General (Non-Wiz) Draft Discussion

[Dat2U]

Me, Doc and a few others were on the bandwagon early but I think others are slowly catching on. My best guess is Steph Curry will become a top five prospect on the various draft websites before its all said in done.

At this point I would not hesitate to draft Curry with a top five pick.

I still don't get to this day the fascination with Thabeet, Harden or Jordan Hill as top five picks. Thabeet knows how to block a shot but he plays the game a step too slow for my liking. He doesn't have innate basketball instincts.

Harden has all the IQ and a good skill level to match but his athleticism is just not up to par. He's an average athlete in the Pac-10 and will be a subpar athlete in the NBA.

Hil has limited skills and displays a suspect IQ on court. I like his athleticism and his energy level but that's only going to get him so far. At best he might be the next "Tyrone Hill".

Thabeet looks like a bust. Harden & Hill look like potentially solid role players. Evans, Curry & Lawson all to appear to me to have the tools necessary to have a more impactful NBA career than the three guys that all appear ahead of them in the various mock drafts.

I also like CCJ's boy in DeJuan Blair but he's gotta get in better shape. Right now he's the 2nd coming of Danny Fortson. He could be more but his weight will limit his defensive contributions and ability to finish around the basket. He's worth a mid-first though.

[Dat2U]

I'm down with this plan if we end-up 3-5. The rub is Ernie, who would you imagine to be on Ernie's big-board in the 3-5 slot? Does anyone think Curry would be 3-5 with Ernie?

I'm down with this plan if we end-up 3-5. The rub is Ernie, who would you imagine to be on Ernie's big-board in the 3-5 slot? Does anyone think Curry would be 3-5 with Ernie?[/quote]

My best guess would be Thabeet, Hill and possibly DeRozan, Jennings or Evans. EG loves upside. Thing is, I don't see EG keeping the pick if its 3-5. He'll make a trade of some sort. Michael Redd anyone?

I'd say there's about a 0% percent chance Curry ends up in a Wiz uniform.

[dnk]

With all those draft simulators and the Wizards having a 17.8% shot at Griffin, I'm thinking a very sound approach towards this draft is simply: DRAFT STEPH CURRY and also TRADE FOR BLAIR.

Minnesota, Memphis, and Sacramento have excess first rounders and young talent. I think trying to move to get two underrated guys in this draft is the way to go.

Curry and Blair will be at least solid backups and more.

If we do that and trade for Childress, I'm be insanely happy.

Okay, fish - you've sold me on your Plan B. (Plan A, of course, is Blake Griffin.)

Step 1 - Draft Stephen Curry
Step 2 - Trade Nick Young for a mid-first and pick up Blair
Step 3 - Trade Blatche+Stevenson for Childress

Haywood/Songaila/McGee
Jamison/Blair/Pesh
Butler/McGuire
Childress/Curry
Arenas/James/Critt

I'm actually pretty sold on Curry as well. But as a #3 or #4 pick? If we don't get the #1, I'd definitely really like to find a way to see if we could get Curry at #6 or #7. Although I guess I wouldn't be too upset with picking him at #5.

I definitely do not like Songaila at C though. He's a very good backup PF, but is just not as effective at C. I think with that roster, you gotta give McGee a decent amount of minutes. Most of the year would probably have a lot of growing pains with most of our depth being really young, but we'd almost definitely still get in the playoffs, by which time the squad could be lethal.

Curry would really fit in well with this team, though. He can get all of the backup minutes at PG (we can trade away Critt if he's still got value (I mean he was a first round pick two years ago)), but can still play alongside Arenas.

For all you Blair fans, are you seeing him as a potential starter or just a good backup 4?

[fishercob]

With all those draft simulators and the Wizards having a 17.8% shot at Griffin, I'm thinking a very sound approach towards this draft is simply: DRAFT STEPH CURRY and also TRADE FOR BLAIR.

Minnesota, Memphis, and Sacramento have excess first rounders and young talent. I think trying to move to get two underrated guys in this draft is the way to go.

Curry and Blair will be at least solid backups and more.

If we do that and trade for Childress, I'm be insanely happy.

Okay, fish - you've sold me on your Plan B. (Plan A, of course, is Blake Griffin.)

Step 1 - Draft Stephen Curry
Step 2 - Trade Nick Young for a mid-first and pick up Blair
Step 3 - Trade Blatche+Stevenson for Childress

Haywood/Songaila/McGee
Jamison/Blair/Pesh
Butler/McGuire
Childress/Curry
Arenas/James/Critt

Assuming we're picking 3-5, I can get on board with drafting Curry. My version of "Plan B" would involve the trade that nate got from a Hawks fan on the trade board:

Songaila, Deshawn, Blatche and Critt for Childress (signed) and Claxton (expiring).

So through two steps, that leaves us with

Haywood/McGee/Thomas
Jamison/nothing/Pech
Butler/Childress/McGuire
Childress/Curry/McGuire/Young
Arenas/Curry/James/Claxton

We'd have Young and #33 to use to address backup PF, though combining the two would leave us a little thin in terms of end of the bench depth. Even so, if we traded both to get Blair, that's 13 guys -- with Claxton, James and Etan all expiring.

Man, I'd love to smackdown LeWhine and the Traveliers with that team.

And if we win the lotto and go with Plan A (Griffin) we could still make the Chill trade and wouldn't have the PF depth problem. That team would be sick.

My question is what is plan C -- what do we do if we get out slotted #2 pick?

For some reason, the Rubio, Deshawn and Darius for Rudy Fernandez, Bayless and #23 is looking less appealing to me now than when I first came up with it, probably b/c of all the buzz building around Rubio. Could we swing the Chill deal AND trade Rubio and Jamison for an extended Bosh? That doesn't excite me either. Could we move Rubio in a Herschel Walker type deal and end up with Curry and a bunch of other assets?

Hmmmm.....

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I got you beat by many months:


The RealGM Wizards Board Draft Thread 2008/2009 (part one)

Curry listed 6'3", son of 6'5" Dell, and still growing/thickening out.

(EDITED)

Del Curry wasn't thick, but he came out after his senior year. Del's boy is dropping in as a Junior, after having dominated since he was a freshman. I fully expect him to continue to grow and improve and gain muscle mass.

You did. I honestly don't remember reading that.

Alrighty, how about this one as a sure original doc: Nick Calathes was 6'5" last season and is currently listed at 6'6". His brother Pat is 6'10". How about puttin this kid in the still growing and with G skills department? (Edited to add Calathes strikes me as a long-term, decent NBA player.)

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm down with this plan if we end-up 3-5. The rub is Ernie, who would you imagine to be on Ernie's big-board in the 3-5 slot? Does anyone think Curry would be 3-5 with Ernie?

I'm down with this plan if we end-up 3-5. The rub is Ernie, who would you imagine to be on Ernie's big-board in the 3-5 slot? Does anyone think Curry would be 3-5 with Ernie?

My best guess would be Thabeet, Hill and possibly DeRozan, Jennings or Evans. EG loves upside. Thing is, I don't see EG keeping the pick if its 3-5. He'll make a trade of some sort. Michael Redd anyone?

I'd say there's about a 0% percent chance Curry ends up in a Wiz uniform.

Unfortunately, I agree, dat.

Nor will Blair.

I'm even afraid the Wizards are so high on Jamison that they won't do anything bold to trade up for Griffin even if the opportunity presents itself. In my worst of nightmares, they draft Rubio #1 and let him stay overseas just to save $ for the pick.

Ernie never has drafted a decent PG, has he?

All of our scenarios the past few drafts haven't come to fruition (with the exception of those who wanted EG to draft Pecherov, Nick, and Javale).

[Dat2U]

All of our scenarios the past few drafts haven't come to fruition (with the exception of those who wanted EG to draft Pecherov, Nick, and Javale).

Ha, I remember calling Pech a bust from day one. I called Nick Young a poor man's Jamal Crawford the day following that draft and I said Javale was a major project.

I give EG props for nailing the Javale pick, although he's still a major work in progress but those other two leave alot to be desired.

[closg00]

Agreed, we'll never see any pick in a Wiz uni of it's after #2....it really was just a fantasy.

[eltacoman]

Rubio has that superstar hall of fame patantial soo

Rubio + DStevanson + DSongalia
for
Mike Miller right to Curry 5th & Blair1 8th

Minny gets a guy that will be there Franchise PG for years and he will bring alot of money with spains fans base like Yao has with China PGs like Rubio dont come around like that ... Minny could use that extra money in theses hard times .... so i think they would give up the 5th and 18th and millers expiring

but i wishing for the # 1 Blake Griffin soooo i dont care for the rest

[spaceman_E]

I think if you want to pluck Love, you wouldn't be able to get them to take on so much salary since Young is the other value we are giving him and he doesn't really fit a need unless they want to trade Foye. If you replace Nick with Blatche and toss in our 2010 1st it might be closer to their liking.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

All of our scenarios the past few drafts haven't come to fruition (with the exception of those who wanted EG to draft Pecherov, Nick, and Javale).

Ha, I remember calling Pech a bust from day one. I called Nick Young a poor man's Jamal Crawford the day following that draft and I said Javale was a major project.

I give EG props for nailing the Javale pick, although he's still a major work in progress but those other two leave alot to be desired.

Now here's an EG pick. I can hear David Stern announcing the following:

With the 5th pick of the 2009 NBA draft, the Wizards select from Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas

I'm thinking I probably drop an F bomb at that point ....

BTW this kid's a top-5 pick in at least one mock....

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Don ... unas-1300/

Motiejunas can be described as a complete player offensively, showing the ability to play inside and out. When he received the ball in the post, he showed a very nice set of moves and fakes, and his touch can be described as quite impressive as well. His go-to move appears to be a lefty hook off a quick spin, but he can also finish with his right hand inside with great touch. Early in the game when he struggled to score, Motiejunas still managed to make a couple of very nice passes on the drive, and show very polished ball-handling skills for a 7-footer as well. The range on his jumper extends to the NBA 3-point line, and he possesses solid body control and athleticism on the dribble-drive.

Defensively, Motiejunas still needs to become a tougher player, particularly if he wants to guard post players at the NBA level. He has a solid frame, but he must continue to get stronger and focus on learning the proper leverage to keep stronger players from backing him down so easily

I'd bet money EG likes this kid.

[closg00]

All of our scenarios the past few drafts haven't come to fruition (with the exception of those who wanted EG to draft Pecherov, Nick, and Javale).

Ha, I remember calling Pech a bust from day one. I called Nick Young a poor man's Jamal Crawford the day following that draft and I said Javale was a major project.

I give EG props for nailing the Javale pick, although he's still a major work in progress but those other two leave alot to be desired.

Now here's an EG pick. I can hear David Stern announcing the following:

With the 5th pick of the 2009 NBA draft, the Wizards select from Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas

I'm thinking I probably drop an F bomb at that point ....

BTW this kid's a top-5 pick in at least one mock....

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Don ... unas-1300/

Motiejunas can be described as a complete player offensively, showing the ability to play inside and out. When he received the ball in the post, he showed a very nice set of moves and fakes, and his touch can be described as quite impressive as well. His go-to move appears to be a lefty hook off a quick spin, but he can also finish with his right hand inside with great touch. Early in the game when he struggled to score, Motiejunas still managed to make a couple of very nice passes on the drive, and show very polished ball-handling skills for a 7-footer as well. The range on his jumper extends to the NBA 3-point line, and he possesses solid body control and athleticism on the dribble-drive.

Defensively, Motiejunas still needs to become a tougher player, particularly if he wants to guard post players at the NBA level. He has a solid frame, but he must continue to get stronger and focus on learning the proper leverage to keep stronger players from backing him down so easily

I'd bet money EG likes this kid.

I was going to post exactly the same thing. When I saw this guy as-high as 5 in one mock, did a oh-no!!! Ernie will take this guy

[pancakes3]

i'll probably vomit myself to death if that happens.

[Rafael122]

Call me close minded, but I think Ernie has his sights on Griffin or Rubio. Ernie has gone to Europe a few times over the last two years, and his most recent trip I believe was to scout Rubio. I think we are overthinking this a bit:

1. Griffin
1A: Rubio
Option 2: Trade

Speaking of trading the pick, I advocated a few months back of doing just that, and I got "no way, only a fool would trade draft picks to shed salary." Now what changed? It's a two man draft, yeah, we might luck out and get a rotational player with our second round pick, but if we keep the pick and its not Griffin or Rubio, chances are we're picking a player who has similar ability than guys we already have on the roster.

[miller31time]

^^^^

If we get anything lower than 2, I'm fine with trading down to the 8-12 range, picking a guy like Gerald Henderson and shedding a bad contract or two.

[LyricalRico]

Speaking of trading the pick, I advocated a few months back of doing just that, and I got "no way, only a fool would trade draft picks to shed salary." Now what changed? It's a two man draft, yeah, we might luck out and get a rotational player with our second round pick, but if we keep the pick and its not Griffin or Rubio, chances are we're picking a player who has similar ability than guys we already have on the roster.

I would tend to agree with this, and was certainly another guy proposing using the pick to dump salary. But we don't necessarily have to trade completely out of the draft to dump salary. Maybe we can trade a few spots down in the lottery and still come out with a still growing Stephen Curry (my new Plan B).

[Tiago]

All of our scenarios the past few drafts haven't come to fruition (with the exception of those who wanted EG to draft Pecherov, Nick, and Javale).

Ha, I remember calling Pech a bust from day one. I called Nick Young a poor man's Jamal Crawford the day following that draft and I said Javale was a major project.

I give EG props for nailing the Javale pick, although he's still a major work in progress but those other two leave alot to be desired.

Now here's an EG pick. I can hear David Stern announcing the following:

With the 5th pick of the 2009 NBA draft, the Wizards select from Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas

I'm thinking I probably drop an F bomb at that point ....

BTW this kid's a top-5 pick in at least one mock....

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Don ... unas-1300/

Motiejunas can be described as a complete player offensively, showing the ability to play inside and out. When he received the ball in the post, he showed a very nice set of moves and fakes, and his touch can be described as quite impressive as well. His go-to move appears to be a lefty hook off a quick spin, but he can also finish with his right hand inside with great touch. Early in the game when he struggled to score, Motiejunas still managed to make a couple of very nice passes on the drive, and show very polished ball-handling skills for a 7-footer as well. The range on his jumper extends to the NBA 3-point line, and he possesses solid body control and athleticism on the dribble-drive.

Defensively, Motiejunas still needs to become a tougher player, particularly if he wants to guard post players at the NBA level. He has a solid frame, but he must continue to get stronger and focus on learning the proper leverage to keep stronger players from backing him down so easily

I'd bet money EG likes this kid.

Donatas Motiejunas is the Pecherov 2.0, I already said that in the international forum...

[Ruzious]

Speaking of trading the pick, I advocated a few months back of doing just that, and I got "no way, only a fool would trade draft picks to shed salary." Now what changed? It's a two man draft, yeah, we might luck out and get a rotational player with our second round pick, but if we keep the pick and its not Griffin or Rubio, chances are we're picking a player who has similar ability than guys we already have on the roster.

If you trade the pick and salaries and get nothing of value back, it would still be horrible for the team.

[DCZards]

If you're drafting upside you take Evans over Curry. Curry is a nice player and will likely have an outstanding career as a dead-eye shooter....a lot like his dad. He already has a better handle than his dad and will be a better penetrator and passer.

Evans will be a star. He has the size and length to eventually be an impact player at either PG or SG. And might even be able to play some SF. I like Evans' physical make-up and toughness...which you can't teach. His shooting and ability to play PG will come around.

Curry is appealing but I doubt that he gets drafted ahead of Evans.

[nate33]

If you're drafting upside you take Evans over Curry. Curry is a nice player and will likely have an outstanding career as a dead-eye shooter....a lot like his dad. He already has a better handle than his dad and will be a better penetrator and passer.

Evans will be a star. He has the size and length to eventually be an impact player at either PG or SG. And might even be able to play some SF. I like Evans' physical make-up and toughness...which you can't teach. His shooting and ability to play PG will come around.

Curry is appealing but I doubt that he gets drafted ahead of Evans.

Evans has the potential to be a star. RIght now he's a ball-dominant shooting guard with a suspect outside shot. I'd prefer the next Dell Curry over the next Larry Hughes. I also don't consider it a certainty that Curry's maximum upside is lower than Evans' maximum upside. If Curry does indeed grow to be a legit 6-4 in bare feet, then he could be the next Ray Allen. Evans would have to become the next Dwyane Wade to eclipse that.

For the record, I'm not yet saying that I like Curry over Evans. But I'm not, NOT saying that either. I would like to wait and see some measurements and hear a little more about Evans' background first.