karl malone
Well-Known Member
I'm not suggesting that we go into this summer without a plan & just wing it. All I am suggesting is that we allow what happens in the draft to determine how we go about executing that plan; which I believe is to set ourselves up to compete next year by adding players who will not only contribute in this upcoming season, but the following seasons as well. As things currently stand, it appears as though we will be picking in the 9-11 range with the possibility of ending up as low as #12 or as high as #6 (although that seems unlikely considering how we've been playing lately).
Possible outcomes:
#1. Make a significant trade to move up into the top 4
If this were to happen, Russell would likely be the target. Other possibilities could be Mudiay or Towns/Okafor (if 1 we're to slip past the top 2, although unlikely). In this scenario, one of Exum(+1 or 2 picks)/Burke (+3 or 4 picks) would probably be traded & Russell would start at the 1, with the remaining PG sliding into the backup role. In this case, Burks would either start at SG or a FA wing would be brought in, allowing Burks to become our 6th man. FA possibilities would be T.Harris, Middleton, Matthews, Carroll, D.Green, etc (although the first few may be outside of our price range).
#2. Make a minor trade to move up into the 5-7 range
Draft targets would be Johnson or Hezonja. Trade 1 of Burke/Hood + our pick (+ maybe the OKC pick if necessary). If it were Burke who was traded, we could then sign a FA PG to start (Beverly, Lin, Nelson, etc) & bring Exum off the bench along with whomever doesn't start between Burks & Johnson/Hezonja.
#3. Stand pat
Possible targets: WCS (depending on Tomic), Porzingis (depending on T.Booker), Winslow, Oubre, D.Booker, etc. Although we will likely picking between #9-11, this draft is deep enough in lottery talent that a solid player could be had in this range, which might actually make this the best option (depending on what teams are demanding in a trade to move up). There are multiple scenarios which could play out were we to follow this route. Due to there not being an NBA ready starting PG (or, for the most part, player for that matter- although WCS/Winslow/(maybe) Porzingis & (maybe) Booker may be able to start in the right situations), I would imagine that we would go BPA (likely wing unless Tomic decides not to come over). In that case we would likely sign a PG to start with Burks, Hayward, Favors, Gobert & have Exum/Burke, pick, Hood, Booker, Tomic make up our 2nd unit. There are also several other options in this range such as Looney, Turner, Kaminsky (all of which would depend on what happens with our backup bigs).
#4. Move down
We could decide to trade down in order to obtain another asset if we identify a prospect who we feel is being undervalued (like Gobert) or somebody we like begins to slip beyond his projected draft spot. In this scenario, we would probably attempt to sign an impact talent in FA to help make us competitive for next year, while not only allowing us to retain the immense depth of talent that we have at almost every position on the floor, but even add to it.
#5. Trade out
Given the fact that we have 3 players who are currently capable of contributing to a playoff caliber starting 5, this (along with standing pat) is probably the most likely of these options. My guess would be that we would target a starting quality PG or wing. If it were a PG (trade Burke + pick), Burks would likely start at the 2, with Exum backing up the 1. While if it were a wing (Hood + pick), Burks would be the 6th man while we either sign a PG (& deal Burke for future assets, with Exum coming off the bench) or continue to have Exum & Burke split duties at the point.
Either way, we have plenty of options & can afford to take what the off-season gives up. Hopefully that ends up being a playoff caliber team built for sustained success. We certainly have the pieces in place to do so, now we just need to take advantage of whatever opportunities present themselves in this upcoming off-season.
Possible outcomes:
#1. Make a significant trade to move up into the top 4
If this were to happen, Russell would likely be the target. Other possibilities could be Mudiay or Towns/Okafor (if 1 we're to slip past the top 2, although unlikely). In this scenario, one of Exum(+1 or 2 picks)/Burke (+3 or 4 picks) would probably be traded & Russell would start at the 1, with the remaining PG sliding into the backup role. In this case, Burks would either start at SG or a FA wing would be brought in, allowing Burks to become our 6th man. FA possibilities would be T.Harris, Middleton, Matthews, Carroll, D.Green, etc (although the first few may be outside of our price range).
#2. Make a minor trade to move up into the 5-7 range
Draft targets would be Johnson or Hezonja. Trade 1 of Burke/Hood + our pick (+ maybe the OKC pick if necessary). If it were Burke who was traded, we could then sign a FA PG to start (Beverly, Lin, Nelson, etc) & bring Exum off the bench along with whomever doesn't start between Burks & Johnson/Hezonja.
#3. Stand pat
Possible targets: WCS (depending on Tomic), Porzingis (depending on T.Booker), Winslow, Oubre, D.Booker, etc. Although we will likely picking between #9-11, this draft is deep enough in lottery talent that a solid player could be had in this range, which might actually make this the best option (depending on what teams are demanding in a trade to move up). There are multiple scenarios which could play out were we to follow this route. Due to there not being an NBA ready starting PG (or, for the most part, player for that matter- although WCS/Winslow/(maybe) Porzingis & (maybe) Booker may be able to start in the right situations), I would imagine that we would go BPA (likely wing unless Tomic decides not to come over). In that case we would likely sign a PG to start with Burks, Hayward, Favors, Gobert & have Exum/Burke, pick, Hood, Booker, Tomic make up our 2nd unit. There are also several other options in this range such as Looney, Turner, Kaminsky (all of which would depend on what happens with our backup bigs).
#4. Move down
We could decide to trade down in order to obtain another asset if we identify a prospect who we feel is being undervalued (like Gobert) or somebody we like begins to slip beyond his projected draft spot. In this scenario, we would probably attempt to sign an impact talent in FA to help make us competitive for next year, while not only allowing us to retain the immense depth of talent that we have at almost every position on the floor, but even add to it.
#5. Trade out
Given the fact that we have 3 players who are currently capable of contributing to a playoff caliber starting 5, this (along with standing pat) is probably the most likely of these options. My guess would be that we would target a starting quality PG or wing. If it were a PG (trade Burke + pick), Burks would likely start at the 2, with Exum backing up the 1. While if it were a wing (Hood + pick), Burks would be the 6th man while we either sign a PG (& deal Burke for future assets, with Exum coming off the bench) or continue to have Exum & Burke split duties at the point.
Either way, we have plenty of options & can afford to take what the off-season gives up. Hopefully that ends up being a playoff caliber team built for sustained success. We certainly have the pieces in place to do so, now we just need to take advantage of whatever opportunities present themselves in this upcoming off-season.
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