Post by beatonz on May 8, 2023 19:08:11 GMT -6
Let's do it again, Beatonz annual ITP draft preview. We have a lot of teams making up the top 10 as last season which isn't necessarily a surprise but when will these teams drafting high in what seems like year in and year out take the next step and start pushing for the playoffs.
Draft Lottery Results:
Biggest Winners
1. Sacramento Kings - Jumping up from #2 to #1 may not be as impressive as the Lakers jump from #6 to #2, but in a season where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is in the draft everyone wanted this top pick. The Kings land themselves an incredible opportunity since the Season 1 draft where they took Anthony Edwards over Lamelo Ball who was most recently named league MVP. This decision at number one may be a little easier.
2. LA Lakers - Well the Lakers find themselves one the winners of the draft lottery again this season. After jumping up from #2 to #1 last season the Lakers jump from #6 to #2. There are a handful of players who could be worthy of the #2 pick so there are a number of options here, but it's nice to have the choice of options.
Biggest Losers:
1. Charlotte Hornets - Somethings never change, the Charlotte Hornets once again fall out of the #1 favorites for the #1 overall pick falling from #1 to #3 AGAIN. This is the third year in a row they have lost that coveted number one selection. This franchise just can't catch a break.
2. Boston Celtics - Moving down only one spot from #5 to #6 may not seem to bad, but in my eyes there is a consensus top 5 picks this season and after that the talent drops off. Unfortunately for the Celtics, they wont be taking one of those top five players.
Beatonz Top 10 Draft Picks
1. Sacramento Kings: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
This is a perfect fit for Kareem coming into ITP as a highly touted rookie. The Kings have been building a core for many years drafting the like of Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Toni Kukoc with lottery picks. A solid core who can grow together.
Kareem is by far the best prospect coming into the league and for good reason. We all expect big numbers out the gate and will get the opportunity he deserves in the Kings organization. Julius Randle has emerged as an above average scorer with decent efficiency numbers. Pairing Randle and Kareem in the front court could make one of the scariest big combination in the league.
2. LA Lakers: Karl Anthony Towns
The Lakers likely have the best young group of young players this league has seen to date. Trading core players in the past for 1st rounders and using their owns 1sts to their full potential has really paid off. Webber, Wiggins, LaVine, and Burke is a great little foundation with a ton of potential. Now they get to add to it.
Out of that core, I see one missing big man, that's assuming LA is happy with Burke taking the reigns full time at the PG position. The Lakers also just announced a trade sending big man Vonleh along with Wesley and a couple late 1sts to the Rockets for the #7 overall pick. Sending Vonleh out of town could point towards the Lakers taking a big man at this spot to fill the void. We will see if this trade ends up going through after commissioner John quickly announced his displeasure with the trade calling it a "horrible trade" but regardless of the trade, I think Towns is the Lakers man at this spot.
3. Charlotte Hornets: Devin Booker
I think the Tyrese Haliburton project has officially run its course in Charlotte. The previous #3 overall selection in the 2001 season has officially landed in BUST territory. And with new up and coming PG Nick Van Exel, who was also selected a #3 last season, its time for Tyrese to go. Time for the team to bring in some fresh young blood to replace to old. What better name to do that with than Devin Booker.
If Booker is the pick here, he will join Rick Barry who is quietly proving he is a capable scoring wing in this league. Booker and Barry combo could rival the LaVine and Wiggins wings as the best young wing combo in the league. This is an exciting pick for this franchise and it will really define them moving forward. No one needs their pick to work out more than the Hornets need this pick to work out.
4. Phoenix Suns: D'Angelo Russell
After going big in last years draft with Shawn Bradley at #4, I think the Suns will focus on the backcourt this offseason selecting Russell. He's got the making of a start PG with similar builds to star PGs LeMelo Ball, Killian Hayes and Marcus Smart coming into the league. The Suns already have 21 year old Elfrid Payton holding down the PG position but the Suns GM has made it known that he is willing to move on from him in their latest trade block.
The thing I like about Russell here is that even if he doesn't grow as a pure PG (passing and handling), he can make a great SG as well albeit maybe a little undersized (this didn't stop Damon Stoudamire this season though). With RJ Hampton taking an unexpected step backwards this season, maybe we see a new looked back court in the desert next season.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kristaps Porzingis
The Cavaliers can't let Scoonie Delk play 30mpg next season again. For this reason they are going to take a big here with this selection. Porzingis should slide in quite nicely next to Aldridge.
After selecting Cole Anthony (#6), Spencer Dinwiddie (#10) and Sam Cassell (#6) in the past three drafts, I think it is safe to say the Cavs don't need to take another PG at this position. It is time to focus on other needs. Porzingis looks to be an all around scoring big man, capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. He will take time to develop on the defensive end but if developed correctly, he may be able to make up for the lack of defense with his scoring.
6. Boston Celtics: Kelly Oubre Jr.
With Jerry Stackhouse's emergence as one of the league top scoring wings and the incredible development of Smart during last years training camp, the Celtics backcourt is set. They lost big man Joe Smith to the 76ers during last years free agency and they need a big man to fill that spot in. With very little to be excited about at the PF and C positions in Boston, the Celtics should probably take a big man, but with Porzingis off the board and only Montrezl Harrell, Myles Turner and Bobby Portis being available in this spot, I think they may pass on a big and go with the best player available Kelly Oubre Jr.
Similar to the PF and C positions, they have next to nothing at SF. By snagging Oubre they can get their SF of the future and address their lack of size in free agency with over $40,000,000 in cap space heading into the offseason.
7. LA Lakers (from Houston Rockets): Tyus Jones
They are on the clock again, after stealing the Rockets 1st rounder the Lakers have another pick in the top 10 for a third year in a row. The Lakers have no glaring holes in their starting five with permanent fixtures at all positions but one. The PG position. Burke is solid, but rumours swirled last season that the Lakers may have been shopping Burke for more draft capital. It's incredible the Lakers didn't have to give Burke up in a trade for this pick.
Tyus Jones could prove to be quite the steal here. Coming into this draft he may be the best PG option long term with great potential and decent starting attributes. He is similar to Russell taken at #4 in many aspects of the game and could prove just as valuable. What a future the Lakers have.
8. Toronto Raptors (from Chicago Bulls): Norman Powell
I think its a toss up here between a couple players but the SF position is a hard position to fill so far in the early years of this league. The Raptors have no glaring weaknesses on their roster which was evident after winning the Central division last season, so the Raptors should be looking at the best player available, regardless of position.
Arsalan Kazemi is likely a goner from T Dot next season unless he wants to come back on a sweetheart deal which isn't likely. So grabbing a replacement for him in this years draft is an added bonus to being the best player available at this position.
9. San Antonio Spurs: Myles Turner
Kunnert and Nater are gone. Its a new looking team in San Antonio, especially the front court. With no serviceable big men on the roster I can't see them letting Turner fall further than #9.
Turner will provide immediate help with the Spurs signature inside scoring style of play and if provided the opportunity could make a case for rookie of the year. I think any rookie starting in San Antonio next season could be early season favourites. In general the Spurs will struggle to get on the board next season with the roster they have now. Look out for this #9 selection, whoever it may be to explode right out of the gate.
10. Detroit Pistons: Terry Rozier
I dont know what to think about this roster build they currently have. Garnett and Gordon seem to make a decent front court of the future but there is a lot missing from this roster. They need a pure scoring player, capable of 20ppg+ badly. Looking at the remaining players let on the board, I don't think there are any guarantees left to fill this role. One option is Josh Richardson who may be a dark horse in this draft. I don't think he's got what the Pistons desperately need but he could fill in nicely. Isaiah Rider was taken by the Pistons at #8 last season and shares the same position at Richardson so this may not work out. The other option is Terry Rozier. Good scoring and handling out the gate could develop into this type of player, but it wont come over night. Ultimately, I think he is the pick here. Tiny Archibald currently runs the show in Detroit, but he has been underwhelming since coming into the league.
Thoughts? Who are your steals and busts looking at this years draft?
Draft Lottery Results:
Biggest Winners
1. Sacramento Kings - Jumping up from #2 to #1 may not be as impressive as the Lakers jump from #6 to #2, but in a season where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is in the draft everyone wanted this top pick. The Kings land themselves an incredible opportunity since the Season 1 draft where they took Anthony Edwards over Lamelo Ball who was most recently named league MVP. This decision at number one may be a little easier.
2. LA Lakers - Well the Lakers find themselves one the winners of the draft lottery again this season. After jumping up from #2 to #1 last season the Lakers jump from #6 to #2. There are a handful of players who could be worthy of the #2 pick so there are a number of options here, but it's nice to have the choice of options.
Biggest Losers:
1. Charlotte Hornets - Somethings never change, the Charlotte Hornets once again fall out of the #1 favorites for the #1 overall pick falling from #1 to #3 AGAIN. This is the third year in a row they have lost that coveted number one selection. This franchise just can't catch a break.
2. Boston Celtics - Moving down only one spot from #5 to #6 may not seem to bad, but in my eyes there is a consensus top 5 picks this season and after that the talent drops off. Unfortunately for the Celtics, they wont be taking one of those top five players.
Beatonz Top 10 Draft Picks
1. Sacramento Kings: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
This is a perfect fit for Kareem coming into ITP as a highly touted rookie. The Kings have been building a core for many years drafting the like of Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Toni Kukoc with lottery picks. A solid core who can grow together.
Kareem is by far the best prospect coming into the league and for good reason. We all expect big numbers out the gate and will get the opportunity he deserves in the Kings organization. Julius Randle has emerged as an above average scorer with decent efficiency numbers. Pairing Randle and Kareem in the front court could make one of the scariest big combination in the league.
2. LA Lakers: Karl Anthony Towns
The Lakers likely have the best young group of young players this league has seen to date. Trading core players in the past for 1st rounders and using their owns 1sts to their full potential has really paid off. Webber, Wiggins, LaVine, and Burke is a great little foundation with a ton of potential. Now they get to add to it.
Out of that core, I see one missing big man, that's assuming LA is happy with Burke taking the reigns full time at the PG position. The Lakers also just announced a trade sending big man Vonleh along with Wesley and a couple late 1sts to the Rockets for the #7 overall pick. Sending Vonleh out of town could point towards the Lakers taking a big man at this spot to fill the void. We will see if this trade ends up going through after commissioner John quickly announced his displeasure with the trade calling it a "horrible trade" but regardless of the trade, I think Towns is the Lakers man at this spot.
3. Charlotte Hornets: Devin Booker
I think the Tyrese Haliburton project has officially run its course in Charlotte. The previous #3 overall selection in the 2001 season has officially landed in BUST territory. And with new up and coming PG Nick Van Exel, who was also selected a #3 last season, its time for Tyrese to go. Time for the team to bring in some fresh young blood to replace to old. What better name to do that with than Devin Booker.
If Booker is the pick here, he will join Rick Barry who is quietly proving he is a capable scoring wing in this league. Booker and Barry combo could rival the LaVine and Wiggins wings as the best young wing combo in the league. This is an exciting pick for this franchise and it will really define them moving forward. No one needs their pick to work out more than the Hornets need this pick to work out.
4. Phoenix Suns: D'Angelo Russell
After going big in last years draft with Shawn Bradley at #4, I think the Suns will focus on the backcourt this offseason selecting Russell. He's got the making of a start PG with similar builds to star PGs LeMelo Ball, Killian Hayes and Marcus Smart coming into the league. The Suns already have 21 year old Elfrid Payton holding down the PG position but the Suns GM has made it known that he is willing to move on from him in their latest trade block.
The thing I like about Russell here is that even if he doesn't grow as a pure PG (passing and handling), he can make a great SG as well albeit maybe a little undersized (this didn't stop Damon Stoudamire this season though). With RJ Hampton taking an unexpected step backwards this season, maybe we see a new looked back court in the desert next season.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kristaps Porzingis
The Cavaliers can't let Scoonie Delk play 30mpg next season again. For this reason they are going to take a big here with this selection. Porzingis should slide in quite nicely next to Aldridge.
After selecting Cole Anthony (#6), Spencer Dinwiddie (#10) and Sam Cassell (#6) in the past three drafts, I think it is safe to say the Cavs don't need to take another PG at this position. It is time to focus on other needs. Porzingis looks to be an all around scoring big man, capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. He will take time to develop on the defensive end but if developed correctly, he may be able to make up for the lack of defense with his scoring.
6. Boston Celtics: Kelly Oubre Jr.
With Jerry Stackhouse's emergence as one of the league top scoring wings and the incredible development of Smart during last years training camp, the Celtics backcourt is set. They lost big man Joe Smith to the 76ers during last years free agency and they need a big man to fill that spot in. With very little to be excited about at the PF and C positions in Boston, the Celtics should probably take a big man, but with Porzingis off the board and only Montrezl Harrell, Myles Turner and Bobby Portis being available in this spot, I think they may pass on a big and go with the best player available Kelly Oubre Jr.
Similar to the PF and C positions, they have next to nothing at SF. By snagging Oubre they can get their SF of the future and address their lack of size in free agency with over $40,000,000 in cap space heading into the offseason.
7. LA Lakers (from Houston Rockets): Tyus Jones
They are on the clock again, after stealing the Rockets 1st rounder the Lakers have another pick in the top 10 for a third year in a row. The Lakers have no glaring holes in their starting five with permanent fixtures at all positions but one. The PG position. Burke is solid, but rumours swirled last season that the Lakers may have been shopping Burke for more draft capital. It's incredible the Lakers didn't have to give Burke up in a trade for this pick.
Tyus Jones could prove to be quite the steal here. Coming into this draft he may be the best PG option long term with great potential and decent starting attributes. He is similar to Russell taken at #4 in many aspects of the game and could prove just as valuable. What a future the Lakers have.
8. Toronto Raptors (from Chicago Bulls): Norman Powell
I think its a toss up here between a couple players but the SF position is a hard position to fill so far in the early years of this league. The Raptors have no glaring weaknesses on their roster which was evident after winning the Central division last season, so the Raptors should be looking at the best player available, regardless of position.
Arsalan Kazemi is likely a goner from T Dot next season unless he wants to come back on a sweetheart deal which isn't likely. So grabbing a replacement for him in this years draft is an added bonus to being the best player available at this position.
9. San Antonio Spurs: Myles Turner
Kunnert and Nater are gone. Its a new looking team in San Antonio, especially the front court. With no serviceable big men on the roster I can't see them letting Turner fall further than #9.
Turner will provide immediate help with the Spurs signature inside scoring style of play and if provided the opportunity could make a case for rookie of the year. I think any rookie starting in San Antonio next season could be early season favourites. In general the Spurs will struggle to get on the board next season with the roster they have now. Look out for this #9 selection, whoever it may be to explode right out of the gate.
10. Detroit Pistons: Terry Rozier
I dont know what to think about this roster build they currently have. Garnett and Gordon seem to make a decent front court of the future but there is a lot missing from this roster. They need a pure scoring player, capable of 20ppg+ badly. Looking at the remaining players let on the board, I don't think there are any guarantees left to fill this role. One option is Josh Richardson who may be a dark horse in this draft. I don't think he's got what the Pistons desperately need but he could fill in nicely. Isaiah Rider was taken by the Pistons at #8 last season and shares the same position at Richardson so this may not work out. The other option is Terry Rozier. Good scoring and handling out the gate could develop into this type of player, but it wont come over night. Ultimately, I think he is the pick here. Tiny Archibald currently runs the show in Detroit, but he has been underwhelming since coming into the league.
Thoughts? Who are your steals and busts looking at this years draft?