Road to a Championship start here, 2022 Draft.

[Whole Truth]

NO's trade - (Zion, #8) for (Holmes, #3, #5, Houston FRP)

Houston trade - (Wood, #3, #17, FRP) for (Zion)

Detroit trade - (Grant, #5) for (Barnes, #4)

Sacramento trade - (Barnes, Holmes, #4) for (Grant, Wood, #8, #17)

[Whole Truth]

NO's trade - (CJ, Graham) for (Irving, 5m TE).

Financially, Irving salary, sheds 30m off CJ & dumps Graham's salary filler completely.

At best, Irving is the best player in trade.

Risk factor - CJ vs Irving off court behavior.

Griffin should know the individual well enough to make this call.

# 8 pick = insurance

Jonas - Nance - Hernangomez ------ (#30 Koloko, Cockburn, Khalifa Diop)
Zion - Hayes - Nance
Herb - Murphy - Temple
BI - (#8 Mathurin) - Naji
Irving - Alvarado - Kira

[Zion Wembanyama]

NOLA

#8
Future 1st

SAC

#4

#4 - Sharpe
2nd rd - LaRavia


NOLA

#8
Future 1st

IND

#6

#6 - Murray
2nd rd - LaRavia


NOLA

#8

WAS

#10
Isaiah Todd

#10 - Sochan
2nd rd - LaRavia


NOLA

#8

NYK

#11
Cam Reddish


#11 - Davis
2nd rd - LaRavia


NOLA

#8

OKC

#12
#30

#12 - Agbaji, Eason or Branham
#30 - Liddell, Moore Jr., McGowen or Braun
2nd rd - LaRavia

[Whole Truth]

I don't necessarily agree with the people that want to trade up for Ivey but if NO's were to explore that option. Trading CJ to a contender in a 3 way deal would be the way to go

- CJ to contender for player of preference. Best of Lakers/NO's 23 pick to Kings
- Player of preference to Kings, Best of Lakers/NO's 23 for Barnes, Holnes, #4
- #4 Ivey. Barnes, Holmes.

Maybe entertain sending Barnes or Holmes with CJ the contender for a different return target.

Draft a gaurd or wing with the 8th.

NO's get out from CJ's max, get a young replacement at PG, retain the 8th for another wing/guard option.

[Whole Truth]

I usually stick to my guns but a poster on the trade board reminded my why I was preferring Simmons to CJ. Got me thinking I shouldn't rule out Sochan as a defensive option.

Revamped draft board.

1-4 = Smith/Sharpe
8-12 = Mathurin/Sochan

[Whole Truth]

I don't know who this is but Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report said Lebron could force his way out as soon as this offseason. Gotta keep this potential scenario in mind in offering up the Lakers pick/s. The 23 draft class looks strong.

I see NO's fans giving away picks like chicklets.

[Whole Truth]

People argue Dyson has a more complete game. He played in a mans league & averaged 11pts.

Paople knock the fact Mathurin handles are currently weak & see that as a negative. The way I view prospects, I say look what he did offensively without a tight handle... 18pts on 45% efficiency. What happens to his scoring ability once he tightens those handles ? & in the rare case there's zero improvement in that area, ZERO. His floor would be a floor spacer.

[Whole Truth]

This would be my NO's offseason approach,

#1, Zion signs on NO's terms or traded for (Jabari Smith +).
#2, Draft Mathurin @ 8
#3, Trade (Hayes, Graham, 2 2nds) for (Green, #23) draft Liddell

Current starting lineup

Jonas
Smith - #23 Liddell
Herb -
BI - #8 Mathurin
CJ

Future starting lineup

Smith - 6'10" 40% 3pt shooter, potential 1-5 defensive switchability
Murphy - 6'10" 40% 3pt shooter, 1-4 defensive switchability
Herb - 6'8" 30% improving 3pt shooter, 1-4 defensive switchability
BI - 6'10" lead guard, playmaker, capable 3pt shooter, 1-4 switchability
Mathurin - 6'6" secondary guard, playmaker, 40% 3pt shooter, potential 1-3 defensive switchability

Future bench

Jonas - Change of pace post big, roll man who will eat up regular season mins taking the physical grind off Smith.
Nance - small ball stretch 4/5 + Liddell - who will fall because of his size & be a defensive, pop option
Naji -
CJ 6th man - lead scorer off the bench, someone who can come in ignite the offense & change pace.
Alvarado/Kira -

That future rotation still has the Lakers 23 RTS, 24/25 RTS yrs, Bucks 24 RTS & whatever excess value that comes back from trading Zion for Smith. It's gone from 3 potential max contracts, uncertainty & butting against the cap/flirting with Luxury tax to rookies scale cap management & control. With enough draft capital to make another big trade down the line when the time is right & opportunity presents itself

[Whole Truth]

Look at how good a position NO's are in at the 8th pick.

One of Mathurin or Daniels are going to be there at 8, if none falls.

If someone falls ..

Rumor on the other NO's forum has Sharpe falling. You start to see why the top 7 lotto teams, are lotto teams.

Since seeing a video saying Sharpe could angle himself to a more favorable situation... Teams are getting reluctant with a lack of information. However, the little information we know.. He has logo range, he has a 7' wing span, he has a record setting 49" vert & he's a smooth athlete.

The thing he's getting knocked for is his angling for his best landing spot & situation, of whom will IMO be the benefactor. A place where he can develop, a team that won't need him right away, a team that shouldn't really be lotto bound but is.

Next draft has more top end talent & Sharpe was projected to be in that top end mix. If he falls to 8, thank the other teams that passed. Mostly teams like Kings, Detroit & Portland who are desperate to win now & are notorious for making bad decisions.

As I mentioned before. Sharpe has all the necessary tools. As long as NO's like his mindset, personality & work ethic. This, IMO, is a homerun pick at 8.

I mean, NO's are in a situation, they can send him to the G league for development & still have a deep roster.

To sum it up. Scared money, doesn't make money. You can always trade, draft another role player. The top end of the draft is supposed to be potential based & there's few that have more potential than Sharpe.

My NO's board, in order.

Jabari, Sharpe, Mathurin, Sochan

[Whole Truth]

Portland supposedly had a solo workout with Mathurin on Sunday. I've read about Detroit's interest in Mathurin with a Grant trade linked to Portland at 7. They probably take Murray at 5 & trade Grant for Mathurin at 7.

[Whole Truth]

Kings & Portland are not taking unknown project Sharpe with their win now mandate/appeasement approach.. If he's not gone by 6, he will fall to 8, unless someone trades up for him.

Ideally Bancharo goes #1, that happens I think OKC takes Chet #2 which means Houston might be open to trading Smith.

If Sharpe doesn't fall to 8 will go 5 or 6

Ultimately, NO's should have one of Sharpe, Mathurin or Daniels at 8. with no need to waste an asset.

Only exception is if the top of the draft plays out to where Smith falls to Houston. I'd like to keep the 8th pick in that scenario. Where I'd make the exception on the 24/25 Lakers swap to come out the draft with Smith & Mathurin.

[Whole Truth]

It's due diligence to consider all available options with recent rumors of Pels entertaining calls for the 8th pick.

Hard fact. One of Sharpe, Mathurin or Daniels will be there at 8. Which means, If there's any consideration in trading down, NO's are not enamored or think they can get an equal talent with at least one of the potential available options.

I saw one person compare Branham to Mathurin. I can only hope he's not involved in the process. Branhams ceiling is Mathurin's floor.

If Charlotte wanted to trade up. I'd take that for Williams at 13 & Ogbaji at 15, while potentially dumping salary.. That would mean they probably want Duren at 8.

For me I have had Mathurin locked in at 8 before NO's had the pick because of his potential & fit. I like Ogbaji more than Daniels for what they would potentially bring to the table. WIlliams would just be icing on that cake. Recent video has Daniels bricking shots in his Pacers workout which shows to the point I was making about Cam shooting the cover off the ball in workouts.. Daniels IMO is going to be a hot & cold shooter at the next level. Yet people were comparing Mathurin to NAW.

Option 1 - take Sharpe/Mathurin at 8
Option 2 - trde down with Charlotte for Williams, Ogbaji at 13/15.

I have a bad feeling Mathurin will be off board. Both Detroit & Pacers like him. With Detroit having the potential to take Murray at 5 & trade Grant for him at 7 with Portland. At that point I'd have Sharpe over Daniels or trade down with Charlotte. Where it's possible NO's have it the opposite.. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the Sharpe workout.

[Whole Truth]

In earlier discussions. I talked about Chet's ceiling & bust potential as to why I wouldn't take him top 3 over Smith. I'd say the same for Sharpe's potential. I wouldn't risk a top 3 pick on him over Smith ...

Having said that, I along with many would take Chet outside the top 5 no questions asked & I'd say the same for Sharpe. More less he were to fall to 8.. The potential at that point IMO is now more than worth the risk.

Sharpe was projected top of his 23 draft class which IMO will be a stronger draft class in top end talent than this one. The tools & potential are there, much like Chet & so is the risk but having that potential opportunity at 8 to grab a player that is/was projected as a top 3 pick for next yr would be difficult to pass up..

Especially when you consider NO's are a unigue draft siuation in that they have a solid rotation in place where they can develop & implement Sharpe slowly like they did Murphy who had NO handles.

Sharpe inconsistent or not right now, has range with an elite tool set .Where it's not hard to give him a 3 & D floor. He has some Wiggins vibes to him. Reminder that Wiggins went #1 & in a redraft would currently be worth the 8th pick, maybe better but it took a Championship roster to carve out his potential where if he were to remain in Minnesota... Which shows that it will be important the situation/culture, Sharpe is drafted into..

NO's silence on Sharpe's current workout speaks loudly to me. As the unknown is why he might be available in the first place..

Jabari, Sharpe, Mathurin ----- trade down 13/15 (WIlliams, Ogbaji or (Sochan/Ogbaji).

[Whole Truth]

OKC the team that knows the most about Sharpe wants to trade up for him. If he falls to 8 & DG trades him he better not blow up for who ever trades up for him. I'd consider that a fireable offense to both Scout/s & GM.

If Sharpe is there at 8 & NO's don't like him - I'd want no less than (12, 30, OKC 23 unprotected first) for (Sharpe, 2, 2nds). Otherwise OKC best look to trade up higher, so Mathurin can fall.

It's kind of pissing me off that OKC might walk out this draft with one of Chet/Smith & Sharpe.

NO's looking a gift horse in the face, on 2 accounts.

[Whole Truth]

NBA Draft Net new mock - in line with the rumors currently floating has all my picks off the board & NO's passing on Daniels.

#1 Smith
#2 Ivey
#3 Banchero
#4 Chet
5 Murray
#6 Mathurin
#7 Sharpe
#8 AJ Griffin
#0 Daniels
#10 Agbaji

Williams going 12, with the possibility of packaging up for Sharpe

Duren falling to 17

I'm hoping this is not an accurate mock. It **** up everything I like in this draft for NO's

If OKC take Ivey, I can';t see Kings trading out of Chet at 4. Sharpe listed at 7 opens the possibility of a Thunder trade up to 7. With Agbaji going top 10 & Williams 12.

NO's are deep at SF/PF where Griffin is best suited. WHat's the odds with Washington taking Agbaji at 10, this is the possible trade down spot for NO's ?.

NO's trade- (#8 Griffin, Graham, Temple or Hayes) for (#10 Agbaji, Kuzma, Washington 23 top 4 protected)

[Whole Truth]

This Draft Net mock scenario got me thinking. What's the odds Kings trade out of a project & risk like Chet at 4 with their mandate to win now? Insted of Williams & Agbaji, NO's land Chet & Agbaji utilizing their #8/FRP's for a trade down & trade up..

NO's trade - (#8 Griffin, Graham, Hayes, Temple, FRP) for (#4 Chet, #10 Agbaji, Barnes)
Washington trade - (Kuzma, #10, FRP) for (#8 Griffin, Graham, Temple)
Kings trade - (Barnes, #4) for (Kuzma, Hayes, Lakers/NO's FRP unprotected, Washington FRP protected)

Feels like I'm weak on the win now players for Kings but this would be the concept for what would be a project pick for the Kings. Maybe take out Barnes, swap him for Holmes expiring.

NO's trade - (#8 Griffin, Graham, Hayes, Lakers 23, Bucks FRP) for (#4 Chet, #10 Agbaji, Holmes)
Washington trade - (Kuzma, KCP, #10) for (#8 Griffin, Barnes, Graham)
Kings trade - (Barnes, Holmes, #4) for (Kuzma, KCP, Hayes, Lakers/NO's FRP unprotected, Bucks FRP)

[Whole Truth]

Saw this trade rumor -( 8, Graham, 41) for (12, Micic, 34, 2023 Washington 12 to top 8 protected). Where they dont think they'd get the Houston 2024 pick instead.

lol won't get Houston 24 with them currently drafting top 3. It's not hard to imagine they will probably have a solid core in place by then. Are you even sure Houston will be top 10 next season ?, I'm not as sure... I'd want no less than the OKC 23 pick, unprotected. This is when you start to realize OKC is making out like bandits as Sharpe is/was projected top 3 for that same 23 draft class. They basically trading 12 & a 2nd to ensure landing atop the 23 draft being the team that has the most knowledge on Sharpe.

NO's are essentially trading (8 & 15) for (12, 34 & a future non top 10 pick)

I'm going to simply state. You **** up trading the 15th pick for Graham, don't compound that mistake. Pels need quality, not quantity. Sharpe is projected atop of his 23 draft class you're not going to get an equal prospect trading down from him as you would from someone else. He's fallen to 8 because of a lack of knowledge, not talent or potential. OKC has the same need to consolidate as NO's & they have studied him the most of any team. I'm just going to say it plain... I don't like it.

The logic in trade is there. Lower price point, dumping salary, additional assets ... but what I see with Sharpe on board is a team out thinking themselves & ultimately losing. The draft is about potential & Sharpe is the epitome of that. The further he falls, the lesser the risk & greater the value. OKC who doesn't have a full PO roster, is trading up fo consolodate for him.

Even if Sharpe went to go on & bust, which I don't think he will. To trade him IMO, is not the risght move. The name of the draft game, is potential for top end talent. Trading down from Sharpe, you lose

Want to save money, Lakers are offering 5m for a 2nd round pick. Trade them Temple & a 2nd round pick. Try & recoup some of Grahams value with him coming off the bench as a potential 6th man. With drafting Sharpe, there would be no immediate need to trade Graham. I'm thinking deadline trade if NO's deam Sharpe ready for significant minutes.

True intellifence is not taking something easy & making it difficult. It's taking something difficult & making it look easy.

[Whole Truth]

Earlier this morining I posted this - Saw this trade rumor -( 8, Graham, 41) for (12, Micic, 34, 2023 Washington 12 to top 8 protected).

Funny thing about that rumor... OKC didn't have the 34th pick till their recent trade with Denver.

[Whole Truth]

NBA Draft Net new mock has 3 centres listed around the 34th pick Robinson, Koloko & Butler. Mark Williams at 12 one before Charlotte who want that centre prospect. I don't think this rumor stops there. I think NO's turn Mark into 13 & 15 where they have Eason at 13 & Sochan at 15

(#8 Sharpe, Graham, #41)

For -

(#13 Eason, #15 Sochan, proven guard Micic in dumping Graham's salary, #34 Koloko, Washington 23 FRP top 12 protected to top 8 protected)

I like the concept & execution of the trade but the meat really comes down to Sharpe's potential.

[Whole Truth]

Ringers, Kevin O'Conner's mock draft

Smith
Chet
Pablo
Murray
Ivey
Sharpe
Daniels
Mathurin

I can only hope he's spot on with this.

He also has Koloko going 28th where I think Heat could use that 27th pick to get off of Duncans 4/15. I proposed a trade on the trade board along the lines of (Graham 4/11, Kira & 2, 2nds) for (Robinson 27).

Going off the rumored interest for Heurter with the 8th pick... I lined up Heat dumping Duncan & NO's dumping Graham in combination with moving up for 27 where NO's can nab Koloko.

In this scenario using Kira & the 2nd round picks to move up for Duncan & the 27th pick on top of Mathurin being there at 8. It would be my ideal draft for NO's. Duncan is not Heurter but he is a better shooter than Graham & he'd be coming back with a defensive rim runner & teammate of Mathurin reseting Kira's rookie deal & filling a greater need.. Where for the Heat Lowry could be an issue & they get a young PG as a possible solution seeing that CJ & Alvarado might eat up his minutes & stall his development in NO's.

Jonas - #27 Koloko - Hermangomez - Nance
Zion - Nance - Hayes
Herb - Murphy - Naji - Robinson
BI - #8 Mathurin - Robinson - Naji
CJ - Alvarado - #8 Mathurin