Draft Prospects Discussion

Lol at Chris Webber talking like he didn't strong arm his way out of GS. What a Johnny Come Lately.

Draymond gets away with some amazing things.

Through some miracle, the Pels trade and keep our #6 pick and acquire another lottery pick...who is the 2nd guy, people would want? Assuming Simmons, Ingram, Dunn, Hield, Murray, and Bender have all been picked.

Marquiss Chriss? Jaylen Brown?

Brown or Luwawu.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

Through some miracle, the Pels trade and keep our #6 pick and acquire another lottery pick...who is the 2nd guy, people would want? Assuming Simmons, Ingram, Dunn, Hield, Murray, and Bender have all been picked.

Marquiss Chriss? Jaylen Brown?

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Tyler Ulis

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

Through some miracle, the Pels trade and keep our #6 pick and acquire another lottery pick...who is the 2nd guy, people would want? Assuming Simmons, Ingram, Dunn, Hield, Murray, and Bender have all been picked.

Marquiss Chriss? Jaylen Brown?

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I get Marquese Chriss because he can shoot the midrange and the 3 he is very athletic also a good defender and shot blocker.. AD would be able to play the 5 and we would have the most energetic and explosive frontcourt in the NBA.

I like Chriss but after looking into him why are his rebounding numbers so low?

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

I like Chriss but after looking into him why are his rebounding numbers so low?

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Because he is a finesse big

Don't worry, this team will not take him. No need to look into him that much

gotcha thanks

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Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

IMO (eye test)
Drummond is better team defender.
Whiteside is a better ISO defender.

Just look at who Whiteside has covering for him.
Dragic, Wade, Deng and Bosh who are all above average defenders.

Drummond has nobody....except for maybe Pope.

If I had to pick who I'd want next to AD I'd go Whiteside, but only because there is about a 5% of that happening compared to Drummond at 0%.

Oh and Drummond is ******** house at free throws and you can't play him at the end of games.

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When has Whiteside had Bosh? Bosh's clots have kept him out 80% of the time. Dwayne Wade May be a good defender, he's OLDer . He's nothing special on defense anymore. Ditto for deng . Whiteside is a better defender, period! Also has a much better offensive game. I take Whiteside over Drummond everyday & twice on Sunday .

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

He's who I want is Hield and Dunn are gone. Would much rather him over Murray.

His jumpshot has great mechanics, it just didn't fall. But it's only 1 season, with his form I have no doubt he will improve and he has the 3rd highest ceiling the draft IMO.

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This is a good point about Brown.
After all, Pel's shooting coach has Tyreke shooting the best of his career.

Agreed, brown has every tool to he a bigger derozan with a possibly better jumper.

My top 30 prospects:

1. Simmons
2. Ingram
3. Dunn
4. Buddy
5. J Murray
6. Brown
7. Bender
8. Chriss
9. Skal
10. Sabonis
11. Ellenson
12. Poeltl
13. Luwawu
14. Valentine
15. D Davis
16. D Jackson
17. Korkmaz
18. Prince
19. Baldwin
20. Beasley
21. D Murray
22. Ulis
23. Diallo
24. Maker
25. B Johnson
26. Richardson
27. LeVert
28. Bembry
29. Zizic
30. D Jones/Zimmerman/Hammons (one of those centers lol)

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Agreed, brown has every tool to he a bigger derozan with a possibly better jumper.

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He COULD become that, sure. He also could become another Julian Wright or Jan Vesely. I don't think the other prospects in the 3-7 range have that kind of downside. No way Dunn is a total scrub, for instance, outside of major injuries ruining him. Same with Buddy. Yes, Brown could be really good. It's possible. He also could be out of the league by the time he's 25. He has that kind of floor

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Originally Posted by DaPelFromHell

My top 30 prospects:

1. Simmons
2. Ingram
3. Dunn
4. Buddy
5. J Murray
6. Brown
7. Bender
8. Chriss
9. Skal
10. Sabonis
11. Ellenson
12. Poeltl
13. Luwawu
14. Valentine
15. D Davis
16. D Jackson
17. Korkmaz
18. Prince
19. Baldwin
20. Beasley
21. D Murray
22. Ulis
23. Diallo
24. Maker
25. B Johnson
26. Richardson
27. LeVert
28. Bembry
29. Zizic
30. D Jones/Zimmerman/Hammons (one of those centers lol)

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Y'all gonna put some Respek on Ben Bentil name.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

He COULD become that, sure. He also could become another Julian Wright or Jan Vesely. I don't think the other prospects in the 3-7 range have that kind of downside. No way Dunn is a total scrub, for instance, outside of major injuries ruining him. Same with Buddy. Yes, Brown could be really good. It's possible. He also could be out of the league by the time he's 25. He has that kind of floor

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Well of course but the same was said when the supersonics took westbrook over love, gordon and Augustin. Id rather swing for the fences of greatness then settle for perennial mediocrity.

I was down on Jaylen Brown at first as well, but the more I find out about him the more I like him. He's not your normal basketball player for sure. There is not a better combination of size and athleticism on the wing in this draft. He possesses the kind of skills that you can't teach, and he has the potential to be the kind of versatile player on the wing that has become so highly valued in today's NBA. He's aggressive and gets to the foul line a ton. He sees the court pretty well and kicked it out numerous times to teammates for open 3s. The thing I like about him most is his potential on defense. He has good size and a huge wingspan. Maybe he doesn't reach his full potential, but I think he will still be a good starter in the league no matter what.

What are the chances we are on the clock with Dunn and Hield or Murray still on the board?

If that happens what do Pels do? What would you do?

Is it realistic to think that Denver would give us one of their remaining first round picks or a player( Faried, Harris) to move up to our spot to draft Hield/Murray? ....if such an offer was on the table would Pels be willing to trade back one spot to gain an additional asset ?

Id take Dunn if that were the case

My current mock draft if the picks stay where they are and I sure hope they do lol:

1. 76ers: Ben Simmons (best player in the draft, no brainer)

2. Lakers: Brandon Ingram (2nd best player, no brainer)

3. Celtics: Buddy Hield (they could use a good shooting 2 guard with some better size than Avery Bradley. Thomas and Smart make a good point guard combo, so they could use a good 2 guard combo. they need a power forward the most, but I think Ainge wants to win ASAP so he will take Buddy over Bender. He knows that you need good shooting in this league and they could use another shooter on the wing)

4. Suns: Dragan Bender (with Brandon Knight, Eric Bledsoe, and Devin Booker they don't need another young guard, so they will take the best non-guard on the board and maybe they have Jaylen Brown ahead of Bender but I doubt it)

5. T-wolves: Jamal Murray (they need a good shooting guard more than anything on the roster. They have Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine at guard, so they need a good shooter and that's one of Murray's strengths. Plus they just drafted point guard Tyus Jones in last year's draft)

6. Pelicans: Kris Dunn (IMO the 3rd best player in the draft and we luck into him cause of the teams ahead of us just not needing a point guard what so ever. He will more than likely bring AD's game to another level! So if he's as good as I think he will be and we can consistently make the playoffs, AD may stay here long term to keep playing with him. Jrue has shown to play good with another ball handler on the court. Jrue is more of a combo guard and with AD we need a really good, reliable point guard. Jrue will have an audition as an off guard and if he can't do it or stay healthy we can move on. Best case scenario IMO is to get Dunn on this team. He can stuff the stat sheet in all areas almost. I think he will be an almost elite defender and play maker. If he can consistently shoot and score then he can reach All Star status for sure IMO)

*#€# I wish we could have both Dunn and Heild.

I just can't decide. Let's hope they are not both available at 6.

it all depends on Brown and Bender

With Simmons, Ingram, Brown and Bender gone it is good to chave choice of 2 from Murray/Dunn and Hield

My preference for our pick is Dunn, Hield, Murray (like him a lot, but dont think Pels will select him and remain with him)

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Well of course but the same was said when the supersonics took westbrook over love, gordon and Augustin. Id rather swing for the fences of greatness then settle for perennial mediocrity.

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Totally agree, shoot for the stars.

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Originally Posted by Hoopsguy

What are the chances we are on the clock with Dunn and Hield or Murray still on the board?

If that happens what do Pels do? What would you do?

Is it realistic to think that Denver would give us one of their remaining first round picks or a player( Faried, Harris) to move up to our spot to draft Hield/Murray? ....if such an offer was on the table would Pels be willing to trade back one spot to gain an additional asset ?

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I'd trade down a few spots if possible and pick who fell. Say Toronto and we still get one of the players we like. Denver, I only make the deal for 15 & 19 if they include Barton.

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Originally Posted by tdcreator

Totally agree, shoot for the stars.

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When I read this I read it in Heath Ledger's voice from A Knight's Tale.

I'm almost certain Dragan Bender is going 3-5 either to the teams there (Boston or Phoenix) or via trade. At least one of Murray, Hield, Dunn will be on the board at 6.

Agreed, Bender won't make it past the Celtics and Suns.

The Pels are going to end up with either Hield or Dunn.

Book it.

I know a guy who told ya'll that weeks ago, haha. Discussing any other prospect is a waste of time. Except, maybe, Valentine

If 3-5 goes Buddy, Bender, and Dunn, I think they would look for trades. If they don't like any, I believe they would take Valentine over Murray

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

If 3-5 goes Buddy, Bender, and Dunn, I think they would look for trades. If they don't like any, I believe they would take Valentine over Murray

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Let's hope that does not happen.

Picking Valentine at 6 is a huge joke he's not even expected to be a lotto pick. Also MM stop acting like things are set in stone teams still need to do workouts and interviews.

Well Dunn or Buddy better be there if this team is gonna take Valentine over Murray! I don't think that happens though. Murray is seen as a WAY better player than Valentine. If you look at the board and who picks in the top 5, I think Kris Dunn will be the pick. I don't see teams 3-5 taking a point guard. The Celtics have Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart at point guard. The Suns have Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe. And the T-wolves have Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine. Now it will just depend on what the Celtics do at 3. Will they go guard or anything else?? I think they will end up taking Buddy or Murray before its all said and done. The T-wolves take the other one that the Celtics pass on. Then we will take Kris Dunn!! Man I'm so glad the lotto fell the way it did cause we are likely to get the #3 player(IMO) at pick #6!!

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Originally Posted by 504ByrdGang

Picking Valentine at 6 is a huge joke he's not even expected to be a lotto pick. Also MM stop acting like things are set in stone teams still need to do workouts and interviews.

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According to whom? Your second sentence is ironic, after reading your first. Things aren't set in stone, yet Valentine isn't supposed to be a lotto pick....um, is thatset in stone?

And I have seen Valentine as high as 9 in some mocks, so its just not true. Not like mock drafts matter. Show me one that had Cody Zeller going 4th a month before the draft. Or Kaminsky going ahead of Winslow last year.

If you like Valentine better than Murray, and can't trade the pick, you take Valentine, no matter what Chad Ford or some other mock says. Whenever you go back and do NBA Re-Drafts, some guy taken 20-something is ahead of the guy picked 4th or 5th. It's stupid to place anybody else's value ahead of your own. You go by your board, not somebody else's

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I know a guy who told ya'll that weeks ago, haha. Discussing any other prospect is a waste of time. Except, maybe, Valentine

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We are totally in luck then as they are the two players I want most in this whole draft.

I favor Dunn a skoosh over Hield namely for him being a two way player. But Hield would be a great player to operate off of AD. Teams won't want to double off Hield when AD has the rock. Best case scenario for us is they have to pick their poison.

You can't say picking someone before someone would be a mistake like it is absolute fact. Of course you can have your opinion, but it's not like projected top picks always finish better than people drafted behind them. I'm sure if the Hornets could go back they would much rather Lillard, Draymond or Drummond over MKG.

Give me Denzel Valentine.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

According to whom? Your second sentence is ironic, after reading your first. Things aren't set in stone, yet Valentine isn't supposed to be a lotto pick....um, is thatset in stone?

And I have seen Valentine as high as 9 in some mocks, so its just not true. Not like mock drafts matter. Show me one that had Cody Zeller going 4th a month before the draft. Or Kaminsky going ahead of Winslow last year.

If you like Valentine better than Murray, and can't trade the pick, you take Valentine, no matter what Chad Ford or some other mock says. Whenever you go back and do NBA Re-Drafts, some guy taken 20-something is ahead of the guy picked 4th or 5th. It's stupid to place anybody else's value ahead of your own. You go by your board, not somebody else's

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Please show me 1 mock with Denzel in the top 10

I don't even understand why people still takes MM's word he's wrong 80% of the time.

You can disagree with anyone, but just disagree. Do not try to insult or denigrate others.

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Originally Posted by 504ByrdGang

Please show me 1 mock with Denzel in the top 10

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Shouldn't matter how high he is in mocks, how many mocks had Kawhi, Draymond or Ginobli in the top 10?

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

Shouldn't matter how high he is in mocks, how many mocks had Kawhi, Draymond or Ginobli in the top 10?

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You choose out liners what % of non lotto and second round pick tend to be better than lotto picks.

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Originally Posted by 504ByrdGang

Picking Valentine at 6 is a huge joke he's not even expected to be a lotto pick. Also MM stop acting like things are set in stone teams still need to do workouts and interviews.

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Tbh I understand where you are coming from, but looking at this organization past picks , their picking style is on point to what MM is saying so it's not far fetch. Demps and crew are obsessed with Juniors or seniors.

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

Tbh I understand where you are coming from, but looking at this organization past picks , their picking style is on point to what MM is saying so it's not far fetch. Demps and crew are obsessed with Juniors or seniors.

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When is the last time we had a pick to even make that conclusion? The only time we used a lotto pick was on AD and Rivers since Dell's been here. As for second rounders majority of the time those are Jr's and seniors. Also its clear that although Dumars isn't part of the FO they may be using him for advising. People charge their mind there opinions on a player or trade can change at any moment.

A guard with a 29 inch vertical being drafted top 10 is definitely a joke. Unless you're an all world shooter like Curry and Reddick. Which Valentine isn't.

Prospect A:

6'10.75" wingspan
8'6" standing reach
32" max vertical
.462/.444/.853
127.2 ORtg

Prospect B:

6'9" wingspan
8'7.5" standing reach
31.5" max vertical
.436/.398/.838
109.8 ORtg

Don't click on the links and guess who A and B are.

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Originally Posted by David Fisher

Prospect A:

6'10.75" wingspan
8'6" standing reach
32" max vertical
.462/.444/.853
127.2 ORtg

Prospect B:

6'9" wingspan
8'7.5" standing reach
31.5" max vertical
.436/.398/.838
109.8 ORtg

Don't click on the links and guess who A and B are.

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Thanks for sharing this, David. I had never even considered to compare him to Klay as a prospect, those numbers are pretty much identical.

I'm all for taking Valentine if Dunn and Hield are both off the board when the Pels pick sixth. The question is, do the Pels value him enough to take him there despite many people believing he's a mid to late lottery pick?

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

Through some miracle, the Pels trade and keep our #6 pick and acquire another lottery pick...who is the 2nd guy, people would want? Assuming Simmons, Ingram, Dunn, Hield, Murray, and Bender have all been picked.

Marquiss Chriss? Jaylen Brown?

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Kris Dunn and Buddy Hield would be great. I'd take Jaylen Brown as well. Then sign Barnes and a decent backup power forward.

C: Asik, Ajinca
PF: AD, FA
SF: Barnes, Brown
SG: Jrue, QPon
PG: Dunn, Reke

That would be one scary lineup and I would love that second unit.

My bad so I would take Jaylen Brown, Chriss, Skal, Sabonis, or Ellenson in that order.

If Dunn isn't there I'd be happy f they dropped a few spots and took Luwawu. Don't be shocked if he goes higher than these mocks have him. As is usually the case when it comes to the NBA draft.

Does that even happen? Trade backs? Who is the guy we don't need that's worth assets to trade up for? Chriss? Maybe Bender slides?

Yes it happens. Not nearly as much as in the NFL being there are less picks, but it's not a blue moon type of thing.

Thats how Utah picked up Trey Burke and Minnesota dropped to get Shabazz and Gorgui. Don't know if the Pelicans have the ammo, but our GM can be pretty crafty.