RealGM

This NCAA Tournament has been a great showcase of some of the highest profile potential 2011 draftees. Once again we won't be in position get any of the big names. But I wonder what would we give for the opportunity to take the highest profile guys. Who in this draft is worth moving up to get? What could we realistically give up to move up? I think this draft is at least as good as last year's as long as major stars don't boycott the draft due to the lock out.

Some ideas:

Granger and our pick for Derrick Williams or Kyrie Irving
Granger for Harrison Barnes or Brandon Knight and additional value
Probably lots of other possibilities.

Thoughts?

I'd trade Granger and Collison for Kemba Walker or Kyrie Irving, if Collison has any value left. If not, I'd add our pick and bring Collison off the bench.

I think we need a wide body. not sure I see that player in the top of this draft.

NBADraft.net's mock draft has Markieff Morris from Kansas being available where we pick. 6'10"/245 out of Kansas.

If he's still there in the second round (assuming that's where he goes and if he declares), Bernard James out of Florida State. 6'10"/240 and a nice defensive presence in the paint. He'll probably go second round because of his age, since he was in the Air Force, he's already 26. Didn't know him before this year's tourney, but a very nice post player.

If we go with a big, I'd like them to be younger than Hansbrough's 25. I don't want somebody older and inferior.

Either of the Morris Twins or Terrance Jones. I hope they stay at KU though because they got screwed out of a Final Four by those refs yesterday.

It will be interesting to see who goes #1 between Williams and Irving. Really depends on who gets that #1 pick because both of them really upped their stock in the tournament. Overall we could see some guys fall because of the play of guys like Williams, Morris's, Kemba, Knight, etc. Guys like Kanter, Perry Jones, etc.

btw if we trade Granger, its not going to be for a 3 considering that PG will eventually move to that spot.

I think Granger would carry a decent amount of value for a competitor, not a the same for a team that is rebuilding and drafting in the lotto.

Collison could have some value for the teams near the top of the draft, but they would all rather have Iving if they had a choice.

I see us not making any moves and taking best big available at our draft slot.

I think we'll cross our fingers that a big is available but take the bpa regardless of position. if the draft doesn't give us a wide body, we'll try to find one in free agency.

Granger would have to bring a lottery pick and young potential.

Pacer trade --------- Granger
Utah trades --------- Favors & NJ or Minny 1st.

That is one of the few trades I'd do, otherwise Granger stays here.

A lot of mock drafts have Kemba going to Charlotte at #9. Granger for the #9 pick (Kemba) is not good value at all if you consider we only need to tank a couple games and we could keep Danny and possibly draft Kemba with our own pick.

If we want Kemba we need to miss the playoffs.

Indy2thaWindy wrote:I'd trade Granger and Collison for Kemba Walker or Kyrie Irving, if Collison has any value left. If not, I'd add our pick and bring Collison off the bench.

Granger & Collison for Irving sounds good to me, but no way would I give them up for a 6' high-volume shooter with little point guard skills.

If we want Kemba, I think we could have him by moving up five-seven slots or so, which probably wouldn't cost us that much.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/stor ... n-5-110328

Kyrie Irving. I really like Derrick Williams, but Irving is the best prospect, hands-down. He can shoot the 3 and the midrange J, he can get to the hole, he's got a great handle, he's poised, he can pass, he's got good character, he's a smart player and he's a true floor general.

One NBA exec told me he doesn't have the explosiveness of some of the latest great PGs like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and John Wall, but that he's more like a Chris Paul -- a quick, savvy, clever leader who truly knows how to run a team.

Same article but different writer said Henson is still the one with the most potential. For the people that wouldve taken Anthony Randolph on this team, here's a similar guy. Maybe he lives up to the potential?

No to Kemba. BUT ONLY BECAUSE he wont be available when we pick and I'm not sure he'd be worth enough to our team to be giving up anything good to get him. I'm not doubting that his game will translate to the next level. (Ask Derrick Williams about that stepback jumper to seal the AZ game) Just I think we need to look for a big especially when we can get a guy like Mayo to play the 2 and Collison has been playing better at the point. (Too much Collison hate on this forum, 2nd year player guys jeez)

The Big 12 power forward to be excited about is Tristan Thompson of Texas, if he comes out. That guy is one great athlete and I think he has a lot more of what the Pacers need than do the Morris bros. I'm not sure what either Morris is going to do that Hansbrough isn't already doing, and doing better.

paulgeorge24 wrote:KU...got screwed out of a Final Four by those refs yesterday.

LOL, you can't be serious. Kansas shot MORE free throws than VCU did (28 FTA for Kansas, vs. 22 for VCU). But VCU MADE more free throws, because Kansas put up so many bricks.

Also, Kansas made 2 out of 21 3-pt. attempts (that's 9.5%) while VCU made 12 out of 25.

The game's outcome had nothing to do with the refs and everything to do with how much better VCU shot the ball.

I LOVE the idea of Kenneth Faried if we end up sneaking into the playoffs. That's a safe ground-rule double type pick that could end up playing well with Hibbert, and if he puts some weight on, could play center next to Hansbrough in a Ben Wallace type size (as he's only 6'8").

^^^ He could be a Milsap clone.

If Thompson or Henson is left, we have to take them before faried or either of the Morris twins.

Where do you see Brandon Knight going, Top 10?

I'd be surprised if Knight goes top 10, but then again a tournament run always helps stock.

Gremz wrote:I'd be surprised if Knight goes top 10, but then again a tournament run always helps stock.

Tournament run + People deciding to return to school = pencil him in for top 10.

Yeah, that's a good point. Sullinger's "withdrawal" was surprising, so maybe there's more yet to come. If that's the case then he may well rise up quite a bit (pending his inclusion of course).

Knight could also return. if I were advising a player, I don't think I'd hire an agent before there is a new CBA. I'm looking to Europe this year for us.

Wizop wrote:Knight could also return. if I were advising a player, I don't think I'd hire an agent before there is a new CBA. I'm looking to Europe this year for us.

Brandon Knight's draft stock might be as high as it will ever get. I doubt he stays. It's not like he's dumb and won't be able to be anything if basketball doesn't work out. He's got a 4.0 GPA.