Ask Supes

[NBASupes]

New Info: 

 

1. Hawks are confident that if the draft ended today, they would be able to make their selection. 

2. I figured this was the case and I was right, while Issac Okoro is high on the Hawks board, he's not top 3 high for us. In fact, we think he's a 6-10 range pick. This is why directs matter more than the marker chatter. 

3. Hawks #1 player is Edwards. Hawks are very high on two player outside of Edwards. Obi Toppin and LAMELO BALL, Yes, LaMelo. I am not sure if this is real hype but I was told these two are 1/2/3 for the Hawks. 

4. The biggest shock I got was Tyrese Haliburton was #4 on the Hawks big board over Okoro who I thought was a clear #2 based on previous conversations. It's clear, Golden State isn't the only team drinking the kool aid on Haliburton. People really really like his tape and love his analytics. He said, Haliburton is a can't miss role player with potential to be more down the road. 

5. Hawks really like Deni A, Okoro, and Wiseman but have questions with all three to the point that they would take them but not so high. With Deni, they have questions about his position and many thinks he doesn't have one but is good enough to be a Swiss knife. Okoro, offensive polish and shooting. Wiseman, modern fit and shooting. Hawks tend to be higher on their upside than most outside of Wiseman where's it's parallel.

6. He was told that FA will impact the Hawks decision and who's available and for what cost. 

7. Hawks have interest in Devin Vassell, Poku, and Cole Anthony as well. The Hawks are not as high at this stage on Hayes as they were in May.  Travis really likes Cole Anthony is what he was told. 

8. He was told the Hawks have interest in a PG, a sharpshooter and SF and thinks the depth of those positions is making them consider two 2nd rounders. He was told the Hawks are going to be major players in the buying a 2nd round pick train. He was told the Hawks want to really build up the G-League team this upcoming season. The names he heard was: 

Killian Tillie

Grant Riller

Sam Merrill

Malachi Flynn

Payton Pritchard

Tyler Bey

Cassius Winston

Devon Dotson

Desmond Bane

Tres Tickle

Corey Kispert

Robert Woodard

9. The last four things he mentioned was more than ever, guys who entered last year will have an edge on the guys this year because the Hawks have eye tape and game-tape to see where those players improved. I was told this is why Atlanta is sky-high on Toppin.  

10. He was told the Hawks want to be players in 2021 in the chance for Giannis and want to have the assets in place to trade for a major piece at some point to build a contender around Trae Young and maybe Cam Reddish or John Collins. The only for sure thing right now is Young but they are sky-high on Reddish as well. 

11. The Hawks want another sharp but minutes will be everything. I was told the Hawks really want Joe Harris and they could target Buddy Hield. 

12. He said the Hawks will target a lot of FAs but most of these players will be looking for short term deals and minutes. Atlanta doesn't have a lot of minutes. He also was told Atlanta will be bargain hunting and willing to overpay as well. 

13. What I didn't hear from him was PG interest. No Melton, Dunn, Napier talk. He didn't mention us and serious trade interest. He did mention the Hawks want to build up their G-League, I think I mentioned that earlier though. He said that's the big focus. They really want to use the G-League like Miami and Toronto uses it. To develop legit NBA players to replace vets who move on. Right now, the Hawks G-league is bare bones. Hell, the main team's bench is horrendous. 

Edited July 26, 2020 by NBASupes

[NBASupes]

I did get some bubble info I can share which is trade talk. 

1. While Knicks explored trades for Zach LaVine, they aren't interested in the price. A 1st rounder and a role player. I was told the Nets are. Prince could be on the move again aka. I was told if the price is met, he will be traded. I will say, the Knicks just didn't want to the deal. The Nets are also in trade talks for Buddy Hield as well but there is a preference for LaVine. 

2. Nets coaching hire is on hold but watch for Mike D'Antoni. They like the fit of that style for Kyrie, KD, and Jordan. I still think this is going to be someone that Kyrie likes a lot but the Nets want a creative mind more than anything. Not any system BS but make it work around insanely talented offensive players. 

3. I was told that OKC has put off rebuilding for another year unless they get offers they can't refuse which they haven't gotten yet. 

4. Miami is really angling to sign Giannis and Dipo to join Jimmy and Bam. I was told, they are higher than Dallas who the media loves. While thi is my own opinion, people need to watch for us. 

5. Portland loves Ariza but really wants a PF bad. I was told that they are open to moving everyone but Lillard, C.J. and Nurkic for that said player. He was told they are one of the biggest teams interested in a John Collins deal but they are targeting more than Collins as they obviously don't have enough for Collins. I was told they really want Lauri M from Chicago and would love to SnT for Davis Bertans. They would like to sign Christian Wood as well. My belief is that they sign someone like Dario Saric in FA. It's a weak position right now and almost everyone is under-performing other than the stars. 

6. Of the up and coming teams, watch for Phoenix is what he was told. He said they been targeting Cole Anthony and think he's the perfect 6th man. They did just draft Ty Jerome who there are people who still believe he's the PG of the future there, they really want a dynamic 6th man to join Oubre. 

7. If he falls, Vassell and the Spurs are the pair. A sleeper I was told for the Spurs is James Wiseman. He won't fall that far but don't be surprised if they moved up in the lottery. They have him at #1 I was told and have been doing their homework on him. 

8. While I don't know if landing Thibs changing this but I was told the New York Knicks are locked into Ball like Atlanta was to Hunter and Reddish last year. I actually think they could land him unless they drop to 10 or something. 

[RedDawg#8]

I love the idea of Ball to NY. I think thats the perfect match.

I love Edwards to us to if true

[NBASupes]

1 hour ago, RedDawg#8 said:

I love the idea of Ball to NY. I think thats the perfect match.

I love Edwards to us to if true

I think the Knicks are the only team truly in love with Ball like us and Orlando was with Young. A lot of teams wasn't in love with Young in the top 6. Just two teams. From what I got LaMelo Ball is #2 on our big board but chances are, we will probably trade the pick anyway. He heard we are one of the trade down teams but I didn't hear him say anything beyond that like if its Ball, etc. 

 

There is only three teams who are open to moving up right now: PHX, SAS, and NYK. But realistically, only NY got the willing assets to do it unless one of the others moves up. 

Edwards isn't the clear #1 but among the non bubble teams, he is.

Edited July 26, 2020 by NBASupes

[RedDawg#8]

24 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Edwards isn't the clear #1 but among the non bubble teams, he is.

That's truly important info, and, side note, I personally think only the non bubble teams should be able to be eligible in the draft lottery in the first place.

I dont think its right that  a 7 or 8 seed playoff team right now could lose a play in game to a would be otherwise lottery team that makes it in range, and then potentially move up to the top of the draft in the lottery.

Take Memphis or BKLN for instance. They could fall out of the playoffs on a fluke and still get the #1 overall pick.

That would be a double whammy of suck for us to both miss the bubble and drop behind bubble teams in the draft.
 

The league needs to insure they protect the competitive balance of their league and not 1/4 fall a year behind everyone else and miss out on the best talent entering the league.

 

my rant

 

[Spud2nique]

8 hours ago, NBASupes said:

people need to watch for us. 

real talk

[Peoriabird]

10 hours ago, NBASupes said:

2. I figured this was the case and I was right, while Issac Okoro is high on the Hawks board, he's not top 3 high for us. In fact, we think he's a 6-10 range pick. This is why directs matter more than the marker chatter. 

 

Okoro never made sense for the Hawks!

[Spud2nique]

20 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

Okoro never made sense for the Hawks!

How so?

[Peoriabird]

19 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

How so?

He has limited offensive skill.  He is like Bembry.  He isn't a lottery pick

[Spud2nique]

18 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

He has limited offensive skill.  He is like Bembry.  He isn't a lottery pick

Whoa no he’s more offensive minded than Bembry. You can check tape on that. Not a lottery pick? I understand saying he’s not a top 5 pick like I did with Haliburton but to say he’s not a lottery pick in this particular draft is reaching a bit IMHO.

[Peoriabird]

25 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

Whoa no he’s more offensive minded than Bembry. You can check tape on that. Not a lottery pick? I understand saying he’s not a top 5 pick like I did with Haliburton but to say he’s not a lottery pick in this particular draft is reaching a bit IMHO.

This is a guard that shoots 67% from the free throw line and 29% from 3.  No thank you!

[capstone21]

Obi?  Ugh, I would be disappointed if we waste a pick on him ... atrocious defender

[NBASupes]

1 hour ago, Peoriabird said:

He has limited offensive skill.  He is like Bembry.  He isn't a lottery pick

The only thing him and Bembry got in common is there bulky. Okoro is a superior prospect. The names mentioned for Okoro is Andre Iguodala and Jimmy Butler. For Bembry, people questioned if he should be a first rounder even in a weak draft. Okoro is a superior talent and prospect. 

 

I like Okoro but he's truly number 10 on my big board for a reason. His shot needs to be much better but he's a true Hooper with elite athleticism and a great movement player with high BBIQ especially for his stage. I like Okoro but he does have some bust potential. He's not polished offensively 

Edited July 26, 2020 by NBASupes

[Spud2nique]

8 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

10

Sounds about right. Maybe 8 or 9 nah prolly 10, carry on.  

[Spud2nique]

This draft got me feelin like it’s 1:30 am and I gotta close the deal. Bar closes at 2. circa 1998 
 

Kinda on n off that ...

 

[Peoriabird]

19 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

 The names mentioned for Okoro is Andre Iguodala and Jimmy Butler.

Jimmy Butler shot over 75% from the free throw line all 3 years in college

[NBASupes]

Here is what I think is going on in the draft. 

Melo and Edwards are clearly the top 2 guys among the potential lottery teams especially non bubble. There is a great chance if you land in a slot to get them, you can trade down for future pick with heavy protections or a mid to late 1st in this year's draft. Not the value we got for Hunter but things can change as we get closer and teams know their real spot. 

Teams really like their 5-10 range in this draft and see little difference outside of the big 3 which they consider to be Edwards, Ball, and Wiseman. 

Like last year, this will be an eye of the beholder draft and like last year, the lottery will dictate a lot. 

[gurpilo]

I really hope Hawks land Wiseman, Okongwu or Haliburton. I don’t like any other prospect.

On FA I would like to go for a Shooter and/or backup PG uf we do not get Haliburton. If we are not getting a big I would like to go after  Christian Wood.

[kg01]

Haliburton is getting overrated.  He came out in a great class, for him.

I see Doug Christie-type.  Useful, for sure, but as a lotto pick ... eh.

Keep in mind, he won't be a plus defensive player.  He got severely exposed in college when teams went at him as an on-ball defender.

Let that sink in as you assess him as a player at the NBA level when basically every player will out-weigh and out-strength him.

[Spud2nique]

1 minute ago, kg01 said:

assess

Geez what did we do to you? oh, oh ok I read it wrong..