NBA DRAFT 2020 DISCUSSION

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

As flat as talent supposedly is in this draft and how unpredictable it appears to be, someone will drop that we did not expect. Maybe a Hayes or Vassell drop and Pels can jump on. At 24, maybe someone like Anthony or Hampton fall down the boards or an older player like Bane is available.

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There's usually someone who falls, the question is just who? For example, I'm really not very high on Deni Avdija but most places have him projected between 5 and 10. If he 'falls' to 13 and we take him, that would technically be a consensus top 10 pick falling to us, but I would not value it very highly; I'd rather have Maxey, for example.

24 is a solid spot to be I think because if you've done your scouting homework you know that there are a bunch of guys in that area who aren't ever going to be stars but who are likely to be good NBA players: if you're not trading the pick then at 24 that's what you should be looking for. The likely stars and the guys with nuclear upside are almost always gone by then, and if you're taking swings at players outside of the top 20 then odds are that you're just grabbing fringe NBA players and hoping they can suddenly figure out a million things, which is unlikely. Someone like Bane or Flynn or Tillman should be available around there and then you grab them and you take it as good value, rather than trying to outsmart yourself.

Still think our pick at #39 should be Sam Merrill unless someone like Flynn falls dramatically.

Don't see Avdija falling that far. With the news of Okongku's injury, I am hoping he falls to 13.

The "faller" will be Hayes, Vassell, and/or Okoro

The candidates to go above us that most have at us or after us are Kira, Bey, Hampton, Nesmith, Maxey or McDaniels

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

The "faller" will be Hayes, Vassell, and/or Okoro

The candidates to go above us that most have at us or after us are Kira, Bey, Hampton, Nesmith, Maxey or McDaniels

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I would strangle a man for Hayes or Vassell.

Probably not, but hey.

McDaniels would be a dreadful pick, imo.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Here is a interesting/fun watch to pass the time. It's a cut up Jalen Smith vs Xavier Tillman. Smith, despite being outweighed, really held his own on the low block.

I really don't care much about his "base" at age 20. And won't be 21 until next March. Just seems like one of those wiry guys that's naturally strong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoJk...athanWasserman

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He played most of his college time "out of position". I get Dae's value comment, though. You want to get max value. The only problem with that is that this is the most insane draft as far as consistent big boards are concerned. Anyone could go anywhere. And I think NBA teams value stretch bigs more than draft analysts. From history, SVG values stretch bigs more than most teams.

If you guys were trying to be totally unbiased from their NBA rookie seasons and only looking at them predraft, where would you rank NAW and Hayes in the 2020 draft?

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Originally Posted by msusousaphone

If you guys were trying to be totally unbiased from their NBA rookie seasons and only looking at them predraft, where would you rank NAW and Hayes in the 2020 draft?

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Really hard to say.

Okay here is my Pelicans based big board, top 40 only. Things I didn't really take into account - fit and medicals. pic.twitter.com/8EicElX5XT

— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) November 18, 2020

I am just the messenger of this, bringing more information to people's eyes. Do not think for a second that I endorse this big board. I absolutely do not.

Didn't take into account fit, or medicals, or - apparently - basketball ability.

Two NBA sources: Onyeka Okongwu has a foot injury that could cost him training camp and maybe some of the regular season. Could impact where he's chosen in tonight's NBA draft (but not a lot).

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) November 18, 2020

Something to keep in mind for the draft tonight.

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Originally Posted by hornetzplaya

Two NBA sources: Onyeka Okongwu has a foot injury that could cost him training camp and maybe some of the regular season. Could impact where he's chosen in tonight's NBA draft (but not a lot).

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) November 18, 2020

Something to keep in mind for the draft tonight.

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Unless it is a long term reoccurring problem, you take him in a heartbeat at that 6th-7th spot.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

Unless it is a long term reoccurring problem, you take him in a heartbeat at that 6th-7th spot.

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Agreed. If I'm the Warriors and the medicals tell me that it's not going to be a recurring issue, I take him at #2 anyway.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Agreed. If I'm the Warriors and the medicals tell me that it's not going to be a recurring issue, I take him at #2 anyway.

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Yeah. I just wonder if the Warriors are that patient. I don’t predict him to fall, but he very well could if the Warriors don’t grab him.

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Originally Posted by msusousaphone

He played most of his college time "out of position". I get Dae's value comment, though. You want to get max value. The only problem with that is that this is the most insane draft as far as consistent big boards are concerned. Anyone could go anywhere. And I think NBA teams value stretch bigs more than draft analysts. From history, SVG values stretch bigs more than most teams.

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Well yes...if you are basing your value on internet mocks, then I guess it would be low value to take him at 13.

Unless you have access to every NBA team's big board, it's an erroneous basis to begin with. There is no real authority that says taking him at 13 is low value other than personal opinion.

My own opinion is he would be wonderful there outside of Kira.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

Yeah. I just wonder if the Warriors are that patient. I don’t predict him to fall, but he very well could if the Warriors don’t grab him.

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Well, I have it on good authority that the Warriors are just lightyears ahead of the rest of the league, so I expect them to make the very best possible move that any team could ever make, whatever that is.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Well yes...if you are basing your value on internet mocks, then I guess it would be low value to take him at 13.

Unless you have access to every NBA team's big board, it's an erroneous basis to begin with. There is no real authority that says taking him at 13 is low value other than personal opinion.

My own opinion is he would be wonderful there outside of Kira.

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Yeah it's all just opinion, I would hope nobody on this board has deluded themselves into thinking otherwise. Disagreements exist but unless anyone on here is clairvoyant and can see what careers will look like ten years from now, everyone understands it's just opinion.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Well, I have it on good authority that the Warriors are just lightyears ahead of the rest of the league, so I expect them to make the very best possible move that any team could ever make, whatever that is.

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Stranger things have happened. But I agree

Projected top-10 pick Onyeka Okongwu has a fractured left toe, a source told ESPN. The injury is considered minor, will require 1-3 weeks of rest and is not expected to impact his draft stock or availability for the start of the season. News story: https://t.co/vehPKEmXlh

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 18, 2020

It's a fractured toe. He'll be fine, shouldn't make anyone think twice about drafting him.

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Originally Posted by msusousaphone

If you guys were trying to be totally unbiased from their NBA rookie seasons and only looking at them predraft, where would you rank NAW and Hayes in the 2020 draft?

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About the same as last year (NAW maybe in the high 20's)

For both in terms of development...it was a wasted year. If the G league cranks up this year, I hope we use it for incoming rookies needing further development. No matter how you slice it, most draftees are teenage, college (or foreign) "one and done'ers" and are sorely unprepared for basketball played at the highest level on the planet. It's water under the bridge, but both JAX and NAW should have enjoyed significantly playing time in Erie last year. They would be further along today with proper development. (If it worked for Christian Wood.......)

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Projected top-10 pick Onyeka Okongwu has a fractured left toe, a source told ESPN. The injury is considered minor, will require 1-3 weeks of rest and is not expected to impact his draft stock or availability for the start of the season. News story: https://t.co/vehPKEmXlh

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 18, 2020

It's a fractured toe. He'll be fine, shouldn't make anyone think twice about drafting him.

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Not out too long either. He should be a great pickup for the Warriors

Several NBA teams with top 20 picks have concerns about the right foot of Vanderbilt sniper Aaron Nesmith. These teams are worried that Nesmith’s foot, which he injured in January, is slow to heal. Teams picking later in the 1st round are preparing in case Nesmith slides tonight.

— Ryan McDonough (@McDNBA) November 18, 2020

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Several NBA teams with top 20 picks have concerns about the right foot of Vanderbilt sniper Aaron Nesmith. These teams are worried that Nesmith’s foot, which he injured in January, is slow to heal. Teams picking later in the 1st round are preparing in case Nesmith slides tonight.

— Ryan McDonough (@McDNBA) November 18, 2020

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I wonder what the concern is with the medicals. Does slow to heal mean it's still not actually healed 10 months later? That would be very very worrying. I don't like the guy as a draft prospect but I wouldn't wish serious concern like that on him.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Projected top-10 pick Onyeka Okongwu has a fractured left toe, a source told ESPN. The injury is considered minor, will require 1-3 weeks of rest and is not expected to impact his draft stock or availability for the start of the season. News story: https://t.co/vehPKEmXlh

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 18, 2020

It's a fractured toe. He'll be fine, shouldn't make anyone think twice about drafting him.

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Teams that are not named the Pelicans should pass on him just in case. You never know ;)

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I wonder what the concern is with the medicals. Does slow to heal mean it's still not actually healed 10 months later? That would be very very worrying. I don't like the guy as a draft prospect but I wouldn't wish serious concern like that on him.

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If it’s the same problem Jrue had where it took him 2 years to fully heal (he played on that foot to be fair so that may have had something to do with the duration), he could fall dramatically.

Steer well clear of Nesmith pls

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Steer well clear of Nesmith pls

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Very true. If you're the Pelicans. Anyone else can have him, he's way better than Bane, better leave Bane for someone else to get, you'd probably be just fine with Nesmith, Other Team.

I put 50/50 odds Redick gets traded. I think as part of a package for a player rather than more draft capital.

It's very plausible. One the one hand, SVG loves him, he loves SVG, they have history together, etc. On the other, he's 37 and wants to win, not possibly miss the playoffs again hanging around on a team doing refits. Could see him staying or going, honestly.

I wouldn't mind them making a move to add another 1st for next year's draft though. Even if that means moving 24 or 39 and a player (Redick).

Golden State has Minnesota's 1st next year plus their own. **************s.

There's very little chance they move Minnesota's, since it's probably going to be a good pick in a draft with fantastic top end talent, and their own is likely to be in the bottom half of the first round. I may not be as high on the 20/21 Warriors as many but they're not going to be one of the very worst teams in the NBA, and I wouldn't be shocked if they made it into the playoffs.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

It's very plausible. One the one hand, SVG loves him, he loves SVG, they have history together, etc. On the other, he's 37 and wants to win, not possibly miss the playoffs again hanging around on a team doing refits. Could see him staying or going, honestly.

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He's not 37 till next June

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Originally Posted by AusPel

He's not 37 till next June

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My bad, not sure who I was thinking of.

The point still stands though, 36 is not in any way a big enough difference from 37 to chance the essence of it.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

My bad, not sure who I was thinking of.

The point still stands though, 36 is not in any way a big enough difference from 37 to chance the essence of it.

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When you get to your mid to late 30s, there's definitely a marked difference :hihi:

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Originally Posted by AusPel

When you get to your mid to late 30s, there's definitely a marked difference :hihi:

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Long way before I get that far, old man

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Long way before I get that far, old man

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Let's hope you do

I'm not gonna lie, I read this thread for Pelicans prospect info and info for fantasy basketball purposes.

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Originally Posted by fullcourtpress

The Pelicans will draft Jalen Smith if they pick at 13 IMO. Unless a consensus top 10 pick slides

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I think I nailed it; albeit he wasnt there anymore.

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Originally Posted by fullcourtpress

I think I nailed it; albeit he wasnt there anymore.

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Every man and his dog is panning Phoenix for taking Smith at 10

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Originally Posted by fullcourtpress

I think I nailed it; albeit he wasnt there anymore.

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Bruh...my 2nd post in this thread, way back in August...before it was too chic....and of course I got instant pushback from...

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I have a feeling if they remain at 12, Kira Lewis Jr will be the pick while Lonzo and Jrue move on somewhere else.

I wouldnt be mad with that.

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:hihi:

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Every man and his dog is panning Phoenix for taking Smith at 10

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Because it was a huge overdraft.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Because it was a huge overdraft.

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Spurs, Kings and Pelicans should all be sending Mr Jones an Xmas card this year

Perhaps Boston too but I'm not high on Nesmith


but but muh 52% on 8 threes a game!

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

It might be because there are other things in basketball than 40 second highlight clips.

I'll give you a breakdown from my perspective of his overall game, of why I wouldn't take him top 40.

Pros:
- Good C&S shooter with NBA range.
- Fairly strong, although not outlier strong, and seems to know how to use the strength reasonably well.
- Handle is adequate for his position.
- Reasonably solid team defender, with decent footwork. Closes out well on the perimeter, tends to know where to be, stunts and digs consistently.
- Defends the post pretty well, using his strength to ground himself and prevents himself from being bowled over.
- Is able to execute basic passes within an offense.

Cons:
- Mediocre lateral quickness.
- Lack of vertical pop: he's got a decent max vert, it seems, but he's a slow-load jumper most of the time.
- Pretty sub-par finisher around the rim over several years in college, struggles mightily in traffic (52% at the rim last year, 44% this year in the halfcourt)
- Very little burst
- Isn't a great relocater after giving the ball up which is a shame because that's huge for maximising shooting
- Pretty much no ability to create his own shot off the dribble. Not very efficient in his motions, and isn't decisive with movements. Dribbles slowly, and doesn't handle pressure very well (TOV% almost doubles his AST% all three years of college)
- Very little passing upside. Almost all of his passing is done from pre-determined situations: he doesn't read defenses actively, and his vision is poor. This is a problem someone like Jalen Smith also has, but at least Smith has more of a handle to make more out of non-passing situations.
- Not a rim protector at all. Slow leap-building hinders it, and he doesn't really cover ground extremely well either, which makes his ability to come out of the paint and then recover pretty problematic.
- Defense isn't very switchable. His feet aren't particularly fast and whenever he's put in a situation that requires hip-switching his footwork is really bad, he's prone to getting them tangled. There would be a lot of work needed just to fix that issue, and that doesn't even address the speed and fluidity issues, or the lateral quickness problems.

So you see, while there's definitely some upside for him, there's a lot to find issues with as well. If he gets picked in the mid-to-late 2nd round that's probably fine, but he's not a first rounder.

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Nwora is averaging 6 pts a game for the Bucks. Id say they are happy with him as a second round selection.
"

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ordan Nwora would be an ideal pick in the 2nd round if available. "

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