Game 69: Dallas Mavericks (33-35) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (22-44)

[mvossman]

Yes, they have some value.

https://fansided.com/posts/nba-draft-pic...2.1%20VORP.

One issue I have with that analysis is that they are including negative VORP.  Most non lottery guys are going to get negative VORP in their first couple of seasons (usually in garbage time).  That negative VORP will blunt the actual value when hit on the pick.

That being said, notice there is a much bigger drop from 1-18 to 19-30 than there is from 19-30 to 31-48 (and it would be even less so if they ignored negative VORP).  The narrative has always been that first round picks are valuable assets and 2nd round picks are throw away.  What this suggests is that not all firsts are the same, and not all seconds either.  I would rather have two early 2nd round picks than one late round first.