2019 NBA Draft

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

I’m pretty much sold on Nic Claxton at 26 if available. Would fit perfectly here as well with our need for rim protection + focus on player development. Seems to check all the boxes off the court too. Measured better than expected as well.

 

[Nathan S]

I really like Grant Williams. Seems like the kind of guy who can step in and be a key rotation player immediately. Don't see a star but he should be a solid glue guy at least. And very low bust factor. Would be a steal at 26 IMO.

What really gets me excited about him is his clutch takeover ability. He got clutch buckets for Tennessee in pretty much all of their close games, and made big defensive plays too. Love guys who want the ball with the game on the line and have the skills to get the job done.

 

[Ozone]

Claxton has to be a target at 26 if he wasn't already.

 

[Bill Walton.]

watched some Goga videos. Not bad, but not at 3 imo. Hunter and Culver are both guys I’m interested in
Maybe if we could move up from 26 into the 14-17 region if he’s still there.. Not sure..

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

@Nathan S I’ve seen that your guy Sekou Doumbouya has been playing better of late finally lol. Just in time for the Pro A French League playoffs... IIRC Elie Okobo drooped 41 in a Pro A playoff game and really boosted his stock. Sekou is obviously already a first round lock probably though. Has your opinion on him changed at all? His shooting has come around quite a bit apparently after a rough start.

I’d also be curious on your opinion of Jontay Porter? I’m completely unaware of what his draft stock is right now. I know he was a favorite on pretty much every draft model last year in part due to age. Would you like him at 26? The multiple ACL iniuries + family history scare me quite a bit, but he was never a guy that relies on athleticism. It seemed like he was one of the more talked about guys in last year’s draft process, but I’ve heard almost nothing on him.

 

[Nathan S]

@Nathan S I’ve seen that your guy Sekou Doumbouya has been playing better of late finally lol. Just in time for the Pro A French League playoffs... IIRC Elie Okobo drooped 41 in a Pro A playoff game and really boosted his stock. Sekou is obviously already a first round lock probably though. Has your opinion on him changed at all? His shooting has come around quite a bit apparently after a rough start.

I’d also be curious on your opinion of Jontay Porter? I’m completely unaware of what his draft stock is right now. I know he was a favorite on pretty much every draft model last year in part due to age. Would you like him at 26? The multiple ACL iniuries + family history scare me quite a bit, but he was never a guy that relies on athleticism. It seemed like he was one of the more talked about guys in last year’s draft process, but I’ve heard almost nothing on him.

I wouldn't call it a trend for Doumbouya...really just a 1-game flash against a hopeless team in the last game of the season, the perfect situation for a guy like him to put up a crazy stat line. That said, I think his 3-point shooting potential is massively underrated. That's probably the closest thing he has to a surefire NBA skill. Struggle to see much upside beyond a 3&D role, as he's not particularly skilled with the ball and not nearly as athletic as people seem to think he is. If he was more under the radar I'd consider him a good draft and stash candidate who could contribute in two or three years, but obviously he's likely to be drafted in the first round, maybe in the lottery. That doesn't make much sense to me.

No idea what Jontay's stock is like. Obviously depends on what doctors think about his knees...if he has even a 50% chance of a normal, healthy career I'd draft him at 26. If it's a 10-20% chance...eh...I'll look elsewhere. Talent is surely there, but by sitting out a year+ he's no longer as far ahead of the curve skill-wise as he was before.

 

[ice cream man]

Thoughts on Luka Samanic?

6'11'', good quickness for that size, good shot, good Bball IQ. Apparently had a great combine.

19 years old. If he puts in the work athletically/strength-wise and as a shooter, he could be a great steal at pick 26. Tbh I'd be surprised if he made it to 26. He already has the natural abilities and natural understanding of the game. And size.

 

[Nathan S]

Thoughts on Luka Samanic?

6'11'', good quickness for that size, good shot, good Bball IQ. Apparently had a great combine.

19 years old. If he puts in the work athletically/strength-wise and as a shooter, he could be a great steal at pick 26. Tbh I'd be surprised if he made it to 26. He already has the natural abilities and natural understanding of the game. And size.

Pointed out in S34 that he had the 4th-highest max vertical reach at the combine, tied with Hayes and Kabengele, at 12'1". I knew he was a great athlete, but damn. His on-court production leaves a lot to be desired, but it's not crazy to draft athletic freaks like him in the last 1st early 2nd and hope that good coaching can help them put those tools to use.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

Since Samanic was brought up, here is who stood out to me the most in the combine scrimmages:

Luka Samanic
- Definitely the top performer in the scrimmages for me. Strength has always been an issue with him, but he looks like he's gained quite a bit of upper body strength. Moves extremely well at his size laterally. At one point was stuck on the perimeter with a short shot clock, and although he missed the shot, he got off a pretty impressive step back three. Easily the main issue with him is his vertical athleticism in games. Really never going to be a rim protector IMO, so it makes me wonder whether he's best suited at the 4 or the 5. Reminds me of a poor man's Lauri Markkanen. I like him a lot, but am not sure if he fits the Cavs' needs if available at 26.

Jalen Lecque
- I hadn't watched him besides highlight tapes, but he was bigger than I thought. Obviously is a crazy athlete, and it shows up on the floor. Came up with some impressive block attempts, and has a very quick first step. He clearly is hunting blocks on defense despite being a SG, and doesn't have the best feel. He'd be a quality 2nd rounder to me.

Nic Claxton
- Already mentioned him here, but I really like him. Definitely needs a lot of development, but has skills that are useful in a playoff setting. Can switch out on the perimeter as well as anyone at his size. Great reach to eventually provide quality rim protection once his feel improves (had 7 blocks in his first scrimmage game). Showed some shooting touch, but I think he's pretty far away from that. I still think there's a good chance he returns to Georgia, but I think he'd be a great fit for the Cavs.

Devon Dotson
- Fully expect him to return to Kansas, but he's the type of PG you'd love to have off the bench if you have wing creators. Can knockdown an open three, guard the ball relatively well, and is pretty quick. Short arms and lack of vertical athleticism make me believe he's more likely to being yet another 4-year Kansas guard than a 1 and done.

Cody Martin & Quinndary Weatherspoon
- These two are this years' Kenrich Williams. Guys with tremendous feel for the game at the wing on both sides of the ball. While Martin has the size advantage over Weatherspoon, he isn't quite the same level of shooter. Martin also has some shot creation ability out of the mid-range, but I wouldn't expect that to be useful. Low upside players, but both would be near the top of my list as UFAs if available...

Others who stood out to me:
Shamorie Ponds
Isaiah Roby
Terence Davis
Terance Mann
Miye Oni

 

[inliner311]

What do people think about Cameron Johnson at 26? 40%+ 3 point shooter with him shooting 45% this year. I know he is old at 23 but should have a role immediately behind Love at PF. Even if he is naturally a SF because his weight and frame, he will most likely be asked to play alot of small ball PF because he is 6'9.

 

[Ozone]

Since Samanic was brought up, here is who stood out to me the most in the combine scrimmages:

Luka Samanic
- Definitely the top performer in the scrimmages for me. Strength has always been an issue with him, but he looks like he's gained quite a bit of upper body strength. Moves extremely well at his size laterally. At one point was stuck on the perimeter with a short shot clock, and although he missed the shot, he got off a pretty impressive step back three. Easily the main issue with him is his vertical athleticism in games. Really never going to be a rim protector IMO, so it makes me wonder whether he's best suited at the 4 or the 5. Reminds me of a poor man's Lauri Markkanen. I like him a lot, but am not sure if he fits the Cavs' needs if available at 26.

Jalen Lecque
- I hadn't watched him besides highlight tapes, but he was bigger than I thought. Obviously is a crazy athlete, and it shows up on the floor. Came up with some impressive block attempts, and has a very quick first step. He clearly is hunting blocks on defense despite being a SG, and doesn't have the best feel. He'd be a quality 2nd rounder to me.

Nic Claxton
- Already mentioned him here, but I really like him. Definitely needs a lot of development, but has skills that are useful in a playoff setting. Can switch out on the perimeter as well as anyone at his size. Great reach to eventually provide quality rim protection once his feel improves (had 7 blocks in his first scrimmage game). Showed some shooting touch, but I think he's pretty far away from that. I still think there's a good chance he returns to Georgia, but I think he'd be a great fit for the Cavs.

Devon Dotson
- Fully expect him to return to Kansas, but he's the type of PG you'd love to have off the bench if you have wing creators. Can knockdown an open three, guard the ball relatively well, and is pretty quick. Short arms and lack of vertical athleticism make me believe he's more likely to being yet another 4-year Kansas guard than a 1 and done.

Cody Martin & Quinndary Weatherspoon
- These two are this years' Kenrich Williams. Guys with tremendous feel for the game at the wing on both sides of the ball. While Martin has the size advantage over Weatherspoon, he isn't quite the same level of shooter. Martin also has some shot creation ability out of the mid-range, but I wouldn't expect that to be useful. Low upside players, but both would be near the top of my list as UFAs if available...

Others who stood out to me:
Shamorie Ponds
Isaiah Roby
Terence Davis
Terance Mann
Miye Oni

I don't think you can call Dotson out for vertical athleticism with a 38" max vert and he was basically the fastest guard at the combine.
his ws is bad though.
I think he goes back to school , but would also not be shocked if he stays with a late first promise given the minimal depth of pg's in this draft.
Lecque is a freak athlete, but has no jumper at all and is pretty much the Trevon Duval ( undrafted) of 2019.

 

[Ozone]

What do people think about Cameron Johnson at 26? 40%+ 3 point shooter with him shooting 45% this year. I know he is old at 23 but should have a role immediately behind Love at PF. Even if he is naturally a SF because his weight and frame, he will most likely be asked to play alot of small ball PF because he is 6'9.

rebounds very well for a guard which is what he really is but can play the 3. I do not see him defending 4's much despite decent measurables.
Getting a 3 point specialist that rebounds well and has a high bbiq is not bad value at 26, but I would think they go for a younger player given the early stages of a rebuild.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

I don't think you can call Dotson out for vertical athleticism with a 38" max vert and he was basically the fastest guard at the combine.
his ws is bad though.
I think he goes back to school , but would also not be shocked if he stays with a late first promise given the minimal depth of pg's in this draft.
Lecque is a freak athlete, but has no jumper at all and is pretty much the Trevon Duval ( undrafted) of 2019.

38 inch max vert isn't all that impressive. Additionally, it's pretty meaningless when talking about actual athleticism on the court, which is what I was refering to.

Jalen Lecque is not similar to Trevon Duval at all.

 

[Ozone]

38 inch max vert isn't all that impressive. Additionally, it's pretty meaningless when talking about actual athleticism on the court, which is what I was refering to.

Jalen Lecque is not similar to Trevon Duval at all.

38" max vert isn't at all indicative of poor athleticism either. It's proof he doesn't lack athleticism such as you suggest and not at all meaningless. Lecque absolutely is just as bad of a shooter as Duval both have high end explosiveness etc. There is a reasonable comparison in that vein. I do think Lecque is a better passer and has a higher basketball iq, but to think his lack of a jumper as a guard won't make his ability to stay on the court at the next level negligible , I'm not sure what you are thinking.

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

38" max vert isn't at all indicative of poor athleticism either. It's proof he doesn't lack athleticism such as you suggest and not at all meaningless. Lecque absolutely is just as bad of a shooter as Duval both have high end explosiveness etc. There is a reasonable comparison in that vein. I do think Lecque is a better passer and has a higher basketball iq, but to think his lack of a jumper as a guard won't make his ability to stay on the court at the next level negligible , I'm not sure what you are thinking.

Sorry I've been watching Ochai Agbaji highlights