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**Petey** · 06-01-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

*Insider readers sent a flurry of e-mails after we raised Channing Frye from a late first-round pick to a lottery pick in our first mock draft. How could a guy rise so fast – especially a college senior who should be a known product?

We still have the same questions, but sources in Golden State, Orlando and New Jersey told Insider that they'd have a hard time passing him up if he was on the board. The Warriors, especially, are looking for a long, athletic, shot-blocking center who is ready to step up and contribute right now.

I don't believe the Warriors have made him a promise, as some have suggested, but unless someone else comes in and knocks their socks off, I think Frye will be their guy.

*We wrote last week that we probably had Tiago Splitter way too low at No. 24. That was the general consensus among NBA scouts and GMs this week. Almost all of them had him slotted late in the lottery, going either to the Knicks at No. 8, the Lakers at No. 10, the Nets at No. 15 or the Raptors at No. 16.

The one big issue for Splitter, however, is his buyout. He still doesn't have a set amount, which is a major problem for teams drafting in the lottery. If his agents can't work out a deal with Tau Vitoria (the club is reluctant to let Splitter go because chances are it's losing big man Luis Scola to the Spurs this summer), there's a chance he may not be able to come to the NBA next season. That will scare off teams that think that the big Brazilian could come in and contribute right away.

*How far could Chris Taft drop if he isn't selected by the Knicks at No. 8? He didn't impress Knicks exec Isiah Thomas in his first informal workout and there's word the Knicks may be looking at Frye at No. 8 instead.

If the Knicks pass on Taft, the Warriors might consider him at No. 9 and the Lakers could bite at No. 10. But if he gets by those three teams, he could be in a free fall. The Magic, Clippers, Bobcats and Timberwolves don't need or want him. The Nets could use him, but sources say that the Nets don't like him. The next team on the board that actually has a need for a guy like Taft is the Kings at No. 23.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft...had&id=2072425

Hmm, lets hope those buyout issues continue, because I'm pretty sure I read in the new proposed CBA, Stern was willing to more than double what teams are allowed to pay towards buyouts (300,000 to 750,000). Anyone remember something similar?

-Petey

**schub** · 06-01-2005, 09:13 PM

Best news there is that sources say that the Nets don't like Taft.

**Petey** · 06-01-2005, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schub

Best news there is that sources say that the Nets don't like Taft.

I kinda like the news on Splitter. Didn't Lampe fall for the same reason?

-Petey

**Netted** · 06-01-2005, 09:21 PM

Great read, thanks. I hope Splitter slides and Rod sees something in him. Frye isn't bad either. I know Draftcity made a comparison to Collins, but they also said he has quick hops to block shots. Collins doesn't have that. I guess they don't watch Collins.

**schub** · 06-01-2005, 09:24 PM

He wrote about Warrick as well:

Quote:

We still don't know where to put Hakim Warrick. Two weeks ago, we wrote his stock appeared to be on the rise, based on the comments of a couple of GMs who claimed he was being seriously considered in the lottery.

We still think there's a chance the Knicks could tab him at No. 8 and the Warriors at No. 9. However, a number of other scouts and GMs claim they have Warrick ranked in the 20s on their boards. I have a feeling we're going to go back and forth on him all month.

Lord-SMX · 06-02-2005, 12:49 PM

we better not draft an undersized PF who's too slow to play SF! I don't want any knicks PF's lol!

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