General (Non-Wiz) Draft Discussion

[LyricalRico]

WireTap has the Celtics, Rockets, and Knicks interested in acquiring the #2 overall pick. It's pretty clear that the Celtics don't have what it would take to get it. Houston probably doesn't either. But the Knicks could trade one of their expirings and the #8 for Marko Jaric and the #2.

The only problem with that is that everybody else in spots 3-7 can offer the same thing. Maybe NY would have to kick in a future first.

[Kanyewest]

^^

If the Celtics are trading for Rubio, it's entirely possible that they put Rondo on the table, who has already been the subject of trade rumors for Amare.

[LyricalRico]

^^

If the Celtics are trading for Rubio, it's entirely possible that they put Rondo on the table, who has already been the subject of trade rumors for Amare.

So...Rondo and expirings for Jaric+2? I don't see the appeal for Memphis unless they really don't like Conley and already have other teams interested in trading for him. But hey, it's the Grizzlies so anything's possible.

I also question it from a Celtic's perspective. They'd be moving at least 3 players to match up salaries so that's going to kill their depth (don't forget they already may only re-sign one of Powe/Davis). And then there's the question of whether Rubio, although talented, is ready to be the floor general for a contender from Day One. That's a big risk to take for a team that's only got a year or two left in their champtionship window.

[Kanyewest]

Well if Boston is interested in acquring the #2 pick I guess they do expect that guy to contribute from day 1 or the rumor is completely baseless. Doc Rivers has already indicated that he was unhappy with Rondo in the post game conference to close the season. Rivers has also come down on Rondo in the 2006-2007 season for pouting on the court.

Rondo is certainly an upgrade over Conley and could be an interesting guard to pair with Mayo in the backcourt. Like the Wizards in 04, maybe the Grizzlies need to trade some potential into a quality veteran. Chris Wallace is also their GM, the same guy who promised to draft Gil with one of his 3 first round picks and didn't and he is the same guy who traded Joe Johnson for Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk.

I don't know if the Celtics would want to trade Marco Jaric if they can re-sign Marbury and they do decide to draft Rubio. The Celtics could compensate by playing House at the point, or allowing Paul Pierce/Ray Allen to bring up the ball.

[LyricalRico]

Well if Boston is interested in acquring the #2 pick I guess they do expect that guy to contribute from day 1 or the rumor is completely baseless. Doc Rivers has already indicated that he was unhappy with Rondo in the post game conference to close the season. Rivers has also come down on Rondo in the 2006-2007 season for pouting on the court.

That info is new to me. And I agree that if Boston pulls this off they much believe that Rubio is ready. But is he really? I guess when you look back at Doc's offense, they really didn't have much need for a true PG. You couldn't leave Rubio like you could leave Rondo, but you also take a step back defensively.

I dunno, I guess I'm just not a "Rubio guy". If I was, I'd probably be more intrigued by this from a Boston perspective.

[verbal8]

WireTap has the Celtics, Rockets, and Knicks interested in acquiring the #2 overall pick. It's pretty clear that the Celtics don't have what it would take to get it. Houston probably doesn't either. But the Knicks could trade one of their expirings and the #8 for Marko Jaric and the #2.

The only problem with that is that everybody else in spots 3-7 can offer the same thing. Maybe NY would have to kick in a future first.

I see NY more likely to trade up to get the Wizards or Wolves pick and getting Curry. Yeah it seems that Houston has two possible trade pieces TMac and Battier. I really don't see either them being what the Grizzlies are looking for. I also don't see a Rondo deal really helping either team.

[LyricalRico]

^ Exactly. Why wouldn't Boston simply help Rondo get better rather than starting all over having to develop a guy who's completely new to the NBA? Rondo for Rubio doesn't make any sense to me.

[LyricalRico]

With news of Jordan Hill slipping, if the Mavs really want him they can probably deal with either GSW or Toronto. GSW might take JRue Holiday to pair with Monta Ellis so I'm thinking Hill falls to #9. Howard to the Raptors for the #9 doesn't sound too far off and Toronto would probably go for it to finally get wing player who can create their own shot and be a compliment to Bosh. And if Dallas also waived Stack they'd save enough to re-sign Kidd/Bass and use their MLE without paying much luxury tax. Trevor Ariza anyone?

Dampier/Bass
Nowtizki/Hill(#9)
Ariza/Budinger(#22?)
Wright/Terry
Kidd/Barea

That's actually not far off from the team they had last year. The lose some production dropping from Howard to Ariza but they make up for it with Hill's potential and Budinger's scoring off the bench.

[closg00]

Do you think we'll see a story a-day about how Curry wants to play for the Knicks until June 25?

[LyricalRico]

Now that we know who's officially in/out, let the mock drafts begin!

1. Blake Griffin (LAC)
2. Hasheem Thabeet (MEM)
3. James Harden (OKC)
4. Ricky Rubio (SAC)
5. Stephen Curry (WAS)
6. Tyreke Evans (MIN)
7. Jrue Holliday (GSW)
8. Jonny Flynn (NYK)
9. DeMar DeRozan (TOR)
10. Jordan Hill (MIL)
11. Gerald Henderson (NJN)
12. James Johnson (CHA)
13. Brandon Jennings (IND)
14. BJ Mullens (PHX)
15. Earl Clark (DET)
16. DeJuan Blair (CHI)
17. Jeff Teague (PHI)
18. Austin Daye (MIN)
19. Ty Lawson (ATL)
20. Tyler Hansbrough (UTA)
21. Eric Maynor (NOH)
22. Chase Budinger (DAL)
23. Terrence Williams (SAC)
24. Nick Calathes (POR)
25. Taj Gibson (OKC)
26. Wayne Ellington (CHI)
27. Darren Collison (MEM)
28. Rodrigue Beaubois (MIN)
29. Sam Young (LAL)
30. DaJuan Summers (CLE)

That's my first stab at it. The next one will have explanations and possible trades.

[LyricalRico]

The Knicks reportely trying to get up to #2 for Rubio. They'd have to give up the #8 plus a future first and also swap Mobley's insurance paid deal for Jaric IMO. Would they really jeapordize their 2010 plan for Rubio?

[nate33]

The Knicks reportely trying to get up to #2 for Rubio. They'd have to give up the #8 plus a future first and also swap Mobley's insurance paid deal for Jaric IMO. Would they really jeapordize their 2010 plan for Rubio?

The Knicks are projected to have something like $28M in cap space in 2010. A max contract is roughly $17M. The way I see it, they have two options. They can either try to dump Jeffries or Curry (which won't be easy) and go for two max players, or they can just try to retain roughly $18M in cap space and go after one max player. If they go with the second option, they have the flexibility to absorb Jaric. Although, doing so will result in them letting Lee go.

[Dat2U]

My stab at a mock draft:

1. LAC PF Blake Griffin
2. MEM PG Ricky Rubio (trade w/ MIN for PF Kevin Love)
3. OKC PG Stephen Curry
4. SAC PG Jonny Flynn
5. WAS PF Jordan Hill (trade w/ PHX for PF Amare Stoudemire)
6. MIN C Hasheem Thabeet
7. GSW SG Tyreke Evans
8. NYN PG Jrue Holiday
9. TOR SG James Harden
10. MIL PG Brandon Jennings
11. NJN SG Demar DeRozan
12. CHA SG Gerald Henderson
13. IND PF DeJuan Blair
14. PHX PF Earl Clark
15. DET PF James Johnson
16. CHI SG Terrence Williams
17. PHI PG Ty Lawson
18. MIN SF Austin Daye
19. ATL PG Eric Maynor
20. UTA PG Darren Collison
21. NOH PG Jeff Teague
22. DAL SG Chase Budinger
23. SAC SF Omri Casspri
24. POR PG Nick Calathes
25. OKC SG Wayne Ellington
26. CHI PF DaJuan Summers
27. MEM C B.J. Mullens
28. MIN SG Sergey Gladyr (trade w/ MEM for 2nd pick)
29. LAL PG Rodrique Beaubois
30. CLE SF Sam Young

31. SAC PF Josh Heytvelt
32. WAS PG Nano De Colo

[spaceman_E]

I thought the reported Memphis - Minny deal was going to be love + #6 for the #2? If that's true, I think the Grizzlies would be silly not to do that trade. I figure Rubio would go 2, then Harden but would Sacramento go for Thabeet or try to move down and grab a PG later in the top 10? If I were Memphis I would try to move back up to no.4 then and take thabeet to pair with love, even offering marc gasol if I had to for no.4 and maybe another useful player.

Conley
Mayo
Gay
Love
Darko/Thabeet

A lot of people don't believe in Hasheem but if he pans out, that lineup could be pretty deadly.

[LyricalRico]

My latest mock with trades:

1. Blake Griffin (LAC)
2. Ricky Rubio (MEM)
***
Grizzlies trade: Marko Jaric, and rights to Rubio
Blazers trade: Blake, Outlaw, Bayless, and #24
***
3. Hasheem Thabeet (OKC)
4. Jonny Flynn (SAC)
5. Jordan Hill (WAS)
***
Wizards trade: Etan, James, Blatche, and rights to Hill
Suns trade: Amare Stoudamire
***
6. James Harden (MIN)
7. Stephen Curry (GSW)
8. Tyreke Evans (NYK)
9. DeMar DeRozan (TOR)
10. James Johnson (MIL)
11. Gerald Henderson (NJN)
***
Nets trade: rights to Henderson
Bulls trade: #16 and #26
***
12. Ty Lawson (CHA)
***
Bobcats trade: Radmanovic, Mohammed, and rights to Lawson
Sixers trade: Sam Dalembert and #17
***
13. Jrue Holliday (IND)
14. Earl Clark (PHX)
15. BJ Mullens (DET)
16. Tyler Hansbrough (CHI) * - traded to NJN
17. Terrence Williams (PHI) * - traded to CHA
18. Austin Daye (MIN)
19. Brandon Jennings (ATL)
20. DeJuan Blair (UTA)
21. Eric Maynor (NOH)
22. Chase Budinger (DAL)
23. Jeff Teague (SAC)
24. Taj Gibson (POR) * - traded to MEM
25. Sam Young (OKC)
26. Wayne Ellington (CHI) * - traded to NJN
27. Derrick Brown (MEM)
28. Rodrigue Beaubois (MIN)
29. Josh Heytvelt (LAL)
30. DaJuan Summers (CLE)

[spaceman_E]

Looking at our deal from the other side, what is Minny planning with their picks? Looking at their roster they really need everything except a PF. I guess they could take Curry and Evans and call it a night but I wonder if they couldn't maneuver something like Love + 18 for #2 + Darrell Arthur? Rubio or Thabeet would be really nice for them and if memphis aint down for that, just 5 + 6 for #2 and change would probably work.
Bottom line, if the Wolves don't move up I see them as losers in this draft.

[spaceman_E]

ooo or maybe #5, #6, + Kevin Love for Rudy Gay + #2(Thabeet)?

[LyricalRico]

Sacramento takes two PGs back to back? Interesting. Is Flynn insurance in case Rubio takes longer to develop then they'd like?

[LyricalRico]

Good lord! Minny has like 800 point guards now!

[LyricalRico]

Okay, Lawson is going to Denver. Makes A LOT more sense.