Quick Thoughts before the Draft

As predicted, the trades have started to come in with the draft starting in a little over an hour. The biggest trade so far today has the Nets sending Richard Jefferson to the Bucks for forwards Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian (who was the 6th overall pick last year). Once again, I think this deal works well for both teams. The Bucks fill their biggest need, getting a proven small forward in Jefferson, who should be happy to finally get a change of scenery. This probably means that the Bucks are not looking to trade Michael Redd, and will attempt to make a playoff run this year. Getting rid of Simmons gives them some extra cap space to try to sign a free agent this summer. The Nets get a young player in Yi who was one of the top players in last years draft, and the huge salary of Bobby Simmons, which will come off the cap just in time for the free agent class of 2010. 

 

Both teams kept their draft picks in this deal. With the 8 pick, the Bucks might not be targeting Joe Alexander anymore. If Russell Westbrook is on the board, they could grab him here. I could also see the Bucks taking DJ Augustin here, or trying to trade down to the early teens and try to grab Augustin or Mario Chalmers.

 

The Nets could still go in any direction with their first round picks, and it sounds like they are trying to move up to the Grizzlies spot at 5 and control their own destiny, instead of waiting for someone to fall to them at 10. Kevin Love, Brook Lopez, and Joe Alexander (who might get to play with Yi afterall) could all be options at the 5 or 10 spots. 

 

Speaking of Joe Alexander....  For anyone questioning how athletic he is.  And another one.

My favorite Joe Alexander dunk, however, is this one. I was reading an interview of his the other day, and he claims that he slowed up before the dunk because he had heard that Stanley Robinson (the guy he's dunking over) was supposed to be a good shot-blocker, and that he "had his own opinion about that." Now that's the kind of attitude I want in a player. 

 

It has also been reported that the Sonics (4th pick) and Clippers (7th pick) will be swapping picks, with the Clippers giving the Sonics their first rounder next year, but only if OJ Mayo is taken in the top 3. This means that Seattle plans on taking Mayo should he slip out of the top 3, and also that Seattle will be happy with any of the players who would be available at 7 (probably including Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon or Jerryd Bayless). It's really a win-win for the Sonics- either they get the player the want the most in Mayo, who would be a great fit for them, or they pick up a first-rounder next year while still getting an impact player this year. Great move either way.

For the Clippers, it says that they have a specific player in mind that they want, and don't want to leave it up to chance. My guess is that this player is Eric Gordon. Usually I like these kinds of moves, in terms of taking action to get the player that you really want, but next year's first rounder (especially since the Clippers will more than likely be a lottery team again next year) is a pretty steep price to only move up 4 spots in a draft with so many similar players. Not too sure about this move from the Clippers side.

 

And with that, the draft is only an hour away. I love the draft because after months of speculation, all the rumors and misinformation all gets sorted out over the course of a few hours. Should be a fun one. I'll be back tomorrow with my thoughts and analysis of the draft.