06-19-2025, 08:56 AM
All valid points. I agree with the concept that a 3rd/4th string guard will not get much development time with the main lineup, but he will be able to participate in pro-level training and can hone skills using G League competition. I do have a few questions though.
Unless you just by a pick for cash, wouldn't you expect to create a spot by trading for the pick? Exum and Dinwiddie are already FAs so there are two spots available, one of which goes to Flagg. FWIW, OMax is a TO, so there is that, depending on your belief in whether he'll turn into something useful. For completeness, DLive is a TO as well, but there is zero chance he isn't picked up.
This draft has really been muddied by so many non-lottery players pulling out to opt for another year and NIL money. That actually may help some of them mature to be a better selection next year. Additionally, a lot of international players have pulled out. So now the later you pick, the more your options are candidates who were originally 2nd round picks or UDFAs. With that in mind, where is the cutoff?
OKC originally had 4(!) FRPs this draft, but since UTA and PHI are now top 5 pick teams it is down to two, #15 and #24. They don't really have any roster spots available, although Jaylin Williams is not fully guaranteed next season and there are 5 TOs. But if they win the Finals, then there will be a lot of pressure to just keep the gang together and try to ride to another one next season. At one point, I thought it would be possible to do a trade for one of OKC's FRPs vs a DAL pick or pick swap down the road. That may still be possible, but I'm not sure how deep into the non-lottery candidate pool do you go when the contract is guaranteed for 2 years.
Maybe it's better to trade or buy into the 2nd, but now you may be looking at players who are G-League level at best.
Unless you just by a pick for cash, wouldn't you expect to create a spot by trading for the pick? Exum and Dinwiddie are already FAs so there are two spots available, one of which goes to Flagg. FWIW, OMax is a TO, so there is that, depending on your belief in whether he'll turn into something useful. For completeness, DLive is a TO as well, but there is zero chance he isn't picked up.
This draft has really been muddied by so many non-lottery players pulling out to opt for another year and NIL money. That actually may help some of them mature to be a better selection next year. Additionally, a lot of international players have pulled out. So now the later you pick, the more your options are candidates who were originally 2nd round picks or UDFAs. With that in mind, where is the cutoff?
OKC originally had 4(!) FRPs this draft, but since UTA and PHI are now top 5 pick teams it is down to two, #15 and #24. They don't really have any roster spots available, although Jaylin Williams is not fully guaranteed next season and there are 5 TOs. But if they win the Finals, then there will be a lot of pressure to just keep the gang together and try to ride to another one next season. At one point, I thought it would be possible to do a trade for one of OKC's FRPs vs a DAL pick or pick swap down the road. That may still be possible, but I'm not sure how deep into the non-lottery candidate pool do you go when the contract is guaranteed for 2 years.
Maybe it's better to trade or buy into the 2nd, but now you may be looking at players who are G-League level at best.