Yes celticsclay was right, MEM is gonna depend on ping pong balls
On a brighter note (or is it?), LAC blew out BOS last night
Kings lost to WAS
LAC aren't tanking so that's good for the pick conveying this year.
Also, Sacramento hasn't been the same since Bagley got hurt as he was just starting to bring it. Could be coincidental as they've lost a couple of close ones but a blessing none the less.
shame about Bagley but it does help us with the pick. a kind bounce of the ping pong balls would help even more. I'd be happy with jumping up to #2.
highly hypothetical question. if the Kings pick did jump to the #2 or #3 spot (which could be just enough to push Memphis from 8 to 9 thus giving that one to us as well this year), would you (general 'you') prefer:
1. keep it and grab another top young talent to add to this group?
2. use it in a deal for Davis but use it as an excuse to hold on to one of the first rounders this year?
3. use it in a deal for Davis but use it as an excuse to hold Tatum out of the trade and use that pick as the centerpiece of the deal?
Personally, I think if the C's do get the #2, it gives them a bit more leverage to use that as the trade centerpiece (no, it won't be Zion but #2 in any draft is a pretty big deal) as opposed to Tatum. Question at that point is who would they need to move (or be able to move since it doesn't look like Danny's using that MLE to sign a player for salary filler in that NO deal) to match salaries. they don't really have much in the way of mid-range salaries to match AD's salary. I think Smart's salary is needed as is any signed draft picks used in the deal (Smart, #2, #9 & #18 are a pretty good haul for NO. possibly need to add Semi, Yabu and/or Williams for extra salary)
I’ll go with number 3 you listed. Some may believe that Barrett may be a better pro than Tatum. That may end up happening, but Tatum will be in year 3 next year verses rookie Barrett or Morant, and that could matter for how good we are next year at the very least, and maybe the next couple years. Tatum is the safer choice, and still has the upside to be maybe better than either of those 2.
Now if the Kings pick lands 2 or 3, and the Grizzlies pick doesn’t convey(I think it would then increase in value) I think that would do wonders for our chances of holding onto Tatum.
It would be great if the Kings slid back to around the 10th spot. That would give us roughly 15%-20% lottery odds of a 2-4 pick.
I would argue to the opposite.
Tatum, I love him, but Barret has a better skillset IMO.
But talent aside, the BIg BIG difference, is that Barret is a rookie, and on a rookie deal for longer.
I would have no worries dealing Tatum if we kept the number 2 draft pick and had Barret coming off the bench
Irving/Wannamaker
Brown/Smart
Hayward/Barret
Horford/Theis
Davis/Baynes
That is a lethal team. LETHAL