Phase II: The Draft

[McG]

So now that the dust has settled with the passing trade deadline the next phase of the Sonics' rebuilding plan will be the upcoming draft. Our insane number of picks has been well documented but for the purpose of continuing to build our core of players I think it would be interesting to look that the 2 that will have the most immediate impact for our team: our #1 and Phoenix's #1.

As it stands now, our pick will probably be somewhere in the 1-5 range, although Phoenix's could be much more volatile, anywhere from 20-30. If the season ended today it would be #26. I'm going to work with a realistic assumption that Presti trades up in the draft with this pick and our 2nd rounder. Let's say we move up just outside the lottery, somewhere from 15-20. My question to you is who are the two pieces that have the best chance of adding to the long-term foundation of our team?

If we follow what seems to be management's current strategy and consider Durant (at the 2) and Green (at the 3) as our only untouchables we obviously need a) a PG and b) a big man. So what's the best combination to build around Durant and Green? Here's an early outline of our prospects:

Pick-1 PG's
Derrick Rose
Jarryd Bayless
Eric Gordon (a possible stretch)
OJ Mayo (ditto)

Pick-2 PG's
DJ Augustin
Ty Lawson
Darren Collison

And the bigs...

Pick-1 Bigs
Michael Beasley
Brook Lopez
DeAndre Jordan
Marcus Speights (according to RealGM...)

Pick-2 Bigs
Roy Hibbert
Kevin Love
Darrell Arthur
Hasheem Thabeet
Ryan Anderson
Richard Hendrix
Kosta Koufos
Jordan Hill

I'm only listing current college players as I know pretty much nothing about the international prospects, but a few will certainly work their way into these lists so feel free to add any you're knowledgable about. Some of these players will obviously move up and down from now until late June (of completely off whether underclassmen declare or not) but I think this is a pretty reasonable attempt at who we would take early vs. late. So who do we choose? The only guidlines are we're building around KD and Green so try to compliment them as best as possible. Fire away...

[Argyle]

Some of my quick notes on players you mentioned.

OJ Mayo-

I went to the WSU-USC game and what you didnt see on the sportscenter recaps is Kyle Weaver COMPLETELY dominating him. True he's a freshman, but OJ didn't do squat the first half and had an OK second half. I wouldnt count on him being a lock at all. More of a Sebastian Telfair sad story.

Eric Gordon-

I don't think he's a stretch in terms of quality prospect, but maybe as a pure PG. But people said the same about Chris Paul and Baron Davis, and they seem to be doing ok. I'd like to see him in green and gold.

Kevin Love-

Nick Collison clone. Meh.

Hibbert -

Interesting.

Lopez twins-

Watched them vs WSU, not terribly impressed, although they are definitely solid players. Don't think they'll become NBA allstars though.

To be honest, nobody is really exciting me this year.

[Patches Pal]

Beasley seems like the only sure bet in this draft. If the team gets the chance I would draft him. Jeff Green, who plays the same postion could be traded for another lottery pick. Green plays SF a postion that requires scoring. He does not score enough for my tastes. Beasley is a scoring machine. Then I would use the additional lottery pick to select either Bayless or Brook Lopez. It appears that many of the Center prospects may stay in school. Next year may be a better year for a Center. With the low first round pick I would target Kyle Weaver, or another shooter like Brandon Rush, Chris Douglas-Roberts or Ryan Anderson. Nathan Jawaii is an intreging prospect, as well.

[big L]

I think your ratings are solid. Beasley and Rose are sure bets. DJ Augustine is my sleeper, and I think it's a no brainer if he's available with the Phoenix pick (can't see that happening). I'd like to see us package Ridnour and Wilcox/Collison on draft day and see what we can get (a player more than a pick).

I would like to spend one of our second round picks on Greivis Vasquez if he declares.

You can check out http://www.draftexpress.com/ for international scouting, by the way.

[sonic-ben]

If we follow what seems to be management's current strategy and consider Durant (at the 2) and Green (at the 3) as our only untouchables we obviously need a) a PG and b) a big man. So what's the best combination to build around Durant and Green? Here's an early outline of our prospects:

Pick-1 PG's
Derrick Rose
Jarryd Bayless
Eric Gordon (a possible stretch)
OJ Mayo (ditto)

Pick-2 PG's
DJ Augustin
Ty Lawson
Darren Collison

And the bigs...

Pick-1 Bigs
Michael Beasley
Brook Lopez
DeAndre Jordan
Marcus Speights (according to RealGM...)

Pick-2 Bigs
Roy Hibbert
Kevin Love
Darrell Arthur
Hasheem Thabeet
Ryan Anderson
Richard Hendrix
Kosta Koufos
Jordan Hill

SONICS #1 PT GUARD OR A CENTER

HOPEFULLY WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE UP ... NOT LIKELY THOU

IBAKA 6-10 40 IN VERTICAL WOW ATHETIC
WEAVER 6-5 DEFENSIVE PLA PLAYER

[Argyle]

-= original quote snipped =-



SONICS #1 PT GUARD OR A CENTER

HOPEFULLY WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE UP ... NOT LIKELY THOU

IBAKA 6-10 40 IN VERTICAL WOW ATHETIC
WEAVER 6-5 DEFENSIVE PLA PLAYER

I'd like to see Weaver with our first 2nd round pick (low 30s)

[Frozenropers]

Actually, I don't agree with your assessment of where Durant and Green will be long term. I see Durant moving to the SF and Green PF in the near future.

With that in mind.........if we get lucky in the lottery and end up with the first pick.....I take Beasley...hands down best player in the draft.

Now if we don't end up with the first pick....I like Rose #2, but outside of that this is the direction I go........lets say we get the #3 pick......I go this direction..

#3 pick: Jerryd Bayless, PG

I think Bayless will be a PG in the NBA and I think he's going to be a good one.

Then, with the second pick (Phoenix's first rounder) I go Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG. Has good size for the SG position, and can score. Slasher type.....gets after it.


And with the early 2nd round pick, I go with

Joey Dorsey, PF/C

We need some "nasty" in the paint and Dorsey is just the guy to give us that attitude.

So to recap, here is what our first three picks look like in my expected draft.

1. Jerryd Bayless, PG
2. Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG
3. Joey Dorsey, PF/C[/b]

[HeavyP]

It's hard for anyone to look good against WSU. You have to watch them play against other competition too. That being said, I like OJ Mayo a lot. He has become a much better team mate and player over the course of just this year. However I think I'm on the Draft Michael Beasley and sign Calderon with the FA money bandwagon (am I the only one on it? Maybe.) My plan B would be draft Derrick Rose and sign Monta Ellis with the money. Kyle Weaver isn't my favorite pick for the sonics second first round pick, and I'm even a huge fan of his (even if he is a coug). However, as a 2nd round pick I'd be okay with that.

[Hiphophead101]

Im feelin this guy

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/sergeibaka.html

[Yoshi2kx]

1. Rose
2. Ibaka
3. 2 guard

Rose is sometimes compared to Payton, and Ibaka to Kemp, so wouldn't it be fun to get "Payton" and "Kemp" in the same draft?

[Det the Threat]

First of all, very nice thread.

Could we maybe re-name it to something like Sonics 2008 Draft Thread and sticky it?

As far as our picks go:

I think Derrick Rose is the guy we're shooting for here and i don't really see Beasley being what we need, with Durant and Green already here, but i also recognize that it would be hard to pass on him, if we'd pick at #2, with Rose already gone.

Though, i really think we should go for a guard with our own pick and my order for that would be:

Derrick Rose > Jerryd Bayless > OJ Mayo > Eric Gordon

The first 3 guys i mentioned should be able to play the point guard spot for us, with Rose being more of a traditional, pass first, point guard, while Bayless and Mayo are more of a scoring point guard.
Eric Gordon, to me, will not become a point guard and is purely a scorer, who could have the same problems like Chicago's Ben Gordon, in that he's a bit too short to play the sg position, but not good enough of a playmaker to play the point guard position.

There are also some things to look at, if we land one of those guys.
If Rose is coming to the Sonics, then we'll need to pair him with a shooter like, for example, his Tigers teammate Chris Douglas Roberts.

If we do end up with Bayless or Mayo, then having a sg that can set up the offense and defend the bigger guards would be great, which would make a guy like Washington State's Kyle Weaver very interesting for us. He'd also be someone to look at, if we'd end up with Eric Gordon, because Weaver could also set up the offense and defend the bigger guards, while Gordon tries to keep up with opposing point guards.


I also fully expect Presti to be very active around the draft and on draft night, trying to trade up and add another solid piece to the puzzle, using Wilcox, Marshall's expiring and all those other picks we've got.

If Presti can't get anything done(i doubt that he can't) and we keep that Suns and our own 2nd round picks, then there are some interesting guys at the late 1st round we could look at.

If they don't plan on re-signing Swift, then there are a couple of interesting big man, we should look at.

DeVon Hardin of California could become a real good defensive big, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds.

If he wants a big that can shoot, then California's Ryan Anderson is a guy to look at. He's playing very well and is regarded as one, if not the, best players in the Pac-10 this season. He's also not your typical soft shooting, white big, as he's grabbing around 10 boards per game as well.

UConn's Hasheem Thabeet, who's having a great season so far, could be a guy to look at, if we want to fill that center spot with a guy that blocks shots and rebounds the ball.

Serge Ibaka would be a risky pick that could either turn out great or waste another 1st round pick. He's got some nice athletisicm and could be the second coming of Shawn Kemp. Though, he could also be nothing more then a great athlete that won't do anything in this league.

If Presti doesn't nessecery wants to fill a hole and go for BPA with that pick, then there are some nice options as well.

Kyle Weaver of Washington State could be a versatile guard that either starts next to a scoring guard or comes off the bench, helping us with his versatility.

Bill Walker of Kansas State plays the same positions as Green and Durant, but you always need a 3 good swingmen and he could fill in at that position.

The same goes for Kansas Brandon Rush, who's a really good defender and would look good, as the guy coming off the bench, backing up the sg and sf spots.

I'd be very happy if we could land Joey Dorsey with any of our 2nd round picks. He's, unlike our bigs, a guy that is build like a rock and won't be pushed away by anyone, while also playing solid defense, blocking some shots and grabbing rebounds.

Other guys that could be interesting are Idiana's DJ White, Rider's Jason Thompson, Vanderbilt's Shan Foster, Oregon's Bryce Taylor, Colorado's Richard Roby, Western Kentucky's Courtney Lee.

[wiff]

I'm not greedy. If Beasley and Rose are both gone, I can easily live with Bayless.

Beasley's great and all but we have a bigger pressing need at the point. And both those guys are going to be very good pg's in the league.

But I would take Beasley of Bayless if Rose happens to be drafted number 1.

[chad42]

I would go with

Rose
Bayless
Gordon

I also really realy like Russell Westbrook from Ucla


also from the highlights ive seen Ibaka seems closer to Keon Clark than the shawn kemp

[Ex-hippie]

A few semi-educated thoughts:

The more I see Bayless, the more iffy I am about his game. He looks like the next Monta Ellis, and maybe in the right system he can succeed. But he'll have to play alongside another guard with combo-guard skills for it to have a chance to work. In turn, that means Durant won't be able to play the 2 anymore. That might not be such a bad thing, but it does mean we will still need to shop for that other guard. Otherwise, this type of player racks up big stats but doesn't really win much. Look no further than his current team, which has him and another likely lottery pick in Chase Budinger, and looks NIT-bound.

Among the top guards, leaving aside the Sonics' particular needs, I would say Rose > Gordon > Bayless > Mayo. Gordon isn't really what we're looking for but the guy is going to be really good.

D.J. Augustin is playing really well this year, but his lack of chemistry with Kevin Durant was palpable. As a team they underachieved in a big way. Some of that has to be the fault of Rick Barnes. In any case, Augustin is undersized and looks like a really good backup to me. I like Collison and Lawson better. But none of them is likely to be there past the #20 pick.

[big L]

If Rose goes first, we have to pick Beasley despite our PGs' shortcomings. Beasley's offense is just too polished to pass up, and he will contribute right away.

[D5150]

^^^^^^^^^^^^

yep, and the way watson has been playing lately i wouldn't be upset going into next season with him at the point. thats IF he can keep it up. but if the sonics slip to 3 or 4, then you go with the "best available player" regardless of position.

[wiff]

Don't look now but the Sonics currently have the 4th worst record. If this was last years lottery they would end up drafting 7th. Ick!

[Downtown]

I agree with Dets group of players with the Suns pick. Drafting that low you can only put together a grouping and see which of those players are left.

I also agree with Hippies assesment of Bayless. Monte Ellis is a fairly good comparison. But I like that. I don't see anything wrong with having a scoring guard. Plus Bayless can pass well and play defense. I know this isn't a fair comparison, but the Warriors have Baron Davis AND Ellis in the backcourt together as scorers, yet they still get the ball to teamates. I like the idea of Bayless and Durant being the go to guys with the rest of the cast being the complimetary players, although to have any success you need an inside scoring threat.

My dream scenario would be to try and trade Wilcox, one of our centers, and one of the future first round picks we have to Golden State for Andre Biedrins. Put him, Collison, and Green together with Bayless and Durant and it's a nice group. Of course trading some curent players need to happen to balance the roster but that's for a different topic.

As for the next Sonics picks, Det had some nice players selected. I like the idea of adding some college players that are seniors. Having four years under their belts will be a benefit to the team when the coach introduces plays and coming off the bench these guys have to have a good understanding of things. We only need to look at our three young centers to see the result of throwing raw players into the mix. You don't get much out of it.

Jason Thompson, Courtney Lee, Devon Hardin are pretty good graduating college players. Kyle Weaver, Brandon Rush, Richard Hendrix, and the big, raw center from Australia( can't recall his name) all would be worthy of second round picks.

So that's kind of how I see it. My first choice is to trade for experienced NBA players, and I was dissapointed with the Cavs/Bulls trade since I wanted to see just one solid asset come back, which we didn't get.

But this is a draft thread so I'll leave that one alone.

[D5150]

i like the idea of adding biendrins, but the supes might be able to just sign him outright. he is restricted, but golden state might not match. but if they do, then yeah, the sonics seem to have the assets to trade for him.

[Downtown]

The thing is that money really isn't a tough obstacle between the Warriors and Sonics. Both teams have sizeable trade exceptions to get around any salary matchups.

As a matter of fact the Warriors are a pretty good team to be raiding this year. One of my favorite, under the radar players is Kellena Azubuike. He is also a free agent and would be absolutely dynamite as a strong, athletic first off the bench player at shooting guard for the Sonics. Players like him and Biedrins are a good fit not only for what they bring but both are young enough to grow with the Sonics for the future.

Golden Stae has a few players they need to re-sign, with Monte Ellis being one of them. Their focus could be on other areas and a team could sweep in and scoop a couple of good players from them or do a sign and trade package that could help Golden Stae out.

I think how they do in this years playoffs is going to determine what Chris Mullin does this offseason. But I love the Warriors game and I'm picking them as a darkhorse to upset a team or two. I'm going to go with the underdogs this year and cheer for them and the Hornets to meet in the Western finals. The big boys of Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Los Angelas can reflect on how their mid season big trades didn't get them anywhere.

Of course that's just wishful thinking on my part, not reality.