earthmansurfer wrote:

Knicksfan wrote:And about draft picks, other than our first round pick, do we have any 2nd rounder?

I'm pretty sure we don't have a second round pick this year. We will have to buy one...

I think we have Bostons because its 58. Im not in love with where we are picking 17-18 etc.. I think this year a good strategy might be to trade down for a low one or a high 2 while picking up an additional 1 next year if it can be done.

He's not some 6'2-3" guard like Jimmer or Hansbrough....no this kid is 6'11" averaging almost 4blks/gm and doubling up on the boards. Besides Briggs when it came time to discussing if we should take Eric Gordon you said 6'2-3" was too small to play the 2. Has Eric Gordon caused you to rethink matters?

Donovan loves Faried

Billy Donovan, the very highly esteemed coach of the University of Florida, flat-out says, “I’d be taking him with my pick if I was a general manager,” you know this young man is a giant at his hardwood specialty. “He’s Dennis Rodman all over again,” Donovan exclaimed. "Thats what a next level guy looks like. He just totally destroyed our front court," he said after Florida's 61-55 win over Morehead St in which Faried had 20 points and 18 rebounds.

After all, the Florida basketball maestro should know. He mentored three of the very best college and NBA rebounders ever in Joakim Noah, Al Horford and David Lee.

Interestingly, just three years ago, Faried was 6’7” and a spindly 185 pounds. Today his chiseled frame is 6’8” and a muscular 228 pounds. This helped him tally double doubles (double scores in both points and rebounding) in 15 of this season’s first 19 games. He reached 25 games with double doubles each of the past two years.

In his two NCAA tournament appearances he had 14 points and 21 rebounds against Alabama State and 14 points and 11 rebounds against Louisville. No matter who he plays Faried will always get his rebounds.

For sure we need to be careful drafting guys with Dreads but this guy is an animal. When Billy Donovan says what he says above, one should listen.

Juice wrote:I think Keith Benson is probably one of the most slept on talents in all of Div 1. On most Mock boards he's a second rounder when in all honesty he's close to Top 14 lottery talent and we need bigs.

I agree Juice..I've been all over Benson for a while now (http://www.ultimateknicks.com/forum/topic.asp?t=38038)..I like the versatility and the fact that he can contribute in a number of areas--scoring, rebounding, shot-blocking. Centers that can do all 3 AND DO THEM WELL don't just grow on trees..Just in terms of ability & fit, he'd be a great frontcourt complement to Amar'e & Melo..I'm not sure about him at 17 though, the same way I'm not sure about any of these PGs at that spot in the draft as well..The 3 biggest needs for this team continue to be quality frontcourt depth, a 6th man and a PG, probably in that order--nothing new..I just try to look at it like this -- what can we do w/o for next season and what will we absolutely need. I think I'd rate frontcourt & bench depth a little higher on the scale..Billups' option will be picked up, TD is coming along and who knows, maybe we retain AC on a minimum level exception..I think we'd be more than OK at the point next year with those players---those guys could absolutely bridge the gap to CP3, D-Will, Ray Felton or whoever else might be available..If all else fails, maybe we convince Billups to come back at that time for another season or two to bridge the gap further to another target, who knows? Point is, it's hard to justify taking any of the PGs who'll be in our range when the bridge to 2012 at that position is already there..Sure picking up the Billups option limits what we'll be able to do this summer but that's where I'd like to see us expand our options and get creative..If we continue to hover in the 17-20 range in the draft (more likely 20ish by the time the season's over I'm thinking) I think I'd go like this:

(1) At 17-20 draft 6'5" Providence SG Marshon Brooks -- best pure scorer in the college game, probably the most improved player as well. I see a better version of Jamal Crawford -- a guy that plays bigger than Crawford actually..He can score it from anywhere on anyone at anytime (having seen him a few times this year, I'm convinced this skill absolutely translates over to the NBA), rebound it very well for a 2, handle & distribute the rock surprisingly well if need be and also contribute timely steals and blocks with his superior length..Much more than a scorer--there's really not much this kid can't do..Almost every mock out there has this guy going in the 2nd round, DX actually has him all the way down at 57!! Chad Ford has him in the 90s in his top 100 list! That's crazy--he's 1st round talent all the way. He'd be a very nice pick at 20 without even reaching--I think he'd actually be a steal there. Instant quality 6th man that would stabilize the bench and add legit firepower and versatility..Either that or I take Faried there, let him play 4 and move Amar'e over to the 5..Just saw a replay of the Austin Peay/Morehead St game and Faried was a monster..He lacks a little polish in some areas but his relentless hustle, defense and unbelieveable rebounding more than make up for any shortcomings..We could absolutely use this guy..

(2) Look to acquire 1 or maybe even 2 high 2nd round picks if at all feasible..Not sure if we'd be able to add another 1st rounder as it would count as an instant cap hold -- I don't think we'll have the cap room for that unfortuantely (similar situation last year)..2nd rounders I believe can be added though -- they don't count toward the cap right away and can either be stashed away for up to a year (Jerome Jordan for example) or added later in the offseason as a minimum level player to fill out the roster..If someone can verify this it would be appreaciated, it's a little confusing....I'd think about using Jerome Jordan, Andy Rautins and $3M cash to acquire 1 or 2 2nd rounders---perhaps we could go Jordan + $1.5M for 1 pick AND Rautins + $1.5M for the other---that might be more than anyone else is prepared to offer for picks in that range and are chips that make us competitive and perhaps put us over the top for another pick...I'd like to get Benson with one of those picks..As of right now he should be there in the 30-35 range (Jerome Jordan went 44 last year--I actually think Benson's a better prospect though so 30-35 sounds about right--Benson might actually go 1st round)..With the 2nd pick I might go with a PG like Demetri McCamey (a guy I think Billups could really nurture and mold--McCamey has a ton to do to get to Billups' level but there's no denying they're similar), a Nolan Smith, Jacob Pullen or maybe another shooter like Jon Diebler or LaceDarius Dunn to take over the Billy Walker role (Walker and Williams might be looking for substantial raises, esp if they contribute anything noteworthy down the stretch and in the playoffs -- we might not be able to give them what they're looking for, which is why I'd consider replacements like Marshon Brooks, Jon Diebler, etc..I actually like Shawne Williams and think he may deserve a little bit of a raise -- I don't see that as feasible for us though..I'd consider Brooks and Diebler clearcut upgrades over Williams/Walker anyway...

(3) Be prepared to jump all over the best remaining talent that goes undrafted the moment the draft concludes, whether that's a Jon Diebler, a Rick Jackson, etc..

(4) We're gonna need to fill out the remaining 5-6 roster spots with minimum salary options (something that I believe is allowed even if over the cap) -- I'd be looking to add the best talent possible here..As of right now I don't see better alternatives than some of these current DL standouts..Guys like C/PF Marcus Cousin, SF DeShawn Sims, PG Curtis Stinson (say we don't bring back Anthony Carter and are looking for a 3rd PG--this guy can pass and score), Jeff Adrien if he doesn't stick in GS (this guy's greatly improved his game--we could use his toughness and rebounding much more than anything a guy like Jared Jeffries could provide), 2-way wing Othyus Jeffers if he doesn't stick in San Antonio, Vernon Goodridge (this guy actually plays big for a role player, I wish he was here right now instead of Jeffries--I just wish they would've went with thier initial instinct from a month or two ago--very effective rebounder/shot-blocker), Mario West, etc..There's a ton of viable DL options available to us, even right now with a little juggling (I still don't think it's out of the question to cut a Mason Jr and call up a DL player on a 10-day contract--instant audition for a possible spot next year).

If we go about things the right way, we have a chance to put together a very complete team for next year without spending any substantial money in FA (I don't see how we'll be able to anyway..Even using the MLE, if available to us, on a guy like DeAndre Jordan may not be advisable; not if we truly have our eye on a top PG the following year..I think a Cousin/Benson combination might be just as good as DeAndre Jordan and for a fraction of the cost..Doubtful the Clips let him get away anyway)..The following year is when I'd be looking to make the big splash in free agency, when guys like Billups and Turiaf come off the cap (that's over $18.5M in cap savings right there---although Landry Fields is gonna need to get paid at that time, among other surprises we manage to come up along the way with on minimum 1-yr deals that excel and show they're keepers). Personally I can't see Fields and his agent taking anything less than what Wes Matthews Jr. got from Portland this year..That'll probably be the number for Landry..We'll have to look carefully at that and make a decision..Right now that looks like a no-brainer but who knows when the time comes..Yet another reason why I'd like to add a Marshon Brooks AND a LaceDarius Dunn or Jon Diebler..Wouldn't want to get caught w/o a chair at 2G when the music stops.

Juice wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

Juice wrote:I think Keith Benson is probably one of the most slept on talents in all of Div 1. On most Mock boards he's a second rounder when in all honesty he's close to Top 14 lottery talent and we need bigs. Lakers have our second rounder this year because of the Douglas trade so do we have any 2nd rounders at all?

He's not some 6'2-3" guard like Jimmer or Hansbrough....no this kid is 6'11" averaging almost 4blks/gm and doubling up on the boards. Besides Briggs when it came time to discussing if we should take Eric Gordon you said 6'2-3" was too small to play the 2. Has Eric Gordon caused you to rethink matters?

I agree he should be one of the guys we are looking at. it would be nice to add 7-1 and 6-11 to our frontline. Eric Gordon is a good player no doubt about that. he is unusual because he weighs 220 yet retains good speed and athletic ability. I don't think 17 is viable for a PG--the only guy who might be worth it is Kemba(people may agree or disagree) but his speed body control defense and ballhandling are on par with tier one NBA players. I think there will be PG value in the low 1 into the high 2nd round that could work for the team but Im inclined to agree with you to go big unles there is a small player to good to pass up

Gordon is now teetering on being injury prone.....he gets hurt too much to be built like he is but no question we may have goofed not drafting him. We better move up in the draft offering Rautins(initially) and our Boston second to get into the 30s if at all possible to grab a big if they are on the board.

Benson has offense and defense....2-Way all day....his only knock is the conference he plays in. You can't argue with his FG%/3pt%/reb/blks/PPS

You can see him on tonight on ESPN2---Oakland plays @ 9PM Personally if I was the Knicks I would not let Kemba Walker bypass my draft spot if I was lucky enough to have him fall there. I thought he was high lottery all year--and he still is high on draft xpress not so much on a few others--but make no mistake--when this guy gets more open space in the NBA(the BE is like watching NY Miami first to 65)he is going to be impressive & highly productive on both ends.

Finestrg wrote:

Juice wrote:I think Keith Benson is probably one of the most slept on talents in all of Div 1. On most Mock boards he's a second rounder when in all honesty he's close to Top 14 lottery talent and we need bigs.

I agree Juice..I've been all over Benson for a while now (http://www.ultimateknicks.com/forum/topic.asp?t=38038)..I like the versatility and the fact that he can contribute in a number of areas--scoring, rebounding, shot-blocking. Centers that can do all 3 AND DO THEM WELL don't just grow on trees..Just in terms of ability & fit, he'd be a great frontcourt complement to Amar'e & Melo..I'm not sure about him at 17 though, the same way I'm not sure about any of these PGs at that spot in the draft as well..The 3 biggest needs for this team continue to be quality frontcourt depth, a 6th man and a PG, probably in that order--nothing new..I just try to look at it like this -- what can we do w/o for next season and what will we absolutely need. I think I'd rate frontcourt & bench depth a little higher on the scale..Billups' option will be picked up, TD is coming along and who knows, maybe we retain AC on a minimum level exception..I think we'd be more than OK at the point next year with those players---those guys could absolutely bridge the gap to CP3, D-Will, Ray Felton or whoever else might be available..If all else fails, maybe we convince Billups to come back at that time for another season or two to bridge the gap further to another target, who knows? Point is, it's hard to justify taking any of the PGs who'll be in our range when the bridge to 2012 at that position is already there..Sure picking up the Billups option limits what we'll be able to do this summer but that's where I'd like to see us expand our options and get creative..If we continue to hover in the 17-20 range in the draft (more likely 20ish by the time the season's over I'm thinking) I think I'd go like this:

(1) At 17-20 draft 6'5" Providence SG Marshon Brooks -- best pure scorer in the college game, probably the most improved player as well. I see a better version of Jamal Crawford -- a guy that plays bigger than Crawford actually..He can score it from anywhere on anyone at anytime (having seen him a few times this year, I'm convinced this skill absolutely translates over to the NBA), rebound it very well for a 2, handle & distribute the rock surprisingly well if need be and also contribute timely steals and blocks with his superior length..Much more than a scorer--there's really not much this kid can't do..Almost every mock out there has this guy going in the 2nd round, DX actually has him all the way down at 57!! Chad Ford has him in the 90s in his top 100 list! That's crazy--he's 1st round talent all the way. He'd be a very nice pick at 20 without even reaching--I think he'd actually be a steal there. Instant quality 6th man that would stabilize the bench and add legit firepower and versatility..Either that or I take Faried there, let him play 4 and move Amar'e over to the 5..Just saw a replay of the Austin Peay/Morehead St game and Faried was a monster..He lacks a little polish in some areas but his relentless hustle, defense and unbelieveable rebounding more than make up for any shortcomings..We could absolutely use this guy..

(2) Look to acquire 1 or maybe even 2 high 2nd round picks if at all feasible..Not sure if we'd be able to add another 1st rounder as it would count as an instant cap hold -- I don't think we'll have the cap room for that unfortuantely (similar situation last year)..2nd rounders I believe can be added though -- they don't count toward the cap right away and can either be stashed away for up to a year (Jerome Jordan for example) or added later in the offseason as a minimum level player to fill out the roster..If someone can verify this it would be appreaciated, it's a little confusing....I'd think about using Jerome Jordan, Andy Rautins and $3M cash to acquire 1 or 2 2nd rounders---perhaps we could go Jordan + $1.5M for 1 pick AND Rautins + $1.5M for the other---that might be more than anyone else is prepared to offer for picks in that range and are chips that make us competitive and perhaps put us over the top for another pick...I'd like to get Benson with one of those picks..As of right now he should be there in the 30-35 range (Jerome Jordan went 44 last year--I actually think Benson's a better prospect though so 30-35 sounds about right--Benson might actually go 1st round)..With the 2nd pick I might go with a PG like Demetri McCamey (a guy I think Billups could really nurture and mold--McCamey has a ton to do to get to Billups' level but there's no denying they're similar), a Nolan Smith, Jacob Pullen or maybe another shooter like Jon Diebler or LaceDarius Dunn to take over the Billy Walker role (Walker and Williams might be looking for substantial raises, esp if they contribute anything noteworthy down the stretch and in the playoffs -- we might not be able to give them what they're looking for, which is why I'd consider replacements like Marshon Brooks, Jon Diebler, etc..I actually like Shawne Williams and think he may deserve a little bit of a raise -- I don't see that as feasible for us though..I'd consider Brooks and Diebler clearcut upgrades over Williams/Walker anyway...

(3) Be prepared to jump all over the best remaining talent that goes undrafted the moment the draft concludes, whether that's a Jon Diebler, a Rick Jackson, etc..

(4) We're gonna need to fill out the remaining 5-6 roster spots with minimum salary options (something that I believe is allowed even if over the cap) -- I'd be looking to add the best talent possible here..As of right now I don't see better alternatives than some of these current DL standouts..Guys like C/PF Marcus Cousin, SF DeShawn Sims, PG Curtis Stinson (say we don't bring back Anthony Carter and are looking for a 3rd PG--this guy can pass and score), Jeff Adrien if he doesn't stick in GS (this guy's greatly improved his game--we could use his toughness and rebounding much more than anything a guy like Jared Jeffries could provide), 2-way wing Othyus Jeffers if he doesn't stick in San Antonio, Vernon Goodridge (this guy actually plays big for a role player, I wish he was here right now instead of Jeffries--I just wish they would've went with thier initial instinct from a month or two ago--very effective rebounder/shot-blocker), Mario West, etc..There's a ton of viable DL options available to us, even right now with a little juggling (I still don't think it's out of the question to cut a Mason Jr and call up a DL player on a 10-day contract--instant audition for a possible spot next year).

If we go about things the right way, we have a chance to put together a very complete team for next year without spending any substantial money in FA (I don't see how we'll be able to anyway..Even using the MLE, if available to us, on a guy like DeAndre Jordan may not be advisable; not if we truly have our eye on a top PG the following year..I think a Cousin/Benson combination might be just as good as DeAndre Jordan and for a fraction of the cost..Doubtful the Clips let him get away anyway)..The following year is when I'd be looking to make the big splash in free agency, when guys like Billups and Turiaf come off the cap (that's over $18.5M in cap savings right there---although Landry Fields is gonna need to get paid at that time, among other surprises we manage to come up along the way with on minimum 1-yr deals that excel and show they're keepers). Personally I can't see Fields and his agent taking anything less than what Wes Matthews Jr. got from Portland this year..That'll probably be the number for Landry..We'll have to look carefully at that and make a decision..Right now that looks like a no-brainer but who knows when the time comes..Yet another reason why I'd like to add a Marshon Brooks AND a LaceDarius Dunn or Jon Diebler..Wouldn't want to get caught w/o a chair at 2G when the music stops.

You go big with the 1rst pick it's not really debatable. I mean the logic in thinking you're reaching because you're picking a definite needed supposedly early is what gets a lot of GM's in trouble. Benson more than likely moves up or stays where he's mocked at and the difference in talent outside of the lottery(even then it's highly questionable)15-35 won't be drastic. You take care of need once and for all. Kito is like a souped up Channing Frye(current Snickerdoodle) with Varnado like Defense....which I believe his skills will translate to the NBA level.

Hate to tell you even in a weak draft to get another pick it will require the full $3mil in cash plus asset to crack 30 range and maybe more to get a 1rst..

I bet Benson's stock increases especially after the combine takes place

Ira wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:I tell you taking Hanbsrough would be a savvy pick--hes a landry fields pick. Its pretty simple hes a very good player.!! Am I missing something? Maybe dump Billups and his loaded contract and just draft Hansburough and go with Douglas with a vet.

Briggs, of all your college picks, this is the one that most interests me most. He's got a good shot, uses his body well going to the hoop and can distribute the ball. I don't see anyone better where we pick. There's the argument that we might get him in the second round, but I don't think it will play out like that.

If we end up picking 17 we have leverage there. If the Knicks want him--even with their little problems with the WC pick--they could work him out and promise him that pick(if that is who they like) if he goes no where else. I dont think that is cheating

BigDaddyG wrote:I was kinda hoping that you were gonna say Dwight Hardy when I saw this post As for Ben, I always kinda lumped him in the same category as Freeman from G-Town. They are tough, but they are definitely a step slow for the NBA. What seperates Jimmer from those guys is that Jimmer has the ability to create his shot in tight spaces, kinda like Deron Williams.

Juice wrote:

Finestrg wrote:Juice---I hear ya on usually giving size the first look but I wouldn't exactly call that the cardinal rule..I personally think a guy like Marshon Brooks is excellent value mid to lower 3rd in this 1st round, probably ahead of Keith Benson. We could certainly use a firecracker like that coming off the bench, even with Amar'e & Melo already in place..He'd only make their jobs easier and give Mike a 3rd big option in this offense (or 4th behind Billups who maybe all of a sudden becomes much more of an orchestrator next year than a go-to scorer with an addition of a guy like Brooks)...Benson's definitely nice though and would be an excellent fit here..A Frye/Varnado offense/defense combination is a good comparison--this guy plays more in the post than Frye actually while still possessing the skills to extend his offense out to the perimeter (dude shoots about 55% overall btw, impressive considering his offense is split between what he gets on the block and out high)..Double-digit rebounder the last two years & the nation's top shot-blocker---two huge pluses to go along with the potent offensive game..The two knocks on KB are the fact that he's still a little thin (although I read a few weeks ago that he's said to be playing at 230 lbs, 5 lbs heavier than his 225 lb list weight---I'd say the odds are pretty good that a guy like Greg Brittenham could devise a way to add another 5 lbs or so fairly quickly w/o sacrificing quickness and athleticism..I think his frame can support that, smallish as it may be) and the sub-par mid-major competition he plays against on a nightly basis (although if you go back and review box scores, he fared well individually against some top competition the last 2 years, including KU C Cole Aldrich last season)..

I agree it'll cost a lot for an extra pick but armed with $3M cash, a Jerome Jordan, possibly even an Andy Rautins, I think we might have a leg up on other teams sniffing around for that extra pick that come to the table offering cash only..The thing is, I don't think we'll be able to add another 1st rounder because it would come with an instant cap hold and we'd most likely be over the cap once we resign Chauncey while also offering minimum level extensions to guys like Shawne Williams and Anthony Carter as well (unless there's a way to circumvent this somehow--add the 1st rounder and then resign Chauncey at the end of the offseason??? Doubtful, I remember we couldn't do this last year)..2nd rounders, however, don't count against the cap right away and can be added much more easily, even for a team at or over the cap--again if someone could lend a hand here and tell us what the definitive rule is on this (drafting and adding multiple 2nd rounders), I'd appreciate it..The rule is not clear..I believe 2nd rounders can be added outright as minimum salary players (which teams can use to fill out every open roster spot up to either 12 or the full 15 [again not clear] even going over the cap to do so) or could even be stashed away in Europe or the DL (the DL would require a roster spot) for up to a year without the team making a decision on what to do with them and how much to offer them (no dollar amount needs to be offered right away; conversely, 1st round salaries are all preset amounts from 1-30 along with the instant cap hold once acquired--you have to allot for the 1st round pick in the team's cap before even acquiring it..If it doesn't fit, then you can't add it)...As such, the price for 2nd rounders might be steep as well for these reasons..You can make a case that a high 2 might be more valuable than a low 1 in certain teams' eyes..The Knicks probably are one of those teams--capped out but in need of filling out several vacant roster spots.

And I agree Benson's stock my rise once the Combine and individual team workouts begin..I think he's 1st round talent---I'd just hate to reach for him at 19 when we could've landed him at 31, 32 with an extra pick while having a plus talent like Marshon Brooks already in tow..That's the thing..Hopefully we come up with a way to add at least 2 solid players from this draft..

You guys are so delusioned by predominant offensive players.

Last time I checked our team doesn't have problems scoring the ball. Even when we have off nights we score well. The way you change culture(which we need a definite presence of defensive culture) is to acquire guys who play defense. We need DeJuan Blairs/Reggie Evans/Oakleys/Cambys/Wallaces/Jordans(not Mike)/Perkins/Noahs/Chandlers guys that can anchor a defense by themselves for long stretches and/or man the glass...... if they have offense and upside to couple with this then great. Kids will bulk up once they make it to the big league at least most of the time they do.

When we discuss the Rockets/Knicks situation and the draft posters are quick to talk about how weak this draft is. Stating so what if it came down to a swap with the Rockets no one will have great impact regardless. Or Pre Nets/D-Will trade when they were in prime position to reap huge dividends in the lottery, it was who cares there are no major impact/franchise players in this draft it's weak citing source after source..... yada yada

Then when it comes time to discussing who we should pick we go on and on about reaches and sweating bullets about which guys will and won't be on the board later on to the point of gnashing your teeth and trying to split atoms feeling a sure fire impact players will be around pick 17-21.....OY VEY

ROTFLOL.....Sorry folks you can't argue this both ways. The way you guys are talking sounds like this draft is going to produce 30 players deep at a minimum

I will say this again and hopefully it'll sink in for all of you...... there will not be great separation of talent from picks 15-35 in this draft. If you can't grasp this simple 100% lock logic then please watch the tournament for pure entertainment purposes and nothing more otherwise you're just psyching yourselves out something fierce.

Benson has already moved up to Top 30 of second he's actually lottery talent(I think most scouts will tell you this) and to be honest the draft boards are likely fudged to create buzz leading up to the draft. So players are purposely misplaced on the board. He'd have to flop in the Tourney in order not to go first round.

I agree Benson may not be there in the 2nd round..Quite possible -- I've mentioned that several times recently. I've kinda moved off Benson a little bit, esp with our first round pick..If we can get him later, great I'm on board but in the 17-20 range, I think I go Kenneth Faried 1, Marshon Brooks 1a for different reasons...Gimmie Faried for his relentless rebounding and defense--he'd be a Godsend. He'd instantly be a FAR SUPERIOR dirty-work guy than Jeffries, Turiaf or anything else we've tried this year. Thank God Amar'e has the size, skill and physicality to slide over to the 5 where we could intergrate a guy like Faried into the lineup with no problem (STAT's gonna get his no matter what position he plays, 4 or 5. He's completely interchangeable there and Faried would cover ALL of our shortcomings up front. Every damn one of 'em..I just feel Faried's so good at what he does and so unique I have trouble seeing how he even lasts until 17-20 to be honest. The man's an instant difference-maker for a team like us with 2 big components already in place..We're making chicken soup here and the chicken and chicken stock's already in the pot simmering--now we need to add the celery, the carrots, etc..Some brands of celery and Carrots don't cost that much at the grocery store).

If Faried's gone and Marshon Brooks is there though, I'd seriously consider going in a different direction & taking him and then look to acquire an additional pick(s) in the 2nd round for some size/defense/rebounding & possibly another wing (or, with the size & rebounding, we could do what I've been recommending all along and look to low-cost DL-type FA signings to both bolster the frontline and fill out the roster. There's no shame in adding guys like Marcus Cousin, Sean Williams, Dwayne Jones, Vernon Goodridge, a Courtney Sims or anyone else that fits into our salary scheme this offseason---these guys are all capable role players in the NBA)..Now with Brooks, we could definitely use the firepower off the bench, even if we somehow brought the entire roster back intact..Billy Knight said it yesterday on the Colorado/Kansas broadcast: 'basketball & golf are very similar--if it doesn't go in the hole it doesn't count,' and I think that especially holds true for a team coached by Mike D'Antoni..Even with studs like Amar'e and Melo headlining the offense, we could definitely use another scorer, esp off the bench and esp if Chauncey Billups slips further or is not asked back. It may not work out like that though---think for a sec: we could suddenly find ourselves w/o Shawne Williams and/or Billy Walker next year (I think Walker's definitely gone)...Shawne Williams may want a big raise coming off a solid year (and from here on in right through the playoffs esp. in the playoffs, if Williams has any big games, the price tag will only rise) and possibly even Landry Fields the following year..I mentioned the other day that I believe Fields will eventually wind up commanding a deal close to what Wes Matthews got from Portland..Hopefully we retain him but who knows if they're gonna want to give him that kind of money..We're gonna have a tough decision to make. I hope he's in our plans but he may not be, not for that kind of money. I have to concede that possibility. And I like Shawne Williams but I'm not breaking the bank to keep him, that's for sure..This is why I'd consider bolstering wing depth with this draft..If we grabbed Brooks at 19 say and also found a way to get a Chandler Parsons and/or Jon Diebler later in the 2nd round/post draft, I think moves like that substantially reinforce the 2/3 positions...Brooks, btw, is more than just some scorer..Yes he scored the ball at an amazing clip this season (almost 25 a game at over 48% from the field -- damn impressive when you consider he had ZERO supporting cast surrounding him on that Friar team -- Brooks was forced into countless difficult shots with defenders drapped all over him all year long) BUT he does other things very well -- he rebounds, compiles many steals and blocks for the position and he's actually a damn good playmaker..Very capable of handling the ball, distributing and facilitating. Surprisingly very heady and unselfish. I think if he had a few other decent players around him this year he would've gone for 5 assists a game easy--his teammates just don't finish plays..The only minor red flags I see are shot selection, giving 100% effort at all times and the fact that he was a little too obvious with his frustration toward his Providence teammates at times (throwing his hands up in disgust, some sulking, slamming the ball on the floor after time outs are called, etc.---understandable to a degree but as a senior & the leader of the team that stuff probably shouldn't happen)---->these are all things that will change for the better & improve in the NBA...Brooks is damn good value 17-20 in this draft if you ask me.