Draft Night Thread - Second Round

[Lipoli390]

Literally haven't looked into this all year, but . . .

I like what I'm reading about Saunders. His highlights aren't that impressive, but if the analysis on him is accurate, it's all the little stuff he does at all times on the court that make him a real impact player. Does sound a bit redundant with Donte, but we do need more guys who give a shit on this team, and the story on him seems to be that he's one of these Corey Brewer types that leaves it all on the floor at all times. But as a three point shooter. Gimme that. He also seems to want to get into transition as a 3 point threat, which sounds like it would fit well with Ayo. Bigger than Bones.

Corey Brewer might be an apt comparison, especially after you watch Saunder handle. He looks like Bob Cousy except that his exclusively right-handed dribble is chest high. I like the idea of adding 3-point shooting and do-shit guys, but 37.5% three-point shooting in college doesn’t excite me when projecting to the NBA. We should be able to add three-point shooting vets via free agency. We should use the 33rd pick in the draft for a player with something special and the potential to be more than a role player off the bench even if the pick ultimately becomes nothing more than that.

[WildWolf2813]

It would be great to get a floor manager, which Smith clearly is, but a sub-6-footer? I just don't think a guy like that is playable in the NBA, unfortunately.

Watch his video highlights if you haven’t already and it will confirm your view. He’s a very good college playmaking PG. But I just don’t see an NBA player in him and I’m someone who still believes in the potential of small PGs based on a long history of small PGs succeeding at a high level in the NBA. But if you’re than small, you have to be very special in other areas and I don’t see that in Smith.

Here's why I favor Smith if we must draft him:

Elite skill? Yes, his passing.

Even if he's not someone we use much, in practice, he could really help Beringer and Rocco as these are guys who will need to be spoonfed buckets in the NBA. Remember Jordan McLaughlin? He was 5'11'' and we didn't mind him as a third stringer, which is what Smith would probably be here. Most importantly we complain a lot about having a team full of dumbasses with crap IQ. Smith is a smart guy who would have the ball in his hands. I'm not judging his upside in terms of how great he can be, but for what he could do for this team and the players we need to be great. I wouldn't mind him. Not my first choice, but I'd take him over Evans, Saunders, Baba Miller, etc. Keep in mind, this in an early 2nd round pick. If we get a halfway decent NBA player, it's a win. At this stage I'd rather rely on Braden Smith and what his limitations are vs 40 year old Mike Conley.

[Q-is-here]

It would be great to get a floor manager, which Smith clearly is, but a sub-6-footer? I just don't think a guy like that is playable in the NBA, unfortunately.

Watch his video highlights if you haven’t already and it will confirm your view. He’s a very good college playmaking PG. But I just don’t see an NBA player in him and I’m someone who still believes in the potential of small PGs based on a long history of small PGs succeeding at a high level in the NBA. But if you’re than small, you have to be very special in other areas and I don’t see that in Smith.

Here's why I favor Smith if we must draft him:

Elite skill? Yes, his passing.

Even if he's not someone we use much, in practice, he could really help Beringer and Rocco as these are guys who will need to be spoonfed buckets in the NBA. Remember Jordan McLaughlin? He was 5'11'' and we didn't mind him as a third stringer, which is what Smith would probably be here. Most importantly we complain a lot about having a team full of dumbasses with crap IQ. Smith is a smart guy who would have the ball in his hands. I'm not judging his upside in terms of how great he can be, but for what he could do for this team and the players we need to be great. I wouldn't mind him. Not my first choice, but I'd take him over Evans, Saunders, Baba Miller, etc. Keep in mind, this in an early 2nd round pick. If we get a halfway decent NBA player, it's a win. At this stage I'd rather rely on Braden Smith and what his limitations are vs 40 year old Mike Conley.

Yeah, he's awesome running your summer league squad or stay-in-shape league (SISL as the kids call it). I get that. But not at pick #33!!! That just feels high.

What about your guy Thornton!? (might be taken before #33 I guess).

[Lipoli390]

OK. Here we go. Hoping the Wolves’ Rocco-Thornton era begins tonight.

[60WinTim]

OK. Here we go. Hoping the Wolves’ Rocco-Thornton era begins tonight.

Would that involve TC trading back once or twice to get future draft capital and then take Thornton more mid-round?

[Lipoli390]

OK. Here we go. Hoping the Wolves’ Rocco-Thornton era begins tonight.

Would that involve TC trading back once or twice to get future draft capital and then take Thornton more mid-round?

That’s the way I see it. That’s what I would do if in TC’s shoes.

[60WinTim]

Knicks, who I thought might take Henri, are trading 31 to Houston. I doubt Houston take my guy Henri...

[Lipoli390]

Getting back to the Thornton-Brunson comparison, I’ll note that Brunson was selected with the 33rd pick.

[Phenom]

Did Houston just snipe Thornton?

[Lipoli390]

Sounds like Houston acquired the #31 pick from the Knicks to take Thornton. Or at least that’s what I think Shams was hinting at with his comment a minute ago.