This draft might be "weak" but I think it might be one of the best drafts for guys who "might" turn in something without a true headline player ala Wemby. This along with the new CBA and new TV contract in the next year or two the Blazers IF they play it right could take advantage of the market. Let's take this year for example not many "impact" free agents and too be honest only one and that is George and he is a wild card in the truest sense of the word since he could return to LA or heck he might choose to accept a little less money IF it means a chance for a ring we have no idea. This is where my opinion of Cronin clashes cause we need a GM who can pounce on the opening and desperation the Sixers and maybe a couple other teams might have and can pawn Grant off for a small killing. The only thing I know for a FACT is this offseason and maybe the next will be the lynch pin in how this rebuild goes and will this team be stuck in the mud for years and years or will they rise up in less then 3 to 5 years and be a factor in the wild wild west where the competition is only getting more fierce by the season.
The Sixers probably will be spending a bunch of cap space to retain certain players and might not be able to afford Grant.
I agree, though. Grant is probably worth something to, say, the Mavericks since he completes their roster. Probably two first rounders for 26 and 28 and a second round pick.
seems like the blazers only take high upside high risk projects.
If the rumors are true and Portland wants Clingan, that appears not to be the case. Of course, that's only if you believe Clingan is akin to a Brad Daugherty type, offensively, (Gobert-lite on defense) or current DeAndre Ayton but more consistent and competitive on both ends (less athletic though).
In all honesty, I feel that the player who most has "the best player of the draft" potential is Reed Sheppard due to his combination of shooting+defense+IQ and though he probably will contribute right away, he still will take some time to adjust. If Portland wants to trade one of Simons or Scoot for the Rockets #3 and acquire Sheppard that way, I think that might be what you're looking for, where their game is already mature and helps contribute right away due to intangible traits.
To a degree, Edey is similar but probably in more limited bouts - bench scoring, for example.
Personally, I'd trade everyone on the roster except Sharpe for a chance to draft Sheppard+Williams+Edey (or Ware) and shape the roster to go after one of Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, AJ Dybantsa, and maybe Cam Boozer in the following two years. If Portland can somehow acquire Sheppard+Sharpe+Williams+a 2025 or 2026 Top 2 pick+Ayton/Edey (or Ware)......I think Portland will be able to notch one championship by 2030. That'd be a team with two way potential at the 1-5.
We'll see how that prediction looks like in a few years but my point is that if Portland retools itself by taking advantage of the "weak draft" hype, I think it can find itself in a similar situation to OKC where the window just opens up while everyone is incredibly young.
