Roundtable: Where the PFB Staff Thinks Jawun Evans Lands

The NBA Draft is officially upon us. With mock drafts in the rearview (barring a last-minute draft shakeup), we know where the experts think Jawun will land—now it’s time to whittle down where we, the PFB team, want to see him as a pro.

We held a roundtable to discuss.

Boone: OK, Jawun time: Who do you want him to be drafted by and why?

Sam: It’s gotta be the San Antonio Spurs at no. 29 for me. I love the fit- winning team/culture, the chance to play for Pop and behind Tony Parker, who is nearing the end of his career. I think Jawun can step in next season and thrive in a backup role for what should be one of the best teams in the West, per usual

Thomas: I agree with sam. Jawun would fit well in the swing O and San Antonio is one of the best places to develop. With all that’s been going on in LA, they’re probably going to end up taking Lonzo (although they did just trade DRuss), which means that SA would be my No. 1 pick for him. I also wanna see how productive he is when he’s not the No. 1 guy.

Steven: I’d like to see him go to Utah at 30 (assuming they’ll be able to resign Gordon Hayward). Utah’s an up-and-coming team with lots of pieces, a really good head coach in former Mizzou boss Quin Snyder and they’d play in OKC multiple times a year as a division rival. Utah can let their current starter walk (George Hill) and Evans can share duty with former lottery pick Dante Exum – who gets hurt often so it’d be more about Jawun.

Boone: I think San Antonio makes the most sense like everyone else has basically mentioned—Tony Parker is old enough to be my father, and Patty Mills is going to make money elsewhere. I think he’s a better playmaker than Dejounte Murray and, as we saw last season, Jawun’s a stud in the right system. The Spurs system would be best for him.

Thomas: Idk about you but I’d rather live in SA than Utah

Caleb: Selfishly, I’d love if he came to OKC. He’d be a great backup to Russ with very similar game and tendencies (though a younger, smaller version) however I think the Thunder will take a wing in the first round and won’t want to draft someone who can’t adapt as well to play alongside Russ. SA has a great system and are known for developing talent well and would be an ideal option. Also would be interesting to see him at Toronto or Washington to backup DeRozan or Wall (that combo :dizzy_face:). If he’s going to have a prominent role he needs a strong shooting 2 to play with or a good 4 to pick and roll, otherwise he’ll only get garbage minutes wherever he goes. Also I grew up as a huge Spurs fan in west Texas (David Robinson is still my all-time sports hero) so that would be personally special for me alongside the Thunder

Steven: Oh I’d definitely like San Antonio better for the reasons above plus his small stature hides perfectly when backed by Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard.

Boone: I’m with you Steven on Utah if Hayward stays in town. I just don’t think he’ll stay .. hard to turn down being coached by Brad Stevens.

Sam: Right, I think Heyward is going to Boston

Boone: So which team do we think would be the WORST fit for Jawun? Like Dwight Howard in Los Angeles bad?

Caleb: Hawks. Nothing good happens in Atlanta (for basketball).

Sam: It’s gotta be somewhere like Sacramento, right? Are they even allowed to be good?

Caleb: There are few places I really see him struggling. He has a good skill set to make his own shot and upgrade a second unit. The Knicks with their death hold on the Triangle may hurt him. Sacramento would be rough. Philly he may fall behind the young rising crew (who are all 7′-0″+ or something….)

Thomas: The knicks would hurt him a lot I agree with that

Steven: Portland has three firsts (two in the 20’s) – backing up Dame Lillard is a three year snooze alarm on a career. They need a backup point guard for a few minutes a game and if they can’t bundle the picks to trade up, they could snipe him before the Spurs/Jazz.

Sam: Okay here’s a question- if the PFB staff were a prospective first round pick and we could choose anywhere to be drafted/live, where are we going?

Thomas: Spurs for sure. I wanna go to a team who runs something. Plus they make everyone at least decent. I’d love to learn the swing. It’s a beautiful piece of work.

Steven: Dude, ship me to Boston. Pick Brad Stevens brain, be around a bunch of passionate sports fans. Lebron goes to LA and we rule the east and watch Tommy B fade into the sunset in the offseason.

Boone: I’d go OKC. It’s totally organic, and I would love going isolation 20 times per game.

Sam: I gotta echo Steven, I’m going Celtics- Boston as a town is fantastic, I’d love to play for Brad Stevens, and the winning tradition/fanbase is suuuuper enticing. Lebron’s about to leave for LA and the path to the finals through the East is wide open- sign me up

Boone: Shoot, I want to go to Boston now. I’m not trying to get my touches taken away by Russ.

Caleb: I say San Antonio as well. Hang with Pop and Timmy on the weekends. Play in a system that maximizes potential of all players. Riverwalk, good mexican food. As long as they bring back the 90’s rainbow logo and the teal, pink, and turquoise warmups I’m a Spur.

Steven: Underrated pick for a package deal for Jawun and PFB – Chicago. They finally get a point guard who can run Hoiberg’s system, we all get deep dish pizza. Downside: proximity to Big Ten football.

Caleb: I’d rather go to the Nets. ?

Boone: Where do we think he ultimately lands? I predict Jawun lands in San Antonio. I think that’s where he wants and also his best fit

Sam: I’ll second the SA prediction, it makes too much sense.

Caleb: Pacers

Southwell: I’ll say San Antonio. It really does seem like a great fit.

Steven: He won’t get past San Antonio and Utah but I’ll be eyeing Orlando at 25 if they go wing in the lottery.