2024 Draft - Who you got?

[KGdaBom]

Sleep deprivation, just ignore me....

That's what we always do

I'm putting the tired in retired mod at the moment

I'm retired from work so I never go to sleep and I'm tired as hell all the time.

[Domejandro]

Bummer about the Steven Adams injury but…it could be the final nail in the coffin for a mediocre Griz season. That could land Minnesota a pretty decent 2nd between the worse of Was/Mem on top of wherever their 1st ends up.

For what it is worth, I could see Memphis trading Stephen Adams and a FRP to Portland for Robert Williams III. That said, if Memphis moves forward without a solid replacement for Stephen Adams, their season is definitely in serious jeopardy.

First twenty games of...

Marcus Smart / Derrick Rose
Desmond Bane / Luke Kennard / John Konchar
Ziaire Williams / David Roddy / Jake LaRavia
Jaren Jackson Jr. / Santi Aldama / Kelly Lofton Jr.
Xavier Tillman Sr. /

IR: Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke (might return around All-Star break)

Only reaction to that lineup:

Spoiler:

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I seem to be in a very small minority, but I don't think Tillman and Aldama are bad at all.

They are solid bench players, but relying on them for upwards of 60-65 minutes a game is definitely not ideal. The big issue is that Jaren Jackson Jr. has HUGE foul trouble issues, so the lack of depth is a serious problem.

(Not meaning to derail the Draft thread, just was giving my opinion on the problem in Memphis.)

[shangrila]

I don't see any way that Portland agrees to give up RWIII for a late first and an expiring. That's a frankly absurd suggestion.

[KGdaBom]

I don't see any way that Portland agrees to give up RWIII for a late first and an expiring. That's a frankly absurd suggestion.

I had R Will on a fantasy team only because he was the last center left. As soon as Adams got injured I dumped R Williams for Tillman. Time Lord at one time showed great promise. Now to me he is a decent shot blocker who is injured 90% of the time. Availability is one of the best abilities and he doesn't have that.

[Klomp]

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If I am trying to define archetype a player who I want Connelly to draft in 2024, I am looking at Kyle Anderson: versatile defender, glue guy. 6'7"-6'9", 220-230lbs, 6'9"-7'+ wingspan. But first and foremost he should be a mature, high IQ, low ego player. Jaime Jaquez is a perfect example of such player. I can easily imagine Jaquez playing with our bench unit and with starters. He can play next to Gobert-Towns duo as SF, or as PF next to Gobert. Watching Anderson playing at PF or SF I think that it is always a compromise in defense. Or better, it should be a matchup driven decision from coaching staff.

I'm not sure a senior fits the upside profile Connelly likes going after (though he is a young senior), but may I introduce you to Oso Ighodaro

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[KGdaBom]

It' going to be the last pick of the first round so don't get your hopes up too high.

[Neeva]

Late first round/early second round is where Connelly finds gems (if we ignore Wendell) and wolves will get them on Gupta specials

[Mamba4Goat]

With their first round pick likely being late 1st and their 2nd (worst of Mem/Was) being likely in the top 10 of the 2nd round I wonder if they try to move up or give the 2nd a two-way spot.

I think my wish list is
1.) bucket getting guard
2.) 3pt ace wing
3.) pass first PG

If they can come away with two of those guys in the draft I’d be pretty happy.

[Klomp]

It' going to be the last pick of the first round so don't get your hopes up too high.

Oso is currently mocked 28th...

[KGdaBom]

It' going to be the last pick of the first round so don't get your hopes up too high.

Oso is currently mocked 28th...

So possibly available.

[Klomp]

I think another thing worth bringing up...

If this is truly our identity going forward, do we start keeping an eye open for an heir apparent for Gobert at center? I know it seems strange with Towns and Reid, but I'm talking someone to play next to them like Rudy does at the moment. The only other guy we have close to Gobert's mold right now is Garza, but I don't think I see heir apparent upside.

What do people think about this?

While I think it's possible, I do think it's somewhat noteworthy that no other "Gobert-style" big has been brought in. Reid and Miller fall more into the Towns mold, but I wonder if more bigs in that style are where we'll be looking now that we're starting to see Reid and Towns work better together.

Regardless, I'm looking at both UCLA big men this year. They are both currently mocked ahead of where we'll be picking, but in the modern drafts we've seen bigs drop.

[Mamba4Goat]

I think another thing worth bringing up...

If this is truly our identity going forward, do we start keeping an eye open for an heir apparent for Gobert at center? I know it seems strange with Towns and Reid, but I'm talking someone to play next to them like Rudy does at the moment. The only other guy we have close to Gobert's mold right now is Garza, but I don't think I see heir apparent upside.

What do people think about this?

While I think it's possible, I do think it's somewhat noteworthy that no other "Gobert-style" big has been brought in. Reid and Miller fall more into the Towns mold, but I wonder if more bigs in that style are where we'll be looking now that we're starting to see Reid and Towns work better together.

Regardless, I'm looking at both UCLA big men this year. They are both currently mocked ahead of where we'll be picking, but in the modern drafts we've seen bigs drop.

It’s tough to envision them using a higher level asset like that on another big. Guys like Miller and Garza seem to be closer to bridges to an eventual post-Rudy life while guard remains a very pressing need. Wonder if they go for an oversized guy like basically every signing of theirs this offseason.

[KGdaBom]

I think another thing worth bringing up...

If this is truly our identity going forward, do we start keeping an eye open for an heir apparent for Gobert at center? I know it seems strange with Towns and Reid, but I'm talking someone to play next to them like Rudy does at the moment. The only other guy we have close to Gobert's mold right now is Garza, but I don't think I see heir apparent upside.

What do people think about this?

While I think it's possible, I do think it's somewhat noteworthy that no other "Gobert-style" big has been brought in. Reid and Miller fall more into the Towns mold, but I wonder if more bigs in that style are where we'll be looking now that we're starting to see Reid and Towns work better together.

Regardless, I'm looking at both UCLA big men this year. They are both currently mocked ahead of where we'll be picking, but in the modern drafts we've seen bigs drop.

It’s tough to envision them using a higher level asset like that on another big. Guys like Miller and Garza seem to be closer to bridges to an eventual post-Rudy life while guard remains a very pressing need. Wonder if they go for an oversized guy like basically every signing of theirs this offseason.

I'm always in favor of oversized. Bigger is better.

[minimus]

I hope we get a volume shooter, against NOP it was an awful basketball when our players turned down open threes, while NOP were hitting difficult shots.

[Mamba4Goat]

I hope we get a volume shooter, against NOP it was an awful basketball when our players turned down open threes, while NOP were hitting difficult shots.

I wouldn’t hate that being a target. Usually there’s at least one bucket getter at the end of the first/early 2nd that is NBA ready and turns out to be a total steal. Sasser, Hardy, and Cam Thomas from recent drafts all come to mind. If Connelly could hit on a pick like one of them it’d be fantastic.

[Neeva]

Ya but those players usually suck at defense which is the wolves identity now. I don’t see Connelly using a pick on a pure shooter tbh and instead I see him trying to trade for or sign a shooter that is more proven in the league.
Bones Hyland?

[fattymcgee]

Who gives a $hit about next year's draft. Enjoy the season right in front of you. This is probably the second best team we've EVER had.

[Clav]

Don't be such a hater fattymcgee it's a simple discussion about prospects.

I'd keep an eye on Reece Beekman (Virginia) and Tristan Newton (UConn) - both savvy playmakers that will definitely (projected) be available. I think that's a great direction to go because a lot of the other positions are pretty solid. A "JMac" PG prospect, but one with functional NBA size and defense to add to playmaking and initiation.

[andyhop]

What do people think about this?

While I think it's possible, I do think it's somewhat noteworthy that no other "Gobert-style" big has been brought in. Reid and Miller fall more into the Towns mold, but I wonder if more bigs in that style are where we'll be looking now that we're starting to see Reid and Towns work better together.

Regardless, I'm looking at both UCLA big men this year. They are both currently mocked ahead of where we'll be picking, but in the modern drafts we've seen bigs drop.

I don't see the playing time for another big unless you are shipping one out, you have KAT,Naz and Rudy taking up 90 of the minutes at the 4 and 5. Miller is probably a 4/3 if not a small ball 5 in some line ups. And then you still have Garza who may or may not be an NBA player.

Gobert is the old one but he is only 31 so you would think he has a few years left in him.

Given the holes elsewhere it's hard to see how spending a useful pick on another 5 makes sense.

[minimus]

I have a feeling that many of us will be positively surprised if we get a big shooter. I believe he will fit seamlessly, making our offense so much smoother.