- Shaq to the Cavs for Ben Wallace's expiring contract, Sasha Pavlovic, the 46th pick, and cash.... Wow... Well, It's an absolute coup for Cleveland in that they give up absolutely nothing in exchange for Shaq....Now that that is out of the way, I don't really like the Shaq fit b/c he can't defend the pick-n-roll at all...like he's known for the fact that he can't do this, and that's the single biggest thing Cleveland failed to do against Orlando...yes, he'll help Lebron on offense by taking a few double teams and having a legit post presence...but the defensive problems aren't going away...for Phoenix? Basically just a basic salary dump and a typical Robert Sarver move to make their team worse while acquiring nothing in return...
- Jamal Crawford to the Hawks for Acie Law and Craig Claxton.... Yikes....To the positive portion of my review....the straight "value" of this deal is in the Hawks favor...they've dealt an expiring deal and a young PG that they weren't going to play for a proven 18-20 ppg scorer... now, kudos aside...I hate the move for the Hawks... Crawford's game is not one that I have any admiration for (an understatement to be sure) and basically I have no idea where this is going now... Do the Hawks still go point guard in the draft? Crawford can't play the 1, makes 9.5 million (cutting the legs off Mike Bibby negotiations I would say), and suddenly would be coming off the bench unless they want to move Joe Johnson to the 3....I don't understand the direction....
- Speaking of the Hawks...Here is the list of legit possibilities (in the draft range, I mean) of guys they could draft where I'd be outright FURIOUS.... BJ Mullens, Jeff Teague, Jrue Holiday (now that Crawford is there), Tyler Hansborough, Wayne Ellington....I say that now so that when I destroy the pick if and when they take one of them...you'll be forewarned....
A few stray draft thoughts....
- Looking at Minnesota's current roster....they HAVE to keep 2 picks in the top 6 AND take a PG and SG with them....they literally have no guards...none... if they don't come away with Rubio or Curry at the 1 and Harden or Evans at the 2...they've failed....
- I keep seeing Jordan Hill to Golden State...I don't understand that pick at all... Anthony Randolph was their lottery pick last year and PF of the future (and he came on quite strong late in the year last year) and they also have Biedrins at the 5 and Turiaf backing up both spots...it's not a need....they need a guard....
Here's the Lottery and their needs (in my opinion)....
- LAC- No glaring needs, so they go best available with Griffin obviously and try to unload one of the 3 frontcourt guys (and they still have Deandre Jordan who they like)
- Memphis- They need a 4 or 5...I'm a Marc Gasol fan, but he can't block shots and isn't a great athlete...Somebody like Jordan Hill would fit here but I think they will go Thabeet (not a supporter of that fyi)
- OKC- Seems like they've zeroed in on a guard...I'd go with Rubio myself...but Harden wouldn't be a bad fit at all...Jordan Hill would be a nice compliment (athletic big) but they are fairly set
- Sacto- Easiest pick on the board...they'll be taking a point guard...it's their most pressing need...Whoever is left between Rubio, Curry, and maybe Flynn is who they'll take... a small forward would be a possibility but there isn't one worthy at this selection and PG is much, much more important
- Minny- See above (Guards!!!)
- Minny- See above (Guards!!!)
- Golden State- See above once again...but guard play is necessary here IMO...they have a glut of 3's, are young on the front line...but are left with basically Monta Ellis as their only starting caliber guard and he's not a point...if they could get Evans, that would be a nice fit...if not, someone like Jrue Holiday/Flynn/etc. may work?
- New York- is there anywhere they DON'T have a need? lol... That being said, it's clear D'Antoni wants a point guard...I don't see Steph Curry falling that far, but he's the best fit... it'll be a guard...
- Toronto- Another team I don't understand when I see mock drafts...they literally MUST take a swingman...they have to...they don't have a single NBA quality one on their entire roster... DeRozan, Clark, Williams, or even Henderson should be in play...if Harden somehow got to them, it'd be the fastest pick in history
- Milwaukee- Another team with a point guard need...I don't see them resigning Ramon Sessions and most people seem to have forgotten that the reason they dealt Richard Jefferson (other than money) was to clear the way for last year's lottery pick Joe Alexander...they aren't taking a 3... Flynn/Lawson/Jennings would be who I'd target...
- New Jersey- Vince is older and the only threat on the wing for them at this point...Terrence Williams would be a great fit IMO b/c he does the things Vince won't do (i.e. defend and handle) but any of the wings not named DeRozan would be a good fit...possible sleeper pick would be to take a guard (Holiday most likely) that would allow Harris to play off the ball? But I'd take a wing..
- Charlotte- They really have a depth issue...the starting 5 isn't terrible with Felton (or Augustin), Bell, Wallace, Diaw and Okafor...but there's nothing behind them... they could use somebody like DeRozan with some explosion on the wing or maybe a DeJuan Blair power type...a weird team though
- Indiana- Point Guard and post presence...the only post guy I'd take here is Blair if he's around...otherwise I'd take the point for some TJ Ford insurance (Jarrett Jack is leaving via FA)...
- Phoenix- They suddenly need size...and young size at that....after the Shaq deal... BJ Mullens is being slotted here alot...I hate his game...there really isn't a young big to be had... I could see Earl Clark or James Johnson if they fell here...just for some young size... otherwise maybe tab Nash's successor if they have a PG they like fall in their lap...
Just a few thoughts there... Hard to do a mock draft with no insider info...I toyed with a mock that was fully who I would take...but that's hard to follow through on since most NBA gm's wouldn't be faced with that decision based upon the rest of my board....
It's going to be an exciting night regardless...and it's not necessarily a bad thing to have all this turmoil..it keeps the focus off of how bad this draft could end up being... Happy Draft Day!
No comments:
Post a Comment