2024 Draft Thread - Part II

[nate33]

I wonder if Atlanta considers Kuzma an upgrade over Hunter? Hunter's stats don't look that bad, but he seems to be very much disliked by Hawks fans in posts I've read over the past year or two. He's also already 26-years-old.

Would Atlanta consider #1 + Hunter for #2 + Kuzma?

Probably not.

[nate33]

If Sarr is one the board for us, what could we get in a trade down?

4+8?

I don't see San Antonio trading up for Sarr. Sarr makes little sense for them. With Wemby they have the ultimate versatility to either go 5-out or to use him as the roll man. Why mess that up by bringing in Sarr to screw up the spacing?

I think San Antonio is sitting pretty at #4 and #8. At #4, they'll land one of the PG prospects, and at #8, they can take BPA.

[NatP4]

Read on Twitter

[NatP4]

Read on Twitter

[Mizerooskie]

Oof. I know people expected Dillingham to measure small....but that small? How far does he fall now?

[NatP4]

Yeah, Dillingham is going to drop after that.

[mhd]

I wonder if Atlanta considers Kuzma an upgrade over Hunter? Hunter's stats don't look that bad, but he seems to be very much disliked by Hawks fans in posts I've read over the past year or two. He's also already 26-years-old.

Would Atlanta consider #1 + Hunter for #2 + Kuzma?

Probably not.

I mean if they don't love Sarr, I would call their bluff. I wonder if Atlanta stands pat and takes best available wing. Heck, they might like Clingan better anyways or get a young center back in a Murray/Trae trade.

[payitforward]

This "weak draft" stuff is driving me a little batty.

1. Take 3 guys out of the 2011 draft -- Kyrie, Kawhi & Jimmy -- & how does it look? Horrible. Especially the lottery.

2. Did anyone -- even a single commentator -- predict that Kawhi & Jimmy would become two first-ballot HOF players? Two of the very best players of their or any era? No, no one did.

3. Of the 13 players taken after Kyrie & before Kawhi, how many of them turned into outstanding NBA players -- not just good but outstanding, tho not necessarily perennial all stars? Answer: 2 of them: the 9th pick (Kemba Walker) & the 11th pick (Klay Thompaon).

4. Did anyone predict big upsides of that kind for Kemba Walker & Klay Thompson? Answer: no -- that is, they both outperformed expeectations.

In other words, we have not the faintest idea of whether 2024 will turn out to be a strong draft , a weak one, or somewhere in between.

[nate33]

Oof. I know people expected Dillingham to measure small....but that small? How far does he fall now?

I assumed he was 6'-1" w/o shoes the whole time. The alarming part is that he isn't making up for it with a decent wingspan. 6'-3" is short.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

A little disappointing with the wingspan. So he's basically 6'-10"/6'-10".

[Rafael122]

I would take Dillingham at 26. The measurements are horrific. Not sure what to make of Matas. He's taller, but wingspan isn't great?

Ryan Dunn's measurements are ridiculous, it's too bad he can't shoot.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

7'10.75 wingspan ?!?

[J-Ves]

If Clingan can shoot 3's, that makes him potentially Brook Lopez.

I guess the question is, even if he is Brook Lopez, do you take Brook Lopez with the 2nd pick in the draft? Lopez made one All-Star game in his entire 16-year career.

Depends on the draft I suppose.
Hoopshype had Lopez going #3 in a NBA redraft of 2008 (behind Westbrook/Love but ahead of Rose and DeAndre Jordan). I would probably take Rose although Lopez still playing well up to this point.

Also would have been intrigued to see how his career turned out if he shot 3 earlier, Lopez only started shooting 3s 8 years ago.

Yes, that's the kind of discussion I wanted to have. I was not trying to disparage Clingan by comparing him to Lopez. I'm just saying Lopez is about as good as it gets for a drop coverage big. He's an exceptional rim protector who can also space the floor on offense better than most. My point is that he is still a "role player". He is an elite role player, perhaps, but not the foundation for a team. The Brook Lopezes of the league do not make All-Star games, and they are the kind of guys that are obtainable in trades and free agency.

Maybe that's the best we can hope for in this draft. I'm not discounting it. But if you think a guy like Holland, or Dillingham, or Sheppard, or Buzelis can pan out as a star, do you take them over the next Brook Lopez?

I think in the event you know Clingan will have a Brook Lopez-like career but don’t have insight in anyone else he becomes an extreme favorite for the number 2 overall pick and he probably even has a reasonable shot at going number 1. There’s a big difference between thinking you have a high floor player and knowing you have one

[DCZards]

Oof. I know people expected Dillingham to measure small....but that small? How far does he fall now?

Wouldn't be surprised to see SA take Dillingham at 4 or 8. He'd be a major offensive weapon next to Wemby…and with Wemby, Sochan and Vassell the Spurs have enough quality D to cover up for Dillinghan's weakness in that area.

[NatP4]

Oof. I know people expected Dillingham to measure small....but that small? How far does he fall now?

I assumed he was 6'-1" w/o shoes the whole time. The alarming part is that he isn't making up for it with a decent wingspan. 6'-3" is short.

A lot of players were allowed to skip the 22/23 combine, but that would’ve been the shortest wingspan.

[nate33]

Oof. I know people expected Dillingham to measure small....but that small? How far does he fall now?

Wouldn't be surprised to see SA take Dillingham at 4 or 8. He's be a major offensive force next to Wemby and with Wemby, Sochan and Vassell the Spurs have enough D to cover up for Dillinghan's weakness in that area.

It's an interesting choice for them. Do they take him at #4 if they really like him? Or do they assume he falls to #8 given his measurements?

I'd like to see San Antonio come away with both Dillingham and Castle. That's a nice backcourt to pair with Wemby, Vassell and Sochan.

[Mizerooskie]

Oof. I know people expected Dillingham to measure small....but that small? How far does he fall now?

Wouldn't be surprised to see SA take Dillingham at 4 or 8. He's be a major offensive force next to Wemby and with Wemby, Sochan and Vassell the Spurs have enough D to cover up for Dillinghan's weakness in that area.

That was my initial thought before we found out he has T-Rex arms. Those stubs are going to negatively impact his offensive game at the NBA level as well, particularly when attacking the rim.

I'd be mildly surprised if he doesn't drop out of the lottery

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

Hollinger ranks:
#1 Holland
#2 Castle
#3 Clingan
#4 Sheppard
#5 Sarr

[mhd]

Read on Twitter

Hollinger ranks:
#1 Holland
#2 Castle
#3 Clingan
#4 Sheppard
#5 Sarr

Sure, he's had some misses, but Hollinger was dead on accurate regarding Johnny Davis. Winger & Dawkins are not going the safe route. I want Holland for the 2nd pick.

[nate33]

From Hollinger's article on Ron Holland:

Also, keep in mind that Holland’s free-throw rate was pretty massive for a perimeter player; four free-throw attempts per game may not seem like much until you remember the G League shoots one attempt that counts for two points. Only 10 players in the whole G League matched his rate.

I didn't realize the G-League handled free throws like that. You gotta love Holland's ability to get to the line at such a young age. Imagine what he'll do once he learns all the tricks.