The CSL

With free-agency taking center stage for the CSL offseason, we have time to stop and look back on the teams draft performance and how well they utilized their scouting staff to choose their players for the future. First off we'd like to discuss some headlines with our DC Weekly correspondent Sal Weller. So without further blabbering let's get to our first topic, TJ McConnell out of Arizona.
McConnell is a young PG with a lot of composure. GM Jestor has mentioned on several occasions that him along with the rest of the Lakers front office have confidence that McConnell can lead this team into Western Conference relevancy. Competing with Jordan Farmar and George Hill, it will be important for McConnell to control his turnover output and take his shots off the dribble. He has already bought a house and relocated to the region and said he looks forward to playing with a player of Walter Tavares caliber.

Sal Weller:

It's going to be a lot to ask from the rookie, but if he comes in and plays confident, he can easily put up an impressive year statistically for himself. He's not scared to take the shot of the high screen and should develop into the best passer on this roster. Although at the time, the pick seemed a bit of a reach, looking back in retrospect, any other player available at the time would have been considered a bigger reach and therefore a bigger risk.

Moving on, Sacramento is one of the most feared up-and-coming teams in the entire CSL. To add to their already scary depth, they added SF Sam Thompson who some had going as high as #6. He ended up falling to #12 and expected to come in and contribute heavy minutes for the team while Chandler Parsons full recovers. What are your thoughts on Sam Thompson Sal?
Sal Weller

I don't think the Kings could have gotten a better fit here. Talent wise, sure...some other guys may have a higher ceiling, but Thompson is a guy that isn't afraid to do the little hustle plays and prove he's more than just a defender. I personally believe that if Thompson was on a team with less talent, he's be a dark horse candidate for Rookie of the Year. I expect a very solid career for Sam.

So now we'll get to the basics and name some winners and losers according to our expert's opinion;
Added:

G TJ McConnell (#5)
F Aaron White (#11)
F Cristiano Felicio (#26)

As I eluded to earlier, TJ McConnell headlines the Lakers youth coming into the purple and gold. Aaron White is also one of the best passing big-men in recent memory. Even at the CSL level, White is a skilled passer that should create easy baskets for other Lakers, as long as he keeps his head up. Cristiano Felicio might be a few years from breaking to rotation, but his ceiling is a decent height.
Added:

F Justin Anderson (#2)
C Arturas Gudaitis (#13)

With defense being an abundant characteristic in this draft class, Gudaitis and Anderson stand atop the totem pole as the cream of the crop. The amazing part about it is that they aren't just one-dimensional players either, if both work on their scoring mentality they can reach All-Star status. Do you agree Sal?

Sal Weller:

I'm not as high on these guys as most are honestly. Don't get me wrong, I see the value in these guys, but looks at some of the names they passed up! George De Paula can easily be the best player in this draft when all is said and done if Embiid doesn't reach his potentials. Noah Vonleh (whom we'll discuss more later) will become a better play on both ends than Anderson in roughly 2 seasons. This team has improved but I think there was a better route that they chose not to go.

Added:

F Noah Vonleh (#4)
G Andrew Dawkins (#31)

Noah Vonleh is a talented prospect, but he's just that, a prospect that's a project. Still a few years from even being considered a starter if he doesn't improve at an unexpected rate. The team that finished in the Eastern Conference Finals will have to be patient and hope that Andre Dawkins can ever turn into a scorer for their bench.
Added:

Spurs
C Satnam Singh (#18)
F Luke Hancock (#34)
F Jarelle Benimon (#45)
G Treveon Graham (#48)

You can't blame the Spurs organization for trying. They had 4 attempts and yet still didn't draft anyone to bring some optimism into this offseason. Recently acquiring former CSL champion Nicolas Batum, as they attempt to resign Kevin Durant, a strong draft would've have helped their cause. Yet their highlight may have been at #34 with Luke Hancock. If Durant does take money elsewhere, look for this draft to hold back the Spurs an entire year in terms of improvement.
Added:

G Ben Brust (#25)

Sal Weller:

For reasons opposite of the prior team, the Clippers only had a 2nd round selection to look forward too and they decided to go with Ben Brust. Even when the name was announced, it seemed many didn't know why the Clippers went for this player. Although a PG will be needed to play reserve role-player minutes. If the team does make some noise this season, it's going to take some over-performing to have that work.

Really good read buddy

The Lakers seem to get the most out of the Draft year in and year out followed by Phoenix and Sacramento which says alot considering they are all Western Conference teams which ultimately leads to the young up and coming Rising Stars being more prevalent in that Conference which equals better Conference.

The East has to figure it out, step up and start solidifying young talent the way the West does or the title will stay out there for yrs.

Pacers Nuggets Pelicans (West 2 East 1)

Quite early to define winner and loser when we still didn't pass the training camp and we don't know the shooting % of the new rookies.

From our end, Vonleh is yet a project but will start next year and will get around 25 minute a game.
He is 64 OR, 51 DR and 65 BLK prior to the training camp.

Love draft articles!!! Great read!!!

I think we should wait until TC before we rate this class. De Paula could easily jump 15 points in passing and could be a top PG right from the start. Same for every other prospect. Engine allows jumps like that..

Dennis wrote:I think we should wait until TC before we rate this class. De Paula could easily jump 15 points in passing and could be a top PG right from the start. Same for every other prospect. Engine allows jumps like that..

That's exciting!!

Dennis wrote:I think we should wait until TC before we rate this class. De Paula could easily jump 15 points in passing and could be a top PG right from the start. Same for every other prospect. Engine allows jumps like that..

Gives me some hope for Lalanne and Kilpatrick. Lalanne looks like a nightmare right now.

Great preview of what can possibly come after training camp. We're looking forward to seeing if Thompson can help with Parsons absence or if we need to move Porter back there.