I've been watching the 2024 NBA Draft class and it's been... weaker than usual

[JayBirdHawk]

23 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

So what are the new rules again. If we lose the play in to the Bulls or win that but lose the next game (7/8 matchup) we get a possible 10-14 pick? I’m assuming if that’s the case we have 1-14 regular lottery odds correct? 

Regular season W/L record determines lottery position. 

The playin wins won't count in that scenario. It only affects it if we get the 8th and final playoff spot.

[Spud2nique]

1 hour ago, KB21 said:

I'm mixed on him.  I like his game, but I get some strong Frank Kaminsky vibes with him.

Ya and I don’t love the way the fan took him out either it looked weak AF.

[NBASupes]

1 hour ago, KB21 said:

I'm mixed on him.  I like his game, but I get some strong Frank Kaminsky vibes with him.

He easily clears Frank but Frank could somewhat play the 5 in the NBA and have some backup value when he was younger, Filip is a 4 through and through. He just lacks the mental and physical toughness. 

[KB21]

Interesting.

[JayBirdHawk]

6 minutes ago, KB21 said:

Interesting.

Why is it interesting apart from him being a past alum of Team Trae Young Basketball?

 

[KB21]

22 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Why is it interesting apart from him being a past alum of Team Trae Young Basketball?

 

Because this team tends to do what Trae wants, and Jakobi is a guy who will be in their pick range.  

[bird_dirt]

5 hours ago, KB21 said:

Interesting.

Not interesting enough for me unless we trade a couple of DMJ, Bogi, Kobe, AJ, and drop any of the other SGs/undersized SFs. 

[terrell]

Never thought Id be watching the WNBA, much less the WNBA draft.. But here we are.......

With Clark, Brink, Reese, etc

That league might make it after all....(I see salaries going up)

Good for them..

[NBASupes]

I like this class mainly due to the upperclassmen but I agree with a post I saw on RealGM, there is about 30 players who could be drafted 10-20 in recent drafts. Lmao, I busted out laughing. I agree. 

[marco102]

A very good and fair write up (scouting report) on Kel'el Ware. 

https://open.substack.com/pub/edemirnba/p/kelel-ware-scouting-report?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Quote

Before his freshman year, Ware had a disappointing outing at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship. This was followed up with a year of ups and downs in a limited role at Oregon. Ware showed that he wanted to bet on himself and improve by committing to Coach Woodson and the Indiana Hoosiers.

The Big Ten is known as a big man’s league, and one of the knocks Ware faced during his freshman campaign was the lack of physicality and an inconsistent motor, making a return to school a better choice in terms of his NBA future.

However, a lot has changed since he became a Hoosier, as he completed his sophomore campaign with Big Ten All-Defensive Team and Second-team All-Big Ten selections. His impact on both ends has enough areas that are translatable to the role he’ll fulfill in the NBA, which is the primary focus of this scouting report.

Physical Profile

At seven feet, Ware stands out with his mobility. He’s light-footed and floats around the court. It all looks natural as his size and length allow him to serve as a defensive presence in the interior. While he’s at 242 pounds, it’s noteworthy that he gained over 30 pounds in his two years of college.

Continuing to fill out his frame is something we’ll see in the upcoming years, as he still needs to get stronger to fulfill his defensive potential. His verticality allows him to rise above all his opponents, making him an efficient rebounder and shot-blocker.

Ware does have stiff hips, causing him to struggle in space against quicker opponents. While his length makes up for most of the deficiencies, this is an area an NBA decision-maker has to keep in mind.

 

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Defense

Having a reliable pick-and-roll defender at center is a must-have to play winning basketball at the NBA level. That’s an area where Ware can impact teams with his mobility and verticality. At 1.9 blocks per game, Ware shows that he can block shots at the rim. However, that’s not what his primary value should be if he wants to be a difference-maker for a team.

A positive in his profile is that Ware is willing to go over screens more often than not, while the NBA shows a trend of more drop coverage of big men. Another positive is that he keeps his feet moving while reading what the ball handler is going to do, with the first play being a good example.

An important area of development is that he’s too reactionary at times when he’s getting attacked by the ball handler, with the last two plays being examples. In the first of two, Ware bites on the hesitation move while the driving lane to the rim is wide open. His instincts should have led to Ware positioning himself at 0 to 90 degrees from the ball handler, rather than the 180 degrees he was located at, which led to the wide-open lay-up finish. Improvement in recognizing angles is a must-have for Ware.

Ware shows that his defensive footwork led to him giving up the driving lane to the ball handler. The possession starts badly due to the amount of space between the screener and himself. He still decided to go over, leading to him placing his pivot foot too far out after the ball handler switched onto him by utilizing the ball screen. Despite this, Ware shows his quickness and puts himself in a position to block the shot from behind, but it doesn’t take away the fact that his decision-making is a work in progress.

 

 

Quote

Offense

Despite most of his looks being near the rim, Ware got up to almost 16 points per game this season. Most of it is due to his great touch at the rim, which led to him being a 74.1% rim finisher, without even taking into account that he averages more than two dunks per game.

At the NBA level, his production will mostly rely on him serving as a play-finisher by leveraging his verticality and screening actions in the interior. This is a must-have for today’s NBA center with most NBA teams not willing to sacrifice much of their field goal attempts for dunker-spot finishers—mostly to protect their offensive rating by ensuring they take enough threes.

 

Another area for Ware to impact his team on offense is his value as a rebounder. At 9.9 rebounds per game, Ware ensured that he got more than two offensive boards per game, mostly due to his excellent positioning while chasing second-chance opportunities.

Ware doesn’t have the frame to bang with big bodies in the interior, but his quickness and mobility make up for most of it, as he’s looking to out-position his opponent, rather than outpowering them and pick up unnecessary fouls. The first play below is one of the examples.

The faster-paced NBA game does not require much action on the offensive glass, due to teams preferring to get back on defense more often than not. However, in situational plays, such as in late-game situations, Ware’s activity on the glass will be a value-riser in terms of him generating second-chance opportunities for himself and his teammates.

 

One of the areas of development in Ware’s profile is his shooting. Despite him shooting 42.5% on 40 attempts per game this season, an NBA decision-maker should look past the good numbers to see what’s still in need of development.

Due to his role, Ware is mostly used in the interior instead of utilizing his mobility on the perimeter. On an NBA floor, he’ll likely be asked to shoot threes on a higher volume than the 1.3 attempts per game he had this season.

To protect a team’s offensive rating, Ware’s inconsistent jumper will likely lead to him having to play G League developmental minutes before being a reliable piece in his team’s rotation. A positive in his shooting potential is that as a pick-and-pop threat, Ware is good at making himself the forgotten man due to timely screening actions.

The most important area of development in his jumper is Ware not setting his feet properly. He doesn’t bend his knees far enough to power up in a consistent and quick pattern before his release. The shooting form itself looks good as he has a high release point, but the preparation to get to his jumper is what Ware has to improve at the next level.

 

With the NBA’s trend of using big men as playmaking hubs, Ware has to improve in terms of serving as one via handoffs. One of the positives is that he’s a good enough manipulator to sell the defense that he’ll drop the pass off at all times, with the first play being an example. An area of development is his decision-making out of those sequences, with him having to attack the rim in the first play, and not bail the defense out with the jumper.

Ware’s passing is one of the unique selling points in his profile. Despite the negative assist (63) to turnover (74) ratio, his ability to serve as a ball-mover and playmaker will be something for him to hang his hat on.

In terms of his long-term potential, two positives in his passing make it feasible that he’ll improve in the upcoming years: composure and not being afraid of high-risk, high-reward passes.

 

 

 

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NBA Draft Projection

An NBA franchise is buying potential in Ware’s profile. His physical tools are absolute value-risers with his mobility and verticality being the two positives. However, in terms of the intangibles, he has to improve his decision-making and defensive footwork via more reps at the next level.

With Ware not turning 21 until after Eastern in the next NBA season, he’s still young for a sophomore. An NBA team that values age will see this as a positive. Ware’s fearlessness combined with his betting on himself by joining a major program in a big-men-heavy Big Ten shows the confidence he has in himself and his development.

His help defense and potential to be a versatile pick-and-roll defender combined with Ware’s passing and developing jumper could make him a solid starter for years to come. Ware has to improve these areas as a natural result of his young age, which makes it likely he’ll play G League minutes in the first two years of his NBA career.

Based on the pros and cons mentioned in this scouting report, I project Ware to be a lock for the top 20 of the 2024 NBA Draft, with him being able to enter the lottery based on how he’ll perform during team workouts and at the NBA Draft Combine.

 

 

 

I like Ware because I see him fitting nicely in the modern NBA.  He has a good offensive and defensive skillset. He won't be ready day one, but that doesn't mean he can't play.  He's a good defender, good rebounder, and potentially good stretch big.  In a draft like this, I'd take that all day.

Edited April 22 by marco102

[NBASupes]

19 minutes ago, marco102 said:

A very good and fair write up (scouting report) on Kel'el Ware. 

https://open.substack.com/pub/edemirnba/p/kelel-ware-scouting-report?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

 

I like Ware because I see him fitting nicely in the modern NBA.  He has a good offensive and defensive skillset. He won't be ready day one, but that doesn't mean he can't play.  He's a good defender, good rebounder, and potentially good stretch big.  In a draft like this, I'd take that all day.

Any scouting report on Ware does not mention health issues with foot and ankle niks, consistency issues, effort and motor issues is not being serious. That's a big part of why he's not in the top 30 with Theathletic.com or DX and GMs as well as scouts are down on him. They didn't even talk about his poor screening which is really why many teams are down him. He's probably a lock to be a 2nd rounder.

Don't be shocked if Kalkbrenner goes higher than him. After Clingan and Edey, the only developmental guy worthy of a 1st is Missi and he's super raw but the personality and traits are legit. He just gotta get a lot better at basketball. Only been playing for 3 years. 

I can't wait for the combine to see who really moves up the board as a center. The center class is due for a breakout at the combine. 

Edited April 22 by NBASupes

[marco102]

8 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Any scouting report on Ware does not mention health issues with foot and ankle niks, consistency issues, effort and motor issues is not being serious. That's a big part of why he's not in the top 30 with Theathletic.com or DX and GMs as well as scouts are down on him. They didn't even talk about his poor screening which is really why many teams are down him. He's probably a lock to be a 2nd rounder.

Don't be shocked if Kalkbrenner goes higher than him. After Clingan and Edey, the only developmental guy worthy of a 1st is Missi and he's super raw but the personality and traits are legit. He just gotta get a lot better at basketball. Only been playing for 3 years. 

I can't wait for the combine to see who really moves up the board as a center. The center class is due for a breakout at the combine. 

What foot issues do you keep talking about? I haven't read or seen videos about that. You should read the entire article he tackles a lot the other stuff. I just took snippets out. 

I like Ware. People may go ahead of him, but I believe he'll be one of the better bigs out of this class.  He just has to put it together. 

The effort thing is hit or miss.  

People said Jalen Johnson had effort and motor issues as well, but he's worked out fine.

Cam Reddish they said the same. He's still in the NBA but never reached his potential. 

I've seen Ware's effort improve from last season.  A lot of the effort issues last year dealt with playing a bit out of position from what I've read up on.  Indiana fans on Reddit says they weren't disappointed in his effort from game to game. From time to time he doesn't always play at 100%, but most said that was due to being raw.

He sets terrible screens when he's trying to slip the screen, but I've seen several instances of him setting good screens. I think most of the screening issues are because he's just raw and young.

There are legit issues with him, but there are pretty much legit issues with any big. I like potential and I see him being a very serviceable started in the next three years and really good after that. 

Edited April 22 by marco102

[NBASupes]

Just now, marco102 said:

What foot issues do you keep talking about? I haven't read or seen videos about that. You should read the entire article he tackles a lot the other stuff. I just took snippets out. 

I like Ware. People may go ahead of him, but I believe he'll be one of the better bigs out of this class.  He just has to put it together. 

The effort thing is hit or miss.  

People said Jalen Johnson had effort and motor issues as well, but he's worked out fine.

Cam Reddish they said the same. He's still in the NBA but never reached his potential. 

I've seen Ware's effort much improved.  A lot of the effort issues last year dealt with playing a bit out of position from what I've read up on.  Indiana fans on Reddit says they weren't disappointed in his effort from game to game. From time to time he doesn't always play at 100%, but most said that was due to being raw.

Dude was the king of niks like Julio but he ain't Julio

Kel'el Ware injury

JJ shouldn't be your rule when he's the exception. Cam Reddish, Bamba, and many others are the rule. 

His effort wanes. He will have good halves and even good overall games then you wonder where he is the entire game next. Just lacks consistency and a lot of times, it's possession by possession. 

He is talented. He more gifted than the guy I compare him to, Damian Jones but Ware is weaker than Jones and he shy away from physicality. He likes to operate in space like Jones.

He's not raw. Missi is raw. Ware got a skill set. He just ain't good at basketball. 

[marco102]

5 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Dude was the king of niks like Julio but he ain't Julio

Kel'el Ware injury

JJ shouldn't be your rule when he's the exception. Cam Reddish, Bamba, and many others are the rule. 

His effort wanes. He will have good halves and even good overall games then you wonder where he is the entire game next. Just lacks consistency and a lot of times, it's possession by possession. 

He is talented. He more gifted than the guy I compare him to, Damian Jones but Ware is weaker than Jones and he shy away from physicality. He likes to operate in space like Jones.

He's not raw. Missi is raw. Ware got a skill set. He just ain't good at basketball. 

He's got skills, but he's raw. He doesn't know when to do certain things and his timing is off in a lot of actions to me that's raw and can get better with repetition.

 

[NBASupes]

6 minutes ago, marco102 said:

He's got skills, but he's raw. He doesn't know when to do certain things and his timing is off in a lot of actions to me that's raw and can get better with repetition.

 

I disagree about the raw part but I hear you. 

Edited April 22 by NBASupes

[KB21]

8 hours ago, marco102 said:

A very good and fair write up (scouting report) on Kel'el Ware. 

https://open.substack.com/pub/edemirnba/p/kelel-ware-scouting-report?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

 

I like Ware because I see him fitting nicely in the modern NBA.  He has a good offensive and defensive skillset. He won't be ready day one, but that doesn't mean he can't play.  He's a good defender, good rebounder, and potentially good stretch big.  In a draft like this, I'd take that all day.

Definitely agree.  Plus, adding Ware to JJ, OO, and MoG would give the Hawks a very athletic, mobile, versatile and switchable front court.  It’s a great fit.  

[AHF]

One of the challenges with this draft is going to be the wide, wide range where people are projected.  Ware seems to be a late first in most projections but with some rumblings about moving higher.  Our only pick is #10.  How do we maximize value in a draft where someone could go #10 or #30?  How far are you comfortable trading down if you are targeting someone like Ware?  Will there be much appetite for teams to trade up in a draft like this where the guy you want might fall?  

I think some guys have significantly tighter ranges where that is less of an issue especially for some of the guards and wings like Castle, Holland, Cody Williams, etc.  None of those guys are dropping very far or going at the top of the draft.

[marco102]

46 minutes ago, AHF said:

One of the challenges with this draft is going to be the wide, wide range where people are projected.  Ware seems to be a late first in most projections but with some rumblings about moving higher.  Our only pick is #10.  How do we maximize value in a draft where someone could go #10 or #30?  How far are you comfortable trading down if you are targeting someone like Ware?  Will there be much appetite for teams to trade up in a draft like this where the guy you want might fall?  

I think some guys have significantly tighter ranges where that is less of an issue especially for some of the guards and wings like Castle, Holland, Cody Williams, etc.  None of those guys are dropping very far or going at the top of the draft.

I think Ware will move up in the mock drafts, but for me, the Hawks need a two way big (center) with size and length.  Ware seems the only player to fit that mold. I'm more for drafting for need and upside this draft since we don't control our own pick going forward.  

After workouts, if the team sees him as a fit take him at 10 and call it a day.  This draft has a ton of variance so someone drafted at 30 could turn out to be the best player in it. 

[KB21]

26 minutes ago, marco102 said:

I think Ware will move up in the mock drafts, but for me, the Hawks need a two way big (center) with size and length.  Ware seems the only player to fit that mold. I'm more for drafting for need and upside this draft since we don't control our own pick going forward.  

After workouts, if the team sees him as a fit take him at 10 and call it a day.  This draft has a ton of variance so someone drafted at 30 could turn out to be the best player in it. 

Much like Dereck Lively last year, Ware will go from being rated in the 20s to being a top 10-15 guy after he works out.  A 7-footer who is athletic, can shoot, and can switch on defense?  The NBA isn't going to let a prospect like that drop too far.  

[NBASupes]

I don't see how Ware going to work in the NBA. 

His biggest strengths is switchablity and his world class change of direction. 

His BBIQ is meh.

His misses rotations often. 

He's not a paint protector 

He is a good rim protector but most of his damage is on weak side blocks and occasional length blocks on the ball. That Samuel Dalembert way ain't really how teams want shot blockers. They want them geometry blockers. He blocks shots the same way Edey does. 

His feel for the game is limited 

His production game is exclusively rim running. Everything else is questionable. 

His screens are terrible

He's weak in the paint on both ends

His Shooting form is different every time like Cam on his shots with range. 

His self creation are flashes and I believe it will die as flashes. 

This dude looks like your typical 2nd round big man. 

This idea of what you want him to be ain't what he is. 

I wouldn't be shocked if his trade stock fell through the draft process. He doesn't have real upside. He's just talented with no real impact. 

Who needs switching if you aren't working hard or consistently mentally missing assignments. 

He should have stayed in college and kept developing. I hope he does that. That's his best play. Show consistency. Show a skill set that's viable. If you gotta sell be horse crap and no way you can prove it. I am a fool for buying it. I've been through this train before with Cam. Never again and Cam had rare talent. He was worth going on that ride with. This dude is just talented. He ain't even worth this much words. 

Draft grade from me is 2nd. 

I expect him to go 40-55. 

 I wouldn't draft him at all personally. I wouldn't even bring him in on a 2way.