Oden, Conley, Cook all declare for NBA draft

[consigliere]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/ ... id=2843539

Ohio State freshmen Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., and Daequan Cook will all declare for the NBA draft Friday, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com Thursday night.

[swerb]

Shit.

[comish]

What the **** is D Cook thinking Oden is expected, Conley and Cook hurts

[pup]

Conley and Cook are not hiring agents at this time. They will have the option of working out for all the NBA teams, getting evaluated, then making thier final decisions.

Conley leaves, Cook stays.

[furls]

Cook is in the dog house. If he gets any kind of hope from the NBA regarding the draft, he is gone. Probably the worst thing he could do for his future, but frankly, kids his age are pretty short sided.

He has great upside, but really needs to establish himself. I think, given 1-2 more years at Ohio State, he could get a starting slot and turn some heads and potentially end up in the top 10, he has that kind of potential, but right now it is exactly that, potential. Lots of guys have potential.

[GreatGoo]

Goodbye OSU. Hello MSU!!!!!!!!

[pup]

Goodbye OSU. Hello MSU!!!!!!!!

Relax. We will be just fine.

[Guest]

I have to laugh at the "Conley isn't hiring an agent"
His dad will represent him so doesn't he KINDA HAVE an agent.
I don't see how Conley would be any worse than a mid 1st round pick.
Bye to all 3 and thanks for this season.

[leadpipe]

The Dad thing does strike a little strange, however, I guess they've all kind of had agents since high school. Conley would sure help the Cavs.

[Guest]

Too bad the Cavs have zero draft picks

[FUDU]

Too bad the Cavs have zero draft picks

I am starting to think that is an NBA rule or something.

Do we ever have draft picks, sheesh.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Too bad the Cavs have zero draft picks

That can be rectified. Depending on where Atlanta lands (their pick is top three protected), Phoenix may end up with three first rounders this year. They do have the roster space for all three picks, but they might be willing to return our pick to us for future considerations (a first rounder in the future and possibly something else).

There's also been talk of a few teams being willing to sell their draft picks. Portland has been mentioned as a possibility, especially with their intent on pursuing Lewis in free agency.

[leadpipe]

Actually the NBA had to change the rules about trading draft picks thanks to the Cavs marvelous work in the early 80's, and, if they trade for a pick in this years draft someone will fleece them anyway. It's The Cavalier way. Again, it is going to be very hard for them to change the team for the better thru draft or trade. Hopefully they can find a way to make it work because if Lebron packs his suitcase we might not have to worry about the Cavs in Cleveland.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Actually the NBA had to change the rules about trading draft picks thanks to the Cavs marvelous work in the early 80's, and, if they trade for a pick in this years draft someone will fleece them anyway. It's The Cavalier way. Again, it is going to be very hard for them to change the team for the better thru draft or trade. Hopefully they can find a way to make it work because if Lebron packs his suitcase we might not have to worry about the Cavs in Cleveland.

Yeah, you can't trade back-to-back first rounders. That would not be a problem if Phoenix gives us our own pick back. It doesn't apply to other first rounders acquired from elsewhere. The Cavs could ask Phoenix to return the pick this year and instead take it next year.

This draft is very deep, a major reason that Phoenix may not want to postpone the pick. There's great depth especially at C and PF. If the Cavs want to find someone to play C in the future then this may be the best time to jump in. Phoenix has expressed some interest in Gooden in the past. There's some thought that they'd like him next to Stoudemire, moving Marion to SF, and keeping Diaw on the bench. Gooden would bring a bit more interior toughness and could flourish in a system like the one in Phoenix. Any trade involving Gooden would likely include a first rounder, likely our own in return. It'd also include salary - possibly Marcus Banks and other filler. This would allow the Cavs to use their MLE on something other than a PG.