2028 Rookie Class - First Impressions?

[KW]

...

[Marcos_Beck]

My boys are pretty much what I expected. I'm thrilled to add them to the core moving forward.

[blackice]

*Comparison implies my high end projection

Facundo Campazzo - Basically a pure point guard with elite handles and passing and his defense isn't as bad as some anticipated. We'll have to find starter minutes for him even if he's coming off the bench.

Comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander w/ much worst defense and scoring

Grant Riller - A ready made scorer, a guy who can carry the 2nd unit's scoring load w/ a nice array of scoring options (slashing/mid range/3 pointer), decent handles but limited to playing SG full-time.

Comparision: Nickeil Alexander-Walker w/ less scoring and size


Nuni Omot - Elite handles for his size but very raw, still he should immiediately make an impact as a corner 3 spacer with upside as a defender, but this season will be a development year as he needs time to develop. His ceiling is an above average starter with elite size (6'9 - 205) and the ability to play multiple positions.

Comparision - Troy Brown

JT Thor - Pretty much what I expected, already an elite defender who should average 1 blk / 1 stil as a rookie, handles limit him to PF exclusively and we'll have to work on his preferences to make his offense more efficient.

Comparison - Jonathan Isaac

Yves Pons - Probably my best "value" pick, Pons is already a ready made 3rd big/starting level PF, he can rebound/defend as well as almost anyone in this draft class he's just really small for the position and light so we'll have to bulk him up this offseason and continue to do so.

Comparision - Jordan Bell w/ less scoring & size

[Ramcus]

Marko Guduric having acceptable ratings is a steal at the whatever pick I had while I was actively trying to get rid of it.

[OneNole]

*Comparison implies my high end projection

Facundo Campazzo - Basically a pure point guard with elite handles and passing and his defense isn't as bad as some anticipated. We'll have to find starter minutes for him even if he's coming off the bench.

Comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander w/ much worst defense and scoring

Grant Riller - A ready made scorer, a guy who can carry the 2nd unit's scoring load w/ a nice array of scoring options (slashing/mid range/3 pointer), decent handles but limited to playing SG full-time.

Comparision: Nickeil Alexander-Walker w/ less scoring and size


Nuni Omot - Elite handles for his size but very raw, still he should immiediately make an impact as a corner 3 spacer with upside as a defender, but this season will be a development year as he needs time to develop. His ceiling is an above average starter with elite size (6'9 - 205) and the ability to play multiple positions.

Comparision - Troy Brown

JT Thor - Pretty much what I expected, already an elite defender who should average 1 blk / 1 stil as a rookie, handles limit him to PF exclusively and we'll have to work on his preferences to make his offense more efficient.

Comparison - Jonathan Isaac

Yves Pons - Probably my best "value" pick, Pons is already a ready made 3rd big/starting level PF, he can rebound/defend as well as almost anyone in this draft class he's just really small for the position and light so we'll have to bulk him up this offseason and continue to do so.

Comparision - Jordan Bell w/ less scoring & size

This would probably be some of the kost inflated comparisons I have seen.

This would be me saying Teske is the next Ayton with less scoring defense and rebounding

[blackice]

*Comparison implies my high end projection

Facundo Campazzo - Basically a pure point guard with elite handles and passing and his defense isn't as bad as some anticipated. We'll have to find starter minutes for him even if he's coming off the bench.

Comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander w/ much worst defense and scoring

Grant Riller - A ready made scorer, a guy who can carry the 2nd unit's scoring load w/ a nice array of scoring options (slashing/mid range/3 pointer), decent handles but limited to playing SG full-time.

Comparision: Nickeil Alexander-Walker w/ less scoring and size


Nuni Omot - Elite handles for his size but very raw, still he should immiediately make an impact as a corner 3 spacer with upside as a defender, but this season will be a development year as he needs time to develop. His ceiling is an above average starter with elite size (6'9 - 205) and the ability to play multiple positions.

Comparision - Troy Brown

JT Thor - Pretty much what I expected, already an elite defender who should average 1 blk / 1 stil as a rookie, handles limit him to PF exclusively and we'll have to work on his preferences to make his offense more efficient.

Comparison - Jonathan Isaac

Yves Pons - Probably my best "value" pick, Pons is already a ready made 3rd big/starting level PF, he can rebound/defend as well as almost anyone in this draft class he's just really small for the position and light so we'll have to bulk him up this offseason and continue to do so.

Comparision - Jordan Bell w/ less scoring & size

This would probably be some of the kost inflated comparisons I have seen.

This would be me saying Teske is the next Ayton with less scoring defense and rebounding

A man can dream You're probably right, just really excited with my first real draft as I usually trade my picks and this time I traded for them. Still, I'm sure you're correct.

[thecoolestjedi]

Looks better than expected on Retin, Saddiq looks developable and Giorgi looks alright

[Jestor]

High end was the winner on Haliburton's Scoring, Passing, and Steals. Low end on everything else but IQ, which split the difference.

[Dennis]

Ball should have been #1. Easy.
No fan of Haliburton. Might work as SG though.
ZDK will be hurt by his super low pass.
Davion Mitchell will work super well if 22 is similar to 19.
Wagner also looks like should be drafted higher
Real fan of Bleijenbergh

[OneNole]

After going through all of the rookies quickly, first impression. Not very impressed with this class. Looks like I got the high end on a lot of guys again. I don't see many starter level players. With that said, Lonzo Ball was better than I thought he would be but still not top pick worthy. 3rd pick is probably accurate though.

Winners of the draft:
Wizards and Chicago. Edwards looks like a stud and I like Stewart a good bit too. Chicago also did great in their draft. I love Davion Mitchell and think they did well with their second round picks.

Busts:
Haliburton: Ouch, Capazzo who was taken 26th from the Raptors is arguably better than he is. Major miss by TIm here.
Kuminga: Everyone is praising the Magics draft, and while Kuminga will be a rotation player, but I do not think he is top 10 worth. I am not even sure he is lotto worthy.
Herbert Jones: Probably closer to a 2nd round pick than a top 10 selection

[hardenwithnod]

Really happy with how my rookies looked, as most of these guys look pretty good already! Can’t wait for training camp. Edwards looks ready now already!

[Flaming Homer]

Like expected, for Okoro it will be decided if he can progress or not.
Mitgaard looks like a decent big, no star but hopefully not a total bust.

[rh0xxy]

I got Woodward?

Edit: ah nvm, the deal is not yet in placed

[rh0xxy]

Nice to see my rookies are ready to play for day 1. Bandoo could be a steal.

[cb4raptorscb4]

Nimrod seems like he could be a decent player. Better than our last pick in Obi E.

[blackice]

Winners of the draft:
Wizards and Chicago. Edwards looks like a stud and I like Stewart a good bit too. Chicago also did great in their draft. I love Davion Mitchell and think they did well with their second round picks.

Given we walked into this draft with just the 26th pick and no scouting I think we "won" as well though relative to other teams I dunno. I'm happy with how my draft worked out given we picked blind outside of reading articles and paying attention to comments.

[Dylan]

Herb isn't as good of a shooter as I hoped off the bat, but if his shot develops like it hopefully will, he'll be a solid enough 3&D. More D than 3, though.

My decision ultimately came down to Isaiah Stewart vs. Herb Jones, and I think that's one I may regret

[Dennis]

Btw pretty happy with my two bigs. Solid backups on cheap deal. Even very likely signing my 2nd rounder guy. Overall a very bad class though imo. Top 3 plus some later guys are solid, rest depends on the plus 10s if this class can become solid.

[WillyJakkz]

Wow LaMelo Ball is looking outstanding and love what Kuminga is showing already on the REB and DEF side. Franz looks good, too.

[Rizzo]

Vrenz looks pretty solid across the board with his height too.