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Back when college players stayed in school for four years, the draft was hugely important. Back when general managers didnt seem to get dumber by the year, the draft mattered. Back when the finances of the NBA werent such that half the teams were simply looking to trade and shed salaries, the draft mattered.

The draft still matters, just not as much as it used to. So, in a day and age when players are younger, management is increasingly fixing its own mistakes and the draft is thinned out considerably, it makes sense that the most important move surrounding the draft had nothing to do with a player in the draft.

When pundits were calling this the Summer of LeBron, they didnt just mean that teams would be courting the future hall of famer. They meant that, until he signed with a team, almost all of the major moves in basketball would concern the man from Ohio. The draft was no exception. The biggest news on draft night? Not the fact that John Wall went number one. Not the fact that Kentucky saw five players hit the big time. Not Wesley Johnsons pants or Kevin Pritchard being fired an hour before the draft and still being forced to draft for the Portland Trailblazers. The biggest news of the draft was the player who never went to college and was drafted seven years ago.

Thursday before the draft, the Chicago Bulls traded Kirk Hinrich and his $9 million annual salary, along with the number 17 pick to the Washington Wizards for a future second-round pick. This isnt big news because the Bulls are targeting a super sleeper in the years to come; it is big news because this move means the Bulls are likely now only about $1.5 million away from being able to sign two free agents to max deals. Those free agents? LeBron James and Chris Bosh. How does Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, James, Bosh and Joakim Noah sounds as a starting five? Sounds like an all-star team to me. It also sounds like a move that would make every draft choice in this draft or the next three drafts completely irrelevant.

Not to be outdone by the Bulls, the Miami Heat traded shooting guard Daequan Cook and the number 18 pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 32 pick. That keeps the Heat from having to pay a first round pick and rids them of Cooks $2.2 million salary. What does that mean? You guessed it, the Heat are now just a Michael Beasley trade away from being able to go after two max contract free agents, as well. Mr. Bosh and Mr. James should have a nice July jet setting from Miami to Chicago.

As for teams that are trying the old-fashioned way to acquire players through the draft, lets take a quick look at the top 10 picks.

Washington: John Wall was the undisputed number one pick. His leadership, size and skill will make him the Darling of the District. But he wont be getting much help except maybe Joe Johnson via free agency.

Philadelphia: If Evan Turner had a little more athleticism, he may have been able to edge out Wall here. He was the best college basketball player last year.
New Jersey: The Nets were heartbroken when they did not win the lottery and a better chance to go after James. While Derrick Favors has a lot of potential, I dont think he is the splash new Nets ownership is looking for. I imagine they will try and package him in a trade in the months to come.
 
Minnesota: At least Wolves GM David Kahn didnt draft another point guard. But with his pick of Wesley Johnson and trade for Martell Webster, he now has a glut of small forwards. Well, at least Syracuse fans will love the Wolves.

Sacramento: Arguably the best player in the draft, DeMarcus Cousins could end up proving to be a star in the league or bust flat due to a bad attitude. With bulldog assistant Mario Elie on the bench and fellow former Wildcat Tyreke Evans at guard, however, it is a risk the Kings are happy to take.

Golden State: The first confusing pick of the draft, which makes sense considering Don Nelson is running the Warriors ship. Ekpe Udo should provide length, athleticism and shot blocking, but it seems they already have that in Golden State. Add to the fact that Udo is already 23, and you gotta figure hes already met the bulk of his potential. Weird choice.

Detroit: The Pistons wanted badly to move up in the draft, but had to settle for Greg Monroe. He is a skilled big man and almost seven feet tall. However, he seems to thrive better in the half court than in transition, and this looks to be a Pistons team that needs to get out and run. Will be interesting to see how he adjusts.

Los Angeles Clippers: The Clip Show picked the best athlete and player on the board in Al-Farouq Aminu, even if he did look like Steve Urkel on Thursday night. If he can find a role on this young squad, he could help them immediately.
 
Utah: How shocking is it to see Utah take the best white American in the draft? Gordon Hayward is going to be a pimp in Salt Lake, or at least he could if, you know, people there had sex. Im not so sure about this guy, though. I wouldnt call him the second coming of Jeff Hornacek or even Matt Harpring. He shot pretty poorly from three his last year in college. I wonder if fans in SLC will turn once hes not the second coming of Larry Bird.

Indiana: The Pacers have made a habit of drafting very safely ever since the Ron Artest brawl in Detroit. Maybe with only a year left on his contract, GM Larry Bird decided to play it fast and loose. He did that with Paul George of Fresno St. The catch: He could be the next Penny Hardaway or he could be the next Penny Hardaway. Which incarnation he becomes will determine whether Bird drained a three or shot an air ball.