Trading Out for an established player or players
Assuming we will have almost half the cap dedicated to Melo and Calderon next year and still a sizeable chunk in future years, it doesn't make sense to wait many years for these first round picks to develop. Half rebuilding, half win now is likely not a good way to turn around a .200 team. My guess is that most guys who are solid NBA starters right now will still be playing better than most of the guys we could draft will be in the near future. So we could get better production during Melo's remaining prime and Calderon's remaining prime presence from established players.

I realize that trading lottery picks hasn't worked well for the Knicks but the last several times they kept their lottery picks (Sweetney, Frye, Hill, Gallo) were at least disappointments if not failures too. (Actually, the only thing that has worked out OK was investing in multiple later picks, which brought in guys like David Lee, Trevor Ariza, and more.)

One caveat is that none of this applies if Russell, Okafor, or Towns is somehow available. Then grab that player.

Vmart wrote:With respect I totally disagree with this strategy. I want to recall the year the Knicks had three number one picks. Not one of them made it Wallace, Dante something, Walter McCarty. It's not a sure fire thing. Because we are picking fourth you are creating a cut off. I guarantee you if the Knicks were picking 3 you make the third pick the cut off and call it the big two. Take the BPA and make the pick.

Bonn1997 wrote:If the big the 3 aren't available (Russell, Okfaor, Towns)

I see this as a big 4 with Mudiay... I know less about him than the others but read Larry Brown's quotes about him:

Larry Brown: Mudiay would fit Sixers perfectly

By Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer
POSTED: February 20, 2015
DALLAS - When it's time for the 76ers to pick in the NBA draft in late June, Southern Methodist coach Larry Brown thinks Emmanuel Mudiay would be a tremendous fit.

A 6-foot-5 point guard, Mudiay had committed to SMU before changing his mind to play professionally in China. When asked if Mudiay would be a good addition in Philadelphia, the former Sixers coach didn't hesitate.

"They would have a parade if they got him in the draft," Brown said before SMU's practice Wednesday at Moody Coliseum as the Mustangs prepared for a home game Thursday against Temple. "I don't mean a championship parade [but] just he's that good."

How good?

"He reminds me a lot of [Washington Wizards point guard] John Wall," said Brown, noting Mudiay can defend, rebound, and make other players better. "He is physically gifted and he has a great feel."

Brown thinks the addition of Mudiay would complement the young nucleus.

"To go with Joel [Embiid] and [Nerlens] Noel, [Michael] Carter-Williams, I think he would be phenomenal, and [with] the way Brett coaches," Brown said, showing his admiration for Sixers coach Brett Brown.

Mudiay won't turn 19 until next month.

"We would be 1, 2, or 3 in the country if he was here," Brown said."

As it is, the 21-5 Mustangs are ranked 21st nationally and lead the American Athletic Conference with a 12-2 mark. Temple (19-7, 10-3) has won seven in a row.

Brown was asked if Mudiay could be the shooting guard since the Sixers already have Carter-Williams at the point.

"No, MCW would play the two and that is not knocking him," Brown said. "This kid [Mudiay] I said [when he was] in high school I thought he could start on half the NBA teams, and I don't doubt that."

mnarducci@phillynews.com
@sjnard

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Bonn1997 wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:If the big the 3 aren't available (Russell, Okfaor, Towns)

I see this as a big 4 with Mudiay... I know less about him than the others but read Larry Brown's quotes about him:

Larry Brown: Mudiay would fit Sixers perfectly

By Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer
POSTED: February 20, 2015
DALLAS - When it's time for the 76ers to pick in the NBA draft in late June, Southern Methodist coach Larry Brown thinks Emmanuel Mudiay would be a tremendous fit.

A 6-foot-5 point guard, Mudiay had committed to SMU before changing his mind to play professionally in China. When asked if Mudiay would be a good addition in Philadelphia, the former Sixers coach didn't hesitate.

"They would have a parade if they got him in the draft," Brown said before SMU's practice Wednesday at Moody Coliseum as the Mustangs prepared for a home game Thursday against Temple. "I don't mean a championship parade [but] just he's that good."

How good?

"He reminds me a lot of [Washington Wizards point guard] John Wall," said Brown, noting Mudiay can defend, rebound, and make other players better. "He is physically gifted and he has a great feel."

Brown thinks the addition of Mudiay would complement the young nucleus.

"To go with Joel [Embiid] and [Nerlens] Noel, [Michael] Carter-Williams, I think he would be phenomenal, and [with] the way Brett coaches," Brown said, showing his admiration for Sixers coach Brett Brown.

Mudiay won't turn 19 until next month.

"We would be 1, 2, or 3 in the country if he was here," Brown said."

As it is, the 21-5 Mustangs are ranked 21st nationally and lead the American Athletic Conference with a 12-2 mark. Temple (19-7, 10-3) has won seven in a row.

Brown was asked if Mudiay could be the shooting guard since the Sixers already have Carter-Williams at the point.

"No, MCW would play the two and that is not knocking him," Brown said. "This kid [Mudiay] I said [when he was] in high school I thought he could start on half the NBA teams, and I don't doubt that."

mnarducci@phillynews.com
@sjnard

by TaboolaSponsored LinksYou May Like

He has wonderful potential but I can't get past that he played only 12 games and actually produced less than Will Bynum did. I don't think that potential is enough to outweigh the general rationale behind diversification. I'm trying to think about what the best gamble is.

So you would have passed on Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving because they got hurt and played in limited games?

Bonn1997 wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:If the big the 3 aren't available (Russell, Okfaor, Towns)

I see this as a big 4 with Mudiay... I know less about him than the others but read Larry Brown's quotes about him:

Larry Brown: Mudiay would fit Sixers perfectly

By Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer
POSTED: February 20, 2015
DALLAS - When it's time for the 76ers to pick in the NBA draft in late June, Southern Methodist coach Larry Brown thinks Emmanuel Mudiay would be a tremendous fit.

A 6-foot-5 point guard, Mudiay had committed to SMU before changing his mind to play professionally in China. When asked if Mudiay would be a good addition in Philadelphia, the former Sixers coach didn't hesitate.

"They would have a parade if they got him in the draft," Brown said before SMU's practice Wednesday at Moody Coliseum as the Mustangs prepared for a home game Thursday against Temple. "I don't mean a championship parade [but] just he's that good."

How good?

"He reminds me a lot of [Washington Wizards point guard] John Wall," said Brown, noting Mudiay can defend, rebound, and make other players better. "He is physically gifted and he has a great feel."

Brown thinks the addition of Mudiay would complement the young nucleus.

"To go with Joel [Embiid] and [Nerlens] Noel, [Michael] Carter-Williams, I think he would be phenomenal, and [with] the way Brett coaches," Brown said, showing his admiration for Sixers coach Brett Brown.

Mudiay won't turn 19 until next month.

"We would be 1, 2, or 3 in the country if he was here," Brown said."

As it is, the 21-5 Mustangs are ranked 21st nationally and lead the American Athletic Conference with a 12-2 mark. Temple (19-7, 10-3) has won seven in a row.

Brown was asked if Mudiay could be the shooting guard since the Sixers already have Carter-Williams at the point.

"No, MCW would play the two and that is not knocking him," Brown said. "This kid [Mudiay] I said [when he was] in high school I thought he could start on half the NBA teams, and I don't doubt that."

mnarducci@phillynews.com
@sjnard

by TaboolaSponsored LinksYou May Like

He has wonderful potential but I can't get past that he played only 12 games and actually produced less than Will Bynum did. I don't think that potential is enough to outweigh the general rationale behind diversification. I'm trying to think about what the best gamble is.

So you would have passed on Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving because they got hurt and played in limited games?

10 of those 12 games were before he was hurt

Kyrie played in 11 games before he got hurt

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:If the big the 3 aren't available (Russell, Okfaor, Towns)

I see this as a big 4 with Mudiay... I know less about him than the others but read Larry Brown's quotes about him:

Larry Brown: Mudiay would fit Sixers perfectly

By Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer
POSTED: February 20, 2015
DALLAS - When it's time for the 76ers to pick in the NBA draft in late June, Southern Methodist coach Larry Brown thinks Emmanuel Mudiay would be a tremendous fit.

A 6-foot-5 point guard, Mudiay had committed to SMU before changing his mind to play professionally in China. When asked if Mudiay would be a good addition in Philadelphia, the former Sixers coach didn't hesitate.

"They would have a parade if they got him in the draft," Brown said before SMU's practice Wednesday at Moody Coliseum as the Mustangs prepared for a home game Thursday against Temple. "I don't mean a championship parade [but] just he's that good."

How good?

"He reminds me a lot of [Washington Wizards point guard] John Wall," said Brown, noting Mudiay can defend, rebound, and make other players better. "He is physically gifted and he has a great feel."

Brown thinks the addition of Mudiay would complement the young nucleus.

"To go with Joel [Embiid] and [Nerlens] Noel, [Michael] Carter-Williams, I think he would be phenomenal, and [with] the way Brett coaches," Brown said, showing his admiration for Sixers coach Brett Brown.

Mudiay won't turn 19 until next month.

"We would be 1, 2, or 3 in the country if he was here," Brown said."

As it is, the 21-5 Mustangs are ranked 21st nationally and lead the American Athletic Conference with a 12-2 mark. Temple (19-7, 10-3) has won seven in a row.

Brown was asked if Mudiay could be the shooting guard since the Sixers already have Carter-Williams at the point.

"No, MCW would play the two and that is not knocking him," Brown said. "This kid [Mudiay] I said [when he was] in high school I thought he could start on half the NBA teams, and I don't doubt that."

mnarducci@phillynews.com
@sjnard

by TaboolaSponsored LinksYou May Like

He has wonderful potential but I can't get past that he played only 12 games and actually produced less than Will Bynum did. I don't think that potential is enough to outweigh the general rationale behind diversification. I'm trying to think about what the best gamble is.

So you would have passed on Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving because they got hurt and played in limited games?

10 of those 12 games were before he was hurt

Kyrie played in 11 games before he got hurt

We need top tier players. Just take the best player available at 4. He's likely to be quite good.

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:If the big the 3 aren't available (Russell, Okfaor, Towns)

I see this as a big 4 with Mudiay... I know less about him than the others but read Larry Brown's quotes about him:

Larry Brown: Mudiay would fit Sixers perfectly

By Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer
POSTED: February 20, 2015
DALLAS - When it's time for the 76ers to pick in the NBA draft in late June, Southern Methodist coach Larry Brown thinks Emmanuel Mudiay would be a tremendous fit.

A 6-foot-5 point guard, Mudiay had committed to SMU before changing his mind to play professionally in China. When asked if Mudiay would be a good addition in Philadelphia, the former Sixers coach didn't hesitate.

"They would have a parade if they got him in the draft," Brown said before SMU's practice Wednesday at Moody Coliseum as the Mustangs prepared for a home game Thursday against Temple. "I don't mean a championship parade [but] just he's that good."

How good?

"He reminds me a lot of [Washington Wizards point guard] John Wall," said Brown, noting Mudiay can defend, rebound, and make other players better. "He is physically gifted and he has a great feel."

Brown thinks the addition of Mudiay would complement the young nucleus.

"To go with Joel [Embiid] and [Nerlens] Noel, [Michael] Carter-Williams, I think he would be phenomenal, and [with] the way Brett coaches," Brown said, showing his admiration for Sixers coach Brett Brown.

Mudiay won't turn 19 until next month.

"We would be 1, 2, or 3 in the country if he was here," Brown said."

As it is, the 21-5 Mustangs are ranked 21st nationally and lead the American Athletic Conference with a 12-2 mark. Temple (19-7, 10-3) has won seven in a row.

Brown was asked if Mudiay could be the shooting guard since the Sixers already have Carter-Williams at the point.

"No, MCW would play the two and that is not knocking him," Brown said. "This kid [Mudiay] I said [when he was] in high school I thought he could start on half the NBA teams, and I don't doubt that."

mnarducci@phillynews.com
@sjnard

by TaboolaSponsored LinksYou May Like

He has wonderful potential but I can't get past that he played only 12 games and actually produced less than Will Bynum did. I don't think that potential is enough to outweigh the general rationale behind diversification. I'm trying to think about what the best gamble is.

So you would have passed on Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving because they got hurt and played in limited games?

10 of those 12 games were before he was hurt

Kyrie played in 11 games before he got hurt

Did a guy like Will Bynum then take his place and actually out play him? Bynum put up better #s in the rest of the season than Mudiay did while healthy. I know Mudiay is young and maybe when he's in his fourth year and Melo's on a max contract in his sixteenth, Mudiay will be thriving but that's bad timing.
I don't dislike Mudiay but I don't love him either. My point is I don't love any of these guys available after #3, and I'd rather come out of the draft with multiple prospects than any one. If Mudiay slips a little and we're actually able to trade down for him and one other prospect, I'd be very happy with that. I'm not singling out Mudiay as a player to avoid but I'd avoid putting all our eggs in the Mudiay basket. If it was obvious that Mudiay was a better gamble than these other guys, we wouldn't have a dozen threads making the case for drafting other players.

I am unqualified to put his game by game numbers into context. I will say that I would struggle to start a profession in China today as a 32 y/o... I do not think I would have assimilated well at all in China at 17 or 18. I think he can play though and if he's available I'd rather draft him than trade him.

If you don't love Russell or Mudiay and see more value in trading the pick--that's fair. Personally I see this draft as one with four blue chippers.