In another year where I don’t think we’ll compete, I really hope Jabari and/or Watford can play. Jabari is someone I can see playing over Watford. If he can hit 36% of his catch and shoot 3s like what I would’ve expected from Sochan if he was drafted here and could really rebound right away, he’s a great fit with Dame in spurts. My excitement for him may be because I see PF as the biggest position of need, but I have real optimism this guy will develop into a really good backup PF here.
Grant, Winslow, Watford, and Walker, seems like they’re pretty stacked at PF. I wouldn’t worry about any of them on the court. Seems like center is a bigger position of need, and maybe SF but there aren’t any free agent wings really worth a contract.
After 3 games in Summer League, the Jabari Walker hype is crazy. Let’s be realistic. He’s not going to turn out to be some hall of fame type of player. We have to level set our expectations. I’d be happy with just a multi time all star.
Don’t remember the last time a rookie got me this excited in summer league, would probably have to throw it way back to Dame. I remember biggie had some good numbers his first go but wasn’t really as efficient as Jabari. The other standouts were all second/third year guys from what I remember.
No idea if this is true or not but it feeds the hype so I 100% believe it. A reply to Walker guarding multiple positions
Btw, the pick we used to select Walker came from Utah that we got for NAW. So that pelicans trade now looks like this CJ Nance Snell for Hart Grant Walker 2 2nds (And Didi lol)
I had a 1st Round grade on Walker. Was pissed when we traded 46 because I thought that for sure took away any chance of getting him. Then when he was still on the board somehow at 57, I was worried they were going to stash an international prospect. There were two players I just didn't understand how they weren't universally thought of as 1st round players, Walker and Koloko. I was starting to question why I was seeing them so drastically different than everyone else. Wish we kept Kamagate instead of trading him to Denver, but stoked we came away with one of my draft crushes at least. Who can't use a 3&D forward who is an elite rebounder for his position and has good instincts for where to be on the floor!
I believe they traded away #46 because they wanted Minott and he went at #45. They thought Walker would still be available at #57 and if they didn't take him, would likely go undrafted. Good call.
Quite a few teams have benefitted greatly from being lucky in the 2nd round. Like you alluded to, GS has, and Denver did as well. I think it is a wise strategy to load up on 2nd round picks. The more you have the better your chance of getting lucky. After you get past the top of the lottery, the difference in talent is often very small between the next 40 players