Trade the #1 - dontcha have to?!?

Just read the post by DCkid - well thought out, but I have to seriously disagree with the statement that there are not any trades out there that are worth the #1. Unfortunately, this year, there is no Duncan, Shaq, Hakeem, out there that is the OBVIOUS #1 - an obvious IMPACT Center. If there was, or if we were drafting one of those guys over again, I would absolutely agree with you. BUT, this is no sure thing. Ming may have the goods and be a decent player, but this crap through the media, the BUlls, this guy is in charge, no, this guy is in charge, no we want a player from the US - blah....I want no part of it....at all! It's not worth the risk, in my opinion. Not when there are some serious impact players out there that can and will make an impact and come without the horrendous baggage. Do not be blinded by our need for a center by saying that we have to draft a center. Everyone wants the next Shaq - well, you know, there just ain't one.

Trades that I do like, that I do think might be worth it (bear with me concerning salary numbers, filler might have to be added:

Denver trades #5 and McDyess for #1 and Taylor
McDyess comes in and starts at the #4, Taylor's injury and McDyess injury cancel each other out - I like the potential of McDyess huge over Taylor. At least this guy has PROVEN that he can rebound - we will never see this out of Taylor. This does put a quandry at PF - this would necesitate a trade with Thomas - maybe a Thomas/#15 to move up? I would keep Griffen behind McDyess and sometime in at C for a faster lineup.

Using NBAdraft.net as a standard, Rox are in line to pick up Woods or Butler to play the #3. Gives you a potential lineup of Franchise, Cat, McDyess, Woods, Cato. At the #15, you can draft Stoudemire for potential, or reach for Marcus at C.

Clippers trade Odom/#8/#12 for #1/#15 and pick'em (filler)
So, here you start off with Odom, Franchise, Cat. The #8 I go with Borchardt and the #12 I go with potential with Stoudemire.

Finally, talk to NY at length. I think there willingness to get to that #1 might allow for someone else to get in the mix, someone who might be interested in Sprewell. I'm not, but there might be someone who might be ready and willing to jump in.

I think this year's #1 is definately (or should be) for sale. There is no Duncan, Shaq, or Hakeem. Ming is TOO much of a risk, and I'm not even talking about his skills.