Interest in Pick 10?

[8305]

I've got to think there would be some interest from the Thunder for the 10th pick. You have some assets the Pacers would value. Most notably Eric Maynor. I could see Indiana doing something like Soloman Jones, picks 10 and 40 for Eric Maynor picks 21 and 26. Seems like you are in a better position to take a flyer on a Hassan Whiteside and pick 40 works better for drafting a Euro guy and letting him sit for a couple of years (both strategies easier done from your position than ours).

[DizzyDai]

I've got to think there would be some interest from the Thunder for the 10th pick. You have some assets the Pacers would value. Most notably Eric Maynor. I could see Indiana doing something like Soloman Jones, picks 10 and 40 for Eric Maynor picks 21 and 26. Seems like you are in a better position to take a flyer on a Hassan Whiteside and pick 40 works better for drafting a Euro guy and letting him sit for a couple of years (both strategies easier done from your position than ours).

I'm not familiar with Jones, but the 10th for Eric Maynor and the 26th sounds great to me. (if Indiana is really greedy we can make it the 21st pick instead of the 26th.)

The 10th pick should secure hometown boy Daniel Orton, then we can draft a backup point guard with our next 1st round pick (Eric Bledsoe).

[8305]

The 21st pick and Maynor is probably pretty close to fair value for pick 10. Sounds like we agree on that. Beyond that it would probably come down to who is most motivated. Is Maynor really a starting caliber pg and is Daniel Ortan potentially your answer at center? If you need the second 1st round pick to find a backup pg Indiana could probably throw AJ Price into the mix.

Solomon Jones just makes the money work. Decent mid range shot and able to defend the quicker, face the basket 4. Weak rebounder and generally pretty limited offensive player.

[Stolen Team Fan]

I don't see Orton being the person needed at center. He's 6' 8.75". If that was the case the Thunder would be better off just trying to get David Lee to play C, or move Ibaka over. I just think Whiteside would be a better fit in Brooks' defensive scheme.

As for Maynor & #21 for #10, I would do that. Maynor could be useful in Indy setting up Granger, Dunleavy, and Hibbert. I could see Harden handling backup PG duties when called upon. And I agree on trying for Eric Bledsoe with the next pick. He could become a pleasant surprise.

[DizzyDai]

Okay, toss in Solomon to make the money work. His contract is small and short enough, if we need to open up the roster Jones can be bought out.

So I'd agree to the 10th and Solomon Jones, for the 21st and Eric Maynor.

With the 10th pick, I chose Orton because he is ranked as the 3rd best center in this draft. I think he was 6' 8.75" without shoes and 6' 9.5 with shoes. Orton could try wearing Aldrich's shoes before measuring again. Aldrich gained 2.25" with shoes on, whereas Orton only gained .75 inches.

Honestly, I feel he can grow and inch within the next year or so. He's just 19.

We could reach down for Whiteside, or hope Monroe slips. At least this trade will give OKC more options.

I'm not 100% sold on Bledsoe. I'm also interested in Sherron Collins and Mikhail Torrance. If Presti doesn't like our draft options for guards, we could always sign Steve Blake during free agency.

But if Presti isn't big on Orton or Whiteside there is a possibility he might pass up this trade. Our next targets Sanders, Seraphin, and Alabi should be available with the 21st pick. The only exception could be Sanders. Personally I feel Sanders' stock should be rising, but I see the mocks lowering his draft position. I'm not sure why?

[Balkman32]

I don't think Maynor gets moved for a project Big Man! He fit like a glove last year n' is a very nice backup for RWest. The Thunder could couple their picks and move up to around 15.

[DizzyDai]

If Presti is as enamored about Orton as reported, I can see this happening. Moving a back up point guard to draft a starting quality center only makes sense. Then again, it matters on Presti's perspective on Orton and Whiteside is crucial. If he isn't that interested he can keep 21 and hope some guys slip, if not he can flip picks to move up a couple spots as you mentioned.

Concerning Maynor, I agree he fits perfectly. It would be hard to let him go, but eventually it's going to happen. Maynor is a starting caliber PG and will move on someday. If letting him go now means we can fill a major need in our starting lineup, I'm all for it. Especially if Greg Monroe is available at 10.

[fallacy]

Guess what rookie led the league in Ast:To ratio last year? Eric Maynor, BY FAR. A full ast better than darren collison, who is going to apparently be better than chris paul

[Balkman32]

Collison will b no where near Paul. Orton n' Whiteside are both projects. You do not give up Maynor for a project!

[DizzyDai]

It's easier to find a backup guard than a starting center. Right now Maynor is a legit asset that Presti can exploit if he chooses.

[Balkman32]

Maynor is an asset that Sam should not move. He fit in the system and is a low cost player. There is no reason to move himhe was a rookie last year and played well. The Thunder are going to keep the core group of 7 together (Durant, Green, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, Maynor and Thabo) There is no reason not to keep thoes guys together. They all seem to buy into the team and team defense. It will make it alot easier for the Thunder to add players (players whobuy into the system) if thoes 7 are still there.

[slick_watts]

There is a reason to move any of those guys aside from Russ and KD, and it's to get legitimate size in the front court. Maynor's a decent backup but if he can get us a productive, young big then it's a no brainer.

[Balkman32]

Who are you getting with Decent size? Who? I think the Thunder have enough Assets between the 4 draft pick this season (two first round picks), Draft Picks next season, Kristic (legit 7' footer who can provide a solid 20-25 min for a contender), Collison (7th-8th man who can come in and give 20 min a nigth who dosent need the ball), DJ White, Kyle Weaver, and Byron Mullens all prospects who showcased their talent in the D-League last season.

[dream_catcher_9]

Slick has no regard for continuity or chemistry.

[slick_watts]

Slick has no regard for continuity or chemistry.

Those things are important, but far from the most important. Talent trumps continuity and chemistry any day in my book. You're not going to win in the NBA with just chemistry.

[Balkman32]

Looks like Chemistry won in the C's vs.Cav's series.

[slick_watts]

Looks like Chemistry won in the C's vs.Cav's series.

Talent won. LeBron can't win by himself. I'd take Russell Westbrook over everyone on the Cavs save LeBron James. The Celtics won a title two years ago, they're the same team a bit more long in the tooth only with an All Star PG. They got healthy, is it any surprise they are a good team?

[Balkman32]

All I am saying is that the Cav's won all of thoes games and they were the most talented team other than the Lak-Show during the regural season. Now the C's have Chemistry, they buy into team Defense. The Thunder did that last season. They bought into team defense and to play as a team. Presti built this team and the Core is very good. There is no reason to move Maynor to take a flyer on Pick 10 with Orton. Keep the core 7. They just need to add a PF to basically take over Collison's role and Jeff Green's starting spot.

[MrToad]

Naw. The Celtics are just a bunch of veteran guys, so they know they don't have to win 65 games during the regular season. You just have to do enough to get a decent draw, and then turn it on in the playoffs.

[Balkman32]

The C's bought into the system. The Thunder are different because they have a TON of Chemistry while the C's have 3 futur Hall-of-Famers on their roster (you better buy into that system or you will be gone).