Alright, it is time for me to get educated about the prospects in this yr's draft. Hopefully some of the college fans an help tell me what they think about Mohamed Bamba , Mikal Bridges,  Michael Porter, Wendell Carter, Miles Bridges all kids within Cavs range.

Who's the best, overhyped, a guy you like, a guy you think sucks, etc...

http://www.nbadraft.net/2018mock_draft

Porter Jr. to the Cavs. Perhaps one of the best prospects in the draft but plagued by injuries. Barely played at Mizzou. 

I've said on here before that I adopted Sacramento as my shitty team to watch last season which was a challenge because they really sucked. I hope Ayton will fall to them at #2. 

Wishlist (realistic):

1. Bamba
2. Walker
3. Young

posted by Laley23

Wishlist (realistic):

1. Bamba
2. Walker
3. Young

Y tho?

posted by Commander of Awesome

Y tho?

Bamba is a physical specimen. Not Ayton levels (he is dominant physically the way Shaq was). But a 7’1 body with a 7’10 wingspan (Gobert is 7’8). 3/4 court sprint time of 3.05 is crazy fast. I think he has the potential, with an increase in offensive game, to end up the best player in the class. At a Texas, and in college in general, big guys struggle to stand out offensively because they don’t have anyone to get them the ball. His defense is already NBA level and his body sets up well to last even in the run and gun style

Walker is just a really athletic guy who can create his own shot. I didn’t watch him a ton at Miami. But when I did, I liked that he wasn’t selfish, and played hard. Solid defender, athletic wing, who can shoot it. He won’t be an all time great, but I feel he is a solid bet to be a longtime starter in the league.

Young...he could be a major bust. But, at pick 9, worth the risk. Cause he could be he next 35ppg scorer in this league. He has a knack I haven’t seen in college since Steph at Davidson to get his shot off from anywhere, or break you down off the dribble. Far and away the most offensively gifted guard to enter the league since Kyrie, and probably is ahead of Kyrie even. The bust part comes from...well, you gotta do more than score and right now he doesn’t.

I also want to add Colin Sexton. He took over a lot of Bama games I watched. Just an absolute stud when he gets it going. Not the scorer that Young is, so his size at 6-2 is a little worrisome for someone who isn’t a true PG. Young is also 6-2, but like I said, far more advanced on the offensive side.

Reps for a great breakdown.

Anyone else unable to fathom a 7’10 wingspan?

posted by Ironman92

Anyone else unable to fathom a 7’10 wingspan?

Probably most anyone under 7 feet tall. 

Ayton is a stud and a “can’t miss” prospect imo. I think Jaren Jackson has a huuuge ceiling but might be too passive and could end up just being a shot blocking Marvin Williams. Mo Bamba grows on me more and more and I’m intrigued by Mitchell Robinson as a late lottery gamble.

I think Mikal Bridges and Troy Brown are both solid, safe choices with lower ceilings.

I’m not sure what to think of Porter. For the Cavs, I’d be ok with bamba sliding, mikal, or Sexton.

I want no part of Young. Give me Porter or Sexton. 

If Bamba is available at 8, that is a steal for the Cavs in my opinion.  As has already been said in Laley's excellent breakdown, he's great defensively.  He also hit 80% from 3 the other day in a workout.  

Is Ayton really that valuable in a league where you win from 3? he cant score or defend out there.

TT, Bamba, Love? what does that do for the cavs, 2 guys that can't shoot (1 that can't score) and another who's a defensive liability. No thanks. This whole draft is fucked from the cavs stand point because what you do at 8 would be dramatically different if you knew lebron was leaving or if you knew he was staying. with that uncertain outcome looming, the cavs would probably be better off trading it for a young stud and hoping lebron stays. i've never been a fan of drafting potential it always backfires, especially for the cavs.

posted by j_crazy

TT, Bamba, Love? what does that do for the cavs, 2 guys that can't shoot (1 that can't score) and another who's a defensive liability. No thanks. This whole draft is fucked from the cavs stand point because what you do at 8 would be dramatically different if you knew lebron was leaving or if you knew he was staying. with that uncertain outcome looming, the cavs would probably be better off trading it for a young stud and hoping lebron stays. i've never been a fan of drafting potential it always backfires, especially for the cavs.

I would never not draft someone cause you have Love and TT. Both those guys are gone after next season. Hell, maybe this summer. 

posted by j_crazy

TT, Bamba, Love? what does that do for the cavs, 2 guys that can't shoot (1 that can't score) and another who's a defensive liability. No thanks. This whole draft is fucked from the cavs stand point because what you do at 8 would be dramatically different if you knew lebron was leaving or if you knew he was staying. with that uncertain outcome looming, the cavs would probably be better off trading it for a young stud and hoping lebron stays. i've never been a fan of drafting potential it always backfires, especially for the cavs.

IMO, pretend like Lebron isn't coming back and go out and get your guy at #8. The guy you did your homework on and fell in love with and will be a great Cavalier for years to come. Then entertain trade offers for everyone else on the roster. 

Porter had to cancel a workout because of hip spasms so bad he couldn’t get out of bed.

No way in hell I draft him anywhere. After missing basically his only season of college with back problems. No thank you. 

I agree with friendfromlowry. Get the one you really like at 8 and look at offers for everyone else.

I can't remember being this excited for the draft in a while. I think there's a lot of potentially great players, some interesting ones that could either go high or slide down a ways (Porter, Trae Young), anxious to see what the Cavs do and if anyone makes a run for Kawhi. 

posted by friendfromlowry

I can't remember being this excited for the draft in a while. I think there's a lot of potentially great players, some interesting ones that could either go high or slide down a ways (Porter, Trae Young), anxious to see what the Cavs do and if anyone makes a run for Kawhi. 

Agreed, one thing going for the Spurs is unlike the Cavs, they won't panic.

Shall we just keep this going as the off-season thread?

Dwight Howard traded to the Nets. What is that, 6 teams in 8 years now?

Crazy how far he's fallen.

posted by SportsAndLady

I want no part of Young. Give me Porter or Sexton. 

I've heard that coaches at the college level have already figured out Young. That doesn't bode well at the pro level.

posted by BR1986FB

I've heard that coaches at the college level have already figured out Young. That doesn't bode well at the pro level.

lol what does that even mean BR?

posted by Commander of Awesome

lol what does that even mean BR?

Good question. I watch a ton of college BB and any "figuring out" had a lot to do with how Young was essentially a one-man wrecking crew with a crappy team around him AND he'd go into "hero ball" mode pretty much from the beginning. So if they made it tougher for him to get off shots, he'd just fire up shit constantly. And then combine that with being a freshman in college, where they often hit a wall midway or so into the year and I think that's a big part of why he declined production-wise as the season went along.

In the NBA, I'd think he wouldn't be asked to carry an entire program on his back, providing via points and assists 2/3 to 3/4 of their scoring, so I'd have to think he'd have good potential to be more consistent. Now, I would question his on-court mindset, as he was a total ball-hog at Oklahoma and he'd have to adjust to being a part of a machine in the NBA, so how will he handle that change of role?

I heard Durant couldn't bench 185. 

I watched probably 20 Oklahoma games. They didn’t figure “him” out, they figured out  his teammates were a steaming pile of poo thus they figured the team out. 

He’s still a really, really good prospect.