NBA Draft Prospects Discussion

[The Bobster]

Replace Knight with Booker and they might be interested. Griffith's a 20/10 guy and is just entering his prime.

[Superbone]

I wouldn't give up Booker for Griffin. How about you guys?

[The Bobster]

Adre Jordan is 27, Chris Paul is 30, JJ Reddick is 31, Jamal Crawford is 35.

The Clippers are probably in "win now" mode so they're not going to value Booker more than Griffin.

[Superbone]

Adre Jordan is 27, Chris Paul is 30, JJ Reddick is 31, Jamal Crawford is 35.

The Clippers are probably in "win now" mode so they're not going to value Booker more than Griffin.

Maybe they could pick up Jonathon Nicola (the "kid" in Mori's story) too since he's in that age group as well.

[Ring_Wanted]

I wouldn't give up Booker for Griffin. How about you guys?

I wouldn't either. They can have anything but him. They won't (unless Griffin forced his way specifically here), but say they actually take everything else. Picks and kids gone (say to a third team like ORL or UTAH) plus Knight and PJ (Markieff would actually help here as would a Teletovic under contract).

You are left with a core of Booker-Griffin plus Bledsoe-Chandler. That's basically counterfeit Clippers but Booker gives you a chance to make a leap.

[JCSunsfan]

I think we might be overvaluing Booker some now.

[Ring_Wanted]

I think we might be overvaluing Booker some now.

Maybe, but as a franchise you need to keep an eye on the future as well and draw the line somewhere. The chest has a lot of stuff besides Devin. Boston kept Rondo by all means when dealing for Garnett. They knew what they had and how important he was alongside the big three. Griffin by himself won't win anything (and won't attract other stars), but if you build a 1-2 punch with a relevant perimeter scorer you might have something real.

[TOO]

I think we might be overvaluing Booker some now.

Whaaaaaat?! Suns fans never overvalue their teams players.

[Superbone]

I think we might be overvaluing Booker some now.

Whaaaaaat?! Suns fans never overvalue their teams players.

You could say that about fans of any team.

[OE32]

We undervalue some of our players too. Fans almost universally get caught up in hype and adopt a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately approach. Good GMs tend to take a more balanced, long-term view of a player's output and potential. Coaching and situation makes a big difference too (see Love, Kevin). It's hard to maintain perspective - none of us are perfect at it, and there are always different opinions. I, for instance, if left to my own observations, would think Warren's potential is about the same or maybe only slightly less than Booker's. It's a view that's outside the mainstream at this point, and I concede, for that reason, that I'm probably wrong.

[ShelC]

Given Blake's injury history and off-court drama, no way I'd trade Booker for him. Also didn't realize Paul was only 30. I thought he was 32-34 already.

[carey]

You are left with a core of Booker-Griffin plus Bledsoe-Chandler. That's basically counterfeit Clippers but Booker gives you a chance to make a leap.

It's kind of remarkable how little success they've had with that core of Paul-Reddick-Griffin-Jordan. The West is a tough conference when you have the Warriors doing there thing, the Spurs as steady as she goes, and even OKC coming at you with Durant & Westbrook. They will be in for some lean years when Paul retires or is injured. This might be the best they can ever get unless some magic FA bunny is pulled out of a hat this Summer. Add someone like Durant to that team and they suddenly become very different.

[Ring_Wanted]

Yeah, Paul-Griffin is the closest thing to Nash-Amare, and DeAndre, Reddick and Jamal mean you are always going to be north of 50 wins in a regular season, but coaching and depth have been constant question marks. What Doc Rivers gave them on the sidelines (and one can wonder if it is that much), he took from the offices with bad trades and waste of picks. Like you say, this summer is probably the best shot they'll get to add what could be the final piece to become a bonafide contender. Until then they remain textbook pretenders. Their relative failures add ammo to those who point at how historically you won't win with a traditional PG being the alpha and omega of a system.

[Danimal]

This is quickly becoming an offseason trade thread and its all my fault. The flood gates opened after I began talking about what to do with knight.

Believe it or not the D League actually has a rookie of the year award for the best 1st year professional.
This year it went to former Duke player Quinn Cook

Usually we think of the D league as the bargain bucket injury riddled nba teams go to for quick 10 day contract or where a potentially solid role player may be plucked from. But some folks have actually been plucked up in the nba draft from there: P. J. Hairston - being a troubled college player who needed another pathway forward

Is there anyone people can think of who may be a similar option this year?

I track the d league on facebook but all it really gives your are dunk highlights, clips when someone has a big scoring game or a post whenever someone gets an nba contract



http://dleague.nba.com/news/cantons-qui ... okie-year/

You may see a few familiar names below

All-Time NBA D-League Rookie of the Year winners:
2014-15: Tim Frazier, Maine Red Claws
2013-14: Robert Covington, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2012-13: Tony Mitchell, Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2011-12: Edwin Ubiles, Dakota Wizards
2010-11: DeShawn Sims, Maine Red Claws
2009-10: Alonzo Gee, Austin Toros
2008-09: Othyus Jeffers, Iowa Energy
2007-08: Blake Ahearn, Dakota Wizards
2006-07: Louis Amundson, Colorado 14ers
2005-06: Will Bynum, Roanoke Dazzle
2004-05: James Thomas, Roanoke Dazzle
2003-04: Desmond Penigar, Asheville Altitude
2002-03: Devin Brown, Fayetteville Patriots
2001-02: Fred House, Charleston Lowgators

[OE32]

If we take a big with our own pick, I'd be interested in Luwawu at 13, though I suspect the Jazz may take him. They could also opt for Beasley, Valentine or Korkmaz, given their offensive deficiencies. But if Luwawu's off the board, is Valentine the next guy on our list?

If we for some reason don't go back with our pick, I suspect each of Ellenson, Sabonis and Chriss will be gone by 13. That leaves Davis, Johnson and Labissiere. I prefer Johnson, myself.

Am I missing someone?

[Split T]

Maybe Rabb? I'm not a big fan of the bigs outside of Chriss and Sabonis.

[OE32]

Maybe Rabb? I'm not a big fan of the bigs outside of Chriss and Sabonis.

He's returning to Cal.

I'm skeptical about Chriss. A lot depends on character there, I think. For now, it's Sabonis, Johnson and Ellenson for me. In addition to the other guys I mentioned, I might be open to Ulis at #13, as well.

[TOO]

Ulis in the lottery? At 5'9" on a good day, no way IMO.

[Danimal]

Some mock draft stuff from brightsideofthesun

Those guys sure do love Luwawu

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/ ... re-lottery

[Danimal]

Its going to be real interesting to see the PF workouts when they come around. Chris boasts upside but then there are safer picks such as Johnson.
Then there is someone like Bender . I suspect Bender will do minimal predraft workouts in order to preserve his top 3 position.