khans2k5 wrote:lipoli390 wrote:Camden wrote:lipoli390 wrote:Here's an interesting report:
"On Friday, The San Francisco Chronicle's Connor Letourneau reported, citing league sources, that the Warriors are "higher on" Israel forward Deni Avdija than they are on Ball and 'possibly' Wiseman."
I can see LaMello Ball falling pretty far in the draft. If this report is true, I hope the Wolves' organization takes a long hard look at Deni. The Warriors are one of those really good NBA organizations when it comes to identifying and drafting talent - witness their decisions to draft Curry, Thompson and Green. Apparently, the Warriors staff have flown to Israel several times to watch Deni play. If they're that interested in Deni, then the Wolves should be too.
I smell smokescreen. Maybe I'm a cynic, but the "James Wiseman to Golden State" pick just seems perfect in all ways. I think the Warriors are just trying to get the scent off their trail.
Not sure I understand the strategy behind that unless they think it will discourage teams from jumping over them to do a deal with the Wolves for Wiseman. But that seems lame. By saying they're interested in Deni rather than Wiseman, Edwards or Ball they're certainly not enhancing the trade value of their pick.
The strategy is to play up guys you don't want so other teams do exactly what you are doing in taking a second look at Deni just because it's the Warriors. If the Warriors liked Deni they wouldn't say a peep about him. Keeping his value low is the play if they actually wanted him because it means they can get more back with him in a trade if they are trying to trade down to get him and someone else for 2. Adding more names to the top player list only lessens the value of their #2 pick because they are saying there are even more guys available that will be good. Why is someone trading up to 2 rather than 3/4/5 with teams that have more trade flexibility than the Warriors to get someone just as good as Wiseman for example?
I'm not following your logic. The Warriors have the second pick, so they don't need to steer other teams towards Deni unless they think the Wolves will be lured into taking him with the top pick so the Warriors can get Wiseman. Maybe David Kahn would have fallen for it, but not Rosas. I don't see how a false leak about preferring Deni would enhance the Warriors' trade leverage. If the Warriors negotiate a draft swap they will tell the other team who they want in exchange for the prospect the other team wants. Then each team will pick the player wanted by the other team.