NBA Draft Poll: Assuming we stay in the 7/8 range when the draft comes

[nazrmohamed]

While I rather go with Miles or Mikal for sure, if we do get Sexton I'd feel like out of all the two of lineups(assuming in all of them that Frank is at the 2), that this would be the best pairing and I think they'd make each other better as well

[Don Che]

Sexton isnt out of worldly talented to cause such an imbalance imo

miles or mikal coming right up...we have 3 PG's and 3 SG's...i doubt we draft in those positions unless we feel he's way far beyond those guys and from my pov...there isnt. I think the BPA is actually going to be someone that can play with those guys for a year or 2 as we get rid of the dead weight.

[spree#8]

Would you trade the Knicks 9th pick for the 12th & 13th from the Clippers? I've said Mikal from day one, along with Shia, and I don't even watch college. But if Mikal isn't there and Bamba doesn't drop, I would trade down and get two players to develop instead of one. The knicks need a lot more than one player, and I know we have a 2nd round pick.

If the Clippers do that trade, you know that there is an upcoming star to have at 9, because Jerry West is advising them. So if they call, you better spot that future star and keep the pick.

But if you are convinced that your player at 12 is better or equal to the one at 9, of course you do the trade. I'm just not sure I would bet on us against Jerry West, but as our GM you have to have the confidence in yourself to pull such deals off if you are convinced to be right.

[Don Che]

Spree...you mentioned a star talent possibly slipping if Mikal gets taken.

how would you compare Mikal and Wendell? which do you think have a higher potential to be a star in the NBA?

[spree#8]

Spree...you mentioned a star talent possibly slipping if Mikal gets taken.

how would you compare Mikal and Wendell? which do you think have a higher potential to be a star in the NBA?

I like what Wendell did in Bagley's shadow. If he does become a little like Horford - which is an often mentioned comparison - Horford just now shows everyone in this year's playoff run, how great it would be to pick up such a talent. Not the flashy guy early on, but could be a very good pick. Mikal is likely a very good 3 and D option who could fit in very well from day one for a contender like the Cavs. But if we look to add more potential, the other Brigdes or a Sexton (if still there) or a Zhaire Smith or a Lonny Walker might be the guys to go to. Mikal should have the highest floor, but if we dream on picking this year's Mitchell, it likely will be a different cat.

As I said: if we end up with Mikal, I'mm happy, but I don't expect him to have the highest ceiling at our spot. Obviously a high floor could be a fit in our mix - after taking a long-term bet on Ntilikina last year - just saying...

[Mike1989]

If the Clippers do that trade, you know that there is an upcoming star to have at 9, because Jerry West is advising them. So if they call, you better spot that future star and keep the pick.

But if you are convinced that your player at 12 is better or equal to the one at 9, of course you do the trade. I'm just not sure I would bet on us against Jerry West, but as our GM you have to have the confidence in yourself to pull such deals off if you are convinced to be right.

Alternatively they might view the #9 pick as someone that can contribute day one and help them?

Let's say Mikal Bridges is available. He would arguably slot straight into their starting line up alongside Rivers (if he opts in/re-signs), Harris, Gallinari, and Jordan (if he opts in/re-signs). Someone that can bring 3 and D potential to that team could be very important to them. Likewise they might view Collin Sexton as their point guard of the future and could be worried that Charlotte are going to take him because they might need to replace Kemba Walker, or we'll take him because we intend to move Frank to SG and think Burke and Mudiay are bench players.

I can see what you are saying that if Jerry West wants to move up there will be a very good reason why, but I don't think it should be something to be overly concerned about because it could just be the case that he is pushing for a player to help them in a win now situation (i.e. Mikal Bridges) or wants to ensure they get their point guard (i.e. Collin Sexton).

For me, having the 12 and 13 picks could be a good thing for us. If the draft falls like it does on NBAdraft.net (Ayton, Doncic, Bagley, JJJ, Porter, Trae, Carter, Bamba, Sexton, Mikal, Knox), then that would leave us with some very intriguing possibilities with those picks...

- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Miles Bridges, Robert Williams, Zhaire Smith, Khyri Thomas, Mitchell Robinson etc...

We could walkaway from the draft with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Robert Williams. There would be a risk at pairing SGA and Frank in the back court due to their shooting, but if they can develop that side of the game and score consistently, then that when combined with their defensive potential could make them a really good back court with a lot of potential. Likewise Robert Williams doesn't bring shooting to the table, but he does bring athleticism, size and defense and could take some of the pressure off KP when he returns.

Alternatively if the Hornets decide to pass on Kevin Knox and pick SGA for themselves, then we could come away from the draft with Kevin Knox and Robert Williams. Knox is pretty raw and will need time to develop but he measures well, is athletic, and brings a high ceiling to the table if he develops at both ends of the court. He could be an ideal small forward for us long term and we can afford to be patient with him because we are rebuilding. Of course we could consider adding Miles Bridgs to the team because he is a really athletic combo forward and perhaps he can become a good starting small forward in the NBA. I'm not convinced, but there is a decent argument to be made for trading back to get two good talents to help the rebuild.

[taowave]

LOL...Good point Spree...you dont want to be on the other side of Jerry West

If the Clippers do that trade, you know that there is an upcoming star to have at 9, because Jerry West is advising them. So if they call, you better spot that future star and keep the pick.

But if you are convinced that your player at 12 is better or equal to the one at 9, of course you do the trade. I'm just not sure I would bet on us against Jerry West, but as our GM you have to have the confidence in yourself to pull such deals off if you are convinced to be right.

[Don Che]

yeh i agree...we went safe with Frank. we went for a home run in KP.

i think its time we go for a homerun again. I want an athlete so Miles/Lonnie/Zhaire are in that realm.

Zhaire and Miles are dogs out there....just dont know how good they wanna be and puttin the work in.

[nazrmohamed]

Idk what y'all love affair is with Zhair Smith, reminds me of Iman Shumpert where he's all defense and some athleticism and your all over it and then he can't make shots, not to mention he's got no handle which takes him out the backcourt. I like defense but I rather just make everyone collectively give more effort than waste pick 9 on a specialist

[Don Che]

Zhaire is a freshman doing what Iman was doing as a Jr.

and like Shump..if he cared about his game enough to get handle he'd be a lot better.

also i dont think Shump shot 40% from 3 as a freshman either.

but they are similar tho.

[nazrmohamed]

Zhaire is a freshman doing what Iman was doing as a Jr.

and like Shump..if he cared about his game enough to get handle he'd be a lot better.

also i dont think Shump shot 40% from 3 as a freshman either.

but they are similar tho.

I hear ya, but you still ain't wasting pick 9 on that and if you did after riding my ass all year about trading down I'll never forget it. You could pick this guy up at pick 13 and probably still get Lonnie Walker at 12.

[spree#8]

yeh i agree...we went safe with Frank. we went for a home run in KP.

i think its time we go for a homerun again. I want an athlete so Miles/Lonnie/Zhaire are in that realm.

Zhaire and Miles are dogs out there....just dont know how good they wanna be and puttin the work in.

What? We went big risk with him, because we knew that he wasn't ready, but (are) bet(ting) on his long-term potential. He would be a counterpoint to go for the next homerun that isn't ready to play day one.

[spree#8]

I hear ya, but you still ain't wasting pick 9 on that and if you did after riding my ass all year about trading down I'll never forget it. You could pick this guy up at pick 13 and probably still get Lonnie Walker at 12.

A BTW: can we please not talk about trading down to 12, 13 for 9 as if that trade is out there? If there is not a clearly better talent at 9, there is no way the Clippers are offering those two picks to improve just three slots.

[Don Che]

in my evaluation of Frank before coming here i felt he was going to be fine on defense..fit into a team concept..just wasnt sure he was a high ceiling prospect.

i guess i got the sense he was a role player out the gate. He can be more down the line but he didnt seem like a player that will lose you games. High IQ/Team first type guy.

[Mike1989]

A BTW: can we please not talk about trading down to 12, 13 for 9 as if that trade is out there? If there is not a clearly better talent at 9, there is no way the Clippers are offering those two picks to improve just three slots.

They might do a deal if they love a player enough to do it because they just finished outside the play offs and will be trying to get back in next season. The way their roster is constructed they have two choices: 1 - rebuild on the fly and hope they get their version of Donovan Mitchell, or 2 - blow it up and start rebuilding from the ground up. Off what I've seen I think they'll be taking option one.

With that in mind if they fall in love with Mikal Bridges and think he's the answer at SG, or they really want Collin Sexton to be their PG, then might decide that moving up to ensure they get them is better than selecting two prospects at 12 and 13 that they aren't really high on. I think most of us would be willing to consider a deal if we had 12 and 13 and wanted to move up to get a particular player. Sure it's a lot to give up but if you believe you can get a special player rather than two good players, then you do that deal and not look back.

[taowave]

I concur...

Frank is a 2-3 year development player...

What? We went big risk with him, because we knew that he wasn't ready, but (are) bet(ting) on his long-term potential. He would be a counterpoint to go for the next homerun that isn't ready to play day one.

[Don Che]

if mikal and wendell are called before 9....Trae i think will b the one there.

[Don Che]

[nazrmohamed]

Spree this is a forum where we talk about what could be, so no I will not stop talking about it. In fact, I think it should be talked about until it's sure not to happen. The fact that we didn't have a top 3 pick didn't stop anyone from salivating over Doncic.

Second, if this weren't something that happens every so for year for every other team, while we talk about what can't happen.... It doesn't happen in NY cause we don't have crafty management who can think outside the box. The Celtics and Sixers got to where they are not because they don't tanked and had high picks. The secondary actions they took in thier process were as impressive as the picks themselves. Trade downs, trades of picks for lesser pick and pick the next year. The Celtic literally just did the unthinkable and traded the first pick for the 5th and another pick JUST LAST DRAFT.

So stop talking like I'm proposing something crazy. The Knicks just gotta want to do it.

[big_j_NY]

The Knicks need better talent scouts