The 2015 NBA Draft
- Thread starter tiger0330
- Start date
No need to bring Mudiay back at all for this IMO. Just have Russ and Okafor in again. I think they all under performed and in the end I think the Lakers are leaning towards Russell.
mafra
Legend
Scott said something about this being a guard league; this is probably them just doing their due diligence. I believe TOWNS goes 1st (to MIN). I'm really not sure what LAK will do, but if they take Russell I think PHI will grab Okafor (simply to accumulate an asset; Okafor-Noel like having mini Duncan-Robinson, and Embid is hurt).
IF LAK o Mudiay or Pirzingis... we'll get Okafor. BUT, I believe LAK takes Okafor. He'll step in day 1 and avg 20 ppg. This will mke Kobe happy. Clarkson-Randle-Okafor locks down PG-PF-C.
NYK have less than 20% chance landing Okafor. Less than 3.5% chance getting Towns or Russell.
So, do we go Herzonia (he can step in and shoot day 1), Mudiay or Pirzingis (mysteries w/ huge upside), or trade down for Winslow, WCS, Lyles or Payne (4 guys we love). We'll find out in a week!
IF LAK o Mudiay or Pirzingis... we'll get Okafor. BUT, I believe LAK takes Okafor. He'll step in day 1 and avg 20 ppg. This will mke Kobe happy. Clarkson-Randle-Okafor locks down PG-PF-C.
NYK have less than 20% chance landing Okafor. Less than 3.5% chance getting Towns or Russell.
So, do we go Herzonia (he can step in and shoot day 1), Mudiay or Pirzingis (mysteries w/ huge upside), or trade down for Winslow, WCS, Lyles or Payne (4 guys we love). We'll find out in a week!
My Laker theory is that they've targeted Aldridge-Love(Windhorst says he's going to opt out to test market) in Free agency and are going to grab one of the guards. Chad Ford was on ESPN moments ago discussing our situation and Hezonja. Not sure in what capacity...I'm thinking as 2 different topics.
Will update shortly....
mafra
Legend
Kentuckycoach John Calipari cited two of his forwards as good fits for the big-manstarved Knicks: Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyles.
TheKnicks, who own the No. 4 overall pick, are considering Cauley-Stein, a 7-footdefensive specialist whom Calipari says could be a future All-Star and would beperfect for a club looking to improve its defense. Knicks president PhilJackson has said he would prefer adding a defensive big man over anoffense-first one.
The6-foot-10 Lyles is projected to go in the early teens, and the Knicks can tradedown to get him – a definite option if they can obtain extra pieces. Caliparicited Lyles as being a good fit for the triangle because of hisoutside-shooting ability. Calipari said Jackson shared that assessment whenhe visited a Kentucky practice in March.
Cauley-Stein worked out forthe Knicks on Tuesday, and Lyles is expected to work out for theclub Thursday along with Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky.
Lyles,who would utilize his 3-point shooting to play as a stretch 4 in the NBA,played at small forward for Calipari because of the plethora of big men onKentucky’s superteam, which finished 38-1.
“When they came in and Phil watched practice,shootaround and the game, he walked away saying this is a kind of player whocan play in the triangle and [is] 6-foot-10,’’ Calipari said Thursday on aconference call. “We played him at the 3. He could’ve scored more and donemore. He can shoot, pass, has got size. I think they really liked him.
Onething people don’t realize about Trey, they think he’s not assertive. If thatfight breaks out, he’s not moving. He will not move. That’s in him. In acompetitive environment, it comes out and you go like, ‘Oh my gosh.'”
Aleague source said Cauley-Stein had his best workout with the Knicks.
“InWillie, you’re getting a guy who’s 7-foot and maybe taller who is superathletic, can guard five positions, can guard the point guard and gives youshotblocking,’’ Calipari said. “In schemes, I’m seeing he can run the pick androll. What you’re getting is he hasn’t been groomed since he was 6, 7 yearsold. He really started playing when he came to us.’’
Cauley-Steinplayed football and tennis in high school in addition to basketball.
“He’snot a diamond in the rough, he’ll come in and do things athletically,’’Calipari said. “You have to mold him offensively and say: ‘This is who you aregoing to be offensively.’
“Ilook at Willie for a team that needs defense now to get them to anotherlevel,’’ Calipari added. “You take him, mold him offensively and you’ll have anAll-Star. His balance needs to improve offensively, getting to the rim andfinish and they’ll get to him in one summer.
“Theytalk smallball because you have a 6-foot-7 guy who can move his feet. Now youhave a 7-foot-1 guy who can do that.’’
Calipari has heard the rumblings about Cauley-Stein not being “a gym rat’’ who doesn’tlove the game because of outside interests. Calipari has spoken to Knickspersonnel director Mark Warkentien extensively about Cauley-Stein. Warkentienis close to the Kentucky program because he’s represented by the same agencythat reps Calipari – CAA.
“Iremember I had three gym rats: Derrick Rose – you couldn’t drag him out of thegym – Brandon Knight and
Michael Kidd,’’ Calipari said. “Those guys were in thegym too much. [Willie] loves to play and is coming into his own. Anthony Daviswasn’t a gym rat and he’s OK. He’s well-spoken and fans are going to love him.’’
TheKnicks, who own the No. 4 overall pick, are considering Cauley-Stein, a 7-footdefensive specialist whom Calipari says could be a future All-Star and would beperfect for a club looking to improve its defense. Knicks president PhilJackson has said he would prefer adding a defensive big man over anoffense-first one.
The6-foot-10 Lyles is projected to go in the early teens, and the Knicks can tradedown to get him – a definite option if they can obtain extra pieces. Caliparicited Lyles as being a good fit for the triangle because of hisoutside-shooting ability. Calipari said Jackson shared that assessment whenhe visited a Kentucky practice in March.
Cauley-Stein worked out forthe Knicks on Tuesday, and Lyles is expected to work out for theclub Thursday along with Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky.
Lyles,who would utilize his 3-point shooting to play as a stretch 4 in the NBA,played at small forward for Calipari because of the plethora of big men onKentucky’s superteam, which finished 38-1.
“When they came in and Phil watched practice,shootaround and the game, he walked away saying this is a kind of player whocan play in the triangle and [is] 6-foot-10,’’ Calipari said Thursday on aconference call. “We played him at the 3. He could’ve scored more and donemore. He can shoot, pass, has got size. I think they really liked him.
Onething people don’t realize about Trey, they think he’s not assertive. If thatfight breaks out, he’s not moving. He will not move. That’s in him. In acompetitive environment, it comes out and you go like, ‘Oh my gosh.'”
Aleague source said Cauley-Stein had his best workout with the Knicks.
“InWillie, you’re getting a guy who’s 7-foot and maybe taller who is superathletic, can guard five positions, can guard the point guard and gives youshotblocking,’’ Calipari said. “In schemes, I’m seeing he can run the pick androll. What you’re getting is he hasn’t been groomed since he was 6, 7 yearsold. He really started playing when he came to us.’’
Cauley-Steinplayed football and tennis in high school in addition to basketball.
“He’snot a diamond in the rough, he’ll come in and do things athletically,’’Calipari said. “You have to mold him offensively and say: ‘This is who you aregoing to be offensively.’
“Ilook at Willie for a team that needs defense now to get them to anotherlevel,’’ Calipari added. “You take him, mold him offensively and you’ll have anAll-Star. His balance needs to improve offensively, getting to the rim andfinish and they’ll get to him in one summer.
“Theytalk smallball because you have a 6-foot-7 guy who can move his feet. Now youhave a 7-foot-1 guy who can do that.’’
Calipari has heard the rumblings about Cauley-Stein not being “a gym rat’’ who doesn’tlove the game because of outside interests. Calipari has spoken to Knickspersonnel director Mark Warkentien extensively about Cauley-Stein. Warkentienis close to the Kentucky program because he’s represented by the same agencythat reps Calipari – CAA.
“Iremember I had three gym rats: Derrick Rose – you couldn’t drag him out of thegym – Brandon Knight and
Michael Kidd,’’ Calipari said. “Those guys were in thegym too much. [Willie] loves to play and is coming into his own. Anthony Daviswasn’t a gym rat and he’s OK. He’s well-spoken and fans are going to love him.’’
mafra
Legend
The good news is Lakers have Randle, team options on Robert Sacre & Jordan Hill, and Ed Davis has a player option. They have Ryan Kelly, Nick Young, & Jordan Clarkson under contract.
Hard to tell what direction they go. If they sign Rondo... they don't need Mudiay. They like Clarkson. Russell cold be groomed to replace Kobe... but, LAK prob better served trading down, getting help for Kobe.
Rondo
Kobe
Randle
Love
WCS or Winslow
Who knows. LAK will decide our fate.
Hard to tell what direction they go. If they sign Rondo... they don't need Mudiay. They like Clarkson. Russell cold be groomed to replace Kobe... but, LAK prob better served trading down, getting help for Kobe.
Rondo
Kobe
Randle
Love
WCS or Winslow
Who knows. LAK will decide our fate.
Well at least we know who the leaky source is when it comes to Towns and Lyles. I've been saying this throughout this thread that there are agendas and special interest. Calipari is heavily invested in all his guys that left getting drafted as high as possible. We're not taking WCS or Lyles unless there is a deal in place, Phil can't be that dumb to take such a low reward.
Yes the Lakers control this whole draft. I think Ed Davis opted out and the Lakers are not picking up Jordan Hill's $9mil of salary.
Clarkson
Russell
Kobe
Randle
Free Agent(Aldridge)
My favorite part about Calipari trying to sell WCS is when he says 'he's a guy who is 7 foot, maybe taller' as if to say no one knows how tall this kid can be, maybe he's 8 feet tall, someone should probably draft him high just to find out.
Seriously though, I think we are making a mistake not taking one of the elite 5 prospects without trading down first. That said, if we draft WCS and we do go ahead and overpay Greg Monroe, then a starting frontcourt of WCS, Monroe, and Melo at least sounds plausible on paper to not be completely terrible.
SSj4Wingzero
All Star
If someone takes Mudiay in the top 3 then the Knicks are guaranteed either Okafor or Russell (Towns will likely be off the board by then...I don't see him slipping that far this late). Honestly, I'd rather have Russell than Okafor at this point, but either one....
So in essence...
Don't believe the current rumor of Sixers trading picks with Knicks or the Sixers taking Porz.
Don't believe the rumor of Nuggets #7 and Ty Lawson for Knicks #4
Don't believe the rumor of Phx #13 and Bledsoe for Knicks #4
Don't believe the rumor of Knicks trading down if they can't get Okafor
Don't believe the rumor of Celtics trading with Knicks involving Trill Cooley
Okay gotcha Fran
Last edited:
mafra
Legend
This is why I'm adamant when I say this: SCREW DENVER!
How they stuck it to us in the 'Melo negotiations... (See Mozgov in the Finals)... I heard the DEN beat writer say he could see NYK trading back w/ them (probably b/c the laugh at Dolan)... And what does he suggest as to our reasons? Oh, so we would HELP them shed a bad contract (Lawson or Faired). How nice for them.
NO WAY.
If they want to deal: they take Calderon, give us the 7th pick AND a 1st next year (unprotected). Package start here.
BTW: Winslow looked terrible in his workout in DEN. Couldn't throw the ball into the ocean.
That would be the Knicks luck, pick a short SG that can't shoot.
TWolves want to get rid of Rubio, Denver wants to get rid of Lawson sounds like a match to be made there without trading your pick.
mafra
Legend
NOW the rumor is: swap 1st round picks w/ PHO. We get Eric Bledsoe and the 13th pick (take Lyles); PHO gets the 4th pick and sheds a contract, committing to B-Knight moving fwd (a RFA).
Wolves probably value Rubio more as a player over Lawson but nice point made. Probably has to be other moving parts to get something done. Personally I think Rubio is a better fit for Wiggins and he's younger than Ty. Not enamored with either myself.
As far as Winslow goes not sure if he's a workout type performer. I think what the Denver Scout Director said about him in the video I posted speaks to what to expect. A good player with a solid base that needs to build more on. Which to be honest Kawhi Leonard didn't have an incredible rookie season, and neither did Butler. You're gonna have to wait to receive his value on your team. His game will adapt and grow as so the roster he's on.
For the record the reason we haven't seen much of Hezonja is because he's playing championship Euro ball now and he does have a buyout clause in his contract. I found out his Agency representation is tied to Arn Tellem(who's head of the Pistons now). They select right behind Sacramento and Denver and if Mudiay is off the board that should get real interesting as to what takes place between these 3.
That's hard to believe they would give up Bledsoe, he's a stud. That would be 3 quality PGs that left there if he goes, the Knicks haven't had a quality PG in I can't remember, Mark Jackson?
It might be because they gave Bledsoe a contract they didn't want to give and they traded for one who they might be able to retain cheaper...#Brandon Knight
Wonder who their target would be if a deal could be had for our pick. For the record not a huge Bledsoe fan, he's good but not that good.
Sometimes the lower #ControlledCost vs trumps the talent in certain situations