It's the 2006 NBA Draft, and SUPERSONICS.COM is all over the action. This year, we're tag-teaming the Draft with David Locke enjoying unprecedented access live from the Sonics Draft Room to keep you updated on the Sonics thinking through their pick, number 10 overall. Kevin Pelton will be in the media room at The Furtado Center to provide a big-picture perspective and quotes from picks and the Sonics front office later in the evening. Be sure to hit refresh for the latest real-time analysis and commentary and more and e-mail David and Kevin at sonicsconnection@sonics-storm.com as they'll try to field some questions in the blog.
Moving Along
Posted at 5:45 p.m. by Kevin
With the Sonics pick in the books, we'll move ahead to page 2 for reaction from the Sonics front office and more coverage. David will sign off from now to host a show on KTTH 770 AM from 6-7 p.m. from the Sonics Draft Party at the EMP.
SENE POST FROM EARLIER TODAY
Posted at 5:39p.m. by David
Would Sonics go Big Three Years in a Row?
Posted on
June 28 |
permalink
I orginally posted this at 7:30 am
Let’s re-visit a discussion we had earlier on SUPERSONICS.COM. Should the Sonics go big with the 10th pick of the draft?
The names that are floating around the 10th pick include swingmen Ronnie Brewer and Rodney Carney, power players Cedric Simmons and Hilton Armstrong, tweener Shawne Williams and big man Saer Sene.
Why when the Sonics already have Swift and Petro would they go big again? The reason not to go big again is obvious. Most people believe you can’t develop three bigs at the same time. However, having Jack Sikma as an assistant coach may change the Sonics equation.
The more in depth you go the more it begins to make sense. First, to acquire a big man via trade or free agency in the NBA you have to pay a mint. Bigs are notoriously overpaid throughout the NBA. Rarely can you get your money value for a big, unless you develop them through the draft.
Look at the scenarios if you draft another big. Best case scenario, Swift and Petro both develop. Then you trade the new big and in all likelihood get a value higher than the #10 pick of this draft. Both Swift and Petro develop and it costs too much to keep them both then you have acquired your security and you move Swift or Petro and hold them out for a king’s ransom. The Sonics really could extract blood from some one who needs a big.
Worst-case scenario, Swift or Petro stall in their development and then you have acquired another possibility to fill the gap in the middle.
Specifically, to this draft there aren’t many players that will be able to burst through the Sonics 10-man rotation. Therefore, their may be a logic in taking a project big like Saer Sene.
Sene is a 7-footer with a freakish wingspan of 7-9. He is raw. Raw with a capital R. According to scouts, a year ago he couldn’t go through a lay-up line. This year he made so much progress he became a vital part of his team. Coaches say you can literally see him developing practice to practice sometimes even drill to drill.
The most common comparison to a current NBA player is Dikembe Mutombo.
A story circulating out of Sonics workouts is that Hilton Armstrong went in for a high flying one-hand tomahawk dunk and Sene reached up and just stonewalled him as though his hand was a concrete wall.
Don’t immediately throw away the idea of the Sonics going big for the third year in a row. It makes more sense the more you think about it.
SONICS TAKE SENE
Posted at 5:24 p.m. by David
With the 10th pick of the draft the Sonics have selected Saer Sene.
The Sonics are playing moneyball with the big men.
We anticipated this and the Sonics now have three terrific potential at the bigs.
The Sonics are keeping the pick. I wrote earlier today on why this is a good idea.
Sonics On The Clock
Posted at 5:19 p.m. by David
Two of the Sonics highlighted guys are on the board. I suspect the pick will be Ronnie Brewer or Saer Sene.
The other hot discussion is the Sonics trading down to the 13th pick where they likely could still get Sene with the 13th pick
Sonics Watch UPDATE
Posted at 5:19p.m. by David
According to our sources, Houston backed out of the deal. The deal was for Marcus Williams, but when Gay became available they backed out.
The Sonics highlighted four guys today and Foye and Gay are now off the board
The other two are Ronnie Brewer and Saer Sene.
This draft is breaking well for the Sonics.
Phones are ringing and trade offers are coming in with a flurry.
The rumor for of Seattle trading down to 13 is still hot.
Roy Goes to Minnesota
Posted at 5:14 p.m. by Kevin
Congratulations to Brandon Roy, who goes sixth in this draft to Minnesota, becoming one of the highest-drafted players ever from the University of Washington. It's a proud day to be a Husky (as I am). Roy is a guy you could always feel good about rooting for, and it's no different tonight, as Roy cracks his broadest smile as Stuart Scott mentions the improvement in his SAT scores before going to UW. Roy also looked very dapper in a pinstriped gray suit with a gold shirt.
What Are the Blazers Doing?
Posted at 5:08p.m. by David
Here are the details on the Chicago and Portland trade.
Portland got the #2 pick, LaMarcus Aldridge.
Chicago got the #4 pick, Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa
Once again, I have no idea what Portland is doing. My understanding was that Chicago was going to take Thomas at #2 and Charlotte was going to take Morrison at #3 so the Blazers could have stayed at #4 and got Aldridge.
Instead the Blazers paid more for the pick and they gave up a nice young player.
Give Portland the league lead in head scratches. This is the second time today they have made a move that makes you wonder what their draft room is thinking.
No Surprises - Sonics Watch List
Posted at 5:01p.m. by David
No surprises yet. The first five picks have gone as anticipated.
Minnesota at 6 is the first time Brandon Roy could go. It will be either Roy or Foye with the 6th pick. Minnesota is a possibility for Gay. If they take Gay then Foye has a chance to drop all the way to Sonics.
The Sonics are targeting four players in the Draft Room.
Those players are Rudy Gay, Randy Foye, Saer Sene and Ronnie Brewer.
All four of these are exciting picks for the Sonics. Gay and Foye were projected much higher. Brewer is the best defensive player in the draft. Sene is a 7 footer and has a 7 foot 9 inch wing span
The 10th pick, which didn’t bring a lot of early anticipation is suddenly getting to be very exciting.
Memphis will not take Rudy Gay
Posted at 4:55 p.m. by David
The word is the Grizzlies have made the trade to acquire Marcus Williams not Rudy Gay.
This means that Gay could still slip to #10.
Golden State will be the key. We will keep an eye on that.
Morrison to Charlotte
Posted at 4:52 p.m. by Kevin
It's another big draft for the state of Washington as Adam Morrison goes third overall to Charlotte. This is an upset, though the scuttle moved toward Morrison today. Where does Morrison fit in with the Bobcats? They already have Gerald Wallace at small forward, who is one of their best players - can Morrison or Wallace play two? Is there another deal coming? It's definitely a great day for Morrison. He did all he could do at Gonzaga and it paid off. Now, about that mustache ... .
Did I catch a rock on sign from Sonics PR Manager Kurt Fedders after Stuart Scott mentioned Morrison listens to Metallica?
Jordan Outvoted
Posted at 4:50 p.m. by David
The word in Charlotte was that Michael Jordan liked Rudy Gay and that the rest of the staff was hot for Morrison. The rest of the staff must have won out.
I can't imgaine why you would wonder about who MJ wanted since he took Kwame Brown #1.
Bernie Bickerstaff missed a game this year to see Morrison in the NCAA tournament.
BREAKING NEWS TRADE FOR 8TH PICK
Posted at 4:38 p.m. by David
Memphis is making a deal to get to the 8th pick of the draft.
This may be to get Rudy Gay. This would eliminate Gay getting to the 10th pick.
The Grizzlies will give up Mike Miller to Houston for the 8th pick and Houston is sending Juwan Howard to the Grizzlies.
Put the Grizzlies in the 8th spot on the draft board
What to Watch For
Posted at 4:38 p.m. by David
Kevin, there seems to be a set top seven picks. If someone other than Bargnani, Aldridge, Morrison, Thomas, Shelden Williams, Brandon Roy and Randy Foye.
This would leave Gay on the board at the 8th pick of the draft, which means he could slip to the Sonics.
If a name other than those 7 show up it is a big story.
Hello EMP and Sonics Draft Party
Posted at 4:34 p.m. by David
Hello everyone at the EMP for the Sonics Draft Party. I look forward to joining you in there later tonight. It is a neat environment here in Draft Central. All the brass have left the main area to meet in a separate area of the building.
The Rudy Gay murmurs have this place a buzz. It should have the EMP bouncing as well.
I will keep you up to date with all latest scuttle from the draft room.
See you soon
What to Watch?
Posted at 4:31 p.m. by Kevin
David, as Toronto is about ready to be on the clock, let me ask you something - which picks should we be watching right now? Which ones are most important from the Sonics perspective?
Could Gay Be on the Board for the Supes?
Posted at 4:26 p.m. by David
With the trades the first time for Rudy Gay to be drafted in the 8th pick of the draft from Houston. According to NBA people, Houston is split on whether to take Gay. If Houston passes it is entirely possible that Gay ends up available at #10.
Portland will not take Morrison
Posted at 4:26 p.m. by David
Huge news, Portland is going to take LaMarcus Aldridge instead of Adam Morrison.
This means Morrison goes three to Charlotte.
UPDATED - LATEST MOCK AFTER PORTLAND/CHICAGO DEAL
Posted at 4:20 p.m. by David
Toronto Andrea Bargnani
Portland LaMarcus Aldridge
Charlotte Adam Morrison
Chicago Tyrus ThomasAtlanta Shelden Williams
Minnesota Brandon Roy
Portland Randy Foye
Houston Rudy Gay
Golden State Cedric Simmons
Seattle Ronnie Brewer
Orlando JJ Redick
NO/Oklahoma Hilton Armstrong
Philly Marcus Williams -- there is talk of Seattle ending up here
Utah Saer Sene
NO/Oklahoma Shawne Williams
Chicago Patrick O’Bryant
Indiana Quincy Douby
Washington Rodney Carney
Sacramento Alexander Johnson
New York Thabo Sefolosha
Phoenix Kyle Lowery
New Jersey Rajon Rondo
New Jersey Olexsiy Pecherov
Memphis Shannon Brown
Cleveland Jordan Farmar
Lakers James White
Phoenix Marcus Ager
Dallas Joel Freeland
New York Josh Boone
Portland Sergio Rodriguez
BREAKING NEWS
Posted at 4:08 p.m.posted by Locke
Portland has acquired the #2 pick. Expectation is they will take Morrison with the #2 pick of the draft. I will try to do a quick evaluation of what this means for the Sonics.
Portland Trying to Trade
Posted at 4:06p.m.posted by Locke
Steve Rosenberry, Chief Scout, just grabbed Wally Walker and said “I need you this is important.” We will keep an eye on it.
Draft Room Scuttlebutt
Posted at 4:00p.m.posted by Locke
Everyone is trying to figure out how far Rudy Gay is sliding. Morrison is going to go #3. Will Portland take Gay at #7 or will he slide to #10? The Sonics are working hard on this.
Gay at 10 would change what was supposed to be a quiet day for the Sonics.
Locke's Final Guess
Posted at 3:58m.
My guess is the Sonics draft in the 13th position and they draft Saer Sene
E-mails
Posted at 3:53.m.
Here are responses to a few more e-mails
"How many trade scenarios can a team juggle at one time before they have to start unwinding them? I imagine you can box yourself into a corner pretty quickly if you have too many contingent deals that are based on another teams contingent deal, that might have strings attached, etc. And how forthright are teams about all the contingencies that they might have 'outstanding?'" - from Mike
This is another great question. This is the trick. Can you get teams to come clean with you about where you really are on their priority list. You have to push the envelope a little to see how they react. I don’t think it is hard for a team to juggle lots of different deals. I do think it is tough to figure out how truthful the other team’s interest is.
The real trick is remember who was interested in what when something falls apart. That is how the Ray Allen deal got done. The Sonics had a deal that was close and it feel apart and Rick Sund had notes about a previous conversation with Milwaukee so he re-visited it. Sometimes those talks are up to 12 months old.
My guess is some of the Phoenix talks of this last week will eventually resurface in another deal at a later date.
"Locke -- I'm hoping Foye will slip to the Sonics. Since they traded Telfair, will Portland look to draft a point guard (maybe M. Williams or Foye) with one of their picks if they cannot get Thomas and Morrison?" – Kelly
I have Foye going eight. If he drops I think the Sonics will take him. In fact, I think the Sonics have Foye in a slightly different category compared to the other players they are reviewing. According to my last mock, I believe Portland ends up with their point guard at the end of the first round and draft Aldridge and Gay, but Foye makes sense.
Please send in more questions as the draft unfolds
Locke's Last Mock Draft
Posted at 3:43.m.
Here is the latest and last mock.
If the draft goes like this the impact is the following.
The latest is a big blow to Portland. If Adam Morrison goes #3 then the Blazers are really going to be in trouble, because they will likely end up without Morrison or Roy.
Rodney Carney and Patrick O’Bryant are both sliding.
There are rumors of the Sonics trading down to the 13th pick of the draft. If so they maybe targeting Shawne Williams.
Here is what I am hearing at this point.
Toronto Andrea Bargnani
Chicago Tyrus Thomas – they are in trade talks to move down
Charlotte Adam Morrison
Portland LaMarcus Aldridge
Atlanta Shelden Williams
Minnesota Brandon Roy
Portland Rudy Gay
Houston Randy Foye
Golden State Cedric Simmons
Seattle Ronnie Brewer
Orlando J.J. Redick
NO/Oklahoma Hilton Armstrong
Philly Marcus Williams -- there is talk of Seattle ending up here
Utah Saer Sene
NO/Oklahoma Shawne Williams
Chicago Patrick O’Bryant
Indiana Quincy Douby
Washington Rodney Carney
Sacramento Alexander Johnson
New York Thabo Sefolosha
Phoenix Kyle Lowry
New Jersey Rajon Rondo
New Jersey Olexsiy Pecherov
Memphis Shannon Brown
Cleveland Jordan Farmar
Lakers James White
Phoenix Marcus Ager
Dallas Joel Freeland
New York Josh Boone
Portland Sergio Rodriguez
Hello!
Posted at 3:35 p.m. by Kevin
Alright, after completing some pre-Draft stuff, I'm ready to join the blog. I've set up shop in the media room at The Furtado Center with local beat writers and the radio and television media. It's fairly quiet still in here but beginning to fill up.
I'd like to take this chance to remind everyone that this is just the peak of SUPERSONICS.COM's Draft coverage, which has been going on for weeks. You can check out our analysis of the top 15 players available and David's pre-Draft blogging on the Draft HQ. Also don't miss our top ten prospects by position: PG | SG | SF | PF | C
Latest News
Posted at 3:23 p.m. by David
A few hot stories are developing.
Bargnani will be the first pick of the draft
Adam Morrison is suddenly a hot pick at #3
Chicago is supposed to take Tyrus Thomas with the 2nd pick, but they are in serious trade talks with teams to move down in the draft.
Rodney Carney is slipping a little bit. Golden State has shown interest at 9, but there is a feeling he may be slipping.
The Golden State mystery seems to be zeroing in on Marcus Williams, Rudy Gay and Cedric Simmons.
The Sonics are involved in numerous talks. Some have them moving down just a few spots and the others are looking for first round picks next season.
J.J. Redick is still locked into #11
Shawne Williams is looking like he will go #15
Saer Sene will not get by Utah at the #14 pick
40th Anniversary Sighting
Posted at 3:03 p.m. by David
It is really quiet right now. It makes you wonder. The big brass has all moved into separate rooms. The assistants are still in the film room. We are one hour a away.
The first of the new 40th anniversary shirts has been put on by new assistant Gordie Chiesa. Chiesa will be the defensive coordinator this season, with Head Coach Bob Hill being in charge of the offense.
It is pretty amazing to consider this is the 40th anniversary for the Sonics this season. It was 40 years ago that the Pacific Northwest got it first professional franchise. Can you believe the Sonics are one of just five NBA franchises with a tenure of 40 years in their original city?
Through a little research it was determined that through Seattle's first 39 seasons in the NBA, 23 players with Pacific Northwest ties have donned a Sonics uniform. Unfortunately, both Roy and Morrison will be off the board for the Sonics today.
E-mail answers
Posted at 2:53 p.m. by David
Thanks for the e-mails.
Here is a quick response to as many as I can.
First question, Where is Bobby Jones going to go in the draft?
From what I have heard around the Draft Room it sounds as though he might sneak into the 40’s, but in all likelihood is going to be in the 50’s.
Next question - Here's my question, I keep hearing talk about the Sonics 10 man rotation next year but isn't this assuming we sign Chris Wilcox? Are we pretty assured of signing him at this point?
The Sonics tendered an offer to Wilcox which makes him a restricted free agent. The intention and hope is to sign Wilcox and the Sonics are willing to pay him. The biggest statement about all the Marion rumors was that the Sonics were willing to pick up that contract. That tells you the team is willing to spend to win, which has been questioned. The unfortunate reality is that it only takes one crazy general manager, see the Knicks, to extend a crazy offer and the Sonics loose Wilcox. So, let’s call it cautious optimism.
Are there teams that Seattle is far more comfortable dealing with, either from a personality standpoint, or even a trustworthiness point of view?
That is a great question and the answer is yes. One reason I thought the Marion/Lewis blockbuster had a chance was because of the great relationship between the front offices. The Sonics have always had really good relations with certain teams, see Boston. This makes a huge difference the bigger the deal gets. When the stakes get higher and higher the fear of getting screwed can kill a deal.
Keep the questions flowing and I will try to get them answered.
Not just the Draft
Posted at 2:40 p.m. by David
How non-stop the world of a basketball front office. Here we sit less than an hour and half till the draft and Pendergraft is working simultaneously on the phone with agents in an effort to form his summer league team with players he projects not to be drafted and available free agents.
Draft Room Enviornment
Posted at 2:35 p.m. by David
Bob Hill is walking around eating peanut M&M’s in and out of Director of Player Personnel Dave Pendergraft’s office. In the main room the assistant coaches are working through film of various prospects.
Steve Rosenberry is working the phones to find out where players are going. Wally Walker and Rick Sund are working out scenarios in his office.
The energy comes in waves. It will cool down to complete quiet as it is at the moment and the next thing you know their will be a bustle of movement.
The most interesting thing really is Linda who is filing all of Pendergraft’s scouting reports on each player into files. The greens are the point guards, the orange files are the shooting guards and the blues are the centers.
Pendergraft saw somewhere around 200 games since October.
Chicago will take
Posted at 2:30 p.m. by David
In now looks like the Bulls will take Tyrus Thomas with the second pick of the draft.
BREAKING NEWS -- PORTLAND AND BOSTON
Posted at 2:09 p.m. by David
The Blazers and the Celtics have consummated their deal. The principals in the deal are Telfair to Boston for the #7 pick.
From what I have heard around the NBA the Blazers traded Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair to Boston for the 7th pick, Raef LaFrentz and Dan Dickau.
I am not sure why Portland is making this deal. It seemed reasonable when it was just Telfair for the 7th pick but when you include the contract’s of Dickau and LaFrentz it doesn’t make much sense.
Neither LaFrentz nor Dickau can help the Blazers in any fashion. Moreover, they increased their payroll.
The expectation now is that Portland will use the #4 pick on Tyrus Thomas and then they will be assured that either Morrison or Roy will fall to them at the 7th pick.
Before Seattle Picks
Posted at 1:57 p.m. by David
Here is what I hear about what may come down before Seattle picks..
- Toronto Andrea Bargnani
- Chicago LaMarcus Aldridge
- Charlotte Rudy Gay
- Portland Tyrus Thomas
- Atlanta Shelden Williams
- Minnesota Brandon Roy
- Boston Adam Morrison
- Houston Randy Foye
- Golden State Ronnie Brewer
What is the Truth on O'Bryant?
Posted at 1:30 p.m. by David
The big mystery of the draft is the Golden State Warriors. For weeks, everyone has thought that the Warriors were going to go big and take Bradley 7-footer Patrick O’Bryant. However, O’Bryant’s agent Andy Miller has been telling people that he doesn’t want O’Bryant to go to Golden State.
Why would he possibly say that? His client is not going to go earlier then eight. That is making people in the league think that O’Bryant might have a promise at nine and it is a smokescreen that he doesn’t want to go there.
Furthermore, yesterday O’Bryant may have worked out solo for the Warriors in New Jersey.
Obviously, who goes nine is a big issue for the Sonics.
Inside the Draft Room
Posted at 1:05 p.m.
Greetings from the Sonics draft room. The entire staff is here and it feels like a calm before the storm. Coach Hill is in his office making calls.Director of Player Personnel Dave Pendergraft is working the blackberry. The assistant coaches are all in the big conference room which is draft central. Steve Rosenberry, chief scout, is in the video room with Walt Rock. Rich Cho, assistant gm and legal counsel, is working the numbers on various scenarios.
We will keep you up to date on any of the deals and what the latest is on the draft boards, projections and the rest. Check back regularly.
