Freeland and Claver invited to consider playing in Portland next season, maybe

[MickZagger]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...and_and_victor_claver_will_factor_into_t.html

The former first-round draft picks have spent the past few seasons in the Spanish ACB League developing their games and preparing for a move to the world's highest level of basketball, and it appears the time to make that move finally has arrived. Two members of the Blazers' front office, Joe Cronin and Steve Rosenberry, traveled to Europe last week to visit the duo, and both expressed a desire to make the leap to the NBA next season.

"We'd really like to bring them both over," Blazers interim general manager Chad Buchanan said. "We're going to be aggressive to get them signed and get them in a Blazers uniform next season. Any deal will have to make sense for Joel, for Victor and for the Blazers and our offseason plans. But if we had a choice, we'd like to get them both

 

[blazedanugz]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

maybe freeland was who chad was talking about when he said they were looking at "mid-level big men" in free agency. risk/reward factor could pay off...or it could kill us. I think it would be exciting if they both came tho. claver could be backup SF which is definitely a hole.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

yes please, lets see what we got

 

[Nikolokolus]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Freeland is somewhat intriguing but the intermittent reports I've read on Claver don't exactly get my hopes up ... whatever, might as well take a look I guess.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Free Freeland!! I'll be very excited for summer league if he joins the team in Vegas!

 

[PapaG]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

They've been invited to summer league every season since they were drafted. Accepting it is what matters.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

The most important thing (now) is hiring a coach who actually cares about developing prospects.

I'm high on Freeland -- Instant impact guy.

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Freeland: yes!

Claver: meh

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Freeland: yes!

Claver: meh

I agree except that Claver may yet develop.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

My hopes for Claver died when Kyle Singler thrashed him earlier this season.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Btw, both have different options but what are the chances we trade one (or both) on draft night?

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Btw, both have different options but what are the chances we trade one (or both) on draft night?

Who knows... hopefully we'll have a GM before the draft so we can put together some kind of plan (scary thought).

 

[jlprk]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

We want both to succeed (win-win), but bringing them in in the same season makes win-lose inevitable. The two big men will just compete against each other. I wish we still had Koponen, to bring in the same year as Freeland. Claver can wait.

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

We want both to succeed (win-win), but bringing them in in the same season makes win-lose inevitable. The two big men will just compete against each other. I wish we still had Koponen, to bring in the same year as Freeland. Claver can wait.

One is a small forward and the other is a power forward/center...

 

[Blaze01]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

The roster as it currently stands is so lacking in talent....bring them both over and see what you got....

I expect a LOT of young new faces next year....

Freeland, Claver, Diebler?

Both 1st round picks and 1 or 2 2nd round picks

Plus 1-2 new Free agents...

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

The roster as it currently stands is so lacking in talent....bring them both over and see what you got....

I expect a LOT of young new faces next year....

Freeland, Claver, Diebler?

Both 1st round picks and 1 or 2 2nd round picks

Plus 1-2 new Free agents...

Unless they accept the minimum or we come up empty in free agency, I don't see how we're going to sign these guys for next season.

 

[jlprk]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

One is a small forward and the other is a power forward/center...

Claver's mediocre in Europe and 6-9 1/2, 236. You think he'll be an NBA small forward?

 

[Natebishop3]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Claver's mediocre in Europe and 6-9 1/2, 236. You think he'll be an NBA small forward?

I think he'll challenge Babbitt for benchwarmer of the year.

 

[jlprk]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

We need leaping ability.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Claver's mediocre in Europe and 6-9 1/2, 236. You think he'll be an NBA small forward?

Those are measurements w/o shoes so that's, what, pushing 6'11" with?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

This is great news. Summer league is the best place for role players. It should also stop people from proclaiming Freeland as a starter

 

[Mediocre Man]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

maybe freeland was who chad was talking about when he said they were looking at "mid-level big men" in free agency. risk/reward factor could pay off...or it could kill us. I think it would be exciting if they both came tho. claver could be backup SF which is definitely a hole.

There is one particular mid level big man I hope the Blazers jump on at 12:01 am when FA can be contacted. I will leave it at that. Feel free to guess

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

There is one particular mid level big man I hope the Blazers jump on at 12:01 am when FA can be contacted. I will leave it at that. Feel free to guess

guess which big man you hope the blazers target?

the suspense is killing me!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

guess which big man you hope the blazers target?

the suspense is killing me!

This will be a fun game. You have to embrace like it's Mrs HCP during a road trip

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: Freeland and Claver invited to Summer League

Your thread title is wrong. There's no mention of Summer League, and neither would be there because both will be preparing/playing for their national teams' games in the London Olympics.

 

[THE HCP]

Don't know a thing about either player. Who are there games compared to..... NBA wise?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Don't know a thing about either player. Who are there games compared to..... NBA wise?

Freeland:

Size: 6'11" 255 lbs.
Mid-range jumper
Solid post game
High basketball IQ
24 years old

[video=youtube;lDE2wzz027w]

Last summer he toyed around with Ibaka as you can see here ^

“He's the best big in Europe,” one scout in Europe told Beyond the Beat.

“He’s equipped not just with his physical build, but his efficiency, skills and disposition. He does everything you want in a big over here. Plus, he can play both the 4 and 5, but will be a solid 5 in the NBA.”

What kind of player could Joel Freeland be for Portland and playing alongside LaMarcus Aldridge?

“He really knows how to get position, he sets up deep, and then scores over both shoulders. And he is deceptively quick when pivoting and spinning off his man. He's a beast,” the scout continued.

“Freeland is quick and mobile for his size over here. Defending those athletic and perimeter-based power forwards might be tough, but that’s why he’d be good fit at center.

"Obviously, the NBA is a different style but he's still a big-time player.”

LINK​

 

[THE HCP]

6'11" 255...... Is he a soft Euro or a banger? Can he play center or would he back up LA?

 

[THE HCP]

Never mind , just read your link.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

hes gonna like portland, because he is weird