Great post
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Even though Mark Williams didn’t shoot threes, his FTs look good and seems to have a decent looking stroke. I wonder if he could develop a three? Seems to have potential. Reminds me of UNC’s Day’ron Sharpe a bit, in terms of seeing the mechanics there to develop a decent outside shot.
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I think Williams will develop a respectable 3, for a C. All we’d need is for him to require guarding on the perimeter, and I feel confident he’ll get there. He projects to being a good regular season, starting centre who’ll tick every box other than switchability on D. He has the same standing reach as Gobert FFS … the dude is legitimately huge. You could argue that he and Kai could coexist nicely on the roster, with Williams starting and Kai finishing games.
The decisive question, to my mind at least, is do you value Williams’ likely ability to shoot from the perimeter over Duren’s likely ability to switch and guard on the perimeter. I, personally, do not and that’s why I have Duren over Williams. Not to mention, Duren is two years younger and absolutely could develop an outside shot. Williams’ free throw percentage went from 53.7 in his first year to 72.3 in his second. Duren hit 62.5 in his only year.
I think I’m talking myself into 13 & 15 for Duren. We’d almost certainly need to get ahead of the Knicks and maybe the Spurs to get him though.
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I prefer Jalen over Mark. Also, heard about some conversation that we are totally and completely fine with adding 2 first rounders to our roster and then draft and stash a guy in G league in 2nd round.
So we aren’t “shopping” the pick but simply not saying no to discussions.
There is a chance we choose to retool vs go all all in, although that sounds unlikely.
If we choose to offload Rozier and Hayward, draft a Center and go super youth route like 2020? That will be wild and against what we have heard MJ wants, but if there is a year to “experiment” with your developmental pieces, this is it considering the top prize in 2023 draft.
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I prefer Mark or Duren , with the other pick i prefer Jalen . It is a ton of good players in our range not great but good. I want to continue building through the draft . Keeping the core players we have. Only trading to get better .All so drafting some toughness. Dog type players like Terry.
To be honest, I’m not crazy about either. I know I’m a parody of myself at this point, but the guy who I want is Bamba. Who is still only 23 years old, shoots almost 40% from 3 already, and hits his FTs better than both guys. For me, It’s a must for all 5 of your core guys on the floor to be some kind of threat from 3. It’s just where the current game is at. Neither Williams nor Duren possess this skill.
I know what you mean, and feel that Mark Williams MIGHT possess the mechanics to become a decent three point shooter in a few years…but I would not say I can value that skill yet, since he has not demonstrated it. I think he only shot 1 three pointer this past season at Duke. And missed.
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Williams has been my guy for quite a while just thinking realistically who might have been available at our standard late lottery pick. I could easily see him becoming as effective as Rudy Gobert and potentially better. Lateral quickness to switch being their obvious limitations but still have other very valuable skills to contribute to a winning team. I’m not a fan of Gobert and don’t want him at his salary but adding that type of player via the draft on a rookie controlled contract for several years is completely worth it to me. That being said, if the choice was between Duren and Williams straight up, I’d lean toward Duren also.
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It almost seems like the easy move is Bamba for #15 and filler. Draft a perimeter guy at #13.
I want Williams myself. Damn Williams on the Celtics can’t shoot to save his life but he is Elite in what he does. If you have the ability to take someone who is Elite in something, you take them and figure it out.
Lord knows we need someone with some kind of elite defensive skill. Switch ability is great but I thought I read Atkinson likes to drop his Center in his defensive scheme…
Honestly I’d rather trade and get a vet but if not take verified elite defensive skill with this roster…
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I know he did this with his Centre at the Nets (brain fade on his name) but have no idea if he did this because he likes to or had to. Either way, it’s good to know he ran an effective scheme this way.
Gobert is the player I think of too. Williams has got the size, probably a better shot and is a better athlete, I think. Now, it’s a tall order to get where Gibert is on D, but the tools are there at least.
I have no problem picking him at 13 and running with him and Kai as contrasting style Cs. No problem trading for Bamba, who we know can come in and start from day 1 and Duren would be a great pickup.
There are plenty of options out there.
Jarrett Allen was the guy on the floor for that? Jarrett Allen possessed more polish offensively than Mark Williams I think. But I can see the comparison there. I’d say Jarrett Allen would be a dream ceiling for Mark Williams. But I just don’t see it. I think the draft comparison for Mark Williams may be more Clint Capela than Allen. OR, Mark’s lack of offensive upside may be better explained by being a product of the Duke system. Who knows?
But I also don’t really care. We could pick Williams at 13/15 and I’d feel fine with it. I’d still rather trade these picks, but know we wont
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That’s true, but he’s also a guy that can easily switch and is more than a drop center. The time lord is also surrounded by top tier players and elite defenders. Which, we lack.
Be still, my beating heart.
If that happens, I’ll immediately buy a Charlotte Hornets custom Mo Bamba jersey, organize some kind of parade, and declare that day an annual national holiday, “Mo Bamba Day”. I’ll be insufferable.
Yep, that’s the name I was drawing a blank on! Cheers.
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I’m coming around to want Bamba as well. He’s been in the league a few years but is only 23, can do all the things that those guys have to work on and you can get him for tops 13m a year.
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YES. YES. YES. I’ve converted another one into my cult.
I want to be the origin of any Bamba to charlotte rumor mill discussions. Talk this one into reality baby.
Rival teams don’t believe the Hornets will keep both the 13th and 15th overall picks. Givony has also heard from rival clubs that the Bulls don’t love their options at No. 18 and are open to trading that pick, possibly in a package with guard **[Coby White]
The problem is that they would want our 13th pick instead of the 15th pick. 15th pick for Coby? Yes please!
I am fine with Bamba if he is worth making a move . Or if a move can be made. Is he a RFA or is he just a free agent. Or under contract. If just a free agent funds might be limited depending on his value . Now if he’s a RFA and does a sign and trade . 15TH and Plumlee might get that done.
After looking at the Mo contract I think we just offer him the full MLE.
I Love the contract of WCJ on that team averaging 15 and 10 and locked in for four years at around 9 per year . Wonder if they might take 15 and Oubre or Plumlee . They in the middle of a rebuild.