Don't count out the possibility of the rockets just landing a high pick themselves... I mean even Memphis is currently higher than us in the standings..
Given how many good young players the Rockets currently have, and considering that the Rockets will likely not have a top-5 pick, my preference would be for the Rockets to just trade the pick for a future first round pick (with limited protection) and additional consideration. This assumes that the Rockets are picking at around #14 or so. Of course, if the Rockets land in the top 10, I'd probably keep the pick. It'll be hard to get a better future pick in trade in that case.
Rockets will win enough games to be the best lotto team and get the #14 pick, which will be another role player. If anyone in this draft is a star player, he most likely will go in the top 5.
fair enough. Who do you like at 8? I agree with keeping a top 10 pick. Reasonable idea, in that scenario I'd be a big fan of swapping our current pick for a Pacers future one to help make a Granger trade possible.
This might be the kind of draft year where international players get good run, deservedly or not. Kanter might be a gamble what with his essentially skipping college and taking a year off, but if he's around and the Rockets are picking in the teen's then that's a risk you have to take. I mean, Blake Griffin took a year off and practiced with his NBA teammates only a couple of months before the season. That's the sort of situation Kanter is looking at, only he's healthy and he only gets to practice with NBA prospects instead of players at Kentucky.
We suck, but we don't suck enough for a good pick. Shallow draft. I like the idea of trading it away for something in 2012 or later. I figure the Rockets will suck even more. Scola's defense will get worse than it already is.
We currently suck, i mean seriously suck... Memphis, Phoenix, and GS IMO have better overall teams than us.. and our record is not to far from being worser than any of there's....(memphis currently has better record than us) If we fully commit to rebuilding, by trading Scola, Martin and Brooks, we could go young and lose by developing(giving young players heavy minutes) .... this way we could land a high pick..
REALLY good players at the top of the draft but no one GREAT. Kanter is the guy, knees are scary but not enough for the Rox not to draft him. Best Case - Dirk Worst Case - Bogut Win - Win
Since it looks like we are heading for another low end lottery draft pick in a weak draft class I say we swing for the fences. This draft don't have a lot of true centers but one of them is Lucas Nogueira. He being compared to Tyson Chandler. He can really develop to a shot blocker and rebounder at the center position a player we really need. The only drawback is is that they say he's lazy and has already have a star's attitude. I would compare this pick to the Lakers pick in 2005 when they surprise everyone and picked Buyum with the 10th pick and it took him about a 2 seasons to get it together but he did and if it wasn't for injures, he would become an all star by now. He mock at 24 but we don't need anymore wings, which this draft have many. link NBA Comparison: Tyson Chandler Strengths: Brazil's next big basketball hope after Nene and Leandro Barbosa ... One of the most promising International players of the next generation ... At just 18 years of age, shows a great deal of potential ... An athletic specimen ... Shows tremendous length and great balance ... Runs the floor like a deer, makes quick moves. Can change directions quickly. Very springy ... A big time shot blocker using his length and leaping ability to be an eraser around the basket ... Excellent on the break where he uses his tremendous fluidity and speed to convert dunks ... Shows some offensive ability with a solid shooting touch and ability to knock down free throws ... Tremendous rebounder. Shows good hands. Weaknesses: The big knock against Lucas "Bebe" is that he is lazy ... Sources around the team claim that he is a little bit difficult to deal with and already has a star's attitude ... Nothing can derail a promising career faster than a kid not willing to put the work in, so for Lucas, keeping his head on straight, continuing to work hard and focusing on his development is crucial if he's going to realize his vast potential ... Must continue to develop his upper body and overall strength ... Still extremely skinny. 200 lbs. Must bulk up, but shows wiry strength and should be able to add weight successfully without diminishing his agility ... Needs to keep developing his offensive game, prove himself against a high level of competition ...
I don't think Jones will be available at 8. His stock has been rising. The latest mocks by draftexpress and nbadraft.net have Jones as the 1st/2nd pick. Barnes has dropped to 8th. He has been horrible offensively all season.
