Around The NBA 2.0

[HornetJail]

Or maybe if we are too good we can trade the #8, #13, #14 to get into the top 5. Probably unlikely. Too bad this isn't the NFL draft.

That's more likely than you think. The unlikely part is Charlotte getting three picks between 8-15. There will be a team that's picking in the top 5 that is more concerned with depth, or feel like the player that they really want may drop. Charlotte would probably have to take on a bad contract though to get into the top 5 with three late lottery picks

The 2014 draft could be ten-deep with guys who would've been #1 picks in 2013. I see us landing right around 7-9 the way we are currently or maybe a spot or two lower if we tank toward the end of the year. I see Portland and Detroit both in the 10-16 range. Worst case scenario is that 10 teams out-tank us, but that's unlikely right now. If we go into the draft with #8, #12 (Detroit), and #14 (Portland), I would think we could package #12 and #14 for a second pick inside the top 8. Package those two together, and we're definitely in the top 5, maybe even the top 3. Al Jefferson might also be one hell of a trade chip.

[doc.end]

I am not gonna lie I prefered to have a shot at our choice of Exum/Winslow in 2015 with that DET pick. But that's unlikely now.

I am assuming Okafor will go first in 2015.

[Elden Payton]

Per the WT Detroit has agreed terms with Josh Smith for 4/56.

The Detroit pick is looking likely to be ours next season.

[Eoghan]

I think that Detroit pick has the potential to be really nice for us. Smith is not a great fit for them and his contract hamstrings other FAs they can get unless they cut CV or somebody. Any lineup with Smith at 3 is going to be terrible from the perimeter, Knight-KCP-Smith-Villanueva-Drummond is probably the best they can do on that front. Hell of a defensive frontcourt if they play Smith, Monroe, and Drummond together though.

The biggest reason I'm optimistic about this is that Mo Cheeks is a terrible coach and his 3 best players are bigs. He'll misuse the hell out of those guys I bet.

[Benjamin Linus]

I'm pulling hard for the Hawks to sign Monta Ellis to a massive contract.

It will cap them out as a first round exit for years to come, but it will make them competitive enough this season to potentially help all three of our draft picks.

[LamarMatic7]

I'm late to the discussion but don't forget that Biedrins and Jefferson have expiring contracts. The Jazz are in full re-build mode.

[Diop]

I think Golden State have had a good off season, Speights is a decent replacement for Landry.

A scorer off the bench, they just need a decent back up Pg and defensive center to really seal it.

should be an interesting team to watch.

[LamarMatic7]

I think Golden State have had a good off season, Speights is a decent replacement for Landry.

A scorer off the bench, they just need a decent back up Pg and defensive center to really seal it.

should be an interesting team to watch.

Zach Lowe believes they've taken a step closer to being contenders by signing Iguodala. Yet their bench still looks one player short to me. They need a back-up guard who can handle the ball (perhaps, Iggy could do some of this?) and give Curry rest and one more big considering that Bogut may break down at any point and all they would be left with would be guys who are more suited for the 4 in Lee, Speights, Barnes, Green and Iguodala. That would be back to being the worst rebounding team in the league.

Imo, they're very close to taking a step backwards just because of how injuries might affect them.

[Diop]

They're not done signing players, Iggy is becoming a sign n trade so they gain some more flexibility.

But injuries will dictate their season.

[HornetJail]

I think Golden State have had a good off season, Speights is a decent replacement for Landry.

A scorer off the bench, they just need a decent back up Pg and defensive center to really seal it.

should be an interesting team to watch.

Zach Lowe believes they've taken a step closer to being contenders by signing Iguodala. Yet their bench still looks one player short to me. They need a back-up guard who can handle the ball (perhaps, Iggy could do some of this?) and give Curry rest and one more big considering that Bogut may break down at any point and all they would be left with would be guys who are more suited for the 4 in Lee, Speights, Barnes, Green and Iguodala. That would be back to being the worst rebounding team in the league.

Imo, they're very close to taking a step backwards just because of how injuries might affect them.

I think GS has done a great job. Bogut/Lee/Barnes/Thompson/Curry was a scary starting five last season, and now they add Iguodala, an all-star caliber wing who can also be a secondary ball-handler. If they weren't already contenders, they definitely are now. I'd be interested to see whether they bring Iguodala off the bench as the primary ball-handler. With Marreese Speights and Draymond Green holding down the backup big man spots, all you really need is a little extra insurance for Bogut's and Curry's ankles and a bunch of three point shooters.

Bogut's health should be a major concern. He wasn't healthy all season, and as a result GS was a 6 seed. Once he was healthy, they were legit and only the Spurs could slow them down. I would look to move Bogut for a more reliable defensive big man (Asik? )and some extra depth personally.

[LamarMatic7]

^Well, yes, those are basically also my thoughts. I agree.

[MPM]

I think I'd be remiss not to mention what an absolute class act the Los Angeles royalty have been in the wake of D12 leaving for Houston.

From Phil Jackson to Ice Cube, from Shaq to Kobe, they've really shown their true colors. Kudos.

Wouldn't expect anything less from LA - so self important. It absolutely rips them apart when people don't love them.

Fans I can understand, but these guys know the business.

(BTW, I love it when LA gets shafted - I used to live for those Bobcats beat downs)

[Diop]

I think Golden State have had a good off season, Speights is a decent replacement for Landry.

A scorer off the bench, they just need a decent back up Pg and defensive center to really seal it.

should be an interesting team to watch.

Zach Lowe believes they've taken a step closer to being contenders by signing Iguodala. Yet their bench still looks one player short to me. They need a back-up guard who can handle the ball (perhaps, Iggy could do some of this?) and give Curry rest and one more big considering that Bogut may break down at any point and all they would be left with would be guys who are more suited for the 4 in Lee, Speights, Barnes, Green and Iguodala. That would be back to being the worst rebounding team in the league.

Imo, they're very close to taking a step backwards just because of how injuries might affect them.

I think GS has done a great job. Bogut/Lee/Barnes/Thompson/Curry was a scary starting five last season, and now they add Iguodala, an all-star caliber wing who can also be a secondary ball-handler. If they weren't already contenders, they definitely are now. I'd be interested to see whether they bring Iguodala off the bench as the primary ball-handler. With Marreese Speights and Draymond Green holding down the backup big man spots, all you really need is a little extra insurance for Bogut's and Curry's ankles and a bunch of three point shooters.

Bogut's health should be a major concern. He wasn't healthy all season, and as a result GS was a 6 seed. Once he was healthy, they were legit and only the Spurs could slow them down. I would look to move Bogut for a more reliable defensive big man (Asik? )and some extra depth personally.

its a HUGE risk, but I think a healthy Bogut is a lot better than Asik and I would keep him and role the dice.

Curry's play in the playoffs got all the attention, but Bogut had some big games as well, when he played well they won.

[MPM]

Dallas:

Plan A: Dwight Howard
Plan B: Andrew Bynum
Plan C: Al Jefferson
Plan D: Chris Kaman
Plan E: Greg Oden
Plan F: Kwame Brown
Plan G: The moldering husk of Erick Dampier
Plan H: An abandoned Volvo station wagon.

[fatlever]

volvo station wagon has length, great motor and is tough to move out of the paint. i'd get that guy for MLE if i was the mavs.

[doc.end]

volvo station wagon has length, great motor and is tough to move out of the paint. i'd get that guy for MLE if i was the mavs.

Prone to be called for defensive 3 seconds though.

[countryboi]

volvo station wagon has length, great motor and is tough to move out of the paint. i'd get that guy for MLE if i was the mavs.

the volvo would still play more games than oden and kaman

[fatlever]

AK47 signing with the nets breaks my heart. he is one of my all-time faves. i'm happy he will finally get a chance to go deep in the playoffs, but i hate that its for one of the superteams. and of course everyone suspects some kind of shady russian under the table dealings here. whatever.

that being said, the nets look really slow on paper. i think a team with a lot of speed could give them some trouble.

[Liver_Pooty]

AK47 signing with the nets breaks my heart. he is one of my all-time faves. i'm happy he will finally get a chance to go deep in the playoffs, but i hate that its for one of the superteams. and of course everyone suspects some kind of shady russian under the table dealings here. whatever.

that being said, the nets look really slow on paper. i think a team with a lot of speed could give them some trouble.

A young athletic team would give them fits.

[HornetJail]

AK47 signing with the nets breaks my heart. he is one of my all-time faves. i'm happy he will finally get a chance to go deep in the playoffs, but i hate that its for one of the superteams. and of course everyone suspects some kind of shady russian under the table dealings here. whatever.

that being said, the nets look really slow on paper. i think a team with a lot of speed could give them some trouble.

A young athletic team would give them fits.

We are going to win the season series against them this year. Book it.

Kirilenko said he was going to take less money to win, plus he donates a lot of his salary anyway. I don't think money is much of an object to him. He'll probably opt out next summer and play for the minimum.

volvo station wagon has length, great motor and is tough to move out of the paint. i'd get that guy for MLE if i was the mavs.

the volvo would still play more games than oden and kaman and bynum put together

fixed