Grant Napaer Show

So what EXACTLY has he said?

1. The Kings aren't going to take Drummond. Since Drummond doesn't fill our immediate needs, and isn't clearly the best player available when we pick, that statement doesn't mean Napear has insider knowledge.

2. The Kings aren't going to take Barnes. Since almost all mock drafts have Barnes going at the 4 to Cleveland, that statement is also more of the "well, d'oh" variety than insider knowledge.

3. The likelihood of a deal is low. This might be the closest thing to insider knowledge he's said, but it's also the most likely to be proven wrong. He's said it's low but not impossible so he can cover his posterior either way it goes.

4. He thinks the Kings are taking someone no one is talking about. Meaningless on its face since some one is taking about nearly every player in the draft.

Sorry, Kingster, but you're acting as though Grant has made statements that imply insider knowledge when I simply fail to see that as the case.

If it were a forgone conclusion that the Kings were not drafting Barnes, were not drafting Drummond, then fine, he's repeating what everybody knows. Based on the discussions on this board, those are hardly foregone conclusions. Also, there is consensus on the top players - those are the players everybody IS talking about - Beal, Barnes, MKG, Robinson, and up until recently, Drummond. Therefore, your argument that what he is saying is meaningless makes no sense, unless you think the entire draft speculation is meaningless. (If you thought that, I would respect your opinion....:D)
 
Listening to more of the show I really think its going to be Lillard. He was asked if he would do a deal with the warriors, trading the 5th pick for Dorell Wright and 7th pick and Grant said no because the player they want won't be there at seven. Most of the mock drafts I've seen have Portland taking Lillard.

If that were to happen, I'd like to hear his response to the IT is a future All Star and a mix between Nash/Stockton/Magic which we heard every other telecast.
 
Jeremy Lamb might be a sleeper pick. Henson as a reach. Both of those guys might be rated a lot higher than we think in NBA circles.

But yeah, probably Lillard. I like Lillard a lot - he's just unproven, which is scary. If turns out to be a starting NBA PG, then it's worth it, he certainly has the skills and mindset. At the worse, he's a nice Bobby Jax type of the bench.
 
I like Lillard a lot, but he doesn't fit, so if we take him, there simple HAS to be other trades in the work. You just can't keep stockpiling guards and ignore other problems. The only way I'm ok with Lillard is if they feel he is clearly BPA and a can't miss player. If that's the case, the most likely one to go is Thornton. And even if we get a SF in return for him, we still need a shotblocking big next to Cousins. And it essentially relegates Jimmer to 4th guard minutes, so stunts his growth.

Lillard could turn out to be great, but he creates a big mess, and if GP wants to go in that direction, he better have a plan in place to balance the roster in a way that works. I'm not sure I trust him to get that much trading right.
 
I like Lillard a lot, but he doesn't fit, so if we take him, there simple HAS to be other trades in the work. You just can't keep stockpiling guards and ignore other problems. The only way I'm ok with Lillard is if they feel he is clearly BPA and a can't miss player. If that's the case, the most likely one to go is Thornton. And even if we get a SF in return for him, we still need a shotblocking big next to Cousins. And it essentially relegates Jimmer to 4th guard minutes, so stunts his growth.

Lillard could turn out to be great, but he creates a big mess, and if GP wants to go in that direction, he better have a plan in place to balance the roster in a way that works. I'm not sure I trust him to get that much trading right.

Quincy Douby 6'3" 175lb Small College Stats:
25.4pts (.462 .401 .847) 4.3reb 3.1ast 1.8stl 0.8blk 2.8TO
= SCRUB!

Ronnie Price 6'2" 185lb Small College Stats:
24.3pts (.476 .359 .789) 4.2reb 3.0ast 1.8stl 0.2blk 3.0TO
= SCRUB!

Jimmer Fredette 6'2" 196lb Small College Stats:
28.9pts (.491 .396 .894) 3.4reb 4.3ast 1.3stl 0.0blk 3.5TO
= SCRUB! (auditioning for)

Damian Lillard 6'3" 189lb Small College Stats:
24.5pts (.467 .409 .887) 5.0reb 4.0ast 1.5stl 0.2blk 2.3TO
= STAR???

I guess if at first you don't succeed...just keep on slamming your head into that same wall until it bleeds?
 
I like Lillard a lot, but he doesn't fit, so if we take him, there simple HAS to be other trades in the work. You just can't keep stockpiling guards and ignore other problems. The only way I'm ok with Lillard is if they feel he is clearly BPA and a can't miss player. If that's the case, the most likely one to go is Thornton. And even if we get a SF in return for him, we still need a shotblocking big next to Cousins. And it essentially relegates Jimmer to 4th guard minutes, so stunts his growth.

Lillard could turn out to be great, but he creates a big mess, and if GP wants to go in that direction, he better have a plan in place to balance the roster in a way that works. I'm not sure I trust him to get that much trading right.

If Petrie did take Lillard and did create more of mess I'd like the pick. For one reason: he's obviously drafting in his own mind the BPA. He's not reaching for the need that causes the mistakes to occur - Jason Williams and possibly Jimmer. Go for the BPA. If it creates a huge f-ing mess, so be it. He has the summer to clean up. Worst thing that could happen would be an IT-Lillard backcourt. I can hear the screams now...:D:D
 
Quincy Douby 6'3" 175lb Small College Stats:
25.4pts (.462 .401 .847) 4.3reb 3.1ast 1.8stl 0.8blk 2.8TO
= SCRUB!

Ronnie Price 6'2" 185lb Small College Stats:
24.3pts (.476 .359 .789) 4.2reb 3.0ast 1.8stl 0.2blk 3.0TO
= SCRUB!

Jimmer Fredette 6'2" 196lb Small College Stats:
28.9pts (.491 .396 .894) 3.4reb 4.3ast 1.3stl 0.0blk 3.5TO
= SCRUB! (auditioning for)

Damian Lillard 6'3" 189lb Small College Stats:
24.5pts (.467 .409 .887) 5.0reb 4.0ast 1.5stl 0.2blk 2.3TO
= STAR???

I guess if at first you don't succeed...just keep on slamming your head into that same wall until it bleeds?

As I've already pointed out, he's certainly not top of my list. He has a lot more things going for him than the guys you listed, though. If we were in need of a PG, I'd be fine with taking him. He's a far better athlete than all of those guys, defends better, as well as having a much better handle. He's also got an extraordinary work ethic and is a leader. I'm not lobbying for him because taking him will create a mess that I seriously doubt GP will handle, but he'll be a good player. But you're right, Geoff needs to resist going for his shiny new toy and do what makes sense.
 
From what I've heard ...

... though some connections I have in the organization, is that Petrie likes Lillard, Waiters, Henson, Harless, and Moultrie. Sounds like he may go Kidd-Gilchrist if he drops. I sure hope so. Would love Doron Lamb at 36 if available.

Thomas/Fredette
Evans/Thornton/Lamb
Kidd-Gilchrist/Williams/Honeycutt
Thompson/Hayes
Cousins/Whiteside

Not counting Garcia, Salmons, and Outlaw because I consider them fodder.

Roster needs some creative management to drop some of these guys and add at least one more big to balance the roster. Perhaps Garcia's expiring packaged with Salmons' declining contract to a team looking for future cap relief? Hayes and Whiteside are probably 5th bigs in a "good" rotation at this point, so the front court will really need some help.

If the Kings could grab Ryan Anderson or Ersan Iyasova in free agency, that would sure help ...
 
I think they truly like Lillard, but probably not the extra work in trades that they would need to pull off by taking him. But Portland made a mistake by pulling their pants down on Lillard at #6 a little too soon. So Geoff could use taking Lillard at #5 to bluff into a swap with Portland. That way he can get Barnes, if it's assumed MKG is gone, and a player/draft pick in the swap process. All sounds fine, but that player could be Jamal Crawford. Not my cup of tea, but Petrie has a thing for him.
 
Quincy Douby 6'3" 175lb Small College Stats:
25.4pts (.462 .401 .847) 4.3reb 3.1ast 1.8stl 0.8blk 2.8TO
= SCRUB!

Ronnie Price 6'2" 185lb Small College Stats:
24.3pts (.476 .359 .789) 4.2reb 3.0ast 1.8stl 0.2blk 3.0TO
= SCRUB!

Jimmer Fredette 6'2" 196lb Small College Stats:
28.9pts (.491 .396 .894) 3.4reb 4.3ast 1.3stl 0.0blk 3.5TO
= SCRUB! (auditioning for)

Damian Lillard 6'3" 189lb Small College Stats:
24.5pts (.467 .409 .887) 5.0reb 4.0ast 1.5stl 0.2blk 2.3TO
= STAR???

I guess if at first you don't succeed...just keep on slamming your head into that same wall until it bleeds?

I don't understand the point of your examples. Not only that, Douby is the only legit miss as a 1st round pick among the group. Price was an undrafted FA, Fredette has only played 1 season, and Lilliard hasn't even been drafted yet. The latter 2 have yet to prove to be failures from small colleges, so why mention them?

As for Price, you could have just as easily brought up other undrafted FA guards that haven't accomplished much. The fact that Price went to a small school means nothing.

What about Kevin Martin or Steph Curry? They both averaged a ton of points at small schools, were drafted in the 1st round yet turned out ok. And the Kings actually drafted one of them and could have had the other but passed.....

Just because Douby didn't pan out and Jimmer didn't light up the league during a strike shortened season (with no training camp) shouldn't at all remove Lilliard from consideration.

Now, I'm not advocating selecting Lilliard. I just think the examples you provided were quite poor for reasons outlined.
 
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I don't understand the point of your examples. Not only that, Douby is the only legit miss as a 1st round pick among the group. Price was an undrafted FA, Fredette has only played 1 season, and Lilliard hasn't even been drafted yet. The latter 2 have yet to prove to be failures from small colleges, so why mention them?

As for Price, you could have just as easily brought up other undrafted FA guards that haven't accomplished much. The fact that Price went to a small school means nothing.

What about Kevin Martin or Steph Curry? They both averaged a ton of points at small schools, were drafted in the 1st round yet turned out ok. And the Kings actually drafted one of them and could have had the other but passed.....

Just because Douby didn't pan out and Jimmer didn't light up the league during a strike shortened season (with no training camp) shouldn't at all remove Lilliard from consideration.

Now, I'm not advocating selecting Lilliard. I just think the examples you provided were quite poor for reasons outlined.

Great post!
 
I don't understand the point of your examples. Not only that, Douby is the only legit miss as a 1st round pick among the group. Price was an undrafted FA, Fredette has only played 1 season, and Lilliard hasn't even been drafted yet. The latter 2 have yet to prove to be failures from small colleges, so why mention them?

As for Price, you could have just as easily brought up other undrafted FA guards that haven't accomplished much. The fact that Price went to a small school means nothing.

What about Kevin Martin or Steph Curry? They both averaged a ton of points at small schools, were drafted in the 1st round yet turned out ok. And the Kings actually drafted one of them and could have had the other but passed.....

Just because Douby didn't pan out and Jimmer didn't light up the league during a strike shortened season (with no training camp) shouldn't at all remove Lilliard from consideration.

Now, I'm not advocating selecting Lilliard. I just think the examples you provided were quite poor for reasons outlined.

The examples I provided were spot on. The size. The caught between SG and PG. The small schools. More improtantly they were OURS.

Kevin was a much different animal. Fullsized (scrawniness aside) pure SG. Had a position.

Curry would have fit the mold. But aside from not being ours, he averaged 5.6assists in his final year at Davidson, largely answering the question that always plagues the Doubys of the world, i..e what's your position? You're NBA PG sized, but you play like a SG. Has Lillard answered that question? Have not watched him play enough to know. But I do know he's another small gunner guard from a small non-major school, another old rookie like all these other guys coming on in his final year to dominate the diluted college ranks. He might be special and different. But on paper he absolutely looks just like all of these other guys that routinely fall on their face in the NBA. We made this smae mistake last year, and it hurt us badly. In fact Geoff's only two draft misses in the last half dozen years have been with that same player. Do you trust him to see that guy clearly?
 
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How about this for your future lineup:

PG - Lillard/IT/Tyreke/Jimmer
SG - Thornton/Tyreke/Jimmer/Salmons/
SF - Salmons/Tyreke/Garcia/Honeycutt/Outlaw
PF - Thompson/Hayes/Whiteside
C - Cousins/Thompson/Hayes
 
How about this for your future lineup:

PG - Lillard/IT/Tyreke/Jimmer
SG - Thornton/Tyreke/Jimmer/Salmons/
SF - Salmons/Tyreke/Garcia/Honeycutt/Outlaw
PF - Thompson/Hayes/Whiteside
C - Cousins/Thompson/Hayes

They might as well trade Tyreke then.
 
I wouldn't be opposed to Evans coming off the bench. Kind of like a Harden role or something? If what was on the floor gelled better both offensively and defensively without evens then I would be fine with it. Evans does well in 1 on 1 situations and would be better suited as the main scoring threat.

But I don't want to even talk about that right now.. Give him a year at SG and see what happens then figure out if he's in the Kings' future or not.

If the Kings draft Lillard though (which I DO NOT WANT! because Lillard is NOT A PG!) then they would probably look at moving Evans, and Jimmer. Maybe Jimmer included in a deal to get Jefferson (of course other players would have to be traded), and maybe they move Reke and the 5 pick (or MT and the #5) for a Granger (I can dream!) and the #26 pick (and a future pick as well because that's not really fair on our part). Who knows... Bird just resigned from Indiana so they might try to replace some players. These are just quick made up ideas with no substance though so don't take them serious.

But it would be intriguing to have Jefferson/Cousins/Granger on the same team.
 
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The examples I provided were spot on. The size. The caught between SG and PG. The small schools. More improtantly they were OURS.

Kevin was a much different animal. Fullsized (scrawniness aside) pure SG. Had a position.

Curry would have fit the mold. But aside from not being ours, he averaged 5.6assists in his final year at Davidson, largely answering the question that always plagues the Doubys of the world, i..e what's your position? You're NBA PG sized, but you play like a SG. Has Lillard answered that question? Have not watched him play enough to know. But I do know he's another small gunner guard from a small non-major school, another old rookie like all these other guys coming on in his final year to dominate the diluted college ranks. He might be special and different. But on paper he absolutely looks just like all of these other guys that routinely fall on their face in the NBA. We made this smae mistake last year, and it hurt us badly. In fact Geoff's only two draft misses in the last half dozen years have been with that same player. Do you trust him to see that guy clearly?

Ok, I understand better where you're coming from, especially from the "what's his true position" standpoint. Thanks for clarifying.

That said, I still think Quincy Douby is still the only legit example you provided. You may be able to add Jimmer to that list in time, but not right now. As Baja, myself, and some others have correctly pointed out, PG's and Centers usually take several years to develop. It's not wise to write off any player after only 1 or 2 seasons, let alone if they play either of those positions.
 
I would resist picking a guard no matter what (unless we have a trade ALREADY worked out). Take your chances with Drummond or Barnes and then try and trade Drummond, or trade down. What drafting Drummond first does is it gives you a sort of leverage when dealing with Houston. You can't do the same with Lillard because Portland or whoever will just say "ok fine, your choice, be stuck with a million guards on your team"
 
I think Lillard will be a fine player, an above average scoring PG. He might seem like a reach at #5, but not really.

But this pick makes absolutely no sense. Lillard might have a little more upside than IT, but I doubt he will be able to replicate what IT did this year, next year. And then 2 of your top 3 scorers play the same spot, in addition to the previous year's lottery pick.

If Petrie feels Lillard is the BPA hands down (although I think Henson is just as good value wise, above avg starter potential) fine. But there better be a crap ton of moves.
 
How about this for your future lineup:

PG - Lillard/IT/Tyreke/Jimmer
SG - Thornton/Tyreke/Jimmer/Salmons/
SF - Salmons/Tyreke/Garcia/Honeycutt/Outlaw
PF - Thompson/Hayes/Whiteside
C - Cousins/Thompson/Hayes

If Lillard was an All Star now, and Thornton was an All NBA defender, then you can make the case for Reke coming off the bench, as we're also probably a playoff team at that point. What is asinine is bringing Reke off the bench to make way for a s****y defensive backcourt, where one guy hasn't even stepped on an NBA court.

The people who want to bring Reke off the bench in a Harden/Ginobili role continuously ignore the All Stars those teams have at point, and the incredible defensive balance throughout the starting lineup.
 
I don't even know why we are having this conversation about Lillard.. We don't need another SG and we don't need the front office trying to force a player to play PG when he isn't even a PG..
 
How about this for your future lineup:

PG - Lillard/IT/Tyreke/Jimmer
SG - Thornton/Tyreke/Jimmer/Salmons/
SF - Salmons/Tyreke/Garcia/Honeycutt/Outlaw
PF - Thompson/Hayes/Whiteside
C - Cousins/Thompson/Hayes

Pardon the language but this is probably the most idiotic line-up in the history of idiotic line-ups.
 
I don't even know why we are having this conversation about Lillard.. We don't need another SG and we don't need the front office trying to force a player to play PG when he isn't even a PG..

Yup...but when you've made the same dumb move 1000 times, what's 1 more, I guess.
 
If it were a forgone conclusion that the Kings were not drafting Barnes, were not drafting Drummond, then fine, he's repeating what everybody knows. Based on the discussions on this board, those are hardly foregone conclusions. Also, there is consensus on the top players - those are the players everybody IS talking about - Beal, Barnes, MKG, Robinson, and up until recently, Drummond. Therefore, your argument that what he is saying is meaningless makes no sense, unless you think the entire draft speculation is meaningless. (If you thought that, I would respect your opinion....:D)

Actually, I generally don't participate in either draft speculation discussions OR trade proposals for that very reason. ;)
 
I will say, based on this

Bill Ingram:

The Houston Rockets are in hot pursuit of a lottery pick to try and lure Dwight Howard away from Orlando, but one issue they’re having in ongoing discussions with Toronto, according to a source familiar with the situation, is that the Raptors believe they have a real chance of landing Steve Nash, and so are reluctant to trigger a deal for Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry. The obvious appeal of bringing Nash home to Canada has Toronto hesitant to make a deal for another starting PG.
and I have seen in mentioned elsewhere as well that Tor is hot after Nash, and that it's rumored on top of it that Hou already has a deal in place for Dragic, that we might be the only team Hou can send Lowry to.:D They need a top 10 pick, and probably top 5 to have a chance at D12, and Lowry is the biggest chip they have. Would not be at all surprised if as we speak/type Petrie is simply squeezing all he can out of that deal as I don't think Hou has any other options.
 
As I've already pointed out, he's certainly not top of my list. He has a lot more things going for him than the guys you listed, though. If we were in need of a PG, I'd be fine with taking him. He's a far better athlete than all of those guys, defends better, as well as having a much better handle. He's also got an extraordinary work ethic and is a leader. I'm not lobbying for him because taking him will create a mess that I seriously doubt GP will handle, but he'll be a good player. But you're right, Geoff needs to resist going for his shiny new toy and do what makes sense.

I'm sorry, what?
 
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