Draft Prospects Discussion

[Silverfoxx]

If we trade our pick for Dario Scaric or Super Mario I'm leaving PR for good.

[N.O.Bronco]

If we trade our pick for Dario Scaric or Super Mario I'm leaving PR for good.

Is this actually a rumor?

[wnelson]

I want Buddy Heild.

that is all.

[GuardianAngel25]

Is this actually a rumor?

No just creating more negativity when there isn't any.

[Silverfoxx]

No just looking towards some more negativity.

What's your take on Ingram athleticism? Does he kill it at the Combine?

[Silverfoxx]

Is this actually a rumor?

No, but it's a possibility with Demps and his "young vets" philosophy and his obsession with Sacric and international players. Also Mario is 6" 7 and a facilitator and athletic which Gentry wants.

[David Fisher]

I'm interested in how folks feel about three specific draft targets.

Jamal Murray
Buddy Hield
Kris Dunn

Let's assume all three are available and a viable trade (either back in the draft or for a "young veteran") is unavailable. Who should the Pelicans pick and why? Or, taking a different track, which prospect would you eliminate from the discussion?

[UNO Gracias]

I'm interested in how folks feel about three specific draft targets.

Jamal Murray
Buddy Hield
Kris Dunn

Let's assume all three are available and a viable trade (either back in the draft or for a "young veteran") is unavailable. Who should the Pelicans pick and why? Or, taking a different track, which prospect would you eliminate from the discussion?

Dunn
Heild
Murray

Murray might have more upside, but I like Dunn's defense and his leadership. Somebody said he has a bit of Russ Westbrook in him, and I can see that.

[AD23forMVP]

I'm interested in how folks feel about three specific draft targets.

Jamal Murray
Buddy Hield
Kris Dunn

Let's assume all three are available and a viable trade (either back in the draft or for a "young veteran") is unavailable. Who should the Pelicans pick and why? Or, taking a different track, which prospect would you eliminate from the discussion?

I think you've got that order right. I don't know if Murray will come in and immediately have the impact that Hield would, but being 3 years younger I would take him and let him grow with AD. I think he has a much more balanced game than Hield as well, even at his age.

[Silverfoxx]

I want Buddy Heild.

that is all.

Is he number one on your board?

[Eman5805]

Dunn
Heild
Murray

Murray might have more upside, but I like Dunn's defense and his leadership. Somebody said he has a bit of Russ Westbrook in him, and I can see that.

He would so greatly benefit from the wider 3pt line and playing with AD.

[David Fisher]

I'll give some brief thoughts on all three prospects and why I order them the way I do. Important information can be found at this link.

http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/3/...ld-murray-dunn

#1 - Jamal Murray - Highest possible upside. Murray at age 19 runs laps around Dunn and Hield. Laps. He's a negative on defense, but competent teams have built reasonable defense with a weak link on the perimeter. Portland was 10th in DRtg last season with Damian Lillard leading the team in minutes. Murray has some explosion, finishes better at the rim than the other two, as is absolutely deadly behind the arc. Hield, right now, is the better shooter but the difference in age matters in my opinion.

#2 - Buddy Hield - Shooting and fit matter. Hield, like Murray, has demonstrated the ability to work without the ball in his hands. I have yet to see a lot of Kris Dunn functioning as an off guard. Hield has demonstrated the capacity to improve and is lauded by scouts on his work ethic.

Kris Dunn - I do not want the Pelicans to draft Kris Dunn. His jump shot is unproven. He's struggled at the foul line. Even at an advanced age (22) he struggled with turnovers (1.77 Assist-to-Turnover in his last two years) which raises concerns of IQ. Yes, he has amazing defensive numbers and physical tools. Yes, he has leadership and swagger that this franchise is lacking. I'd rather get skill with the pick and find swagger elsewhere.

[UNO Gracias]

I'll give some brief thoughts on all three prospects and why I order them the way I do. Important information can be found at this link.

http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/3/...ld-murray-dunn

#1 - Jamal Murray - Highest possible upside. Murray at age 19 runs laps around Dunn and Hield. Laps. He's a negative on defense, but competent teams have built reasonable defense with a weak link on the perimeter. Portland was 10th in DRtg last season with Damian Lillard leading the team in minutes. Murray has some explosion, finishes better at the rim than the other two, as is absolutely deadly behind the arc. Hield, right now, is the better shooter but the difference in age matters in my opinion.

#2 - Buddy Hield - Shooting and fit matter. Hield, like Murray, has demonstrated the ability to work without the ball in his hands. I have yet to see a lot of Kris Dunn functioning as an off guard. Hield has demonstrated the capacity to improve and is lauded by scouts on his work ethic.

Kris Dunn - I do not want the Pelicans to draft Kris Dunn. His jump shot is unproven. He's struggled at the foul line. Even at an advanced age (22) he struggled with turnovers (1.77 Assist-to-Turnover in his last two years) which raises concerns of IQ. Yes, he has amazing defensive numbers and physical tools. Yes, he has leadership and swagger that this franchise is lacking. I'd rather get skill with the pick and find swagger elsewhere.

I won't complain should we land any one of the three quit honestly. The one thing I will mention is this, Dunn turns the ball over at a crazy rate, but since they started keeping track of turnovers back in 07-08, look who else has led the NCAA in turnovers,
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/...er-season.html

For the TL;DR crowd Dunn had 138 in 2014/2015, also in the 121+ crowd are Steph Curry, Elfrid Payton, Jimmer, Reke, Evan Turner, MCW, Greveis, John Wall, and Kevin Galloway.There are some meh players in that group, but there are also a few who I would gladly take in a hot second. I think him not having the ball in his hands as much will ultimately help him, especially with a guy like Jrue here.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

I'll give some brief thoughts on all three prospects and why I order them the way I do. Important information can be found at this link.

http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/3/...ld-murray-dunn

#1 - Jamal Murray - Highest possible upside. Murray at age 19 runs laps around Dunn and Hield. Laps. He's a negative on defense, but competent teams have built reasonable defense with a weak link on the perimeter. Portland was 10th in DRtg last season with Damian Lillard leading the team in minutes. Murray has some explosion, finishes better at the rim than the other two, as is absolutely deadly behind the arc. Hield, right now, is the better shooter but the difference in age matters in my opinion.

#2 - Buddy Hield - Shooting and fit matter. Hield, like Murray, has demonstrated the ability to work without the ball in his hands. I have yet to see a lot of Kris Dunn functioning as an off guard. Hield has demonstrated the capacity to improve and is lauded by scouts on his work ethic.

Kris Dunn - I do not want the Pelicans to draft Kris Dunn. His jump shot is unproven. He's struggled at the foul line. Even at an advanced age (22) he struggled with turnovers (1.77 Assist-to-Turnover in his last two years) which raises concerns of IQ. Yes, he has amazing defensive numbers and physical tools. Yes, he has leadership and swagger that this franchise is lacking. I'd rather get skill with the pick and find swagger elsewhere.

Very interested to hear your thoughts about Brown.

I know you touched on him here: http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/3/...s-ingram-brown

But would like to know how you think he fits with the Pel's.

Especially if we pick at 6 or 7 and Simmons, Ingram, Murray, Heild, Bender and Dunn are off the board

Thanks

[N.O.Bronco]

I'll give some brief thoughts on all three prospects and why I order them the way I do. Important information can be found at this link.

http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/3/...ld-murray-dunn

#1 - Jamal Murray - Highest possible upside. Murray at age 19 runs laps around Dunn and Hield. Laps. He's a negative on defense, but competent teams have built reasonable defense with a weak link on the perimeter. Portland was 10th in DRtg last season with Damian Lillard leading the team in minutes. Murray has some explosion, finishes better at the rim than the other two, as is absolutely deadly behind the arc. Hield, right now, is the better shooter but the difference in age matters in my opinion.

#2 - Buddy Hield - Shooting and fit matter. Hield, like Murray, has demonstrated the ability to work without the ball in his hands. I have yet to see a lot of Kris Dunn functioning as an off guard. Hield has demonstrated the capacity to improve and is lauded by scouts on his work ethic.

Kris Dunn - I do not want the Pelicans to draft Kris Dunn. His jump shot is unproven. He's struggled at the foul line. Even at an advanced age (22) he struggled with turnovers (1.77 Assist-to-Turnover in his last two years) which raises concerns of IQ. Yes, he has amazing defensive numbers and physical tools. Yes, he has leadership and swagger that this franchise is lacking. I'd rather get skill with the pick and find swagger elsewhere.

My issue(not really issue as a I like the guy a lot) with Murray remains he actually has a smaller wingspan then Hield or Dunn, the defense, as already mentioned, coupled with a similar athletic profile but a seemingly smaller frame, so that while he has come on earlier, I don't really see a ceiling much higher then the more proven Hield.

Murray got to the rim more efficiently(by 1% roughly) but he did it less frequently and Hield is better at drawing fouls and getting to the line. Though one is a senior vs a rookie. So I get that.

The argument for Murray seems to be potential stemming from age. But if the guy has a similar physical profile as Hield, and at best a similar work ethic(Hield is noted for his incredible work ethic), I continue to struggle seeing a scenario where Murray becomes this much greater pro over say a 5 year span?

If Murray had shown more capacity as a facilitator in his time I would probably shift my feelings a lot but he kinda struggled in that regard and it is unclear if he has that in him.

I mostly agree about Dunn. He worries me. Mostly with the injuries. I actually think with Gentry and our shooting coaches I would give him a fighting chance to improve both his facilitation and jump shot.

[ramsters60]

I'm interested in how folks feel about three specific draft targets.

Jamal Murray
Buddy Hield
Kris Dunn

Let's assume all three are available and a viable trade (either back in the draft or for a "young veteran") is unavailable. Who should the Pelicans pick and why? Or, taking a different track, which prospect would you eliminate from the discussion?

I favor this order as well.... let Murray develop the comfort of moving to his right when attacking the basket and I would have no doubt about him being the choice....

[PeliKhan]

I want Buddy Heild.

that is all.

You don't say much my friend, but when you do it's to the point, and I salute you for it.

[PeliKhan]

I'm interested in how folks feel about three specific draft targets.

Jamal Murray
Buddy Hield
Kris Dunn

Let's assume all three are available and a viable trade (either back in the draft or for a "young veteran") is unavailable. Who should the Pelicans pick and why? Or, taking a different track, which prospect would you eliminate from the discussion?

Buddy heild all the way. Guy's just a fearless shooter and I think he'll fit great with Jrue and AD.

[GuardianAngel25]

Heild will be similiar to a McCollum/Reddick player which I would gladly take on this team. I think he can come in and be an instant impact while being a 17-22 ppg scorer in a few years.

[Eman5805]

Playmakers that have the ball a lot turn the ball over. Not turning it over is the stuff of facilitators. Dunn isn't that. His turnovers don't scare me at all. Most of them can be chaulked up to trying to do too much. Tyreke Evans defines the poor, frankly dumb, turnover. And he certainly doesn't have tunnel vision.

I'm really interested in where his game goes when he's away from the NCAA mandated practice time and classes. Of course, the same goes for Hield and Murray.

[fullcourtpress]

I'll give some brief thoughts on all three prospects and why I order them the way I do. Important information can be found at this link.

http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2016/3/...ld-murray-dunn

#1 - Jamal Murray - Highest possible upside. Murray at age 19 runs laps around Dunn and Hield. Laps. He's a negative on defense, but competent teams have built reasonable defense with a weak link on the perimeter. Portland was 10th in DRtg last season with Damian Lillard leading the team in minutes. Murray has some explosion, finishes better at the rim than the other two, as is absolutely deadly behind the arc. Hield, right now, is the better shooter but the difference in age matters in my opinion.

#2 - Buddy Hield - Shooting and fit matter. Hield, like Murray, has demonstrated the ability to work without the ball in his hands. I have yet to see a lot of Kris Dunn functioning as an off guard. Hield has demonstrated the capacity to improve and is lauded by scouts on his work ethic.

Kris Dunn - I do not want the Pelicans to draft Kris Dunn. His jump shot is unproven. He's struggled at the foul line. Even at an advanced age (22) he struggled with turnovers (1.77 Assist-to-Turnover in his last two years) which raises concerns of IQ. Yes, he has amazing defensive numbers and physical tools. Yes, he has leadership and swagger that this franchise is lacking. I'd rather get skill with the pick and find swagger elsewhere.

I agree. Murray's transition to the college game, freakin Canada to Kentucky, screams upside and is an indicator of the trajectory he is on. His confidence is paramount for a 3 point shooter.
IMO He is exactly what I'd want if I had to compete with the Warriors

[fullcourtpress]

Heild is stiff compared to Murray

[SilkySlim]

This draft is gonna be weak.

[GuardianAngel25]

Man Hield can be so good. I was going through some of his games and he was incredible. I think his skill set no doubt translates and is a huge impact on today's game. He would benefit so much playing with Jrue and AD along with a good 2 way SF if we can find one. Hield is a much better athlete then he gets credit for and can also be a much better defender then what some say. Hield would be a great fit here and perfect for Gentrys system. Can be everything we hoped Gordon was going to be offensively while having an even better 3 point shot. He reminds me a lot of quite a few players and all are good ones. Jrue/Hield could be as good as Lillard/CJ if not better.

[GuardianAngel25]

Say we draft Dunn. Would you trade Jrue and a future protected 1st for Lavine, Shabazz, and Dieg? I think I would have to do it. I love Lavines game and having a young back court with Dunn/Lavine would be pretty damn exciting. Then Shabazz could be a very good wing for us while we continue to search for our SF in either this or next FA. Would save a lot of $ against the cap as well. Jrue could be exactly what the TWolves need while using this years 1st to fill in at SG and using Rubio as a trade chip to upgrade the team as well.