Re: Celtic Draft Problem

["Jeff Tepper" <jaytee@itasoft.com>]

- ----------
> From: Anthony Pinto <bagaco@worldnet.att.net>
> To: celtics@igtc.COM
> Subject: Celtic Draft Problem
> Date: Thursday, May 22, 1997 2:21 AM
> 
> I think that if we don't trade our picks for players, I say we take the
best
> player out there. Because if we take a player just because we need that
spot
> filled it could really hurt us, look at Montross and especially Earl. I
am
> not saying Montross isn't good but there were better players out there,
and
> he isn't really a starter. He would make a hell of a back up though. So I
> think we should trade for more picks in the early first round, and get
the
> best talent, and then maybe workout trades or sign FA to fill spots. Just
my
> opinion. Whta do you guys think?-Tony

Ideally, I like the idea, but a problem comes about when you really think
about it.  We won't be able to sign any decent FA center because a decent
FA center would command more salary money than we have under the cap.  For
example, Seattle paid 3 million for Joe McIlvaine, who was never exactly a
top notch center, and he didn't do very much for them this season.  At that
price I'd rather draft Foyle, because at least he has the potential to be
better than a guy like McIlvaine, and you have the option of re-signing Fox
or Wesley, or saving cap money for next year's free agent class.  

Ideally, i also like the idea of trading for first round picks and getting
the best talent, but that is also easier said than done, because two
problems come to mind: 1) Who would we trade for what?, and 2) who would we
take with the picks?  It's generally agreed that this is a weak draft, so
it's not a good year to stockpile first round picks.

Jeff