https://west-coast-hoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/draft-positional-1.pdf
Getting this out here before the trades come in. Draft Kings as well as Bovada are currently offering odds for the Top 10.
- Spurs — Wemby
Congrats to the Spurs. I’m excited to watch these teams that tanked. They come into the season VERY underrated BECAUSE… they were trying to lose! Duh. When we get into the systematic tanking from the Spurs there really are levels to this. It was beyond impressive how consistent the calendar rotation was to ensure that their best five guys never started together. Vassell was vocal on social media prior to last season that they “weren’t about the tanking” and their hot start backed it up. So many interchangeable parts here, a lot to be excited about
2. Hornets — Brandon Miller
If you are looking to win games, draft Brandon Miller. If you are looking to create one of the best backcourts in the league, draft Scoot Henderson. I bet Miller back when he was +950 to be selected #2 because I knew he was in the mix, and any time you believe that for a pick, take it because this is the NBA Draft and that kind of stuff happens…or you can end up betting against your great odds. Scoot probably should be the #2 pick, but a jump in odds for Miller (now at -250 some places)makes Scoot at #2 even harder to believe. This also happened on the exact day Miller worked out for the Hornets.
3. Trail Blazers — Scoot
The best guard in the draft falls to the team with one of the best guard cores in the league. You can’t draft someone else here because there’s a clear floor of Scoot at #3. The question really is WHO do you trade at this point. I say get whatever you can for Anfernee and picks, lock up Dame for the rest of his career, and allow him to mentor Shadeon and Scoot, the backcourt of the future. I highly doubt that happens, NBA Teams make a lot of bad decisions.
This is where I start advocating for Jarace Walker. If I’m right, and these teams are wrong, I’ll be able to accept that but with almost every team having competent guards, Jarace is the CLEAREST win now player outside of Miller/Wemby. Nobody in this league cares about defense, that’s why it’s so valuable when someone plays it. Jaden McDaniels is going to be locking people up for years to come… GET YOU A GUY THAT CAN DO IT.
4. Toronto (via Houston) — Amen Thompson
Miller at +1000 is interesting here. Jarace at +2500 is interesting here, but the pick is likely Amen Thompson via Toronto trading up.
Getting in my Brian Windhorst conspiracy bag, I cannot comprehend why Houston is targeting every relevant free agent guard, while also stating that there’s no gap between the top 3 and Amen. That’s not even looking at Houston’s roster!! KPJ is apparently not a person anymore EVEN THOUGH he was the only player to show up to Ime Udoka’s press conference. Make it make sense.
All of this combined and it doesn’t even slightly move Rockets fans away from Amen. I’m not necessarily un-advocating for him, but I guess I don’t understand why he’s so much better than Asaur after watching some OTE games… that only makes me think he could fall.
Once again, wouldn’t Jarace Walker be the perfect piece for this roster especially if you want to win now?? It’s painful to watch stupidity and that is all I can say about Rockets fans. I took my shots with Miller and Jarace, BUT THE REAL PREDICTION is that Toronto trades up and drafts Amen, a situation that actually makes sense.
Siakim should be a Rocket, and if he’s not, he’s likely a Trail Blazer.
5. Detroit — Jarace Walker
Baby Bron. Guards 1-5. It’s not a joke. Jarace recently said “I’m tryna see what KD is all about” and it shows how real his impact will be right away. He’s ready to lock up anyone in the league. He’s a winning player. He’s someone any team in this league would want, and would likely get playoff minutes anywhere, today. Denver has Jeff Green running around, they’d give away all their future picks for this guy! I will be baffled if he doesn’t go Top 5 and once again will at least KNOW that they messed up if they don’t take him. People are in play to trade up for 3 or 4 so there’s a lot of options but hey:
#3 +7500
#4 +2500
#5 +350
Top 5 Pick +375
6. Orlando — Cam Whitmore
I’m a Cam Whitmore hater. When it comes to knowing college basketball I watch as many games as anyone out there, usually with action on them. Cam Whitmore was NEVER that guy. He also had a veteran supporting cast. He couldn’t take over when they lost to DePaul and there were so many other disgusting Villanova games. Justin Moore eventually got healthy and they started winning games, but Cam said BYE. So to see everyone have him over Jararce (someone that actually had the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament and performed at a high level)I’m simply baffled.
Here’s what the numbers say BTW
Cam is a freak athlete with a high motor yes, but he’s shown zero ability to lead an offense.
7. Indiana — Taylor Hendricks
If Jarace Walker is off the board I’m extremely confident that this is the pick.
8. Wizards — Anthony Black
Washington isn’t a real organization. They are so far from having a route to compete in a playoff series. With Beal holding this team back with his crazy contract I just have to wonder if Kuz and Porzingis actually want to be here. Last year Johnny Davis was selected in a similar spot and somehow I can’t confirm that he’s a real NBA player up to this point.
But these reports are real:
Brad Beal once again in trade rumors and we are hearing that the value of the package will be surprisingly low.
Washington is looking for a guard here… Black is the OBVIOUS CHOICE. They will regret it if they don’t do it.
9. Utah Jazz — Asaur Thompson
This kid is great and has no business being picked outside of the Top 5. But this might be the best draft in NBA history. Again, are we sure it’s Amen that’s the guy?? I’m not sure if Amen will pop out with Tyrese Halibuton unstoppableness, but unless you believe that, Asaur is a great consolation prize. We need to see shooting improvements, but he only hit the game winner (from three) in the OTE Finals
I see this as the bailout pick, whatever is left of the clear top 9, and then we move on to the rest of the draft.
10. Dallas Mavericks — Dereck Lively
Miller/Walker/Hendricks are all gone. Leonard Miller has some size, but Lively is one of the few real big men in this draft. Given the fact that he’s clearly the best, he’s going to shoot up the boards. Gradey Dick was the pick here… BUT then we randomly had multiple guys putting Lively at 10, and it made perfect sense. So I’ll stick with it and by the way it’s +1000. Duke was a popular pick to win the Natty for a reason, and I’ll say the same thing in the Whitehead section, these were some of the top kids in the class pre season. I don’t mind Lively here even if the pick is traded.
West Coast Hoops 