Another hurdle on the way to MKG removed!!

[Boogie-havoc]

Imo the Cavs are the ones to worry about. Charlotte isn't gonna take him at #2 I don't think. I have a feeling he's the 5th rated player on their board.

I'm starting to agree with that too.

MKG, if anyone, is a good friend to Irving. played with him in highschool in NJ and all, was on the record saying he talks to him alot of the phone and stuff before the NCAA final iirc - and I think his high character and work-ethic is enough to make the Cavs assume longterm he will give them enough offense (while they strengthen the squad in other areas too).

I think as of right now it's :

1. Davis
2. Robinson/Barnes
3. Beal
4. MKG
5. Robinson/Barnes

Maybe i'm just turning into a pessimist for no reason, but I think we're going to end up with either Robinson or Barnes, depends on who the Bobcats pick between the 2 (Don't see them taking MKG, unlike the Cavs who have their offensive star in Kyrie and I think are likely to)

 

[roasthawg]

I'm starting to agree with that too.

MKG, if anyone, is a good friend to Irving. played with him in highschool in NJ and all, was on the record saying he talks to him alot of the phone and stuff before the NCAA final iirc - and I think his high character and work-ethic is enough to make the Cavs assume longterm he will give them enough offense (while they strengthen the squad in other areas too).

I think as of right now it's :

1. Davis
2. Robinson/Barnes
3. Beal
4. MKG
5. Robinson/Barnes

Maybe i'm just turning into a pessimist for no reason, but I think we're going to end up with either Robinson or Barnes, depends on who the Bobcats pick between the 2 (Don't see them taking MKG, unlike the Cavs who have their offensive star in Kyrie and I think are likely to)

Sounds about right... I'm fine with a Robinson/Barnes pick. I'm fine with any of the top 5 guys... good spot to be in.

 

[Boogie-havoc]

Charlotte Bobcats ‏@bobcats

Everyone here to watch @HBarnes #CatsDraft workout today: Chairman #MichaelJordan #RodHiggins #RichCho #MikeDunlap #CurtisPolk #nba

Charlotte Bobcats ‏@bobcats

Impressive work from @HBarnes in #CatsDraft dunk drill. 15 dunks in 1 minute - all with authority #nba

Charlotte Bobcats ‏@bobcats

Just watched @HBarnes knock down over 80% of his midrange jumpers in this #CatsDraft shooting drill #nba

Charlotte Bobcats ‏@bobcats

Did you know @HBarnes was given middle name #Jordan after #MichaelJordan whom Barnes mother was a big fan? #nba #CatsDraft

Yea, so they obviously like him, lol. Said to have a great workout for them. If we're not getting MKG, atleast I don't want to see us getting Barnes - Although If Barnes is gone with the #2, there isn't even a chance for us to get MKG to drop.

 

[Glenn]

Let us all be greatful that Beal popped into the top 4. Now if he was available at #5 I would groan but then immediately start talking trades with a whole bunch of people. Beal may be great, but he resolves problem #4 for us with SF and PF being #1 and #2 by a long shot, a PG, and then someone else. Somehow the other problems have to be solved or all we have done is replace MT with Beal. Sure, it's an upgrade but not anywhere near the upgrade we need elsewhere.

Energy is important also which points my finger at MKG and Robinson. Well, Davis also but ....

 

[beb0p]

Keep an eye out for Golden State. Their owners are fanatical (in a good way) and they are absolutely infatuated with MKG. If the Bobcats decides they want a scorer (Barnes) and think there's a good chance that player is still available at #7 (Barnes??), they can swing a deal with the Warriors, who is very, very eager to move up. #7 + #30 + something for #2???

 

[roasthawg]

Keep an eye out for Golden State. Their owners are fanatical (in a good way) and they are absolutely infatuated with MKG. If the Bobcats decides they want a scorer (Barnes) and think there's a good chance that player is still available at #7 (Barnes??), they can swing a deal with the Warriors, who is very, very eager to move up. #7 + #30 + something for #2???

We wrote yesterday about the likelihood that coveted small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could slip to No. 5 on draft day, made more possible by the Wizards-Hornets trade. That got us thinking -- if MKG is there for Sacramento at No. 5, might the Warriors feel inclined to do whatever they can to move up two spots and take him?

To pull off the trade, Golden State would probably have to get creative. Sacramento likely wouldn't be interested in the Warriors No. 30 pick, for example, since it amounts to giving a guaranteed contract to the last player taken in the first round. Just speculating here, but since the hard-nosed, defensive-minded Kidd-Gilchrist would make such a perfect addition to the Warriors lineup, we wonder if dangling a future first round pick might be enough to convince the Kings to move down two slots.

Sacramento is very impressed with Weber State point guard Damian Lillard, and rumor has it he could be their pick if they stay at No. 5. But with Portland drafting No. 6, there's a decent chance he could go to the Trail Blazers if the Kings do elect to swap picks with Golden State. Even if that happens, though, someone like UConn's promising center Andre Drummond is likely to be there as another option.

This is all pure speculation, but it's something that could make a lot of sense for both teams.

From espn

 

[sidney]

From espn

How nice of espn to note that MKG would be a "perfect addition" to Golden State without mentioning that he would also be a perfect fit for the Kings.

 

[Kingster]

Cavs need scorers....badly. Their top three scorers last year? Irving, Jamison, and Sessions. 2 out of those 3 are gone and the rest are 10PPG types. Kyrie needs a lot of help. I would guess their draft board is something like Beal, Barnes, MKG

Agreed. I think Beal goes #2 and Barnes goes to the Cavs.

 

[Kingster]

Keep an eye out for Golden State. Their owners are fanatical (in a good way) and they are absolutely infatuated with MKG. If the Bobcats decides they want a scorer (Barnes) and think there's a good chance that player is still available at #7 (Barnes??), they can swing a deal with the Warriors, who is very, very eager to move up. #7 + #30 + something for #2???

If West likes MKG, it wouldn't be the first time he traded up just before the Kings to nab somebody good. I hope the Kings put out signals that they're taking Barnes to put an end to this scenario.

 

[Uncia03]

At this point I am actually semi-hopefully that MKG will drop down to #5.
I'm probably setting myself up for severe disappointment, but I just can't help myself.

I think that Charlotte will pass on MKG in favor of a scorer. Sounds like Barnes (after his workout) or Robinson might be the choice since they have Henderson at the SG spot which would make Beal not as good a fit.

The Wizards have to take Beal due to their depth now at SF/PF, and if Beal is off the board, then I doubt they go with MKG when they already have Ariza and Singleton.

So I think it will also come down to Cleveland. They already have a defensive SF that they like in Alonzo Gee, so if it's between MKG or Barnes, does Barnes edge out MKG due to his scoring potential?
If it's between Robinson/MKG does Robinson win out over MKG due to his scoring potential?

I think Cleveland would take Barnes over MKG rather than Robinson over MKG just do to them picking up Tristan Thompson with the #4 pick last year as their PF of the future.

So if the Bobcats take Barnes, I think Cleveland takes MKG, which would give us a choice between Robinson and Drummond.
If the Bobcats take Robinson, I think that there's a better chance that Cleveland takes Barnes over MKG, which would give us a choice between MKG and Drummond.

 

[Kingster]

Conventional wisdom says Wiz needs a SG and Grunfield implied that he wouldn't have made that trade if he isn't sure that Beal will be there at #3.

I know the Wiz would like Beal, but I think the Bobs like Beal. They need scoring and there are stories that they put out feelers they'd like to get Harden (scoring). But the Harden scenario seems like a pipe dream, so it still seems like Beal to me.

 

[Kingster]

I think that if the Bobcats pass on MKG, then there's a very good chance he'll slide to us. To me they're the wildcard. If they take Robinson, I think the Wiz will take Beal, and that leaves the Cav's with either MGK or Barnes. Since the Cav's need scoring, and the fact that Irving and Barnes are friends (dont' know how much that will influence the decision) there's a good chance they take Barnes.. One can only hope!

My speculation is that Bobs pass on MKG and go with Beal and Washington takes Barnes. Cleveland takes Robinson. Kings take MKG. But I can easily see some team like GS trading up to nab MKG. Petrie better not be sleeping....

 

[Uncia03]

My speculation is that Bobs pass on MKG and go with Beal and Washington takes Barnes. Cleveland takes Robinson. Kings take MKG. But I can easily see some team like GS trading up to nab MKG. Petrie better not be sleeping....

I would love for it to play out that way. But why do you think that Cleveland would take Robinson over MKG?
They just drafted Tristan last year with the 4th pick.

Now, I didn't like that pick, and I think Robinson is going to be a better player than Tristan, but is Robinson's upside bigger than MKG's upside over Alonzo Gee?

I'd love to think that Cleveland wouldn't take MKG, but I can't seem to find too many reasons why they would pass.
So I'd love to hear your reasoning so I can get myself even more hopeful of landing MKG with the 5th pick.

 

[Boogie-havoc]

@chadfordinsider: Workouts: MKG - Wizards (6/15), Bobcats (6/18), Cavs (6/20) | Beal - Wizards (6/14), Cavs (6/16), Bobcats (6/18). Both are done working out

So MKG is not gonna come workout with us.

Edit : check that, make this NONE of alleged top 5 players coming to workout with us.

Workouts: TRob - Wizards (6/13), Cavs (6/20), Bobcats (6/22) | Barnes - Raptors (6/14), Cavs (6/16), Wizards (6/19), Bobcats (6/21)

Barnes done working out today. TRob's last workout in Charlotte on Friday.

Hmm. So that's how it feels like being red-flagged as a franchise. Cool.

 

[Kingster]

I would love for it to play out that way. But why do you think that Cleveland would take Robinson over MKG?
They just drafted Tristan last year with the 4th pick.

Now, I didn't like that pick, and I think Robinson is going to be a better player than Tristan, but is Robinson's upside bigger than MKG's upside over Alonzo Gee?

I'd love to think that Cleveland wouldn't take MKG, but I can't seem to find too many reasons why they would pass.
So I'd love to hear your reasoning so I can get myself even more hopeful of landing MKG with the 5th pick.

You just blew my scenario, Uncia! That is an excellent point about Tristan. Although I must say that Robinson and Tristan are very different kinds of power forwards. I don't know if that's significant or not, but I just want to put it out there to mull over. (Tristan is much more of the shot blocking back to the basket kind of guy). If those two scorers are taken ahead of the Cavs, then yeah, I could see them pulling the trigger on MKG because both Beal and Barnes are gone. Frankly, I don't know if they would be very happy doing so because I really think want scoring to combine with Irving. But if they do take MKG, that leaves the Kings with Robinson. Personally, I wouldn't be disappointed with that at all. If we get either Robinson or MKG I'm a happy camper.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

So MKG is not gonna come workout with us.

Edit : check that, make this NONE of alleged top 5 players coming to workout with us.

Hmm. So that's how it feels like being red-flagged as a franchise. Cool.

Dear Maloofs: Take a freaking hint, idiots.

 

[roasthawg]

Hmm. So that's how it feels like being red-flagged as a franchise. Cool.

Not at all... there's a clear-cut top five players in this draft but there's no clear cut order within that group aside from Davis at #1. At #5 everyone knows we're taking whomevers left... so why would any of those guys workout for us? They have nothing to gain... the only way they gain is if they get themselves into the top four picks, hence the workouts for the teams above us.

Barnes workingout for the Raptors is obviously the anomally... must have been an understanding that they could trade into the top four to select him if they want.

 

[pshn80]

Well the only guy we've worked out who's projected close to the top 5 is Andre Drummond and the rumor is we don't want him at 5 so I'm not sure who Joe could possibly be talking about here.

I'm quite sure the Kings would pick any one or the top six without an in-house work out. Like has been pointed out by others, there is a lot known about all the top six and I'm sure even interviews that we are not privy to. The intrigue marches on.

 

[pshn80]

Just frustrating. I don't think they think anything through. And I truly mean anything, at all.

As an aside, MKG just tweeted he was at JT's BBQ. Maybe that's a sign...

Join me. I have never seen a tweet unless it was posted here. The definition of a tweet leads me to question why any serious person would use them for anything worth saying. Didn't even get whether MKG had ribs or a steak. Tweets by definition.................................... Write me a letter.

 

[Uncia03]

You just blew my scenario, Uncia! That is an excellent point about Tristan. Although I must say that Robinson and Tristan are very different kinds of power forwards. I don't know if that's significant or not, but I just want to put it out there to mull over. (Tristan is much more of the shot blocking back to the basket kind of guy). If those two scorers are taken ahead of the Cavs, then yeah, I could see them pulling the trigger on MKG because both Beal and Barnes are gone. Frankly, I don't know if they would be very happy doing so because I really think want scoring to combine with Irving. But if they do take MKG, that leaves the Kings with Robinson. Personally, I wouldn't be disappointed with that at all. If we get either Robinson or MKG I'm a happy camper.

Yeah, Tristan and Robinson are very different types of players, with Tristan being more defensive oriented and Robinson being more physical/rebounding/post oriented, and if either could perhaps either swing to the Center or swing to the SF then perhaps I could see them taking both, but I just don't see it. (Robinson would have the easier time swinging to SF (though it won't ever happen)than Tristan and neither of them should play the Center position)

But as you mentioned, I'd be perfectly happy with Robinson, even though he'll be a bit duplicative with JT. I love his motor, rebounding, hustle, & athleticism.

So it's a bit of a toss-up for me.

If the Bobcats take Barnes, there's a great chance Robinson slips to us and a slight chance that MKG slips to us.
If the Bobcats take Robinson, there's an even chance that Cleveland will take Barnes over MKG.

Since I'd rather have Robinson over Barnes, I'm not certain which way I want the Bobcats to go. Them taking Barnes probably means we lose MKG, but get Robinson.
I really want MKG, but I'd rather have Robinson as a consolation prize over Barnes.

 

[roasthawg]

If Barnes goes #2 we're getting Robinson plain and simple. If Robinson goes #2 then we have a shot at MKG. If I had to guess today I'd say it goes Davis, Barnes, Beale, MKG, and we take Robinson. We could do worse than coming out of this thing with a poor man's Blake Griffin. But no doubt we could also do better.

 

[IfAt1st]

Yah I didn't like trading Beno either. I think most of us here were on that boat.

No, most people here were NOT on that boat.

Don't make me name names.

 

[Dime Dropper]

No, most people here were NOT on that boat.

Don't make me name names.

Most people were DEFINITELY against the Salmons trade. Being able to name a few in the majority does not mean that most people liked that deal.

 

[rainmaker]

From espn

What the F do we want with Lillard? Sure it's just a rumor, but considering I also saw a rumor in the last week that we once again will go after Jamal Crawford, I'm getting nervous again that our FO wants to add more scoring to our backcourt, above other needs. Even with Reke/MT/IT/Jimmer last summer, Petrie still went hard after Jamal, and yes that was before IT blew up, but he probably figured Jimmer would have been the one to blow up. That was also when we clearly needed defense up front.

Wouldn't surprise me in the least if these rumors are true.

 

[bajaden]

Join me. I have never seen a tweet unless it was posted here. The definition of a tweet leads me to question why any serious person would use them for anything worth saying. Didn't even get whether MKG had ribs or a steak. Tweets by definition.................................... Write me a letter.

Well, if you want to see a tweet other than here, then first join twitter, and then start following people. You can get valuable info from twitter. NBA scouts and college scouts use it as a form of conversation between one another. You can get breaking news long before its in the newspaper, especially the Bee, or before its even on ESPN at times.

 

[bajaden]

Yeah, Tristan and Robinson are very different types of players, with Tristan being more defensive oriented and Robinson being more physical/rebounding/post oriented, and if either could perhaps either swing to the Center or swing to the SF then perhaps I could see them taking both, but I just don't see it. (Robinson would have the easier time swinging to SF (though it won't ever happen)than Tristan and neither of them should play the Center position)

But as you mentioned, I'd be perfectly happy with Robinson, even though he'll be a bit duplicative with JT. I love his motor, rebounding, hustle, & athleticism.

So it's a bit of a toss-up for me.

If the Bobcats take Barnes, there's a great chance Robinson slips to us and a slight chance that MKG slips to us.
If the Bobcats take Robinson, there's an even chance that Cleveland will take Barnes over MKG.

Since I'd rather have Robinson over Barnes, I'm not certain which way I want the Bobcats to go. Them taking Barnes probably means we lose MKG, but get Robinson.
I really want MKG, but I'd rather have Robinson as a consolation prize over Barnes.

Robinson is exactly the kind of PF that gives JT and Cousins trouble. Because he's so dammed quick. I suspose that they could play Robinson and Tristan together, but they would be a little undersized at the center position. I'll take either Robinson or MKG. Both are going to be very good basketball players. And it doesn't surprise me that T. Rob bested Drummond in a one on one workout.

 

[Kingster]

Yeah, Tristan and Robinson are very different types of players, with Tristan being more defensive oriented and Robinson being more physical/rebounding/post oriented, and if either could perhaps either swing to the Center or swing to the SF then perhaps I could see them taking both, but I just don't see it. (Robinson would have the easier time swinging to SF (though it won't ever happen)than Tristan and neither of them should play the Center position)

But as you mentioned, I'd be perfectly happy with Robinson, even though he'll be a bit duplicative with JT. I love his motor, rebounding, hustle, & athleticism.

So it's a bit of a toss-up for me.

If the Bobcats take Barnes, there's a great chance Robinson slips to us and a slight chance that MKG slips to us.
If the Bobcats take Robinson, there's an even chance that Cleveland will take Barnes over MKG.

Since I'd rather have Robinson over Barnes, I'm not certain which way I want the Bobcats to go. Them taking Barnes probably means we lose MKG, but get Robinson.
I really want MKG, but I'd rather have Robinson as a consolation prize over Barnes.

I agree. MKG and Robinson have just about become a toss-up for me. I just don't want them both gone when the Kings pick. I'm not a big fan of Barnes.

 

[One and Done]

Really liking that we're finally in a good position to get a good player...the last few years we've always been "only 1 or 2 spots" away from what was perceived to be good draft position and with the exception of last year, we've gotten lucky.

That being said, I really, really hope that management does not opt to trade down. I have zero faith in management's ability to execute a fair or winning trade, and historically, trading down in the draft is rarely a good idea.

I've always been an MKG fan and hope he falls to us. I don't think he'll ever be a good 3-point threat, but glue guys like this rarely come along. Think Gerald Wallace with Shane Battier's defensive IQ. If we draft MKG, I'd like to see us trade Tyreke, but as with paragraph two, I have reservations on what we'd get back.

I won't be upset if we get Barnes, Beal or T-Rob either. All seem to have very little downside and project to be solid starters in this league. Just hope they don't trade down...please, please, please...

 

[mac]

I agree. MKG and Robinson have just about become a toss-up for me. I just don't want them both gone when the Kings pick. I'm not a big fan of Barnes.

I think I'd be ok with any of the 3, just from reading all the reports and articles about their workouts and stuff. I'd pick MKG over the other two, but it's a toss up for me between Barnes and Robinson.

 

[mac]

Most people were DEFINITELY against the Salmons trade. Being able to name a few in the majority does not mean that most people liked that deal.

I would say that the majority were iffy about the trade, but tried to be optimistic that Salmons would fill that SF role we needed. The number of people who were real excited about it was about the same as those who were going "WTF JOHN ****ing Salmons you have to be kidding me!". It was also an expectation that Jimmer would fit right in. If Jimmer had the great rookie season instead of IT, and Salmons played the same, the trade wouldn't look so bad now. I was one of the optimistic majority, and was happy that we got Jimmer, but I was doubtful that Salmons would be good for us because I hated him in his last stint here.