Osman to Wolves (Cavs). I think this pick goes to the Cavs, guess they're looking to just stash Euro guys. Still trade bait just in Euro form rather than draft pick form. Will he ever don a Cavs uni? I'll bet ya a dolla he don't.
Harrell to Rockets. Could've had him at 18, decided to hold out and got him later. Harrell plays hard, can be a helluva rebounder, should be a mean defender. I thought his offense was pretty statue-like and overzealous at that, don't think he's a scorer in the pros (the poor man's Terrence Jones). But could be a rotation player, a pretty good fit for the Rockets.
Mickey to Celtics. The Celtics love defensive intensity guys and they got themselves another one. Mickey's a little bit of an inside scorer, think he might could be a decent rebounder. (I'd say his bestest upside is PJ Brown and that ain't bad)
Brown to Lakers. Don't know anything about Brown (senior out of Stanford). Not sure if he's roster filler or just a tossaway pick. The Lakers are clearly going all out in free agency, that's where the money's gonna go. But at the bottom of the roster there will be room for a handful of super low level contracts and 2nd round picks are sometimes good for those spots. Brown may make the roster but I wouldn't bet on it.
Hernangomez to Sixers. I think the Spurs had their eye on Hernangomez and the Sixers with their five 2nd round picks are probably eagle eye-like watching what the Spurs watch. These picks, these rights to foreign players, are all still valuable, worthy as burgeoning commodities (re: basketball players) or as trade offerings. The value of the players is derived from the market one can make for their contracts and if you know which players the other teams like, that can be valuable down the road. Does Hernangomez play for the Sixers? Not in the next two years. And he may well debut with someone other than the Sixers.
Christmas to Wolves (Cavs). Either the Cavs think he can a) give them some (cheap) minutes down low right away or b) he's trade bait or c) he gets to come to training camp, meet David Blatt's secretary, get a bunch of complimentary Cavs gear, then go on back to grad school. A? No. B? If he can fetch a 2016 2nd rounder that'd be fine but that probably won't happen. C? Bingo.
Holmes to Sixers. Don't know much about him but he is a familiar name from other mocks. The Sixers have shown a good eye for finding value in the 2nd round, decent chance this guy can play. We'll see at Summer League.
Hilliard to Pistons. Vaulet to Hornets. Richardson to Heat. I put them all together because I know nothing about any of them. (Thought the Heat might go for a Harrison twin at that pick)
Connaughton to Nets. Tough guy SG, nice stroke, good heart, but I'm not sure his game is good for his body, hard to see him having a long or particularly notable career.
Hanlan to Jazz. Versatile combo-type guard, hey man in Utah errybody gets time, throw him in with the youth movement, see if he can hang.
Young to Pacers. Thought he was gonna go higher, really good scorer, could be a good fit for the Pacers. Nice pick at #43.
Andrew Harrison to Suns. Sure, why not, the shuttle between Phoenix and Lexington just got another passenger. Hey, I think the Harrison twins will both be fine NBA players, The criticism against them is mystifying to me: they were top ten prospects out of high school who made back to back Final Fours in college...you want more? They're both steals in the 2nd round.
Thornton to Celtics. Don't they already have a dude named Marcus Thornton? Don't know this guy, I'm guessing he's a tough guy. Probably D-League starter.
Showing posts with label notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label notes. Show all posts
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Few Last Notes Before the Draft
David West opted out of his contract with the Pacers, looks to hit the market. The Pacers save some money (and may be hoping that Hibbert opts out too) but I thought West was a keeper, a no-nonsense veteran that contributes and keep everyone in line (sounds like Larry Bird's dream player, no?). West endured the ins and outs of George, Lance, Granger and Turner in the last coupla years, seems like now the Pacers are back on the upswing, thought West would be in for the long haul. Guess not. Where does he go from here? Knicks or Lakers could use him, might be a useful replacement for Millsap with the Hawks, Mavs always need new faces.
Lamb goes to the Hornets, Barnes to the Grizzlies, Ridnour and a Hornets 2nd rd pick to the Thunder. Okay, this makes a little more sense. Thunder are dumping salary and end up with Ridnour (who I assume will be waived soon) and a bonus 2nd rd pick. Grizzlies get another veteran defender, seems like the Grizzlies have enough of those guys but why interrupt the motif they got going? The Hornets get an SG to replace Henderson...who's really no better than Henderson. The Hornets have been making moves (supposedly they've made Kody Zeller available) and I am a fan of Batum but they're still a ways away from the playoffs with this squad.
Apparently Aldridge has informed the Blazers that he'll be moving on (according to the San Antonio newspaper). Wow. This has been percolating since their 1st rd playoff exit but until then it was inconceivable that Aldridge would be anywhere but Portland next year. With Afflalo and Batum already gone, Matthews and Lopez presumed to be leaving, the Blazers are in for a full-in overhaul this summer. Wow. So who might be on their radar: K Love? West? Valenciunas? Vucevic? Millsap? Are the Blazers expecting to turn it around pronto or are they resigned to sucking next year?
I think there will be a lot of trades tonight. Marcus Smart, Terrance Jones are suddenly in play, Jamal Crawford could be out there, Batum and Barnes may still be on the move, and of course any and all of the Nuggets roster could probably be had for 'future considerations'. No one's talking about the Raptors but they may be as desperate as anyone to exchange roster pieces. This summer's gonna be a lollapalooza of player movement and tonight should be pure Steve McQueen action.
Lamb goes to the Hornets, Barnes to the Grizzlies, Ridnour and a Hornets 2nd rd pick to the Thunder. Okay, this makes a little more sense. Thunder are dumping salary and end up with Ridnour (who I assume will be waived soon) and a bonus 2nd rd pick. Grizzlies get another veteran defender, seems like the Grizzlies have enough of those guys but why interrupt the motif they got going? The Hornets get an SG to replace Henderson...who's really no better than Henderson. The Hornets have been making moves (supposedly they've made Kody Zeller available) and I am a fan of Batum but they're still a ways away from the playoffs with this squad.
Apparently Aldridge has informed the Blazers that he'll be moving on (according to the San Antonio newspaper). Wow. This has been percolating since their 1st rd playoff exit but until then it was inconceivable that Aldridge would be anywhere but Portland next year. With Afflalo and Batum already gone, Matthews and Lopez presumed to be leaving, the Blazers are in for a full-in overhaul this summer. Wow. So who might be on their radar: K Love? West? Valenciunas? Vucevic? Millsap? Are the Blazers expecting to turn it around pronto or are they resigned to sucking next year?
I think there will be a lot of trades tonight. Marcus Smart, Terrance Jones are suddenly in play, Jamal Crawford could be out there, Batum and Barnes may still be on the move, and of course any and all of the Nuggets roster could probably be had for 'future considerations'. No one's talking about the Raptors but they may be as desperate as anyone to exchange roster pieces. This summer's gonna be a lollapalooza of player movement and tonight should be pure Steve McQueen action.
Monday, June 22, 2015
NBA Bric-a-Brac
The Lakers have two notes in the news: they've declined the $9m option on Jordan Hill and they are apparently interested in Dwyane Wade. As for Hill I thought he could be useful as a trade chip but I guess they'd rather go the free agent route instead (they've certainly got plenty of money to throw around). As for Wade....bwah ha ha ha! Let's see: if they give $25m to Wade to play half the games and $25m for Kobe to play half the games, that's $50m for ONE complete (overrated) player. Yes, I'm not a Wade fan and the Lakers are certainly capable of doing dumb shit, but this would be one of the all-time colossal mistakes in the history of basketball....and I say that without a shred of hyperbole.
Danny Ferry has been officially relieved of his GM duties with the Hawks, hardly a fitting end (though not an unexpected one) to what I thought was one of the finer GM performances of this past season. Ferry last year found himself amidst a collection of braves with no chief and at the slightest hint of political incorrectness (remember: he was reading someone else's report, so the complaint against him isn't even about his own words or beliefs), he was sent on leave and never returned though the squad he shepherded finished #1 in the East and got to the Conference Finals. I think he had a pretty good year in a shaky environment, I think the complaints against him (at least where I sit, I don't know the guy) seem petty at best and I hope he gets another chance in this league.
Steve Blake has picked up his player option to stay in Portland. I'm a little surprised by this because Blake was pretty good last year, I reckon he could get more than $2.1m out there. Is this an indication that Aldridge is coming back too? Or does Blake go forward in hopes of getting traded to a contender at the deadline?
Paul Pierce is reportedly going to opt out of his option with the Wizards and it appears the Clippers are the likely next stop. I dunno....Pierce is still a solid contributor in this league but I don't see him as the difference maker for the Clippers (and that's assuming the money is there...which it isn't). Pierce can be useful for the Wizards, perhaps he's ready to go back to the Celtics, he could give the Bulls some life off the bench, could we see him in a Mavs uni next year? Pierce is in the last great money grab of his career and none of those squads I mentioned seem ready for a Championship so I think he'd be better off going for the money....which means Lakers?
Danny Ferry has been officially relieved of his GM duties with the Hawks, hardly a fitting end (though not an unexpected one) to what I thought was one of the finer GM performances of this past season. Ferry last year found himself amidst a collection of braves with no chief and at the slightest hint of political incorrectness (remember: he was reading someone else's report, so the complaint against him isn't even about his own words or beliefs), he was sent on leave and never returned though the squad he shepherded finished #1 in the East and got to the Conference Finals. I think he had a pretty good year in a shaky environment, I think the complaints against him (at least where I sit, I don't know the guy) seem petty at best and I hope he gets another chance in this league.
Steve Blake has picked up his player option to stay in Portland. I'm a little surprised by this because Blake was pretty good last year, I reckon he could get more than $2.1m out there. Is this an indication that Aldridge is coming back too? Or does Blake go forward in hopes of getting traded to a contender at the deadline?
Paul Pierce is reportedly going to opt out of his option with the Wizards and it appears the Clippers are the likely next stop. I dunno....Pierce is still a solid contributor in this league but I don't see him as the difference maker for the Clippers (and that's assuming the money is there...which it isn't). Pierce can be useful for the Wizards, perhaps he's ready to go back to the Celtics, he could give the Bulls some life off the bench, could we see him in a Mavs uni next year? Pierce is in the last great money grab of his career and none of those squads I mentioned seem ready for a Championship so I think he'd be better off going for the money....which means Lakers?
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