to move up the 3 or 4 spots necessary to grab him?
Personally, I would trade our pick along with another asset (such as Burke or the OKC pick) for him. Would this be enough to move from say #12 to #8? Or would you just stand pat & take bpa out of whoever is available (Winslow/Oubre/Booker/Porzingis/Looney/Turner/Kaminsky/etc)?
The draft is deep enough to get a solid prospect with the 12th pick, but Hezonja looks like the best offensive prospect in our range. Is it worth giving up the extra asset to get him or do you stay put & hope he falls into our lap (or instead target a defensive minded wing/backup big man) due to Rodney Hood's recent progression & long-term offensive promise? Does Hood make Hezonja redundant or would Hezonja instead make Hood expendable? Or do you keep both, with one starting & the other providing offense off the bench? With Hood playing well & Burks coming back, I could see the FO hanging onto the extra asset & going after a backup big instead, depending on the Tomic situation.
Also, one of the advantages to drafting Hezonja could be the possibility of allowing him to continue developing overseas for a year or two. As much as I think this team can compete for a playoff spot next year & acquire a player who can contribute to that in this year's draft, stashing Hezonja would allow us to see how Hood progresses with another year of development & what Burks looks like coming off his injury. Plenty of options, my guess is the FO allows how the draft unfolds to dictate the direction in which they go.
