How would you rate this year's 25-50 selection? Seems like the depth of this draft is decent while the top of this draft absolutely blows. Or is that my Celtic bias at work?
I think the 21-50 range this year is going to feature a lot of NBA rotation guys with some real interesting high upside plays that might turn into competent/good starters (which is really all you can ask out of that grouping).
Do you like McDaniels over Stewart?
I think that Stewart is a classic Danny late first pick, moderate upside/high floor guy. Has the mass to be competitive against the remaining NBA behemoths, but sufficient quickness to succeed in the pace & space era. He reminds me of a poor man’s Al Horford with his 6’8”/6’9” 250lb frame and +7/+8 wingspan. Of course if they go with Achiuwa or Jalen Smith at #14, I’m not sure that Stewart will be on their radar at #26/30.
McDaniels is a homerun swing. His height/length are eyepopping, and the high release point on the jumper makes it effectively unblockable. If he could play at 230 he'd be the perfect third wheel for the J-Crew (especially given his name).
Strong/long wings that can shoot in the 25-50 range: Bane, Woodard II, Nwora, Tyler Bey...Stanley, Joe
RWII is one of my favorite players in this range. I would be happy with him in the 20s. He's got fantastic size/length (6'7" 235 with +6 wingspan) and combines it with high athleticism and motor. Guys like that nearly never bust out. Of course we were saying the same things about Ojeleye a few years ago. But RWII never quits on plays defensively and is a good shotblocker. He's a great catch & shoot guy ho should be able to be a 3&D rotation guy out of the gate with the upside to be an elite 3&D player. Like Covington in his Philly years.
I love Stanley's potential as instant offense off the bench, but I don't think I'd describe him as long. Then again, after Tyler Herro's performance this year, Stanley might not make it to Boston. Bey has an uuuuuuuugly jumper. Great defensive roleplayer, though. I like Nwora as a 3&D rotation player and would be happy with him at #47.
SG in 25-50 range, that can shoot (transition to ballhandlers?); Ramsey, Quickley, Mays, Riller
I think I've previously mentioned Quickley and Riller as guys I like. Skylar Mays doesn't do much for me.
As for Jahmi'us Ramsey, whatever station the Ramsey train is leaving from I want to avoid lest I accidentally get on it. While he has definite offensive gifts, the fact is that if Marcus Smart v2020 makes us crazy, Ramsey will have us tearing our hair out with his shot selection. He takes more ill advised shots than Aaron Hernandez. He combines that with being one of the worst defensive players I've ever watched tape on. For a guy whose offensive footwork is so good his defensive footwork is Patrick Williams bad. Only unlike Williams he constantly gives up on plays. Let someone else take that gamble, because I'm not seeing much of a payoff there.