Trading down (with Portland)

[casey]

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True, very true. By no means am I suggesting we cannot improve at 1-2-3. However, we do have guys who can at least keep those spots warm for now, whereas next year we dont have a single legitimate center on the roster. Filling the hole at center not only means we add (hopefully) scoring and defense; it also means we move Al back to his natural PF position, which I assume will make Al happy.

True, but I don't think that should really factor in to our decisions. It's not like we're going to be a playoff team next year, so I don't think balancing the roster is a high priority. Or at least not with such a valuable piece as our 1st round pick is. We can use a 2nd round pick, free agency, or a trade to do that.

[Worm Guts]

I think a more interesting option (if we get 3-5 pick) would be packaging the pick with the expirings of Walker and Buckner for a restricted free agent in a sign in trade. In some scenarios maybe we also get that teams later first rounder. Who would you guys consider?

Thus, an example is this: Walker + Buckner + Pick for Deng

I don't have my insider pass word with me. Can someone add to this a list of potential RFA's/UFA's we may want to consider in such a scenario. I know there's Igoudala, Okafor... who else?

No No No No. The draft pick and the expiring contracts are assets that be should be used separately.

[MN Die Hard]

True, but I don't think that should really factor in to our decisions. It's not like we're going to be a playoff team next year, so I don't think balancing the roster is a high priority. Or at least not with such a valuable piece as our 1st round pick is. We can use a 2nd round pick, free agency, or a trade to do that.

But I'm not sure there is such a clear-cut guy to take at #3. If Mayo or Bayless or Gordan was clearly the third best player, I would be inclined to agree with you....take the BPA and sort it out later. But after Beasley-Rose there appears to be about 6-8 guys who could be considered at #3, depending on the scouting and needs of various teams.

[andyhop]

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This is because Al is playing out of position at center....that cannot happen forever.

I agree but if we get Beasley or Rose it is likely to happen next year anyway.

Al can do the job as a 5 well enough that it isn't worth reaching for someone there rather than taking the BPA if that happens to be a 1,2 or 3.

If you decide that the best guy is Lopez,Jordan or Hibbert thats fine but if you think Mayo,Gordon or Bayless is the best guy then you have to take them and fix up the centre position later.

[MN Die Hard]

I agree but if we get Beasley or Rose it is likely to happen next year anyway.

Al can do the job as a 5 well enough that it isn't worth reaching for someone there rather than taking the BPA if that happens to be a 1,2 or 3.

If you decide that the best guy is Lopez,Jordan or Hibbert thats fine but if you think Mayo,Gordon or Bayless is the best guy then you have to take them and fix up the centre position later.

I'm not suggesting we reach for someone at 3-4-5 I'm suggesting we trade down, pick up additional assets, and get the player we need to fill a hole later in the lottery.