2024 Draft Prospect: Stephon Castle

[amcoolio]

On Castle

Isaac Okoro had the same scouting report coming out of college, and he's absolutely murdering the Cavs right now in the playoffs. When they put random white guy Dean Wade in, the Cavs perform better.

I would rather gamble on the offensive player playing hard on defense than the defensive player figuring out offense. Even Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic, both terrible defenders coming into the NBA, are really good defenders now.

That said, this draft is **** and we have the equivalent of the 13th pick in a normal year, so we shouldn't expect a starter. If Castle did indeed improve his form as it looks in that combine video, then he's worth the gamble.

[EmpireFalls]

Here is where I am with Castle... I feel like the convo has been the same with him for the past 30 days... low usage on a good team, defensive fit between Melo and Miller, if his shooting gets better then this/that.

I think what would actually help me... is you guys @Master ichiro and @JustBuzzing give me 6 examples each of players that you think Castle is similar to in the NBA. 2 That are stretch goals (allstar) 2 that are solid starters and then 2 that are his low end outcome.

I can put together a database similar to what I did last year with Miller that included guys like Tatum, Ingram, PG, Cam Johnson, Wiggins, Josh Jackson and Jarrett Culver..

Then we can see how Castle compares on the spectrum per game, per 40 etc and see if there are actual connections to him being similar.

Just off the top of my head…

Jimmy Butler
Marcus Smart
Jalen Suggs
Bruce Brown
Markelle Fultz
Post-injury Penny Hardaway

Bruce Brown is the one I keep coming back to.

[JMAC3]

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[KembaWalker]

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Ideal

[Bassman]

Great news and confirmation on Castle measurements. He does check a lot of boxes for us, with the great unknown relative to shooting still to be determined. I need to revisit the speed and agility drills to see how he ranked relative to Holland and Knecht.

[wilson115]

6'5.5" w/o shoes is as tall as Miles, Grant, and Jaylen Brown. Legit possible he goes Top 5 now.

[JustBuzzin]

Oh yeah he's officially my guy!

My updated top 3


1. Castle
2. Knecht
3. Clingan

Risacher would have been #2, but I doubt he will be available.

[MasterIchiro]

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Good God. At the 2? LaMelo with his length at the 1? Miller at the 3? Mark 5?

Miles can be a stump.

[LofJ]

He's got legit wing size, I'm definitely on board with drafting him.

[fatlever]

he'll be gone before we pick

[MasterIchiro]

To answer the question of his comps...

He's some blend of:

Josh Hart
Jalen Suggs
Terance Mann
Marcus Smart
Derek White

I have him as a high-end role player and NBA starter for a playoff team, with comparable value to PJ Washington, selected 12th in a much better draft.

So if there is a handicap of 5-7 slots and he goes 6 to Charlotte, that pushes him right around PJ territory in a "normal" draft.

I do not see All-star upside, so I have excluded them from my list. He doesn't remind me of any NBA All-star.

Edit: He can become an All-NBA defense player though.

[JustBuzzin]

Also who said this dude was small?

He's almost 6'6 without shoes and 210 pounds. That dude has a grown man body.

[MugzZo]

Also who said this dude was small?

He's almost 6'6 without shoes and 210 pounds. That dude has a grown man body.

Wow was I wrong or what? I know I was. Dude has legit size at this point Holland or him will do. He has good size for sure!

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

[MasterIchiro]

Much of this is shameless self-promotion so I take it with a grain of salt. By posturing as a true PG, Castle inflates his playmaking value at the next level. He's no doubt a higher end secondary playmaker but he's trying to manufacture value and establish a lane against his competitors.

All-NBA defense is his true core value. The playmaking is a swing value that ensures a higher draft position.

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[MasterIchiro]

Branding himself a primary playmaker takes some of the heat off his range shooting. Shooting guards have to shoot. He's an excellent slasher though, ideal secondary playmaker (pushing Miller and Miles to 3rd and 4rh playmaker which gives the Hornets huge advantage).

He doesn't need to become a sniper. Too many other areas where he adds value to a winning team.

[yosemiteben]

Wow, those measurements are much better than I expected. Makes him much more compelling in my mind.

[JustBuzzin]

Wow, those measurements are much better than I expected. Makes him much more compelling in my mind.

Get on the bandwagon.

He offers versatility he can guard 1-3 and he can play 1-3. What I like the most is his IQ. He's a team first guy. That's hard to find with young players especially a guy who was a star coming out of high school. The fact he went to Uconn and took a backseat to win a championship really shows me he's a true winner. He's going to do anything the coach ask of him. Not many young players have that mindset.

Saying that there is a chance he's not on the board because of his solid measurements. He looks like a Spurs kind of player tbh.

[MasterIchiro]

He's drawing Jimmy Butler comparisons. That is a dream scenario if we select him.

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[Goodecharlotte]

He's drawing Jimmy Butler comparisons. That is a dream scenario if we select him.

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Yes please

[Liver_Pooty]

I'm normally always against players who can't shoot but in this draft to hell with it. Those measurements are **** great.