Since the latest Toronto streak (1-17) has all but ruined our chances of having two first round draft picks this year, I propose a trade. Phoenix has two first rounders this upcoming draft (10 and 21) and a pending one with Cleveland in 2003. And being that Phoenix was a projected playoff contender this year , they are very unhappy to find themselves in the lotto with all the talent on their payroll and don't have the roster space for too many new faces. That being said , they may prefer to aquire just one impact player in the top 5 versus a couple of role players. We, on the other hand, will most likely have 2 to 3 open spots next year. Needing some depth at several positions , I believe a Hou-Pho trade is very probable (ala Hou-NJ). Also, don't forget our obligation to Memphis that will most likely be paid next season. We could really use the Clevland pick Phoenix has coming in 2003 to soften the blow of losing ours. Most likely, the Clev. pick will be better than ours and adding Toronto's pick brings me to another scenario. That would give us multiple 1st round draft picks for three consecutive years, and seeing that we couldn't use that many, we could use those picks as leverage to negotiate in 2003 with other teams for possible S&T deals in free agency. That alone would be enough reason to do this trade.
Nezt years projected lineup/reserves C- CATO/COLLIER PF-KT/MT/EG SF-GR/TM SG-CM/OT PG-SF/MN DROP KW, DL, WW 11 on the roster, plus the rookie is 12. We really don't need MORE rookies, and more importantly, MORE rookies further down in the draft to sit the pine. I would only trade down to give a pick away to Memphis to satisfy our obligation for next year.
You forgot Tierre Brown, and I wouldn't pencil in OT just yet. There are some very good 2/3 combo guards coming out this season. And how many games was Collier healthy for this season. I'm sure he's our 5 of the future. I'm sure Kenny will bolt as soon as he can because of the commitment to MoT and the future of Eddie at the 4. Look at the amount of attention he's already getting around the league.
yeah...what this team needs is more young talent! how about getting somebody with some experience instead?? in the championship days, the rockets and the bulls were two of the oldest teams in the league...they were also two of the most successful teams in the league.
Toronto has something like 7 years to fufill this obligation. And if we're going to be pulling some trading strings come draft time, I'd rather it be to move up and get one solid, NBA ready player, or, as mentioned, a veteran.
Phoenix would trade neither Marion nor Marbury. I see no other players that I'd want from their roster.
I wouldn't mind snagging Joe Johnson from them. Perhaps if there is not a player that would really fit the Rocks they could trade down for JJ plus a pick. or maybe not.
The bottom line is that we need help at multiple positions. I'm not crazy about having alot of rookies either, but we're slightly over the cap this year and barring some unforeseeable trade, thats the only way we're going to get depth. New Jersey did very well with the picks they got from us last year. Remember, we have veterans, they're just on the IR most of the season. Thats OK, I sometimes forget too. JayZ, where did you get that information about 7 years from and is there a link, because everyone I know assumed it was ours this year or next. Another reason I'd want to do this trade is because I don't see any player in the top 4-8 that would really fit our needs. Woods maybe, but he's untested coming from a Junior College in rural Miss. I don't think Rudy would want to risk a med-high lotto pick on him. I think the safest thing would be to trade down and pick up a future pick in the process.
He's alright, but I don't think his game will crossover into the NBA game as well as it does in college because of his frail build. I wouldn't take him with a 4-9 pick , thats for sure. Maybe late 1st round.
