The Ringer's mock draft has us taking Nikola Topic out of Serbia

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Thank you, James Harden! Houston gets this pick courtesy of the Nets from the Harden deal, and after jumping from the ninth-best odds to the third pick, now maybe it'll be able to find the point guard of its future. There'd be no pressure for Topic with Fred VanVleet already under contract. He could learn from him while working to improve his jumper and adjusting to NBA physicality. With the Rockets ascending, however, I'd also expect the front office to be active in trade talks that could move them out of the draft entirely in exchange for a proven star.

Shades of: Goran Dragic

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In reply to Johnsy3 I think Washington takes him.

Topic also doesn't play defense and can't shoot. Doesn't seem like a Udoka guy

Reed Sheppard reportedly with a 42 inch vertical at the NBA Draft combine... pic.twitter.com/bpltzdp36C

— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) May 13, 2024

Able to clear Rob Dillingham in single bound

In reply to Guitarsoup I have a bad feeling he will go #2 and we will end up with French Jabari.

In reply to AG@RICE I think that Washington goes with Topic or Clingan. I don't think they take Reed or Dilly or a long wing.

In reply to Guitarsoup Topic just hurt his knee again. Clingan is a suckers bet.

In reply to AG@RICE His knee injury is a sprain and he will be doing the draft stuff in June. Also we are talking about the team that gave out the Bradley Beal and John Wall contracts, then traded for Jordan Poole's contract.

Clingan will be a better Jakob Poeltl. Not going to dominate, but will you a solid 12/9 and good rim protection. That's pretty solid in this ****astic draft.

In reply to AG@RICE lol Clingan is about the only player I'd bet on to get a second contract in the NBA. Every other guy in this draft has a floor of "out of the league in 3 years."

In reply to M.C. Swag Clingan is 7' 2'' with a history of foot injuries. His floor is also "out of the league in 3 years".

In reply to AG@RICE Ok, sure but any player can get injured. I'm talking from a pure basketball talent level.

In reply to M.C. Swag I think people are overestimating Clingan based upon the success of Walker Kessler. The large slow center had largely gone out of fashion until Kessler put on a show last year. The thing people forget is that Kessler averaged >4 blocks per game in college, while Clingan barely got to 2.5. They aren't close to the same player.

I'm actually curious why you think Clingan will be better than Zach Edey?

Edey was more productive in almost every category in college. He has also tested better at the combine in agility drills. Clingan is testing like an incredibly slow footed plodder.

If I'm betting on a behemoth I'm picking Edey. At the very least he put up big offensive numbers consistently. He even torched Clingan for 37 in the title game. That said, I don't think either of them will be able to cover enough space laterally to be impactful on the defensive end in the NBA.

In reply to AG@RICE

AG@RICE said:

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I think people are overestimating Clingan based upon the success of Walker Kessler. The large slow center had largely gone out of fashion until Kessler put on a show last year. The thing people forget is that Kessler averaged >4 blocks per game in college, while Clingan barely got to 2.5. They aren't close to the same player.

I'm actually curious why you think Clingan will be better than Zach Edey?

Edey was more productive in almost every category in college. He has also tested better at the combine in agility drills. Clingan is testing like an incredibly slow footed plodder.

If I'm betting on a behemoth I'm picking Edey. At the very least he put up big offensive numbers consistently. He even torched Clingan for 37 in the title game. That said, I don't think either of them will be able to cover enough space laterally to be impactful on the defensive end in the NBA.

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I too was shocked at Edey vs Clingan's combine numbers but watching them actually play in games, to me it's not close. Edey may have tested better in an open gym against air, but I've seen enough games to know he's the much slower player in a real game. Clingan conversely just plays bouncier, regardless of what the combine said.

If I'm predicting what the role for both players are; I think the likely outcome for Edey is a change of pace limited 3rd string C. Whereas Clingan will be a bonafide #2. Kessler I think is Clingan's 'comp' because they're both white guys but I think his upside comp is closer to Jarrett Allen.

In reply to M.C. Swag Eh...I kinda think they will both end up being Boban-esque

"**** them kids."
- Michael Jordan
-FVV