Nene Hilario with 15th pick?

Well, our first pick could be #1-3, 5-8, depending on how the ping pong balls go. But if we ended up with the 5, took Woods or Wilcox, that would be pretty cool. I'd almost take Hilario with our #5, but I'm sure they'd take some heat for that, and want an immediate impact player with that pick. I'd hate to pass him up, though. He'd be another major building block. But I think they want someone who can help us get to the playoffs now, so that means making a trade for Odom or Lewis. Of course, if Dunleavy came out, and we could get him there, that would be better.

I seriously don't believe that Hilario will be there at #15, but if he was, I'd take him in a second. Next best would be Stoudamire, which would be awesome, even if he took awhile to develop, but he probably won't be there either. So that leaves us with someone like Ely or Haislip, and to be honest, I think I'd rather trade our pick to a team we think will be in the lottery next year, since we'll have to give our pick to Memphis, and hopefully, we will be in the playoffs.

Perfect draft for me (with 5/15) would be Woods (or Dunleavy) and Hilario/Stoudamire. But, I think that's wishful thinking... I'd prefer Lewis/Odoms over Woods, though... hope we get one of them. I just don't know how we'll get him in a sign and trade. Seems like other teams could offer Seattle a better deal.

The other trade I'd like to see is Kenny Thomas for Diop from Cleveland. That would be good for rebuilding... but we'll probably have to include Thomas in a trade for Odom/Lewis, unfortunately...

 

#15 is not what it used to be. In the past the pool of players were essentially limited to NCAA players. Now with the international element, high school, and Juco, #15 is a serious pick. In fact it is a lottery pick of a couple years back. It is quite possible that our two picks this year marginalizes Tmo. I would take this guy in a heart beat. I would not be surprised if Stoudamire drops, as most of the teams picking before us want immediate help. I happen to think that we could wait for a talented player to develop.

 

I don't think KT will go to the Clips, what with his contract up for extension and a probable request for Mo-T $$$. The Clips already have to re-sign Brand, and he deserves the max.

I would think #5 and the Chicago conditional pick for Lamar Odom. If this trade were announced on draft night (someone mentioned this to me in another thread), could the Clips use #5, #8, and #12 (approximate draft picks of Houston and the Clips) to trade up for Yao or J-Will?

Not that I want to help the Clips too much, but we need Odom's versatility on our boring ball club.

 

ROX - Do you think Sterling has a better chance of resigning KT than he does Odom since Odom's market value is higher? (Both are qualifying FA's next summer). Also, if the Clipps turn all the picks into Ming, KT walking is a moot point.

If they keep the picks, one will be KT's replacement if he walks. KT seems like a no lose situation for the Clips but that assumes they aren't concerned with "losing" Odom and they value KT & Collier (the other contract needed to balance Odom's).


Back on topic - I like the hype I've read about Hilario, but would it surprise anyone if he was the best avaialable at 15 and the Rocks offered it to the Grizz?

I must admit that I have not personally taken much interest in the pick because I have a feeling the Rockets won't use it. It will be packaged, conveyed, or swapped downward.

 

Gater it is possible; but this may be the last year that we get to pick so high in a long time. Rudy T being at the Euro final four suggests that there are plans to use the pick.

 

Great point.

That's what makes trading the #15 pick so tough.

Remember, Peja was a #14 pick and Turkoglu was a #16 pick!

Nowadays, trading any 1st round pick can be critical.

 

Taking Hilario at the 5 might not be so wild if he has a great workout. Pau Gasol got taken at 4 last year and by all accounts he didn't have good workouts. So, foreigners don't have to have great or stunning workouts anymore, but I gaurantee you that if Nene has a solid workout he'll climb into the top 8. He's been scouted as having tremendous upside, which when coupled with a great workout spellls mid lotto selection to me.

 

I'd be thrilled with Nene or Amare at 15 - not that I think it's likely.

I have doubts about the ability of either to play center, but if we're going with the 4-5 PF rotation someone talked about, they'd be as suitable for minutes at center as anybody. Both have question marks as far as how they will fare against NBA bodies and competition, but at the 15 I'm willing to gamble to get an athletic, energetic frontcourt presence.

 

My reasoning for the Rocks not keeping #15 is kind of lengthy but:

1) The pick may be needed to move up in the draft order. For example > 5 + 15 for #3.

2) The pick may be needed to move down in the draft order. Example > Rocks give up #5 and #15 for #8 thru 11 + a solid vet + a future first.

3) The Rockets have 10 players under contract. The 1st rounders have guaranteed contracts. That's 12 and that's alot! And it's even more if they offer Walt the vet minimum and/or get another vet with the MCE.

4) The Rocks do not have a history of picking young players (Stoudamire).

5) The Rocks are coming off a very disappointing season and are opening a new arena in 2003-2004. The emphasis is win now. At least that is my perception of Rockets management.

I would like to see the Rockets push hard for 7'0" Portland FA center Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje and Hornets FA SF Lee Nailon. Either of these guys have more immediate value than #15 IMHO. And because of their NBA experience, they will get minutes whereas RT has a history of not giving minutes to the rooks (barring injury or an outright opening).

 

"Nene" is portugeuse for Yinka Dare.

 

GATER,

Amigo, we'll just have to agree to disagree, I don't think the emphasis should be "go find vets, win now 'cause the new arena comes on-line."

People are going to come out when the arena opens, regardless. History shows that novelty and curiousity will ensure that fans will come out, for a while at least.

The only ones feeling pressure are probably the coaches, and frankly I'm rather indifferent about them.

I would much rather they draft 2 solid young prospects and develop them along with their other young players than gamble away the future, which is what they always tend to do.

The real issue is whether this team, with a healthy Rice and Taylor returning and improvement from Griffin & others, will be competitive enough to make the playoffs next year.

If so, keep the pick because next year's #1 will be lower than #15. If not, pay off Memphis now with the #15.

Personally, I think that this team can make the playoffs, especially if they re-evaluate the "system", both offensively and defensively.

See how the lotto shapes up (I really get the feeling that the Rocks will move up), draft the best 2 players, and let them develop.

BTW, if the scenario with Rice, Taylor, & Co. plays out, Boumtje-Boumtje or Nailon may not see much more court time than the rooks would, I would rather 2 talented, developing rooks sit & learn than them.

 

Ditto, Live.

 

thumbs and Live

A small wager.

If the Rockets draft a player at 15 and his rights are not traded, I will change my signature to"Live and thumbs are Draft Day Gods".
However, if the rights to #15 are conveyed, each of you changes your sigs to 'GATER is the Draft Day God".

Let's let the sig change last for say 30 calendar days. Are we on?

 

Gater, what if the Rockets use #15 with say K.T. to trade up for a better pick, say #8 to #12?

 

thumbs -
I'm not exactly sure what Live's point is/was. I guess Live just disagrees with my position. Maybe I haven't communicated it very well. Here it goes again.

Simply stated, I think there is a strong pressure to win next season. I feel that an off-shoot of that pressure is a feeling that veteran help is more important than letting picks sit on the bench. The Rockets will do their best to NOT have 2 guaranteed Rookie 1st round contracts. They will try their best to move #15 in some way, shape, or form. Move up, move down, send it to Memphis...

Only 1 guaranteed 1st round contract...agree or disagree?

 

Ah, now I see. Remember, I am only an Apprentice Senior Member Second Class. The bet is on. I think we will have two first round (guaranteed contract) draftees because the prime targets, Odom and Lewis, will be retained by LAC and Seattle or traded elsewhere.

 

GATER,


My point is that the #15 pick could be a solid player and is not to be treated lightly.

I can understand, though not necessarily agree with, trading the #15 to move up in the draft, as part of a package to obtain a young veteran, or fulling the debt to Memphis.

I don't necessarily agree with that philosophy because I would like to see the Rocks increase their overall talent level, and the draft is still the easiest and cheapest means.

I mean, c'mon, you know the Rocks don't make solid, though 'unsexy', moves such as signing solid rotation players like Nailon. They like to make a 'SPLASH', look for them to clear contracts and over-pay for Lewis or Croshere.

And I just don't buy the 'win now, we need to pack the stadium' philosophy, especially when it comes to personnel decisions. Once again, that sounds like people trying to keep their jobs. How about 'let's build for the future, try our best to assemble a championship caliber roster.'

Consider this:

Since there's another thread about Rudy scouting in Europe, what if the Rocks were to use that pick on a player like Tskitishvili, but he stayed in Europe to complete his contract, a la Stojakovic? The Rocks wouldn't have to worry about having 2 rookie contracts, and would be making a move with an eye towards the future, a proactive move instead of a reactive move for a change.

Against my better judgment, I'll take your bet, though I might as well change my sig now, knowing the Rockets' history.

 

Live and thumbs -

You know what they say, a fool and his sig errr money are soon parted.

So here's the rules:

1) If the Rockets sign two first round picks - I will change my sig to read "Live and thumbs are the Draft Day Gods" for 30 calendar days after the second 1st rounder is signed.

2) If the Rockets sign only one first round pick - the two of you will change your sig to read - "Gater is the Draft Day God" for 30 calendar days after the only 1st rounder is signed.

Is this agreeable? I haven't done this before, so it should be good clean fun.

Now watch Dunleavy, Jr. declare and Hilario (or Nachbar or Tskitishvili) have an unhuman workout to screw me!

 

Oh, wow, Gater, I've never been a draft day god before. I look sooooo forward to it.