The Ping Pong Fallout: Part 2
SUPERTRADE!
What would a crazy draft day be without a four team, fourteen player (and two draft picks) trade? You might say that reaks of desperation but we are talking about Minnesota, Indiana, Sacramento, and Zach Randolph.
7. Sacramento via Minnesota selects Julian Wright:
The Superdeal breaks down as this:
Indiana gets: Mike Bibby, Marko Jaric, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Mark Blount.
Minnesota gets: Troy Murphy, Ron Artest, and Jamaal Tinsley
Portland gets: Sacramento's #10, Ricky Davis (expiring deal) and Trenton Hassell. Sacramento gets: Minny's #7, Zach Randolph, Marquis Daniels, Jeff Foster, Dan Dickau, and Orien Greene. Indiana gets rid of a point guard (and contract) they didn't want and two long term deals that weren't helping much (Murphy and Daniels) for Mike Bibby, a solid enough center, and a cheaper backup PF option in 'Reef. Minnesota dumps their picks to add talent, albeit talent with questionable attitudes. That being said, selling their soul is the only way that the Wolves will ever get out of this mess and the three players in this deal should make the Wolves better. Portland gets a lotto pick and an expiring deal for Zach, which could make it easier for them to make a move for Rashard Lewis or Gerald Wallace in a sign-and-trade. As for Sacramento, they rebuild, add a lot post presence they haven't had since Chris Webber, a solid swingman, and move up in the draft to get a prime prospect in Julian Wright. Martin, Wright, and Randolph could be a very nice trio for the future. 8. Phoenix via Charlotte selects Al Horford:
The Suns want to avoid the luxury tax and are going to have to dump Shawn Marion. One problem, of course, is that not many teams have expiring deals and even fewer will be willing to risk much for a guy who has a player option next year and could walk away for nothing. The Celtics could make a play for Marion with Theo Ratliff's contract but the Celtics ownership is more scared of the luxury tax than the Suns management and Pierce, Marion, and a re-signed Jefferson would put the C's over the tax threshold. Then again, if the owners are really about winning now, it's possible Ainge could work a way to get both Marion and Ray Allen. The luxury tax would be a bundle but Earl Watson/Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Marion, and Jefferson is a tough team to beat. Unfortunately, we live in the real world in which that likely won't happen and the best thing Phoenix could do is to dump Marion for immediate cap relief, which the Bobcats can offer. Since they are under the cap, the 'Cats only need to give up back 25% of the salary that they take back so something as simple as Marion for Brevin Knight and #8 could work. But let's go with Brevin Knight, Sean May, #8, and #22 for Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks, #24, and #29. If the 'Cats re-sign Gerald Wallace, a Wallace/Marion/Okafor frontcourt might just be enough to make up for Adam Morrison's defense. 9. Chicago selects Spencer Hawes:
Chicago is crushed when the Bobcats (who have Okafor and May) deal their pick to Phoenix. Chicago wanted Horford, REALLY want to deal their pick for a veteran, but in the end will go with the best post scorer available, Spencer Hawes. They hope Hawes reminds McHale of himself and helps them in a deal for Kevin Garnett. 10. Seattle via Sacramento via Portland selects Joakim Noah:
Over the last three drafts, the Blazers have added Greg Oden, Lamarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Martell Webster, and Jarrett Jack. A far cry from the previous three years when they added Sebastian Telfair, Segei Monya, Viktor Khrypa, Travis Outlaw, and Qyntel Woods. But with the Zach Randolph move opening up some breathing room (and getting them an expiring deal and this pick), the busy Blazers consummate a sign-and-trade with Seattle for Rashard Lewis. Al Thornton is an interesting prospect but the Sonics already grabbed Brandan Wright to play alongside Durant. The toss up is between Jo Noah and Acie Law/Javarris Crittenton. Part of me thinks Crittenton is the better pick but for now I'm going to go with conventional wisdom which is that the Sonics can't let a draft pass without taking a center in the first round. Noah also adds much needed defense and gives the Sonics a frontline of the future of Durant, Wright, and Noah. 11. Denver via Atlanta selects Al Thornton:
Atlanta now regrets taking Mike Conley so early. They miss out on Noah and Hawes and are starting at a draft board full of swingmen which isn't what a team full of swingmen needs. Luckily for them, Denver needs to cut some payroll and the Hawks are under the cap. The Hawks could go after Marcus Camby for Anthony Johnson but I think the deal they might go after is the overpaid yet underrated Nene, who came alive once he was healthy and in shape. Only needing to ship out a quarter of Nene's salary, the Hawks offer Anthony Johnson or Lorenzen Wright along with the 11th pick for Nene. The Nuggets, desperate to cut payroll, agree. They draft Al Thornton, who could be a very nice complement at the 4, between 'Melo and Camby. 12. Philadelphia selects Jeff Green:
If the Sixers aren't dealing Andre Miller, I don't know what they can do. Nobody is going to want Sam Dalmbert or Willie Green's contract. They opt for the multi-talented Green over Thaddeus and Nick Young. 13. New Orleans selects Nick Young:
Thaddeus Young is probably the best talent remaining but the Hornets aren't looking to add a long term project to their roster. Young should be able to step in and replace Desmond Mason, should he leave via free agency. 14. LA Clippers selects Acie Law IV:
Crittenton has more upside but the Clippers need to right their ship immediately. Unfortunately, the market for Cuttino Mobley isn't very high and Donald Sterling refuses to trade Corey Maggette. The Clippers could make a move in this draft, but right now it looks like the Clip Ship is dead in the water. 15. Detroit selects Rodney Stuckey:
The Georgia Tech prospects continue to fall as Detroit opts for Stuckey over Crittenton and Young. Stuckey just seems like less of a project and like someone who could step in and get minutes from day 1. Also, drafting someone like Crittenton could rub Chauncey Billups the wrong way which is not what you want to do since he's a free agent. 16. Washington selects Tiago Splitter:
Antawn Jamison did wonders for his trade value in the playoffs but you'd have to think that the Wizards would like to see what they could do with a healthy Agent Zero, Butler, and Jamison together. Lord knows that the Bobcats would probably offer the #8 for UNC grad Jamison but the Wiz won't bite. They might opt to move down if it means dumping Brendan Haywood buby for now, we'll tab the Brazilian defensive stopper Tiago Splitter as the pick. 17. New Jersey selects Jason Smith:
The Nets need to figure out what's going on with Vince Carter ASAP because it affects what they do here. If they are rebuilding, then Thad Young is the obvious choice. If they are making a run, an upperclassman big man makes more sense. 18. Golden St. selects Josh McRoberts:
This could be the best place for McRoberts to land. He is an athlete with a ton of skills but he struggled in Duke's system. What better place to take advantage of his abilities than the up-and-down frenetic Golden St. system? 19. LA Lakers selects Sean Williams:
Kobe might go ballistic if they took Thad Young, another guy who is years away from helping out a playoff team. Sean Williams, on the other hand, fills a need. When you are relying on Kwame Brown to be your interior defender, things aren't going to go well. Williams is a pothead but he's a pothead who can play amazing defense so the Lakers will gamble on him. If he can stay clean, Williams could make up one hell of a frontcourt alongside Andrew Bynum. 20. Houston via Miami selects Javarris Crittenton:
The Houston re-boot continues with the Rockets dealing Bonzi Wells and Juwan Howard to Miami for Jason Williams and the 20th pick. The choice comes between Crittenton and Thaddeus Young but, in the end, the Rockets opt for the point guard prospect over the swingman. 21. Denver via Philadelphia selects Derrick Byars:
Denver gets their pick back from Philly in a deal of Reggie Evans and JR Smith for Kevin Ollie and the #21 pick. Ollie is an expiring deal which helps get rid of the three more years left on Evans's deal. J.R. Smith came on last season but he ended up getting benched in the playoffs which hurts his trade stock. The Nuggets opt for Byars, a good shooter and a much better defende than Smith. 22. Phoenix via Charlotte selects Alando Tucker:
Tucker is the best pick to be able to step in and play for a veteran team. 23. New York selects Thaddeus Young:
Isiah might have traded a lotto pick but he ends up with a lotto talent falling into this lap. 24. Phoenix selects Marco Belinelli:
Hopefully, they can convince the Italian sharpshooter to stay overseas for a year while they sort out their financial issues. 25. Utah selects Rudy Fernandez :
Personally, I think they needed to use Ronnie Brewer more this year but Fernandez is a good talent and possibly the best fit for the Jazz. 26. Houston selects Daequan Cook:
Another project but another talent for the Rockets who walk out of the draft with Jianlian, Cook, and Crittenton. 27. Detroit selects Brandon Rush:
The best player available. 28. San Antonio selects Morris Almond:
A shooter off the bench, I mean, Bones Barry can't last forever can he? 29. Phoenix selects Marcus Williams:
A problem child but he could be worth the risk because of his talent. Just the type of player that Steve Nash can help look great. 30. Philadelphia selects Big Baby Glen Davis:
If just for the Barkley comparisons.
The Superdeal breaks down as this:
Indiana gets: Mike Bibby, Marko Jaric, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Mark Blount.
Minnesota gets: Troy Murphy, Ron Artest, and Jamaal Tinsley
Portland gets: Sacramento's #10, Ricky Davis (expiring deal) and Trenton Hassell. Sacramento gets: Minny's #7, Zach Randolph, Marquis Daniels, Jeff Foster, Dan Dickau, and Orien Greene. Indiana gets rid of a point guard (and contract) they didn't want and two long term deals that weren't helping much (Murphy and Daniels) for Mike Bibby, a solid enough center, and a cheaper backup PF option in 'Reef. Minnesota dumps their picks to add talent, albeit talent with questionable attitudes. That being said, selling their soul is the only way that the Wolves will ever get out of this mess and the three players in this deal should make the Wolves better. Portland gets a lotto pick and an expiring deal for Zach, which could make it easier for them to make a move for Rashard Lewis or Gerald Wallace in a sign-and-trade. As for Sacramento, they rebuild, add a lot post presence they haven't had since Chris Webber, a solid swingman, and move up in the draft to get a prime prospect in Julian Wright. Martin, Wright, and Randolph could be a very nice trio for the future. 8. Phoenix via Charlotte selects Al Horford:
The Suns want to avoid the luxury tax and are going to have to dump Shawn Marion. One problem, of course, is that not many teams have expiring deals and even fewer will be willing to risk much for a guy who has a player option next year and could walk away for nothing. The Celtics could make a play for Marion with Theo Ratliff's contract but the Celtics ownership is more scared of the luxury tax than the Suns management and Pierce, Marion, and a re-signed Jefferson would put the C's over the tax threshold. Then again, if the owners are really about winning now, it's possible Ainge could work a way to get both Marion and Ray Allen. The luxury tax would be a bundle but Earl Watson/Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Marion, and Jefferson is a tough team to beat. Unfortunately, we live in the real world in which that likely won't happen and the best thing Phoenix could do is to dump Marion for immediate cap relief, which the Bobcats can offer. Since they are under the cap, the 'Cats only need to give up back 25% of the salary that they take back so something as simple as Marion for Brevin Knight and #8 could work. But let's go with Brevin Knight, Sean May, #8, and #22 for Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks, #24, and #29. If the 'Cats re-sign Gerald Wallace, a Wallace/Marion/Okafor frontcourt might just be enough to make up for Adam Morrison's defense. 9. Chicago selects Spencer Hawes:
Chicago is crushed when the Bobcats (who have Okafor and May) deal their pick to Phoenix. Chicago wanted Horford, REALLY want to deal their pick for a veteran, but in the end will go with the best post scorer available, Spencer Hawes. They hope Hawes reminds McHale of himself and helps them in a deal for Kevin Garnett. 10. Seattle via Sacramento via Portland selects Joakim Noah:
Over the last three drafts, the Blazers have added Greg Oden, Lamarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Martell Webster, and Jarrett Jack. A far cry from the previous three years when they added Sebastian Telfair, Segei Monya, Viktor Khrypa, Travis Outlaw, and Qyntel Woods. But with the Zach Randolph move opening up some breathing room (and getting them an expiring deal and this pick), the busy Blazers consummate a sign-and-trade with Seattle for Rashard Lewis. Al Thornton is an interesting prospect but the Sonics already grabbed Brandan Wright to play alongside Durant. The toss up is between Jo Noah and Acie Law/Javarris Crittenton. Part of me thinks Crittenton is the better pick but for now I'm going to go with conventional wisdom which is that the Sonics can't let a draft pass without taking a center in the first round. Noah also adds much needed defense and gives the Sonics a frontline of the future of Durant, Wright, and Noah. 11. Denver via Atlanta selects Al Thornton:
Atlanta now regrets taking Mike Conley so early. They miss out on Noah and Hawes and are starting at a draft board full of swingmen which isn't what a team full of swingmen needs. Luckily for them, Denver needs to cut some payroll and the Hawks are under the cap. The Hawks could go after Marcus Camby for Anthony Johnson but I think the deal they might go after is the overpaid yet underrated Nene, who came alive once he was healthy and in shape. Only needing to ship out a quarter of Nene's salary, the Hawks offer Anthony Johnson or Lorenzen Wright along with the 11th pick for Nene. The Nuggets, desperate to cut payroll, agree. They draft Al Thornton, who could be a very nice complement at the 4, between 'Melo and Camby. 12. Philadelphia selects Jeff Green:
If the Sixers aren't dealing Andre Miller, I don't know what they can do. Nobody is going to want Sam Dalmbert or Willie Green's contract. They opt for the multi-talented Green over Thaddeus and Nick Young. 13. New Orleans selects Nick Young:
Thaddeus Young is probably the best talent remaining but the Hornets aren't looking to add a long term project to their roster. Young should be able to step in and replace Desmond Mason, should he leave via free agency. 14. LA Clippers selects Acie Law IV:
Crittenton has more upside but the Clippers need to right their ship immediately. Unfortunately, the market for Cuttino Mobley isn't very high and Donald Sterling refuses to trade Corey Maggette. The Clippers could make a move in this draft, but right now it looks like the Clip Ship is dead in the water. 15. Detroit selects Rodney Stuckey:
The Georgia Tech prospects continue to fall as Detroit opts for Stuckey over Crittenton and Young. Stuckey just seems like less of a project and like someone who could step in and get minutes from day 1. Also, drafting someone like Crittenton could rub Chauncey Billups the wrong way which is not what you want to do since he's a free agent. 16. Washington selects Tiago Splitter:
Antawn Jamison did wonders for his trade value in the playoffs but you'd have to think that the Wizards would like to see what they could do with a healthy Agent Zero, Butler, and Jamison together. Lord knows that the Bobcats would probably offer the #8 for UNC grad Jamison but the Wiz won't bite. They might opt to move down if it means dumping Brendan Haywood buby for now, we'll tab the Brazilian defensive stopper Tiago Splitter as the pick. 17. New Jersey selects Jason Smith:
The Nets need to figure out what's going on with Vince Carter ASAP because it affects what they do here. If they are rebuilding, then Thad Young is the obvious choice. If they are making a run, an upperclassman big man makes more sense. 18. Golden St. selects Josh McRoberts:
This could be the best place for McRoberts to land. He is an athlete with a ton of skills but he struggled in Duke's system. What better place to take advantage of his abilities than the up-and-down frenetic Golden St. system? 19. LA Lakers selects Sean Williams:
Kobe might go ballistic if they took Thad Young, another guy who is years away from helping out a playoff team. Sean Williams, on the other hand, fills a need. When you are relying on Kwame Brown to be your interior defender, things aren't going to go well. Williams is a pothead but he's a pothead who can play amazing defense so the Lakers will gamble on him. If he can stay clean, Williams could make up one hell of a frontcourt alongside Andrew Bynum. 20. Houston via Miami selects Javarris Crittenton:
The Houston re-boot continues with the Rockets dealing Bonzi Wells and Juwan Howard to Miami for Jason Williams and the 20th pick. The choice comes between Crittenton and Thaddeus Young but, in the end, the Rockets opt for the point guard prospect over the swingman. 21. Denver via Philadelphia selects Derrick Byars:
Denver gets their pick back from Philly in a deal of Reggie Evans and JR Smith for Kevin Ollie and the #21 pick. Ollie is an expiring deal which helps get rid of the three more years left on Evans's deal. J.R. Smith came on last season but he ended up getting benched in the playoffs which hurts his trade stock. The Nuggets opt for Byars, a good shooter and a much better defende than Smith. 22. Phoenix via Charlotte selects Alando Tucker:
Tucker is the best pick to be able to step in and play for a veteran team. 23. New York selects Thaddeus Young:
Isiah might have traded a lotto pick but he ends up with a lotto talent falling into this lap. 24. Phoenix selects Marco Belinelli:
Hopefully, they can convince the Italian sharpshooter to stay overseas for a year while they sort out their financial issues. 25. Utah selects Rudy Fernandez :
Personally, I think they needed to use Ronnie Brewer more this year but Fernandez is a good talent and possibly the best fit for the Jazz. 26. Houston selects Daequan Cook:
Another project but another talent for the Rockets who walk out of the draft with Jianlian, Cook, and Crittenton. 27. Detroit selects Brandon Rush:
The best player available. 28. San Antonio selects Morris Almond:
A shooter off the bench, I mean, Bones Barry can't last forever can he? 29. Phoenix selects Marcus Williams:
A problem child but he could be worth the risk because of his talent. Just the type of player that Steve Nash can help look great. 30. Philadelphia selects Big Baby Glen Davis:
If just for the Barkley comparisons.
