12/18/24
June 27, 2008
2008 NBA Draft.:
Grades and recaps by Chad Ford (ESPN), Marty Burns (CNN/SI), Dan Wetzel (Yahoo Sports), Kelly Dwyer (Yahoo Sports/BDL), and Erich Doerr (DraftExpress).
posted by lilnemo to basketball at 04:14 PM - 22 comments
Muffed the Ford link, it was supposed to include this link as well. For those of you (like me) keeping score, here is a list of trades that were completed with this draft, as well as a list of outstanding trades awaiting completion by way of draft. Just a few random observations:
- The Nets have taken a huge gamble with the moves they made throughout the draft. Its truly LeBron or bust. Tell me, who exactly is going to score for this team until 2010? Hopefully Vince Carter. At least CDR looks to get some burn.
- Portland and Seattle, to me seemed to have the best drafts. They selected (or traded) for the best talent available and managed to shore up their respective rosters.
- I'm trying to understand what Memphis GM Chris Wallace's plan was going into this draft. After trading away Gasol, it became plain that the Grizz was going to blow up the team and look to rebuild. Mayo is a nice piece but they took on a lot of swingmen with bad contracts. Before the draft it was difficult to foresee which of the young guards they were going to keep as rotation players. This trade only muddles things further. The T-Wolves, on the other hand, are showing signs of turning things around. The roster has better balance, though the overall talent and depth is still lacking. While their cap is tied up in the short term, the Wolves have created a window after next season where they will have enough cap space to build around Jefferson, Miller, Gomes, Love, Foye, and Brewer.
- Interesting to note that the first round pick that caused the Hawks "management group" to have a conniption during the Joe Johnson trade, yielded Robin Lopez. A fine talent no doubt, but probably not someone who was going to uproot Horford or Smith from the uptempo rotation. Actually, had the Hawks kept the pick and not traded for Bibby mid-season, it's not totally implausible to think that the Hawks could have found themselves out of the playoffs.
- Speaking of Sacramento, once the musical chairs of quality PGs got snapped up it appears that the Kings balked. Hawks fan it could have been you.
posted by lilnemo at 05:14 PM on June 27, 2008
YYM I think the DET-SEA trade was a win-win. Dumars gets to role the dice on some promising big men and the Sonics get a player to supplement their frontcourt depth. Not bad. I will say that Joe has a real knack for getting quality big men in the lower ends of the draft (Maxiell, Amir Johnson, hell even Acker, 05 was a good year for Joe wasn't it?).
posted by lilnemo at 05:27 PM on June 27, 2008
I liked the Bucks draft. It's a little sad to see Jianlian go(we hardly knew Yi!) but I wasn't 100% sold on the guy and this is a definitive 'we want to win now' move. Hammond has some work to do yet. There are 3 guys I do not expect to be on the roster come opening day; Mo Williams, Charlie V, and Des Mason. It should be a fun summer.
posted by tron7 at 06:31 PM on June 27, 2008
The Bucks are definitely clearing the decks. Mason is redundant with Jefferson coming aboard.
posted by lilnemo at 06:45 PM on June 27, 2008
Another aspect to the trading for 2 second rounders is that Dumars doesn't devote any cap room to any of the picks. Maybe he's gearing up to make a run at the free agent market next year?
posted by MeatSaber at 09:18 PM on June 27, 2008
What were the Wizards thinking? That was a wasted pick. I think Minnesota looks okay now, unless Mayo becomes a star. Then, the trade was a big mistake. When you shuffle that many players, it is all wait and see anyway. You were missed during the playoffs, lilnemo.
posted by bperk at 08:34 AM on June 30, 2008
What were the Wizards thinking? That was a wasted pick. Tough call. Arthur was still on the board, but IF the Wiz are bringing Jamison back (and I think they will), I don't see where he gets any burn. Admittedly, I haven't seen much of McGee, but if he can catch a pass, hell, if he can hold onto the ball he will already be a MARKED improvement over Haywood. I think Minnesota looks okay now, unless Mayo becomes a star. Then, the trade was a big mistake. I'm not so sure of that. Does Mayo's draft position or talent make him the starter in Memphis? How does Grizz management spin it if Conley (last years #4) has to come off the bench? Where does this leave Crittenton (the only tangible asset from the Gasol trade)? What about Lowry for that matter? The Grizz are gambling (admittedly with good odds) that Mayo will be a star for them, but in doing so, they are marginalizing any trade value the rest of their guard corps may have. And the Grizz need those guys to be valuable in trade because it is doubtful that anyone will be willing to sign with them in free agency during the early stages of rebuilding. You were missed during the playoffs, lilnemo. Thanks, I appreciate that. Had a family member pass away. Threads like the one below haven't made it easy to come back either. I've been lurking, but hope to be more active.
posted by lilnemo at 03:17 PM on June 30, 2008
Tough call. Arthur was still on the board, but IF the Wiz are bringing Jamison back (and I think they will), I don't see where he gets any burn. It still seems like a big reach. Centers almost always seem like reaches to me, maybe it was just this draft. Hey, what the heck happenned to DeAndre Jordan? I thought he was supposed to be lower lottery and the guy fell out of the first. I like that draft position better if I'm going to take a chance on a center. Who did Arthur ultimately end up with? Memphis? What a ride he had.
posted by tron7 at 06:26 PM on June 30, 2008
YYM, is Detroit going to firesale or what? We(bucks) need to ditch some guys and wouldn't mind a few of your bigs.
posted by tron7 at 06:27 PM on June 30, 2008
Sorry about your loss, lilnemo. The Wizards signed Jamison. Apparently they are going to offer Arenas about 6 years and $100 million. Wow. That's a whole lot of money. He is a huge fan draw, so I think they almost have to do it even if it is too much money. Where does this leave Crittenton (the only tangible asset from the Gasol trade)? What about Lowry for that matter? I think they are both going to be gone.
posted by bperk at 09:47 AM on July 01, 2008
YYM, is Detroit going to firesale or what? From what Dumars has said, no. From what I have been led to believe, the Pistons are looking to add a big name player who can help get them back over the top. Dumars has said that no player is immune from trade with the exception of Rodney Stuckey, although I highly doubt Tayshaun Prince will be included in any big name deals unless it includes a big time small forward. There were rumors about the Pistons looking to add Carmelo Anthony but it seems like there was little truth to the rumors. Now there is the chance that the Pistons will sit back this year and bide their time until next year when several major free agents hit the market, the biggest name being LeBron James. Rasheed Wallace's contract expires after this year so that would allow the Pistons some major cap room that could potentially be used to bring in a major star.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 12:29 PM on July 01, 2008
No question, Lowry and Crittenton will be spun off, but based on how the Grizz handled their playing time, I doubt they get much in return.
posted by lilnemo at 01:15 PM on July 02, 2008
Do you think the money that Baron Davis is getting from the Clippers the most he could get? I just don't understand why Gilbert Arenas is worth about double the amount of Davis, according to reports about what he has been offered.
posted by bperk at 03:47 PM on July 02, 2008
Should I be excited by the Celtics trying to sign Cutino Mobley? All I really care is if they get Posey back. And I don't understand the fascination at the Globe (specifically Chad Finn, whom I like) with keeping Eddie House; his seems like a skillset you could find anywhere.
posted by yerfatma at 03:47 PM on July 02, 2008
Do you think the money that Baron Davis is getting from the Clippers the most he could get? Nope. Baron definitely took a paycut coming to the Clippers. But in doing so, he gets to play with Brand and be closer to his other business ventures. Win-Win. I just don't understand why Gilbert Arenas is worth about double the amount of Davis, according to reports about what he has been offered. I get the impression that Arenas is seen as less of an injury risk. They do seem to be pretty equally matched, talentwise. Gil is a better perimeter shooter, but Baron's a better passer and finisher in the paint. Tough call. The Clips got lucky Baron dropped into their laps, but you get the impression that the Wiz need Gil to stick around to keep basketball relevant in Washington. Just look at the last 15 years of inconsistency that Bullets fans endured before the current renaissance. I think that the combination of Gil's persona and the culture it helped create around the team are primarily why the Wiz are throwing the bank at him. Should I be excited by the Celtics trying to sign Cutino Mobley? Mobley is still under contract with the Clips. I think you may mean Maggette. I don't understand the fascination at the Globe (specifically Chad Finn, whom I like) with keeping Eddie House; his seems like a skillset you could find anywhere. Backup combo guards are a dime a dozen. Here's a short list of current Free Agents to back that claim:
- Salim Stoudemire
- Earl Boykins
- Chris Duhon
- Tyronn Lue
- Juan Dixon
- Lindsey Hunter
- Darrell Armstrong
posted by lilnemo at 05:54 PM on July 02, 2008
I think you may mean Maggette Same goddam initials, so I assume they've got the same game. Plus I always want PC/ URI players to come home. At least until Lamar Odom acted the fool in this year's playoffs.
posted by yerfatma at 06:06 PM on July 02, 2008
Well. Maggette is not as good a defender as Posey. Not by half. His jumper is suspect. Corey's value is tied up in his scoring, his ability to draw fouls and his proficiency from the free throw line. The fact that he has drawn as many fouls as he has, on a team that gets precious little respect from the refs (or anyone else for that matter) is a testament to his talent. He is a surprisingly good rebounder when he gives the effort but his track record in this regard is spotty. I think he would be great coming off the bench to spell Allen and Pierce. But at this point in his career I don't see Corey going back to the bench voluntarily. Posey is a good fit, the Celtics should make every effort to retain him. Though it may be largely out of their hands.
posted by lilnemo at 06:18 PM on July 02, 2008
Did the Spurs already snap up Maggette or was that a rumor? The deal the clippers got for Baron makes the Arenas deal look three shades of ridiculous. I like Gil and I'm glad he got his money, but damn, he better win soon because it's going to be hard to keep a quality team together around that contract
posted by tron7 at 06:39 PM on July 02, 2008
Maggette hasn't verbally committed to any team yet. Though the Spurs are reportedly in the running.
posted by lilnemo at 07:11 PM on July 02, 2008
But in doing so, he gets to play with Brand and be closer to his other business ventures. Win-Win. So you think Brand resigning is a done deal? I think that the combination of Gil's persona and the culture it helped create around the team are primarily why the Wiz are throwing the bank at him. He's DC's biggest celebrity. The sportswriters love him. Still, it's hard not to envy the Clippers for the deal they got with Davis. Also, Jamison and Arenas seem to have a hard time being at their very best when they play together.
posted by bperk at 10:20 AM on July 03, 2008
Angling for Maggette is a hedge against the possibility of not being able to keep Posey. Granted, Maggette's defense is not in the same class as Posey's, Maggette can give you a lot more offense. The obvious trade-off is allowing 10 or so more points per game against the possibility of scoring 10 or so more. Considering that Boston's defense is more team oriented than individual, Maggette might not be that much of a defensive liability.
posted by Howard_T at 04:53 PM on July 03, 2008
I like what the Pistons did with their trade to Seatlle. None of the players they wanted were available and it is highly doubtful that the player they took their would become a contributor soon. Like Marty Burns said, Dumars traded one prospect for three prospects, a move that I think could possibly pay off. If anything, it increases the chances for success.