Exum - where does he land?

[MelbFORCE]

Excited to see Exum potentially being picked in the top 5 of the next draft, our highest draft pick since Bogut. Nice group of Aussies to feature in the NBA now with Bogut, Delly, Mills and now Exum. Ben Simmons not far away either and possibly Jonah Bolden. Goulding will be going over there again probably to have another go with the Cavs.

Bit disappointed AIS (now called BA Centre of Excellence) wasn't in the SEABL last season - I work for another SEABL team and would gotten to see Exum play (though against players older, stronger and more experienced guys).

Part of my wants him to land with the Lakers - although that's a tough place to be for a rookie, will be hyped up there and I don't think he's "NBA ready" just yet.

[pm24]

I also think he could land with the Lakers, but I don't think it'll be a bad landing spot for him straight away as he won't have the same expectation to be a star straight away while Kobe is still playing. If he went somewhere like the Bucks, Magic or Philly there would be expectations of him being a contributor from the get go.

I'm going to be really interested to hear how he goes in the pre-draft work outs, although I doubt we see him match-up with Wiggins or any of the other top prospects until summer league.

You're right about Ben Simmons as well. He's currently ranked as a top 5 recruit in his draft class, and he and Exum give us some fantastic wings for the National Team moving forward. Mix that with the distribution and court sense of Delly, the scoring of Mills, and the hard work on the inside from Baynes and Bogut (if he plays), not forgetting Ingles (who could be in the NBA but chose Europe) and the Australian National Team is in fantastic shape. I just hope we can get another strong interior prospect to come in behind Bogut.

Cam Bairstow looks like a good pf prospect, but doesn't have the defensive presence of Bogut, but he could be a good four man for years to come, though it'll probably be in Europe.
AJ Ogilvy is still in the national team picture, as is David Andersen, so for the world cup we should be in solid shape.

[Reavers]

I think Exum should go to the Expendables

[pm24]

You're greedy aren't you lol

[Reavers]

Force has to be ecstatic about SVG coaching the Pistons

[pm24]

SVG's biggest test will be getting two bone heads in Smith and Jennings to realise they are not good shooters and that they should play to their strengths.

[Reavers]

I think SVG will be great for Smith (and Drummond) and I think Jennings will listen to him and tone down the shot selection, etc. Jennings is smart but tends to do what he wants when he tunes a coach out, doubt he'll be able to do that with Stan. The interesting thing will be what they do with Monroe. I think he'll get shopped hard before the draft but we'll see.

[pm24]

So both the Celtics and the Lakers fail to get a top 5 pick, and it's sounding more and more like Exum wouldn't make it through to either of them. Exum to Orlando at pick 4 looks like a real possibility. He and Oladipo side by side is a scary athletic, multi-skilled backcourt.

[Reavers]

Embiid's back and Jabari's fat and lack of defense could improve Exum's stock as high as #2. It'll be interesting to see how the Cavs screw up the first pick this year.

[MelbFORCE]

Liking the SVG signing, Jennings just isn't a very smart PG, has the potential but he's better off as a 2-guard, wouldn't be surprised to see him as trade bait around the draft - Pistons were huge draft lottery losers and may be looking to trade up.

I think Cavs should go with Wiggins and let Deng walk. I don't know what Wiggins is like defensively but that 3 spot was crap since Lebron left until they made a play for Deng. Who knows where Deng ends up - will obviously depend on the draft

If no trades change the draft order I think it'll go:
1. Wiggins (Cavs)
2. Parker (Bucks)
3. Embiid (76ers)
4. Exum (Magic)
5. Harris (Jazz)

[pm24]

WOW that's seriously high for Harris. Him ahead of Vonleh, Smarmt and Randle, not to mention Saric and Gordon...... that would be a reach surely.

I'm going with:

1. Embid (Cavs) - because I think a big like him is a greater need than a wing like Wiggins.
2. Wiggins (Bucks) - they like length because of the defensive side of the game. Wiggins has that and athleticism.
3. Parker (76ers) - Wiggins would be a better fit for the uptempo games style, but Parker looks like the go to scorer they need.
4. Exum (Magic) - I just can't see him falling below this level given the Magic's need at point.
5. Vonleh (Utah) - I expect them to allow him to develop gradually and then move Kanter or Favors in a season or two for a wing/sg. If not Vonleh then maybe Smart.
6. Randle (Celtics) - I just don't see Smart being the right choice for them, as they would have an atrociously poor shooting backcourt. Randle down low could fit well with the outside skills of Sullinger.
7. Smart (Lakers) - Lakers get their pg/sg of the future, which is a clear need for them.

From 8 onwards, who knows. The top 7 picks seem to be a level above the rest, although Gordon is intriguing but I'm not sure where he fits.

[Reavers]

I think it ends up being

1. Embiid
2. Parker
3. Wiggins
4. Exum
5. Gordon
6. Smart
7. Randle
8. Vonleh