Immediately putting the pick up for sale (for a vet) seems like a pout move by PDA. The quality of vet we can get for the 8th pick can be had in FA.
Or what PDA is looking for is a team that wants to trade up. The Bulls have two first round picks (#16 and #19), the Suns have two as well (#14 and #27), and the 76ers might want to move up a couple of spots (#10 plus a second) or back into the first for another lottery pick (some second round picks plus Thaddeus Young?).
It wouldn't necessarily have to be a veteran. A deal to grab two mid first round picks, or a mid and a late, or some picks plus a talented player, could be appealing options.
So we dropped 1 spot....Oh wells. There will still be a bunch of good prospects at that position.
The entire Pacers team is made up of guys picked lower than 8th (well, at least the big name players on that squad, havent bothered to check out the entire roster)....8th isnt the end of the world.
Agreed. We can still grab a talented guy at #8. A player like Gordon could be on the board to get us an athletic big. Or a talent like McDermott or Staukas should be available. So depending on what PDA prioritises, he should be able to get a contributor at #8.
If he's mad about dropping he should try to move up a spot or two. -insert movable piece- + 8th pick can get us in to the top 5. There are good players to be had in the top 5.
The problem with top five is which team will be willing to trade down?
- Cavs: apparently value Embiid, but imagine putting Parker or Wiggins in the same team as Irving. Granted they might want LeBron back, but if he sticks in Miami (which he should), then I don't see them passing on a potential star to add to help Iriving.
- Bucks: they need a star. They might want more picks, but I don't see them wanting to move down.
- 76ers: they will want a quick turn around. At #3 they should get one of Embiid, Parker or Wiggins. Ideally they would probably want Parker or Wiggins to give their team a go to scorer. So again, can't see them moving down. If anything, I see them trying to grab a third lottery pick.
- Magic: another team in need of a star. Most have them taking Exum to give them their PG for the future. But they could get "lucky" and take a player like Parker or Embiid. They could be tempted by a move down, but would #8 + McLemore and/or D-Will be tempting enough?
- Utah: They are another team that needs more talent. But if they did trade with us, I suppose #5 could get us Exum, Randle, Smart or Vonleh. But I'm not sure they would.
Personally I think the most likely option would be the Magic. Their GM has shown already that he likes to stockpile and take risks on underrated/under used talent. But I remain doubtful that a team in the top five wants to move back unless the deal is too good to turn down.