2024 Draft Prospects Thread

LTLakerFan · May 22, 2024

Do you think he could be a young version of Brook Lopez before the 3 point shooting or was he a lot more mobile? I read this morning Zach had a better agility time than one of the name guards at the combine. But would have to look up just who that was.

Here’s the agility numbers anyway.

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-strength-agility

abeer3 · May 22, 2024

LTLakerFan said: ↑

Do you think he could be a young version of Brook Lopez before the 3 point shooting or was he a lot more mobile? I read this morning Zach had a better agility time than one of the name guards at the combine. But would have to look up just who that was.

Here’s the agility numbers anyway.

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-strength-agility
Click to expand...

totally possible. i'd like to hear a scout talk in depth about why clingan is considered a much better prospect. my eye test matches that, but i can't articulate why. he just moves more fluently and intuitively. sort of like kessler--awkward but semi-smooth? edey's very mechanical.

and to be clear, neither guy excites me as a prospect. but why clingan is maybe top-5 and edey is maybe top-15 is surprising to me.

CarolinaLakerFan · May 23, 2024

It’s Edey or bust for me. He could easily average 10/8/2 off the bench and that’s exactly what we need.

JSM · May 23, 2024

Klutch pro day at the Lakers facility cause... of course

https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/1793668624819089755?t=yKmwLVbUYU5WzQj0mcC-jg&s=19

CarolinaLakerFan · May 23, 2024

LTLakerFan said: ↑

Do you think he could be a young version of Brook Lopez before the 3 point shooting or was he a lot more mobile? I read this morning Zach had a better agility time than one of the name guards at the combine. But would have to look up just who that was.

Here’s the agility numbers anyway.

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-strength-agility
Click to expand...

A max vertical of 31 inches is pretty doggone good for a 7’4 guy.

LTLakerFan · May 23, 2024

The Guy has a wingspan 1 inch shy of 8 feet!!

SmoothOperator · May 23, 2024

I have a feeling Zach Edey will be off the board by the time the Lakers pick, but I agree - that’s the guy I would want if available at 17.

I think of it this way, Jokic and Wembanyama are going to be problems for the next 5-10 years.

I really like the idea of a skilled 7’5” big man to match up against those guys. If he hits and can develop into a very good starting caliber defensive big man, it’s a home run at 17.

LTLakerFan · May 23, 2024

I think it’s such a strategic need for the reasons you say, plus more Big talented guys than them on a lower level we still can’t match, that I’d give up a lower tier young asset plus 17 plus money or some damn combo.

abeer3 · May 24, 2024

it will be interesting to watch. i'm not nearly as bullish as you two about edey. i can see what you're imagining, but i just think it's very unlikely. again, just don't see a great feel for the game/hoop iq there. i think this is what people miss about jokic--he's a basketball savant. people think he's just big and skilled, but there's a lot more to it than that.

JSM · May 24, 2024

Bronny's pro day in his future gym
https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/1793441172389859457?t=AUnv5SKgTsDj7wvl6A9Mgg&s=19

He's been working on his release speed. Looks a hair quicker.

LTLakerFan · May 24, 2024

LOL OK who put all the effort into the fake but very photorealistic video? We’ve been told here he can’t / won’t be able to shoot.

Or …. there’s no pressure applied in those drills so what’s the point? Hitting all of those like during the combine drill just makes him look worse.

JSM · May 24, 2024

https://x.com/NoCeilingsNBA/status/1794046023704424695?t=kC9cRBdI0e4fKimasMG1hw&s=19

What are you up to Ishbia?

abeer3 · May 24, 2024

JSM said: ↑

https://x.com/NoCeilingsNBA/status/1794046023704424695?t=kC9cRBdI0e4fKimasMG1hw&s=19

What are you up to Ishbia?
Click to expand...

looks like wasting one of their few tools to improve in the hopes lebron takes a 48 million dollar paycut (really, more like 150 million).

he has shown to be pretty f***ing stupid so far, though, so it's on brand.

JSM · May 24, 2024

Haynes and Rich Paul talked a lot about Bronny in their recent interview
https://x.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/1794048337928487339?t=7JxjrW3yG-cbd84Esg0ZSg&s=19

Bleacher Report: Bronny has been the most discussed player in this draft class, considering he isn't a projected lottery pick. There are obvious reasons as to why he is a topic of conversation. How do you feel his draft status has been covered?

Rich Paul: I feel like the media has covered him in different ways, honestly. I think some of it, you just can't get around, right? Nobody cares about your age. Nobody's going to necessarily take it light on you for whatever reason. And that's to be expected in addition to his government name. It just so happens that his dad is the greatest player that has ever played the game. It's not going to be an easy road.

I think some commentary by a reporter was a little over the top, but at the end of the day, they have a job to do. I watch all the shows. And you know what, there's some accountability to be had on our end as well. But I'm not going sit here and punish a dad for being excited about his son because for many years, the Black father was portrayed as absent and he was portrayed as non-supportive.

There may have been some expectations through social media excitement that may have raised awareness to where people want to see you fail more than they want to see you succeed. Bronny catches a lot of strays from his father's success. But that's all part of it.

We have to have some accountability on our end and also understand in today's world, everyone has a voice. Bronny has done an amazing job of handling all of this.

I think the thing I'm most impressed with is his character. He could easily be the one walking around with a camera crew, the entitlement and all the trinkets. He's not. He has a tremendous amount of self-awareness. I know for a fact that he'll be a great teammate and he'll continue to get better.

Is he a finished product? No, nowhere near. Most guys that come in our league aren't at 18 and 19. If his name was different, would he get a different treatment? Yes, probably so. Some may feel like he's getting an opportunity because of his father, and I think that's a very naive logic, especially in America.

When you look at America as a whole, it's built on the nepotism. No one's having this conversation about Jim Dolan. He owns the Knicks, but his dad built a business. Same with Casey Wasserman. Lou Wasserman built a business. I got plenty of friends that come from very wealthy families whose families built a business, and when it's their turn to take charge, they're not sitting on the couch. They're looking to enhance it.

What do you think is going to happen with Jeff Bezos' kids? He built Amazon. You think they're not going to be positioned based upon what he's built? And none of them should be apologetic about that. The only thing you can go by is being thankful, treating people a certain way and enhancing something that you were positioned for. They shouldn't apologize for that. And Bronny shouldn't apologize for who his dad is.

And at the end of the day, the difference is there were businesses built that generate revenue. I think it's hard to educate the uneducated and the unwilling to be educated on a social media platform. So, time won't be wasted there. But I think there's perspective to be had on sports.

Sports is a heavy opinionated platform. The difference today is everyone has a voice, and most have an agenda. Bronny's going to always be in the eye of the storm because of that. Oftentimes, it's not about you. It's about them. And so there's a lot of people that don't like the positions they're in themselves.

Negativity is something that oozes through the veins of people. But as far as the sports people having an opinion, they have every right to have an opinion, and they have every right to critique Bronny's game. Under no circumstance should he get a pass because of who his father is.

If a person goes on TV and says they don't think that he can play, they don't think he's a pro, that's part of the business and it's going to be that way for the rest of his life as long as he decides to be a professional athlete. And that's OK.

BR: So, how do we properly evaluate and cover Bronny? He was a McDonald's All-American with a ton of hype.

RP: Listen, when you have a cardiac arrest and come back and play a sport, it is a blessing. That's No. 1. Again, we're not looking for people to sympathize because of that, but facts are facts. No. 2., I've always thought and I continue to think Bronny is going to be a good pro, and he's going to be a good pro because he's extremely talented and smart.

I can give you several comparisons. I remember having Eric Bledsoe coming out. People didn't think he was a first-round pick at first. And when he came out, he didn't necessarily know how to play. He was talented and then he developed and became a starter in Phoenix and the rest was history. But he'll tell you himself that he didn't know how to play, he didn't know how to have pace and didn't know how to make the right reads. He was just naturally talented.

When it comes to talent, a foundation, structure, Bronny actually has had that, and he will be a glue guy on an NBA team. Maybe he can become an All-Star one day. As we all know, we've seen guys become All-Stars who were drafted in the second round or went undrafted. Fred VanVleet wasn't drafted. Naz Reid was undrafted. If you're looking for examples, there you go.

It just takes one team. Bronny's a guy who can come in to defend, make the right read, can shoot the ball pretty well and has good athleticism. And in addition to that, when you start checking the boxes on character, that actually exceed his talent. Some players can't be trusted with a million dollars because they change.

If you draft Bronny and give him millions of dollars, what's going to happen? Nothing. It's not going to change his life. We're not looking for any type of red carpet to be rolled out or any sympathy, for that matter. We're going to attack this and approach it in a way in which he's going to earn his way despite what anybody thinks.

BR: Is there too much being made of LeBron and Bronny potentially playing together somewhere or even possibly with the Lakers?

RP: Well, LeBron said he wanted to play with his son. Bronny can't do anything about that. And that's nothing we should push back on. If he wants to play with his son, that's that. But again, I have a job to do representing Bronny and LeBron.

LeBron's season's over. I'm focused on Bronny and the rest of our draft class. If it aligns where he can play with his dad, great. Am I necessarily focused on that? No, not at all. I'm focused on a team-plan investment and a seriousness as it pertains to fit and opportunity.

We know that there's gonna be some development necessary, but what does that actually look like? The teams I've talked to know exactly where I stand. I'm not going to bulls--t around in this process. We're going to execute our plan.

BR: So what would you say is a realistic draft range for Bronny?

RP: Bronny's range has been all over. Some teams think he goes 20 to 40, some say 30-50, and some teams think he'll go undrafted. It just takes one team. This is something I do every year during the draft process. This is not Bronny-centric. He's a part of our draft class. I have to try to help find the right fit for all my guys as well as the right deal. So that's how I'm looking at it."

BR: Is it true that you wouldn't sign Bronny to a two-way contract?

RP: Yes, that's absolutely true. Teams know that. I'm not doing that.
Click to expand...

And on the entire Klutch draft crop

BR: Speaking of preparing, you just finished your pro day. How do you feel it went for your soon-to-be rookies?

RP: It went really well. We have a good group this year. A couple guys are out. Rob Dillingham, who's considered to be a top pick, was out. Terrance Shannon, who a lot of teams like as well, was out for different reasons. But it went really well.

I thought Justin Edwards really helped himself. Thought KJ Simpson from Colorado really helped himself. Oso Ighodaro from Marquette really did well. And then Bronny James really helped himself as well. Ulrich Chomche is someone that a lot of teams like, understanding there's a plan to be positioned to help his development and that's what it's about.

I think all these young guys aren't necessarily a finished product and it's extremely important for them to land in spots that's going to have a plan in place. It's going to take investing in them. And if you can get that, no matter what number it is, that'd be extremely helpful to them and their growth.
Click to expand...

JSM · May 24, 2024

abeer3 said: ↑

looks like wasting one of their few tools to improve in the hopes lebron takes a 48 million dollar paycut (really, more like 150 million).

he has shown to be pretty f***ing stupid so far, though, so it's on brand.
Click to expand...

That's next level. Maybe thinking of buying into the 2nd?

Or... here's a reach of a theory: since Bronny is only working out for a few teams, maybe him to LA is a done deal. Klutch is using Bron's relationship with James Jones to make it look like they're not forcing him to LA.

abeer3 · May 24, 2024

i realize it sounds crazy, but i think bronny's a legit second round pick. i guess we've seen teams reach for those in the first if they felt really good about the guy. but phx needs someone who can play now. they either need to draft an upperclassman or trade the pick to upgrade elsewhere. picking a 19 year old who will need a couple years (and doesn't have all star ceiling, imo) is a weird choice for phx.

if you told me one of the deeper teams from the back end of the first round was looking at him, i'd be less dubious about their real motives.

i really think we'll package some cash with the 55 to move up and take bronny somewhere in the 40s. this won't upset me at all.

JSM · May 24, 2024

https://x.com/esidery/status/1794087815363350669?t=LQpGnkvOExUXIWwz1Em4og&s=19
Damn the both of you!

JSM · May 24, 2024

Another report on Carter from someone Mike Garcia vouches for

https://x.com/CanyonDriver/status/1794125882338197567?t=5Sjy9W4aO4UpNQSrvUkeFw&s=19

JSM · May 24, 2024

Garcia's write up for 21-30
https://x.com/CanyonDriver/status/1794130920397742216?t=QnloKByGdPl0I6CVNGOy1g&s=19

Including his Edey write up

#26 - Zach Edey - I’m not trying to be hyperbolic in any way. I would totally understand it if a team drafted him #1. If I was more confident a team could protect his health and teach him to be more physical on both ends of the floor, I’d rank him over Holland and Sarr. If I was doing a player evaluation by my gut, I would draft him #1. This is why I’ve said several times on twitter, that I’m unclear about his evaluation.

Edey stands at 7’3.75” w/o shoes, 7’10.75” wingspan, 9’7” standing reach, at 299lbs. You know who else had that size and was seen as a controversial #1 pick? Yao Ming. He doesn’t have Yao Ming’s jumpshot. He does have that kind of shooting touch.

So, why would I draft him #1? Every time he stepped on the floor against his level of competition, he created problems. Did you happen to watch the NCAA Finals? UConn didn’t separate themselves until they through double teams from different directions while projected lottery pick Donovan Clingan was behind him. Basically, he had to be schemed against. Can I really say that of the lottery players in this draft? I wouldn’t say to this extent.

The NCAA stats will speak for themselves; 25ppg, 12rpg, 2bpg. There are two very important stats that I neglected. He averaged 2 fouls per game through 4 years at Purdue. He barely ticked 0.2 steals per game in any year at Purdue.

When I watched his games, my initial impression was that he was “soft.” I’m not referring to soft play in the sense of shying away from a certain amount of contact in the paint. It was solid (but I think he could be even more aggressive) in the painted area. I just felt that he played a specific way to avoid foul trouble, avoid hurting other people, and maybe even protect his health. I mean, do you want your 7’3”+ 300lb. center closing out to shooters? I’d be protecting my feet. Do you want anyone getting hurt? Do you want him to stay on the floor and be productive?

This is the real reason why I don’t have him #1. This is the kind of information that would be released to teams in the interview process, or possibly even shown in 3 vs. 3 or 5 vs. 5 workouts events.

I personally thought his athletic tests in the combine looked great. He’s a giant showing a certain level of agility that I wouldn’t expect of a 300lb. player.

Aside from scoring in the paint, long arms, and soft hands, there are other aspects of his game worth mentioning. He’s a great screener. He can even rescreen just quick enough and guys get sealed off completely.

He doesn’t have great court awareness. He operates within his vision, but at times can get sped up and doesn’t consider open available teammates that are behind him. He sees his 1-2 teammates in front of him along the perimeter, and even out of double teams not from that direction, that’s where he likes to kick out to.

He didn’t always have to continue the fight for post position. He did fight during the game against Wisconsin, but it didn’t matter. At the NCAA level, some defenders just gave up and he just stood on his spot and received the basketball. He can expect more fight next level, where some may be able to leverage his center of gravity against him.

This is a clip of his help defense. He has two lateral strides and he’s late. This happens all throughout the game. His agility test in the combine show that he is a capable, in a predetermined setting. The agility may not show in a game time situation. But, it’s early in the 1st quarter. Do I want him possibly using a foul on that drive? No. Do I want to see a better contest? Yes.

So, what do you do with a center that’s likely a drop coverage big for his career and may not be a primary NBA scorer? This pushes him to be a drop big on defense and a roll-man on offense. Is he a great lob threat? Not necessarily great, but capable. Would I have him switch on defense? No. I wouldn’t have him defend outside of the lines of the key. In that sense, he may be able to get played off the floor. But, if I had modest expectations of an NBA career, ranging from Ivica Zubac to Brook Lopez, both different archetypes of Brook’s career, that’d make Edey an absolute steal in the late 1st.

I can only imagine what he would look like with strengthened legs to handle the weight shifts and change in direction more easily. I can only imagine what he would look like with increased court awareness and operating out of DHO situations. Then he becomes a real problem.

We never really saw a fully aggressive Edey in the way that Ware showed at the rim, Missi does the same, Ryan Dunn defensively, etc., but the reasons why we didn’t are valid as well
Click to expand...

LTLakerFan · May 24, 2024

Good I’m not nuts. Wow a very complete and very positive analysis on him. He’s just 22 by 3 weeks.

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2024 Draft Prospects Thread

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