"Off-Day" Open Thread: the Official 3QC Draft-Day Discussion Thread
Okay, "Off-Day" is a misnomer, as the Magic are anything but "off" today. Indeed, the Day of Reckoning is upon us. It's draft time... or at least it will be at 7 PM Eastern. As you might expect, ESPN has this thing covered out the wazoo.
Consider this thread a way to discuss everything that goes on today: nothing draft- or trade-related is off limits. I suspect a few minor deals will go down throughout the day (scrubs and future picks for late first-rounders) et cetera and that the real wheeling-and-dealing won't happen until the draft actually begins. We know the Magic currently hold the 22nd pick and would like to obtain a second-rounder as well. Everything else is up-in-the-air.
Let's get it started. Comment away.
UPDATE: I'm liveblogging with a bunch of the basketblogosphere's finest at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
UPDATE: the 76ers picked Marreese Speights with the 16th pick. The guys the Magic like who are still on the board are Courtney Lee, JaVale McGee, Darrell Arthur, and J.J. Hickson.
UPDATE: Another one bites the dust: Washington takes JaVale McGee. Lee, Arthur, and Hickson are still on the board.
UPDATE: Cleveland surprised everyone by taking J.J. Hickson 19th overall. Charlotte picks next, followed by New Jersey. Then it's our turn.
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38 comments
Comments
So I’m starting to get cold feet with Courtney Lee. The Sentinel reported that the Magic are planning to keep JJ Reddick. If the Magic draft Lee they’ll have 3 shooting guards (assuming that Evans leaves). Personally, I don’t like the idea of Bogans, Reddick, or a rookie starting at the 2 spot next season. I still think Orlando should find a veteran shooting guard in the offseason because the 2 was clearly their weakest spot in the lineup. I personally would rather grab a power foward here instead of having up to 4 shooting guards on the squad.
Right now, I’m hoping the Magic don’t pass up a chance to draft Speights. I’d also be happy if Orlando drafted Jason Thompson because he can contribute right away.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 11:38 AM EDT
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I’m totally psyched about us possibly drafting another 2 guard. That’s my favorite. Every time the Magic draft a 2 guard, I throw a party. Seriously though if they draft Courtney Lee, they better move one of those guards or I might gouge my eyes out.
by g.l. rawx on
Jun 26, 2008 11:50 AM EDT
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I have no problem with Lee, but theres no way he’ll be better then Bogans in his rookie season. We seriously need a step up at the 2 spot and I’m starting to think the draft is not going to help.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 12:36 PM EDT
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Very much agreed. I think Courtney Lee is good, he’s athletic, he’s got potential. But is he NBA ready? I’m not sure. Will he be better than Bogans? Like you said, I doubt it. So what do you do when you probably can’t make a pick that can contribute right now? It’s not a good place to be in.
by g.l. rawx on
Jun 26, 2008 1:39 PM EDT
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True, but I think every team outside the top 6 or 7 is in the same situation. This draft really does look pretty poor. If you want immidiate contribution I think you have to go with Thompson. I like players like him because what you see is what you get. Not a lot of “upside” or “star potential” but he works hard and hits the boards. I know we’ll have that in Battie but you can’t have too many workhorses.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 2:07 PM EDT
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My take
Really I have always preferred CDR to Lee because of his versatility, he is tall and long, something we really need on the wing. With JJ back for sure than we really don’t need Lee, but they still can really use CDR. So outside of Speights or Koufas I really hope they grab him if he is there. If all three are gone than Rush or a big like Lopez or Thompson would be nice. Trading Bogans to grab a 2cd rounder is also something I’d love to see, especially if we can grab Dorsey with that pick. Then use the MLE on J.R. Smith, bring in Williams for the VET MIN, re-sign Dooling, and use the LLE on two players, probably guys who don’t get drafted, I don’t care really. That is solid and would look like this;
Nelson/Dooling/Williams
JR Smith/Redick/CDR
Hedo/Ewing JR?/Forbes?
Lewis/Battie/Cook
Howard/Gortat/Dorsey
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
by Eyriq the Red on
Jun 26, 2008 2:02 PM EDT
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Bogans for a mid second rounder? You can buy those for next to nothing.
Is JR Smith an unrestricted free agent? The guy can shoot and has plenty of talent but I’d be scared he’d waste possesions with a missed 360 dunk or a halfcourt shot with 20 seconds on the shot clock.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 2:13 PM EDT
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Just want to get ride of Bogans.
JR is restricted, but man does he eek potential. And he is supposedly in tight with Dwight. The full MLE should get him.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
by Eyriq the Red on
Jun 26, 2008 7:23 PM EDT
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Full MLE = no money to keep Dooling.
Risky bidness.
by Ben Q Rock on
Jun 26, 2008 7:46 PM EDT
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Eyriq I love that line up, I’ve said it before, I LOVE Jason Williams for the Vet minimum, but I’m not sure if J.R. Smith is gonna be out there, he’s restricted and Denver wants to keep him apparently. Plus to me, CDR and Courtney Lee are almost the same; CDR edging Lee out because he’s a better shooter. I feel like if Robin Lopez is there, they HAVE to take him. I would not pass on that, especially if a second rounder happens to appear for us, and Dorsey’s available, but New Jersey needs big man help too. DRAFT FEVER, CATCH IT!
by g.l. rawx on
Jun 26, 2008 2:30 PM EDT
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I just think it really depends on who is there at 22. I really like Lee and CDR but do really need another SG? It seems that rebounding and just plain toughness is what we’re missing. I’m a fan of James Jones who just opted out of his contract. He probably saw that minutes were going to be tough to get in Portland with the 20 players they have on the roster. JR Smith might be out of reach, but maybe James Jones is attainable. Draft big, sign Jones, re-sign Keys, and maybe Chris Lofton goes undrafted and we can bring him in as a FA.
by L Magico on
Jun 26, 2008 4:12 PM EDT
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Jones
I’d rather bring in someone who can hit the boards. Jones can stretch the floor but we already have fowards that can do that.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 5:14 PM EDT
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James Jones
If you want rebounding and toughness, Jones isn’t your man. He’s a natural 3, like Lewis. He’s a three-point assassin, though, and Portland’s record in games he missed was poor. Doesn’t seem like a coincidence.
by Ben Q Rock on
Jun 26, 2008 6:46 PM EDT
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Chad Ford reports that Houston could be trading ahead of Orlando and are targeting Lee. Makes sense for the Rockets, Orlando may have to go big now. I think it’s highly unlikely that Orlando takes CDR at this point.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 5:23 PM EDT
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Jones
Well, its going to be tough to sign a starting 2 guard this summer. I keep looking at the list of FA and starting caliber SGs seem out of our price range. I know Jones is not the rebounding tough guy we need, but I don’t think he is a liability on defense either and I think he could be in our price range. Azuibuke and Childress are possiblities that could help but I think Childress stays and I think SVG likes players with a little more offensive game than Kelenna.
Houston loves undersized 2 guards so I think they go with Chalmers. And yet they still have Mutombo backing up Yao when they know Yao is not playing the whole season.
by L Magico on
Jun 26, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
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Draft
By the way Ben, great job on keeping up to date with Magic draft news. I love the draft! RJ traded to the Bucks, Charlotte gets #20, and Portland keeps adding picks (#27). I wonder if Marion or Baron gets traded…
by L Magico on
Jun 26, 2008 7:02 PM EDT
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RJ
The RJ trade was a steal. A guy who just had a career season for two underachievers. Bucks made a great deal.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
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If I’m not mistaken, the Nets freed up cap space to sign LeBron in 2010. Good move for both sides, except NJ still doesn’t have a center.
by Ben Q Rock on
Jun 26, 2008 7:51 PM EDT
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Mayo
He’s gonna loooove Minnesota!
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 7:50 PM EDT
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Thompson
Damn, good pick for Sactown but I was hoping we’d get him
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 8:42 PM EDT
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Too high of a pick for the Kings, not that I care. Thompson is more of a borderline first-rounder. He’s definitely not worthy of being the #12 pick when players like Darrell Arthur (15.82 proj. PER) and Mareese Speights (15.02) are superior to him.
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 8:46 PM EDT
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Hah … I tried commenting at that blog (Ridiculous Upside) but guess they don’t want no part of my knowledge.
Anyways, Anthony Randolph will be a huge bust.
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 8:56 PM EDT
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The Magic have no business screwing the #22 pick up, there’s so many solid guys out there … thanks to the stupidity of GMs around the NBA drafting with their heads in a toilet.
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 8:57 PM EDT
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Speights to Philly
Damn, I guess I’ll go order my Courtney Lee jersey.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 9:04 PM EDT
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War Room
Otis is on the phone! Could be a trade…
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 9:13 PM EDT
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Screw that … we need to pick Darrell Arthur. He’s an absolute steal at #22, he’s lottery talent, a projected PER of 15.82 … he’s got loads of potential and would be a nice fit for us.
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 9:36 PM EDT
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Bleh, Lee is fine … but given Arthur’s availability on the board, we should have taken Darrell. He’s lottery-talent, oh well … (proj. PER 11.17 btw).
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 9:40 PM EDT
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That proj. PER is for Lee …
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 9:40 PM EDT
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Agreed, Darrel Arthur should have been the pick. I’m fine with Lee though.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 26, 2008 9:44 PM EDT
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Would have rather had
Kosta Koufos
www.citadel-insurance.com
by SeanDubbs on
Jun 26, 2008 10:22 PM EDT
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Arthur is the superior talent, compared to Koufos. I have a TON of respect of John Hollinger, ESPN’s stats guru, and he projects Arthur as a better player … by a good margin too.
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 10:29 PM EDT
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Bucer said the reason Arthur slipped because he has a kidney condition and refused to take portions of certain physicals in his workouts.
by Ben Q Rock on
Jun 26, 2008 10:38 PM EDT
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2 GM’s spoke with Hollinger and said the issue wasn’t that big of a deal. That kills the theory of passing him up.
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 11:31 PM EDT
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Correction, Chad Ford. Sorry …
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 26, 2008 11:33 PM EDT
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Although I would have rather them take Arthur, the fact that he refused certain physicals is a red flag. Very understandable.
by magic fanatic on
Jun 27, 2008 1:00 AM EDT
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The official story is that he refused to do a blood test with some doctor, but eventually went to Washington to get the blood test done there … unfortunately, his agent didn’t update that information to the GMs around the league so they assumed he was hiding something, which wasn’t the case. His information never got sent in time.
He’s healthy and fine.
Freelance Writer for the Chicago Tribune
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Jun 27, 2008 2:50 AM EDT
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Well, his agent cost him well over a million dollars in guaranteed money for the rookie-scale contract. It wouldn’t surprise me if he sought new representation.
by Ben Q Rock on
Jun 27, 2008 2:20 PM EDT
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