Minnesota Sports Forum

Saw this on Twitter: According to
@CerebroSports
, the sample they have of Kennedy Chandler from HS, AAU, FIBA and NCAA play the past few years has Kennedy as a 40% shooter from 3 on 293 attempts and a 72% shooter from the line on 327 attempts.

The reason I post this is because Chandler got dinged a bit for his poor free throw shooting during his one year at Tennessee. 72% in organized ball isn't great, but its not that bad and there are several good free throw shooters in the NBA that didn't shoot free throws that well during their first year of college. I also like his outside shooting and during his five games at the SEC and NCAA tournament, he shot 50% from threes. While the focus on Chandler is as a ball handling point guard, I think he can play effectively off the ball too.

Another tweet from @GlobalScouting_ about Chandler: Kennedy Chandler is an elite POA defender. He does a great job of using his quickness to stay in-front of ball-handlers, uses his length (6'6" wingspan) to contest shots, & does a great job of positioning himself on defense. Arguably the best perimeter defending PG in the draft. [Video showing him successfully defending and altering shot from a taller guard: https://twitter.com/GlobalScouting_/status/1529271171887337476

I like Ty Ty and Chandler, but not at 19. This is not a particularly good draft for PGs, which makes Ty Ty and Chandler more attractive than they should be. I just don't see either one becoming a starting NBA PG, much less an all-star level PG. That's just my subjective take. This draft is loaded with talented wings and some really good bigs. I think there will be wings and/or bigs available at 19 who are better prospects than either Ty Ty or Chandler.

lipoli390 wrote:I like Ty Ty and Chandler, but not at 19. This is not a particularly good draft for PGs, which makes Ty Ty and Chandler more attractive than they should be. I just don't see either one becoming a starting NBA PG, much less an all-star level PG. That's just my subjective take. This draft is loaded with talented wings and some really good bigs. I think there will be wings and/or bigs available at 19 who are better prospects than either Ty Ty or Chandler.

I agree that overall its not a good PG draft in the sense there are few attractive PG prospects projected to go in lottery; Ivey and Daniels are considered more combo guards, but no real blue chip pure point guard. But for where our pick lands, I think both TyTy and Chandler are as good a prospect for point guard as you typically find in a draft. I actually see both players being starting caliber players with a fair amount of upside. TyTy had better stats than Maxey did at Kentucky, yet Maxey has borderline all-star upside. I like the wing prospects too and think their are some decent upside prospects, but no real sure things expected at 19. I don't see why we can't address both point guard and wing with our first couple picks. We might be able to either move up from 40 into the 25-32 range or move pick 19 back to get two first round picks. I'm hoping we can get both Chandler or TyTy and get Dalen Terry! But I'd also be happy if we get Eason, Jalen Williams or Dalen Terry and then Nembhard in round 2.

KG4Ever wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:I like Ty Ty and Chandler, but not at 19. This is not a particularly good draft for PGs, which makes Ty Ty and Chandler more attractive than they should be. I just don't see either one becoming a starting NBA PG, much less an all-star level PG. That's just my subjective take. This draft is loaded with talented wings and some really good bigs. I think there will be wings and/or bigs available at 19 who are better prospects than either Ty Ty or Chandler.

I agree that overall its not a good PG draft in the sense there are few attractive PG prospects projected to go in lottery; Ivey and Daniels are considered more combo guards, but no real blue chip pure point guard. But for where our pick lands, I think both TyTy and Chandler are as good a prospect for point guard as you typically find in a draft. I actually see both players being starting caliber players with a fair amount of upside. TyTy had better stats than Maxey did at Kentucky, yet Maxey has borderline all-star upside. I like the wing prospects too and think their are some decent upside prospects, but no real sure things expected at 19. I don't see why we can't address both point guard and wing with our first couple picks. We might be able to either move up from 40 into the 25-32 range or move pick 19 back to get two first round picks. I'm hoping we can get both Chandler or TyTy and get Dalen Terry! But I'd also be happy if we get Eason, Jalen Williams or Dalen Terry and then Nembhard in round 2.

I agree, KG. I think we can do both. If Eason falls to 19, I'll be thrilled! I just want the Wolves to walk away from this draft with at least one of the following three, although we might have to trade up a couple spots to get at least one of them:

1. Tari Eason,
2. Dalen Terry, or
3. Jalen Williams

Among those with a chance to be available at or around 19, I also like EJ Liddell and I'd put Ty Ty and Chandler in the same tier as Liddell, just below my top three. Nembhard will definitely be available at 40 and likely available at 48 or lower. I like him. Ty Ty and Chandler won't last until #40, but as you suggested, perhaps the Wolves can swap second-round picks to get another low 1st-rounder they'd could use on one of those two.

lipoli390 wrote:

KG4Ever wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:I like Ty Ty and Chandler, but not at 19. This is not a particularly good draft for PGs, which makes Ty Ty and Chandler more attractive than they should be. I just don't see either one becoming a starting NBA PG, much less an all-star level PG. That's just my subjective take. This draft is loaded with talented wings and some really good bigs. I think there will be wings and/or bigs available at 19 who are better prospects than either Ty Ty or Chandler.

I agree that overall its not a good PG draft in the sense there are few attractive PG prospects projected to go in lottery; Ivey and Daniels are considered more combo guards, but no real blue chip pure point guard. But for where our pick lands, I think both TyTy and Chandler are as good a prospect for point guard as you typically find in a draft. I actually see both players being starting caliber players with a fair amount of upside. TyTy had better stats than Maxey did at Kentucky, yet Maxey has borderline all-star upside. I like the wing prospects too and think their are some decent upside prospects, but no real sure things expected at 19. I don't see why we can't address both point guard and wing with our first couple picks. We might be able to either move up from 40 into the 25-32 range or move pick 19 back to get two first round picks. I'm hoping we can get both Chandler or TyTy and get Dalen Terry! But I'd also be happy if we get Eason, Jalen Williams or Dalen Terry and then Nembhard in round 2.

I agree, KG. I think we can do both. If Eason falls to 19, I'll be thrilled! I just want the Wolves to walk away from this draft with at least one of the following three, although we might have to trade up a couple spots to get at least one of them:

1. Tari Eason,
2. Dalen Terry, or
3. Jalen Williams

Among those with a chance to be available at or around 19, I also like EJ Liddell and I'd put Ty Ty and Chandler in the same tier as Liddell, just below my top three. Nembhard will definitely be available at 40 and likely available at 48 or lower. I like him. Ty Ty and Chandler won't last until #40, but as you suggested, perhaps the Wolves can swap second-round picks to get another low 1st-rounder they'd could use on one of those two.

TyTy, Eason and Jalen likely would have to be taken with our first pick. I see Dalen Terry and Chandler have a larger range of possible draft positions. Maybe Terry or Chandler might be available in the 25-32 range, but neither will be likely available outside this range. I'd look to try to move up into this range with picks 40, 48 and Naz/Bolmaro, if one of those two guys are available. Koloko could also be a trade up target in the same range. If we don't go point guard in the first round, I am looking at Nembhard, though we might have to move up into the 31-34 range to ensure we get him as I have seen him mocked as early as 34. To move up, I think 40 and a later second rounder should be sufficient in that case. Lots of possibilities. The excitement is building. One more week!

KG4Ever wrote:Saw this on Twitter: According to
@CerebroSports
, the sample they have of Kennedy Chandler from HS, AAU, FIBA and NCAA play the past few years has Kennedy as a 40% shooter from 3 on 293 attempts and a 72% shooter from the line on 327 attempts.

The reason I post this is because Chandler got dinged a bit for his poor free throw shooting during his one year at Tennessee. 72% in organized ball isn't great, but its not that bad and there are several good free throw shooters in the NBA that didn't shoot free throws that well during their first year of college. I also like his outside shooting and during his five games at the SEC and NCAA tournament, he shot 50% from threes. While the focus on Chandler is as a ball handling point guard, I think he can play effectively off the ball too.

Another tweet from @GlobalScouting_ about Chandler: Kennedy Chandler is an elite POA defender. He does a great job of using his quickness to stay in-front of ball-handlers, uses his length (6'6" wingspan) to contest shots, & does a great job of positioning himself on defense. Arguably the best perimeter defending PG in the draft. [Video showing him successfully defending and altering shot from a taller guard: https://twitter.com/GlobalScouting_/status/1529271171887337476

That's good info.

I will say that in the 2 games I watched of Chandler he was up on guys and did some good things as a team defender. I do like what I saw him do on that end for the most part.

I'll also add that I mentioned his weight as a concern which I think it may still be one Tyus is listed at 196 pounds. That's about where McKinley Wright is too and to be honest I was kinda surprised Wright weighed that much. That dude just looks small on the court just around other NBA teammates. I think he plays bigger than his size though.

monsterpile wrote:

KG4Ever wrote:Saw this on Twitter: According to
@CerebroSports
, the sample they have of Kennedy Chandler from HS, AAU, FIBA and NCAA play the past few years has Kennedy as a 40% shooter from 3 on 293 attempts and a 72% shooter from the line on 327 attempts.

The reason I post this is because Chandler got dinged a bit for his poor free throw shooting during his one year at Tennessee. 72% in organized ball isn't great, but its not that bad and there are several good free throw shooters in the NBA that didn't shoot free throws that well during their first year of college. I also like his outside shooting and during his five games at the SEC and NCAA tournament, he shot 50% from threes. While the focus on Chandler is as a ball handling point guard, I think he can play effectively off the ball too.

Another tweet from @GlobalScouting_ about Chandler: Kennedy Chandler is an elite POA defender. He does a great job of using his quickness to stay in-front of ball-handlers, uses his length (6'6" wingspan) to contest shots, & does a great job of positioning himself on defense. Arguably the best perimeter defending PG in the draft. [Video showing him successfully defending and altering shot from a taller guard: https://twitter.com/GlobalScouting_/status/1529271171887337476

That's good info.

I will say that in the 2 games I watched of Chandler he was up on guys and did some good things as a team defender. I do like what I saw him do on that end for the most part.

I'll also add that I mentioned his weight as a concern which I think it may still be one Tyus is listed at 196 pounds. That's about where McKinley Wright is too and to be honest I was kinda surprised Wright weighed that much. That dude just looks small on the court just around other NBA teammates. I think he plays bigger than his size though.

As we've discussed, strength is a huge advantage for shorter PGs because when opposing players try to bully ball them in the post, they are able to stand their ground and use their strength to make things difficult (Chris Paul being a great example of this).

Chandler may be able to hold his own against other opposing NBA PGs defensively. The issue is in the playoffs when the big wings and hybrid 4s (like Doncic) hunt him out for switches and just use their body to shield the ball and get into the paint.

I want size, toughness, and quick feet defensively and someone who's catch and shoot 3-ball can be developed.

Words of wisdom from the head of basketball operations for the team that just won the NBA championship and that has one four championships in the last 8 seasons:

"Whoever we drafted, we didn't think they'd be a reason we won the championship or not," Myers told The Athletic. "So we thought, let's just draft the best players who were on the board. A lot of people wanted us to trade them for a star. This is not said in the vein of 'I told you so,' but we did think Andrew Wiggins could fill that role. We did. Not a lot of people did. But we wanted to see him in that role of the fourth guy." - via Anthony Slater @ The Athletic

The lesson is clear: Draft the best players available to build your team, especially your team's core. Don't count on free agency. Use trades judiciously to fill in gaps or supplement your core. No organization hits on all their draft picks. But the best organizations hit on most and hit big on many, even outside the top 5 or 10. Draft well to accumulate talent and be patient as that talent develops. Unless you're a destination franchise in a glitzy, warm weather city like LA or Miami, that's how you build a winning team, especially if you want a sustainable winner over time. That's what Connelly needs to do with the Wolves.

Tim Connelly is fortunate in that he inherited a 46-win team with two former #1 picks - one just entering his prime (KAT), the other just coming into his own (Ant). He has some other good young talent in McDaniels, Nowell, Naz Reid, Vanderbilt, JMac and Bolmaro. He has the #19 pick and three 2nd-round picks (including #40) in this year's draft along with all the Wolves' future 1st-round picks and all but two of the team's future 2nd-round picks. That's a lot to work with. Connelly and his impressive front office team need to be smart, strategic and patient in their use of those assets. As with the vast majority of NBA franchises, there are no short cuts for the Wolves. Here's how I see that lesson from the Warriors organization translating to the Wolves situation right now:

1. Use this year's four draft picks to acquire one or two high-caliber prospects, not to address specific needs. That could mean packaging picks and possibly a prospect or two like Naz or Bolmaro to (a) move up from 19, (b) add another lower 1st-round pick, or (c) move up from 40 to a higher 2nd-round pick.

2. Hold onto, and be patient with the development of, McDaniels, Nowell and JMac. And while Bolmaro should be considered a viable trade asset to move up in the draft or add a pick, don't undervalue him as a potentially good player for the Wolves.

3. Avoid the temptation to trade current or future 1st-round picks for present value veteran players and absolutely don't trade picks or young high-upside players for aging vets on the back end of their careers

4. Use free agency or trades strategically to fill key gaps on the roster - which in this instance likely means signing one of the many good free-agent bigs in what is clearly a buyer's market.

Bob Myers says that, but I hope he didn't draft Wiseman because he thought he was better than LaMelo Ball. He was trying to add talent that he could actually utilize sooner than later. Kuminga and Moody didn't play much, but at least there's a pathway to them being useful later on. Filling needs matters more than he lets on. Myers had the ultimate luxury of having Thompson, Curry and Green.

Also, defense matters. Any recommendation of becoming a team who merely tries to outscore guys is a bad idea. Get guys who can function defensively. It's why we even got as far as being a play-in team.

It's less than a week till the draft and while there is still some time for those mock drafts to fluctuate somewhat is there a guy that could reasonably fall to the Wolves that you expect to go higher you would be really excited about?

I haven't spent that much time on looking at players especially ones that might go higher than #19 and so I don't think I have someone I would be really thrilled with if they dropped. I guess TyTy Washington is a guy I hope drops but IDK if I'm going to be like really pumped if we get him. It feels like there is a bucket of guys (like maybe even 20) who play various positions that seem worthy of a pick at #19. I might like 10 out of the 20 (just throwing out some basic numbers) better than than the other 10 but I'm probably not gonna complain if we end up with Liddell etc. I think even though I haven't done as much digging into this draft or still seems like an eye of the beholder draft so we could see some various surprises. So now I'm gonna hang up and listen and find out maybe who people are excited about.