Hollinger Suggests SAC pickswap

[shrink]

4. Sacramento Kings

If Oklahoma City won't play ball on a Rubio deal, the Kings are probably the worst-positioned of the top five to make a deal after unexpectedly falling to No. 4 (the Kings had about a two-thirds chance of finishing in the top three). But if rumors of their longings for a point guard are true and obtaining Rubio isn't in the cards, then it makes no sense to use a pick at No. 4 that likely would be just as available at No. 6 or No. 7.

Thus, it seem the Kings might be able to profit by working a deal with Minnesota or Golden State that moves them down a couple of spots and still allows them to select guards Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holliday and Jonny Flynn, among others. The Kings would be looking to offload salary and perhaps add another young player in such a deal, with dumping Beno Udrih's contract being the Holy Grail.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/ ... iem-090520

Its probably too early to ask this question, before next month's work-outs, measuremments, and interviews, but right now, do you think there is anyone at #4 we'd love to have that won't be there at #6?

[shrink]

No way I'd take Udrih's contract, but SAC has a short roster and a young team.

Maybe they'd be interested in #6 + #28 for #4?

[Worm Guts]

I can't see any reason to trade up to #4.

[Devilzsidewalk]

the only scenario I could see is if MN really wanted Harden and thought Washington would take him.

[john2jer]

I think there are 4 guys the Wolves should be looking at after Griffin and Rubio, of course, and there's a good chance that Jennings, Holiday, or Hill could be selected in front of us to push 2 or 3 of those guys back. I can't see any reason for us to move up to 4 while taking on bad salary. That's just bad business.

Harden and Thabeet have a "chance" of being available, and it's very likely DeRozan and Evans WILL be available.

[C.lupus]

Yeah, I don't think the difference between Harden and Evans/DeRozan is Udrih.

This might be a very entertaining draft night. It seems like there is a legit chance of all top five picks being traded. I wonder if that has ever happened before?

[Esohny]

Just wait and take the best remaining at 6 of Harden/DeRozan/Evans. Not Thabeet. Don't take on brutal contracts and/or players who will drive us insane when we have to watch them suck.

[the_bruce]

28 + 6 for 4 sure

[Calinks]

If Thabeet dropped to us, I'd be all over that like white on rice.

[Devilzsidewalk]

maybe a team sees something special in Harden though, and at #4 that's a potential steal for a guy that was #2 lock for most of the season. He may not be quite the athlete that Mayo is (though we haven't seen him w/ the weight loss thats reported he's had since the end of the season), but he puts what he has to better use, and he had a better freshman season than Mayo and a dominating sophomore season besides the last couple games. And he's 2 years younger than Mayo too. If you go down the list, they're comparable in pretty much any aspect of the game. The main difference is Mayo is more combo guard size and probably a little faster w/ a tighter handle, but Harden has the advantage in strength and natural playmaking.

[john2jer]

Aren't Mayo's arms just kind of "eh" too? Like a 6'6" wingspan? Harden's 6'11" wingspan eats that for lunch! Pray that Sac-town takes Jennings and make the deal with Washington to get both Harden and Evans. DO IT NOW!

[Esohny]

Can we just start calling Harden "The Pterodactyl" for his majestic wingspan and carnivorous behavior?

[Worm Guts]

I have my doubts about the wingspan and I'm almost certain he's not 6'5.5 in shoes. His numbers are better than Mayo's, though.

[4ho5ive]

I think we need to stick with the Urologist here.

[karch34]

Just wait and take the best remaining at 6 of Harden/DeRozan/Evans. Not Thabeet. Don't take on brutal contracts and/or players who will drive us insane when we have to watch them suck.

I'd be happy with Evans, Harden, or DeRozen at #6 so I wouldn't trade up as I don't think all 3 would be gone. Of course if the team is convinced that only one of those 3 is the real deal, then yeah you have to move up.

[Esohny]

I think we need to stick with the Urologist here.

Refresh my memory on the birth of The Urologist?

[john2jer]

I think we need to stick with the Urologist here.

Refresh my memory on the birth of The Urologist?

[sabonis11]

In no case would I sacrifice our cap space for a marginal move up in a draft where 3-8 are all arguably on the same level. Obviously we may find ourselves in a tough spot if we fall in love with one of the wing players (harden, evans, or derozan) and they are going to be picked ahead of us. I feel that the difference between the three is minimal and that the only move that would be reasonable would be 28+6 for 4.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I'm kind of gravitating towards Harden being the clear 3rd best prospect in the draft, maybe even a thought at #2. Harden is freshman age, he's a few weeks younger than Derozan even. Could you imagine if instead of being a High school senior, that Derozan was in the NCAA last year and put up 18/5/2 steals, 53% shooting, 41% 3 pt shooting? People would be going bonkers, but thats what Harden put up at Derozan's high school senior age. This year he took on more of a defensive focus from the opposition and his percentages went down a little, but he dealt with it well upping his assists and free throw attempts.

He's not an explosive athlete and I think that's letting him slide under the radar, but he knows where he's going on the court and where his teammates are at all times and the guy is productive in almost every facet.

[4ho5ive]

Except the tourny