#3 pick

[Bluewhale]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AdamMKaufman/status/733630691955474433[/tweet][tweet]

The 8 names are

Simmons, Ingram, Bender, Brown, Murray, Dunn, Hield, Okfaor.

We know it without asking.

[Fidel Sarcasmo]

Edit: Also is there any reason to think PG is actually on the table? I don't get why he would be. A trade of this pick seems preferable...except for who it seems is actually available.

There have been no credible reports that George is on the trading block. The source of that rumor is Bill Simmons and I take everything he says with a grain of salt.

Heck, Bill Simmons was on the radio this morning advocating a 3/16/23/31/35/Nets 2017 for #1 this year.

I would love to know who it was and who it was for.

[Taget]

Right now I am not buying Bender. To me he seems like the Kandiman. A mythical beast in a far off land who is rewarded rather than penalized for their obscurity. With the key difference being Michael Olowokandi dominated at the University of the Pacific and Bender has not exactly been dominant playing in the State of Israel. Which doesn't mean he couldn't still develop. But that may be into FIBA level rather than NBA level talent. I can still see taking him and hoping he gets better stats overseas to enhance his trade value later. And a trade with Phoenix to give them bender in a 3/16 for 4/13 would certainly be something to look at. But I have little faith that bringing him to the states, particularly this year would pay as any dividends at all.

What I would do right now if I was the Celtics is express over the top interest in the kid and even leak to the press made up stuff about off the chart workouts and try to tempt the Lakers (or someone who wants to trade with us) into a very unwise gamble.

Now I could be wrong. I have long been skeptical about overseas prospects and have been proven wrong. But I'll take the bet of a star on one level crossing over to a new and higher level over just crossing your fingers on someone completely unproven.

As for the rest of the draft I don't feel that strongly about anyone else yet. But the history of past drafts tells us this. We have seen countless times one or both top two picks being surpassed by those lower in the draft. Even when those top two are consensus top two picks. We have seen this happen countless times. While the ping pong balls did not go the way we want #3 is not the worst perch to get a potential franchise changing player from. Won't say I know who that is. Just hope Danny finds out who it is!

[GuyClinch]

Heck, Bill Simmons was on the radio this morning advocating a 3/16/23/31/35/Nets 2017 for #1 this year.

How is that crazy? Ben Simmons is the next Lebron.. If you believe that you make that deal in a heartbeat. In the NBA one superstar is worth more then a half-dozen good players..

[ddb]

Heck, Bill Simmons was on the radio this morning advocating a 3/16/23/31/35/Nets 2017 for #1 this year.

How is that crazy? Ben Simmons is the next Lebron.. If you believe that you make that deal in a heartbeat. In the NBA one superstar is worth more then a half-dozen good players..

I would absolutely do that deal. It's not outlandish at all..Remember, when LeBron was SIXTEEN Ainge was quoted as saying there were only 4 or 5 players LEAGUE WIDE that he wouldn't deal for LeBron James...At the time, you'd have to imagine he was talking about Duncan, KG, Kobe, and maybe Shaq. Anyway, back to my point....If Ainge feels like Ben Simmons is his bet bet to land a superstar talent, then Philly is actually a good trade partner because Simmons in a lot of ways doesn't fit their current roster (not that Philly should make a decision based on that) AND Simmons probably doesn't even want to go there. So Ainge could leap over the Lakers and steal Simmons....

[Edug27]

Heck, Bill Simmons was on the radio this morning advocating a 3/16/23/31/35/Nets 2017 for #1 this year.

How is that crazy? Ben Simmons is the next Lebron.. If you believe that you make that deal in a heartbeat. In the NBA one superstar is worth more then a half-dozen good players..

I would absolutely do that deal. It's not outlandish at all..Remember, when LeBron was SIXTEEN Ainge was quoted as saying there were only 4 or 5 players LEAGUE WIDE that he wouldn't deal for LeBron James...At the time, you'd have to imagine he was talking about Duncan, KG, Kobe, and maybe Shaq. Anyway, back to my point....If Ainge feels like Ben Simmons is his bet bet to land a superstar talent, then Philly is actually a good trade partner because Simmons in a lot of ways doesn't fit their current roster (not that Philly should make a decision based on that) AND Simmons probably doesn't even want to go there. So Ainge could leap over the Lakers and steal Simmons....

Philly would have to be head over heels in love with Bender or Hield. You'd probably have to throw in Smart as well. Mainly because the Sixers do not have to do a deal.

[ConstableGeneva]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Tom_NBA/status/734745566186504192[/tweet]Too many busts! That's 10/28 from 2000-2013 drafts. Why didn't it work out for these guys? Is Evan Turner considered a bust?

[Edug27]

If they don't hit multiple home runs in FA they are going to hand over lotto picks in 2 of the next 3 years. And until they get someone that can win a basketball game then go to a bar and order a drink afterwards all they have to sell in FA is beaches and movies.

The young players they have are nice but the idea that Lakers fans have of Randle/Russell with one of Ingram/Simmons being ticketed for Finals appearances is comical IMO. They are good but not anywhere remotely near that good.

I despise the Lakers, but think DRuss will be an absolute stud.... And Ingram as well. If those players were in green, you'd probably say the same. I mean hell, we love scrubs like Smart and Mickey.

IDK I just think a guy has to be a two way player to be in that stud category. Sure they are nice (except Randle who I think is Faried at best), but I'd throw most of this team's best assets in the pile for George. Hell I'm positive I was posting in our draft thread about Russell at Ohio State before he was even in mock drafts, let alone a projected lotto pick.

I guess it just seems like a case of shiny new toy scenario to me. I'd take George and a legit shot at other heavy hitters in FA but if they won't pony up the good stuff in trades then great because that only helps the outlook here.

Harden, KD, Steph, Nash, Kyrie, Lillard... Any of these players known for their defense? Or am I completely out of the loop.

[sully00]

Edit: Also is there any reason to think PG is actually on the table? I don't get why he would be. A trade of this pick seems preferable...except for who it seems is actually available.

There have been no credible reports that George is on the trading block. The source of that rumor is Bill Simmons and I take everything he says with a grain of salt.

Heck, Bill Simmons was on the radio this morning advocating a 3/16/23/31/35/Nets 2017 for #1 this year.

U say no. Or does philly say no?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

The biggest issue is PHI already has 24/26 and Lakers '17 it just isn't that great of an offer . I don't think PHI can trade #1 after all of these years of tanking they have to take the player.

The real question to me is would LAL rather have Ingram, or Bender and BRK '17. Would Boston do that? I wonder love to know what LAL and Boston' board looks like and how close is it?

[Edug27]

Danny's pre-draft to-do list....

1. Call up Larry for George
2. Call up Morey for Harden
3. Call up Colangelo for Okafor
4. Call up Forman for Butler
5. Get a vibe for whether the Lakers are truly looking to move their pick and see if you can take advantage to move up
6. Get a feel for how special Hield can be
7. Get a feel for how special Bender can be

[ddb]

Danny's pre-draft to-do list....

1. Call up Larry for George
2. Call up Morey for Harden
3. Call up Colangelo for Okafor
4. Call up Forman for Butler
5. Get a vibe for whether the Lakers are truly looking to move their pick and see if you can take advantage to move up
6. Get a feel for how special Hield can be
7. Get a feel for how special Bender can be

yep. Add Cousins to the list too.

Ainge is going to smokescreen the **** out of Bender between now and draft night. Get ready for multiple articles about how much the Celtics are "in love" with Bender. Ainge is going to leverage the success of Kristaps and leverage the "unknown" element to Bender...It's a fantastic angle. I LOVE Buddy Hield, but I ultimately think Ainge will draft Bender and include him in a trade package for an established All-Star. That's my bet

[Edug27]

There have been no credible reports that George is on the trading block. The source of that rumor is Bill Simmons and I take everything he says with a grain of salt.

Heck, Bill Simmons was on the radio this morning advocating a 3/16/23/31/35/Nets 2017 for #1 this year.

U say no. Or does philly say no?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

The biggest issue is PHI already has 24/26 and Lakers '17 it just isn't that great of an offer . I don't think PHI can trade #1 after all of these years of tanking they have to take the player.

The real question to me is would LAL rather have Ingram, or Bender and BRK '17. Would Boston do that? I wonder love to know what LAL and Boston' board looks like and how close is it?

Great points. Philly would get destroyed for passing up on Simmons/Ingram. Zero chance that happens. Lakers won't pick Bender, because hes too much of a project. Ingram is more plug and play. A lot comes down to Indy. Are they ready to rebuild? If they are, do they love Bender? If they do, does Larry still have green in his blood? If he does, then .....

[ConstableGeneva]

Danny's pre-draft to-do list....

1. Call up Larry for George
2. Call up Morey for Harden
3. Call up Colangelo for Okafor
4. Call up Forman for Butler
5. Get a vibe for whether the Lakers are truly looking to move their pick and see if you can take advantage to move up
6. Get a feel for how special Hield can be
7. Get a feel for how special Bender can be

I'd extend 1-4 to every GM who has a top 40 player. You just never know if a certain GM would find whatever you have attractive enough.

[KFL]

I know i'm in the minority but I really like Jaylen Brown

[165bows]

I despise the Lakers, but think DRuss will be an absolute stud.... And Ingram as well. If those players were in green, you'd probably say the same. I mean hell, we love scrubs like Smart and Mickey.

IDK I just think a guy has to be a two way player to be in that stud category. Sure they are nice (except Randle who I think is Faried at best), but I'd throw most of this team's best assets in the pile for George. Hell I'm positive I was posting in our draft thread about Russell at Ohio State before he was even in mock drafts, let alone a projected lotto pick.

I guess it just seems like a case of shiny new toy scenario to me. I'd take George and a legit shot at other heavy hitters in FA but if they won't pony up the good stuff in trades then great because that only helps the outlook here.

Harden, KD, Steph, Nash, Kyrie, Lillard... Any of these players known for their defense? Or am I completely out of the loop.

Yeah that's fine you can be a stud if you re a top 5 offensive guy and bad on D. He has no hope of being like those first four though IMO, Lillard/Irving level is a possibility but that's the ceiling and no guarantee. But the floor is like an OJ Mayo.

[ddb]

I know i'm in the minority but I really like Jaylen Brown

he sorta has that Russell Westbrook-out of UCLA thing about him....If you remember correctly Westbrook only averaged 12.5ppg as a sophomore and "experts" were picking him apart leading up to the draft.....but he had that freakish ability factor going for him which in alot of ways reminds me of Jaylen Brown. Different positions, sure....but NOBODY can deny the fact that Jaylen Brown is a physical freak much like Westbrook.
OKC "reached" for Westbrook at #4. I bet Phoenix goes for Brown at #4. And Brown is a great fit in Pho as well with Devon Booker slated at the 2 which helps with floor spacing to enable JBrown and the PG's (Knight, Bledsoe) to penetrate

[2Mas]

Danny's pre-draft to-do list....

1. Call up Larry for George
2. Call up Morey for Harden
3. Call up Colangelo for Okafor
4. Call up Forman for Butler
5. Get a vibe for whether the Lakers are truly looking to move their pick and see if you can take advantage to move up
6. Get a feel for how special Hield can be
7. Get a feel for how special Bender can be

yep. Add Cousins to the list too.

Ainge is going to smokescreen the **** out of Bender between now and draft night. Get ready for multiple articles about how much the Celtics are "in love" with Bender. Ainge is going to leverage the success of Kristaps and leverage the "unknown" element to Bender...It's a fantastic angle. I LOVE Buddy Hield, but I ultimately think Ainge will draft Bender and include him in a trade package for an established All-Star. That's my bet

I hope to life you're right. I would love that.

Think only Okafor & Butler miiight be realistic, but either of those would be awesome to get.

[2Mas]

I know i'm in the minority but I really like Jaylen Brown

he sorta has that Russell Westbrook-out of UCLA thing about him....If you remember correctly Westbrook only averaged 12.5ppg as a sophomore and "experts" were picking him apart leading up to the draft.....but he had that freakish ability factor going for him which in alot of ways reminds me of Jaylen Brown. Different positions, sure....but NOBODY can deny the fact that Jaylen Brown is a physical freak much like Westbrook.
OKC "reached" for Westbrook at #4. I bet Phoenix goes for Brown at #4. And Brown is a great fit in Pho as well with Devon Booker slated at the 2 which helps with floor spacing to enable JBrown and the PG's (Knight, Bledsoe) to penetrate

Yup, I agree with you. Unless Bender is there at 4. If we pass on Bender, then PHX goes with him (imo of course).

But after that, jay Brown would be great there. Big, physical, a really nice compliment to Booker.

Bledsoe - Knight
Booker
Brown

Future 1-3 set up for a while. Maybe Len figures it out too. But yeah, PHX killed it with Booker last year. Puts them ahead of the curve nailing a pick like that.

[Edug27]

I know i'm in the minority but I really like Jaylen Brown

he sorta has that Russell Westbrook-out of UCLA thing about him....If you remember correctly Westbrook only averaged 12.5ppg as a sophomore and "experts" were picking him apart leading up to the draft.....but he had that freakish ability factor going for him which in alot of ways reminds me of Jaylen Brown. Different positions, sure....but NOBODY can deny the fact that Jaylen Brown is a physical freak much like Westbrook.
OKC "reached" for Westbrook at #4. I bet Phoenix goes for Brown at #4. And Brown is a great fit in Pho as well with Devon Booker slated at the 2 which helps with floor spacing to enable JBrown and the PG's (Knight, Bledsoe) to penetrate

YES!. I also thought of Russ when watching Jaylen's highlights a couple days ago. I just don't know if Jaylen has that "switch" that Russ has and is what makes him so special. You also have to think of players like Demar Derozan.

[Slartibartfast]

I know i'm in the minority but I really like Jaylen Brown

he sorta has that Russell Westbrook-out of UCLA thing about him....If you remember correctly Westbrook only averaged 12.5ppg as a sophomore and "experts" were picking him apart leading up to the draft.....but he had that freakish ability factor going for him which in alot of ways reminds me of Jaylen Brown. Different positions, sure....but NOBODY can deny the fact that Jaylen Brown is a physical freak much like Westbrook.
OKC "reached" for Westbrook at #4. I bet Phoenix goes for Brown at #4. And Brown is a great fit in Pho as well with Devon Booker slated at the 2 which helps with floor spacing to enable JBrown and the PG's (Knight, Bledsoe) to penetrate

YES!. I also thought of Russ when watching Jaylen's highlights a couple days ago. I just don't know if Jaylen has that "switch" that Russ has and is what makes him so special. You also have to think of players like Demar Derozan.

DeRozan I think is his best case - and DeRozan's development of a solid passing game to complement his volume slashing was certainly a surprise to me.

I think Maggette is more likely. Great frame, excellent slasher, solid rebounder. Nothing else.