The Raptors and the 2015 Draft

[Joey]

Bebe is horrible, you know that.

People were saying the same thing about Gobert last year. Heck, even this year. Lol
BeBe still has a chance.

[mcHAPPY]

Bebe is horrible, you know that.

I dunno.... that pick might look really good with the massive FA uncertainty in the next few years for a team like toronto who are historically simply not a destination for talent.

I'm not certain Bebe is anything at this point. He's hardly had much of a chance. Situation and circumstance account for so much. Look at Whiteside.

What we do know is he is long and athletic, he was the 16th pick in previous draft at time of trade who had not played in the NBA, and was the defensive player of the year in the ACB which is 2nd best league in the world.

I'm not ready to say definitively he is anything at this point but if I had to guess I think he could be a worthwhile backup.

[octothorp]

Some thoughts about the 2016 draft class:

It seems to me that players who would declare for the 2016 draft have a really, really strong incentive in waiting a year. The rookie salary scale is hard-set in the CBA, and is not impacted by any other factors such as league revenue. Which means that in 2016, there's going to be an even more massive than usual disparity between what UFAs are getting for their value, vs. rookies. It seems reasonable to expect that rookie salary scale will get a significant bump up in the new CBA. Being locked in at the current rookie salary scale for four years is probably going to be a really raw deal compared with what seems likely under the new CBA.

On the other hand, if the rookie salary scale does not increase, then first-round picks become even more valuable, because their salaries relative to other salaries in the league become even more favourable.

[Bonus Jonas]

Bebe is horrible, you know that.

I dunno.... that pick might look really good with the massive FA uncertainty in the next few years for a team like toronto who are historically simply not a destination for talent.

Oh ya and the raptors are probably like the 20th best team in the league and Lowry and DeRozan are top 400 at best

[DanH]

Some thoughts about the 2016 draft class:

It seems to me that players who would declare for the 2016 draft have a really, really strong incentive in waiting a year. The rookie salary scale is hard-set in the CBA, and is not impacted by any other factors such as league revenue. Which means that in 2016, there's going to be an even more massive than usual disparity between what UFAs are getting for their value, vs. rookies. It seems reasonable to expect that rookie salary scale will get a significant bump up in the new CBA. Being locked in at the current rookie salary scale for four years is probably going to be a really raw deal compared with what seems likely under the new CBA.

On the other hand, if the rookie salary scale does not increase, then first-round picks become even more valuable, because their salaries relative to other salaries in the league become even more favourable.

Even if the rookie scale salaries go up, players are almost always better off to be drafted ASAP. That means getting off the rookie scale sooner, and in a cap world where the new TV money is rolling in, players' RFA contracts are going to be huge.

[Axel]

After watching a lot of tournament games this weekend, here are a couple of below the radar guys to watch for:

Iowa State PF/C Jameel McKay
- very Amir Johnson like. Fast, mobile big with great length. 6'9", 215 lbs but with 7'4" wingspan (basically the same size as Bebe's pre-draft measurements). Shot blocker who runs the floor, hedges well on screens and can get into the passing lanes on the perimeter. Lost some eligibility last year due to a late transfer, but the guy was very impressive during the Big12 Tourney this year.

Iowa St PG Monte Morris
- currently projected for the 2016 draft, the 6'2 PG from Flint, Michigan is dynamite. Fast, agile, good perimeter shooter who also gets to the hoop. Solid defender. Hit the game winner vs Texas in the Big12 quarter final's on a clutch pull up jumper at the buzzer

Michigan St G Denzel Valentine
- 6'6 guard, scores both inside and out. Took on a much bigger role this year with the Spartans after Gary Harris and Adriene Payne went to the NBA. Guy just plays like a winner. Big shots, defends well, rebounds. Just a solid all-around player.

Wisconsin PG Bronson Koenig
- 6'4 PG, dude was huge in the Big10 Championship game vs Michigan State. Ran the PnR very well, hit some big shots from deep, was a disruptive defender. Took over as starting PG when Senior Traevon Jackson (son of former NBAer Jim Jackson) got hurt and led the team. Down 11 late in the game, Wisconsin won the game on the strength of Koenig and Kaminsky running the PnR.

[Axel]

DraftExpress put out a March Madness prospect primer, to assist with your tourney viewing.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...Breakdown-4836

[Bendit]

Some thoughts about the 2016 draft class:

It seems to me that players who would declare for the 2016 draft have a really, really strong incentive in waiting a year. The rookie salary scale is hard-set in the CBA, and is not impacted by any other factors such as league revenue. Which means that in 2016, there's going to be an even more massive than usual disparity between what UFAs are getting for their value, vs. rookies. It seems reasonable to expect that rookie salary scale will get a significant bump up in the new CBA. Being locked in at the current rookie salary scale for four years is probably going to be a really raw deal compared with what seems likely under the new CBA.

On the other hand, if the rookie salary scale does not increase, then first-round picks become even more valuable, because their salaries relative to other salaries in the league become even more favourable.

The CBA discussions historically (and this is across the various pro leagues) do not value either the soon-to-be-rookies or retirees when it comes to the going-to-the-mat (willing to strike for) issues. The upper tier players will get theirs first and then demur. They are in control (Chris Paul & Lebron...pres. & vp).

[Axel]

Prospects in March Madness with lots on the line

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/03/16/nba...-jahlil-okafor

[mike, prague]

Great watch if youve got the time.

[Nilanka]

Great watch if youve got the time.

One of the best shows on TV.

[mcHAPPY]

Scott (Chicago)


Where would Wiggins go in this draft if he was coming out as a Freshmen? Does he go before the bigs?
Chad Ford
(1:48 PM)


Yes, I think Wiggins and an uninjured Joel Embiid would have been ranked ahead of Okafor, Towns, Mudiay or Russell. But I think all four of those guys would have gone ahead of Jabari, Exum or Aaron Gordon.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/51664

Interesting perspective on this year's draft relative to last year's big names.

[ceez]

chad ford loves him some revisionist history

[The Great One]

Still surprised no one's talking about Malik Pope. Also surprised that he's not on any mock draft.

[mcHAPPY]

Still surprised no one's talking about Malik Pope. Also surprised that he's not on any mock draft.

Ford has been talking about him for the last 4-5 weeks in his chats.