I really like that Sarr has many outs: if something doesn’t work he can go do some other stuff. Also If we’ve learned anything from the playoffs this year, it’s the defensive ground coverage (not only vertically) and offensive versatility (multiple creators) that win games consistently. Sarr is too perfect an archetype to pass imo.
In this order: If Sarr falls draft Draft Clingan Trade down draft Draft Sheppard Trade out of draft for top tier vet.
I'm listening to Jackson Gatlin's latest vid and he said Clingan has already worked out for the Rockets so I'm guessing whoever made that mock doesn't know what they are talking about.
Folks, the Rockets need SHOOTING! Many keep recommending players who are excellent defenders, have long arms, can jump high, are BIG. We need SHOOTING. We already have players who can do it all but can't SHOOT. You know, ball in basket stuff.
Great observation! I also think Stone plays it super conservative, from the standpoint of, let's keep taking high percentage swings and see if one hits. They know having a high draft pick (like 1-4) doesn't guarantee superstars so they kept on picking "highly regarded by experts" pick, like Sengun, like Whitmore, even Garuba (remember him?), who, right when he was drafted, everyone was saying we had the best draft of all teams and how he was possibly the best defensive player in the draft and how much of a steal it was to get him in the 20s (same thing for tyty). This is no hot take but we'll take either of Reed Sheppard or Clingan - both who all the experts regard as reasonable pick at 3. He won't overthink, try to outsmart everyone else. Just keep making what most people believe is a good pick and over large enough sample (years), we'll have good amount of talent to work with. He won't extend either of JG or Sengun this year, leave room for one max player next summer, decide to extend Sengun, decide on JG based on how this year goes (I'm hopeful but pessimistic), with the goal of really making noise in the West in the year after. If that doesn't happen, he likely loses his job and goes back to being a lowly lawyer (jokejoke)
No to Clingan, yes to Sheppard. I'm not a real fan of him, but he's the best shooter and he can pass quite well with his court vision. He can improve defensively despite his short wingspan. He can learn a lot from FVV.
Unfortunately this is a Chaos Mock for every suspected but unexpected scenario that could happen during draft day but who knows maybe Sarr falls to us like Bari did a few years ago. We'd need AtL to really like Clingan and the Spurs to make a trade with the Wizards.
This is a great post. Stone really has gone with pedigree guys with the higher pick every time. Guys who were talked about years before their actual draft. If he sticks with that theme, it'd probably be Buzelis and I'd be happy with that pick. Ignite was a plague that messed up these prospects but they're not unsalvageable.
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/st...-draft-all-58-picks-trade-talks-heat-30-teams 1. Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher, SF, Bourg (France) | Age: 19.1 The Hawks casted a wide net through the pre-draft process, aggressively recruiting nearly every prospect in the lottery for workouts while also bringing in players projected outside that range, indicating the team is preparing for different strategies depending on what it learns and potential trade opportunities. While it appears the Hawks are far from making final decisions, many teams say their intel indicates Risacher remains the favorite at No. 1, partially because of the dual-track flexibility he offers of either remaining competitive next season or tapping into his upside as the type of big, versatile wing that is difficult to acquire outside the draft. The Hawks will bring Risacher in for a workout Wednesday, his first with the team thus far, which should help add clarity regarding his standing. The Hawks have been unable to bring Alex Sarr in for a workout to this point, but the door remains open for that to potentially happen. Clingan appears to be Risacher's main rival at No. 1. His workout -- where he shot the ball extremely well, showed surprisingly good passing ability operating out of short rolls and was impressive both in film study and in interviews -- helped his draft standing and makes him as possible sleeper selection here, as we've discussed for several weeks. The status of Atlanta's Trae Young is the big question hovering over the franchise. One option that has been widely discussed among teams is the possibility of the Hawks reacquiring their unprotected 2025 first-round pick from San Antonio (perhaps in a swap for the No. 4 pick), which would give the team far more flexibility for rebuilding. That would currently be difficult to fathom, with their next three draft picks (2025, 2026 swap rights and 2027) owned by the Spurs. The Hawks worked out Reed Sheppard last week and Clingan before that, two attractive options at No. 4 should they elect to slide back. Atlanta also brought in Matas Buzelis, Cody Williams and Ron Holland for workouts. 2. Washington Wizards: Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth (Australia) | Age: 19.1 Rival teams have largely viewed the Wizards as a landing spot for Risacher or Sarr, depending which direction the Hawks go. That line of thinking has held up so far, although the radio silence out of Washington has some teams still curious about its intentions at No. 2. That said, Sarr has not yet gone to Atlanta and did work out for Washington last week. The Wizards did quite a bit of homework (and travel) to evaluate him during the course of his season with Perth. Stephon Castle, Clingan, Buzelis and Williams are among the other top prospects that have worked out for the Wizards. Some of those players feel more like contingencies, whether it's via trade, or if Sarr goes No. 1, but the Wizards have done their due diligence. 3. Houston Rockets (via Nets): Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Kentucky | Age: 19.9 It feels like Sheppard's range of draft outcomes is quite narrow at this point. The Rockets have demonstrated serious interest in him at No. 3, with both the front office and ownership intrigued by his fit as a shooter and playmaker next to their established young talent. Should Houston decide to trade back or go another direction, San Antonio is also quite intrigued with Sheppard and will be in position to pounce one pick later. He has also worked out for the Hawks (as a trade-back option) and Charlotte Hornets (who are also thought to be fans, and look like his backstop at No. 6), but the odds seem to be in favor of Sheppard relocating to Texas. Houston has been testing the market for this pick, which holds trade value due in part to the thought that Clingan, who many teams view as a potential trade-up target, will be available if the first two picks go as currently expected. Regardless, Sheppard's shooting ability, intangibles and room for growth as a playmaker have put him in position to be the first guard off the board, completing his ascent from a November curiosity into a full-blown lottery talent. 4. San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle, PG/SG, UConn | Age: 19.6 If two top targets -- Risacher (who will work out with San Antonio on Friday) and Sheppard (worked out last week) -- are already off the board, it wouldn't be surprising if the Spurs looked to bolster their backcourt with the next two top guard prospects on ESPN's Big Board in Castle and Rob Dillingham with the No. 4 and No. 8 picks. … 5. Detroit Pistons: Matas Buzelis, SF/PF, G League Ignite | Age: 19.6 6. Charlotte Hornets: Dalton Knecht, SF, Tennessee | Age: 23.1 7. Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn | Age: 20.3 Ranked No. 3 in ESPN's Top 100, Clingan is viewed by many rival teams as a legitimate candidate for the Hawks at No. 1, making him a key piece of the puzzle in projecting this draft. Clingan is also viewed as a potential trade-up target for teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, which could lead to him coming off the board ahead of this spot. However, the Rockets, Spurs, Pistons and Hornets don't appear to be landing spots for Clingan, so there are also scenarios in which he falls to No. 7. 8. San Antonio Spurs: Rob Dillingham, PG, Kentucky | Age: 19.4 9. Memphis Grizzlies: Cody Williams, SG/SF, Colorado | Age: 19.5 Williams will end up working out for nearly every team in the top 10 (with the exception of Houston), with Memphis being his latest stop this past weekend. Teams outside that range haven't been able to get him in, indicating his camp feels comfortable with where he'll end up and the feedback they've received to this point. … 10. Utah Jazz: Nikola Topic, PG, Mega MIS (Adriatic League) | Age: 18.8 11. Chicago Bulls: Devin Carter, PG/SG, Providence | Age: 22.2 12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tidjane Salaun, PF, Cholet (France) | Age: 18.8 13. Sacramento Kings: Ron Holland, SF, G League Ignite | Age: 18.9 14. Portland Trail Blazers: Ja'Kobe Walter, SG/SF, Baylor | Age: 19.7 44. Houston Rockets: Ulrich Chomche, PF/C, NBA Academy Showcase (Africa) | Age: 18.4
We passed on a generational defender to draft SHOOTING with Jalen Green. Let’s not make the same mistake twice, especially since we can buy SHOOTING, but buying TALL and DEFENSE is nearly impossible.
