2015 Nba Draft Discussion: Russell, Nance Jr., Brown

I think within the next 3 weeks we'll probably know who Minny is taking on draft night, which means we know who we'll be taking. The intrigue is almost squarely on our later picks now. I say we trade them both and try move up into the early 20's or even late teens to snag Anderson or RHJ. I think I'd prefer Anderson. Not quite the athlete RHJ is (granted he's still insane), but Anderson actually has an outside shot. He's much closer to being a 3 and D sf than RHJ at this point. 45% from downtown last season. RHJ was 20% from college three. I could shoot 20% from college 3 after a month of practice....and at 5'7" every shot I take would have to be a rainmaker.

 

Agreed. If there's biters on those picks (and there should be) then I'm totally willing to send those picks out for a veteran and maybe a future pick. We've got Clarkson, Randle, Towns/Okafor, and Tarik Black. Not to mention 2nd tier guys like Kelly and Jabari Brown. That's half the team 24 years old or younger. The only problem is that contract will eat into our ability to offer a max deal. I'm not sure the Lakers are willing to sacrifice their cap space for a veteran at this point.

Unless they were able to package the picks with Nick Young or something I'm not sure what we want happens. Besides, I'm also super intrigued by George De Paula (formerly George Lucas I believe). Huge hands, good physical profile, and really young. We could mold him into whatever we want and I hear he'll be available around our pick.

 

My hope would be putting those two together to move up and get Hollis-Jefferson or Justin Anderson. I like the way those two profile for the pros.

 

We need a talent infusion. If we can grab three 1st round quality talents this draft all the better. It does not hurt to have three more young guys on rookie contracts. We are not winning the championship next year anyway. Build a young talented core. Get them some game experience together. Coach them up. Become even more attractive to the right FA the following season. Then, when the time comes for a Ring run you can flip a couple of the young guns for the right Vet piece to complete the puzzle.

But now, I want to draft the Upshaws, Lucas', etc. that we can get and like the mid 90s team make our squad overloaded with young talent.

 

I don't necessarily disagree with this. I know we're not likely to contend right away. Just keep in mind:

Okafor/Towns- 19
Randle- 20
Clarkson- 22
Black- 22
Brown- 22
Kelly- 24
Late 1st- 20
Early 2nd- 23ish

That's more than half a full roster under 25 years old. Not only are we not winning a Championship with those guys, but we're going to lose at least a few winnable games because they're just inexperienced or not ready. I don't disagree about keeping the picks at all, but in FA we better pick up some veterans who can pick up their slack when these guys screw up.

That's why I'm still very much in favor of signing Mo Williams, DeMarre Carroll, Omer Asik or Robin Lopez, even Jeremy Lin and/or Ed Davis. Obviously I'd love Marc Gasol, Aldridge, or Love, but they're also obviously less likely. We're going to need a lot of veteran leadership and fast. Kobe is going to turn into a glorified babysitter if we don't get him some other oldies. It's also why I think keeping Ronnie Price around would be helpful. Even Boozer if it makes sense.

 

I read somewhere that Kupchak thinks three rookies on the squad can be a bit much. With that said, the possibility of trading one [or both] of the later picks can happen. I'm with TIME though in stockpiling as much young talent. Grow them while adding a steady, veteran presence. We already have solid, more than serviceable complementary players.

 

Well the good thing about guys that age is they'll enter their player prime just when the young guys are hitting their stride as athletes. Then the 28 year olds turn into the wily vets as the young guys hit THEIR primes.

We're 2-3 years from contention anyway. I like this plan. Bring in Carroll/Asik/Lin!

 

I'm just not sure about him. I think he's got Farmar written on him with hopefully a better head on his shoulders. I'm a little leery of having a PG rotation with a sophomore backed up by a rookie.