Drafting: Talent Available or Team Needs?

[Mentch]

When youre drafting, do you draft a player based on the talent available at that point in time, or do you draft one based on the team needs? In fact, that is the point of the draft, to help your team fill holes that you currently have, but theres a pretty notable case in history where taking a player based on talent would have been a much better option

 

In the 1984 draft, the Portland Trail Blazers held the 2nd overall pick with a choice between Sam Bowie and Michael Jordan. However, they had drafted Clyde Drexler the year before, and they felt comfortable filling their gaping center hole rather than increasing their talent at the SG/SF position, so they decided to take Bowie instead. While Clyde Drexler did turn out to be a legend, drafting Bowie over Michael Jordan wasnt exactly the best move, and if they had drafted Jordan, they would have been able to solidify the position completely

 

I've always been for filling holes that your team has and trying to find players that can fill those holes. However, if there is a surefire pick, like if the player is significantly better than the other choices at the time, take him. Even if its a position where you dont need anyone else, you can always build off of that, or hell, you can trade that draft pick for players that will fill the hole and more draft picks as well!

 

I do think that if the players are equivalent though, and are at 2 different positions, take the player at the position that you need help at

[Check my Stats]

Always take the best player available. You can always move that other player who plays the same spot (or the player drafted) to plug that hole later.

 

I don't care if you have a 24 year old Kobe Bryant on your team, if you can draft Dwyane Wade you do it (for example).

Edited March 6, 2012 by Check my Stats

[htownborn]

Usually in the NBA Draft I say take the best player available because it's not enough rounds like in the NFL but I think it depends on the situation your team is in. If your a young team with a bunch of young talent like say Minnesota, Sacramento, or Golden State I say draft of need because there's already enough talent for your team to be competitive, now you just need depth and good role players which you can find in the draft. If your a team like the Charlotte or New Orleans no doubt take the best talent available for your team because mostly everyone on your team are scrubs anyway.

Edited March 6, 2012 by htownborn

[DunkinDerozan]

Take best player available unless its not much of a difference between the BPA and position of need.

[fish7718]

Should probably go best player available, you can find so many instances where teams screwed themselves drafting for need. That said, I'd still draft for need lol.