2011 NBA Draft Rumors and Notes

Tomorrow night is it, the 2011 NBA Draft, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are on the clock with the #1 pick.  As usual the rumors are spreading like wildfire as teams are doing their best to hide their interest in a certain player so that they don't have to move up in the draft to get them.  With all of this misdirection you tend to get lots of rumors, so let's take a look at a few and we'll discuss my take on them.  First up,.......

Lakers - Trade Pau Gasol to Minnesota for Kevin Love and #2 pick. 
Synopsis:  If you can get Minny to accept this deal, I do it all day long.  Not only can the Lakers get back Love who will work the boards (unlike Pau) but they also get an opportunity to draft a young player (I think Derrick Williams to address their SF need).  They lose some of the scoring that Pau provided at the beginning of last season, but still I'd do this everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. 

Spurs - Trade Tony Parker for a pick to either the Toronto Raptors (#5) or the Sacramento Kings (#7).
Synopsis:  I like George Hill but I don't think that this is a good move for the Spurs.  Who's the best player you can get at 5 through 7?  In this week draft class you're better off holding on to Parker and maybe doing this next year.  Just say 'no'.

Suns - Trade Steve Nash to Minnesota for the #2 pick.
Synopsis:  You could probably get a better deal if you're Phoenix.  I understand wanting to draft Derrick Williams (local kid) but, Minny would have to include a player or something.  Nash might have a year or two left in him and the only reason I say that is that the training staff in Phoenix has to be the best in the league.  They have taken all types of players with ailments and got them playing and playing at a high level when most thought they were done (i.e. - Shaq (all), Grant Hill (ankle), Nash (back), etc.).  If Nash were to leave, would he fall apart?  Or would he welcome being that close to home?  I wouldn't do this one, but at least we're negotiating.

Suns - Trade Marcin Gortat and the #13 pick to Minnesota for the #2 pick. 
Synopsis:  Now we're cooking with grease.  I actually like Gortat for what he does (rebounder, can score, and has an attitude), but if we weigh the careers of Gortat against that of anyone that you'd get at #2, I'll take those chances.  Plus, I keep Nash and we are still viable in the Western Conference.  Do the d$@( thing. 

Nuggets - Trade Raymond Felton and the #22 pick to Sacramento for the #7 pick.
Synopsis:  Hmmm,...not sure about this one.  The two headed point guard monster in Denver seems to work and I think you have to keep that moving in that direction.  Not sure who the Nuggets would go after at the #7 slot unless they would go after Kemba Walker.  I don't know how good a fit that would be.  They are trying to lock up Nene long term, Afflalo is solid at either guard spot, and they are pretty much loaded.  I can't quite put my finger on what they're missing, but it's something that I don't think they get at #7 in this draft.  Hold your horses on this one. 

Cavaliers - Trade the #4 pick to the Wizards for the #6 and the #18. 
Synopsis:  It seems as though the Cavs are intent on drafting Jonas Valanciunas.  Since he won't be playing in the NBA next season, the Cavs don't want to waste a higher pick for him because they need all the help they can get and they'd like someone to give up multiple picks to make this a little more enticing.  The Wizards would draft Enes Kanter with the #4 pick and this deal could only be done if he's available at 4.  Seems like things are working out for the Cavs even after LBJ leaves.  I do this deal and get extra players on the cheap or more trade chips. 


Suns - Trade Robin Lopez to Golden State for Epke Udoh and the #13 pick. 
Synopsis:  Whew, this is a big one.  You would give up on Lopez this quickly?  He had a good year, then a bad year and he's trending down?  As my guy NYSTOM always says, you can't turn down a 2 for 1 deal, but I think I could turn this one down.  I'm not sold on Udoh being a center in the West and I just see him getting killed by Andrew Bynum, Nene and any other 'big' in the West. 

Sixers - Trade Andre Iguodala to Los Angeles Clippers for Chris Kaman OR to Golden State for Monta Ellis OR to Orlando for Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson. 
Synopsis:  The Sixers and Clippers seem to have the best deal that works for both teams.  The Sixers need some size to play next to a smallish PF in Brand.  The Clippers need Kaman to move to give Jordan more time and this will keep Griffin in that PF spot.  I do this deal even though it would involve some other smaller pieces.  The Sixers and Golden State I like for Golden State.  They could slide Iggy into the 2 or 3 spot and instantly have some size.  Curry can evolve into a better point guard and Lee and Iggy would take some pressure off of Curry.  The Sixers and Orlando, well,......it's a 2 for 1, that's a plus.  I think that Turkoglu is better with the ball in his hands (the way he was before he left Orlando) but off the ball he's a liability.  Jameer would have to take a bench role which would be tough for him.  Just not a good fit. 



What have you heard?  What's the word on the street?  What do you think about these prospective deals?  I will post more as I hear it. 

Let's Hear it for New York!!!!

The deed is finally done and the Knicks have pulled the blockbuster to get the slightly disgruntled Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets.  The Minnesota Timberwolves were pulled into the deal at the last moment to facilitate. Here are the particulars:

New York Knicks
Get: Carmelo Anthony, Renaldo Balkman, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, and Corey Brewer

Denver Nuggets
Get: Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks 1st round pick (2014), the Warriors 2nd round pick (2012 and 2013), and $3M in cash.


Minnesota Timberwolves
Get: Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry

My take on the Knicks:  On the surface, this was a lot to give up.  I'm with Charles Barkley on this one, Melo ain't Jordan, why would you give that many players up?  We know that the Knicks HAD to do this deal to get Melo because if it would have gone down that the Knicks lost out on this because they didn't want to part with Mozgov (a piece the Nuggets wanted) they would have revolted in the streets.They finally got their guy, but it also seems as though they'll lose Walsh and gain Zeke (once again).  I'm not sure that everyone should be excited about that end of the deal.  Billups and Anthony make this team a little dangerous right now.  They are going to have to gel, but until the wheels fall off or they're able to convince a PG to come to New York, the Knicks will be alright.  

My take on the Nuggets:  Well, I have to admit that the Nets deal was a better deal, but with the uncertainty that Melo would have signed an extension with the Nets, they had to do this.  Chandler is a restricted free agent and may end up being a fall back if the Nuggets chose not to re-sign the mercurial J.R. Smith.  Raymond Felton makes George Karl a collector of former UNC point guards, and Felton can be 'the guy'.  He's a bigger version of Ty Lawson.  Gallinari can step in and provide some scoring, but I'm not sure how much of a 'player' he'll ever be.  I actually like Mozgov and when given time in D'Antoni's system he's actually played well.  You can't teach height.

My take on the Timberwolves:  They were the facilitator and got a good talent in Anthony Randolph and they got Eddy Curry's expiring contract.  Randolph has not yet been put in a position to succeed in the NBA, but maybe the Timberwolves can find a way.  Plus the cap relief for the Timberwolves will be big since they are going to have to overpay for someone to actually want to come there and play. 


Who got the best of this trade?  Is Carmelo worth it?  Can they win if they aren't able to get anyone else because of the new collective bargaining agreement?  Why did this thing drag out like this?