Draft Watch

[ousdahl]

17. Denver Nuggets: Ochai Agbaji (Kansas, SG/SF, Senior)

Some team figures to see an NBA-ready contributor and value pick in Agbaji. He leads college basketball in points per game in transition while shooting 49.1 percent from three. Even if he offers limited creativity, a playoff team could see him as a useful three-and-D rookie.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/295 ... redictions

[ousdahl]

34. Ochai Agbaji, SG, Kansas | Senior
Height: 6' 5" | Weight: 215 | Age: 21
After several seasons on the fringes of the draft, Agbaji looks ready to make the jump, beginning his senior year with a new level of confidence and looking like an improved three-point shooter. While not a flashy player or especially tall for a wing, Agbaji should be able to fill a complementary role in the NBA by continuing to knock down shots and playing reliable defense. He is a solid athlete and looks much more comfortable in all facets this season. It won’t be surprising to see him earn some first-round consideration if he keeps this up.

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2021/12/16/ ... t-holmgren

[twocoach]

Just don't get drafted by the damn Sacramento Kings or some other shitty franchise and I will be thrilled.

[Sparko]

I saw he was #7 on one list. Actually mighty versatile scorer right now with high aptitude and great athleticism.

[jfish26]

He’s a good athlete by NBA standards, which is saying something. But he’s not on the Ben/Wiggins level.

My god, if Ben had stayed and learned how to actually play basketball.

[pdub]

I thought Ben was gonna torch the league.
He didnt.
But hes stuck around and can for a bit longer.

[Deleted User 863]

I thought Ben was gonna torch the league.
He didnt.
But hes stuck around and can for a bit longer.

Ball handling really held him back.

But he's going to have a 10+ year career when it's all said and done. He's made a lot of money.

[CrimsonNBlue]

First ESPN Mock Draft update in quite awhile.

22. Och

34. CB

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/ ... ed-results

[Cascadia]

Someone in the Blazers organization would get shot if they drafted a PG

[NDballer13]

Someone in the Blazers organization would get shot if they drafted a PG

That would just tell me they have no intention of keeping Lillard and were starting a rebuild.

[Cascadia]

Someone in the Blazers organization would get shot if they drafted a PG

That would just tell me they have no intention of keeping Lillard and were starting a rebuild.

Agreed, and someone would get shot.

[NDballer13]

Someone in the Blazers organization would get shot if they drafted a PG

That would just tell me they have no intention of keeping Lillard and were starting a rebuild.

Agreed, and someone would get shot.

Also wouldn't surprise me if Lillard finally says fuck this and tells them he wants out to play for an actual contender, not a perennial team just good enough to get in the playoffs to lose as a 6-7 seed. He's a good piece, but no team is going to win with CJ McCollum as the #2. First step in keeping Dame is to trade CJ. But as a small market GM/Front Office, how do you justify trading your #2 to build around a guy who has 4, MAYBE 5, years of prime basketball left?

[jfish26]

That would just tell me they have no intention of keeping Lillard and were starting a rebuild.

Agreed, and someone would get shot.

Also wouldn't surprise me if Lillard finally says fuck this and tells them he wants out to play for an actual contender, not a perennial team just good enough to get in the playoffs to lose as a 6-7 seed. He's a good piece, but no team is going to win with CJ McCollum as the #2. First step in keeping Dame is to trade CJ. But as a small market GM/Front Office, how do you justify trading your #2 to build around a guy who has 4, MAYBE 5, years of prime basketball left?

I was about to respond to your post before this one, and say that "intention" probably isn't the right word. I agree with you here.

[Cascadia]

That would just tell me they have no intention of keeping Lillard and were starting a rebuild.

Agreed, and someone would get shot.

Also wouldn't surprise me if Lillard finally says fuck this and tells them he wants out to play for an actual contender, not a perennial team just good enough to get in the playoffs to lose as a 6-7 seed. He's a good piece, but no team is going to win with CJ McCollum as the #2. First step in keeping Dame is to trade CJ. But as a small market GM/Front Office, how do you justify trading your #2 to build around a guy who has 4, MAYBE 5, years of prime basketball left?

Preaching to the choir here, I've been saying the same thing for years. You can't win in the NBA when your 2nd best player plays the exact same position as your best player. They needed to trade CJ away 2-3 years ago but their front office is a bunch of clowns.

[jfish26]

Agreed, and someone would get shot.

Also wouldn't surprise me if Lillard finally says fuck this and tells them he wants out to play for an actual contender, not a perennial team just good enough to get in the playoffs to lose as a 6-7 seed. He's a good piece, but no team is going to win with CJ McCollum as the #2. First step in keeping Dame is to trade CJ. But as a small market GM/Front Office, how do you justify trading your #2 to build around a guy who has 4, MAYBE 5, years of prime basketball left?

Preaching to the choir here, I've been saying the same thing for years. You can't win in the NBA when your 2nd best player plays the exact same position as your best player. They needed to trade CJ away 2-3 years ago but their front office is a bunch of clowns.

You also can't really win when your second-best player isn't a first-tier Dude, regardless of position, and you don't have a bunch more second-tier Guys.

[Cascadia]

You also can't really win when your second-best player isn't a first-tier Dude, regardless of position, and you don't have a bunch more second-tier Guys.

I don't completely disagree with this in today's game. But I think Portland could have received a solid return for CJ 2-3 years ago when he was on his 4yr/106M contract and in his mid/late 20's.

Then, with Dame and a solid #2, they could have lured a solid #3 via FA or traded some future picks for the 3rd piece.

They just thought they could pull it off with CJ and Dame. The 2018-2019 season really fucked with their heads.

[Deleted User 863]

First ESPN Mock Draft update in quite awhile.

22. Och

34. CB

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/ ... ed-results

How many international players in 1st round?

[CrimsonNBlue]

First ESPN Mock Draft update in quite awhile.

22. Och

34. CB

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/ ... ed-results

How many international players in 1st round?

There's a link.

[Deleted User 863]

Someone in the Blazers organization would get shot if they drafted a PG

That would just tell me they have no intention of keeping Lillard and were starting a rebuild.

Agreed, and someone would get shot.

Ya. Lillard has to leave on his own if he decides to leave.

Fwiw i think I've read in the past that they don't factor in team needs when doing these prior to the lotto being decided.

[Deleted User 863]

First ESPN Mock Draft update in quite awhile.

22. Och

34. CB

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/ ... ed-results

How many international players in 1st round?

There's a link.

I'm not an insider