Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart will return for his sophomore season {merged}

[Silverfoxx]

Welp, boom goes the dynamite.


Still think we can snag TB3.

[MonsterMash]

I can't imagine we would without a bunch of moves to go along with it. We're already too crowded at the 4.

[Pelicans78]

But who will Bennett be able to defend in the NBA. lots of accounts say he's too small and lacks the aggressiveness to be effective at PF and is to slow to defense the SF spot.. 6'7 240lb iirc.. at this point to they grow much more vertically?

He has a 7'1 wingspan

[Eman5805]

I wonder how Anthony Bennett compares to Carmelo athletically.

[goat gorilla]

We are a long way out knowing how the draft will play out. After the lottery and combine pass we will have a better idea. Theres always guys that shoot up the draft board after combine like Lillard and guys that slide down the boards like Sullinger and Perry Jones III did last year. Dont be surprised if Alex Len goes in the top 5. Also Id be shocked if Burke wasnt available when the Pelicans pick, unless Detroit jumped us in the lottery.

If Detroit jumps us and takes Burke, they will become my mortal draft day enemy. First, Drummond. Now, Burke. Ahhhh

[Pelicans78]

Bennett has way more skills than Derrick Williams. But he needs to play harder on defense

[HornetGuru]

Offensively, he's head and shoulders above both. Better skilled and better athletically. Not to mention he's longer. Defensively, he has better tools but lacks the mentality and the effort to defend. The problem is he's barely trying on the defensive end. He will have no problems putting up points and rebounding in the league.

more skilled yes? more athletic than thomas robinson? no way in hell.

[luckyman]

This makes the lotto drawing a lot more interesting. No idea what Cleveland or Phoenix would do with the top pick like I know Orlando or Charlotte would. Especially if Cle and Phx ends up 1 and 2. Porter seems a good fit for both but I think neither has him as their BPA.

[HornetGuru]

I wouldnt worry too much guys, even if we stay put at 5 we will be getting a very good player out of noel mclemore burke oladipo and porter and say we move down to 6th i wouldnt be that upset with shabazz. We are fine. But hey maybe a team really values one of these 6 and thought they would fall to them because of burke so maybe we could get great trade value for the pick.

[RUFshreve]

I can't believe this. Smart was the guy I wanted. Now we have to land a top 5 pick.

[wuggie]

He seemed to lack confidence during the tournament so I'm not shocked. He's not really ready mentally so this should be great for him because when he does come out he'll make an impact more immediately than he would have if he would have left this year.

[IamQuailman]

56% chance at Top 5

[HornetGuru]

I can't believe this. Smart was the guy I wanted. Now we have to land a top 5 pick.

Ya i know u did bro I feel for ya, but hey everything happens for a reason and in 4 years we will look back and compare whoever we draft this year and Smart and see if we made the right choice, God is on our side Also another way to look at it say he does really really well it could knock down one of the 3 awesome SF's next year to our draft pick, u never know!

[HornetGuru]

56% chance at Top 5

nice! 55% chance at noel, mclemore, porter, burke and oladipo

[RUFshreve]

nice! 55% chance at noel, mclemore, porter, burke and oladipo

I'm afraid were gonna end up with someone like Alex Len. I'm all in for Burke now with the rest of you.

[FlyGirl]

The only way we'd end up with someone like Alex Len is if Monty and Dell LIKE Alex Len and feel he can help this team. Picking #5 or #6 doesn't mean "oh, with that selection, you absolutely MUST select Alex Len".

Sounds like Thorpe over at ESPN thinks Burke should go #1.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/...1-overall-pick

[kclaboy504]

We will be fine. Stern Gave benson a guaranteed top 3 pick this year. Just watch

[RUFshreve]

The only way we'd end up with someone like Alex Len is if Monty and Dell LIKE Alex Len and feel he can help this team. Picking #5 or #6 doesn't mean "oh, with that selection, you absolutely MUST select Alex Len".

Sounds like Thorpe over at ESPN thinks Burke should go #1.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/...1-overall-pick

Well of course, but what if we end up with the 7th pick and the best players on the board are Len and Zeller. I'm worried we'll end up not landing a difference maker in this draft now. As much as I loved the idea of us landing Smart, I hate the idea of us picking Len even more.

[RUFshreve]

The only way we'd end up with someone like Alex Len is if Monty and Dell LIKE Alex Len and feel he can help this team. Picking #5 or #6 doesn't mean "oh, with that selection, you absolutely MUST select Alex Len".

Sounds like Thorpe over at ESPN thinks Burke should go #1.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/...1-overall-pick

Well of course, but what if we end up with the 7th pick and the best players on the board are Len and Zeller. I'm worried we'll end up not landing a difference maker in this draft now. As much as I loved the idea of us landing Smart, I hate the idea of us picking Len even more.

[FlyGirl]

Well of course, but what if we end up with the 7th pick and the best players on the board are Len and Zeller. I'm worried we'll end up not landing a difference maker in this draft now. As much as I loved the idea of us landing Smart, I hate the idea of us picking Len even more.

Maybe if they end up 7th, they might trade the pick. Haha! I don't know.

[Silverfoxx]

We will be fine. Stern Gave benson a guaranteed top 3 pick this year. Just watch

This is his last run... So he will make sure we are ok *wink*

[GESWhoseBack]

more skilled yes? more athletic than thomas robinson? no way in hell.

Must be a way on earth then! Don't let the frame fool you. Bennett is super athletic. It's his first strength on his scouting video. I would rather Bennett over Porter, Oladipo, and even McClemore but that's more cause I want to keep Gordon.

[smcgull]

Well I want Rivers and Gordon to start anyway. But if the Pelicans were to get him he could be a great backup to either or both of them.

[GESWhoseBack]

Well I want Rivers and Gordon to start anyway. But if the Pelicans were to get him he could be a great backup to either or both of them.

Have to move GV for that. Doubt they give the team to Rivers with GV still here. Don't know why I feel that way.

[UNO Gracias]

Smart move on Smarts part. He might have been a top 1 or 2 pick this year, but he would have gone to a crap team where he would have been pressured to perform out of the gate. If he comes out next year, he will have another year of education (basketball) under his belt, and can go to a team in a better spot in the 5-7 range....heck, we just might draft him next year.