The NBA 2010 offseason/draft thread

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Heat trade Daequan Cook and the #18 pick to the Thunder for the #34 pick.

You read that right. The heat gave up a player and a pick to move down in the draft. That's a sign that salary cap rules need an overhaul if there ever was one.

Clearly enough room for 3 FA's - they're going Wade + Bosh + another star (Lebron if it all lines up). Salary cap has limits .

[whomario]

Memphis, Minnesota and Oklahoma all with 3 first round picks now. New Jersey and Washington have 2.
No first round picks : New York, Miami, Phoenix, Dallas, Lakers, Denver, Cleveland.

I´m just gonna go over the teams i have an interest in :

Originally Posted by Atocep

Heat trade Daequan Cook and the #18 pick to the Thunder for the #34 pick.

You read that right. The heat gave up a player and a pick to move down in the draft. That's a sign that salary cap rules need an overhaul if there ever was one.

Interesting move by the Thunder, excellent one as well. I think it´s pretty clear they will try to package 1 or more of those picks (with maybe a player) to somehow get an impact player at the 4/5 spot, especially since they were originally said to plan drafting a Big Man and a Shooter with their 2 picks, now they got the shooter allready and have 3 picks in the first (18, 21, 26)
If they keep them it highly increases the chances of them drafting my countryman Tibor Pleiss (who they were rumoured to have promised a spot in the first) or maybe french big man Kevin Seraphin, if they keep all 3 they will want to draft a long-term project that doesn´t take up a roster spot right now considering they have a very young team as it is, 13 players allready under contract now and have cap space, too.

Or maybe they´ll just trade away the 21st or 26th pick for future selections, cash and/or 2nd round picks.
Or they simply go with the good old "throw against the wall and see what sticks" routine again and draft Alabi, Whiteside and Pleiss in adition to Mullens on their roster , although i sincerely hope they are past that experiment by now (hello Robert Swift and Saer Sene)

Still hope the Timberwolves end up with Wes Johnson and resign Milicic, just personal bias at work here (although Kurt Rambis definitely wants Darko on his roster, has stated it again just a few days ago saying the deal could get done sooner rather than later)
Wouldn´t at all be surprised to see the Wolves trade Jefferson to a team with cap space missing out on their own targets (Nets ?)

They also might trade the rights to Pekovic for a first rounder (propably package it with 1 or 2 of their picks 16 and 23 to move up), who doesn´t fit their style of play now with rambis but has a definite skill in his low post scoring that would translate well, imo. Lacks rebounding ability, but scored 15 PPG in 21 minutes (62% FG) in the euroleague and 13 PPG in 17 MPG (73% shooting !!) in the greece league, most dominant low post scorer in Europe by far.
Minutes low due to a bit of foul trouble but mostly the fact that it´s a deep team and they blew out a ton of teams.
Kind of comparable to Al Jefferson actually in terms of his play style with a lot of the same strength and weaknesses.


Portland aparently payed 2 mio to move up to 34 in the 2nd round ...

Golden State apparently still is going to get coached by Don Nelson, so i´m not going to bother much as whatever happens in the offseason will get negated as the season starts anyway ... But i really hope they do not take Udoh over Monroe.

The Rockets still apparently are trying to work out trades, move up and/or get 2nd round picks (with their recent sucess there that´s propably a good idea)

Haven´t heard much about the Suns moving into the first round, with their ceap/cash-strapped owner it isn´t likely ...

[Neuqua]

Bulls trade Hinrich +17th pick to Wizards.

From what I hear, that frees them up for two max deals.

[rjolley]

To the Wizards for what?

Actually, a thank you from Bulls management might be enough.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Well, the Bulls should be racking up titles soon enough.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Bulls trade Hinrich +17th pick to Wizards.

From what I hear, that frees them up for two max deals.

Are they going to field an all PG team next season?

[SirFozzie]

Apparently the Wizards won't have to send much back, the deal will go through on the 8th of July when the Wizards will be far enough under the cap to absorb the hit without sending anything back

[stevew]

I know it's the Wiztards, but why would you want to pay 10m for a sucky whiteboy PG and the 17th pick. Makes no sense.

I guess they're like, we're going to sit FA out....

[RainMaker]

Hinrich doesn't suck. He's a solid player who can give you 30+ minutes a night. Has had his issues with shooting but he's a solid defender and plays hard every single night. One of my favorites in Chicago and I'm sad to see him go (although happy we have more space).

The Wizards also get the 17th pick to add some young depth and can use Hinrich's expiring deal at the end of the season to bring in someone else if they want.

[rjolley]

I think Hinrich's a good player, but the contract he's signed to doesn't fit his contribution.

[stevew]

well, regardless, it gives them about 33m tied up on PGs.

[RainMaker]

I have a feeling they have another deal lined up, probably one that sends Gilbert packing.

[Chief Rum]

I am glad the Wizards have saved the Clippers from doing something dumb, like the Deng and 17th for the 8th pick rumor I read.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I am glad the Wizards have saved the Clippers from doing something dumb, like the Deng and 17th for the 8th pick rumor I read.

I was really hoping that would happen.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I was really hoping that would happen.

Well of course you were.

Not only would you have moved up high enough to get a probable semi-impact player, but you would have moved a guy who has under-performed his contract from the second he signed it.

I would rather draft Aminu or George and let them start at SF than take on Deng's cap space and whatever backup we would likely get at #17.

[sterlingice]

Curious to see what Morey does tonight

SI

[stevew]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I have a feeling they have another deal lined up, probably one that sends Gilbert packing.

impossible. I can't think of a team who would have a more severe Toxic asset to trade. On top of the controversy, he is injury prone.

[DeToxRox]

Portland fired their GM an hour before the draft but is still letting him run the thing.

Chad Ford had a great suggestion:

chadfordinsider

Pritchard will still be running the draft per Quick. He should select Omar Samhan at 22 before Paul Allen can stop him.

[Groundhog]

Some final pre-draft thoughts from me...

John Wall. I just have a bad feeling about this guy for some reason. Not sure what it is.

Demarcus Cousins. How often do these out-of-shape college guys end up slimming down and getting in shape once they get a pay check? Seriously, dude measured in at 16.3% body fat at the pre-draft measurements. Pre-draft Shaq was 12.2% and Michael Sweetney was 14.1%.

Greg Monroe. I really like this guy. I don't think he'll be a star, but he's a versatile and skilled forward who I think would work best operating out of the high post on a team with some talent around him.

Cole Aldrich. At the very worst he should be a Nick Collison-esque backup player, which makes him a decent pickup in the mid-1st round.

Xavier Henry. Unlike most guys being picked in the first round, played the exact same role in college that he will in the pros, which makes him a pretty safe pick IMO.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Some final pre-draft thoughts from me...

John Wall. I just have a bad feeling about this guy for some reason. Not sure what it is.

Demarcus Cousins. How often do these out-of-shape college guys end up slimming down and getting in shape once they get a pay check? Seriously, dude measured in at 16.3% body fat at the pre-draft measurements. Pre-draft Shaq was 12.2% and Michael Sweetney was 14.1%.

Greg Monroe. I really like this guy. I don't think he'll be a star, but he's a versatile and skilled forward who I think would work best operating out of the high post on a team with some talent around him.

Cole Aldrich. At the very worst he should be a Nick Collison-esque backup player, which makes him a decent pickup in the mid-1st round.

Xavier Henry. Unlike most guys being picked in the first round, played the exact same role in college that he will in the pros, which makes him a pretty safe pick IMO.

Not a huge Monroe fan but the talk is if he is gone the Pistons will take Ed Davis. Please God no.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Not a huge Monroe fan but the talk is if he is gone the Pistons will take Ed Davis. Please God no.

I think Detroit would be a bad fit for Monroe and yeah, I'm also no fan of Ed Davis in the lottery.

[Groundhog]

Wall then Turner. Well, that's a shock.

[korme]

The odds of John Wall having a legitimate 3.5 GPA are the same as me having Jessica Alba break down my door and rape me within the next 5 minutes.

(stares longingly at the door)

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I think Detroit would be a bad fit for Monroe and yeah, I'm also no fan of Ed Davis in the lottery.

Monroe will be an awful fit here but at least he has potential. If Udoh is there we have to take him. We need someone to play in the paint. I have no idea what Joe is doing anymore.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by korme

The odds of John Wall having a legitimate 3.5 GPA are the same as me having Jessica Alba break down my door and rape me within the next 5 minutes.

(stares longingly at the door)

I am sure his classes included basketball theory, NBA history and ceramics.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Monroe will be an awful fit here but at least he has potential. If Udoh is there we have to take him. We need someone to play in the paint. I have no idea what Joe is doing anymore.

I actually think Patterson would be a better pick if you want someone who could play from day 1. Udoh is very raw, despite being a junior. This was a good read re: Udoh and Patterson:

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...ard-Crop-3505/

[Groundhog]

Nets go with Favors. I think that was the wisest move for them, considering the guys they've had playing down with Lopez.

[Groundhog]

After the predictable Wall-Evans-Favors-Johnson start, things could get interesting with Sacramento. This would be the perfect place for Greg Monroe, but I doubt he goes this high.

[Atocep]

Whoever came up with the app that blocks the vuvuzela sound from world cup matches needs to do the same for Stuart Scott. He's making this unwatchable.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Whoever came up with the app that blocks the vuvuzela sound from world cup matches needs to do the same for Stuart Scott. He's making this unwatchable.

So true.

Someone needs to find out what frequency range his voice is in, so we can tune it out.

[bulletsponge]

tell me about it, i hate that asshole. cant stand him, want to punch him in the face.

[Atocep]

Not a fan of Wes Johnson at all. Never was top 5 pick impressed with him in Big East play.

[bulletsponge]

wow, cousins body language and voice even sound lazy

[Groundhog]

Jeez, picks 1-8 have all gone exactly as expected. When's the last time that happened?

[Groundhog]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jazz take someone like Henry higher than expected, or grab Patterson.

[Groundhog]

Wow. Didn't see that coming. Like I said pages and pages ago in this thread, I really like Hayward but I have trouble projecting him as a solid NBA player.

[DaddyTorgo]

WOOHOO!! HAYWARD!!!

Um - I'm sure this will come off sounding horrible, but man Hayward sounds so much more articulate than anybody else up there on the podium so far tonight (well I didn't see Wall or Turner, but everyone 3-8 sounded like an absolute idiot).

[Groundhog]

I'll be rooting for Hayward to make it at the NBA level, but if I were a Jazz fan I'd be dissapointed with the pick.

[DaddyTorgo]

whoa - early for Aldrich?

[Groundhog]

Strangely (considering my comparison above), Aldrich has been traded to the Thunder apparently...

[Groundhog]

Raptors should grab Patterson and let Bosh walk without a fight.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by HiFiRevival

Nope. Most mocks had him going 13-14, so 11 isn't much of a reach.

aaah. cool.

[sterlingice]

I think Aldrich is a solid but unspectacular piece. Not a high ceiling but his floor is pretty high, too- he seems like a cross between former Jayhawks Greg Ostertag and Nick Collison.

Thank god Ed Davis is off the board. For Rockets, DO NOT WANT.

SI

[sterlingice]

Supposedly the Rockets draft room just erupted in cheers so their guy is still there (or someone who wants to trade with them has their player still there)

SI

[Groundhog]

Welp, rather than grab a guy like Patterson who could probably step right in and start when Bosh leaves, they grab Ed Davis who, in 2 or 3 years time, might be as good as Patterson is right now. Nice.

[Groundhog]

No wonder Houston was so happy, doubt they expected to be able to grab Patterson there.

[sterlingice]

Patterson is what is expected, but we'll see...

SI

[Groundhog]

Bucks should go big here, though not sure who. Sanders?

[sterlingice]

Good size, efficient, good hoops IQ, great discipline, and plays stingy d. Sounds like he fits us great

SI