Few Notes on the Lottery...

I don't think it's a neccesity to trade up to #2 for Swift. I think there is a strong chance Vancouver will end up picking Mihm just cuz of his size.

I wouldn't be surprised if we traded with the Clips. The main reason is they have Kandi and the 3rd pick meaning Swift.

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Hasn't Heisley said that Vancouver is looking for an impact power forward in the draft and that if they couldn't find one then they would trade? This is in the Vancouver Sun:

"What the Grizzlies would like to end up with is a shot-blocking, athletic power forward who can rebound and score. In other words, someone just like University of Cincinnati forward Kenyon Martin, who is expected to go No. 1 at next month's draft in Minneapolis. Louisiana State's Stromile Swift is another power forward in the draft, but he could go as high as No. 2. "

Versace said if the Grizzlies don't get a power forward in the draft, they will have to look to add one via a trade or free agency. "

I don't expect them to trade out of that spot. They should be pretty jubilant to have gotten to the 2 spot. Swift (or Martin) is what they were praying for.


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Would Fizer count? That would provide some interesting trade possibilities.

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If Martin and Swift go 1-2, its going to basically make trading up extremely difficult. As Clutch pointed out, the player that it would make sense to move up for is Stromile Swift.

As JeffB posted "What the Grizzlies would like to end up with is a shot-blocking, athletic power forward who can rebound and score." That is exactly what Stromile Swift is, and he makes a lot of sense on the Grizzlies frontline. When they interviewed the Nets owner, he was saying something to effect that they want an inside player that can rebound and defend which would point to Martin.

Thus, the Rockets just may have to concentrate on seeing what they can get at 9th overall. I personally like Jerome Moiso a good bit even though some think he's too soft. I like his long, athletic 6-11 frame, and his ability to fly in the open court along with his ability to play inside and outside.

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I almost never play the role of pessimist. Almost.

Vancouver isn't going to trade away a pick that is basically a franchise PF. The team who trades away the franchise player is always the one that doesn't get equal value. Vancouver has some new aggressive management looking to shake things up, but they may not have to now. Shareef, Swift, Dickerson, and Bibby in the starting five? Sick. Just get them a good coach and some more quality bench players to go along with Price and Othella.
The absolutely only way they will give away this franchise PF is if they get a true playa in return (not just Cato or other unwanteds) and get rid of Reeve's contract. I don't see that happening.

Similarly, there is no reason for the Nets to pass up on Martin. Marbury, Kittles, Van Horn, Martin... awesome. And Martin will make an impact now, not just potentially in the future. They would be stupid to trade Kenyon to anyone, unless they were to get a top-five franchise PF. Anyone see that happening? Neither to I. Kenyon Martin is playing for New Jersey, and the Nets will finally start making some noise with him next season.

Will people please stop having these pipe dreams about Stro and Kenyon dropping becuase these guys might take Mihm instead? Please.

Once Taylor leaves the Clippers as he has promised, they will be more desperate for a PF than anyone else in the lottery. Cato + #9 or Cato + Drew might be able to get us a shot at Fizer, but why bother? Clutch is right. Go for #2 or don't bother. There are absolutely endless amounts of trades that Cato + exception can be used for. Save him.

I really doubt Orlando is going to want all three of their lottery picks: #5, #10 and #13. Too much salary to pay for "potential". Maybe we'll make a move for #5 to ensure landing Miller or Miles. Chicago also may not need both #4 and #7, but they did extremely well last draft with Brand and Artest and with this draft could pretty much round out the team.

I think we're staying pat at #9 and praying for a good player like Miller, Miles, or Johnson to drop. We could still get Moiso, and in the middle of the first round there are opportunities at quality players like Olumide, Pryzbilla, Etan Thomas. George Karl said on the air that he wants to trade his #15, doesn't believe much in the draft and prefers to use players he knows can contribute.

[This message has been edited by Nolen (edited May 21, 2000).]

 

Clutch,

I can't see the new Vancouver mgt. making the same type of deals that the old management made. If anything, they would try to be as completely different from their predecessors as possible. Chuck Daly wasn't born yesterday.

Nolen is pretty much on the money with his analysis. Whatever deal they have planned for later in the summer will have to be pretty secure (locked in) so they can draft accordingly.

Mango

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Wouldn't New Jersey want to pick Chris Mihm with the top pick? It just makes the most sense. Power forward should not be their biggest concern. If the pick Mihm, they can move Jayson Williams back to his more natural position at Power Forward and slide the versatile Van Horn to Small Forward. And it makes a lot of sense if they don't feel Williams will ever make a full recovery. Then they can draft Mihm to play center and leave Van Horn at the 4 position in which he openly prefers. He might be rubbed the wrong way if the front office forces him to slide to the SF for a player like Martin. But he would be a lot more willingly if the player he is making room for is his bodyguard/mentor/friend, Jayson Williams.

I don't see the Grizz trading their top pick to us two years in a row. The team I would target is the Clippers as they look to be a team with multiple needs/holes. A few years ago, they traded the 2nd pick in the 95 draft for basically Rodney Rogers and the #15 or so pick.

So here is my proposal:

Kelvin Cato, Kenny Thomas, and the 9th pick for the 3rd pick.(Kenny Thomas and Bryce Drew are interchangeable in this scenario)

With the 9th pick, they can get a point guard that they desperately need. Cato and Thomas can sure up that front line once Mo Taylor leaves through free agency. I think they would do it.

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Well, here is some good news from the mouth of the Grizzlies owner:

"This pick could basically really move the team up a substantial notch," new Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said. "There's so many options. We may be able to make a trade for the pick, we may be able to trade for two other picks further down. This really opens up a lot of opportunities for us." http://www.nj.com/sportsflash/index.ssf?/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?s0315_AM_BKN--DraftLottery_958951382&&sports&nbanews

So we may have a good shot at Swift anyway.



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Didn't Stromile Swift and Chris Mihm enter the Draft without agents, for this sole reason; as to allow themselves to undeclare in case a situation is disagreeable to them, such as being a Grizzlie or a Clipper.

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[This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited May 21, 2000).]

 

JeffB- You beat me to it. Perhaps they are more open than I thought, if those are the first words out of the owner's mouth.

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Okay, here comes a pessimist. That "couple of picks further down" comment was aimed squarely at Jerry Krause. Mr. Krause, if you want Mihm, it will cost you both picks.

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Sorry I missed the chat, but 5 in the morning (on a monday) after a long and sleep deprived weekend (FA Cup, and getting drunk) seemed a little early for the 9th pick, although the lotto turned out great for the Nets, surely they will just take Martin and move van horn to the 3 spot.
So is everyone sure that the rockets trade will involve moving up in the draft, maybe we will just sit at #9 and then work seperate trades for Drew, Cato and Walt.

Smeg

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Those comments about trading down could be directed at either Chicago or Orlando.

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Rocketbooster's comments got me thinking -- If Steve Francis was able to bully his way out of Vancouver last season, who's to say VC pick this year won't threaten to bolt either? I would think Vancouver would be looking to avoid a similiar situation and if anything I've heard is even remotely true....they probably would be better off passing on Swift.

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New Jersey is bound to do anything with their pick. Apparently their GM has said that a team "with multiple picks" has whispered sweet nothings in their ear about wanting the #1 pick. My guess is that is Orlando, and it would likely take #5 and #10 or #13 to do it. Apparently the Nets like K-Mart though: there's a quote on the front of nbatalk.com from thier GM stating that he is the best player in the draft, otherwise it's a crapshoot.

From what I can tell, it's unlikely New Jersey will deal with the Rockets unless the Rockets happen to come upon a 2nd pick. The Grizzlies want a PF even if they really need a center and will likely not move. And, as many have previously said, the Clips may be the most willing to make a deal - they need a PG, SG, and PF and I wouldn't be surprised if they trade the #3 for a lower pick (9) and one of those three (Drew? Thomas?) knowing that they also have #18 to get a PG/PF with. At least we could get any one of Martin/Swift/(likely) Fizer out of that.

Anyways, as Clutch said, let the 5 week guessing game begin.

[This message has been edited by flash2000 (edited May 21, 2000).]

 

why just trade down for two unpredictable picks when you can get one player now and a pick via the rockets. if the griz will talk with the bulls or the magic, i think they will talk with the rox. we have been good and generous to them in the past. drew may not be a factor with them but Cato and KT and/or the exception and the #9 pick. i don't think its impossible but, with that said, i still think that the deal is most likly to come from the clippers. unless there is something behind the scenes that only the rockets and clutch know about involving Swift.

next question??? will the nets pick Martin,...its seems likly, but may not be, there imediate need IMHO seems to be the five position which may mean ( and i don't know why ) Mihm could go number one pushing Martin to the #2 and Swift availible at the #3 selection.

THAT SAID, i do think that the safe manouver would be to try and get a deal with vancouver for the #2 pick just in case Martin is selected #1, Swift is surely gone with the two pick to the griz and will unlikly deal him to anyone ( unless of coarse he does the Francis schuffle ). at least with the #3 pick we also could get a impact player and possible trade bait for a more experienced player.

that's all folks

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Good Points ya'll!

I'm not sure that NJ would want Martin when they have Van Horn, unless they moved VanHorn to the 3, where he hasn't been very happy. They need a center and SF. Chicago might even trade their #4 and #7 to get Mihm, if they thought NJ was ready to take him. Unfornately, I think other teams would have more to offer NJ than we do, unless they are really hot on Cato. If they believe Cato is better than any center in this draft, and believe they could end up with either Miller or Miles at #9, and we gave them a future draft pick, and maybe something else, like KT, then we might have a chance. But I doubt it.

I don't see Vancouver trading with us, because they need a better PF than we could offer. They want a frachise PF. Fortunately for them, there are three franchise PF's in the top 4 picks. So, if Chicago is worried they won't end up with Mihm, they might trade up to get him with their #4 and #7. Then Vancouver could end up with Fizer and Prysbilla, which would be good for them. I just don't see them doing a trade where they don't end up with one of the 3 top PFs.

LAC needs a PF with Taylor leaving. With their other picks, they'll probably get a good PG and SG out of the whole deal, too, the way this draft lays out. So what would we have to offer them, besides Drew, who they might not end up needing after this draft?

I just don't see us getting Swift or Martin, unfortunately, the way the balls were selected. I just hope Miles or Miller falls to #9. But I believe Atlanta will probably take Miller, and if Chicago doesn't get Mihm, they might take Alexander and Miles. Cleveland could take Miles, too, leaving us to take Moiso.

It doesn't look good for Houston, but hey, the Rockets always pull something out of the hat.

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I'm wondering to myself if the Nets are thinking, "Draft KMart, trade the unneccessary player(s) to fill needs". Clearly, KMart is your best player in the draft.. immediate impact on the club, franchise quality.

Since the Nets already have Van Horn, at that spot, I think they may choose to trade him. Or perhaps with the uncertainty of Jayson Williams' return, do you draft KMart, move Van Horn to the 5 spot, and then trade Williams for the best you can get?

I've got a feeling that this franchise is going to willing to move otherwise "untouchable" players to make KMart fit.

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[This message has been edited by BobbyWarren (edited May 22, 2000).]