Very interested but feel I'm in a poor position to judge him. I'll be stoked if management thinks he's their guy and selects him STOMP
He seems to be moving up the draft boards lately. I think that momentum takes him out of our pick range.
I don’t think he gets by Brooklyn or Toronto. Especially the Raptors - he’s the epitome of a Ujiri pick.
Unfortunately I think this is true. He's the 2nd youngest player in the draft. We'll need to trade up to snag him more than likely. He's my favorite possibility.
While he didn't attend the combine, I dug around and found some measurements. 6'9 barefoot, 198 lbs, 9'3.25" Standing Reach, big hands STOMP
Not bare foot. Those are with shoes. Take 1.5" off for a real comparison. You can compare a couple that were measured at BWOB and the combine. Maluach and KJ are one I know was at both events
Okay, but comparing those two measurements seems to confirm I was correct in saying the measurements were barefoot. Maluach is listed in the BWOB link at 7'0.75 and had the exact same measurement at the NBA combine which is specified as barefoot. Jakuciounis is listed as 6'4.5 in the BWOB link and a 1/4" taller at the NBA combine. Below is a link to where I originally found this compilation that specifies the heights being measured as barefoot. I do appreciate you being you being diligent with this though as I like having a true handle on the measurements. The one thats truly outstanding for Essengue is Standing Reach... which I consider the most important as you don't play hoops with the top of your head. His 9'3.25 falls about midway between Camara's 8'11 and Clingan's 9'7 STOMP
if it means anything, the RealGM poster who noted Portland targeting Avdija a couple of months before the trade happened, says Kasparas and Demin seem to be the leaders for 11th pick in the Blazer FO. That doesn't mean Portland isn't looking at other players he also hints that Portland is working Jabari Smith-->Portland angles and, unfortunately, that the front office still believes Ayton can be "unlocked" and be a star
I could see Ayton leveling up with Scoot as his point guard... I have been liking Kasparas or Egor with our pick. I like taking a chance on Jabari but wary of the assets needed to give up for him...
I agree about Scoot/Ayton. They connect well together. I am good with Ayton finishing his contract in Portland and then testing the open market. No sense bidding against yourself. But that is Portlands MO. Ayton so far has only earned a next deal worth about half of what he is currently making.
Updated measurements: 6’10” w/o shoes 7’0.75” wingspan 9’1.75” standing reach 6’11” big — LaMarcus-like measurements
