What the mock drafts are saying...

Don't get your hopes up. I didn't hear a peep from the pre-draft Paolo haters/doubters all year.

 

4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson

With Houston preparing to make an aggressive push to sign James Harden this summer, rival NBA executives believe this pick will be used as trade bait as the Rockets look to take a significant step forward next season.

However, there’s considered a drop-off in value after the trio of Wembanyama, Henderson, and Miller.

Whether Houston keeps the pick for itself or uses it in trade talks to acquire a proven star, the best available talent is likely Amen or Ausar Thompson.

https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-moc...or-wembanyama-scoot-henderson-brandon-miller/

 

I dont even care about 4 anymore I just want Leonard Miller at 20. He will save us!!

 

Players who came into the league as horrible shooters and made major improvements:

Jaylen Brown
LaMelo
Siakam
Kawhi
LeBron
Randle
DeRozan
Dejounte
Aaron Gordon
Jerami Grant
Anunoby
Scottie Barnes
Giddey

Players who developed elite passing, elite athleticism, or positional size after coming into the league:

[none]

 

Even absolutely atrocious 3P shooters who struggled to reach 60% on free throws like Blake Griffin and Rajon Rondo eventually figured it out. The NBA is really good at teaching players how to shoot these days.

 

Jabari Smith Jr:

 

Whom ever your 4th overall and 20th overall is gonna be have to be difference makers on the defensive end. They have to be able to shoot. That's that. I'm looking at a lively at 20. He is a difference maker on defense and doesn't need to be thrown in the middle . Senguin can play SF some . But who ever is at the 4th spot has to defend and shoot the lights out

I've heard Scoot could slide to the 4th pick based off need alone from the other 2 ahead of us. So why trade it now when you can wait and see

 

He was under contract with Overtime Elite. Who knows what they were allowing him to do. His shooting improved the 2nd half of the season. From videos it looks like he has specific coaches for himself now. The guy is a great talent. If he could shoot earlier in the season he would possibly be considered as good as Scoot. I'm fine with drafting him, trading up, or flipping #4 for something better. Either way no matter who is drafted there has to be a vet presence to either play the point or teach Amen, Scoot, or KPJ how to play PG in the NBA.

 

I wanted Jalen green 2 years ago .. I was torn between him and Mobley but I ultimately wanted green! I’m not backing down from that till year 5 of both players

I wanted Paolo last year but only cause I didn’t think Jabari (who I wanted badly at first) would drop to third . I did so much research and watched videos of Paolo and was sold ! I’m not surprised he won rookie of the year . BUT Jabari was the least nba ready of the bunch and he’s younger . I’m happy still with Jabari so far but same thing as Mobley and Green.. I’m judging 5 years down the road ..

I am very disappointed that we are not getting 1st pick (wemby) and also bummed we dropped out of top 3 (Henderson and miller) .. I’m still excited we get the 4th pick and I’m ready to do research and make my own judgement! TIS the season

 

and Magic Johnson, and Ron Harper, and Lamelo Ball, and Lonzo Ball, to name a few.

 

After watching Amen videos on youtube for an hour you'll get on board. 6'7 Ja Morant and instantly the best playmaker on this team (alongside Sengun)

 

LaMelo is an allstar.

 

I just seen someone post a recent video of him shooting and it looks like he already improved ! Looking forward to checking him out

 

Still not good form. He's bringing the ball down too low and starting the shot from the middle of his body. It's a little better than the first video though. Mike Miller's coaching was spot on, but he's hasn't incorporated those changes.

 

More AAU stink to get rid of.

DD

 

Givony: Portland is very, very serious about continuing the Dame Lillard era. People want them to trade him away and get a package of picks. They’re not feeling that whatsoever. They’re gonna continue to move forward with Lillard. So how does he fit with Scoot Henderson? He’s clearly the most talented guy on the board here but do they look at Ausar or Amen Thompson? I don’t personally think so but it will be a conversation and knowing the way that front office operates, they’ll bring everybody in. They’ll want to take a look, kick the tires. They may explore trades too. If Scoot is there at 3, they could get some very enticing trade offers. I don’t think anything is locked in at 2 and 3.

Marks: I’m interested to see if #3 gets put in play. We know the Lillard timeline. It doesn’t feel like what they have aligns with Lillard. Sharpe, Simons, what do you do with Scoot with Lillard and Simons already here. What is the value of the 3rd pick? If you keep it, just take the best available player.

…

Givony: They have to be upset falling from 2 to 4. This opens up a wide range of possibilities. They’ll look at both Thompson twins, Cam Whitmore, Anthony Black. Personally, I’m taking Amen Thompson. He’s the player with the highest upside at this point and his fit here is strong along side Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green. He can play with all those guys. He can guard the tougher matchup. He can guard 1-3. He brings you the playmaking ability, tremendous creativity, 7-foot wingspan. They’ll kick the tires on a couple other wings/guards at the same time.

1. Spurs: Victor Wembanyama
2. Hornets: Brandon Miller
3. Blazers: Scoot Henderson
4. Rockets: Amen Thompson
5. Pistons: Jarace Walker
6. Magic: Ausar Thompson
7. Pacers: Cam Whitmore
8. Wizards: Anthony Black
9. Jazz: Gradey Dick
10. Mavs: Taylor Hendricks
11. Magic: Jordan Hawkins
12. Thunder: Cason Wallace
13. Raptors: Nick Smith Jr.
14. Pelicans: Keyonte George

 

I wonder what it would take to trade up for Scoot at 3.

 

4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson | Position: PG/SG | Team: Overtime Elite

Assuming James Harden becomes a Rocket, the biggest positional need for Houston will be a wing, with Jalen Green and Jabari Smith locked into starting jobs.

Sources say the Thompsons twins—Ausar and Amen—are both in heavy consideration at No. 4.

While Ausar comes off as the better fit for his improved shot-making, Amen has the more bankable skill with his passing—something that creates a rare archetype and unique upside.

With Ausar's erratic decision-making and (still) below-average shooting, Amen's combination of elite athletic ability, ball-handling and translatable playmaking at 6'7" could give him an edge in the best-player-available discussion.

20. Houston Rockets (via Clippers): Brandin Podziemski, PG/SG, Sophomore)

Love for Podziemski has gradually spread, and now teams are considering him the late teens and 20s. He has fans inside Houston's front office for his creativity, shot-making and playmaking, areas he shows enough skill in to overcome physical and athletic limitations.

 

We need a PG(real one) or a SF and at #4 we're not lined up for either Scoot or Miller which sucks! We got to figure out a way to maneuver for either player or last season would have been a complete waste.

We've got to use #20, along with KJ, Tate, and look for a swap with CHA or POR. We got to leave the draft with Scoot or Miller period!

POR should be interested imo, because they can use Simons, Rox #20 and #4, as a package for a Porzingis, Siakim, Kuzma, Ben Simmons, etc... type of player to pair with Dame. Dame, AllStar, KJ, and Tate is a good haul and should be competitive with their existing roster.