bwgood77 wrote:ImNotMcDiSwear wrote:Ghost of Kleine wrote:https://uproxx.com/dimemag/2020-under-the-radar-nba-draft-prospects/ .
Potential cheap contractual developmental assets with solid potential that we could acquire, Should we just trade for/ or buy a 2nd round pick. Also, It wouldn't hurt to have extra depth and insurance against injury depletion for our roster too.
I'm not at all against buying a 2nd rounder in this draft. Should be some for sale, given the number of teams who have multiple picks. Probably buyers, too, given how many teams have none.
When have we bought a second round pick since Sarver owned the team? This is a bad draft in the first place. Not one to buy extra picks, and even the guys Ghost likes are projected in the 20s, like Nesmith and Vassell.
Whilst your not wrong in that Sarver has over his tenure here, Has created a blatant image of himself being cheap and grossly inept when it comes to recognizing value and potential especially with respect to the draft, it's prospects,
And their obvious potential as tradable assets that can be cheaply acquired, Or as cost effective ways to add depth, James Jones himself has professed a newfound perspective on the value of the draft, As well as in adding veteran players too.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/arizonasports.com/story/2252459/gm-james-jones-reinforces-stance-on-how-suns-value-nba-draft/amp/ “
The draft is a place where you can add tremendous depth, where you can add tremendous capacity to your team and set you up for the future but current players actually produce and you see that productivity in real time,” he said Tuesday. “It just depends on the situation, depends on the player and more importantly it depends on the position.”
So with respect to that statement as well as the supposed newfound independence and autonomy gifted to Jones and Bowers, by sarver stepping back and relinquishing more control, It should be reasonable to infer that there is hope for a different model for success or vision finally. Hopefully they also have woken up to the reality that the draft, and more specifically the 2nd round prospects offer minimal to no real monetary or contractual risk , As they're unguaranteed contracts, Yet many still carry immense untapped potential.
But obviously it's our responsibility to properly identify such undiscovered talent and potential as other successful franchises seem to do each and every year. My hope is that our front office has finally become aware of the inherent value of building through the draft and creating a system with high levels of player development and also recognize that their scouting staff needs to become a very strong aspect of their front office.
Lastly, Whilst I can agree with your statement that on the surface, We can say this draft isn't nearly as loaded with top tier talent, Nor has it been hyped to any comparable levels as other drafts may have. It would be ignorant and/or shortsighted for anyone to make proclamations regarding the overall value of the players throughout, As there's many various starter level and role player level players still to be found with differing levels of perspective value, depending upon what each individual team is looking for honestly. Also, as we've seen time and time again each year, whether it be in the first or 2nd round, There are always a number of unknown or undiscovered players that get overlooked, Only to be found by the very best franchises that have managed to realize the value of the draft. And as such, Now have young, high potential, talented high value tradable assets that can be cost controlled through out their rookie contracts (about 6 years)? If they don't accept their qualifying offer?
Another important consideration being overlooked, particularly with respect to our current roster situation is in that these rookies on minimal contracts easily provide depth and additional insurance againsthaving an injury depleted roster, as well as needed depth throughout the season. Lastly, it's true that I would love them to consider Vassell and/ or Nesmith for a potential additional pick. As I just think that they have tremendous potential,
IF DEVELOPED CORECTLY or if they go to the right system that actually plays them and doesn't just randomly ship them off before realizing what they have to offer. But even as BW himself stated, They've already moved up into the 20s'
from the 2nd round, Thusly substantiating my claim that value can be identified or recognized, anywhere in the draft. This is because the draft is fluid with varying talent moving up and down a scale. But again, Not all highly talented players are immediately recognized as many such " hidden gems" don't get the same levels of media attention and hype , Because they didn't ( for whatever reason) go to major universities or well known programs. It happens. But that fact doesn't negate or diminish that individual players potential or inherent talent. Ultimately, it's up to our front office to properly identify, acquire and develop these very same unknown or undiscovered talents, Just as the bigger, more successful franchises do. So, You can argue all you want against the draft, But aside from the draft, In this last decade or so of misding the playoffs, What have we really accomplished through trades and free agency that has helped us reclaim relevance again???
Just because we drafted really poorly in the past, doesn't mean it's not easily the most viable, And cost effective way for a franchise with our issues, poor overall image and culture to add actual depth and talent. But also more importantly, it's a very cost effective way to replenish our depleted trade assets. So yes, despite not being a highly anticipated or well hyped draft, We should definitely add a pick or two, not necessarily with the expectations of them stepping right in and contributing, But to give us additional depth, and high potential trade assets as they're developed properly.
