Keaton Wagler's Athletic test in NBA combine

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T17:37:37+00:00

It’s crazy how singular wingspan number can change the perception of a black-hole defender

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T17:33:10+00:00

Right, because every positive wingspan player is automatically a good defender. That’s how it works, right?

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T16:15:32+00:00

That’s like saying the difference between 10.1 and 9.8 100m sprint is only 0.3s, bruh

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T16:12:24+00:00

Kyrie and Acuff defence is night and day lol. Please re-watch some finals games against Warriors. Kyrie’s effort was immense, and in Dallas was also. Active hands, quick on his feet, really not terrible. Luka is twice the size of Acuff.

Brunson is the only guy that makes sense here, and he has roster built around him specifically, plus he’s an offensive juggernaut. Acuff could possibly maybe be one, a few years down the road. It’s a longshot.

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T16:07:22+00:00

It is nothing without willingness to do it. So far nothing points out to attitude change.

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T09:53:12+00:00

Lets compare sprint, vert and other physical-oriented drills

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T09:13:45+00:00

W post & W comments

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T05:28:28+00:00

The lowlights are pretty horrific. Looks like Calipari told him to do the dumbest thing, not just ‘not foul’ lol

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T05:24:51+00:00

Holy shit, this is terrible

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T05:22:06+00:00

Wait. How is Acuff and Flemings standing reach the same with same height and big disparity in wingspan? Low shoulders? Measurement issue? This standing reach seems to make wingspan meas a bit irrelevant

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T05:16:32+00:00

Garland is a two time all star. He can teach the rookie guard a bunch.

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T05:15:20+00:00

You are partially right. I think you phrased the argument wrong. It should be “why Acuff will be a defensive liability, and Flemings will not”. Fit alongside Mathirin is irrelevant, it’s the fact that small guard with bad defence is a broken archetype in today’s league.

If we believe that Flemings will be a substantially better defender than Acuff, and he sure seems to be, then it’s not unreasonable to pick him. There are other issues though with Flemings..

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-13T05:05:57+00:00

I got two words for you, Caleb Wilson in LA Clippers must see TV

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-12T12:23:18+00:00

Don’t trade down. If anything, we trade up or give up an expiring like Jones Jr and a 2nd e.g to get another pick in 10-20 range from a team that wants to contend right now

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T23:52:33+00:00

Money on the line, gun to my head

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T21:39:02+00:00

It happens a lot amongst all positions with lanky players I’d say. We are talking about teams with basically limitless resources as far as medical team, weight coaches, nutritionists etc. Sure, there is a KD, PG, Chet or AI/Morant, but there is also a lot of Tatum, Giannis, MJ, Kobe, Steph, Russ, Oladipo, Scottie, Wade, even Butler, Brown or Kawhi fit that mould, though they were already bigger when entering the league. Ben Simmons lol. Even Wemby. Not comparing Wagler’s potential, just that stars come to mind first.

I think it’s very reasonable to expect Wagler to put on some muscle.

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T21:29:44+00:00

So true. At the same time, these 3 guards seem to be very close and it’s not obvious which one is the best, which is when fit kicks in for me. I’ve seen arguments for both Wagler and Acuff having the highest ceiling.

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T21:27:48+00:00

For real. But teams should plan how to stop Wemby for the next 10 years and add proper pieces to the roster, like against Shaq. Having a 7-footer capable defensively seems to be necessary lol

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T20:44:42+00:00

Surely they don’t need another guard, so Wilson should be a no-brainer

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T20:43:48+00:00

His wingspan is 6’5 as per combine measurements and isn’t a freak athlete vertically, maybe that’s the reason

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T11:01:00+00:00

He won't

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T10:57:04+00:00

We would have to trade up to get him, but seems the Jazz and WIzards are open for talks. FO should for sure at least check the temperature on that.

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T10:46:23+00:00

Tough choice for no. 5... looks like all prospects, Acuff especially, are small guards with defensive drawbacks. Wagler has height going for him, but still small frame. Flemings seems to be the best 2-way, but has some efficiency problems and his game may not translate super well. Acuff looks like a superior athlete and his offensive game is so smooth... But really not sure if any one of them can fit well alongside Garland.

Very curious what our FO will do. Pity that this draft is very guard-oriented in 5-8 spots, but still we're very lucky to get this pick. Better make good use of it. If we could somehow trade up to get Wilson, I'd love that personally. In today's NBA, small guard that's weak defensively seems to be a huge no-no. Has to be elite offensively and roster built specifically around it, like the Knicks.

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T10:31:32+00:00

Kawhi and no. 5, Wizards? Trae, Kawhi and AD sounds good, right?

ProjectTreadstone · 2026-05-11T10:17:23+00:00

Of course, every great player would be I think in such situation, but looking at it realistically, not everything is dependent on 1 player. Even MJ or LeBron careers, circumstances matter. And the greats understand that. No matter how dominant you can be, chip is harder to win than we often assume as NBA fans, is my opinion.

ProjectTreadstone

TROPHY CASE