Game Thread Game # 64 - BLAZERS @ TIMBERWOLVES - MARCH 7, 2022 - MONDAY - 5:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

[Fairly-Hard]

I was being sarcastic

Sure sarcastic but it's a pretty good possibility they get the 7th pick or 8 or 9th pick.
The reality part is look at the draft. The Blazers don't need a guard. But the old rule is "Take the best player available". The Blazers will need to take the player of the most need. So they need a Power Forward.
This has all the makings of passing up a player that ends up an all star to get an often injured big man. Where have we seen that before?

 

[Jayblaze]

Chet will be a bust

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

He's certainly looking a lot more NBA ready than Johnson or Hughes. I guess Johnson has a lot more upside. Haven't seen much from Hughes yet but he hasn't played much.

 

[Hoopguru]

Definitely need one legit front court veteran star caliber player. Whats is it going to take to acquire one?
Besides moving Dame ( which I dont favor) imo, its going to take coupling one of the first round picks and one of the young up a coming star players, Naz or Ant/possibly Hart.
Cronin talked about making room to fill position needs and a star forward is that need.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Definitely need one legit front court veteran star caliber player. Whats is it going to take to acquire one?
Besides moving Dame ( which I dont favor) imo, its going to take coupling one of the first round picks and one of the young up a coming star players, Naz or Ant/possibly Hart.
Croning talk about making room to fill position needs and a star forward is that need.

If one or even both of the picks and one up and coming player gets them an All Star caliber PF then this tank will be worth it. I just don't see how that happens but I'm not the one on the phones and who is considered a cap expert.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Chet will be a bust

I forced myself to watch the Zags last night. Color me impressed.
As soon as I turned it on, in the first 30 seconds, he made a great block and great finish/dunk.
I get that physically he might look like many of the busts of the past......but damn the kid can play.
7-10, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 6 blocks.....I am really torn on this guy.

 

[Hoopguru]

If one or even both of the picks and one up and coming player gets them an All Star caliber PF then this tank will be worth it. I just don't see how that happens but I'm not the one on the phones and who is considered a cap expert.

Yeah, it takes two to deal. Neil I think had a hard time including players he drafted. Joe's looking for an opportunity to keep his job and has yet to draft anyone so, I bet he looks at any pick and player as an asset to build the roster at each position and keep his job as well.

 

[Scalma]

He's certainly looking a lot more NBA ready than Johnson or Hughes. I guess Johnson has a lot more upside. Haven't seen much from Hughes yet but he hasn't played much.

Yeah Keon is three years younger than Brandon so he’s got time. Hughes hasn’t really flashed anything. It’s still relatively early but I’d be surprised at this stage if he’s on the active roster next year. Same with Elleby. Both are still eligible for a two way though.

Brandons story is kinda wild. Before this season he hadn’t played competitively in over two years. To even make it this far is an accomplishment. To look like a legit scorer at the highest level is eye opening.

 

[Chris Craig]

Sure sarcastic but it's a pretty good possibility they get the 7th pick or 8 or 9th pick.
The reality part is look at the draft. The Blazers don't need a guard. But the old rule is "Take the best player available". The Blazers will need to take the player of the most need. So they need a Power Forward.
This has all the makings of passing up a player that ends up an all star to get an often injured big man. Where have we seen that before?

The reality is outside the top three, this draft is weak as shit.

That is why many aren't happy with the the Blazers tanking. If it was a deep draft it would be something to be excited about. There would be some prospect to it. As it is, the Blazers are trying to tank to get the best chance at getting a top three pick, but really they will get to maybe 6th, which is only a 9% chance at the top pick.

If the Blazers don't get a top three and land Smith or Banchero, then there isn't much to be excited about draft wise. The Blazers will probably trade their pick if they don't make the top three for an established player.

 

[Hoopguru]

It's Dame time dudes! Joe, Chauncey and Dame are going to orchestrate both Trades and FA signings of veterans. We don't need to add several more youngsters to ones we already have to give Dame a 3 year period.

 

[illmatic99]

The reality is outside the top three, this draft is weak as shit.

this is said ad nauseum before every draft and always ends up being wrong. High caliber talents (imo) after top 5:

2021:
#7- Kuminga
#8- Wagner
#13- Duarte
#14- Moody
#16- Sengun
#27- Thomas


2020:
#12- Haliburton
#19- Bey
#21- Maxey
#30- Bane

2019:
#11- Cam Johnson
#13- Herro
#20- Thybulle
#29- Keldon Johnson

 

[illmatic99]

I forced myself to watch the Zags last night. Color me impressed.
As soon as I turned it on, in the first 30 seconds, he made a great block and great finish/dunk.
I get that physically he might look like many of the busts of the past......but damn the kid can play.
7-10, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 6 blocks.....I am really torn on this guy.

consider the competition.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

The Blazers will probably trade their pick if they don't make the top three for an established player.

If it's not top 3 that IMO is the only way to go. Work a deal for a draft and trade or something?
I just hope they take best player available. No projects and no hoping he can stay healthy stuff.