Official Pre-Lottery Draft Predictions for two first round picks

[footey]

Assumption Rules (please make your picks based on the following assumptions:

1. Assume we pick number 5. And none of the projected top 4 (including Exum) is available.
2. We can either trade up our 17th pick to 10, or trade it down to a 25 and 30 pick.  If we trade up, we have to give up our 2015 pick from the Clippers.
3.  Neither pick used as a trading chip.

My prediction:

1.  We take Gordon with our 5 pick.
2. We trade up to 10 to grab Gary Harris.

Rationale:  Each guy is very good on defensive pressure, which is, I feel, the blue print for turning things around in the most controllable fashion (i.e., not waiting for the next Durant or James to fall into our lap in order to rebuild).  They both should see significant minutes their rookie years, and Harris could very well end up starting his rookie year, with Bradley off the bench (if he re-signs) or gone (if he doesn't).  Gordon could eventually play 3/4, and eventually replace Green in the starting line-up. 

What do you predict under the above assumptions, and why?

[AB_Celtic]

I still think Embiid is our guy and we'll trade a good amount to move up and get him. All that's off the table is Rondo and Sully.

By your assumptions, though, I think we take Smart at 5, and try to nab Saric by moving up.

[footey]

Thanks, AB, but what is your answer based on the assumptions I posted?

[PhoSita]

#5 -- Aaron Gordon
#17 -- Kyle Anderson

Bonus prediction: After failing to find a "fireworks" trade with the #5 pick for an established star, Ainge ends up trading Rondo for a package which includes another top 10 pick and a future first.


I do like the idea of moving up to #10 to take Saric or Nurkic.  Saric especially if the pick at #5 is Smart or Vonleh rather than Gordon.

[Lucky17]

Assumption Rules (please make your picks based on the following assumptions:

1. Assume we pick number 5. And none of the projected top 4 (including Exum) is available.
2. We can either trade up our 17th pick to 10, or trade it down to a 25 and 30 pick.  If we trade up, we have to give up our 2015 pick from the Clippers.
3.  Neither pick used as a trading chip.

Assuming these are the governing parameters of the exercise, I'd rather take Gordon at #5, and then trade up to get Harris with the 2nd pick than trade down.

I'd also be fine with trading out of the second half of the 1st round completely.

I'm also fine with Pho's idea of Anderson at #17. Knowing Ainge's serious interest in Shawn Livingston back in the day, I could see Anderson being the pick at #17.

[Tr1boy]

5th - Aaron Gordon

Trade 17 to jazz for 23rd and 35th

23rd - Shabazz Napier
35th - Mitch Mcgary

[Evantime34]

Aaron Gordon at 5
Nik Stauskas at 17 (or we trade up a couple spots maybe not quite at the price of giving up the Clippers pick)

[Tr1boy]

Aaron Gordon at 5
Nik Stauskas at 17 (or we trade up a couple spots maybe not quite at the price of giving up the Clippers pick)

I would like this move. But stauskas is gone before 15. We would have to trade up

[Fred Roberts]

#5: Aaron Gordon or Noah Vonleh (Danny's team will know better who to select)
#17: TJ Warren, Kyle Anderson or PJ Hairston (based on who's available and who the C's value most)

Buy a 2nd rounder and take someone who has major upside (Dinwiddie, Powell, Antetokounmpo, Johnson, Robinson, Austin, Jefferson, etc). The 2nd round seems so loaded. Best ever? I am thinking yes.

[Evantime34]

Aaron Gordon at 5
Nik Stauskas at 17 (or we trade up a couple spots maybe not quite at the price of giving up the Clippers pick)

I would like this move. But stauskas is gone before 15. We would have to trade up

yeah you are probably right that he goes like 13 or 14.

[footey]

Assumption Rules (please make your picks based on the following assumptions:

1. Assume we pick number 5. And none of the projected top 4 (including Exum) is available.
2. We can either trade up our 17th pick to 10, or trade it down to a 25 and 30 pick.  If we trade up, we have to give up our 2015 pick from the Clippers.
3.  Neither pick used as a trading chip.

Assuming these are the governing parameters of the exercise, I'd rather take Gordon at #5, and then trade up to get Harris with the 2nd pick than trade down.

I'd also be fine with trading out of the second half of the 1st round completely.

I'm also fine with Pho's idea of Anderson at #17. Knowing Ainge's serious interest in Shawn Livingston back in the day, I could see Anderson being the pick at #17.

That is what I meant to say Harris with the 2nd pick, you said more clearly, thanks.

I think Anderson is too risky.  Harris is a sure-fire NBA 2 guard.  He may not be spectacular but will be real decent. Kind of like Tony Allen with a jump shot!!

[CFAN38]

If we stay at #5 and #17 then I think Smart will be BPA at #5 and at #17 Hood. I could also see DA surprise some people and take Saric at #5 (though a trade down would likely happen figuring Kings or Lakers would love Smart). This could also play out with the trade up to #10 the original poster mentioned.

[Lucky17]

Assumption Rules (please make your picks based on the following assumptions:

1. Assume we pick number 5. And none of the projected top 4 (including Exum) is available.
2. We can either trade up our 17th pick to 10, or trade it down to a 25 and 30 pick.  If we trade up, we have to give up our 2015 pick from the Clippers.
3.  Neither pick used as a trading chip.

Assuming these are the governing parameters of the exercise, I'd rather take Gordon at #5, and then trade up to get Harris with the 2nd pick than trade down.

I'd also be fine with trading out of the second half of the 1st round completely.

I'm also fine with Pho's idea of Anderson at #17. Knowing Ainge's serious interest in Shawn Livingston back in the day, I could see Anderson being the pick at #17.

That is what I meant to say Harris with the 2nd pick, you said more clearly, thanks.

I think Anderson is too risky.  Harris is a sure-fire NBA 2 guard.  He may not be spectacular but will be real decent. Kind of like Tony Allen with a jump shot!!

If I'm asked to choose between Harris and Anderson, I'd much prefer Harris.

But if the cost to move up from #17 is too great, I think I'd be OK with Anderson. I think he'd be a good complement to Avery Bradley.

[Birdman]

#5-Marcus Smart
#17-Zach LaVine

[hpantazo]

Marcus Smart at 5, Saric at 17, possibly moving up to 12-14 to grab him.