As mentioned earlier, I think getting Harden and Curry would be a successful draft for them. I don't think Harden will fall that far though. The bottom line is they're rebuilding.
For the Wiz, the players might be worth more. For the T'Wolves, who need a major rebuild, the pick is worth more than a couple of so-so vets. Foye's injury problems seriously undermine his value, and Miller is too old to be part of a rebuilding effort. Even in a weak draft, having 2 of the top 6 picks is an enviable position. If their new GM has something on the ball, this could be their version of our draft in 07. All the touts claimed that was a weak draft too!
I disagree. The best way for a team to work their way out of the cellar is to draft their way out of it. No free agents are coming to Minnesota, are you fricking kidding me? This is a weak draft. But at least they positioned themselves to grab guys they wanted (or so they think). Sometimes making your move early in the draft only gets your throat cut later when somebody moves up on you, because they already know where you are picking.
But, they could have done it in order to make a trade with us! You, sir, do not have a grasp of the conspirator's mind!
Point well taken, but how many picks is enough? I thought they already had too many...now add another one?! I guess if they get the guy(s) they want, it is all worth it.
I don't think you can ever have enough top 10 lottery selections in a draft. Even in this one. Minnesota will get some nice guards to build around. I'm sure they thought Telfair and Foye just weren't cutting it.
David Kahn is putting together all the pieces he needs to pull of another KP. He has 4 (!!!) first round picks this year.
I think this is a good move for MN. I've never been a Foye fan, and I think that they will be able to get a superior prospect at #5, whether Rubio is there or not. MN might take a step back on the floor (amazingly enough) but they just don't have enough talent to not be aggressive in the long run. Ed O.
I like this deal on one condition: the condition that we make the final move, trade up, and go for Rubio. If not, we just traded away a big expiring deal, and our second option on offense for two unproven rookies and some average big men. And that's the thing. It wouldn't make sense for us not to at this point. We now have 6 draft picks, 4 in the first round this year, and also 2 first rounders next year. That's way too many picks for this team to handle, so I say we go for one of the gems of the draft. I think that's what Kahn is looking at too. Whether it's Rubio or Thabeet, it makes sense for this team. Either way, I think Rubio is going to be the better player, in fact I could see him becoming a top 1 or 2 player in this class by far. We have too many picks, and not enough guards. That's why I say we will make the deal, and select Ricky Rubio. Think about it. Griffin will go with the first pick. If the Grizzlies don't find another taker that they like, they'll take Thabeet. Harden will likely go 3 as he'd fit well with Westbrook. Then at 4 would go Rubio. We'd likely take Evans 5th, but then what? Jennings is a good player, and a guy that I like a lot, but it's looking more and more like 6 would be a stretch for him in this draft, so I don't know how that would work. Curry would likely be the guy, and I don't see him being a point guard successfully in the NBA either (I say either because I feel the same way about Evans). It puts us in a pickle. Then we have all those other picks: 18,28,45 AND 47 to deal with after already having two rookies rights. It's too confusing, and a deal would make the most sense. I will miss Foye though. He was a great little player, and quite good in the clutch. He really came through for us a lot over the past few years. If he can stay healthy, he will make a good playoff team very happy as that team's 6th man. I'll miss you #4. Now onto Washington.... Can Miller shoot the ball? Of course he can, he's one of the best. But the majority of his good play will happen when he's controlling the offense with the ball in his hands. That was proved when he left the ball-controlling system in Memphis to come play here, where Big Al and Foye ran the show. Miller struggled playing off the ball, and I feel that will certainly be his role there. He's skilled enough to figure it out, but I don't know if he will. Either way, he's a big load of salary coming off the books for Washington, so you come out well either way. And the Wizards like Foye as the 6th man quite a bit.
Yes, they added veterans, but aren't Arenas and Foye similar players? How about Butler and Miller? Is ... C: Jamison PF: Butler SF: Miller SG: Foye PG: Arenas ... going to be their starting lineup? Either that or people used to starting and good enough to continue to start will be coming off the bench.
Remember our Roy/Aldridge draft. That was considered the weakest draft in yeeeears to most people. Makes you wonder if fans on other teams were wondering what the hell Portland was doing getting a bunch of picks in a weak draft. Shit we gave up Telfair for the pick that got us Roy. Now, Foye has been a bit better than Telfair (but he hasn't exactly lit the league on fire) but I consider this a pretty similar deal as the one we made to nab Roy. Now, can the Wolves draft as well as KP did that year? That is the real question.
I was watching ESPN tonight, they said they expect a flurry of activity tomorrow, especially out of the Wolves camp where the Wolves said at a minimum they expect 2 lotto picks, with the possiblity of one of them being the #2, trading up with Memphis.
The deal is a good one for both teams. Minni is in full rebuilding mode and is using the Blazer model to get it done. Washington gets rid of a couple of players they don't like and a lottery pick that isn't worth much to them. In return, they get a decent small forward whose contract expires in 2010 and Foye, whose contract is up then as well. Well done by both GM's.
MIN is pretty much assured of getting one of Rubio, Harden or Curry...heck maybe two if they are lucky....
I can see a trade up to OKC very possible, Rubio has said he isn't going to Memphis and it seems he has a promise for the #2 pick, Sam Presti has been looking to trade down. Is 5 and 18 enough to move to 3? I think so since Harden will be available at 5, Presti is high on him and this just adds another 1st for him(along with the fact that they have Westbrook at point), and I think he is the most promising rookie this year anyways. Also, what prospects are you guys planning on trading for the 2/3 since it almost certainly will cost Rudy and their current 1st at the minimum.
