might have a little; averaged 3.2 assists with a 19% assist rate. In college CJ averaged 2.7 assists with a 20% assist rate. I guess maybe he has tweener skills, rather than PG skills
Got to admit that 7'2 1/4 "wingspan for Coward is eye-catching for a guy who shoots like he does. That is plus 9 inches.
I'm going to object to the rules. Because nobody can predict this draft after essentially the first 2 picks (and I maintain the Spurs might even surprise at #2, although it seems more likely they'd just trade with somebody who wanted Harper), there's no real point in saying one player for #11, unless there's a player whom you'd literally pick #1 if you had it but whom you think would be available at #11, which would be crazy. So I'm going to give a choice and my pick for #11 is the highest one still available on the night. Essengue (he's this year's Risacher and looks like Nic Batum with a chip on his shoulder. Plus we're rapidly becoming the French-language team) CMB (I'm torn - can you really play him alongside Clingan? Maybe if Clingan works on his 3 point shot) Tie: Jase R. and Nique Clifford Tie: Coward and Traore But really there's a bunch I'd be happy with. As for the others, we're not trading up* (we'd have to give up Camara and I'm not sanctioning that) and there's bound to be somebody on my list available at the lower picks. * Only possibility: Philly is bundling the #3 just to offload Paul George. If they'd accept one or more of our trio of vets, then I say VJ Edgecombe all the way, baby! And I'd give up the #11 too. (Tell George he can rehab in Philly - no hurry.)
11. Essengue, Kasparas, Demin 16. Jase, Fleming, Clifford, Coward Some combination of these works for me.
I agree. And I’m probably wrong about what Edgecombe will become should he become a Trail Blazer. Back to Coward (11) and Demin (16). To compensate for not having a Top 5 pick, Portland also gets the 25 and selects Maxine Raynaud.
Trading into the top-5: • Flagg (of course) * Tre Johnson (if 3-5) Pick #11: • Noa Essengue * Carter Bryant (if Noa is iff the table) Hypothetical Orlando #16: • Jace Richardson * Nique Clifford or Coward if Jace is not available Trading into the second round: • Adou Therio * Hansen Yang * Hugo Gonzelus * Drake Powell
The ideal trades and picks around this draft for me would be: Scoot, Deandre and the worst of our 2029 FRPs for Zion. Ant and two future SRPs for Anthony Black, Cole Anthony and pick 16. Rob and our unprotected 2031 FRP for Jabari Smith Jr. Jerami, Tisse and a future SRP to the Lakers, the Lakers send the Hawks Rui, the Hawks send the Lakers 2 future second round picks and the Lakers send us their 2031 FRP unprotected along with Kleber and Vincent who we waive. This trade could be called in before the draft but wouldn't be complete until the first day of the new league year. We take Demin at 11 and Fleming at 16. New rotation: Shaedon, Tou, Deni, Zion, Clingan/Jabari Smith (these two would split time starting at C allowing us to really dictate the mismatch depending on the opponent), Black, Cole Anthony, Demin, Fleming and Kris. We could push the pace on both ends. Run the primary and secondary breaks on offense while pressing and switching everything on defense. Use the formula that got both teams in the Finals right now, to where they are at. It might be sloppy next season but would tighten up in the coming years. I think that rotation with that playing style would make the playoffs possibly without needing to do the play-in... if healthy. If you have the ability to instigate offense that Deni, Zion and Shaedon bring you really don't need a true PG.
