Official Speculation Thread (Pt.LIV "Lottery/Draft"Edition)

[KillMonger]

Of course Noel isn't the best player right now, but that isn't what the draft is about. The draft is about what the player could be/what you think the player will become. Noel is the only potential franchise changing talent in this draft. That is why he will go #1.

Look at when we drafted Dwight Howard. He wasn't the best player in the draft but he was a potential franchise changing talent down the line. That is why we took him and it paid off.

you seriously think he's franchise changing? That's some high praise. Tyson Chandler/Larry Sanders is franchise changing. Well I guess we'll see

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No, I said he COULD be franchise changing. He also has the highest floor in the draft. And since when is Tyson Chandler franchise changing? Noel's floor is Chandler.

that's arguable to me but I respect your opinion

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[BadMofoPimp]

Noel's floor is Greg Oden, Hasheem Thabeet or Daniel Orton.

FIXED!!!

[InFlames]

Noel's floor is Greg Oden, Hasheem Thabeet or Daniel Orton.

FIXED!!!

BBD sucks, and I hope we trade him for literally anything. I would trade him for the corpse of Jason Kidd.

[RickB-Orlando]

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be looking to upgrade at the small forward position in the upcoming NBA draft.

Otto Porter is considered the top-ranked small forward.

“I’m pretty sure the Cavs are praying right now that Otto Porter is there on the board when they draft,” said ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford. “He is a perfect fit for them. If he’s off the board, I do think there is a question mark there. I think ‘3’ is the position they need the most.

“While we thought three was going to be stronger, we thought Shabazz Muhammad would be a guy that would be a great fit there. I think his play at UCLA has raised major question marks whether that’s the case.”

The Cavaliers will have four of the top 33 picks in the June draft

Wiretap.

By far the best trade possibility if the chips fall right.

Think they would be willing to trade up for Porter.

They wont need to trade up to get otto porter unless they get a bad break in the lottery and get stuck with the 6th pick, in which case we'd have the 4th

Personally I think Porter may be the best player in this draft when all is said and done. He's certainly the most NBA ready. It's a shame we are basically overloaded at the 3; I'd consider drafting Porter, keeping Harris at the 4, and dropping Mo to the 2. BBD then is used as trade bait, possibly along with Afflalo.

[IGotDaMagicInMe]

By far the best trade possibility if the chips fall right.

Think they would be willing to trade up for Porter.

They wont need to trade up to get otto porter unless they get a bad break in the lottery and get stuck with the 6th pick, in which case we'd have the 4th

Personally I think Porter may be the best player in this draft when all is said and done. He's certainly the most NBA ready. It's a shame we are basically overloaded at the 3; I'd consider drafting Porter, keeping Harris at the 4, and dropping Mo to the 2. BBD then is used as trade bait, possibly along with Afflalo.

would you rather have meer/hark/porter/harris/vuc or meer/oladipo/harkless/harris/vuc

[BadMofoPimp]

would you rather have meer/hark/porter/harris/vuc or meer/oladipo/harkless/harris/vuc

Bigs have more value than wings. Thus, that makes our Bigs expendable and tradeable. I take Porter over Oladipo.

[magicman123]

would you rather have meer/hark/porter/harris/vuc or meer/oladipo/harkless/harris/vuc

Bigs have more value than wings. Thus, that makes our Bigs expendable and tradeable. I take Porter over Oladipo.

So you would take Noel over a wing?

[BadMofoPimp]

Bigs have more value than wings. Thus, that makes our Bigs expendable and tradeable. I take Porter over Oladipo.

So you would take Noel over a wing?

If he never got injured!

But, lets say the Noel drops and Magic trade down to the 5th or 6th pick and take Noel over Oladipo, I would not be disappointed. I just don't think Noel warrants a top 3 pick when players like Porter, McLemore and Burke appear to be capable of being long term NBA players with potential. Just too big of a question mark.

[KingRobb02]

would you rather have meer/hark/porter/harris/vuc or meer/oladipo/harkless/harris/vuc

Bigs have more value than wings. Thus, that makes our Bigs expendable and tradeable. I take Porter over Oladipo.

Really? Dwight Howard is the most valuable big right now. Would the Knicks trade Howard for Melo?

[Orlando_Pride]

Looking at next years draft I think you take Noel in this draft. We have 2 first round picks next year. Even if we take a 2 or a 3 with the first pick. There is still Smart and Harrison at the 1. Besides Randle there is no great bigs (unless I miseed someone).

[BadMofoPimp]

Really? Dwight Howard is the most valuable big right now. Would the Knicks trade Howard for Melo?

I do think the Knicks would trade Melo for Howard if they found someone to take Amare or Chandler.

[tiderulz]

would you rather have meer/hark/porter/harris/vuc or meer/oladipo/harkless/harris/vuc

Bigs have more value than wings. Thus, that makes our Bigs expendable and tradeable. I take Porter over Oladipo.

not in today's NBA. But then i am not really a believer in Oladipo

[Skin]

Lol. Never liked jameer until this year. But i think his deficiency on the court during the dwight era hurt our success a lot. Now, i just see him as a mentor to the young guys and i think thats what he is good at.

Trey burke will not be as good as chris paul.

That's not what I said either. Let's be fair here. You compared Burke to Meer cause he was small. Chris Paul is small....

[MagicFan41]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=a7a6t6r

What does everyone think of this?

Bulls get two solid veteran pieces that fill needs for them (Afflalo can be a starting SG for them on a reasonable contract, which they are def lacking and BBD can be their PF who brings hustle and toughness to fit right in to the Bulls system at a much smaller price than Boozer). To me, their team would be super stacked for a few years of good Finals runs with that lineup.

Rose/Teague
Afflalo/Heinrich
Deng/Jimmy Watson
BBD/Taj
Noah/BBD

That's a really deep, really good defensive team but adds some offense in Afflalo and BBD, and both guys would do really well under Thibs I think (hard workers, hustle "glue" guys).

Brooklyn gets that "one more piece" that they think they are away from contending. CLEARLY Prok doesn't mind spending out the wazoo on this team, and doesn't care whatsoever about the tax. So that issue is moot. Starting 5 of:

Deron
Joe Johnson
Crash
Boozer
Lopez

is pretty nasty. Boozer has good playoff experience as well. Fills their major weak spot at PF.

We get rid of two of our vets to make room for more playing time for the young guns and get back a SG prospect in Marshon (I personally don't think he will be all that great but he does have some ability, and on a tiny contract). Humphries is just a temporary position filler. Tank mode continues.

Thoughts? Tweaks? Just trying to look for teams that might be good fits for Afflalo and/or BBD and Chicago seems perfect to me (and they'll probably also like to move Boozer and Brooklyn seems perfect to me).

[Noonskadoodle]

So far who the Magic HAVE/WILL talk to :

Noel
McLemore
Larkin
McCollum
Kabongo
Roberson

[Tayswagzzz]

So far who the Magic HAVE/WILL talk to :

Noel
McLemore
Larkin
McCollum
Kabongo
Roberson

No mention of Burke?

[Noonskadoodle]

So far who the Magic HAVE/WILL talk to :

Noel
McLemore
Larkin
McCollum
Kabongo
Roberson

No mention of Burke?

I'm sure he will be interviewed.

Just those are the ones confirmed so far.

[UCF]

Nice to see Larkin on the list. Here's to hoping the magic snag a late first round/ early second pick and can get him on the roster.

[Noonskadoodle]

"It's coming along well," Noel said of his knee injury. "I'm ahead of schedule."

He did not say what his targeted return date is but said he is following instructions of his doctor and physical therapist.

Noel has not yet been cleared to run but is no longer in a brace and started shooting free throws last week.

"Ever since the surgery, everything has been going great," he said at Thursday's NBA draft combine at Attack Athletics. "I was walking not too long after it. I was in a brace for a while. The day I heard what the injury was that was the only day I felt bad for myself. I’ve seen it as a challenge. I’m definitely confident."

[G-Heel]

"It's coming along well," Noel said of his knee injury. "I'm ahead of schedule."

He did not say what his targeted return date is but said he is following instructions of his doctor and physical therapist.

Noel has not yet been cleared to run but is no longer in a brace and started shooting free throws last week.

"Ever since the surgery, everything has been going great," he said at Thursday's NBA draft combine at Attack Athletics. "I was walking not too long after it. I was in a brace for a while. The day I heard what the injury was that was the only day I felt bad for myself. I’ve seen it as a challenge. I’m definitely confident."

Good to hear, but it's coming from him so of course he's going to be positive about it.