If you were an NBA GM, who would you rather have

[PeteCalvin]

I think the big mistake a lot of these kids make is not considering the NBA's infatuation with foreign players. How many times have we seen a talented underclassman who is listed mid first round enter the draft and then tumble down the board because there is a run on foreign players? Mal is in that danger zone where he could get drafted mid first...or teleport to the second round and D-League obscurity.

 

[cuseincincy]

You could take Mali, or you could take any of the following players. who would you take Mali over?
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Daniel Ochefu, Grayson Allen, Brandon Ingram, Luke Kennard, Matt Jones, Jamel Murray, Tyler Ulis, Isaiah briscoe, Alex Poythress. and that is guys for just 3 schools.

Allen, Ingram, Murray, Hart. (Not in any order). If people are elevating Mali based on SU's run and the VA game then Hart and Nova's performance may make him the #1 pick. And his season stats are much better than Mali's (15/7/50/34 vs 13/4/37/34). I honestly believe Mali has more potential to improve his game and his draft status than any other player that has left SU early. McCullough would have been close if he had been healthy.

 

[rrlbees]

Well, first of all, the thread reads: "If you were an NBA GM ...". So that invites those of us without any claimed expertise on the subject to throw out their .02. Second, with that caveat, I took a look at the draft sites I usually consult (draft.net is not one of them), and I saw: 1) a bunch of higher rated prospects; and 2) no Mali in the 1st round. I totally confess that I don't know chit .. but that didn't seem like a requirement for this thread.

Just for reference what are the sites you visit?

 

[reedny]

Just for reference what are the sites you visit?

I think I looked at Draft Express and the SI site. There's one from CBS too that goes past 100 and the only ones listed were G and Lydon.

But as far as my having any insight as to NBA talent (apart from the obvious kids who dominate in college), I would starve as a scout. I remember when we played Arizona State in the tourney one year ... Harden was on that team and he looked average to me (so much for that). And when we played Florida, Lillard didn't stick out to me as especially talented. So I clearly have no 'eye' for pro talent.

Same at the HS level. Yes I can appreciate why some kids are special ... they're skilled, athletic, they have great size, block a lot of shots or score lots of points. But I need someone like Francis to tell me who's good first ... then I go from there. Again, no special skill or instincts whatsoever.

 

[SaltLakeOrange]

Mali has limited options. First, he's not on anyone's draft list in the 1st round. That means if he leaves, he'll have to scrape by trying to make a rotation somewhere without any guaranteed money. It's not a fun life, as I think CJ and Arinze will tell him.

Second, there are a bunch of better prospects ahead of him. Mali's not an NBA 3 or PG, so he doesn't have the versatility of G -- who can claim the ability to play 3 roster spots. Mali projects as a volume SG in a year with a bunch of good (better) shooting guards.

Among those are:

1. Murry;
2. Held;
3. Valentine;
4. Possibly Allen; and
5/6. At least one, possibly 2, euros.

If he declares, don't panic. Remember under the new rules, he can declare, go to the combine and still return to school (as long as he doesn't sign with an agent).

Let him test the waters. If he thinks that he can get guaranteed money, and that's what he wants, fine. I have no idea what he wants, nor do I think it's anything for me to be concerned about. He'll come back if he wants to. End of discussion..

 

[Toga]

To me, Allen should be pretty far ahead of Mali on draft boards. He's stronger, a better shooter, a better ball handler, more athletic and I think he's a pretty good defender. I'm not sure why so many see him as a possible late 1st rounder only. He has the complete package for an NBA SG and is ready to contribute immediately as a shooter, at the very least. I think he's getting dinged because he looks like Ted Cruz.

Looking like Ted Cruz automatically makes him an undrafted free agent. Life's can trip you up sometimes.

 

[NYCorange]

To me, Allen should be pretty far ahead of Mali on draft boards. He's stronger, a better shooter, a better ball handler, more athletic and I think he's a pretty good defender. I'm not sure why so many see him as a possible late 1st rounder only. He has the complete package for an NBA SG and is ready to contribute immediately as a shooter, at the very least. I think he's getting dinged because he looks like Ted Cruz.

I agree that Grayson is ahead of Mal on draftboards, but it's NOT because of his defense. Grayson Allen has TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE lateral movement, which is key for playing defense. That, coupled with his short arms, make him a liability at the next level (and even this level) on D.

The more I think about Mal, the more I think that the advice he'll get, unless he absolutely DESTROYS in the workouts (as in, he wrecks Buddy Hield in a game of one on one or something and shoots 90% from NBA 3 in warmups) is that he needs at least another year. It's hard to make a case to be an NBA SG without either elite athleticism or a ready-made offensive game. Shooting 37% from the field and 34% from 3 means he doesn't have either--yet. Mal has the body (long arms, tall, strong) and the shooting to compensate for his lack of explosiveness, but he needs to show he can be a good defender and a great offensive player at the college level. The more I think about it, I think Mals game ideally should pattern his game after Klay Thompson.