How about trading the rights to our pick this summer to Cleveland
Pick 24
OKC's 2nd rounder for next year (from Brewer)
for 3 picks this summer
Last 1st round pick, overall 30
pick 32
pick 34
Dallas made a similar trade although it was a higher pick for 3 picks, last summer for Zeller
In which we might stash some Euro players with the 2 2nd round picks
We would then actually have assets to use in trades this summer to use with the 2nd year non guaranteed deals
Maybe we can buy low for Brandon Rush so GS can clear cap room
While this is not a "STAR" draft, there seems to be a deep draft for skilled players that can contribute quickly or have decent potential that will need time to develop
Early 2nd round picks might even be worth more than late 1st round picks in some sense, they have 3 year deals, and are not guaranteed with team options
I think this is something we have to consider unless we feel we found a gem that we think we cannot pick up at pick 30
Whatcha think Briggs?
You might be able to get Walters with a couple of diamond in the roughs to go along with him....
Maybe Euro Westbrook
Walters
That Kid from Farmingdalte PF/C
or
PG
SG/SF
SF/PF
PF/C
look to fill at least 2/4 positions with the reality that we will probably lose
JR
Copeland
Martin
unless we use min MLE to retain Cope or Martin, I just don't see them making the vet min again, but u never know...
As for JR, our best shot is if we sign Chris Wright to a 2 year deal to go with what we can offer
or
Unless Amare retires or is out due to injury/surgery and we get an injury exemption of half his salary to offer JR or a FA
Another realistic way of keeping JR is trading Chandler to a team that is contention for playoffs that needs a C like Portland or Utah
Portland will unlikely part with the 12 pick of the draft, but maybe Hickson and a 2nd round pick or 2, more importantly, a salary exemption in which we could use to resign JR
Portland does not see Hickson as a long term undersized starting caliber C and might go for Olynicks with Chandler grooming him
While we would have Hickson's birds rights as he opts out this summer