NBA Draft Reaction: Morning Shoot Around

Summary

Podcast Title: The Athletic NBA Daily
Episode Title: NBA Draft Reaction: Morning Shoot Around
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Host/Author: The Athletic
Description: Start your day with The Athletic NBA Daily – a fast, entertaining recap of the most important games and stories from the world of professional basketball with new episodes dropping Monday through Friday. Hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni with regular appearances by The Athletic’s award-winning NBA reporters. Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears cap the week with the full-length Saturday Slam n’ Jam episode.

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Introduction

The episode titled "NBA Draft Reaction: Morning Shoot Around" kicks off with Cam Jordan welcoming listeners to a first-round edition of the NBA Draft reaction show. He hands over the hosting duties to his panel—Andrew Schlecht, Esperahany, and Dave DeFour—to delve into their analyses of the 2025 NBA Draft outcomes.

Key Discussions and Analyses

1. Utah Jazz and Ace Bailey Selection ([04:45] - [08:18])

Ace Bailey, the Rutgers standout, was selected fifth overall by the Utah Jazz, a departure from initial expectations where he was projected to go to San Antonio Spurs at the number two pick.

• Esperahany appreciates the pick for its strategic fit:
  "If we're just talking strictly basketball and not talking about preferences, I like it because he's somebody that needs to go to a team that has a relatively blank slate..." ([04:45])

• Andrew Schlecht views this as a significant validation of Jazz coach Will Hardy's system:
  "I think Ace Bailey has such a high upside that if he's willing to be coached and is coachable... it's a big, big vote of confidence for Will to be a guy who can get the most out of Ace Bailey." ([08:20])

2. New Orleans Pelicans' Surprising Picks ([11:47] - [15:07])

The Pelicans made unexpected moves by drafting Jeremiah Fears at seventh and trading for additional picks, raising questions about their long-term strategy.

• Andrew Schlecht expresses confusion over their strategy:
  "They waited. And with the 13th overall pick, the Atlanta Hawks traded for 23 instead of 13..." ([12:57])

• Jessica Hawk criticizes the Pelicans for diverging from what appears to be a self-sabotaging path:
  "This is an opportunity. But now we got to think about the actual side...this was an all in move, basically, for what they have saying, we want to win now." ([19:02])

3. Atlanta Hawks' Strategic Drafting ([17:19] - [18:42])

The Hawks are highlighted for their potential to leap within the Eastern Conference, bolstered by their draft choices and existing talent.

• Andrew Schlecht notes their balanced approach:
  "They have the possibility of taking a leap next year in the Eastern Conference...they have that pick that they can dangle and say..." ([17:19])

• Jessica Hawk acknowledges their commitment to building a competitive team now:
  "They want to win now with a team that Dejounte Murray is out." ([18:42])

4. Brooklyn Nets' Controversial Five First-Round Picks ([25:06] - [27:52])

Brooklyn Nets secured five first-round picks, causing surprise and skepticism among the panelists regarding their drafting strategy.

• Andrew Schlecht questions the rationale behind their concentrated guard selections:
  "I just don't understand the thought process of drafting three guys who play exactly the same way. It's so confusing to me. Why Brooklyn?" ([25:06])

• Jessica Hawk criticizes GM Sean Marks' decisions:
  "I'm over pretending like this guy is good at being an NBA GM... they've mucked it up by trading for a center who doesn't play defense and is injury-prone." ([27:19])

5. Toronto Raptors' Selection of Colin Murray Boyles ([28:11] - [32:50])

The Raptors drafted Colin Murray Boyles, a defensive prodigy with offensive rawness, raising questions about his fit within the team.

• Andrew Schlecht defends the pick by highlighting his offensive potential:
  "His driving and finishing game is better than what Scotty Barnes was as a rookie... his shooting is something that has to come along." ([29:50])

• Cam Jordan points out the cultural fit and defensive prowess:
  "They have the Raptors' type that starts with defense... they've got all these guys with heart and effort and grit." ([29:22])

6. Phoenix Suns' Trade for Mark Williams ([48:49] - [54:03])

Phoenix Suns made a controversial trade, exchanging future picks for Mark Williams, an injured center with limited defensive capabilities.

• Andrew Schlecht criticizes the trade as detrimental:
  "I honestly don't think it's... a pretty good player, but the availability is an issue... what are we doing?" ([50:15])

• Jessica Hawk emphasizes the futility of the trade in improving team performance:
  "This is a team that's not tanking... trading for another bad team." ([49:40])

Notable Quotes

• Cam Jordan ([02:28]):
  "The amount of tears that happened last night, it doesn't need to be two days."

• Jessica Hawk ([06:32]):
  "They have no talent outside of Lowry marketing. There's just nobody on that roster."

• Andrew Schlecht ([16:07]):
  "This is a culture bet, absolutely."

• Jessica Hawk ([29:37]):
  "It's a make or miss league."

• Andrew Schlecht ([36:21]):
  "Trey Johnson is a guy who can be a franchise player."

Insights and Conclusions

1. Strategic Missteps: Several teams, notably the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, made draft and trade decisions that the panelists view as questionable, potentially harming their future prospects rather than bolstering their rosters.

2. Balancing Talent and Fit: The Utah Jazz's selection of Ace Bailey is lauded for its strategic fit, aligning with the team's needs and coach Will Hardy's system. In contrast, Toronto Raptors' selection of Colin Murray Boyles is met with skepticism regarding his offensive game and fit within the team's existing structure.

3. Emerging Stars: Trey Johnson of the Washington Wizards is highlighted as a potential franchise player due to his scoring ability and leadership qualities, despite criticisms of his defensive skills.

4. Draft Strategy Trends: The panel observes a trend where teams emulate successful strategies, such as defensive prowess, inspired by recent champions like Oklahoma City. However, they caution against blindly following trends without considering each team's unique context and needs.

5. Long-Term vs. Short-Term Goals: There's a noticeable tension between teams aiming to build for the future versus making immediate improvements, as seen in the contrasting strategies of the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans.

Final Thoughts

The episode provides a comprehensive breakdown of the 2025 NBA Draft, highlighting both commendable and questionable decisions made by various teams. The panel emphasizes the importance of strategic fit, long-term planning, and the delicate balance between talent acquisition and team chemistry. As the draft progresses into the second round, anticipation builds around potential game-changers and further strategic moves that could shape the upcoming NBA season.

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Disclaimer: This summary is based on a transcript of the podcast episode and aims to capture the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions presented by the panelists.

Transcript

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[Cam Jordan]

Happy Thursday y' all. It is morning shoot around with the athletic NBA Daily NBA Draft First Round edition. I am sliding over to the host chair to allow these guys to cook. I got Andrew Schlecht, Esperahany and Dave Defore that's going to be able to give us their analysis of last night's NBA 2025 draft. First and foremost, we just love the draft here, don't we? Like, it's fun to watch people achieve their dreams.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, like, absolutely.

[Cam Jordan]

By the way, the amount of tears that happened last night, it doesn't need.

[Jessica Hawk]

To be two days. But I saw people saying, oh, this could have been an email. Certainly could have been an email. Okay, great. But so could your high school graduation and your college graduation.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, right.

[Jessica Hawk]

And it's not just about you. So yeah, like shout out to Those guys, like, it was fun. Man, I love watching these guys get that chance to. To walk across the stage, see their dreams fulfilled, only to then have their hopes and dreams crushed when they're out of the league like, five years from now. Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Like, they could still play some pro ball afterwards. You know?

[Jessica Hawk]

That's right. Europe is there. You know, you can still, you know, listen.

[Cam Jordan]

Their suit. Let them have their moment. Let them have their tears. I'm all about it. And you also just remind me of a really great Billberg joke in which he called the NFL draft the equivalent of going to a random high school graduation in your town and just standing in this crowd and just cheering them on. But, yes, people were doing that. I loved the fact there were a few winners that were not players or teams last night. One of them is whoever it was sitting in the crowd right after Malika Andrews said that Adam Silver was approaching the podium and you just heard Dallas was rigged. I don't know how they timed that so perfectly, but shout out to you. You were the real first draft pick in this whole situation. All right, let's get into it. Of course, the first 30 are now officially with their teams. There was a lot. A little bit of movement the first one, I think, that kind of stood out to some folks. Ace Bailey came in to the draft, Rutgers pick, flashy soup, made sure that everyone knew the Red was there, the scarlet Red was there with his suit, looked nice alongside his partner Dylan Harper from Rutgers. That ended up at the San Antonio spurs at the number two pick. But Ace Bailey went number five to the Utah Jazz. And if. I don't know if you guys heard of the rumors around Ace Bailey, but he wasn't looking to go all the way to Utah. He was looking to stay on the East Coast. So I'm gonna open it up to you guys. Andrew, you first. What are your thoughts on Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz?

[Esperahany]

I. I think if we're just talking strictly basketball and not talking about preferences, I like it because he's somebody that needs to go to a team that has a relatively blank slate, has a little bit of shooting around him. I think that. I think that it's a good fit there. I also think that the coaching staff with the Jazz are going to be good for him. I think they're going to provide some good structure for him. So I like that. It is funny that Danny Ainge is just like, we don't care if you don't want to be here or not. Like, you're gonna come to our luck.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Buddy. Yep.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Austin, Ange, Both Angels.

[Cam Jordan]

Right. Okay. Yeah, that's true.

[Esperahany]

So it's like, yeah, we, we don't care if you don't want to be here. This is the system that's in place for the NBA and we get to choose where you work. It's not the other way around. And so it's a big upside swing. This is the second big upside swing for a wing that they've taken in consecutive drafts. Cody Williams being the other one. And with, with the, with the guys that were left on the board, it's like, man, he better work out. Like, you better have. You better be pretty confident that this is the guy. Because if you whiff on two big wings, two back, two drafts, back to back and have like. I don't know, as I were talking about it, I don't really like many of the young guys that are on this team anyways.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Esperahany]

If you find yourself in a situation where Ace doesn't work out, it's going to be really tough to build a team in Utah. So big upside swing. But I think if it's going to work anywhere, I think Utah is, is probably a good, good place for him.

[Jessica Hawk]

A swing they should take, period.

[Esperahany]

Okay.

[Jessica Hawk]

They have no talent outside of Lowry marketing. I mean, there's just nobody on that roster. I mean, they were a team that we kind of kicked around. When there were murmurs that Giannis might be available, they were like, all right, maybe Danny A. Is crazy enough to, to throw some picks and, and maybe some young players, but what young players? Right? So this is the most talented young guy that they've got on the roster day one. He also still has value. Like, I heard Charlotte was interested in him. I mean, there's, there's a lot of. They don't have to keep this guy. So it's a good value play at the position because of the talent, but it's also a good value play to have that player. Maybe, maybe it doesn't work out. Maybe he is a, a pain. Although usually when guys get to the NBA, they don't actually do that. Right. Usually guys go along to get along at a minimum because you're lucky to be there. And I think once you fall in, like with a team, you know, people are people and most of them aren't what we think they are. And so whatever his pre draft process, he's now been drafted. He's a professional athlete. I, I think he's probably going to act like one. And if Utah keeps him, this guy gets to have the ball in his hand. He gets to do anything he wants. They. I mean, they are. They're happy to be bad again.

[Cam Jordan]

Right. And he also has a. A situation in which he can patiently build on all the things that make him an, you know, an upside pick. Right. They. They talk about his shooting is a little inconsistent, maybe some of his playmaking. He's got to develop more of a feel for the game. Like, what better place to do that than under Will Hardy? While there's no pressure, no expectation to win something immediately, he can do that and figure. Figure out where he fits if he ends up in staying as a scoring wing for Utah.

[Esperahany]

As.

[Cam Jordan]

Any thoughts on. On Ace to the Jazz?

[Andrew Schlecht]

I think it's a big vote of confidence on Will Hardy because there have been a couple of guys that have gone to Utah where you're like, all right, I don't know how I see the vision with them, and he gets the most out of them. Now. We just talked a bunch about how they don't have a lot of prospects, but that's like a talent thing more than the actual player, you know, being able to be as good as possible. I think Ace Bailey has such a high upside that if he's willing to be coached and is coachable, which is, again, like, a pretty big hurdle to cross, given what we've seen with what Ace wants from his career to start in the NBA. I'm. I think it's a big, big vote of confidence for Will to be a guy who can get the most out of Ace Bailey. Is that gonna happen? That's a big question.

[Jessica Hawk]

Like a culture bet, almost.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It is a culture bet, absolutely.

[Jessica Hawk]

And I would say this, and it's a different one than, like, OKC would make, because OKC will bet on, hey, this great guy fits our culture. Let's get him in here. Whereas maybe Utah is hoping we. We don't know enough about him. We. Maybe we've heard some things, but we think we can sell him once he's here, and that's, hey, shout out to that. You got to do that. If you're a market like Utah, you. You're not going to sign free agents. You. You're gonna have to go through the draft and trades. And so part of that's going to be, hey, maybe you don't want to be here, but let us take the four years to sell you.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I also like. They. They drafted. They made a trade and drafted for Walter Clayton Jr.

[Cam Jordan]

I was just going to ask about that. Yep.

[Andrew Schlecht]

So I like him. He. He has a lot of juice to his game plays really confidently. Again, he is another guard. So I'm curious to see how that all fits in with Keonte George and Isaiah Collier.

[Jessica Hawk]

Well, I don't think that's an issue.

[Andrew Schlecht]

But I don't think.

[Jessica Hawk]

I don't think that's an issue.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Like, no, take the guy you think is going to be a dude. Because. Because Utah doesn't have anybody. I also am like, why not trade marketing?

[Jessica Hawk]

I mean, you know, like, there's like.

[Esperahany]

What would be the. I guess my question would be this. What's the purpose of trading him? Because you're bad enough already.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Esperahany]

You've just had the worst record in the league.

[Andrew Schlecht]

That is true.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah.

[Esperahany]

Because like, a lot of times it's. We need to trade guys to bottom out. Hey, guess what?

[Andrew Schlecht]

They don't have to trade him.

[Esperahany]

Yeah, we're at the bottom. We're at the bottom. I think there's value in just having good players around these guys and guys that. He's made an all star team. He's a professional. He can kind of show these guys the way a little bit. I think there is a lot of value in that. And if you can lose games in the process, I think that's. That's the way that you do it. And. And some. Sometimes. I mean, the Thunder had to do this too. Where. Shay, how you feeling this morning, man? That ankle looks pretty swollen, buddy. You know, like, let's have a seat. You know, same love to do that with marketing.

[Jessica Hawk]

Oh, you did?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Oh, my God.

[Jessica Hawk]

Well, they did it with Larry. Did you hurt your knee skiing? Oh, darn.

[Esperahany]

Yeah, it's. But I. I think they should keep him there. There are very few forwards that big that. That can shoot it like him.

[Cam Jordan]

Absolutely. But I think there's also the fact that they did test the market last year with Lori marketing, and I don't know what they're getting back that's going to be so transitive, transcendental. I can't say the word. That's just going to, like, change everything about Utah Jazz. That even if you got Ace Bailey and a Walter Clayton Jr. Coming in, that's going to significantly change anything in the short term other than let's still try to get a number one pick.

[Jessica Hawk]

Next year to see what they're willing to give you.

[Cam Jordan]

Yeah, 2029 and 2030.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Unprotected first round pick and 2023. Oh, my God.

[Cam Jordan]

We gotta. We gotta talk about it. Okay. So the funniest part about last night was that there was someone that could do something so funny. Like, so funny. And obviously that was Dallas. They could have blown everyone's minds and read a different name at the podium, but of course, they choose Cooper Flagg. Very predictable. Who was not predictable? Oh, the New Orleans Pelicans. They continue to just surprise us every day. Of course. Right before the draft, the announcement of Jordan Poole, a Sadiq Bay, and this year's number 13 pick.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Right, the 40th pick. Yeah, they traded the 40th pick.

[Cam Jordan]

Excuse me, the 40th pick, second round pick. That's right. Comes over in exchange for C.J. mcCollum and Kelly and Olenek to Washington. And you know what S. I know you know exactly what happened. I want you to break it down to the people, okay? What the hell did the Pelicans do?

[Andrew Schlecht]

So, look, the Pelicans had the seventh pick. They drafted Jeremiah Fears. Really interesting guard. Very curious to see how him and Jordan Poole play together. That's part of this whole equation, too. I like Fears, though. I think you like him.

[Jessica Hawk]

It's. Do you like him at seven?

[Andrew Schlecht]

I. I think he's fine at seven. I know Sam Vicini was very, very low on Jared. He had him like 20th. So I think a lot of things have to pan out for that.

[Jessica Hawk]

Remember, Sam gauges the league, right? This isn't just Sam's opinion on where a guy, oh, he's the. The 20th best.

[Andrew Schlecht]

What everybody's opinion is he's talking to front offices, right?

[Jessica Hawk]

So he's trying to actually do intel there.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I. I will say, I think, you know, if we're doing comps and whatnot, some people have comped Jeremiah Fierce to like a Jaden Ivy, very, very quick twitch guard who can get downhill, which is intriguing, but also not the greatest decision maker. And to me, that's sort of like, how does that and Jordan Poole work together at all? That being said, you take the talent play. He is like a very high upside guy. If he reaches that, cool. What they did that was very shocking was that before the draft, they were interested in Derek Queen. Troy Weaver, DMV guy loves himself some Derek Queen. Okay. And I thought, you know, even in the live feed thing we were doing, I thought they were going to draft Queen at seven. But they took Fears and they waited. And with the 13th overall pick, the Atlanta Hawks traded for 23 instead of 13. They moved down 10 spots, and instead the Pelicans gave up a 20, 26 unprotected first round pick. Protected, which is most favorable between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks.

[Jessica Hawk]

Guys such a great Pick.

[Andrew Schlecht]

We'll see what happens with the Bucks and Giannis and all that type of stuff. That's not the big thing here, and it's the Pelican side of things. No sense. They gave up their own pick. And we just talked about how crazy the Western Conference is. Do you think a team with Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy, and 30 Games of Zion Williamson is gonna do anything in the West? Are we serious? Joe Dumars is off to a pretty.

[Jessica Hawk]

Bad start as it's Pistons 2.0. It's Pistons 2.0. It'S the exact same thing. It's the exact same thing.

[Esperahany]

Troy Weaver, too. It's a Troy Weaver.

[Jessica Hawk]

Same people doing the exact same thing.

[Esperahany]

Yeah. Great.

[Cam Jordan]

Oh, I think Andrews might be having some technical difficulties. I think we're all on the same page of, you know, don't get me wrong. I am. I'm. I'm very. Always going to be very high on Dejounte Murray and him getting an opportunity to get back into the mix of this.

[Andrew Schlecht]

But he also, yeah, Achilles injury, and I don't know.

[Jessica Hawk]

I know he's gonna hang out all year.

[Cam Jordan]

He's gonna be out. And so it's like, I'm. I'm trying to think a year later, right? What does.

[Jessica Hawk]

Let me ask.

[Cam Jordan]

What does.

[Jessica Hawk]

Let me ask this question.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Might be the number one overall pick next year, right?

[Jessica Hawk]

Let me ask a question here, because if. Look, if they don't trade that pick today, I'm. I'm saying, wow, do they trade Zion?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Right?

[Jessica Hawk]

But they traded that pick. And now I look at the moves that they've made, and I am so lost as to what the. There's no short term plan even Zena.

[Andrew Schlecht]

There has to be an explanation here.

[Cam Jordan]

You know, and this is. This is actually leaning perfectly into my next question. Wait, I want to ask you guys about, you know, across the picks that we saw in the first round, you know, maybe the Pelicans are here. We'll put them in this little bucket over here. We'll put the Dallas Mavericks in this little bucket over here. Leave them out of the conversation. Because we just, you know, we touched on that a little bit. But were there any picks that signified a strong shift or identified. Oh, this is the strategy for this team that you weren't expecting, right? Like, is. Was there a pick that made you go, oh, I thought they were going to rebuild. Looks like they're not. Or I thought that they wanted to blow this up. Like, looks like they're not. Like, was there a pick that gave.

[Andrew Schlecht]

You that indication this, this isn't. This isn't like a pick, but mostly a couple of different things that they've done this off season so far and a couple people are mentioning it already in the comments and that' Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta Hawks. All three of us have actually been pretty big Hawks people, especially last season, those. That was kind of our fun team to watch. I think they have. They have the possibility of taking a leap next year in the Eastern Conference. Given the competition in the east, given the fact that Jalen Johnson didn't play that many games. They drafted Asa Newell, who I think can play rotation minutes for them almost immediately as a backup. Big, good, like rim runner, good guy who can kind of like crash the offensive glass, all that type of stuff. Energy big, you know, very Capella, very Clint Capella. Yeah, they obviously traded for Christops Porzingis and now, like with their playoff group, which I think is a playoff group, like, they actually have the talent to be a good playoff team next year. They also have a potential lottery pick next year that they can dangle, which means they can only get better. That is a very valuable pick to trade. And so let's say, you know, in January, the Hawks are looking at themselves and they're a top three or four seed in the east and they want to really go for it. They have that pick that they can dangle and say, hey, we think New Orleans is going to tank. Giannis, do you want to have to.

[Jessica Hawk]

Take New Orleans just going to be straight up bad. This is the thing is like, they are going to be trying now to be good, but they are bad. Like, this was an all. This was an all in move, basically, for what they have saying, we want to win now with a team that Dejounte Murray is out.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, like, right.

[Jessica Hawk]

Like, what are we doing? This is. This is. I don't even know what it is. Are like of all the conspiracies about Dallas and why they traded Luca, no one's got a conspiracy about New Orleans just straight up coming in and. And shooting their franchise in the face like it is an absolute.

[Cam Jordan]

Still no coach. As still no coach.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I think they still have Willie Green.

[Jessica Hawk]

They kept Willie Green. That's another thing.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Right.

[Jessica Hawk]

It's confusing. Right. The entire thing has been confusing. And I just, I am so lost as to. This is the worst trade in 10 years. Maybe that's outside of the Luca trade.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I mean, it's basically outside of the Luca trade. It's the only. Yeah, yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

Because you are bad like this. That Bucks pick was so. Because if The. If the Bucks were looking to move Giannis, they were going to be able to get something out of that pick that was bigger than. Than what they got. I mean, to move up to the number 13 pick to get a guy who, like, let's be honest, like, is he going to be changing any. Anything for anyone? Probably not. You can't play him with your best player. He can't play next to Zion. You can't do that. So what are we doing here? Unless, again, the plan is to trade Zion, but if you're trading Zion, why do you get rid of your pick? It. It is. It's insane. What.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I feel like people are running that organization differently because that. It's.

[Jessica Hawk]

No, no, no. It seems like these two people are running it exactly the same way they did it in Detroit. And how long did Detroit go without having any meaningful basketball being played?

[Cam Jordan]

Played?

[Jessica Hawk]

The Pelicans are on the path to the same thing in a market that doesn't really care about the team. Right. Like, I mean, this is. This is. Honestly, this is. The league should step in because this is just. Absolutely.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They really should. They are.

[Jessica Hawk]

Well, it feels like they did with Joe.

[Cam Jordan]

That's crazy, right?

[Jessica Hawk]

Like, it feels like they were like, hey, take this guy. But this is so bad.

[Esperahany]

No, no, it's a gift. This is a gift.

[Jessica Hawk]

Dumb teams are back.

[Esperahany]

It has been a while. There's been a team that we can all hop on our high horses and we can look down on them and say, I can't believe you guys are this stupid. I'm sitting here in my office in Oklahoma City, don't have an MBA job. I'm sitting here talking into a microphone. I can say, you know what? Wouldn't have done that. It's a gift, okay? I like it. I want to. I would love to give me at least one team like this. If we can get two or three teams like this.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Got the Suns, we've got.

[Jessica Hawk]

We've got two. Charlotte's tightening up. They're getting better. Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Charlotte's.

[Cam Jordan]

Okay.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I like what Washington's doing.

[Esperahany]

Charlotte's. Charlotte's out. Now we got to usher in another team.

[Cam Jordan]

Yeah, I had a. I had a team that. I mean, I think New Orleans raised the most questions of all the teams last night.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yes.

[Cam Jordan]

A team that had me raising questions was the Trailblazers. What?

[Jessica Hawk]

Let me.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Let me.

[Cam Jordan]

How much size do you need?

[Jessica Hawk]

Can I give you guys?

[Cam Jordan]

How much size do you need?

[Esperahany]

You have a handsome Yang story.

[Jessica Hawk]

Okay.

[Andrew Schlecht]

For the Chinese national team.

[Jessica Hawk]

Right? So I watched a lot of Chinese national team tape in the run up to the World cup because they play a lot of friendlies. So I actually saw this guy and he. Okay, this, the Chinese Jokic stuff is funny.

[Andrew Schlecht]

No, Lean into it.

[Jessica Hawk]

Well, no, no, he does have feel, but he is. This is. This guy is not the athlete that, you know, Jokic is like. Jokic is actually a really good athlete also built completely differently. Jokic is one of the strongest dudes in the NBA. I don't know if, if Hanson Yang has the, the, you know, frame to, to be strong enough to, to play with some of these guys in the NBA. But it is a super interesting pick. I just do not understand why, why that pick feels like he was going to be there today, you know, for the day, right? It. I don't know. Unless. I don't know. Unless they know something we don't. And this guy actually is way better than, than I saw. He can move okay. He sees the floor really well and he can shoot it. But look, they have done so this is clearly.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I will say he can shoot it.

[Cam Jordan]

Do it well enough.

[Jessica Hawk]

International floor.

[Cam Jordan]

Okay.

[Jessica Hawk]

It's different when you're playing against NBA guys. It's one thing when I'm watching you play against like the Egyptian national team and they've got you know, one wing who's like six four. You're gonna be out playing against NBA guys and they're gonna guard you with a guy who's 6 9, 610 and.

[Cam Jordan]

He'S gonna get out to your shot, right?

[Jessica Hawk]

He's got, he's got seven and a half foot arms. You know, like he's. That is not an open shot. So it is going to be totally different. The game moves so much faster. It's above the rim league. And again, like, I just don't know physically if this guy's gonna do it. But he is interesting.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Like he is interesting.

[Jessica Hawk]

He knows how to play.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'm more so curious about like what they're gonna do with their front court with.

[Cam Jordan]

That's my point.

[Andrew Schlecht]

DeAndre Rob Williams.

[Jessica Hawk]

Well, Ayton has got to get moved. I mean basically. Right. But who, who wants DeAndre?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah. I don't know. I'm not necessarily sure. It's also contract year. DeAndre Ayton, so he's going to be awesome. You know, he's going to be great this year because.

[Jessica Hawk]

What about like the Kings? You know, like deandre Ayton could go play for the Kings. Why not?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Sure. King. By the way, Sam Amick yesterday dropped a lot about the, the Kings and what they might do. They're looking at potentially moving Lavine. They're potentially moving Monk.

[Jessica Hawk]

I heard demarta Rosen might be a backup for Miami. Yeah, you know, like, if they. If they struck out on everybody. So I think they got some moves to make. Get deandre Ayton in there having some bonus. That would be an interesting, you know, throwback. Two man, two, big game.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Can I.

[Cam Jordan]

Can. I mean, at least the Monte Simonis would actually be able to play outside instead of having a little bit fake like he likes to be inside. Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Like, can I can.

[Jessica Hawk]

I think it'd be the other way for sure. What's that?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Okay, so I'm sure you guys were gonna bring this up at some point. The Brooklyn Nets had five first round picks.

[Cam Jordan]

That was gonna be my next question.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Oh, okay.

[Jessica Hawk]

All right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

All right, let's go.

[Cam Jordan]

Let's cook. Let's go.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Five first round picks. And when I tell you guys, I. When Jaegor Demon was selected eighth overall, there's actually a reaction video of us reacting to it. We were stunned, stunned. Absolutely stunned that Jaegor Demo was there because I just. I don't see it. This guy, it gets physically outmatched pretty consistently at the college level. I know he's 6 9, but he does not shoot. He is pretty bad at getting to the rim and creating his own shot. They've basically drafted a guy who is a more talented passer, I guess, than what Ben Simmons was, but cannot score.

[Esperahany]

Whatsoever on top of that or defend like.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Or defend. Or defend like Ben Simmons. And then on top of that, they go and score.

[Jessica Hawk]

They got like three guards, three point guards, basically.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They drafted four guards who actually. Yeah, basically three guards who cannot shoot the ball in Ben Serif, Nolan Treore. I like Traore, though. We'll see what happens. But generally I'm just so shocked. And there the thought process to me is like, you have five first round picks, at least diversify. They have Drake Powell, who's a big. Danny Wolf is sort of a big. But, like, is a guard, but the rest of them. I just. I don't understand the thought process of drafting three guys who play exactly the same way. I just. It's so confusing to me. Why Brooklyn? That was like such a missed opportunity.

[Jessica Hawk]

I think we have a third dumb team, by the way.

[Cam Jordan]

There we go.

[Jessica Hawk]

Like, I'm over this Sean Marks thing, man. I. I'm over this. I'm over pretending like this guy is good at. At being an NBA gm. Like, oh, great, you've made you. You. You traded for some Guys.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

That wanted to play there and knew that they could get the keys to the franchise.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Sam is who people think Sean Marks. You know what I mean? Or what? What's the.

[Jessica Hawk]

That's how people. I mean, that's how people used to act about Sean Marks. I think people have caught up, but I mean, it just doesn't make any sense. And also, they took all five of these picks.

[Cam Jordan]

Yeah, they.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They definitely tried to trade them and.

[Jessica Hawk]

Then got real market, which is amazing. Look at what Atlanta did, you know? What could they have gotten from New Orleans for number eight? Maybe Zion. I mean, who knows? I just. I don't understand it. I'm lost on this. Making a reach at 8 is fine for me, but it's got to be like, there's got to be a physical upside too. Like, you can't have a guy who's not physically able to play. And I don't think this guy is.

[Cam Jordan]

I.

[Jessica Hawk]

He's so skinny. He's very skinny, but he's so skinny. And this is not like Jet. This is not like some high motor defender who has a track record of no playing up. Right. Like, because Chad is skinny, but Chet plays bigger than he is. Like, he, you know, he's a tough dude and this guy doesn't have that.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I don't see the vision at all with him. Like, I. I really don't. That's. If he was at 20. Makes sense to me at 8. Shocking, truthfully.

[Cam Jordan]

Wow.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Cam Jordan]

I have a question for you, S. Yeah, I'm kind of shifting us a little bit, but also curious what your thoughts are on Colin.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'm all in being drunk.

[Cam Jordan]

And I'm. I'm particularly asking this because we know how amazing he is on defense. We know he can, like, switch one through five. Basically. He can play an undersized forward, right?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Cam Jordan]

But he doesn't shoot well. And I'm looking at. I'm looking at him besides Scotty Barnes, and I'm like, clog. Yeah, it's gonna be a little clogged. So how does it fit? How does Colin and I always, like, mess up his name?

[Jessica Hawk]

Murray Bowles.

[Cam Jordan]

I always.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Murray boy.

[Cam Jordan]

I always say boy, Murray, but Yes.

[Andrew Schlecht]

We're already doing YMB jokes in Toronto.

[Cam Jordan]

Oh, I like it. I like it. How does he fit within this? Toronto?

[Jessica Hawk]

The Raptors have a type.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, they do.

[Cam Jordan]

They do.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yes.

[Cam Jordan]

But I like the fact that their type starts with defense. Right. They've got all these guys with heart and effort and grit as a, like a minimum, you know what kind of League is it?

[Jessica Hawk]

What kind of league is it?

[Cam Jordan]

Let's, let's get back to what s had to say.

[Jessica Hawk]

It's a make or miss league.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Okay, I will tell you guys this. So a lot of people are pointing out the shooting, which is valid.

[Cam Jordan]

I'll.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'll go into it like this. The offensive side of the ball, from what I've seen and what I've looked at over the last 24 hours, is wildly underrated. His, his driving and finishing game is better than what Scotty Barnes was as a rookie. His finishing ability in general, the soft touch and the strength, the physicality, the drives, all of that is better than what Scotty Barnes was when he first came into the league. I think I talked to a scout last night and the first thing he said to me is, you guys got your franchise player, which is surprising. He's very high on Colin Murray Boyles. I don't think I'm there yet, but that's the promise of what this guy can do. Obviously the defensive side of the ball is what he hangs his hat on. I think year one, that's how he earns his minutes. But the offensive side and what they like to use their big man, you know, the, the passing, the driving ability, I think all of that pairs really well with Brandon Ingram and eventually Scotty Barnes. And honestly, I think the, the shooting is definitely something that has to come along. 100%, no question. But the dude shot like 55% on mid range pull ups. So I think there's an eventual growth there for him to like at least hit, catch and shoot shots consistently. Yeah, I think, I think I'm all in. On call.

[Jessica Hawk]

How is free throws? How are his free throws?

[Andrew Schlecht]

70% not the greatest.

[Jessica Hawk]

Fine.

[Cam Jordan]

Fine.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

I, I don't know. Again, I think the Raptors are doing Raptor stuff here and once again, like how has that worked for them in the past? I just don't think it's been great trying to, trying to fit another guy who's like Scotty Barnes next to Scotty Barnes and Brandon Ingram. That's going to be tricky. Like you, you have. Where's your space at all right now? That being said, if he was the, the, the top of your draft board and he, and he's there, you take him because you take the guy who has the most talent, period. You don't worry about the fit at this point because Scotty Barnes might not be on this team in a year. You never know, right? Maybe they get an offer that they can't turn down. And he's not there. And it's cmb, so, you know, you have to take the best guy. But I just, again, it seems to me like the Raptors, they. They have an eye for one type of talent and nothing else. And it is, I will say, good for them.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They. So they. They were big Jonathan Mobo fans last year, 2031st overall pick. And I. I'm a big Mobo guy. I talked to Eric Karin yesterday. We talked to him on the live about, like, hey, does this ruin Jonathan Mobo's playing time? I. I don't think that's the case. I also think, like, what Murray Boyles can do as an offensive player is much higher than what Jonathan Mobo can do. And the Raptors already last year succeeded with Barnes and Mobo lineups, especially defensively. So I'm. I think. I think there's a world in which it works. It just.

[Cam Jordan]

It.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It takes a lot of creativity on the offensive end, and truthfully, it puts a lot of pressure on Emmanuel Quickley, Grady, Dick Jacoby, Walter, the other shooters, right, the Ochaya Bajis of the world, to, like, space the floor and alleviate pressure. Offensively, I'm not sure if I really believe in that. I do think there's a trade coming in terms of what they might do to shift the team a little bit with RJ Barrett. Maybe that provides more floor spacing, maybe that provides more of an offensive punch to. To allow some of these guys to play together. But their. Their idea yesterday was like, you know, Bobby Webster talked to the media yesterday. He's like, hey, we just saw okc, you know, play a bunch of guys that are gonna be killers defensively, and we think this guy is the best defender in the draft. So if they believe that, you know, roll with it.

[Jessica Hawk]

So, I mean, also, Bamboozer is going to be really good next year, so maybe they get a shot at that number one pick.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, you know, hey, you only need a 1.8 chance, so, you know, roll with it.

[Cam Jordan]

Fourth lowest. Fourth lowest percentage that a team was able to get the number one draft pick. Obviously, speaking about Dallas now, I would be remiss to just skate over the fact that Colin Murray Boyles didn't look too excited to go to Toronto yesterday. Cotton HD being able to say an expletive and shaking his head when he found out he was going to Toronto and then consoled by his South Carolina Gamecock partner Chloe Kitz saying, it's okay. It's okay. So from what we're hearing, Colin Murray Boyles, if you're watching or listening to this podcast by chance. You'll be okay. Chloe is right, by the way.

[Jessica Hawk]

Probably never been to Toronto. Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Like, he has. He worked out for them.

[Jessica Hawk]

Did he hang out?

[Cam Jordan]

Right. I just feel like Toronto's a great city. Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Okay, first of all, time out. Time out there. There's been a lot of overreaction to that video, as you guys can imagine, especially from a very insecure Raptors fan base, which is, like, is gonna lean in on everything and say, how dare you? He has had to do a lot of PR after this. He posted a picture of himself as a teenager in a raptor shirt and said, expletive dreams do come true. So, like, he's. He's, like, leaning into the fact that he said it. He also said right afterwards that his. His reaction was more like shock that this happened than anything else. But, yes, obviously a very funny moment where Raptors fans took it way overboard. I'm still having to deal with that today. But it is what it is.

[Cam Jordan]

Now that we just said there is a difference between being, like, F and F. Okay.

[Jessica Hawk]

Right.

[Cam Jordan]

There's a difference. There's a difference.

[Esperahany]

I'm just saying that's the point.

[Cam Jordan]

That is the point. There's a difference of how that that translates.

[Andrew Schlecht]

But, guys, he was surprised. What are we doing here?

[Jessica Hawk]

Hey, the most important point from Nate here in the chat, nobody's gonna remember.

[Cam Jordan]

Absolutely. And that was going to be my point. Nate. We will. We will literally not remember any of this once he gets with his teammates and obviously is very excited to be in the NBA fulfilling his dream. All right, let's keep it moving. I wanted to ask you guys, when it comes to the future, I just heard essay Colin Murray Boyles could be a franchise player. We know. The very first pick of this draft.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Cam Jordan]

Whoa. How am I possibly blanking on this? Dallas Mavericks draft. Cooper flag. We've been saying this a million times. Cannot believe I just blanked on that. Cooper flag. We know is a franchise player for Dallas, right? You're saying Colin Murray Burles could be a franchise player. Are there any other picks in this draft that you saw that could become franchise players for their teams?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Wow.

[Cam Jordan]

I've heard a few different things. One, that was interesting. I'd love to get you guys take on this, but VJ Ed for the 76ers, people talking about he could potentially be a franchise player for Philly, especially if they kind of, you know, blow up everything else that's going on in Philly this off season. But, you know, again, Rooted in someone that is just defensively skilled, incredibly athletic, and also has a unbelievable, unbreakable work ethic, which I think is always what you want to build a franchise around. But any players that stood out to you of like, huh, we could be seeing this person for a very long time. They could become a face of their franchise again. Outside of capture the flag.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I. Do you guys. Do you guys want to go first? I have a name.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

The Washington Wizards drafted Trey Johnson and he's. He's already, I think, the best shooter in the draft and he takes a lot of NBA shots already. I think the. Him being under the tutelage of Chris Middleton and C.J. mcCollum is going to be perfect for him to figure out what it is to be like a professional scorer in the NBA. He has to work on finishing at the basket a little bit more and more efficiently. But generally I think that dude is like lights out. Like there, there will be games and stretches where we'll blink in six minutes and he has like 15 points. That's the type of shooter and scorer that he can be. So I would say Trey Johnson is a guy who can be a franchise player.

[Jessica Hawk]

You know, he can't defend right now.

[Andrew Schlecht]

No, but, but he's got good size, right?

[Jessica Hawk]

Like, think about like Cyrus Halliburton is not the greatest defender, but he does a lot with his size that, that other guys can't do. So you can be hopeful there. I mean, that's always the biggest thing with these guards. Right? You either gotta, if you can you score 25 or can you score 22 and also stand up and guard?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

And if he can guard it all.

[Cam Jordan]

Really.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah, he's got a good shot.

[Cam Jordan]

I mean, as you just talked about the tutelage of C.J. mcCollum and Chris Middleton, he also has the tutelage of Marcus Smart being able to tell him how to, you know, stay in front of folks and, and yell at him. Really? And if you heard all of the, the pre draft conversations around Trey Johnson, it was about him being a really great leader for his school at Texas. Like he was a person that as a freshman was kind of coordinating things out on the floor and letting folks know what they should be doing and where they should be. So I think that that is very much characteristics of someone that could be the face of the franchise. Alex Saar, though, I think he has some thoughts. No, not trying to push my Frenchman aside here.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And Bilal and your other Frenchman.

[Cam Jordan]

Oh, and Bilal Kulabali. What are we doing here? What Are we doing all right? But I like, I like Trey Johnson as a pick. Andrew, Dave, what do you guys think? Any franchise faces you see here?

[Esperahany]

I, I love the move to get Cedric Coward. I, I don't know if it's necessarily like a franchise player.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Curious to see what Dave has to.

[Cam Jordan]

Say, but how beautiful would it be if he became a franchise player?

[Andrew Schlecht]

It'd be cool story.

[Esperahany]

There's always somebody in this range that nobody thinks will become that guy. And they do.

[Jessica Hawk]

He's a little bit of opposite Bane too. So like he's like Bane with long arms.

[Andrew Schlecht]

He's long, he's long.

[Cam Jordan]

He fits that shooting knee they need because Bane is now gone. Absolutely.

[Esperahany]

Yeah, I, I like him as a guy that can kind of do it all. And if he, he's, he's, he's probably more likely to be a high level role player than he is like a franchise guy. But again, somebody in this range, somebody in this range will become an all star. Like that almost always happens where people will reach a little bit or people fall in love with these guys in like the 5 to 9 ish range. And a lot of those guys are just like bust out of the league or they're just not very good. But in this, for whatever reason, this is the area of the draft, like Devin Booker, sga, J Dub Kawhi, all these guys were drafted around this range and somebody is gonna pop in this range. If I were to bet on somebody, it would be him.

[Andrew Schlecht]

He also had multiple, he had multiple workouts with OKC apparently. And the fact that Memphis jumped ahead of okc.

[Jessica Hawk]

Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Makes me think there's something there.

[Jessica Hawk]

You know, Memphis does this. Memphis trades up when they want a guy all the time. They traded up for Santiago and they find some gems. Jake, Jake Laravia. Right. So okay, now look at the names.

[Cam Jordan]

Well, they're good at second round gems actually now.

[Esperahany]

Right.

[Jessica Hawk]

But they're trading up for guys like Jake Laravia. Okay. So not to say that he can't be better than Jake Laravia.

[Andrew Schlecht]

No longer on the team, by the way.

[Cam Jordan]

Right, right. Listen, Dave, I think I'm thinking about Jalen Wells, Richard Williams.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They also traded for Zaire. Right.

[Jessica Hawk]

Traded up for Zaire. Williams. Thank you very much. Again, another. So it is what like trading up for your guy? Love it. That's great. You're trying to win. You're trying to get the players that you think put you in a position to win. But how is your track record? It's not the greatest. That being said, he's gonna, he's gonna get a chance to play.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I like the young outward combo. Yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

Every young guy has to what? Right? Exactly. Yeah. Jalen Wells, you got.

[Cam Jordan]

Yeah, I like Jalen.

[Jessica Hawk]

I mean, you know, your defense is. Is gonna hold up maybe a little bit better. Again, that length is going to be huge for them on the perimeter. It's something that they lack. And he can shoot. He's got a great.

[Cam Jordan]

And he's got a motor that matches John Morant. Like they'll be running. Like they. I think that's what Memphis did really well last year, Especially in the beginning of the season. They were running. It was a track meet every time you're out there. And I think that he matches that very, very well. For those of you that don't know about Cedric Howard story, like, this guy went D3 because he did. He felt he didn't deserve to go D1. He hadn't worked hard enough to go D1. Goes to Williamette, kills it as a D3 player and. And, you know, then gets the opportunity to go to Washington State. Only plays six games, gets hurt. Then was going to transfer, go to Duke, then didn't want to go to Duke, and he went to the NBA draft. There is a chip on his shoulder of immense proportions. And I think that that is a really great start for any sort of, you know, any first rounder, but particularly surprised.

[Jessica Hawk]

Oh, also, if you're gonna do that, if you're gonna play juco or you're gonna go D3, the Pacific Northwest, a great place to do it, right? Nike's up there. Get it? Get near Portland, you're gonna have a lot of basketball scouts, hoop summits up there.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Good.

[Jessica Hawk]

Good place to do that. Smart move.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'm surprised. Dylan Harper.

[Jessica Hawk]

I think it's gonna be tricky. I mean, you know, what does he look like? I. I think, like, there's a world in which he's a great number two for. For Wemby. Right. I mean, and he's definitely going to get a chance to develop there. It just feels so crowded right now. De' Aaron Fox is gonna have a lot of.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

Stefan Castle, when he's out there, like, he. He winds up finishing a lot of plays. So what is his, you know, what does it look like for him? What does it look like for him? Just to start out, like, how. What's he gonna play? 15 minutes a game, you know, that's tough for a guy who's a number two pick. Like, normally they don't go to teams that are like the spurs and that the spurs haven't even done anything yet.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, right, Right.

[Jessica Hawk]

He's ready to play physically.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, yeah. Like, him. Him being six. Six. I think you compare him, like, you could play him as a three. Really? Next to Castle or Fox. In certain situations, certain lineups, you probably want to be.

[Jessica Hawk]

What did we just watch in the. In the playoffs? Right. Like, a lot of teams playing three guards, a lot of. I mean, Jaylen Williams at the 5 was, you know, a huge part of the NBA final. So I do think that these guys being able to. And especially with Wimy being able to go positionless is going to be a real thing for their guards, like, where you just don't. He makes up for so much also. I'll tell you what, El, the other guy, I like for the spurs not to just jump off.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Oh, my God. Oh, God.

[Jessica Hawk]

I. Carter Bryant. It's like.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Oh, my God.

[Cam Jordan]

Oh, yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

Like, right. It's like a. Like, high energy. They are gonna have a really interesting defense next year.

[Andrew Schlecht]

My God.

[Jessica Hawk]

A lot of activity. And obviously Victor Wyama. I. I really like that guy's tape again. I kept thinking about Brandon Clark. Just. He just. He.

[Cam Jordan]

That would be one of the longest defenses in the league.

[Jessica Hawk]

Extra bounce. No second and third jump.

[Cam Jordan]

So good.

[Andrew Schlecht]

He's so good. I was. I was. I was mad. I. That was the guy I wanted the Raptors to take. It was Carter Bryant. But, like, my God, it's such a perfect fit for the spurs because he can shoot the lights out, too. Like, I think he's a really talented floor spacer. Still needs to work off of, like, moving off of movement. General or shooting off of movement. Sure. But the catch and shoot stuff. Standstill. Very, very impressive. The spurs need shooting, especially when you think of, like, Dylan Harper, d' Aaron Fox, Steph Castle. Not all, you know, shooting guards. Right. They're more downhill threats.

[Jessica Hawk]

Card can play up at the four and he can stand in the corner for them. Right. Like Mamu did for them last year. A lot out there with. With Wimy and I. I mean, his fit is perfect there.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

And. And again, that high motor. I mean, OKC has got a blueprint, right? And it's not. It's not like anything that should shock anybody, but if you have guys who play hard, your team is better.

[Andrew Schlecht]

So there were like four or five different quotes last night saying, well, we saw how OKC won in the finals with their defense, and we just wanted a guy to bring in. You know, the Raptors said that. The spurs said that the. I believe it was who Else was it that said that the Hawks ended up saying that like so many teams have cited OKC for sort of their draft strategy.

[Cam Jordan]

But that makes sense. It's a copycat league. Everything that everyone's going to do in every single draft is going to be a reaction of whoever just won. And what was positive in the, you know, in that matchup, whether it's the winner or the runner up, like drafts and free agency moves are literally going to be how do we knock off the last team that won? Right. That makes a lot of sense. I wanted to ask you guys, I know we're closing up on time. We alluded to this at the very beginning. We haven't touched on them yet. The Suns, the good old Suns, they get Common much and at the number 10 spot. And I remember watching, so everyone keeps calling them. Come on. It's common. It's really common. That's how you would say it, but that's another day.

[Jessica Hawk]

By the way, we need the pronunciation guide Xena because there's a lot of French guys in this draft. I, I need it.

[Cam Jordan]

So I heard you.

[Andrew Schlecht]

You know.

[Cam Jordan]

Oh, yeah, right, right. But I mean, I heard Cooper fly. Call him. Come on. So it's, it's clear. Some players have just been like, it is what it is. But Garman, I1 I love the story. I, I'm all about NBA Africa. You know, getting someone on that level. It's really beautiful to see. Like the guys in NBA Africa basketball, Africa League just happened. They're all watching and seeing this is our path. Like, this is our opportunity. But now we got to think about the actual side.

[Jessica Hawk]

Sun.

[Cam Jordan]

Huh? Okay, so how, how much similar to Portland, how much more size do you need? And how do you guys think that Common is going to fit into what's going on with the Suns in terms of what they need? They needed shooting, particularly like more of a wing, less shooting guards, but they needed more of a wing and they got an interior player. So what are your thoughts?

[Jessica Hawk]

They need talent. They need talent. This was the most talented guy available there. I, I like him. I think he's gonna be a pretty good NBA center. Yeah, for me, that's not the con. The, the Malawat pick is not the confusing part. It's trading for Mark Williams.

[Cam Jordan]

Yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

What? Okay, so you just, you traded for Nick Richards at the deadline, right? I mean, how many now for Charlotte Hornets centers? I, I, I am so lost here as to why they made the trade for Mark Williams. They gave up, where's the pick that they gave up? 20, 29.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah. And it's the. The best of. It might be the best or the worst of. I can't remember, of Cleveland, Utah and Minnesota. Yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

This is not a team that should be giving up any future draft capital. They're bad. They were bad last year with Kevin Durant on the team, and they made a trade that at least they didn't get better, but they probably got worse because they got worse players. And now they have. They've. They've made a decent draft pick just by luck, you know, because it's the draft and you can only take what's there. But they've mucked it up by trading for a center who doesn't play defense and really doesn't play all that much, like, kind of injury prone. Whenever you can do that, I guess, guys, you just have to do it, Right.

[Esperahany]

I would ask this question. How many wins is it worth to Phoenix to upgrade from Nick Richards to Mark Williams next season? How many wins?

[Andrew Schlecht]

Minus one.

[Esperahany]

Okay, so why would you do it?

[Andrew Schlecht]

I don't.

[Jessica Hawk]

Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I honestly don't think it's.

[Esperahany]

Start Nick Richards. Like, if you don't think that Malawatch is ready to play, fine. Like, I'm. I am of the mind that he's probably not ready to play NBA minutes right out the gate. Maybe he's the backup next year, and then maybe you slide him in as a starter and you're two or three cool. Why. Why are you doing this? Because I don't think that it gets you anywhere closer to where you want to be, which is a playoffs team in the West. Like, that's what they want to be. When you have Devin Booker on your team, you want to make the playoffs. Yeah, I don't, I don't think he's getting you there. So also, like, would you give up an asset to do that?

[Andrew Schlecht]

This is a player that got one of the few rescinded for him. You know, like, literally someone saw his medicals and said, nope, never mind. I. I honestly, like, Mark Williams is a pretty good player, but the availability is an issue. And like, if he's gonna play, I don't know, 40 games for you a season and then you're splitting duties between. Come on. Malawatch, who is raw, by the way. I know he was great in Duke, but it was like the perfect environment for a guy to just operate and be that big in college. Right. I just don't know what the scenario is for the Suns team to be a playoff team next year. I don't see it. I think they're likely Going to be a tanking team again, and they don't have their picks, you know, so this.

[Cam Jordan]

The. The trade. You're absolutely right. I think the pick makes sense. Like, the number one thing that come undid at Duke was roll, roll and finish and. And do it really explosively and easily. And that's exciting. He ran the floor as well. But as you mentioned, everyone has talked about him being very raw and being someone that has high upside, but it's. There's a risk there. But if you develop them. Awesome. That you cannot say the same thing for Mark Williams. Like, the product has been there. We've seen what, you know, he's capable of. Don't get me wrong, his career has been marred by injuries, but that. That actually should make you more hesitant about the upside. Right. Even if you do get him in a situation which he's getting developed, it's not. It's not going to be, you know, significantly different than what you saw in Charlotte. And also, you still need size on the wing. What. Where. What are we doing? So all. So the pick is, like, fine, sure. If you want to think about the future of your guards with the big awesome, there is a middle space that the NBA, the prototypes, the cow. They. They. Everyone is killing it right here in this space of the. Of the wing. And you don't have anyone there that can consistently play it offensively or defend it really well. I mean, yes, Dylan Brooks, sure. But, yeah, I'm. I'm. I was very curious.

[Andrew Schlecht]

What's the starting lineup like? Is it.

[Jessica Hawk]

You know, that was going to be my question. I. Can you play Richards and Mark Williams together?

[Andrew Schlecht]

No.

[Jessica Hawk]

Are they gonna start? Oh, no way. Ryan Gun at the four. I mean.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Okay, so it's gonna be Mark Williams.

[Jessica Hawk]

Dylan is a team that's not tanking. Right? This is the thing. It's a team that's not tanking. And that's the thing that I cannot understand. Again, this was a win. Now trade for another bad team. What? Like, again, the dumb teams are back, guys. Andrew is right. Dumb teams. The Kings are dumb again, guys.

[Andrew Schlecht]

The Kings are. Oh, my God. Yeah.

[Cam Jordan]

Oh, gosh.

[Jessica Hawk]

Dumb teams are back.

[Cam Jordan]

Is that where we're going to close this out tonight?

[Jessica Hawk]

Yes.

[Cam Jordan]

Dumb teams are back. Well, guess what? Guess what? You can't quite put the book in on it just yet because there's still another round. There is still another round. The second round is tonight. So that award for dumb teams and the smartest teams, those awards are still out and pending after the second round. Make sure you guys tune in tonight and we're going to have you know our little post game or post draft show. They'll come out tomorrow morning but appreciate you guys jumping on for the NBA Daily morning shoot around NBA Draft first round reactions. Appreciate everybody in the comments. Please go like subscribe, subscribe, share with your friends. Let people know. We are telling you who the dumb teams in the league are and we've got some potential GMs. By the way. NBA, you listening? I see some potential here with my guys around me. All right guys, have a great Thursday. Enjoy the second round. We'll talk to you guys soon. Foreign.

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[Cam Jordan]

And now a few words from Finance.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Marketing just gave me their campaign report and they are obsessed with likes. Generating likes, Counting likes. I mean don't get me wrong, I like being liked, but you can't pay employees with likes or follows. I've never seen either of those on a P and L report. The point is, we have to get our customers to buy stuff and like visit to stores.

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