[piratejpParticipant]

Everyone has someone moving up to 2 to get Rubio. What do you guys think the chances of someone moving up to get Thabeet are?

Personally I find it funny to imagine a lot of interest in trading up to get any PG in such a PG-heavy draft. But Thabeet is pretty unique in this draft, yet it doesn’t seem like there is much talk of anyone moving up to get him. Teams like Detroit, Indiana, Chicago & New Jersey seem like just a few teams that might at least see what the price tag to do so would be. Anyone heard anything along this line?

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Boston was rumored to be wanting to move up to #2. There is no way they want Rubio, I strongly believe the Celtics want and need Thabeet. I’m not sure if Boston has enough to move up to #2 though. Bostons has 0 1st round picks. Maybe if they involve Glen Davis in a sign and trade or Powe, maybe a future 1st round pick. So yeah if a team is going to move up to grab Thabeet I think it would be Boston. Plus we all know Danny Ainge is not afraid to make some bigtime trades. Its safe to say even though the media will misguide you that there are just as many teams interested in Thabeet as there are Rubio at the 2nd spot.

[ricks17Participant]

Why would New Jersey look to trade up to get thabeet, the Nets are set at center with Brook Lopez. However i’d like to see the bulls move up and take him, Rose and Thabeet would be interesting for the future, and they have some bait which might allow them to move up.

[piratejpParticipant]

I forgot about Boston. That would certainly make some sense – but I agree that it would be tough to put together a package to actually get the pick. It would probably have to involve their 1st rounder next year, a player & then some (depending on the player I suppose). But I guess with the roster they have & the limited window, a guy who could come in to contribute now in any manner is worth more than anything of real long-term value to them.

[RUDEBOY]

I THINK THABEET WILL STRUGGLE AT THE NEXT LEVEL..EVERYONE IS COMPARING HIM TO MUTOMBO..BUT MUTOMBO DID HAVE A FEW POST MOVES..THABEET LOOKS LOST ON OFFENSE..

[piratejpParticipant]

I almost didn’t include them, but Thabeet would give them a really versatile front line & Lopez could move to the 4 if they’re on the court at the same time IMHO. Maybe I’m wrong – wouldn’t be the first time.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Minnesota is a strong possibility also to trade up to #2. I’m sure the Wolves would love Rubio or Thabeet. Minnesota could easily trade up to the 2nd pick. The TWolves have the 6th pick, 18th pick to use as trade bait as well as some interesting young players that would consider trading like Brewer, Foye, Smith, & Telfair. I think Memphis could work out something Minnesota no problem if indeed they really want to trade the 2nd pick.

[Gabereal33Participant]

Coach Frank and Thorn would love a guy like Thabeet. Imagine having Thabeet and Lopez on the same team. That would be the best center rotation in the league by far.

…but yea it would make less sense for a team like NJ to chase Thabeet than a team in dire need for size and defense.

[piratejpParticipant]

I think Thabeet can succeed in the right setting. If he goes to the wrong team, it could get ugly quick though. He’s got a ways to go before he’s Mutombo, but his defensive potential has to be attractive to certain teams.

[piratejpParticipant]

I thought about them too, and agree that they probably have the most means to trade up. They seem higher on Rubio than Thabeet though, which is why I didn’t include them. That would make a lot of sense though & plug a hole for them. Plus, as long as they keep one of their other two first rounders, they could still bring in a PG.

[Gabereal33Participant]

yea, i am def a fan of Thabeets game. I’m a husky alumni and watched every game this season. Thabeet is the real deal. No gamble taking him with the second pick fellas. He is a relentlessly hard worker and has made leaps and bounds in his game every season.

[BosteritoParticipant]

How about Miami? Theyre not a strong rebounding team, so why not trade Haslem and maybe the two 2nd round picks to Memphis. Memphis needs a strong and hustling PF, which Haslem can bring. The Heat need a rebounder and a dominant bigman

[maravich44Participant]

Bulls need a center with an inside offensive game. Thabeet may never develop into that, though any team would love what he brings defensively. I agree. It’s odd in a point guard rich draft to trade up to get one. The think is that a lot of the guards bring much different skills to the table. Need a guard who can shoo? Get Curry. don’t trade up to get Rubio. Need a passs first guard who doesn’t have to score? Maybe Rubio is the man. On the whole in this draft, because of his uniqueness, Thabeet should have more value and would expect him to be drafted #2……even if someone has to trade up to take him

[knicksfreakParticipant]

He got knocked to the ground all the time in college. I’d hate to see what happens to him in the pros.

[BosteritoParticipant]

Me too, I just put that because I hate Haslem. Any deal with Haslem off is good for me.

[Gabereal33Participant]

Knicksfreak.. i just wish the general managers of the first 10 picks of the draft felt the same way as you so my Nets could get another steal of the draft.

[piratejpParticipant]

I’ve heard that Memphis will take Rubio in order to force other teams to come to them to get him. That to me seems like a recipe for ending up with a player who isn’t a great fit for their team, or at least forced to take a much worse deal than they anticipate. All I’m saying is, why not just do the same thing with Thabeet? You set yourself up as the team to work with if someone wants him, and if you don’t get any takers you’re left with a piece that makes more sense given the current roster.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

haslem has been with the heat for forever. i think if he was going to get traded it would have already happened.

[Gabereal33Participant]

i dont think that’s enough to get that pick… even at Haslem’s best year two or three years ago.

also there are some GMs that look at second round picks as money down the drain. not saying thats how Chris Wallace (GM of Memphis) feels, but he has stated that he wants to cut spending and Haslem and 2 second round picks equals about 8.5 million dollars of contracts just this year…

i would rather have thabeet….

[Gabereal33Participant]

the problem with the minnesota scenarios is that nobody would want Smith, Brewer, or Telfair.. Foye might get some interest but in a heavy point/combo guard draft he doesn’t seem like a standout addition here right?

[BosteritoParticipant]

I know this is completely off topic, but how about Haslem for a move up in the draft? Maybe a good 3, the Heat need that.

Chalmers
Wade
O’Neal/Magliore
Beasley
Earl Clark/Moon

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Memphis gets:
Glen Davis sign and trade
2010 1st round pick
Bill Walker
JR Giddens

Celtics get:
Milicic
2nd Pick

Other option for Memphis:

Minnesota gets:
Arthur
Milicic
Conley
2nd pick

Memphis gets:
6th pick
18th pick
Brewer
Foye
Smith
Telfair
Madsen

Anybody think either of those trades could work?

[j1232eParticipant]

think boston can trade a 2010 pick. They traded the 2009 pick.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

OH

[piratejpParticipant]

That first one would make a lot of sense for both teams, but Davis’ signing off on it is likely the sticking point, so probably wouldn’t happen. Interesting though.

[maravich44Participant]

You are usually on the money with your thoughts. I don’t see it this time. Trade #1 makes no sense. Celtics are a good team so there #1 next year will be a late one, diminishing its value significantly. For the 2nd pick in this year’s draft (Thabeet for Celtics), they would only have to give up a backup player? He’s the only one of value.

2nd scenario is much better, I think 2nd pick and Conley have more value than what they would get in return and they don’t need Brewer Foye or Telfair. Mayo wants to play point and they have Gay at 3.

[piratejpParticipant]

Why? Is there a rule you can’t trade your 1st rounder in back-to-back years? That doesn’t sound right to me, but I suppose it’s possible.

[maravich44Participant]

It is true. Goes back to Kings trade of Scott Wedmann 30 years ago.

[maravich44Participant]

Goes back to the Ted Stepian Cavs.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

maravich44- A late 1st round pick in next years draft is still very valuable. Glen Davis would be a very solid starting PF for the Grizzlies. Big Baby is not a backup player. The 6th pick + 18th equals the 2nd pick in my eyes. There isn’t much of a difference in talent and production between Foye & Conley. Memphis has terrible depth. The Grizzlies could definitely use Brewer, Telfair, & Smith. They are all pretty good backups.

The trades might be little off the wall but I just came up with them off the top of my head. I figured Boston & Minn might want to trade up so I tried to guess what a possible trade might look like.

[maravich44Participant]

I think there is significant value betwen the #2 pick and 6 and 18. This year may be different due to the nature of this year’s draft. Davis is a solid player (poor choice of words), but not a star and right now, not even a starter.I also don’t think you trade the second pick in the draft for depth. It’s about hitting a homerun in that spot. I’d rather make a mistake on hoping Thabeet becomes Mutombo than making my roster deeper.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

I think Davis is a starter.

Memphis wouldn’t be trading the 2nd pick purely for depth. The extra depth is just a bonus. I would rather have Tyreke Evans (6th pick) & somebody like James Johnson (18th pick) over Rubio or Thabeet.

[maravich44Participant]

We don’t know how good anybody’s going to be in the pros. With pick #2 you should get a star player. Pick 6 you get a solid, solid player hopefully. At 18 you hope to get a guy who helps in your rotation. I would rather have the guy who should be a star. You are not wrong. I just disagree with you.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Its all good. We just have different opinions about certain players and the value of certain picks.

[maravich44Participant]

That’s what these forums are for! I think my favorite sport is the one out of season. So much fun to think about the possibilities and decide what you would do as GM. I love right before the NBA and NFL drafts and Winter meetings and right before the trade deadline in baseball.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

I’m exactly the same way. Drafts are the most exciting.

[piratejpParticipant]

I’m with Gatorheels on Glen Davis, which is why I thought that deal made more sense. Sure the 1st rounder next year would have been late, but a late 1st rounder in a deep draft has value. I think Davis would come in and give Memphis a big boost at the 4. You obviously don’t.

Moot point apparently though. That’s interesting about trading back-to-back firsts, never heard that before.

[unemployedballerParticipant]

Lol

[unemployedballerParticipant]

Lol

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