Rising Grizzlies star Ja Morant has enjoyed a breakout year in Memphis, but 11 of 15 scouts and executives polled by Tim Bontemps of ESPN would still take Mavericks star Luka Doncic over Morant if they were picking a young point guard to build around.
Bontemps asked those 15 scouts and execs to rank Doncic, Morant, Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Darius Garland, and got some interesting responses. Doncic was the overwhelming top pick, with Morant (who had the other four first-place votes) coming in second, followed by Young in third. Ball and Gilgeous-Alexander were neck and neck for the fourth spot, with Garland bringing up the rear.
The question engendered plenty of debate, according to Bontemps, who notes that the respondents’ evaluations of certain prospects varied significantly. For instance, one Eastern Conference executive believes that Gilgeous-Alexander could be “potentially be doing a lot of the same things” as Morant if their situations were flipped, while an East scout said SGA is “clearly last” of the six in his view, since the others are better at passing and making plays for teammates.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Former NBA lottery pick John Henson has signed with Mets de Guaynabo for the upcoming season in Puerto Rico, tweets agent Christian Santaella. Henson, who has appeared in 445 regular season NBA games, signed a 10-day contract with the Knicks last April, but hasn’t played in an NBA game since the 2019/20 season.
- In an Insider-only story for ESPN, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz explore why Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren is such a polarizing player for NBA scouts. As ESPN’s duo explains, Holmgren is a one-of-a-kind prospect who can’t be easily compared to current or former NBA players, making it more difficult to evaluate both his potential upside and his potential risk.
- Givony and Schmitz have also updated their top-100 prospect list for the 2022 NBA draft and discussed some of the players who have recently risen up that big board.
- Jeremy Woo of SI.com takes an in-depth look at Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson, identical twins who are candidates to be drafted in the lottery in 2023. The Thompson twins, who are currently playing for Overtime Elite, both went in the top 10 of ESPN’s most recent 2023 mock draft.
I will agree with that order, Luka has the higher ceiling IMO, the other factor is about Morant’s health. He has been healthy, but that lvl of athelticism and explosion maybe its not sustainable.
The Griz great record without Morant is really strange. There’s something amazing but also not really winning-focused about his game. His defense is bad, but that’s true of most of those guys.
Luka is the no-brainer here, especially if he commits to getting in better shape earlier in the year. I’d go SGA at #2. Although by far and away I’d pay the most money to see Ja.
Holmgren shouldn’t be polarizing for scouts. Maybe for the FO that gets the top pick. The scouts’ job (evaluating him as a basketball player) is easy. They don’t have to make a determination as to whether the guy’s body will fill out and/or whether it will be able to hold up. Not sure anyone can, but certainly most scouts don’t have the kind of background in human anatomy and athletic performance that would give them any special insight.
Holmgren should be the runaway consensus top pick. But if teams want to think they’re way out of it, then there’s things they can hang their hat on. Jabari Smith is a nice alternative if the team at the top doesn’t like Holmgren’s risk/reward. But the decision is all about Holmgren in the first instance.
There’s no consensus top pick this year. And if there was it wouldn’t be Chet. Paolo clearly outplayed him head up earlier this season. He was average at best vs the type of competition that he’ll see in the NBA. Paolo, Jabari, Mathurin & Ivey all been doin big #s vs better comp as the #1 options on their teams. Chet is extremely talented but it’s hard for me to envision any team taking him #1 tbh unless Minnesota trades for the pick
You really don’t have a clue. CLEARLY (lol). If you watch any college basketball, then you must do it from the same position that you watch the NBA. Anyway, what happened in a single game may get fanboys like you all riled up, but means little to real talent evaluators. Absent a sea change, in circumstances or thinking, there are only two possibilities for the top overall pick.
You used a bunch of words & said nothing. If you think Chet is so much better than the other prospects then state why. I gave reasons why I feel like he isn’t the consensus #1 guy. You clearly disagree but you failed to say why you’re right, you only say that you’re right and that I’m wrong. If you’re struggling to come up with reasons of your own you could at least say why mine were wrong. I pointed to Paolo being the better player when they played against each other. You say that doesn’t matter much to real talent evaluators like yourself but you don’t explain why or say what does matter. Does it matter Chet has struggled vs top competition compared to the other top prospects in this class? Didn’t see you even attempt to respond to that
Chet Holmgren can easily be compared to Kristaps Porzingis, Mo Bamba & Myles Turner. All 4 guys are 5s that are very good rim protectors & 3pt shooters. KP got the height & is prob the best shooter, Bamba has the length, Myles is the strongest & best defensively while Chet has the best guard skills/agility. All those guys are similar tho
Poku is another guy that Chet could be compared to
I wouldn’t touch Holmgrem. Another KP, and is even weaker. I disagree, you can look at body types. You also look at DNA . Father, brothers, mothers male family members. You can look at body type and see if he can add on the girth. And imo you should.
Holmgrem is very skilled for a center. He will never be a 4 in NBA. Just like KP, doesn’t have the lateral movement. He can guard the perimeter. Therefore will have to play most his mins at center. He is 60lbs away from being a real center. I’m picking top 10. I don’t take him unless I know I can get him there. Man doesn’t fill out his real body till 22-24. Unless you are Bron or Zion. Obviously no one bother to chk Zion. To see if he is capable of staying under 260 lb. That body will never hold up in NBA any heavier. As he has shown since day he was drafted.
That’s Can’t guard the perimeter.
my bad
You wouldn’t touch Chet Holmgren? I’m hoping you mean you wouldn’t touch him with the top pick. Because this kid is clearly a beast. You say he’s another KP like KP isn’t literally one of the top bigs in the world rn. Much like Sheed, Dirk, ADavis, Pau, Duncan, KP & many others before him, Chet is a 7fter who is much more comfortable at the 4 where he doesn’t have to match up with the JoVal’s & Embiid’s down low all game. He picked Gonzaga in large part bc Timme was there & he wouldn’t have to play the 5. He’ll definitely start his NBA career at the 4 & probably stay there for the most part until he’s older/stronger/slower. But he’s definitely skilled enough & has enough lateral quickness to play the 4. Chet is good enough defensively to be an All-Defense type guy at the 4. He has even better defensive instincts than KP & the fact that he’s not quite as tall as KP helps him to be even quicker & more agile than the Latvian. And KP is already ridiculously quick/agile for a guy his size. That’s a big reason he got his nickname. Whenever he’s willing/able to play the 5 defensively he will be helping his team even more & that might actually be the best version of the kid. You say it’s smart to look at dna when projecting these kids out physically, well his dad played the 5 when he was in college. Chet is extremely talented & will help whatever team gets him. There’s zero chance he goes any lower than 5. The fact that you hated on Zion, Porzingis & Chet all in the same comment should have set off the “I might be talking crazy rn” alarm in your head way before you hit send. All 3 of those guys are monsters. Appreciate them and quit being such a hater
Ball and SGA are 2s to me. Both good vision and playmakers. But more scorers than PGs. To me playing the point. Means running a team. Running and offense and knowing how to close gms out. That’s why I take Garland over them. He’s shown this yr. He can run a team. And plays both ways. I like Garlands gm a lot. He is still growing as a player. He’s got good offense too. But his first instinct is always to look for teammate and run the offense.
Since we are talking about the draft. Been doing plenty research. Since my Knicks will be in lottery. Parker has to be top pick. You don’t see bigs this mobile very often. He’s got plenty of upside. A true Big 4, who can shoot.
Banchero is more stiff, methodical in good way. But still gets it done. He plays a smart gm. Another true big 4. He’d look nice next to Mitch a D center. Would love to be able to trade up for him.
Ivey already has an NBA body. Reminds of Edwards in college. Already bigger than others. At times looks board out there. He needs a step up in talent. To bring out the best in him. He’s a true SG with plenty of upside as 2way player. He’s got gm could be special.
Holmgrem will go top 3-5. Like I said at top 5. I don’t touch him. And I trade down if someone wants him. Get more picks.
Griffin is also a big upside pick. A real 3 with good size.
Mathurin is another big SF with a solid all around gm. I like him alot for us. I think we realistically have a chance to move up for him. I’d use Quickley to move up or picks.
Mathurin is a player we should be targeting. Knicks probably end up 9-11. I pray and wish Thibs will play the youth. So we can maybe get to 7-9 pick. There is no PG in lottery I like. If we won’t trade for one. I’m good with signing Schroder and developing McBride.
Schroeder and Rose can hold it down till Rose contract is up.
I applaud you for doing research on these guys, it’s a really intriguing class with alot of talent, especially with wing players. I’m guessing you meant Smith when you said Parker. I like Jabari alot myself but he plays stiffer than Paolo. Paolo more of a 3 than a 4 in the NBA, especially offensively but defensively too. Both those guys versatile enough to play either forward spot but Paolo has better guard skills & Jabari the better shooter. Ivey has a similar body type to Ant but he doesn’t have Ant’s otherworldly athleticism & Jaden is a better decision maker at this stage. Totally agree that he’s got star written all over him. DWade is the guy I always compare him to. Mathurin is right now the best player of all of the pro prospects in my opinion. I had him at #4 to OKC in my mock but I could see him going top3 & it’s very possible he ends up the best player in the draft. He’s a taller, bouncier, more skilled version of Jimmy Butler. I feel like only way NYK gets in that top5 is if they win the lottery and move up. Trading into that top5 will be expensive. I’m a huge MarJon Beauchamp guy but even I will admit there’s a dropoff after the top5. It’s gonna take more than IQ for a team to pass on grabbing one of those top guys. You definitely seem to have a lot of eggs in the Duece McBride basket. I been a big fan of the boy since his freshman yr but I mean let’s be real he’s a backup pg in the NBA & that’s if he reaches his potential. Marcus Smart or Pat Beverley is his ceiling, which obviously would be a nice piece to have in the backcourt but just don’t be mad if the boy doesn’t lead the Knicks to postseason glory
Clap. Informative Al.
You have insight. I dont see why you don’t stick to this. Instead of quick trigger name-calling and belittling. Its beneath you.
My 5 cents. Inflation these days
@Sankara –
You’re right, my post responding to yours was feeble. My OP was about CH as a draft prospect, relative the field of draft prospects. Not on who in that field, right now, is the best player. BTW, I am not convinced CH is going to be #1 overall, or even that he should. My point was that the #1 spot is his to lose (meaning, if he’s not #1, it’s likely due to something the team is worried about regarding him, more than something they like in another player).
Why it’s his to lose: CH is not just an athletic 7 footer, with some BB acumen, he separates with two premium skill sets, shooting (reflected in percentages at all levels) and shot blocking (historic shot blocking rates, while maintaining rebounding position and avoiding fouls).
Why he might lose it: Painfully skinny. His body type creates a greater risk than normal that his post draft growth (which is expected and he needs) might negatively affect his athleticism or lead to injuries or him becoming injury prone (doesn’t help that he’s already 19). Premium shot blocking skill will need to be confirmed by measurables (hand size, wingspan, standing reach). Needs to avoid even minor medical issues pre-draft, particularly if they effect the legs (e.g., tendonitis).
Much respect to you for coming back strong. But I still disagree lol. I’d say that Ben Mathurin, Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith Jr & Jaden Ivey are all elite at multiple premium skill sets. All these guys are at least very good defenders & Mathurin is elite defensively. Ivey & Paolo have pg potential. Paolo & Jabari are knockdown shooters, esp Jabari. Jabari is a great rebounder & all are very good rebounders at the least. All are elite athletes. I mean Chet gets the most pub but much like in hs & aau he’s on the best team. The other 4 guys are all on great teams too but they all carry their team offensively while Chet is his teams 2nd option. I think coming into the year it was a 3man race as far as who’d go #1 & it basically still is except that Mathurin has put himself in the conversation & it would be hard for the Pacers to pass up Ivey
1/ Luka
2/ LaMelo
3/ Ice Trae
4/ Ja
5/ SGA
6/ DG
Why would you compare Luka and Morant?
Sure they are both good young talent but Luka has been doing it for years. Morant has only had a reliable 3 pt shot this season.
Don’t get me wrong I like Ja a lot but he has some ground to cover before he at Luka level. Not really a contest.
If/when Ja wins 1 playoff series hell be past Luka’s level. I’m hopeful we get to see em go at it in the 1st rd