This pick has grown on me a lot. You could get a role player that could help (which are a dime and dozen and available elsewhere), or you could get a player that I actually believe has role player potential this year, but even if he doesn't, he has such high upside that it justifies the gamble. Drafting for need makes no sense with 3 young big men and two all-star level guards. All needs are depth-based, except for SF, as we should find a long-term starter there. But that guy isn't likely to have been available at 24. So taking the BPA based on upside makes a lot of sense. Grade: A-
Context: With that in mind, B. I think Okobo or Brunson are more likely to be useful players, but why not gamble on a borderline star at #24?
I'm not aware of a better long term, high ceiling prospect available at 24 than Simons. So A. Can I have some more kool-aide please? Thank you.
C+ because he won't help us in his 1-2 Seasons and Dame needs help NOW, but can be a really good Player in future
A- only because I might have personally picked the French Damian Lillard over him. But Simons was my 1B to my 1A and I think POR knows more than I so I fully on-board.
C because we needed help last summer, and even more so now according to Neil Olshey. He doesn't fit Dame's window and he's small like every guard on this team. I'll root for him, of course, but it just feels like it won't matter for four years.
If we trade CJ (not for a guard) then Patty or Turner will take his minutes. Only way Simons gets minutes this year is if we're hit with a massive rash of injuries.
Who was really going to help bring this team to another level that was available there? We need to add those players in free agency or trade.
I give the pick a solid A...for Stotts offense, this kid might just light it up off the bench...couple years under Dame's wing, he'll mature into a great player and get adjusted to the NBA game. Might have found a 6th man spark plug in him
