Would you trade Francis for a high lottery pick? We could very well land some draft picks for Francis without giving up Mobley. I would certainly maybe think about it. You figure Yao is still really learning the game and getting some fresh blood to grow with him wouldn't be a bad thing chemistry wise. This is all possible thinking if landing McGrady doesn't happen (which I have a feeling won't.) Could we pry Chicago's lottery pick for Francis and take on one of their contracts? Chicago has mention they want to get experience players and that trading out of the pick could be possible. well they already have a point guard in Kirk Hinrich ,but could they send him and their top pick for Cato/Mobley/Francis? i know there is an argument that "we dont want to start all over ,rebuilding the roster." But recent interviews with Van Gundy are that it is indeed going to happen. What better way to sculp a team around Yao then going younger by way of the draft? I'de go for Chicago's lottery pick/hinrich.
Chicago is looking to move down to select Luke Jackson. If Paxson feels that Jackson may go before the spot that they move down to then you might see Luke go to Chicago at #3. The Clippers on the other hand may look to move down from the #2 spot. Possible thoughts are to Atlanta, which would work out for the Hawks who covet highschooler Dwight Howard. The Clippers are said to be looking to add a point guard, which at number 6 could be Livingston (preferably) or Harris.
You've got to be kidding!! Check with Jerry Krause and the Bulls - they pulled the stunt you suggest with Elton Brand and have never recovered.
This is a weak draft if you're looking for superstar material. Emeka Okafor is going to go number 1 and experts keep saying to think of him as a Ben Wallace or Buck Williams type for crying out loud. Those guys are both solid players that anybody would love to have on their team, but they aren't superstars by any means. Luol Deng is said to be going as high as 3 and I'm reading scouting reports that compare him to Shane Battier? The best prospects potential wise are all coming out of Highschool but there is no sure thing among them. Yeah, Dwight Howard might one day be a KG type player, but he may also end up a Kwame Brown type player. Furthermore, the Bulls aren't going to get rid of the one player on their roster they actually like. Maybe something like a re-signed Jamal Crawford + Curry + their pick could happen, but that's the best you'd do and I think we can do better than that. I couldn't even start to consider it until T-Mac is completely ruled out as a possibility.
