2018 NBA Draft - June 21

[czvo]

Question for those that follow these prospects/college basketball:

If the Cavs keep their own first round pick, would Khyri Thomas from Creighton be available late first round?

While his name alone garners my interest , he seems like he could be a good back-court buddy for IT (known as a perimeter defender with around 6'10" wingspan, also can knock down catch-and-shoot 3s) should the Cavs retain him this offseason. Could see him fulfilling an Avery Bradley-esque role. Again, don't know much about his game and haven't watched him aside from a highlight video or two, but thought I would throw the idea out there.

I worked at Creighton last year and still watch them this year... he'd be available at the end of the first round.

 

[Nathan S]

Speaking of 3&D players, keep an eye on Kenrich Williams if you're watching TCU-Texas. Very versatile defender on pace to become the first major conference player ever to average 9 boards and 2.5 steals per game. He's stepped up his game on offense this year, shooting 45% from 3 and averaging 4 assists per game, too.

He's been off the NBA radar because he's very old, even for a senior, having just turned 23. Could be a diamond in the rough though.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

Speaking of 3&D players, keep an eye on Kenrich Williams if you're watching TCU-Texas. Very versatile defender on pace to become the first major conference player ever to average 9 boards and 2.5 steals per game. He's stepped up his game on offense this year, shooting 45% from 3 and averaging 4 assists per game, too.

He's been off the NBA radar because he's very old, even for a senior, having just turned 23. Could be a diamond in the rough though.

I mentioned him a couple of weeks ago when Trae Young played against TCU and they were still undefeated. He's much more of a small-ball 4 type of guy to me in the NBA, though. Not sure how much he'd be able to do against wings on either end in the NBA. He appears to have enough length to me to play the four, and would be best as a stand-still shooter for the most part or out of pick & pops. Playing there would help make up for his average athleticism/burst some. He's got a pretty slow release as well that prevents him from doing much shooting off the dribble from what I've seen.

His best strengths though in my opinion are his rebounding like you mentioned, and his off-ball cutting. At this point I wouldn't expect him to get drafted, but I'm sure teams will be very interested in him as a UDFA. Plus they've got a great team there that could made a tourney run and catch peoples' eyes more. Desmond Bane is another guy that intrigues me on TCU who I think could end up being even better.

 

[Nathan S]

I mentioned him a couple of weeks ago when Trae Young played against TCU and they were still undefeated. He's much more of a small-ball 4 type of guy to me in the NBA, though. Not sure how much he'd be able to do against wings on either end in the NBA. He appears to have enough length to me to play the four, and would be best as a stand-still shooter for the most part or out of pick & pops. Playing there would help make up for his average athleticism/burst some. He's got a pretty slow release as well that prevents him from doing much shooting off the dribble from what I've seen.

His best strengths though in my opinion are his rebounding like you mentioned, and his off-ball cutting. At this point I wouldn't expect him to get drafted, but I'm sure teams will be very interested in him as a UDFA. Plus they've got a great team there that could made a tourney run and catch peoples' eyes more. Desmond Bane is another guy that intrigues me on TCU who I think could end up being even better.

Seems like a fair assessment. His set shot, while perhaps just a bit slow, is really a thing of beauty. Can tell he's spent long hours in the gym working on that. On defense it seems like he'll be a good, smart system defender, but not a guy you want guarding elite wings in isolation. Competes for loose balls, too. Kyle Anderson-esque on that end.

 

[Nathan S]

Another crazy all-around game for Jontay Porter. 15 points, 10 boards, 2 steals, 3 blocks. Should be a top-10 pick if he enters this draft.

 

[czvo]

Another crazy all-around game for Jontay Porter. 15 points, 10 boards, 2 steals, 3 blocks. Should be a top-10 pick if he enters this draft.

Are you saying YOU think he should be?

 

[Nathan S]

Are you saying YOU think he should be?

Yeah...statistically, he's one of the best players in all of college basketball on a per-minute basis. And he's younger than a lot of high school seniors. All kinds of potential.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

Yeah...statistically, he's one of the best players in all of college basketball on a per-minute basis. And he's younger than a lot of high school seniors. All kinds of potential.

Porter is pretty much a finished product to me. Would be floored if he were a top 10 pick. Not sure how much potential he has as the majority of his current limitations are due to lack of athleticism as well. Shooting 50% on 2 pointers on just 2.8 attempts a game somewhat shows you how he struggles in the paint scoring. Probably a one position defender as well.

I like him alot, but he's not top 10 material in this draft. I also expect him to go back to school. I don't think it would hurt his stock much either, as like I said I think the majority of his weaknesses relate to physical traits. Keep in mind though that I'd still have him probably around the 20 mark in this draft... he's gunna be good.

 

[Nathan S]

Porter is pretty much a finished product to me. Would be floored if he were a top 10 pick. Not sure how much potential he has as the majority of his current limitations are due to lack of athleticism as well. Shooting 50% on 2 pointers on just 2.8 attempts a game somewhat shows you how he struggles in the paint scoring. Probably a one position defender as well.

I like him alot, but he's not top 10 material in this draft. I also expect him to go back to school. I don't think it would hurt his stock much either, as like I said I think the majority of his weaknesses relate to physical traits.

How can a guy who just turned 18 a couple months ago be a finished product? Has a player that young ever failed to make major improvements, barring major injuries or off-court issues?

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

How can a guy who just turned 18 a couple months ago be a finished product? Has a player that young ever failed to make major improvements, barring major injuries or off-court issues?

It's less of him not being able to improve, but more of that the improvable aspects of his game are already so well developed for his age.

 

[Nathan S]

It's less of him not being able to improve, but more of that the improvable aspects of his game are already so well developed for his age.

How about a better defensive version of Jokic as a ceiling? Not saying it's likely, but not impossible either. Plenty of bigs succeed without eye-popping vertical athleticism.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

How about a better defensive version of Jokic as a ceiling? Not saying it's likely, but not impossible either. Plenty of bigs succeed without eye-popping vertical athleticism.

Jokic has some of the best touch and craft inside of any big in the league, but other than that that's an interesting comp. He faced similar questions when he came into the league, that's probably a huge part of why he went so late in his draft.

 

[stick]

TCU vs Texas is a good one (Good call @Nathan S !)

Williams has been money. Played great clutch defense (stuck with his man/avoided a screen) on the last Texas possession, but his teammate dozed off/was out of position and left a guy open in the corner.

Bamba also had a great clutch rejection.

Headed to the second Overtime.

 

[Nathan S]

Some good results for the Nets pick in NBA play today, too. 538 now projecting them to finish with 30 wins, tied with the Grizz for 6th-worst record.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

How about a better defensive version of Jokic as a ceiling? Not saying it's likely, but not impossible either. Plenty of bigs succeed without eye-popping vertical athleticism.

Lol Nathan, Jokic is the best offensive center in the league so Jokic with better defence is not something I'd bet on.