Though fun, I hope we all realize how silly this discussion is. This is basically considered by most to be the best draft since 2003. If Cleveland is interested in trading their pick, there will be an absolute bidding war for it. There's no way they would end up offering us so much in addition to the pick for Aldridge, when they'll most likely get several other offers that won't involve gutting their roster in the hopes of luring LeBron.
Quite correct MM. However, you left out that the prevailing wisdom at the time was that you needed a big man to win a championship. Conventional Wisdom + Lost Coin Flip = Sam Bowie. As for LeBron, I wouldn't go back to Cleveland if Waiters was there. You don't win in the playoffs by depending on terrible decision makers.
I didn't say I have any problem with the thread. This is the off-season; perfect time for fantasy trade scenarios. Like I said, it's fun, just not realistic. Nothing wrong with that, as long as we don't get overly worked up about it.
or discuss an LMA trade more rationally? the #1 pick in this draft would be as much as we could expect, all these add ons coming to POR are ridiculous
There are a few ways to look at how good a draft is. Top heavy and deep are two of those ways. For this thread we are talking top heavy since Cleveland has the #1 pick. The rest of the draft is moot. I do think it is deep, but I don't think the stars in this class are the best since 2003? Injuries have wiped out a lot of big names in the last 10 years. One in particular is Rose. I would take a healthy Derrick Rose over any of these guys. Oden/Durant as well. But none-the-less all these freshman we are drooling over are unproven. LMA is not. I agree that Cleveland would not include Kyrie. Regardless, Cleveland would be stupid to trade their pick. They are assured of keeping that player for at least 5 years. Someone like LMA.....maybe a year.
Are back issues ever really taken care of for centers? Wiggins will go #1. And unless he becomes a lights out shooter with someone in his face, and is able to attack the basket with a good NBA defender on him.....he could turn out to be very average. My point is I am not so sure either is better than Love or LMA. Right now I have my doubts. I get exited when I see guys like Wiggins because of their explosive athletic ability, but unless they have the handles to attack the basket, AND a consistent jump shot, they will struggle in crunch time. Of course if he does continue to get better than he could be lights out. You got to take him, but he is no "Can't miss" pick. Love and LMA have proven they are for real. So I am not sure an even swap is fair.
then there's the chance for a developing big time star on a rookie scale for many years vs 20 mil per, I see both sides but I think either Love or LMA for the #1 in this draft is a reasonably fair deal
