Gerald Green is likely to be around at #8, he is the only one that can realistically drop based on team assessments. Portland is the only question mark, because they need a Center and a Shooting Guard... But why wouldn't we take Charlie Villanueva @ 14??? He is a young power forward, Tim Thomas is a small forward and likely would be dealt in the Big Z scenario.

But lets say Green was scooped up before #8.. somebody good is likely to drop. My draft board based on team needs would look like this:

Atlanta- Andrew Bogut
New Orleans- Marvin Williams
Charlotte- Chris Paul
Utah- Deron Williams
Portland- Gerald Green
Milwaukee- Martynas Andriuskevicuis
Toronto- Raymond Felton
New York- Chris Taft

OK, so @ #8 We grab Chris Taft 6-10 250 from Pitt by way of Brooklyn.. and #14 we go after Martell Webster 6-7 235 SG from High School or C.J. Miles 6-6 210 SG from High School... either way we have to go PF and SG in the draft. We can sign Zydrunas Ilgauskas, especially given the way he has been talking about "his offseason plans for NY housing" and wearing NY Yankee fitted caps.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by JayNYC:

Trade Kurt Thomas/Jamal Crawford & Pick #30
to Minnesota for Wally Szczerbiak/Fred Hoiberg & Pick #14

Draft Lottery Picks:
#8 Gerald Green 6-8 200 SG/SF High School
#14 Charlie Villanueva 6'11 240 PF UConn
#54 Pick for Cleveland

Sign and Trade with Cleveland for Zydrunas Ilgauskas offering Mike Sweetney/Tim Thomas and Pick #54 or a Future 1st rd pick in 06

Split MLE w/ backup pg and center/power forward:
Earl Watson and Mark Madsen

These moves could potentially entice Phil Jackson to coach the Knicks. It's no secret that Phil Jackson's triangle focus' on a Center and a Two Guard... Getting these two pieces would be major coups for the Jackson 2 NYK campaign

*Even If Phil doesn't coach NYK.. That would still be a heck of a team!!!

C- Ilgauskas/Madsen
PF- Rose/Villanueva/Williams (J.Y.D.)
SF- Szczerbiak/Ariza
SG- Houston(IF HEALTHY!!!)/Green/Hoiberg
PG- Marbury/Watson

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK????

the draft, no. But the move for Big Z is very possible and I expect him to be a Knick, for better or quite posibly for worse. If Clev cant use its cap room the smartest move they can make is take a good player with an ending contract and try to add assets. NY will overpay for anyone, especially a 7-3, even though he is a relatively high risk. I would not even doubt that they do pick 8+ Tim Thomas for Big Z and give him the big cash. I dont expect a pick and they can say Big Z is a young C at 30 years old:>) Of course, Clev could make a killing out of the deal adding Thomas for one year to start with Lebron and drafting a stud at 8. See the papers have it right, most fans are stupid, they wil buy into anything. They will make the arguement that there was nothing at pick 8 that=BIG Z just like with Marbury.

I wouldn't give up the lottery pick for Big Z, but I'd give up TT and one (or even both of) the two late 1st rd picks Isiah got for Nazy. He's not that big a risk. He's averaged 80 games per season the last three years; that's outstanding durability.

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On edit: I actually would give up our lottery pick at #8 (instead of both the late 1st rd picks) and TT if the Cavs were giving us their pick (around 14?)

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 04/26/2005 21:07:08]