Possible dumb question about the NBA draft

[QuaoarsKing]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2010/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-Round2-100622<div>
</div><div>I've seen a few projections having JV going at pick 32 to the Thunder, who are after a big man. ESPN projects the Thunder to draft some European namedTibor Pleiss at the spot, but mentions that Pleiss plans to play in Europe for a couple more years before coming to the NBA.</div><div>
</div><div>Why would anyone use a draft pick on a guy that's not coming for a couple years? Does a team who drafts a foreign player have eternal rights to him,even if he doesn't sign for several years? It doesn't just reset next year? This is weird to me.</div>

 

[zerocooldog]

I think the NBA team gets 2 years of rights to the player should he not come over to play. This was discussed last year b/c Rubio decided to stay in Spain. So after two years he could re-enter the draft. If I am remembering this correctly.</p>

 

[lawdawg02]

They don't want you to develop on their bench. Limited minutes may impede development, and they'd rather have a sub who can give valuable minutes on the bench, not someone who is figuring out the/their game. The likelihood of a late draftee giving quality minutes in his first or second year isn't very high.

/I think.

 

[mstateglfr]

Tiago Splitter was drafted by the Spurs a couple years ago and though they have wanted him to come over earlier, it has allowed Splitter to develop more and come over and be an impact right away.

Its a really good idea for players that have potential since they can draft the player, not pay em for developing, then bring em in when they are good enough to compete.

There isnt much downside for teams that project to have a need for a certain type of player a couple years down the road to draft em late in the 2nd round and stash em overseas.
2nd round players, especially ones drafted 40th or later, have an incredibly low rate of sticking in the NBA for more than a few seasons. And thats if they make it at all.
So drafting some player you dont have to pay for while they improve in the 2nd round, especially later in it, is a smart move. If it has a high chance of being a wasted pick anyways, statistically speaking, then take a chance and draft someone you dont have to pay for.