2012 NBA Draft

[nate33]

last year was the year to trade picks, not this year. as many others have said - our team lacks talent. in a deep big-man draft, it's no time to get greedy and parlay a top 3 pick into a top 10 and a mid-teen. we need a power forward something fierce and there are 3-4 projected NBA starting-caliber power forwards all slotted to go in the top 6 picks. let's not out-think ourselves here.

I don't think anybody here would consider trading a top 3 pick for a 10 and a mid teen. Top 3 picks have more value than that. I'm talking about trading a #2 pick plus Vesely for a #5 + #7 or something like that. And only if Thomas Robinson and MKG looked like they would last past the top 4. (A hypothetical draft might go: Davis, then Drummond, and then two of Sullinger, Lamb, Barnes and Jones before MKG or Robinson enter the picture.)

I'm not even saying its really feasible. I'm just saying that, if I had my way, I'd rather have MKG and Robinson rather than Vesely and Drummond.

[mhd]

The only team with multiple lotto picks are the Hornets and Jazz (GSW's pick is top 7 protected, so I think Jazz won't get it).

The Hornets are not going to trade both picks.

Simply put, we should stay where we are and draft whom we want. Don't oversimpifly it. My board is Davis-Drummond-MKG-Robinson

[7-Day Dray]

we really need 2 top 10 lottery picks. Maybe we trade down and do that..

2 top 10 picks? No...Pick 1 elite talent and that's it! No more young players. We have young guys on the team now who don't know how to play. How would adding two more help?

Just because they're rookies doesn't mean they won't help. Didn't we learn that from the idiotic Foye-Miller trade? EG elected to get veterans instead of drafting a rookie because he thought the vets would add more help immediately. How did that work out. Guys like Jennings and Curry were more productive as rookies than both Foye and Miller were that season. We need more talent period, and if you can add talent by getting another top 10 lottery pick, you do it. How can you turn that down? Yeah I see what you're saying, but not all the young guys in this draft are raw or have a very low BBIQ. If EG (or whatever GM we have on draft night) scout right, we should add a few more talented players.

[nate33]

we really need 2 top 10 lottery picks. Maybe we trade down and do that..

2 top 10 picks? No...Pick 1 elite talent and that's it! No more young players. We have young guys on the team now who don't know how to play. How would adding two more help?

Well, I'd jettison Crawford and Seraphin this summer (or trade them if someone is foolish enough to want them). And I was assuming we'd trade Vesely as part of the transaction that got us that 2nd high pick. So with 3 youngsters out and only 2 youngsters coming in, we'd be reducing the total number of young players. I'd also use our cap room to add some rotation caliber players to the lineup, rather than merely "veteran mentors". I'm thinking guys like Rudy Fernandez, Mo Williams, OJ Mayo, Jodie Meeks, Nic Batum, Chris Kaman, Ian Mahimi, etc.

[pancakes3]

i'd save our cap room for 2013 for the extensions and a shot at signing james harden.

[DaRealHibachi]

While I like Harden allot (wanted to draft him at the time), I think he's another Ariza waiting to happen... Just saying...

[Ruzious]

While I like Harden allot (wanted to draft him at the time), I think he's another Ariza waiting to happen... Just saying...

You lost me on that one. They're such different type players. Ariza was an uber athlete best as a role playing defensive specialist who doesn't have to do much on offense other than fly on the break and hit open 3's. He was exposed when he was asked to do more offensively. Harden is basically the opposite. While he can play effectively off the ball, he's best as an offensive creator. If he wasn't on a team with Harden and Westbrook, he'd put up all-star type offensive numbers. His skill level is off the charts compared to Ariza. He's a guy who can probably get over 20 efficient points and 6 assists a game, imo.

[The Consiglieri]

we really need 2 top 10 lottery picks. Maybe we trade down and do that..

2 top 10 picks? No...Pick 1 elite talent and that's it! No more young players. We have young guys on the team now who don't know how to play. How would adding two more help?

Who are you going to fill the team with then? We are probably only going to bring back 7-9 to or 8-10 players, they can either be young kids with potential or garbage, i'd rather go with the former. We don't have any potential difference making elite talents other than McGee and Wall. We have to add more just to potentially contend for anything going forward. My preferred targets right now are Davis and MKG, I imagine they are everyones, it appears MKG is consistently in that 4-8 area, I dont know how or even if it would be possible to get both, but that would be a picture perfect draft, an elite big man, and a guy whose smart, tough, hardworking and sound with a high ceiling. There are guys in this draft that aren't knuckleheads, and there are some guys with warning signs around their nexts. Don't simply assume any kids gonna be an idiot. Plenty of them are anything but. Singleton isn't, Vesely isn't, Booker isn't after all.

We need talent, young talent, to surround Wall with, I really, really, really hope we swing a trade for at least one extra first rounder. No point in trying to save cap space for '12, as NOBODY is coming here this summer that we'd want, our only hope for the '13 crop is to blow things up, land another piece and become like the clippers did during '10-'11, even to a jaded athlete, an attractive exciting option. That isn't coming with any moves save adding huge potential talent via the coming draft, and dumping me first cancers asap.

[tontoz]

Every team has 3 wins except the Wiz....

[TheBigThree]

Thomas Robinson = Amare

Wouldn't be surprised if he's top 3 on most boards very soon. He has a really smooth, complete game.

IMO he'd be an excellent pairing with Wall.

[jivelikenice]

we really need 2 top 10 lottery picks. Maybe we trade down and do that..

2 top 10 picks? No...Pick 1 elite talent and that's it! No more young players. We have young guys on the team now who don't know how to play. How would adding two more help?

Just because they're rookies doesn't mean they won't help. Didn't we learn that from the idiotic Foye-Miller trade? EG elected to get veterans instead of drafting a rookie because he thought the vets would add more help immediately. How did that work out. Guys like Jennings and Curry were more productive as rookies than both Foye and Miller were that season. We need more talent period, and if you can add talent by getting another top 10 lottery pick, you do it. How can you turn that down? Yeah I see what you're saying, but not all the young guys in this draft are raw or have a very low BBIQ. If EG (or whatever GM we have on draft night) scout right, we should add a few more talented players.

Please explain where I ever suggested trading our own pick. I would never deal a top 5 pick for average vets. But based on where this team is now I have no desire to trade down either. This isn't the NFL draft. I want the most elite prospect on the board and that's it. No trade down for extra picks and no trading out of our selection. We have cap space which gives us the ability to be active in FA and or on the trade market. I'd rather get additional talent via that route than have John Wall in year 3 trying to teach two rooks how to acclimate to the NBA. Maturity & toughness is missing here. Trading down for two mid lotto picks won't help with that.

[Jay81]

Robinson just moved into top 3. Chad fords said if he was 2 inches taller-Dwight Howard

[TheBigThree]

Robinson just moved into top 3. Chad fords said if he was 2 inches taller-Dwight Howard

He's a home town kid. I would love to see him on our team. No more projects, this guy can step right in and get you 18 and 10.

[Benjammin]

Robinson just moved into top 3. Chad fords said if he was 2 inches taller-Dwight Howard

He's a home town kid. I would love to see him on our team. No more projects, this guy can step right in and get you 18 and 10.

He seems to be a high character guy as well who has overcome adversity and tragedy in his family.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... n-magazine

I think he's a good bit smaller than either Howard or Amare but seems to have good explosion and a high motor. I think he's big enough to play the 4 effectively. Right now I would take him before Sullinger or PJ3. I think Davis and perhaps Drummond might go before him. Right now I don't know who I would take between Robinson, MKG, and Barnes.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If the Wizards end up with the #2 pick, I don't want Drummond. I hope they trade down to pick Robinson, Sullinger, or Kidd Gilchrist.

I think swapping picks for Sullinger and a future #1 is better than selecting Drummond.

I don't like PJ3 at all.

[DaRealHibachi]

While I like Harden allot (wanted to draft him at the time), I think he's another Ariza waiting to happen... Just saying...

You lost me on that one. They're such different type players. Ariza was an uber athlete best as a role playing defensive specialist who doesn't have to do much on offense other than fly on the break and hit open 3's. He was exposed when he was asked to do more offensively. Harden is basically the opposite. While he can play effectively off the ball, he's best as an offensive creator. If he wasn't on a team with Harden and Westbrook, he'd put up all-star type offensive numbers. His skill level is off the charts compared to Ariza. He's a guy who can probably get over 20 efficient points and 6 assists a game, imo.

While I agree with their difference in skill and athleticism, the bolded is what I am worried about; I think that if Harden is thrown into a bigger role, he might not be as good as he is now... I might well be wrong though, we'll have to see...

[Ruzious]

While I like Harden allot (wanted to draft him at the time), I think he's another Ariza waiting to happen... Just saying...

You lost me on that one. They're such different type players. Ariza was an uber athlete best as a role playing defensive specialist who doesn't have to do much on offense other than fly on the break and hit open 3's. He was exposed when he was asked to do more offensively. Harden is basically the opposite. While he can play effectively off the ball, he's best as an offensive creator. If he wasn't on a team with Harden and Westbrook, he'd put up all-star type offensive numbers. His skill level is off the charts compared to Ariza. He's a guy who can probably get over 20 efficient points and 6 assists a game, imo.

While I agree with their difference in skill and athleticism, the bolded is what I am worried about; I think that if Harden is thrown into a bigger role, he might not be as good as he is now... I might well be wrong though, we'll have to see...

I know - I'm saying I think it would be just the opposite. He would put up all-star type numbers if he didn't have to share the ball so much. Basically, Harden can't miss. He's possibly the strongest guard in the NBA and has such a wide variety of skills. Plus, he's got the mentality to handle being a star - he's got major swagger on the court.

[nate33]

Harden reminds a lot of prime Ginobili. He has no weaknesses to his game. He does everything well and does a real good job of taking what the defense gives him.

Shane Battier, an expert at utilizing advanced scouting reports to prepare to defend a player, said that Ginobili was one of the hardest guys in the league to guard because he had no tendencies. He had roughly the same effectiveness no matter if you forced him left or right, to drive or shoot, played him soft or crowded him. Nothing made any difference on his scoring efficiency.

[Mizerooskie]

If the Wizards end up with the #2 pick, I don't want Drummond. I hope they trade down to pick Robinson, Sullinger, or Kidd Gilchrist.

I think swapping picks for Sullinger and a future #1 is better than selecting Drummond.

I don't like PJ3 at all.

Agree with you on PJ3 and Drummond, but don't agree with you on moving down. I think both Robinson and Sullinger will be consensus top-5 guys when the draft rolls around. I'd just go ahead and pick whichever one of them I liked better. Only way I'd move down was if the team at 3 or 4 really coveted Drummond. That way, you're guaranteed one of those two PFs.

As of right now, here's how I'd rank my top-15 (or so) draft prospects for the Wizards (using a mini tier system):

Tier 1 - Anthony Davis
Tier 2 - Thomas Robinson, Jared Sullinger
Tier 3 - MKG, Harrison Barnes, Bradley Beal, Jeremy Lamb, John Henson, Arnett Moultrie
Tier 4 - Andre Drummond, Perry Jones III, Terrence Jones, Quincy Miller, Tony Wroten, Terrence Ross, Meyers Leonard, Patric Young

As you can see, I really don't like Drummond or Jones. While Drummond's got some great physical tools and is putting up decent numbers, I don't like the inconsistency of his effort, and he seems to lack a fire in his belly that he'll need for his position in the NBA. PJ3 wants to be a 2, but he'll never be a 2. And I bet he'll always want to be a 2.

If you haven't gotten a chance to, try to catch Moultrie in action. He's my semi-sleeper for the draft . You'll definitely be a fan of him, CCJ.

[nate33]

As the draft rolls around, the Wizards should start leaking stories about how much they like Drummond and how much they don't want to pay McGee's new expensive contract.

If we're picking high enough to grab Drummond, and we want good value in a trade-down scenario, we need to convince teams that we don't want to move down.