Trading back into theLottery?

[london sonic]

If presti packages some players and picks and moves back into the lottery .what player in the lottery would you to add to the 4th pick.

[RiseoftheSonics]

First of all, pretty good idea for a new topic. I really think Presti is going to attack the point guard position with the #4 pick, whether it's Bayless or Mayo, and the guy I think that we need to add to our crew is Kevin Love.

Simple as is, he's fundamentally sound. He's a character guy, adds a very diverse post threat, more so than anyone we currently have right now, and he can start the fast break and he is definitely working on his athleticism as we speak.

Also a change of pace player and can handle the big body guys in the league.

[kjtruong]

I think Arthur fits our system better than Love. Although I haven't heard of how Love may or may not have improved to play in running offense. I think Arthur would be a great fan favorite too with his hops. I'd like to see some Kemp-esque dunks. Wilcox is nice and all, but all his dunks look the same, I want to see some flair.

Westbrook would also be another nice pick up.

I would take Batum if he falls far.

[big L]

Kevin Love should be someone else's gamble, not any team in the top five's. I would certainly take a shot at him with a later pick (which is what you're getting at, I believe)--the teens, maybe.

But let's be honest here: Kevin Love, as an NBA player, is a gamble. A big one. He is a position player who takes advantage of strength and footwork to get position inside. In the paint, college players have trouble with his physicality and skill set, and often don't have the athleticism to recover. In the real league, Kevin Love is going to have some trouble. Most players will be at least as strong as him, regardless of his workouts. Individual defensive recovery is much better across the board in the NBA, to say nothing of help defense.

[RiseoftheSonics]

So he'll be a risk, I say we take it he's athleticism is the only thing I hear people talk about, like seriously, he's footwork, and skill sets are great. He's work ethnic and character are A++. Has some of the best passing ability of any big man in the league from day one, can recognizes double teams really well and we've all heard stories of him working hard. Sometimes you have to take chances, we know what we have with Green, Durant and Collision. But the talent is you take a chance with any player you take in the draft and don't say with Beasly and Rose, there is no risk. There is always a risk ALWAYS. So I would take a chance on a man of his makeup.

[Patches Pal]

I think Gallinari would be a nice pick up. He is kind of a poor mans Mickael Beasley. He has all of the offense of Beasley with better defensive skills. He has not stopped growing and should get bigger and stronger. A 6-9 PF with point guard passing skills is hard to find.

[big L]

Of course everyone's a risk... Love is a BIGGER risk, is all I'm saying. It could be worse... I've seen two De Andre Jordan to the Sonics rumor articles. There's also an article saying that T-Wolves are looking at Love now, which makes very little sense to me.

So who's a bigger gamble: Love or Mayo?

As for Gallinari, have you seen him play? Is he really a good defender? I read on hoopshype that he was an overrated passer.

[Patches Pal]

I have not seen Gallinari play. I read an article where Pat Riley was raving about him, however. Not too much is known about the guy by the fans in the US but I think he is on the radar of the GM's in the league. He could be a surprise pick for somebody.

[djthesonicsfan]

Good thread idea, but here's a contrarian point of view...

I say pick OJ Mayo or J Bayless at #4 and don't trade for another lottery pick.

Adding that #4 pick upgrades the starting lineup big time. If Presti can pick up a couple of solid role players at #24 & #32 that'd be great. And there will be good players avialable to choose from at those spots.

What this team needs most is time for the youngsters to grow up. There's no rushing that. Adding even more youth is only going to make that problem worse.

I think the more interesting question concerns what to do with C Wilcox come next trading deadline.

[Patches Pal]

I would resign Wilcox. Next year teams are going to be tight with their money due to the large number of premium free agents that will be available. Wilcox is not going to get a deal like Rashard. He and Collison are paid about right. I think he will be affordable and could add that young veteran leadership that we need.

[Ex-hippie]

To the original question: what does everyone think it will cost to trade up into the lottery? There isn't a trade value chart like they have in the NFL (the one that I've bashed over on the NFL boards, but leave that aside for now). Could we (1) package two of our second-rounders for a late-first, and (2) repackage this late-first with the #24 for something in the top 13? And which two second-rounders should it be... does it have to be the first two?

[Big_Mac79]

Does New Jersey want Wilcox?
I say trade Wilcox+picks for #10

Then use #10 on a high risk High reward player

[bigballajohn]

Does New Jersey want Wilcox?
I say trade Wilcox+picks for #10

Then use #10 on a high risk High reward player

use it on augustine and draft anthony randolph with the 4th pick

[HeavyP]

I really do not want Randolph. I'd take Kevin Love above him, and I don't want him either. I'd rather draft Brook Lopez at 4 and whoevers left between westbrook or augustin at 10.

[kjtruong]

For me...

Arthur > Love

at least with respect to our system.

I'm suprised you actually want another 7 footer with what we've gone through in the past. I'll admit Lopez is good, but I'll take my chance on a potential superstar. We have plenty other drafts to take another center IMO although I suppose it is true that it generally takes longer to develop a C than any other position.

[HeavyP]

I see Jeff Green as a PF. I see Kevin Durant as a SF. I see Nick Collison as a PF. Everyone else doesn't matter. I would rather use those picks to find spots to fill out our roster (everything besides PF and SF). Lopez isn't a reach at 4, and he's better then the next best C (Jordan) by quite a bit. Whereas the difference between Bayless and Westbrook isn't that large.

If we could get Lopez and Westbrook (or Bayless and Westbrook) I would do back flips..

[djthesonicsfan]

On the trade thread the Raptors seem to be interested in swapping their #17 for our #24 & #32 picks. I actually like that idea. The more I think about it the more I don't see how the Sonics can add more than two rookies this year. They added two last year & they've got two firsts each of the next two summers.

[HeavyP]

I agree DJ, would you be willing to trade #17 + Wilcox for #10. They might be willing to do that even though they don't like 24 + Wilcox.

Or Maybe Charlotte would be interested in that package?

I'd love to get Westbrook with that pick, you could pair him with any of the 3 people we've been discussing.

[kjtruong]

As I said on that trade, I'd do it if I knew I could trade up from the 17.

[Downtown]

I've been thinking about one position no one seems to talk much about. A good number of fans have expressed that Kevin Durant and Jeff Green should move over a position. Where would that leave the Sonics at shooting guard? We've all gone on about the need for a pointguard and center, but have we overlooked the shooting guard position and how Seattle might fill it?

CJ Miles, JR Smith in free agency? Anthony Parker, Josh Childress in a trade? Which draftee could Seattle pick that is a pure shooting guard that is starting quality?

Does it all point back to Durant and Green staying put at the positions they played this season?