2022 NBA Draft: #37 Jaden Hardy (6' 3", 6' 9" WS) to DAL | two 2nds to SAC

[cow]

He'll probably just overpay to improve the draft position of some of his lower picks.

[Chicagojk]

I have not dug into the draft but I am probably going to be higher on Freshman JD Davison than most draft experts.    Davison had an up and down freshman season on a team with older guards and he is not close to being ready for the NBA so you will need to take the long view.   But last year Jaeden Ivey was a fringe first round pick and Keegan Murray, Johnny Davis, and Bennedict Mathurin would not have been first round picks.   They came back for their soph seasons and now are lottery picks.  I think Davison could have a similar growth if he went back for his soph year.    

He is a great athlete, good body and is a nice passer.  The rest of his game is a little rough. He is out of control a lot and is not a great shooter, but he is the type of guy you draft who has upside to be a future starter.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THnjYbe9Gsg&t=243s

[hakeemfaan]

I would go with Nzosa and call it a day.  That’s the type of player Masai would target.  Long lean and great athletic ability. I don’t know if he has a jump shot or not but I see the ability to take the ball at the 3 pt line and get to the rim in a flash.  I see the defensive ability. 

However the thing I like the most about him is that in transition he is not just a big guy that can handle lobs. He is picking up some terrible passes on the full run and then driving to the basket and scoring. Imagine giving Luka who can make better passes such a weapon?

[Kammrath]

Long lean and great athletic ability.

The exact type of player you want in today's NBA.

[Dirknows]

The exact type of player you want in today's NBA.

Moussa Diabate.

[Kammrath]

[Chicagojk]

Once the season is over, I want to study a few prospects.  EJ Liddell being one of them.  I saw a few portions of Ohio State games.  He is not someone who jumps off the screen on you.    In the highlights below, he looks like Maxi on some of his blocks and being able to defend on the perimeter.   I guess the big question is how he fits on offense.   Is his three point shot from this past season legit?   How else can he help on offense?  


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqh3-cqX1jk&t=328s

[Chicagojk]

Another interesting guy I want to study is David Roddy.   Sort of an weird body.  Not sure if he can defend and that will probably determine his career.  He is sort of built like Grant Williams or PJ Tucker.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhDFr7bZRoc

[Playmaker]

Iam usually not a fan of trading draft picks but I would try to package this pick for a proven NBA player (hopefully Turner).

If we keep the pick I'm drafting Jaden Hardy or Leonard Miller.

Miller is the most intriguing player in the draft.  He might have the highest ceiling of all the players in our range.   He might be going to college bc he is still so young but kid has the potential to the next Siakum.  I don't know if the Mavs have the patience to develop such a player but that type of player would be ideal next to Luka.  

If you don't know anything about the kid, read the article below.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/05/nba-dra...time-elite

[Chicagojk]

Iam usually not a fan of trading draft picks but I would try to package this pick for a proven NBA player (hopefully Turner).

If we keep the pick I'm drafting Jaden Hardy or Leonard Miller.

Miller is the most intriguing player in the draft.  He might have the highest ceiling of all the players in our range.   He might be going to college bc he is still so young but kid has the potential to the next Siakum.  I don't know if the Mavs have the patience to develop such a player but that type of player would be ideal next to Luka.  

If you don't know anything about the kid, read the article below.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/05/nba-dra...time-elite

Thanks for sharing.  Never heard of him before.

I forgot to add above, toughness is very high on my check mark list.  Over some stuff like wingspan, leaping ability, and others.  Those are important.  Kidd is a physical coach.  Playing with Luka is challenging if you are not mentally strong and this team wants to win now.  So I gravitate to guys who I think are tough and tough minded.   even if they may lack some of the measurables.

[SleepingHero]

Another interesting guy I want to study is David Roddy.   Sort of an weird body.  Not sure if he can defend and that will probably determine his career.  He is sort of built like Grant Williams or PJ Tucker. 

I clicked on the video before I read your post and as I was watching I said those two exact players. My biggest concerns watching his highlights is his general footspeed. Can he keep up with the athletic forwards? Does it even matter as a forward?

His improvement from 3 is promising. But he has pretty average to below average FT shooting which isn't a good indicator. 

As a 26th pick he'd be pretty interesting honestly. I can definitely see him as an even smaller-ball Maxi replacement

[Chicagojk]

I clicked on the video before I read your post and as I was watching I said those two exact players. My biggest concerns watching his highlights is his general footspeed. Can he keep up with the athletic forwards? Does it even matter as a forward?

His improvement from 3 is promising. But he has pretty average to below average FT shooting which isn't a good indicator. 

As a 26th pick he'd be pretty interesting honestly. I can definitely see him as an even smaller-ball Maxi replacement

Yeah, I have no idea if he can defend so that is something I want to get a better feel on.  He will need to be able to defend wings on the perimeter.   In the highlights his shot looks pretty smooth, but I would like to watch more of him. 

He is naturally thick but I think he will have to thin out a little in the pros.

[Kammrath]

[JamesConway912]

Jalen Williams is also very high on my list, rare combination of size/length and a high skill level. Great A:TO ratio and really skilled in the PnR.

https://youtu.be/1RxVfDHwYRg

[Chicagojk]

Jalen Williams is also very high on my list, rare combination of size/length and a high skill level. Great A:TO ratio and really skilled in the PnR.

https://youtu.be/1RxVfDHwYRg

He is another one I want to look at more.   I have seen him mocked in the 20's at some sites.  I am not familiar with his game.

[JamesConway912]

https://twitter.com/mike_schmitz/status/...73024?s=21&t=H0R6mEZUMOkhf-U3m-_uhQ

https://twitter.com/mike_schmitz/status/...93768?s=21&t=H0R6mEZUMOkhf-U3m-_uhQ

7‘2 wingspang according to Schmitz

[VintagePejav2]

https://twitter.com/draftexpress/status/...70209?s=21&t=zgkIzP0kH4Ghj5vjGuvrHQ

Kinda fat for an NBA player.

[Kammrath]

Kinda fat for an NBA player.

Take that back! Luka has led us to the WCF!!! 

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/...4703828993

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/...2615363587