So,it's now time for the draft analysis for the Western Conference,hope you all have a good read! by Resal
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Picks: 2: Anthony Edwards 4: Deni Avdija Note: A Comment: So the Clippers got Anthony Edwards at 2, and Deni Avdija at 4. Two very promising prospects. Maybe Edwards wasn't what the Clippers wanted, but he arguably is the best player of the draft, a very athletic and strong wing. Avdija on the other hand is an athletic that's good all around but still needs work, and his work ethic can make or break him as a prospect. Nevertheless, a very good draft for the Clippers, with two players that should help immediately in the championship hunt. |
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Pick: 34: Vít Krejčí 51: Killian Tillie Note: B Comment: The Grizzlies had two seconds, one fulfilling the sentimental value, as the only Czech prospect goes to the only Czech GM's team. That said, Krejčí is not expected to come over immediately. Tillie, on the other hand, is a very good value pick at 51. The Power Forward out of Gonzaga could have been a mid 1st round pick if it wasn't for his injury history. A stretch big wouldn't hurt for any team, and Tillie can probably contribute from day one. |
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Pick: 42: Vernon Carey Jr. Note: C+ Comment: The Jazz got a solid pick which also covers need. Filled with guards and wings, the Jazz need a backup big behind Ayton. Carey can be that guy longterm. An athletic run jump and dunk guy that is a little undersized, yet can be a decent backup to the steadily improving Ayton. |
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Picks: 3:James Wiseman 7:Onyeka Okongwu 8:Patrick Williams 20:R.J Hampton 30:Tre Jones Note: A+ Comment: The Kings went into the draft with a lot of picks, and they did a good job with most of them. Wiseman at 3 is clearly BPA. The athletic big out of Memphis is undeniably the best Center of the draft, remains to be seen if he will be a star. Okongwu at 7 is a peculiar pick, however it is believed that the undersized Center can also play Power Forward. Another very good rim protector and arguably BPA. Williams at 8 is also a weird pick, as he is perfect for the modern day PF, even though he can also play SF. With Hampton and Jones the Kings got 2 guards with(especially R.J) high potential. Overall, the Kings got a lot of prospects as well as trade assets from this draft. |
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Pick: 47:Markus Howard Note: C- Comment: At 47, the Lakers went with Howard,who is a scorer and pretty solid shooter. However, outside of that, he's very undersized, which makes him a defensive liability, and will be attacked on defense. Whether his negatives outvalue his positive of scoring depends around the players that will share the court with him. Not a terrible pick by any means, but there were probably better and more ready players on the court. |
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Picks: 13:Obi Toppin 29:Tyler Bey 35:Zeke Nnaji Note: A+ Comment: Well,what can you say about the draft Dallas had? They got away with a string of robberies. Obi Toppin, who was supposed to be a mid top 10 pick, slid down to 13 right, on the superteam's lap. An NBA ready prospect that covers the need at the 4 with a pretty solid offensive game.Perfect fit.Then with their late pick, they proceeded to pick another possibly NBA ready player in 3 and D forward Tyler Bey, and then proceeded to pick Zeke Nnaji at 35, a big that also slid down the board a bit. Hats off to Dallas' front office, that continues to improve the team despite the dire financial situation! |
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Picks: 49:Cassius Stanley 52:Cassius Winston Note: B Comment: So the Nuggets had 2 late seconds, with which they drafted the pair of Cassiusses,both guards. Stanley is the one that jumps out more(literally), a very athletic high flyer and great athlete, while Winston seemed to be a pretty good floor general in college. 2 Late picks with upside,with one(Stanley) being one of the biggest sleepers of the draft. Solid work! |
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Picks 55:Paul Reed 56: C.J Elleby Note: C Comment: So the Pelicans went with Elleby with their late second. Elleby seems to be able to be a capable scorer, but not much other than that other than some rebounding chops. Quite a light and shadow pick, but it's definetly not unlikely that C.J will be a solid rotational piece in New Orleans at some point. Edit: Reed, picked 1 pick ahead of Elleby, seems like a big that can be a jack of all trades, master of none, as he is a good run jump and dunk center, who's improving his offensive game and has shown life as a floor spacer. |
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Picks: 15:Aaron Nesmith 16:Precious Achiuwa Note: A- Comment: The Suns owned the first two picks, and managed (arguably) two lottery talents. With Nesmith they get a great shooter that can help with Phoenix's offensive struggles,While Achiuwa is a very athletic, shotblocking specialist of a forward that will back up Aldrdige and can, if he taps into his potential-which is pretty high, he can be a pretty solid replacement for Aldridge, be that at the PF or the Undersized C. Pretty good job, filling out needs and getting some solid talent as well. |
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Pick: 44:Elijah Hughes Note: C+ So, with their pick, the Thunder went with a Syracuse player(of course,same college as franchise player Carmelo Anthony). Hughes is a solid scores and athlete, as well as a good blocker for his size. Seems to be a right fit in a team that is made up of a lot of shooters, and has the chance to learn from his Syracuse predecessor. Should get some playing time. |
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Picks: 27:Immanuel Quickley 28:Tyrell Terry Note: B+ Comment: The Wolves had two back to back late firsts, with which they adressed the main issue for a team built around Giannis: Shooting! With Terry they get arguably the best shooter in the draft, while Quickley is a very good spot up shooter as well as long enough to be a good defender,and quite possibly PBA at his pick. Pretty good draft for Minnesota, and with the lack of depth, it's possible both will get some playing time sooner than later. |
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Picks: 10:Tyrese Haliburton 39:Robert Woodard II Note: A- Comment: The Blazers went into the draft wanting a forward, however with the Hornets reaching for Vassell at #6, priority number one was off the board,and so they went with Tyrese Haliburton,with whom you could make a case for BPA. A long 3 and D combo guard is a player that the Blazers understandably didnt pass up on. Will be interesting to see how he will be utilised, maybe playing next to Lonzo? And then, in the second round, Woodard became a resident of Oregon. A versatile wing that can contribute on both sides of the floor, one of the more interesting prospects of the second round. |
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Picks: 9:Killian Hayes 14:Jalen Smith 43:Saben Lee Note: C+ Comment: So, the vacant Warriors had a pretty mixed draft.The pick of Hayes at 9 is great, and (writer's opinion) BPA, He should fit pretty well with the other youngster guard,Coby White, as Coby's skillset fits better at SG. At the 14th pick, however, the Warriors were forced to go with their 90th big in Jalen Smith. While Smith seems to be a versatile all-around big,somewhat of what Serge Ibaka is, it's pretty unlikely that his celing is higher than Collins,Lauri and WCJ, who already reside in Oakland. With their second rounder, they went with Saben Lee, a slashing and defending project of a point guard. He could get some minutes behind Hayes/White, considering how thin the Warriors are at the backup guard spots. Weird draft. |
by Resal