#2 gets Jazz their franchise playerOoohhhhh now that is getting spicy.
I have a tough time with that question. Curious to hear others thoughts.
Which pick combo would you rather have?
Then #14 Jazz may get another player maybe as good as #5
#2 gets Jazz their franchise playerOoohhhhh now that is getting spicy.
I have a tough time with that question. Curious to hear others thoughts.
Which pick combo would you rather have?
?Thong with PG is he might be cooked.
They can do a lot better than that with that pick. Let’s be reasonable. They’d be doing us a favor as much or more than us doing them a favor.If it keeps Giannis happy it certainly does. Lillard is out for the year.
They can do a lot better than that with that pick. Let’s be reasonable. They’d be doing us a favor as much or more than us doing them a favor.
We could send him to Phoenix for Beal and draft compYeah we're not getting a pick in a PG for Dame spot. We're saying thank you, welcoming Dame to the tank as he rehabs, and enjoying the fact that Dame will be an expiring contract one year sooner.
San Antonio was thrilled with its lottery luck, and early signs indicate that it is very comfortable with Harper, prioritizing the best available talent over fit concerns in a backcourt that features De'Aaron Fox and NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Building around Victor Wembanyama (21 years old), Castle (20) and Harper (19) on rookie contracts is an enviable foundation that offers tremendous short-term flexibility from a salary cap perspective. This selection would raise questions about the Spurs shooting and splitting up ballhandling duties among their guards, but Harper has substantial talent, and selecting him is easy to justify.
Though trade speculation has swirled around San Antonio and this pick since lottery night, at this stage of the process, it appears to be simply that. The Spurs want to get Wembanyama to the playoffs, but don't have to rush into a blockbuster deal, be it for Giannis Antetokounmpo (should he become available) or a different star.
San Antonio has the future draft capital to keep Harper and still significantly upgrade its roster at a lesser cost. Rival teams expect the Spurs will entertain their options, but the wide assumption is Harper will be the pick, barring a blockbuster move. -- Woo
This is where the draft gets really interesting, as the 76ers are unsurprisingly signaling they are looking at a wide group of prospects, consisting of Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel. Bailey -- widely considered this draft's third-most-talented prospect -- is the natural fit here, as he could seamlessly slide into the Sixers' lineup at shooting guard, small forward or power forward, operating alongside any of their current players.
The feedback coming out of Chicago suggests Bailey is somewhat polarizing in internal front-office conversations because of questions about his feel for the game and "unpolished" team interviews, which one NBA general manager compared to Anthony Edwards' during the predraft process (Minnesota drafted him No. 1 in 2020). Bailey hasn't come off as "buttoned up" as some of his lottery peers but drew strong marks from a handful of executives who appreciated his candor and willingness to display his big personality.
Some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade conversations, with names such as Kevin Durant (Phoenix) and Lauri Markkanen (Utah) as potential targets in packages that could include Paul George and the No. 3 pick. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has made a career of being active and aggressive on the trade front, but historically, it's rare to see a top-three pick being traded.
Adding a young, talented prospect could be appealing as a reset to the team's timeline, offering long-term hope among Joel Embiid's injury concerns and George's significant contract, which might not age well. -- Givony
Intel and fit: Though dropping one slot was disappointing for the Hornets, they were the only team with top-four lottery odds to remain there. The No. 4 pick is still advantageous with the way the board falls, as Charlotte will operate knowing that at least Edgecombe or Bailey will be available, both of whom would represent significant talent upgrades. Edgecombe is widely viewed as the safer of the two for Charlotte, but there's not a consensus for teams after Flagg and Harper come off the board, making this range of the draft interesting to discern. Considering the Hornets' needs, it wouldn't be surprising to see Tre Johnson receive a look here as well.
On paper, Edgecombe is a natural fit, sliding between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, with his downhill explosiveness, slashing style and significant defensive potential complementing Ball's vision and creativity and Miller's shotmaking prowess. He also offers room to grow into a larger ballhandling role, which could make him more attractive to Charlotte, providing a long-term option in the backcourt.
The Hornets took a patient approach at the trade deadline, and opposing teams are curious about their level of urgency this offseason, having sold at the trade deadline but also having missed the playoffs nine straight seasons. -- Woo
Intel and fit: Dropping from the projected No. 1 slot ahead of the lottery to the No. 5 pick was a setback for Utah's fan base and front office, creating questions about the team's timeline and the value of undergoing another painful season hunting for a top pick in 2026.
With the roster in significant need of star power, it makes sense to take a long look at a prospect such as Fears, who had an outstanding season at Oklahoma despite -- at 18 years old -- being one of the youngest players in college basketball. His combination of size, speed, pace, shotmaking and shot creation gives him significant long-term upside, as he can get anywhere on the floor to create for teammates, finish skillfully in the lane or head to the free throw line.
Drafting Fears would likely have a roster trickle-down effect, as the Jazz selected point guards (Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier) in each of the past two drafts. The biggest questions revolve around the long-term status of Markkanen, a two-time All-Star who would have an active market if the Jazz were open to trading him. Going from the NBA's worst record (17-65) to the No. 5 pick was a stern reminder of the pitfalls of rebuilding, but it's unclear how else the Jazz can take the next step in building a championship-contending roster. -- Givony
The Wizards are in a similar boat to the Jazz after dropping four slots in a worst-case lottery scenario, albeit in an earlier stage of their full-scale rebuild.
The Wizards continue to search for star talent in the draft and will take a swing on whichever player falls out of the top five. In this scenario, it's Johnson, who would fill an immediate need and also offer upside to grow as their potential long-term shooting guard. He's among the draft's better perimeter shooters, with solid positional size and an aggressive approach. He helped himself at Texas while showcased in a huge role.
Johnson has been another polarizing player for teams because of questions about his style of play, which has, at times, been characterized by scouts as selfish as he rose through the high school and college ranks. Coming out of the interview process in Chicago, those questions remain for some teams -- there are lingering concerns about his shot selection, and how he might adjust to varied usage long term -- but there aren't many players in the class with his caliber of scoring talent.
The Wizards can offer him an immediate offensive role and develop him, making them (on paper) one of the better fits for Johnson in the top 10. -- Woo
Brooklyn has veteran players, including Cameron Johnson, four first-round picks in this draft and future assets to dangle if it wants to move higher in the lottery. Teams expect the Nets, who are also operating in the interest of present and future cap space, to consolidate some of what they have.
Demin had a positive week at the combine in Chicago, measuring bigger than expected at 6-9½ in shoes and then putting on one of the most impressive pro day performances we've seen in some time, causing even the most skeptical of NBA evaluators to acknowledge his undeniable talent.
Demin has made significant gains with his body and will continue to fill out, while making a barrage of 3-pointers with picture-perfect mechanics and a lightning-quick release that offered significant room for optimism despite hitting 27% of his 3-pointers in his lone season at BYU. Also, NBA teams raved about his interviews in Chicago.
Intel and fit: The Jazz own this second first-round pick by way of Minnesota in the Rudy Gobert trade. After selecting a point guard in Fears in the lottery, taking a swing on a talented young big man such as Newell makes sense.
Teams searching for frontcourt help earlier in the draft are also interested in him. Newell's combine measurements will likely mean he will play mostly power forward in the NBA.
Nevertheless, his mobility, aggressiveness and intensity are significant assets that allowed him to have a highly productive, efficient freshman campaign. Newell made 26 3-pointers in 33 games and converted 75% of his free throws, positive signs that scouts believe could point to him becoming a more consistent outside shooter (29% 3-point percentage). -- Givony
I can’t think of a more nauseating combo than Fears and Newell as the outcome to this dreadful season. Good grief.Here are the parts from the latest DX mock that I found interesting/relevant to the Jazz:
Spurs - Harper
Sixers - Bailey
Hornets - Edgecombe
Jazz - Fears
Wizards - Johnson
Nets - Nipple
Blazers - Demin
Jazz - Newell
I said what I said... *thought lol
Then Philly should have gotten the 2nd pick. They did not. Taking on a broken player for a very good player is worth a lot more than moving up 2 spots for a player level we could get at 5. I'd struggle with giving up the 21st. More draft capitol is a non-starter.It is heavily weighted. We are getting the 3rd overall pick while keeping 5th.
Where did he have Coward?Here are the parts from the latest DX mock that I found interesting/relevant to the Jazz:
Spurs - Harper
Sixers - Bailey
Hornets - Edgecombe
Jazz - Fears
Wizards - Johnson
Nets - Nipple
Blazers - Demin
Jazz - Newell
Where did he have Coward?
30.
Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State/Duke
Junior | TS%: 71.0
Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-5¼ | Weight: 213
Standing reach: 8-10 | Wingspan: 7-2¼
Intel and fit: The Clippers won't control their draft for the next four seasons, with picks and swaps outgoing until 2030 and the team in win-now mode. Taking a gamble on a relatively unproven prospect such as Coward would be a high-risk, high-reward approach.
There has been plenty of buzz around Coward of late, with signs out of Chicago pointing to him remaining in the draft, despite a transfer commitment to Duke for next season. Many NBA teams we spoke with are hesitant about his surprising rise, given the fact that he played six games at Washington State before a shoulder injury ended his season. But his unusual trajectory from Division III to Eastern Washington to what appears to be guaranteed-contract territory is fascinating.
Though his lack of film against high-level college competition is a concern for NBA teams, Coward is the type of wing teams love draft, and it matters that he was efficient and productive at Eastern Washington. Still not cleared for contact as of last week, Coward measured with a 7-2¼ wingspan at the combine, shot the ball well in drills, and looked the part as he made his case to NBA teams. Despite not having played competitively since November, his draft projection seems to be moving in his favor. -- Woo
Adding the Lakers 2027 is an overpay IMO. Taking George and giving them Lauri (you can debate his value but if the Sixers are doing this.....they value him) and 21 this year, means the next piece of draft comp is a couple of seconds or a trash/projected late 1st here soon from MIN or CLE.
Trust me, I would love to do the deal without adding in extra picks. I just don’t know how realistic that is. Are we going to walk away from the deal over it?Adding the Lakers 2027 is an overpay IMO. Taking George and giving them Lauri (you can debate his value but if the Sixers are doing this.....they value him) and 21 this year, means the next piece of draft comp is a couple of seconds or a trash/projected late 1st here soon from MIN or CLE.
Trust me, I would love to do the deal without adding in extra picks. I just don’t know how realistic that is. Are we going to walk away from the deal over it?