Pick #2?

[Grizzfan777]

Say the Grizzlies land the 2nd pick...would you draft a player to keep them on the team, or would you trade the pick? This is assuming BG goes #1.

Personally I would try and trade the #2 and other players to another team like the Kings for Jason Thompson (If they got pick #1)...the grizz could trade something like:

Darrell Arthur
2nd Overall Pick (Rubio/Jennings)

FOR:

Jason Thompson
Donte Greene

It is looking like Greg Monroe is going back to college and Hill is starting to lose appeal with his lackluster play lately. We could hold tight and get a guy like Hill, but in this scenario the trade I proposed gets us a guy who is putting up great numbers who is young still and plays good defense + a guy who can make the 3 pointer. Sign Warrick and draft Damion James (Orlando) Dionte Christmas (2nd round) and we could be a 35 win team with:

C-Gasol/Haddadi
PF-Thompson/Warrick
SF-Gay/James/Greene
SG-Mayo/Ross/Christmas
PG-Conley/Jaric
______________________

Other possibilities That would be nice...

Chris Bosh (resigned)
David Lee
Brandon Wright
Anthony Randolph

SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

[Downtown]

Every draft has at least a couple players that seperate themselves from the pack. Last year it was the trio of Rose, Beasley, and Mayo(although Love, Westbrook, and Gordon have played exceptional). Before that it was Oden and Durant. But this year it's all about Blake Griffin and there hasn't been another player that has risen above the rest to establish himself as the second best without debate.

Trading down is always an option I like if you have a player targeted from the other teams roster plus you have worked out a player that you really like that you think will fall to the position you trade down to. Kind of a two for one deal. So count me in on trading down as long as the right deal is there to be made.

I think Chris Bosh is a premier player but I also think there is a definite risk of losing him after he becomes a free agent so it makes little sense to rent a player for one season if you're not going to be in a position to challenge for the top.

David Lee is a restricted free agent so he's off the list to trade for at the draft. Brandon Wright is a possibility but I wouldn't give up the #2 pick for him. Anthony Randolph I'd have to seriously think about. He's been playing great ball lately and seems to have shaken off the shackles Don Nelson had him in for the better part of the season. I think there's alot of upside in the kid.

Over a year ago I posted everywhere that my Seattle Sonics should look at getting another draft pick in the teens to take Jason Thompson. I really like his fundamentals and he would be a perfect compliment to the more high profile scorers on the Grizzlies, and I think he would work well with Marc Gasol. But the #2 is too high for him.

I would at least try to see if the Timberwolves would give up Kevin Love straight across for the #2 pick since Love would be the second best player in this years draft. But the way he's played this season, even though they already have Al Jefferson at power forward, makes it any easy decision for Minnesota to decline.

So it's a tough call to find the right match of a player that would have equal value to Memphis as the #2 pick would. Who knows, Jordan Hill might wow them in workouts and if Memphis did have the #2 pick Hill might just be the right player.

But I fully expect Memphis to pick bwteen #4-#7.

[I Am Awesome-O]

If Memphis gets the #2 pick, I think they should take Rubio and trade Conley. Rubio looks like he is going to be the superior player, and Conley will bring back a lot of value.

If Sacramento landed the #1 pick, I would look to swap Conley for Jason Thompson straight up, as both teams would fill a significant position of need with that trade so the Kings would most likely at least be intrigued by the offer. Or Memphis could offer something like Conley and our 2009 2nd round pick to Golden State for Anthony Randolph.

There are other options, but the point I am trying to make is that trading Conley could help us fill that enormous hole at PF. Trading Rubio would give us more value back, but I like Rubio too much as a player to just give him away without seeing what we have with him.

[SD2042]

I doubt Rubio is expected to be drafted that high. Top 10 maybe. I understand wanting to trade Conley elsewhere to get a player that best fit this roster. Butt o draft Rubio in the top three is a bit questionable right now. The draft workouts haven't even started just yet.

[I Am Awesome-O]

I doubt Rubio is expected to be drafted that high. Top 10 maybe. I understand wanting to trade Conley elsewhere to get a player that best fit this roster. Butt o draft Rubio in the top three is a bit questionable right now. The draft workouts haven't even started just yet.

Every mock draft/draft expert has had Rubio as the #2 prospect in this year's draft behind Griffin for a long time. IMO it's pretty obvious that he is the 2nd best player that is going to be available in the draft. He and Griffin are the only two players that have a real chance of stardom.

[jman3134]

I doubt Rubio is expected to be drafted that high. Top 10 maybe. I understand wanting to trade Conley elsewhere to get a player that best fit this roster. Butt o draft Rubio in the top three is a bit questionable right now. The draft workouts haven't even started just yet.

Um, what?!

Rubio should be the number 1 pick imo. Blake's athleticism is just hard to overlook at this point. Ricky clearly has more potential imo.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Rubio should be the number 1 pick imo. Blake's athleticism is just hard to overlook at this point. Ricky clearly has more potential imo.

I disagree with this on so many levels.

[Grizzfan777]

well either way what would you do? Keep the 2nd pick or trade it? We could land Rubio or trade for a PF

[jman3134]

Rubio should be the number 1 pick imo. Blake's athleticism is just hard to overlook at this point. Ricky clearly has more potential imo.

I disagree with this on so many levels.

Ok, what are a couple?

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Unproven at the NBA Level.

May develop as an offensive force, may not.

Is 2-3 years behind Griffin in the development cycle.

[grizzleGM]

I just read an article that was talking about Rubio's $6mil buyout... The author had the opinion that it is more likely that he will be in next year's draft. Now I can't find the article.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

The buyout is another reason.

As is his family/entourage - they will likely try to manipulate where he goes.

There's also the acclimation to living in the US.

There's also the maturity factor, he's only 18 - you want him running your club. He may well end up being "wise and mature beyond his years", but so far he's only shown this in a VERY stable and protected environment - not for an NBA club, in an NBA city with NBA fans.

[BarbaGrizz]

Rubio is my #1 too.

Unproven at the NBA Level.

BG is also unproven at the NBA level. And the Spanish League is WAAAAAYYYYY more stronger than NCAA, and Ricky is already a star there.

May develop as an offensive force, may not.

Rubio IS an offensive force. He may have to work on his jump shot, but he´ll average numbers in the mold of Jason Kidd. And Ricky is already a defensive force, maybe one of the top 10 PGs in the world.

Is 2-3 years behind Griffin in the development cycle.

This is so not true. First of all, BG is almost 2 years old than Ricky. Second, how many important games BG has played? Third, Ricky is putting monster numbers since 17 yo against much better players

The buyout is another reason.

Ricky´s staff already told that this is not a problem. The Buyout will probably be around $4,5M.

There's also the acclimation to living in the US.

Rubio have american team mates and reportedly speaks English very well.



*I´m not trying to pick any fight here, just making some points clear

btw, we should make a shot to grab Buddinger; he´s a study!

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

You have your opinions, which I respect, and I have mine. I stand by mine. Blake is clear and away the #1 pick.

[BarbaGrizz]

You have your opinions, which I respect, and I have mine. I stand by mine. Blake is clear and away the #1 pick.

I agree that BG will be the #1, but I just want to make my statement that Ricky is in the same level

[jman3134]

Unproven at the NBA Level.

May develop as an offensive force, may not.

Is 2-3 years behind Griffin in the development cycle.

Blake hasn't played an NBA game either.

What? The reason that he is not dominating in the statistics is because of the European systems, which favor older players. It's professional basketball after all.

That is completely arbitrary. 2-3 years behind him in what development cycle?


Buyout for me is the reason why you might not pick him number 1. Also, people enamored with athleticism might opt for Griffin. Other than that, Rubio is so advanced for his age in terms of basketball IQ etc. That is certainly a development factor, and I would consider him ages ahead of Griffin at this stage.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

I respect your opinion as well, but respectfully disagree with your (under IMO) assessment of Griffin and (over IMO) assessment of Rubio. Again, it's all opinion and if I'm wrong I'll be the first to fess up. For the record I think Rubio will be a very good if not great NBA player eventually. I think Blake Griffin will be a great NBA player.

Edit:

2-3 years behind him in what development cycle?

Mostly physically and maturity.

It would probably be in Rubio's best interest to stay in Europe one more year. I'd suspect the reason he may jump now is that he is the best option at point in this year's draft. Next season there's the uncertainty of having to (possibly - and this is no disrespect to Rubio what so ever) compete for the top slot with John Wall.

[SD2042]

I doubt Rubio is expected to be drafted that high. Top 10 maybe. I understand wanting to trade Conley elsewhere to get a player that best fit this roster. Butt o draft Rubio in the top three is a bit questionable right now. The draft workouts haven't even started just yet.

Um, what?!

Rubio should be the number 1 pick imo. Blake's athleticism is just hard to overlook at this point. Ricky clearly has more potential imo.

With Rubio, I get the sense of "overrated" here. Mainly the reason with the Rubio talk is b/c the majority of Grizz fans want Mike Conley shipped out of Memphis. Yes, the Grizz need a better efficient PG. Could Rubio be the answer, I don't know. Considering the PG spot is the hardest position for any player to get accustom to in the NBA. Do the Grizz trade out a Mike Conley and draft another rookie PG and wait on his game to develop to where the team can be stable enough to win games? If that's the scenario, then I don't agree to it. I rather trade Conley and find another vet guard who been another for a minute and know the ways of be a experience PG in the NBA. This team has endured three seasons of crap and will be going through more of it until a chemistry is formulated to where all the players, the team style, and coaching staff are in sync to where the direction they are going towards is stable and produces winning results.

[jman3134]

So trade for a subpar point guard or go for a huge upside guy in the draft? I would opt for selecting Ricky Rubio because he could be a rare point guard at the next level. His skillset certainly is not normal or run of the mill ala Mike Conley. Sure, you are going to have to wait. But, that is only because he is still so young. He could be the future of the NBA and a once in a generation selection. I think he is worth the bet. Some disagree, cautious of the recent history of Euro busts.

The one thing that I can ensure is that Ricky is a rare point guard talent at this stage and his IQ is a generation above his years. If he can physically adjust to the NBA game, he will be a special, special player. I believe that he has the work ethic and tools to do so.

Rubio brings flair to the game, which the Grizz have not really seen. His handles and passes are highlight reel at times.

I would love to have this guy at the helm of this young Grizz organization. There is the Spanish connection with Marc and I believe that he could be one of the biggest misses if he goes anything below #1. There's not a more sure European player at that age.....ever.

[Downtown]

So drafting Rubio and trading Conley for Jason Thompson(if the Kings end up with the #1 pick and draft Griffin) is the answer is it? That puts a young player who supposedly runs his teams like a true floor general in charge, plus they get a fundamentally sound on both ends of the court 6'11" power forward that has a high basketball IQ, and who isn't the type that has to control the ball all the time in the post but rather lets the game come to him, to go along with two offensive scorers and a very good young center who has a well rounded game.

It's hard to argue that one.