2011 DRAFT blather goes here. Part 3...

[jivelikenice]

Nick is completely worth 5 million per. If we can keep him for 6.5 and under I'll be very happy.

I think Nick is worth that much to a team that is a complimentary piece away (i.e. Chicago, Boston). You have to look at the current CBA. He's absolutely worth 5MM to a team like Boston who already has used their cap space to build their core and can now exceed the cap to sign complimentary pieces. But is he worth a 5-6.5MM in core cap space money? IMO no....Wall & McGee are the only two current players on the roster that I can see investing the long-term bigger dollars in at this time. If you can replace Nick with a player like Brooks and save significant dollars in doing so, its a no brainer IMO. And this is before taking into account the new CBA. With a smaller, more restrictive cap likely, isn't keeping financial flexibility more important?

[mohammed10]

There are several ways this could work out for us.

I'm not worried in the least.

I trust in Ted and EG to add the right pieces.

I don't, but I suppose there is another thread for that discussion

[Hoopalotta]

Pending further CBA intel, Nick might well be about to get completely hosed by becoming a free agent at the absolute worst possible time. It's hard to project as of now as we don't know what all of the proposed provisions are going to make the final draft, but he really might not be all that expensive to keep if there's a hard cap that clamps down in 2014 or so.

Right now, the owners have said they want 'other teams' to be able to sign guys for only three years guaranteed with the toned down bird rights giving you four years. Well see, but I doubt he's getting nice offers under the circumstances.

[doclinkin]

It would not surprise me if Minny picked Johnny V @2 considering their needs.

Whereas I wonder if the 'Waiting for Ricky' delay may sour them a bit on picking a Euro with contract issues. Prob'ly not in the case of Kahn.

[no D in Hibachi]

Pending further CBA intel, Nick might well be about to get completely hosed by becoming a free agent at the absolute worst possible time. It's hard to project as of now as we don't know what all of the proposed provisions are going to make the final draft, but he really might not be all that expensive to keep if there's a hard cap that clamps down in 2014 or so.

Right now, the owners have said they want 'other teams' to be able to sign guys for only three years guaranteed with the toned down bird rights giving you four years. Well see, but I doubt he's getting nice offers under the circumstances.

Not only the CBA, but the amazing amount of quality wings available in the open market is startling. Here is the list of notable unrestricted and restricted FA wings:

Unrestricted wings- Butler, J Rich, Dunleavy Jr, Crawford, Battier, Redd, Prince, Hill, JR Smith, Brown
Restricted wings- Afflalo, Chandler, Stuckey, CJ Miles, Marcus Thornton, Thad Young

Does N1 have a league wide rep that a close team (Chicago/Boston/LA) would think he's the final piece compared to the list of other available players? Of the 16 players listed above Young is probably 10th most desirable for one reason or another? When was the last time the 10th most desirable wing player in any FA class, let alone a restricted FA ended up getting overpaid?

[SUPERBALLMAN]

My updated draft board:

#6
1. Kanter 2. Leonard 3. Valenciunas 4. Markieff 5. Vesely

Kanter is the hopeful please drop to us pick. I'm thinking Leonard is the probable pick.


#18
1. Singleton 2. Vucevic 3. Harris 4. Faried 5. Honeycutt

Again Singleton is the please fall to us guy, and the target if we get Kanter at 6. If we go Leonard at 6 I think Vucevic becomes the target. I'd also be very pleased with either Harris or Faried.


#34
1. Thompkins 2. Harper 3. N.Smith 4. Parsons 5. Holiday 6. Hansbrough

I like Thompkins whether we go Kanter/Singleton or Leonard/Vucevic to add skill & depth to our PF spot. Harper would make me happy also, either would be a steal here IMO.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I'm really liking a Leonard, Vucevic, Thompkins draft, which I think is very realistic.

Leonard has upside as a lock down defender a versatile SF. A guy we can put on the Lebrons and Durants. No pressure immediately as he begins as backup to Lewis, with Young also getting time at SF.

Vucevic could be a perfect compliment to McGee & Seraphin at C.

Thompkins has the size & lowpost game to be a legit PF, and the pick n pop ability to compliment Wall. Has to compete for pt with Blatche and Booker.


I like the concept of targeting the influx of new energy, skill, and depth to our frontcourt in this draft. Our backcourt has a nice foundation with Wall, Young & Crawford. I'd like to bring back Evans as a vet SG. Maybe pick up a vet backup pg in FA.

[WizarDynasty]

I am coming around on Vucevic at pick 18 also only if Tyler isn't there. I look at Tyler legs strength and his ability to do backward hopstep at 260 lbs, that's just freakish. Vucevic looks to have alot of the same game as Kanter so I think Vucevic is our guaranteed big if the other two are gone by pick 18.

[dangermouse]

I'm really liking a Leonard, Vucevic, Thompkins draft, which I think is very realistic.

Leonard has upside as a lock down defender a versatile SF. A guy we can put on the Lebrons and Durants. No pressure immediately as he begins as backup to Lewis, with Young also getting time at SF.

Vucevic could be a perfect compliment to McGee & Seraphin at C.

Thompkins has the size & lowpost game to be a legit PF, and the pick n pop ability to compliment Wall. Has to compete for pt with Blatche and Booker.


I like the concept of targeting the influx of new energy, skill, and depth to our frontcourt in this draft. Our backcourt has a nice foundation with Wall, Young & Crawford. I'd like to bring back Evans as a vet SG. Maybe pick up a vet backup pg in FA.

I'd totally be happy with that draft. Its not ideal, but it is a good "if all else fails" selection.

Dont really need a vet PG, yet, we arent competing for anything next year i'd rather just "tank" with what we have again for another high pick next year. Re-sign Evans and use Crawford as our main backup PG, and maybe have another revolving door of d-leaguers coming in on ten days when we need them.

[closg00]

David Locke tweet:

Conclusion around the league the two names that helped themselves the most this week were Klay Thompson, WSU and Nikola Vucevic, USC

Vucevic is going to be drafted in the teens or possibly earlier, Houston and Philly could take him before us....Detroit also.

[closg00]

Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony reported on his Twitter account on Thursday that the Wizards and Phoenix Suns are working hardest to move up get Williams, but one source with knowledge of the situation said “there’s not” any truth to the speculation, while another with knowledge of the Timberwolves’ plans said that the Wizards have yet to contact Minnesota about making a deal.

Mike Lee reporting. Oh-well, it was a fun rumor while it lasted.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Dont really need a vet PG, yet, we arent competing for anything next year i'd rather just "tank" with what we have again for another high pick next year. Re-sign Evans and use Crawford as our main backup PG, and maybe have another revolving door of d-leaguers coming in on ten days when we need them.

I'd love to pick up another later 2nd rounder, maybe buy one this year instead of our normal selling for cash, and snag Big East POY Ben Hansbrough as a 3rd PG.

[fishercob]

A fascinating little nugget in the age of internet (mis)-information. It's pretty likely that neither Yoni nor Lee thought they were lying when they reported what they did, and yet one of them likely reported a lie.

No one will reveal their sources for fear of alienation and screwing up future scoops.

If I had to guess, DX's report came from someone inside Kanter's camp. Mike's was from someone in the Wiz FO -- maybe Tommy Sheppard....

[SUPERBALLMAN]

David Locke tweet:

Conclusion around the league the two names that helped themselves the most this week were Klay Thompson, WSU and Nikola Vucevic, USC

Vucevic is going to be drafted in the teens or possibly earlier, Houston and Philly could take him before us....Detroit also.

That quote's not real specific... could mean he was thought to go 2nd round and has worked his way into the 1st?

DX has him at 21:
http://www.draftexpress.com/

Nbadraft.net has him at 40:
http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft

Bleacher Report has him at 45:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/7166 ... ke/page/17

SI.com also has him out of the 1st round:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/w ... =hp_t12_a2

[7-Day Dray]

I heard somewhere that the Raptors have given Kemba Walker a promise at #5. I heard it from a user from the NBADraft.net forums, so I don't know how true it is. But I really think the draft could end up playing out like this.

#1. Irving
#2. Williams
#3. Knight
#4. Valanciunas
#5. Walker
#6. Kanter

[closg00]

David Locke tweet:

Conclusion around the league the two names that helped themselves the most this week were Klay Thompson, WSU and Nikola Vucevic, USC

Vucevic is going to be drafted in the teens or possibly earlier, Houston and Philly could take him before us....Detroit also.

That quote's not real specific... could mean he was thought to go 2nd round and has worked his way into the 1st?

DX has him at 21:
http://www.draftexpress.com/

Nbadraft.net has him at 40:
http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft

Bleacher Report has him at 45:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/7166 ... ke/page/17

SI.com also has him out of the 1st round:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/w ... =hp_t12_a2

All of the next mocks will have probably him in the 1st round, every team needing a big has an article like this in their paper. This Oregon article is one of the better ones.
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index ... cevic.html

[theboomking]

The NBA draft is now less than three weeks away, and teams are deep in the midst of draft workouts. Here's the latest from around the league:

• The Minnesota Timberwolves got their man -- 2009 lottery pick Ricky Rubio -- to agree to a contract this week. I wrote about what it means to the Timberwolves and Rubio on Thursday. But how will it affect their draft plans?

I think it's safe to say that with the Wolves' pick at No. 2 you can now totally rule out the chance of them drafting another point guard. David Kahn won't make that mistake again. But I think it's better than 50-50 that they won't be drafting at No. 2 at all.


That won't be Minnesota's public stance, by the way. I've been told multiple times by Wolves sources that they are keeping the pick. The last thing they want is to give the impression that there's a fire sale happening. So no, Kahn won't just be giving the pick away -- not by any stretch of the imagination.

However, I still believe there's a good chance they'll trade the pick by draft night. The team knows it has to improve its win total this year in a significant way -- 21 or 22 wins isn't going to do it.

What would it take for Minnesota to move the pick? If the Lakers offered Pau Gasol, if the Warriors offered Monta Ellis, if the Jazz offered Derrick Favors, if the Wizards offered JaVale McGee or even if the Cavs offered Anderson Varejao along with Cleveland's No. 4 pick, the Wolves would seriously have to consider trading the pick.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?nam ... id=6622187

So if we could trade McGee for Williams straight up, and keep our 6th pick...Williams at 2, trade from 6 to 12 for Singleton, Jordan Hamilton at 18, #34 and cash for Justin Harper, Nene in FA, resign NY. We could run with a young core of:

(PG)Wall/Crawford
(SG)Young/Crawford
(SF)Singleton/Hamilton/Harper
(PF)Williams/Blatche
(C)Nene/Seraphin

That is actually a really offensively talented team that could probably do a little damage in the East. I don't think we trade McGee, and I don't think we pursue any big FA this year. The possibilities are certainly interesting however.

[nate33]

We don't have cap room for Nene. Not this summer.

[gesa2]

I could see the first five picks going that way, or one of three ways really (or I should say I see three combinations that occupy the balance of probability) and based on those scenarios I'm feeling fairly comfortable about the situation at six, assuming the team's valuations of players at six mirror my own. It's possible the team really considers Leonard or Vesely or another player as a top six value and would draft him regardless but right now I see it this way:

Irving, Williams and Knight are pretty much sure bets to be gone somewhere in that top six:

Two of Kanter, Valanciunas and Walker will also be gone, this is a case where the likely top six mirror my own valuations of the top six players, so Washington just takes whoever is left. If it's either Kanter or Valanciunas, great, the team winds up with a young big man who's already demonstrated the ability to produce against meaningful competition, if it's Walker great, Washington now has a trading chip a number of teams would probably pay dearly for.

I do have preferences among those scenarios but all are appealing to me, so regardless of the result I think the team winds up with something. Now the seventh pick, I'd hate to be the guy with that.

This.

The bit about Dx and Lee quoting different sources about whether the Wiz move up or not - We can't trust anybody this time of year, least of all sources from our own front office. I'm more likely to believe the opposite of whatever Lee is being told than to see it as reliable, given how Ernie has operated in the past. So maybe we're moving up, maybe we're not. I'm just hoping that if we don't, somebody likes Walker enough to give us something of value for him, since I think he's the most likely to drop to us.

[nate33]

I think Lee is pretty good with these things. He's usually accurate when he debunks other rumors.