2014 NBA Draft

[Horatio Nelson]

Is anyone else a basketball fan and/or following the draft?

The first round is over. I'm really excited for this summer, a lot of things can and probably will happen.

Being a Laker fan for life, I'm really looking forward to Julius Randle and what he can bring to the team.

[Camazotz]

Marcus Smart & James Young <3

Banner 18 will be won with both of these smart, young guys. Celtics will man-handle Randle and the Lakers next season. :P

This was the first year I took an active interest in the draft because last year sucked, and the Celtics didn't have a high pick in 2012. I agree that this offseason has the potential to be insane, depending where the big free agents end up.

[Horatio Nelson]

Marcus Smart & James Young <3

Banner 18 will be won with both of these smart, young guys. Celtics will man-handle Randle and the Lakers next season. :P

This was the first year I took an active interest in the draft because last year sucked, and the Celtics didn't have a high pick in 2012. I agree that this offseason has the potential to be insane, depending where the big free agents end up.

Celtics Suck

It looks like the big three are planning to return to Miami with a pay cut, although, there will be some aggressive bids for them in free agency.

[Camazotz]

It looks like the big three are planning to return to Miami with a pay cut, although, there will be some aggressive bids for them in free agency.

Yup.

Salary cap will probably be around $63 million: Big 3 take about $16 million each, that's about $15 million for everyone that's not Shabazz Napier, Norris Cole, and Justin Hamilton (only players that are signed through the 2014-2015 season). That should be enough if some veterans are willing to take some paycuts. Some interesting possibilities: Marcin Gortat (finally a center that can rebound), Trevor Ariza (swingman that can shoot, will probably not take up much cap space), Pau Gasol (center that can play in the post and still stretch the floor, would probably take a paycut), Vince Carter (same with Ariza), Shawn Marion, Rodney Stucky, Andray Blatche, Caron Butler, and Mike Miller (it's Miller Time!).

Plenty of free agents to choose from, most that would be willing to take less money to play for a contender like the Heat, especially to live in a city like Miami.

I'm much more interested in seeing how the Celtics' offseason goes. I'd love for them to sign Greg Monroe, but at the same time, I know it'd be more beneficial for the team long-term to stock assets for the next year and make a strong push for next offseason: another great draft class with several centers as lottery picks, free agents (Al Jefferson, Garnett & Pierce for a final season <3, Monta Ellis, David West, Wesley Matthews, etc.), and another year of age to the Miami Heat.

The Lakers should do the same: they're in a bad position this offseason and will likely suck next season, as well. Just wait until Kobe's career is over and rebuild around Randle and some other young guard.

[Horatio Nelson]

Yup.

Salary cap will probably be around $63 million: Big 3 take about $16 million each, that's about $15 million for everyone that's not Shabazz Napier, Norris Cole, and Justin Hamilton (only players that are signed through the 2014-2015 season). That should be enough if some veterans are willing to take some paycuts. Some interesting possibilities: Marcin Gortat (finally a center that can rebound), Trevor Ariza (swingman that can shoot, will probably not take up much cap space), Pau Gasol (center that can play in the post and still stretch the floor, would probably take a paycut), Vince Carter (same with Ariza), Shawn Marion, Rodney Stucky, Andray Blatche, Caron Butler, and Mike Miller (it's Miller Time!).

Plenty of free agents to choose from, most that would be willing to take less money to play for a contender like the Heat, especially to live in a city like Miami.

I'm much more interested in seeing how the Celtics' offseason goes. I'd love for them to sign Greg Monroe, but at the same time, I know it'd be more beneficial for the team long-term to stock assets for the next year and make a strong push for next offseason: another great draft class with several centers as lottery picks, free agents (Al Jefferson, Garnett & Pierce for a final season <3, Monta Ellis, David West, Wesley Matthews, etc.), and another year of age to the Miami Heat.

The Lakers should do the same: they're in a bad position this offseason and will likely suck next season, as well. Just wait until Kobe's career is over and rebuild around Randle and some other young guard.


I'm really hoping the Lakers don't suck next season. I'm not ruling out a possible Carmelo Anthony acquisition. I also really really hope Mitch Kupchak and co. hire Byron Scott as the new head coach.

I kinda want the big three to split just to change the dynamic of the league and create a new championship team.

[Camazotz]

I'm really hoping the Lakers don't suck next season. I'm not ruling out a possible Carmelo Anthony acquisition. I also really really hope Mitch Kupchak and co. hire Byron Scott as the new head coach.

I kinda want the big three to split just to change the dynamic of the league and create a new championship team.

The Lakers have no stability and no go-to player right now; they're all free agents or old/injured. And there's no way to compete in the West with that, thus: tank, acquire assets, and rebuild the hard way.

You're fortunate to be the best market in the NBA. Even if they sucked for the next decade, there will always be Lakers fans there to support the team. Small markets are pressured into making the playoffs or risk having to sell the team.

They'd be stupid to not hire Byron Scott. I don't really know why they haven't hired him yet, but it's happening.

And I think there are already some up-and-coming teams to contend for the title soon: Thunder, Clippers, Warriors, Rockets, Bulls, and Pacers. Each team has a few pieces that they need, but some of them are really close to contending.

[Horatio Nelson]

The Lakers have no stability and no go-to player right now; they're all free agents or old/injured. And there's no way to compete in the West with that, thus: tank, acquire assets, and rebuild the hard way.

You're fortunate to be the best market in the NBA. Even if they sucked for the next decade, there will always be Lakers fans there to support the team. Small markets are pressured into making the playoffs or risk having to sell the team.

They'd be stupid to not hire Byron Scott. I don't really know why they haven't hired him yet, but it's happening.

And I think there are already some up-and-coming teams to contend for the title soon: Thunder, Clippers, Warriors, Rockets, Bulls, and Pacers. Each team has a few pieces that they need, but some of them are really close to contending.

I disagree with the Lakers potential next season. Kobe is already healthy, I believe he's going to come back swinging, scoring at least 17 PPG. Hopefully Nick Young re-signs, Xavier Henry, Jodie Meek, hopefully Pau Gasol also re-signs.

As long as nobody gets hurt, the lakers can be a good team. Their issue last year was D'antoni played each player for too long, and didn't rotate very well. But that was also because he didn't have much of a bench to speak of.

Yes, The Clippers, Thunder, Rockets and Bulls are all very good. I hope they make it far next season.

[Camazotz]

I disagree with the Lakers potential next season. Kobe is already healthy, I believe he's going to come back swinging, scoring at least 17 PPG. Hopefully Nick Young re-signs, Xavier Henry, Jodie Meek, hopefully Pau Gasol also re-signs.

As long as nobody gets hurt, the lakers can be a good team. Their issue last year was D'antoni played each player for too long, and didn't rotate very well. But that was also because he didn't have much of a bench to speak of.

A team where Nick Young is your second best player will never win a championship. They won't make the playoffs, so might as well go all in to lose to improve for 2015-2016.

[Steve365]

This draft was a great draft class in recent years