Thursday, May 24, 2007

2nd Pick Value

What is the value of the 2nd overall pick if it is Durant?
Lang at SLAM says the following:
What would I do if I was the Hawks GM? Immediately get on the phone to Seattle. I’d offer them the 3 and the 11 and Seattle native Marvin Williams for the 2 slot. The Hawks were the youngest team in the NBA last season and the last thing we need are two more teenagers. Offer up that bounty to Seattle and see if they’ll bite. They could add three really good players. And after all, Lenny’s in charge — who knows what will happen?

The question is, would Seattle possibly bite on something like that?
1) First off, the Bill Simmons theory of NBA GM's says that Seattle won't consider anything because if it does not work out, the GM will be fired, whereas if Durant doesn't play out well, the GM cannot be faulted for the pick. Since GM's seem to exist and operate solely to keep their jobs, the trade would never happen.

2) Let's pretend for a moment that the Sonics are rational actors at the team level, meaning they will do what is best for their team, not to keep their jobs. There has to be some offer for Durant that is worth doing.
Analyzing that proposed trade:
Situation A: Ray Allen, Kevin Durant, Wilcox, Luke Ridnaur, Saer Sene/Johan Petro/other crappy center - probably do not sign Rashard Lewis because he plays the same position as Durant.
Situation B: Ray Allen, Marvin Williams, Wilcox, Acie Law and Yi (west coast Asian exposure works for other Seattle teams) and maybe make an attempt to sign Rashard Lewis.

Personally, I think team B is better. I also think you could bleed more out of the Hawks in this deal.
What do you think, Lenny Wilkin's?

3 comments:

Keiler said...

Don't be ridiculous. You don't trade Durant.

Swo said...

Yeah, but you gotta encourage the drama and the trades. I hate it when GM's just stand pat and don't even seem to consider alternatives.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Keiler.