The (way too early) 2024 Draft thread. Woo! Tanking!

[tontoz]

Watch on YouTube

[payitforward]

Ok. So I hadn't heard of this guy Trentyn Flowers. Count me as intrigued...

rookiescale.com has him at 56. NBA Draft Room has him 52....

I've been looking at him.... But, the Ringer's mock has him going at #31.

Probably not on the board way down in the 50s....

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Ok. So I hadn't heard of this guy Trentyn Flowers. Count me as intrigued...

rookiescale.com has him at 56. NBA Draft Room has him 52....

I've been looking at him.... But, the Ringer's mock has him going at #31.

Probably not on the board way down in the 50s....

I think I might consider him at 26 if Dadiet is already gone.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Latest mock on The Ringer. Good info, and I like their little drop down scouting report for each player.

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft



Another player I'd definitely have my sights set on at 51 if he falls there is Izan Almansa (Ringer and Draft Room have him 57).

NBA DRAFT ROOM:
Izan Almansa PF – Ignite (Spain) – HT: 6-10 – WT: 211 – WING: NA – Int.05 – A high energy big who had an up and down season with the Ignite. Has the tools to develop into a rotation player.

Draft Notes
Almansa is an incredibly productive and efficient player who might not be the flashiest player around but really gets it done on the court.
He’s an interior focused big man who loves to mix it up in the paint, plays with a lot of energy and effort and contributes in all aspects of the game.
Almansa has great hands, catching everything thrown his way and doing a great job of securing rebounds. He also has a really good feel for cutting and getting himself into position for layups, post scoring and positioning for rebounds. Has a natural feel for the game.
Moves very well up and down the court and is an overall plus athlete with agility, coordination and bounce.
Expanding his shooting range will be key to his success at the NBA level.
Draft Age 19 – I had high expectations for Almansa this year with the Ignite and he had some good moments but didn’t really standout, and so his draft stock has suffered. He’ll probably be drafted but projects as more of a possible rotation big rather than a starter or star player. He does have plenty of time to continue to develop and still has some upside to grow in to.

The Ringer:

Izan Almansa - 57
G League Ignite, Spain
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Almansa was considered a lottery pick prior to his underwhelming G League season, and the Grizzlies are in need of a center, so he could be a potential steal if he ends up falling this far.
HEIGHT 6'10"
WEIGHT 216
AGE 18.9
WINGSPAN
Accomplished international big who projects as a versatile offensive hub and prolific rebounder.
Venn Diagaram Icon
SHADES OF
Kevin Love
Feel for the Game
Rebounding
PLUSES
Strong elbow and post playmaker with the ability to handle double-teams and locate shooters and cutters. His NBA team could use him in dribble handoffs since he can also dribble to the basket or turn his back into post-ups.

Beautiful post scorer who moves with purpose. He loves using spin moves straight into hook shots, and it works no matter the angle or the defensive contest. Sometimes, he’ll even do it with his left hand.

Fundamental screener and eager roller with amazing hands. Though he’s capable of dunking over defenders, he primarily finishes through length and contact using his soft touch. He’s patient and uses head and ball fakes to let defenders fly by when needed.

A potential short-roll menace if paired with the right point guard. He’s a strong dribbler and passer, and he also has a push floater that could punish defenses that leave him open. If his shot develops, his open-floor ballhandling would open up his game even more.

Elite rebounder on both ends with a nose for the ball. He’s like a magnet.

High-effort defender with the ability to play in different schemes. He’s nimble enough to switch or blitz.

MINUSES
Subpar free throw shooter and stiff from 3. At this stage, his shooting development is purely hypothetical. But how could someone with his soft touch not end up learning how to shoot 3s?

As a drop-coverage big man on defense, he’s more of a positional defender than an imposing shot blocker. And on the perimeter, he’s solid but not a stopper. He still gets roasted by some quicker players.

Gets overpowered by stronger players on post-ups, which raises concerns about his ability to play center.

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[tontoz]

Holland is another guy I didn't look at much because of his shooting issues. Looking into him now the thing that stands out is that he is a high motor guy on both ends and that definitely translates. Curious to see how he measures/tests at the combine.

His foul shooting isn't bad and his form looks ok so maybe it will come around.

[Dat2U]

Holland is another guy I didn't look at much because of his shooting issues. Looking into him now the thing that stands out is that he is a high motor guy on both ends and that definitely translates. Curious to see how he measures/tests at the combine.

His foul shooting isn't bad and his form looks ok so maybe it will come around.

As Nate33 pointed out, his last 11 games or so he looked like a different player. You hope that's just the continued development of a high level prospect. I really like creation flashes he showed... that wasn't in his scouting report the year before when he was viewed as more a complimentary role player. He was tasked into a role he was not familar with against grown men at 18 and had to learn on the fly. That's why he's my top wing. His skill development also reminiscent of Victor Oladipo.

[Tyrone Messby]

It's lottery day!

[dckingsfan]

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins insists he doesn’t agree with the conventional wisdom that this year’s draft class lacks talent at the top.

“I think people hold their cards tight to their vests strategically, so I definitely don’t agree with the narrative,” Dawkins said in an interview with The Athletic. “I think people realize how good this draft is, and in any draft, I’d rather have the power of choice to make the decision than be left with other players on the board that I might not feel as good about. So for me and the Wizards, we’re ones that would always want the highest pick possible if you have an option to choose a player. As we’ve shown in last year’s draft, we don’t draft necessarily off mock drafts. We find the right person first, and if they connect with everything that we have going on in the long term, we’re going to do our best to go get that person.”

[payitforward]

Should be happening about now.... Can't bring myself to watch.

[AFM]

Reminder that Nate had us picking 6th in his little simulator, so we know who to hold accountable when things go south

[mhd]

We're in the top 4!!!

[NatP4]

Wow

[AFM]

Why am I nervous

[gesa2]

Nice to see the pistons drop. That org doesn’t deserve the top pick

[Pistol King]

Detroit finishing one of the worst seasons in NBA history to just end up with the #5 pick.

Wizards, Spurs, Rockets, and ATL are in top 4.

[mhd]

We got the 2nd pick. Its a better outcome than we could have expected.

[Tyrone Messby]

Hawks with first overall. #2 ain't bad.

[NatP4]

Let’s gooo!!!!!

[AFM]

OOOOOOOOOS lets gooo!!!!!!!

[tontoz]