The NBA Prospects Thread

#1
n_huffhines

n_huffhines

What's it gonna cost?
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#1
IDK why we don't already have a running thread on this topic. Would be nice to look back at all our past excitement for eventual failures and how much we dogged dudes that turned out great.
 
#2
#2
I saw this tweet about Matas Buzelis just now and decided to make this thread. He legitimately looks like KD out there. The first step and the dribble moves are so nice for his size, and he has a pretty stroke.

 
#3
#3
I figure I'll throw in my thoughts from this most recent draft class

n_huffhines said:
Assuming they all declare:

Banchero is probably who I take number 1. I doubt he'll bust and I think he's the most likely guy to be top dog on a contender. He can do some of everything and he's physically gifted. He's also been in the biggest moments of the 3 and he is clearly not afraid to be the guy.

Smith is probably the best shooter and athlete, and he has the highest floor. He's gonna be a great 2-way stretch 4. What he does inside the 3p line on offense doesn't impress me all that much. Might be due to Auburn's guards holding him back.

Holmgren is the potential unicorn of the group but he has the most bust potential. His stats are great. He can pass, shoot, show on screens, drop, rebound, etc. But his ability to hold up scares me. He gets a lot of blocks but college kids are not scared of him. They go right at him and I think that inflates his block stats. I know he'll put on weight but not sure it can be enough or that his body will hold up. His shoulders are so narrow.
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n_huffhines said:
These are all the 1st round names I've seen floating around. I compared the stats of the guys coming from the college ranks and gave them letter grades. I'm not saying the grade means one guy should be drafted over the other, but I am looking for confirmation of promise or red flags. Keegan Murray's stats are nice!
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#4
#4
ESPN just put Bronnie in the top 10 of 2024 NBA prospects. Clickbait BS. He's gotta grow 3" before anybody takes him in the lottery.
 
#5
#5
n_huffhines said:
ESPN just put Bronnie in the top 10 of 2024 NBA prospects. Clickbait BS. He's gotta grow 3" before anybody takes him in the lottery.
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Givony did a good job defending his Bronny projection on Lowe's pod. He said he's 6' 4" now, so that's 2" right there.

Said he's De'Anthony Melton in a weak draft.
 
#6
#6
Now that the Mavs are in the lottery, they better hope Taylor Hendricks is around when they pick. That dude is perfect for them. Shot 40% on 5 attempts per game from 3p and blocked 1.7 shots per game. Supposedly 6' 9", long, and bouncy
 
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#12
#12
Reed Sheppard is such an interesting prospect to me. The 0 wingspan, and lack of physicality may be problems for him, but everything else is pretty amazing. I love his style of play. He treats the ball like a hot potato and keeps it moving. He either gets right into the action or he already pushed the ball upcourt with a pass to a streaking wing. He hits everything. 53% from 3p. He's hitting deep off screens, he's hitting off the bounce, catch and shoot, and in clutch moments. He gets so many steals.
 
#13
#13
n_huffhines said:
Reed Sheppard is such an interesting prospect to me. The 0 wingspan, and lack of physicality may be problems for him, but everything else is pretty amazing. I love his style of play. He treats the ball like a hot potato and keeps it moving. He either gets right into the action or he already pushed the ball upcourt with a pass to a streaking wing. He hits everything. 53% from 3p. He's hitting deep off screens, he's hitting off the bounce, catch and shoot, and in clutch moments. He gets so many steals.
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He always seems to make the right play. I really like his game especially in a draft class with no clear cut #1 guy.
 
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#14
#14
Dillingham is the other guy that jumps off the screen for UK. His body will limit his all around upside but he will be a plus scorer in the league
 
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#15
#15
volnbama_ said:
Dillingham is the other guy that jumps off the screen for UK. His body will limit his all around upside but he will be a plus scorer in the league
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He's fun but he's even smaller than Sheppard and he's destined to be Dame on D.
 
#16
#16
OK, here is my half-assed analysis for a draft that didn't deserve any better. All this analysis is relative to this specific draft and their projected draft position (just college players).

G Reed Sheppard - yes; small guard but could be generational shooter and is high IQ
G Cody Williams - unsure; has more upside than most guys in this draft but also high bust potential
G Stephon Castle - unsure; should be special on D, but he is not a PG and not sure what he is.
C Donovan Clingan - yes; sure thing starter. Vertical threat who can make good decisions in the short roll and on dribble handoff.
G Devin Carter - yes; short, but length is good and plays even bigger than that. Big time defense/hustle guy who can shoot.
W Dalton Knecht - yes; sure thing rotation guy who is a big body and can shoot.
G Rob Dillingham - no; he is a very skilled player who could potentially be a 6MOY candidate, but he's just so small and doesn't do enough.
C Zach Edey - no; I'm just out on him. I just can't believe he'll have the conditioning to be much more than a 16 MPG guy.
G Tyler Kolek - unsure; I really like his stats, he's a small guard, and I never watched him and don't know enough.
F Tristan Da Silva - yes; big body who can shoot
C Kel'el Ware - yes; if he can really give you a genuine 5 out look, this is a great pick.
G Jared McCain - unsure; I think his shooting would make him a great pick for a team like Orlando.
G Bub Carrington - no; didn't shoot 3's well and I think he's gonna get killed on D.
G Ja'Kobe Walter - unsure; fairly high ceiling vs. where he'll be drafted, so in that sense he's enticing. Seems like a bust.
C Yves Missi - no; if he's good, it's after a long project. Very disappointing rim protection numbers vs. his size.
G Isaiah Collier - unsure; his freshman year was uninspiring but I do like drafting somebody with his pedigree this late if you can.
F Johnny Furphy - no; he can score a little, but I think he'll get cooked on D.
W Ryan Dunn - no; he can't shoot. If he somehow learns how to, he will be very useful. He's not a playmaker and he can't shoot, so what can you do with a wing like that?
W Kyshawn George - unsure; the size and shooting is promising, so probably worth a shot at this point.
G KJ Simpson - no; small guard who doesn't play D and only shot 3's well one season.
C Daron Holmes II - yes; if he can be consistent 3p shooter, he is a steal.
G Terrence Shannon Jr - no; 5th year guy and all he could do in college was score.
C Kyle Filipowski - no; I'm all the way out on him.
G Baylor Scheierman - yes; older player from lesser leagues, but I love the stats and he's a big kid. Definitely worth a late pick.
 
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#17
#17
Donovan Clingan....all-time he made the right choice to go back to school? He was projected around 20th last year. He came back, grabbed a 2nd natty, and he's gonna be a top 4 pick.
 
#18
#18
The disdain for Edey is crazy from the fans if basketball.

Although NBA teams are praising him and looks like a lottery pick at the moment.
 
#19
#19
Simmons, Mann, and KOC all liked Edey for a team like OKC and I was kinda surprised by the tone, but BS added the caveat that he's probably a 14 mpg guy. 😁

I do agree he can make certain teams pretty funky and create a lot of value for the minutes he does play.
 
#23
#23
The only question with Flagg is the shot and his first step explosiveness with me. Can he be Jayson Tatum offensively? What is that ceiling? He’s really freaking good though.
 
#24
#24
zjcvols said:
The only question with Flagg is the shot and his first step explosiveness with me. Can he be Jayson Tatum offensively? What is that ceiling? He’s really freaking good though.
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I don't really like the Tatum comp. Tatum has more burst and I think Flagg's gonna end up at least 20 lbs bigger than him. FWIW, as a freshman, he's better than Tatum at all the major offensive stats except FT% (which he shoots at 81%).
 
#25
#25
n_huffhines said:
I don't really like the Tatum comp. Tatum has more burst and I think Flagg's gonna end up at least 20 lbs bigger than him. FWIW, as a freshman, he's better than Tatum at all the major offensive stats except FT% (which he shoots at 81%).
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I’m not sure I can come up with a comp for him. He’s like a hybrid Kirilenko/Sengun mashup (two white guys!) with an American game.
 
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