Buying a pick...

[D21]

I know there's a lot of people here thinking we don't need rookies anymore, that we are young enough and need to add veteran help, but even if it doesn't help too much, getting one more player can also help making future trades.

So, why POR is able to buy a pick one more time while ATL (and others) has no pick in this draft ?

They will certainly get the 27th pick from NOH : Link

I think it is a little bit important because it goes over our arguments since POR is also a young team with enough young players, that everybody will say that they need veteran help,... and thing to note, they had a better record than us : 41-41 (for people thinking they are in rebuilding mode) while playing without Oden and Fernandez coming this year.

Your thoughts ?

[killbuckner]

My thoughts are that the ASG isn't exactly swimming in cash, particularly with the Belkin thing hanging over them.

[playa_lev]

I can't believe this ... They are stealing every year in the late first round. They were buying the best pg prospect from Europe Sergio Rodriguez, and a year before that Linas Kleiza.

It's ridiculous.

[evildallas]

Rumor is they have a specific target they want and feel it is worth it to get them. What I think is interesting is that they have 2 high 2nd rounders and if they waited on draft night I'm sure someone late in the 1st round would have done that swap to get out of a guaranteed contract.

I'm fairly certain that Atlanta won't be buying a pick, not even sure what the going rate is for a 2nd rounder. Maybe if Portland and Seattle keep their plethora of 2nd round picks they'll use them on European futures and some useful players will fall to 61, 62, and 63 (to quote Rick Sund). If I'm Sund I'm prepared to call some disappointed young players right after the draft and say "we didn't have a pick, if we did you would have gotten taken. Come down to Atlanta and prove that everyone made a mistake by passing on you." If we can get a bulky PF (I expect the better ones to get drafted), a 3rd PG (possible), an outside shooting thread (really possible), or a change of pace C (also not as likely as most will be drafted) into camp maybe a few stick at the end of the bench.

Names I'm watching for (arranged by position, not value or need):
Sean Singletary (Short, fast PG)
Chris Lofton (might be an undersized 2, but I would love for him to get a chance)
Bryce Taylor (explosive SG, hoping for a slip)
Keith Brumbaugh (high risk, high reward SG/SF. A lot of raw talent)
Shan Foster (SG with range)
Pat Calathes (Tall SF with an outside shot)
Josh Duncan (PF, not the bulkiest but has talent)
David Padgett (not great health history, but has skills at C)

Do I advocate signing all of them? Well, not to guaranteed deals but to speculative offers. It's the cheaper alternative to buying a pick. You're betting on the field as opposed to getting the rights to one player. If a couple of them stick they can get the rookie minimum. The problem is that you are competing with other teams for these undrafted free agents attention. That is why I advocate contacting them right after the draft.

Before anyone says it, I know we need to add some vets to the rotation. It helps to be realistic on our chances though giving our cap situation. We'll be filling the end of the roster with minimum salary deals. We should be looking at undrafted rookies, d-leaguers, and players returning from overseas hoping that we find this year's Jamario Moon. Maybe no one beats out Mario and Jeremy, but maybe they do.

[td00]

As far as players not being drafted to choose from, add the following to the list:

James Mays - Clemson PF
Joe Crawford - Kentucky SG

These are 2 guys who will make a roster in the near future. Get on them early, and give them some kind of guarantee to get here in advance of the summer league.

As far as vets, Randolph Morris, Aaron Gray, Patrick O'Bryant are some of those names that really haven't gotten minutes yet and could be brought in here and provide some upfront depth.
Solomon and Salim just haven't done much in their limited time here, and I don't think they shake the limitations they have under the only head coach they have known since they came here.

[evildallas]

I really that about James Mays because I loved him a few years back at Clemson (big admittance from a Duke fan). The reason I left him off was the injury problems that held him back. He'd be an interesting guy to bring in though. I don't know much about Joe Crawford.