Cody Williams is the guy that ideally should be put next to Sharpe. The 25/5/5 SG (that we hope Sharpe becomes) + All around two way SF = recipe for success, historically. See: MJ-Pippen, Kobe-Odom, Wade-Lebron, Brown-Tatum Imo, a lot of people should stop reading/listening to whatever is popular and start reading draft reports for current star players first before making evaluations. That's one thing I try to do because I find archetypes are more important than certain arbitrary traits or stats that look good in college but don't always translate unless they're very exceptional. This is especially important if you think this draft is 'weak'. The complaints leveled against Cody Williams are the ones leveled against Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler where they're described as being well-rounded in their skills but not elite. Quick but somewhat slow in their first steps and overall speed. Having some scoring capability in spite of that. Then, their ball handling is described as average-to-above average despite all three of them demonstrating a capability to change directions while having the ball in their hands (which Cody Williams does, as well). When they create their shots, they use their bodies to create separation and they're also able to move in a herky-jerky kind of way (whether spinning, twisting their bodies, switching ball in their hands, up and under, etc). Their athleticism is also questioned as they're not the best athletes (duh, if they were, they'd be Lebron or T-Mac). Their jumpshots and shooting percentages are good to very good but aren't elite which causes people to dismiss them. I'm not promising that Cody Williams becomes the next Paul George but I do think it's quite likely that he reaches what De'Andre Hunter currently is at a faster rate than Hunter did (he also has better playmaking skills and is further ahead, as a player). Then, if he becomes more than that, that's simply the reward of investing in him.
I would pick Edey if he's available late 1st round. I think he'll be a rotational player in the league.
I hope the chatter keeps going about the Bigs going higher. About the Kentucky guards. Push someone down to the Warriors pick. Keep both and improve the talent level … take the shots … low cost … make the call. As to going after players fitting the archetypes … cool. One writer thinks about looking for “role malleability.” I’ve attached the link and cannot say how useful it actually is, but it got my attention. If you read it, please comment as I’ll assume my knowledge is limited. https://theswishtheory.com/2024-nba...urphy-and-the-paradigms-of-role-malleability/
Bronny James entering the draft. Blazers can take him in the 2nd round. Remember we love guards so it’s perfect.
He is keeping his amateur status and entering the portal as well. I think he's going to gauge things in the NBA, realize he isn't getting any promises early enough that he'll transfer somewhere he thinks will elevate his draft stock for next year. Just an assumption from me though.
i really like dalton more and more. usually hate drafting older dudes in the lotto, and wish he was a few inches taller, but i think his scoring will translate. ideally, he's still there for our 2nd pick, and we can swing a bit more with our own pick, but if we drop to 7 or 8, i might just suck it up and take knecht.
I'd be happy with Salaun, Knecht or Clingan with the second pick. They have a couple second rounders to use to move up and get their guy.
Still expect them to trade one of their firsts and seconds, but am increasingly ambivalent about all of these guys. I’ll be onboard within 2 minutes of pretty much any non-guard, non-stiff pick.
That would be a huge mistake. They need as many shots at a high upside guy as possible. Trading the pick for a role guy is pointless.
I think many are going to look like fools for passing on Edey. College players are athletic as well. And you don't need to be athletic when you're 7'4. If 30 year old Shaq were in the draft you could make the same argument, "Only take him in the 2nd round because he can't shoot or guard the perimeter." Yeah, but he could dominate inside.
The problem is that he can’t go on the perimeter and guard anyone. Which is almost a must in today’s NBA even for the Center position. He might be okay for spot minutes. But he’ll get exposed in a game real quick. Opposing teams will switch up on him all day and he’ll be in no man’s land. It’s a different NBA than from even 5 years ago. Teams prefer small ball units.
