Merged: The Draft Thread For Stuff About The Draft Including Thoughts About The Draft

[JDC]

I really hope Neil swings for the fences with these picks. If he does opt to go for a safe "median outcome" pick, I wouldn't hate TJ Leaf although I think he tops out as a better Jonas Jerebko who's not as switchy defensively but more productive offensively.

He's a guy I've flip flopped on a lot. I think he's a smart kid who'll figure out how to be effective, just not sure he's a playable rotation player on a contending playoff team in today's nba unless he develops into a lights out shooter. He had great %'s from everywhere on the floor this year but don't think his mechanics translate to the nba line w/o some tweaking.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Brain storming here, but I'm trying to think like NO right now, and I think we are a bit off on all of our thoughts.

The KEY is, does he believe he overpaid? Or does be believe a few guys had down years and will bounce back or improve?

I think he believes Turner is here at least one more year and still part of the potential core as our 6th man go to PG off the bench. (CJ will not be a bench guy on this team guys, sorry for those who have advocated for such a move)

I think he now realizes he overpaid for Crabbe and its low percentage he has a significant jump next year because his role will not change.

I think he still believes in Leonard. Unique skill set for a big and has been riddled with minor injuries preventing him from finding any type of rhythm. I believe NO is okay with giving him another year at least.

these are the three guys that most people believe are not playing to pay scale, right?
Aminu/Harkless/Vonleh...all on better movable/reasonable contracts that aren't cap inhibitors. Everyone else is even smaller.

Okay. So with that mindset, Crabbe is on the block. and is the player needing to be replaced.
Lets look at our lineup currently without Crabbe...

Dame/Turner/Napier
CJ/Connaughton/Quarterman
Harkless/Layman
Vonleh/Aminu/Leonard
Nurkic/Davis/Leonard


I think the team believes in Vonleh(I do too). I think he is young enough that they can talk him into buying low on a contract after next year (provided he shows continued improvement throughout next season), which will help keep a contender intact for years to come. I am also fine with Aminu and Turner as our off the bench lock down defenders, but the bench needs help in scoring if these two are going to be long term there.

So to me the improvements NO believes we need to make are in this order and really the first one is the most important and is HUGE priority number one.

Harkless joins the bench and we have an improved lock down 2 way SF (I will get to this more in a moment.)

We need an improved backup Center primarily an offensive threat as long as he can rebound and toss a body on a guy on defense. He doesn't have to be elite.

If we make these moves, e should be really close by the end of the next season as the team start to gel and continues to grow.

Guys, I actually think NO is going to go full on swinging for the moon. I think CJ eluded to it and the team was told to hush hush, so NO can do his usual closed door magic.

He is going after PG. Really. Alot of things make sense.

Crabbe/Davis plus our three picks for PG/Jefferson(salary dump for them like Crabbe is for us) and our three picks. Toss in a future 2nd if that's what it takes or some cash. I don't know. That's NO's job, but I think he is gonna go for it hard. He will have to sell all of Vonleh, Pg and Nurk on signing for less than max for the bigger picture, but if they really want to win, that's just what they will do. I think that for Nurk and PG, winning Is the most important factor and I think Dame and NO can sell them on it.
PG is a hop and a skip from his family in LA...

I actually think NO might be able to pull it off.

So let's say he does just that and our roster entering next season is this...

Dame/Turner/Napier
CJ/Connaughton/Quarterman
PG/Harkless/Layman
Vonleh/Aminu/Leonard
Nurkic/Jefferson/Leonard

That's not bad no???

And with no rookie from the draft needing a year or two to get acclimated...

Second unit needs some offensive help, but look at great teams. You nail down your stars... your starters. The role players revolve. SA,GS, CLE, etc...
Our starting five will contend with any, I think, and the second unit we tweak as needed.

I think this all might happen right before or during draft night. You can make trades on draft nights that includes players right?

This has all already been discussed in the PG trade and All NBA threads.

Big Al isn't really a salary dump for them, at least not of the Allen Crabbe magnitude. He's actually on a pretty team friendly contract. He makes slightly less than Meyers Leonard, but only has one fully guaranteed year left on his contract, The second year, only the first $4 million of the $10 million is guaranteed. I'd be fine with Big Al backing up Nurk for a year, or two. The second year, you can look for someone better and if you can't find someone you fully guarantee his second year.

If IND moves PG13, they are in total rebuild mode and will want to move everyone on their roster over 27 years old. In addition to Big Al, that means they will try to force Monta on us. I'd try to avoid that as he's really fallen off a cliff and even at his best, he was a much less efficient version of C.J. But it also means Thad Young will be available. So, something like Our three first round picks, + Crabbe, Leonard and Harkless for PG13, Big Al and Thad Young. Young can either start at PF or back up both PF and SF spots.

We get older, but we get better, deeper and maybe a little cheaper (until we have to resign PG13 and Nurk). IND gets way younger (3 first round picks and three players 25 or younger).

BNM

 

[Hobbesarable]

The Pelton one seems more realistic than Fansided, which would make our three picks worth a fourth or fifth pick.

I didn't read the Fansided one all the way through. I distracted by some work at the office and attached the link to the post.

I agree, the Pelton one definitely seems more realistic as I finally had time to read them completely.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Sarni]

Why will Isaac be taken when pick 8 comes up? MIN at 7 has Lavine and Wiggins on the wing and will take Markkanen. Fox, Tatum, Jackson, Fultz, and Ball will go top 5.

The only team that would take Isaac is Orlando at 6, but it's more likely they'll take one of Monk or Smith than they'll take Isaac. There's a great chance Isaac is there at 8.

I think it's more likely that one of Crabbe/Jackson/Giles would develop into that 2nd option than Isaac. Even if they don't, they're better supporting players and pieces for the future than Noah and O'Quinn. They could then land that 2nd option in next years draft.

I really doubt Minnesota will take Markkanen. A big shooter that does not play any defense is not really something they need.

I don't think New York will think 'we can land our 2nd option this year but feck it, let Portland land him so we can do it next year'. I also doubt the league rates Crabbe so high to think he can ever become a 2nd option at a successful team.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I really doubt Minnesota will take Markkanen. A big shooter that does not play any defense is not really something they need.

I don't think New York will think 'we can land our 2nd option this year but feck it, let Portland land him so we can do it next year'. I also doubt the league rates Crabbe so high to think he can ever become a 2nd option at a successful team.

Sounds like a Neil Olshey kinda guy

 

[dviss1]

I'd be happy if our Blazers went with OG Anunoby (SF/PF) and Ike Anigbogu (C) as a way of bringing in more defensive talent. Our team certainly can use it.

The Blazers should choose no person off of that sorry ass UCLA team. Ike has hands of stone in should not don the crimson and black.

 

[dviss1]

Never been a fan of making the playoffs makes you better. Maybe if you are a HS team, but these guys know how to ball. The current roster always wants to make the playoffs. Never want to be told that somebody NOT on the roster could make them better or win more. None of it matters in my opinion, the addition of Nurk is so big, I've said on here we will be so much better next season even if we stick with the current roster because of him. Very excited to see him healthy and out there.

The only way that you know Nurk would be any good is because of his performance in those 20 games to lead us to the playoffs. We were not making the playoffs before Jusuf Nurkić came to the team. How would you know we're going to be good if Jusuf didn't revitalize us and help us make the playoffs? That's right you wouldn't. So making the playoffs is the reason why you're so excited about next year. Why don't you get that?

 

[TBpup]

The Blazers should choose no person off of that sorry ass UCLA team. Ike has hands of stone in should not don the crimson and black.

I too am a bit confused about the UCLA players. They currently have 3 players projected to go in the top 20 yet were the #3 team in their own conference. If they were really that good.....

 

[Gronk Brady]

After doing my research, I think the best options for the Blazers are John Collins or Zach Collins... both fill a position of need, highly efficient, can play now but also have upside... they should have enough assets to move up and draft one of them... that is if they are unable to trade picks for established star like Paul George

 

[Blazinaway]

I doubt we'd have to move up for John Collins, Zach much more likely, this is going to be a crazy draft IMO and its seems so even from 11/12 to perhaps late 20's - there's just a huge "tier" there where its beauty in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I too am a bit confused about the UCLA players. They currently have 3 players projected to go in the top 20 yet were the #3 team in their own conference. If they were really that good.....

Yeah but all 3 of those guys were freshman and they only lost 5 games all year. Regardless of their record though we are talking about potential. I agree it is hard to know for sure.

 

[Reep]

Ike has hands of stone in should not don the crimson and black.

Is that true? I like his effort, but if he can't catch the ball then it would be hard to imagine him being successful. Can't remember seeing a guy with bad hands every get good hands with time.

I know a good videographer can make anyone look good, but his shot doesn't look terrible:

http://www.draftexpress.com/video/12787/

 

[dviss1]

Is that true? I like his effort, but if he can't catch the ball then it would be hard to imagine him being successful. Can't remember seeing a guy with bad hands every get good hands with time.

Well, if I speak it, it's the truth as I see it.

The guy might as well have granite fingertips.

 

[Driew]

I would prefer to send out AC, Leonard, and the 3 picks for PG. We would have our full MLE (~$8M) to sign a PF.

Then if PG leaves in the summer of 2018, we would only have to trade Turner (He'll would only have 2 years remaining) and our 2018 protected 1st to have a lot of cap space, which would make the loss of PG13 manageable.

I'd love that trade for Portland

 

[dviss1]

Is that true? I like his effort, but if he can't catch the ball then it would be hard to imagine him being successful. Can't remember seeing a guy with bad hands every get good hands with time.

I know a good videographer can make anyone look good, but his shot doesn't look terrible:

http://www.draftexpress.com/video/12787/

I've watched a decent amount of UCLA and that dude is garbage in my opinion.

 

[Reep]

I've watched a decent amount of UCLA and that dude is garbage in my opinion.

Given he was the 7th youngest player in the NCAA, I might cut him a bit of slack and see how he does in drills, etc.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Given he was the 7th youngest player in the NCAA, I might cut him a bit of slack and see how he does in drills, etc.

He also started the season on the injured list after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 25, 2016. Plus the senior in front of him played very well so minutes were an issue. Having said that I have no idea how good he is or how good he might be. I barely noticed him until late in the season.

 

[Blazinaway]

I too am a bit confused about the UCLA players. They currently have 3 players projected to go in the top 20 yet were the #3 team in their own conference. If they were really that good.....

yeah thats interesting and the one UCLA "ex-guy" I like is Jonah Bolden, love to get an early 2nd rdr and pick him up but I think he could move up the boards in workouts to the later 1st, he had a breakout season in Srbia pro leagues - will it translate is the key? If he pans out could be a great fit next to Nurk, almost ideal

 

[Boob-No-More]

Is that true? I like his effort, but if he can't catch the ball then it would be hard to imagine him being successful. Can't remember seeing a guy with bad hands every get good hands with time.

I know a good videographer can make anyone look good, but his shot doesn't look terrible:

http://www.draftexpress.com/video/12787/

I hope Paul Allen has learned something from past draft picks (Sebastian Telfair, Martell Webster, Meyers Leonard) that have not panned out. In those cases, Paul seemed to fall in love with the things these guys did well during their workouts and ignored their weaknesses (or just automatically assume they would improve in those areas).

Now, when they work out players before the draft, I hope they really focus on a player's weaknesses. Force them out of their comfort zone. Force them to try to do the things they don't do well and see how they handle the situation. There are plenty of highlight videos that show what these guys do well. Spend the majority of the time during the workouts evaluating the things they don't do well and their potential to improve in those areas.

If Anigbogu's hands are suspect, put him on the low block and throw him a large variety of passes, lobs, bounce passes, bullet passes, high low, to his left to his right, mix it up so he doesn't know what's coming. Have him catch the pass and make a move with a defender on his back and see how he does.

Unless it's due to poor eyesight, there really is no cure for bad hands. You can work and work and work, and may get a little better, but you just don't go from awful to good in this area.

BNM

 

[Reep]

FYI

Deandre Jordon: shoeless 6'9.5" weight 250lbs wing 7'6" reach 9'5.5" max vert 30.5" FT% 44% TO/40 3.2
Ike Anigbogu: shoeless 6'8.5" weight 252lbs wing 7'6.25" reach 9'2.5" max vert 32.5" FT 53% TO/40 2.5

 

[Pinwheel1]

FYI

Deandre Jordon: shoeless 6'9.5" weight 250lbs wing 7'6" reach 9'5.5" max vert 30.5" FT% 44% TO/40 3.2
Ike Anigbogu: shoeless 6'8.5" weight 252lbs wing 7'6.25" reach 9'2.5" max vert 32.5" FT 53% TO/40 2.5

That is a very long standing reach by Ike and even more for Deandre. (half an inch longer than Whiteside)

Gobert unbelievably has a 7'8 1/2 " wing and a 9'7" standing reach. Holy shit

 

[dviss1]

Given he was the 7th youngest player in the NCAA, I might cut him a bit of slack and see how he does in drills, etc.

So?

First of all I'll tell you something about UCLA.

FUCK UCLA.

Second, dude is garbage.

Fin.

 

[Blazinaway]

since we are speaking of C's I find it surprising there is so little talk of Jonathon Jeanne since we missed out chance at Gobert and Jeanne had a good combine and appears to have moved up the draft boards a decent bit

 

[chzbrgr]

I hope Paul Allen has learned something from past draft picks (Sebastian Telfair, Martell Webster, Meyers Leonard) that have not panned out. In those cases, Paul seemed to fall in love with the things these guys did well during their workouts and ignored their weaknesses (or just automatically assume they would improve in those areas).

Now, when they work out players before the draft, I hope they really focus on a player's weaknesses. Force them out of their comfort zone. Force them to try to do the things they don't do well and see how they handle the situation. There are plenty of highlight videos that show what these guys do well. Spend the majority of the time during the workouts evaluating the things they don't do well and their potential to improve in those areas.

If Anigbogu's hands are suspect, put him on the low block and throw him a large variety of passes, lobs, bounce passes, bullet passes, high low, to his left to his right, mix it up so he doesn't know what's coming. Have him catch the pass and make a move with a defender on his back and see how he does.

Unless it's due to poor eyesight, there really is no cure for bad hands. You can work and work and work, and may get a little better, but you just don't go from awful to good in this area.

BNM

Good point. This is my rationale why we should not put our faith in Vonleh ever getting much better than he is right now. His hands are huge but he cant catch the rock for shit and is constantly fumbling the ball when he tries to make his moves. We need to move up to get Zach Collins and I would package Vonleh and our pick this year to do it if it came to it.

 

[dviss1]

yeah thats interesting and the one UCLA "ex-guy" I like is Jonah Bolden, love to get an early 2nd rdr and pick him up but I think he could move up the boards in workouts to the later 1st, he had a breakout season in Srbia pro leagues - will it translate is the key? If he pans out could be a great fit next to Nurk, almost ideal

Holy shit! I don't fall in love with highlights but whoaaaaa...

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Holy shit! I don't fall in love with highlights but whoaaaaa...

Is it unreasonable to say I see a poor man's Durant in that video?

Whoever edited that thing did a great job!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I actually think NO might be able to pull it off.

Is it unreasonable to say I see a poor man's Durant in that video?

Whoever edited that thing did a great job!

Really? A big guy who can dunk. Didn't see any shooting or defense highlights. His team was also losing most every game in the highlights.

He might be great, but I couldn't tell from a dunk video.... but, yes, he can get up, and is aggressive doing so.

 

[dviss1]

Good point. This is my rationale why we should not put our faith in Vonleh ever getting much better than he is right now. His hands are huge but he cant catch the rock for shit and is constantly fumbling the ball when he tries to make his moves. We need to move up to get Zach Collins and I would package Vonleh and our pick this year to do it if it came to it.

Fumbling the ball is a completely different story than having no/bad hands. Bad hands mean you can't catch it when it's thrown to you. Fumbling the ball usually means you're nervous. Vonleh doesn't have bad hands at all. He's just young, a little nervous, and wants to do well. I also think that you're 100% wrong about vonleh. In my opinion he has the biggest upside of anyone on the team.

 

[dviss1]

Really? A big guy who can dunk. Didn't see any shooting or defense highlights. His team was also losing most every game in the highlights.

He might be great, but I couldn't tell from a dunk video.... but, yes, he can get up, and is aggressive doing so.

You didn't watch all the video then. They showed all sorts of highlights of him shooting threes, squaring up, passing etc. They showed defensive highlights too...

Were you watching the same video as we were?