speedythief

I have been outspoken against needing new, raw NBA players, but Colangelo has talked about buying his way into the first round so lets have a look at who might be selling...


Suns

Robert Sarver isn't about to hand a pick to Colangelo that could turn into a good prospect, in my opinion, but if his $3M or more price tag is too high for most teams to pay, he might not have a choice.

The Suns have as many as three picks in the first round of this draft, depending on where the lottery balls land for the Hawks (top-3 protected). The Suns are currently looking at paying luxery tax out the *** so suffice it to say having a few million extra on hand could be something they need.

The Suns, as of today, pick 4th, 24th, and 29th. They have almost $77M committed to ten players next season, with around $3M going to their top-five pick (if they keep it) and another million going to each of their late firsts. The Suns always need to keep a roster space or two open for piggybacking veteran mercenaries looking for a ring.

Very good chance they sell one or both of their late picks. Bill Simmons has suggested they even trade their top pick along with Stat and Marcus Banks for Kevin Garnett. Imagine THAT!


Sixers

Another team with three first round picks and not a lot of spending money. The team is still paying Chris Webber to potentially win a title with the Pistons (thanks, King!). Jamal Mashburn's contract finally expires this summer but they are paying Samuel Dalembert almost ten million, along with nine and a half for Andre Miller and seven for Aaron McKie. Andre Iguodala will earn a near-max contract next summer, so that is something for King to consider.

They have eleven players under contract and are well over the cap. King is going to use his picks as trade bait but with a lack of assets going out, who knows what they might be able to net.

The Sixers already have a score of young players on the roster so don't expect them to keep all three picks. The second and third first-rounders, along with their high second rounder (via the Knicks), should be on the block. They would pick 12th, 21st, and 30th as of today.


Pistons

With two first round picks and little room for young guys, don't be surprised to see the Pistons pawn-off one or both of their choices this summer. They have a pick owed to them from Orlando that will be just outside the lottery, 15th, and another at 27th that is their own.

They need to consider new contracts for Billups and McDyess this summer, not to mention needing a roster space to keep Webber and possibly Flip Murray. It doesn't seem likely they'll use both picks. They might keep the high one and sit on it, as Dumars did in his incredible failure with Milicic, but then again they might use both along with a guy like Nazr Mohammed to land yet another tough vet to bolster the team.

The Pistons should be in luxery tax range in a few months so we'll see what their plans might be.

Flush

I understand the Colangelo-Sarver debate.

But isn't Jerry C. still a senior exec. in Phoenix? I imagine that will increase the likelihood of a potential deal. Besides I think Sarver is smart enough to look at EVERY deal that could potentially improve his team regardless of personal history.

TRON

Speedy the way I look at it, it's MLSE money, and if they want to throw down some money on a prospect that would probably sit at the end of the bench then I don't really have a problem with it.

chances are guys like Pape Sow and Darrick Martin won't be back playing, so if you can fill their spot with a younger more promising version, then that's a positive thing IMO.

we need a third PG, and if a veteran isn't available, I'd go young with a pick here. I've also noticed how scrappy less talented bigs usually go in the non lotto section of the first round. If we could steal a Milsap, David West, David Lee type big late in the first or a Barbosa type PG, then I'm all about it.

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ballocks

the suns have $77M committed for next year? 77? i didn't know it was that high. and remember, it was BC who put that team/payroll together. they're a fantastic group and everything, don't get me wrong, but $77M for any team in this day and age is a little steep imo.

i have nothing to go on but the sixers are, to me, in almost desperate need of more young talent. i know they have a lot already but i wouldn't call much of it useful, i think they've almost put themselves in a position where they have to find a diamond (or two) in the rough, and for that reason i wouldn't expect them to move any of their picks this year. i'm probably wrong, three first-rounders is a lot of first-rounders for anyone to have, but philly could be the exception. and considering they wouldn't get much for either 21 or 30 on the trade front, they might have to keep them anyway. but i just have a tough time figuring them out- are they really planning to build around iguodala? he's a good pro and played exceptionally well after iverson was traded, but that's almost their only option now. how'd they get themselves in that position?

in general, if colangelo wants a pick in the late-first, he can probably get one from someone imo- whether that team is in luxury tax territory, has multiple picks or not. 21 to 30 is, i believe, perceived as a really tough spot from which to negotiate in the league today: it's usually a crapshoot, but it's always guaranteed money. imo, i wouldn't get a pick for the sake of getting a pick- i'd hold my workouts, do extensive scouting, and if i see a jewel slip through the cracks i'd make an effort to get him. otherwise, i'd place my focus on, if anything, getting into the second round and playing the lottery there.

honestly, i just can't see us making much of a move at the draft this year. there are picks to be had, sure, but i think there are other teams more in need of them than we are.

peace

Dee-Zy

Philly needs to ship their multiple picks and move up the lottery, not sell them.

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lucky777s

I could see the Suns dumping Marion this summer after another playoff disappointment. Their draft picks could get them a nice energy guy like Noah or Horford to take that spot. Or even a Jeff Green who has the size and skill to play SF/PF. And Boris Diaw needs more PT or to be traded. If D'Antoni thinks the draft is that strong they could decide to re-tool with cheaper contracts through the draft and then use MLE to bring in a vet or trade for one.

Sixers are rebuilding and probably keep the picks. Maybe dump the last first round pick if they have an early second round pick since the money isn't guaranteed. With Iggy, Carney, and Ashton Kutcher on the wings and Dalembert at C they could use a couple of bigs and a PG. Draft is full of bigs. Need to take 2 because bigs are hard to project and the competition should make them work harder. Or trade a pick for Brendan Haywood or someone.

Max any team can offer for a pick is 3mill. I can see the Raps taking a Euro with a pick in the 20+ range and waiting a year to bring him over. Someone like RudyFern or Splitter or Gasol. Someone good is going to drop unexpectedly as well. Maybe a guy like Noah who didn't have a great year.

narrator

Draft strategies and pick strategies should become clearer now that the draft order is set. Perhaps the Raptors can pick up a late pick on the cheap. I suppose it depends who gets infatuated with which players from now till the end of June.

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speedythief

^ We have to see someone that is not only worth the $3M or so pick price, but a guaranteed contract as well.

I wouldn't be shocked to see us get into the early second round rather than the late first.

lucky777s

Teams like the Pistons and Spurs have early 2nd round picks they may not want. Unless they take a Euro they can stash overseas the pick is a waste to them as there is no way the player makes their roster or plays at all.

That could be the perfect spot for the Raps to get a cheaper pick and not commit guaranteed dollars. Depends who falls out of the first round.

changv10

Boston is taking offers for their #5 pick in a deep draft. Theo Ratliff has a $11m expiring contract, and can provide some shot blocking which we desperately need. TJ + Dixon for #5 pick and Ratliff. It would be great if we can use the pick to take Mike Conley Jr. He's a bigger point guard with smarts ... reminds me of Chris Paul.

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spuriousjones

that pick the spurs have via the bucks stems from them trading last years second rounder for this one's. we had the pick one slot before that one last year and sold it for about 300k. i imagine that bc was offered the same deal the spurs got and turned it down.

chargv, we pretty much can't trade tj unless he's going to a team under the cap (cough**atlanta**cough). his extension gave him a poison pill and as of next season, he's byc. its possible to get it done but its difficult.