The Reaches, Fallers and Interesting tidbits: NSL Versus NBA

 

Every year, our draft occurs days, and in the most recent event, weeks after the NBA draft which naturally means that while we use the NBA draft as a fair guide for who should be picked in what order, we will always have differences which we often call �Reaches� and �Fallers��cause you know, NBA scouts know much more than us so what we decide the order should be can�t be just better suited, right?

Of course, the argument can be made that the NBA order is effected not only by talent but by positional need, and player type needed. Sometimes it is a personality thing and culture thing. And this is why the NBA order shakes down as it does and ours differs. We have different needs also.

So, let�s take a look at some of the interesting differences and sames, and maybe offer an explanation as to why this occurred.

 

Brandon Miller � Slight dip?

Miller was polarizing in the conversation as to who should be the Wemby bridesmaid. He�s the next best �big� in the draft on paper and so ended up going #2 because of Charlotte�s positional need with LaMelo already in their pocket on a newly signed Max deal. Here, he �slid� to 4^th arguably due to the same reasons but because there�s not really that much of a divide between the top 2-5 in the NBA, and it comes down to personal preference. I think the summer league helped cement the ideas that were already spinning through the Jazz and Raptors minds in regards to picks 2 and 3, and so, he �fell� to 4^th.

 

Taylor Hendricks � Stock Rising

At the top of the draft like this, a 3 spot jump is a decent thing but also a grain of salt thing, in the same sentence. This is because the talent here is all able to be put into the one basket really but then also comes with a hint of surprise when the order changes. Hendricks is easy to bet on and �reach� down to, from NBA pick 9 to go 6^th here due to his potentially super high ceiling as a versatile inside outside offensive talent, capable o hanging his hat on the defensive end in the least.

 

Dereck Lively � Bigs, always �Reach�

Lively went 12^th in the NBA after the Mavs traded down to get off Bertans and still get their man. Here, he�s 7�2 and he�s the 2^nd best C in the draft�and you need to look down below 20 before the next guy who is close to a C comes into frame. He was always going to be reached on and with good reason as big men can come in and often play right away in the 2k system. He�s the perfect fit in New Orleans too. Length and size is valuable.

 

Cason Wallace � The Mini Slide

Wallace was traded up to be grabbed in the NBA by OKC at 10^th. They love him with his defensive potential and hustle so were happy to take on extra salary to make sure of their guy. Here, there was no need to do so and people prioritized the shooting as the shooters rolled off the board allowing the Clippers to get a perfect fitting defensive role player at 14^th.

 

Cam Whitemore � Slid, even further!

Cam was suggested to be a top 5 pick in the NBA only a few short months ago but it surprised everyone when he slid all the way down to 20^th in the NBA. And low and behold, he went even further here to 22^nd! Often, the big NBA slide gets ignored somewhat here as we are clearly more in the know than the NBA scouts. This time, everyone heeded the warnings and the red flags and went with the NBA scouts. He wasn�t even planned to be taken at 22, and nearly slid further. The upside is there, though.

 

Jaime Jaquez Jr. � The Age Slide

Jaquez was 18^th selected in the NBA as the Miami Heat look for these guys that can contribute now and have a very high floor, even if it means the ceiling isn�t the highest. Jaquez is the perfect Heat guy in this respect. In the NSL, age is a scary thing. Duarte dropped 9? Slots the other year (might have been more) and other older guys always end up going that bit lower. Here, 24^th isn�t as big of a slide probably because he has also looked great right off the bat at Summer League. He�ll contribute.

 

Leonard Miller � 2^nd Rounder becomes 1^st Rounder

Miller was always expected to be selected in the 20s here to be honest as it was considered a shock that he fell out of the 1^st round in the NBA and was taken pick 33 there. So to see him go right in the middle of the 20s, at 25^th overall, was right about right. If you don�t take him here then you have to look at all the talented, older guards and role player types that were taken at the end of the 1^st round in the NBA. Miller is the upside swing and makes a jump of 8 slots compared to the NBA, and is about to sign that 4 year deal in the NBA too.

 

James Nnaji � The next 2^nd Rounder

Nnaji was always expected to be selected in the 1^st round here, too. It�s less of a reach when you�re talking about the 31^st selection in the NBA, but then he went 2^nd round for a reason in the NBA. His IQ is low, despite the insane measurables. If you ask me, he�ll never suit up in the NBA. He just doesn�t know the game. But size is all in the 2k and if he was going to get himself even a 2way deal, he would have played minutes in the NSL and had an impact. There are now reports he�s staying overseas.

 

Andre Jackson Jr. � The Unexpected Jump

Maybe I�m jaded, but I never had Jackson on the radar to jump anywhere. I didn�t even give him a cap hold expecting him to go to the 1^st round! But, the 36^th selection in the NBA leapt over a handful of NBA 1^st rounders as well as a handful of early 2nds to go 28^th here. He has good size at 6�6 and is a high IQ guy with a good motor and the reason he slipped in the NBA was his shooting mechanics and issues with shooting full stop. If he irons that out, maybe he should have been a 1^st, like here.

 

 

And now for the 2^nd round�where the big differences occur!

 

 

Tristan Vukcevic � Combine Star Riser

In the NBA, Vuk went 42^nd overall to the Wizards after he showed he can really knock down that triple from the C spot. However, he ended up at 42^nd in the NBA because he has a high center of gravity and slow feet, which means he genuinely may not be able to defend anyone. He looks like a Luke Kornet to me. Here however, he has size and he�s white, two things 2k loves, and his landing spot in Washington means he should see some opportunity in the post Beal/Porzingis era. This meant that Tim wanted him enough to take him 30^th. 12 spots up.

 

Sidy Cissoko � The Annual Philly Reach

Sidy went 44^th in the NBA which is perhaps a little surprise, unless he was actively telling teams he had a promise and wanted to go to San Antonio. He has size, handles, IQ and defensive intensity which all spells nice in the mid 2^nd round. The Spurs landing spot, and all of the above, adds up to being a real target for the 76ers here who love this type of guy and have never been afraid to make sure of them by going early. 31^st here. 13^th spots up.

 

GG Jackson � Big Name Hype train Riser

GG was mocked from anywhere to late lottery to about where he went in the NBA, 45^th overall. He reclassified which dipped him from the #1 prospect to well, a 2^nd rounder in the end after a really up and down college season and measurables that aren�t ideal. It was no secret that he would NEVER fall to 45^th here and 35^th ended up being the spot for the youngest guy in the draft after a solid Summer League showing on offence. Though, even there, the signs of his college red flags were obvious with no assists through 3 games. 10 spots up.

 

Jaylen Clark � Philly Again

As previously mentioned, the 76ers will just grab the guy they deem to be the best in the round at where ever they want and Clark is no exception. He was 53^rd in the NBA as he ruptured his Achilles earlier in the year ending his college days and he had question marks on his offensive and shooting potential. He still got drafted since he�s the best perimeter defender in the draft. Here, 36^th overall is probably way high, but the 76ers got their guy so it doesn�t matter to them. 17 spots up!

 

Trayce Jackson-Davis � The Riser of the Draft

Trayce went all the way to 57^th in the NBA to the Warriors probably due to his low ceiling and him being a senior. Honestly, this spot seems kind of right to me and nothing about him had me looking at him for drafting. Toby however clearly loves him! The Warriors is probably a solid landing spot as they develop guys well and kids who can contribute now will get court time, and Trayce can definitely do that. But he�s not going to develop much more than where he is at right now. 37^th here, 20 spots up!

 

Marcus Sasser � The Faller of the Draft

Sasser is this years, he went where? Guy. He was pick 25 in the NBA after Detroit traded up to get this pick to take him due to his lights out shot making ability and his defensive and hustle intensity. He�s 6�1, which isn�t huge, but his ability to play both ends at a high level got him into the 1^st round. Here, his slide is clear from 25^th to 43^rd, and is obviously massive, but there were only about 8 teams drafting between 26^th and 43^rd here, and 2 of those selections earlier were the 76ers who ended up taking him. The choice was obvious at 43 once it was clear they were keeping the pick, for now, and they may just have got the steal of the draft. 18 slots down!

 

Jalen Pickett � The Lesser Upside Slide

Pickett went 32^nd in the NBA cause he could come in and be the reserve PG in Denver from day one. He�s smart, crafty, can shoot, can defend and is ready right now. He�s a little older which doesn�t matter to an NBA champ team, but does to NSL upside swingers. Here he was still on the board by 45^th and is headed to the Cavs (unless they again traded the pick out). He could end up being that reserve PG here too for little to no cost down at 45^th. BPA pick, 13 spots down.

 

Colin Castleton � Undrafted, no worries!

Castleton in the NBA went undrafted but it wasn�t for lack of talent. He�s a 24 year old big man who can contribute right now with solid defensive qualities and uses his smarts and size on O too. He went undrafted reportedly because he told everyone NOT to draft him, so he could choose to sign where he wanted and signed a 2way with the Lakers. Here, he was an obvious choice as a draftee with his size and skill and he�ll head to Houston with the 46^th pick.

 

Kobe Brown � The Last of the 1^st Rounders

Kobe was the 30^th pick in the NBA to the Clippers who typically try to get an older rookie, with size, late and hope they can contribute right now. Kobe is the latest. He�s already 23 and has minimal upside, but he can contribute in multiple of ways right now as a bit player. Here, he slid because of all the reasons why the Clippers drafted him. That, and he is probably the anti-2k (like Lofton) being heavier, slow and below the rim. So 47^th is a big slide but it�s a no risk pick here for Utah. 17 slots down.

 

Julian Phillips � The Next Early 2^nd Slide

Phillips went 35^th in the NBA. He�s going to Boston, and he has the measurables to be a solid role playing wing with some upside, so it makes sense to go early. Here, it�s an interesting one. Maybe he slid because of the upside swings jumping him, and then the late 1^st rounders jumping him, and then the �about right� picks jumping him. Either way, 48^th here so a 13 slot drop.

 

Colby Jones � Role Player Slide?

In the NBA Jones went 34^th overall to the Kings, who love him and promptly signed him up to the 4 year 2^nd round pick deal. He�s a versatile role player who does a little bit of everything well to contribute to winning and that makes a tonne of sense in the NBA. Here, I guess teams didn�t like the prospect of a career role player with not great athleticism. Maybe a Caleb Martin type? NBA accomplished, but 2k doesn�t like those types? I guess we�ll see. At pick 51 with a 4 year deal, it�s all gravy. 17 pick drop.

 

Drew Timme � Next Undrafted

If you�re going undrafted, the big white guy with smarts and can play is the way to go. He is probably a little slow or below the rim for NBA teams to have �drafted� but he is already on the Bucks and may be that Mamu signee for this year. Why not take a swing down at 54 here when not much else is on offer?

 

Chase Audige � Hit and Hope 1

The 76ers had a couple of picks down this low and instead of taking the smart pick in Camara with a 4 year deal, they swung for the fences. Chase was a Defensive Player of the year in college and can shoot a bit too. He is on the Miami Summer League squad and showing off his intensity on the defensive end and hitting some outside shots too. No deal yet, but not a bad guy to have some rights too, particularly if he�s sniffing around Miami.

 

Vincent Valerio-Bodon � Hit and Hope 2

6�10 Hungarian with guard skills, on the Boston Celtics Summer League squad? Yeah why not. He may never come over, but the rights are now owned. He is big, smooth, has played professionally for years now and shown growth over that time. Maybe he gets a look down the road?

 

Sir�Jabari Rice � Hit and Hope 3

Arguably the least hit and hope, Rice actually has a 2way deal with the NBA Spurs lined up already. He�s a senior so older, but he played the reserve role to perfection last year in college leading the team in scoring on many an occasion with his crafty bag of skills and high IQ. Maybe he ends up being the perfect Spur?

 

Terquavion Smith � Hit and Hope 4

Smith holds the honor of being listed as the �Best Available� guy on the ESPN draft board post draft and has been playing with the NBA 76ers Summer League squad on a deal. He makes a smart choice here if you don�t like Camara with some upside as he�s shown his hops and skills off in Summer League.

 

Justyn Mutts � Mr. Irrelevant for 2023

It�s a cruel name, but you have to use it. Mutts was 82^nd on the ESPN Draft board and 25^th on the Best Available after the draft. He has only signed a Summer League deal with the Kings, not guarantees, and hasn�t made any headlines since doing so, but at 60 and you like a guy, why not go for it.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the risers and fallers of the 2023 draft! Good luck to all.