u/RyverFisher

This could very well be dumb for probably a ton of reasons I'm not thinking of, but it also could be a wild strategy that pays off big time:

So, first off, how much does everyone think one draft pick's up is worth (i assume it depends on sections of the draft, like 5 to 4 probably costs more than 6 to 5 for example)?

Let's be conservative for a sec tho and for simplicity's sake, say its one to two future 2nd round pick(s).

So what if after the top 4 are selected (if acuff goes top 4, i guess you probably don't do this), we draft who the Nets (tell us they want, the Clippers sell this trade idea as it costs the Nets a 2nd(s) to guarantee they get their guy, or risk we take him), get the Nets 6th pick plus a 2nd(s), then do the same with the Kings etc until we get to a team that wants to draft the guy we want (yes we double cross that one team by basically taking that guy instead of doing the deal).

I mean, maybe this stops before it starts right at the nets if the Clippers are very adamant about a particular guy, but more so works if they are open to a couple guys, like what if we came up on like 4+ future 2nds, got one of wagler/MBJ (if they are fine with that) at 7, then packaged all those 2nds plus whatever else for as low a pick as possible (similar strategy in seeing who what teams want) to get Mara (i assume before OKC, they may not accept anything)?

I feel like this would be the ultimate come up in this year's draft vs the #1/#2 pick you prob can't get anyway.

I think Mara could potentially end up being one of, if not the most important guys, if you want a chance at contending with the Spurs once their rookie contracts are up.

Ai assessment of facts/probability below, but here is the logical take:

Wagler is more interesting because of upside (re growth spurt history) vs ready now acuff (contender aspirations now that fall short & unrealistically compete against Spurs/OKC era will only make a future championship more delayed vs retooling/rebuilding now for a real shot later).

By the time Wagler develops into a higher ceiling (body growth possibilities re growth spurts besides filling out), it lines up better with future planning.

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Darius Acuff Jr.

Acuff is already 19 and has had a physically mature build for several years. Most scouting reports consistently describe him as:

sturdy

compact

strong for position

physically developed already

I couldn’t find evidence of a dramatic late growth spurt. His listed heights have hovered around:

6'1–6'2 in earlier HS years

6'2–6'3 now

That usually indicates:

relatively normal developmental curve

earlier physical maturation

lower probability of surprise late growth

Likely future growth

Height: probably only another 0–1 inch at most

Weight/frame: likely gains another 10–20 lbs of NBA strength over 3–5 years

Frame outlook: already near his adult skeletal proportions

His projection is more:

“stronger and more filled out version of current body”

rather than:

“suddenly much bigger athlete.”

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Keaton Wagler

Wagler is more interesting developmentally because there is evidence of major late growth.

Reportedly:

he was listed around 5'8 as a freshman

then grew 4 inches the next summer

reached around 6'4 by junior year

That’s a substantial adolescent growth spurt.

Players who grow that late sometimes:

remain less physically coordinated early

take longer to fully fill out

continue adding functional athleticism into early 20s

Likely future growth

At 19:

another 1 inch is plausible

more than that is possible but less likely

frame filling is probably the bigger upcoming change

Because he grew late, his body may still be “catching up”:

shoulders may broaden more

hips/core may strengthen

coordination and explosiveness can still improve noticeably

Important distinction: skeletal maturity vs physical maturity

Even if neither gets taller:

NBA strength programs radically change bodies between 19 and 23

shoulder width, chest thickness, hip stability, and muscle density can change a lot

Acuff looks closer to physical maturity now. Wagler looks closer to developmental upside physically.

That’s part of why scouts may see:

Acuff = safer physical projection

Wagler = more untapped body upside despite weaker current measurements

And because Wagler had a documented late growth spurt, scouts may still wonder if there’s a little more size coming.

It seems acuff is getting a lot of hype recently, and it also seems like the top 2 in AJ and Peterson are set, and it also seems Caleb is getting more hype as well, so I could see Boozer dropping out.

Would you guys be thrilled with Boozer at 4, or would you still rather have Wagler, MBJ, Burries, someone else (who), or trade down (yaxel?)

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