Orlando wrote us a letter informing us that we won't be getting their pick this year, and I think they have 3 more years to give it to us. We still haven't heard from Philly/Detroit about that pick however. For those wondering, I heard this on a radio interview with the Rockets head of player personell. ------------------
If they were smart, they'd go ahead and unload the 13th on us so they wouldn't have to pay salary to another player that would count against their cap. Plus, why not get the Rocks paid off. Putting it off could cost them a better draft pick later. ------------------ He who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
I find it highly unlikely that Orlando will be in the lottery next year, or two years later. Or that they wouldn't be able to pick up a later pick. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
I agree with Gideon that the Magic do not want three guaranteed four year contracts out of this draft. That is way too much money to tie up for end of the bench players in the short term. A team with no bench is not going to compete for the championship but maybe will compete for the lottery. Why would Duncan or Hill or any other all star FA want to play with a team that has no shot at competing the championship? The Magic's best shot at competing for the championship next year is to keep only their highest pick, sign a major FA, sign a second tire FA like Brian Grant, and sign the best of their own FAs. Even if the Magic were of mind to give us a first round pick this year, they would not give us the 13th. They would most likely trade the 13th pick for Utah's two late round picks and send those picks to Denver and Houston. I will be very surprised to see the Magic not making a trade of at least one of their picks for an unconditional first round pick in a later year. ------------------