05-06-2023, 01:06 PM
Superstars with spotty injury histories are SO tough to evaluate. Really high risk / reward.
Are the Clippers happy they have Kawhi and PG? Lakers with AD? Blazers with Greg Oden?
Chandler Parsons? John Wall? Derrick Rose?
If you get a hit, and your guy avoids injury, all your fans are happy. Coaches and front-office people keep their jobs. Maybe even get raises for their incredibly good foresight, wisdom, and talent evaluation.
If the guy is hurt, then you're paying a big chunk of your cap space for zero production. It's really tough to compete at a high level when your healthy roster is composed of a few mid-priced specialists, maybe a max-salary guy who doesn't play at a max level, and some near-minimums. Fans arrive with torches and pitchforks. Coaches and GM's get fired for their incompetence.
I can certainly understand how a team that lands the #1 pick might choose to trade it for established players or lower picks. It can significantly reduce risk.
For the Mavericks, who already have a couple of proven superstars who can produce at a high level, I'd certainly trade out of the high-risk #1 pick. Give me a couple of solid, mid-level producers I can count on.
Are the Clippers happy they have Kawhi and PG? Lakers with AD? Blazers with Greg Oden?
Chandler Parsons? John Wall? Derrick Rose?
If you get a hit, and your guy avoids injury, all your fans are happy. Coaches and front-office people keep their jobs. Maybe even get raises for their incredibly good foresight, wisdom, and talent evaluation.
If the guy is hurt, then you're paying a big chunk of your cap space for zero production. It's really tough to compete at a high level when your healthy roster is composed of a few mid-priced specialists, maybe a max-salary guy who doesn't play at a max level, and some near-minimums. Fans arrive with torches and pitchforks. Coaches and GM's get fired for their incompetence.
I can certainly understand how a team that lands the #1 pick might choose to trade it for established players or lower picks. It can significantly reduce risk.
For the Mavericks, who already have a couple of proven superstars who can produce at a high level, I'd certainly trade out of the high-risk #1 pick. Give me a couple of solid, mid-level producers I can count on.