2018 NBA Draft - June 21

[LeeBuckeye]

I've seen a report which had the Kings possibly getting MPJ. The rationale is that they like Bagley but really see Harry Giles (5 star blue chip prospect who never played for Duke and has ACL tears in both knees) as an impact player or star. They like Bamba as a replacement for WCS who they're not so high on anymore. They feel like they're solidified in the back-court (I personally think they should take Doncic and think he meshes really well with Fox). They want MPJ because of his potential to be a go to scorer.

This Memphis rumor looks less like a smokescreen if the Kings rumor is true. My main concern with MPJ is what if he's not a "go to scorer" at the NBA level (his lack of ball handling is a deterrent but he can improve that)? What else can he do to compensate for that (off-ball shooting? Rebounding? Defense?). These are things that concern me if I'm picking that high on top of the medicals.

 

[wremy]

I have come around on WCJ... He plays with more aggression than I thought and he is extremely skilled on offense both inside and outside

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Seems to me that Memphis looks to trade down and wants teams below them to offer them a package to trade up. I don't really believe they are interested in Porter as he really isn't a win now player.

They want a prospect+an impact player.

 

[Cavatt]

I have come around on WCJ... He plays with more aggression than I thought and he is extremely skilled on offense both inside and outside

I think you won't be unhappy if you draft this guy. He is going to produce for years. Spacing is going to help his game as well.

He isn't the sexiest pick, but he is really good and would mean you could trade Love IMO.

 

[Mavaliersfan]

I like JJJ Carter Jr and now Young has grown on me for the 8th pick...I think he is gone before then though... JJJ is as talented as they come .. I can't even find someone to compare him to personally.. Also he next to Love would be perfect because he would be a solid Defender who wouldn't clog the lane on offense

I agree, in theory he would unleash Kevin Love. I would compare him to a souped up version of Ibaka - more skilled and athletic. Do you keep Love then if Bron bolts? Or do you start and develop Zizic?

 

[Adam]

I agree, in theory he would unleash Kevin Love. I would compare him to a souped up version of Ibaka - more skilled and athletic. Do you keep Love then if Bron bolts? Or do you start and develop Zizic?

It doesn't really matter as he also covers zizic s limitations. He's a Swiss army knife for team construction defensively. That's why I love him and bamba and that's why they will both be gone by 8. Although I'm kind of glad because I expect it to be traded and I don't want to lose a generational defensive talent for kemba walker.

 

[LeeBuckeye]

https://www.thestepien.com/2018-draft-rankings/

Composite of The Stepien crew’s individual rankings

Tier 1:
(1) Luka Doncic

Tier 2:
(2) Jaren Jackson
(3) Trae Young

Tier 3:
(4) Wendell Carter Jr.
(5) Marvin Bagley
(6) DeAndre Ayton
(7) Michael Porter Jr.

Tier 4:
(8) Mikal Bridges
(9) Miles Bridges
(10) Zhaire Smith
(11)Mohamed Bamba
(12) Jontay Porter

Tier 5:
(13) Mitchell Robinson
(14) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
(15) Jacob Evans
(16) Collin Sexton
(17) De'Anthony Melton
(18) Robert Williams
(19) Troy Brown
(20) Kevin Huerter

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I agree, in theory he would unleash Kevin Love. I would compare him to a souped up version of Ibaka - more skilled and athletic. Do you keep Love then if Bron bolts? Or do you start and develop Zizic?

JJJ is not more athletic than prime Ibaka. Not even close really...

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I have Miles Bridges ahead of Mikal...come at me lol.

 

[Kiddo]

MPJ reportedly has had back issues since he's been a sophomore in High School. With all the other talent available in this draft i really don't see any top 7 team taking a risk unless his back issues are 100% cleared.

 

[LeeBuckeye]

MPJ reportedly has had back issues since he's been a sophomore in High School. With all the other talent available in this draft i really don't see any top 7 team taking a risk unless his back issues are 100% cleared.

Yeah I tend to agree. The risk gets minimized for teams picking 7+ like Chicago (multiple year tank), New York (Porzingis out next season) and possibly Cleveland (If LeBron leaves) so these teams can afford to take the risk and possibly even sit him out for the year.

 

[Nathan S]

I have Miles Bridges ahead of Mikal...come at me lol.

Y tho?

 

[Cavatt]

I have Miles Bridges ahead of Mikal...come at me lol.

I don't see this at all. Miles looks like a Tad young clone to me. That is a cool player, a good player, but I don't know if that is who we need on this team.

 

[WorldFreeB]

Carter doesn’t really have any holes in his game, and that is a big part of why he will be the second-highest-rated big on my final big board. It’s hard to see the usefulness of a player like Horford and not get excited about the potential for Carter to fill a similarly impactful role as a heady, do-everything big man. He’s no Capela, but I feel confident saying that Carter should do just fine defending the perimeter in the NBA.

Wow this dude from Stepien thinks a lot of Wendell Carter...second highest rated big?

#JACKSON HOY #WENDELL CARTER

 

[wremy]

I'm not sure how anyone could possibly rate Bamba that low with his size defensive ability and his reformed jump shot. Not to mention the videos of him and Joel working out and some of the redefine footwork he's showing in the post