Tank Prevention Pick Swap

[Krapinsky]

I mentioned this idea in the power rankings thread and thought it deserved its own topic.

If the Wolves keep winning we could lose our pick to the Clippers (top 10 protected). Our first priority is for the Wolves to keep winning as many games as possible, but at the same time it would suck to lose that pick if it turned out to be 11. That's why I think it might be a good idea to offer the Clippers the rights to the Miami pick for the rights to our pick back. The Clippers might be willing to hedge their risk, since this prevents them from waiting out the pick another year, and in the worst case scenario, having that pick become a 2nd rounder (doesn't that happen in 2012?-- someone help me out there). Thoughts?

[Sejanus]

This is an interesting idea.

[funkatron101]

Is that enough incentive, really?

[Basti]

send Rashad as well to sweeten the deal

[jpatrick]

I don't think the clips do this. The Miami pick looks like it'll be in the mid to late teens...in a weak draft like this years I think they'd be willing to see if they get a higher pick (ours) or just wait another year. I believe in 2011 the protection comes off the pick and they get it no matter how high the pick.

[casey]

I don't see why LA would do that.

[shrink]

Its a pretty interesting idea, and not simply about which pick will be higher. I could see LAC considering this, to insure they get the pick this year to combine with their own lottery pick and their other young players. MIA's the #6 pick now, only five games over being a lottery pick themselves, and if they drop 3-5 games, they could fall out into the lottery. The added risk with the MIN pick is that we're getting better, fast. If MIN slides back in the West and ends up keeping the pick, who knows where they will be next year when they add a lottery pick, use the cap space, cash the other picks, and the young players continue to develop?

[Krapinsky]

I don't see why LA would do that.

Well, whether they get the pick this year is essentially in our hands. If it comes down to the last game of the season, do we rest our starters? Tanking is one thing, but one game is no big deal.

From the Clippers' perspective, maybe there's only a 50% chance they get the pick this year.

Then next year there may be only a 75% chance they get it (still top 10 protected).

By 2011, the Wolves could be in the playoffs and the Clippers could be getting a pick in the late teens/early 20's. That's basically the Miami pick this year.

Fact is, bad teams want to improve now, not wait two more years. The Clippers can't afford to have another season like this. It's clear they need to move some pieces. Getting the Miami pick this year helps them do that. I think all things considered this is a fair deal.

[C.lupus]

I'd at leas toffer it and see what they say. I think worst case (picks-wise) is we win more games and lose our pick. But we do have other assets such as Miami, Utah, and BOS picks, Smith Gomes, etc. that we should be able to combine to get a top-ten pick.

Would something like Smith + #17 pick (Miami) for say the #7 pick be fair value?

[TheFranchise21]

^ No. They already have Randolph so Smith would be redundant. We'd need to throw in a better young player (Brewer) in order to move up that many spots, IMO... not that I want to move Brewer.

Interesting scenario you've presented Mr. Krapster. I definitely agree though that a team will take a valued asset as soon as possible. Just think about whoever their GM is (Dunleavy? Baylor?), they must be on the hot seat right now so they don't have time to wait 1-3 years for a pick. They need whatever they can get right now, provided that it's decent and I would say a mid first rounder is decent.

[the_bruce]

The east is pretty tight. MIA is one or two minor injuries to made to falling out of the playoffs. I wouldnt be shocked at all if the pick is in the lotto this year.