Ofman

Remember when we used to win 50+ games every season with Duhon?

I also kind of think #1 pick carries this "entitlement" baggage with it. Most drafts are worth the #1 pick when a clear franchise talent is available, but not a year like this. Like after the rookie contract they're just supposed to get a huge contract extension. I think Washington is going to have this problem. Wall hasn't been a 15 mil+ guy yet, but will he get that? Probably, because he got all that #1 pick hype.

#2 it is.

I think we should reflect on some of Hedo's wise words this offseason http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru_vVNekSB4

Well, we just finished a season on a 8-52 run. How worried should we be we can't get a top pick next year? The only major difference would be Baby coming back who played well in the frountcourt tandem with Vuc at the start of the year when Orlando actually started 12-13. The problem with trading Baby is his trade value is low after sitting out a season. I think if he were to actually play this season he could be a 17-10 guy who would then draw some trade value.

ARRRRGH To which based god do FSU fans have to pray to get a damn top recruit one day?

GM polls give too much credit to the big market golden boys who make obvious decisions. Shane Battier is willing to take a huge pay cut to sign with Miami? Well in that case, Miami's GM for GM of the year! Hennigan actually has to put himself on the line and make difficult decisions.

Baby's owed 2 years/13 mil and Orlando's entire payroll after 13-14 is 21 million including team options. Keeping him or trading him is not really a big deal. We're not getting a whole lot in a trade for a guy who just sat the whole year out injured.

Smart would no doubt be a top 3 pick this year. Next year he's probably going to fall out of the lottery. Makes no sense.

Wiggins is only going to get to take 3 shots a game at UK. Needs to go to FSU.

I'd also like to hear some thoughts on the Trade exception from trading Dwight and possible scenarios on how to use it. A 17.8 mil trade exception is a lot, however the only problem: 1. Orlando already has 75 mil in obligations for 2013. Although 22 mil is Arenas' amnesty money that doesn't count toward cap. 2. We don't really want to ruin our flexibility after the 13-14 season by taking on a huge long term contract. The Golden State Warriors are a team to watch in possible trade exception scenarios. This team has to be hungry for contention now and they have a plethora of bad contracts that expire after 13-14. Bogut: 14.2 mil R Jefferson: 11 mil Biedrins: 9 mil The question is what assets can we extract from them? Klay Thompson is presumably untouchable. Harrison Barnes is probably untouchable. If he's not, that makes things interesting. One first rounder alone probably wouldn't be worth Orlando's while. Multiple picks? Maybe.

The two teams I think Orlando needs to work with has to be the Bulls and Thunder, The Bulls have a Charlotte first round pick, probably not this year due to protections, however this pick becomes unprotected by 2016 so it's a likely high lottery pick. It's well known they desperately want a 2 guard like Afflalo, I just don't think Afflalo alone gets the deal done. The Thunder have a Toronto top 5 protected lotto pick, and talented rookies already at the end of their bench like Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones. I could also see them being interested in Afflalo if KMart is demanding too much money as a free agent.

Charlotte won tonight so the good news is Orlando is just 1 GB in the #1 pick favorite hunt.

So much fallout from Kobe's achilles tear. He's out for at least the foreseeable future. That makes Dwight's incentive to resign with the Lakers unlikely and a Lakers team with no Kobe/Dwight puts this draft pick in big time jeopardy.

Harris is making a late month push with a career high 29 against Charlotte points followed by a career high 30 against Washington Not just clutch in game; clutch in month.