C's interested in acquiring the second pick?

[Cman]

Instead of looking at two, why not five? Washington doesn't want it, and they really want to shed salary. We could trade for Caron or Jamison, actually if Washington wanted we could do Ray for BOTH Butler and Jamison and then the five pick if they really want to get out of those contracts. Then we could have one of Harden (Yes, please) Thabeet (Maybe there) Jordan Hill (I like him, too) or Tyreke Evans.

Trading Butler, Jamison, and the #5 for Ray Allen?  Washington is too dangerous a city to risk that big a riot.

Agreed.  But put me down as a "yes please" if that trade is on the table...

[bballdog384]

In my opinion, Thabeet is not mobile or fluid enough to ever be a dominate rebounding, shot blocking big man. I see his ceiling as a bench player who can give you a useful twenty-five minutes a night.

I agree.  I also think he is going to have a hard time getting strong enough to be able to really bang inside with NBA big men without losing even more mobility.

I don't necessarily think he will be a total bust, but I would be shocked if he is ever more than a role-player.  I think his absolute ceiling is someone like Dikembe, but he has a LONG way to go to get there.

You see, I don't agree with you guys at all. I think he has grown leaps and bounds as a player since arriving at UConn and has developed a nice little touch in his shot and has shown increased mobility and knowledge of the game each year. He has been playing the game only 4-5 years and is a pretty intelligent kid who learns fairly quickly.

Yes, he isn't NBA starting ready right now, but he can give a team like the C's some definite minutes off the bench and within a couple years I think he could be the best player in this draft. He has the height, length, athleticism, weight, and intelligence to be special if he pushes himself. He's taller, longer and younger than both Howard and Perk and just needs some good big man coaching to exceed.

I agree with Nick here. Thabeet is going to be a very solid bigman for a long time in the league. When he first came to UConn, he was little more than a shot blocking presence, and he's even improved greatly on that since then. He now has some moves around the basket that make him a guy that could average 10 a game this year. He does need fine tuning, and what better guy could offer him that than the man known as Clifford Ray?

Thabeet is tall. Thats about it. He wont be able to score or rebound in the nba at an all-star level. He'll probably level off at about a Dalembert level.

[ToppersBsktball10]

In my opinion, Thabeet is not mobile or fluid enough to ever be a dominate rebounding, shot blocking big man. I see his ceiling as a bench player who can give you a useful twenty-five minutes a night.

I agree.  I also think he is going to have a hard time getting strong enough to be able to really bang inside with NBA big men without losing even more mobility.

I don't necessarily think he will be a total bust, but I would be shocked if he is ever more than a role-player.  I think his absolute ceiling is someone like Dikembe, but he has a LONG way to go to get there.

You see, I don't agree with you guys at all. I think he has grown leaps and bounds as a player since arriving at UConn and has developed a nice little touch in his shot and has shown increased mobility and knowledge of the game each year. He has been playing the game only 4-5 years and is a pretty intelligent kid who learns fairly quickly.

Yes, he isn't NBA starting ready right now, but he can give a team like the C's some definite minutes off the bench and within a couple years I think he could be the best player in this draft. He has the height, length, athleticism, weight, and intelligence to be special if he pushes himself. He's taller, longer and younger than both Howard and Perk and just needs some good big man coaching to exceed.

I agree with Nick here. Thabeet is going to be a very solid bigman for a long time in the league. When he first came to UConn, he was little more than a shot blocking presence, and he's even improved greatly on that since then. He now has some moves around the basket that make him a guy that could average 10 a game this year. He does need fine tuning, and what better guy could offer him that than the man known as Clifford Ray?

Thabeet is tall. Thats about it. He wont be able to score or rebound in the nba at an all-star level. He'll probably level off at about a Dalembert level.

He'll be able to rebound. Plus I think KG could turn him into beast mode on defense

[johnnyrondo]

Personally I'd be fine with Perk as our center for the next 12 years. He rebounds, he plays defense, he blocks shots, he's an enforcer, a good teammate and doesn't complain about touches. Not sure why we would want Thabeet. Him and Perk wouldn't go well together.

[cornbreadsmart]

if we could get the #2 pick and rudy gay for rondo,baby and a pick, i would do it no matter what rondo wants or will want.

[Cman]

Personally I'd be fine with Perk as our center for the next 12 years. He rebounds, he plays defense, he blocks shots, he's an enforcer, a good teammate and doesn't complain about touches. Not sure why we would want Thabeet. Him and Perk wouldn't go well together.

I pretty much agree with you on this.  My only nagging concern would be Perk's shoulder.  Just count me as someone not much of a Thabeet fan.  Maybe that will change?

[JBcat]

if we could get the #2 pick and rudy gay for rondo,baby and a pick, i would do it no matter what rondo wants or will want.

As stated in an earlier post I'm leaning that way too if Rondo is asking for too much money in an extension.  I had Tony Allen instead of BBD but whatever filler would work.

Having Gay, Ray Allen, and Pierce together you would have at least 2 of them in the game at all times or almost all.  Our offense has suffered in the past a little when it's only Ray in the game or only Paul.  Plus if you grab Rubio with the second pick you don't have to rush him if you use the full MLE to get a good starting PG like Kidd, Andre Miller, Bibby, Iverson ect for the next 2 years.  You can use House as the backup or even keep Marbury or whoever else for a backup and stash Rubio away until he is ready.  

I honestly have not seen Rubio enough but if some scouts feel his upside is greater than Rondo's it's worth pondering especially if you get Gay as well.  

[StartOrien]

if we could get the #2 pick and rudy gay for rondo,baby and a pick, i would do it no matter what rondo wants or will want.

As stated in an earlier post I'm leaning that way too if Rondo is asking for too much money in an extension.  I had Tony Allen instead of BBD but whatever filler would work.

Having Gay, Ray Allen, and Pierce together you would have at least 2 of them in the game at all times or almost all.  Our offense has suffered in the past a little when it's only Ray in the game or only Paul.  Plus if you grab Rubio with the second pick you don't have to rush him if you use the full MLE to get a good starting PG like Kidd, Andre Miller, Bibby, Iverson ect for the next 2 years.  You can use House as the backup or even keep Marbury or whoever else for a backup and stash Rubio away until he is ready.  

I honestly have not seen Rubio enough but if some scouts feel his upside is greater than Rondo's it's worth pondering especially if you get Gay as well.  

I'd think that if Rudy Gay was involved in the trade, Ray Allen would also have to be included. Which sounds silly for the Grizz at first, but they could sell their fans on him and then use his contract to create future opportunities.

[CoachBo]

I agree with Nick here. Thabeet is going to be a very solid bigman for a long time in the league. When he first came to UConn, he was little more than a shot blocking presence, and he's even improved greatly on that since then. He now has some moves around the basket that make him a guy that could average 10 a game this year. He does need fine tuning, and what better guy could offer him that than the man known as Clifford Ray?

But is that worth Rajon Rondo? We're doing just fine with Perkins. In fact, I might take Perkins over Thabeet simply because Perk is a tough **** and Thabeet is a bit soft. I'd also prefer Jason Thompson or Nocioni and the #4 over just getting Hasheem.

If I'm going to battle against Dwight Howard, I'd rather have Perk. After seeing what DeJuan Blair did to Thabeet, I'd hate to see what Superman 2.0 does.

Having seen the Pitt-UConn game, I have to concur. I'm struck by the irony of wanting to push out a guy whose game and work ethic are a lot closer to what I want to see in Green in Perkins, than Rondo.

We're just fine at the starting 5, and Danny will do better than the Endless Parade of Stiffs of the last year.

[moiso]

I agree with Nick here. Thabeet is going to be a very solid bigman for a long time in the league. When he first came to UConn, he was little more than a shot blocking presence, and he's even improved greatly on that since then. He now has some moves around the basket that make him a guy that could average 10 a game this year. He does need fine tuning, and what better guy could offer him that than the man known as Clifford Ray?

But is that worth Rajon Rondo? We're doing just fine with Perkins. In fact, I might take Perkins over Thabeet simply because Perk is a tough **** and Thabeet is a bit soft. I'd also prefer Jason Thompson or Nocioni and the #4 over just getting Hasheem.

If I'm going to battle against Dwight Howard, I'd rather have Perk. After seeing what DeJuan Blair did to Thabeet, I'd hate to see what Superman 2.0 does.

If Thabeet were 7' instead of 7'3", I bet he'd be projected to go in the mid 20's instead of #2 or #3.  I think he'll be a great shot blocker and decent player, but I just don't think he'll live up to a #2 draft status.  I agree with the guy who said his absolute limit is Mutombo but he has a ton of work to get there.  And Mutombo was lanky, but he seemed to have a lot more strength than thabeet.

[Fan from VT]

This is hard for me to judge because i just have no idea how good rubio will be. Is this a similar case to Portland passing on Jordan because they had Drexler and wanted to win now with a shooting guard in his prime? If Rubio is that type of talent, you don't want to look back and say you didn't take the chance to get him because you had a very good point guard already and wanted to win now.

He's been playing professionally for a bit, so he may be able to step in and at least not detract in his first year. possibly be better. if so, and you can get Gay in the deal, which would increase your athleticism and help on the wing, you might have to do it.

[LarBrd33]

you guys really believe you could get the #2 pick AND Rudy Gay for Rondo?

[Champzilla]

I think if we get the #2 pick we are taking Rubio, not Thabeet.

[JBcat]

you guys really believe you could get the #2 pick AND Rudy Gay for Rondo?

Between Gay, Rubio, and Rondo I would say right now at this point in time Rondo is the best player with Gay and Rubio the 2nd and 3rd best player.  So you could find a 4th best player sort of speak to balance things or a couple fillers whether it be TA, BBD, a future draft pick or whomever.   It might work. 

We are 14 pages of this thread and if you haven't seen the 10 minute youtube clip of Rubio it's back on something like pages 6 or 7.  If you haven't seen him play it gives you an idea of what he can good against some good Euro competition.  I assume many here have hardly seem him play including myself so it's a good starting point. 

[Cman]

So, Rubio and Thabeet have been discussed a lot. 

Any thoughts about other players?  For example: James Harden.

Consider: Ray + Pruitt for Darko + Marko + Gay + #2, with the #2 used on Harden.

Not saying I like the trade (I prefer to keep our starting 5 intact until at least the Feb trade deadline), but it could be economical, which should be appealing to the owners.  The trade fills in the stated needs of a backup PG (Marko Jaric), backup SF (Gay), and backup C (Darko) without having to spend any money on FAs.  The big question is whether Harden is able to start at SG, which, on a championship contender, I find unlikely.  So I think that even in this case, management would need to open the check book...