RealGM

Instead of debating Jose Calderon for the 78935th time, I thought it'd be a cool idea to count down all the possible candidates for the first round of the 2009 NBA draft. Since we technically have a chance at the first pick, we start today with Blake Griffin.

Main College Stats:


Positives:
•Athletic big man
•Great wingspan
•Big, soft hands
•NBA body
•Tough
•Physical
•Strong
•Explosive leaper
•Excellent motor
•Finishes at the rim with authority
•Creative in finding ways to score
•Decent ball handler for his size
•Tenacious rebounder
•Crashes offensive boards

Negatives:
•Lacks polished offensive skills
•No real post moves yet
•Shaky jump shot
•Poor free-throw shooter
•An uncommitted defender
•Relies mostly on strength and athleticism
•Injury concerns about knees

Topics of discussion:
1. What do we do with our frontcourt if we get him?
2. What do you expect from Griffin in his first year in the NBA?
3. Anything else you want to talk about?

Tomorrow: Ricky Rubio

I think getting rid of Bosh would be the obvious choice. Unless, the Raps still think that Bargs can play small forward.

I could see Griffin averaging 15 and 9 in his first year.

If by some miracle we land Griffin, I really think we need to trade him. At the very least he nets you a high-quality good SG to pair with Marion. In a perfect world, he lands a SG and the #2 pick (Rubio). In any case, whether Bosh signs an extension or not, the pick has to be leveraged into a swing.

If we get him, we obviously have to trade one of Bosh or Bargnani. I think that Bosh might be the better one to trade, because I don't know if his body can handle another year at center, and he's most likely to leave for greener pastures. If you trade Bosh, maybe Beasley could be a bit more palitable at the SF spot. That would be a pretty impressive frontcourt.

I expect 15/7/1 from Blake Griffin in his first year in 28 minutes per game. I see him topping out at an Amar'e-like 24/10/2 player.

I think you definitely keep him. At that point you have to entertain trading Bosh and rebuilding around 2 very complimentary big men. The main return for Bosh that you would be looking for would be an above average SG/SF. IMO if we hold onto Bosh we will more than likely be a treadmill team.

Why trade one of the proven commodities when there is so much hype about the unproven one? Plus, Bosh and Bargs both have chemistry with one another and with the team...if you can turn the pick into a very good SG and a pick—even if it is late first round— you can re-sign Marion and we are good to go.

If we somehow got griffen, I would entertain trading Bosh to Detroit.

I dunno how much they would offer, but I'd want at LEAST Prince/Maxiell/Pick, and would insist they take Crapono.

If we could somehow include Banks ad Stuckey (pipe dream, even for a Bosh trade) I would be uber happy.

Either that or trade him to the Kings for KM (or Blake to Kings for KM). If we could add in one of our bad contracts and a King's pick, even better!

if in some unbelievable way we land the #1 pick we trade Bosh to Atlanta for Joe Johnson

Jose Calderon/Joe Johnson/Shawn Marion/Blake Griffin/Andrea Bargnani

Nice idea

What can you say about Griffin that hasn't been strewn into hyperbole yet? The kid's going to be a really solid player in the league, but he's had the no. 1 pick handed to him on a silver platter. Does he have the drive to improve on the defensive end, and not just rely on his incredible athleticism? His skillset reminds me of an Amare.

If we somehow land him, i think we blow the team up. Trade Bosh and Kapono/Banks for pick no.2 + fillers, take Rubio, Slide Bargnani to the 4, Keep Marion at the 3, and fill in the gaps (since all of this is hypothetical anyway)... a core of Rubio, Griffin and Bargnani? yes please.

I'd expect Griffin to come out of the gate strong... but get into foul trouble like most rookies... he'll get it together by the end of the season though and be set to have a solid sophomore year. I'd say his top-end will see him averaging numbers of 17 and 8... depending, of course, where he ends up.

If you get Griffen, trade Bosh for the number 2 pick (not so farfetched if he is willing to sign an extension) and draft Rubio ... then trade Jose for picks and a serviceable wing ... Rubio+Griffen+Bargs core could do some damage in a few years ...

Mascot wrote:if in some unbelievable way we land the #1 pick we trade Bosh to Atlanta for Joe Johnson

Jose Calderon/Joe Johnson/Shawn Marion/Blake Griffin/Andrea Bargnani

As much as I'd prefer to trade the pick, I'd love this trade. That said, I don't think the Hawks would go for it.

Mascot wrote:if in some unbelievable way we land the #1 pick we trade Bosh to Atlanta for Joe Johnson

Jose Calderon/Joe Johnson/Shawn Marion/Blake Griffin/Andrea Bargnani

I like, but ATL really has no need for Bosh with JSmith and Horford. Maybe a 3way can be worked out. I mos def like getting JJ back in a deal for Bosh.

Ideally, I'd trade out... It's not that Griffin isn't a good player (and he could well be a great player) but we have Bosh+Bargs occupying our 4+5 spots and until we're assured that Bosh is out, that's how it should remain. But I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to deal CB and grow ourselves around Griffin, Bargs and what we receive for Bosh.

Brinbe wrote:Ideally, I'd trade out... It's not that Griffin isn't a good player (and he could well be a great player) but we have Bosh+Bargs occupying our 4+5 spots and until we're assured that Bosh is out, that's how it should remain. But I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to deal CB and grow ourselves around Griffin, Bargs and what we receive for Bosh.

Well, thats the whole point. If you can get Griffen with the Bosh situation up in the air you have to deal Bosh.

basketball royalty wrote:

Brinbe wrote:Ideally, I'd trade out... It's not that Griffin isn't a good player (and he could well be a great player) but we have Bosh+Bargs occupying our 4+5 spots and until we're assured that Bosh is out, that's how it should remain. But I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to deal CB and grow ourselves around Griffin, Bargs and what we receive for Bosh.

Well, thats the whole point. If you can get Griffen with the Bosh situation up in the air you have to deal Bosh.

True, but the Bosh situation may become a lot less "up in the air" if you deal Griffin for a legit SG and re-sign Marion. Seriously, Jose/Quality SG/Marion/Bosh/Bargs is a lineup that is ready to compete in the ECF (and lose to the Lebrons) immediately.

basketball royalty wrote:

Brinbe wrote:Ideally, I'd trade out... It's not that Griffin isn't a good player (and he could well be a great player) but we have Bosh+Bargs occupying our 4+5 spots and until we're assured that Bosh is out, that's how it should remain. But I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to deal CB and grow ourselves around Griffin, Bargs and what we receive for Bosh.

Well, thats the whole point. If you can get Griffen with the Bosh situation up in the air you have to deal Bosh.

Well I did say ideally because I'd rather keep the known commodity. But do we force Bosh out and avoid the contract mess altogether or does it depend on what he decides?

Jouissance wrote:

basketball royalty wrote:

Brinbe wrote:Ideally, I'd trade out... It's not that Griffin isn't a good player (and he could well be a great player) but we have Bosh+Bargs occupying our 4+5 spots and until we're assured that Bosh is out, that's how it should remain. But I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to deal CB and grow ourselves around Griffin, Bargs and what we receive for Bosh.

Well, thats the whole point. If you can get Griffen with the Bosh situation up in the air you have to deal Bosh.

True, but the Bosh situation may become a lot less "up in the air" if you deal Griffin for a legit SG and re-sign Marion. Seriously, Jose/Quality SG/Marion/Bosh/Bargs is a lineup that is ready to compete in the ECF (and lose to the Lebrons) immediately.

Jose at 9 mill, Marion at 8 mill, Quality SG at 9-10 mill, Bosh at 18-19 mill, Barg at 10 mill .... money wise, Griffen looks better ...

Brinbe wrote:

basketball royalty wrote:

Brinbe wrote:Ideally, I'd trade out... It's not that Griffin isn't a good player (and he could well be a great player) but we have Bosh+Bargs occupying our 4+5 spots and until we're assured that Bosh is out, that's how it should remain. But I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to deal CB and grow ourselves around Griffin, Bargs and what we receive for Bosh.

Well, thats the whole point. If you can get Griffen with the Bosh situation up in the air you have to deal Bosh.

Well I did say ideally because I'd rather keep the known commodity. But do we force Bosh out and avoid the contract mess altogether or does it depend on what he decides?

If Bosh signs the extension then we keep him, outside of that I wouldn't risk trading away the no brainer 1st pick.

Bosh's Salary will start at 16.8 million for the 2010 season if he opts out and the cap stays at 56 million.

Mascot wrote:Bosh's Salary will start at 16.8 million for the 2010 season if he opts out and the cap stays at 56 million.

If its a max, I believe it must start at 105% or so, meaning his first year will be at 17.9 mill ...