RealGM

My vote would be to take OO and call it a day.

I would take Deni, OO or Haliburton/Hayes

I voted to trade down. But when it comes to LaMelo I am torn. I am a fan of his so I would be happy if we drafted him. I would rather trade for Terry and trade down. I would much rather Hayes, Ball or Terry. Anyone else in the top 10 I want to stay clear from

Either take killian or trade down

On 2nd thought I would draft him and Agree to trade with the Knicks only if Terry were there. The reason why is because the Knicks would more than likely be willing to trade 8 and 2 future 1st rather than just 1 for Ball.

I have been advocating trading down, but I'm starting to be convinced by the argument that if your GM has a top 3 pick and can't select someone with value, your GM isn't going to put together a winning franchise. Take your guy, whoever it is.

Drafting LaMelo or trading for Terry would probably be better than selecting Hayes. LaMelo would give an instant Buzz (and maybe is even good enough to sustain that buzz) and Terry would give us extra picks (assuming we trade back to acquire him)

I'd take Hayes in this scenario.

Honestly think someone is trading up for Ball before us. But if it comes down to it and he's there, I see what other teams will give us in the 4-8 range.

If UNCNYC's trade of 2 future 1sts + 8 is there, you don't blink and say yes.

_tijo_ wrote:Honestly think someone is trading up for Ball before us. But if it comes down to it and he's there, I see what other teams will give us in the 4-8 range.

If UNCNYC's trade of 2 future 1sts + 8 is there, you don't blink and say yes.

I'm seeing rumbles of pick #10 and Oubre for #2 and whatever. If that were to happen, I could definitely see the Suns taking Ball at 2 - LaMelo reeks of Phoenix.

I dont care about a players ability to generate buzz ticket sales or any of that nonsense

It's easy for us to say 'trade down' but it's going to be more difficult in practice for the team to actually do it. I would just take OO or Hayes or whomever.

Liver_Pooty wrote:I dont care about a players ability to generate buzz ticket sales or any of that nonsense

buzz can have MAJOR benefits to a franchise.

1. It can KEEP help keep your franchise in existance. Many teams stay around (even though they don't win) due to having players people care to watch and who generate revenue.

2. The more tickets you sell the LOUDER the fans are that attend the games. That "should/could equate to more home wins.

3. Players with BUZZ have the ability to attract other BIG NAME players AND coaches.

4. Players who provide BUZZ can help land your team on national TV.

Its one of the reasons I "think" the bulls or one of those teams drafted Carl Lewis the track star. They did it even tho he never played the sport. To add a face to the franchise

Left with Lamelo? More like lucky enough to have him still on the board. Drafting Lamelo will set this franchise up for great success and I expect him to help improve every single player on this roster with his crisp passing, rebounding, and shooting. Lamelo Ball is a phenomenal prospect and it would take a HUGE offer for me to even consider trading down.

No one in this class is going to bring people to games. Even if they could, they aren't going to stay there if we don't win.

The Carl Lewis example is a terrible example, that was back when the draft had 10 rounds (!!) and he was their 10th round pick. He never played a game. Not sure he's the example you want to go with of a team drafting someone to put butts in the seats.

Just draft Okongwu, or trade down a couple spots if one of Chicago, Detroit, New York wants to give us some nice pieces

UNCNYC wrote:

Liver_Pooty wrote:I dont care about a players ability to generate buzz ticket sales or any of that nonsense

buzz can have MAJOR benefits to a franchise.

1. It can KEEP help keep your franchise in existance. Many teams stay around (even though they don't win) due to having players people care to watch and who generate revenue.

2. The more tickets you sell the LOUDER the fans are that attend the games. That "should/could equate to more home wins.

3. Players with BUZZ have the ability to attract other BIG NAME players AND coaches.

4. Players who provide BUZZ can help land your team on national TV.

Its one of the reasons I "think" the bulls or one of those teams drafted Carl Lewis the track star. They did it even tho he never played the sport. To add a face to the franchise

The only "Buzz" we're going to get by drafting Ball is people laughing at us like they do about Adam Morrison, Sean May, and Frank Kaminsky

Barring a notable exception or two, still not a lotta LaMelo love ‘round here.

Curious – anyone recall another instance, historically-speaking, where mocks have been overwhelmingly bullish on a player (LaMelo is a top 3 fixture), while fans have been generally bearish, and FO’s seem conflicted? Strange dynamic. Even most draft busts had a significant base of support from all three.

Liver_Pooty wrote:I dont care about a players ability to generate buzz ticket sales or any of that nonsense

Winning generates ticket sales. Not a guy who's known for being the son of a loud mouth.

316Hornets wrote:Left with Lamelo? More like lucky enough to have him still on the board. Drafting Lamelo will set this franchise up for great success and I expect him to help improve every single player on this roster with his crisp passing, rebounding, and shooting. Lamelo Ball is a phenomenal prospect and it would take a HUGE offer for me to even consider trading down.