Wasted opportunities
- Washington
- Phoenix
- Detroit
- New Orleans lead the pack
- San Antonio
- Denver
- Probably but not definitely Indiana
- Memphis and Minnesota
- Seattle. Okay Seattle lead the pack but New Orleans out of the contending teams
That's a pretty solid list, although I'm still digesting the Memphis / Minnesota trade.
What players do you think would have fit best on each of those teams (assuming Denver / New Orleans hadn't sold their picks?)
Interesting question. Hmmm ...
For Minnesota and Memphis I just wouldn't make the trade. Then I'd be happy there.
New Orleans should have kept the guy they selected in Darrell Arthur. They're desperate for big man help and the free agency class of MLE or below bigs is very weak. Arthur had a good chance of being better than anyone they can sign.
The Nuggets could have done anything and probably been fine. They have three solid bigs (Kenyon, Nene, Camby) and four wings (Melo, AI, JR, Klieza) so I'll go with a solid point guard. Someone who can shoot, play defense and do some point guard duties so Mario Chalmers.
Phoenix desperately needed a wing. Courtney Lee or Donte Greene would have been the best fits. I don't think they need the Robin Lopez kid at all, Skinner can do his job better and costs less. Phoenix were very unlucky that Brandon Rush didn't fall, Phoenix had a tough draft pick once Rush went. Anyone outside of Lopez (nor McGee) would have been better.
San Antonio - DeAndre Jordan. Let him develop next to Duncan. They need more size and more of a future to help TD in his old age. It was amazing to watch Duncan out-duel two quality big men on each team the Spurs played in the playoffs. He just needs a little help down in the paint, Jordan can give that in a year or two and he has good upside beyond that. Second choice would be Mario Chalmers, I think he's a great fit in the Spurs organization and a great replacement for Jacque Vaughn.
Indiana - Keep Bayless
Seattle - Draft Kevin Love. The thought of Durant and Love together is beautiful. What a two man game they could play.
Detroit - DJ White. I've said it for awhile now, he reminds me so much of Antonio McDyess (Detroit's Dice). He'll be a very solid role player for a long time. He's a Pistons type of player with his toughness and hard working attitude inside. I thought he was a great pick and shouldn't have been sold on. Otherwise CDR because he can already do everything Jarvis Hayes can do and he'll likely to it better in 8 months time. Chalmers again an interesting fit to replace the departing Hunter.
Washington - This is the hardest one because of where they're picking. I have no interest in JaVale McGee so my answer is "anything but" McGee. Arthur and Koufos are the two main culprits. I'd be looking to trade down for Joey Dorsey above all else. He's probably the best pick for Washington but it's way too high for him. The Wizards are an annoying team to configure because their perimeter is fairly set and their bigs are fairly set, they need upgrades rather than certain positions and skill sets. I would consider DeAndre Jordan if they had a real head coach but they don't so I wouldn't.