i aint gonna make a new thread but yall brehs aint put me on to ole girlgawt dam
We had a thread on her, apparently she's Dwight Howard's fiancee
Random NBA Observations 2019 - 2020
We had a thread on her, apparently she's Dwight Howard's fiancee
No. 1 — Minnesota Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks (Australia)
In our first version of the beat writer mock, I chose Georgia guard Anthony Edwards. I still believe he is a real possibility for the Wolves, and likely a better overall fit with D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns than is Ball.
For this version, I wanted to explore the option of selecting Ball, who most believe is the best passer/playmaker in this draft. I’m concerned about his shot selection, his shooting percentage from deep and some redundancy with Russell, another player who thrives with the ball in his hands.
But I make this selection with the idea that a trade could be coming, on draft night or later. Wolves President Gersson Rosas and Executive VP Sachin Gupta both made it clear they will explore all options with this No. 1 pick. If they do want to try to trade it to get a more established player, there is some belief in league circles that Ball would have more value on the market than Edwards or James Wiseman or any other option.
I tried to talk to Chris Kirschner and the Hawks at No. 4 and Mike Vorkunov and the Knicks, who I believe are high on Ball, at No. 8, but couldn’t find a dance partner. That doesn’t mean something can’t happen down the road.
Even if the Wolves don’t find a trade partner on draft night, Ball could be a big piece of a package that is put together during the season or next summer to land another star. And if Ball comes in and lights it up, shows increased defensive awareness and meshes with Russell rather than stepping on his toes, well, then the Wolves have the option of just rolling with him.
This Wolves front office likes to play chess. Edwards, a gifted scorer with All-Star potential who has also drawn concerning comparisons to Andrew Wiggins, is more of a checkers move.
I will probably change my mind 100 times between now and draft night in November. For now, my itchy trade fingers think Ball might be the move. — Jon Krawczynski
*TRADE ALERT*
Anthony Slater, Golden State Warriors beat writer: I went shopping around the league with the No. 2 pick, much as I expect the Warriors to do in the weeks leading up to the draft. The offers were pretty underwhelming. Lesson learned: A top pick in this draft doesn’t hold nearly the value as most years.
Detroit offered up a Blake Griffin for Andrew Wiggins toxic contract swap, attached to a 2 for 7 flip and added third-year guard Luke Kennard. Nope. Wiggins is younger, healthier and plays a more valued position. Griffin, Draymond Green and Eric Paschall sounds like spacing hell.
The Knicks were interested in jumping up, but wouldn’t give up Mitchell Robinson to do so. Julius Randle and Bobby Portis were on the table. Again: Nope. The Warriors should be able to find something better with that $17.2 million trade exception.
Ding. Found. The Suns were willing to deal Kelly Oubre and the 10th pick to move up to second. This gives the win-now Warriors an immediate rotation boost on the wing, where they’re desperate, and still a shot at a prospect in the back side of the lottery. Phoenix gives away an expiring contract to jump up and find someone to pair with its young, emerging core. Who will the Suns take?
No. 2 — Phoenix Suns (via Golden State Warriors): Tyrese Haliburton, G/W, Iowa State
The Suns, who will enter next season looking to morph into a playoff mainstay after an impressive 8-0 showing in the Orlando bubble, accomplish a few things with this deal.
First, Haliburton gives Phoenix a high-IQ, sharp-passing, efficient-shooting combo guard to pair with Devin Booker. The point guard position is a big need for the Suns, and with Ball off the board, Haliburton appears to be the next best fit for both the short-term and the long-term objectives. The versatility of the 6-foot-5 Haliburton is a big draw here, as he can excel off the ball, too.
Secondly, and probably most important, if Phoenix were indeed eager to pursue unrestricted free agent point guard Fred VanVleet in the open market — as rumors suggest — trading Oubre gets $14 million-plus off the books and allows the Suns to make a real run at landing his services.
I like this type of deal for the Suns as they try to become regulars in the postseason picture. — James L. Edwards III
No. 3 — Charlotte Hornets: Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia
This is probably not the way the Hornets expected this draft to go to this point. Fortune doesn’t favor Charlotte often but this might be the outlier. They get the guy who some consider the draft’s top prospect, at No. 3.
Edwards gives them a prospect who could one day be a high-scoring, All-Star level wing. Those are really hard to get. The Hornets already have Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier in the backcourt but that shouldn’t stop them from running to make the pick here. They can play all of them together if they want in 2020 but this selection is for the next four to seven years, a time period when Rozier’s contract runs out and Graham will undoubtedly ask for and deserve a raise.
With Edwards they also get the kind of top-line prospect who can be at the head of a nice group of young players with Miles Bridges, PJ Washington and Graham. Things are looking up in Charlotte. — Mike Vorkunov
No. 4 — Chicago Bulls: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
The Bulls could view this shakeup as a nightmare scenario or a dream come true, perhaps with no real in between. If any franchise could use an injection of talent, regardless of position, it’s Chicago. But if there’s any area where the Bulls can feel relatively content it’s the frontcourt, where a serviceable rotation remains under contract in Wendell Carter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Thaddeus Young and Daniel Gafford. Of this year’s consensus top three talents, Wiseman is the last one the Bulls would want to see slip.
Or is he?
New Bulls executive vice of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said on the day of the draft lottery that he intends to select the best player available with this pick, not attempt to fill a need. Wiseman falling into Karnisovas’ lap here would put his words to the test. Wiseman would clutter the Bulls’ frontcourt at a time when the league requires star perimeter play and the team’s options are lacking. But consider this: Markkanen is coming off a disappointing third season and entering a pivotal, prove-it year for a lucrative rookie scale extension. Meanwhile, Carter has said publicly he considers himself more of a 4 than a 5, although his shooting needs improvement.
Could this be an opportunity for the Bulls to shop Markkanen and pair the more consistent and defensive-minded Carter with the ultra-athletic Wiseman? If done creatively, the Bulls could net assets for Markkanen and Young and free additional cap space in anticipation of the 2021 free agent bonanza. There’s been nothing to suggest the Bulls aren’t committed to moving forward with Markkanen, but if Wiseman falls into the Bulls’ lap, someone will have to go. — Darnell Mayberry
No. 5 — Cleveland Cavaliers: Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Israel)
While this draft has taken a few twists and turns, it still turns out pretty nicely for the Cavaliers. They don’t have to take another ball-dominant guard, and instead can turn their focus elsewhere. Here, the decision comes down to Avdija, who fills a much-needed position at wing and brings with him the playmaking needed with their backcourt consisting of two scoring guards in Darius Garland and Collin Sexton. Or, do they take Obi Toppin, who could be considered the best player available at this spot and could be viewed as a piece for the future?
I mocked the Cavs taking Isaac Okoro in our first draft, after the Bulls took Avdija at No. 4.
This time around, since Avdija wasn’t taken earlier, here I think it makes the most sense for the Cavs to snatch him up. He is among the top wings in the draft and fills their biggest position of need. He also fits into the Cavs’ culture both on and off the court.
Yes, the defensive concern is something to consider — especially since the Cavs finished with the worst defensive rating in the league for the second season in a row. So are the ones about his outside shot. But the 19-year-old’s professional experience is intriguing here as it sets him up to have an early role. Avdija is versatile and smart. He has vision and ability to make passes out of the pick-and-roll. He’s an efficient decision maker. His size and athleticism, paired with his playmaking ability set him up to be a solid potential wing for the Cavs.
Toppin was considered greatly here, especially considering some of the questions surrounding the future of the Cavs’ frontcourt. Ultimately, it did come down to Avdija’s potential to fill a major need on the Cavs’ roster. — Kelsey Russo
In our first version of the beat writer mock, I chose Georgia guard Anthony Edwards. I still believe he is a real possibility for the Wolves, and likely a better overall fit with D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns than is Ball.
For this version, I wanted to explore the option of selecting Ball, who most believe is the best passer/playmaker in this draft. I’m concerned about his shot selection, his shooting percentage from deep and some redundancy with Russell, another player who thrives with the ball in his hands.
But I make this selection with the idea that a trade could be coming, on draft night or later. Wolves President Gersson Rosas and Executive VP Sachin Gupta both made it clear they will explore all options with this No. 1 pick. If they do want to try to trade it to get a more established player, there is some belief in league circles that Ball would have more value on the market than Edwards or James Wiseman or any other option.
I tried to talk to Chris Kirschner and the Hawks at No. 4 and Mike Vorkunov and the Knicks, who I believe are high on Ball, at No. 8, but couldn’t find a dance partner. That doesn’t mean something can’t happen down the road.
Even if the Wolves don’t find a trade partner on draft night, Ball could be a big piece of a package that is put together during the season or next summer to land another star. And if Ball comes in and lights it up, shows increased defensive awareness and meshes with Russell rather than stepping on his toes, well, then the Wolves have the option of just rolling with him.
This Wolves front office likes to play chess. Edwards, a gifted scorer with All-Star potential who has also drawn concerning comparisons to Andrew Wiggins, is more of a checkers move.
I will probably change my mind 100 times between now and draft night in November. For now, my itchy trade fingers think Ball might be the move. — Jon Krawczynski
*TRADE ALERT*
Anthony Slater, Golden State Warriors beat writer: I went shopping around the league with the No. 2 pick, much as I expect the Warriors to do in the weeks leading up to the draft. The offers were pretty underwhelming. Lesson learned: A top pick in this draft doesn’t hold nearly the value as most years.
Detroit offered up a Blake Griffin for Andrew Wiggins toxic contract swap, attached to a 2 for 7 flip and added third-year guard Luke Kennard. Nope. Wiggins is younger, healthier and plays a more valued position. Griffin, Draymond Green and Eric Paschall sounds like spacing hell.
The Knicks were interested in jumping up, but wouldn’t give up Mitchell Robinson to do so. Julius Randle and Bobby Portis were on the table. Again: Nope. The Warriors should be able to find something better with that $17.2 million trade exception.
Ding. Found. The Suns were willing to deal Kelly Oubre and the 10th pick to move up to second. This gives the win-now Warriors an immediate rotation boost on the wing, where they’re desperate, and still a shot at a prospect in the back side of the lottery. Phoenix gives away an expiring contract to jump up and find someone to pair with its young, emerging core. Who will the Suns take?
No. 2 — Phoenix Suns (via Golden State Warriors): Tyrese Haliburton, G/W, Iowa State
The Suns, who will enter next season looking to morph into a playoff mainstay after an impressive 8-0 showing in the Orlando bubble, accomplish a few things with this deal.
First, Haliburton gives Phoenix a high-IQ, sharp-passing, efficient-shooting combo guard to pair with Devin Booker. The point guard position is a big need for the Suns, and with Ball off the board, Haliburton appears to be the next best fit for both the short-term and the long-term objectives. The versatility of the 6-foot-5 Haliburton is a big draw here, as he can excel off the ball, too.
Secondly, and probably most important, if Phoenix were indeed eager to pursue unrestricted free agent point guard Fred VanVleet in the open market — as rumors suggest — trading Oubre gets $14 million-plus off the books and allows the Suns to make a real run at landing his services.
I like this type of deal for the Suns as they try to become regulars in the postseason picture. — James L. Edwards III
No. 3 — Charlotte Hornets: Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia
This is probably not the way the Hornets expected this draft to go to this point. Fortune doesn’t favor Charlotte often but this might be the outlier. They get the guy who some consider the draft’s top prospect, at No. 3.
Edwards gives them a prospect who could one day be a high-scoring, All-Star level wing. Those are really hard to get. The Hornets already have Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier in the backcourt but that shouldn’t stop them from running to make the pick here. They can play all of them together if they want in 2020 but this selection is for the next four to seven years, a time period when Rozier’s contract runs out and Graham will undoubtedly ask for and deserve a raise.
With Edwards they also get the kind of top-line prospect who can be at the head of a nice group of young players with Miles Bridges, PJ Washington and Graham. Things are looking up in Charlotte. — Mike Vorkunov
No. 4 — Chicago Bulls: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
The Bulls could view this shakeup as a nightmare scenario or a dream come true, perhaps with no real in between. If any franchise could use an injection of talent, regardless of position, it’s Chicago. But if there’s any area where the Bulls can feel relatively content it’s the frontcourt, where a serviceable rotation remains under contract in Wendell Carter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Thaddeus Young and Daniel Gafford. Of this year’s consensus top three talents, Wiseman is the last one the Bulls would want to see slip.
Or is he?
New Bulls executive vice of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said on the day of the draft lottery that he intends to select the best player available with this pick, not attempt to fill a need. Wiseman falling into Karnisovas’ lap here would put his words to the test. Wiseman would clutter the Bulls’ frontcourt at a time when the league requires star perimeter play and the team’s options are lacking. But consider this: Markkanen is coming off a disappointing third season and entering a pivotal, prove-it year for a lucrative rookie scale extension. Meanwhile, Carter has said publicly he considers himself more of a 4 than a 5, although his shooting needs improvement.
Could this be an opportunity for the Bulls to shop Markkanen and pair the more consistent and defensive-minded Carter with the ultra-athletic Wiseman? If done creatively, the Bulls could net assets for Markkanen and Young and free additional cap space in anticipation of the 2021 free agent bonanza. There’s been nothing to suggest the Bulls aren’t committed to moving forward with Markkanen, but if Wiseman falls into the Bulls’ lap, someone will have to go. — Darnell Mayberry
No. 5 — Cleveland Cavaliers: Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Israel)
While this draft has taken a few twists and turns, it still turns out pretty nicely for the Cavaliers. They don’t have to take another ball-dominant guard, and instead can turn their focus elsewhere. Here, the decision comes down to Avdija, who fills a much-needed position at wing and brings with him the playmaking needed with their backcourt consisting of two scoring guards in Darius Garland and Collin Sexton. Or, do they take Obi Toppin, who could be considered the best player available at this spot and could be viewed as a piece for the future?
I mocked the Cavs taking Isaac Okoro in our first draft, after the Bulls took Avdija at No. 4.
This time around, since Avdija wasn’t taken earlier, here I think it makes the most sense for the Cavs to snatch him up. He is among the top wings in the draft and fills their biggest position of need. He also fits into the Cavs’ culture both on and off the court.
Yes, the defensive concern is something to consider — especially since the Cavs finished with the worst defensive rating in the league for the second season in a row. So are the ones about his outside shot. But the 19-year-old’s professional experience is intriguing here as it sets him up to have an early role. Avdija is versatile and smart. He has vision and ability to make passes out of the pick-and-roll. He’s an efficient decision maker. His size and athleticism, paired with his playmaking ability set him up to be a solid potential wing for the Cavs.
Toppin was considered greatly here, especially considering some of the questions surrounding the future of the Cavs’ frontcourt. Ultimately, it did come down to Avdija’s potential to fill a major need on the Cavs’ roster. — Kelsey Russo
No. 6 — New York Knicks (via Atlanta Hawks): Isaac Okoro, W, Auburn
The conventional wisdom says the Knicks would make this jump up for a point guard considering their state at that position. Maybe! But as intriguing as Killian Hayes is — and he’s the second-best point guard on this draft board, despite some questions — the Knicks zig when they’re expected to zag. Okoro has the potential to be a defensive menace and give a very good complement to RJ Barrett on the wing. The Knicks instantly get longer and more physical there and the defensive potential of the team got that much better. Okoro and Barrett could pair well together, especially as Okoro’s shot improves.
There are ancillary benefits, too. By trading Smith, New York opens up a little bit more cap space this offseason, giving them more room in possibly making a pursuit of Fred VanVleet. They also clear depth chart room for Barrett to slide into the backcourt and play a little more time on the ball, while also taking out an obstacle for Frank Ntilikina in the backcourt. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Okoro go as high as No. 4 in this draft and the Knicks got him at No. 6. The Knicks shoot high on potential here without really giving up much to get Okoro.
This pick wasn’t without some effort to move up higher. The Warriors offered the No. 2 pick but asked for Mitchell Robinson, which seems like just a bit too much, though enticing. In this draft it would have backfired on the Knicks anyway since LaMelo Ball wouldn’t have been available. The Knicks tried to put together a three-way trade with the Hawks and Warriors that could have benefitted all three teams and brought the Knicks the No. 2 pick, but the Hawks turned it down in this hypothetical. Alas. — Mike Vorkunov
No. 7 — Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, PG, Ulm (Germany)
If Nov. 18 hits and both the Knicks and Suns, two teams with a point-guard need, jump the Pistons, newly-appointed general manager Troy Weaver might be flipping a table inside the war room in downtown Detroit. Somehow, though, despite the circumstances, Detroit ends up with one of the class’ best lead guards. I mocked Hayes to the Pistons in our first go-round, and given how the draft has shaken out this time, he still feels like the right selection going forward given the options.
Hayes, 19, is considered to be one of the more intriguing distributors and playmakers of this year’s crop of talent. At 6-foot-5, he’d give the Pistons size at the position that they haven’t had, well, maybe ever. Not anytime recently at least.
With a nice shooting stroke, good touch around the rim — despite being left-hand dominant — and craftiness in the pick-and-roll game, the French-born Hayes possesses attributes that Detroit desperately needs.
USC big man Onyeka Okongwu was seriously considered here, but, ultimately, it came down to Hayes’ potential to fill a void that is so glaring on the Pistons’ roster and the importance of having a playmaking lead guard in today’s NBA. — James L. Edwards III
No. 8 — Atlanta Hawks (via New York Knicks): Devin Vassell, W, Florida State
The Hawks moved back two spots and added the 38th pick, while taking a flier on Dennis Smith Jr. Smith regressed considerably this past season with the Knicks but he’s only due $5.7 million this upcoming year and will be a free agent in 2021. If it doesn’t work out, he could be the third point guard on the roster and they would still sign someone else in free agency. Atlanta did try acquiring Frank Ntilikina from the Knicks (hypothetically), but they wouldn’t budge on picks No. 6 and No. 50 for No. 8 and Ntilikina.
With the eighth pick, the Hawks grab one of the best team defenders in the draft. The Hawks need all the defensive help they can get. Pairing Vassell with De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish has the potential to be devastating defensively while allowing Trae Young and John Collins to continue thriving offensively.
Vassell also would add some 3-point shooting that the Hawks need after being the worst 3-point shooting team in the league this season. He shot 41 percent from 3 this year for the Seminoles.
He doesn’t project as the flashiest player but he fills a lot of roles the Hawks need filled.
Also, now that the Hawks have picks 38 and 50 in this hypothetical draft, they would likely sell No. 50. — Chris Kirschner
No. 9 — Washington Wizards: Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
Honestly, this might be the first no-brainer of the draft. The Wizards were the league’s worst defense for most of the season before the Cavaliers asked them to hold their beer, and Okongwu is considered by many pundits and experts to be the best defender in this class.
He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot-9, but I do think he ends up playing center in the NBA. The 19-year-old is springy, long, has a solid frame and moves his feet well. Aside from his upside as a shot-blocker, I imagine him being a nuisance to guards in pick-and-roll actions due to his physical tools and instincts. Offensively, Okongwu is a low-maintenance roll man with soft touch around the rim.
At No. 9, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if Washington ended up landing the best player in this draft. — James L. Edwards III
No. 10 — Golden State Warriors (via Phoenix Suns): Obi Toppin, PF/C, Dayton
I’ll be honest. My grand general managerial plan was to scoop up Oubre in the trade and watch Devin Vassell fall to 10, allowing the Warriors to walk away with a combo haul of wings who can both help next season, attached to home run potential on Vassell, who I think would flourish in the Warriors’ system. But Vassell didn’t fall. The Hawks ruined my ambitious plan at eight. I’m left staggered at 10. But, looking around, I do see the best player in college basketball last season still on the board. Obi Toppin in the late lottery — why not?
He’s not a versatile wing or true center. So he’s not an ideal fit. He’d just enter that undersized logjam behind Draymond Green and Eric Paschall. But he’s different than those two. He’s a likely defensive liability, but an offensive weapon that (along with Oubre) would inject a whole lot of scoring life into a bench that badly needs it. I also love the idea of him running spread pick-and-roll with Steph Curry on ball and Klay Thompson stretching the defense thin.
You could do worse than a mature prospect and potential 20-and-10 guy (eventually) with the 10th pick, especially when he comes attached to a wing like Oubre. — Anthony Slater
The conventional wisdom says the Knicks would make this jump up for a point guard considering their state at that position. Maybe! But as intriguing as Killian Hayes is — and he’s the second-best point guard on this draft board, despite some questions — the Knicks zig when they’re expected to zag. Okoro has the potential to be a defensive menace and give a very good complement to RJ Barrett on the wing. The Knicks instantly get longer and more physical there and the defensive potential of the team got that much better. Okoro and Barrett could pair well together, especially as Okoro’s shot improves.
There are ancillary benefits, too. By trading Smith, New York opens up a little bit more cap space this offseason, giving them more room in possibly making a pursuit of Fred VanVleet. They also clear depth chart room for Barrett to slide into the backcourt and play a little more time on the ball, while also taking out an obstacle for Frank Ntilikina in the backcourt. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Okoro go as high as No. 4 in this draft and the Knicks got him at No. 6. The Knicks shoot high on potential here without really giving up much to get Okoro.
This pick wasn’t without some effort to move up higher. The Warriors offered the No. 2 pick but asked for Mitchell Robinson, which seems like just a bit too much, though enticing. In this draft it would have backfired on the Knicks anyway since LaMelo Ball wouldn’t have been available. The Knicks tried to put together a three-way trade with the Hawks and Warriors that could have benefitted all three teams and brought the Knicks the No. 2 pick, but the Hawks turned it down in this hypothetical. Alas. — Mike Vorkunov
No. 7 — Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, PG, Ulm (Germany)
If Nov. 18 hits and both the Knicks and Suns, two teams with a point-guard need, jump the Pistons, newly-appointed general manager Troy Weaver might be flipping a table inside the war room in downtown Detroit. Somehow, though, despite the circumstances, Detroit ends up with one of the class’ best lead guards. I mocked Hayes to the Pistons in our first go-round, and given how the draft has shaken out this time, he still feels like the right selection going forward given the options.
Hayes, 19, is considered to be one of the more intriguing distributors and playmakers of this year’s crop of talent. At 6-foot-5, he’d give the Pistons size at the position that they haven’t had, well, maybe ever. Not anytime recently at least.
With a nice shooting stroke, good touch around the rim — despite being left-hand dominant — and craftiness in the pick-and-roll game, the French-born Hayes possesses attributes that Detroit desperately needs.
USC big man Onyeka Okongwu was seriously considered here, but, ultimately, it came down to Hayes’ potential to fill a void that is so glaring on the Pistons’ roster and the importance of having a playmaking lead guard in today’s NBA. — James L. Edwards III
No. 8 — Atlanta Hawks (via New York Knicks): Devin Vassell, W, Florida State
The Hawks moved back two spots and added the 38th pick, while taking a flier on Dennis Smith Jr. Smith regressed considerably this past season with the Knicks but he’s only due $5.7 million this upcoming year and will be a free agent in 2021. If it doesn’t work out, he could be the third point guard on the roster and they would still sign someone else in free agency. Atlanta did try acquiring Frank Ntilikina from the Knicks (hypothetically), but they wouldn’t budge on picks No. 6 and No. 50 for No. 8 and Ntilikina.
With the eighth pick, the Hawks grab one of the best team defenders in the draft. The Hawks need all the defensive help they can get. Pairing Vassell with De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish has the potential to be devastating defensively while allowing Trae Young and John Collins to continue thriving offensively.
Vassell also would add some 3-point shooting that the Hawks need after being the worst 3-point shooting team in the league this season. He shot 41 percent from 3 this year for the Seminoles.
He doesn’t project as the flashiest player but he fills a lot of roles the Hawks need filled.
Also, now that the Hawks have picks 38 and 50 in this hypothetical draft, they would likely sell No. 50. — Chris Kirschner
No. 9 — Washington Wizards: Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
Honestly, this might be the first no-brainer of the draft. The Wizards were the league’s worst defense for most of the season before the Cavaliers asked them to hold their beer, and Okongwu is considered by many pundits and experts to be the best defender in this class.
He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot-9, but I do think he ends up playing center in the NBA. The 19-year-old is springy, long, has a solid frame and moves his feet well. Aside from his upside as a shot-blocker, I imagine him being a nuisance to guards in pick-and-roll actions due to his physical tools and instincts. Offensively, Okongwu is a low-maintenance roll man with soft touch around the rim.
At No. 9, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if Washington ended up landing the best player in this draft. — James L. Edwards III
No. 10 — Golden State Warriors (via Phoenix Suns): Obi Toppin, PF/C, Dayton
I’ll be honest. My grand general managerial plan was to scoop up Oubre in the trade and watch Devin Vassell fall to 10, allowing the Warriors to walk away with a combo haul of wings who can both help next season, attached to home run potential on Vassell, who I think would flourish in the Warriors’ system. But Vassell didn’t fall. The Hawks ruined my ambitious plan at eight. I’m left staggered at 10. But, looking around, I do see the best player in college basketball last season still on the board. Obi Toppin in the late lottery — why not?
He’s not a versatile wing or true center. So he’s not an ideal fit. He’d just enter that undersized logjam behind Draymond Green and Eric Paschall. But he’s different than those two. He’s a likely defensive liability, but an offensive weapon that (along with Oubre) would inject a whole lot of scoring life into a bench that badly needs it. I also love the idea of him running spread pick-and-roll with Steph Curry on ball and Klay Thompson stretching the defense thin.
You could do worse than a mature prospect and potential 20-and-10 guy (eventually) with the 10th pick, especially when he comes attached to a wing like Oubre. — Anthony Slater
Dillah810
Flat Girther
who_better_than_me
Time to go!!
Lol at Colin giving Miami heat and boston credit for Player development but shading Denver when they have more player development Than Miami.their best player are homegrown . All their best players have been homegrown going back to Melo.
staticshock
Veteran
Report: Former Lakers Guard Smush Parker Trying to Become NBA Referee - Lakers Daily
guess Smush never passed the league ref test
guess Smush never passed the league ref test
who_better_than_me
Time to go!!
Only if they take Westbrook too. Start the rebuilding
Y’all should be tryna do that off the no bullshyt. If y’all can get rid of them together and start a rebuild y’all might be aight in a few years.
ALonelyDad
Veteran
Flex Luger
Job Is Finished
Looks like some CAC hacked Trae Young’s twitter
