The rocket's owe the Grizzles a pick. Would it be better to send the Toronto pick to them this year if possible or take the chance that the rocket's pick next year will be worse? I assume no good trade offers are discussed under the table before the pick must be conveyed.
I've been wondering about this actually. I never could quite confirm whether the condition on using someone else's pick was that it was top-15 or if it was within 2 of us. Feigen says top-15; other sources say within 2. Assuming Feigen is right (I guess it's a home-town bias), we could send Toronto's pick to Memphis. As much fun as it would be to try to package it and move up or out of the draft, it is probably the safest thing to send it to Memphis. While we may plan to be in the playoffs next year, there is always the possibility that we crash and burn and then -- to add insult to injury -- have to fork over a lotto pick. Besides, even if we make the playoffs next year, we will probably be in the bottom half and not have a pick much worse than 15th anyhow. So we'd be taking a risk for only a moderate gain. Of course, the ideal situation is that we win a top-3 pick this year and don't need to worry about moving up. Then we can send the Toronto pick to Memphis and still get a very solid player in the draft (or by trade).
Great question, Joe Joe. If possible, I would probably settle up with Memphis. Like Juan wrote, you just can't be too sure that they'll make the playoffs next year, especially since the West looks to be even tougher. (Phoenix, Memphis, LAC will improve, GS may finally get their act together)
Assuming we can't use the pick to trade up or trade for a veteran player, I would definitely give Memphis the pick over actually using it. Another young player, unless he can change the outlook of the team, isn't going to help us much.
I would also like to settle with the Griz. Isn't there anyone around here that can figure out the specifics of that trade. This whole discussion could be a waste of time if giving the Griz the Raptor's pick is not an option.
I read somewhere that the pick had to be ours to begin with or within two of ours. But, if possible, I'm with you guys. Give them the 14th or 15th. Or, why not trade the #5 for Bibby/the pick we owe them. Then we trade Steve (someone most of you guys want gone) for another lotto pick. Our line-up could be: Bibby -true PG everyone wanted Cat - may be even better without having to share the ball with Steve Qyntell Woods/Butler -good SF Eddie Cato
You read that in the Vancouver Sun. That's why I'm not sure if top-15 is right. Feigen says top-15; Sun says within 2.
If we luck out in the draft and get Jason Williams (to trade) or Yao Ming (to keep), then let's give the Grizz the draft pick. The thing is, Memphis has a great shot at drafting in the Top 3 and if we give them the #14/15 draft pick, they might have better ammunition than us to make a trade (during or after the draft) for one of this draft's studs. I know they suck, but while they're in our division, I don't want to help'em out too much.
I have to agree also that if possible we should settle the owed pick to Memphis with the pick we get from the Raptors. If for any reason we can use the Raptor's pick this year to pay the Grizzlies, then I think the Rockets should draft Amare Stoudemire 6-10 240 PF HSSr. He will probably be available and can be a project. If this kid turns out to be a steal, then he would more than make up for our lost pick in 2003. What do you guys think?
Sorry guys, I meant that if we can not give the Grizzlies our pick this year then we should draft Amare Stoudemire 6-10 240 PF HSSr.
