John Thompson has got more news for us. Well with the trading season upon us, look for about four first round picks to be traded away. Many teams do not feel they can get too much help in the draft this year, but there isn't a whole lot of talk about this draft not being very good though. Some think it has potential to have many roleplayers that could stay in the league for many years. Plus there are a lot of good all around players that help. Atlanta is interested in making a deal to get higher in the draft. They want Kenyon Martin and are also interested in Terence Morris. A few other playes they feel they could get are DerMarr Johnson and Stromile Swift. Jason Collier is a fan fav that they may take a pick on if given the chance. Their first round pick goes to the Clippers if they fall between 9-14 in the draft. The Clippers are talking about trading away drat picks to get expereince around Odom and Anderson. They want a point guard and a banger. Houston are looking hard at Terence Morris now in hopes he falls or they end up higher than imagined. They are very interested in Mike Miller and Hanno Mottola, as well as Troy Murphy. New Jersey wants to get a center in this draft and think they may be able to get one late in the lottery. They also are interested in Kenyon Martin, as well as Stromile Swift. They would like to get Loren Woods, if he can gain some weight and show he can band inside. Chicago has their scouts out all over the place, but are concentrating on Chris Mihm, Brendan Haywood, and Quintin Richardson. They feel even if they don't get the top pick or a lottery pick, they can trade to get them. Orlando has their scouts working very hard as they are seriously thinking of keeping at least two of the raft picks. All three could be lottery picks which could mean they could dominate the happenings of the draft are likely going to. Right now it looks like Quintin Richardson is leaving, as well as Chris Mihm, Terence Morris, DerMarr Johnson, Erick Barkley, Cory Hightwower, and Darius Miles are seriopusly looking to go pro this year. This bunch could make the draft very talented and all are almost lottery locks. My analysis: I like the Morris idea, and Troy Murphy. Although like Francis3 is going to ask, what about Kenyon? Also we should look heavily into Etan Thomas, he's like Kenyon with less offensive game. Troy Murphy is also a good idea. Motolla is a good scorer but not known for defense. Not my type. I don't know too much about Mike Miller.
All indications are Morris will stay in school though ... especially if he's viewed as "falling" in any way. Apparently he's very committed to school and enjoys it... but someone else may know better than what I've heard on that.
Hey Clutch, do know the status of Houston's potential draft picks this year? I know we might get Detroit's plus our's, but I also heard that we got Orlando's in the Francis deal. But then the other day I saw where Orlando was going to include their first round pick in a deal with Denver for Ron Mercer. So what exactly is the situation on that? Do we get a pick this year or any other year or was I mistaken on that? If we get three picks this year then maybe Houston can trade them for the number one pick or trade two of them for a higher pick. If we get Detroit's at around 15-18, ours at probably 9-13 if they keep playing well but don't make the Playoffs, and a potential lottery in Orlando then I'd say we can clean house in the draft this year. [This message has been edited by SooneRockStro (edited February 02, 2000).]
I gotta agree with Clutch. Morris is not a person who just wants to leave, he will most likely stay. But Kenyon Martin is the player rockets should really look into. He fits exactly to the future of this team.
SooneRockStro -- I spoke to someone very important on this one. Nothing surprising... but there is no guarantee we get Detroit's pick this season, obviously. Detroit has up until 2003 to give up the pick. Orlando owes us a first rounder and we owe Vancouver a first rounder. The important thing to note (and sorry if this takes any wind out of our sails) is Detroit, Orlando and Houston could all acquire late first round picks and give up that pick. He said that applies in all 3 cases. So say Detroit acquires the 26th pick of the draft, they could give us that one.
Man, that sucks. When does Orlando have to give us a pick though. This year, next year, etc. But knowing that we have to give Vancouver a pick, I feel a little better about it. When you think about it though, Rudy has always found a player in the late first round that contributes and at one point in time or another had the potential to be a big contributor. In 93' Rudy pulled Sam Cassel outta now where and without him I don't think we beat the NY Bricks. Then of course he gets a gem in Harrington and he was the 1st pick of the 2nd round. Then he got Rhodes who could've been a good player but somehow was lost in the shuffle. He was good for a limited time though. And of course probably the most outstanding pick of Rudy's career has to be Cuttino Mobley at #41 in the mid-second round. To get a player who contributes 15 pts a game and has the potential to take a game over at times in the second round is remarkable. Rudy is one of the best GMs I've seen in any sport when it comes to drafting and getting alot out of his players. I think the Rocks should use their potential lotto-choice to draft a PF or SF as it looks like Martin or any other top big man is out of the picture unless the Rocks just fall apart. I think Hanno Mottola is a strong possibility. Is he a SF or PF? If Murphy comes out and is still on the board then you gotta pick him up. With a late round choice I think you pick up which ever forward position you didn't get. I think we have some great guards to built off of and need to focus on forward. If their were more centers then I definitely be all for getting one, but there aren't many great big men coming out this year other than the top 10 picks. I think Porter is overrated and doesn't have the jump shot to play for the Rocks. If you want to go after a SG I really like Desmond Mason out of Okla. St. He is a pretty damn good player and we get him and move Anderson to the three, which is where he played in Utah I believe. If AJ Guyton is on the board late in the first round I think you pick him up even though most say he is too short at 6'1 to play in the NBA. How tall was Murphy NBA scouts? Their is always the exception to the rule and AJ is just that in my opinion. I really think the Rocks should go after forwards in my opinion and only pick up a guard like Desmond Mason who is just too good to pass on in the late first round. I think the story of the Rocks draft will be what they do in the second round. Out of the four picks 2 years ago Cuttino Mobley was clearly the best player and he was in the second round. There are alot of sleepers out there like Mobley and I think Rudy will nab one.
Rudy isn't the GM, Carroll Dawson is. They are good friends and Carroll hired Rudy so he wouldn't have to coach. Don't forget about Tabak/Zwicker.
Actually, it is well known that Rudy makes most of the basketball player decisions when it comes to draft. I don't care what he is, he makes great picks.
