Since the Suns are almost a lock to be in the Lottery, who do you think they should draft? Personally I really hope we can some how get Hakim Warrick or Telfair with our second pick. I don't really know what the Suns are going to do with the Lotto pick. Probably go after that Pavel guy. What do you guys think?
The Suns have a lot of areas to address before they can consider who to draft. Both McDyess & Guggs will be free agents, and they need to see if Lampe can be effective. Marion, Johnson, and Stoudamire are nice players to build around, but I don't see any players in the draft who would help the Suns right away. Needs -------- Center (seems to be the case every year) Shooter (they really don't have that deep threat weapon to spread a defense) I can see them getting the 5th or 6th pick in the draft, they might consider Ben Gordon or Loul Deng there, but I would consider trading the pick for a solid big man.
I'm doubtful that Deng comes out, I think he'll stay at Duke another season. Gordon may be a good pick, but I would prefer to see them look at a big man. Barbosa and Johnson fill the back court nicely and both look to be very bright future prospects. However, how many impact big guys will there be in this draft after Okafoir and Howard?? Unless the Suns get a top three pick that is, and if Villanueva comes out he may be a risk taking him in the lottery.
Well I think the Suns have a good shot at a top 3 pick, currently they would have the 4th best chances at a top 3 pick. And as the history of the lottery has shown, the 4th and 5th best chances tend to screw over some teams and get a top 3 choice. Here are the history of the lottery, with which "seed" got what pick in what years. (the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc is referring to the amount of chances, so currently Orlando would have the most chances, being the worst team in the league, and considered the 1st seed in my diagram). <u>#1 DRAFT PICK</u> 1st : '90 2nd : '92, '96 3rd : '97, '98, '99, '01 4th : '94 5th : '91, '95, '02 7th : '00 11th : '93 <u>#2 DRAFT PICK</u> 1st : '94, '95, '99 2nd : '02 3rd : '96 4th : '91, '00 5th : '93, '97, '98 8th : '92, '01 10th : '90 <u>#3 DRAFT PICK</u> 1st : '92, '96, '98, '00, '02 2nd : '90, '94, '97 3rd : '91 4th : '95 5th : '01 7th : '93 13th : '99 Statistically the lottery would look like this today... 1st Pick = Wizards (3rd) 2nd Pick = Hawks (5th) or Magic (1st) -- 1 and 5 have each won it 3 times. 3rd Pick = Magic (1st) (if Orlando got the 2nd pick then it would be the Bulls) Which means the Bobcats would pick 4th, the Bulls 5th (if Orlando doesn't get the 2nd pick) and the Suns 6th. This is all based on the statistics from previous lotteries of course Back to the question, the Suns might trade away players which impacts their draft status, and I do believe the Suns may have 1 or no draft picks come this summer, they'll use them to unload more salary. So let's say the Suns have their pick, and they get the 6th choice in the draft, and have the same roster, today they'd probably pick Kosta Perovic (because at 6, Podkolzine is gone). He's decently big though will probably just be another Jake Voskul... Though I think perhaps JJ could be gone, his value is high now, they might want to unload him for a good center, and in THAT case, then they'd pick a Jameer Nelson, Telfair, Ben Gordon, or Iguodala -- which means Barbosa might have to move to SG or something. Because the Suns haven't begun building it's really hard to talk about the draft yet, but when the draft rolls around we'll have a better idea.
I think the Suns don't have a high chance of getting Emeka Okafor. He might be Top3 pick.The Suns have a better chance of getting Pavel, a center who the Suns need, or Luol Deng.The draft at Nbadraft.net says that the Suns will probably get Deng but it isn't accurate.
No way I want to even think about them trading JJ! I realize it's business and everything but a little gratitude would be nice. Me I'm on t long shot of an amare trade. I think'd be suicide but weirder things have happened and I think he'll be bad for team chemistry in the long run (he fancies himself team leader). As for the draft... We do not need a swing forward like Warrick. We have Z. We do not need a point guard we have Barbosa and Vujanic. Vujanic will help fill our shooting needs if he lives up to his reputatuon. We could get Brent Barry to further fill our shooting needs (though I think he wants to stay in Seattle). We could get Stromile Swift to fill our backup PF needs. However, aside from the injury prone Marcus Camby (another penny or googs?) and the Jahidi Clone Traylor we don't have much in the way of Center options. It's a given we will get Kosta if he auditions well. As for the second pick I like Varejao for some reason. Born in 82 so he will likely contribute quickly. May be another Z but that may not be bad. Athletic, offensively creative, rebounder, Brazilian. Just a gut feeling. Humphries or Splitter could be better but will likely go higher up than the Knicks pick. Igoudala is a hometown hero but from the sounds of it he won't help our shooting problems any. I think Barry and Swift would be better than drafting... but I think we should draft a power forward and a center. Not many shooting guards in the draft... Besides maybe casey's midrange game will improve and his overall cnsistency as well.
What about Pavel Podkolzine?(sp?) He's 7'5, and if he could maybe get a good mentor (Like Patrick Ewing with Yao) he might be something special.
I like the idea of pavel, a nice bag man to plug up the middle would be nice, the suns havent really had a decent center that i can remember, im lookin for them to draft him, but if somehow okafor slips, i would want the suns to draft him, even though him and amare would both be pf's, and okafor deserves minutes.
Anyone else concerned that Pavel would be as much of a "project" as Big Jake or Shawn Bradley? Besides he is scrawny. What makes Yao so good is that he has unusual bulk for his height (compared to a Bradley type).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting cArMeLo15:</div><div class="quote_post">What about Pavel Podkolzine?(sp?) He's 7'5, and if he could maybe get a good mentor (Like Patrick Ewing with Yao) he might be something special.</div> Here's what I said... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting scorbutic:</div><div class="quote_post">So let's say the Suns have their pick, and they get the 6th choice in the draft, and have the same roster, today they'd probably pick Kosta Perovic (because at 6, Podkolzine is gone).</div> Here's what Just-Magic said... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Just-Magic:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Suns don't have a high chance of getting Emeka Okafor. He might be Top3 pick.The Suns have a better chance of getting Pavel</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone else concerned that Pavel would be as much of a "project" as Big Jake or Shawn Bradley? Besides he is scrawny.</div> In another post I commented on how the Suns always draft projects for centers, or get ones on the decline ("Hotrod" Williams, Luc Longley, Danny Schayes, etc) -- my solution was to trade for a center in his prime, like Sacramento has with Brad Miller. Pavel Podkolzine is going to be a Big Jake and Kosta Perovic is another Jake Voskul (though probably not as much energy). This is how NBADraft.net describes Pavel... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Offensively he plays very timidly. With the ball he doesn't take any initiative... Does not seem to have great touch and has a long ways to go figuring out post moves ... Imposing presence, he's dangerous to take the basketball at.... Defensively does not have a good feeling for the game or sense of the position... Very raw.</div> Does that really sound like a franchise center? He's not 20 and will just be more youth on a team full of it... we need veterans, even 2-3 years in the league is good... we can't bank on thses rooks anymore, the Clippers and Bulls have tried it, it's not working. If you aren't getting an Iverson, Duncan, or LeBron, it's going to be really difficult to build through strickly the draft. Not sure why the Suns would want Emeka Okafor... they sure as hell aren't going to start him or Amare at center, and with Amare and Marion in the front court, they'd have to trade 1 of the 3. Besides I'm not sold that he can be an NBA forward... he's pretty big now, but he'll just be a guy in the NBA, and he doesn't have the agressiveness you need out of a PF. I'm sure he'll do just fine, but as a top 3 pick I'd want an Elton Brand, I'm not sure if Okafor is an Elton Brand. The Suns should get rid of their picks... trade the New York pick along with Eisley to clear some cap space, then trade THEIR pick (maybe even along with White) to pick up a top true starting center (Dampier, Olowokandi, Ratliff, SOMEBODY) and maybe a mid-late first round pick this year or a future first rounder (none of those centers is worth a top 5 pick, so of course they'd have to get something else). Also picking up an early 2nd round pick would be nice... take a look at just a FEW of the names picked early 2nd round that have made an impact... Carlos Boozer, Gilbert Arenas, Mehmet Okur, Rashard Lewis, Ruben Patterson.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone else concerned that Pavel would be as much of a "project" as Big Jake or Shawn Bradley? Besides he is scrawny. What makes Yao so good is that he has unusual bulk for his height (compared to a Bradley type).</div> While I'm not much of a fan as his, Pavel isn't scrawny...He's 19 or 20 years old, and he's 300 + lbs.... Who they draft depends a lot on the direction of the franchise....Is Johnson and Marion in the Sun's future plans...After the Marbury trade, there was speculation that Marion would be the next to go.... Rather than drafting a big man, I would like to see them sign or trade for a solid veteran big to play alongside Stoudimire. Then maybe select swing man, maybe Josh Smith or to a less degree (w/ a lower pick ) a Josh Childress...
How about the 6'11" Brazillian? I'm sorry but his name slips my mind. He has a very good overall game, great on defense and his mid range offense is great too. Not as good as say KG, Olajuwon, Wilt or The Admiral but he still plays very well from there, even from the Charity Line. I don't follow College ball too closely, so I'm not sure of whether he'd be available for draft next year but what about Garcia. He's a great shooter and could provide some real passing ability and provisions to your team. That or Ben Gordon, he really can shoot so well. They'd be high ranked in the draft though wouldn't they? My best suggestion is the guy I first mentioned, size, and a good overall game. It's what you need.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting L.Sooch:</div><div class="quote_post">What about Ivan Chariev(spelling) he would be good for the suns.</div> Seems to be another Cabarkapa... do we really need 2? My new view on the future is to trade JJ and White for a proven center (Dampier?) and draft Ben Gordon or Andre Iguodala.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AzBalla17:</div><div class="quote_post">Why not trade Marion for Dampier and a first?</div> I'm attached to Marion more as a fan than I am to JJ... Marion's been accepted by the city, and is always cheerful and seems to be good to be around. Besides his contract is too big, and he's worth much more than Dampier and a first rounder... Marion is in the league leaders in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, and FT% -- plus he's the team captain, that's a lot to give up for a center who will probably not make an All-Star game if he stays in the west.
What's the local dirt on this Iguodala cat? According to the usual sources he's not much of a shooter though he is athletic. We need shooters.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">Splitter and Varejao are both 6'10" Brazilians.</div> That's the one, Varejao. Anyone seen him play? He's like Okafor a bit, except better at the free throw line. He can shoot, block and defend. His stats aren't the same but basically the same form of play, a versatile big man.
