Interesting thought. I think I like it. Question though, what does "Lottery-protected" mean? I know I should probably know this, but I'm not sure what that means.
Or he can just say, **** it, lets get the asset right now (and maybe negotiate a better protection packagae) when Bulls are more eager to dump contract and let Bosh make whatever choice he needs to make. In the end, Bosh will likely decide based on whether he wants to play for the Rockets or tag along with Lebron James (or Wade), if he chooses the latter, good for him. And yes, I agree $3.4 mil for a first rounder isn't so bad, particularly when there is a chance, however remote, that the pick can be a fairly high one. In fact, I'd be thinking about acquiring 2011 first rounders for all of the salary dumpers hoping to get the big time FAs just to hedge their bet. I mean, somebody has to strike out badly, right?
A "lottery protected" pick means that, if the pick lands in the top 14, the team does not have to convey it. Most commonly, the obligation would carry over to the following year--at either the same or a reduced level of protection--until the obligation must be fulfilled. In some cases (like with the Knicks' #9 pick this week), the protection completely wears off. In other cases (like the Knicks' top-5 protected 2012 pick owed to the Rockets), the obligation will eventually convert to one or more second round picks. FYI, if the Knicks land a top 5 pick in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 (unlikely), then the Rockets will instead get the Knicks' own 2015 second rounder and the Knicks' own 2016 second rounder.
JJ seems like the classic tweener....can't bang inside as a PF....and doesn't have the lateral quickness to stay with SF's....that's why he was a fouling-machine last yr
Knicks have either their or Rox pick in 1st next year; but could be a high price to pay for him. Knicks under cap could absorb RF without need of a TE. Knicks could do worse than adding RF to D'antoni's system.
I believe the rule is that in the 2 upcoming years, a team must have a least one 1st round pick. Given that there is no guarantee that the Knicks will have their own 2012 first rounder (trade to Houston, but has top 5 protection), they can't trade the 2011 first rounder now unless they somehow acquire another 2011 or 2012 first round pick (or if I forgot they have a pick from somebody in either one of these years).
Johnson is a tough dude to be sure. I saw him in the Vegas summer league last year and not only did he punish anyone trying to guard him, he gave off an aura that he would and maybe even might, just for the hell off it, beat your arse. I like him as a prospect.
