Now the real work starts, and a trade still makes sense

Now what?

No big surprise, really, in the lottery and, sure, it’s nice that the HOTH didn’t move back but they got what they deserved and pretty much was expected.

Now?

Now the pressure’s on.

As you know, I’m all about trading out of No. 8 even it means using the pick to sweeten the pot in a deal into the abundant cap space – no, I don’t have specific names – but it seems Bryan’s not entirely sold on that idea, as he told us last night.

So that means an awful lot of homework and a group of probably eight or 10 to pick from, and that’s where due diligence comes in.

How’d Bryan put it?

“We look hard at the analytics, we look hard at the background, we look hard at the performance evaluation … background and character, as you know, mean a lot to me and the organization, it’s part of the culture we’re establishing … it all factors in.

“If you can find the right combination of things and it happens to fit your need, that’s even better but if it means that you take a player that duplicates some of what you have, we’re at a position where we need to acquire the best possible assets because assets equal opportunity at points.”

Clear as mud, right?

Now, you’re going to be hearing an awful lot of names associated with the No. 8 pick and some of them are even going to be real. I had very little time to talk to anyone from the Raptors or the league privately last night – that’s work to be done in the next fortnight or so – but if you’re looking at a group of five we’ll have a little photo gallery up around here early this morning and you can likely toss another five or six names into the pot.

But there’s no doubt, despite Bryan’s assertion that they take the best player available, they need someone who can score a bit, defend and play the wing. They are woefully under-manned at both the two and three right now – they could probably use a backup point guard – and that would seem to be the strength of the group that’ll be there at No. 8.

Going to make for some interesting times, indeed. Last time they were in this spot was the DeRozan year but there wasn’t nearly the movement to trade that pick as there should be with this one; buckle up, kids, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

-

So I’m going to OKC today and when I tell a friend I’m going, I hear something like:

Oh, The Flaming Lips!

The what?

Seems it’s a musical group.

Ever hear of them?

-

How good was that?

Seriously.

How good was that?

The league hasn’t even sold the team officially and there’s old Tom Benson saddling up to the stage to take the No. 1 draft pick on behalf of the New Orleans Hornets after last night’s lottery and, I tell you, I can almost hear the conversation from a month ago now:

“Tom? David Stern. Want to take the Hornets off our hands?”

“Love to, David but have you seen that team? Screwed on the Chris Paul trade, Erik Gordon may leave, fans hate you, the team doesn’t draw flies. Nah.”

“Hmm. I see your point. What if we sweeten the deal a little bit.”

“Like?”

“Ever hear of Anthony Davis? How about him and another top 10 pick? You cool with buying then? We just came out of a lockout, we’ve been laying off staff forever, I need some help.”

“David? I don’t know. What else have you got?”

“How about we give you an all-star game, too?”

“Done. Now it’s up to you to make it look all plausible.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ve been fooling ‘em since the Patrick Ewing dry ice night. This is a piece of cake.”

“Ok, David. You’ve got a deal.”

“Great. Gotta run, have to call Prokhorov and break some bad news to him. See you later.”

But – and I really can’t say this firmly enough – I’ve been in the room and seen how the draw’s conducted. It is so far above board it’s not even funny; no way any of those conspiracy theories are legit but, you have to admit, it’s pretty cool, no?

All we need is Jim Garrison now.

(Anyone get that?)

-

So, off to OKC while you’re reading this (the “you can’t get there from here goes from LaGuardia to O’Hare at 6:30 a.m., quick turnaround and then to Will Rogers by noon their time) so will get to comments when I can.

And if you’re bored, send me some mail; I’d love to land and see all kinds of fun notes before I have to go to the game.

Oh, and we’ll give an IGBT a shot tonight, okay? It’s a 9 p.m. start.

-

Ran into one of the all-time greats last night – Jim O’Connell of the Associated Press, haven’t seen him forever – and he’s in rare form.

We’re standing a back corner of the studio, behind the cameras and facing the stage with all the luminaries and pretty people on it and he says:

“I want to interview the ping-pong balls.”

-

So you want to know what’s next for the Heroes?

Well, a handful of Henchmen are off to Minnesota today for a wee look at another few dozen second round possibilities and then there’s the biggie next week in Chicago with the top 60 or so kids in a three-day frenzy.

Figure on first workout groups in Toronto the week after that, which is only about two weeks before the draft and it’s going to be the most accelerated pre-draft period I can recall.

And one word of warning, and please take heed:

We are entering the age of disinformation; you’re going to hear all kinds of stuff about picks and favourites and who likes who and just remember this: Teams need to keep information to themselves and you need to always – always – ask who is best-served by stories attributed to “sources” and judge them accordingly.

-

 

 

 

Comments

[Sherman Hamilton]

The only reason the Raps should trade the pick is to move up in the draft but even if they stay 8 they will get a good player because someone always slips through the cracks. The team doesn't have any real high end young talent with the possible exception of Valanciunas. If you want vets or an established player we have cap space, the TPE, the amensty, and Calderons $10.5 mill expiring contract as trade bait. Take Lamb/Lillard/RiversPJ3/Waiters on a rookie deal for the next 4 years instead of tossing the pick away like a mad man. We have plenty of resources to fix our other needs.

[Aurelian]

Doug do you think that BC can package the 8th pick and Amir or Davis and get a decent SG or small forward starter?

[Jacques]

Doug, did you see the look on Rich Cho's face. Jordan said he is willing to spend money, I don't see that happening now with the second pick. Would you trade it along with Maggette to Toronto for the 8th and say Kleiza or Johnson?

[DannyFromFreddy]

I'm guessing that the second shooter in the grassy knoll was aiming at Michael Jordan.

I can't explain exactly why but I'm happy that the Bobcats did not get the first overall pick as a reward for an abysmal season.

[doug]

ahh the good old JFK conspiracy reference, but there might have been more juice in that conspiracy then the NBA's, although coincidences do seem abound with these ping pong balls and how they bounce...me I'd keep the pick, as a 8th pick to me is a no-lose situation, you get a young kid, who'll be able to play at what level is the key...me I'd roll the dice keep it and hope I hit a sweet one, right on the grooves from 150 yards to 3 feet from the pin....cheers...

[Dave]

Doug, I can assure you, The Flaming Lips are great.

They are playing a free show at Dundas Square on June 16th, so you can check them out!

[Mike K.]

I got the Jim Garrison reference, but when I think of him, I picture Kevin Costner ("back...and to the left"). In other words, I'm old, but not THAT old.

[Steven]

With the depth in this draft, I'd prefer to keep the pick and grow a core slowly that may some day in the next three years develop into a contending team (see Indiana and Philadelphia). We've had a bunch of tough years so what's one more. However, if the Raptors trade the pick, I hope it would be for a starter who is 24-27 years old rather than a Jermaine O'Neal type of veteran who is in his 30's and who may be valuable for only a year or two. Should be a fun couple of months anyway.

[Sharkey]

Doug, pretty sure DeMar was picked 9th. Last time they were in this spot the pick was *shudder* Hoffa.

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

Ya me and Oliver Stone got it. We're trying to figure out how they did it now. The frozen envelope thing wouldn't work in this case....

Ciao amigo

marc in panama

[Henry]

I think the Raptors hang onto the 8th pick. I could see them picking Lamb, Jones, or Lillard. There is always a chance that someone falls due to team needs or misinformation and we pick them up, like a Russel Westbrook or Brook Lopez a number of years ago.

Doug, I'm in Chicago during the draft combine. Where is it held, and is there any events that are open to the public? If not, where would you suspect I would have the best chance of bumping into draftees and nba management?

Blogger's note: Nothing open to public, I'm afraid

[john]

Can we officially declare the Angst Season officially open?

[AT]

I don't think it can be understated that having a team in the west picking up the #1 helps the raptor in the long run...especially if this team is on the brink of making the playoffs which in they probably will be...

I liked Griffens quote in his article today as it clearly articulates the feelings of many of us (as long as their still in it) "fans" of the jays

"In baseball, it pays to have low railings on your bandwagon for fans jumping off and getting back on..."

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
Jim Garrison? Well any real fan of the still-dreamy-even-though-he's-getting-up-there Kevin Costner and who therefore is very familiar with all his flicks (even the unfortunate The Postman) got that one. And pretty cool in the movie that the real Jim Garrison portrayed the greater legend - and legal adversary - Earl Warren. And The Flaming Lips? Doug! They've been creating alternative and amazing music for as long as you and I've been listening to music - yes! THAT long. And their song "Do You Realize??" was named the Official Rock Song of Oklahoma in 2009. Here it is. And definitely one of their more 'accessible' tunes. :)
http://youtu.be/fk76rsV71S0
And we lost another great yesterday. Doc Watson. RIP.
http://youtu.be/U5c1k949Zn4
Cheers! Hope your travels today were swift and safe.

[Brad B.]

The only way that the NBA will ever fend off those conspiracy comments would be to hold the lottery ball drawing out in the open, televised, with a million different camera angles. Hmmm, why don't they do that? Wouldn't it create more dramatic tension and increase ratings?

[Rob.V]

Okay, so we know the process is not fixed however what happens once the picks are made. Can you recap the end of the process. The balls spit out, then someone puts the winning teams in envelopes. Who walks them out to the stage.. do you get to see this?
-
It is a little odd given the team is being sold. Having said this, I would also say that it was odd the year the Raptors won the lottery as well, weren't they on record as wanting Bargnani the whole time. Lebron to Cleveland etc... Then when LBJ leaves they win the #1, and the #4 etc...
-
The "best" case scenario does seem to happen regularly!
-
I don't remember the real Jim Garrison however isn't he also Kevin Costner from one of the best movies ever?! Oh, and I'm behind on blogs however I thought I read Doug write this either yesterday or the day before - a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma... which I beleive was a Joe Pesci line in the same movie.
-
I dont watch movies anymore because, well, 90% of them are crap however if you like movies based on true stories you'd be hard pressed to find a better one than- JFK. Stellar actors (John Candy?, yep) who took bit roles to bring a great story to life.

[jb]

The Flaming Lips are awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk76rsV71S0

I first saw them in 1994 at lollapalooza in Montreal. They did a fantastic rendition of Queen's "Under Pressure".

As for the draft, it really doesn't look good when the Hornets won it especially when Monty Williams doesn't even look surprise or excited as if he already knew. Also there's a pic of Anthony Davis wearing a Hornets' cap a week before the draft going around the interweb. But I figure if it was rigged, every one would have to be in on it - the Ernst and Young auditors, a member of each lottery team and selected media.

...and if every one is in on it...oh well.

[Rob.V]

Disregard my qeustion on the ping pong balls, here is what I found online: http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2012/05/30/nba-draft-lottery/

[Brian]

Jim Garrison was a District Attorney, I think in New Orleans, who began the "second shooter" conspiracy investigation in the JFK assassination.

[JHK]

People forget that we've already been moved back one spot from the coin flip loss...
If we can trade the pick + asset for a starter quality SF, I'm all for it.
If not, we draft one of Lamb/Barnes whoever falls (most likely Lamb), and move Derozan to SF position.
Address PG via FA, move Bargs to PF and let Jonas start at C, and all of sudden we have a decent starting lineup.

Nash / Jose
Lamb / Bayless(?)
DD / JJ / Kleiza
Bargs / Ed
Jonas / Amir

[prizby]

Should Toronto be targetting Andrew Wiggins a couple years down? Is it time to start stocking up on draft picks for the 2014 draft (maybe 2015, but seems likely Wiggins will reclassify)?

We need a star on this team to build around, but we also need a star that will want to play and stay in Toronto...is there anyone better?

[Gord]

As if you don’t know who the Flamming Lips are??? They have only played Warped tour a bunch of times and have been around since the mid 1990’s!...but I digress. After looking at you’re top 5 possible draft players, I see you did minimal research or scouting on these kids. Unless Rivers ROCKS the combine he isn’t higher then eight. You didn’t even mention PJ3! He could easily be as good as Davis (projected 1st overall) will go before 10 but no higher then 4th– the knock on him is he can lose focus but he is only 19, a scoring machine, plays defence and with a coach like Casey that focus thing can simply be changed. Scouts are talking about him being a high reward “steal” for the team who gets him. I also don’t see them taking Zettler at all – two reasons, there are better players available at the 8th and breaking in TWO rookie centre’s plus trying to ED on his game at PF – not quite sure you’re reasoning behind these players you choose . But you’re just a reporter, can’t expect you to have a nose to spot talent (like a scout) more then any other joe average. …but I do expect more research done on you’re part.
“Possibly a back-up PG”…Ummm, duh! Ya’think! BC has been talking about a PG for the future since the end of the lock-out – he wasn’t sold on Bayless or Calderon for this team’s future PG and the fact they don’t have a back up PG under contract makes the chances of the draft pick being a guard (combo) or pure PG high. If not, then in FA signing or a trade or bringing back Bayless…I still don’t believe they keep the pick – BC didn’t say they weren’t going to trade the pick but he didn’t say he was keeping it for sure either – I think he doing what he always has done, keeping things hush. Cards close to his chest
BC has stated over and over again that the team he is building next year is going to built to make a play-off spot – he also has said numerous of times he can see up to 4 new rotational players next year – he also said he doesn’t want to have too many rookies – he has also said that Coach Casey wants a “young vet” around 27/28 yrs old. If the Raps keep the pick, they still have two 2nd rounders – that will be 4 rookies coming into camp…not going to happen.
Usually 2nd rounder’s are after thoughts, BUT, this draft season is very very unique as no other draft has seen so many ready to play seniors (not starters – but definite role players and contributors) that will go in the second round. Chances are higher this year that one of those two Raps picks in the 2nd will stick around – if they don’t trade the picks. ..But they won’t entertain 4 rookies. They basically have the 2nd overall pick this year in Valenceunus – if he waited to go into this draft it is highly speculated he would have been 2nd overall.
I cannot see this team trading ED over AJ – but I also do believe ED is more wanted and has more upside so a package deal would look sweeter with ED in it then AJ. Every team needs a Perkins or Ibaka not everyone can be a starter – ED can play that role off the bench, he reminds me of a young Dale Davis…took Dale Davis (an all-star) a few years to find his groove too.

[Peter Gilchrist]

You mean Jim Garrison from New Orleans, and that '63 Dallas fiasco?
Cue the eerie music.

[Mike kovacs]

The flaming Lips are one of my favourites. Recently they even put out their own version of Dark Side of the Moon! On stage they are famous for crazy costumes and lots of fake blood!

[Angelo]

I think the Bobcats getting #2 may be a blessing in disguise something tells me Davis will be injury-prone in the NBA, Robinson at #2 will be a safer pick for them.

Despite BC's proclamations that the raps will be a playoff team next year taking a "safe" pick at #8 would be the wrong move IMO. Taking a risk on Perry Jones's huge upside and counting on Casey to develop him as defensive contributor would be the best bet, I would not trade the pick.