If Upshaw is at 28 I will be ecstatic.
Me too. But I highly, HIGHLY doubt it.
I made an argument that teams with Free Agent Centers, or no Centers, will quickly snag him if he's there at the early 20's. He's not going to last. If we really want him, we need to pick him at #16.
Doubt this. Way too much risk for him to go higher than late 1st/early 2nd rd. Aside from the character issues, there are concerns about his work ethic, his 43% FT shooting, and the ability to defend the pick and roll.
The dude is raw, true, but he has legit size for a Center, showed in college that he can block shots and mobile enough to learn how to properly defend pick and rolls.
Here's the thing with me...
Dallas (pick 21) has no Center as Tyson Chandler is headed to Free Agency. Not to mention he's going to be 33 and could cost money to re-sign.
Portland (pick 23) has no Center as Robin Lopez is headed to Free Agency, and may take a pay increase to stay in Portland.
Memphis (pick 25) have BOTH Centers headed to Free Agency. While I can safely assume Marc Gasol will resign, they could easily pick Upshaw here to be able to not spend money for a back up Center.
San Antonio (pick 26). Have Centers but is known to take talent when they see them and lands on their laps, and Upshaw has that potential.
LA Lakers (pick 27) have no Center of relevance. They could snag him as their rim protector.
That's 5 teams before us at 28 who could potentially pick him, despite the issues he has, because it will make sense for them to do so. He's not going to drop a 28.