Post by cop5414 on Jul 30, 2024 17:05:51 GMT
Small Forward Project: Year 1 Projections
* Side note: This is hella outdated, I had most of this written before TC and just never got around to posting it. So yeah, thanks a lot Jermaine Jr.!!*
This past year's draft didn't seem to create league wide excitement or desire for fellow GM's to make an attempt moving into or up in the draft. Not to say the talent isn't there, but it is more likely the thought that no player could truly seperate themselves from the pack. Which when the draft reached the 6th pick owned by Detroit Pistons [a.k.a your truly 
], it took probably an hour longer than necessary to come an conclusion. Now going into the draft my original intentions were not set on the small forward (SF). In fact if PG Darryn Peterson (selected 5th by the Mavericks) was still there, he'd likely be a part of the DP. But with how the draft fell within the first five picks and after my inital four recieved scouting reports, there became a handful of SF players of similar caliber that could be selected at the #6 spot. These 5 players would all ve drafted within 7 picks:
], it took probably an hour longer than necessary to come an conclusion. Now going into the draft my original intentions were not set on the small forward (SF). In fact if PG Darryn Peterson (selected 5th by the Mavericks) was still there, he'd likely be a part of the DP. But with how the draft fell within the first five picks and after my inital four recieved scouting reports, there became a handful of SF players of similar caliber that could be selected at the #6 spot. These 5 players would all ve drafted within 7 picks:#6- Josh Leonard (Pistons)
#8- Nguyen Tran (Jazz)
#9- Jermaine O'Neal Jr. (Grizzlies)
#11- Oscar Wembanyama (Grizzlies)
#12- Alex Constanza (Heat)
Of these five, I had scouted four of them before selecting Josh Leonard at #6. The only player I don't have any accurate number for is the #8 selection Nguyen Tran. To be candid, I stayed away simply because of the B potential for such an "early" pick. However, the goal with this article is to hopefully follow the development of these players throughout the early years of their career, to establish a pecking order and see which GM possibly found gold. So I'll be making and updating a power rankings of the 5 players from this 2028 NBN draft (unless someone else enters the chat) at my leisure. We'll kick this off with #5 on the list...
#5 Oscar Wembanyama
Player Transactions:
Drafted #11 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies
Camps: N/A
Ratings:
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: C+
Handling: C+
Defense: B-
Rebounding: C
Potential: A
Having him here, harsh maybe? But its that star next to his name is what makes me unfair. Between the five, Oscar had the highest potential by the smallest margin. Which my opinion is that it hurts is current value slightly. Needing to remain a year overseas with no handy draft note to allow for any type of camps, simply means TC has to do all the work. Now I wouldn't expect it to drop any of his attributes, but this sort of sets his development back a year from the other. His stats might not look as pretty come year two, well if he can even get any playing time that is. Him going 11th was great value wise in my opinion, but the Grizzlies who selected him had already taken O'Neal with the #9 pick before and their roster currently houses two other seemingly legitamate SF prospects in Mackenzie Mgbako and Jacob Wilkins. Given that the SF spot is the worst valued position in the league. The depth chart rules disallow simple plug-in uses at SG and the common athletic build of SF players that makes it difficult for most to be effective at either the 4 or 5. There isn't much use for a SF outside of their postion, so it is an easy assumption that at least two of these players will be on the move in the near future, especially given how dry the market is for this postion currently. However, what really matters in the end is how their development is handled by the GM, and uc is someone that is respected in that aspect. The numbers of Wembanyama, I found to be the most "balanced" in a sense compared to the other three (O'Neal, Leonard, Constanza). Not stronger in one particular area nor was he weaker in any area, basically balanced. Of the others, they struggled in at least one aspect compared to the average so to speak. Whether it'd be athleticsm, rebounding, outside scoring, etc. I'll be leaving him here for now because we won't really understand what he really is until mext season.
#4 Alex Constanza
Player Transactions:
Drafted #12 overall by the Miami Heat
Camps: N/A
Ratings:
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C+
Handling: C+
Defense: B-
Rebounding: C
Potential: A
As I go back over these players numbers I start second guessing my decision over and over again. Excluding Tran, Constanza was the player I had ranked last when making my pick. What was off putting to me was simply his offense. Which is somewhat a strange statement from me, because if you know the numbers, his jumper is +9 of Leonard's. While I'm not expert (or even decent) in this game, my thoughts are that of the jump shot is an absolute must for scoring ability. However, it should also be evenishly complimented by either the inside or 3pt shot. This is also case of me over exaggerating and nitpicking any slight differences in ratings between these players. This "blemish" so to speak is something that could easily be resolved with scoring focused camp and a good TC. What I haven't mentioned though is the defense, specifically on the perimeter. He's the strongest of the group in that aspect, which numbers-wise isn't a large difference, but a headstart nonetheless. As an way too early prediction I don't see him becoming a leading scorer on a good team. I could see a player that would give you like 18-20 a night with +/-2.0spg. Which for the 12th pick of draft is good value.
#3 Josh Leonard
Player Transactions:
Drafted 6th overall by the Detroit Pistons
Camps: N/A
Ratings:
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: C
Handling: B-
Defense: B-
Rebounding: C
Potential: A
Look, if we were to rank them by draft grades Leonard might be ranked last given he was the first to go and 6th overall. I'm not trying to be harsh on myself, but I think he is just that much of a gamble. The biggest issue is the scoring. It's not so much that the ratings are terrible, however the jumper is in a decent spot so he isn't totally hopeless at this point in time. Defensively as his ratings stand he'll likely never be a top stock producer at his given position, however that doesn't neccessarily mean he'll be useless in that aspect. As the post and perimeter defense stands as above average. The other weakness per se is in the rebounding, which in comparison to the majority of these other prospects is only a little step behind. As recommended by rog in his draft grades, it should heavily be considered an area to focus camping. It would be nice to get +7.5 rpg out of this position in the future, but Leonard is probably projected to be in that 6-7 range in the future. Not the most ideal, but in a league malnourished position it's not terrible. Now to the real reason I found him interesting. That is the handles. It certainly stood out from the rest and the thought is that possibly he could become a great playmaker at his position. Possibly a number 1 scoring option, with sub-2 in turnovers and possibly contribute at least +4.0 apg. Leonard is a project for sure, but what I deem an intriguing one.
#2 Nguyen Tran
Player Transactions:
2028 Cleveland 1st
2029 & 2030 Utah 1st traded for the #8
Drafted 8th overall by the Utah Jazz
Camps: Scottie Barnes Mentor Camp
Old Ratings:
Inside scoring: B-
Outside scoring: C+
Handling: B
Defense: B-
Rebounding: C+
Potential: B
Improved Ratings:
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: B-
Handling: B
Defense: B-
Rebounding: C+
Potential: A
In a somewhat of a non-surprising move, the Jazz moved three picks to jump back into the draft at the #8 pick. In what was a surprising decision was that pick being used on Nguyen Tran, who became the 2nd SF to go in the draft. Decent letter grades to start, but that B potential is something that usually wards off many suitors early on. Certainly when this draft had a similar handful of other players at this position with higher potential. However, there are two things to take note of in this move: 1) GMs get wet at the thought of their starting SF being an elite rebounder, and 2) a calculated plan by Joseph with the availibility of the mentor camp using Scottie Barnes. The big question right now is if he gets to have the spotlight at his postion this season with Barnes currently still on the roster.
#1 Jermaine O'Neal
Player Transactions:
Drafted #9 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies
Camps: N/A
Ratings:
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: C+
Handling: C
Defense: B-
Rebounding: C
Potential: A
My opinion may be invalid in this, after all I'm not the Creator (rog), I just simply think if any of these players have the best shot of becoming a superstar, O'Neal would have the best odds. Overall I felt he was the strongest overall in key attributes to the position. His rebounding was not any greater than most the other prospects, however what I really appreciated was the defensive numbers that not only showed decent post and perimeter numbers, but likely the tendency to be a good stock producer in both steals and blocks, probably to the comparison of the All-Defensive first team shoe in of Ausar Thompson. Scoring-wise his number are better balanced than other prospects, with the outside scoring being more towards the 60's. If there is any gripe in his numbers it would be about his athletic ability which seems to be a step behind of the others. Regardless, I think I have more confidence in him becoming the better all around scorer of this SF class.
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