Its time! Let's do this.
Here are the studs..
1. COOPER FLAGG
No controversial takes here. He is 18 years old, with the frame, tools and care factor to be special. Time will tell just how good he can be.
2. DYLAN HARPER
He is a highborn. Highborns typically do pretty well. I love his highlight film. He is a baller. People have said he can't really shoot or play defense, he will tune all of that up. Stud.
3. KON KNUEPPEL
I have been on the Knueppel train from the get. He has been my third favorite prospect all season, but unfortunately I don't have receipts to prove it. The three Duke freshman took the team to the final four. That means something. And Kon is way more than just a white guy shooter. He can create for himself and for others, he is athletic and fundamental and a competitor that delivers in big moments.
I don't know why you would take a project when there is an objectively good NBA player available right now. (And it seems like most people now agree with this take.)
4. KHAMAN MALUACH
Again, Duke dominated this season, and Maluach was a huge reason why. I absolutely love him. He runs the floor, catches lobs, crashes the glass and protects the rim. A huge 7 footer with a 10/10 motor that can do NBA things. That is so rare. And bonus, I am confident that he will be able to develop a three point jump shot. Maluach is big time.
The high ceiling, slightly risky guys..
5. VJ EDGECOMBE
I am not a huge Edgecombe guy, but I liked his defense and how hard he played when I watched Baylor this season. When I recently watched his 20 minute highlight film, it didn't really wow me. He is really raw and doesn't really have a plan on the offensive end. The experts say that he is high character and high work ethic and I think that is great. I can see his defense getting him on the floor and giving him time to grow.
6. ACE BAILEY
We do this every draft and we all understand the deal. There is always going to be a high ceiling, low floor lottery ticket and this year it is Ace Bailey. On the one hand, he has a 7'0 wingspan and has shown the potential to be an elite shotmaker and athlete. On the other hand, he has no idea how to play basketball.
So what is an NBA executive to do? I am not really sure, but I think you go with the talent and try to strike gold. He was almost as highly regarded as Cooper Flagg coming out of high school. I think you just kind of have to do it, even though there is a good chance that he is not capable of playing meaningful minutes next season.
7. TRE JOHNSON
Tre Johnson can hit threes. Hitting threes is important. Can he do anything else? I don't really think so. I don't like his first step, he was struggling to get by guys in college. Most of his moves in his highlights films won't work in the NBA. He certainly feels like the type of player that busts every year.
The rest of the group..
8. WALTER CLAYTON JR.
I am a big Clayton Jr. guy. If I were the Bucks or the Pacers I would do everything I could to get him on my team. I feel the opposite about Clayton than I did about Davion Mitchell. I think Clayton does NBA things and is NBA ready. I get it, he won't get drafted this high. Lottery teams should take a shot at higher upside, but I think Clayton will have a respectable NBA career.
9. EGOR DEMIN
I don't love Demin, but I like that he is tall, can really pass and was a big time recruit. There are not too many people on earth who can dribble and pass at a high level with a 6'10 wingspan. I watched a lot of BYU this season. Demin is a little frail and can't really score, but I think those things can be developed. I would be happy if he landed on my team.
10. CARTER BRYANT
I actually kind of like Carter Bryant. All he can do is rebound, shoot threes and play defense. But those are valuable skills in the NBA. I know that he can't dribble and wasn't very productive in his freshman season, but he just looks like an NBA player. And athletic 6'8 forwards who can shoot are not a terrible type of player to walk away with in the lottery.
11. DEREK QUEEN
I also kind of like Derek Queen. He is fat and out of shape and doesn't play very hard but he is kind of a baller. He is worth drafting just to see if he is willing to take things seriously.
12. NIQUE CLIFFORD
I also like Nique Clifford. I think he can be a solid NBA rotation player on a good team and those are hard to come by. High likelihood that he surprises people next season.
The rest of the group..
Kasparov Jakuconius - when I heard about him, I wanted to love him and than I watched the highlights and I just do not get it. He did not look very good to me.
Jeremiah Fears - I get that he has a nice first step and can get to the pain. But, he is small and can't really shoot. I watched all of the highlights and everything. He just looks like a worse Walter Clayton Jr.
Collin Murray Boyles - I have no idea who this is
Noa Essengue & Nolan Traore - I dont have time to evaluate in France anymore
Liam McNeeley - I watched him at UConn and... meh
Cedric Coward - I wanted to love him! But when I watched the film, I couldn't help but think, this aint it
Jase Richardson - He has the pedigree, so he is probably a good bet. Film looked decent
Kam Jones - I like Kam Jones!
Asa Newell - Yuck, I don't like his body or the way that he moves.
Thomas Sorber - Never heard of him
Danny Wolf - Holy cow he is going to be terrible. I do kinda want the Warriors to take him. I don't really know why I feel this way, but I think they might be the one team who could unlock his weird game. He is like a dog that is huge but thinks that he is small. Danny would you please stop dribbling so much, holding the ball and taking terrible shots!!
WARRIORS CORNER
The warriors have a 2nd round pick...
I actually kind of like the idea of taking Johnny Broome from Auburn. His game doesn't really translate to the NBA, but he would be a fun addition to the Warriors. He is physical and tough and knows how to win. If they could tune up his three point shot just a little bit, he would have a good chance of positively impacting the team next season.
The other pick I am intrigued by is Kobe Sanders. He is 6'8 and can score at all three levels. I have pretty reliable inside sources telling me he is a great guy and hard worker.
