Cam's 2016 NBA Draft Big Board:

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

If I were a GM and this were our draft board, I wouldn't trade down from the fifth pick. I would sit and pick an all-star type talent and Bender would be the guy I'd hope would be there due to need.

Am I the only one who sees Brown as an undersized PF? I thought the same of Johnson last year.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Well done and well thought out Cam. Man, you sure are high on Murray. Is that based on you thinking he could become an NBA PG or is that ranking based purely on his potential as a SG?

It also appears you have taken Jaylen Brown a notch or two (?)

I appreciate it, Q. And yes, I'm still quite high on Jamal Murray. I think the majority of his NBA minutes will come playing SG, but his game isn't restricted to just working off ball. From what I've seen in both international play and his season at Kentucky, I do believe he has the overall skill set, feel for the game, and basketball IQ to orchestrate offensive possessions consistently, but he's also an elite shooter coming off screens, something I believe he does as well or better than anyone in this class. As a comparison of what I think his role will be at the next level, think C.J. McCollum on the Blazers.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Well done and well thought out Cam. Man, you sure are high on Murray. Is that based on you thinking he could become an NBA PG or is that ranking based purely on his potential as a SG?

It also appears you have taken Jaylen Brown a notch or two (?)

I also have Murray number 3. The reason I have him 3 is because he scored 20 pts per game as a freshman. Played for a coach that has had previous success translating his players to the NBA. He can shoot the ball as good as anyone in the draft. He was number 1 in THE NCAA in fg% coming off screens *according to draft express. He has good ball handling skills that is something the wolves still lack. He can take some of the pressure off tyus as the combo gaurd. He is one of the youngest players in the draft. Yes he might not be the greatest defender but it is not like he is lazy on defense and I believe Thibs can come up with a scheme to lower Murray's defensive liabilities. I mean he is 3 years younger than Hield and Dunn he hasn't grown into his man body he is still just a kid. Also a added plus he will be playing with wiggins every summer for Canada where he shot 41% from 3pt range.

I won't be mad if we take Hield bender or Dunn (have him as my #6 prospect behind Ellenson). But if Murray is on the board and we pass I would be disappointed

Well said, kekgeek1. This is basically how I feel about Murray as well.

Another thing to remember is that Murray's weaknesses on defense are guarding quicker guards and not having the length to consistently bother shots when he contests, BUT he is pretty strong even for a SG prospect and the effort shows up a lot of the time. I can't think of too many NBA SG's that use their speed and quickness more than they bully defenders or shoot over the top of them (Harden, Thompson, Butler, Beal, etc.). So, while I do have some concerns about how Murray will be able to defend in the NBA, I think with time he can be anywhere from "not bad" to "OKAY" on that side of the ball. Really, though, his offensive talent is just too good to dismiss him because of his defense.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Cam -- Really like your draft board. I especially like your categories. I have Sabonis ranked ahead of Poeltl and I don't have Ellenson ranked as high. But otherwise, I'm hard pressed to quibble with any of your rankings.

Like Q, I was wondering about you thinking behind where you have Murray. I think geek gave a good answer, but I'm also interesting in hearing from you on that. I go back and forth on Murray. I like him and definitely have him in my top 10, but I'm not totally convinced he'll be all-star caliber at the next level.

First and foremost, thank you, Lip. I was hesitant to share my big board with the forum due to the exhaustion of re-arguing topics that had already been discussed, but the encouragement from you and a handful of others in the past gave me enough comfort to do it regardless.

Murray does seem to be a controversial prospect, and I think I might know why. I believe that most people who didn't have the opportunity to watch him a lot or just read what most people say about him think that he's just a shooter who can't defend. If that's your (general term) take on Murray, then I can certainly understand why you might think he doesn't have All-Star upside. The issue I have with that is that it underestimates his talent/ability completely. Murray's dribble drive game doesn't get nearly enough attention, and perhaps that's fair given that only about 22% of his FGA's came from inside the paint at Kentucky, BUT I'd argue that the main reason for that was because of the Wildcats lack of adequate floor spacers. Besides Murray (40.8% 3P) and Derrick Willis (44.2% 3P; 18.6 MPG), the rest of Kentucky's players were putrid from range: Tyler Ulis (34.4%), Alex Poythress (30.4%), Isaiah Briscoe (13.5%). I believe his role was to hang out on the perimeter, create driving lanes for Ulis. Forgive me for bringing this up once again, but to me it's similar in how Calipari used Devin Booker a season ago.

I mentioned that under a fourth of Murray's attempts came inside the paint, but he did convert well when he was able to attack (65%). He's pretty crafty/creative on his drives and finishes. Right-handed player that loves to drive left. Big hands, has full control of the basketball. Used his off-hand well on layups and different kinds of runners. Impressive touch with his floater; something neither Hield nor Dunn possess in their games. I think that's key for a player who has physical limitations.

I like Murray for more than just his perimeter jumper. I think he's an all-around threat offensively, from 3P-shooting to attacking off the dribble, and facilitating his teammates. I think that combination of skills is what makes him a potential All-Star talent.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Nice list cam, forgot about Brice Johnson. Would you trade down for him? He'd be a good get at 20.

I don't think I'd trade down from No. 5 with him specifically in mind, but I like his offensive skill set, rebounding, and athleticism. I wish he didn't get pushed around defensively as easily as he does, though.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I like the guy you have #28. I'd have him in the top 25 for sure.

Yeah, Dejounte Murray's an interesting prospect for me. I like his physical profile (6' 5", 6' 9.5" wingspan, 170 lbs) and his ability in the open court. Washington was one of the fastest paced teams all year and his willingness to push in transition was a reason why. I think he would have been wise to stay in school for another year and sharpen up his game (low efficiency from 2P range, poor 3P and FT shooter, high turnovers), but with how loaded next year's point guard class is projected to be, I can't blame him for trying to get that first round money when he can. He hired Rich Paul to be his agent before getting back his draft evaluation, which was a somewhat surprising move.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

If I were a GM and this were our draft board, I wouldn't trade down from the fifth pick. I would sit and pick an all-star type talent and Bender would be the guy I'd hope would be there due to need.

Am I the only one who sees Brown as an undersized PF? I thought the same of Johnson last year.

That's my thinking as well, TRKO. I prefer to stay at No. 5 and take the player we feel is the best talent available, whoever that might be. Luckily for us, there's a solid case for each prospect that could be available whether it's Murray, Bender, Dunn, Hield, or even Brown if that's the direction Minnesota wants to go.

I think Brown will be able to play some small ball PF in his future, but I still see him as a SF for the most part. I think Brown and Johnson are somewhat comparable, though Johnson shot the ball a lot better and rebounded better during his freshman season in college. Johnson seems like the physically stronger of the two, but Brown definitely has an edge in explosiveness.

[Papalrep]

Thibs/Leydon reportedly have a man crush on Ben Bentil. Where would you rank him Cam?

Thanks for the list, I like the categories as well

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Thibs/Leydon reportedly have a man crush on Ben Bentil. Where would you rank him Cam?

Thanks for the list, I like the categories as well

I don't want to step on Cam's answer, because he has likely seen more of Bentil than any of us, but to me Bentil is one of the poster children for the depth of this draft. He averaged 21.1 and 7.7 as a sophomore and has an NBA-ready body with a wingspan greater than 7'1", and yet he is projected to go either late first round or early second. Granted he has his weaknesses, but come on...21.1 and 7.7! As for his weaknesses, I actually see some similarities to Bazz. He's a relentless offensive rebounder but shows little interest in defensive rebounding. He has less natural feel for the game, dribbling into triple teams with his head down. He is sometimes a disinterested defender (Bazz was also disinterested in college, and when he turned up the defensive intensity in the NBA, we learned he just isn't a very good defender), and he is not inclined to pass. Sound a little like a longer version of Bazz?

The Wolves' serious interest in him tells me they are more inclined to trade down in this draft. You might argue that they are working out Bentil and many other late first rounders because they think they can acquire a later pick without giving up #5 by trading a player, but I just can't come up with a player attractive enough to bring back a decent pick and that I would also be willing to trade. The rubes over at rubechat try to package our garbage for a pick ( how about Payne and Rudez for a first round pick?), but that's naïve. And the players that would warrant a non-lottery pick (Bazz, Gorgui, Belly) I'm reluctant to trade. Can anybody else come up with an acceptable way we could pick up later first round pick(s) without giving up #5?

[Phenom]

Some team in the late first might just want to get out of the guaranteed money if they have big summer spending plans. That has happened before.