Those okc picks will be late....it’s just not worth it. I’d rather get a young vet to grow with this team, not another rook.
Depends on what they give. Their own picks will certainly not be too rosy, but I don't know if they have any other picks stocked away. Also, even with Melo, they are probably the 5th best team in the west (Ws and Rockets are certainly above them. Lakers might be, and Spurs tend to find ways. If they are able to retain Kawhi, or get something decent in return for him, they might end up being better than OKC. We also have to see how Utah develops this year). So, the pick might be in the low 20s, which is not too bad.
Moreover, if they do send us 2 of their own picks, they will be in 2019, and 2021. Who knows how they will be 3 years from now? Teams like Suns and hopefully us, will be looking to leapfrog them.
Draft picks always have value, either as players, or as trade chips. If we trade Shump for Melo, as has been proposed (theoretical, given the no-trade clause, etc.), we don't lose anything in terms of assets (the owners need to shell out an added 17M of course. Thunder may cover part of it from their 50M savings), retain our space for next year, and get two first round picks.
Melo has some issues, and needs the ball. That said, he's an established star, a strong scoring option that the team needs, and someone who gives the team some credibility in an year we have no incentive to lose. Plus, he plays SF. Not a bad deal overall.