Of course, you all are discussing a backup big for the Kings 2-3 more years down the road? Right? Ah, thought so. Nope definitely not next year or year after. So back to square one on bigs. Bajaden has told me this draft is full of 2's and 3's and very light on big's. And from what has been discussed in this thread, no top 10's this year and maybe only 2-3 in bottom half of first round.
Let's for the moment assume Hawes solidifies his role as the #1 center. He still needs another full year to start to get on even keel with 80% of the other centers in the west and most in the east as well.
Then let's further assume that Donte becomes the defacto starting PF. JT becomes a backup along with Brockman. Why not keep Sean May as the 5th big for the 4-5 slots? He can pound, rebound and is good scorer out to 18 ft or so. And he is better passer than Brockman. Unless, of course, GP has a trick or two up his sleeves to get a productive big to displace one or more of them.
Do you really mean 2010 NBA draft. Theme of the draft is actually SF/PF or you may call it "players that can play PF spot".
NO, NO, NO to Donte at 4. It's a bad habit most Kings fans have since Princeton day. More skill at every spot equals more offensive production. Kings don't need that, they need more defense and rebounding. So Donte is your future SG way before he's your future PF.
NO, NO, NO to May. Are you serious? NBA journeyman who can't find minutes on 25-win team?
I love energy that Brockman brings but on a championship team he's your 3rd or rather even 4th big man so Kings need two more on the depth chart before him.
At this point I'm not a big fan of Thompson: he's not that different from Hawes and in 2 years from now Hawes will be equal or better in every aspect of the game except may be off. rebounding and even that may change if Spencer finally bulks up and moves closer to the hoop on offense.
The last idea: can Hawes "pull Gasol" and play alongside defensive-minded C? Kings will have trouble sustaining opp. team PFs but:
1. Opp. team decision-making basically moves from guards' spots to PF since PF will have to react to rotations.
2. Hawes plays more like PF on offense anyway.
3. Your C will provide anything your C should provide - defense in the paint and rebounding.