[ESPN] Rockets to decide on Knicks, Bulls offer Wednesday

WHAT?

 

Ah, the classic "Lets rebuild" poster

"I'd much rather have a couple of draft picks, Michael Jordan's 2nd worst draft choice, and a #8 pick who can't crack the rotation on one of the worst teams in the league than make the playoffs with Butler, Jamison, or Iguodala..."

 

In reality, how many spots do you believe the Rox move up if they exercise a 2011 swap with the Knixies? 1st - they will have a decent squad next season and 2nd - they'll be playing in the East which affords more cupcakes. They could reasonably be a 38-42 win team, more if they strike FA heaven. The Rox might win 45-50 assuming moves pan, Yao is healthy and so on. Is that a kick-up of 8-10 spots? On an 'if' basis v this year's Clip 2nd rounder in the 30s to stash an int'l player for a couple of years? And - removing any provisions on the 2012 pick? Plus, the Knixies can scream to their fan base - We Win; TMac and 'only' one 1st!

 

This thread is dead. All aboard the Martin thread.

 

LOL, suck it Tmac and NY.

I don't usually toot my own horn, but Morey being unpredictable is getting quite predictable.

 

14:28 hours and counting

 

I think the move up in that swap could be fairly significant.

First off, now reports are saying that Walsh is only asking for top-6 protection? (I don't know if this applies to both the picks or just the 2012 pick.) But let's assume that it does.

I just don't think the Knicks will be very good next year, even in the "weak Eastern Conference". Cleveland, Orlando, Boston, Atlanta, Miami and Chicago should all be better than New York. Even with Lebron, I don't see the Knicks overcoming their inevitable lack of depth next year to finish any higher than 6th in the East. And that's if they do WELL by my estimates. If I had to bet on it, I don't think New York makes the playoffs next year (or if they do, it's just barely).

Meanwhile, I think the additions of Yao Ming, a late lottery pick (or, who knows, a top 3 pick!), an MLE free agent, Jared Jeffries and Jordan Hill to the current core that is playing above .500 ball right now will translate into at least a 5th place finish in the West next year.

So, in the end, I see New York picking somewhere between 6 and 15 in the 2011 NBA Draft; and I see the Rockets picking somewhere in the early to mid-20s.

I'll take that 2011 pick swap over a guaranteed future second round pick any day of the week.

 

If it were 6-15 v early to mid-20s I'd agree, I suspect it will more likely be 14-18 v 18 - 22; if LBJ is really targeted by Nike to NYK then the lemmings will follow and the swap pick could be immaterial.

But, these are our opinions and suppositions and - is Kevin Martin really a Rock star?