General 2010 NBA Draft Discussion

[tdunk21]

draft express has the spurs drafting luke babbit(1st round) and charles garcia(2nd round) in their latest mock draft.....could this be true.....

[Chieflion]

I think everyone forgot how good Bledsoe actually was. Coming out of high school, there were people thinking he had the ability to be a top 10 pick. Too bad he teamed up with Wall and had to play off-guard, which definitely wasn't his game. Willie Warren was actually considered a lottery pick a year ago when he played with Griffin, things sure do change very quickly these days. Kind of a "What you have done for me lately" thing. Although it is somewhat of a reach to take Bledsoe at 12 now, some team would take a risk, and that some team could very well be the Grizzlies.

[benefactor]

Spurs will extend RJ? Wow.

Texas 2 Step...your arguments are so silly that they are not worth the 20-30 minutes worth of keystrokes I would need to refute all of them. You live in some sort of fantasy land where project big men suddenly become Dikembe Mutombo overnight and Shaq still deserves the MLE. Have fun chasing unicorns. I'm moving on.

[MaNu4Tres]

Spurs will extend RJ? Wow.

Texas 2 Step...your arguments are so silly that they are not worth the 20-30 minutes worth of keystrokes I would need to refute all of them. You live in some sort of fantasy land where project big men suddenly become Dikembe Mutombo overnight and Shaq still deserves the MLE. Have fun chasing unicorns. I'm moving on.

Some of us figured that out a while ago.

[rayray2k8]

Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_ Williams huh?

[AFBlue]

I wonder if the Spurs could trade their 20th pick and their 2011 lottery protected first rounder for Memphis' 12th pick? Depending on who the Spurs like that would be there at 12 and gone by 20. Maybe Paul George or Xavier Henry? Ekpe Udoh maybe? One thing I've learned about draft night trades is that there are so many that are agreed upon and then they don't go down. For example, in 2004 the Spurs were really close to drafting Jameer Nelson and if I was told correctly they traded all the way up to pick 22 and then the Nuggets drafted (for the Magic) him a few picks before and the Spurs didn't use the 22nd pick they traded up to get. I liked Beno better anyways.

I was just considering this scenario. It goes in tandem with the mystery surrounding Memphis product, E. Williams. If Memphis doesn't believe he'll be there by the time they pick in the late first round, they could swap picks with the Spurs, get a future first from them and secure the guy they want. Of course, like you said it would require the player they like being there at #12.

But it's definitely a plausible draft-night scenario.

[AFBlue]

Might already be in the works. Who knows.

Right, the only way we'll know is if it actually goes down on draft night (or an insider tells us what would've happened after the fact ).

I'm really interested in the direction of your first post. At least one site's sources have the Spurs as one of the most aggressive teams trying to move up in this draft. The question is for who...or more appropriately what group of players?

If the Spurs are able to move into the top 5 (Sixers at #2 or Nets at #3), then I think the target list is small...Favors and maybe Cousins. But the rest of the potential trade partners (Pacers at #10, Grizz at #12, Wolves at #16), are in a range where it looks like the Spurs could go several directions. There are the shooters (Henry, George, Babbitt, Hayward) and the shot-blockers (Davis, Udoh, Whiteside, Sanders). Each of those players could potentially be gone by the time the Spurs pick at #20.

By the way, Chad Ford of ESPN is out with his 4th version of a 1st round mock, and still has the Spurs taking Damion James. Not knocking James, but I really hope the Spurs are able to move up and get a higher upside guy.

[AFBlue]

The Spurs still lack a small forward other than RJ. And Jefferson seems to be short term at the moment so moving up to draft someone like Wes Johnson still isn't outside my thoughts.

True, I don't think you can count out any SF prospect because there's no real depth at the position on the team. All of the shooters I mentioned either have SF as their primary position or can play it for stretches. I assume you're talking about Johnson as a legit target if the Spurs trade into the top 5 though...right?

[AFBlue]

Don't know if this should go in the trade discussion thread, because it relates to the draft, but it seems there's a natural fit with the Pacers at the #10 spot and Spurs' Indianapolis product, George Hill. Is that an even trade for both teams?

[AFBlue]

Don't see that happening. I think a Parker trade is more likely than a Hill trade.

I get some of the reasons why a Parker trade makes more sense, but to me it sends the wrong signal to the current franchise cornerstone that left $12M on the table a few years ago for a chance to win a couple more championships.

I just don't see how the Spurs trade Parker and stay in contention. With the right moves though, I could see them coming out on the better end of a Hill deal.

Just my opinion.

[mountainballer]

agree that a Hill trade doesn't bring as much as many here think he would. teams see that he developed into a decent NBA player, but it's not that they will think he could once be as good as (let's say) Rajon Rondo.
his value certainly is higher than a late 1st rounder he was, likely around #15, if the Spurs put him on the market for a pick. paired with the #20 pick the Spurs might get into the 10-12 region. this would mean George or Henry. is it worth the price? I doubt it, especially considering the #20 pick also offers some intriguing options and also considering the Spurs have a lot of roster spot to fill for next season.

long term a Parker trade clearly has more upside, especially if the package also includes some useful (and inexpensive) role players.
note: this doesn't mean I want to see him traded. just evaluating the options.

[Chieflion]

Draftexpress' interview with Damion James. Second day of workouts. Notable other player in video: Paul George

Chieflion's updated mock draft: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...&postcount=321

[manufan10]

Draft Express' Mock Draft has the Spurs taking:

1st Round:
#20: Luke Babbitt

2nd Round:
#19: Charles Garcia

[manufan10]

I read a Mock Draft that has the Spurs drafting Solomon Alabi, and from what I've read it appears he would be a good fit IF Splitter decides not to come over. A defensive big that can take some of the defensive pressure off of Duncan. However, how much trust would Popovich actually put in him to help Duncan is the question.

[mountainballer]

big group workout in NJ yesterday, open for all teams (Spurs were in attendance)
12 players, mostly borderline 1st rounders and 2nd rounders.

SHERRON COLLINS
JON SCHEYER
TIM OHLBRECHT
DEON THOMPSON
OMAR SAMHAN
ART PARAKHOUSKI
BEN UZOH
RODNEY GREEN
STANLEY ROBINSON
DARINGTON HOBSON
DEXTER PITTMAN
PABLO AGUILAR

according to several Twitter messages (Ford and others) Hobson was the best player (by far) and there are rumors he meanwhile has a 1st round promise. Pittman has also been impressive and Scheyer and Uzoh were good.
seems as if Robinson was a big disappointment. like Collins. (who was injured though, but gained 17lbs while out)

[Mr. Body]

Not surprised Stanley Robinson disappointed. UConn sucked last year; not his fault. But he's not that great and will likely be a 2nd rounder at this rate.

[ace3g]

San Antonio Spurs

Team Needs:

Draft Picks: 20th, 49th

Overview: C, SF

The Spurs seemingly have hit their ceiling with this group of players. San Antonio’s salary situation is tricky, with so much of their cap used up on their core of players who couldn’t get out of the second round. The one intriguing player in the mix is Tony Parker. He still has solid value around the league and with the emergence of George Hill, he might be expendable. Also, another team can take him for a test drive for a year with his contract expiring after the season. The team landed a steal in the second round last year with Dejuan Blair. Many of San Antonio’s role players are no longer under contract so a subtle changing of the guard could occur in San Antonio this offseason.

Needs:

Their core of players under contract includes two young players (Hill and Blair). They need to get younger and more athletic in the frontcourt and find depth for their 2/3 positions. With Roger Mason, Matt Bonner, and Keith Bogans all UFA’s, they are in the perfect position to add youth to replace those key reserve positions. The Spurs always find value late in the draft and this year should be no different. If Parker is going to be moved, finding a veteran backup to spell Hill at the PG spot becomes a necessity. This would allow them to draft an active big or wing player at the 20 spot (see Larry Sanders, Daniel Orton, Devin Ebanks, or James Anderson). They are rumored to have a promise with Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_ Williams, although there are also rumors that he has some knee concerns. With their second round pick they could go international and keep that player in Europe for a year or two to save money on the cap. With 65 million tied up with 7 players, there will be no room for a second rounder on San Antonio’s roster.

http://www.nbadraft.net/team-needs-southwest-division-1

[Chieflion]

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...nterview-3501/

Draft prospects at the workout: Jordan Crawford, Damion James, Paul George, Luke Harangody, Frank Robinson

Current NBA player: Nick Young

Ex-NBA player: Don Maclean

[Chieflion]

Chieflion: Dissection of Draftexpress' NBA mock draft 2010 (1st round only)

1. Washington Wizards: John Wall (Nothing to critique here)

2. Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner (An outside chance they might pick Favors, but I would they go with the safe pick and go with the Naismith Player of the Year, Evan Turner.)

3. New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors (Obvious choice here, Cousins and Johnson do not fit into the team, whose desperate need of a starting and franchise changing power forward, makes them choose the talent-oozing power forward. Up till now, I agree with all picks by draftexpress.)

4. Minnesota Timberwolves: DeMarcus Cousins (Again, I agree with this pick, taking BPA for the Wolves here, because of their situation with 3 1st round draft picks including this. They have cap space, and they could address their needs in the draft and free agency.)

5. Sacramento Kings: Greg Monroe (At first-hand, I disagree with this pick. Personally, I would pick Wesley Johnson, who I think has more attributes that translate to the NBA. However, Greg Monroe coming in would easily be the top big on the Kings. I could see why Draftexpress chose Monroe over Johnson for the Sacramento Kings.)

6. Golden State Warriors: Wesley Johnson (Assuming the Kings take Monroe, following Draftexpress' mock, the Warriors take a good pick with Wesley Johnson. Rumors have circulated that they will trade Anthony Randolph, 6th pick for Kevin Love and the 4th. If they trade Randolph without the pick for Love, they can bolster their small forward spot with the lengthy Wesley Johnson whose shooting abilities allow him to fit in with the Warriors nicely.)

7. Detroit Pistons: Al-Farouq Aminu (I took Udoh in my mock draft. I could not see why Draftexpress had Aminu taken by the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons already have Austin Daye, a project from last year, who was supposed to replace Tayshaun Prince in the near future. Aminu also has high bust potential who does not serve much needs for the Pistons, and he is not even that good of a player yet.)

8. Los Angeles Clippers: Ekpe Udoh (Draftexpress, to me personally, screwed up again with this pick, the Clippers have Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Kaman already. They do not need another power forward as he will play behind Griffin for little minutes. This will be a waste of a pick, assuming the Pistons take Aminu.)

9. Utah Jazz: Cole Aldrich (Come on, Draftexpress. This is a ridiculous pick. Unless you are making fun of the Jazz drafting white guys. Aldrich, although a good player, cannot shoot. The Jazz already have Okur, a center and he has the ability to shoot the 3 ball. They do not need a back-up center with Fesenko and Millsap around. What they need to do is to draft a SG/SF who can shoot and defend with an NBA body and 3-point shot, as they already are a playoff team and look to jump to the next level as contenders.)

10. Indiana Pacers: Ed Davis (No problems for me here, I like this pick at this point of time, and I don't like them reaching for a PG here.)

11. New Orleans Hornets: Patrick Patterson (Alliteration for the win. Ok, enough of this crap. Are you telling me a team with the best PG in the league injured for more than half of last season picks a PF for a team with David West and Emeka Okafor? Patterson is not even the highest upside player here. I would rather the Hornets draft Henry, George or Babbitt here.)

12. Memphis Grizzlies: Paul George (Now, assuming all 11 picks before this go like this, it is a good decision to take George. I may be wrong with the Grizzlies reaching for a PG here. If this is the pick, expect Rudy Gay to leave the Grizzlies.)

13. Toronto Raptors: Xavier Henry (The Raptors try to convince Bosh to stay by drafting a SG/SF combo who can score and his defensive potential may change the Raptors around a little. Overall, decent pick for the Raptors.)

14. Houston Rockets: Avery Bradley (Wait what? Sure he played in Texas as a freshman, but what the ? This pick is just ridiculous. I don't see why the Rockets draft him with Brooks, Martin, Lowry forming their backcourt. Bradley would receive little to no time in this scenario and would not help the Rockets the following season.)

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Gordon Hayward (Personally, I think Babbitt is a better player and scorer, not sure why the Rockets pick him here if they want a SF.)

16. Minnesota Timberwolves: Hassan Whiteside (Ya, sure. Picking Cousins and Whiteside together in a draft is a really good idea. Is this a jab at the Rubio-Flynn situation in the 2009 draft?)

17. Chicago Bulls: Damion James (Ok, now I am confused. James is a good player but I don't see why Chicago picks him. With Luol Deng and James Johnson already on the team, Damion James would not receive significant playing time at all. This literally is the worst team he could possibly join, especially if LeBron enters the fray.)

[lurker23]

The more I look at this draft, the more I think the Spurs are going to do something unexpected. I know that's what we have come to expect from this front office, but I believe 1-2 of these things will happen:

1.) Spurs will trade out of the #20 pick.
2.) Spurs will draft a position other than SF.
3.) Spurs will pick someone who only has one page of discussion on the Think Tank forum.

[Blackjack]

The more I look at this draft, the more I think the Spurs are going to do something unexpected. I know that's what we have come to expect from this front office, but I believe 1-2 of these things will happen:

1.) Spurs will trade out of the #20 pick.
2.) Spurs will draft a position other than SF.
3.) Spurs will pick someone who only has one page of discussion on the Think Tank forum.

It's wise to suggest 1-2 things will happen and list three options when it's the Spurs.

In all seriousness, I've had some similar thoughts. But that's the thing, I've seen a few people have similar thoughts. And if it's almost becoming conventional wisdom and almost expected, you can pretty much bet your ass they're gonna go chalk.

So I'm thinking we're going to find some fire behind the smoke this year. They really don't have the opportunity to reach on a project and this draft doesn't seem to be loaded with great talent. So all the reported activity would makes sense for a team doing everything in its power to get another ring while Duncan's still aboard. You've got to go for it when you've got the chance, especially when your team's in a town like San Antonio.

So if they believe they can acquire a player via trade that will help them more than their draft pick, I could see them moving the pick. If the player available's a Jones or Willams and there just isn't a player (small forward or not) that's going to help them as much next year, they'll pick that player. If they can get their hands on Favors with a trade they believe to be advantageous for the next year or two, I believe they'll pull the trigger. So I'd say your first and second options are very real possibilities; but I don't think we'll be too suprised with the player, should they make the selection, this year.

[Blackjack]

Now I'm confused about the 1-2 . . .

Drinking tends to do that.

[AFBlue]

If the Spurs want to get better by trading Hill it won't be for just a draft pick. No player in this draft is better than George Hill until proven otherwise and especially a player selected 10th.

A Parker trade can bring in a very good to All-Star level player and a high draft pick or two. A Hill trade can't bring in much more than a draft pick or another player who was a late first round selection recently.

I understand trading Parker would net more in return, but trading a player that integral to the Spurs' present is a drastic move. I don't want to say it's a "blow it up" type of move because they'd net a nice return, but you'd have to think it'd be hard for them to get better in the short-run by making a trade like that.

By trading Hill on the other hand, you lose some depth at the PG position but would be able to pick up an impact player in the lottery. I understand that any player you get isn't as proven, but you could still get a talented player that fills a different role for the team. If the Spurs could grab a shot-blocker like Udoh or a swing player with upside like George or Henry, I think those players make up for the loss of Hill.

And in the scenario I presented, the Spurs still keep their #20 pick and are able to address a different need with that selection. To me, it's a less drastic way to retool the roster and get youth/athleticism infused at multiple positions.

[mountainballer]

So I'm thinking we're going to find some fire behind the smoke this year. They really don't have the opportunity to reach on a project and this draft doesn't seem to be loaded with great talent. So all the reported activity would makes sense for a team doing everything in its power to get another ring while Duncan's still aboard. You've got to go for it when you've got the chance, especially when your team's in a town like San Antonio.

I don't think that the Spurs only focus on the last Duncan years. I do think (and hope) they plan for the years beyond Tim.
IF the draft just was about the question, what can we do to help the team immediately, the answer is pretty simple: trade the pick for a proven player. period.
you never get any guarantee that the player you drafted won't turn into a car with four flat tires the moment he steps on a NBA court. no matter how NBA ready scouts rank him.
(remember for example Acie Law. he was labeled the "most NBA ready" player in the 2007 draft. Hawks needed immediate help at the point, so they reached for him. we know how much help they finally got from him)

IMO the Spurs don't expect help from their pick for the last Duncan years. if they get it, they won't complain. but this pick (if they use it and don't trade it) is already about the future. that's another reason why we shouldn't exclusively look at current team needs. sure, if an intriguing SF is on the board, they will likely pick him over other positions. but they won't pick a SF only to fill a current need. I rather think they use criteria like "how do we expect this player fits with George Hill or even Tiago Splitter 3 years from now"

[admiralsnackbar]

Because he played against comp in college. Im not saying the guy wont be a good pro but I think he would need to be in the right system like Utah, LA or Min.......for us I think he would struggle.

Like, say... George Hill? Or, in this draft, Paul George? What about our system do you think is so fundamentally different from the one in Utah? And what on Earth do Utah, LA, and Minny have in common that would suit him?

And in what universe are Maggette and Grant Hill washed up? Maggette had yet another fine season last year, and Grant Hill embarrassed RJ in the POs if you recall.

Batum, Casspi, and Ariza are all up-and-comers who I would gladly trade RJ for in a heartbeat. Do you even watch basketball?