jmmagicfan

We would have to pick up a veteran minimum third center

I like DiVincenzo, I think he plays pretty tough, and is a constant movement kind of guy; but I don't like him well enough to give up our best screener and move down 9 spaces in a mediocre draft. Will there be a decent guy left at 24? Maybe. But even if he is in the same "tier" of talent as the guy you get at 15, the choices and "fit" won't be the same. If you like a guy (or two) in that tier, you are better off at 15, where you are more likely to get him.

I’m not sure why the Magic do this move? It’s kind of a sideways move to me, and you drop 9 picks.

I hate having to pick this way, but I have to go Lakers 4-2

Much as I hate to say it: heat 4-3

Length of time with the organization suggests they have received increases over time and that it may be cheaper to bring newer people in.

This does make me a bit sad, especially Dennis. I think he is always well prepared and very articulate. Honestly, Ritchie isn’t my favorite, and I don’t have an opinion on Joey, as I don’t have enough Spanish to listen to him. But it does seem like a cost-cutting move.

A lot of players who played with and against Steve Nash always said it was like playing with/against a coach right on the floor, and said he always knew not just who was where, but who was supposed to be where for both teams. Part of what made him great was being able to see the holes and gaps created by guys being out of position. Not sure if that is something you can teach, but it should be an interesting thing to see him try.

Clippers over Nuggets 4-2 Lakers over Rockets 4-2

I think Milwaukee over Miami in seven. Boston over Toronto in seven.

This might very well be the end of the season. How that impacts whether they get paid or not, and what happens with the CBA, the salary cap, and how the owners react going forward is going to be very interesting.

I get why they might not, to show solidarity. On the other hand, the Bucks obviously didn't say anything to the Magic players ahead of time, or they wouldn't have been on the floor warming up for the game. I can't criticize the decision to not accept the forfeit; but I do think it was a little disrespectful of the Bucks not to let the Magic know ahead of time.

I think the buy low, or someone coming off their rookie deal as a role-player is the way to go. I think we did well with our pick-ups of James Ennis III and Gary Clark, so maybe this is the path to take, especially with the salary-cap restraints that will be caused by the coronavirus restraints on this season (and next?). I expect that both Fournier and Ennis will opt in, for that very reason. There just isn't going to be much money out there this off-season. I just don't see us being a big spender this summer, I doubt we will even use the full, mid-level exception.

Tankathon has us taking RJ Hampton at #15 and Grant Riller at #45. I'm not crazy about Hampton - another guard who can't shoot; but Riller at #45 would be a steal.

Just because it comes up high on Google, doesn't mean it's a respected source - just remember that Nbadraft.net is usually on the first page of Mock Drafts and Wikipedia is usually on the first page on a lot of others. Also, I've never seen a Mock from any normal source with Achiuwa outside the first round.