Draft Thread: Who do you want with the 13th pick? Stanley Johnson and WCS added..change votes if you want

[RunDogGun]

So back to the topic of this year's draft. Not thinking we move up, are we all in agreement that the best big available would be the best road to take? I know McD said he isn't going to draft for need, but the BPA just might be a big.

Speaking of bigs, how is Len healing?

[bwgood77]

I'm not sure what reality some of you guys think you're living in, but it seems clear that the assets we have are going to be used to grab a star. Next, it seems very clear that until our youngins can outplay the guys ahead of them, they aren't going to get big minutes, regardless of what fans think. And when those youngins do that, then the unneeded players will be shipped out, like Plumlee was after Len took the starting job.

It doesn't seem like this coaching staff, and many other coaching staffs like to do trial by fire. It usually only happens if there are injuries, necessity, or top picks that the potential is so high, they earn those spots.

Our main issues were lack of floor leadership, it seems counter productive to keep rebuilding every offseason, when changes haven't even had time to gel.

Warren will get minutes this upcoming season, as will Len, hopefully he is healthy enough to play those minutes. Unless we grab a guy at 13, who shows maturity, and quick understanding of both offense and defense, I wouldn't expect to see them get a lot of playing time. Goodwin, I'm still not sure about, especially after his media back and forth with Hornacek, and understanding roles.

I still would like to see more Bullock.

But I think many of you have gone mad if you think Hornacek is going to dump Tucker or deeply bench him, because you think the only way to develop youth is by giving them big minutes.

Well, I'm not sure what world you're living in, but "going to be used to grab a star" is like saying I bought a bunch of lottery tickets and I'm going to use them to win the lottery.

We need to be realistic. If we can make a great trade and land one, great. I'm not saying bench Tucker, because I think he has value. He is a pretty good trade asset or a pretty good guy to have on your team. He is a solid vet to start with our new backcourt for stability for a little while. But Warren needs big minutes soon. If you watched the team you know Warren has talent, and he has likely only scratched the surface.

I don't totally understand why you want Tucker to play so much so badly. Are you guys related or something?

[bwgood77]

So back to the topic of this year's draft. Not thinking we move up, are we all in agreement that the best big available would be the best road to take? I know McD said he isn't going to draft for need, but the BPA just might be a big.

Speaking of bigs, how is Len healing?

I think most would want a big. I think I'll do a poll.

[RunDogGun]

I love the pre-draft fantasy trades.......You guys know good and damn well we will be drafting number 13. You should be looking at who will be available at 13, because we never trade during or pre draft.

In a few years we won't have to trade up, we will be bad enough to pick in place of the 6ers, Wolves, Pistons, Jazz et al because they all have talent and high picks because they played their young guys; we have people here who say play PJ........I would love to have seen Warren get the burn Rodney Hood received.

But play PJ, pick 13 and then make ridiculous trade offers on RealGM.


We have nothing to trade......NOTHING!!

Why should we play Warren, he was the 14th pick? (Green font)

Hood got many minutes because Burks went down, and they really didn't have many options.

PJ is one of our best defenders, and our most versatile defender, it isn't dumb to want him to be on the floor. If Warren can be as good as a defender as PJ, then there shouldn't be an argument. Also, one doesn't hinder the other in minutes, for PJ can see minutes at two other positions.

I like Tucker, and I wouldn't mind if he started the first 10 games or so of the season (as long as Warren got more and more time) but I would want Warren starting by quarter mark at the latest.

Now if we started off gangbusters and went like 8-2 it's hard to change, so that is fine, and I can see a scenario where Tucker starts until around the trade deadline for trade purposes.

I think our best trade assets are probably Kieff and actually Tucker. I think many teams that want to fight in the playoffs and have their stars would love to have a Tucker to do the little things, and he is cheap.

But Warren NEEDS to get 25+ minutes a game and hopefully 30+ by the end of the season. Why do I want him to play more than Tucker? Because he is probably the one player out of everyone on our roster that has a somewhat of a chance at being an all star. Don't get me wrong, I love Len, and I think he will be rock solid, but I'm not ready to say Len is going to be a top big in the west and get anywhere near the level of Cousins, Davis, Duncan, etc.

I think Warren though has that chance to be one of the better scorers in the league that can just score in multiple ways. If he develops a little more of an outside shot, he will be a lethal scorer. His floater and put backs are a thing of beauty. He always knows where to be.

I understand why you like Tucker, but he is likely not a part of our long term future and we likely are not winning a playoff series while he is around, so other than being a good on court role model for maybe another half year until we trade him or until this contract runs out should be it. I wouldn't mind if we kept him down the road as an 8th man or something, because he does some good things and plays hard, but you can't take minutes from Warren just to keep him on the floor. That's silly at this point.

I seem to be one of the only ones that keep saying that the two (Tucker and Warren) can coexist, so I've never suggested that Tucker would steal minutes from Warren. But we can't just start almost all offense oriented players, and have our best defender be the same guy running the offense. I would love Warren to be good enough to take the starting role, but I just don't see Jeff take out Tucker because Warren has potential.

Lastly, regardless of the Morris case outcome, I think they will get some sort of suspension, so we may see Tucker start at the four for a few games.

[bwgood77]

Pick your top three choices if these guys are available.....in the comments list your preference. I went with Turner, Kaminsky, Lyles. This could change. You can also change your vote if you change your mind after seeing/reading more. I also like Looney a bit. Possibly Portis. I would typically love a guy like Booker, but I just think we need frontcourt depth too much to draft a SG with that pick, especially if we could possibly get a guy like Tyler Harvey with the next pick.

[MrMiyagi]

Myles Turner, Kevin Looney and RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON!

[MrMiyagi]

I think BPA is the way to go... unless that player is a point guard.

[RunDogGun]

I'm not sure what reality some of you guys think you're living in, but it seems clear that the assets we have are going to be used to grab a star. Next, it seems very clear that until our youngins can outplay the guys ahead of them, they aren't going to get big minutes, regardless of what fans think. And when those youngins do that, then the unneeded players will be shipped out, like Plumlee was after Len took the starting job.

It doesn't seem like this coaching staff, and many other coaching staffs like to do trial by fire. It usually only happens if there are injuries, necessity, or top picks that the potential is so high, they earn those spots.

Our main issues were lack of floor leadership, it seems counter productive to keep rebuilding every offseason, when changes haven't even had time to gel.

Warren will get minutes this upcoming season, as will Len, hopefully he is healthy enough to play those minutes. Unless we grab a guy at 13, who shows maturity, and quick understanding of both offense and defense, I wouldn't expect to see them get a lot of playing time. Goodwin, I'm still not sure about, especially after his media back and forth with Hornacek, and understanding roles.

I still would like to see more Bullock.

But I think many of you have gone mad if you think Hornacek is going to dump Tucker or deeply bench him, because you think the only way to develop youth is by giving them big minutes.

Well, I'm not sure what world you're living in, but "going to be used to grab a star" is like saying I bought a bunch of lottery tickets and I'm going to use them to win the lottery.

We need to be realistic. If we can make a great trade and land one, great. I'm not saying bench Tucker, because I think he has value. He is a pretty good trade asset or a pretty good guy to have on your team. He is a solid vet to start with our new backcourt for stability for a little while. But Warren needs big minutes soon. If you watched the team you know Warren has talent, and he has likely only scratched the surface.

I don't totally understand why you want Tucker to play so much so badly. Are you guys related or something?

No relation to Tucker, and I'm not saying I want him to start so bad, just he does everything a team needs to win games, and Jeff knows this. Most teams search for a 3D player. Now if Warren can play defense to the level of Tucker, the whole conversation changes for me.

I've never denied that Warren has talent. I said early on in the season that he should get rotational minutes. But many here just think he will now automatically get them. I still think Jeff will make him earn them. TJ moves great without the ball, and when his floater is on, he seems to be unstoppable. But his defense needs work, as does his outside shot. Is rebounding is alright, but not as good as Tucker.

As far as asset collecting, McD has said a number of times that the goal would be to use them to land a star. Whether that can be a reality, who knows, but that seems to be the direction. I think McD thinks Knight is a borderline star, so giving up some of our assets to get him before he became a RFA, was a goal. I think it also gave him an opportunity to move Bledsoe if the right trade came about. We have our picks, plus a few new ones, that could be packaged for the right player.

[RunDogGun]

I think BPA is the way to go... unless that player is a point guard.

I just don't know. If McD is going to stick with what he said, if the BPA is a pg, I could see him doing it. But if that happens, I could see him trying to make a bigger trade that makes us better in the front court.

But looking at mocks, I think the BPA will be a front court player.

[bwgood77]

Myles Turner, Kevin Looney and RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON!

I realized I had Cameron Payne in there twice, so I added WCS.....thought about Rondae but left him out. There is a thread on the draft forum asking "Who is the Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green who gets drafted 15th or lower this year?"

I said RHJ if he can learn to shoot.

[bwgood77]

I think BPA is the way to go... unless that player is a point guard.

I just don't know. If McD is going to stick with what he said, if the BPA is a pg, I could see him doing it. But if that happens, I could see him trying to make a bigger trade that makes us better in the front court.

But looking at mocks, I think the BPA will be a front court player.

Obviously BPA is subjective, but I think with the oversaturation of point guards in the league, if you are in pure asset collection mode, a PG who is a better player than a C or PF who may have more value in trade purposes has to be considered.

Unless McD truly believe the PG can be a star. But in that case, you can't really bury him on the bench for long.

[MrMiyagi]

Myles Turner, Kevin Looney and RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON!

I realized I had Cameron Payne in there twice, so I added WCS.....thought about Rondae but left him out. There is a thread on the draft forum asking "Who is the Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green who gets drafted 15th or lower this year?"

I said RHJ if he can learn to shoot.

You see his Draft Express workout video? That's what he's been working on and it looks much better, mechanics-wise. Practice is one thing, a game is another, but it's a start.

[RaisingArizona]

Booker or Frank. I don't think Frank will be there so Booker.

[bwgood77]

Myles Turner, Kevin Looney and RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON!

I realized I had Cameron Payne in there twice, so I added WCS.....thought about Rondae but left him out. There is a thread on the draft forum asking "Who is the Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green who gets drafted 15th or lower this year?"

I said RHJ if he can learn to shoot.

You see his Draft Express workout video? That's what he's been working on and it looks much better, mechanics-wise. Practice is one thing, a game is another, but it's a start.

I'll check it out. If he can start to be a knockdown shooter, he could absolutely be the type of player the three mentioned above could be....and I'd consider taking him, especially if Turner is gone...and Kaminsky. I would love to see the shimmy on a nightly basis watching the Suns.

[MrMiyagi]

I think BPA is the way to go... unless that player is a point guard.

I just don't know. If McD is going to stick with what he said, if the BPA is a pg, I could see him doing it. But if that happens, I could see him trying to make a bigger trade that makes us better in the front court.

But looking at mocks, I think the BPA will be a front court player.

Obviously BPA is subjective, but I think with the oversaturation of point guards in the league, if you are in pure asset collection mode, a PG who is a better player than a C or PF who may have more value in trade purposes has to be considered.

Unless McD truly believe the PG can be a star. But in that case, you can't really bury him on the bench for long.

This. We don't need another fiasco like last year, drafting a point guard and signing one to go along with our 2 very good point guards.

I think BPA will be a front court player, but I also wouldn't be surprised if one of the wings (Oubre or Stanimal) dropped. I feel like every year, some team reaches for a shooter (Stauskas, KCP, Beal climbed, Klay climbed a little too) so Booker could go higher than expected, especially to one of those teams dreaming of Klay Thompson. Some team might decide they need a point guard and take Payne. Someone might fall in love with the experience of Kaminsky and take him early. Of course, Oubre and Stanimal might rise as well. Point is, BPA looks like the right way to go, especially given that we are solid at just about every position, so anyone with boom potential would be welcome.

[bwgood77]

I just don't know. If McD is going to stick with what he said, if the BPA is a pg, I could see him doing it. But if that happens, I could see him trying to make a bigger trade that makes us better in the front court.

But looking at mocks, I think the BPA will be a front court player.

Obviously BPA is subjective, but I think with the oversaturation of point guards in the league, if you are in pure asset collection mode, a PG who is a better player than a C or PF who may have more value in trade purposes has to be considered.

Unless McD truly believe the PG can be a star. But in that case, you can't really bury him on the bench for long.

This. We don't need another fiasco like last year, drafting a point guard and signing one to go along with our 2 very good point guards.

I think BPA will be a front court player, but I also wouldn't be surprised if one of the wings (Oubre or Stanimal) dropped. I feel like every year, some team reaches for a shooter (Stauskas, KCP, Beal climbed, Klay climbed a little too) so Booker could go higher than expected, especially to one of those teams dreaming of Klay Thompson. Some team might decide they need a point guard and take Payne. Someone might fall in love with the experience of Kaminsky and take him early. Of course, Oubre and Stanimal might rise as well. Point is, BPA looks like the right way to go, especially given that we are solid at just about every position, so anyone with boom potential would be welcome.

That all makes sense. Curious, would you take RHJ over Stanimal?

[MrMiyagi]

That all makes sense. Curious, would you take RHJ over Stanimal?

No. I love Rondae, but I just think Stan is a more complete player. I don't know if the comparison is quite apt, but for whatever reason Stan reminds me of a bigger Brandon Roy.

[bwgood77]

That all makes sense. Curious, would you take RHJ over Stanimal?

No. I love Rondae, but I just think Stan is a more complete player. I don't know if the comparison is quite apt, but for whatever reason Stan reminds me of a bigger Brandon Roy.

Stan just seems like a pure winner to me. That guy is going to win at all costs. He had never lost a final game of the season until this year and if not for the scratched eyeball maybe he still doesn't despite the Badgers shooting like 70% from 3.

[jcsunsfan]

Someone on the Knicks board thinks #4 and Calderone for #13 and Bledsoe is realistic.

If they think so, then we would be paying too much. Maybe Bledsoe and the Cavs 2016 pick.

[bwgood77]

Someone on the Knicks board thinks #4 and Calderone for #13 and Bledsoe is realistic.

If they think so, then we would be paying too much. Maybe Bledsoe and the Cavs 2016 pick.

We probably need neutral thoughts. Why don't you post it on the trade board as a question asking which team does this trade benefit more?

It's nice to see neutral opinions. And Calderon doesn't have an e on the end. I actually like Calderon. He is a very good passer and actually is a very good 3 pt shooter. I would love that trade personally.