Haynes identifies four prospects

[Fez Hammersticks]

CSNNW.com has learned the Portland Trail Blazers are high on Weber State's point guard Damian Lillard, University of Illinois' center Meyers Leonard, North Carolina's wing Harrison Barnes, and Kentucky's wing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

All will be there at #6 except MKG.

Interesting...

 

[julius]

All will be there at #6 except MKG.

Interesting...

I think Harrison is the only one who would be good at 6 (who might be available at 6).

 

[THE HCP]

Barnes at 6

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

With their stocks rising we'd likely have to trade up from both spots.

MKG/Leonard
Barnes/Lillard

 

[Reep]

Barnes at 6

Do you like Barnes? Why? Do you think he had more to offer than he showed last year?

 

[Rhal]

I really dont like the fact that 2 of the 4 play positions we already have an above average starter at. Still on the move up to draft Trobb all the way.

 

[THE HCP]

Do you like Barnes? Why? Do you think he had more to offer than he showed last year?

I'm just thinking BPA.

 

[RoyToy]

Meyers Leonard

[video=youtube;1ytCEuuW2_A]://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A[/video]

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I really dont like the fact that 2 of the 4 play positions we already have an above average starter at. Still on the move up to draft Trobb all the way.

Same here.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Anyone else get the sense that if they do trade up it'll be for MKG and not T-Rob?

But then again, smokescreens are abundant right now.

 

[RoyToy]

MKG is much cheaper than Batum

And will likely be a better player, too

 

[RR7]

MKG and Batum can play 2 and 3 together just fine. Of course, makes us extremely dependant on PG play. I hate building that way. But, BPA.

 

[julius]

Anyone else get the sense that if they do trade up it'll be for MKG and not T-Rob?

But then again, smokescreens are abundant right now.

I get the sense that the team will not trade up or down and will pick at 6 and 11.

 

[RoyToy]

I will lose it if this team takes one of

Zeller
Henson
Leonard

 

[RedHotRollin]

I think they need to wait til the 11th pick to take the point guard. If they need to move up in fear of someone grabbing him. Then move up.

 

[42N8Bounce]

I certainly don't understand the fascination with Meyers Leonard. Is it just that Portland needs a center, and there's a shortage of proven quality centers in this draft?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I get the sense that the team will not trade up or down and will pick at 6 and 11.

That would be a mistake IMO.

It's no secret, at least to the scouts Bucher talked to, that the next two drafts are going to be weak.

Having two picks in a top-heavy draft is a nice tool to have and if you don't trade up for the better prospect, that's a mistake.

One of T-Rob or MKG is better than the combo you'd likely get at #6/#11.

 

[julius]

That would be a mistake IMO.

It's no secret, at least to the scouts Bucher talked to, that the next two drafts are going to be weak.

Having two picks in a top-heavy draft is a nice tool to have and if you don't trade up for the better prospect, that's a mistake.

One of T-Rob or MKG is better than the combo you'd likely get at #6/#11.

you realize that same information is available to other teams, right?

Why would a team trade out of his draft if next year (and the year after) will be weaker drafts?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

you realize that same information is available to other teams, right?

Why would a team trade out of his draft if next year (and the year after) will be weaker drafts?

Yeah, but no other team has a better pick combo to offer the Bobcats, Wizards, Cavs.

 

[julius]

Yeah, but no other team has a better pick combo to offer the Bobcats, Wizards, Cavs.

so the logic is that the Bobcats, #2 in the draft, will want 6 and 11 more than 2?

so why wouldn't the Blazers want 6 and 11 if they're better than 2?

 

[THE HCP]

True Blood just started!!!!! I'm sooooooo GAY!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

so the logic is that the Bobcats, #2 in the draft, will want 6 and 11 more than 2?

so why wouldn't the Blazers want 6 and 11 if they're better than 2?

If rumors are true, the Bobcats are shopping this pick for more depth.

The exact opposite of what I'd like to see the Blazers do: Quality/quantity

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

For some reason this thread made me think maybe it's time for Batum to go. Golden State is rumored to want to trade picks for a good young small forward. They have the 7th and the 30th plus a couple 2nd rounders. maybe we could work it so we got three of those four guys that the Blazers (may) have targeted in the draft. If the Blazers were thinking like this, it might explain why they are looking at a SF in the draft (or it could just be because they know they can play Nic at the 2). Anyway, this would be a semi-blowup; get rid of the guy who really isn't that much of a contributor, keep the allstar so they don't totally lose the fanbase and hope that some of these guys can be really good before Aldridge gets too old. Olshey's talk about Batum being a cornerstone could just be to drive up his value.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'm just thinking BPA.

I agree. It is easy to fall into the trap of drafting for our current needs. But then in 3-4 years our needs can easily change and we start looking back on those we passed on.

Now of course if we think the players in question are totally eqaul in terms of talent then we might as well go with position of need, but as difficult as it might be, we need to draft BPA.

 

[South East]

That would be a mistake IMO.

It's no secret, at least to the scouts Bucher talked to, that the next two drafts are going to be weak.

Having two picks in a top-heavy draft is a nice tool to have and if you don't trade up for the better prospect, that's a mistake.

One of T-Rob or MKG is better than the combo you'd likely get at #6/#11.

I just don't like MKG as a top 6 pick especially for the Blazers. His offense is so shaky and inconsistent that bringing in another player like that won't help that much. That leaves a wing rotation of Batum, MKG and Matthews. There is no play making there and at best inconsistent outside shooting at best. They would be really good defensively but you can't win if you don't score and these playoffs are proving out that you need a couple of 2-3 play makers to win in the playoffs.

 

[South East]

I agree. It is easy to fall into the trap of drafting for our current needs. But then in 3-4 years our needs can easily change and we start looking back on those we passed on.

Now of course if we think the players in question are totally eqaul in terms of talent then we might as well go with position of need, but as difficult as it might be, we need to draft BPA.

I think this is going to be very unusual draft in that the 2nd and third players taken may not be considered the 2nd and 3rd best players by a majority of people. They are so close talent wise it's going to come down to how a player fits with a team.

My biggest hope is that the Blazers identify what they want and go get it. There will be players that will be very good from this draft and if the Blazers identify who those players are then go get them. Don't wait around and take what other people didn't want unless that is who you want. If the Blazers are sold on Barnes then I think they can stay at 6 and pick him up. If they think Robinson is a difference maker in the NBA then go get him. The thing that is a positive is Paul Allen has always shown the willingness to help out any way possible to get things done. I think the Blazers need to just be really aggressive and go get who/what they want.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I just don't like MKG as a top 6 pick especially for the Blazers. His offense is so shaky and inconsistent that bringing in another player like that won't help that much. That leaves a wing rotation of Batum, MKG and Matthews. There is no play making there and at best inconsistent outside shooting at best. They would be really good defensively but you can't win if you don't score and these playoffs are proving out that you need a couple of 2-3 play makers to win in the playoffs.

I agree with what you are saying here. We need scorers. And we need players who can create their own shot. I know there is another thread that asks who those players might be. I think Rivers and Lillard are two good optios. But on the other hand if the Blazers really feel that MKG has other great qualities then they would have to take him at 6. They aren't going anywhere next year. They can always trade Batum if MKG works out.

 

[THE HCP]

^ Or slide Nic to the SG

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

True Blood just started!!!!! I'm sooooooo GAY!

Yeah, duh. Ya think?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Please not Barnes or Leonard at 6 ... ugh, talk about underwhelming. Lillard I can at least live with, but even then his small school, score-first resume' scares the hell out of me ... MKG might be really good, but I'm not sure I like how he fits in with Nic, LMA, etc.

I'm glad I'm not picking.