2011 NBA Draft, Trades, and Foreign Players Galore

06/24/11

Opinion:

Last night's NBA Draft was like nothing I've ever seen before.

I'm used to seeing the occasional trade involving current players, or even players and picks mixed in deals. But, last night was something else. There was a rash of trades like it was going out of style. To even keep the player you draft anymore is rare. The Houston Rockets for instance have only kept 2 of their draft picks since 2007.

The most shocking thing in my eyes when watching the Draft was all the foreign players getting drafted. It was like the new "cool" thing to do. Draft a guy who "looks" like he has potential, and stash them overseas for 3-5 years and hope it pans out. What does that do for the teams that need improvement NOW? I just can't come to grips with the way GM's are drafting these guys off of pure "potential". Looking at some of the footage of the upper tier of European players was baffling to me. They are going off of a small smaple size of footage, and the players size more than actual skill level. Who are those guys even playing anyway? Some look like they are playing high school players. Maybe Dirk had a big influence on these GM's when they saw what happens when you draft the "right" European player? Even so, isn't that the same boat you are in when looking at College Basketball players? Who know's, but it sure was something else watching foreign players who have averaged 0.7 pts per game (Chukwudiebere Maduabum) getting drafted over proven college players like David Lighty from Ohio St.

Trades that went down:

Kings, Bucks, Bobcats Trade:

Milwaukee Bucks receive: Stephen Jackson, Beno Udrih, Shaun Livingston, and No. 19 Pick (Tobias Harris)

Charlotte Bobcats receive: Corey Maggette, and No. 7 pick (Bismack Biyombo)
Sacramento Kings receive: No. 10 pick (Jimmer Fredette), and John Salmons

Opinion:
The Kings in this trade have got to be kicking themselves when looking back. The Kings were originally in the No. 7 spot and with making this trade obviously thought PG Brandon Knight wouldn't be available. But, he was...and Knight fell to the Pistons at No. 8. The Kings would have loved to been able to snag Knight in that position. Therefore, this turns out to be a bad trade for the Kings. As for the Bobcats, it's not bad. They weren't going anywhere with Stephen Jackson anway, so you might as well start re-building...and they will start that rebuilding process with a good defensive player in Biyombo and a great leader in Kemba Walker. The Bucks got what they needed in this trade when they acquired a scorer in Stephen Jackson, and also a back up point guard in Shaun Livingston.

Pacers and Spurs Trade:

Indiana Pacers receive: George Hill

San Antonio Spurs receive: No. 15 pick (Kawhi Leonard), No. 42 pick (Davis Bertans), 2005 No. 46 pick (Erazem Lorbek)

Opinion:
Not sure what to think of this trade yet. If the Pacers keep Darren Collison it's tough to say who will get more playing time....Hill or Collison? As for the Spurs, they must have really loved Leonard, because Coach Popovich was enamored with Hill's skill. Time will tell whether or not this trade will pay off, but the Spurs did draft PG Cory Joseph late in the 1st round to potentially replace Hill.

Celtics and Nets Trade:

Boston Celtics receive: No. 27 pick (JaJuan Johnson), 2014 second-round pick
New Jersey Nets receive: No. 25 pick (MarShon Brooks)

Opinion:
Love the trade for both teams. They both check off needs for their teams, and the Celtics also acquire an extra pick down the line.

Minnesota and Houston Trade:

Minnesota Timberwolves receives: Brad Miller, No. 23 pick (Nikola Mirotic), future first-round pick
Houston Rockets receive: Jonny Flynn, No. 20 pick (Donatas Motiejunas), No. 38 pick (Chandler Parsons) - reacquisition

Opinion:
I couldn't even begin to figure out what either of these teams are really doing, so it's tought to say where this rates for either of them.

Blazers, Nuggets, and Mavericks Trade:

Portland Trail Blazers receive: Raymond Felton, No. 57 pick (Tanguy Ngombo)
Denver Nuggest receive: Andre Miller, No. 26 pick (Jordan Hamilton), future second-round pick
Dallas Mavericks receive: Rudy Fernandez, 2007 No. 30 pick (Petteri Koponen)
Opinion:
Win, win, and win for all three teams in my opinion. They all get parts to help out their respective teams. The Nuggets just keep piling on talent from the Carmelo trade....

Hornets and Knicks Trade:

New Orleans Hornets receive: Cash considerations

New York Knicks receive: No. 45 pick (Josh Harrellson)
Opinion:
Knicks need a big body, and they get one in Harrellson. Shouldn't have a problem making the roster, so it's worth the Knicks buying this pick.

Cavaliers and Magic Trade:

Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Two future second-round picks
Orlando Magic receive: No. 32 pick (Justin Harper)
Opinion:
Not a bad deal. Like it for the Magic, who need all the help they can get to convince Dwight Howard they are trying to win now, and keep him in Orlando.

Bobcats and Warriors Trade:

Charlotte Bobcats receive: Cash considerations
Golden State Warriors receive: No. 39 pick (Jeremy Tyler)
Opinion:
Worth the risk for the Warriors I suppose. He was once one of the highest recruited high school players before leaving overseas to play basketball.

Timberwolves and Heat Trade:

Minnesota Timberwolves receive: No. 31 pick (Bojan Bogdanovic)
Miami Heat receive: The rights to guard Norris Cole (No. 28 pick)

Opinion:
Like this for the Heat, they needed a decent backup point guard, and Cole fits that role. As for the Timberwolves...I can't even explain this, not one bit. You get a guy who is drafted 3 spots after your pick, and you get nothing else in that trade? Should have got at least some cash considerations, or a future 2nd round pick. Kahn at his best.

Lakers and Nuggets Trade:

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Future second-round pick
Denver Nuggets receive: No. 56 pick (Chukwudiebere Maduabum)
Opinion:
A guy who averaged 0.7 pts, I guess there is only upside from that point. What's crazy is more than 1 team wanted that guy.


It sure was an exciting night with everything that went on. It will be interesting to see how this so called "weak" class turns out.