2011 NBA Draft

[Harry10]

-Demetri McCamey - will most likely be available for the Hawks in the 2nd round

-Andrew Goudelock - Stone Mountain guy who reminds me of Jodie Meeks.

-Nolan Smith - i don't think he will slip to the Hawks in the 2nd round. i don't know what his ceiling is, but i think he is the safest pick in the draft and will have a 10 year career

-Jeremy Tyler - I don't think he will slip to the Hawks, but he is the only big body in the second round

-Josh Selby - he has the athleticism that the NBA is moving towards to. Has the speed and quickness of Teague and Rose

-Travis Leslie - big time athleticism and home town favorite.

With the emergence of Teague, i'm not sure the Hawks should go after McCamey or go after a guy like Goudelock, or Leslie to get another scorer on the bench.

[evildallas]

I counter with:
Marshon Brooks - 6'5 Providence - big scorer in the Big East (2nd in country) from Stone Mountain (could fill scorer off bench role)

Michael Dunigan - 6'10 intl - After a year at Oregon, Dunigan went to Europe and got into shape. He's an actual back to the basket post player. Needs to develop more, but has the potential to be a steal. (future C)

Jamie Skeen - 6'9 F VCU - big season at VCU and very good NCAA tournament including 27 points in the Final Four against Butler (PF isn't seen as position of need, but could replace Powell and develop into a bargain contributor especially if we make a major deal).

Greg Smith - 6'10 F Frenso St - strong but raw post player (a project pick)

David Lighty - 6'5 Ohio State - good outside shot, strong defender, reputation as a heady player (potential to develop into a perimeter stopper without being useless on offensive end)

Keith Benson - 6'11 C Oakland - small school C with upside. He'd be a development big as he's slight of frame but he did show shot blocking ability in college (a project pick)

Brooks would be the my first choice if available. He can fill a needed role as a rookie if given a chance. After that I turn to Dunigan on upside alone. Beyond that I like Skeen or Smith as potential PF 2nd round steals (that's normally the position of most value in the 2nd round).

Unless someone drops really far I don't see a PG as a worthy investment with the pick. A Jamal replacement or a Marvin replacement would be the instant impact pick. There are some very raw bigs that will likely take a while to develop, but might actually be the best long term investment.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Justin Harper for Marvin's replacement. long kid, who has an amazing shot at 6'10. Plays good D,good in transition and finishing,quick enough to guard 3's,and has some post moves to work with. Seems like a stretch 4 that can play a lot of 3. Would remind you of a Durant a bit. Not that good, but similar

[johnny878]

i dont watch college ball, so i dont know the prospects. But when has the last time a "full-sized" big has panned out from the second round of the draft?

To me, it seems like successful second rounders are normally all undersized good rebounding bigs in college or guards.

[Harry10]

i dont watch college ball, so i dont know the prospects. But when has the last time a "full-sized" big has panned out from the second round of the draft?

To me, it seems like successful second rounders are normally all undersized good rebounding bigs in college or guards.

i think Gortat and that back up Bulls' center were second round picks

Marc Gasol was a second round pick, and i think Perkins and that other OKC PF was a second round pick.

[evildallas]

i dont watch college ball, so i dont know the prospects. But when has the last time a "full-sized" big has panned out from the second round of the draft?

To me, it seems like successful second rounders are normally all undersized good rebounding bigs in college or guards.

i think Gortat and that back up Bulls' center were second round picks

Marc Gasol was a second round pick, and i think Perkins and that other OKC PF was a second round pick.

Perkins was a late first as was Ibaka

Marc Gasol C Grizzlies 48th pick (best of the bunch, was low pick because he wasn't in shape, now he's in shape)
DeAndre Jordan C Clippers 35th pick (was very raw and is now very exciting)
Marcin Gortat C Suns 57th pick (has defense, rounding into complete player)
Zaza Pachulia C Hawks 42nd pick (energy and toughness)
Omer Asik C Bulls 36th pick (defense impact already)
Aaron Gray C Hornets 49th pick (put in valuable minutes against the Lakers in playoffs)

They take time to develop and you don't expect a perfect big, but you can get a contributor.

[Harry10]

Perkins was a late first as was Ibaka

Marc Gasol C Grizzlies 48th pick (best of the bunch, was low pick because he wasn't in shape, now he's in shape)
DeAndre Jordan C Clippers 35th pick (was very raw and is now very exciting)
Marcin Gortat C Suns 57th pick (has defense, rounding into complete player)
Zaza Pachulia C Hawks 42nd pick (energy and toughness)
Omer Asik C Bulls 36th pick (defense impact already)
Aaron Gray C Hornets 49th pick (put in valuable minutes against the Lakers in playoffs)

They take time to develop and you don't expect a perfect big, but you can get a contributor.

i forgot about DeAndre....

you can get a great backup center in the second round. some of them can turn into legit starters. the commonality with all the guys listed above, is that they are all legit 7 footers, and they are all not skinny. their are alot of 6'10 PFs in this draft, but none have the athleticism or mass to over compensate for the 2 inch difference.

the problem is that, their are no legit 7 footers in this draft who have the mass to make it in the NBA, so i don't think their is going to be another Gortat or Gasol in the second round this year.

I like Dejan Musli, because he is a legit 7 foot, not skinny, and doesn't look awkward when he runs, but i don't know if he is going to be in the draft.

[Geaux_Hawks]

If Tyler or Benson drop low enough, I hope the Hawks get another 2nd and draft both Harper & one of those 2 bogs.

[evildallas]

The only guys from my list I consider C's are Dunigan and Benson. Both require development and obviously could flop. Benson has length and Dunigan has bulk. My theory is that Dunigan could be a Kendrick Perkins-style big and with development could be the space eating center that allows everyone else to be better around him. In 2nd round bigs you normally get either guys that are completely raw (DeAndre Jordan) or pegged as not athletic enough (Gasol, Gray). You have to really watch them work and also get inside of their heads to determine if they are more likely to overcome their issues.

BTW, he's not a draft candidate but I'd check in on Brian Zoubek's status. He was out with a back injury last year but he had looked good in summer league and preseason for New Jersey. He's not complete at all but he's huge, sets vicious picks, dominates the glass, always works hard and if healthy would be a great candidate to learn from Jason Collins how to slow down Dwight Howard.

[Geaux_Hawks]

If we are talking FA's, then Hamed Haddadi needs a look.

[evildallas]

If we are talking FA's, then Hamed Haddadi needs a look.

He's an RFA that Memphis can keep inexpensively, but would require more than the minimum to pry away. I mentioned Zoubek because he would be like signing an undrafted rookie or just require a camp invite. No guarantee he'd accept our invite over other teams, but low cost if he does.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Any thoughts on maybe acquiring a middling pick(10-20) and selecting Klay Thompson?? Replaces Crawford as far as being a pure shooter, but the clutch factor is in favor of Crawford. No worry because Klay is a better defender, works better off the ball, and just as creative as Crawford. Honestly I wouldn't mind giving Crawford 4 or 5 million per(A least keep him from facing him), find a way to draft Klay Thompson & Justin Harper, and rid ourselves of Marvin Williams. Thus opening the position up for Klay and Harper to take, while giving us pure shooters on the wing, and still keeping our clutch factor.

A deal I like is Marvin to Charlotte, Diop & Charlotte # 9 or # 19 to the Hawks(Ask for the 9 first, then if denied, accept for the 19 if Thompson falls there). Cats get a more useful player at a similar pay rate. Hawks can replace using the MLE on Etan Thomas, Josh Powell, & Hilton Armstrong and focus it more towards better players instead of Dwight stoppers.

[Geaux_Hawks]

If we are talking FA's, then Hamed Haddadi needs a look.

He's an RFA that Memphis can keep inexpensively, but would require more than the minimum to pry away. I mentioned Zoubek because he would be like signing an undrafted rookie or just require a camp invite. No guarantee he'd accept our invite over other teams, but low cost if he does.

I forgot that Zoubek was waived and was the rebounding machine/Defensive thwart he was at Duke. Nice preference. My thinking about Haddadi is that we could include him in on a deal with Mayo for Zaza and a future first. Can easily let Crawford walk and get a huge Big. Zoubek can still be signed over a guy like Etan

[evildallas]

Any thoughts on maybe acquiring a middling pick(10-20) and selecting Klay Thompson?? Replaces Crawford as far as being a pure shooter, but the clutch factor is in favor of Crawford. No worry because Klay is a better defender, works better off the ball, and just as creative as Crawford. Honestly I wouldn't mind giving Crawford 4 or 5 million per(A least keep him from facing him), find a way to draft Klay Thompson & Justin Harper, and rid ourselves of Marvin Williams. Thus opening the position up for Klay and Harper to take, while giving us pure shooters on the wing, and still keeping our clutch factor.

A deal I like is Marvin to Charlotte, Diop & Charlotte # 9 or # 19 to the Hawks(Ask for the 9 first, then if denied, accept for the 19 if Thompson falls there). Cats get a more useful player at a similar pay rate. Hawks can replace using the MLE on Etan Thomas, Josh Powell, & Hilton Armstrong and focus it more towards better players instead of Dwight stoppers.

I'd trade Marvin for anything at this point if we could.

[Harry10]

Hawks loose the 18th pick......

i still don't like loosing the pick, but it is not so bad, because this really looks like an extremely weak draft.

Their are no centers in this draft, if the Hawks kept the 18th, they could have maybe tried to find a replacement for Marvin and got Tobias Harris or Jordan Hamilton. getting a quality SF in the mid first round is hard, just look 2 years ago when Earl Clark, Daye, and James Johnson went in the mid first

[HoopsGuru25]

I'm not a fan of taking college centers after the lottery...they almost always suck.

It seems like every other year is a "bad draft" according to the pundits but it appears that way this year. There's really not one player I've seen on draft express mock draft that I would consider a quality prospect except Mccamey. I really have no idea how some of the players on that mock(I. Thomas,Ben Hansbrough,Deandre Liggins,etc)will be in the NBA 4 years from now.

[HMFFL]

The link is hoopsworld, but it's linked to Chad Ford's insider information on hoopsworld's site.

Wolves Open to Trading #2 Pick

Minnesota GM David Kahn can breathe a sigh of relief -- we think. With (Kyrie) Irving likely off the board, Kahn won't have to put up with all those point guard jokes. Unless, that is, he reaches for Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker here.

I think this pick will be a three-way race among (Derrick) Williams, Enes Kanter and Bismack Biyombo. Of the three, Williams has the strongest pedigree and ultimately should be an upgrade over Michael Beasley. But don't be surprised if Kahn trades the pick. I'm already hearing from sources that Minnesota has told people it's very open to moving the second pick. Kahn really wants to add some veteran help to the team. http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_33077

[MaceCase]

Minny needs vet help because at some point their fans will tire of sub 30 win seasons and having the best drafted player they have being someone they traded for. I would like to think that Kahn is bat **** crazy enough to take Joe but I'm sure even he will have a moment of clarity if that was proposed. They are a poor trading partner for us because they don't have any bad contracts and already an overabundance of SFs and PFs. Shame really because they need a two guard now with Rubio supposedly coming over.

[Harry10]

Joe for the #2 pick

Darko/Love/Beas/Joe/Rubio

[HMFFL]

Minny and Indiana are discussing a trade....

Sam Amico is reporting that the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves are discussing a potential trade for the second overall selection in the NBA Draft.
Amico mentions Danny Granger, Ricky Rubio and Michael Beasley as some of the players being discussed between the two teams, so clearly these two teams are looking to make a major deal. If David Kahn deals the second overall pick and gives up Rubio and Beasley in the same trade, he better receive a haul of talent in return or he's going to face some serious backlash from the fans. rotoworld.com