Minnesota Sports Forum

khans2k5 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:Simmons won't stop the 76ers from taking Ball. If he's there they would take him. They desperately need a PG and as much as Simmons might be a point forward, there's no guarantee he can do that as the primary guy. Even Lebron doesn't play PG every posession. You need multiple ball handlers and Ball/Simmons/Embiid would be huge for them because they'd just need to surround them with shooters and maybe defenders as well if they can get them (might not need them with how dominant they were defensively with Embiid in the game). Regardless I don't think Ball makes it to them. No way the Lakers take Jackson over Ball when they have Russell and Ingram.

My Predictions:

Celtics: Fultz
Lakers: Ball
76ers: Jackson
Suns: Tatum
Kings: Fox
Magic: Monk
Wolves: Isaac
Knicks: Smith
Mavs: Ntilikina
Kings: Anunoby

I think Collins and Markkanen drop just because of fit, but I think Collins could go to the Magic (replacing Vucevic), the Mavs to play behind Dirk for a year or us.

Solid predictions, Kahns. But I have the feeling that the Suns will grab Isaac. They're early in their rebuilding process and are positioned to wait on a talent like Isaac. Also, Isaac seems a better fit than Tatum for the more uptempo style the Suns' organization seems to want. So I think they'll go for upside and athleticism, which means Isaac over Tatum. They could take Fox or Smith, but with Bledsoe there I think they'll opt for Isaac. If I'm right, then Tatum and Monk will likely be on the board at #7 because I see the Kings and Magic set on drafting a potentially elite PG they can build around and that would mean Fox and Smith in that order unless Smith scares them away in interviews or with medical issues.

So that leads to my question. If I'm right and the Wolves can choose between Tatum, Monk, Anunoby and Zach Collins, who would you take?

The reason I didn't have Isaac going to the Suns is I think they need a more prototypical 3 like Tatum especially in the absence of Tucker now. I see Isaac as playing 3 as a necessity in the beginning, but eventually working his way up to the 4 which is where they just dedicated a lot of resources in last years draft with Chriss and Bender. I don't know how he can both add weight and stay on the wing. He's quick now because he's a twig, but put 30 lbs on him and I'm not willing to bet he can stay on the perimeter full time and he really shouldn't be there the whole game anyway with his rebounding and shot blocking skills. Tatum isn't ideal for them because of the shooting issues, but he's a solid prospect in his own right.

Of your list I would take Collins. Monk is an overlap with Zach (catch and shoot guy). Tatum is an overlap with Wiggins (scorer who doesn't really stretch the floor). Anunoby is too specialized for me at #7. His shooting regressed from behind the arc greatly in more attempts and his FT% doesn't make me believe he is all that close to being able to space an NBA floor. I think he's Roberson 2.0 which is not good enough to go at 7 for me. Meanwhile I don't see an overlap for Collins on the team (my optimistic side has him as a slot below KAT while playing very similarly overall). He's a very aggressive big which fits with our frontcourt as Dieng and Towns aren't really mixing it up with opposing bigs all that great right now. I think his mentality would be very welcome on this team to push Dieng and Towns to play harder and in Dieng's case possibly getting benched for a young aggressive big who wants to mix it up on the boards and in the paint. I like that we have 3 decent to good bigs in front of him in Belly, Towns and Dieng so he doesn't need to come in and play significant minutes right away so he can work on his foul issues and just develop into a more polished player. He has a great toolkit for Thibs to mold and seems to be the sky is the limit type of prospect when compared to the other 3 who each have major flaws in skill while Collins' biggest flaw is fouling too much.

monsterpile wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:

TheFuture wrote:Am I missing something here about Ball to the Lakers? Yes the Ball camp and the media has been driving that wagon for over half a year now, but have the lakers gave any inkling to Ball being the preferred player for them?

Hell, Fox or Jackson make plenty more sense for them. Don't act like they need to play the PR game either. that doesn't matter in LA if they are winning.

He's considered the second best prospect in the draft behind Fultz so going #2 to the Lakers makes sense. Fox just isn't even close to Ball's level so if they take a PG it will be whoever drops between Ball and Fultz. Jackson would seem to overlap with Ingram and Russell on the wing while Ball would be replacing Clarkson at the point which would be a better fit for them.

idk if the Lakers have reciprocated or not but like Kahns said Ball makes alot fo sense there. He is big and so he can guard multiple positions and suddenly you have fun mix of guards with Russell Clarkson and Ball that you might be able to even play all at the same time, All can theoretically handle the ball pass AND shoot. Add that Ingram is a versatile defender that probably will be able to do some positive things on offense at least as a complimentary player and its a pretty nice group that could play off each other well.

TheFuture wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:

TheFuture wrote:Am I missing something here about Ball to the Lakers? Yes the Ball camp and the media has been driving that wagon for over half a year now, but have the lakers gave any inkling to Ball being the preferred player for them?

Hell, Fox or Jackson make plenty more sense for them. Don't act like they need to play the PR game either. that doesn't matter in LA if they are winning.

He's considered the second best prospect in the draft behind Fultz so going #2 to the Lakers makes sense. Fox just isn't even close to Ball's level so if they take a PG it will be whoever drops between Ball and Fultz. Jackson would seem to overlap with Ingram and Russell on the wing while Ball would be replacing Clarkson at the point which would be a better fit for them.

idk if the Lakers have reciprocated or not but like Kahns said Ball makes alot fo sense there. He is big and so he can guard multiple positions and suddenly you have fun mix of guards with Russell Clarkson and Ball that you might be able to even play all at the same time, All can theoretically handle the ball pass AND shoot. Add that Ingram is a versatile defender that probably will be able to do some positive things on offense at least as a complimentary player and its a pretty nice group that could play off each other well.

I'm curious about Ball being a better fit than Jackson in LA. Clarkson is not a factor here. Russell should have the ball in his hands, which is the same as Ball, Yes, ball fits defensively if you are convinced he can take the tougher matchup of the 1 or 2 guard and succeed. I'd prefer Jackson and Ingram shutting down the wings and take my chances in the PG PnR with Russell ( it will happen regardless of who is there defending).

papalrep wrote:If George is going to the Lakers, put Gordon Hayward on the Celtics. The strong get stronger. I'm no expert, but I hope its someone besides Isaac we draft. Using Lip's statement that we need a fourth star, I'd rather have Dennis Smith or Markennen (sorry Ricky).

Who is up for taking a risk on OG Anunoby making a full recovery, and giving us a defensive stopper on the wing?