http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/new-jersey-nets/post/_/id/4516/wallace-trade-a-risky-move-for-nets Seems this may be a bit of a logic fail. Sure the Nets only like these 3 players, but does every other team (or at least any every other lotto team) also have these same 3 guys on the top of the draft charts, thus making it it impossible (or nearly so) for any of them to be there at 4th, 5th, 6h or 7th, etc.? Do these three guys stand head and shoulders above the rest of the draft prospects?
Indeed a fail, they are just trying to convince people they made the right move. Should've stood pat or trade Deron, tank even further, get a top pick and work from there. Getting Wallace won't do them any good this year nor the future.
Ignoring Sullinger and Beal is a big mistake. I also haven't personally ruled out Drummond declaring for the draft. Lots of guys who talk like they're staying in college wind up changing their minds at the prospect of becoming a millionaire overnight.
I can tell you this, if the Nets keep playing at the level they have been, the pick would be in the top 4-6, and even if the Nets only like 3 players, most likely 1-2 of those 3 would still be on the board when the Nets picked. Further, even if all three of those guys are gone because the kids don't come out or they go 1-3 (they won't), then they could deal the pick to a team for more than a 30 year old small forward that relies on athleticism and has already lost a step. By the time Howard (or whomever) you will have a 32 year old Gerald Wallace and a point guard (if he stays) that is on the cusp of 30. I am not sure that is really rebuilding. Honestly the league has figured out what Morey knew from the get go, true superstars are wayyyyyy under valued. I just don't think they are going to fall in your lap often like Moses Malone did with Philly, or others. Unfortunately the owner wants to win now and Morey is limited.
IIRC, Morey also let it slip out that he though this draft is also only 3-deep. If NJ's pick is further down like 6 or 7, I'm sure no one they truly like will drop that far.
I'm with you on this one. I'd say above average, a solid contributor, but not a star. 3rd option at best.
There are about 3 stars in this draft, true, and then you'll have a few 2nd- and 3rd-tier guys. Good players, but this isn't going to be the draft that everyone was crowing about for the last 2 or 3 years. I'll still watch every second, like a good little nerd. :grin:
Even if the draft is filled with 2nd and 3rd tier players, what exactly is Gerald Wallace? A 30 year old 2nd or 3rd tier player with (possibly) an expiring contract. Bad move
The main problem I have with Sullinger is his lack of athleticism. That will stop him from being an impact player in the NBA. But he has the skills to be a regular rotation guy.
Maybe he thinks his team is so good they can't possibly land a top 5 lottery pick. Trouble is, he forgot he works for the Nets.
You NEVER know how things will play out on draft night. Sometimes surefire picks fall, sometimes teams go for big reaches. You just never know. I like Wallace, but what the Nets did was extremely short-sighted and foolish. I bet at least 2 players in the 4-10 range will be better than Wallace in the near future, and they gave that up all for a desperate attempt at an 8th seed.
Maybe he could be a more athletic Luis Scola, with more defense. That would make him a fringe All-Star one day. I agree though don't see superstar in his future.