THE OFFICIAL: Who Are We Gonna Draft With Our Lottery Pick(s)? thread

[Gee!]

Since this season looks its a wrap, I'm curious about potential draft pick(s) we could go after, and if any of you know anything about Euro players. Come on ya'll time to show your b-ball knowledge.


I know there is some Euro center out there (forgot his name) that is suppose to be a stud. Any help with his name/abilities?

 

[newfan101]

I think right now the question should be: will they have 2 picks, or will they trade one? And if they do trade one, will it be:

a) to get rid of Googs salary in order to get below the luxury tax threshold this year. OR

b) to get rid of Eisley or White's contract in order to get far enough below the cap to go after a max contract in free agency next year.

And as a follow up, will any team take on that salary (ie: Eisely or Jahidi White) before the trading deadline, will it take 1 or 2 picks, or will those picks be used to lure the Bobcats during expansion?

I can say that if the Suns use a 1st round pick JUST to get below the luxury tax this year, there will be some extremely angry Suns fans.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by newfan101
I think right now the question should be: will they have 2 picks, or will they trade one?

Actually, that should be "will they have 3 picks?"

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by newfan101
I think right now the question should be: will they have 2 picks, or will they trade one? And if they do trade one, will it be:

a) to get rid of Googs salary in order to get below the luxury tax threshold this year. OR

b) to get rid of Eisley or White's contract in order to get far enough below the cap to go after a max contract in free agency next year.

And as a follow up, will any team take on that salary (ie: Eisely or Jahidi White) before the trading deadline, will it take 1 or 2 picks, or will those picks be used to lure the Bobcats during expansion?

I can say that if the Suns use a 1st round pick JUST to get below the luxury tax this year, there will be some extremely angry Suns fans.

a) If the Suns want to a secondary salary dump, moving Dice makes more sense. He may have some market value to a team like Utah.

b) Getting rid of Eisley should be a major priority and will undoubtedly require a first. Eisley has a guarenteed $6.3 million in 2004/05 and $6.9 in 2005/06. The lower of the Suns/Knicks pick this summer and either the conditional Knicks pick or the Cavs pick might be required. (Getting the Bobcats to take Eisley in the expansion draft in exchange for a pick would be ideal).

3) Considering the PR disaster that would involve, I can't see it happening. They will need those firsts to get rid of Eisley. (White is more marketable and might actually be worth something to someone next summer).


That being said, there is no obvious franchise player in this year's draft. Here are most of them.

Updated November 24, 2003

By InsideHoops.com

1) Dwight Howard 6-10 225 PF Atlanta GA HS Sr.
2) Emeka Okafor 6-9 240 PF UConn Jr.
3) Pavel Podkolzine 7-5 300 C (Russia) 1985
4) Kosta Perovic 7-1 230 PF/C (Serbia-Montenegro) 1985
5) Tiago Splitter 7-0 235 PF (Brazil) 1985
6) Hakim Warrick 6-8 210 SF Syracuse Jr.
7) Ben Gordon 6-2 185 PG UConn Jr.
8 ) Andris Biedrins 7-0 240 PF/C (Latvia) 1986
9) Josh Smith 6-9 210 SF Smyrna, GA HS Sr.
10) Luol Deng 6-8 220 SF Duke Fr.
11) Paul Davis 6-11 255 PF/C Michigan St. So.
12) Raymond Felton 6-0 194 PG North Carolina So.
13) Roko-Leni Ukic 6-6 185 PG (Croatia) 1984
14) Ha Seung-Jin 7-3 300 C (South Korea) 1985
15) Rickey Paulding 6-5 200 SG Missouri Sr.

 

[newfan101]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Actually, that should be "will they have 3 picks?"

You're right. I failed to mention Clevelands pick.

 

[Mojo]

They should use one of their picks on Ben Gordon for some backcourt depth, he is a solid player.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I came across this interesting NBA mock draft link earlier today....Projected the Suns
drafting Ben Gordon at #7 and Robert Swift at #37....

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by KingLouieLouie
I came across this interesting NBA mock draft link earlier today....Projected the Suns
drafting Ben Gordon at #7 and Robert Swift at #37....

The Swift pick was sent to Orlando in the Harvey deal.

Gordon makes sense for one of the picks if the Suns can unload Eisley and cannot sign Milos Vujanic. If they get Vuljanic, it would not make any sense unless they can trade him.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by KingLouieLouie
I came across this interesting NBA mock draft link earlier today....Projected the Suns
drafting Ben Gordon at #7 and Robert Swift at #37....

Remember, though, nbadraft.net does NOT do their mock drafts according to team needs. Basically, it's two different lists in one--the order according to record (which makes us #7), and then the order of players by their own ratings. That's why it changes every week or so when they change.

Because anyone in their right mind would NOT draft Hakim Warrick for us at #8. If he was there, that Serbian center would probably be better.

I'd be really happy with a 7'+ center and Gordon in this draft.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Podkolzine is an Ilgauskas type center. Good enough to play here.

Hopefully Lampe will get some minutes so we will be able to guage his value.

 

[Chaplin]

Pavel is 7'5", 303. That's huge.

Then again, we had a guy that was like that (although a few inches shorter), and we shipped him to Memphis.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Chaplin


I'd be really happy with a 7'+ center and Gordon in this draft.

Me too talentwise but do we really need 3 young, 1st score PG's?

 

[George O'Brien]

The absence of an obvious #1 choice such as Yao or LeBron means that it might be possible to trade up. Howard is likely to get a lot of attention as this year's LeBron, but he is a small forward and might not meet everyone's needs. He would not play much for the Suns behind Marion and Carbakapa.

Personally, I like Okafor, but nbadraft.net ranks him only 5th. We won't really get a handle on the draft until at least May when the underclassmen declare their eligibility and the lottery is picked.

Most of the player profiles are out of date and contradictory (this is especially true with Europeans). For example, the nbadraft.net profile of Tiago Splitter (Brazil) says:

"Weaknesses: His body still very weak to play the PF position. He has problems defending stronger guys and playing post up on offense, has to improve his timing on rebounds and his patience on defense. His defense can improve a lot playing in Europe and his body will certainly develop."

But later it says:

"PHISYCAL CHARACTERISTICS: A very athletic player with well defined muscles, because of this he's physical both defensively and offensively. He is very quick running the floor on fast breaks. "

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
The Swift pick was sent to Orlando in the Harvey deal.

Gordon makes sense for one of the picks if the Suns can unload Eisley and cannot sign Milos Vujanic. If they get Vuljanic, it would not make any sense unless they can trade him.

True, I guess their information is outdated....

Originally posted by Chaplin
Remember, though, nbadraft.net does NOT do their mock drafts according to team needs. Basically, it's two different lists in one--the order according to record (which makes us #7), and then the order of players by their own ratings. That's why it changes every week or so when they change.

Because anyone in their right mind would NOT draft Hakim Warrick for us at #8. If he was there, that Serbian center would probably be better.

I'd be really happy with a 7'+ center and Gordon in this draft.

I must admit that I'm not too familiar with the current NCAA or the best international prospects.... What's the best NBA draft sites on the web?

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Pavel is 7'5", 303. That's huge.

Then again, we had a guy that was like that (although a few inches shorter), and we shipped him to Memphis.

But Pavel "wowed" everyone with his personel workout. I guess they havent seen anyone that big who could move so well.

Although that doesnt mean he can play ball, but atleast we know he shouldnt be a stiff.

If he is really that mobile, and the Suns think he could be a force rebounding & blocking shots. Then I could care less if he can dribble a basketball. I would trade up to get him...

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by hcsilla
Me too talentwise but do we really need 3 young, 1st score PG's?

If you wanna assume we get Milos over here, then I'm 100% for getting Andre Igoudala instead. He will be an electrifying shooting guard (or preferably Hassan Adams if he comes out).

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by BEERZ
But Pavel "wowed" everyone with his personel workout. I guess they havent seen anyone that big who could move so well.

Although that doesnt mean he can play ball, but atleast we know he shouldnt be a stiff.

If he is really that mobile, and the Suns think he could be a force rebounding & blocking shots. Then I could care less if he can dribble a basketball. I would trade up to get him...

The last I heard he was not doing that great in Italy, but that may have changed.

I'm guessing that Pavel will be given a lot more extensive testing this year than last. Last year he came to the Chicago camp and did a 30 minute workout. He did not visit a lot of teams and they got nervious so he dropped out of the draft.

Another guy that will be tested extensively is a HS kid from Korea,
Ha Seung-Jin. He is 7'3 305:

"Ha Sueng-Jin has Yao Ming like qualities, with enormous size, good dexterity and composure. His touch on his shot is good, making Ha another Asian bigman sensation. Plus he has the quickness and size to be a shot blocker and a defensive presence. Ha will be able to break new ground as the first Korean player to ever play in the NBA. Ha has stated that he will declare for the 2004 NBA draft. One very encouraging note is that Ha can play a game all the way through without getting winded. Which is impressive considering his age and enormous size. Possibly most astounding is that X-rays reveal that he is still growing!

On Jan 30th SFX group went to South Korea and tested Seung-jin's agility, ball-handling skills and shooting ability over two days. Seung-jin was given rave reviews by the group. Before the change in the NBA's International eligibility rule, Ha was not eligible for the 2003 NBA Draft. He planned to stay in South Korea for another year while he earned his high school degree. After which he would head to the the United States to train. No word on whether Ha's plans have changed due to the change in the rule, however it's likely that Ha will stay with the plan and train for the 2004 draft. If all goes well, Ha Seung-jin will be the first Korean to make it to the NBA. As a sophomore he led his high school team to a 22-0 record, averaging 27 points and 10 rebounds per game. He has led his team to four championship titles including one at the National Sports Festival in Cheju last November."

Both guys are huge gambles (no pun intended). Shawn Bradley was the second pick in the draft: taken ahead of Penny Hardawy and Jamal Mashburn. Van Excel lasted to the second round.http://www.sportsstats.com/jazzyj/greats/93/index.html

 

[Chaplin]

Remember guys, Zarko was not putting up good numbers at all in Europe before we drafted him, so it's not as good a gauge as we'd like.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Remember guys, Zarko was not putting up good numbers at all in Europe before we drafted him, so it's not as good a gauge as we'd like.

I do not quite understand all that's involved with the European game. I know that they use the international court with that weird lane that all but eliminates the kind of low post offense Americans are familiar with. I know that they permit full zones (no defensive 3 second rules, etc). I suspect that they call fouls more frequently than they do in the NBA, because none of the European big men come to the league comfortable with the physical style of play.

Divac and Sabonis were the only two centers I can think of that were relatively quick in adapting. Most are like Radoslav Nesterovic of the Spurs that did not do much his first three years. Takes time.

As for Carbakapa, I think the problem was his coach (widely reported as crazy). My impression is that he had an overly structured system that failed to take advantage of his players great talent (Aleksandar Pavlovic of the Jazz was also on his team). On their team, Pavlovic was supposed to take all the jump shots and Carbakapa was to drive the basket in spite of the fact that he is a very good shot.

Another weird aspect of European ball is that seniority is very important. Talented young players don't get very much playing time because there are senior players ahead of them. To a degree, it seems as if some teams prefer to hide their younger players from the NBA. Once they are sure the guys are good, they sign them to contracts with big buyout clauses before the NBA can get at them.

Anybody in Europe tell me if I've got this all wrong?

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Chaplin
If you wanna assume we get Milos over here.

Yes, I want, sooner or later (which means this summer or next) he will sign here.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by hcsilla
Yes, I want, sooner or later (which means this summer or next) he will sign here.

I'm perfectly happy with him staying in Europe for a little while. Barbosa needs the minutes right now and Milo can continue playing a lot. It's like having a guy in the minor leagues.

Once Eisley is dealt, then they should work out a deal.