If - IF - NBA teams didn't have to draft

[Newhouser]

As an NBA fan all this talk about who's staying and who's leaving always makes me think "what not ready player will my team be forced to draft this year".

How much better (or worse) would the draft process be if NBA teams could pass on drafting anyone? Execs for middle of the road teams like the Hawks and Pacers must dread draft day knowing they are going to have to pick and pay a good college player who probably will not help their team at all. Imagine what the Spurs (who have done well hoarding foreign players) and Warriors think? They would rather donate a million dollars to pass on a pick than pay a guy who won't make their team.

Early entry would change entirely if NBA teams could stand pat and say they aren't participating in the draft.

 

[Cusefan0307]

This is why teams pick foreigners and stash them overseas.

 

[Brooky03]

Is there any requirement to actually sign a player you pick or can you just immediately waive him? My knowledge of this literally comes from drafting players in the NBA 2k video game and not signing them haha.

 

[Knicks411]

Is there any requirement to actually sign a player you pick or can you just immediately waive him? My knowledge of this literally comes from drafting players in the NBA 2k video game and not signing them haha.

I'm pretty sure teams can pass? Or sure, just draft a Euro guy who isn't coming over.

As an NBA fan all this talk about who's staying and who's leaving always makes me think "what not ready player will my team be forced to draft this year".

How much better (or worse) would the draft process be if NBA teams could pass on drafting anyone? Execs for middle of the road teams like the Hawks and Pacers must dread draft day knowing they are going to have to pick and pay a good college player who probably will not help their team at all.

I...don't think this is true at all.

 

[Jasoncuse]

Why would a team pass on a potential asset just because? Trade the pick then! There's always at least 30 prospects worth investing some time and money in.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Why would a team pass on a potential asset just because? Trade the pick then! There's always at least 30 prospects worth investing some time and money in.

The teams in New York disagree.

 

[NYCorange]

As an NBA fan all this talk about who's staying and who's leaving always makes me think "what not ready player will my team be forced to draft this year".

How much better (or worse) would the draft process be if NBA teams could pass on drafting anyone? Execs for middle of the road teams like the Hawks and Pacers must dread draft day knowing they are going to have to pick and pay a good college player who probably will not help their team at all. Imagine what the Spurs (who have done well hoarding foreign players) and Warriors think? They would rather donate a million dollars to pass on a pick than pay a guy who won't make their team.

Early entry would change entirely if NBA teams could stand pat and say they aren't participating in the draft.

It's actually the opposite of what you say. This used to be how some NBA teams viewed the draft. But now, 1st round draft picks are EXTREMELY highly valued because they represent the single best way for a small to mid-market team to acquire stars and keep them. Take Rudy Gobert, for example. He was taken with the 27th pick in the draft by the Jazz and now he's a borderline star with potential for much more. Same goes for Rodney Hood. You get a cheap player, 4 years of team control, and a significant competitive advantage in resigning them if you want. Even 2nd round draft picks are important assets these days.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

It's actually the opposite of what you say. This used to be how some NBA teams viewed the draft. But now, 1st round draft picks are EXTREMELY highly valued because they represent the single best way for a small to mid-market team to acquire stars and keep them. Take Rudy Gobert, for example. He was taken with the 27th pick in the draft by the Jazz and now he's a borderline star with potential for much more. Same goes for Rodney Hood. You get a cheap player, 4 years of team control, and a significant competitive advantage in resigning them if you want. Even 2nd round draft picks are important assets these days.

This will sound dumb, but organizations that are good at scouting and player development love the draft. The examples you used from the Jazz are perfect.

 

[Briancuse]

This is why teams pick foreigners and stash them overseas.

And why some teams sell their picks for cash.

 

[EastCoast2]

Why would you pass on a draft pick? Even if there's a 2% chance a second rounder turns into a very good NBA player, wouldn't you draft a guy and hope he becomes like:
Draymond Green, drafted 35th
Marc Gasol, drafted 48th
Kyle Korver, drafted 51st
Manu Ginobili, drafted 57th
Isaiah Thomas, drafted 60th

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Why would you pass on a draft pick? Even if there's a 2% chance a second rounder turns into a very good NBA player, wouldn't you draft a guy and hope he becomes like:
Draymond Green, drafted 35th
Marc Gasol, drafted 48th
Kyle Korver, drafted 51st
Manu Ginobili, drafted 57th
Isaiah Thomas, drafted 60th

A 2nd round pick that pans out is franchise changing.

 

[NYCorange]

A 2nd round pick that pans out is franchise changing.

Yeah, and organizations that consistently trade their draft picks for players are always one of two things:

1. On the brink of seriously competing for a championship (Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavs, Los Angeles Clippers, etc.)
2. Failures as franchises (Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets). Now, obviously historically the Lakers aren't failures, but recently they are--they're just lucky to have history and a prime-market that will draw free-agents to bail them out for their horrible choices.

Draft Picks are the life of almost every franchise with the possible exception of the Miami Heat

 

[Briancuse]

Yeah, and organizations that consistently trade their draft picks for players are always one of two things:

1. On the brink of seriously competing for a championship (Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavs, Los Angeles Clippers, etc.)
2. Failures as franchises (Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets). Now, obviously historically the Lakers aren't failures, but recently they are--they're just lucky to have history and a prime-market that will draw free-agents to bail them out for their horrible choices.

Draft Picks are the life of almost every franchise with the possible exception of the Miami Heat

And the Nets who traded away their draft picks for the next 30 years.

 

[Gabjon]

First round picks have guaranteed contacts based on the rookie pay scale. Teams cannot trade their first round picks 2 years in a row. Often teams feel there or no player that fits their system or would prefer not to pay a guy a couple of million to sit the bench so they draft a euro player many times knowing he never plans on coming to america.

Second round picks are completely different no guaranteed contacts are required, picks can be traded ever year and are often sold for cash.

Each teams situation is different based on their cap space and free agency, which starts the week after the draft.

All of these things are in the CBA and the CBA is slatted towards veterans because colleges don't get a vote.

 

[NYCorange]

And the Nets who traded away their draft picks for the next 30 years.

Yeah, they're in my "failures as organizations category" haha

 

[Knicks411]

First round picks have guaranteed contacts based on the rookie pay scale. Teams cannot trade their first round picks 2 years in a row. Often teams feel there or no player that fits their system or would prefer not to pay a guy a couple of million to sit the bench so they draft a euro player many times knowing he never plans on coming to america.

I don't think this happens all that often in the top half or so of the first round, it's more often either for late firsts or second rounders.
For instance, in 2015, one first round pick was a draft and stash (Spurs, of course).
In 2014, there were 2.
In 2013, there was 1. (Spurs again!!)
In 2012, there were 0.

And I'm done

you can trade first round picks two years in a row, it just can't be ahead of time. For instance, if you traded your 2015 first rounder, you could now trade your 2016 first rounder, assuming you have a 2017 first rounder.

 

[Gabjon]

I don't think this happens all that often in the top half or so of the first round, it's more often either for late firsts or second rounders.
For instance, in 2015, one first round pick was a draft and stash (Spurs, of course).
In 2014, there were 2.
In 2013, there was 1. (Spurs again!!)
In 2012, there were 0.

And I'm done

you can trade first round picks two years in a row, it just can't be ahead of time. For instance, if you traded your 2015 first rounder, you could now trade your 2016 first rounder, assuming you have a 2017 first rounder.

once a year isn't often when there are only 30 opportunities...tell that to the first guy drafted in the second round