SI NBA Roundtable: Pre Draft and Offseason

[jonathanlambert33]

Five of us members at SI got together and answered five questions regarding our teams draft and free agency. Below are the reponses. Each post contains a question and its answers. If the board likes this, we will do some more in the future.

1. Who would you like to see your GM target in the first round of this years draft? If your team does not have a first, then in this hypothetical situation lets say your GM has found a way to land a mid-first rounder. Who would you like to see them target?

nolafan33 (Pelicans): I'm going to cheat here and pick two guys that I think are being underrated. First being KJ McDaniels. I think he's one of those guys you always see go late 1st or early 2nd but immediately come into the NBA and make an impact. I think his impact will come defensively and with the energy he plays with. He's developing a nice spot up shot as well, and I think he could eventually become what the Pelicans need at SF. Second guy is DeAndre Daniels. I look at Daniels as a guy who can do a little bit of everything. Play in the post, put the ball on the floor, knock down spot up shots. Think he has very good defensive potential once he's coached up a bit.

GMF1991 (Knicks): If we could land a mid-late first round pick, I'd probably target a PG. Maybe Napier since he might be able to handle the big stage. Shabazz has benefited from getting a lot of isolation looks as well as generating a lot of points off Pick and Rolls. Because of his size he might not succeed in isolation, but he would be an upgrade over Felton and could fit in well with both Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler. If we could land an earlier pick, we'd still target a PG and look at somebody like Tyler Ennis as more of a distributor than a scorer.

bosoxlover12 (Celtics): In Boston, we are lucky enough right now to have two first round picks, due to the Brooklyn Nets trade. Should we keep both picks, and keep them in the #6 and #17 slots, there are some players that we should be targeting with those picks. At #6, if C Joel Embiid falls to us, the Celtics will absolutely take him. Boston has an extreme deficiency in defensive bigmen, and Embiid at worst, is a good shot blocker. If Embiid doesnt fall, Noah Vonleh would be a nice fit. He is a solid shot blocker, and has the offensive versatility to do well in Stevens system. McDermott would also be a guy that I think would do well in Boston, with Rajon [Rondo] setting him up often. At #17, it is really just an extra pick for us. We could take Dario Saric, and stash him for two years, but thats not really where I want to go. Unlike 2012, where we took 2 bigmen, it will be very unlikely we double-down on the same position. If we go Embiid/Vonleh at #6, a wing like KJ McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, or Glenn Robinson III would be a nice. We could also go with a combo guard, like Shabazz Napier or Tyler Ennis, or an International center, like Jusuf Nurkic or Clint Capela.

BWareDWare94 (Rockets): With the 25th pick, I want Houston to draft Cleanthony Early, who is often projected to be in the range of 27-30. I like Early's well-rounded offensive game and the ease with which he plays off the ball. With several ball dominant players on Houston's current roster, we can't draft a player who can't move without the ball. I also think Early has more defensive potential than a lot of wings and like him as a potential replacement for Chandler Parsons, if Parsons gets offered way too much money or is allowed to depart if we land another big name free agent.

Mobruler (Pistons): The Pistons were lucky enough to lose their 8th overall pick due to an incredibly stupid trade. They hold only 38th overall. At that pick, I would love to see them draft a big school NCAA player who has proven they can ball, like Tyler Ennis, Adreian Payne, Cleanthony Early or James Young. If they traded up somehow to the middle of the 1st. I want a guy who can drain like NIk Stauskas or Doug McBuckets.

elcheato (Cavaliers): My top option was Joel Embiid, but with current injury concerns that option has obviously faded, and for good reason. I truly thought he was a franchise altering player, with the chance to become a top 10 player in the NBA. Big men with that "raw" with size & athleticism just do not enter the league with his footwork, agility, shooting touch & timing. Really a tough break for the Cavs, and new GM David Griffin.

ANYWHO, now I would take Andrew Wiggins, and there isn't much of debate to me. He's the best athlete in the draft, can get up and down in transition in a flash. It's not natural for someone of his height. He draws fouls at an elite level rate, which is an underrated part of viewing someone. Some players don't have the ability or even the want to take hits and get to the line. He excels at it. I think his jump shot was underrated coming out of high school. He's not a great shooter or even a good one by any stretch of the imagination, but he has good form & mechanics, and showcased a passable jumper. If he puts in the work, I have no doubt he'll develop a good jumper. The difference in Parker & Wiggins pertaining to the ability to shoot is much closer than people want to believe. The obvious separation is Wiggins' current defensive ability and upside, as in the future the hope would be that he is an elite defensive player, capable of guarding at least 3 different positions, that being PG, SG & SF.

What worries me about Wiggins is his lack of ball handling skills and ability to create for others. This is something I look to see in young players, because I have always been of the belief that ball handling is really not something you can improve too much upon at this level. You either have it or don't. Obviously, people have improved on it, such as Durant, but they're not the same players or person.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

2. What is the biggest issue/shadow/rain cloud hanging over your team this offseason?

nolafan33: Has to be the Eric Gordon contract, if not Gordon himself. Gordon's contract really hampers what the Pelicans could do to improve the roster. Without him you're looking at enough room under the cap to fill a major gap, but with him you really don't have enough money to add more than one mid level player. In terms of Gordon himself, it's evident how much better the team plays when he is off the court. Jrue and Tyreke are amazing with Gordon off the court, but he holds both those guys down when he's on the court for whatever reason. Hurts the team big time defensively as well.

GMF1991: Clearly Carmelo Anthony is a huge cloud hanging over us. If he leaves for another club, it's a huge loss for us. We lose one major scorer a year before Amar'e and Tyson come off the books, and we'd be able to attract one or two stars to play alongside him. If he leaves, we lose that leverage and our future looks bad considering we've traded away a few of our future first round picks.

bosoxlover12: There are a few “clouds” that hang over the Celtics this offseason, like whether Kevin Love goes to Boston, who we take with our picks, possible trades and such, but they all fall under the biggest issue, which is: What is the direction of the Boston Celtics, and how does that affect Rondo? The Celtics shipped out KG and Pierce to Brooklyn for picks, shipped Doc to LA for a 1st, and the ‘rebuild’ was on. But after one year, many Celtics fans want them to go back into playoff contention, by acquiring Kevin Love, by acquiring Carmelo Anthony, etc. But the Celtics aren’t good. We were the 5th worst team last year; that’s a great start to the rebuilding process. So if the Celtics are truly rebuilding, what is the plan for Rajon Rondo? At 28 years old, Rondo will play out his final year on his contract in 2014-15, and will surely be looking for a max deal. Do the Celtics want to give out a max contract to a 29 year old on a rebuilding team? Does Rondo want to take his max deal to a team that isn’t going to win soon? Or do the Celtics try to re-sign Rondo at all costs, and make him to focal point towards a rebuild? The Celtics have a ton of cap space in 2015, and can pick up someone Rondo really wants to play with. The direction of the Celtics right now is really unclear, and that is not the best for the team.

BWareDWare94: The biggest cloud hanging over Houston right now is perimeter defense, where all it took to turn our backcourt into butter was a hobbled Patrick Beverly. Harden and Parsons are clearly not held accountable by the coaching staff or changes would have been made, at the very least in the effort that Harden and Parsons put forth on that end of the floor. They're both physically capable and all it would take for them to improve on defense is to practice better habits. I firmly believe this team needs a change in its demeanor on the defensive end, where Howard and Asik are relied on too much.

Mobruler: The biggest cloud hanging over this team, and the biggest cloud last season, is the idea that Andre Drummond is not the alpha dog. When you make a dumb trade for Brandon Jennings and a dumb signing for Josh Smith, this will happen. I have no doubt this will change going forward as Drummond is the most valuable piece in the newly hired Stan Van Gundy's four high with one low sets.

elcheato: The looming free agency of LeBron. I understand the whole situation, probably more than anyone here because the only other forum I post at is Cavs based, and I have access to a little bit inside information because of donations I've made to the site. I don't know why he's done it, but LeBron has pretty clearly made attempts through the media to gauge the public reaction in Cleveland about him. If they would accept him back, if they have moved on, etc.. Moves he makes are calculated, he doesn't just say shit for no reason.

However, I believe it's all a long shot, and the Cavs are focusing a lot of effort on this. They're attempting to make big moves to lure him, instead of making big moves to just improve the future status of the Cavaliers organization. The Cavs are being held hostage by LeBron, again, but this time it's not his fault, it's Dan Gilbert's fault for getting wrapped up in it. The Cavs need to just focus on themselves, and if LeBron wants to come back, great, he can join what the front office has assembled without him in mind. Kyrie, Dion, the #1 pick, Bennett, Tristan (despite my low opinion of him, some people do like him) is a good young core, sell that to LeBron, Melo, hell any free agent (They have no shot at big names, I'm just saying), but for gods sake, think of your team, not LeBron.

To me, I think they're starting to have my same opinion, as shown by the hire of David Blatt despite media outlets reporting that if we hired him it would take us out of the running for LeBron. They went outside the box and hired a world renowned offensive innovator because they thought he was the best man for the job, not because he'd win over LeBron. Good step in the right direction.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

3. What position on your team is in the most need of an upgrade/overhaul? Which skill set should your team try to improve upon this offseason?

nolafan33: Already touched on it in question #1, but it has to be SF. I like what we have going at PG, SG, and PF. I don't even mind the C position to much (though I do hope we eventually bring in another NBA quality big) as I believe AD can handle 12-15 minutes there a night, if not more and I like Alexis Ajinca as well. But SF is really the thorn in this teams side. Al-Farouq Aminu has been the starter for the last two seasons and he's a non threat on offense and goes against everything the team has built with the core four. He's also not nearly the defender he's made out to be. As for the skill set, easy answer is a 3&D guy. Someone that can space the floor offensively and defend the perimeter defensively. If they can rebound well for a SF as well, that's another plus.

GMF1991: Point Guard is probably our key area to improve. We need somebody that can distribute the ball better. We've got a former PG as our head coach, so it's important that we bring in a talented PG who might make Fisher's adjustment to the sideline a bit easier. Last season we were too stagnant with the ball, so better distribution is key. We've seen plenty of teams thrive when they move the ball with ease, and the Spurs are probably the best example of that. Even if our passing could develop in to half of what the Spurs have it will be a major improvement.

bosoxlover12: Last year, the Celtics had 4 bigmen play ~20+mpg: 6’8” Brandon Bass, 6’9 Jared Sullinger, 7’0” Kelly Olynyk, and 6’11” Kris Humphries. Olynyk is very Dirk-esque in the sense they are 7 footers, but play more like a SF than a C, and don't provide any shot blocking. Humphries, who averaged less than 1bpg, and was 47th in shot blocking in the league, was the team’s “defensive anchor”. That’s awful. That is by far the biggest issue of this team, is finding someone who can protect the rim. Both Embiid and Vonleh in this draft can provide that, should Boston be able to get one of them.

BWareDWare94: There's no specific position that's a glaring eyesore for me. The obvious answer to outsiders would be point guard. Patrick Beverly is limited, offensively, but when he's on the court and healthy this team is significantly better, defensively, and I firmly believe Pat will improve his 3 point shot in the offseason and not be such a liability on that end. With that in mind, I need to see Daryl Morey address the lack of defensive options we have on the wings. I didn't mind the addition of Jordan Hamilton but he wasn't getting minutes within 2 weeks, even if he is a decent defensive option. With Houston's offensively focused brand of basketball, I need Daryl Morey to find a couple of good defensive players who at the very least put the ball in the basket with some regularity, so McHale can't refuse to play them.

Mobruler: Despite the Pistons having probably the worst wing play in the league last season, the biggest need is PG. Jennings just isn't a PG who can ever play the position for a team that hopes to win a title. I don't know what happens to Jennings, but he can't be a starter at the point. It's the most important position in basketball. His calling in life is probably to be a 6th man candidate as a combo off of the bench.

elcheato: The team needs to improve the most at power forward, and I'm talking strictly internal. The obvious answer is small forward, as we have not had a legitimate one since LeBron left (Deng played here half a season and he's not being re-signed, I don't count him). They're going to draft Wiggins or Parker, and either is going to play SF, despite my opinion that Parker is a PF.

I know I'm the only one who still believes in Anthony Bennett on this forum, and nothing has made me waver off of that. He needs obvious improvements, and they're improvements I think he can make, but it's a question of whether or not that will happen this year. Tristan Thompson and Bennett were both really bad offensively this year. Tristan isn't a threat to score, can't pass, and can't really space the floor. Bennett was just bad and missing, despite his turn around in the 2nd half, which was a good sign. The Cavs have to decide if they think Bennett is a long term answer, and if the answer is yes, they need to get rid of Thompson and let Bennett start. Bennett spaces the floor, provides athleticism in game that you won't see from Tristan. Harder to match up with. I'm excited to see him in David Blatt's offense

As far as skill set, this team needs to get better at shooting the ball, and cut down on all the mid range attempts. Kyrie struggled shooting, and I expect a bounce back, and I was pleasantly surprised with Waiters development as a shooter, but the team just doesn't have enough shooting. This would be my #1 priority.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

4. YOU are the GM, give us a realistic offseason that would make you happy.

nolafan33: Moving Eric Gordon is by far the biggest priority for me, but who knows how likely that actually is. I would place a high priority on PJ Tucker. He's exactly what I described above with the 3&D guy, and he's the closest thing the league currently has to Bruce Bowen. I would give him whatever makes Phoenix uncomfortable with matching. I would try to talk a team into taking Pierre Jackson for a late first and try to land one of those two draft eligible players I talked about above. I would pursue another cheap SF. James Jones, Rasual Butler, Francisco Garcia, maybe bring Darius Miller back. Though I would aim more for a vet. I would sign Anthony Morrow into our room exception. Lastly, I would again try to move Eric Gordon. Maybe you can trade him for another poor contract. Eric Gordon for Javale McGee, I don't know. So in summary I would sign PJ Tucker, draft KJ McDaniels or DeAndre Daniels, sign a cheap wing like Jones, Butler, or Garcia, try to put Eric Gordon off on another team, and bring back Anthony Morrow. Confusing?

GMF1991: Carmelo takes more money to stay with us, we move Iman Shumpert for a mid-first round pick where we can draft a PG or PF like Ennis, Napier or Adreian Payne, and we set ourselves up nicely to strike free agency the following year.

bosoxlover12: In the ideal, realistic offseason that makes me happy, it all begins with the Draft. First off, at #6, Joel Embiid does fall a bit and lands in Boston. He can take his time to get healthy, but getting him would be huge for the Celtics, as probably the best player the Celtics have actually drafted since Paul Pierce back in 1998. At #17, hopefully another very good player falls a little, like Zach LaVine or Doug McDermott, but its very unlikely. Dario Saric would also be a good pick too, since he wouldn’t affect the “tank”, but in 2 years when he joins the team, would be a very good player to add to the team. In Free Agency, I’d love to bring back Kris [Humphries] and [Avery] Bradley, since they are very good team players.

BWareDWare94: I don't expect Houston to land either Melo or LeBron, so a realistic offseason for me would be adding players who can score and play good defense. While I don't think Pat needs to go, signing Kyle Lowry, a player who never should have left Houston in the first place, would certainly make me happy. I don't think Luol Deng can command the type of contract that he once envisioned, so I'd toss his name around and see what everybody else in the organizaton thinks of offering him a contract. Another player I'd like Houston to consider, even if he is a character concern and will require a fairly large salary, is Lance Stephenson. We'd have to part with both Lin and Asik to make this work, obviously, along with some other bench players, but I would love to see a player like Stephenson added to this roster, in which case we either let Parsons walk or go small and play him at the 4. I don't think the Stephenson option is feasible but I do think he's an under the radar option for Houston, in case they don't lure any of the big names they want. My dream scenario, if I'm Houston's GM, would be to land Kevin Love, a player who can shoot the three ball and control the boards when Dwight gets in foul trouble. Love does nothing for our defense, but the offensive potential would be too great to pass up, if the option were to present itself. As far as a realistic offseason that would make me happy is concerned, I just want to see some defensive wing players added.

Mobruler: Greg Monroe can't be here next season and he also can't be given away for nothing. I hope and expect that the new Pistons front office will find a sign and trade that will greatly supplement the team. The Monroe issue is #1, #2 and #3. After that, the team has to do anything that is in their power to lose Smith and/or Jennings. I have a feeling they will find a way to lose one of those players as it will provide tremendous hope to the fan base. In open FA, I want a wing that can shoot. The Pistons literally have no one who can shoot, and we really need those guys in SVG's sets. I'm hoping for someone like *gasp* Lance Stephenson.

elcheato: In a perfect world we sign LeBron and S&T for Melo, but yea. I would just stay the course. Draft Wiggins at #1, and sign some mid-level priced veteran free agents to glue the team together. Target guys like Darren Collison, Anthony Marrow, Patrick Patterson, Shawn Marion, Channing Frye. I would look to trade Tristan Thompson, not sure what his value is around the league, or what exactly I want for him, but I think it's time to move on from him.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

5. Now get into the head of your GM and give us your best prediction on how the offseason goes down for your team.

nolafan33: Knowing "Dealer Dell" I think he does something nobody sees coming. We've heard of interest in Monroe, Blatche and rumors of Spencer Hawes or Omer Asik. I feel like he pulls one of those guys out of his ass to give us some help at C. I also think he finds a way to bring in a cheap stop gap SF that their current team does not want. Maybe by ridding the Clippers of Jared Dudley and they give us #26 for our troubles, maybe taking on Mike Dunleavy from Chicago. Then draft a SF or C. I also think they'll bring in another cheap wing like I mentioned, but I think it will be Brandon Rush who Dell has always had a thing for. If we can't move Gordon, I think Morrow walks.

GMF1991: Even somebody as brilliant as me can't really get in the head of Phil Jackson. However, my best prediction is probably that Melo leaves for a move competitive team, my money is on Houston. We move Shumpert for either a PF or a first round pick. We sign a young role PG like Patty Mills to the MLE and he becomes our replacement at the point.

bosoxlover12: As much as I want to say our Celtics are going to come out with Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony, Andrew Wiggins, it is very unlikely. We have some great pieces on this team, led by Rajon [Rondo], and some young guys like [Jared] Sullinger and [Kelly] Olynyk, including a few first rounders in this draft. With our two picks, I’d like to improve the team as much as possible. We most likely won’t be getting a bonafide 25ppg scorer at #6, but we can pick up some guys that will thrive on Brad Stevens’ team. With our first pick, at #6, we could target guys like Aaron Gordon, Doug McDermott, Nik Stauskas, Julius Randle, and Noah Vonleh. Gordon provides some positional versatility, and will be a very good defensive player in the league, on both the perimeter and somewhat in the low post. McDermott and Stauskas can provide some shooting on the perimeter, and can offer a spark to the second unit immediately. Randle and Vonleh both can offer some scoring in the low post, and with Stevens’ coaching, could probably develop a midrange game. Vonleh can block shots well, and Randle combined with Sullinger would dominate the glass. Our team does not have a ton of cap space for this upcoming season, so re-signing [Avery] Bradley will be a priority for us. We are a young team, and getting an overall strong team is our goal.

BWareDWare94: Daryl Morey is one thing at a pool party--that fat kid who wants to get everyone soaking wet with an epic cannonball. He's going to try and try and try to lure the Melos, Lebrons, and Loves to Houston, but it's just not going to happen. Each will command much more than the Rockets can offer, even if the right pieces are moved. It won't be for lack of effort, but Houston's biggest signing of the summer is going to be matching Chandler Parsons' offer sheet. They'll add a couple of defensive players and hope for the best going into the 2014-15 season.

Mobruler: I find a way to move Jennings, and while it isn't perfect, I'm at least free of a negative value player. I move Monroe in a sign an trade, maybe I get his value and maybe I don't, but it's at least addition by subtraction. I can now run Smith (who I couldn't find a way to trade at all) at 4 which actually gives him a chance to help me. With Someone/Someone/Someone/Smith/Drummond, I'm in a position to run my 4-1, I just need some more shooters.

elcheato: I think David Griffin is going to do as I suggested earlier, and sign multiple high quality shooters, and give Blatt a roster with athleticism, size, shooting & versatility and let him go to work with his offensive mind. I am worried that Dan Gilbert will step in and attempt to make large moves that don't make sense, and force Griffin's hand, but not much he can do about it. I believe the Cavs will come out of the off-season a much improved team, and will firmly plant themselves in the playoffs, which is not that difficult to do in the East, or at least shouldn't be. They certainly showed last year nothing is given. But with better coaching, and what I believe will be an improved roster, it shouldn't be tough.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

You interviewed yourself haha

 

[jonathanlambert33]

bump

 

[BwareDWare94]

This was a great idea, and the questions were articulate but not so difficult that people couldn't give sufficient answers. I don't know how, or I'd tag every active user. While the posts are long, they're well worth the read.

 

[Mobruler]

I was a little intoxicated when I answered these questions, and I'd just like to post that I'd just like to make a little adjustment on my answer to #1. While I would love Tyler Ennis, James Young, Adreian Payne or Cleanthony Early, it's more likely than not that all would be gone by 38.  A very realistic option that I would love is Darth Bader.
 

 

[Teagz]

Good read

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Glad yall have enjoyed it.

I know personally I was excited to see actual realistic offseasons.

 

[bosoxlover12]

you already got part of your #5 right by saying y'all will get a C

 

[Pugz]

very nice

 

[jonathanlambert33]

you already got part of your #5 right by saying y'all will get a C

I had heard that the Pels still had interest in Asik so it wasn't that far of a stretch. Really curious who they will add at SF.

Anyone have anything on what they said about the draft? Opinions?

 

[elcheato]

ANYWHO, now I would take Andrew Wiggins, and there isn't much of debate to me. He's the best athlete in the draft, can get up and down in transition in a flash.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlyuIIXLbCE[/media]

 
As far as skill set, this team needs to get better at shooting the ball, and cut down on all the mid range attempts. Kyrie struggled shooting, and I expect a bounce back, and I was pleasantly surprised with Waiters development as a shooter, but the team just doesn't have enough shooting. This would be my #1 priority.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFToDnqwp6A[/media]

 

[The Young One]

Great work guys.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

5. Now get into the head of your GM and give us your best prediction on how the offseason goes down for your team.

nolafan33: Knowing "Dealer Dell" I think he does something nobody sees coming. We've heard of interest in Monroe, Blatche and rumors of Spencer Hawes or Omer Asik. I feel like he pulls one of those guys out of his ass to give us some help at C. I also think he finds a way to bring in a cheap stop gap SF that their current team does not want. Maybe by ridding the Clippers of Jared Dudley and they give us #26 for our troubles, maybe taking on Mike Dunleavy from Chicago. Then draft a SF or C. I also think they'll bring in another cheap wing like I mentioned, but I think it will be Brandon Rush who Dell has always had a thing for. If we can't move Gordon, I think Morrow walks.

Apparently the Pelicans were the first team Morrow met with and he was very interested in returning, but we were limited to what we could offer. Like I said above, if Gordon is on the team that likely means Morrow isn't. Exactly how it played out. Son of a bitch.