Unsigned draft picks have 0 dollar value. And you can't trade a signed draft pick till into the season (Dec. 20 if I remember right). As previously mentioned, Kandi couldn't be (signed and) traded till after the draft, and would have to accept a deal for Houston, dollar amounts and all, meaning there are MANY pitfalls to what you are describing: a.) salary matching (we have no trade exceptions, and KT makes 2 mill less than Odom, let alone Kandi). That means a guy like Moochie, or Cato, or Rice, or Taylor would have to be included-why would the Clips want one of their contracts? b.) Deal could not go down till well after the draft. Why would the Rockets pick for LAC if a deal wasn't definitely happening. So we could get stuck with Dejuan Wagner when something goes wrong? c. We could not "woo" Kandi to come here until free agency. It would be illegal. d. We could not discuss terms with Kandi until free agency. It would be illegal.
I really hate to throw cold water on this discussion, but most of the posters thus far are forgetting that the Clippers do not HAVE to trade with us. There are a number of teams that would love to acquire either Odom or Olawokandi or both. If we drafted Williams or Ming, the only players the Clips would be interested in acquiring from us would be Ming, Francis or Williams. Now, let's say we traded one or the other for their #8 and #12, what would be out there worth Steve or JWill3? Butler and Marcus? Stoudemire and Grizzard? Personally, I don't think I'm smart enough to figure out how that would benefit the team. If we get a #1, #2 or #3, we should use it very carefully to acquire Ming or Woods or even Williams or Wagner.
IMHO, the real prize in this deal is Odom, not Kandi. Granted, he had a career year this year, but he's still a project and is certainly not worth the max (doesn't mean he won't get it, however). When Kandi is considered one of the league's better big men, its just another indication of just how weak the C position has become. Like I wrote before, I still think this may be a little wishful thinking on the Rocks' part, but I wouldn't be surprised if this happened. And, no offense, but the Rocks have a legacy of over-paying, I wouldn't be surprised if they added future picks to the deal as well. I would still rather see them keep the picks and continue to build the team patiently.
Clip from ESPN Magazine: Imagine the Clippers with either Baron Davis or Andre Miller at point guard. There have been rumblings that both Davis and Miller would like to get back to California and the Clippers would be happy to deal Lamar Odom to get either one. What are we offering again #15 & KT or Moochie Norris? ouch!!
Ok, Doesn't anyone think that KT, 5, and 15 is a little too much for Odom? I mean common, who ever we take at #5 will most likely be as good as Odom, possibly better. Remember the Francis Draft: Brand, Francis, Davis, Odom, Wally Now, I'm not saying for sure that the first 5 picks in this draft will all be superstar caliber, but there's a good chance since the first 5 picks in this draft are definately special. Woods, Ming, Wagner, Williams, Wilcox, Gooden, Butler. All these guys have the talent to be allstars. (So does Odom, but he's not an allstar yet.) I wouldn't mind trading the 5 for Odom, but I wouldn't trade both our picks + KT for him. Oh, by the way, the Hornets and Cavs wouldn't trade Davis or Miller for Odom. It will take a lot more than Odom to get those deals done. Those guys are allstars without the herb (more so anyway than Odom).
I thought the Clips pretty much consider Odom, Magette, and Kandi to be too expensive or 'expendable.' (Man I hate using that word when it comes to people) So what do you think the Clips would prefer, KT and 2 draft picks, or an impact, local boy PG? I think they would (and should) be willing to offer 2, or even all 3, for a chance at Davis or Miller.
