Except for your nickname, I agree a 100%. I want to keep him, unless we're blown away by an offer that has to include Donatas. If you look at the "weaknesses" listed by DraftExpress from the season before last, Motiejunas put several of them in the rear view mirror. They called him a poor rebounder, and he set a Euro League record of 18 defensive boards. They questioned his strength, and he's obviously gotten a lot stronger, without losing his quickness. One thing that bothers me a little is that Donuts is inconsistent at the charity stripe, but not so terrible that it can't be fixed, in my opinion. http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Donatas-Motiejunas-1300/
I actually did say i thought he would be a top 10, not a top 5. The players i like in the top of the lottery are Beal, Robinson, Lillard and Drummond.
Well this guy disagree's with you.... Spoiler None of the guys you listed have the combination of experience, physical tools and skill level that D-Mo has. With Damian Lillard its still unknown if he can make the transition from a score first to pass first mentality. Not to mention he's level of competition at the college level is still up for questioning. As for Drummond, he possesses enormous talent, but has very, very raw skills and seems very passive in the paint. Not to mention last summer he struggled to get his shot off against HASHEEM THABEET. This kid has high bust potential. Specially if he's asked to do to much right off the bat. (would be better off on a vet. team) Bradley Beal on the other hand I think has the best chance at becoming an All-Star from the group you mentioned. He's got a long 6'8 wingspan, measured in a shade under 6'4 and displayed very good athleticism at the combine. Not to mention he's one hell of a shooter. With that said he's lack of advance ball handling is a concern. Specially playing the lead two guard position. Will he be able to create for himself and other efficiently at the next level? Another concern is his lack of size. He will need time adjusting to NBA size and athleticism. As for Robinson the projected #2 pick; the kid is a good athlete, great face up player, can knock down the mid-range jumpshot and has an NBA ready frame. With that said I still don't see him becoming a perennial all-star, let alone superstar. My concern start with his size for the PF position. The guy is small, measuring a shade under 6'9, while also possessing an average standing reach for a PF. He also has no post game to speak off and is a poor passer. In comparison to D-Mo. Like Robinson, D-Mo has the ability to face up, drive to the hoop or knock down the mid range jumpshot. But unlike Robinson, D-Mo can also post up, possesses great footwork, and is a magnificent passer. Not to mention D-Mo measured in at 7'1 (elite size for a PF) and is an agile, fluid athlete. Call me crazy but from a prospect perspective: D-Mo > Robinson, Beal, Lillard and Drummond IMO As I stated many times before this years top 5, outside of Davis, is weak. The difference between a top 5 pick and say a late lottery pick isn't that great this year. Next years projected top 5 is going to be a lot stronger, although the draft wont be as deep.
There is a reason Valanciunas was picked in the lottery. There is a reason D-Mo was not able to start on his team. Valanciunas started on his team(IIRC). Valanciunas got better this past season. Should he be a top 2 in this draft? No, #1.
I did start off by saying that D-Mo would be a top 10 talent in this draft. In that last comment, i meant top 5 not top 10. Thanks for going back into the thread, finding the mistake and pointing it out to me.
Yeah I think some people are so excited to get a high draft pick that they forget that players can develop and get better. I think no matter who we draft D-mo will remain the most exciting and intriguing prospect that we have. D-mo's big question marks last year were work-ethic and rebounding... The guy seems to have improved significantly in both areas. I don't doubt that if he were drafted today he would be considered one of the TOP big prospects in the draft.
I think the most intriguing thing about D-Mo is that I have no idea what he will develop into. He could be effective from the 3 point line down to the low post. And every where in between. I personally don't remember any prospect who had such a wide skill set. He could even put on another 20 or so pounds and man the 5. Who knows? I think the first month or 2 next season will tell us a lot. While he has played in the second best BB league in the world the NBA is going to be bigger, faster and smarter than anything he has seen before. However from all of the tape and the games I have watched he does seem to enjoy basket ball very much. He seems dedicated to improving his game, and seems to have a great work ethic. And he seems to be very bright, which cannot hurt. As far as comparing him to players in the 2012 draft goes, it seems pointless. Heck, no one can figure out which player from 2 - 5 is the best prospect. Adding D-Mo into that equation makes it even murkier.
Agreed. I also think that D-Mo's "draft stock" is largely affected by his wide exposure over the past three or four years. You have guys that come onto the scene right before the draft that haven't had enough time to expose their weaknesses. Look at Harrison Barnes' draft stock this year as opposed to last year at this time as an example. As much as I wanted to see him compete in the olympics, I think him getting involved in Summer league and training camps this early is going to pay dividends to his success next season. Because, like you saw with Morris, its not always about your talent level, sometimes its about finding a niche and a role on the team you play for. If D-Mo can find a way to carve a niche out for himself in the rotation going into the pre-season then he's going to have a successful season. So whats his niche going to be?- If I had to guess I would say he gives them the ability to go small with a lineup of him and Scola or Patterson at the 4/5. Being on the floor late in games with these combinations will depend on how well he can rotate and help on defense. This is why Summer league is going to be very important for Donatas. As for this thread's question thats asked- I dont think your going to get equal value back in a trade involving just him going out for another asset. The Rockets would love to keep him out of any deals that are made in the coming weeks, but if he's the key to obtaining an all-star calliber player I think you have to make the deal. I just dont see Donatas being a deal breaker for another team so I think either way he's most likely going to be a Rocket next year trade or no trade.
where in the world do you get that idea from? i'm not arguing, but i'd love to see a scout say something like that.
Why trade him before we see what he can do for the team? I'd trade the Llull pick in a heart beat for a 2nd rounder this year because I doubt he'd make it in the NBA if he ever comes over. But why trade a guy you know wants to come and has good size before he can get the chance for a guy that you know less about in a draft pick or a lower ceiling in an existing player we all know won't be Howard?
