Reasonable Draft day targets

Everyone, including me, would love to get Ricky Rubio but I doubt that will be feasible and even if it were, it wouldn't be worth the price.  I want to discuss two players that I think will be available where we are drafting, or by making a move up into the late teens.  KP has always made his mark on draft day and I don't think this year will be any different.  This year we don't have a lottery pick to dangle but we do have assets that KP has collected.  These assets include the second pick of the second round, cap space, a trade exception, and as always PA's money can buy a 1st round pick.

The two players that have not been discussed that much that intrigue me the most are Jeff Teague and Wayne Ellington.

Jeff Teague is projected to go in the late teens so we would probably have to make a move to get him.  He has proven himself at the top level of competition in college.  Draftexpress describes him as a "better shooting Monta Ellis" and compares him to Aaron Brooks.  Isn't that exactly what we need?  He would make a great back court mate to Roy and/or Rudy.  I could even see him on the court with Bayless and place a lot of pressure on opposing defenses with their penetrating abilities.

Wayne Ellington does not necessarily fit into the PG role that we need to upgrade.  However, if he is available at #24, it would be hard to pass.  I think he maybe the best shooter in the draft (Curry could be debated as a better shooter).  I watched him in several games last season and also in the NCAA tournament and this kid can flat out shoot the ball.  Shooting is always tempting.  Especially, when the shooter does not have other limitations like say, a Kyle Korver.  Not only can he shoot, but as with Teague, I think he would make a perfect back court tandem with Roy when Roy would handle the ball more as the PG.

I would argue that we could possible get both of these players in the draft.  Here's how.  KP has always been able to find a cheap owner that doesn't want to pay a first round pick's guaranteed contract.  Team's that our hurting for money and may be options this year are Utah at 20, NO at 21, or OKC at 25.  First, we send the #55 pick, $3 million in cash, and the rights to Koppenen to NO for the #21.  Trade the #21 and #32 to get up to the 15-18 range to select Teague.  Most mock drafts have Ellington projected to be available at #24, where we are picking.  This would net us Teague and Ellington.

If KP's draft day could result in us only giving up Koppenen and picks to move up and somehow come away with Teague and Ellington, I would be stoked.  Our rotation would look like this:

PG:  Blake/Bayless/Teague

SG:  Roy/Rudy/Ellington

SF:  Batum/Webster/Outlaw

PF:  LMA/Free Agent McDyess or Bass???/Freeland

C:  Oden/Przybilla

Possible Lineups Based on Opponents/Game Situation

Spreading the floor for Brandon to create:  Roy, Rudy, Ellington, Webster, Aldridge.

Defensive Pressure:  Teague, Bayless, Batum, Aldridge, Oden.

Physical toughness/Rebounding:  Bayless, Roy, Webster, Oden, Przybilla

Speed:  Teague, Bayless, Rudy, Outlaw, Aldridge.

This rotation provides great options and versatility.  I just realized I didn't put Blake in any of the lineup examples!  Oh well, I think he is going to be needed another year to see if Bayless and/or Teague would be the long term solution at PG.  If not Blake, than maybe a move is made in July to solidy the starting PG position and be the stopgap until Bayless and/or Teague are ready.  Also, these moves give us even more assets that we can use come July and the free agent/trade season begins.  After all, I don't forsee us going into the season with Batum, Webster, and Outlaw all on this roster.  Also, I am assuming we trade Sergio at some point.  We shall see.  This should be an exciting summer and a very important one.