As soon as the season ended, the threads started for changes for next season - which is, like, awesome because what are we suppose to do now?
One thing that alarms me is the number of people saying trade #20 for "player".
Here is why I think that is a horrible way to go:
1) Colangelo. Have people already forgotten? If you have talent in identifying talent that will succeed at the NBA level, which both Weltman and Ujiri have and have built their careers upon, then you should be able to find talent in the first round.
2) Value. Rookie contracts tend to offer the best bang for the buck.
3) Flexibility. The rookie contracts offer a lot of talent relative to the money tying up a roster spot with value and allowing cap space for other areas such as facilitating trades or free agency.
4) Time. A first round draft pick could be "stuck" with the franchise for 8-9 years due to restricted free agency. What better way to build than multiple, multiple seasons of development together.
5) Baggage. A big part of the draft is personal and injury background checks. You get a feel for who you are bringing in. When you trade for guys who've been in the league - yes you do the same - but they might be coming from a culture of less desirable traits such as me-first, losing, etc. When you draft a guy you can mold him in to the professional you expect him to be.
Now if you can trade for Kevin Love or Al Horford or *insert big name here*, well lets do that. But if you're talking someone unproven and still unknown at NBA level (say, Harrison Barnes?) forget about it! First round picks are too valuable in the new CBA of the NBA.
One thing that alarms me is the number of people saying trade #20 for "player".
Here is why I think that is a horrible way to go:
1) Colangelo. Have people already forgotten? If you have talent in identifying talent that will succeed at the NBA level, which both Weltman and Ujiri have and have built their careers upon, then you should be able to find talent in the first round.
2) Value. Rookie contracts tend to offer the best bang for the buck.
3) Flexibility. The rookie contracts offer a lot of talent relative to the money tying up a roster spot with value and allowing cap space for other areas such as facilitating trades or free agency.
4) Time. A first round draft pick could be "stuck" with the franchise for 8-9 years due to restricted free agency. What better way to build than multiple, multiple seasons of development together.
5) Baggage. A big part of the draft is personal and injury background checks. You get a feel for who you are bringing in. When you trade for guys who've been in the league - yes you do the same - but they might be coming from a culture of less desirable traits such as me-first, losing, etc. When you draft a guy you can mold him in to the professional you expect him to be.
Now if you can trade for Kevin Love or Al Horford or *insert big name here*, well lets do that. But if you're talking someone unproven and still unknown at NBA level (say, Harrison Barnes?) forget about it! First round picks are too valuable in the new CBA of the NBA.
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