In a surprise move, Danny once again picked up a player in the late second round in a trade. Danny received Walker from the Wizards, who picked him 47th, for cash considerations. Walker is a 6'6", 235 lb small forward.
Last year Walker was projected as a lottery pick before suffering another ACL injury. He's still very explosive, with an NBA body. If he can stay healthy, this is a nice pickup. Reminds me of Leon Powe who Danny picked up from Denver at #49. Hopefully this pick works out as well as that one did.
Positives: Super athletic, versatile wing is a beast when he puts the ball on the floor and gets to the rim. Jumps out of the gym. Very quick. Good handle. Sees the floor well. Excellent perimeter shooter with deep range. Already possesses an NBA body.
Negatives: Three ACL injuries, one to his right knee in 2003 and one to his left in 2007, are the biggest knocks right now. He's struggled to lose all the weight he gained after his last injury and still doesn't seem 100 percent recovered. There was a time when scouts wondered a little about his ballhandling, but they say he's improved that weakness.
Danny can let him come along slowly and heal completely as he will be more important for the future than this coming season.
Semih Erden
With the 60th pick, Danny took Semih Erden of Turkey. Erden is a 7'1", 240 lb center and is 20 years old.
Erden plays for Ulker in Turkey. He averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg in 19 mpg in the Euroleague this year.
Positives: He is a skilled big man with decent athleticism and strength. He has the potential to develop a good pro body. He can be aggressive when he wants to be on the offensive end.
Negatives: He has been known to be very inconsistent. Has a reputation in Europe of not being a hard worker and can disappear on both ends of the floor.
Summary: Erden has talent and has been on the international scouts radar for years. He's slowly progressing as a player, but right now it's fair to say he's a project. Danny will more than likely keep him overseas and let him develop and possibly bring him over in a couple of years.
