2019 Draft Megathread

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Who the hell is going to guard Embiid or Giannis?

Ainge is going to Ainge.
Not only is Cellar-Door right in that you aren't finding those guys in this draft. It really doesn't matter. They will be playing Giannis and Embiid four times a year each for the next few seasons unless they squeak in as a lower seed. If you think the New Young Celtics have any chance of toppling the Bucks next year, even with someone who can slow Giannis, I would like what you are having.

This is a BPA (for the Celtics) draft. Period.
 

Cellar-Door

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You still have to throw a body on them but Ainge drafted two guys who stacked on top of each other is the same size as Embiid. I just don’t don’t understand what Ainge has against bigs especially when mobile bigs light us.
You don't waste draft picks on guys you don't think are good because you might need a big to cover Embiid a few games a year (also the number of guys who could guard both Embiid and Giannis can be counted on one hand).
The Celtics are going to add a number of players this summer through FA, I would guess several of them will be bigs, and in the situation that this ends up a playoff team, veteran bigs are far more likely to be able to at least hold their own than anybody in the draft. We also drafted a defense first big last year, who I would trust more than any draftee.
As to Giannis, nobody really has a solution to him, it's why he's the likely MVP, but generally outside of Horford, teams have more success putting a bigish wing on him, we have tons of those.
 

HomeRunBaker

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You still have to throw a body on them but Ainge drafted two guys who stacked on top of each other is the same size as Embiid. I just don’t don’t understand what Ainge has against bigs especially when mobile bigs light us.
I would have liked to see us move into position to draft Gafford.
 

nighthob

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I mean if it’s just a matter of throwing jags at people, they can sign one. Or maybe they grab a couple of far future (unprotected) OKC firsts for taking on Adams’ contract. There are always options.
 

lovegtm

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Like the trade with the Suns for the Milwaukee pick. The 30th pick next year is probably better than the 24th this year, you have less of a logjam now, and that’s even before you get into the fact that the Milwaukee pick can become quite decent if Giannis gets hurt at any point.
 

NomarsFool

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I liked the trade until I heard that Baynes was included. It surprises me that he wouldn't have some actual value to a team.
 

Cellar-Door

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I liked the trade until I heard that Baynes was included. It surprises me that he wouldn't have some actual value to a team.
Eventually he might have, but he's the kind of player that a contender wants, and all the contenders either have no cap space to absorb him into, or are clearing every inch of space they have for a more impactful signing than a backup C on a 1 year deal. Since Ainge will want to be able to bid day 1 of FA, the deal couldn't wait until contenders had struck out.
 

DJnVa

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Way back when this thread was started, in post 42, there was a mock draft posted:

Bruno Fernando was #2, he went 34th.
Nazreon Reid was #8, he was not drafted.
Daniel Gafford was #9, he went 38th.
Kris Wilkes was #10, he was not drafted.
Bol Bol was #13, he went 43rd.

A few other guys they had weren't even in the draft.

They did peg Langford at #11, pretty close.
 

TripleOT

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So Ainge went back to the future and mimicked the 2004 draft. He took a player that was highly rated in HS, with raw talent, in the mid-teens, and then he grabbed a hard rock tough guy in the 20s. He flipped the other pick in the 20s, but got a smaller guard with good college production out of it.


What I didn't like is Ainge didn't try for a home run with any of the picks. If things work out, he ends up with a decent SG, a contributing SF/undersized PF, and a Barea type backup PG who could possibly be a starter some day. (or possibly is this team's JR Bremer, starting at PG by default if Rozier goes elsewhere).
 

BaseballJones

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cbssports.com's draft grades: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2019-nba-draft-grades-pick-by-pick-evaluations-for-every-first-and-second-round-selection/

14. Boston Celtics (from Sacramento via Philadelphia): SG Romeo Langford, Indiana

It's a bit of a surprise, but I think it's an OK pick. He's a good player, and there were only a couple guys I had above him left. His freshman season at Indiana was disappointing, but he was hurt. This is a long-term play. He won't be very impactful in Year 1, especially with all the perimeter talent the Celtics have. Grade: C


22. Boston Celtics: PF Grant Williams, Tennessee

What is he exceptional at? He's exceptional at playing basketball. He's not as tall or athletic, no, but he played in the most athletic league in the country and got where he wanted to get. Look back at a recent drafts -- at a different position: The same things people say about Grant Williams, they said about Fred VanVleet, Jalen Brunson. NBA GMs are learning: Just take guys who are awesome at basketball. Grade: B


33. Philadelphia 76ers (from Cleveland via Orlando and New York): PG Carsen Edwards, Purdue

The Celtics, who traded for this pick, could use a microwave scorer. And Edwards brings that to Boston. He's a microwave scorer who can fill it up off the dribble, off the catch and running off screens. Grade: A


51. Boston Celtics: PG Tremont Waters, LSU

With so much uncertainty surrounding Boston -- especially at the point guard position -- Waters brings great value as a steady-handed ball-handler capable of doing everything an NBA starting point guard can do. At the very least, a great insurance piece at an important position. Grade: A


I'd rather the A's have been the first two selections, but on the whole, those are good grades. For whatever it's worth.
 

DJnVa

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22. Boston Celtics: PF Grant Williams, Tennessee

What is he exceptional at? He's exceptional at playing basketball. He's not as tall or athletic, no, but he played in the most athletic league in the country and got where he wanted to get. Look back at a recent drafts -- at a different position: The same things people say about Grant Williams, they said about Fred VanVleet, Jalen Brunson. NBA GMs are learning: Just take guys who are awesome at basketball. Grade: B
That's like something you'd hear about a Patriots pick.
 

NomarsFool

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What I didn't like is Ainge didn't try for a home run with any of the picks. If things work out, he ends up with a decent SG, a contributing SF/undersized PF, and a Barea type backup PG who could possibly be a starter some day. (or possibly is this team's JR Bremer, starting at PG by default if Rozier goes elsewhere).
This bothers me as well. With three draft picks you think you could swing for the fences on one of them. I think Williams will be a useful rotation player, and Edwards could provide some scoring off the bench. But, drafting someone like Sekou at 15 would have been fun. Even Bol Bol in the second round would have made the Celtics more entertaining to watch next season.
 

cheech13

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The draft happens so fast that sometimes you miss things in the moment, but someone check my math on this:

The Atlanta Hawks took on the remaining $18.5MM owed to Allen Crabbe to acquire the 17th pick in the draft. They then packaged that pick with #8 and took on the remaining $12.7MM owed to Solomon Hill to move up to number 4. So, in essence, the Atlanta Hawks paid $31.2 million to move up four slots in the draft? Hey, it's not my money but that seems... sub-optimal.
 

Cellar-Door

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So Ainge went back to the future and mimicked the 2004 draft. He took a player that was highly rated in HS, with raw talent, in the mid-teens, and then he grabbed a hard rock tough guy in the 20s. He flipped the other pick in the 20s, but got a smaller guard with good college production out of it.


What I didn't like is Ainge didn't try for a home run with any of the picks. If things work out, he ends up with a decent SG, a contributing SF/undersized PF, and a Barea type backup PG who could possibly be a starter some day. (or possibly is this team's JR Bremer, starting at PG by default if Rozier goes elsewhere).
I think Langford is the home run pick. I don't like him much, but those who do think he's a consistent jump shot away from being a top tier NBA scorer (something between DeRozan and Harden as a scorer) because they love his driving abilities, footwork and touch. I'd say Edwards is a kind of home run pick for where he was drafted as well, you're hoping he can be your Lou Will, just an unstoppable bucket getter.
 

Cellar-Door

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The draft happens so fast that sometimes you miss things in the moment, but someone check my math on this:

The Atlanta Hawks took on the remaining $18.5MM owed to Allen Crabbe to acquire the 17th pick in the draft. They then packaged that pick with #8 and took on the remaining $12.7MM owed to Solomon Hill to move up to number 4. So, in essence, the Atlanta Hawks paid $31.2 million to move up four slots in the draft? Hey, it's not my money but that seems... sub-optimal.
they also got the 2020 Nets 1st in the Crabbe deal, so basically 30M to move up into the top 4 and get a future 1st. Not bad at all
 

cheech13

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they also got the 2020 Nets 1st in the Crabbe deal, so basically 30M to move up into the top 4 and get a future 1st. Not bad at all
Ok, but I considered that the 2020 1st was for Taurean Prince. Either way, they better hope De'Andre Hunter is really good.
 

cheech13

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The NBA moves fast. Last Friday the Pelicans still had Anthony Davis. He has now turned into:

Lonzo Ball
Brandon Ingram
Josh Hart
Jaxson Hayes
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Marcos Louzada Silva
$27 million trade exception
Two Lakers firsts & swap rights

That's not even to mention Zion and the two additional seconds they got from the Warriors. They basically built an entire rotation in a matter of days.
 

BigMike

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I think Langford is the home run pick. I don't like him much, but those who do think he's a consistent jump shot away from being a top tier NBA scorer (something between DeRozan and Harden as a scorer) because they love his driving abilities, footwork and touch. I'd say Edwards is a kind of home run pick for where he was drafted as well, you're hoping he can be your Lou Will, just an unstoppable bucket getter.
Honestly that sounds like the same talk last night (and every draft), that has guys compared to Kahwi and Gilbert Arenas etc. And yes there is the occasional guy outside the top 10 who pops and becomes a superstar. The Superstar comparisons are thrown around like beads at Mardis gras
 

E5 Yaz

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The NBA moves fast. Last Friday the Pelicans still had Anthony Davis. He has now turned into:

Lonzo Ball
Brandon Ingram
Josh Hart
Jaxson Hayes
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Marcos Louzada Silva
$27 million trade exception
Two Lakers firsts & swap rights

That's not even to mention Zion and the two additional seconds they got from the Warriors. They basically built an entire rotation in a matter of days.
Also, Cleveland's Top 10 protected first-rounder in 2020 ... which becomes two second rounders if the Cavs get a 1-10 pick
 

Cellar-Door

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Honestly that sounds like the same talk last night (and every draft), that has guys compared to Kahwi and Gilbert Arenas etc. And yes there is the occasional guy outside the top 10 who pops and becomes a superstar. The Superstar comparisons are thrown around like beads at Mardis gras
That's how ceiling comps work, I doubt Romeo makes it to that level, just like I doubt anyone after him is a star, I was just pointing out that if you want home run swings for guys with high ceilings Langford probably has at least as high a ceiling as anybody picked after him
 

mauf

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Pelicans, even outside of Zion, are doing a great job of collecting talent.
Interesting how people view these things so differently. I hated NO’s draft strategy. Zion is the franchise now; they should’ve used the centerpiece asset in the AD trade to secure a more reliable asset. I like Hunter, so I would’ve been fine with them standing pat and taking him at #4 (or even Garland, if they liked him better), but if they didn’t want to do that, they should’ve dealt #4 for a young, proven player.
 

djbayko

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Interesting how people view these things so differently. I hated NO’s draft strategy. Zion is the franchise now; they should’ve used the centerpiece asset in the AD trade to secure a more reliable asset. I like Hunter, so I would’ve been fine with them standing pat and taking him at #4 (or even Garland, if they liked him better), but if they didn’t want to do that, they should’ve dealt #4 for a young, proven player.
I agree with this. The constant reports that they didn't want the #4 never really made sense to me. They have a glut of young players and upcoming draft picks. I think it would have been better for them to consolidate value around a higher potential impact player. But either way, its going to be an exciting team to track over the next few years.
 

chilidawg

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Honestly that sounds like the same talk last night (and every draft), that has guys compared to Kahwi and Gilbert Arenas etc. And yes there is the occasional guy outside the top 10 who pops and becomes a superstar. The Superstar comparisons are thrown around like beads at Mardis gras
Occasional? Kawhi, Giannis, Jokic. Walker was a 10, George a 9, and Curry a 7. That's just this years All NBA team.
 

Cellar-Door

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I agree with this. The constant reports that they didn't want the #4 never really made sense to me. They have a glut of young players and upcoming draft picks. I think it would have been better for them to consolidate value around a higher potential impact player. But either way, its going to be an exciting team to track over the next few years.
I mean, a team traded up to 4 to get Hunter who other teams probably didn't have in the top 8. After the top 3 there wasn't a lot of consensus., so I think a lot of the people who like the move (myself included) do because if there isn't a clear tier break for you between 4 and 8, getting another good pick for that drop is great. If they had taken Hayes at 4 nobody would have thought it was a major reach, he's the best big in the draft. They then got a good player at a need position at 17 and cleared $12.5M off the cap. It's a great deal unless you see a clear tier break between 4 and 8, which I doubt they did (personally I like Garland more than the rest of the 4-8 crowd, but maybe not enough to turn down cap space and a mid-1st).
 

djbayko

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I mean, a team traded up to 4 to get Hunter who other teams probably didn't have in the top 8. After the top 3 there wasn't a lot of consensus., so I think a lot of the people who like the move (myself included) do because if there isn't a clear tier break for you between 4 and 8, getting another good pick for that drop is great. If they had taken Hayes at 4 nobody would have thought it was a major reach, he's the best big in the draft. They then got a good player at a need position at 17 and cleared $12.5M off the cap. It's a great deal unless you see a clear tier break between 4 and 8, which I doubt they did (personally I like Garland more than the rest of the 4-8 crowd, but maybe not enough to turn down cap space and a mid-1st).
I just think there were a few more exciting players available. But, yeah, I get that it's subjective, and therein lies the difference.
 

DannyDarwinism

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I mean, a team traded up to 4 to get Hunter who other teams probably didn't have in the top 8. After the top 3 there wasn't a lot of consensus., so I think a lot of the people who like the move (myself included) do because if there isn't a clear tier break for you between 4 and 8, getting another good pick for that drop is great. If they had taken Hayes at 4 nobody would have thought it was a major reach, he's the best big in the draft. They then got a good player at a need position at 17 and cleared $12.5M off the cap. It's a great deal unless you see a clear tier break between 4 and 8, which I doubt they did (personally I like Garland more than the rest of the 4-8 crowd, but maybe not enough to turn down cap space and a mid-1st).
This nails it for me. Also, I don't quite buy the Hunter upside argument- he can shoot, but he can't really dribble and his passing is pretty meh, but modern wings need to do all three well to maximize value. He’s great
on ball in D, but with so-so team D (heard someone refer to him as a bigger Klay defensively, which scans). That's a nice player, but Hayes is a year and a half younger with a rare combination of size (and frame), athleticism + fluidity/coordination. I think he'll end up as a more valuable defender than Hunter in the NBA as a switchable rim-protector. His lack of shooting makes him a questionable fit next to Zion compared to Hunter, but there's a chance he'll extend his range based on his solid FT%, and he'll be a great rim-runner due to his athleticism and excellent hands (he was a good WR prospect in HS before a growth spurt). With him and Zion, Lonzo and Jrue are going to have two guys with insane catch radii and great hands to throw the ball to.

I also don't buy the "they should've dealt #4 for a young, proven player" argument. Unless there's someone specific who was available, it's just much easier said than actually done.
 

BaseballJones

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Not that it means a hill of beans, but I thought I would get more discouraged about these picks as time went on, but the more I read, the more encouraged I am. Maybe Danny got a couple of nice finds here. Probably no earth-shaking players, but some solid players.
 

benhogan

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Some interesting thoughts on the draft from earlier this season

First live look at Bol Bol tonight. My initial impression after 20 minutes is he's a more passive and taller Thon Maker. Nice balls skills for his size but don't see how his skillset translates at a high level.

Color me unimpressed.

Edit: Now he's out with lower leg injury which is another potential longterm problem for someone his size. I wouldn't want to be the GM of a lottery team betting my job on this kid.
Bol is my 2019 version of Dragan Bender and Mario Hezonja as nearly certain busts even with two good feet. Having a bad one may have saved a lottery team of further embarrassment.
Most mocks have him top 10, but I agree with you here. I watched Bol Bol rip Syracuse at the Garden earlier this year and still don't think he translates to the NBA. Thon Maker-esque. Foot problems for a big man? Wouldn't ever expect him to fill out? and work ethic issues? Firm pass in top 20... maybe a very late first/2nd round flyer
I just don't get Tre Jones over Koby White.
Grant Williams from TN is a guy that's starting to grow on me. He reminds me of one of those classic Doc Rivers PFs. Strong, good touch, has some athleticism and skill but you wish he were longer and more dynamic. He's a junior and maxed out physically, but only 20 so there's still some skill projection. I think he'll be what they wanted Yabu to be, and I think he'd be a nice fit with their own pick around 20. I see him as a legit rotational player. Probably nothing too exciting, but an energy big who can knock down shots, grab rebounds and play physically. He's the kind of guy who kills Tatum and Morris off the glass, so it'd be nice to have one of those guys on the team for a change.
 

JakeRae

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Some interesting thoughts on the draft from earlier this season
That description of Williams seems accurate until the last part. Williams is not a good rebounder. He’s not terrible, but he’s below average and rebounding is a predictable skill. It’s like the writer looked at how he’s built and assumed he’s a good rebounder even though he isn’t.
 

NomarsFool

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Is the rebounding an issue of technique/skill, or a lack of ups/length? He's super strong, so we know that's not the issue.
 

DJnVa

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That description of Williams seems accurate until the last part. Williams is not a good rebounder. He’s not terrible, but he’s below average and rebounding is a predictable skill.
Can you expand on this? He was 20th in SEC in rebound percentage. He also had a 6'11 guy on his team that hoovered up a lot of boards, so his numbers seem decent for a 6'7 guy.
 

JakeRae

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Can you expand on this? He was 20th in SEC in rebound percentage. He also had a 6'11 guy on his team that hoovered up a lot of boards, so his numbers seem decent for a 6'7 guy.
His rebound percentage was 13.3% this year, 12.7% for his college career. For comparison, Tatum was at 12.6% for his college career. He’s not a terrible rebounder or anything, but he’s not very good at it either, especially when you consider that he plays in the paint a lot as a true 4.

Put differently, 20th in the SEC is what, like 100th in the NCAA? That’s not a very good rebound rate when the standard is do you project as having a plus NBA skillset.

I don’t point this out to be negative. I think Williams is a really interesting prospect with a very well rounded skill set, but it’s important to set reasonable expectations and anyone hoping for him to be an impact rebounder is going to be disappointed.
 

lovegtm

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Interesting how people view these things so differently. I hated NO’s draft strategy. Zion is the franchise now; they should’ve used the centerpiece asset in the AD trade to secure a more reliable asset. I like Hunter, so I would’ve been fine with them standing pat and taking him at #4 (or even Garland, if they liked him better), but if they didn’t want to do that, they should’ve dealt #4 for a young, proven player.
Hmmm, this sounds to me like their exact thought process when they drafted AD. They immediately started moving picks for young established players in an effort to win around him quickly and make him happy, and never really gave themselves much of a chance at either cost control or upside.

Griffin correctly recognizes that he has Zion on lockdown for 8-9 years (or 7.5 if a trade request comes). Zion will take time to develop, and what he thinks about the franchise right now doesn’t matter. Like at all. What matters is giving yourself the best chance to feel awesome to him in 7 years or so when the big decisions start getting made. (Milwaukee seems to have nailed this timing with Giannis.)

The big benefit of not getting a solid young guy right away is that you get a couple more cracks at the lottery at a time when Zion’s opinion doesn’t matter. I expect them to deal Holiday too if there’s decent value there, which there should be.
 

benhogan

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Hmmm, this sounds to me like their exact thought process when they drafted AD. They immediately started moving picks for young established players in an effort to win around him quickly and make him happy, and never really gave themselves much of a chance at either cost control or upside.

Griffin correctly recognizes that he has Zion on lockdown for 8-9 years (or 7.5 if a trade request comes). Zion will take time to develop, and what he thinks about the franchise right now doesn’t matter. Like at all. What matters is giving yourself the best chance to feel awesome to him in 7 years or so when the big decisions start getting made. (Milwaukee seems to have nailed this timing with Giannis.)

The big benefit of not getting a solid young guy right away is that you get a couple more cracks at the lottery at a time when Zion’s opinion doesn’t matter. I expect them to deal Holiday too if there’s decent value there, which there should be.
Yep. I really like Griffin's position and moves so far.
Rookies rarely move the needle that much. Heck LeBron didn't make the playoffs his first 2 seasons.
New Orleans will need to be patient with Zion and the teams' performance, Griffin said as much on draft night.
Griffin, like many others, probably saw this as a "3 player draft". I like Hunter but would rather gamble on 8 & 17 while unloading salary. As the off-season moves along he'll be able to take a bad contract along with a future draft pick due to unloading Hills deal (so that deal is not complete). I also expect he'll take calls on Ball, Ingram, Moore, Holiday in the hopes of adding future picks from teams that strike out in FA. If all goes to plan, in 2 years they should be ready to strike, add win now players, and be capable of making a nice 5-7yr run. All this player movement may lead to some resentment amongst young players and veterans. Griffin will need to keep the "right' veterans along with a strong coach to handle this dynamic.

The Hawks are 1yr ahead of the Pelicans in their rebuild, so from their perspective, if they really love Hunter (he's a nice fit with Collins), this deal makes sense.
 
The Hawks are 1yr ahead of the Pelicans in their rebuild, so from their perspective, if they really love Hunter (he's a nice fit with Collins), this deal makes sense.
The deal also makes sense for the Hawks when you consider how many young players they have already: Collins and Hunter are 21, Trae and Huerter are 20, and Reddish is 19. (And Fernando is 20.) There are only so many minutes available to help these guys develop, so it's far better for the Hawks to have one guy, and a guy who fits their system perfectly - like all of their youngsters do, really - than two slightly lesser guys who might not.

(I watched almost zero college basketball and can't claim any personal expertise about Hunter or Reddish or Fernando, but from everything I've read before, during and after the draft, I *love* what Schlenk has done for the Hawks over the past week or so.)
 

ManicCompression

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I agree with this. The constant reports that they didn't want the #4 never really made sense to me. They have a glut of young players and upcoming draft picks. I think it would have been better for them to consolidate value around a higher potential impact player. But either way, its going to be an exciting team to track over the next few years.
It all depends on who that "higher potential impact player" is. With Ball, Hart, and Jrue, when is a young, incoming guard going to get playing time? I think they're going to at least give Ball a chance to prove that he can be a plus player (before probably unloading him), but it would be much harder to do that with a guard like Garland or Koby White or even Culver in the mix. That's even before you think about the fit with Zion - Garland and Culver are pretty ball dominant and is that the best match for your incoming superstar? Koby White could be a better fit as an off-ball shooter, but do his defensive limitations make it so that his value is minimized on the team?

Then they have Zion and Ingram on the wing each probably getting 30+ minutes a night. When would they have minutes for Hunter? Or Reddish? Or Doumbouya? We've already kind've seen what Reddish looks like with Zion and a ball dominant wing who can't shoot 3s - it's not great.

So though it's sort of strange to take a big like Hayes in the top ten, I get it as an upside play. It's not like anyone after 3 is a generational talent that you'll missing on - none of the guys available were guaranteed to beat out anyone on the pelicans roster for minutes already. I like the thought process behind picking a big that you can ease into minutes and a low-floor shooter like NAW, who doesn't have the expectation of walking into a starting role on the team.
 

chilidawg

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Here's a hind sight look at the 2019 draft. Obviously it'll change with time, but worth a look back at this point. And it's Friday night in the age of CV.

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/gallery/2019-nba-re-draft-first-round-order-zion-williamson/
Williams and Langford are a little lower than drafted, 24/22 and 21/14 respectively, but in the ball park. I still am bullish on Langford, who impressed on defense and showed flashes offensively. Williams seems like a solid pick but not likely to ever be more than a bench rotation guy, which is probably decent value at 22. Clarke would have been a nice pick.