Let's move free agency BEFORE the draft

[JohnBoy65]

I think this idea has been floated around. What does everyone think about this? I personally would rather see free agency come first then the draft.

For example: Let's say the KD did decide to come to Boston. (This is a hypothetical, don't yell at me Cbers) There's not really a need to draft Ingram. Wouldn't it be better to know what we got in FA then decide what we do with our 1st round picks?

Second example: What if Conley left the Grizzlies and they in turn could make no significant signings to improve their team, wouldn't they then be more apt to trade Gasol and rebuild through the draft?

I personally like this much more. Can people please tell me the down side to this? I know there are problems, but I can't think of any right now.

[knuckleballer]

I agree with you, but I think the timing is the problem.  The NBA season is very long when including the playoffs and I think they would like to get the kids situated before waiting too long.  The NBA finals finishes up in mid June.  For free agency, they need to give the players at least a couple weeks to unwind before thinking about it.  So then for the draft to occur after free agency, you are looking at mid to late July which is really quite late.  Currently, the summer league starts in early July.

[Tr1boy]

No.  Imagine winning the championship then signing with another team in a week?  Hell , signing with the opponent you just beat

it's just weird. Got to give it some time

[wdleehi]

I doesn't work great for the NBA with only 5 spots on the court at a time and only 15 players.


Draft the best player no matter the position then use FA to fill in holes.


The other way around, teams are more like to draft for need.




Other sports it works fine because of either the size of the teams or because of the minor league system.