Live Thread: 2018 NBA Draft (#DoYouFeelIt?)

Live Thread: 2018 NBA Draft (#DoYouFeelIt?)

2018-06-21 Off By EvilGenius

I’ll admit it… my heart’s just not in this draft. Not because there aren’t a ton of terrific young prospects to choose from, even at the 8th spot where the Cavaliers find themselves… but because I’m finding it hard to enjoy it with the ever-present spectre of another LeBron James “decision” looming over it. With such a disparate group of players potentially available (from bigs to smalls to every swing man in between), the wrinkle that makes it even harder to evaluate who best suits this team… is the uncertainty of whether or not the pick in question will be sharing the court with the King. Do they complement his style… or will they suddenly have the weight of a franchise foisted upon their young shoulders. Hard to say.

Fortunately for me (and for the rest of you) we have a terrific staff here at C:tB who have been breaking down the potential candidates over the last week or two. The three remaining have generated some fairly polarizing views.

Apologies in advance, but I’m going to crib from the ESPN strengths and weaknesses since I have limited time before the draft starts…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB8uoq7Kq9A

Trae Young

Is he the next Steph? Or, is he the next Shabazz Napier? No college prospect moves the needle more between boom and bust for most NBA experts.

Strengths (courtesy of ESPN)

  • Deadly pull-up shooter with deep range. Loves transition quick hitters. Kills pick-and-roll under coverages.
  • Shifty ball handler who has it on a string. Uses his pull-up threat to set up the rest of his game. Has a knack for drawing fouls despite his size.
  • Excellent passer (9.8 assists per 40 with a not-so-inspiring supporting cast). Should look even better with NBA spacing and talent around him.

Weaknesses (courtesy of ESPN)

  • Underwhelming physical profile for a starting NBA point guard. How much will he be able to fill out? Lack of elite physical tools along with uninspiring effort lead to serious questions about who he’ll be able to defend at the NBA level. While partially due to role, he showed a lack of toughness defensively at Oklahoma.
  • Struggles to finish in traffic against length and athleticism. Relied heavily on getting to the free throw line at the collegiate level — 9.7 times per 40 — but his efficiency took a dive when the whistles dried up.
  • Brilliant court vision but can be careless with the ball, especially in a crowd. Lack of elite size limits his ability to see over the top of the defense. Gets bumped off his spots. Turned the ball over on 20.6 percent of pick-and-roll possessions.

My Take

If LeBron sticks around, Young could develop into something special, and probably wouldn’t be any worse than what the Cavs have had defensively at the point over the last couple of years. If LeBron bolts, Young does not exactly seem like the kind of cornerstone talent the team can build around. I hope they steer clear, but I could totally see the Cavs believing in Young as a sort of hail mary/Shabazz Napier kind of play. His ceiling also could be valuable in potential trades regardless of what LeBron decides.

Wendell Carter, Jr.

Is he the next Al Horford? Or, the next Al Jefferson? WCJ is a very large dude with a nice offensive touch, who doesn’t really do anything all that remarkable on the floor.

Strengths (courtesy of ESPN)

  • Strong physical profile. Powerful and explosive off two feet. Uses verticality to protect the rim.
  • Polished, versatile, intelligent player on both ends of the floor. Has soft hands to go along with strong footwork and touch. Good shooting mechanics; made 19 of 46 3s (41 percent) to go along with 74 percent of his free throws. Good passer and rebounder.
  • Lauded for his outstanding intangibles as a worker and teammate. Has a very high floor.

Weaknesses (courtesy of ESPN)

  • Not as explosive as some of his peers. Floor is high, but ceiling is also lower.
  • Looks heavy-footed at times trying to defend in space. Might struggle to step out in pick-and-roll situations. Has good instincts, but will need to continue to hone his technique.
  • Doesn’t always play with the type of physicality and confidence you might hope, especially in pressure-packed situations. Comfortable blending in.

My Take

Unless the Cavs go against what they’ve said publicly about wanting to hang onto Kevin Love, whether LeBron decides to leave or not, WCJ seems more like a redundancy of skills the Cavs already possess.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Is he the next Shaun Livingston (pre-injury)? Or, the next Michael Carter Williams? SGA is a tall, lanky and sneaky good finisher from the PG position, but is he a reach at #8?

Strengths (courtesy of ESPN)

  • Elite size and length for a lead guard. Slithery athlete who gets to spots on the floor with long strides. Impressive side-to-side agility.
  • Polished ball-screen player. Splits screens instinctually. Good pace as a facilitator. Can pass or finish with either hand. Crafty around the rim. Improved standstill shooter.
  • Tools to become a multi-positional defender in time. Good instincts.

Weaknesses (courtesy of ESPN)

  • Not overly explosive or physical. Gets by on skill and craft. PG skills could still use some polish.
  • How will he score in the half court? Slow, flat-footed pull-up that’s easy to contest.
  • Not always the defender he could be. Reaches rather than contains. Level of toughness is inconsistent.

My Take

While I’m a fan of tall point guards (especially ones with seven foot wingspans), I’m also a fan of point guards who can shoot. SGA is not going to impress many with his current ability to put the ball in the hole, except on layups… at least at the moment. While he could develop into a solid two-way PG, he’s not the kind of three point gunner that LeBron will have patience for if he stays. SGA could be a decent choice for a rebuilding team, but I’d prefer Collin Sexton’s game and motor over his.

So, there you have the last three candidates who might be available to the Cavs when they pick tonight. Of course, they could always move up or down the draft board with a trade tonight (as high as maybe Memphis at 4 if they want to take on Chandler Parson’s albatross contract… or down to 11 if they want to try to snag Kemba Walker and Nic Batum with a salary/pick swap with Charlotte).

We’ll do our best to keep this thread updated with all of tonight’s picks as they’re announced, or trades along the way. So please, hang out and follow along… no matter if your heart’s in it or not.

The Phoenix Suns are on the clock…

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1009971633484951552

And, that concludes Round 1!

Feel free to hang out to see if the Cavs trade/buy back into Round 2…

 

Share
CategoryFeatured Live Thread
TagsKevin Love Lebron James Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Trae Young Wendell Carter Jr.
745 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
believeLAND

Philly actually had a lot of good picks, trading Mikal is dicey but that Miami pick could be a huge asset.

0
Arch Stanton

Cavs should test the waters on Tryggvi Hlinason

0
Arch Stanton

AKA the LeBron of Iceland

0
JMKP

If we draft him I’ll have to write an entire piece on how Islandic (and, generally, Viking) stories are relevant to the Cavaliers.

That would be fun.

0
Phil Hubbard

I’d read that even if we don’t get him

0
Jason

Philly takes a flier on Giannis’ brother at #60.

0
Arch Stanton

He’s got another brother.

0
Phil Hubbard

Obi-Wan voice: “There is another.”

0
Joeyb

That was yoda

0
JMKP

Spoiler Alert!

0
Phil Hubbard

D’oh! You’re right, of course.

0
Jason

Two decent Wildcats left: Alkins & Trier.

0
believeLAND

Unless Lue gets in the way, Sexton will be ROTY

0
Jason

Ayton or Doncic, easy. Young will score a ton in Atlanta. Second team perhaps.

0
Jason

Milton to Dallas. Another good pick for the Mavs. Can shoot & handle with some some size.

0
JMKP

Starting Five: Sexton, Hill, James, Love, Nance
Backup Five: Cedi, Smith, Korver, TT, Zizic
Motivator: Perk
Bench Warmer: Clarkson

0
Jason

I like your thinking. If only Lue would go along. Though I would not give up on Clarkson or Hood yet. Jordan tries hard at least.

0
buck turgidson

trying, at $12mill/yr, is an unwatchable joke

0
JRL

I’m with buck on this one.

0
JMKP

Clarkson and Hood could be good if they played within themselves and had a better coach. Lue + Clarkson/Hood = disaster

0
buck turgidson

i have heard nothing about a new coach.. if they were going to clean lue out.. they would have done it when they let the other 2 jokers go

0
buck turgidson

this really is an unwatchable mess.. thank goodness for league pass..

0
buck turgidson

they needed to dump love and get another young body.. but they obviously believe they can be competitive with this roster.. which i think is delusional.. the high-paid remnants of the championship (TT and JR) are really devoid of value.. and will be poison in the locker room, because they barely exerted themselves while fighting for a championship, wait till you see them next year just cashin’ the checks.. oh yeah, the fire will be buring bright for sure.. love is on the not so slow road to obsolescence.. the youth is going to get a heck of a baptism… Read more »

0
believeLAND

^This comment is a joke.

0
believeLAND

Dude why are you here? Phil Handy is one of the best player development coaches in the league and Boylan is an excellent assistant who has been discussed in head coaching positions in the past. Cavs actually had a tremendous coaching staff for the last four years, just the head coach was a struggle.
You’re perspectives are lame.

0
buck turgidson

LBJ is not playing with this group.. it ain’t happening..

0
JMKP

New coach + Sexton = LeBron stays. Hopefully.

0
Jason

Five trades this round, none involving CLE. I know the cupboard is bare, however. Milton & Alkins still out there.

0
Jason

Diop to Minny. Good picks there.

0
Jason

8 more picks to Philly’s 5yh of the night, which I see as a possible buy in.

0
Jason

75% of the way home.

0
Jason

Still out: Diop, Melton, Diallo, Milton, Alkins, McCoy, Metu.

0
Arch Stanton

Have the Magic drafted another center yet?

0
JMKP

Maybe they’ll re-sign Dwight Howard and trade for Noel.

They are trying to break the NBA by finding the next big change in the NBA. 3 point shooting is outdated. We need five centers! Nothing but wingspan!

0
JMKP

Have the Orlando Magic made sense since the Dwight Howard/SVG era?

0
JMKP

I just don’t know what that team is

0
CLF

Comments awaiting moderation?

0
EvilGenius

Fixed…

0
CLF

Thanks EG!

0
CLF

Cavs should get a better version of Draymond in Bonzie Colson….. dude can ball.

0
Jason

Dip, Melton, and Diallo still out there.

0
Jason

Blazers traded for Trent Jr. Kings so silly.

0
CLF

Did they really??? yup… dumb move, they need shooting and a smart, heady player.

0
CLF

BTW… great pickup for Blazers.. exactly what they’re missing. Shooting at the SF position.

0
Jason

Well, I dream of Diop, but am heading to bed. Not likely to happen.

0
Jason

So, as it stands:

Starters: Sexton, JR, Osman, Love, TT.
Bench: Hill, Clarkson, Korver, Nance, Zizic, Whie (non-guaranteed), Perkins.

FAs: Bron, Green, Calderon
RFA: Hood

0
buck turgidson

does anyone actually believe that LBJ wants to go through another year with that roster? i view that as a virtual impossibility..

0
buck turgidson

without LBJ.. i’m not sure i have an adjective that captures my feelings.. other than.. sad

0
Arch Stanton

Apparently the only two teams he’s considering is Cleveland and LAL.

0
Jason

K. Thomas to Philly. That is a solid pick.

0
Arch Stanton

Cavs can always sign some undrafted guys.

0
Jason

Robinson to the Knicks. Lot of good players out there, gonna be tough to buy a pick here, especially after the Bulls Bell debacle last year. Maybe Philly.

0
Jason

Trent to the Kings.

0
Arch Stanton

Probably not happening:

Cavs haven't made much headway in buying into second round

— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) June 22, 2018

0
CLF

WTF CavsDan.. it’s only money!!!?

0
Arch Stanton

I don’t think it’s that so much as none of these teams want to sell their picks.

0
CLF

He needs to make an offer they can’t refuse.

Trent’s gone….. SacTown getting Trent and Bagley is looking pretty good.

0
CLF

Man…. CavsDan should man up and get Trent and Melton…. that would hopefully put an end to the JR/Jordan Clarkson poo poo platter.

0
CLF

Gary Trent Jr. also still out there… that would be fantastic!

0
CLF

Danthony Melton out there…. Cavs should purchase a pick?

0
CLF

WOW… I’m really loving Atlanta’s draft… also make me wonder if they’d trade Schroeder on the cheap?

0
Nate Smith

Yes they would. And no, I don’t want him.

0
Jason

Well, his contract is huge. He plays no D but can score. And we took Sexton. I’d rather stay with Colliln than take Schroeder. Now, Sexton for Kemba is a bit different, though we would need to throw in more salary.

0
MikeO

He’d be great on the Celtics…

0
Jason

Brunson to the Mavs. Should be a good backup to Smith/Doncic. Good fit forCarlisle’s system. Like what the Mavs did. Steep price for Doncic.

0
Nate Smith

Jalen Brunson is going to be in the NBA for 10 years+

0
Arch Stanton

I just hope if the Cavs make a pick in the 2nd round, that the comp isn’t Kay Felder.

0
Charlie E

Who is Smallest Man Available at this point?

0
Scotch

Surprised Bates-diop hasn’t gotten picked. I think he is a better Evan Turner…and that dude played somehow for several years in the nba

0
MikeO

And is still playing…for huge paychecks…

0
Nate Smith

Jevon Carter. Greatt pick for the grizz.

0
Jason

A Grindhouse guy for sure.

0
Jason

Suns pick their PG with 31, but from France, not ‘Nova.

0
Jason

Suns, Hawks, & 76ers have a ton of picks. If we are going to buy one, now seems the time. The first 10 of this round should be it.

0
Arch Stanton

I’m thinking 55-60 range.

0
Jason

Hawks take Spellman. Odd with Collins & Dedmon opting in. I’d have went for a forward or another wing. Like the player, however.

0
CLF

If the Cavs were serious about getting the 4th pick, I think they were targeting Young.

0
Nate Smith

With Cavsdan as GM? Jaren Jackson Jr.

0
CLF

LOL

0
buck turgidson

actually.. it all suddenly makes sense to me.. gilbert.. mortgage.. gilbert.. mortgage.. gilbert-cavs.. mortgage… gilbert-cavs.. mortgage.. no wonder the cupboard is bare

0
Jason

Rd two almost upon us. Brunson, Thomas, Diop, Robinson all out there. Musa as well.

0
Nate Smith

Intersting the way the SGA trade went down. Makes me think Cavs/Hornets might be in the mix.

0
Arch Stanton

I think that probably hinges on LeBron. If he stays I could see them trading Sexton for Kembe, otherwise they’ll keep Sexton.

0
Jason

I don’t think Charlotte has decided if they want to rebuild yet or not. Agree that Kemba deal may be in the mix. Sexton is a two way pick in that sense. Can try to deal him to Charlotte for Kemba to try and keep Bron, can help us if he stays, and can be a good player if Bron goes.

0
Jason

Four letter said we tried to trade up to #4 but to no avail.

0
Nate Smith

Four letter?

0
MikeO

E S P N

0
CLF

Just got back from driving all evening. Heard the Sexton pick…. pretty meh on it. I worry about his bball IQ given LeBron’s comments. Love what the Hawks did…. Young and Huerter gonna shoot the lights out of the gym….. they need some defense now.

0
Nate Smith

Given LeBron’s comments?

0
CLF

His desire for high IQ players…. I see Sexton as highly skilled and athletic with some grit, rather than a basketball savant.

0
Arch Stanton

I believe Sexton was LeBrons favorite PG in the draft.

0
CLF

I see nothing about Sexton being his favorite PG, but Vardon reported that LeBron’s people like him, so I hope so!

0
Nate Smith

4.0 GPA fall semester. 3.7 in high school. I’m not worried.

0
CLF

I think that speaks more to his character than the way he plays the game. He’s got tunnel vision when I see him play…. the question is whether that was a function of the lack of talent around him or an inability to see the floor.

0
Jason

Evans can D. Good pick by the Dubs. They don’t need more shooting. Great defender.

0
Arch Stanton

From yesterday…https://t.co/ooMIogqDWX

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) June 22, 2018

0
MikeO

Evans is already better than Swaggy P….

0
buck turgidson

yes.. espn just says boston got a “lottery talent” at #27.. oh well..

0
buck turgidson

we have clarkson.. at $12mill/yr..

0
Jason

He was projected late lotto. So that is not BS.

0
Charlie E

Good, straightforward pick by Celtics. When you have a young deep team you don’t have to do anything crazy. Good talent for such a late pick.

0
MikeO

Williams is an absolute bricklayer, but is good defensively…

0
EvilGenius

Wonder why Williams fell so far?

0
Nate Smith

Things he needs to work on; offense. 2-30 from three 43% from the line. Have fun, Boston.

0
Jason

My guess is offensive limitations and the fact that there was a run on wings after all the bigs early. Wagner went ahead of him. And a lot of teams picked who had Cs (Philly, Phoenix, Hawks, etc) or who don’t want a limited offensive player. C’s need help on the glass & shotblocking. That he can do.

0
Charlie E

Was watching live show from The Ringer. General consensus was that Williams has motor/motivation issues which were a red flag for many teams.

0
MikeO

Funny how Ainge is considered a draft guru now when he was mocked for his drafts for years…

0
Nate Smith

How can he be the best lob catcher in this draft when he only rolled to the rim nine times?

0
Jason

76ers have picks 8 & 9 in round 2, think they could have made that pick later. I’d have gone Brunson first.

0
Nate Smith

Draft and stash for sure. Or trades. They don’t want more salary.

0
MikeO

Ainge must be furious that Grayson is of the board…

0
Jason

Agree with DA (Aldridge), they will take a C here. I’d go Robinson or Williams.

0
EvilGenius

I think they got Landry’s height wrong…

https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/1009984287981080577

0
EvilGenius

Don’t love that pick for Sixers…

0
Nate Smith

Eff the sixers.

0
EvilGenius

Lol…

0
Nate Smith

If LeBron goes to the Sixers, he’s a total mercenary. Anyway. The Bridges trade was to cut a million dollars in salary.

0
Anonymous

Lakers take Wagner with our pick. Damn. I liked that kid. Wagner, Kuzma is a nice 4/5 combo.

0
buck turgidson

already very deep.. and getting nicely deeper.. at #26.. but hey.. i have been reminded many times on this site that these late picks are garbage picks, with no relevance to building a pro team

0
Nate Smith

Not on this site, bub.

0
Nate Smith

Like literally, no one involved with running this site has ever advocated throwing away draft picks. Ever. We decried Christian Eyenga.

0
buck turgidson

i will pull up the names.. not admins.. u guys are gr8

0
Nate Smith

OH, ok. Don’t worry about it. I thought you meant us.

0
EvilGenius

By whom?

0
Anonymous

Avery Bradley said he is the fastest player he has ever seen with and without the ball. And he has seen a lot. Yes, he has a lot to work on. Vision. Passing. Shooting. Finishing at the rim. But he can play quality defense from day 1 and can penetrate. And he doesn’t shrink from the limelight. He works his butt off (in game and in the gym). Plus, he’ll have more room to operate with Bron (hopefully), Love, Korver, & other shooters around him. I’d have loved for Doncic, Bamba, or Young to drop to us. I was OK… Read more »

0
MikeO

I like Sexton, but he has a lot to improve, and I hope he does.

0
EvilGenius

Chauncey’s comp is… Mehmet Okur??

0
Nate Smith

Nice.

0
Anonymous

It was the only white European C he could think of. More like Jokic to me.

0
Excl

That trade happened over a year ago?? I don’t think so.

0
MikeO

Wagner will be extra annoying on the Lakers…

0
buck turgidson

williams

0
Charlie E

Kid from Michigan, did some good things in the tournament. Good pick.

0
e

“PLAY WITH PACE ” YOUNG FELLOW —OMG TY

0
buck turgidson

our pick is up.. let’s see how it compares to clarkson in a year or 2

0
1 … 4 5 6 7