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NBA Draft Chat

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UPDATE: The Lakers took Joe Crawford, a guard out of Kentucky. He’s 6-4, 210 and described as a bit of a tweener. Last season was his senior year at Kentucky and he took 32% of the team’s shots when he was on the floor, still shooting a nice 54% eFG% and a more average 36% from three. Apparently he had a pretty good pre-draft camp in Orlando. Here is what caught my eye from the Draft Express profile: “Crawford’s spot-up jump shot has very good form, boasting a fairly deliberate release (but not in a bad way), with near textbook mechanics and a high and consistent release point.” Now, they go on to dismiss his pull up jumper, but you can at least see what the Lakers front office is thinking — can this guy become a spot up shooter in the triangle? Maybe, not a bad risk at 58.

Like we said before, he will likely be fighting Coby Karl and some free agents on the Summer League team for a roster spot.

—————–

It’s going to be interesting tonight, it looks like a lot of movement on the board. This thread is up to talk draft as the picks go on, and any moves made today (sounds like the Clippers really want Bayless, and he’d be a good fit for them).

While we’re talking, there will be plenty of really interesting stuff on the Web today. Maybe the person most on top of it is Matt at Blog-a-Bull, and I would be too if my team were about to pick Rose. If you are looking for updates on trade rumors throughout the day, that is a great place to start.

If you want more analysis, friend of the site Kevin Pelton has an interesting statistical breakdown of the incoming class, including a discussion of why it is harder to predict point guards than any other position.

In part, this might be because rookie performance tends to be less meaningful for point guards. If you followed the 2005 link, you saw I was way down on Deron Williams. Lo and behold, Williams did struggle as a rookie, but that hasn’t stopped him from developing into an elite player. In the case of a player like Rose, a relatively low rating is not exactly encouraging, but not entirely damning either.

Another place worth checking out tonight is Deadspin, where Bethlehem Shoals (the blogger we all wish we were) will be live blogging the draft, and getting a little weepy about Will.

If the Lakers are going to do anything, it likely will be some sort of cash deal to move up and get one of Seattle or Portland’s many second round picks. Apparently, the Lakers have their eye on George Hill. Pelton had an interesting comment about him as well:

Hill is an interesting second-round prospect. The numbers suggest he should be able to hold his own at the point while providing offense off the bench. If Eddie House can play point guard in the NBA Finals, there’s a spot in the league for Hill.

We’ll be posting updates if the Lakers make any moves today, and we’ll be talking about who is hiding out in the green room as he plummets down the draft board.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. CTDeLude says

    Wow, that strikes me as a strange move. Although Yi will probably have better exposure as Chinese in NJ then Mlk.

  3. Goo says

    They were really clamoring for some cap space..this deal saved them $10 mil yearly plus the Simmons contract that expires in 2010 when you-know-who becomes an FA…in any case, a Kwame Brown-type expiring contract probably would have gotten Richard Jefferson if someone was willing to pay that contract

  5. The Dude Abides says

    Which just goes to show that the Lakers could have had Jefferson and NJ’s #10 for Lamar, and decided to pass on the deal and stick with Lamar at SF. Oh well. Maybe Lamar will be able to guard Pierce in the 2009 Finals, and maybe not. Because if both the Lakers and Celtics are reasonably healthy next season, they’re playing in the Finals again.

  6. TCO says

    There’s the marketing impact that Yi would bring as well if he is to bloom there. That, combined with the expiring deal for 2010 make it a pretty good deal for the Nets.

    I however, am impressed by Sam Presti again, in moviding down just 3 spots while getting a proptected Clipper 1st, which is bound to be good, whether next year or the year after.

  7. ryan says

    6. I don’t get the deal from the clippers standpoint. Did they want Gordon that badly. Its possible that he would have been there at 7 anyways. I am not sold on Gordon having a great NBA career. Reminds of Stevie Franchise.

  8. Kurt says

    7. I keep reading the Clippers are more interested in Mayo or Bayless, and one of those will be there at four but maybe not at 7 (Mayo certainly not). Bayless can penetrate and that would be good for the Clips, although both he and Gordon are not great passers and the Clips really need a distributor.

  9. ryan says

    Kurt. Yeah I guess Bayless makes more sense than Gordon for the clippers. Mayo is who I think they are interested in but he won’t be there even at 4. Maybe minny wouldn’t trade the 3rd pick.

  11. TCO says

    Lately, at least according to Chad Ford, it seems taht the Clips and others (see Grizzlies) are becoming enamored with Gordon.

    I dont see why the Clips made the trade either. Even if the Grizzlies took Gordon, which isnt heavily likely, the Clips could have had an offer from Charlotte to move down to 9 so that the Bobcats could nab Love. Still, as seeing the Knicks are likely to take Gallinari, and considering that Alexander’s and Westbrook’s stock has been shooting higher up than Gordon and Bayless, I still do not see this from the Clippers POV.

  12. TCO says

    Sorry to double post but, the reports note that the deal is contingent upon whoever ends up at 3 taking Mayo. Seattle would take Mayo at 4 if available.

  13. Ben says

    Honestly, I dont think it matters all that much who we draft, because the 58th draft pick is probably not going to play much anyways. What the Lakers need to do, is to focus on getting a young, Deron WIlliams like PG. The last thing we need is another big man. We already have Pau, Bynum, Ronnie (maybe), Mihm, and if necessary, Lamar. We aren’t going to get much talent in the draft, so we should just pick the best we can and focus on getting a young, energetic PG.

    RE Pau
    What are we going to do about Pau? No disrespect to the big man, but he needs to seriously step it up. He has to stop settling, and drive to the basket. He is not an aggressive player on either end, so players like KG are able to drive on him and shut him down in the paint all game long. Essentially, he is just a really tall SF. The problem with this is, that he isn’t fast enough to play SF. He is not aggressive enough for center, and as a PF he would not be able to guard people like Paul Pierce or KG. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

    RE Bynum
    Despite all of what i just said about Pau, I love him, and with Bynum as his partner in crime i think they are going to be a force to be reckoned with. This is how i think the lineup is going to work. PG Derek Fisher, SG Kobe, C Bynum, PF Pau, SF Lamar. I think that Bynum and Pau should just park it on both low posts, and just keep flashing trying to lose their defenders.

  14. Craig W. says

    The lessons of the past never seem to be learned with the passing of time. Haven’t the Clippers learned about the local product who might draw some seats for the 1st year of his employment, but not be able to stick in the NBA? Compare what basketball insiders were thinking about OJ Mayo at the conclusion of USC’s season with what they are saying now. He has gone from a 1st rounder – probably – to a top 5 pick. Hey people! He hasn’t played any games between the end of the season and today – he hasn’t learned any new lessons. Get back to me in two years and let’s compare notes about OJ Mayo.

  15. Kurt says

    The more I think about this for the Clips, the less sense it makes. Is the difference between Gordon/Bayless/Westbrook so great that you would give up what will likely be a mid first rounder next year (that pick would have to be lottery protected, I would think).

    And Gordon may be the guy for the Clips, but again it is a guy who can shoot well but is not a great passer. Is that what they need?

  16. ryan says

    According to Travis Heath at hoopsworld. Clippers if they get the #4 pick are looking to trade with Miami for the #2 and Marion. Love that trade for Miami, but not sure if there is any truth to it, his reporting on this issue didn’t really make any sense because he said that Miami would get Brand and possibly Mayo, but Mayo if Mayo is still available at 4 the first trade will (with Seattle) will not happen. Should be an interesting night though with trades.

  17. Jonathan says

    I would of liked Richard Jefferson but I cant see any way Lakers move into the first round. One our roster is fairly stacked and two the Lakers do no want another guaranteed contract, which all first rounders get.

  18. TCO says

    The way Bayless would have slid, considering the Sonics were closer to taking Westbrook had the trade not been done, Bayless should have been available at 7 as well for Miami to take had they swapped the 7 and Brand for 2 and Marion.

  20. paydawg says

    I’ll never understand the Clippers moves. Other than getting Brand from Chicago years ago, their moves have been horrible. For all I know, the clips have just traded up to draft Augustine b/c he’s a true PG. j/k

    In all seriousness, the clips are probably looking for someone to replace Maggette – which means they’re looking at Gordon. If that’s the case, then look for Maggette to be shipped out this summer for a PG.

  23. nomuskles says

    buen dia from Argentina. I have no idea what’s going on back home and haven’t even read the post for this thread but I thought I’d stop by and say hello. Warren and pato aren’t the only ones who can post from a foreign country. Burn! 😉 being on vacation helps remove the taste of losing in the finals rather nicely. Hopefully the draft goes well.

  24. Kurt says

    What the heck is going on in London? Sharapova, out. Roddick, out, Djokovic, out. This is a lot of upsets.

  25. Craig W. says

    Sharapova was really playing poorly. She has been getting worse since she started at Wimbledon.

  27. The Dude Abides says

    Kurt, Blake and Davydenko are out too, and if Ivanovic hadn’t gotten the luckiest net cord ever to go her way when she was match point down, she would have been out as well.

    Karl, I would have preferred having RJ and one of NJ’s two first rounders over Lamar. I think he matches up with Pierce a little better, and spreads the court a little better. Lamar is obviously a much better rebounder.

  28. Bill Bridges says

    If Roddick were a hoop player, he would have been Chris Washburn. I saw the match and by the end was rooting for the other guy (name ends in ic I think) . Roddick has no tennis IQ. Continued to hit his inside out forhands and getting passed by the backhand down the line. I mean if the high pick and roll is killing you every single play, you might want to switch up your defense, no?

  29. Craig W. says

    Karl,
    Remember, the grass is always greener over there – mostly because you don’t have to water it until it belongs to you.

  30. Samy says

    # 26… the grass is always greener on the other side right? Idiots.

    What picks did we give to memphis for el senor?

  31. Kurt says

    27. I watched that match in the morning and was rooting for Dechy, she was really outplaying Ivanovic and just didn’t get any breaks.

    I was trying to think of what NBA team compares to Safin, the guy who has the talent to beat anyone on any given day (including Roger) but rarely can keep it together that long. Maybe Golden State?

  34. Darius says

    If Tennis players were hoop teams, hmmmm….

    Roddick = Denver (big name, all potential, no results)
    Safin = Warriors (what Kurt said)
    Federer = Spurs (so obvious)
    Nadal = Lakers (all around game, the future star)
    Djokovic = Detroit (tough but quirky, likes to talk a little too much)

  35. ryan says

    Miami will be calling Chicago about Heinrich because they desoerately need a PG. But I don’t know what they have to offer. Something built around Haslem?

  36. Kurt says

    Minny goes for the best player available, always a smart move. Were they really going to take Brook Lopez over Mayo?

  38. Kurt says

    So on the tennis comparison, does Davydenko = Dallas? Very good but never really considered an elite guy that is a threat at the majors.

  39. Kurt says

    By the way, Draft Express nailed the first six in their mock draft, and I think they get at least the first seven, Those guys are good.

  41. Craig W. says

    I bet Charlotte is celebrating. Now they have their center and can move O to forward.

  43. Craig W. says

    Oooooh! Charlotte selects a very small guard. MJ is continuing his poor reputation as GM.

  46. Kurt says

    Raymond Felton is not all that, but I think Craig W, is right, Bobcats could have taken Brook, moved O to power forward and had a nice front court. Their PG was not the big problem there, was it?

  48. Kurt says

    That Bayless pick ripped the hearts out of Sacramento fans. I know Ziller and others were praying Bayless would fall to them.

  49. Darius says

    Obie is just going to let those guys loose and run it. Ford, Bayless, Granger, Dunleavy…they’re going to be bombing from the 3 point line too. They’re not scary by any means, but they definitely have a style that they’re going to play.

  50. Kurt says

    Rush to Portland, another case of best player on the board but really does not fit a need. Still, can you have too many guys who can shoot the ball? No.

  51. Darius says

    Portland is continuing that anti-jailBlazer mentality with Rush; a good kid with good character. I really like him too. An all around player that you team with Roy, Aldridge, and Oden? That’s a good young team right there. And knowing how Pritchard works, Portland’s not doing working the phones in trying to improve the Blazers.

  54. RHYbread says

    I think more importantly, OJ Mayo was by far the best dressed. I’m sorta sad there was no Noah this year, shoulda been Beasley but the fear of Riley was probably too great.

  56. Darius says

    Lopez has stolen Varejao’s entire persona. He’s got the look and the game. He just needs to wear a headband when he plays. People are going to think Varejao got traded to Phoenix.

  58. Kurt says

    ohhh, that trade that brings Bayless to Portland is a good one for them. They just keep making smart moves, and Diagu off the bench will be nice.

  60. aB says

    I’m interested in what Portland, Seattle, Memphis, Miami, and Chicago are going to do in the coming weeks…….they are the teams with the highest amt of chips.

    Especially Portland…..since we’ll be competing with them for the next decade.

  62. Darius says

    They got Diogu too? I really like Big Ike. He’s been stuck on teams that play styles that don’t utilize his skills. He’s a low post guy with a pretty good face up game and he had to play for Nellie on the Warriors and O’brien with the Pacers….not exactly guys that want big men that do more than set screens for Guards. I know Portland is still young, but now they’ve got a PG they wanted, gotten another PF and they still have their core of guys from last year, minus Jarret Jack (who I like, but is really a back-up) and are adding Oden. They’re going to be tough…

  63. robinred says

    Which just goes to show that the Lakers could have had Jefferson and NJ’s #10 for Lamar, and decided to pass on the deal and stick with Lamar at SF.

    ***

    I think they should have gotten Jefferson.

  64. busterjonez says

    Cavs have CDR if they want him. Oh dear, he would be a terror with LeBron…

  65. aB says

    I agree #62 and #63:

    Ike is going to be a good player for Portland. Man, they are really going to be a great team! Plus, we always have trouble playing there……..

    Surprised Cavs didn’t get CDR. I think he is a sleeper pick.

  66. Kurt says

    63. Let the Jefferson thing go, people. We do not know that the Nets would have made that move with the Lakers (even if it made sense for them). Stop trying to match up with Pierce people, there are 28 other teams to deal with as well.

  67. Dany says

    would love to see Mbah a Moute slip to the Lakers. Can never go wrong with a big who is a defense-first guy.

  68. Darius says

    The Nets look like they’re stacking big men. They’ve got Kristic, Sean Williams, Boone, Yi, and just drafted Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson. That’s a lot of size. They compliment each other well and they’re young too. When you add that to Devin Harris, Marcus Williams and Vince Carter (though you gotta think they’d explore their options with him just like Jefferson) and they’ve totally changed their team from an old team that’s also up over the cap, to a young team with good size and one of the better young PG’s in the league. I give it up to Rod Thorn…

  70. The Dude Abides says

    OMG, the Rockets just selected Batum. He was supposed to go to the Spurs, who might just take Darrell Arthur of Kansas, who is still on the board as a 6-9 PF. If I’m Buford/Pop, I take Arthur.

  71. The Dude Abides says

    Of course, the Spurs could also take CDR, as apparently Arthur has a kidney abnormality. The Spurs do have a history in the kidney abnormality department, but still won the 1999 title with the guy.

  74. chibi says

    I read that the Spurs were open to trading their pick, but this does fill a need for them, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them keep it. I wonder if there’s any reason for the Lakers to acquire another pick now, with George Hill off the board.

  75. robinred says

    66-

    I just said I think they should have gotten him, as I said a few days ago. I think he completes the team better than Odom does, but we shall see. It is not about Pierce. I think Jefferson would have helped against everybody.

    And as I have said, I have high hopes for Ariza

    You are right in that we do not know if Thorn triggers on it for Odom.

  76. The Dude Abides says

    Wow…I was totally off on the Spurs, as was every prognosticator. I guess George Hill won’t be going to the Lakers in a trade, LOL. I think Memphis is going to take either CDR or Arthur, depending on which player NO selects for Portland.

  77. Kurt says

    I find it hard to believe that Douglas-Roberts has fallen this far. Again, can you have too many guys who can flat out score?

    Damn Spurs.

  78. aB says

    This is a pretty boring draft. We need Warren to be a GM……he would be very active on the trade front! 🙂

  79. lakergirl says

    I feel so bad for Arthur…Now they are saying he has a kidney issue. If the NBA knew that why did they invite him to the green room…

  80. The Dude Abides says

    I’m really impressed with Portland’s drafts over the past three years. Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless, and now Arthur. Wow, a young three-person backcourt of Roy, Bayless, and Fernandez. That’s scary.

  81. CTDeLude says

    Well, now the NBA just needs to get to round 2 and there 2 minutes 30 seconds between picks time limit!

  82. busterjonez says

    Arthur finally goes. I don’t see how NO can possibly trade him for cash. What a deal…

    How many players has Paul Allen just ought right bought? I know that the Suns sold him at least one pick too.

  83. The Dude Abides says

    CDR is now tailor-made to stay in Memphis. That will be a talented and young backcourt. Looking at the Memphis rotation of first and second-year guys, they will have Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, Conley, Critt, and Lowry. If they get CDR too, that’s a number of players who can take it to the hole.

    Edit-Donte Green it is….but don’t they already have two guys with similar styles in Rudy Gay and Hakeem Warrick? I’m glad Chris Wallace is a lousy GM.

  84. The Dude Abides says

    I can’t get over the stupidity of the Donte Greene pick. I guess Chris Wallace wanted another slender, offensive-minded 6-9 guy. For Memphis’ sake, I hope they trade Warrick or Greene.

  85. kwame a. says

    Man, when this draft is said and done CDR will be remembered as one of the 5 best players…and now he can go to Detroit or Boston.

  88. The Dude Abides says

    Wow…CDR just fell into Boston’s lap. Ugh. I hope Ainge doesn’t take him. Isn’t there some Euro Boston can take and stash for a couple years?

  90. The Great Googly Moogly says

    Boy this is one boring draft. Why is it so boring this year?? Is it b/c the Lakers aren’t in it?

  93. The Dude Abides says

    Wow…I guess they think the Big 3 will keep Giddens in line. Look at these three who didn’t make the first round: CDR, Chalmers, and DeAndre Jordan.

  97. busterjonez says

    What is the max that a player can be traded for?

    I read 3 million somewhere, but that seems so small relative to the worth of a pick…

  100. The Dude Abides says

    Portland is going to be nasty next season. Athletes in the backcourt, nasty powerful guys in the frontcourt. Ugh.

  101. aB says

    The problem Portland is going to have is that they have too many players……..something is brewing. But, got to give them credit……they do pick well.

  102. CTDeLude says

    Isn’t that Portland pick going to the Rockets?

    And don’t worry about Portland. They’re VERY young. That team will take a LOT of time to get anywhere ESPECIALLY because the loads of big man they have take longer to develop then smaller players.

  103. aB says

    Great idea Kurt. If the Lakers can get CDR that would be a steal. However, I feel that since we have the 58th pick….Mitch is probably taking his time getting to the office. He’s probably still stuck on the 405.

  104. The Dude Abides says

    I wonder if the Randy Foye experiment is over in Minny. They now have Jaric, Foye, Telfair, and Chalmers at PG. Someone gets traded, as Mayo can also handle the ball and they also have McCants and the Florida wing guy.

  107. Bernie says

    Here comes Portland grabbing CDR and stocking up even more. Doesn’t it seem like forever that Zach Randoph, Damon Stodamire, JR Rider, and Darius Miles were running that team.

  109. The Dude Abides says

    I’d rather have the Lakers pick up Dorsey over CDR. We could use some nastiness on the block.

  111. The Dude Abides says

    …and when I say Dorsey, I’m referring to picking him up in a trade. Portland might have too many players to keep him.

  114. The Dude Abides says

    Well, Portland is going to stash Asik. That guy is supposed to be pretty good, but he signed a big contract in Turkey.

  115. The Dude Abides says

    CDR keeps dropping. The Bulls pick next, and they need size in the backcourt. I can’t see them passing him up.

  117. Paydawg says

    Portland just pulled an Arvydas Sabonis with that Asik pick. Nice

    Chicago should pick CDR to team up with Rose.

  118. The Dude Abides says

    Well, there goes Minny’s stacked backcourt. ESPN says they chose Chalmers for the Miami Heat.

  122. The Dude Abides says

    I’ll tell you who I think are the two best for the Lakers still on the board: Nathan Jawai, PF from Australia, 6-10 275…and Jamont Gordon, SG/PG from Mississippi St, 6-5 210, a Rodney Stuckey type. He’s not a traditional point, so would fit in well in the triangle. And Jawai might be another Ronny-type player. We can always use size AND toughness.

  126. The Dude Abides says

    I love how Bilas makes fun of his ESPN colleagues. First, he said Paxson was traumatized in college by having to play for Digger Phelps, then he says it was unfortunate that Patrick Ewing Jr’s father didn’t have good coaching in the NBA.

  129. UCR Mike says

    I hope we go with Richard Hendrix just so we can be reminded a million times that he’s not related to Jimmy.

  131. The Dude Abides says

    Well, we still have a chance for J. Gordon. Hardin just went at #49 to Seattle.

  136. Paydawg says

    Lorenzo Mata-Real is still available. Lakers should go for him. J/K. But I do think they should take a look at Josh Duncan from Xavier.

  137. The Dude Abides says

    I like Portland’s moves a lot more than Seattle’s over the past few years. Four of those benchwarming bigs are Sene, Petro, Swift, and now Hardin. Stockpiling young, tall, raw, unskilled PF/C are not how you get better as a team.

  138. The Dude Abides says

    Lakers could pick up Mata-Real in the summer league. No reason to waste a pick on him.

  139. The Dude Abides says

    Only the Sonics and Spurs stand in the way of the Lakers picking the franchise-changing Jamont Gordon 😉

  147. The Dude Abides says

    Well, we got someone who plays like Gordon, anyway. Joe Crawford, come on down!

  150. Mico says

    haha i can’t believe this, people are now saying we’re coming out and officially picking up refs as a part of our team.

  151. The Dude Abides says

    Wow…I missed Seattle picking YET ANOTHER 7-footer with no offensive game–Sasha Kaun, who will play in Russia for a few years.

  152. The Dude Abides says

    Clippers had a good draft: Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, and they got Portland’s 55th pick, PG Mike Taylor.

  154. lakeshow says

    does anyone have the skinny on joe crawford? Could he be a sleeper like Ginobli or will he barely make the team?

  155. Bernie says

    According to Chad Ford

    “Crawford is a bit of a tweener as a combo guard. He played well in Orlando but I doubt he sticks in the league.”

    I guess there’s no where to go but up after that.

  156. The Dude Abides says

    I guess Portland isn’t keeping Darrell Arthur, either. They made a trade for Nicolas Batum, whom Houston selected at #25 (right before the Spurs, who wanted Batum). Arthur and Joey Dorsey will go to Houston. That’s four solid PFs for the Rockets in Scola, Landry, Arthur, and Dorsey. Interesting. Meanwhile, Batum can improve in France for a couple years.

  158. DTC says

    Man, I was hoping the Lakers would pull a maneuver like the one they used to turn a late 2nd round pick into Mo Evans… But Mitch has drafted pretty decently in the past, so I’m not going to start doubting him.

    (I was mad initially at the Walton, Bynum, and Farmar picks, and loved the Brian Cook and Kareem Rush picks, so that should probably disqualify me from ever questioning picks again)

  159. The Dude Abides says

    Wow…Minny just traded Mayo, Jaric, Antoine Walker to Memphis for Love, Mike Miller, and Jason Collins. I might have missed a couple minor pieces.

  161. Kurt says

    Just added this to the post but I’ll put it here too:

    The Lakers took Joe Crawford, a guard out of Kentucky. He’s 6-4, 210 and described as a bit of a tweener. Last season was his senior year at Kentucky and he took 32% of the team’s shots when he was on the floor, still shooting a nice 54% eFG% and a more average 36% from three. Apparently he had a pretty good pre-draft camp in Orlando. Here is what caught my eye from the Draft Express profile: “Crawford’s spot-up jump shot has very good form, boasting a fairly deliberate release (but not in a bad way), with near textbook mechanics and a high and consistent release point.” Now, they go on to dismiss his pull up jumper, but you can at least see what the Lakers front office is thinking — can this guy become a spot up shooter in the triangle? Maybe, not a bad risk at 58.

  162. Bernie says

    Actually not a bad trade for Minny with a line up of Foye, McCants, Miller, Love, and Jefferson with Gomes and Brewer coming off the bench. Who knows what Memphis is doing with all their guards with Mayo, Jaric, Critt, Lowry, and Conley.

  163. The Dude Abides says

    I can’t believe this trade from the Memphis standpoint. They’ve been desperately trying to get out of Brian Cardinal’s bad contract (2 yrs left at $6mm/yr), but Walker is making over $8mm/yr, and has 3 yrs left. Jason Collings makes $6mm/yr and has one year left, and Memphis is taking back Jaric at the same salary as Collins, but he has three years left on his contract. Is Chris Wallace smoking crack? Memphis doesn’t need another PG. I can only think he is stockpiling for another trade. I mean, is Mayo that much better than Love?

  164. The Dude Abides says

    Memphis also gets Greg Buckner ($4mm/yr for three yrs) from Minny. I cannot believe this. Mike Miller has two years at ~$8.5mm/yr on his contract…apparently Chris Wallace believes getting Mayo instead of Love is worth trading Mike Miller for Antoine Walker. This is one of the biggest fleece jobs I’ve ever seen, considering all the crappy salaries Memphis is taking on. This is almost as bad as Robert Parish and Kevin McHale for Joe Barry Carroll.

  165. robz says

    Expect memphis to move some of their young guards soon – probably conley, as he was rumored as being shopped so the grizz could move up to the 2 spot in the draft. Jaric can move over to the 2 spot, maybe. As far as I can recall, Crittenton didn’t play as a pure point either, he was a bit of a scoring combo guard as well. They may be looking to play crittenton + mayo in the backcourt, then gay, warrick, and milicic in the front. That’s an athletic young team – if they can get a proven scorer in exchange for conley or lowry they would be in good shape for the future, especially now that they’re out from under Cardinal’s absurd contract.

    Or, and this is the pessimist in me speaking, the ownership is trying to sell the team – packaging star power (Mayo) with cheap salary figure that the Grizz are at currently would be enticing for a group looking to buy a franchise. Wasn’t this the prevailing wisdom with the Gasol trade? Now they cut more salary with the Cardinal move, and bring in a megastar persona in Mayo who could sell tickets…

  166. chocomm says

    Poor Adriana Lima..
    First Minnesota, and next Memphis? Can’t her man come play in a big city? He was on the Clippers after all.

  168. The Dude Abides says

    OK, I just read on ESPN.com that both Walker’s and Buckner’s contracts are not guaranteed beyond this season. I’m assuming “this season” means the 2008-09 season. Basically, this trade is Mayo for Love and Miller. I still think it’s an excellent trade for Minny.

  169. Warren Wee Lim says

    Thanks for the love aB 🙂 Though I’m not sure what I could have done in these situations. If Buss opened his paycheck then sure I could Presti-cize the #58 and turned him into something more relevant than picking a guy sounding like a Duncan-hater ref. LOL.

    Seriously, DeAndre Jordan fell that deep?

  170. 81 Witness says

    LOL at Memphis, Wallace replaces Zeke as GM of the year. I’m wondering if they judge the GM of the year on calendar or NBA season. After giftwrapping Pau for us, now this.

    I feel really bad for Grizzly fans.

    Wish the Lakers would have picked Nelson from Duke cause he’s a better defender and more athletic than Crawford. Coach K makes athleticism illegal at Duke. It’s so bad, I heard Gerald Henderson almost transferred.

  171. anoni says

    If Mayo becomes a star, it might just be worth it.

    Don’t blame this all on Wallace. Didn’t the Grizz owner say something about being more hands-on? (Not that he wasn’t already)

  173. VIncent C. says

    *Flame suit on…*

    Not to knock on our beloved GM, Cupcakes… (he’s only redeemed himself this year…) what i don’t understand is how other GMs out there can pull trades off via “cash considerations” and we’re stuck with the 58th pick of the draft… over the last two years, portland has been firing trades after trades on draft days… even boston got really decent players and we’re stuck with Joe Crawford? Douglas roberts fell to 40TH pick!!! come on guys, we gotta be active on draft nights…

    on the side note, both pacers and nets came out winners…

  174. the other Stephen says

    well, one mr. james jones is on the free agent market. now what was i saying?

  175. Kurt says

    173. God, I hope that was supposed to be sarcastic, otherwise you may win the prize for most foolish comment in the history of this blog. You’re right, I have no idea why Mitch would have traded the 28th pick this year to get Gasol when we could have had some project swingman out of Syracuse. I have no idea why he didn’t throw some of Mr. Buss’s cash away to better fill that very last spot on the bench.

    It’s not like he gone and assembled one of the youngest rosters in the league that still made it to the NBA finals this year. Oh, wait…..

  176. The Dude Abides says

    Poor Darrell Arthur got traded again, this time from Houston to Memphis for Donte Greene. I guess I judged Chris Wallace prematurely…Arthur is more of a PF than Greene. Anyway, Arthur got picked by NO for Portland, (trade #1), who traded him to Houston for Batum (trade #2), who traded him to Memphis (trade #3). I guess the encouraging news for the Lakers to take away from this draft so far are Boston stockpiling Tony Allen clones and the lack of improvement for the Spurs, Jazz, Hornets, and Suns. I don’t see any significant help for the Spurs (backup PG Hill) or Jazz (backup PF/C Koufos) tonight, and the Suns are busy detonating what was left of their identity (Robin Lopez?). Portland looks pretty scary, though.

  177. chibi says

    All of Pritchard’s wheeling and dealing will amount to sound and fury, signifying nothing. They have a ton of young talent, but how are they supposed to develop when there aren’t enough minutes for them to share?

    Sometimes the best move is no move.

  178. cahuitero says

    176. As a fan I would have liked the Lakers to do something spectacular. But the reality is they don’t need to. If they really like a player, they have proven they have the creativity and willingness to spend to get that player. There was no sound or fury for the Lakers this draft but it may all make sense starting in September.

  179. The Dude Abides says

    Actually, Portland’s pick of Bayless means that they will have an eventual starting backcourt of Roy and Bayless, two guys who can get to the rim and finish, drive and dish, and hit pullup jump shots. Because Roy handles the ball so well, Portland didn’t need a traditional pass-first PG. Bayless is better than Jack. Also, Diogu is a better player than he’s showed up to now. He can provide post-up offense off the bench. I bet the team is bummed about James Jones opting out, though. I wonder where he goes?

  181. TCO says

    Marco Jaric’s inclusion makes the deal worse than the Pau Gasol deal in my opinion. Unless they do something spectacular (Beasely trade as Abbot hinted) this has to be one of the worst trades in recent draft history.

    Quietly McHale isnt doing that bad of a job, especially when compared to Wallace.

  182. VIncent C. says

    Kurt,

    I wasn’t trying to discredit what cupcake did for this lakers organization, but rather the fact that Blazers acquired hornet’s 27th pick for “cash considerations”… more picks means more opportunities to draft talent and not be stuck with one measly pick from 2nd to last in the draft…

  183. chibi says

    #179, no way. McHale has put together a team that will be mired in mediocrity for years to come. They’ll be good enough to improve upon last year’s record but not enough to make the playoffs. They’re going to be stuck in late-lottery limbo, with the likes of indiana and charlotte.

    While the same may be said of Memphis, Mayo has more upside than Love, and with their young athletic core they may be able to attract more fans, fill up the arena, and eventually make some noise in the playoffs.

  184. ryan says

    I think Memphis might be trying to get Beasly from Miami for a package built around Mayo. I don’t know if Miami will go for it. But that is my guess as to why the got Mayo, and even if they can’t get beasly they still have Mayo though they have absolutely no one on their team that can score on the inside.

  185. the other Stephen says

    f eddie house. i’m going to be seeing smug green and white smiles for months. so the clippers made yet another entirely uninteresting draft pick. why am i not surprised?

    i’ll give that he is a project, but donte green still looks like he could be pretty solid.

  186. Kurt says

    Vincent, if you bring in a first round pick you have to pay the guy for three years minimum, and I think at this point, with a very full roster, leaving flexibility to get veterans is far more important.

    Yes, Portland was more active on draft night. They need to be, that is a team that is rebuilding with youth. They are doing it well, but that is what they have to do, it is a very different place than the Lakers. It just sounds like some Lakers fans were disappointed they didn’t get to play more on draft night, as if getting Gasol in the cheap and reaching the finals was not enough. That frustrates me.

  187. barry g says

    i agree w/ kurt. sounds like some posters here think that activity = productivity. just remember that the lack of activity last year is the reason why we have the team that we have. just because you’re making noise, doesn’t mean your making music.

  188. Don W. says

    @187 Great point that I hope people understand. I know that LO has been a topic of great debate since the Finals, but sometimes time is all you need to fix what’s ails. Here is to hoping that LO puts in the work this summer!

  189. Darius says

    While picking Crawford doesn’t scream *inspiration* I’m fine with another young Guard that will come in here and compete. If he sticks, great. If not, I’m really not concerned as we still have the same team that went to the Finals, so, how can we complain?

    RE Memphis, who knows what they’re doing? Although, they have a coach in Ivaroni that is (supposedly) a D’Antoni guy, so stockpiling young Guards/Wings and letting them loose seems like just as good a plan as any other one. If they actually keep Mayo, they can play Conley/Lowery, Mayo/Critt, Gay/Warrik, and Darko/Gasol and just try to run and gun while also trying to defend the rim with their bigs. Is it the most sound plan? Who knows, but with some young athletes like those kids it could be fun to watch (especially since Gay looks like he’s ready to take the next step).

    RE Who’s draft I liked the best…Probably New Jersey. Lopez, Anderson, CDR. That’s a 7 footer with a low post game, a 6’10” PF with perimeter skills, and everyones fave CDR. As I mentioned yesterday, you add that to Devin Harris, Marcus Williams, Yi, VC, Josh Boone, and Sean Williams and you’ve got some good, high regarded talent and a lot of youth. They’ve also dumped all their contracts except for Carters and can make a run at FA’s in the Summer of 2010 when Wade, Melo, Lebron, and Bosh are all their. Not bad work in a season for Thorn and Kiki.

    The new season starts on July 1st. FA’s can be signed and teams are going to want to continue to re-shape their rosters via trades. And while I’m interested in what direction the Lakers go and would like some resolution to our RFA’s (Sasha and Turiaf), if we bring back the same crew, I’d be happy that we can grow together as a team and push to take that next step and WIN the Title.

  190. Rick Ellis says

    At this point, the Lakers don’t need to get any younger. They need to continue to develop what they have and add a vet or two.

  191. pw says

    I am not really surprised that we didn’t move up in the draft. This is a championship-caliber team and they do not need to fill up roster spots with rookies which can be used to get veteran free-agents.

    But at the same time I am thinking that if the Nets were willing to deal Jefferson for Yi and Simmons, they would definitely have traded him for Odom. That would definitely have been an upgrade at the SF position. I want to know if Kupchak pursued that idea.

    And I did not read all the posts above, so forgive me if this point has already been discussed to death.

  194. kc says

    @ 186 – Kurt, by all means, getting Pau cheap and getting to the final is “good enough.” but that sounds like being complacent. unltimately, we got that close and walked away empty. to me that really is good enough, but not really happy about it.

    I think vincent was simply pointing out that lakers perhaps could’ve made a move to grab a player a bit more significant than joe crawford (granted, he may turn into next d. george), in any case, it looks like vincent was high on CDR and probably was frustrated to see him available in the late second round and lakers since was trying to fill the last “bench spot” decided to sit and waste away a pick.

    obviously, i lack the inside scoop to the lakers organization and what they are trying to do. only i can speculate and vent my frustration as a fan as they do something that i may lack complete understanding of.
    i just don’t think vincent was suggesting lakers try to move up to no. 5 spot or anything.

  195. Kurt says

    195. My counter here is twofold. One, if you go back through the comments (well, if you have five hours to go back through the comments) you’ll see I actually suggested that the Lakers inquire around about cash to see if they could slide up and get CDR.

    But how do we know Mitch didn’t? Remember, it takes two to tango, and people don’t really like helping out the Western Conference champs, especially after Wallace took a beating for it. Early in the second round are picks GMs like because they are no risk — you don’t have to sign and keep the guy for three years. You can grab and stash a Euro or take a risk on someone. It is entirely possible Mitch did make calls but nobody wanted to play. We don’t have the info to say “he did nothing.”

    Second, like others have said, this team needs more vet presence, not more young players. Patience is a good thing.

  196. kc says

    kurt – well, i agree with both points. i’m not suggesting that mitch didn’t do anything nor should we go for instant makeover like boston in one season (although we pretty much did pull that off).

    i just thought your first response to vincent’s comment was too quick and un-Kurt like (as a moderator and voice of reason).

  197. 81 Witness says

    191 –

    Jefferson doesn’t play D, even “softer” than LO (check his stats). Only 2 players worth an LO trade:

    Marion & Gerald Wallace (needs to stay healthy though).

  198. beyondblue says

    191 –

    There is no way to say NJ would “definitely” trade for LO. A team like NJ, clearly rebuilding, would prefer a contract that expires in 2010, and a young asset. Odom alone is not what they are looking for. The analysis is more complex than Odom > yi/simmons.

    And the general consensus seems to be NJ is setting up for a run at LeBron – they need young running mates and cap space, and they are definitely in-line for that (not to mention that LeBron can market himself in China if he plays with Yi). It’s a smart move, and a better deal than anything the lakers could have offered.

  199. Simon says

    I found this kind of interesting:

    mms://phxsuns.wmod.llnwd.net/a205/o2/draft08_080626.wmv

    It’s a video of the Suns draft room on draft day. The Laker related bit comes around the 8:15 mark where Mitch calls and offers Charlotte’s 09 second for the 48th pick in the draft. Just kinda cool to see the kind of activity that goes on with phone calls and scouts/GMs and such.