NBA Draft day is upon us, but there are still more questions than answers?
What will the Bobcats do at number two? Who may considering trading up? Will Dwight Howard be traded out of Orland? Who else may be on the move by tonight? Who’s stock has moved the most? And who could be some of the late selection sleepers in the mold of Monta Ellis?
That and many more questions and answers here.
What will Charlotte do at #2?
If you don’t know Anthony Davis will going number one by now, you are pretty far behind in your NBA Draft knowledge. However, the NBA’s worst franchise last season, the Bobcats, finds themselves in a very unfortunate predicament. The truth is, Charlotte could use help anywhere and everywhere, they just can’t afford to draft a bust that will set their rebuilding process another year back (so I guess you can count Andre Drummond out here…way too risky for the Bobcats). If they are really torn on who to select between the likes of UNC’s Harrison Barnes, Kansas’s Thomas Robinson, Florida’s Bradley Beal and Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, then why not have the other teams narrow down the options for the by trading out? It’s no secret that both Washington and Cleveland would love to pair their franchise point guards (John Wall and Kyrie Irving respectively) with a smooth shooter like Bradley Beal. If a team picking in the top five were willing to take back Tyrus Thomas’s contract in addition to swapping, the Bobcats would surely pull the trigger. If they do for some reason stand pat, Thomas Robinson is likely the pick to pair with last year’s first rounder, Bismack Biyombo, in the frontcourt.
Will Dwight Howard be with the Magic after the Draft?
All rumors aside, yes. The Magic have played out this saga almost as poorly as Dwight has. The team has to know that Dwight has no intention in signing a long-term extension with the team this summer, this year, or ever unless they can acquire some better pieces to support him. Unfortunately, large contracts given out to Jason Richardson and Glen Davis last season along with the putrid contract of Hedo Turkoglu make any significant roster moves futile. With all that said, there is no chance that any team in the league (outside of the Lakers offering Andrew Bynum..which they won’t) could put together a package and swing a deal during or before the draft in less than two weeks before the season ended. The Rockets have been the most recent rumored team to enter the rent-a-Dwight sweepstakes by collecting Minnesota’s 18th selection and trading up to #12, giving them three first rounder’s (12, 16, &18) in this Thursday’s draft. Yet, at the end of the day, whatever they give up to obtain Dwight while most certainly leave the Rockets roster dismantled and left with a hand a full of role players and a one year stint with Superman heading into next season. And no, Deron Williams would not follow Dwight to Houston in the event he was traded. Bottom line, Dwight will be with Orlando after the draft and opening night…but most likely not by the season’s end. Getting back to Houston…
What exactly is Darryl Morey doing in Houston?
If we squash the Dwight Howard rumor, the Rockets must be looking to move up in the draft by stock piling later picks and making starters Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin available. Who they may be targeting remains unclear. Our guess is Andre Drummond, the top rated center on our board. Sacramento (5), Portland (6), Golden State (7), and Toronto (8) could all be potential trade partners to move up in the draft. If there are settled on adding a proven vet, expect them to rexplore trading for Pau Gasol. The Lakers do not have a first round pick this season and would surely be interested in getting younger.
What players will be on the trading block on draft day?
Here’s a handful of guys we think are the most likely to get moved on draft day:
Jamal Crawford, Portland
-Even if they don’t trade him, Crawford will most likely opt out of his contract this summer. So moving him to get something in return maybe most beneficial. Our prediction: The Blazers will use Crawford and their 11th pick to acquire some proven backcourt players and future picks.
Al Jefferson, Utah
-Utah, without a first round selection in this year’s draft, has a log jam in the front court with Kanter, Favors, Milsap, and Jefferson. Jefferson, entering the last year of his of his contract, could be a hot commodity for teams with draft picks they’d like to move to obtain his services. Potential suitors include Portland, New Orleans, and Houston.
Kevin Martin, Houston
-Houston has become quite the team of interest heading into the draft. It seems a trade is imminent and Kevin Martin might be the player out of the Rockets future plans. Martin packaged with a plethora of picks might seal a deal for a team with a top eight draft pick.
Who’s stock has risen the most?
On our board, it has to Kendall Marshall. He’s ceiling maybe not as high as some of the other prospects on our big board, but most teams have to be enamored with his ability to get his teammates get easy buckets. A lot of scouts question his foot speed and his jump shot. But Marshall is such a rare talent as a passer; he’s tough to pass on.
Who’s Stock has fallen the most?
Jared Sullinger could have been a top five pick in last year’s weak draft class. The only reason he’s fallen on our big board is because of how much deeper and talented this year’s draft is compared to last. Most scouts question his weight and ailing back injury. The truth is, if this kid is healthy, he should have zero trouble getting buckets at the next level because of how skilled he is.
Five years from now, who will be the best player to come out of this year’s draft?
Tough question, especially because there are some many talented players who may only translate into good, not great basketball players (Barnes, Beal, Robinson to name a few). The safe answer is saying it’s Anthony Davis BUT there has to be some consideration for UConn’s Andre Drummond. Look back at the 2002 draft where Yao Ming was the clear cut consensus number one pick. Amar’e Stoudemire, picked number nine by Phoenix, ended up winning rookie of the year honors and became a perennial All-Star in this league. Drummond has that potential and will be overlooked by a lot of teams in the lottery, because of the same questions they had about Stoudemire. It will really depend on what situation Drummond lands in with a team to see if he’ll compete with Davis’s career.
Barnes vs. Kidd-Gilchrist. Who ya got?
The truth is, I doubt either of these guys will ever amount to a Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony status at small forward. That being said, both of these guys have the potential to being that strong “B” to “B+” player that can compliment a team’s “A” player. In other words, the Scottie Pippen to Michael Jordan. Unfortunately for them, they may end up getting drafted by a team that needs them to be that “A” list player. From a physical and basketball skill level, Barnes has a significant edge. He’s measured exceptionally well at the combine and his skill set will surely translate into the pros. Barnes’s true potential is untapped. He’s one of the few players in the draft that will benefit in playing in the pros versus college MKG is one of those few players that can change a team’s culture with his leadership and hard working mentality. He’s also the youngest player in the draft which gives him plenty of opportunites to grow as a player and improve his jump shot and shot-creating capabilities. We’re sold that Barnes is the top prospect at small forward but it’s tough to bet against a kid like MKG.
Who’s the biggest sleeper in this season’s draft?
We’ll give you two, and they both play for the same team. GM’s should really consider both of Marquette’s dynamic duo; forward Jae Crowder and guard Darius Johnson-Odom. Crowder, an undersized power forward will have to adjust playing the three. But he’s a tenacious and physical defender both in the post and on the perimeter. He also has the ability to stretch the floor with his improved three point game. Johnson-Odom will also have to adjust his game from becoming a two guard to running the point. Like Crowder, he’s a physical specimen for his position and is incredibly accurate from three when his feet are set. Title contending teams at the tail end of the first round should will be looking for players to contribute right away and both of these guys can.
What team needs to move up in the draft?
One would have to think the Lakers (without a 1st rounder via Ramon Sessions Trade) would have to make a move to add some youth to its roster. If they’re hell bent on not moving Pau Gasol, it could be extremely difficult to see them get into the 1st round. Keep an eye on Indiana. They are deep at every position and may not want to commit a guaranteed contract. Expect the Lakers to target a player like Marquis Teague if they could swing a deal with Indiana.
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