-Jordan Hill potentially slipping into the bottom of the top-10 or even possibly slightly beyond....

-Jordan Hill potentially slipping into the bottom of the top-10 or even possibly slightly beyond. The talk is that the Washington Wizards’ 5th pick could very well end up being claimed by Stephen Curry (whether for them or another team trading up), and that since Minnesota, Golden State, New York and maybe even Toronto appear to be looking at other positional needs, Hill could be on the short end of the stick come draft night.

Today's rumor, courtesy Draft Express.

8 months ago Mike Prada 12 comments 0 recs |

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One way to look at this

Lots of teams seem to be very high on Stephen Curry so there might be interest in trading up to get him.

Perhaps it’s in the interests of the Wizards to make teams believe they’ll need to trade up to the 5th pick in order to get Curry. That way it’s the Wizards they’ll need to deal with rather than the Minnesota or Golden State.

by Johnnie Futbol on Jun 8, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And if we can't get a good deal

I wouldn’t mind Curry … it’s just that we’d all rather have a ‘vet’ (whom we may regret getting down the line with excellent hindsight) who can contribute right away.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Truth About It on Jun 8, 2009 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this is how you get a team to move up

Jordan Hill is not the kind of talent that prompts GM’s to salivate. He’s not the one you can’t live without, he’s the one you settle for when he falls to you. Stephen Curry, on the other hand, the a kid that teams want.

makes perfect sense as the landing spot for Curry. The Wizards can draft him and use him or let opposing GMs bid on the pick. One way or another the kid is going #5. Of course teams may prefer to call Ernie’s bluff here if they don’t believe he will take Curry. We’re going to hear more about lots of players and how much Washington loves them leading up to the draft, if only to drive up the price.

by Jheiser3 on Jun 8, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with everyone who says this is a smokescreen

Curry’s been rising up the boards because of rumors that other teams like him, so this is just Ernie’s way of trying to drive up the price of the fifth pick.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 8, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would love it if the Wizards picked Hill at #5, or even lower

Perhaps the only reason that the clock is ticking on this Wizards team is Jamison’s age. Arenas and Butler have a few good years left, Haywood, too. Jamison doesn’t. Pick Hill, and when Jamison is ready to play a lesser role, Hill will be ready to start. And in the meantime, he’ll play with energy, providing defense and rebounding.

I would prefer Harden, though. And watching Orlando hit all these threes in the playoffs, perhaps Curry isn’t a bad way to go. I would prefer someone, however, who won’t be a defensive liability. Curry seems like a Grunfeld type of first round pick — good offensive skills, defensive skills yet to be determined.

by disgrunted on Jun 8, 2009 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Curry

I would be happy with Curry, because whatever his ceiling as a pro is, I think he can provide help immediately as a 3 point specialist, ie, he has one skill (at least) that is NBA ready and matches one of our big needs. I don’t think that Hill would be an improvement on Blatche and I don’t see Harden making an impact in his first year.
I could see Curry right away getting some minutes as a backup 1 and 2 and being the designated 3 point guy off the bench.

by hotplate on Jun 8, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's been my feeling all along....

The only debate has been whether Curry is a high lottery pick…. In this year’s class he may well be.

by khrabb on Jun 8, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a huge Arizona fan...

And caught about half of their games on TV last year. I never once thought to myself “this guy is a top 5 pick.” I really don’t think he’s good.

But good way to drive up our pick’s value!

...one of those guys who reads all the time but barely comments

by Juice over Whine on Jun 8, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

true

he seemed like a great fit in the teens last year. Now he’s the #5 pick? I don’t see that either. Why pay top 5 money for a guy with his skills when you can get Jeff Pendergraph in the second round? Hustle, defense and shot blocking can be found for far less.

by Jheiser3 on Jun 8, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Methinks

that along with EG’s headgames, this could be named the Orlando success/Ramon Sessions corallary. Everyone wants a young, cheap gunner who helps stretch the defense to open things up inside. If Jefferson gets healthy, it makes a lot of sense for Minny, and I think Curry would fill the Crawford role in NY….

Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!

by ledellforlife on Jun 8, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If New York truly wants Curry

I would take a long look at getting Wilson Chandler in return. He averaged 15, 5, and 2 with a steal and a block last year, and although it was in D’Antoni’s uptempo game, those are still great numbers for such a young guard/forward. It could be argued that having a young prospect who already proved what they could do in the NBA is just as valuable as taking a risk on a rookie. In a draft so weak, would it be worth it to trade the 5th pick for Chandler straight up?

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Jun 8, 2009 6:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not straight up

but if we could snag another asset, it might be. No clue who else New York has that we would really want, though. I love Gallinari, but I doubt they’d want to give him up or that we’d want another injury-prone player.

by pantslessyoda1 on Jun 8, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs