Blazers buy 1st round pick

JTSUCF · Post #1 » by **JTSUCF** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:27 pm

This is the 3rd straight year that they have done this.

It must be fun to have a team owned by a billionaire that will actually spend some money to acquire an additional 1st.

If the Magic were to have the 22nd & 27th picks they could have drafted a good young big guy and probably still gotten CDR, Batum, or Lee at the 27 pick.

I guess the Magic aren't willing to do what it takes to build a champion.

Post #2 » by **damo[23]** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:29 pm

Neither are the 28 other teams that didnt buy the pick.

Blazers must be the only serious team about getting a 'ship.

MagicFan149 · Post #3 » by **MagicFan149** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:35 pm

JTSUCF wrote:This is the 3rd straight year that they have done this.

It must be fun to have a team owned by a billionaire that will actually spend some money to acquire an additional 1st.

If the Magic were to have the 22nd & 27th picks they could have drafted a good young big guy and probably still gotten CDR, Batum, or Lee at the 27 pick.

I guess the Magic aren't willing to do what it takes to build a champion.

or maybe there is someone that the magic like in the 2nd rnd.... and buying a 2nd is in the works... maybe the magic were contacted about buying the 27th and they felt like it would be a reach to take the other guy they liked there ... or portland is the only team that wants to be a champion

TheRevTy · Post #4 » by **TheRevTy** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:38 pm

It could be worse. We could've sold our pick...

JTSUCF · Post #5 » by **JTSUCF** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:59 pm

I would definitely have been furious if the Magic had sold their pick.

The issue I have is that some of the younger big guys are dropping in the mock drafts so the Magic could be in a position where they have to choose whether to go big or small and hope to buy an early 2nd round draft choice to fill the other need. This move could have potentially allowed the Magic to fill both needs with the top players on their draft board.

I am a little worried about the availability of an early 2nd round pick right now. The fact that Portland just bought a 1st round pick makes me feel that they are just going to stockpile more talent and might want to keep their 2nd round picks to draft foreign players. Seattle could do the same with their 4 2nd round picks.

The Magic could end up having to trade something of value to a team to get a 2nd round pick when they could have sent some cash to get an additional 1st round pick and potentially shore up two holes on their roster without effecting the roster.

I just find it maddening to have an owner spend tons of money on Rashard and say that they are committed to spending money to build a champion and then let another opportunity go by the wayside to add talent to the roster.

MagicFan149 · Post #6 » by **MagicFan149** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:13 pm

its the 27th pick bro.... not a 10 time all star... its barely in the first round... so we MIGHT have gotten a rotation player?? maybe it wasnt worth the gauranteed contract plus the 3 mill for the pick... if youre gonna take a gamble take it in the second where there is no gauranteed contract so if the player is a bust you let them walk...

JTSUCF · Post #7 » by **JTSUCF** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:32 pm

I'm not saying that the 27th pick would be a 10 time all-star. However, if you take a look at some mock drafts that have the Magic taking a big guy with their pick, the SG's that have been discussed on this board (particularly Lee or CDR) would still be available at the 27 pick. They might still be available in the early 2nd round but it seems like it would be a stretch.

For example, we could have a draft of Hibbert and CDR or Lee. I think that most people on this board would be very happy with this draft. We would get two experienced players that have been through some tough games in college and would be solild additions to the rotation.

Right now we would be looking at CRD or Lee and hoping to get a pick to draft a guy like DeVon Hardin or maybe Joey Dorsey (Who turns 25 this year).

I think the step up from Hardin or Dorsey to Hibbert would be worth the difference between the price of a 2nd round pick and what the Blazers will be giving up for the 27th pick. Plus, the contracts now are only guaranteed for two years with two team options so its not like the Magic would be stuck in a 5 year deal if they had a late first round pick that was a complete bust.

MagicFan149 · Post #8 » by **MagicFan149** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:35 pm

valid points... we differ on our opinions of the 2nd rnd... i feel the bottom of the first and top of the second is barely different.. i feel that someone like dorsey in the second would fill a need just as well as hibbert....

Optimus_Steel · Post #9 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:36 pm

Sighssssss, we already have posters saying "Why didnt the Magic buy this pick, this sucks they are not trying!". Why would the Magic buy a first rounder when they already have one that is five picks better???

JTSUCF · Post #10 » by **JTSUCF** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:08 pm

I was trying to compare one billionaire owner (Paul Allen) to another billionaire owner (Richard Devos).

One is willing to provide his GM with the resources necessary to add talent any way they can. They paid $3 million for Rudy Fernandez last year and some say he would have been a top 5 or top 10 pick this year. That is what I call a good return on their investment. My thought is that the team could get a couple of guys that fall down because they don't have the upside other teams are looking for but would be solid contributors to a winning team.

The Magic are going to have some tough decisions coming up in terms of Hedo's contract, the use of the MLE, and if the team is willing to pay the luxury tax. The team has shown in the past that they are not willing to pay the tax so I have to go under the assumption that they still do not want to pay the luxury tax. With two huge contracts on the roster and a long extension given to Jameer the Magic will not have a lot of wiggle room in the near future. Two 1st round picks would provide the team with players that will be locked into lower paying contracts for 4 years. If the Magic purchase a 2nd round pick and the guy has a huge couple of years (Like Monta Ellis) they could conceivably lose the guy because the team will have 4 big contracts (Shard, Dwight, Hedo, & Jameer) and would be dangerously close to the luxury tax. The Magic would save some money now but would pay for it down the road. Meanwhile, Portland will be setting up their dynasty with the plethora of talent they have collected over the last few years.

OrlandoMagic · Post #11 » by **OrlandoMagic** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:11 pm

Dude like Ive said before, I would be thrilled if the Magic go Big. I am hoping for Hickson or Hibbert. Than buy a 2nd rd and pick Giddens. Though the Magic need to address their SG slot, we still have 3 SGs as opposed to no real help around Howard, besides Battie and Cook. Hoawrd alone wont scare away enough people to win a championship. And also their will be better talent in our FA class this year at SG than PF/C position. So I would relax. I honestly feel good about what Otis has/is doing with the team. Its our best direction in yrs. And like another poster said maybe buying another 1st rd wasnt worth the guarnteed contract plus 3mill.

Optimus_Steel · Post #12 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:12 pm

JTSUCF wrote:I was trying to compare one billionaire owner (Paul Allen) to another billionaire owner (Richard Devos).

One is willing to provide his GM with the resources necessary to add talent any way they can. They paid $3 million for Rudy Fernandez last year and some say he would have been a top 5 or top 10 pick this year. That is what I call a good return on their investment. My thought is that the team could get a couple of guys that fall down because they don't have the upside other teams are looking for but would be solid contributors to a winning team.

The Magic are going to have some tough decisions coming up in terms of Hedo's contract, the use of the MLE, and if the team is willing to pay the luxury tax. The team has shown in the past that they are not willing to pay the tax so I have to go under the assumption that they still do not want to pay the luxury tax. With two huge contracts on the roster and a long extension given to Jameer the Magic will not have a lot of wiggle room in the near future. Two 1st round picks would provide the team with players that will be locked into lower paying contracts for 4 years. If the Magic purchase a 2nd round pick and the guy has a huge couple of years (Like Monta Ellis) they could conceivably lose the guy because the team will have 4 big contracts (Shard, Dwight, Hedo, & Jameer) and would be dangerously close to the luxury tax. The Magic would save some money now but would pay for it down the road. Meanwhile, Portland will be setting up their dynasty with the plethora of talent they have collected over the last few years.

The Magic at times have had some of the largest payrolls in the league.

Cammo101 · Post #13 » by **Cammo101** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:15 pm

Orlando does not want another 1st round pick. Picks this late have negative value which is why you can get it for cash. Picks this late are the equivalent of getting a second round caliber player with a guaranteed contract. We will likely buy a second round pick, where we can get a player similar to what we could get at #27, without having to pay him for the next 4 years if he sucks.

Just because Portland makes bad moves to stay busy does not mean the Magic need to.

magicman123 · Post #14 » by **magicman123** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:20 pm

if you can just buy a 1st round pick that easy, granted its the 27th, im hoping we somehow find another pick in the draft...

maginno · Post #15 » by **maginno** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:29 pm

prorl wrote:Sighssssss, we already have posters saying "Why didnt the Magic buy this pick, this sucks they are not trying!". Why would the Magic buy a first rounder when they already have one that is five picks better???

27 is kinda low so its not a big deal to me. A little higher and I could see some projects there. I'm intrigued by Ibaka who may go anywhere from 23 24 to very early second round. So the answer to your question is the second pick affords you the opportunity to take a swing at a high potential but probably raw player like him.

surflawyer · Post #16 » by **surflawyer** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:36 pm

I dont think that Portland is going to use the pick. They want to move up in the draft and will package something with their picks to do just that.

With regard to the "guaranteed" nature of the late first round picks, that is only a valid argument if your draft pick is a bust. Right now we are going to have to throw LLE money at some schlub to fill our roster anyway. Id almost rather have a lower first round pick than double the salary and rent some other teams trash for the LLE. A 27th pick gets roughly $800k as compared to a LLE which is closer to 1.25 mil.

drsd · Post #17 » by **drsd** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:37 pm

The pick has a guaranteed salary. And a second-round pick does not. Basically, 27 vs. 31, there's not really a talent difference. But there is a big difference in the commitment the team must make.

The Magic have recently been very active in buying/selling 2nd rounders. And it looks like the Magic have asked around if any are on the table.

maginno · Post #18 » by **maginno** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:09 pm

surflawyer wrote:I dont think that Portland is going to use the pick. They want to move up in the draft and will package something with their picks to do just that.
l.

Yes thats a good strategy. If we were considering trading Redick with two lower picks it would be interesting. I won't fault Otis for not buying a first round pick. That doesn't happen all that often but its a good move by a Gm and I agree with you about the players you get in an LLE anyway.

PimpORL · Post #19 » by **PimpORL** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:13 pm

Is it sad that I when I opened this thread I thought the Blazers bought it from us? That's Otis's idea of a move.

MitchellUK · Post #20 » by **MitchellUK** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:39 pm

maginno wrote:
prorl wrote:Sighssssss, we already have posters saying "Why didnt the Magic buy this pick, this sucks they are not trying!". Why would the Magic buy a first rounder when they already have one that is five picks better???

27 is kinda low so its not a big deal to me. A little higher and I could see some projects there. I'm intrigued by Ibaka who may go anywhere from 23 24 to very early second round. So the answer to your question is the second pick affords you the opportunity to take a swing at a high potential but probably raw player like him.

From what I can tell, and the (very) limited footage of Ibaka I saw when living in Europe, he is one of those high risk, high reward types. He's got equal chances of being a star or an utter bust. With a low 1st rounder, I don't think it hurts that much to take a risk on him. However I think I'd only be comfortable with that risk if the Magic also acquired another pick or two, and used one of the slots to draft a guy who is likely to contribute something immediately (CDR, Lee, Thompson, Hibbert). Then sending Serge out to the D-League, or leaving him in Europe for a couple of years, would not seem so bad. One thing is for sure, if he ever was to fill out (which would probably be essential for him to succeed in the NBA) and cash in some of his potential, having Ibaka and Dwight manning the paint would be the stuff that frontcourt dreams are made of.