I am all for trading out of this draft...First off: It's a weak ass draft...

[BigGameDamian]

secondly: The Blazers are already one of the youngest teams in the NBA...Thirdly: The Blazers are in fear of losing Aldridge and I highly doubt a draft pick will do a damn thing.Unless we got Nerlens Noel and he stayed healthy or Ben McLemore who is the only player I would get excited about. Those two are HIGHLY DOUBTFUL. I just don't think we NEED anyone in this draft.

 

[KingSpeed]

Shabazz and Olynyk could be good.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Shabazz and Olynyk could be good.

I just don't understand the logic of drafting players when you already are one of the youngest teams in the NBA, Your fearful of losing your franchise player and he says he wants to play alongside a good veteran center. especially in a waek draft.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Huh?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

In a weak draft, I don't think the #10 pick has a lot of value.

 

[BigGameDamian]

In a weak draft, I don't think the #10 pick has a lot of value.

I'm sure it would to rebuilding teams and I thought Paul Allen said he didn't want another rebuilding team.

 

[BigGameDamian]

How about we just get younger each year and see if we can make the playoffs.

 

[julius]

I agree, this is a weak draft. the Blazers should trade out because why get themselv.

ses a young talented player for cheap when they could trade for a mid level quality player.

 

[Rhal]

in a draft like this there are a few players I wouldn't be upset with if we drafted but I'd still like to move the pick but what can we get for it is a real big question. I do think we are looking for improvement now and not later due to LA's extension/new contract coming up and PA's desire to win.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Shabazz and Olynyk could be good.

Shabazz would be lucky to be starting for the Idaho Stampede.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

The NBA draft is the best shot a small city franchise has at netting a star. I remember folks were saying the same thing last draft and we pulled Damian Lillard who is our franchise player less than a year later. The draft that netted us Roy and Aldridge has proven to be weak too, but there is usually star quality players available throughout the draft. I hope Olshey and company are doing their homework.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Shabazz would be lucky to be starting for the Idaho Stampede.

Let's say you are right and this draft is really weak, what type of value are you going to get for the pick? For guys who could not start in the D league?

 

[KingSpeed]

I just don't understand the logic of drafting players when you already are one of the youngest teams in the NBA, Your fearful of losing your franchise player and he says he wants to play alongside a good veteran center. especially in a waek draft.

They're aren't many good veteran centers out there whether he wants to play with one or not.

 

[BigGameDamian]

They're aren't many good veteran centers out there whether he wants to play with one or not.

What I'm saying is if a team like PHX or HOU will consider trading a guy like Gortat or Asik for the 10th pick and more that should be your #1 option. Not a draft pick. Your probably not going to get a better center out of this draft than what DeAndre Jordan is anyway outside of Nerlens Noel. Kelly Olynyk won't be a defensive center he will be another Bargnani.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Right now, the top priority is adding TALENT, not experience.

I would hate to see the team just give up on the draft - but I would be ok with them trading down. Let other teams chase after "project" big men and use the pick on a useful wingman (EG Crabbe, Hardaway, Rice).

 

[Rhal]

Right now, the top priority is adding TALENT, not experience.

I would hate to see the team just give up on the draft - but I would be ok with them trading down. Let other teams chase after "project" big men and use the pick on a useful wingman (EG Crabbe, Hardaway, Rice).

I think you mean young talent because trading the pick for a vet in their prime or just past it will most likely net you more talent with how often teams draft busts in the lottery.
I'd like to leave the day with us trading away the #10 for asik/gortat and then trading back into the first at around 15-20 to nab tim hardaway jr but that's not happening.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Pinwheel1]

Right now, the top priority is adding TALENT, not experience.

I would hate to see the team just give up on the draft - but I would be ok with them trading down. Let other teams chase after "project" big men and use the pick on a useful wingman (EG Crabbe, Hardaway, Rice).

Yeah I agree you can't give up on the draft. And the big men we want to trade for were pretty much all projects at one point. I think we are all in agreement that if it took including the #10 pick in a trade for a "good" starter then we would do it.

But with a 15 man roster, I see no reason in always having young guys on the team that we are developing. The way the draft is these days where players leave early, you have to utilize the D league and develop young assets to use later, either to play or trade.

I know we all want an instant transformation of the team, but I think we can do both. Get good players now and develop ones for later.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If they get an offer for the tenth pick that is too good to pass up then fine, but that's not likely to happen given the structure of the new CBA, that rewards teams for managing their cap and getting contributions from cheap talent (i.e. players on their rookie scale deal).

 

[craigehlo]

Golden State is the new model for rebuilding. Draft smart and you can content quickly.

I think we can get a player of the caliber of Harrison Barnes Klay Thompson at #10.

 

[santeesioux]

If it's such a weak ass draft, why would any team give up any decent players for the tenth pick?

 

[BigGameDamian]

Right now, the top priority is adding TALENT, not experience.

I would hate to see the team just give up on the draft - but I would be ok with them trading down. Let other teams chase after "project" big men and use the pick on a useful wingman (EG Crabbe, Hardaway, Rice).

Well, I disagree. The only players I would be interested in out of this draft is Ben Mclemore, Nerlens Noel, maybe Cody Zeller an if Shabazz is all that he will go top or 5. I don't see anyone outside of those players pushing the Blazers to the next level but go do your homework.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Well, I disagree. The only players I would be interested in out of this draft is Ben Mclemore, Nerlens Noel, maybe Cody Zeller an if Shabazz is all that he will go top or 5. I don't see anyone outside of those players pushing the Blazers to the next level but go do your homework.

If by "pushing the Blazers to the next level" you mean a guy who is going to be a franchise player then no, there's nobody like that in this draft (at any spot) but to say that there's nobody who could help boost this team's overall talent level and depth (cheaply!) -- particularly at the guard spots -- then you're likely wrong. The Brandon Roy-LMA draft class was seen as being particularly weak and plenty of contributors came out of that one.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Yeah, I'm gonna disagree with the thread premise. It may be a "weak draft" (TM) but there are literally a couple of dozen players that I think would've made our team last year (and would next year).

Who would you rather have, Freeland or Zeller/Olynyk? Pavlovic or Shabazz? Ronnie Price or Caldwell-Pope? Nolan Smith or Nate Wolters? Jared Jeffries or Gobert/Withey/etc.?

The "youth" thing doesn't make your point well, either. GSW just went to the 2nd round playing a lot of Curry (2009), Thompson (2011), Barnes (2012), Ezeli (2012), Green (2012), etc. It's talent that wins, whether you're as old as Tim Duncan or young as Steph Curry.

I had been leaning this way, but it's getting stronger each day/combine/drill/measurement, to not only keep our pick but to embrace this draft. Trade LMA for Thompson/3/19 and see what you can get for Wes. Use 3/10/19/39/40/45 to get a mixture of young difference-makers and role players to start building this team back up.

Just spit-balling to say you keep Dame/X/Batum/Thompson/X with Leonard, Claver, Barton, Freeland, Papanikolou (maybe Wes?) on the bench. If you can add:

3: McLemore or Oladipo or Porter (assuming Noel's gone)
10: Zeller/Olynyk/Gobert/(Shabazz if you picked Porter and Wes isn't going to be here)
19: Adetokuombo or Saric
39: Wolters
40: Jamaal Franklin
45: Muscala

You end up with the following:

Dame/Wolters/x
(McLemore or Oladipo or Shabazz)/Barton/Franklin
Batum/(maybe Porter?)/Claver
Thompson/(Olynyk or Zeller)/Papanikolou/Muscala
X/Leonard (or Gobert)

And you'd have roughly 20M in cash for free agents and the rights to Saric/Adetokuonbo. If you can't get who you want in FA, play the younguns. If they have growing pains, next year's draft is supposed to be loaded. But I think they have talent, they can be put into roles where they can flourish, and you have team control for a long, long time.

 

[magnifier661]

Yeah, I'm gonna disagree with the thread premise. It may be a "weak draft" (TM) but there are literally a couple of dozen players that I think would've made our team last year (and would next year).

Who would you rather have, Freeland or Zeller/Olynyk? Pavlovic or Shabazz? Ronnie Price or Caldwell-Pope? Nolan Smith or Nate Wolters? Jared Jeffries or Gobert/Withey/etc.?

The "youth" thing doesn't make your point well, either. GSW just went to the 2nd round playing a lot of Curry (2009), Thompson (2011), Barnes (2012), Ezeli (2012), Green (2012), etc. It's talent that wins, whether you're as old as Tim Duncan or young as Steph Curry.

I had been leaning this way, but it's getting stronger each day/combine/drill/measurement, to not only keep our pick but to embrace this draft. Trade LMA for Thompson/3/19 and see what you can get for Wes. Use 3/10/19/39/40/45 to get a mixture of young difference-makers and role players to start building this team back up.

Just spit-balling to say you keep Dame/X/Batum/Thompson/X with Leonard, Claver, Barton, Freeland, Papanikolou (maybe Wes?) on the bench. If you can add:

3: McLemore or Oladipo or Porter (assuming Noel's gone)
10: Zeller/Olynyk/Gobert/(Shabazz if you picked Porter and Wes isn't going to be here)
19: Adetokuombo or Saric
39: Wolters
40: Jamaal Franklin
45: Muscala

You end up with the following:

Dame/Wolters/x
(McLemore or Oladipo or Shabazz)/Barton/Franklin
Batum/(maybe Porter?)/Claver
Thompson/(Olynyk or Zeller)/Papanikolou/Muscala
X/Leonard (or Gobert)

And you'd have roughly 20M in cash for free agents and the rights to Saric/Adetokuonbo. If you can't get who you want in FA, play the younguns. If they have growing pains, next year's draft is supposed to be loaded. But I think they have talent, they can be put into roles where they can flourish, and you have team control for a long, long time.

Lmao you talk about keeping talent; then make a "trade lma for Thompson". Lol!!!

Everything else makes a ton of sense though.

 

[oldmangrouch]

If by "pushing the Blazers to the next level" you mean a guy who is going to be a franchise player then no, there's nobody like that in this draft (at any spot) but to say that there's nobody who could help boost this team's overall talent level and depth (cheaply!) -- particularly at the guard spots -- then you're likely wrong. The Brandon Roy-LMA draft class was seen as being particularly weak and plenty of contributors came out of that one.

I agree. Everyone is getting too focused on the lack of quality big men.

 

[BrianFromWA]

If you think somehow that we're "keeping (LMA's) talent" for more than 23 more months, i don't know what to tell you. And I don't think that GIVING UP (?!?!) assets like a lotto pick in a poor and unsustainable attempt to try to get him to stay (with no guarantees) is a worthwhile endeavor. Put another way....the #3 picks from the last decade are:

Bradley Beal (who would start for us)
Enes Kanter (who would start for us)
Derrick Favors (probably wouldn't start, but decent young player)
James Harden (duh)
OJ Mayo
Al Horford
A_am Morrison (ok, so don't pick Morrison)
Deron
Ben Gordon
Melo
Pau Gasol

Would you rather have one of those guys for the next 8-9 years (AND the #19 pick), or 23 more months of the difference between LMA and Thompson on a team that's only making a difference if you cash in on your hope can bring in someone with the #10 pick and cap space?

 

[magnifier661]

If you think somehow that we're "keeping (LMA's) talent" for more than 23 more months, i don't know what to tell you. And I don't think that GIVING UP (?!?!) assets like a lotto pick in a poor and unsustainable attempt to try to get him to stay (with no guarantees) is a worthwhile endeavor. Put another way....the #3 picks from the last decade are:

Bradley Beal (who would start for us)
Enes Kanter (who would start for us)
Derrick Favors (probably wouldn't start, but decent young player)
James Harden (duh)
OJ Mayo
Al Horford
A_am Morrison (ok, so don't pick Morrison)
Deron
Ben Gordon
Melo
Pau Gasol

Would you rather have one of those guys for the next 8-9 years (AND the #19 pick), or 23 more months of the difference between LMA and Thompson on a team that's only making a difference if you cash in on your hope can bring in someone with the #10 pick and cap space?

I have no doubt that Aldridge will stay a Blazer until he retires. So you can spin it anyway you want. There hasn't been the slightest hint that Aldridge is unhappy or even thinking about another team. Nice try.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I have no doubt that Aldridge will stay a Blazer until he retires. So you can spin it anyway you want. There hasn't been the slightest hint that Aldridge is unhappy or even thinking about another team. Nice try.

That's foolish.

 

[magnifier661]

That's foolish.

Foolish is trading Aldridge for Thompson

 

[BrianFromWA]

Because they don't have control over it. LMA does.

Look, here's the situational difference b/w LMA and, say, Lillard. LMA has 23 months before he's an unrestricted free agent. Think LeBron/Bosh in 2010, Melo/Deron in 2011, Dwight last year (before he signed his extension), and now this year. Everyone except Melo said the right things as well, and every one of their teams that tested FA got nothing more than 2nd-rounders in return for losing their star. Chris Paul/Josh Smith/Bynum this summer can just sign a contract with whoever they want to sign with. Portland will likely get NO compensation at all--maybe not even a 2nd-rounder and a trade exception, since it doesn't make sense in the new CBA to S&T anything for max-ish players anymore (they can't get longer contracts or higher raises). So if the Mavericks--or anyone else-- offer him a contract (doesn't actually matter the amount), POR can't do anything about it when he signs it, and not only do they not have their all-star PF anymore, but they don't have young players, draft picks, or cap space to replace him.

Lillard, otoh, is on a rookie deal through summer 2016. He will almost certainly be extended for 5 years, in the summer/fall of 2015, meaning that he will be on the Blazers (unless traded) until 2021. He can't do anything about it. Even if he ISN'T extended, it would be the same situation as Batum last summer---it doesn't matter if your heart's in MIN, you will be matched and playing here, unless someone sweetens the pot enough in an S&T to have POR let him go. Whoever is drafted with the 3rd and 10th picks are in the same situation, plus one year (extensions in fall of 2016 or RFA in 2017).

A few of those I would not want for 9 minutes

You don't want Oladipo or McLemore or Porter (or Melo or Gasol or Harden or Horford or Deron or Gordon or Beal) for 9 minutes? Wow.