NBA Draft Lottery/Offseason Thread 2012

[Groundhog]

Also, really hoping Cavs swing a deal for the #2. Would love to see Beal in a Cavs uniform next season. MKG is a fair consolation prize, but I think Beal is a better fit next to Irving - someone to stop the defenders hedging over to Irving on pick-and-rolls.

[stevew]

I think my dream offseason is trade and get Beal, max out and get Hibbert, and either get Batum for 12m or make Portland match. I'm tired of all the losing. And we need to discard Boobie like the trash he is.

[Atocep]

There's a rumor that Kevin Jones got a late first round promise. I think that's a bit of a stretch, but I'd love to see him get into a good situation.

I really think people are going a bit overboard on Damian Lillard. I don't think there's a PG in this draft that belongs in the top 15.

I also think Quincy Miller will be a better pro than Perry Jones.

[stevew]

Rebounder/Effort guys like Jones usually translate pretty well into rotation players.

[Bad-example]

As much as the NBA is a completely fucked up hot mess, I'm still pretty curious what Jerry West and the Warriors can come up with.

[Groundhog]

As far as guards not named Beal, I've never seen Lillard play (like many others), but yeah, from what I read, I'm sceptical he's a top-10 selection. I think I'd take a flyer on Austin Rivers over Lillard. I think Lillard and Rivers potentially have a higher ceiling than, say, Lamb, but I think Lamb is pretty much a sure-fire rotation guy, which isn't true for Rivers/Lillard, who IMO will boom or bust. I don't know much about Waiters but I'm always skeptical about guys I don't hear much about until the time leading up to the draft. His college production certainly doesn't match his draft stock - if he were a freshman, maybe.

For the SFs, I think the ranking right now would be MKG #1, Barnes #2, then there's a drop off. I really like MKG and on any team outside of Kentucky he would've had better numbers, but having said that, it's a concern that he ranked 7th on the team in terms of shot %. For a pick as high in the draft as he's going to go, I'm not sure that MKG will ever be "The Man". Barnes is not a guy I have a lot of confidence in, but I feel he's got a good chance to be a Carmelo-esque type scorer as an NBA player.

Around the middle of the draft I like Terrence Jones and Sullinger, and think both could log good minutes for the right teams as rookies. Royce White looks like a pretty interesting prospect too, with a versatile set of skills (...and versatile set of off-the-court issues).

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

As much as the NBA is a completely fucked up hot mess, I'm still pretty curious what Jerry West and the Warriors can come up with.

If Bogut* and Curry can stay healthy for most of the year, the roster is certainly better balanced this season. Bogut-Lee is a good high/low option and should complement each other quite well, while having a more traditional PG/SG setup with Curry-Thompson will help on both ends of the court. Thompson showed glimpses and was, IIRC, one of the better rated spot-up shooters in the league as a rookie.

Best case, 7 or 8 seed. Worst case, business as usual.

* hey, an Aussie can dream...

[bhlloy]

Lillard's comparison seems to be Mo Williams. That's scary enough to make me take Marshall or whoever else if you force me to choose a PG at gunpoint.

I think the kid out of Cal State Long Beach is pretty interesting. I can see him going in the first after Isiah Thomas Jr last year, somebody is going to take a chance on him and try and recreate the magic

[Mota]

As a Raptors fan I'm pretty disenchanted with the NBA. Seeing Bosh leave to join a fabricated team was pretty sad, and they had nobody ready to step up and take his place.
Two years later they still have nobody on their team. I don't see any future stars being developed right now. Hopefully they will get someone good in the draft.

[DougW]

I think LeBron has to go first, then definitely Darko. After that, I think I'd go with Anthony and then Bosh. At #5, maybe DWade, but - he's only 6'4.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by DougW

I think LeBron has to go first, then definitely Darko. After that, I think I'd go with Anthony and then Bosh. At #5, maybe DWade, but - he's only 6'4.

I see what you did there.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Mota

As a Raptors fan I'm pretty disenchanted with the NBA. Seeing Bosh leave to join a fabricated team was pretty sad, and they had nobody ready to step up and take his place.
Two years later they still have nobody on their team. I don't see any future stars being developed right now. Hopefully they will get someone good in the draft.

Yeah I'm with you. I don't even care for the draft, I don't have any faith in the team from top to bottom. I do not like Bargnani, and who else is there? DeRozan seemed to regress, Ed Davis is OK but not great, there's just a lack of talent.

[spleen1015]

Nice. Bird is going to resign from the Pacers 2 days before the draft.

Let's see. The guy guided your team back from suckitude after there were a bunch of thugs on your team. You were the 3rd best team in the East last year because of the moves made by Bird. You decide to let him walk instead of giving him a 3 year deal?

Thanks Herb.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

deep thoughts-

the nba should adopt mls' dp rule where you can pay one player whatever the fuck you want and he only counts 15%(or whatever) against the cap.

i don't buy the beal/ray allen comparisons.

i wouldn't draft fab melo.

i would draft dion waiters and austin rivers. they're both irrational confidence guys.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

Nice. Bird is going to resign from the Pacers 2 days before the draft.

Let's see. The guy guided your team back from suckitude after there were a bunch of thugs on your team. You were the 3rd best team in the East last year because of the moves made by Bird. You decide to let him walk instead of giving him a 3 year deal?

Thanks Herb.

executive of the year too. that sucks.

[Logan]

Rockets trade Budinger to Minny for the 18th pick. That gives them #14, #16, and #18.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by Logan

Rockets trade Budinger to Minny for the 18th pick. That gives them #14, #16, and #18.

I could have sworn that the Rockets were looking to offload one of their picks. Well, maybe they figure that they can also offload 2 picks for future considerations and figured they didn´t need Budinger anymore.

For the Twolves i think Budinger is better than anybody available at No18 and more proven, so that´s a solid trade. Sure he doesn´t solve their problems and doesn´t even fill a huge need (too slow laterally to really guard 2s and can´t create his own shot) but neither could have the 18th pick i guess.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

You decide to let him walk instead of giving him a 3 year deal?

.

Where did you get this from ? I was under the impression that it was Bird who didn´t want to commit to anything long term and was himself contemplating wether or not he´d be back during the regular season at times (and in a "i don´t know if i want to continue" way)

I´ve seen it suggested that it´s health related.

[Coffee Warlord]

Yeah, I was about to say, I'm hearing Bird's got health issues.

[Logan]

The guy from Draftexpress.com broke the Budinger deal and says that Houston has offered Lowry, the #14, and the #16 to Sacramento for Tyreke Evans and the #5.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Looks like Sullinger has now moved down to mid-to-late 1st round steal territory. I don't know the details of his back issues and he's certainly not a "can't miss" prospect, but I think he'll be able to score around the basket in the NBA if he can stay healthy.

He uses his body well but he releases a lot of his shots from a low angle. I could see him being a Al Horford type if he could develop a decent midrange game.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by whomario

I could have sworn that the Rockets were looking to offload one of their picks. Well, maybe they figure that they can also offload 2 picks for future considerations and figured they didn´t need Budinger anymore.

For the Twolves i think Budinger is better than anybody available at No18 and more proven, so that´s a solid trade. Sure he doesn´t solve their problems and doesn´t even fill a huge need (too slow laterally to really guard 2s and can´t create his own shot) but neither could have the 18th pick i guess.

Good way of looking at it. When I first heard about this I was like WTF? But you make a great point that hes probably better than anything they would get at 18 anyway.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by Logan

The guy from Draftexpress.com broke the Budinger deal and says that Houston has offered Lowry, the #14, and the #16 to Sacramento for Tyreke Evans and the #5.

If true, I hope Sacramento laughed in Houston's face. That sounds like a "how about you give me $5 and I punch you in the face" type of trade offer.

[larrymcg421]

The Celtics are awarded a 2013 2nd round draft pick from Oklahoma City due to Jeff Green's health issues.

[Daimyo]

Originally Posted by whomario

Where did you get this from ? I was under the impression that it was Bird who didn´t want to commit to anything long term and was himself contemplating wether or not he´d be back during the regular season at times (and in a "i don´t know if i want to continue" way)

I´ve seen it suggested that it´s health related.

About a week or so ago he was quoted as saying he wanted a three year deal and it was tough being year to year with just a handshake agreement. I thought it was odd because I'd always thought he was the one who didn't want a deal.

He'd also had some quotes implying that they needed to spend more money to make it to the next level (presumably to match Hibbert and go after Gordon or another scorer), he wasn't sure Herb was willing to do it, and he only wanted to stay if that commitment was there. Today he's saying they had no disagreement on how much to spend... but of course that's what he has to say now.

Not a great day for the Pacers, but shouldn't be a surprise either I guess. This is the same guy who quit as head coach at the end of a season in which he led the team to the finals and won coach of the year.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

The Celtics are awarded a 2013 2nd round draft pick from Oklahoma City due to Jeff Green's health issues.

Haha, The NBA must have decided this one. This pick the Celtics will get will be around #55-60 so its very unlikely the Celtics would have taken this in a settlement if it was directly done with Oklahoma City.

Almost seems as if the NBA thought the Celtics dispute was a joke because getting that pick as compensations is pretty much a joke.

[Daimyo]

Weird too that Bird just completed a power play to get rid of Morway and replace him with Pritchard as GM. Why go through the trouble if you're just going to leave a few days later...

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Daimyo

Weird too that Bird just completed a power play to get rid of Morway and replace him with Pritchard as GM. Why go through the trouble if you're just going to leave a few days later...

Maybe the owner asked him to do that before he left so he didn't have to?

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Daimyo

About a week or so ago he was quoted as saying he wanted a three year deal and it was tough being year to year with just a handshake agreement. I thought it was odd because I'd always thought he was the one who didn't want a deal.

He's in a year to year? What is it with owners who can get away with this?

The Clips asshole owner had Oshey on a frickin' month to month, which is why Oshey is GMing in Portland now.

[rjolley]

Interesting trade rumor:

@Chris_Brousard: The Celtics have traded Rajon Rondo, the #21 and #22 picks to the Kings, in exchange for Tyrke Evans and the #5 pick, per league source.

Later, it was proven to be from a fake account.

[nilodor]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Yeah I'm with you. I don't even care for the draft, I don't have any faith in the team from top to bottom. I do not like Bargnani, and who else is there? DeRozan seemed to regress, Ed Davis is OK but not great, there's just a lack of talent.

Then you think maybe they'll make a trade, but who do we have that someone wants? I think Calderon's deal is up at the end of the year so maybe, but his contract is like 9 mil and even though he sucks on defense he actually gets players involved unlike Bayless. Best case, draft waiters, move DeRozan to the 3, Big V provides a low post presence, calderon works to get every one involved. Amir and the other random guys provide energy off the bench and... probably still in the lottery. Hopefully Bargnani can continue his development because he was showing signs of life on both ends of the floor before he got hurt. Maybe Bargnani + Calderon + Picks & Blackmail to the Lakers for Gasol? Who knows at this point.

[whomario]

Pau is turning 32 this summer and is entering his 13th NBA season (+ plaiyng for spain all the time), you don´t start from scratch to built around a player like that at this point.

I mean, what´s the point ? You´d likely not be much better short term (i love Pau´s game, but no way can you surround him with a below average team and then suddenly have a winning team) and if things go right you still need 2 or 3 years to add pieces and then he´ll likely be on the downslide. Sure, with his skill set he can be a nice complimentary player until he´s 40, but still ...

Plus in your scenario you sent away one of the few reason that might make Pau content to play motivated in Toronto, having a buddy around to feed him the ball.

Right now i think you have to stick with Bargnani and hope for the best (him making a leap or lucking out and drafting a better player)

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

holy crap. minnesota might have an all white starting five.

[britrock88]

Originally Posted by NorvTurnerOverdrive

holy crap. minnesota might have an all white starting five.

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Haha, The NBA must have decided this one. This pick the Celtics will get will be around #55-60 so its very unlikely the Celtics would have taken this in a settlement if it was directly done with Oklahoma City.

Almost seems as if the NBA thought the Celtics dispute was a joke because getting that pick as compensations is pretty much a joke.

Not that it completely matters, but I've read the pick is actually the Charlotte 2nd rounder from the Byron Mullens trade.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

The Celtics are awarded a 2013 2nd round draft pick from Oklahoma City due to Jeff Green's health issues.

How's that fucking Perkins trade look now Danny Ainge

::makes a note to break his kneecaps with a crowbar the next time i see him around town::

[RainMaker]

I don't know, you aren't stuck with Perkins on a shitty contract.

[stevew]

Most centers are very overpaid...Perkins is paid correctly IMO.

[Shkspr]

Soooo....not planning on shaving anytime soon, I guess.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

If true, I hope Sacramento laughed in Houston's face. That sounds like a "how about you give me $5 and I punch you in the face" type of trade offer.

I don't think it's that bad of a deal. Get a very good PG and two mid 1st rounders to add depth with.

[stevew]

I was trying to think hypothetically what the Cavs could offer the Hornets for Davis, at least to make them pause before saying no.

I'm thinking Tristan Thompson, pick #4, Cavs #1 pick in 2014, Cavs #1 in 2016 pick #24, a heavily protected #1 from Sacto, best pick of Miami or LAL next year and a 2015 #1 from Miami.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I don't think it's that bad of a deal. Get a very good PG and two mid 1st rounders to add depth with.

Lowry does not have Tyreke's potential and is more expensive. Also, a lottery pick, especially in this draft, is worth much, much more than a mid round pick.

[stevew]

I think Lowry makes about 6.5m for 3 more years, but Evans is like 4-5mil this year, then possibly will get 10-12m/year after that. Sacto has to make an Evans trade I think.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

Lowry does not have Tyreke's potential and is more expensive. Also, a lottery pick, especially in this draft, is worth much, much more than a mid round pick.

Lowry is a much better player than Tyreke. And this seems to be a draft with 4 elite prospects and they're drafting 5th. I believe the rumor was also for the 14th and 16th picks which helps them round out their roster on the cheap. Lowry and Cousins is a nice base to work from.

[rjolley]

Bobcats trade Corey Maggette to the Pistons for Ben Gordon and a protected 1st round pick in 2013, according to ESPN.com.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Looks like Sullinger has now moved down to mid-to-late 1st round steal territory. I don't know the details of his back issues and he's certainly not a "can't miss" prospect, but I think he'll be able to score around the basket in the NBA if he can stay healthy.

I think he'll be a nice pickup in mid-range territory. He's got a lot to prove.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by rjolley

Bobcats trade Corey Maggette to the Pistons for Ben Gordon and a protected 1st round pick in 2013, according to ESPN.com.

That's an incredible deal for the Bobcats.

[britrock88]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

That's an incredible deal for the Bobcats.

Except that Ben Gordon has a 13.2M player option for '13/'14, while Maggette's contract is up at the end of this season. Wonder how well-protected the pick is?

[larrymcg421]

LOL that Ben Gordon is making more than Rajon Rondo. Locking up Rondo for so cheap is probably the best move Ainge has made, and he doesn't even seem to realize it.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by britrock88

Except that Ben Gordon has a 13.2M player option for '13/'14, while Maggette's contract is up at the end of this season. Wonder how well-protected the pick is?

All lottery next year, top 8 in year 2, top 1 in year 3 and unprotected in year 4.

So, definitely won't see anything until 2014, possibly 2015.