After that Sixers trade, I don't see a splash with Sund

[td00]

I think Sund just stands pat, and truly has little interest in getting a high pick out of this year's draft.

If we get JJ to come back, we will forever be strapped at the salary cap level and not be able to bring in another top talent.

I emphasize the draft because how our hands our tied with this ownership's way of doing business...call me crazy, but we have to continue to stay young and have to have a draft pick come in and contribute within a couple of years.

[azuresou1]

What does the Sixers trade have to do with Rick Sund?

[evildallas]

It's hard to trade up to the top of the draft, so you shouldn't draw conclusions from that. Also if a trade is made for a pick it is more likely to happen draft night when you can be sure the guy you want is still available. With the ownership committee system the Hawks may not be able to move quick enough even if a favorable deal becomes the available.

The Kings/Sixers deal doesn't seem to have any real bearing on us. Philadelphia used Dalembert expiring deal and a willingness to take on Nocioni's contract to get the added bonus of Spencer Hawes. For the Hawks to do something like that we'd have to give Crawford (only expiring of decent contract size) and take on 3 years of Nocioni's deal to land the young C Hawes. Giving up Crawford in that type of deal would give Joe more leverage this summer in negotiating with the Hawks. I think the key is they wanted Dalembert out of the clubhouse sooner rather than later as they prepare to draft Turner. The Kings are likely to go big at #5 so they really just gave up Hawes and some short-term cap room to improve their cap dramatically next year.

If your interest was in acquiring Dalembert, then I don't know what to say. We didn't have a young big to throw in, but we've probably passed on a lot of chances to get Dalembert over the years.

The rest of what you said is the big challenge, sign Joe and have no cap room or let him walk and hope to get a good player via the draft while remaining flexible. We spent half a decade in the upper half of the lottery and the chances we had at a game changing player was squandered. Furthermore the 2nd round has been totally wasted during this same time, so we have an under manned bench as well. It's hard to feel great about our situation. The odds of getting a great player late in the draft are longer but not impossible. It requires patience and player development (another area we have sucked). Maybe that will change now with the coaching change.

[azuresou1]

It also requires great scouting, something that as an organization we haven't been great at. Horford was the surefire pick, Smoove was going Top 5 early that year before sliding to 17. Teague, I like, but it's way too early to tell.

On the flip side, the Spurs have drafted Tony Parker with the #28 pick, Ginobili with the 57th pick, George Hill with the 26th, and DeJuan Blair with the 37th pick. Are you f-ing kidding me?

[parson]

SA has great coaches developing the players, as well. Sometimes, the front office drafts the right guy, only to see the coaching fail.

[td00]

I was tying our situation to that trade today as if the Kings now would be leaning towards keeping the pick and adding a top talent. I am pining for a chance at a Cousins or a Monroe at the top as it really is a weakness for us.
I really have not had a liking to Dalembert mainly because of his thin frame as a center. I think Hawes could help a team as he is starting to now contribute since he was drafted.
Evil is right; our ability to develop talent from no matter where we drafted has been sketchy. I know we now have a new regime in place selecting the picks, but thinking how deep this draft is, I see big benefits from a top draft pick.
Agreeing with how the Spurs just get it done through the draft. They seem to be able to add a player who can contribute no matter where they draft.

[evildallas]

Ok, so I get your motivation, but I never really thought the Kings were trading the 5th pick just to move Nocioni. I saw the Kings in talent acquisition mode. This was their 4th year in the lottery and only the 2nd in the upper half. As long as they don't spend the pick on a Shelden Williams clone they are likely to get a good piece to the overall puzzle with it. I just don't think the ASG or Sund shares your faith in Cousins to give up an All-Star caliber player to acquire the pick in the same summer as likely watching Joe walk. I'm also not sure than the Kings would even do the deal considering they have Carl Landry to man the 4 spot already.

[evildallas]

I just read a Chad Ford writeup on the trade and it really makes me question how that guy has a job writing about the NBA. He concluded that after the trade the Sixers have a bare front line and the Kings biggest need is now at the 3 unless they think Casspri or Greene is ready. That is the level of analysis that I expect from a fan in grade school (if they are poorly informed). Let's start with the Sixers, Dalembert was already expiring and likely in his last year in Philly. Replacing him with Hawes actually increases their long term depth at C. As far as need at the wing, it was already noted that didn't have a pressing need there with Igoudala and Young out there. Nocioni gives another veteran on the wing, but shouldn't stop then from drafting Evan Turner if they think he's going to be a star. As for the Kings, does acquiring Dalembert solve their long term needs on the front line? No. He was just the expiring contract that allowed them to dump Nocioni's contract for flexibility down the line. If anything shipping out Hawes created a bigger need on the front line because Dalembert is an uncertain resign as it is unsure how much his salary will drop to match his production next summer (he could wind up signing anywhere). Also, Casspri looks pretty good.

[HoopsGuru25]

Ford is great when it comes to the prospects, but that's it.