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2020 NBA Draft Big Board

Bryant's Big Board is here!
By | 59 Comments | Apr 20, 2020

 

Welcome to the weirdest NBA draft in a decade! We don’t know when the draft will take place, what the draft order will be, or how teams will change their drafting strategies based on the recently implemented interview and scouting guidelines. But this was a weird draft even before the world was turned upside down; the potential 2020 class lacks any clear-cut franchise players, and every prospect in the lottery of my rankings has a ton of question marks.

Back in January, Jeff Goodman quoted an NBA GM saying that the top of this year’s NBA Draft €œcould be 2013 all over again.€ This is an excellent analogy; the top of the 2013 draft was messy, and a lot of the lottery teams didn’t end up with the impact players they were hoping for (side note – I had Ben McLemore No. 3 overall in that draft, behind Nerlens Noels. You sure you wanna keep reading?). But even if the top of the 2013 draft was considered underwhelming, the class still gave us Victor Oladipo, Otto Porter Jr., C.J. McCollum, Steven Adams, Rudy Gobert, Dennis Schröder, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, André Roberson€¦ and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Every draft gives the league talent, and it’s up to the smart teams to find those talented players. 

Anthony Edwards, my top ranked prospect, would have been 4th on my Big Board in 2019, (behind Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and Jarrett Culver), 6th in 2018 (behind Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley, and Michael Porter Jr.), and probably 8th or so in 2017(…let’s never talk about my rankings for that class). But just like 2013, in five seasons or so, we’ll be highlighting a good handful of dudes who’ll make real impacts in the league. And to find diamonds in the rough in a rough draft class, especially with the new interview rules and slightly less tape than normal, teams will have to make sure their scouting departments and front offices have done their homework. Considering the Kings have four selections€”their 1st and 2nd, and Detroit and Miami’s 2nd round picks€”let’s  hope they are up to the challenge. 

I’ve listed two sets of rankings for my Big Board: a Kings-Centric (KC) ranking, and an Overall (OV) ranking. These rankings aren’t meant to be massively different, especially in this class. The Kings should draft the best player available (BPA) at each of their four picks and be done with it. Sacramento isn’t at a point in their rebuild to get overly concerned with fit, beyond one obvious exception; De’Aaron Fox is the franchise point guard, and it would be best if any selected player could clearly complement him. This complement discussion will get much more complex if the Kings jump into the top 4 post-lottery (the shifted lottery odds mean any lottery team could jump into the top 4), where there are a ton of primary initiators who are defensively locked as guards€¦ but outside of €œmaybe don’t take a pure point guard,€ the Kings don’t need to overthink fit. Any differences between my Kings-Centric and Overall rankings are therefore focused only on €œhow does this player complement De’Aaron Fox,€ and nothing else. 

With no live sports to distract and my initial order set, I’m planning on watching a backlog of missed games, especially for the players in my Watch List, who I haven’t seen enough (or at all) to provide honest opinions on. Given that, this initial ranking will likely see major shifts between now and Draft day. 

The Kings Herald 2020 NBA Draft Rankings 1.0

KC OV Name P School HT
TIER 1
1 1 Anthony Edwards G Georgia 6’5
Beefy combo guard with tons of explosiveness and scoring upside. He proved he could hit absurdly difficult shots against double and triple teams while also flashing some exceptional passing skills. Comes with real efficiency and decision making concerns, but he was playing on a really bad Bulldogs roster.
TIER 2
2 2 Onyeka Okongwu F USC 6’9
High-motor, high-ceiling big with talents across the board; he’s got great touch, multiple ways of scoring, solid rim protection skills, the ability to defend in space, and€”just maybe€”a hidden shooting ability. I started the season thinking he was severely overhyped, but I’m all in on his upside now. 
3 4 Deni Avdija F Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel       6’8
High IQ wing with a non-stop motor on both ends. His shot selection and decision making instincts aren’t great, but he’s an extremely capable and crafty playmaker and is learning to play off the ball. If I trusted his shot, he’d be in contention for #1.
4 6 Isaac Okoro F Auburn 6’6
My 2020 Draft Crush. Okoro is a tremendous defender, an underrated driver, a very talented passer… and a terrible shooter. In the modern NBA, that shooting weakness could render the rest of his game significantly less effective, but in a class of uncertainty, I’d bet heavily on his motor and upside.
5 5 Killian Hayes G Ratiopharm Ulm 6’6
Crafty high-IQ guard with excellent passing instincts. He’s not an amazing athlete, but his handle and change-of-pace skills are excellent. His shooting form is worrying, but he started hitting off-the-dribble shots at an alarming rate and his free throw rate hints that he’ll become a solid deep shooter with work. He could be an exceptional secondary initiator fit next to Fox.   
6 7 James Wiseman C Memphis 6’11
Tough to get too much out of his 3-game season; he had some great moments and more real ugly ones. His toolset gives him a high ceiling, but his decision making across those three games hinted at a real low floor. He’s the riskiest pick on this board, but given this class, that’s not saying much.
7 9 Devin Vassell G Florida State 6’5
The premier 3-and-D player in the class. Excellent shooting touch, both on the catch and off-the-dribble. He proved to be a top-notch team defender and a pesky on-ball defender on a switch-dependent team. Less-than-ideal athletic tools and needs to add weight, but he’s got great length. 
8 11 Tyrese Haliburton G Iowa State 6’5
The super skinny Cyclone is an elite passer with excellent basketball instincts and proven (if funky) shooting talents. I think he’ll be best served as a secondary initiator at the NBA level: I’m high on him for Sacramento because his off-ball ability and spot-up shot makes him a real fit next to Fox. Needs to get significantly stronger.
9 12 Obi Toppin F Dayton 6’9
The best offensive big in the class; above-average shooter, explosive dunker, great touch in the paint, good vision, and capable driver (although his dribble and footspeed remain weaknesses). Not confident on what he can do defensively in the NBA, and he is 22 years old already. The biggest negative; why go by Obi when Obadiah is such a badass name?
10 10 Tyrese Maxey G Kentucky 6’3
Combo guard in the body of a point guard who often channels Marcus Smart-level energy on defense. His shooting fluctuated through the year and finished at just 29% from deep, but also hit 39% of his off-the-dribble shots; one of many indicators that he shot might be real. He’s an excellent, crafty driver with great explosiveness and strength, and is far and away the most determined guard defender in the lottery.
11 8 Cole Anthony G UNC 6’3
His mid-season injury and terrible Tar Heels team have made him underrated. He’s a gifted shooter who will be unlocked with better teammates and NBA spacing. Not confident about his defensive translation, though.
12 3 LaMelo Ball G Illawarra Hawks, NBL 6’7
I’m almost certainly too low on him overall€”he’s got as much touch and bball IQ as anyone in the class€”but he’d be a terrible fit in Sacramento. The guards above him can, to varying success, play off the ball… that’s not who Ball is. That said, if the KIngs end up in his draft range, they should absolutely look into trading the pick. Hopefully he ends up in the right situation where he can thrive.   
13 14 Jalen Smith F Maryland 6’10
If there’s a player I’ll miss on this year, it’s Jalen€”I truly think he’s a unicorn hiding in plain sight. He’s a promising deep shooter (36.8% on 87 attempts), a good rim protector (3.0 blocks per 40), and one of the better rebounders in the Big 10. Needs to get stronger to handle bigs and get more flexible to handle switches.
TIER 3
14 15 RJ Hampton G New Zealand Breakers, NBL 6’5
Electric athlete with the length, size, and off- and on-ball skills to be a versatile NBA guard if he adds strength. Got to the rim with ease in his 15 NBL games, but his efficiency both at the basket and on his three point shot (29.5% on 3 attempts per game) needs work. 
15 16 Saddiq Bey F Villanova 6’8
Bey proved to be an extremely efficient shooter this season, hitting 48.8% of the catch and 45% from three overall. He’s also an active, strong defender (you better be when you play for Jay Wright), but he was better against forwards and struggled with smarter, faster guards. 
16 18 Patrick Williams F Florida State 6’8
Promising project player with strong defensive instincts around the basket. Good vision on both ends of the court for an 18 year old, but I’m not as high on his scoring potential as the players above him. Not sure I buy him as a combo-forward on defense; he’s much better in the paint than guarding the perimeter. 
17 17 Aaron Nesmith F Vanderbilt 6’5
Nesmith was having an unbelievable shooting season before injuring his foot in January. He sank 52.2% of his 3 pointers, and was hitting them both off the catch and off the dribble; he showed he was willing to run the distance to get shots off. Not as sold on him as a defender or as a ball-mover.
18 13 Kira Lewis Jr. G Alabama 6’3
Kira flashes talent across the board; he’s a promising spot-up shooter and a ballhawk on defense, and he made strides as a playmaker. If he improves his decision making and bulks up, he could sneakily end up a top player in the class, but I think he’s a year away from being a contributor. Even if he only hits his floor, he’d be an absolute perfect backup to Fox. 
19 19 Josh Green G Arizona 6’6
Potential 3-and-D player with quickness, explosiveness, and length (6-10 wingspan). Plays with effort on every moment. He’s further along as a defender than as a scorer, and his ballhandling needs work to be more than a catch-and-shoot player, but he does flash some acrobatic, crafty finishes.
20 21 Killian Tillie F Gonzaga 6’10
Tillie has deserved a 1st round selection in each of the past few years, but leg injuries have kept him from turning pro. He’s a top-tier big shooter (44% from deep in his four years at Gonzaga) and a high-IQ defender, but needs to get much stronger to handle NBA bigs. Here’s hoping he can stay healthy€”he’d be in the lottery if not for those concerns. 
21 20 Precious Achiuwa F Memphis 6’9
Combo big with a big-time motor and the quick, explosive athleticism to back it up. Has the defensive range to protect the rim and guard on the perimeter as his instincts improve. He’s a terror in transition and earned buckets with his tools and determination, but lacks offensive versatility (30 assists in 943 minutes) or efficiency (53.4% TS%, 32.5% from three) to be worth a lottery pick.
Tier 4
22 22 Theo Maledon G LDLC ASVEL 6’5
Maledon has an impressive ability to get to the basket and has solid shooting percentages, but his decision-making instincts didn’t wow me in the games I watched. In a class with a ton of combo guards, he’s one I’m less sure on.
23 23 Jaden McDaniels F Washington 6’10
If McDaniels accepts a role as a 3-and-D player, he could end up much better than this ranking€”but at Washington, he showed himself to be an inefficient attacker who lacks explosiveness, decision-making skills, or shiftiness. Hoping he ends up somewhere that utilizes him, but I do not like his fit in Sacramento. 
24 25 Tyler Bey F Colorado 6’7
Lanky, high-IQ player with an efficient jumper and three point shot, albeit on less than ideal volume. Quick, instinctual defender who generated a ton of disruptions (2.1 steals and 1.6 blocks per 40) with his enormous wingspan. Was 2nd in the Pac-12 for rebounds.
25 24 Xavier Tillman F Michigan State 6’8
Tillman is a beastly defender who makes up for his lack of height with insane strength and excellent instincts. He’s also an excellent passer (18% assist rate) and can score at the rim against taller opponents thanks to solid touch, but he’s not a shooter; he made just 20.9% of his jumpers in the halfcourt. He’ll be a strong bench big for a smart team. 
26 26 Devon Dotson G Kansas 6’2
Super smooth, electric-quick guard with excellent craftiness when he gets to the rim. Shooting numbers are underwhelming, but he improved as the year went on and his free throw success is a positive indicator. Determined ball-hawk on defense, if undersized. 
27 28 Tre Jones Duke 6’3
Exceptional point-of-attack defender who improved as a shooter this season (36% from deep, 40% on catch-and-shoot shots). Smart player across the board (7.2 assists per 40) who will likely be a high-end bench guard as long as he isn’t expected to create his own shot. 
28 27 Nico Mannion G Arizona 6’3
Crafty, high-IQ passer who will make an excellent backup PG as long as his deep shot€”which vanished in the latter part of the season€”proves to be real.
29 29 Isaiah Stewart C Washington 6’9
I’m in on Stewart, even if I dislike his collegiate situation. Almost half of his offense came from post-ups, and Washington’s zone masked legit concerns about his ability to guard in space. Needs to prove he can be a modern, versatile scoring big AND not get played off the floor defensively. But Stewart is a beast, a dude with a non-stop motor and the size to hopefully become a solid 3rd big if his shot is real.
30 30 Vernon Carey Jr. C Duke 6’10
Much like Stewart, Carey’s role in the NBA will hopefully be massively different than the one he played at Duke, where he was primarily a post-up player (45% of his attempts). But at his worst, he’ll provide strong rebounding and a big-body in the PnR, even if his vertical athleticism is hampered by his sheer size (270 lbs). 

 

On my Watch List: 

Aleksej Pokusevski, Big, Olympiacos B (Serbia); Daniel Oturu, Big, Minnesota; Desmond Bane, Wing, TCU; Grant Riller, Point, Charleston; Jahmi’us Ramsey, Guard, Texas Tech; Jordan Nwora, Louisville; Leandro Bolmaro, Wing, Barcelona; Malachi Flynn, Point, San Diego State; Paul Reed, Big, DePaul; Tyrell Terry, Guard, Stanford; Zeke Nnaji, Big, Arizona

 

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Jasonrp
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April 20, 2020 1:59 pm

“We don’t know when the draft will take place, what the draft order will be” that’s a great point that I hadn’t even been thinking about. This draft order could have the potential to piss off a lot of people if they bring back a partial season or play in tournament for the playoffs.

BestHyperboleEver
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April 21, 2020 12:55 pm

What a weird draft. There are multiple guys in the top 10 that IMO are late-1st archetypes. There are probably only 4 or 5 guys that I would be excited about taking around 12. I mean, for example, Okoro is cool, but I don’t think he’s meaningfully better (actually I don’t think he’s better at all, but I don’t expect everyone to agree with me) than, say, Tyler Bey. Without someone falling significantly, I’m almost certainly in the boat of seeing what we can get for that pick in terms of a current NBA player and/or later/future picks.

MidtownMike
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April 22, 2020 12:19 am

I agree about Tyler Bey, I like him more in the early to mid teens. He is the only one that super stuck out to me, great write up OP!

RoyaleWithCheese
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April 22, 2020 11:23 am

Yes definitely a weird draft in a very strange time nonetheless. Agree that it’s a big salad bowl when you talk about the top 10, and as bad as this draft is (with no disrespect to the athletes in any way) i don’t even think there’s even four or five players that I would take around 12.

With that said I have very little faith that proper assets can be aquired with this bumbling FO. And as a PAC 12 rep I would absolutely take Tyler Bey over Okoro.

nonstripedzebra
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April 26, 2020 6:11 am

My thoughts exactly. The distinction of a potential starter or contributor should likely be the place of comparison as the ceiling outcome for most of these guys. Regular wise calculations of upside, age of the prospect I think should partially be ignored from how weak the group is. Personally the older prospects are the more interesting as value propositions and in some cases more primed for being 7th men. Even players I am engaged by in the late lottery, I have little assurance are assuring contributors over some late lottery finds with that role being the likely outcome. Its early and I haven’t watched tape on everyone but this could be the worst draft since 2000.

This isn’t likely possible because how weak the class is in total, but I would consider very much trading down for two late first over our projected range. Vlade’s tendency in doing so in my opinion makes far more sense in this class than any other in recent memory. Fetch some deeper contributors, round out the bench with a level of assurance might be the move. That said we shall see where the lottery falls. I’ll enjoy watching more tape of these guys.

A note the extra 2nds I would argue are more valuable in this class than most as I expect volatility all over the board in terms of who hits.

PS congrats on the site its good to read everyone again.

FireVlade
April 26, 2020 7:43 pm

Thinking that Bey is a better fit than Okoro is crazy. Okoro has a much higher ceiling and a higher floor

BestHyperboleEver
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April 27, 2020 2:00 pm
Reply to  FireVlade

Okoro has a higher ceiling due to his playmaking upside. Bey has a higher floor due to his present defensive ability and versatility. Neither have an especially high likely outcome. Neither would get much more than a shrug from me if the Kings draft them at 12 or 13.

RikSmits
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April 21, 2020 2:46 pm

Deni Avdija FTW!
The Luka comparisons are wrong, and create wrong expectations. But he is a crafty player with good feel for the game and takes pride in playing defense!

YoLeo
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April 21, 2020 7:21 pm
Reply to  Bryant

People are really undervaluing just how bad Deni’s shooting is. 53.2% FT shooting with a considerable sample size between Israeli and Euro League combined, many of his fans seem to really just be selling his “But his stroke doesn’t look that bad!” story.

RikSmits
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April 21, 2020 10:16 pm
Reply to  YoLeo

That is a true concern, and he is by no means the perfect project, but it does seem to be more of a mental/focus issue than a mechanics/stroke issue. For instance, in the semifinal of the FIBA under 20 championships, France sent him to the line 14 times, and he hit 12 (.857 %).

But even with his not so stellar shooting stats, he seems to have skills that could translate well to the NBA. Good speed, lateral quickness, ballhandling speed and passing for a guy his size, he’s a good rebounder and doesn’t shy away from contact in the paint, nor from defensive assignments. I think he can switch on D at 3 positions (quicker, athletic guards and strong big men give him trouble).

He has a high BBIQ and has been clutch in tense situations. He led Israel to two consecutive gold medals in the FIBA under 20 tournament, against power houses like France, Croatia and Spain. Frankly, he looks like a classis Spurs pick.

RoyaleWithCheese
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April 22, 2020 11:51 am
Reply to  RikSmits

Absolutely agree with your take Rik.

He’s basically the poor man’s Luka Doncic and to me that’s perfectly fine. It was basically his comp. for the past year or so. It would be ambitious for anyone to think he was equal to Luka coming out of the gate. But I’ll never be the one to doubt a fellow human beings ability so who knows.

KinGEdW
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April 21, 2020 3:07 pm

Devin Vassell would be a good fit in my opinion. I would rank obi toppin better in the overall ranking.

TonyXypteras
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April 22, 2020 6:22 am
Reply to  KinGEdW

It’s really unsatisfying that the season ended when it did. The Kings played just well enough to hurt their chances to land a top prospect, but not well enough (and ran out of time) to make a full playoff push.

That being said, I’m getting more and more comfortably with some of these late lottery wings. I’d be pretty happy with Vassell, Bey, or Nesmith.

TheFifthMookie
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April 21, 2020 3:21 pm

I don’t usually follow the draft much… but this is looking like a good time to pay attention to it – what are some good ways to learn about the prospects?

RikSmits
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April 21, 2020 9:57 pm
Reply to  TheFifthMookie

There are some pretty good tape breakdowns on youtube.

RikSmits
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April 21, 2020 10:24 pm
Reply to  TheFifthMookie

Actually, ESPN (I know) has some really nice, in-depth breakdowns together with the prospects themselves.

Here is Okongwu:

Here is Avdija:

TheFifthMookie
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April 22, 2020 9:16 am
Reply to  RikSmits

Thanks! I’ll check ESPN out.

RikSmits
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April 22, 2020 4:50 am
Reply to  TheFifthMookie

There are actually some nice one by ESPN (yes, I know) on Youtube, where they break down film together with the prospects, inluding Avdija, Ball, Okongwu etc.

Otis
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April 22, 2020 9:56 am
Reply to  TheFifthMookie

You should read some of Bryant West’s stuff at Kings Herald. :silly:

PrimeJordan
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April 21, 2020 3:33 pm

Obi Toppin just seems like a terrific glue guy on offense.

Chent
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April 21, 2020 3:45 pm

First thing I would do is see how valuable Pick+Buddy can be. If we cant find a team to trade us a player better than Buddy and all the playmakers are gone (Ball/Deni/Haliburton/Hayes) and we pick at 12ish, I would primarily look for two specific type of players:
-Guys who are 6’7 + who can play passable fundamental defense, and shoot at a passable clip.
-Guys who are 6’5 + Who are elite at one thing plus ok at others.

Guys I like at 12 in order:
Vassell
Sadiq Bey
Okoro
Tyler Bey/Nesmith

BestHyperboleEver
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April 21, 2020 5:27 pm
Reply to  Chent

I like all those guys… around 25 after having gotten additional assets to trade down. And I don’t like them so much that I’d be upset at missing out on them.

Chent
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April 21, 2020 10:23 pm

Yea, I dont know how willing teams will be to move up in this draft, but I pretty much just would want a guy who’ll be in the NBA for awhile and be a possible 5-7 rotation wise. At 12 or later I see this group of guys as the most likely, I do like all of them.

BestHyperboleEver
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April 22, 2020 2:34 pm
Reply to  Chent

I just wonder where the possibilities are. For example. I don’t think any of those guys are likely to be better than, say, NAW or Bazley. So I wonder if we could get someone like that plus a future 1st.

LukashoulbeaKing77
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April 21, 2020 4:57 pm

Man you got Lamelo waaaayy too low

LukashoulbeaKing77
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April 21, 2020 4:59 pm

He’s probably got one of the highest upsides in the draft!

BestHyperboleEver
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April 21, 2020 5:23 pm

He’s really interesting. I mean, he’s basically Lonzo with a slightly less broken shot but worse decision-making. He also shows, in the small amount I’ve seen, less interest in defense. I agree that he has as much upside as anyone, but he may also be one of the bigger bust risks.

macdoogs
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April 21, 2020 8:08 pm

I think just the fact that he appears to not be letting lavar run his career like he did lonzos is going to take some pressure off of him in the beginning. With melo though I really believe it depends on what team he goes to. If he goes to a team with a good system and culture in place hes going to do really well but, let’s say he goes to the Knicks..that might ruin him and raise his bust factor for sure. Hes an interesting prospect, basically lonzo with better offense but less athletic and way worse defense

RikSmits
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April 21, 2020 9:59 pm
Reply to  macdoogs

“If he goes to a team with a good system and culture in place hes going to do really well but…”So you’re saying the Kings should NOT pick him if he’s available?

LukashoulbeaKing77
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April 21, 2020 10:14 pm

That’s a good point, but I think he’s a better prospect than Lonzo was because of his professional experience (Lithuania at 16, Australian league at 18), and also because of the fact that since a young age he was touted as the best of the ball brothers… and then he grew to 6’7! This probably sounds dumb but I could see him becoming almost a poor mans Luka Doncic

LukashoulbeaKing77
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April 21, 2020 10:15 pm

A much more raw, less polished Doncic, but still got the size and point guard skills and preternatural feel for the game

BenSimmions3ptshot
April 22, 2020 3:17 pm

I’m from wollongong Australia, I work as a development coach for the hawks mainly with their under 18 teams, having watched Lamelo train and play closely for his time here I’m surprised he is even classed as nba ready let alone a high pick, he struggled mightily in the nbl, his defense at most times was non existent, out of position, lost or gambling. His shooting for most of the season was abysmal and honestly wasnt much better during the training sessions I watched. His passing and court vision seem top tier but that is somewhat diminished by what I’d class as shaky decision making.
I know very little about the rest of the prospects in this years draft but it really does shock me that he is being considered so high. Is the draft really that poor this year?

I will add lamelo was clearly the hawks best player this season once Aaron Brooks went down with a season ending injury. Our team all round was fairly terrible 🙁

RoyaleWithCheese
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April 22, 2020 11:39 am

Reminds me more of a hybrid version of his brother or even a taller version of JWill. Physically bigger than Lonzo at his age, with a much better form and consistent stroke both from mid-range and beyond. Despite being known as a “chucker” at times(JWill) he’s actually considered a pretty unselfish player.

Defense and athleticism is his glaring weakness, And of course the father factor as we all know. Other than that he’s solid. These are only my interpretations 😉

BestHyperboleEver
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April 22, 2020 12:38 pm

He definitely has better form than Lonzo had at the same age (Lonzo’s current form is better than Lamelo’s), but his form does have some issues that will likely require some non-trivial adjustments. He shoots from his chest with an elbow flair. He’s going to have to elevate his release (and fix his consistency and timing) if he hopes to have much of a pull-up game. Even now, he has real trouble shooting against any real contest. Since he has good touch and body awareness, I’m guessing he can make those adjustments if/when he wants to.

RoyaleWithCheese
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April 22, 2020 2:14 pm

Agree on all points. He’s basically his brother but his scoring prowess will give him a chance to be(come) a better player.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
April 21, 2020 5:30 pm

Put me in the Haliburton fan club. He reminds me of Malcolm Brogdon, minus the muscle mass. The kid can from deep,, has a great FG%, 81% FT, can pass, defend, and rebound. I mean seriously he posed a 15, 6, 6 season while averaging 2.5 steals, over 40% from three, with a 50% FG percentage. I think a few years from now he could very well be a top 3-5 prospect from this draft class.

If he somehow falls to the Kings they had better snag him.

macdoogs
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April 21, 2020 7:59 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I thought the same thing with that comparison, and what team couldn’t use a Brogdon-lite. As much as Vlade didnt want to take the ball out of Fox’s hands, this season we saw how necessary someone with that skill really is because once Fox and Bogi goes out it got ugly for us. I’m all aboard the Haliburton train for us. I think unless we somehow hit lottery luck again(we wont cause KANGZ) and make top 5 we need to go after some sort of combo guard who can play with fox, buddy, and bogi

Chent
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April 21, 2020 10:30 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

He’s like the one guy who I really want amd would move up for. I would give up next years lottery protected pick for him, and if it doesn’t convert it becomes 2 unprotected 2nds. Brogdon is a good comp, I also see a little better Spencer Dinwiddie.

BestHyperboleEver
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April 22, 2020 6:50 am
Reply to  Chent

I certainly wouldn’t give up a pick next year or 2022. Those two classes look like they’re going to be stacked. I’d trade this years pick for one anywhere in the top 20-ish in 2021 or 2022. I like Halliburton too, but he’s definitely not the type I’m giving up future 1sts for.

FireVlade
April 26, 2020 7:40 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

for a top 2nd rounder I would much rather have a PG with a higher ceiling like Winston

Peja4Three
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April 21, 2020 5:58 pm

Kings have two second rounders for 2020; I’m hoping they use one on Malachi Flynn from San Diego State!

He’s 6’1″, but led his team to a 30-2 record this past season, took home both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the Mountain West Conference, and was Second Team All-American!

I’m biased as an SDSU Alum who watched him all season, but he’d be a great backup to Fox!

DrewGoodenEra
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April 21, 2020 8:40 pm
Reply to  Peja4Three

Came here to say the same for all the same reasons. Calling it now. Malachi Flynn will be a King.

BestHyperboleEver
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April 22, 2020 12:41 pm
Reply to  DrewGoodenEra

I think there are a few smaller guards that could be good options at 35. Flynn, Terry, Riller. In general, I’m not a fan of the one-position back-up PG archetype, but there could be some value there.

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April 21, 2020 6:48 pm

I am with you on Jalen Smith. Active rebounder & blocker who can knock down consistent 3s & has a ton of athleticism.

Needs to bulk up a bit more for the NBA, but has shown he has the commitment to doing that, putting on a bunch of weight between freshman & sophomore year.

Would love to finally have an athletic big who can hit from outside. I think he’s the guy.

FireVlade
April 26, 2020 7:38 pm
Reply to  TheBufferZone

Damn how high are you. RJ Hampton all day with the 12th

OutofServicePervis
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April 21, 2020 7:54 pm

SADDIQ!!!!

Man I think you’re way too low on Saddiq Bey – he projects as a plug and play 3 and D SF. Great shooter, great defender. What more could you want (from the 12th pick)?

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April 22, 2020 1:56 am

Absolutely! He has the potential to be a steal at #12. Solid floor as a player with fundamental skills that are inherently useful in today’s NBA, but if he can improve a few of his weaknesses (namely shot creation) his ceiling could be significant.

FireVlade
April 26, 2020 7:37 pm

Rj Hampton easily, or any top 11 pick that falls.

kfipp
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April 21, 2020 8:44 pm

I demand Jalen Smith and Nico Mannion!!!! Seriously, everyone get on the Jalen smith train right now before we leave the station.

Also, give me Mac McClung with a late 2nd.

FireVlade
April 26, 2020 7:36 pm
Reply to  kfipp

Drafting either one with our lottery pick would be a miss and a half and a firable offense.

Kingsguru21
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April 21, 2020 10:06 pm

Ah, it’s that time of year.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
April 22, 2020 7:49 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Isn’t always that time of year for us Kings fans?

Oh, and welcome back Nate!

RobHessing
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April 22, 2020 2:51 pm

Thanks for both the article and the thread. I have not followed college / international ball at all this year, and I really appreciate the solid insight.

FireVlade
April 26, 2020 7:35 pm

I would personally want a SG/SF with playmaking ability and non-ball-dominant scoring ability. My dream is that we could get an Avdija, Hayes, Haliburton, Okoro, or maybe Hampton. Any of those guys would restore 80% confidence in Vlade.

MB3sthumbpad
July 10, 2020 6:41 pm

Malachi Flynn doesn’t even crack the top 30?! He led his team to a 30-2 record and likely a 2 seed. Dude would be a great backup PG option…

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