ACTION: The Lakers select Jaundice Antenna Kumpo with pick #1.
REACTION: Yeah, I know there was a trade first and no, that isn't auto correct. But Jaundiced is the way most around the league were going into this draft of yellow. Giannis brings a hope for respectability that has been a long time coming for the Forum Blue and Yellow. A multi talented player that will take a couple of years to blossom but gives the Lakers their centerpiece of the future, Giannis will let this be Bogut's team for now, but in 2 or 3 seasons, he will be the man in LA. The Kevin Durant/Giannis battles for the heart of the city will be amazing as well. Obvious #1 pick and to a franchise that needed the rejuvenation.
Wig Liveblogs the 2013 draft
Wig Liveblogs the 2013 draft
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Re: Wig Liveblogs the 2013 draft
ACTION: The 76ers trade Tyson Chandler and the 5th pock to the Kings for DeMarcus Cousins and the Heat 2015 pick.
REACTION: The writing on the wall here is so obvious it could be in neon. The 76ers aren't rebuilding, they are reloading. I fully expect they will stay under the cap this season and attempt to reload with younger talent. They will almost certainly not drop out of the playoffs but unlike the past couple of years they will have an eye on financials. Cousins has the potential to be almost the defender Chandler was but with a better offensive game. I doubt this is the only move the 76ers will make.
As for the Kings? They dump a piece they couldn't keep on the floor due to foul issues and get a proven commodity they already loved once. And they get a top 5 pick as they bolster their lineup. After just missing out on a 3 seed last year, looks like the Kings are making a win-now move, which must mean they think they are close enough for their young talent to make the leap. Wouldnt be shocked to see more moves out of them as well.
REACTION: The writing on the wall here is so obvious it could be in neon. The 76ers aren't rebuilding, they are reloading. I fully expect they will stay under the cap this season and attempt to reload with younger talent. They will almost certainly not drop out of the playoffs but unlike the past couple of years they will have an eye on financials. Cousins has the potential to be almost the defender Chandler was but with a better offensive game. I doubt this is the only move the 76ers will make.
As for the Kings? They dump a piece they couldn't keep on the floor due to foul issues and get a proven commodity they already loved once. And they get a top 5 pick as they bolster their lineup. After just missing out on a 3 seed last year, looks like the Kings are making a win-now move, which must mean they think they are close enough for their young talent to make the leap. Wouldnt be shocked to see more moves out of them as well.
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ACTION: The Bucks select Otto Porter Jr. with pick #2 in the draft.
REACTION: Color me surprised here. The Bucks already have a bunch of young wings (Barnes, Irving, Middleton) and I thought they'd either try to trade the pick or select Rudy Gobert to help nail down their defensive frontcourt. Porter looks like he'll become an ideal 3 & D wing, but with a number of offensive-minded wings already on the roster I thought backstopping them with a defender would be the way to go. Guess I was wrong. Not sure how the Bucks find playing time for everyone so at least one of their guys is going to be put on the trade market, and how good this pick is really depends on what trade they eventually make to clear that logjam.
REACTION: Color me surprised here. The Bucks already have a bunch of young wings (Barnes, Irving, Middleton) and I thought they'd either try to trade the pick or select Rudy Gobert to help nail down their defensive frontcourt. Porter looks like he'll become an ideal 3 & D wing, but with a number of offensive-minded wings already on the roster I thought backstopping them with a defender would be the way to go. Guess I was wrong. Not sure how the Bucks find playing time for everyone so at least one of their guys is going to be put on the trade market, and how good this pick is really depends on what trade they eventually make to clear that logjam.
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ACTION: The 76ers trade Larry Sanders and Ramon Sessions to the Bulls for Gordon Hayward.
REACTION: The Bulls have been shopping Hayward for a while, and I'm a little surprised this was the best they could get. Sessions is a super-athletic point guard, but 11 points and 6 assists per game aren't exactly mind-blowing numbers, and Sanders is a run of the mill backup center. Hayward, on the other hand, has oddly high offensive rebound and steal ratings and should become an excellent defender and at least a passable scorer. The Bulls might get a bump this year, but I think long term, the 76ers win this trade going away.
REACTION: The Bulls have been shopping Hayward for a while, and I'm a little surprised this was the best they could get. Sessions is a super-athletic point guard, but 11 points and 6 assists per game aren't exactly mind-blowing numbers, and Sanders is a run of the mill backup center. Hayward, on the other hand, has oddly high offensive rebound and steal ratings and should become an excellent defender and at least a passable scorer. The Bulls might get a bump this year, but I think long term, the 76ers win this trade going away.
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ACTION: The Sonics select C.J. McCollum at #3 (autopick).
REACTION: The Sonics had an entire weekend on the clock and the best they could come up with is a no-show? Don't be surprised if leadership in Seattle changes very shortly.
REACTION: The Sonics had an entire weekend on the clock and the best they could come up with is a no-show? Don't be surprised if leadership in Seattle changes very shortly.
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Re: Wig Liveblogs the 2013 draft
ACTION: The Raptors trade the #4, #9, and #20 picks and Draymond Green and Al-Farouq Aminu to the Timberwolves for Chris Bosh and Kyle Lowry.
REACTION: Obviously, this is a rebuild trade for the Wolves. The #4 pick and Draymond should be a couple of young studs and the #9 and Aminu can be a couple of complimentary role players in time, but this means the Timberwolves are now 2-3 years from competing in the West again. Maybe that's the Durant effect. For the Raptors, this upgrade means instant credibility and puts them into a win-now mode. The hope in Toronto is that Whiteside quickly starts living up to his potential and that they can flesh out their roster on the cheap, but with the 76ers tearing down their team a bit, the Raptors are instantly in the conversation for a high playoff seed in the East.
REACTION: Obviously, this is a rebuild trade for the Wolves. The #4 pick and Draymond should be a couple of young studs and the #9 and Aminu can be a couple of complimentary role players in time, but this means the Timberwolves are now 2-3 years from competing in the West again. Maybe that's the Durant effect. For the Raptors, this upgrade means instant credibility and puts them into a win-now mode. The hope in Toronto is that Whiteside quickly starts living up to his potential and that they can flesh out their roster on the cheap, but with the 76ers tearing down their team a bit, the Raptors are instantly in the conversation for a high playoff seed in the East.
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ACTION: The Wolves select Rudy Gobert with pick #4.
REACTION: Gobert is super raw right now, but he has the earmarks of a defensive centerpiece in about 2-3 years. I liked Gobert in this draft as a guy whose role is immediately clear, even if it will take him some time to grow into it. When both Gobert and Draymond grow into their defensive chops, they Wolves will have two terrific defenders; look for the Wolves to continue to reinforce their team and mold a defensive-minded bunch as they rebuild.
REACTION: Gobert is super raw right now, but he has the earmarks of a defensive centerpiece in about 2-3 years. I liked Gobert in this draft as a guy whose role is immediately clear, even if it will take him some time to grow into it. When both Gobert and Draymond grow into their defensive chops, they Wolves will have two terrific defenders; look for the Wolves to continue to reinforce their team and mold a defensive-minded bunch as they rebuild.
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ACTION: The Kings select Nerlens Noel with pick #5.
REACTION: The fact that the Bucks' GM Ian Quailman griped about this publicly immediately after the pick was posted suggests that the Bucks were hoping and praying Noel fell to them, and may have explained their decision to pass on Gobert back at pick number two. If the Bucks still desire to take a big man, they have some fallback solutions here with Adams, Olynyk, Plumlee and Dieng all still on the board. Wonder if the Bucks will shop this pick like they shopped the #2... and wonder if they'll settle for yet another wing instead of a trade.
REACTION: The fact that the Bucks' GM Ian Quailman griped about this publicly immediately after the pick was posted suggests that the Bucks were hoping and praying Noel fell to them, and may have explained their decision to pass on Gobert back at pick number two. If the Bucks still desire to take a big man, they have some fallback solutions here with Adams, Olynyk, Plumlee and Dieng all still on the board. Wonder if the Bucks will shop this pick like they shopped the #2... and wonder if they'll settle for yet another wing instead of a trade.
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ACTION: The Bucks trade the #6 pick and Mike Conley to the Timberwolves for pick #9 and cash
REACTION: This will continue to add to the legend of "how many draft picks is Mike Conley worth." The Bucks decide to slide on down the board and clear up some cap space in light of the Kings' pick of Nerlens... after all, they're guaranteed at least one of the four bigs mentioned earlier will still be there. No-brainer for the Bucks to clear up cap space. For the Wolves, it's an opportunity to improve their rebuild chances since Conley's contract doesn't matter to them right now anyway. Oladipo projects to be a solid defender - which fits with the Wolves rebuild - and also projects to have some nice offensive skills, so he may become the focal point of a revamped Minnesota squad in a couple of seasons. I like the pick for the Wolves and, assuming the Bucks just wanted a backup center, this is a nice move for them too.
REACTION: This will continue to add to the legend of "how many draft picks is Mike Conley worth." The Bucks decide to slide on down the board and clear up some cap space in light of the Kings' pick of Nerlens... after all, they're guaranteed at least one of the four bigs mentioned earlier will still be there. No-brainer for the Bucks to clear up cap space. For the Wolves, it's an opportunity to improve their rebuild chances since Conley's contract doesn't matter to them right now anyway. Oladipo projects to be a solid defender - which fits with the Wolves rebuild - and also projects to have some nice offensive skills, so he may become the focal point of a revamped Minnesota squad in a couple of seasons. I like the pick for the Wolves and, assuming the Bucks just wanted a backup center, this is a nice move for them too.
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ACTION: The Timberwolves select Victor Oladipo with pick #6.
REACTION: I kind of covered this when I reacted to the trade but I'll re-iterate here that Oladipo is a very nice pickup for the Wolves - fits the team philosophy of defensive potential and has the potential offensive game that Gobert and Green don't. The Timberwolves have put together a nice core that is probably a couple of seasons away from contending but depending on TC, could catch some teams off-guard and sneak into the playoffs. A good pickup here.
REACTION: I kind of covered this when I reacted to the trade but I'll re-iterate here that Oladipo is a very nice pickup for the Wolves - fits the team philosophy of defensive potential and has the potential offensive game that Gobert and Green don't. The Timberwolves have put together a nice core that is probably a couple of seasons away from contending but depending on TC, could catch some teams off-guard and sneak into the playoffs. A good pickup here.
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ACTION: The Spurs select Dennis Schroder with pick #7.
REACTION: Schroder looks like he's in the mold of Russell Westbrook - a score-first point guard who only passes when there's no shot available. He's still a couple of years away from becoming a threat, but on the positive side, he's already stronger than Russell is - so there's that. Expect him to do what most Spurs do... sit on the bench for a couple of years, get good, get re-signed in RFA, stay good, then eventually when Eazy has used him up entirely, get traded away for a couple more future picks that wind up being lotto picks. In other words, expect to see him in San Antonio for the next 8 years or so.
REACTION: Schroder looks like he's in the mold of Russell Westbrook - a score-first point guard who only passes when there's no shot available. He's still a couple of years away from becoming a threat, but on the positive side, he's already stronger than Russell is - so there's that. Expect him to do what most Spurs do... sit on the bench for a couple of years, get good, get re-signed in RFA, stay good, then eventually when Eazy has used him up entirely, get traded away for a couple more future picks that wind up being lotto picks. In other words, expect to see him in San Antonio for the next 8 years or so.
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ACTION: The Pistons select Tim Hardaway Jr. with pick #8 (auto/sim pick).
REACTION: Hardaway Jr. shows really nice promise at the offensive end and has the size to slide up to small forward if needed. Defensively, he'll be awful but other than Anthony Davis, the Pistons are rather an offense-first, defense-never kind of team, so he'll fit in nicely. He may be pressed into starting duty right away, which is unfortunate because if the Pistons were a little better, he would make a great sixth man.
REACTION: Hardaway Jr. shows really nice promise at the offensive end and has the size to slide up to small forward if needed. Defensively, he'll be awful but other than Anthony Davis, the Pistons are rather an offense-first, defense-never kind of team, so he'll fit in nicely. He may be pressed into starting duty right away, which is unfortunate because if the Pistons were a little better, he would make a great sixth man.
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ACTION: The Bucks select Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with pick #9.
REACTION: The Bucks had their choice of all the bigs still on the board at #6 and they picked... yet another wing. They're going to wind up with more wings than a cheap sports bar at this rate.
REACTION: The Bucks had their choice of all the bigs still on the board at #6 and they picked... yet another wing. They're going to wind up with more wings than a cheap sports bar at this rate.
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ACTION: The Suns select Seth Curry with pick #10.
REACTION: Presumably the Suns are hoping Seth's shared DNA with his brother Steph doesn't lead to the same type of TC his brother had. Curry projects to be a solid defender and excellent shooter but his lack of size coupled with uneven athleticism is a little worrying. But with a team built around three-point sniper Kevin Love, I guess this means the Suns are going all-in on "live by the three, die by the three" and if nothing else they may be entertaining.
REACTION: Presumably the Suns are hoping Seth's shared DNA with his brother Steph doesn't lead to the same type of TC his brother had. Curry projects to be a solid defender and excellent shooter but his lack of size coupled with uneven athleticism is a little worrying. But with a team built around three-point sniper Kevin Love, I guess this means the Suns are going all-in on "live by the three, die by the three" and if nothing else they may be entertaining.
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ACTION: The Dallas Mavericks select Steven Adams with pick #11.
REACTION: Adams projects to be a prototypical rim-protecting big man with limited offensive skills. In other words, he's a much cheaper version of Greg Oden, who they already have on their roster. If I'm Oden, I don't expect my option year to be picked up. I'm sure the Mavericks were hoping the Bucks would pick big so KCP might have been available - they have quality bigs, what they need are quality wings. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, they'll have to settle for best player available - a shame since it's redundant talent on their roster - rather than being able to fill a position of need.
REACTION: Adams projects to be a prototypical rim-protecting big man with limited offensive skills. In other words, he's a much cheaper version of Greg Oden, who they already have on their roster. If I'm Oden, I don't expect my option year to be picked up. I'm sure the Mavericks were hoping the Bucks would pick big so KCP might have been available - they have quality bigs, what they need are quality wings. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, they'll have to settle for best player available - a shame since it's redundant talent on their roster - rather than being able to fill a position of need.
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ACTION: The Rockets select Giorgiu Dieng with pick #12.
REACTION: You gotta feel for the Rockets. Much like the other Texas team that picked one slot ahead of them, they are pretty set at big man... and the best players on the board are all big men. Dieng may be the most ready-to-play-now big in the draft in terms of defense, which means, like Oden in Dallas, current expensive defensive specialist Griffin had better put his house on the market and look for a new place to call home.
REACTION: You gotta feel for the Rockets. Much like the other Texas team that picked one slot ahead of them, they are pretty set at big man... and the best players on the board are all big men. Dieng may be the most ready-to-play-now big in the draft in terms of defense, which means, like Oden in Dallas, current expensive defensive specialist Griffin had better put his house on the market and look for a new place to call home.
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ACTION: The Celtics select Mason Plumlee with pick #13.
REACTION: Plumlee is a solid selection for the Celtics; he'll give them added bulk up front and has fairly nice athleticism to go with a defensive focus that is already decent and projects as "good but not great" in the rebounding, post defense, and shot-blocking areas. He should be a serviceable big man off the bench now and in a few years may be okay as a spot starter, though his offense will probably always be problematic. Still, the Celtics needed a third big man and filling a need at the back end of the lottery is always a positive.
REACTION: Plumlee is a solid selection for the Celtics; he'll give them added bulk up front and has fairly nice athleticism to go with a defensive focus that is already decent and projects as "good but not great" in the rebounding, post defense, and shot-blocking areas. He should be a serviceable big man off the bench now and in a few years may be okay as a spot starter, though his offense will probably always be problematic. Still, the Celtics needed a third big man and filling a need at the back end of the lottery is always a positive.
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ACTION: The Pacers select Dewayne Dedmon with pick #14.
REACTION: The run of "big men with pretty good defensive potentials who will be offensive liabilities" rolls on for the fourth pick in a row here. Dedmon's game reminds a lot of former Pacers big man Timofey Mozgov - Dedmon already has pretty good rebounding and post defense chops. He's not nearly as athletic as Mozgov but given the Pacers' thin roster at the moment (even if they do re-up Deron Williams), making sure you have a solid defensive big is probably going to let GM Pauly P sleep a little better at night.
REACTION: The run of "big men with pretty good defensive potentials who will be offensive liabilities" rolls on for the fourth pick in a row here. Dedmon's game reminds a lot of former Pacers big man Timofey Mozgov - Dedmon already has pretty good rebounding and post defense chops. He's not nearly as athletic as Mozgov but given the Pacers' thin roster at the moment (even if they do re-up Deron Williams), making sure you have a solid defensive big is probably going to let GM Pauly P sleep a little better at night.
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ACTION: The Nets select Michael Carter-Williams with pick #15.
REACTION: I think MCW probably dropped because he's a 3-and-D guy without the "3" - but he is a bit of an enigma - he has size and middling athleticism so he should be at least passable as a perimeter defender and he's already an excellent defensive rebounder. Assuming a team is able to stomach his offensive shortcomings, he could be a fascinating piece as a defensively-focused fifth starter that gets a large number of rebounds out of the 2/3 spot. The Nets have three pretty good offensive starters already, so they can afford to take a flyer on MCW and see what he can do with them.
REACTION: I think MCW probably dropped because he's a 3-and-D guy without the "3" - but he is a bit of an enigma - he has size and middling athleticism so he should be at least passable as a perimeter defender and he's already an excellent defensive rebounder. Assuming a team is able to stomach his offensive shortcomings, he could be a fascinating piece as a defensively-focused fifth starter that gets a large number of rebounds out of the 2/3 spot. The Nets have three pretty good offensive starters already, so they can afford to take a flyer on MCW and see what he can do with them.
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ACTION: The Celtics select Kelly Olynyk with pick #16.
REACTION: You just knew Conroy couldn't pass up the chance to make sim league mirror reality, right? Olynyk is a stretch 4 who can step in next to Spencer Hawes and give the Celtics three-point threats from all five positions. He'll probably never be great defensively, but he's a significant change-of-pace from Plumlee so the Celtics now have the option of giving teams rather different looks. It's a niche role, to be sure, but it is a role some teams like and more than halfway through the draft, it's something but barring TC blessings, Olynyk looks like a guy who's never going to seriously impact the league.
REACTION: You just knew Conroy couldn't pass up the chance to make sim league mirror reality, right? Olynyk is a stretch 4 who can step in next to Spencer Hawes and give the Celtics three-point threats from all five positions. He'll probably never be great defensively, but he's a significant change-of-pace from Plumlee so the Celtics now have the option of giving teams rather different looks. It's a niche role, to be sure, but it is a role some teams like and more than halfway through the draft, it's something but barring TC blessings, Olynyk looks like a guy who's never going to seriously impact the league.
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ACTION: The Sonics select Cody Zeller.
REACTION: Rumblings are the Sonics are about to be under new management. The hope will be that Zeller fits that style.
REACTION: Rumblings are the Sonics are about to be under new management. The hope will be that Zeller fits that style.
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ACTION: The Hornets send points to the Wizards for the 18 pick and use it to select Shane Larkin.
REACTION: The Wiz have been shopping this pick for a while, and the Hornets desperately need bodies. Larkin is undersized, but is already a quality perimeter defender. He'll get way more minutes on the Hornets than he should, so he's probably happy.
REACTION: The Wiz have been shopping this pick for a while, and the Hornets desperately need bodies. Larkin is undersized, but is already a quality perimeter defender. He'll get way more minutes on the Hornets than he should, so he's probably happy.
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ACTION: The Jazz select Robert Covington with pick 19.
REACTION: Poor athleticism, shabby offense, but nice perimeter defense potentials. At this point in the draft every player is one-dimensional so you're just trying to take guys that are good in that one dimension, I guess. Now if only they'd start picking three-point shooters so I can roll out my "learn to shoot threes and you'll get drafted" line.
REACTION: Poor athleticism, shabby offense, but nice perimeter defense potentials. At this point in the draft every player is one-dimensional so you're just trying to take guys that are good in that one dimension, I guess. Now if only they'd start picking three-point shooters so I can roll out my "learn to shoot threes and you'll get drafted" line.
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ACTION: The Wolves select Jeff Withey with pick 20.
REACTION: An athletic-ish big man who projects as a slightly above-average rim protector. Boozer/Bosh he ain't.
REACTION: An athletic-ish big man who projects as a slightly above-average rim protector. Boozer/Bosh he ain't.
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ACTION: The Blazers select Mike Muscala with pick 21.
REACTION: An athletic-ish big man who projects as a slightly above-averag rim protector. Is there an echo in here?
REACTION: An athletic-ish big man who projects as a slightly above-averag rim protector. Is there an echo in here?
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