Official #2 Pick Thread - Ford #7: Parker

[Aaron It Out]

I would prefer Morway over the likes of Colangelo or Kahn. Then again I would prefer Hammond over those guys as well.

[europa]

I'd compare it to when Ripley took over for Gorman in "Aliens." Gorman had his chance and the Marines got slaughtered. Time for the Bucks to find their Ripley.

[LUKE23]

Wiggins #1 huh? I will be pretty surprised if that is the case.

[Bernman]

I'd compare it to when Ripley took over for Gorman in "Aliens." Gorman had his chance and the Marines got slaughtered. Time for the Bucks to find their Ripley.

Not at this upcoming, most important type of mission did his marines get slaughtered, and during this Gorman's tenure did he have some senile, higher-ranked official shouting orders at him most of the time?

[El Pooch Grande]

Chad Ford Draft Chat is underway...let's see what he has to say!

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/50703

[El Pooch Grande]

Pretty interesting so far...

Is Wiggins a lock at #1? Reports seem to indicate as much
Chad Ford
(1:04 PM)


No. I don't think anyone is a lock for the No. 1 pick right now. The Cavs haven't had anyone in. Embiid will go first. They'll get a chance to take a close look at his back. If everything checks out great ... it will be tough to pass on Embiid. However, he still won't be a lock because owner Dan Gilbert wants the team to be a playoff team next year and of the top 3, Embiid is probably the least ready to make an impact in Year One. I still think a trade might be the best option if the Cavs can find an All-Star big to pair with Irving.

What's going on in the Cavs minds that is making you think they take Wiggins and Embiid falls to Milwaukee? Everything since his workout has pointed to this year being the "Embiid" draft.
Chad Ford
(1:07 PM)


The workout Embiid did in Santa Monica was really impressive. I was there. He had gained some weight (a good thing in his case) but was still light on his feet. He didn't look like a guy with a bad back. But until NBA doctors, specifically the Cavs doctors, agree after a thorough medical evaluation ... the workout means nothing. And again, while Embiid fits a need for the Cavs and may have the most long-term upside of any player in this draft, he's the least NBA ready right now and you have a very impatient owner. The Cavs love him, but it doesn't mean they'll take him No. 1. They loved Nerlens Noel all last year and ultimately balked because of his knee and his inability to contribute to a playoff run last year.

Assuming Embiid goes 1, would the Bucks realistically take Parker over the upside of Wiggins? Also, when does the next mock come out?
Chad Ford
(1:09 PM)


Yes. Parker is the most NBA ready player of the top 3. He could average 20 ppg for the Bucks next season. He also has incredibly high character, is a leader and is the lowest risk prospect in the draft. Hard to imagine Parker not making a few All-Star teams if he stays healthy. For a GM that is on a one-year trial period, I'm not sure you can pass on the guy who's likely to be the Rookie of the Year next season and take the guy that might be better in five years. John Hammond just doesn't have that sort of flexibility right now.

I understand the production, but shouldn't Parker be farther down the draft board? He is too slow to guard 3's and too small to guard 4's. If you are building a team, who draft a guy who is such a liability on defense? How do you build a championship team that way?
Chad Ford
(1:11 PM)


That's the knock on Parker. However, given his measurements at the Draft Combine, more and more teams believe that he's big enough to guard fours in the NBA. He's certainly going to have the strength to do it. Jabari's already a strong dude. But that 8' 11.5" standing reach is on par with a number of top power forwards in the NBA. Offensively he's more of a three, but I think you can make an argument that he can guard fours in the NBA. If you are comfortable with that, his biggest weakness isn't such a red flag anymore.

So are you saying we have a chance at Wiggins at 3? Please God, let it be so ...
Chad Ford
(1:15 PM)


Yeah. If the Cavs go Embiid or Parker ... I think the Bucks take whichever guy is left. I think of the top 4, Wiggins is the guy with the least amount of momentum in Milwaukee right now. I think Exum might go ahead of Wiggins in Milwaukee. So, if the Cavs don't take him 1, I think he's on the board at 3. That could obviously change with a great workout from Wiggins. But Philly does have a shot at him. They also have a ton of assets and could likely make a deal to swap 2 and 3 if the Cavs took Embiid or Parker first.

[Bernman]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/473945274486759424[/tweet]

Also, in Ford's "Rumors" piece he mentions the Bucks as a team to try to move up/acquire another pick. Since the only place to go up would of course be No. 1, who would you like to see us snap up if we acquired another first in the 14-20 range? (who knows how high/low of a first they are targeting)

Elfrid Payton, James Young or, if they're there, Stauskas or Nurkic would be picks that I'd get excited about.

I think we should flip both Henson and Knight for top 20's individually, if the combo can't get us in the top 10, which most people here are suggesting is unrealistic, and I'm begrudgingly starting to accept that.

But I don't like the guys you brought up too much.

I'd try to flip Henson for a top 15 and take Ennis there, who realistic best case could be Mark Jackson, help spacing, and make players better. He's just another guy with defensive concerns, but you hope Sanders could hide those.

As for Knight, I'd try to flip him for Payne, who could be an alternate to Larry in case he doesn't get his train back on the track, and optimistically compares to older KG with the Celts or Cliff Robinson.

Hood would suffice as well.

I like Warren and Adams too, but Warren is redundant, while Adams we might be able to get by packaging our 2 high 2nd rounders, and even if we don't Wilcox and Bogdanovic are being projected to go in the early 1st. So I don't think it would behoove us to trade one of our assets of significance for Adams when there will be viable alternatives for next to nothing.

[ReasonablySober]

If our board is to be believed, Hammond isn't even making the pick. Sooooooo

[Fresh_Prince12]

I asked him why does it matter if Parker can get us 20 per g if we are rebuilding

[White+Purple]

I asked him why does it matter if Parker can get us 20 per g if we are rebuilding

His argument is based around Hammond needing to prove his worth.

[MrPerfect1]

I asked if we trade up for a 2nd pick, who we could be targetting and how high are we looking to trade up for

[Bernman]

If our board is to be believed, Hammond isn't even making the pick. Sooooooo

But we have a lot more picks than just that as is, and if rumors are believed, we'll acquire more, so he or Morway have to be heavily involved in the process. If so, you want to incentivize that they don't mess up a big part of your near future, and chance of keeping the team in Milwaukee. The only way to do that is to give them a reason to believe they are a going to stay around for a half season at least to be judged on the work they did in the draft and offseason.

[Bernman]

I asked him why does it matter if Parker can get us 20 per g if we are rebuilding

Kind of what W+P said, but it should matter to us too because it will help reinvigorate fans to win an arena vote and keep the team in Milwaukee, plus if he can score 20+ off the bat that bodes great for his future. I don't get this attitude that some fans will prefer the draft pick to suck the first year or two, and then magically explode afterward, to get more high picks in between. Na, you should want players to perform ASAP, because the ones that do are your ultimate difference makers a high majority of the time. As if the Cavs are feeling good about drafting Anthony Bennett now, or felt poorly about drafting Lebron because he scored 20+ his first season.

[europa]

Yeah, I don't have faith in Morway, but that said, I think he started in July. I don't think he was on staff when LeAffaire Eric Bledsoe went down on July 2nd. It wouldn't be the end of the world if the new guys promoted Morway.

Here are the list of major transactions made after Morway was hired. This isn't the type of stuff one would highlight on a resume. In fact, most of them are flat-out putrid.

8/29/13 Caron Butler Small Forward Traded from Suns in a Part of a three player deal
8/20/13 Larry Sanders Forward-Center Contract Extended Signed four-year extension
7/31/13 Brandon Knight Guard Traded from Pistons Part of four player trade
7/31/13 Viacheslav Kravtsov Center Traded from Pistons Part of four player trade
7/31/13 Khris Middleton Forward Traded from Pistons Part of four player trade
7/30/13 Gary Neal Guard Signed as Free Agent
7/26/13 Miroslav Raduljica Center Signed as Free Agent
7/25/13 Gustavo Ayon Forward-Center Waived
7/17/13 Carlos Delfino Guard-Forward Signed as Free Agent
7/17/13 Zaza Pachulia Center Signed as Free Agent
7/16/13 Drew Gooden Forward-Center Waived
7/13/13 O.J. Mayo Guard Signed as Free Agent to a Three year contract
7/11/13 Luke Ridnour Guard Traded from Timberwolves
7/11/13 Jeff Teague Point Guard Signed/Offer Sheet

[El Pooch Grande]

I asked him why does it matter if Parker can get us 20 per g if we are rebuilding

Kind of what W+P said, but it should matter to us too because it will help reinvigorate fans to win an arena vote and keep the team in Milwaukee, plus if he can score 20+ off the bat that bodes great for his future. I don't get this attitude that some fans will prefer the draft pick to suck the first year or two, and then magically explode afterward, to get more high picks in between. Na, you should want players to perform ASAP, because the ones that do are your ultimate difference makers a high majority of the time. As if the Cavs are feeling good about drafting Anthony Bennett now, or felt poorly about drafting Lebron because he scored 20+ his first season.

Totally agree with this x1000

[Fresh_Prince12]

I asked him why does it matter if Parker can get us 20 per g if we are rebuilding

Kind of what W+P said, but it should matter to us too because it will help reinvigorate fans to win an arena vote and keep the team in Milwaukee, plus if he can score 20+ off the bat that bodes great for his future. I don't get this attitude that some fans will prefer the draft pick to suck the first year or two, and then magically explode afterward, to get more high picks in between. Na, you should want players to perform ASAP, because the ones that do are your ultimate difference makers a high majority of the time. As if the Cavs are feeling good about drafting Anthony Bennett now, or felt poorly about drafting Lebron because he scored 20+ his first season.

You can't compare Bennett to wiggins or embiid.

[Fresh_Prince12]

I asked him why does it matter if Parker can get us 20 per g if we are rebuilding

Kind of what W+P said, but it should matter to us too because it will help reinvigorate fans to win an arena vote and keep the team in Milwaukee, plus if he can score 20+ off the bat that bodes great for his future. I don't get this attitude that some fans will prefer the draft pick to suck the first year or two, and then magically explode afterward, to get more high picks in between. Na, you should want players to perform ASAP, because the ones that do are your ultimate difference makers a high majority of the time. As if the Cavs are feeling good about drafting Anthony Bennett now, or felt poorly about drafting Lebron because he scored 20+ his first season.

Totally agree with this x1000

Quick question. Who'd you rather have on your team. Mcw or Giannis?

[Badgerlander]

AC (England )
Any thoughts on what/ who the Lakers get for the number 7 pick? What chance they don't trade it?

Chad Ford (1:41 PM)
I think they have even a greater incentive to trade the pick than the Celtics. Kobe is coming back. He doesn't want to be in the lottery. Of the players that will be left on the board when the Lakers draft, both Marcus Smart and Julius Randle would be instant impact players. But they wouldn't have the same impact that a veteran All-Star would. I think the Lakers will try hard to package that pick to get back a veteran talent to pair with Kobe if they can. But that's a big if. Teams covet the No. 7 pick, but I don't think they get Kevin Love, Al Horford, LaMarcus Aldridge for it. Maybe something like Larry Sanders and Brandon Knight

[gbpakman]

AC (England )
Any thoughts on what/ who the Lakers get for the number 7 pick? What chance they don't trade it?

Chad Ford (1:41 PM)
I think they have even a greater incentive to trade the pick than the Celtics. Kobe is coming back. He doesn't want to be in the lottery. Of the players that will be left on the board when the Lakers draft, both Marcus Smart and Julius Randle would be instant impact players. But they wouldn't have the same impact that a veteran All-Star would. I think the Lakers will try hard to package that pick to get back a veteran talent to pair with Kobe if they can. But that's a big if. Teams covet the No. 7 pick, but I don't think they get Kevin Love, Al Horford, LaMarcus Aldridge for it. Maybe something like Larry Sanders and Brandon Knight

Seems like a lot to give up - depends who falls to #7

[ReasonablySober]

That is a lot, but it would certainly go a long way towards ensuring the Bucks land another top pick in 2015. I'd do it and take Vonleh or Gordon.