Draft prospects - Who do we want?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Agree LST, I don't think anyone is really wavering on Okafor as the consensus #1 pick. His defense will need work, but I think most front offices will believe that can be taught and developed. What can't be taught is his size, touch, and feel for the game. What I like most about him is he knows his identity.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

As bad as this season has been, I'm still interested in keeping this same roster next year (yes, keep both Thad and AB). Nobody will take Bud nor Pek with his huge contract. Perhaps just some shuffling of the lineup, shuffling of the positions, finding a new coach, and adding a top pick could get this team to the playoffs next year?

[bleedspeed]

I honestly think we need Pek. Thad, Kart, and Mo Williams would be players I would be will to trade to get picks or future assists.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I honestly think we need Pek. Thad, Kart, and Mo Williams would be players I would be will to trade to get picks or future assists.

Surprisingly enough, I'd be 100% fine with keeping all of them, and that includes bringing Mo back next year. I thought this at the beginning of the year and I still believe this: we have a very good blend of vets and young guys. To me, that's how you rebuild properly and still compete. That doesn't mean to reject a good offer for us if it was there, but I wouldn't be looking to offload them (especially Martin) just to do so.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

"That's because I'm not convinced Okafor won't be a good defender and I'm also not convinced that Johnson will be good offensively." -- Q

We're on the opposite side of this one. I don't think Okafor will ever be "good" on defense. Duke doesn't really ask much from the one-and-done guys on defense, but even still Okafor struggles mightily and his weaknesses there all come back to his feet and his lack of great athleticism. Coaching can't fix those two. He's going to be a good post defender, I think, because he's big as hell and has good length, but team-wise he's not going to be better than average. That last part is my opinion.

What has Johnson showed for you to not be convinced of his offense? .594 TS%, 15 PPG on a well-rounded Arizona team. Lives in the paint and gets to the line at a good clip. Not to mention if you watch Arizona games he plays through the offense. Doesn't get spoon-fed possessions, mainly because Arizona has plenty of weapons. Stanley still leads them in scoring and rebounding, however. And while you can question his shooting and how that will translate, it's still promising that he's shooting 41% on the year while making one a game.

[thedoper]

Lots of good discussion in this thread about an intriguing draft that may turn out to be better than last year's highly touted draft. At least with al the injuries to this year's rookie crop, there's no doubt in my mind that next year's rookies will perform better in their respective first years.

But as we discuss the relative merits of what appears to be a pretty solid Big 5 now, is there anyone who would seriously pass on Okafor if the Wolves got the first pick? This guy has been the Wiggins of this year's class for many years...i.e. the guy who has been #1 since junior high...and he has done nothing to disappoint the pundits in his freshman year. It's fine to have a good discussion about the top 5, but Okafor has to be considered the top pick.

You're absolutely right. I think any team that would pass on him in the one spot would and will be mocked for years. No reason to over think this. Take the center with the sweet footwork. His footwork alone on offense implies to me that he could become a really useful defender.

[bleedspeed]

I would take Okafor first and not look back. I am not sure I take Towns in the top 5 though.

[bleedspeed]

What do people think about Looney?

[bleedspeed]

I honestly think we need Pek. Thad, Kart, and Mo Williams would be players I would be will to trade to get picks or future assists.

Surprisingly enough, I'd be 100% fine with keeping all of them, and that includes bringing Mo back next year. I thought this at the beginning of the year and I still believe this: we have a very good blend of vets and young guys. To me, that's how you rebuild properly and still compete. That doesn't mean to reject a good offer for us if it was there, but I wouldn't be looking to offload them (especially Martin) just to do so.

I am fine keeping them if we don't get value outside of Mo. Mo won't be back on discount so I would trade him now if we can get a top 10 second round pick for him.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Lots of good discussion in this thread about an intriguing draft that may turn out to be better than last year's highly touted draft. At least with al the injuries to this year's rookie crop, there's no doubt in my mind that next year's rookies will perform better in their respective first years.

But as we discuss the relative merits of what appears to be a pretty solid Big 5 now, is there anyone who would seriously pass on Okafor if the Wolves got the first pick? This guy has been the Wiggins of this year's class for many years...i.e. the guy who has been #1 since junior high...and he has done nothing to disappoint the pundits in his freshman year. It's fine to have a good discussion about the top 5, but Okafor has to be considered the top pick.

You're absolutely right. I think any team that would pass on him in the one spot would and will be mocked for years. No reason to over think this. Take the center with the sweet footwork. His footwork alone on offense implies to me that he could become a really useful defender.

Offensive footwork in the post does not translate to being a good defender. I'm not even sure why you made that statement considering his feet are his weakness on defense. On offense, he's the attacker. Defensively he's slow and unable to react quickly. His strength and length are what he has right now. If you're coaching him, you just hope he's a tremendous student of the game because he'll have to be a step ahead mentally to make up for it.