D'Angelo Russell

[bocabull]

Multiple scouts have moved him up to the Lakers at #2. Read that the only 2 players in college over the past 10 years with his usage rate and offensive efficiency are Steph Curry and James Harden. His physical measurements in the range of the great guards at 6'5" with a 6'10" wingspan.

Anybody watched him play much?

 

[Eielson]

Some scouts have moved Russell up to #2 on their boards, but I don't see any indication that the Lakers have done the same. They love Okafor.

 

[bocabull]

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2015/06/12/mock-draft-5-0-lakers-taking-russell-knicks-looking-to-deal/

 

[Eielson]

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2015/06/12/mock-draft-5-0-lakers-taking-russell-knicks-looking-to-deal/

Russell canceled his workout with the 76ers not because he is guaranteed a spot with the Lakers, but because he doesn't want to play for the 76ers. If the Lakers don't pick him at #2, he wants to go to the Knicks at #4. My guess is that the Knicks guaranteed they'd pick him at 4 rather than the Lakers at 2.

 

[bocabull]

That makes more sense. The Lakers have no reason to tip their hand. As for Russell he should want Philly over the Knicks who are a complete dumpster fire. 76ers are on the cusp.

 

[WTSooner]

I don't see Philly passing on him, workout or not. He's a great fit there.

 

[Eielson]

I don't see Philly passing on him, workout or not. He's a great fit there.

Agreed. He's clearly the best guard prospect. I was intrigued by what I was hearing about Mudiay for a while, but after watching some film, I think his athleticism was overblown. He's definitely above average, but not enough to warrant Westbrook and Rose comparisons.

 

[bocabull]

Have to admit the more I look at Russell it's likely the Lakers are giving it serious thought. Especially if they have a decent feeling about Marc Gasol with Randle already on board.

Russell's handles, stroke, size and IQ look like a can't miss who would match up against Westbrook, Curry, Harden, Lillard, Paul. As good as Clarkson looks those two might be a heck of a tandem.

 

[Eielson]

Have to admit the more I look at Russell it's likely the Lakers are giving it serious thought. Especially if they have a decent feeling about Marc Gasol with Randle already on board.

Russell's handles, stroke, size and IQ look like a can't miss who would match up against Westbrook, Curry, Harden, Lillard, Paul. As good as Clarkson looks those two might be a heck of a tandem.

I don't think that any 30 y/o big men should deter the Lakers from grabbing Okafor or Towns. Not even if it was a Shaq-type player. There is plenty of time to play 3 bigs, and by the time Okafor and Randle are to the point where you have to play them 35-40 minutes a game, Marc's contract will be ending. Gasol could be a good mentor to Randle and Okafor.

 

[bocabull]

Porzingis

You can see some Durant and Dirk in this guy. If he has the drive the skill is there. Risky pick that would take patience.

 

[Eielson]

Porzingis

You can see some Durant and Dirk in this guy. If he has the drive the skill is there. Risky pick that would take patience.

Agreed. It's risky, but there is a lot to like. Many people like to point out guys like Milicic and Bargnani, but you can't forget guys like Nowitzki and Gasol. Plenty of Americans have been busts over the years.

I really like him going at 5 to Orlando. I think everybody in the top 6 is going to be pretty happy except for NY (Mudiay).

 

[SoopaSooner]

That makes more sense. The Lakers have no reason to tip their hand. As for Russell he should want Philly over the Knicks who are a complete dumpster fire. 76ers are on the cusp.

Are on the cusp of what, another tanking season? Embiid may be Oden 2.0 Sixers are far away from being relevant right now.

 

[Eielson]

Are on the cusp of what, another tanking season? Embiid may be Oden 2.0 Sixers are far away from being relevant right now.

That's how I feel. They've been tanking for a while, and all they have to show for it is a high-motor 6th man in Noel.

:ez-roll:

 

[bocabull]

Embiid, Saric, Noel, Wroten, 3rd, 34th, 37th pick this draft. Lakers & Heat 1st rounders next year along with their own. $40 mil cap space. Pinkie has just been on the job 2 years. They are in better shape than the Lakers who are also in great shape.

 

[Eielson]

Embiid, Saric, Noel, Wroten, 3rd, 34th, 37th pick this draft. Lakers & Heat 1st rounders next year along with their own. $40 mil cap space. Pinkie has just been on the job 2 years. They are in better shape than the Lakers who are also in great shape.

In other words, a bunch of nothing.

Embiid has Oden 2.0 written all over him. Noel is a quality bench player. Wroten is just a bench player. Saric could be in nice...in 2017.

40M in cap space would be nice for just about anybody other than Philly. They don't have much use for it, as that won't lure anybody. Maybe they can get Rondo for a max deal. Maybe. No chance at guys like Gasol, Aldridge, Love, or even Dragic.

Their picks this year and next year look nice, but given their success thus far, I bet it's a bit misleading. They might be good eventually, but I don't see them becoming a factor in the league much before 2020.

 

[bocabull]

76ers will climb like a Rocket ship the next 3 years starting this year. Watch and see. They are on the cusp.

 

[Eielson]

76ers will climb like a Rocket ship the next 3 years starting this year. Watch and see. They are on the cusp.

Only if Russell turns out to be a superstar (or whoever they pick at 3), the Heat don't bring everybody back, and the Lakers don't strike in FA this offseason. Given Philly's luck...

 

[NickZepp]

With Love available and Marc Gasol possibly being out there. The Lakers should try and get either one or both of those and draft the best wing available at number 2. If they think that's Russell or someone else that's the best move for them.

 

[Eielson]

With Love available and Marc Gasol possibly being out there. The Lakers should try and get either one or both of those and draft the best wing available at number 2. If they think that's Russell or someone else that's the best move for them.

It's a good year for PG's and posts, but not wings. There is plenty of playing time for Gasol/Aldridge/Love, Okafor, and Randle to all get their share. I couldn't see playing time becoming an issue until the 3rd of 4th year, and by then, the contract will be almost up, as 4 years is the maximum length. Randle could potentially move out to the 3 as well.

The Lakers have picks at 27 and 34 as well, and that's been prime real estate for wings lately. I'd love to add a guy like Justin Anderson or Anthony Brown in addition to Joseph Young at point. I'm slobbering at the thought of this lineup moving forward:

PG: Young
SG: Clarkson
SF: Anderson
PF: Randle
C: Okafor

 

[jmizzy4ou]

It's a good year for PG's and posts, but not wings. There is plenty of playing time for Gasol/Aldridge/Love, Okafor, and Randle to all get their share. I couldn't see playing time becoming an issue until the 3rd of 4th year, and by then, the contract will be almost up, as 4 years is the maximum length. Randle could potentially move out to the 3 as well.

The Lakers have picks at 27 and 34 as well, and that's been prime real estate for wings lately. I'd love to add a guy like Justin Anderson or Anthony Brown in addition to Joseph Young at point. I'm slobbering at the thought of this lineup moving forward:

PG: Young
SG: Clarkson
SF: Anderson
PF: Randle
C: Okafor

I wonder how effective Clarkson could be off the ball. He's not a great shooter. He did his best work this past season when Jeremy Linn was off the court......