early second rounder is more valuable because they dont have guaranteed contracts for 3 years. second rounder's aren't guaranteed any money. plus, the lakers just wanted to throw away that pick so they didn't have to pay it. they weren't looking for the best deal on the market, they priced it under market value to insure a buyer.
from Chad Ford The Wizards traded this pick to the Rockets. Taylor's a sleeper. He's very athletic and he can really score the basketball. With Tracy McGrady ailing and perhaps on his way out, I can see why Daryl Morey went this way. A really nice pick for the Rockets. http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/round?draftyear=2009&round=2
http://www.thedreamshake.com/2009/6/4/899278/draft-thoughts-2-0-could-budinger Would Budinger be a good fit in Houston? From what I saw this season, and from what the scouts have said about him, I could definitely see him in a Rockets uniform. He's got range, is one of the best athletes in the draft, and can, unlike Von Wafer, rebound from the two-guard positon. Scouts say he lacks defensive intensity, but a little pep talk from Shane Battier or Ron Artest could change that. The biggest worry with Budinger is that he could end up like Joe Alexander. But I think Chase is much more refined offensively and is a much more lethal scoring threat. Alexander solely relied on athleticism in college, and it didn't translate to the NBA. Budinger has more tools to work with. He would be a best-case scenario for us were we to find a seller in the 15-22 range.
Lets hope Jermaine Taylor puts up 40+ in a summer league game so we can flip him and TMac for a star.
Taylor looks to be a NBA ready player. Good pick for the Rockets. Looks like He could be on the opening day roster, He just has to improve on his defense.
I can't believe they paid $2.5 million for this guy in what was considered a weak draft. How much did the Landry pick cost the Rockets in a stronger draft?
Strength, mental toughness, penetration and a mid-range game, no guaranteed money What's not to like? Good value, potential to make the team, and could get some time at the #2 if Tmac gets traded. Like Wafer, it looks like you could put him in the game right now and get some scoring but he probably has more potential to play defense if he will take to it. He's another Central Florida manchild. What do they put in the water over there?
Well I haven't seen Jermaine Taylor play an NBA game yet. But if he can do what he's done in the youtube videos he's been able to do at Central Florida, then maybe the Rockets have indeed found a replacement for T-Mac just in case they do trade him or are able to find a team willing to trade for T-Mac. Here are the players I'd love for the Rockets to keep: Carl Landry Luis Scola Von Wafer Aaron Brooks Kyle Lowry Jermaine Taylor I'm not so sure about Budinger and the rest. Would the Rockets be able to get anything for Ron Artest / Tracy McGrady? Can they get Donte Greene back from the Suns along Amare? Donte and Amare for Tracy and RonRon.
It is possible we paid a lot to get a player in a spot we knew he'd be (32nd pick) because this guy could be part of a trade or help our depth when we make a trade. And whatever team pays him (us, if we keep him, or "them") won't have to pay him more than the #32 merits.
