If we can pin the correct pick with both 1sts (whether we trade up with our back-to-back 2nds and #24 pick) to get back into the lottery picks...I'd say we would be where we want to be for the future. But not seeing that as likely. Whether its Beal, Kidd-Gilchrist, Drummond or Barnes for our pick in the top 6 and then someone like Fab Melo (not likely) or Quincy Miller at #24..I'd be stoked.
While looking at mock drafts...whomever we get for our first pick..its going to look pretty, so many options..we can't go wrong with our pick!
We can and we may. But let's see where the balls drop. Our front office is on a draft quality roll, but if you forget the number ones (which you might say were obvious), there is not a lot of experience in picking lottery. TT is the only one in the Gilbert organization era, and while I am happy with that pick, it is arguable. We could have for example traded the pick to Denver for 22 ( fareid) and Javale McGee, and resigned JJ. That team would likely have made the playoffs this year, and I could argue would be as good a young core as whatever comes from this year's draft. Hind sight is 20/20 so I am not suggesting the FO screwed up, just that the jury is out on the TT pick. Anyway, a reminder of pick history...
Post James
2004. Luke Jackson 10 overall.
2005 None
2006 Shannon Brown (25), Boobie (42), and the Nigerian MVP(55)
2007 None
2008 JJ (19)
2009 Kid Congo (30) Danny Green (46)
2010 none
2011 KI, TT (4), Harper (32), MAcVan (54)
Luke was a bust.
Brown was part of the trade that dumped Hughes, Marshall, Newble, and drew golden, for Wally, Big Ben, Joe Smith, Delonte and the pick that would be Danny Green. Green was waived eventually. I think the Brown pick was above average value to the team.
Boobie was a solid pickup for a round two.
JJ became Omri Casspi and the Sactown pick. Omri is definitely not the value of JJ or a 19 over all, but the Sactown pick could prove to be a 19 overall, so jury out but probably a good use of the pick.
Eyenga was filler in the Ramone for lakers pick trade. In my view Eyenga was a bust.
Kyrie and TT so far are solid.