Deng and Livingston in the draft

[slinslin]

No official announcement yet but from what I heard both will make it official this week.

That's two top7 picks although I am not fond of Deng.

 

[sunsfn]

That will help the suns if they end up with the 7th pick.

Maybe they will take a chance on Biedrins or the BPA.

 

[George O'Brien]

That will help the suns if they end up with the 7th pick.

Maybe they will take a chance on Biedrins or the BPA.

I agree. Chad Ford on another thread said that Chicago would probably take Deng if they can't get Okafor. There has been speculation that the Bobcats are considering Livingston with the #4 pick. My guess is that the Clippers will take Gordon or possibly Harris with the #6 pick.

I am guessing that whoever drafts Dwight Howard will trade him for veteran players. Chicago and Washington have not had great luck with HS big men, the Clippers need a guard, and Orlando might take Howard, but they risk losing McGrady if Howard needs a year or so become effective. Atlanta needs players who can play right away, but would be forced to take their local guy.

My guess is that there is about an 80% likelyhood that Biedrins will be available at #7. It will take a lot more evaluation to determine if he is BPA at that position.

 

[Chaplin]

It's entirely possible that all the Euros might still be on the board by #7. Which is quite interesting.

 

[George O'Brien]

It's entirely possible that all the Euros might still be on the board by #7. Which is quite interesting.

I think the chances are very high, especially since the top guys are big men. The three big Euros from this last draft did not make a big splash: Darko, Zarko, and Lampe although each for different reasons.

Two of the five teams do not have recent experience with drafting foreign players and Orlando's pick was not an impact player. I'm not sure their experience will scare them off, but it may make them lean toward US players.

Chicago - None

Washington - None

Orlando
- Drafted Zaza Pachulia the 42nd pick

Atlanta:
- Drafted Boris Diaw 21st pick
- Traded for Zeljko Rebraca (3rd year man)

Clippers:
- Drafted Marko Jaric 30th pick in 2000 draft
- Traded for Predrag Drobnjak (3rd year man)

The one thing about having D'Antoni is that he is used to coaching players with language issues.

 

[slinslin]

Chicago drafted Daligbor Bagaric.

Toni Kukoc? Luc Longley?

 

[George O'Brien]

Chicago drafted Daligbor Bagaric.

Toni Kukoc? Luc Longley?

I was thinking in terms of the current regime. Kukoc left after 1999-2000.
I doubt there is anyone in the Bulls management from that period and certainly none from 1993 when Kukoc joined the team.

My point is that dealing with young players is hard, but guys who don't know the language is harder. This may scare off teams that are despirate for instant results.