'14 Draft Thread - Parker Declares. List your top 4

[breakchains]

June 26 needs to hurry up.

[LUKE23]

How often do you see players risk that though? It's just not something I'm worried about.

[RRyder823]

Maybe its just me but I think that something being overlooked when it comes to who we should select is who we're going to have the best chance to resign after their rookie deals if we hit the jackpot. Just for that reason alone can't get behind anyone in any way shape or form saying we should draft Exum before 4th at the earliest.

The kids already been on the record for trying to pine for the Lakers and imo if someone is going to come out right of the bat and say they want play in a big market like that I'd stay away from him. Even if he turns out to be great we still probably wont have him for the long haul. I'd go with Wiggins/Parker. Don't really think they could go wrong with either one and Embiid as my 3rd choice.

Unless a player risks a season playing at the QO after his fourth year, the team controls that player for nine seasons at least, essentially. So the above doesn't really factor in.

But that's kinda the point. If Exum is going to be the elite player that we all hope to draft then he WILL play on that QO and attempt to put himself in position for a move to a team like the Lakers. You can disagree with me but if we do end up taking Exum then either he's just going to be a mediocre to good player and people around here will say how he's not the type of player to put us over the top or he is that type of player and effectively we're drafting a guy to trade in 4 years in which case we should just trade the pick now. Not saying I don't like him as a prospect but we need to look at players that have the potential to be Elite AND won't be looking for the first chance to skip to a bigger market. Just saying it should be considered when talking about who we all want. I'd consider him at 4 but not in the top 3 over Wiggins/Parker/Embiid simply for that reason

[RRyder823]

Maybe its just me but I think that something being overlooked when it comes to who we should select is who we're going to have the best chance to resign after their rookie deals if we hit the jackpot. Just for that reason alone can't get behind anyone in any way shape or form saying we should draft Exum before 4th at the earliest.

The kids already been on the record for trying to pine for the Lakers and imo if someone is going to come out right of the bat and say they want play in a big market like that I'd stay away from him. Even if he turns out to be great we still probably wont have him for the long haul. I'd go with Wiggins/Parker. Don't really think they could go wrong with either one and Embiid as my 3rd choice.

Unless a player risks a season playing at the QO after his fourth year, the team controls that player for nine seasons at least, essentially. So the above doesn't really factor in.

It's not that big of a risk for a player to take IMO (that someone would take the QO to get to go to, say, Los Angeles) and something feasible depending on the player. We aren't talking football here.

At the very least, it makes winning paramount for a team/city with such a poor reputation as the Bucks have.

Agreed

[breakchains]

How often do you see players risk that though? It's just not something I'm worried about.

It doesn't happen often but I think it's not all that crazy of a proposition and it could happen because the risk just isn't all that great to the player (especially when the reward would be going from Milwaukee to Los Angeles). I think for a GM to not at least be aware of the potential would be negligent on his part in his duties as GM.

One of the Bucks' biggest failings over the past couple decades has been their inability to be self-aware. How they are perceived by players, their own team culture, and how it affects everything.

The situation we're talking about here may not be enough to move the needle to a different player (because, for example, I would still take Exum at #4), but you've got to be aware of it.

[Wooderson]

But that's kinda the point. If Exum is going to be the elite player that we all hope to draft then he WILL play on that QO and attempt to put himself in position for a move to a team like the Lakers. You can disagree with me but if we do end up taking Exum then either he's just going to be a mediocre to good player and people around here will say how he's not the type of player to put us over the top or he is that type of player and effectively we're drafting a guy to trade in 4 years in which case we should just trade the pick now. Not saying I don't like him as a prospect but we need to look at players that have the potential to be Elite AND won't be looking for the first chance to skip to a bigger market. Just saying it should be considered when talking about who we all want. I'd consider him at 4 but not in the top 3 over Wiggins/Parker/Embiid simply for that reason

How many players in history have taken the QO over guaranteed $? More relevant question, how many players offered a guaranteed $60+ million have turned it down for the QO? I'm guessing the answer to the 2nd question is zero. If we offer a max contract (especially with the extra year/$) we most likely keep him.

There's no way you surpass on a superior talent because of this type of threat. You always take the superior talent and worry about the fit/re-signing issue later, especially for a situation like the Bucks devoid of any top end players.

[Baddy Chuck]

Embiid has said as much about loving LA and the Lakers as Exum has. Wiggins has said more about Toronto then anyone has about anything. Let's just only target Parker.

[AussieBuck]

Is anyone honestly worried about Exum trying to force his way to LA based on nothing but rubbish journalism or is this one of those "I don't want this guy so I need to find a reason to knock him down a peg" things?

[EastSideBucksFan]

Is anyone honestly worried about Exum trying to force his way to LA based on nothing but rubbish journalism or is this one of those "I don't want this guy so I need to find a reason to knock him down a peg" things?

What young talented basketball player wouldn't want to play in Los Angeles?

Non issue for me.

[AussieBuck]

IIRC Ben Gordon took the QO because he thought he was worth $5 million a year more than anyone sane thought he was. He was going to stay at the Bulls though if they paid him something like what Detroit did.

[AussieBuck]

Is anyone honestly worried about Exum trying to force his way to LA based on nothing but rubbish journalism or is this one of those "I don't want this guy so I need to find a reason to knock him down a peg" things?

What young talented basketball player wouldn't want to play in Los Angeles?

Non issue for me.

Unless I missed some damning interview he said when asked something like "sure I'd love to play for the Lakers, Kobe is my hero."

[RRyder823]

Embiid has said as much about loving LA and the Lakers as Exum has. Wiggins has said more about Toronto then anyone has about anything. Let's just only target Parker.

I never said lets only target Parker. I also said I'd take Embiid 3rd. Asumeing he's healthy its a similar situation to Exum but he's a more legit talent then him so he gets ranked higher. As for Wiggins I have him pretty even with Parker as my top choice. If not for the Toronto thing I'd almost definatly have him the edge outright but that simply is not the case and needs to be considered.

If u can't make a player happy he'll force his way out one way or another and I'd simply prefer not to start behind the eight ball in that regard. Also quite a few players have turned down that extra year to go play were they want. It happens all the time when it comes to Elite players.

[Zeezprah]

i never understood why it would bug players where they played.

like if i was in one of these top prospects' shoes, i honestly do not think i would care at all.

i mean so what if you end up in some city you don't wanna be in? like for example, i'd never wanna live/play in detroit. but if the pistons drafted me, they have to pay me millions, and i'd instantly forget about where i was and just play for the franchise/my teammates. i'd prolly end up liking detroit more than i thought i was gonna.

but let's say i really just don't like the actual city. i'm on the road half the year, and the months i get off, i can live literally anywhere i want because i'm a millionaire. worst case, and i hate the city so bad, i have to spend 7 years or so doing this.

idk maybe i'm weird though.

[Wooderson]

Embiid has said as much about loving LA and the Lakers as Exum has. Wiggins has said more about Toronto then anyone has about anything. Let's just only target Parker.

I never said lets only target Parker. I also said I'd take Embiid 3rd. Asumeing he's healthy its a similar situation to Exum but he's a more legit talent then him so he gets ranked higher. As for Wiggins I have him pretty even with Parker as my top choice. If not for the Toronto thing I'd almost definatly have him the edge outright but that simply is not the case and needs to be considered.

If u can't make a player happy he'll force his way out one way or another and I'd simply prefer not to start behind the eight ball in that regard. Also quite a few players have turned down that extra year to go play were they want. It happens all the time when it comes to Elite players.

You have absolutely zero idea of the relevant mindsets of players as to whether they're more prone to leaving or not. Small snippets from the mainstream media regarding 18-20 year olds should not dictate your perception of them. Maybe if you could interview them or their coaches first-hand it might have some small bearing, but certainly not what you hear through normal media outlets.

And please clarify these elite players who have turned down signing a 2nd contract in favor of the QO...because it hasn't happened.

[midranger]

Who are the 5?

Wiggins - I could talk myself into him being Dominique Wilkins or Desmond Mason
Embiid - Hakeem or Greg Oden (injury) / Emeka Okafor (play)
Parker - Melo or Caron Butler
Exum - Healthy Penny or Healthy Shaun Livingston
Randle - Karl Malone or Kris Humpheries


If I had to bet one one guy being a highly productive pro, I'd bet on Julius Randle. Put him next to a strong defensive center and you have the start of a strong 50+ win team ala David Lee and Zach Randolph. That said, I have no doubt that at least 2 of the other guys will have a much better pro career. I just don't know which two.

[mchase27]

Who are the 5?

Wiggins - I could talk myself into him being Dominique Wilkins or Desmond Mason
Embiid - Hakeem or Greg Oden (injury) / Emeka Okafor (play)
Parker - Melo or Caron Butler
Exum - Healthy Penny or Healthy Shaun Livingston
Randle - Karl Malone or Kris Humpheries


If I had to bet one one guy being a highly productive pro, I'd bet on Julius Randle. Put him next to a strong defensive center and you have the start of a strong 50+ win team ala David Lee and Zach Randolph. That said, I have no doubt that at least 2 of the other guys will have a much better pro career. I just don't know which two.

[blazza18]

Build the right team around them and they wont want to leave. Whole lotta worrying about nothing.

[Baddy Chuck]

Who are the 5?

Wiggins - I could talk myself into him being Dominique Wilkins or Desmond Mason
Embiid - Hakeem or Greg Oden (injury) / Emeka Okafor (play)
Parker - Melo or Caron Butler
Exum - Healthy Penny or Healthy Shaun Livingston
Randle - Karl Malone or Kris Humpheries


If I had to bet one one guy being a highly productive pro, I'd bet on Julius Randle. Put him next to a strong defensive center and you have the start of a strong 50+ win team ala David Lee and Zach Randolph. That said, I have no doubt that at least 2 of the other guys will have a much better pro career. I just don't know which two.

CAN YOU BELIEVE HES SAYING EMBIID IS AS GOOD AS HAKEEM!?

[theFireBlanket]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/258367511.html

Bucks guard Brandon Knight was interviewed Wednesday on Sirius XM Radio's "NBA Today" show and was asked his preference if the team gets the No. 1 pick in the June NBA draft.

Knight was non-committal but said the approach of the player the Bucks eventually choose is the most important thing.

"That's a tough question," Knight said in response to a question from former NBA coach Mike Dunleavy. "That's for our team to decide. I just want a guy, whoever he is, to come in and work hard and understand the type of year we had last year.

"He wasn't a part of it, but understand we can't repeat that type of season and that none of the guys here will be in a mood where that will be repeated. Our mind-set is going to be totally different. We're going to approach the game differently. We're going to remember how this year went for us and use it as motivation."

The Bucks finished 15-67 last season and failed to win consecutive games in posting the worst record in franchise history.

[SupremeHustle]

Whoever we draft, I hope he does play as hard as Brandon Knight.