Let the Draft Speculation Begin

[Duke13]

Okpala looks more like a SF then a PF.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The fact that Zion Williamson is playing college ball is such a joke. He makes most NBA players look pedestrian in terms of his athleticism and physical profile. Silliness!

[Jester1534]

I really like to take a late first round pick on Markus Howard from Marquette. He's only 5-11 point guard but he has good ball handling skills and shot 45% from beyond the Arch in his collegians career. I feel he's a spurs guy that pop will nab up.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I really like to take a late first round pick on Markus Howard from Marquette. He's only 5-11 point guard but he has good ball handling skills and shot 45% from beyond the Arch in his collegians career. I feel he's a spurs guy that pop will nab up.

Anyone who can shoot and score like him in intriguing, jester. But here's the problem. With a wingspan of only 5-11, its going to be hard for him to defend at the next level. He's also had almost as many TOs as assists in college, so there's some question as to whether he's a short SG or a PG. I think he's avaiable late in the 2nd round for those reasons, and he's worth a look for us at 47.

[Lipoli390]

I would take BPA unless the need and the BPA are very closely rated. Especially if you get into the top 3, you take BPA because you are looking for a superstar, not just a small upgrade over Saric or Roco. I'd even take a "center". Great players can defend multiple positions and hit the open 3 on offense. KAT can play the 4 if a better inside defender is drafted for instance. If we had Gobert this defense would be elite for instance and offensively not suffer to much.

Bol Bol?

I think he's gonna be bad in the NBA. I just don't know how he'll every put on enough weight to not just get dominated and he's slow too so they'll just pull him out to the perimeter and drive right by him. He has a good jump shot and the length to block shots, but I just think he's gonna get taken to the woodshed for years before he maybe puts on the weight to hold his position. Maybe he's just so long it's not gonna matter. I just don't see it.

His lack of muscle mass at this point would be a huge issue -- IF this was the 80s, 90s, or 2000s. Guys can [and have] get away with slender frames in the 2010s. This is mainly because guys aren't banging down low with every play like they used to. The "space and pace" era has made it so guys like him can be effective despite their physical shortcomings.

I also think his immense length will make up for a lot of what he lacks in overall body thickness. He's going to bother plenty of shots just by simply walling up.

I don't really see the lack of mobility [slow] that you indicated. If anything, I think that's probably a strength of his. He's pretty light on his feet for a seven-footer.

A number of reports question Bol Bol's Motor. That's the classic red flag that would steer me away from him.

[Lipoli390]

I love me some Jarrett Culver. Man, that guy is good and plays big.

He's one of my favorites also, but I think he'll be gone by the time the Wolves draft at around #12 or so.

[Lipoli390]

Just read an article about KZ Okpala by Sam Vecenie from The Athletic. Vecenie is very plugged in about the draft. Wondering if anyone has seen him play. He looks to be a modern 4 in today's NBA, which I happen to think is this teams biggest weakness. He looks intriguing. Wondering if anyone had thoughts about him. Also, I'd highly recommend The Athletic. I recently purchased it, very happy with it.

I purchased the Athletic a couple months ago. I would also recommend it.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Okpala looks more like a SF then a PF.

No question about it, and sometimes Stanford even uses him like a PG. He was a 5-10 PG in college until he grew 8 inches his senior year...now has a wingspan over 7 feet! nice 3-point stroke and very good perimeter defender. I really like him, but think he goes somewhere top 10

[Monster]

I love me some Jarrett Culver. Man, that guy is good and plays big.

He's one of my favorites also, but I think he'll be gone by the time the Wolves draft at around #12 or so.

I watched the highlights of him against nebraska. Looked a lot bigger than the 6'6" he is supposed to be. Played kinda like a big with perimeter skills very smooth. I'd be interested to hear more from you guys about him.