Say we draft Blake Griffin...

[Merdiesel]

I've been thinking about this...

It seems like we're all pretty smitten on JT being our power forward for the future, but what if we get lucky and land Blake Griffin. I'd love his intensity. He seems like the type of kid that would ignite our team but would also need to start right out the gates.
So what do we do?
Have one of them come off the bench?
Move Griffin to SF?.. he is pretty quick.
Do we trade one of them for a young point guard like Jrue Holliday or Jeff Teague?...

I honestly have to clue as to what we would do?..

any thoughts?..

 

[NoBonus]

I've been thinking about this...

It seems like we're all pretty smitten on JT being our power forward for the future, but what if we get lucky and land Blake Griffin. I'd love his intensity. He seems like the type of kid that would ignite our team but would also need to start right out the gates.
So what do we do?
Have one of them come off the bench?
Move Griffin to SF?.. he is pretty quick.
Do we trade one of them for a young point guard like Jrue Holliday or Jeff Teague?...

I honestly have to clue as to what we would do?..

any thoughts?..

I think the rotation of Hawes, Griffin, and Thompson at the 4 and 5 would be fierce and acceptable.

 

[nbrans]

Trade down.

 

[DoDiGaG0]

Trade down.

id rather move JT unless we can get a dominant scorer, IMO Griffin can become a legit #1 scoring option in this league, something I don't see Thompson ever becoming, I see JT more as a 15/10 guy.

 

[Merdiesel]

I think the rotation of Hawes, Griffin, and Thompson at the 4 and 5 would be fierce and acceptable.

I totally agree, but do we have Griffin come off the bench?.. I can't remember the last time a #1 pick didn't start, and I think it would be extremely demoralizing to Jason not to start him next year.

 

[Amory]

I totally agree, but do we have Griffin come off the bench?.. I can't remember the last time a #1 pick didn't start, and I think it would be demoralizing not to start our boy Jason next year.

hmmm, good question. Maybe we can move Griffin to the 3?

About picking up Griffin, I would say that if we get the #1 pick that we choose him. There are other players that I would like (jennings mostly) but I would like to stick out next year for our PG (Wall, Rubio, Holiday) if we have the chance of picking up Griffin.

 

[nbrans]

id rather move JT unless we can get a dominant scorer, IMO Griffin can become a legit #1 scoring option in this league, something I don't see Thompson ever becoming, I see JT more as a 15/10 guy.

Whoa there. #1 scoring option? With what offense? The guy can't even hit a jump hook.

Maybe he can improve, but #1 scoring option is a serious stretch.

 

[oaklandking]

yea i was thinking about this lastnight i really like the idea of putting him at three then trading down to get jennings

 

[kingsnation]

Whoa there. #1 scoring option? With what offense? The guy can't even hit a jump hook.

Maybe he can improve, but #1 scoring option is a serious stretch.

If this is truely the case, then I say draft Thabeet!

 

[Vlade4GM]

I'm with nbarans, trade down. He's likely to be pretty overrated by draft day and teams might be willing give up some nice pieces.

 

[syadap]

If we get number 1, i would trade for Thabeet and additional parts.....

 

[wonjaeyou]

If we get #1 pick then we should draft Griffin. Then we should trade him+Beno+late first rounder for Westbrook and Green or something like that.

I've seen lots and lots of Griffin's games and to tell you the truth, he doesn't have an offensive move that can make him an all star in this league. I agree with nbrans. He could develop his post moves, but looking at now, he won't be #1 offensive threat. All he can to is power his defenders in. But in NBA, he won't be able to do that. I compare Griffin to Kevin Love with better athelticism but less court vision.
If I'm a Kings GM I would keep Thompson and trade Griffin.

 

[Rain man]

Either trade down, or start all three. You could mimic the Utah or LA frontline. Not saying our three are as good as any of these guys, but the potential is there. Also, these are good examples of how you can win without a true small forward by playing a jumbo lineup instead...

Similarities to Utah:

Hawes plays the Okur role- can post if needed, somewhat soft on D and the glass, can facilitate from the high post, range out to three point to spread the floor.

Blake plays the Boozer role- people already say he is an ugly grinder like Boozer (ugly grinder doesn't mean ineffective, just his style- like a meat and potatoes post player) but more athletic defensively.

JT plays the Kirlenko role- sort of a jack of all trades. JT isn't as good defensively (but Blake is better than Boozer), but he can handle the ball some and facilitate offense.

Similarities to LA

Hawes tries to fill the Gasol role, Blake fills the Bynum role, and JT is sort of an Odom type (with less range).

 

[rainmaker]

If we got the #1 I would take Rubio in a heart beat. He has the potential to be a top 10 pg, and his vision along with his play making ability would bring excitement back to Sacramento. Griffin will be good but I wouldn't give up on JT yet, and I don't like the idea of having both while we are far less talented at other positions. If rubio doesn't come over, I would trade the pick and package it with another palyer or two for a good young pg or small forward forward that can stretch the floor.

 

[bench_blob]

I think the rotation of Hawes, Griffin, and Thompson at the 4 and 5 would be fierce and acceptable.

'Hawes' and 'fierce' are not two words that belong in the same sentence.

 

[Jespher]

If we got the #1 I would take Rubio in a heart beat. He has the potential to be a top 10 pg, and his vision along with his play making ability would bring excitement back to Sacramento. Griffin will be good but I wouldn't give up on JT yet, and I don't like the idea of having both while we are far less talented at other positions. If rubio doesn't come over, I would trade the pick and package it with another palyer or two for a good young pg or small forward forward that can stretch the floor.

There is still a big "if" that Rubio will even enter this years draft class. If he was taken #1, I would assume he would have to have been bought out already, or the Maloofs would have finalized a buyout strategy...

 

[Capt. Factorial]

There is still a big "if" that Rubio will even enter this years draft class. If he was taken #1, I would assume he would have to have been bought out already, or the Maloofs would have finalized a buyout strategy...

I'm not sure what you mean here. He can enter the draft and be selected without being bought out - he just won't be able to leave his Euro team to join the NBA.

If he decides to enter the draft, I would guess the buyout would be negotiated/occur after he is selected because the NBA team would be able to contribute $500K to the buyout. But the max allowable amount from an NBA team is $500K...I don't know what other buyout strategy there is outside of "pay up the $500K".

A few weeks ago I looked into the numbers - if Rubio believes he is a top-three pick and will be offered a max or near-max extension after his first 4 years, it would be silly not to come out this year. In the long run he would totally make up the short term loss.

 

[Kings Faithful]

Im adament on the idea of killing two birds with one stone...we need a future SF and PG right. We know that at least one of them is going to be filled in the draft, unless we get griffin. If we do get Griffin, however, I think we should trade down to either the Clippers or the Thunder and offer them Griffin + Salmons (if he is still around) for Clippers/Thunder 1st + Al Thorton/Jeff Greene

We could use the Thunder/Clippers pick to get a PG in the draft and at the same time pick up a young flourishing SF in the league. I think the Clippers/Thunder would bite because it gives them a possible Franchise player or at least a very good one along with a solid starter who expires next year.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I'm not sure what you mean here. He can enter the draft and be selected without being bought out - he just won't be able to leave his Euro team to join the NBA.

I think the previous poster is correct. Even if stashing Rubio in Europe next season and getting another high pick might be acceptable for the franchise's rebuilding efforts, the Maloofs are hemmoraging money right now on the Kings and will want to put fans in the seat next season. While they have avioded any shortsighted moved trading young uns for mediocre vets, I cannot see them signing off on a draft pick who won't play next year. They will want a player who they can promote and use to sell tickets. Rubio definitley fits that description if he comes over next season, but not if might stay in Europe.

 

[Dime Dropper]

A few weeks ago I looked into the numbers - if Rubio believes he is a top-three pick and will be offered a max or near-max extension after his first 4 years, it would be silly not to come out this year. In the long run he would totally make up the short term loss.

Believe it or not, some players don't do everything for money. And that's not just privvy to Rubio. It doesn't work that way; players don't calculate how many contracts they may or may not get at the next level. I am sure it is far more important to Rubio to get the best situation for himself rather than to enter when he thinks might get him a few more dollars (when realistically he's going to be set for life no matter what).

 

[bench_blob]

If we got the #1 I would take Rubio in a heart beat. He has the potential to be a top 10 pg, and his vision along with his play making ability would bring excitement back to Sacramento. Griffin will be good but I wouldn't give up on JT yet, and I don't like the idea of having both while we are far less talented at other positions. If rubio doesn't come over, I would trade the pick and package it with another palyer or two for a good young pg or small forward forward that can stretch the floor.

I like your idea. Presently we have NO one our roster to make their teammates better. Rubio and Thabeet have that ability. What's intriguing is I think both players can have immediate impact on BOTH ends of the court. I think Thabeet has very good basketball instincts and will be able to pass effectively out of the low post and find cutters, and wings on the opposite side, in addition to patroliing the paint defensively.

Rubio has a reputation for playing the passing lanes and being very pesky on defensive end.

That'd be awesome to find a way to get both, without giving up JT or K-Mart.

 

[sidney]

Believe it or not, some players don't do everything for money. And that's not just privvy to Rubio. It doesn't work that way; players don't calculate how many contracts they may or may not get at the next level. I am sure it is far more important to Rubio to get the best situation for himself rather than to enter when he thinks might get him a few more dollars (when realistically he's going to be set for life no matter what).

hehe. good one

 

[SacTownKid]

Whoa there. #1 scoring option? With what offense? The guy can't even hit a jump hook.

Maybe he can improve, but #1 scoring option is a serious stretch.

I think he could dominate the pick and roll just as effectively as Amare does, but I agree, a number 1 scoring option he probably isn't. He has the potential to be though. If we are lucky enough to get #1, you hold onto Blake Griffin, I don't care what the roster looks like. Besides, I thought Jason didn't look to bad at the 3 and he has great big man off the bench written all over him.

 

[HighTopKicks]

Believe it or not, some players don't do everything for money. And that's not just privvy to Rubio. It doesn't work that way; players don't calculate how many contracts they may or may not get at the next level. I am sure it is far more important to Rubio to get the best situation for himself rather than to enter when he thinks might get him a few more dollars (when realistically he's going to be set for life no matter what).

I agree. Rubio, an 18 yr old, is going to have to sign a contract where he agrees to personally pay his team $8M. And, he's gambling that after 4 yrs under a rookie contract he'll get a MAX deal. That's quite a gamble. Plus he's 18yrs old, he's going to leave his family and come here where he can't even buy a glass of wine. And, he's still a star in his home country with money.

Maybe i'm wrong, but I think he's better off enter in 2010. He'll still be top 3, and he's buy out will be less.

 

[Nighthawk1]

I know these "what if" threads are fun, but in this instant I refrain from thinking too much on it just due to the fact I want to see how JT develops the remainder of the year. I think by years end we should have a fairly good idea of what we can expect out of JT in the future, he shows flashes but hopefully he'll be a bit more consistent by years end. If he is, then I think we trade Griffin, but to someone who has top notch guard + lottery pick. If we can do that (of course we'll probably have to add someone to sweeten the deal then I'm all for it. Best case scenario for me would be Westbrook + Thunders 1st for Griffen and (well whoever is left a week from now and yes I'd probably even be willing to sacrafice Donte Green)

 

[bench_blob]

I think he could dominate the pick and roll just as effectively as Amare does, but I agree, a number 1 scoring option he probably isn't. He has the potential to be though. If we are lucky enough to get #1, you hold onto Blake Griffin, I don't care what the roster looks like. Besides, I thought Jason didn't look to bad at the 3 and he has great big man off the bench written all over him.

If we land Griffin, we'd be more apt to move JT to '5' spot than small forward.

I don't like Griffin, though. He relies too much on his athleticism, he's too mechanical in his play. He doesn't make teammates better. He needs to develop more facets to his game. If he shows that potential in pre-draft workouts, then he's obviously high on anyone's list. Otherwise, I say trade down, get Thabeet or future superstar, plus a shooter and/or PG.

 

[allrightythen]

Right now I'd prefer Thabeet, but we're still in the middle of the college season so things might change.

 

[Dime Dropper]

hehe. good one

Strong argument you got there.

 

[bajaden]

I know these "what if" threads are fun, but in this instant I refrain from thinking too much on it just due to the fact I want to see how JT develops the remainder of the year. I think by years end we should have a fairly good idea of what we can expect out of JT in the future, he shows flashes but hopefully he'll be a bit more consistent by years end. If he is, then I think we trade Griffin, but to someone who has top notch guard + lottery pick. If we can do that (of course we'll probably have to add someone to sweeten the deal then I'm all for it. Best case scenario for me would be Westbrook + Thunders 1st for Griffen and (well whoever is left a week from now and yes I'd probably even be willing to sacrafice Donte Green)

The golden rule is that it usually takes big men and pt guards three years to reach their potential. So to say we'll know by years end what we have is a bit premature. As far as drafting Griffin. Its no different than if we draft Thabeet. You do need a rotation and it would give us a three man rotation either way. Hawes can play center and PF, as can Thompson. Thabeet is pretty much a center, and Griffin is probably just a PF. Thompson on occasion can play some SF.

In some of the Oklahoma newspapers I've read that they really like Griffin. They also have three first round picks, plus a couple of players that I like. So a deal could be done. Who knows, maybe we could turn the first pick into more than its worth.

 

[Gary]

You can never have enough skilled bigs if they play well together. Think of Webber, Vlade, and Pollard... All three were getting enough minutes, and all three were doing their thing.

Also, there is a chance that either Hawes or Thompson wont work out in the long run so it would be good to have a fierce talent like Griffin to try to fill the void as well.