draft day baybee
(telepathic connection to all Sports Night fans... online)
(diaphragmatic breathing... online)
(deeeeeeeeeeeep breath in)
DRAFT DAY BAYBEE!!!
I mean, uh, so like the NBA entry draft is tonight. For fans of the NBA, basketball, fashion, style, and petty bitchiness (guilty on all counts), this is one of the best nights of the year.
As a guy who is in a few 30-team dynasty basketball leagues, this is also one of the most important nights of the year. Knowing what happens in real life affects what people think and how people will draft in dynasty leagues. In one league my team (is in a rebuilding phase and I have 1.2, 1.17, 1.21, and 2.15. I'm currently trying to add a fourth first-rounder but discussions aren't getting anywhere just yet.
Anyway I've been straight up gorging myself on draft-related content for the last few weeks. I have watched tape on anyone who could conceivably get drafted in the first round. I have read every iteration of about four experts' mock drafts and big boards and watched most of what Hoop Intellect has been dropping on YT. I think I have an okay idea of who is going to go where, what teams will trade up, and so on. Talk is cheap though, so here's how I think the lottery will end up:
1: Flagg
2: Harper
3–6: Edgecombe, Bailey, Johnson, Kneuppel (in some order)
I think Brooklyn will trade up to grab Bailey. Whether that means Philly trades down or Charlotte trades down IDK. Edgecombe is Philly's guy, but if they know they can get him at 6, why wouldn't they trade down? I can see Fears, Maluach, or Queen going at 5 or 6 but I don't think it'll happen. Maybe one of those two things but not both.
7-11: Fears, Maluach, Queen, Jakucionis, Bryant (in some order)
This doesn't feel controversial, but as mentioned, I would not be that surprised if Fears went at 5 and one of Maluach or Queen went at 6. If that happens, it'd be Johnson or Bailey dropping into this tier. Essengue could also end up in this tier. If that happens it'd probably be Queen dropping, and if he somehow slips out of the lottery altogether, I still can't see him getting past OKC at 15.
12-14: Essengue, Sorber, Demin (in some order)
Of these three only Essengue should go earlier. Of these three, both Essengue and Demin could go earlier. Of these three only Demin could slip into the 20s. Make of that what you will.
I'll think about doing the rest of the first round but my edible just hit and
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