1. Pelicans - Zion Williamson 2. Grizzlies- Ja Morant 3. Knicks - RJ Barrett 4. Lakers - Coby White 5. Cavaliers - DeAndre Hunter 6. Suns - Darius Garland 7. Bulls - Cameron Reddish 8. Hawks - Sekou Doumbouya 9. Wizards - Jaxson Hayes 10. Hawks - Mfiondu Kabengele 11. Timberwolves - Jarrett Culver 12. Hornets - Nassir Little 13. Heat - Romeo Langford 14. Celtics - Bruno Fernando 15. Pistons - KZ Okpala 16. Magic - Bol Bol 17. Hawks - Nickeil Alexander-Walker 18. Pacers - Rui Hachimura 19. Spurs - Matisse Thybulle 20. Celtics - Brandon Clarke 21. Thunder - PJ Washington 22. Celtics - Tyler Herro 23. Jazz - Nicolas Claxton 24. Sixers - Keldon Johnson 25. Blazers - Dylan Windler 26. Cavaliers - Goga Bitadze 27. Nets - Daniel Gafford 28. Warriors - Kevin Porter 29. Spurs - Luka Samanic 30. Bucks - Naz Reid
I am going to disagree with this. If they don't trade one pick then they are picking a Euro who they don't intend to bring over right away, imo. Not all 5 rookies would not be ready to contribute. There are going to be many, many free agents this summer that deserve more than the minimum but only get that. They can pick up a contributor (or two or 3) for the minimum that will be in the top 10 of their rotation.
I'm curious about something. Pretty much every mock I have seen has Samanic rated higher than Bazley, but likely to be available at 25. Why do so many folks here rate Bazley higher? They are both long-term projects with (theoretical) high upsides - but at least Samanic has shown he can compete against high level competition.
I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say level of competition matters. Euro-league is a wee bit better than American high school ball.
To me, the Euro thing makes Samanic more ready to play making him stand out at events like the combine. He's definitely someone we should consider at 25. I always come back to what strategy you want to implore at the end of the 1st round. Bazley has the skill set to be a superstar if he ever develops. If you hit on a player like that without having to use a lottery pick it could greatly impact our trajectory to both competing for a title while we still have Dame and building a competitive team after Dame starts to wind down his career with guys like Simons, Collins, and Bazley. Of course Bazley is more likely to be a huge bust too who just looks good in workouts. Samanic's best case is a solid double that mayyyyyyyyybe gets stretched out to a triple if everything goes perfectly. I'd put him in the Olshey bargain value category. So what would you rather do? Swing for the fences knowing if you make contact it's going over the fence but you could strike out or just put the ball in play so you don't get out?
Dunno, but there is something really enticing about the Simons/Collins/Skal/Bazley combo. Skill, defense, athleticism for days.
To be clear, I'd draft Bazley. I'm on record as saying I'll be pissed if we keep the pick and don't take him (if he's there).
I'm glad KZ Okpala worked out for the Blazers, since he's seems like a good fit. A forward that can drive (!!!) and he has a nice soft touch in the paint ala Thad Young.
That would be a big trade up. But a Bulldog front court of him and Zach would be sick. He's like a PF version of John Collins.
OK, I see your point. Randomly reading scouting reports at 3 AM, Samanic was starting to sound interesting.
Fair enough. I was just having one of those nights I couldn't sleep because of pain and couldn't take anything because I have too much to get done today. Reading about players on-line at 3 AM is not a sound scouting tactic!