I do have a reflection on the value of a draft pick transferred into a later year. I have not read the entire thread carefully, and if someone has already made this point, please just disregard this.
In some ways a draft pick is like money. We all know that it's better to have a sum of money now than the same sum of money at some point in the future.
Money, however, does not just disappear after four years, and the rights to a player do. I suggest that a draft pick is somewhat like having won (in some sort of lottery perhaps) the right to a free car for four years. You can start the four years now, or a year from now, or even two years. (Drafted players are, of course, not free, but they may well be less expensive than they would be on the open market.)
If you don't have a car, but need one, perhaps you start the four years now. If you have a car that will last for a year or two, perhaps you put off starting the four years for a year or two. You get the same four years in either case. If you can get paid to start the four years later, that is even better. And if you will get an even better car a year from now...
In some ways a draft pick is like money. We all know that it's better to have a sum of money now than the same sum of money at some point in the future.
Money, however, does not just disappear after four years, and the rights to a player do. I suggest that a draft pick is somewhat like having won (in some sort of lottery perhaps) the right to a free car for four years. You can start the four years now, or a year from now, or even two years. (Drafted players are, of course, not free, but they may well be less expensive than they would be on the open market.)
If you don't have a car, but need one, perhaps you start the four years now. If you have a car that will last for a year or two, perhaps you put off starting the four years for a year or two. You get the same four years in either case. If you can get paid to start the four years later, that is even better. And if you will get an even better car a year from now...
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