I agree that the Cavs would not agree to giving up the 1st pick. I think Kyle Irving may be the only sure thing out of this draft. I think Batum himself is equal to the fourth pick in this weak draft so I don't like the idea of taking on Davis contract and I certainly would not give up Matthews in that deal also. I think our best option of moving up is dealing with Washington, basically taking Rashard Lewis contract off their hands in exchange for the fourth pick if we are interested in Brandon Knight or Jonas Valanciunas and if either is available at 6th.
Why would we trade Batum for the 4th pick in a very weak draft class when we wouldn't trade him for the 4th pick in a decently strong class last year? I don't know about you guys but the only player i'd trade Batum for in this draft is either Irvings or Williams and since were not getting the #1 or #2 pick for him without shooting ourselves in the foot i'd rather keep him and try and move him for a good PG.
The #4 pick could easily be a good PG, Brandon Knight. Batum didn't progress this year and Cho wasn't the GM last year.
His dad played semi-pro basketball in Australia; Kyrie was born in Melbourne, and only lived in Australia for a year and a half. We were in his ear in high school trying to get him to play for Australia, but he went to Duke where Coach K convinced him to play for the US of A.
It literally brightens my day when I see a trade proposal by a Blazer homer. Thank you for starting my day off with a smile.
Just speculating: We now have Gerald Wallace; Different GM; Greater need (PG)? If we can't get the PG we want at No. 4, we should try to get the No. 2 pick instead. Or blow off the draft and trade for a PG. I admit I didn't follow college ball much so I'm a little lost on who we would target really, if not Kemba Walker.
Yeah I think #2 is much more attainable and at #4 Irving, Williams & Knight will be gone.....so unless Kanter is THAT good of prospect, and I have no idea if he is or Kemba Walker is, I don't think trading for #4 is a good idea and furthermore, I think CLE won't trade either pick, they need some positive press for thier fans and selecting two top 5 rookies, even in a weaker draft sells better than trading the #4 for a few vets..... That being said, I think Batum can net a top 5 pick....I honestly do not see 5 players who are better than him in this draft....I mean is Williams a better player? He looked great this year in college, but I think Batum has as much upside as he does....PG like Irving and Knight certainly are hyped more in drafts, so I can see both of them, maybe Kanter? but he is like what 1? 2? years removed from competitive play....Batum is still young 23, a proven NBA commodity with considerable upside....If POR wants to make a splash in this years draft and get that PG (Knight) or take a flyer on Kanter then this is the year to do it, and Kahn if I recall is a Batum fan, would probably have interest in Rudy (he has before) and might value a vet (Miller or more likely Camby) for a young tema that NEEDS to show progress (or he won't be there next year) and has the bonus of an expiring contract that can be used as a trading chip mid year....Probably more would might to be added (Claver? Williams? Freeland? Babbit? other picks?) to seal the deal but IMO POR should aggressively go for it. The cheapest way to get that PG of the future is through the draft by far, and a weak draft certainly can help a team like POR if they are trying to trade up.
I wonder if Rudy and Batum could get the #2 pick, with Miller thrown in and Martell Webster coming back to Portland. Rudy may help Rubio decide to finally come over. The question for Minnesota would be what to do with Beasely/Batum both at SF. That way, Cho can pick a PG in either Irving (doubtful) or Knight (likely), and also has the option of either Williams or Kanter if they test off the charts. Minnesota doesn't need to get any younger, and they need to get Rubio over from Spain sooner rather than later. Interesting...
I see Rudy having pretty minimal trade value. Maybe he'd be ok with going there because of Rubio. But sounds like Rubio is pretty close to coming over/signing soon, so adding Rudy isn't as big of a need to them, as they don't really NEED to entice Rubio over like they might have had to last season. I don't see the value of Miller to Minnesota. If they just need a vet PG, they have Ridnour. He's not as good, but what difference is Miller going to make to them. Minnesota needs a go to scorer more than role players. I don't think beasley will necessarily be that guy for them, but he, or Williams, has more ofa chance of being that than Batum, IMO. Minnesota doesn't need to get any younger, but I think they'd find a better "veteran" player for the #2 pick than Batum. I know Kahn liked Batum at the draft last season, but that was also before he traded for Beasley. Rubio/Ridnour/Flynn Webster/Ellington Beasley/Wes Johnson Love/Tolliver Darko/Pekovic I don't see a need for Batum or Rudy there. Or Miller. I don't see it for Williams either, but can see them maybe trading down 2 or 3 spots, and getting an extra pick, and Kanter, perhaps. Swap with Cleveland, 2 for 4 or something. I dunno. I think their primary need is at SG. I don't think Wes is going to pull in the #2 pick in the draft, and I'm not sure the incentive we'd add to get it closer. But I think that helps get closer than Batum, Rudy, Miller, 21.
