Looks like Tristan Thompson is going to declare. He'll likely be a mid-1st rounder and I wouldn't mind if we took a shot at him. #2 rebounder in the Big 12 and #1 in blocks is very impressive for a true freshman. If a legit C isn't available, I wouldn't mind going for a PF who can actually block and contest shots.
As a Longhorn, I personally wouldn't mind getting Thompson, but the Rockets JUST drafted a guy who fits your description above. His name is Patrick Patterson.
Trade Luis Scola, #14, #23, and Terence Williams for Toronto's #3 pick. Then we use toronto's pick to draft Enes Kanter. Rockets 2011-2012 roster C- Enes Katner, Chuck Hayes, Hasheem Thabeet, Brad Miller PF- Patrick Patterson, Jordan Hill SF- Chase Budinger, Courtney Lee SG- Kevin Martin, Courtney Lee PG- Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragic Why we do it?- we get to draft the top Center in the draft and a well needed center and defensive presence in the middle. Why Toronto does it?- they get a good scorer and a good rebounder in Luis scola, 2 first round draft picks, and a potentially good SF.
I think we should target the Cavs because they have 2 picks in the lottery already. As much as i hate to say it, send Lowry, Scola and#14 for #2. Then see if you can unload T. Will and #23 for the Bobcats #19 pick. Kanter and Singleton all the way. Then with the #38 pick a young PG to back up Dragic. Or, finally bring over Llull.
So in a weak draft, you wouldn't take another Patterson at 14? Thompson is a horrible FT shooter, but that is something I expect could be mitigated in the NBA.
Along with Tristan Thompson PF and Corey Joseph PG, Jordan Hamilton SG/SF has decided to enter his name in the draft. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkc/men/7533494.html I would be open to drafting Hamilton, if we trade Martin for a top 3 pick(Minny) to draft a center, either it be Bismack, Valanciunas or Kanter.
Noooooooo thank you. That would be terrible. Kanter is the only one I could sleep on and not wake up plotting Morey's death. Jordan Hamilton is a SF, so drafting him shouldn't be dependent on trading Martin/Lee.
I see here you are getting at. I wouldn't mind doing that trade but what if we do that trade and instead of drafting Katner we draft Kyrie Irving. Then with all the cap space we receive from trading away scola and lowry, we sign Marc Gasol to a 50/5years contract(60/5years at most) C- Gasol/ Hayes/ Thabeet/ Miller PF- Patterson/ Hill SF- Bud/ Lee/ T-will SG- Martin/ Lee PG- Irving/ Dragic
anchel, I've heard that Jonas's contract situation might keep him in Europe for another two years. Since he's not quite the "name" that Ricky Rubio was (which probably contributed to Rubio only falling to #5 in 2009), how far do you think Jonas would fall in the draft if this is true? Any way you see a (deferred) Jonas falling to #14? If so, I'd hope Morey would jump all over that. Hell, if Morey has him ranked highly enough, I'd be willing to package #14 and #23 to move up a couple of spots to get him.
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_brazilian_prospect_nba_draft_042311 Lucas is raw and a project, but could be worth the time and investment. If all the center's are gone by our pick, then I would consider drafting Lucas with the 14th pick. Side note: He measured fantastic, standing 7'0 with a 7'6wingspan and 9'3 standing reach, at the Nike world hoopsummit. He has a great frame(wide shoulders and strong base) that could easily put on some muscle this off-season; I could see him developing into a healthy Andrew Bynum. But the Rockets would need to have patience, with his development.
His agent says that they want to hold all their options open (keep playing in Lihuania, go to another Euroleague team, or already to the NBA) but said that they would make a decision in the spring. Having in mind Rubio's recent case, I don't think any lottery team is going to risk to get him without knowing previously his future plans. If he really talks about the possibility of staying 2 more years in Europe to develope his body/overall game to come more prepared to the NBA... I think he should retire his name from this year's draft and go the next year's draft. If his decision is to go to the NBA already, or as late as next year (my guess, he probably would prefer to play in Europe if there's lockout) I think he would be a lottery selection this year, for sure. I think that franchises will accept to wait a year, even could prefer to have him competing at Euroleague level while there's no NBA competition. So if he finally declares for this draft, I guess it means that he wants to go to the NBA soon. If the Rockets have a chance to get him with the 14th pick, they would be very lucky. Even if -by that time- he has oficially decided that he wants to play in Europe the lockout year, it is possible that some team discards him, but until the 14th... I see it very unlikely. I don't know, this is a question we should make to the GMs, I could be wrong. Next month he will play the Euroleague's Nike International Junior Tournament, so hopefully there will be more info about his current situation and future thoughts.
