Jcool0 wrote:Anything past 15 is a complete waste. Does nothing for you which is why OKC has so many of them. And yes they are a little more valuable now with the 2nd apron. But Josh Giddey whether you think he is a piece of not, is still much more valuable to have then a 17-25 draft pick.
A player on a 2 year bad contract whom is then a UFA is not better to have than two draft picks when your team is not set up to compete even a 1st round exits in that time period. That player does nothing to help add future assets to your team. They are a mercenary during a period where you aren't prioritizing winning.
The odds that a pick at #20 is the difference maker are low, but if you are building a team for 27+ then if you draft a difference maker with your own pick in the 25/26 stacked draft classes, then the odds of Josh Giddey as a UFA being more useful than two role players drafted in 26 / 27 on cheap contracts is low.
For OKC, 3 of their top 7 rotation players are guys they acquired as rookies that were drafted outside of the top 15 (Wiggins (19), Joe (2nd rnd 55), Dort (2 way deal)). Agreed the guys around 20 are less likely to become star players that transform your franchise, but they are more likely to become the depth pieces that can play with the guys who do.
Also, even should you not use the picks, they probably hold more trade value than Josh Giddey on a 2/60 contract because picks are universally valued, whereas Josh Giddey on that pricetag probably has negative value in the league.
