do we really keep our pick?

if we get a young guy in return then it is possible. the problem is that the knicks don't have any young guys we want. the only young guys they have are crawford, sweetney, and ariza. we don't have enough chips to get crawford. sweetney is a worse Jho. ariza would be a nice fit behind tmac but why would they trade him for another rookie?


i would not be surprised if we get kurt thomas for ending contracts and a future pick.

 

I think we will be trading up. This team should get young fast and still be able to win now.

 

We have a glaring need for youth and athleticism. With the type of veterans JVG seems to prefer, rarely will you see those qualities in anybody we would bring in.

The goal is to have both veterans and young players. We were the oldest team in the league this season, that's nothing to boast about and it will be addressed.

 

If I'm not mistaken I think we have to draft at least one player in the first round. I don't think you can go year after year without a first round draft pick. JVG has a rookie on his hands. You might be able to trade a rookie after the draft, but I'm pretty sure we have to pick one.

 

You are very mistaken. The current CBA (and probably the next one) contain something called the "Stepien Rule". The Stepien Rule prevents a team from making a trade whereby they would not have a 1st round pick in two consecutive future drafts.

Since the Rockets have a 2006 1st rd pick there is nothing to stop them from trading away the 2005 pick. In fact, (assuming the Rox have a 2007 1st rounder), there is nothing in the current CBA to stop them from trading the 2005 pick on draft day and trading their 2006 1st during this summers' trading period. As long as a team doesn't make a trade losing two consecutive future picks, they can theoretically never have a 1st round pick.

That said, JVG is on recent record as saying we need to get younger and more athletic (he evidenced the Dallas playoffs in his quote). It's a deep draft and I see the Rockets getting a good player who'll get a shot at being in the rotation if he's worthy.

 

he doesn't mind younger players... but I think he would perfer to draft someone more polished - that is why they should trade up and get a college guy (they get younger, but JVG is not feeling like a baby sitter)

... btw - I think if the player is mature (regardless of age) JVG will like him - JVG didn't like Francis' attitude and he is older than Tmac AND Yao

 

Loop hole! Thanks for the info.