no one worth getting in trade for the pick would be making less than $10 million or so more than the pick, so you are giving up the pick plus $10+ in cap room.
I have said this before but will repeat: That is remarkably risky for the Kicks specifically, because it would only leave room for three quality players. One of those three goes down, and the team is a train wreck again. If they keep the pick, at least they would have 4 players worth having in the starting lineup, and the opportunity to complete the set next year when the cap jumps. There really is a chance that the Knicks will have a very high-quality starting 5, across the board, if they don't trade the pick. Less of a chance if they do.
but Bill Simmons' latest trade value rankings placed Durant 6th.
Davis
LeBron
Curry
Westrbook
Harden
How many other players would you seriously take over Durant for the future?
Even with his foot injury risk, Durant has so much value in this league because of his historic scoring ability.
The Knicks franchise has been screwed by injuries so much so I get why you guys want to play it safe. But in a vacuum, there's no question that Durant still holds more value than the #1 pick in this draft.
All this hypothetical Knicks having a #1 pick talk
Said in some interview that he believed/believes the 2014 Draft was getting overhyped and that he actually thinks this one is stronger both at the top and throughout. Depending on who declares of course.
He also said that it's hard to predict the future but based on the international scene and the HS Seniors that the 2016 class does not look good at all.
as far as the top, I'd rank them like this as prospects
Wiggins
Towns
Okafor
Parker
Russell
Embiid (due to the foot injury... if healthy, he'd be #1)
Exum/Mudiay
I think the top of the draft last year vs. this year is probably a slight edge to this year due to Embiid's injury. But if Embiid was healthy, I don't think there's much of a debate that he was a better prospect than either Towns or Okafor imo. And Wiggins was the kind of special athlete from the wing position we hadn't seen in a while, he would be the likely #1 pick this year as well.
Parker was a stud but I wouldn't have taken him over Towns/Okafor.
I loved Exum last year, but Mudiay's got more explosiveness as an athlete. Tough to compare them with the others since their international guys.
wasnt even drafted last year. Or at least the guy who should win. There is no doubt the best rookie in this year's class is going to snubbed and Wiggins will win.
Payton/Oladipo are both so good. Oladipo is a guy that I just loved and Payton had some really good qualities. I was so happy to see them get to pair up down in Orlando.
In a few years those two are going to be picking apart the Eastern Conference.
He desperately needs a jump shot. But if he develops that, oh boy.
Shame that Orlando chose Aaron Gordon who sucks. Haven't really seen much of him at the NBA level, but I didn't like him at all as a prospect. Someone like Julius Randle would have been such a better pick IMO. I like the idea of Payton, Oladipo, Harris, Randle, and Vucevic a lot more than Aaron Gordon.
Because I saw a stat where when he plays over 30 minutes a game... he is averaging over 22 points and 10 boards a game.
Mirotic has played at a higher level than Wiggins this year. He has been excellent.
Easy to blame Thibbs, and you've definitely seen a lot more Bulls basketball than me. But Mirotic has only had 4 games over 30 minutes before this month. So wouldn't that statistic lead you to believe that Mirotic is just finally hitting his stride into being a consistent contributor as a rookie?
"he's such a good athlete, he'll figure it out somehow" picks. Bigtime hit or miss.
Dep, those types of stats aren't useful. The reason he played 30+ mins in those games is because he was playing well. He's not getting those stats because of the extra minutes. He's getting those extra minutes because of his performance in those games.
Mirotic is having a sick month. But over the course of the season Wiggins has been more impressive.
Orlando is another place I'd love to see WCS. I get a similar vibe from WCS that I got from Oladipo. Defense, toughness, smart, winner. I'd love to see those two anchor a defense together. And he'd really help cover for Vucevic's defense.
has been because Taj Gibson got hurt. When all their bigs have been healthy, Niko was the 4th big. And everyone knows how Thibs likes defense so Taj/Noah were/are his closers. Throw in the year Gasol is having, and minutes were limited to Mirotic.
But once Gibson got hurt. Throw in the injuries to Rose/Butler.... Mirotic's role had no choice but to expand. And he has been flat out awesome. Sure I am a bit of a homer, but I really believe he is an all-star type player. His defense is actually much better than I thought too.
All I hope for is every Bull to come back healthy. Because Mirotic has played a bit of the three this year. So even if he doesnt start, he will get some time at the 3/4 come playoff time.
I understand that Wiggins will win it, but I think Mirotic is going to be a household name soon. Osi also had a good one in Payton, he has really stepped it up.
believe it or not, I am going to support Harden make 1st team all-NBA even though I dont think he will. Its idiotic that htey have 2 guards and 3 bigs make the team.
The 5 best players in the NBA probably have never been more clear in history. Curry, Harden, Westbrook, Lebron, Davis. All 5 of them should be on the first team. But I truly believe it will go like this:
1st team:
Curry, Westbrook, James, Davis, Cousins
2nd team:
Harden, Paul, Griffin, Gasol, Gasol
3rd Team:
Wall, Irving, then I dont have the slightest clue. All the SFs got hurt this year. Maybe Butler can slide in there.
That team would take a huge step forward if WCS and Vucevic can figure out a way to co-exist offensively. That's a really interesting destination that I kind of really want to see, especially since it's so realistic. Unlike my Suns option, who appears out of contention for WCS.
I wonder if Orlando goes for it though. I think they are going to go for an "Aaron Gordon" type of pick again this year, and for good reason. That team is kind of weird in that it's already almost what it is. A lot of those starting positions are sure to stay as is for a couple of years. If they are going to have a high pick, they are going to want to roll the dice and see if they can get someone that can put them over the hump.
It would be interesting to see if they'd go for a guy like Mario Hezonja. I haven't seen a second of him play. But by everything I've read, he's the prototypical heat check guy who thinks he's the best player on the court at all times. It would be interesting to see how that type of player would play out on this Orlando roster that's currently constructed.
I hope Harden makes the 1st team. I think he deserves it. But I really wouldn't be too disappointed if Russ/Curry make it over him. I know those two have more fans and get more media love. And they're also awesome players who are arguably better than Harden.
I'm just proud of Harden for growing the way he has this year. MVP, 1st team All-NBA... cool stuff but whatever. His growth this year as a player and leader matter so much more to me than any award. All I care about is how Harden plays in the playoffs because that's the only question remaining with him.
I hope Harden makes the 1st team. I think he deserves it. But I really wouldn't be too disappointed if Russ/Curry make it over him. I know those two have more fans and get more media love. And they're also awesome players who are arguably better than Harden.
I'm just proud of Harden for growing the way he has this year. MVP, 1st team All-NBA... cool stuff but whatever. His growth this year as a player and leader matter so much more to me than any award. All I care about is how Harden plays in the playoffs because that's the only question remaining with him.
really happy to see him have a resurgence this year. He doesn't get enough credit for being an absolute Champion. A guy who carried Kobe's ass in the playoffs plenty of times. A guy who carried mediocre Memphis teams to 50 win seasons.
But Marc's better right now even though the stats might tip Pau's way due to boards.
might make 2nd team. With all the fowards getting hurt this year (Melo, George, Durant, Griffin missing time...) the three best big outside AD have been the Gasols and Cousins.
in the 3rd quarter tonight held the Wizards to 8 points and a total of one field goal in the 3rd quarter. That field goal came with 1 minute left in the 3rd, so they went without a field goal for 11 minutes. Insane.
Out of their fucking mind for not trading Klay for KLove. I just couldn't figure it out. I thought Klay was incredibly overrated and was just a guy who lived and died by the jumper. Once again, I've been proven wrong.
Oddly enough, I really didn't want the Cavs to trade Wiggins for KLove though. I just liked the idea of Wiggins and LeBron locking down any wing who dares to step foot on the same court as them. Not to mention Wiggins cutting to the basket 24/7 with LeBron and Irving feeding him for highlight reel after highlight reel. I loved the thought of LeBron passing the torch onto Wiggins 3-4 years down the line. It just seemed like the situation the Cleveland sports fans in general deserved.
But now we have KLove. Square peg in a round hole. For shame.
as one of the great "What if's/WTF were they thinking" moves in league history if Wiggins turns into the player most expect.
I thought the Cavs should've kept Wiggins. But I also thought the Warriors should've traded Klay. I always liked Klay because guys who shoot like him usually don't defend like he did. But Curry/Love just sounded too good to pass up and I didn't think Klay had this level in him.
But even before the season I changed my mind on that. Klay might've been the most impressive player on Team USA and definitely made me reconsider that no-trade. Definitely worked out for them.
but certainly was not about Love. No one ever seemed bother by the fact that his teams in Minny never even sniffed a playoff spot, just kept making excuse after excuse for it. I know the talent around him wasn't any good, but if he was as good as people said he was they at least once would have been in playoffs or playoff contention.
He's a great fantasy basketball player, and that's one of many reasons people had some ridiculously inflated view of him as a player
the fact that he sucks on D is a huge issue. I never ignored that. Check out the "Love/LeBron to Cleveland" threads when everyone was crying "unfair!" and I brought up how Love wasn't a good defender and never made the playoffs.
But I think the issue with him is "fit" more than "he's a loser". I put a lot of blame on LeBron and Kyrie. Kyrie is a brilliant scorer but not a true PG who knows how to get everyone involved. And LeBron is doing the same thing to Love that he did to Bosh, minimizing his role on Offense.
Anthony Davis won't be making for the playoffs for 3 years in a row
And he's still going to be the face of this sport sooner rather than later. I just chalked it up to one guy can only do so much, especially in a no joke conference.
But this Cavalier experience definitely opened my eyes. I mean, he's definitely still a really good player. He didn't forget how to play offense. The coach clearly put him in a role where he's not comfortable. His game isn't to be a stretch four jump shooter, and that's what he's forced to do right now.
He's still averaging a double-double. We saw how Bosh's role was minimized when LeBron went to Miami. KLove just isn't the top 10 player I thought he was. And now I'm convinced that he's such a rebound machine because he's more worried about getting a board off the shot rather than defending the guy actually shooting it.
And he's still going to be the face of this sport sooner rather than later. I just chalked it up to one guy can only do so much, especially in a no joke conference.
But this Cavalier experience definitely opened my eyes. I mean, he's definitely still a really good player. He didn't forget how to play offense. The coach clearly put him in a role where he's not comfortable. His game isn't to be a stretch four jump shooter, and that's what he's forced to do right now.
He's still averaging a double-double. We saw how Bosh's role was minimized when LeBron went to Miami. KLove just isn't the top 10 player I thought he was. And now I'm convinced that he's such a rebound machine because he's more worried about getting a board off the shot rather than defending the guy actually shooting it.
Davis is at least sniffing the playoffs this year. The closest Love ever came to making the playoffs was 9 games. New Orleans is also 4 games above .500. Closest Love ever got to .500 was 40-42. Davis will be in the playoffs next year or at the very worst contending for a playoff spot. Kevin Love's teams come this point of the year never even had a prayer.
And he's still going to be the face of this sport sooner rather than later. I just chalked it up to one guy can only do so much, especially in a no joke conference.
Is it too early to call the Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans draft day trade even more of a disaster than we thought on draft night of 2013?
Anthony Davis & Nerlens Noel... neither one is a center, but I wouldn't care.
Sucks that we've reached this point with Durant though. Disgusts me that injuries might take his true potential away from us.
The problem is can you name one big man who had foot injuries that got better over time and not worse?
The problem is can you name one big man who had foot injuries that got better over time and not worse?
Bingo. I'm not sure I would trade the pick for anyone who would reasonably be available anyway.
I have said this before but will repeat: That is remarkably risky for the Kicks specifically, because it would only leave room for three quality players. One of those three goes down, and the team is a train wreck again. If they keep the pick, at least they would have 4 players worth having in the starting lineup, and the opportunity to complete the set next year when the cap jumps. There really is a chance that the Knicks will have a very high-quality starting 5, across the board, if they don't trade the pick. Less of a chance if they do.
The problem is can you name one big man who had foot injuries that got better over time and not worse?
Big Z is the only guy who comes to mind, and that took 4 years. He was also 22 when he got hurt.
Davis
LeBron
Curry
Westrbook
Harden
How many other players would you seriously take over Durant for the future?
Even with his foot injury risk, Durant has so much value in this league because of his historic scoring ability.
The Knicks franchise has been screwed by injuries so much so I get why you guys want to play it safe. But in a vacuum, there's no question that Durant still holds more value than the #1 pick in this draft.
He also said that it's hard to predict the future but based on the international scene and the HS Seniors that the 2016 class does not look good at all.
Towns
Okafor
Parker
Russell
Embiid (due to the foot injury... if healthy, he'd be #1)
Exum/Mudiay
I think the top of the draft last year vs. this year is probably a slight edge to this year due to Embiid's injury. But if Embiid was healthy, I don't think there's much of a debate that he was a better prospect than either Towns or Okafor imo. And Wiggins was the kind of special athlete from the wing position we hadn't seen in a while, he would be the likely #1 pick this year as well.
Parker was a stud but I wouldn't have taken him over Towns/Okafor.
I loved Exum last year, but Mudiay's got more explosiveness as an athlete. Tough to compare them with the others since their international guys.
In a few years those two are going to be picking apart the Eastern Conference.
Shame that Orlando chose Aaron Gordon who sucks. Haven't really seen much of him at the NBA level, but I didn't like him at all as a prospect. Someone like Julius Randle would have been such a better pick IMO. I like the idea of Payton, Oladipo, Harris, Randle, and Vucevic a lot more than Aaron Gordon.
Mirotic has played at a higher level than Wiggins this year. He has been excellent.
Mirotic has played at a higher level than Wiggins this year. He has been excellent.
Easy to blame Thibbs, and you've definitely seen a lot more Bulls basketball than me. But Mirotic has only had 4 games over 30 minutes before this month. So wouldn't that statistic lead you to believe that Mirotic is just finally hitting his stride into being a consistent contributor as a rookie?
Dep, those types of stats aren't useful. The reason he played 30+ mins in those games is because he was playing well. He's not getting those stats because of the extra minutes. He's getting those extra minutes because of his performance in those games.
Mirotic is having a sick month. But over the course of the season Wiggins has been more impressive.
But once Gibson got hurt. Throw in the injuries to Rose/Butler.... Mirotic's role had no choice but to expand. And he has been flat out awesome. Sure I am a bit of a homer, but I really believe he is an all-star type player. His defense is actually much better than I thought too.
All I hope for is every Bull to come back healthy. Because Mirotic has played a bit of the three this year. So even if he doesnt start, he will get some time at the 3/4 come playoff time.
I understand that Wiggins will win it, but I think Mirotic is going to be a household name soon. Osi also had a good one in Payton, he has really stepped it up.
The 5 best players in the NBA probably have never been more clear in history. Curry, Harden, Westbrook, Lebron, Davis. All 5 of them should be on the first team. But I truly believe it will go like this:
1st team:
Curry, Westbrook, James, Davis, Cousins
2nd team:
Harden, Paul, Griffin, Gasol, Gasol
3rd Team:
Wall, Irving, then I dont have the slightest clue. All the SFs got hurt this year. Maybe Butler can slide in there.
I wonder if Orlando goes for it though. I think they are going to go for an "Aaron Gordon" type of pick again this year, and for good reason. That team is kind of weird in that it's already almost what it is. A lot of those starting positions are sure to stay as is for a couple of years. If they are going to have a high pick, they are going to want to roll the dice and see if they can get someone that can put them over the hump.
It would be interesting to see if they'd go for a guy like Mario Hezonja. I haven't seen a second of him play. But by everything I've read, he's the prototypical heat check guy who thinks he's the best player on the court at all times. It would be interesting to see how that type of player would play out on this Orlando roster that's currently constructed.
I'm just proud of Harden for growing the way he has this year. MVP, 1st team All-NBA... cool stuff but whatever. His growth this year as a player and leader matter so much more to me than any award. All I care about is how Harden plays in the playoffs because that's the only question remaining with him.
I'm just proud of Harden for growing the way he has this year. MVP, 1st team All-NBA... cool stuff but whatever. His growth this year as a player and leader matter so much more to me than any award. All I care about is how Harden plays in the playoffs because that's the only question remaining with him.
Which Gasol?
But Marc's better right now even though the stats might tip Pau's way due to boards.
It looked weak in July, it looks even worse now.
It was an awful idea the entire time. Kevin Love is a loser. Plain and simple.
Knicks now can win one game the rest of the year and still have the worst record.
Oddly enough, I really didn't want the Cavs to trade Wiggins for KLove though. I just liked the idea of Wiggins and LeBron locking down any wing who dares to step foot on the same court as them. Not to mention Wiggins cutting to the basket 24/7 with LeBron and Irving feeding him for highlight reel after highlight reel. I loved the thought of LeBron passing the torch onto Wiggins 3-4 years down the line. It just seemed like the situation the Cleveland sports fans in general deserved.
But now we have KLove. Square peg in a round hole. For shame.
I thought the Cavs should've kept Wiggins. But I also thought the Warriors should've traded Klay. I always liked Klay because guys who shoot like him usually don't defend like he did. But Curry/Love just sounded too good to pass up and I didn't think Klay had this level in him.
But even before the season I changed my mind on that. Klay might've been the most impressive player on Team USA and definitely made me reconsider that no-trade. Definitely worked out for them.
He's a great fantasy basketball player, and that's one of many reasons people had some ridiculously inflated view of him as a player
But I think the issue with him is "fit" more than "he's a loser". I put a lot of blame on LeBron and Kyrie. Kyrie is a brilliant scorer but not a true PG who knows how to get everyone involved. And LeBron is doing the same thing to Love that he did to Bosh, minimizing his role on Offense.
But this Cavalier experience definitely opened my eyes. I mean, he's definitely still a really good player. He didn't forget how to play offense. The coach clearly put him in a role where he's not comfortable. His game isn't to be a stretch four jump shooter, and that's what he's forced to do right now.
He's still averaging a double-double. We saw how Bosh's role was minimized when LeBron went to Miami. KLove just isn't the top 10 player I thought he was. And now I'm convinced that he's such a rebound machine because he's more worried about getting a board off the shot rather than defending the guy actually shooting it.
The Heat were never benching Chris Bosh in the 4th quarter.
Love will move on, and he'll be a loser wherever he goes. Mark my words. No matter the scheme or players around him, he'll be a loser.
But this Cavalier experience definitely opened my eyes. I mean, he's definitely still a really good player. He didn't forget how to play offense. The coach clearly put him in a role where he's not comfortable. His game isn't to be a stretch four jump shooter, and that's what he's forced to do right now.
He's still averaging a double-double. We saw how Bosh's role was minimized when LeBron went to Miami. KLove just isn't the top 10 player I thought he was. And now I'm convinced that he's such a rebound machine because he's more worried about getting a board off the shot rather than defending the guy actually shooting it.
Davis is at least sniffing the playoffs this year. The closest Love ever came to making the playoffs was 9 games. New Orleans is also 4 games above .500. Closest Love ever got to .500 was 40-42. Davis will be in the playoffs next year or at the very worst contending for a playoff spot. Kevin Love's teams come this point of the year never even had a prayer.
But Love can still be a really good player in this league and help lead a team to the playoffs if he's surrounded by the right parts imo.
He's averaging 17/10 with 2 threes a game on .360 3P shooting
Per 100 possessions
+7.2 w/ Love on floor
+0.7 w/o Love on floor
So for all the shit he gets, he still provides a rare combo of rebounding/shooting and the team still DOES A LOT BETTER WITH HIM ON THE FLOOR.
Is it too early to call the Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans draft day trade even more of a disaster than we thought on draft night of 2013?
Anthony Davis & Nerlens Noel... neither one is a center, but I wouldn't care.
Beast