Prospects for the Dallas pick #8 through #12. My picks, who are yours?

[Neurotic Guy]

I know one thing, never count on players without fairly easy to pronounce names. I have noticed that the NBA has so few players with offbeat names. I wonder why that is, there has to be good players out there with names you need to think about and/or hear someone else say first in order for you to say it. Every year I hear a strange name hyped but they never make it in or they don't stay, I'm starting to think it has to do with jerseys and the money to be made LOL. I can't think of one truly "weird" named player DA has brought aboard, Giannis had no chance hahaaa.

Kelly Okynyk is pretty weird.  Can't tell by the name if it's male or female, or what nationality it is.

Since we know for a fact that ALL NBA players are male, that is thrown out. Then we see Kelly and we know that the majority of people with that name are white. Then Olynyk sounds Irish. Both names are easily pronounceable and Olynyk is slightly less so because of the way they chose to say the "y."

Easy name.

C's could have fielded an all unisex name team 2 years ago with Kelly, Avery, Courtney Lee, Chris Babb and Chris Johnson. If only they could have signed the Lopez twins.

[Emmette Bryant]

I know one thing, never count on players without fairly easy to pronounce names. I have noticed that the NBA has so few players with offbeat names. I wonder why that is, there has to be good players out there with names you need to think about and/or hear someone else say first in order for you to say it. Every year I hear a strange name hyped but they never make it in or they don't stay, I'm starting to think it has to do with jerseys and the money to be made LOL. I can't think of one truly "weird" named player DA has brought aboard, Giannis had no chance hahaaa.

Kelly Okynyk is pretty weird.  Can't tell by the name if it's male or female, or what nationality it is.

Since we know for a fact that ALL NBA players are male, that is thrown out. Then we see Kelly and we know that the majority of people with that name are white. Then Olynyk sounds Irish. Both names are easily pronounceable and Olynyk is slightly less so because of the way they chose to say the "y."

Easy name.

C's could have fielded an all unisex name team 2 years ago with Kelly, Avery, Courtney Lee, Chris Babb and Chris Johnson. If only they could have signed the Lopez twins.

 

[CelticsFan166]

Bit of a sleeper here, but I'd take Jonathan Jeanne with zero hesitation. Look his highlights up, he's a bit raw but could really be a find in the draft. JaVale McGee 2.0 with all the good (athleticism, height, length) and without the IQ issues. Draft him and Simmons and fill both our needs (go-to SF and rim protector) in one draft.

[chambers]

Bit of a sleeper here, but I'd take Jonathan Jeanne with zero hesitation. Look his highlights up, he's a bit raw but could really be a find in the draft. JaVale McGee 2.0 with all the good (athleticism, height, length) and without the IQ issues. Draft him and Simmons and fill both our needs (go-to SF and rim protector) in one draft.

I love him, but i dont rhink he'll declare for this draft. If hw does, I'd use our own pick on him if its in the 15-18 range. He's going to be a defensive monster and he's got very soft hands and reflexes.

[CelticsFan166]

Bit of a sleeper here, but I'd take Jonathan Jeanne with zero hesitation. Look his highlights up, he's a bit raw but could really be a find in the draft. JaVale McGee 2.0 with all the good (athleticism, height, length) and without the IQ issues. Draft him and Simmons and fill both our needs (go-to SF and rim protector) in one draft.

I love him, but i dont rhink he'll declare for this draft. If hw does, I'd use our own pick on him if its in the 15-18 range. He's going to be a defensive monster and he's got very soft hands and reflexes.

That's a good point, we could just use our own pick and hope he flies under the radar and drops. Wouldn't be surprised though if by draft day he's getting serious lottery consideration.

[jmen788]

Jakob Poeltl!!! Shocked to not see his name mentioned more!

[MSceltic]

Malik Pope 6'9 SF/PF from San Diego St. Seems to be slipping a little bit, but dude is crazy athletic and has been developing his shot. Only a sophomore too

[chambers]

Malik Pope 6'9 SF/PF from San Diego St. Seems to be slipping a little bit, but dude is crazy athletic and has been developing his shot. Only a sophomore too

He's a binky of mine too. He'd be competing for a top 5 spot in this draft but he's had real problems with his knees since his senuor year at high school.
I actually thought he was the next Kevin Durant until he missed 3 years from knee injuries.
He'll have to prove his health but maybe his knees are okay now? Will be fun to watch him at SDS if he is 100% healthy.

[Smartacus]

After watching the Mavs first handful of games, it's apparent that we are probably going to get the Dallas pick this season because unless Dirk goes down, they are going to compete somewhere around the 7th to-11th seed in the West.

If we keep the Nets pick and the Dallas pick, it will be a great opportunity to surround Marcus Smart and Rozier with some elite prospects. We need size and scoring, and Ainge always says he'll take the best player available. I think there are two guards in this range who I'd still take if they are available because I think that's what Ainge will do.
With that in mind, who do you think are the front runners on Ainge's list in the #8 to #12 range? Why?
Who would you like to see him take with the Dallas pick? To keep it more realistic let's say the pick lands between #8 and #12, so there's 5 guys you can suggest.

Currently these are my five guys (videos at bottom of post if you've never seen them before).
It's exciting to think that we could get a top 3 pick, and then one of these guys too, to surround Smart with some young talent and let Brad develop them.

With pick#8 Henry Ellenson: 6'11", wingspan 7'2" PF/C
This guy is the modern NBA stretch four, but he's got very, very good handles, shooting ability and feet agility for a 6'11" PF with a 7'2" wingspan. Runs the floor very well. Almost like Kevin love but with the ball handling ability of an NBA small forward. Loves putting it on the floor and getting to the rim with his dribble drive skills.
He can also post up and has excellent footwork. Wouldn't be surprised to see him sneak into the top 5 by draft night. But if he's there I want him at #8.

#9 Malik Newman: 6'4" wingspan 6'5", SG/G
incredible scoring guard with a great stroke and the ability to score or find the open man under pressure. Similarly to Mudiay of the Nuggets (also best friends) he's got some streetball style to his offense, but his athleticism and ball handling are incredible. Would be a great fit next to Smart as our starting shooting guard. Just knows how to put the ball in the hole and with NBA spacing he could thrive. Can play SG or PG. Doesn't have an elite wingspan but still finishes under contact and uses his body to create spacing ala Isaiah Thomas. Very tough, strong attacking the paint.

*Wildcard*#10 Demetrius Jackson. 6'1", 6'5" wingspan. 200Lbs
*Notice- this guy is my favorite guard in the draft after Jaylen Brown. I've put Newman ahead of him because I think Newman's game would work better next to Marcus Smart, but this guy is my binky.
Currently one of the most underrated players in the NCAA but may stay one more year until 2017 to come to the NBA to hone his point guard skills, as he played mostly off ball in his first year at Notre Dame.
A true NBA athlete with gorilla like strength who could come straight into the NBA and compete on every spectrum-offense and defense.
Most people would watch him and their jaws will drop at his strength/power finishing around the rim. He'll literally take it to a 7 foot center and try and dunk on him. Fearless but with a great soft touch when required. His strength is dribble driving and dishing, but will finish under contact if he sees an opening/opportunity.
 Besides all of the above, he is the best shooting point guard in the country from mid range and 3 point range. Spot up jumpers, catch and shoot, one dribble and pull up. You name it. And he's 43% +from three. Beautiful stroke and form with huge lift, keeps his feet straight and is ready to shoot before the pass gets to him- he's one of those guards that is already thinking about his shooting form and set up before the shot opportunity comes. Just amazing anticipation on his shooting. He takes some from wwaaaaayyy out in NBA range with ease.

 He really could be a prolific scorer in the NBA because of his 3 point shooting. If you guard him too close, he'll blow by you, if not, he'll shoot 43% from three on you. That's Steph Curry territory. If he beats you off the dribble and helps comes, he'll draw a foul or find the open shooter with his long arms. Only downside is he's probably developed 90% physically so not much more athletic upside because he's already outlifted everyone in the gym.
 Just has pure heart on both ends. If I were to describe him as a player I'd say he's a mix between Eric Bledsoe in the open court, Derrick Rose in the half court and a young Jason Terry from mid range/ three... but he puts Terry to shame on the defensive end. Marcus Smart and Demetrius Jackson would be an absolute nightmare on the defensive end.
The knocks against him are his size and whether or not he'll be as physically dominant against NBA size- which is a fair question.
Can you tell I like Demetrius Jackson? Still not sure if he'll declare this year. Might have to use our 2017 Nets pick swap on him

#11 Jacob Poeltl 7'1", 7'1" wingspan, 240 Lbs, Center.
Probably won't ever be a franchise center in the post, but has probably the best hands of any big man in the draft and is arguably the best finisher/PnR diver in the draft. Excellent footwork, so he could develop some great post offense, but mainly uses pick and roll awareness and aggressive finishing around the rim to score. He'd be drafted for his defensive potential. Already a great PnR defender and can get better with rim protection. Does an excellent job recognizing the guards he has switches on, and plays them accordingly with great footwork while backing up. Excellent anticipation and needs to put on muscle but has a wide frame and great work ethic.
Will only get stronger and more athletic in the NBA gym.
Has potential on offensive because of his anticipation and footwork, although currently more of a PnR finisher. Incredible defensive potential. We are going to need a defensive monster if Kristaps Porzingis is in our conference for the next 15 years come playoff time. Ugh.

#12 Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk SF 6'8", wingspan 6'8" 200Lbs.
Just turned 18 years old.
A basketball prodigy from Europe, was the youngest freshman in the NCAA last year. Will be the youngest sophomore this year. Had a rough first year but showed glimpses of what he can do with his size and athleticism. Incredible athlete, great shooter, slasher and defender.
Can create his own shot but prefers creating space with his dribble and shooting the jumpshot to going to the rim-not shy of attacking the basket though.
In my opinion, this guy is going to be this years version of Mario Heznoja. Only 18 years old. Watch him at Kansas this year because he'll start. May work his way into the top 5-8 picks.




Anyway who are you picks with our Dallas pick?

Henry Ellenson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNYZYSAJi98

Malik Newman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgSem954pDI

Demetrius Jackson (what a beast!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEaJ5zVRryI

Jacob Poeltl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l1CZzyVwkI

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8eaOQTgfEE

Your guy Henry Ellenson had himself a debut in an exhibition game and displayed a lot of what you were talking about. Check out the coast to coast drive at 1:25. Sure he's playing against borderline rec league competition but that is some serious handles for a player his size.

16 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists in 27 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABTNzTvkjfw

Eyes always looking down the court for long range outlet passes. Capable of driving from the 3 point line to the rack. Nice low post scoring to compliment his strong rebounding. Great recognition of open space (though he probably wont see nearly that much at the NBA level) Solid form on his mid range jumper.


Could definitely see this guy in green if he's available in the mid lotto.