Ezeli would be a great sign

[CoachBo]

Be nice if we could actually draft players like this instead of arrive at the party late.

But I forget: Ainge is a draft savant.

[Fafnir]

For the projected cost, I would take him over Howard in a heartbeat. 

Although, I'd also be just as fine picking up Amir's option.

From a pure value standpoint hard to beat Amir's option.

Only if we are sure in whomever else being a great long term solution and I don't see one out there....

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Don't need to sign Festus Ezeli.

Draft Prince Ibeh using one of our second round picks and develop him into a Festus Ezeli.

- Size just like Festus. 6'11" 265.
- Atheltic, probably more. Can move his feet and defend PnR.
- Long wingspan and standing reach.
- Can't make FT's.
- Very limited Offensively.
- Fouls a lot.

Sounds a lot like Festus to me.

[PhoSita]

I agree with CoachBo here, insofar as I think the plan should be to try and find a player like Ezeli or Biyombo in the draft, or signing them for a below-market contract before they blow up on a big stage.

You don't use a bunch of cap space to a sign a guy like that to an above market contract when their stock is highest, unless you think he's the final piece of the puzzle.

[Donoghus]

For the projected cost, I would take him over Howard in a heartbeat. 

Although, I'd also be just as fine picking up Amir's option.

From a pure value standpoint hard to beat Amir's option.

Only if we are sure in whomever else being a great long term solution and I don't see one out there....

Yeah, more & more, picking up Amir's option looks like the move.

[PaulAllen]

Don't need to sign Festus Ezeli.

Draft Prince Ibeh using one of our second round picks and develop him into a Festus Ezeli.

- Size just like Festus. 6'11" 265.
- Atheltic, probably more. Can move his feet and defend PnR.
- Long wingspan and standing reach.
- Can't make FT's.
- Very limited Offensively.
- Fouls a lot.

Sounds a lot like Festus to me.

yea because 99% of draft prospects are legit nba players

[LGC88]

Ezeli, Biyombo, etc... any spot light and there will be a moron to overpay them and regret it for 4 years.
I'm glad we have Danny as a GM.

I'm sure you put Zeller in GS right now and he will look like a 12-15mil contract lol

[tarheelsxxiii]

I was working at Vandy when he played there, so I am biased. But, I would pay that man his money (Russian voice)

TP to 1st person that gets the movie reference.

Teddy KGB

You are a great poster and an even better man (as far as I can tell)! Well done -- TP as promised.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Don't need to sign Festus Ezeli.

Draft Prince Ibeh using one of our second round picks and develop him into a Festus Ezeli.

- Size just like Festus. 6'11" 265.
- Atheltic, probably more. Can move his feet and defend PnR.
- Long wingspan and standing reach.
- Can't make FT's.
- Very limited Offensively.
- Fouls a lot.

Sounds a lot like Festus to me.

yea because 99% of draft prospects are legit nba players

Yeah, but Ibeh is not going to cost us $15 million per year, or more.

Just look at their pre draft measurements and stats and tell me if they aren't similar prospects.

Festus Ezeli - Senior
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Festus-Ezeli-5774/

Prince Ibeh - Senior
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Prince-Ibeh-6449/

Both are athletic big men. Both are defensively capable. Both are offensively flawed.

Big difference? Festus has established himself to the point that he's going to command a lot of money to sign him. I'm not saying right of the bat Prince Ibeh will be as good as Ezeli, but he's got THE SAME TOOLS Festus had. He can develop into as good a Center, and he will be cheaper.

[CFAN38]

I really like him as a Perk 2.0 coming out off college. To sign him now is to big of a risk given his injury history.

[CFAN38]

Don't need to sign Festus Ezeli.

Draft Prince Ibeh using one of our second round picks and develop him into a Festus Ezeli.

- Size just like Festus. 6'11" 265.
- Atheltic, probably more. Can move his feet and defend PnR.
- Long wingspan and standing reach.
- Can't make FT's.
- Very limited Offensively.
- Fouls a lot.

Sounds a lot like Festus to me.

yea because 99% of draft prospects are legit nba players

Yeah, but Ibeh is not going to cost us $15 million per year, or more.

Just look at their pre draft measurements and stats and tell me if they aren't similar prospects.

Festus Ezeli - Senior
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Festus-Ezeli-5774/

Prince Ibeh - Senior
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Prince-Ibeh-6449/

Both are athletic big men. Both are defensively capable. Both are offensively flawed.

Big difference? Festus has established himself to the point that he's going to command a lot of money to sign him. I'm not saying right of the bat Prince Ibeh will be as good as Ezeli, but he's got THE SAME TOOLS Festus had. He can develop into as good a Center, and he will be cheaper.

Onuako is a better comp to Ezeli in this draft

[pearljammer10]

He is going to be priiiicey

[Beat LA]

Said no one ever .

In addition to his injury history, Ezeli is a bad free throw shooter with no offensive moves except for a right handed jump hook that is only somewhat successful, and he mainly gets his points off of lobs.  He's a very good athlete, sure, but he doesn't really do a lot out there.  As much as people love to knock Whiteside for his atrocious passing skills and lack of assists, and justifiably so, Ezeli might be even worse, even going to back to college.  His apg numbers are pathetic, he makes awful decisions, and he struggles to make even the simple pass.  The guy is really only a shot blocking specialist who is far too one dimensional as a player to invest in, imo.  We can get much better, well-rounded, players at 51 and 58 this year, imo, and comparing him to Onuako makes no sense to me at all.  Ezeli can only dream of being able to pass like the big man from Louisville - they really couldn't be anymore different as players, imo.