Finding Drexler

[e_blazer]

It seems to me that Olshey has done a very good job of restocking the Blazers shelves with young talent. In fact, I think that the nucleus of Blazer players who can become a contender down the road is probably pretty well in place except for one major ingredient: that All-Star level wing player. It seems like that's a key piece in building a team that can contend over a long period of time.

Those '90s era teams built around Drexler were so much fun to watch and were good for so long. Yeah, there was this wing player in Chicago that was a notch or two better than Drexler who kept the Blazers from winning a title, but there's no doubt that team had all of the pieces that could have been a dynasty were it not for Jordan.

I'm not sure that the wing we need has to be at Drexler's level (those guys are few and far between), but he needs to be someone who can create his own shot and can penetrate and get to the hoop. Henderson is a nice player, but he's not THAT player. So, where does this team go to get that missing piece? Draft? Any guys likely to be available at say the 4th-6th pick level the Blazers are likely to end up with? I think we can all agree that free agency isn't likely to net the Blazers that guy. Trades for players of that level are hard to come by, but could happen if another of our young guys pans out and becomes a major trade asset.

So, where does this team go to find its Drexler?

 

[Schilly]

Draft. Or poaching a guy who hasn't proven it quickly enough and miraculously makes a huge leap.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I'm a big fan of demar derozan

 

[magnifier661]

I don't think that player really exists outside of LBJ (Is he still considered a wing), Kobe (on his last leg) and Klay (which is the new elit type wing).

I guess you can consider Harden as well, but his lackluster playoff outings really shell my enthusiasm

 

[e_blazer]

Draft. Or poaching a guy who hasn't proven it quickly enough and miraculously makes a huge leap.

I agree and I think that's what this trip to lottery land has to be about. I don't follow college ball closely enough to have any idea as to whether there are realistic targets available. Who's out there?

 

[magnifier661]

I'm a big fan of demar derozan

To be honest, I haven't paid much attention to him so any comments by me would be very uneducated.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Ben McLemore is the guy I want them to go after, but I'm not sure how they could reasonably get him.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Right now, I like Ben Simmons if he can play sf

 

[magnifier661]

Ben McLemore is the guy I want them to go after, but I'm not sure how they could reasonably get him.

I actually think Sac would definitely trade him. I don't think they consider him part of their future with the way they tried twice getting his replacement this summer.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I actually think Sac would definitely trade him. I don't think they consider him part of their future with the way they tried twice getting his replacement this summer.

Maybe, but for whom? The only other 2 guard they have right now is Belinelli. They need wing players as much as we do.

 

[magnifier661]

Maybe, but for whom? The only other 2 guard they have right now is Belinelli. They need wing players as much as we do.

I'm not quite sure. The only thing I'm certain of is they tried replacing him twice this summer. Maybe just Hedo alone could work? It seems they want to add experience?

 

[e_blazer]

What about Jaylen Brown in next year's draft?

 

[Nikolokolus]

For the Blazers if they want another Hall of Fame caliber player, then they almost certainly will have to draft him. It's very, very hard to make a trade for that kind of guy, and there's basically a nil chance of luring a free agent of that quality.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

P

What about Jaylen Brown in next year's draft?

he's projected as a sf and dude is only 6'6. I'd much rather target Ben Simmons who is 6'10 and seems fast enough to play sf

 

[e_blazer]

For the Blazers if they want another Hall of Fame caliber player, then they almost certainly will have to draft him. It's very, very hard to make a trade for that kind of guy, and there's basically a nil chance of luring a free agent of that quality.

I agree. Given that I'm hoping this is a one-year visit to the lottery, my question is whether that guy is likely to be found in this year's draft. From the mocks I've looked at so far, it looks pretty heavy with big men at the top. Jaylen Brown looks like the best shot.

 

[blue9]

Definitely agree that we need an elite wing player - that's where most championships are born. The problem is there aren't any elite wing players in the NBA. So I agree that we'll have to get lucky and draft one.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Fuck the lottery. Play to win, period.

 

[e_blazer]

Fuck the lottery. Play to win, period.

This year, given the youth on this team, playing to win and being in the lottery are not mutually exclusive things.

 

[Denny Crane]

I think a guy on his 3rd year of his rookie contract who scored double digits last season should be the target. Those guys are ready to step it up, and the Blazers' situation is ideal to get them the PT.

CJ and Leonard are a cut below that, but given more minutes are surely going to put up better numbers.

 

[BlazerWookee]

This year, given the youth on this team, playing to win and being in the lottery are not mutually exclusive things.

Rooting to win and rooting to be in the lottery are most certainly mutually exclusive things.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Fuck the lottery. Play to win, period.

You and I want the same things, but I want meaningful wins in June, not just 1st round exits from here to eternity.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I think a guy on his 3rd year of his rookie contract who scored double digits last season should be the target.

So, Oladipo, McLemore, KCP. or Shabazz.

 

[Denny Crane]

So, Oladipo, McLemore, KCP. or Shabazz.

I bet Shabazz can be had.

 

[Orion Bailey]

You and I want the same things, but I want meaningful wins in June, not just 1st round exits from here to eternity.

We have what... 7 or 8 lottery guys on the team now?

I am curious as to why so many people think that one more lottery will turn the corner? And if we don't we are doomed to mediocrity? The lottery this year for us, means little compared to most. We already have tons of prospects and that's all a lotto really is. There is nothing guaranteeing that if we get a lotto pick next year, they pan out as our second all star....or even a starting player for that matter...

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I bet Shabazz can be had.

Doubt it. Considering the improvement he saw in year 2, I think the Wolves see him as a core piece. Lavine/Muhammad/Wiggins/Towns/Dieng could be an absolutely filthy lineup.

 

[Denny Crane]

Doubt it. Considering the improvement he saw in year 2, I think the Wolves see him as a core piece.

I think they were trying to move him most of last season.

 

[magnifier661]

I think a guy on his 3rd year of his rookie contract who scored double digits last season should be the target. Those guys are ready to step it up, and the Blazers' situation is ideal to get them the PT.

CJ and Leonard are a cut below that, but given more minutes are surely going to put up better numbers.

1000% agree with this. That's where you can make the biggest impact

 

[Chris Craig]

Finding Drexler....A young athlete breaks into to the house of a retired hermit basketball star on a dare, and slowly forms a relationship and is mentored to become the next great player for the Portland TrailBlazers

 

[Natebishop3]

DeRozan. He's supposedly available.

 

[Nikolokolus]

We have what... 7 or 8 lottery guys on the team now?

I am curious as to why so many people think that one more lottery will turn the corner? And if we don't we are doomed to mediocrity? The lottery this year for us, means little compared to most. We already have tons of prospects and that's all a lotto really is. There is nothing guaranteeing that if we get a lotto pick next year, they pan out as our second all star....or even a starting player for that matter...

Because while some of those guys will probably turn out to be decent rotation quality players who seems to have real star potential? Vonleh is the only guy I look at and think that with another 3 or 4 years he might turn into something special, everybody else has had a few years and we've been able to start to make a few conclusions about them.

And don't get it twisted, I'm talking about players with bonafide, A+ quality, true MVP caliber game, which is what it takes to compete for a championship.