Might as well talk draft....

[Lipoli390]

From his first press conference as our new PBO, I posted my concern that he reminded me a big of David Kahn with his use of platitudes and buzz words. His decision to hire Ryan Saunders as head coach and his performance in last year's draft didn't make me feel any better about him. On the other hand, he brought in some talented undrafted free agents and he now has a great opportunity to put my doubts to rest.

However, if this report is true regarding Wiseman and there isn't some unknown compelling explanation, then this guy truly is the second coming of Mr. Kahn. I sure hope not.

[Lipoli390]

Some comments by State's head about Haliburton:

"Flip Saunders said great point guards aren't made; they come from heaven. Haliburton was one of those PGs from heaven."

"He's a phenomenal passer... and has a high basketball IQ." "Really aware away from the ball"

"He is the best player I've ever coached."

"He's going to impact the locker room, the community and team culture in a positive way from day one."

"He has a great spirit about him. He's a special, special kid."

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Some comments by State's head about Haliburton:

"Flip Saunders said great point guards aren't made; they come from heaven. Haliburton was one of those PGs from heaven."

"He's a phenomenal passer... and has a high basketball IQ." "Really aware away from the ball"

"He is the best player I've ever coached."

"He's going to impact the locker room, the community and team culture in a positive way from day one."

"He has a great spirit about him. He's a special, special kid."

Lip, I'm sure you'll agree here, but my hope is -- assuming James Wiseman really isn't a possibility -- that the Wolves trade down twice and land Tyrese Haliburton plus future assets and/or young, talented, developmental players. If that's what happens, I can conceivably ignore that they passed on the most talented player in this class.

I see Haliburton going in the top-six, but I think that Minnesota can trade down twice in that range. Firstly, they'd trade down with Golden State or Charlotte with Wiseman being the golden goose. Secondly, they'd auction off the rights to Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball -- whoever's left standing after the first two picks -- to either Chicago, Cleveland, or Atlanta. My gut feeling says that the Bulls want Ball and that the Hawks want Edwards. That would keep us in Haliburton's range while picking up additional assets.

In my head, the draft would go:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Wiseman (rights to Charlotte)
2. Golden State Warriors - LaMelo Ball/Anthony Edwards
3. Charlotte Hornets - LaMelo Ball/Anthony Edwards (rights to Chicago)
4. Chicago Bulls - Tyrese Haliburton (rights to Minnesota)

If that or something along those lines plays out, then I will remain hopeful in this franchise. Haliburton is a winner and they'd theoretically restock the cupboard with assets for an All-Star trade in the future. If they just stay at home and select Ball first overall... welp... may you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Yuck.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Some comments by State's head about Haliburton:

"Flip Saunders said great point guards aren't made; they come from heaven. Haliburton was one of those PGs from heaven."

"He's a phenomenal passer... and has a high basketball IQ." "Really aware away from the ball"

"He is the best player I've ever coached."

"He's going to impact the locker room, the community and team culture in a positive way from day one."

"He has a great spirit about him. He's a special, special kid."

Lip, I'm sure you'll agree here, but my hope is -- assuming James Wiseman really isn't a possibility -- that the Wolves trade down twice and land Tyrese Haliburton plus future assets and/or young, talented, developmental players. If that's what happens, I can conceivably ignore that they passed on the most talented player in this class.

I see Haliburton going in the top-six, but I think that Minnesota can trade down twice in that range. Firstly, they'd trade down with Golden State or Charlotte with Wiseman being the golden goose. Secondly, they'd auction off the rights to Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball -- whoever's left standing after the first two picks -- to either Chicago, Cleveland, or Atlanta. My gut feeling says that the Bulls want Ball and that the Hawks want Edwards. That would keep us in Haliburton's range while picking up additional assets.

In my head, the draft would go:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Wiseman (rights to Charlotte)
2. Golden State Warriors - LaMelo Ball/Anthony Edwards
3. Charlotte Hornets - LaMelo Ball/Anthony Edwards (rights to Chicago)
4. Chicago Bulls - Tyrese Haliburton (rights to Minnesota)

If that or something along those lines plays out, then I will remain hopeful in this franchise. Haliburton is a winner and they'd theoretically restock the cupboard with assets for an All-Star trade in the future. If they just stay at home and select Ball first overall... welp... may you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Yuck.

Since I've been on the trade down for assets (twice) angle all along... I'm all for it.

BUT... I'm not confident Haliburton makes it beyond #3. Unless I knew for certain Chicago wasn't going for him... I'd be fine getting assets and #3 and taking Haliburton there.

I'm not a draft guy. As a result, I only flirted with going all in on Brandon Clarke love last year as my sweetheart pick. No waffling this year.

Trade down. Get Haliburton. Make Abe happy for once. I deserve it.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I would almost be more unhappy with the Warriors landing Wiseman vs us passing on him and him becoming a great player. He is absolutely a perfect fit to address some of their weaknesses. Draft night may be a tough one to get over.....

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

Some comments by State's head about Haliburton:

"Flip Saunders said great point guards aren't made; they come from heaven. Haliburton was one of those PGs from heaven."

"He's a phenomenal passer... and has a high basketball IQ." "Really aware away from the ball"

"He is the best player I've ever coached."

"He's going to impact the locker room, the community and team culture in a positive way from day one."

"He has a great spirit about him. He's a special, special kid."

Lip, I'm sure you'll agree here, but my hope is -- assuming James Wiseman really isn't a possibility -- that the Wolves trade down twice and land Tyrese Haliburton plus future assets and/or young, talented, developmental players. If that's what happens, I can conceivably ignore that they passed on the most talented player in this class.

I see Haliburton going in the top-six, but I think that Minnesota can trade down twice in that range. Firstly, they'd trade down with Golden State or Charlotte with Wiseman being the golden goose. Secondly, they'd auction off the rights to Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball -- whoever's left standing after the first two picks -- to either Chicago, Cleveland, or Atlanta. My gut feeling says that the Bulls want Ball and that the Hawks want Edwards. That would keep us in Haliburton's range while picking up additional assets.

In my head, the draft would go:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Wiseman (rights to Charlotte)
2. Golden State Warriors - LaMelo Ball/Anthony Edwards
3. Charlotte Hornets - LaMelo Ball/Anthony Edwards (rights to Chicago)
4. Chicago Bulls - Tyrese Haliburton (rights to Minnesota)

There was a Bleacher Report article that had 5 "realistic trades we could see on draft night". Obviously, these are never really realistic....but thought interesting fodder.

The one for Wolves:
#1/James Johnson
for
#3/Bridges and Rozier

At first I was put off for both sides. Felt Charlotte WAYYYYY overpaying for moving up 2 spots. And thought Rozier was way overpaid. I still don't feel Charlotte would do this deal, but after looking at Rozier as a player, he had a sneaky good season for Charlotte. 18 ppg, 4+ rebounds, 4+ assists, 1 steal, and shot 41% from 3. I would certainly review some form of this deal if the opportunity was there. Long term, I think Russell will be best utilized as a 1a/1b ball handling guard. Meaning, he will play equally with and without ball. Rozier would be a solid backcourt addition.

I know, many won't prefer Rozier, and I get it. Just found interesting.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Some comments by State's head about Haliburton:

"Flip Saunders said great point guards aren't made; they come from heaven. Haliburton was one of those PGs from heaven."

"He's a phenomenal passer... and has a high basketball IQ." "Really aware away from the ball"

"He is the best player I've ever coached."

"He's going to impact the locker room, the community and team culture in a positive way from day one."

"He has a great spirit about him. He's a special, special kid."

Lip, I'm sure you'll agree here, but my hope is -- assuming James Wiseman really isn't a possibility -- that the Wolves trade down twice and land Tyrese Haliburton plus future assets and/or young, talented, developmental players. If that's what happens, I can conceivably ignore that they passed on the most talented player in this class.

I see Haliburton going in the top-six, but I think that Minnesota can trade down twice in that range. Firstly, they'd trade down with Golden State or Charlotte with Wiseman being the golden goose. Secondly, they'd auction off the rights to Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball -- whoever's left standing after the first two picks -- to either Chicago, Cleveland, or Atlanta. My gut feeling says that the Bulls want Ball and that the Hawks want Edwards. That would keep us in Haliburton's range while picking up additional assets.

In my head, the draft would go:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Wiseman (rights to Charlotte)
2. Golden State Warriors - LaMelo Ball/Anthony Edwards
3. Charlotte Hornets - LaMelo Ball/Anthony Edwards (rights to Chicago)
4. Chicago Bulls - Tyrese Haliburton (rights to Minnesota)

There was a Bleacher Report article that had 5 "realistic trades we could see on draft night". Obviously, these are never really realistic....but thought interesting fodder.

The one for Wolves:
#1/James Johnson
for
#3/Bridges and Rozier

At first I was put off for both sides. Felt Charlotte WAYYYYY overpaying for moving up 2 spots. And thought Rozier was way overpaid. I still don't feel Charlotte would do this deal, but after looking at Rozier as a player, he had a sneaky good season for Charlotte. 18 ppg, 4+ rebounds, 4+ assists, 1 steal, and shot 41% from 3. I would certainly review some form of this deal if the opportunity was there. Long term, I think Russell will be best utilized as a 1a/1b ball handling guard. Meaning, he will play equally with and without ball. Rozier would be a solid backcourt addition.

I know, many won't prefer Rozier, and I get it. Just found interesting.

Yeah, I'm kinda meh on Terry Rozier myself. If that deal did go down, then I'd probably be looking to flip Rozier to another team who might want a competent combo guard off the bench. I'd actually bet that both the Wolves and the Hornets would rather leave him and James Johnson out of the deal for multiple reasons.

[WildWolf2813]

Some comments by State's head about Haliburton:

"Flip Saunders said great point guards aren't made; they come from heaven. Haliburton was one of those PGs from heaven."

"He's a phenomenal passer... and has a high basketball IQ." "Really aware away from the ball"

"He is the best player I've ever coached."

"He's going to impact the locker room, the community and team culture in a positive way from day one."

"He has a great spirit about him. He's a special, special kid."

This is really nice, but can he win basketball games? To hell with his spirit. Can he bring the team up on the court?


Again, this team overvalues the wrong things.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Some comments by State's head about Haliburton:

"Flip Saunders said great point guards aren't made; they come from heaven. Haliburton was one of those PGs from heaven."

"He's a phenomenal passer... and has a high basketball IQ." "Really aware away from the ball"

"He is the best player I've ever coached."

"He's going to impact the locker room, the community and team culture in a positive way from day one."

"He has a great spirit about him. He's a special, special kid."

This is the exact kind of complimentary guard Jarred Vanderbilt needs to help him carry this team.

Get it done Rosas!

[WildWolf2813]

This team might have to just trade down. I just don't think it will end well no matter who they pick at #1