HeartBreakKid wrote:But your point was that they are not "proven commodities". Joel Embiid was not a "proven commodity" but I would not trade him for Klay Thompson, even before his rookie season started, because I knew he would be as good as he was now. Do you see what I am trying to say?
I think many would disagree with that - especially at the time when there was a legitimate chance Embiid wasn't going to play professional basketball again. There were a lot of doubts. Even still, if you go down the list and compare top-5 picks the last 10 years, more often than not that player won't be even close to being as good as Klay - so your chances right off the bat at being right are not very good.
Furthermore, you don't have a Joel Embiid on your roster. Brown, Bradley and your Nets pick isn't Embiid, and most likely won't be Embiid statistically speaking. So, if you're willing to take the chance, by all means, but if you want a surefire, durable all-star just entering his prime you better pay up. Not gonna make it happen with kibbles and bits.
Also, not playing in the NBA does not make people unproven commodities. That doesn't really make sense. Players are not drafted at random, they are drafted based on non-NBA play, you can project how good players will be in the NBA - if you couldn't, then there would be no difference in value between the first pick and the 60th pick.
It means they're unproven at the NBA level. You can draft Kevin Durant, sure, but then you can end up drafting an Greg Oden or an Andrea Bargnani or a Tyrus Thomas. That's a risk you're taking by passing over a surefire all-star for a draft. Sure, you can land a better player, but you can also not.
Also, this statement about how the Celtics would "regret" trading for Klay, is obviously based on recent events (the 60 point game), which makes no sense, because if we're just going by this season, Klay Thompson hasn't been special. Objectively speaking, what makes Klay Thompson even that much better than guys like Damian Lillard? Heck, what he's doing isn't even much better than Kemba Walker and Isaiah Thomas this season.
Klay Thompson has been Klay Thompson - it has nothing to do with with the 60 point show out. As a 2nd option, he can legit drop 23-25 ppg. and give you outstanding defense on the other end. The fact that he's durable, just entering his prime and is on a market-friendly contract only increases his value.
Why is Avery Bradly merely being sprinkled in for an all-star? Avery Bradley averages about 18 points and 8 rebounds, and is generally recognized as the best perimeter defender. Yet, you're going to essentially give away 2 top 3 picks...for an all-star?
Klay Thompson isn't just a player who has happened to be an all-star for a year. He's a top-3 SG who'll be vying for all-star appearances for the next decade. I like Bradley (who's only signed for one more year), but if you think Bradley, Brown and a top-3 or 5 pick is too much for that then you're on your own. No cigar.
Btw...when your draft picks reach their prime Horford will be out of his...so what you're trying to do and accomplish doesn't add. I'd understand what you're saying if you're a rebuilding team...but you're trying to become a ring contender...you're not gonna do that any time soon with Brown and whoever you take with the Nets' pick.
All-stars are not rare are in the NBA, MOST teams have an all-star it is SUPERSTARS that are truly scarce. It is more difficult just to find to find good rim protectors than All-Stars. Superstars are hard to find, All-NBA 1st and 2nd teamers are hard to find.
A top-3 or 4 all-around SG that's already hailed as one of the greatest shooters ever JUST entering his prime is rare. Stop acting like he's this run-of-the-mill type of player. It's a complete falsehood.
Let me ask you this, who do you think Bradley, Brown and the Nets could (or should) fetch you?
