Not necessarily, I think you are thinking NSJ has trade value which I am not sure he does.
That would be fascinating!
Why no talk about getting the Wizards’ 6th AND 18th pick?
Yet another ringing endorsement of Ace! The second most talented to after Coop from a guy who coached Flagg, Harper and Ace.
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Trade could be contingent on one of those guys dropping, say if Maluach snuck in the top 7. May be a situation where only if a guy they like slips.
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I don’t think Mark can be too mad about what he would have been traded for also. It was a respectable get.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if relationship gets repaired. Bottom line is dude needs to perform, and if it leads to winning, winning cures all.
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I believe the whole Ace thing is to get him to certain teams (Washington, Brooklyn). I believe he has promises regardless. It feels like we’re determined to get glue guys when we’re STILL not even remotely ready for those types and doing it with the 4th overall in this draft is giving so much CODY ZELLER…
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Throw in Hawkins!
You would have to put Josh Green into that (and at that point, remove NSJ) - otherwise, the money won’t work. Not sure that’s super sexy for NOP to take one guy that the Lakers declared was broken and another guy that is currently broken.
Close but probably not. The league knows New Orleans really needs a center. I’d need to see another first round pick in there to ship out mark, as well as for the rights for New Orleans to move up to 4.
But I’d imagine that the pelicans would probably balk at the possibility of tossing in another pick.
I know that I may be mostly on my own with this sentiment, but I’m extremely high on the draft talent. While this draft may not be packed with future hall of famers (though, there may definitely be a few), I see this draft as a treasure trove full of very talented players.
Players that may not reach high end stardom, but a lot of second and third option guys. Players with a lot of versatility. The “glue” guys of a team. I think this draft class will have a lot of staying power in the year.
Are Indy’s Nesmith and nembhard “sexy” players? No. But they’re versatile depth guys all teams need.
The Hornets don’t need to hit homeruns to surround Brandon miller and Melo Ball with. The hornets need to hit some singles and doubles to set them up. Also-I’d be ecstatic to get a guy like Tre Johnson, who has the potential to be a “home run” kind of guy. But I’m just not as worried about trading back as other people are.
But then also trade back into the 1st and take another player.
How are you mostly on your own with this? Seems to be a common take that this draft has lots of talent.
Is it that you’d be more willing to trade back for the right trade?
Yeah, on my own in terms not being as bothered by trading back to get more picks in this draft. Especially if VJ is gone at four. I wouldn’t be devastated if we traded back. It’s not my first choice, but if the trade package is very good-I would understand.
There’s only a few guys that I really don’t want to draft. For example, trading back and selected Maluach at pick 7 or 8 would gut me. Yuck. Not crazy about CMB. Tepid on Fears. For the same reason I’m lower on Jace Richardson. The size and tweener skill set isn’t for me.
Interesting that J Kyle Mann has Philly taking Tre at 3, and yet we pass on VJ to take Ace.
I have been ignoring all of the board talk about drafting Kon but I saw a CBS video that explained WHY the Hornets like Kon. Simply put, the FO likes the thought of having Kon as a back up PG if Melo goes down.
D@mn. That makes far too much sense and that means that all of the Hornets/Kon talk is real. My heart was set on VJ, Ace or Tre.
I’ve not posted for quite a while, but it’s great to see so many familiar people still active.
The talk about trading the pic is music to my ears. I’m not happy with any of the 4 guys mooted to be options at 4. Trades back to 6, 7 or 8 all have potential merit. Picking up 6 & 18, or Herb and 7, or 8 and 19 would all be preferable to standing and picking at 4, IMHO.
The assessment I appear to be on my own about, and this is perhaps why I’m so set on trading back, is VJ, I just don’t rate him as a top half of the lottery pic. He’s a high character, high motor athlete, no doubt. But, I’ve not seen much basketball skill from him. He’s not a good shooter, nor does he have a good handle, for a guard. He’s a decent passer, but not sure about any secondary play making. I’ve not seen on the ball D from him that inspires confidence, he’s more effort and hustle rather than locking down his man. And, while he has the athleticism to get to the rim, he’s not good when he gets there. I see a 4th option on offence and a high effort, high motor team defender. Which doesn’t equate to a 4th pick. If we do select him, I hope to be proven very wrong.
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Wow! I was wondering where you were (along w eshelmon). I am glad that you are back for draft season. I am looking forward to your commentary on prospects and roster construction.
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Biancardi, the voice of reason. Ace is in a different class than these other kids talent wise. I love Melo and Brandon especially but they are not so established that we ignore getting the most talented player we can. In this spot picking 4th we have to shoot for stars, not glue guys.
It would be one thing if Ace had off court character issues which does not appear to be the case at all. He’s not working out for Anyone. I think it is a strategy to get where he “wants” to be no different than Kobe threatening not to play for the Hornets like QC alluded to. We know that ultimately he would have. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice… I’m not letting the player/agent dictate things to make a move that’s not in the best interest of my franchise. If he comes to Charlotte I’m confident he’s gonna play to the best of his abilities to maximize his value going into his second contract. He’s already expressed excitement about playing with Melo and Brandon.
Whereas it “may” not be in the Sixers best interest having an established MVP and trying to be in championship contention now, the Hornets are still in the phase of accumulating the best talent and figuring things out. You don’t get many opportunities to draft an Ace Bailey level talent. I hope and believe Jeff Peterson will see it the same.
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I’m off of Ace, but I won’t be incredibly upset either if he’s the pick. I don’t question the talent. Trust me, I get it. I can envision his ceiling. A lot of people are saying he “just has bad representation and bad people around him.”
Well, I have bad news. Those people will also come with him after he’s drafted. They’re not going to evaporate into thin air when his name is called come draft night.
Also, he picked his representation. He’s had several years and a lot of suitors approach him. He’s had time to study and make the decision. Unless they held a gun to his head and forced Ace to select them to be his agents. “Well he’s only 18 and people make mistakes.” Well, other 18/19 year olds didn’t go with the representation he has chosen.
disclaimer - I’m only joking… This could have gone in the old man yells at clouds thread… 
As far as choosing representation, He’s only 18. Enough said.
And what is his representation going to say if he’s drafted here? Ace, you should half ass and tank your career to force your way out of Charlotte. Once he’s here, it’s in everyone’s best interest for him to play well. I’m confident he, his representation and the organization would do all they can to have him succeed on the court.
And, even if he is not an immediate success he’s the type of player who’s going to carry significant trade value for years to come because someone is going to believe they can get the best out of his talent. He’ll remain an asset for years.
That’s kind of you to say.
I do think this has the making of a very big off-season. I’m on the island with @Chef that we really ought to move LaMelo, if the return is acceptable. I have a fanciful dream based around #4 & LaMelo for #2 and Castle, but the trade back options to 6, 7 & 8 all have massive appeal to me.
There are Bigs who can protect the rim and shoot 3s itching to be taken in the mid to late first round (Raynaud, Wolf & Kalkbrenner), and a handful of genuine 3&D, switchable wings in the same sort of range (Bryant, Coward & Powell). If we come out of this draft with one of each group, I think the roster will be a lot stronger for it and far better balanced.