SB Nation User Blog: WhatAboutFran

JJ to Philly?

WhatAboutFran — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:12:22 -0000

One of the infinite transgressions that this team has levied against me, is a perpetual inability to develop their young talent. Lets add JJ to that ignominious list and move on. JJ has no future in Orlando. He knows it. The local media know it. The fans know it. And yet, Otis refuses to acknowledge it. Nonetheless, whenever it is that reality hits Otis like a freight train and he comes to his senses, looks at his business card and gets down to doing what hes paid to, lets hope he moves JJ for one of Philly's excess bigs.

The Sixers were one of the worst outside shooting teams in the league and desperately need to add a three point bomber to relieve the pressure on Brand. And we need more bodies inside, since theres no guarantee that Foyle will return for the vet's minimum and Rashard was playing out of position anyway. Philly's got Reggie Evans, Jason Smith and Speights backing up Brand, and thats too many players backing up that position (unless they think Speights can also backup Dalembert at center). If we can get Evans for JJ straight up (with other contracts thrown in for CBA purposes) that would represent fair market value. The Sixers may not want a shooter at 2 since they already have Louis Williams (a combo guard) and Igoudala, plus last year's starter, Willie Greeen. In that case, we should try to move Cook for Reggie Evans. Cook is nominally a big, but hes only there to bomb away from three, a task he failed at monumentally last year, but maybe a change of scenery will do him some good. If Otis can get Speights for JJ and Cook without giving up a first, that would be a major coup.

I don't know what value Bogans has, but he needs to be moved, if for no other reason than to give Lee a real shot at developing.

Draft Notes...

WhatAboutFran — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:50:54 -0000

Chad Ford has Speights going to us at 21 in his latest mock draft (released today). Halleluja! I don't know if this is because Speights is falling, or because other players are rising to overtake him, but I would be hella-excited if we take any one of the big men in the 20-30 range over Lee or any of the other swingmen available that low.

Besides Speights, Ibaka looks like a stud down the road and looks like he'll available at 21. He looks like Dwight, and plays like Dwight, but has range out to 18--so he could play with Dwight at the 4.

I hope Otis doesnt pick Lee or any other wing (unless its Rush), just because we have a need. Or even worse, pick a guard becaue Keyon might be bolting for free agency. Although his recent words about the issue do not sound promising. Backup points arent hard to find in FA. Heck, we might even resign Carlos at 2-3 mil a year in the worst case scenario. For whatever reason though, this draft has a lot of promising bigs--Speights, Hickson, Ibaka and even Ajinca and Jawai available at 20 and beyond.

About Otis

WhatAboutFran — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:10:09 -0000

I really don't get all the adulation bestowed on him. He passed on Granger and Brewer for Vasquez and Redick. And he compounded the Granger mistake by foolishly giving Rashard 116 mil. Everyone knows that the nature of NBA contracts places a premium on drafting above all else--you can occasionally pick up a disgruntled franchise player, and a few key rotation players through FA, but, by and large, your core comes from the draft. So imagine if we were starting Dwight, Granger, Hedo, Brewer and Jameer--with a lot more cap space as well.

Jameer was a nice pick up late in the 04 draft, but Dwight was, from all accounts of his workout, a no-brainer. So really, Otis' biggest (read: only) draft accomplishment is being part of the group that traded for Jameer in 04.

Seriously, was I the only one screaming obscenities at the TV when Stern announced the Vasquez and Redick picks?

I'm not categorically denouncing Otis here. He's not the worst gm in the league, but he's not in the same conversation as Buford/Popovich, West (in his Laker days) or Morey in Houston. Even newcomers like Sam Presti in Seattle managed to turn a Rashard Lewis trade exception into 3 first rounders. And the most reviled GM of the last few years not named Isaiah--that would be Mitch Kupchak--redeemed himself with his smart drafting, getting guys like Bynum, Turiaf and Farmar. Though he missed on the Butler for Kwame trade, he turned Kwame into Gasol, which more than makes up for it.

Perhaps we should start looking at Otis more critically, instead of lavishing him with the sort of blind praise the rest of the Central Florida media does. After all, when you mortgage the franchise's financial flexibility for the next half-decade for a guy who turns out to be the third--and on some nights fourth--best player on your team, you should not be getting a free pass.

Possible Picks We Could Trade Up For

WhatAboutFran — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:55:34 -0000

Portland: Are looking for a veteran point and have too many young players to benefit much from the 13th pick. Rudy Fernandez is, supposedly, the next Ginobili. If he's even half as good, Fernandez, the 13th (for Westbrook) and their top 2nd round pick for Jameer would be awesome. We would probably have to add something to appease Portland, like a pick. Not to mention taking a likely crappy contract in return to make the salaries match.

Indiana: Need help everywhere except the 3 (they have that Granger guy we passed on). We may be able to swipe their pick and Dunleavy for Hedo--Dunleavy plays like Turk anyway, and is 2 years younger. With his breakout season last year, he may well continue improving. It appears that Love is going much higher in the lottery, so he's probably out of the question at Indiana's position. But someone is likely going to fall between Gordon and Westbrook, and either would be great. Even Arthur wouldnt be a reach at their position.

Phoenix: Hope against hope against hope that they fall in love with Redick and take him straight up for the 15th (Rush). Can we get Redick on the next flight to Phoenix for private workouts at the Suns facility. Or we could just setup a backyard hoop in their office parking lot and have him shoot 25 footers in front of Kerr's office.

New York: in Seven Seconds or Less, D'Antoni talks about his love for Hedo. If only Isaiah were still in charge, we could probably get 3 first rounders and Lee for Turk. Alas, with Donnie Walsh, we're likely not to get that much, but theres no doubt D'Antoni loves him, and even with the Dolan's deep pockets, I'm sure Walsh is looking to acquire cheaper players who are more in line with the run and gun philosophy (so Curry and Randolph are out). Two firsts and Randolph for Turk and a sign and trade w/ Arroyo would work for both teams. The Knick's draft position opens the door to pretty much everyone outside the big two in the draft. And if you think Randolph isnt worth 13 mil for his black hole game, you're right. But he's still young, can hit 18 footers if Dwight gets doubled, is the most offensively talented big in the eastern conference not named Garnett or Rasheed Wallace, and he would be awesome anchoring the second unit. Walsh probably balks at paying 2 firsts and Randolph for Turk, but with D'Antoni on board, Randolph's value is severely depressed for NY and conversely, Turk's value skyrockets in their new offense.

NY actually presents a lot of intriguing trade possibilities because of the number of expiring contracts they possess, the Dolan's inclination to spend money and their future first rounders. If Rashard starts lukewarm next year and looks he's breaking down, we may be able to move him to NY for Marbury's expiring deal.