Draft Thread Continued. 2011 part two...

[Hoopalotta]

Alright, so it looks like Bogut, Deron Williams and Kris Humphries are all shut down for the season with the Raptors playing both the Bucks and the Nets.

Unfortunately, the Raptors are without about four starters and we play the Cavs, but it's still a chance.

Edit --> Hmmm, another angle too: The Raps play Miami at home to finish the season and there's a fair chance that the battle for the second seed will have already been decided by then between Boston and the HEAT. Those teams actually play against one another on Sunday, so a Boston win then would serve our purposes nicely. If Miami stumbles in the next few, they probably rest their starters against Toronto and with the Raps then looking at three winnable games coming up.

In other news, the Hawks pick is currently 18th thanks to a nice three game mud-slide by the Dirty Birds, but the Portland-Memphis-Orleans conglomerate have games against one another, so we could dip to 19th there, though probably not 20th.

[closg00]

Alright, so it looks like Bogut, Deron Williams and Kris Humphries are all shut down for the season with the Raptors playing both the Bucks and the Nets.

Unfortunately, the Raptors are without about four starters and we play the Cavs, but it's still a chance.

Edit --> Hmmm, another angle too: The Raps play Miami at home to finish the season and there's a fair chance that the battle for the second seed will have already been decided by then between Boston and the HEAT. Those teams actually play against one another on Sunday, so a Boston win then would serve our purposes nicely. If Miami stumbles in the next few, they probably rest their starters against Toronto and with the Raps then looking at three winnable games coming up.

In other news, the Hawks pick is currently 18th thanks to a nice three game mud-slide by the Dirty Birds, but the Portland-Memphis-Orleans conglomerate have games against one another, so we could dip to 19th there, though probably not 20th.

Yeah, that Nets vs Raps game is one of our best chances to get back to 4th place...assuming of-course that we lose to ATL tonight.

[nate33]

If we're in the top 4 of the lottery I think we're positioned nicely to draft an impact player. Presuming Barnes declares, I anticipate the top four picks being:

1) Irving
2) Williams
3) Kanter/Barnes
4) Barnes/Kanter

Now the Wiz Kids could use either one of Williams, Kanter, or Barnes and I'd be perfectly happy. I think the scenario that's more interesting is if we fall outside of the top 4. Like many here, I really don't want a project. If Ted's suddenly has a rush of poor luck and we finish 5th in the lottery, would you trade the ATL pick and the 5th to move up 2 or 3 slots or perhaps more? For example:

Cleveland - Irving
Minnesota - Williams
Sacramento - Kanter
Toronto - Harrison
Washington - ???

What would be reasonable trades for the Wiz to get into the top 4?

The only trade there that makes any sense would be if Minnesota really wanted a center and kinda liked Valanciunas. In that case, Valanciunas plus our #18 pick might be enough to move up for Williams... but probably not. Maybe a Blatche for Beasley swap could be incorporated. Don't know what i think about that.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Well the draft combine will sort things out alot... does anyone know when it is??

The measurements and tests will answer alot of questions about some of these guys in terms of projected positions and abilities to physically compete at the next level. Is Kanter more PF than C, is DWilliams more PF or SF, etc.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

As of now, having not personally seen Kanter play, the draft scenario most intriguing to me is getting Derrick Williams with the 1st pick and Chris Singleton with the ATL pick. I love the versatility, athleticism, toughness & D, and attitude we'd add with these two.

If Williams can legit play the 4, and with Singleton's ability to defend multiple positions, these two could form a very formidable frontcourt with their versatility and ability to swap back and forth seamlessly between the 3 and 4 as needed dependent on matchups and situations. Together they could match up very well with anyone, some nights Williams may be at a size disadvantage at the 4, but Singleton has an advantage at the 3. Maybe Singleton is outquicked at the 3 but Williams has a speed mismatch at the 4, etc. But together with their combo of size, strength and quickness they will have certain matchup advantages on a nightly basis.

Add that to a current group of Blatche, Lewis and Booker and our frontcourt is suddenly loaded with size, toughness, ability to score and defend, and versatility. Add in NY's ability to slide up to the 3 (opening some SG pt for Crawford) and add his perimeter game, as well as possibly retaining Evans, and we are looking very solid at the forwards.

Backcourt is looking good with Wall, Crawford and Young. Maybe add some depth here with our 2nd rounder.

Center we give McGee another shot here after hopefully a productive offseason. Assortment of backups here include Blatche, Seraphin, Yi, Ndiaye. Would love to add another vet piece here through FA or trade.

[mhd]

I'd take Perry Jones at 5 and won't lose a second of sleep. He's clearly the most physically gifted prospect in the draft.

[DMVleGeND]

I'd take Perry Jones at 5 and won't lose a second of sleep. He's clearly the most physically gifted prospect in the draft.

[Kanyewest]

There are no TIER I players in this draft. No John Wall. No Blake Griffin. No Kevin Durant. No stars. No certain all-stars either.

Is there a Greg Monroe? Or Brandon Roy. I'll take that.

I'm not buying into the hype that this is a weak draft though; it seems like everybody is saying it every year. I will agree though that it is harder to scout than ever. But look at the 2009 draft which was supposedly the weakest ever and had Griffin, Evans, Curry, Jennings, Harden, Lawson, Collison, and Jrue Holiday. Yup Michael Jordan may not be in this draft, but there certainly be depth, at least I hope.

But yeah, I'm not going to judge this draft in strength until these guys get a few NBA games under their belt.

[no D in Hibachi]

There are no TIER I players in this draft. No John Wall. No Blake Griffin. No Kevin Durant. No stars. No certain all-stars either.

Is there a Greg Monroe? Or Brandon Roy. I'll take that.

I'm not buying into the hype that this is a weak draft though; it seems like everybody is saying it every year. I will agree though that it is harder to scout than ever. But look at the 2009 draft which was supposedly the weakest ever and had Griffin, Evans, Curry, Jennings, Harden, Lawson, Collison, and Jrue Holiday. Yup Michael Jordan may not be in this draft, but there certainly be depth, at least I hope.

But yeah, I'm not going to judge this draft in strength until these guys get a few NBA games under their belt.

The 2009 draft was initially underrated, questioned as one of the worst drafts ever, but now it's overrated because it was underrated. Griffin is amazing, but Evans, Jennings, and Collison have regressed noticably in their second year, Harden still is a bench player, Curry has always been very overrated in my book (Jamison of PG's), and Lawson/Holiday are okay, but you're not winning anything because of them. It appears unlikely that any of the players picked in 2009 will be even the second best player on an elite team besides Blake. That's a poor draft if you ask me. I think 2011 will be more of the same, sans an elite player like Blake.

[mhd]

The worst draft ever was clearly 2000.

[The Consiglieri]

There are varying degrees of projects. If we're 5th or 6th and Irving, Williams, Kanter and Barnes are all gone, I'd go with one of the Euro's. They can mature in Europe during the lockout, where are domestic "projects" like Perry Jones are more likely to languish.

You hit on something I wanted to note on my earlier post about upside guys. If we end up hosed in the lottery, besides perry jones is there any high upside guy left besides the euro's? I can't think of any off the top of my head which is why I'd take a real long look at the euro kids, and your reasoning adds yet another justification for seriously considering them if they project well. The one thing I do not want to do is come away with a role player with limited upside but predictable skill set that can be plugged and played without much risk of a bust, after what we've been suffering through I do not want to play it safe and forgoe all risk in order to land a sure, mediocre thing and a ton of this draft is limited to that, are Atlanta pick should be utilized for a lower risk contributor that has a strong chance of helping us in some relatively helpful way, but carries a lower ceiing. At 4, 5 or 6 (if little goes right in the lottery) i want upside, and a high ceiling.

[no D in Hibachi]

Besides Kanter who are these high upside Euro's? Johnny V? Donty M? I'm just not seeing these guys as "Give them a few years and they'll be all-stars." Johnny V reminds me of a better defensive version (but not great) Kristic, and I really think the most optimistic projection from Donty M is Bargiani. Are they that much more likely to hit their 'high upside' than Perry Jones? I think folks on the board hate on PJ cause he reminds them too much of Blatche and are optimistic over the Euro's because they have nothing else to be optimistic about.

[The Consiglieri]

Besides Kanter who are these high upside Euro's? Johnny V? Donty M? I'm just not seeing these guys as "Give them a few years and they'll be all-stars." Johnny V reminds me of a better defensive version (but not great) Kristic, and I really think the most optimistic projection from Donty M is Bargiani. Are they that much more likely to hit their 'high upside' than Perry Jones? I think folks on the board hate on PJ cause he reminds them too much of Blatche and are optimistic over the Euro's because they have nothing else to be optimistic about.

I don't know how high upside they are. To me, the question is exactly that, because after the top 5 or so domestic players, there doesnt appear to be anyone that has high upside that we can draft domestically. Some guys like Kemba might have more than people think now but do we really need him? Oddly, although they are very different in certain ways, the way Kemba's somewhat underrated in draft evals now reminds me a lot of the underrating of Stephen Curry two years ago, both guys were leaders and totally reliable under pressure, big time big game players, and consistent, and Steph has been the same at the next level, although we don't need him, i do think he may be the most likely to be a legit producer at the next level after the top 4 domestic players.

[MF23]

RealGM: You’re playing along with NBA prospect Jonas Valanciunas. What is your opinion about him?

Strawberry: We call him “Big Time”. I’m telling him that sky is the limit for him. Being as tall as he is, his agility, athletisism and he’s 18-years-old. I look at him as a guy like Pau Gasol. He’s just like him. I told him, ‘work on your game, get your mid-range game down and you’re good’. Jonas is a great player for an 18-year-old and he has a long way to go, learning the game a little bit but that’s going to come with more experience he gets. I’m glad I have a chance to play with him because just playing with him makes the game easier. He’s blocking shots, dunking and he loves to run the floor, dunk and get crowd excited. That’s what he loves to do.

Me likey.

[w dumseld]

Quick question: seems like we have a numbers game.

At guard: 5
Wall, NY, JC, 2nd round pick, and I think this Jeffers guys should stick

SF: 2
Our 1st round pick, Rashard

Bigs: 5
Baltche, Javale, Booker, Seraphin, Atl pick

Does that leave this Owens guy the man out? He looks pretty good so far?

Clearly, Josh Howard, Yi, Mo Evans, and Shakur are gone. N'mdiaye as a 13th man? Sounds like we should package numbers for talent upgrade in the top 7. Should we actually be looking to deal some picks?

[nate33]

Quick question: seems like we have a numbers game.

At guard: 5
Wall, NY, JC, 2nd round pick, and I think this Jeffers guys should stick

SF: 2
Our 1st round pick, Rashard

Bigs: 5
Baltche, Javale, Booker, Seraphin, Atl pick

Does that leave this Owens guy the man out? He looks pretty good so far?

Clearly, Josh Howard, Yi, Mo Evans, and Shakur are gone. N'mdiaye as a 13th man? Sounds like we should package numbers for talent upgrade in the top 7. Should we actually be looking to deal some picks?

We don't have a numbers game. Our roster looks like this:

Guards: Wall, Young, Crawford
Forwards: Blatche, Booker
Centers: McGee, Seraphin

Everyone else is filler.

[eitanr]

I happen to love Terrence Jones and feel if the Wiz draft a 4 or 5 with their 1st pick, they should use their Atlanta pick possible to trade down to the late lotto, or where ever he may fall, to snag this guy.

I truly believe Terrence is the steal of this draft and see those later lotto teams taking some risks on Euros instead. To me the Bobcats could be a candidate there at around the 11th pick. I wouldn't take on Diop or Carroll on in a move-up, but would be interested in just absorbing a small 1 year deal, like Najara. Thoughts?

Also looking at that above rotation I have several thoughts.

I would still look into perhaps dealing nick young via a sign and trade to chicago for like Bogans (expiring) and their 2012 Charlotte pick.

That 2012 pick looks stacked and I'd really want to add more picks to that 2012 bucket if possible. If the Wiz do indeed draft a 4, let's say a Perry Jones type, I'd also consider shopping Blatche for a 2012 pick if possible, but that more depends on a Blatche development etc.

So assuming a possible Chicago deal involving Nick Young AND just going with an assumption Washington lands Enes Kanter via the draft, and perhaps doing my proposed Terrence Jones deal, this could be the theoritical lineup:

PF A. Blatche/ T. Booker
SF T. Jones/ R. Lewis/ E. Najara
C J. McGee/ E. Kanter/ K. Seraphin
SG J. Crawford/ O. Jeffers
PG J. Wall/ E. Preslyc

[Hoopalotta]

If we get the 7th pick, are we allowed to select Greg Monroe?

[w dumseld]

Kind of funny to think of two first round picks as filler. Plus like it or not, Rashard takes up a roster spot next year. So is your point that yes, we should package numbers for talent?

Maybe the better way to ask the question is: who isn't coming back next year?

[nate33]

By filler, I mean guys that don't matter in the long term rebuild. Yes, Lewis is on the roster. He makes it 8 players. Add two first round picks and it's 10. We can carry up to 15 players. There isn't a numbers problem.