2011 DRAFT blather goes here. Part 3...

[sfam]

I agree with Joel Brighams assessment of what the Cavs will do with their 4th pick.

I've seen Jonas Valanciunas going to Cleveland at #4 in a lot of mock drafts, but they're trying to sell the future of their franchise on these two top-four picks, and I don't know that Valanciunas is a guy that puts butts in seats. Enes Kanter seems every bit as promising (if not more so), and could be more convincing as a franchise building block.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z1Nf6t0teX

Consensus mock also on the link^

Agreed. I don't see Cleveland taking Valanciunas over Kanter. In fact I just don't see Kanter being there at #6. Unless it turns out that Kanter is really like 22 or something, he's going to be gone before our pick. I'm not sure I'm happy with any of the prospects but I do want someone who can produce now vice improve in the future. That leads me to want Leonard over Vesely.

But lets be clear - we're gonna need to be lucky to come out of this draft with an impact player. It really is a crapshoot after the first two or three picks.

[Kanyewest]

+1

After all my initial Kanter hate, I think I'm there as well nate.

+2 Ernie better make the offer. 6 +18 for Utah's #3 should be a no-brainer for Utah.

It wouldn't make any sense for Utah IMO. Don't they already have 2 picks in the lottery?

[Dark Faze]

+1

After all my initial Kanter hate, I think I'm there as well nate.

+2 Ernie better make the offer. 6 +18 for Utah's #3 should be a no-brainer for Utah.

It wouldn't make any sense for Utah IMO. Don't they already have 2 picks in the lottery?

The 6th, 12th and 18th is about as good as you can get in this draft other than the 1 and 4.

This is a draft where anyone beyond the first 2 slots can be as good as the other between 3 and 20.

Personally I'd rather have Williams though. I just can't get it out of my head how amazed I was when I saw that kid play. I'd give up the 6th, 18th, and either Serahin or the 34th to get him.

[jivelikenice]

The DX writeup on Klay THompson is interesting

Thompson is constantly moving without the ball and coming around screens, showing a great knack for finding open areas of the floor and being multi-capable once the ball gets in his hands. Making quick decisions and showing good scoring instincts, Thompson doesn't usually have the ball for that long before it leaves his hands.

He's absolutely deadly with his jumper when left open, scoring 1.46 points per shot on uncontested jumpers according to Synergy.

Thompson is at his most comfortable spotting up or coming around screens, showing excellent shooting mechanics with consistent balance and a high and quick release. With many volume shooters entering the NBA, there is a large change in role in terms of how often the ball is in their hands or what types of shots they're getting, but if he lands in a good situation, Thompson's only adjustment will be the number of shots he takes, not the type.

With his highly developed perimeter skill set and feel for the game, Thompson could contribute early in his career, and probably doesn't have a significant upside beyond what he is now due to his physical limitations.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Fin ... mpson-3722

Athleticism is so-so at best and defense might be problematic, but he's a legit 6'7" so we could probably carve out a few minutes at the 3 next year (I know how much everyone loves Flip's 3 guard lineups ). He's also been a bit turnover prone with 0.18 per possession, but he can move the ball.

I'd have to give him a strong look at 18 regardless of Nick Young or what have you.

I think I'm at the point where I'd rather let Nick go and would prefer fill the 3rd guard spot through the 18th selection. Tying up the money we did with Blatche IMO makes it probably unwise to invest another 5-7 MM/ year on a 4-5 year deal on a pretty good 2 guard. You can slide Crawford into the starting lineup and draft a Thompson, Brooks, or Hamilton at 18 and still have your 3 guard rotation minus the long-term mid level type contract on your books.

[jivelikenice]

Broussard reported an interesting trade scenario is being discussed:
Cleveland gets #2 overall and Rip Hamilton
Minn gets #4 and #8
Detroit gets rid of Rip's contract. Don't know what they get

I would think this scenario increases our odds of landing Kanter, no?
1. Cle- Irving
2. Cle- Williams
3. Utah- Knight
4. Minn- Valanciunas?? I'm thinking he might fit better w/ Love in their frontcourt??
5. Tor- They could go Kanter, Walker, or Valanciunas if he slips.....

[theboomking]

Don't know how reliable the stats below are, but found them interesting. They were posted in the comments section on youtube. The shooting numbers seem inconsistent. Kanter was better from college 3 than from HS 3. Looks like if the numbers were real, it was a small sample size.

@raptorstuff Here is the real shooting and other stats you need recorded in NBA Draft combine for Enes Kanter: 56 % college 3s, 78 % mid-range off dribble, 42 % timed mid-range, 40 % HS 3s, 32.5 inch vert, 26 inch no-step vert, 32.5 inch max vert, 14 bench reps, 11.30 lane agility, 5.66 adjusted lane agility, 3.26 ¾ court sprint
Altar1919 1 day ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNK8siaYI7M

I really anticipate that we might move up in the draft this year. The picks are there to be had, and we can't afford to have such a bad year and not come away with an impact prospect. I think we will be taking either WIlliams or Kanter.

[jivelikenice]

If the newest 3 way trade rumor has any legs then I don't see a trade up at #2 as being possible. #4 & #8 is a lot to move up to #2 and we don't have a packge that can match that. Maybe Minn is willing to trade down again from 4-6 for the 18th pick? If that doesn't work out would you give up #18 to Tor to ensure we get Kanter?

Btw, I see why Cleveland makes the trade and why they'd want Williams, but wouldn't you rather have Kanter plus Alex Burks over D Williams?

[theboomking]

Broussard reported an interesting trade scenario is being discussed:
Cleveland gets #2 overall and Rip Hamilton
Minn gets #4 and #8
Detroit gets rid of Rip's contract. Don't know what they get

I would think this scenario increases our odds of landing Kanter, no?
1. Cle- Irving
2. Cle- Williams
3. Utah- Knight
4. Minn- Valanciunas?? I'm thinking he might fit better w/ Love in their frontcourt??
5. Tor- They could go Kanter, Walker, or Valanciunas if he slips.....

What is would Detroit be getting? Any way we can get benefit from this 3 way? I'd probably be willing to take on Rip's salary in order to move up to 4 and get Kanter. Honestly, we probably aren't in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes anyway, and We'd still have a ton of cap room in 2 years after Rip's contract expires and we are off of the Lewis contract .

[closg00]

Broussard reported an interesting trade scenario is being discussed:
Cleveland gets #2 overall and Rip Hamilton
Minn gets #4 and #8
Detroit gets rid of Rip's contract. Don't know what they get

I would think this scenario increases our odds of landing Kanter, no?
1. Cle- Irving
2. Cle- Williams
3. Utah- Knight
4. Minn- Valanciunas?? I'm thinking he might fit better w/ Love in their frontcourt??
5. Tor- They could go Kanter, Walker, or Valanciunas if he slips.....

What is would Detroit be getting? Any way we can get benefit from this 3 way? I'd probably be willing to take on Rip's salary in order to move up to 4 and get Kanter. Honestly, we probably aren't in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes anyway, and We'd still have a ton of cap room in 2 years after Rip's contract expires and we are off of the Lewis contract .

I would say that Cleveland wants to be sure that they can get Kanter. Gilbert is not messing around, no slow rebuild for the Cavs.

[Error Afflalo]

What is would Detroit be getting? Any way we can get benefit from this 3 way? I'd probably be willing to take on Rip's salary in order to move up to 4 and get Kanter. Honestly, we probably aren't in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes anyway, and We'd still have a ton of cap room in 2 years after Rip's contract expires and we are off of the Lewis contract .

Detroit saves 25 mil over the next two years on Rip's deal, plus whatever the 8th pick's salary is. These types of deals drive fans crazy. I'm with you on Dwight, I doubt we'll be in the hunt for him next year, so I'd do something like Rip and 8 for the 18th.

[closg00]

The Det part of the trade is already getting shot-down.....on the Tweets anyway.

[thinker07]

Apparently the deal is that Cleveland simply takes on Hamilton's contract in return for the 8th pick. Cleveland would then buy out Hamilton's contract for $25 mil. So if this deal went through Cleveland would be paying $25 mil + the number 4 pick to get DWill. That's pretty pricey for a tweener PF. The article on ESPN said that if DWill can't play sf then they'd likely try to trade Hickson.

[closg00]

The Det part of the trade is already getting shot-down.....on the Tweets anyway.

[7-Day Dray]

Broussard reported an interesting trade scenario is being discussed:
Cleveland gets #2 overall and Rip Hamilton
Minn gets #4 and #8
Detroit gets rid of Rip's contract. Don't know what they get

I would think this scenario increases our odds of landing Kanter, no?
1. Cle- Irving
2. Cle- Williams
3. Utah- Knight
4. Minn- Valanciunas?? I'm thinking he might fit better w/ Love in their frontcourt??
5. Tor- They could go Kanter, Walker, or Valanciunas if he slips.....

What is would Detroit be getting? Any way we can get benefit from this 3 way? I'd probably be willing to take on Rip's salary in order to move up to 4 and get Kanter. Honestly, we probably aren't in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes anyway, and We'd still have a ton of cap room in 2 years after Rip's contract expires and we are off of the Lewis contract .

I would say that Cleveland wants to be sure that they can get Kanter. Gilbert is not messing around, no slow rebuild for the Cavs.

Someone in Kanter's camp said that they prefer Valanciunas to Kanter, according to Jonathan Givony.

[closg00]

The Cavs don't need #2 to get Valanciunas, but they do to ensure getting Williams or Kanter. Perhaps the Cavs take Irving & Williams, then throw money at Marc Gasol or Dwight.

[thinker07]

The Cavs don't need #2 to get Valanciunas, but they do to ensure getting Williams or Kanter. Perhaps the Cavs take Irving & Williams, then throw money at Marc Gasol or Dwight.

I can't see Cleveland paying $25 mil and the #4 pick for Kanter, especially when Kanter would likely still be available at their pick. It seems pretty clear that if someone trades with Minnesota it will be to pick DWill.

[NoVaO]

Chad Ford's article on the trade implies the Cavs are seeking to use that No. 2 pick on Williams.

[closg00]

The Cavs don't need #2 to get Valanciunas, but they do to ensure getting Williams . Perhaps the Cavs take Irving & Williams, then throw money at Marc Gasol or Dwight.

I can't see Cleveland paying $25 mil and the #4 pick for Kanter, especially when Kanter would likely still be available at their pick. It seems pretty clear that if someone trades with Minnesota it will be to pick DWill.

Fixed

[LyricalRico]

Detroit would have to be REALLY desperate to dump Rip on order to give up a lotto pick for pure cap space. For Cleveland, they could really improve after this deal, especially of Williams can be effective at SF.

If this deal goes down and Utah goes for a PG, we could see Kanter fall right to us at #6.

1. Irving
2. Williams
3. Knight
4. Valanciunas
5. Walker
6. Kanter

[pineappleheadindc]

Detroit would have to be REALLY desperate to dump Rip on order to give up a lotto pick for pure cap space. For Cleveland, they could really improve after this deal, especially of Williams can be effective at SF.

If this deal goes down and Utah goes for a PG, we could see Kanter fall right to us at #6.

1. Irving
2. Williams
3. Knight
4. Valanciunas
5. Walker
6. Kanter

Don't be teasing me, Lyrical. Please.