https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/rookie_scale/2022 Here’s what Tilman is thinking: Do I think Green is worth $8 million a year over the next two years. He is likely thinking no. So he in turn thinks: who is worth $8 million a year in the draft? Only one answer: Cade. So there are two choices: trade up to get Cade or trade down. Will Green be 2.5 times better than Giddey or Moody in his rookie contract? I doubt it. Will Green be twice as good as Kai Jones or Keon Johnson? No. Will Green still be a Rocket after his rookie contract expires? Nope. Stone Tilman and Silas look like they’re trying to invent a moneyball system for the NBA. Overpaying to develop players doesn’t seem to be a part of that blueprint. Who would trade up for Green? The Kings. The Pelicans. The Hornets. 10 and 35 and what else from New Orleans? 8 and 33 look the best from Orlando. 11 from Charlotte would have to include some future picks. A lot of talk about trading up but no one is really talking about our trading down options. Who is the Booker of this years draft and how do we steal them? My list of who I think will have the best NBA careers is: 1. Cunningham 2. Giddey 3. Kai Jones 4. Jalen Suggs 5. Jalen Green 6. Keon Johnson 7. Mobley Does Green have the potential to be the best player in this draft? For sure. His personality seems pretty level. Does it seem like he might just be another Josh Jackson? Yup. Is Tilman willing to risk $8 million a year to find out. We will see. I don’t think he minds trading to get Cade. I don’t think he’ll trade KPJ to get there, though, as he’ll only be making $5 million over the next two seasons and that’s tremendous value for his contributions. We’d have to give up 23, 24 and a first to get him, but in Tillman’s eyes, that’s just an extra $9 million a year he doesn’t have to spend on risky talent.
