Which player would teams take at number three?

Stacks · Post #1 » by **Stacks** » Fri May 1, 2009 8:53 pm

Since picks 1 and 2 are fairly clear cut, I'm wondering what each team would do if they got the 3rd pick.

As a Raptors fan, I would assume they'd pick Harden.

Anyone care to offer input on their respective team's first choice?

Stacks · Post #2 » by **Stacks** » Fri May 1, 2009 9:39 pm

Another way to frame this question would be: what do you think each lottery team's draft board looks like after the top two picks?

The Raptors needs are:
- a starting 2/3 (ideally a two that can slash and defend or at the very least an athletic guy)
- a PG to backup Calderon
- a gritty defensive big that can round out the frontcourt rotation.

1. James Harden - Potential starting 2
2. Hasheem Thabeet - Not an ideal fit but could act as a defensive complement to Bosh and Bargnani who are primarily offensive players.
3. Demar DeRozan - Provides athleticism and upside at the wing.

4-6 ???

After these three it gets a bit tricky. I could see Evans, Henderson and maybe even Jennings or Clark on the team's draft board.

Evans might garner consideration for his ability to backup or play beside Calderon. Plus he has the potential to be a go to guy on the perimeter which the Raptors need.

Henderson might also get consideration for his ability to slash and defend. Anybody that plays beside Calderon needs to be able to defend the opposing team's better guard.

I doubt they burn a lottery pick to draft a backup PG. I think the Raptors would rather buy a pick later on in the draft to fill that need, but a PG like Jennings might be worth the reach because of his upside and character. Colangelo has stated that he emphasizes character in the players he selects and likes to make sure they're comfortable playing in Canada. Jennings chose to play outside the US for a year so I'm sure he'd be comfortable in Canada. The $50K donation likely didn't go unnoticed. Colangelo has mentioned in the past that he had asked Bosh during his last extention if he would be willing to contribute part of the money to charity and was impressed when Bosh offered to donate $1MM without having to think about it.

Lastly, the team might part ways with Joey Graham this summer who had played at both the three and the four spots off the bench. Clark may be able to fill that void to a certain degree and offer some long-term upside.

What do the rest of you think?

CraigDeuce · Post #3 » by **CraigDeuce** » Fri May 1, 2009 10:37 pm

Kings-Tyreke Evans
Wizards-Jordan Hill/James Harden
Clippers-Jordan Hill
Thunder-Hasheem Thabeet/James Harden
Wolves-Tyreke Evans/James Harden
Grizzlies-Jordan Hill
Warriors-Jordan Hill/Tyreke Evans
Knicks-James Harden/Tyreke Evans/Jordan Hill
Raptors-James Harden/Tyreke Evans
Bucks-Jordan Hill/Hasheem Thabeet

Post #4 » by **BigSlam** » Sat May 2, 2009 1:20 am

Bobcats = Harden (I would hope)

Post #5 » by **gswhoops** » Sat May 2, 2009 3:18 am

My guess for the Warriors would be Brandon Jennings.

Dr Positivity · Post #6 » by **Dr Positivity** » Sat May 2, 2009 3:41 am

I think it's going to be Thabeet or Jennings. Probably Jennings, teams will look at Rose this year and salivate over Jennings' athleticism and potential

djthesonicsfan · Post #7 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Sat May 2, 2009 4:17 am

notSonics are taking James Harden for sure if they can't get Griffin or Rubio.

AQuintus · Post #8 » by **AQuintus** » Sat May 2, 2009 8:26 am

Wolves - Thabeet and Harden are the obvious ones, and DeRozan, Evans, and Jennings have a chance with good workouts.

It_Was_Typed · Post #9 » by **It_Was_Typed** » Sat May 2, 2009 6:40 pm

BigSlam wrote:Bobcats = Harden (I would hope)

Yo, I'm hoping James somehow finds his way to Charlotte.

Cammo101 · Post #10 » by **Cammo101** » Sat May 2, 2009 6:47 pm

Kings- Thabeet
Wizards- Thabeet
Clippers- Hill
Thunder- Thabeet
Wolves- Harden or Thabeet
Grizzlies - Hill
Warriors- Thabeet
Knicks- Thabeet
Raptors- Thabeet
Bucks - Hill
Bobcats - Thabeet

Post #11 » by **BigSlam** » Sat May 2, 2009 7:50 pm

Cammo101 wrote:Bobcats - Thabeet

You couldn't be more wrong.

Cammo101 · Post #12 » by **Cammo101** » Sat May 2, 2009 11:40 pm

BigSlam wrote:
Cammo101 wrote:Bobcats - Thabeet

You couldn't be more wrong.

Maybe I overestimated Charlotte's brass. Thabeet is who they SHOULD take. Harden would not be a bad pick (I assume you are thinking of him) but he is a reach at #3.

hard49 · Post #13 » by **hard49** » Sun May 3, 2009 12:06 am

Grizzlies are not taking Jordan Hill at #3...

Tyreke Evans or Demar Derozan

Cammo101 · Post #14 » by **Cammo101** » Sun May 3, 2009 12:27 am

hard49 wrote:Grizzlies are not taking Jordan Hill at #3...

Tyreke Evans or Demar Derozan

Ummm...no.

Post #15 » by **BigSlam** » Sun May 3, 2009 12:37 pm

hard49 wrote:Grizzlies are not taking Jordan Hill at #3...

Tyreke Evans or Demar Derozan

With Mayo and Gay at the wings would that make any sense?

hard49 · Post #16 » by **hard49** » Sun May 3, 2009 1:02 pm

BigSlam wrote:
hard49 wrote:Grizzlies are not taking Jordan Hill at #3...

Tyreke Evans or Demar Derozan

With Mayo and Gay at the wings would that make any sense?

With Greg Buckner and Quinton Ross on the bench it does. Jordan Hill at #3 makes absolutely no sense. He is not as good as Darrell Arthur but we are going to pay him 4 times as much to back him up. He simply is not the BPA and that is what Wallace will draft.

No Hill or Thabeet at #3 for Memphis.

Post #17 » by **gswhoops** » Sun May 3, 2009 2:49 pm

Cammo101 wrote:Kings- Thabeet
Wizards- Thabeet
Clippers- Hill
Thunder- Thabeet
Wolves- Harden or Thabeet
Grizzlies - Hill
Warriors- Thabeet
Knicks- Thabeet
Raptors- Thabeet
Bucks - Hill
Bobcats - Thabeet

Why would the Kings (Hawes/Thompson), Wizards (Haywood) or Warriors (Biedrins/Turiaf) take Thabeet?

Downtown · Post #18 » by **Downtown** » Sun May 3, 2009 5:22 pm

The Grizzlies should trade down their pick and accumulate some proven, leadership, strong character type players to go along with their young core. Besides the top two spots, I don't see any draft picks that could step in and help Memphis improve as much as if they trade their pick for someone.

There's a reason so many different names have popped up on various mocks as picks for Memphis. There really isn't one or two solid names that will be "THE" one at #6.

They have the money to go after any of the free agent power forwards. They have young guys already starting at all five positions, and once they get that highend free agent power forward, then with the cap space they'll still have they can fill in their depth. A great sixth man, a perimiter defender and a shooter, and a physical player up front are what they need.

The Grizzlies pick should be up for sale.

Cammo101 · Post #19 » by **Cammo101** » Sun May 3, 2009 5:23 pm

gswhoops wrote:
Cammo101 wrote:Kings- Thabeet
Wizards- Thabeet
Clippers- Hill
Thunder- Thabeet
Wolves- Harden or Thabeet
Grizzlies - Hill
Warriors- Thabeet
Knicks- Thabeet
Raptors- Thabeet
Bucks - Hill
Bobcats - Thabeet

Why would the Kings (Hawes/Thompson), Wizards (Haywood) or Warriors (Biedrins/Turiaf) take Thabeet?

The Kings need a defensive big man. Hawes and Thompson are scorers, but not great defenders. Washington has no idea what to expect from Haywood, but could go with Hill. GS already has a ton of SG's and a PF of the future. That leaves Thabeet by default and they could use the defense.

Krapinsky · Post #20 » by **Krapinsky** » Sun May 3, 2009 6:19 pm

Cammo101 wrote:
gswhoops wrote:
Cammo101 wrote:Kings- Thabeet
Wizards- Thabeet
Clippers- Hill
Thunder- Thabeet
Wolves- Harden or Thabeet
Grizzlies - Hill
Warriors- Thabeet
Knicks- Thabeet
Raptors- Thabeet
Bucks - Hill
Bobcats - Thabeet

Why would the Kings (Hawes/Thompson), Wizards (Haywood) or Warriors (Biedrins/Turiaf) take Thabeet?

The Kings need a defensive big man. Hawes and Thompson are scorers, but not great defenders. Washington has no idea what to expect from Haywood, but could go with Hill. GS already has a ton of SG's and a PF of the future. That leaves Thabeet by default and they could use the defense.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm pretty sure with the third pick you do not settle for someone you project to be a change of pace rotation player. At #3, one would expect to get a future all star no matter what the position, even in this week draft. The way Cammo projects the draft it seems there are three tiers:

Tier 1: Griffin/Rubio
Tier 2: Hill/Thabeet
Tier 3: All the guards

I don't see it that way at all. I see no difference between tiers 2 and 3 above and at that point I think you pick more based on need. Kings would be better served by taking Jennings or Derozan in my opinion.