1.   And what about those costly free agent upgrades and the talented rookie draft picks who were supposed to improve the defense and put this franchise in the post-season?

2.   He is just thrilled to be here, a first-round draft pick with a three-year contract, a starter in his homecoming Wednesday night.

3.   If that happens, the clubs could get Bledsoe without giving up draft picks.

4.   Other NBA teams have their first round draft picks in camp.

5.   Then Jones smartly chose to praise his first-ever draft pick.

6.   They said they would never again put themselves in position to lose a franchise player in exchange for a mere draft pick.

7.   This fusillade was foreseeable because after last Sunday, teams signing free agents no longer had to give up draft picks as compensation.

8.   This was a big deal in my competitive family, where we bid for our favorite ornaments as jealously as if we were drafting NFL picks.

9.   With the addition of Harvey Williams, draft pick Calvin Jones and Rathman, now they may have them.

10.   Coach Mike Fratello is a patient man and he has three no-name draft picks to help him prove it.