Moving into the draft

[Mediocre Man]

As of right now, Portland has no picks in the upcoming draft. That being said, do you think we should add a rookie or two this draft? Who would you replace on the roster? Is there a player in round 2 that sparks your interest? Is there someone who is worth a 1st on the roster you'd give up?

 

[Natebishop3]

As of right now, Portland has no picks in the upcoming draft. That being said, do you think we should add a rookie or two this draft? Who would you replace on the roster? Is there a player in round 2 that sparks your interest? Is there someone who is worth a 1st on the roster you'd give up?

At this point I really don't know anything about the draft. I usually spend about a month looking at mocks and listening to the self-proclaimed experts on this forum talk about who they want.

 

[Hobbesarable]

At this point I really don't know anything about the draft. I usually spend about a month looking at mocks and listening to the self-proclaimed experts on this forum talk about who they want.

DraftExpress.com is a good place to start reading and viewing the prospects.

www.draftexpress.com

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

The "experts" think this is a great draft, so I like the idea of somehow getting a pick (especially if it involves trading Leonard for a pick). But I'd also be fine if we don't. We don't need to get any younger.

 

[Mediocre Man]

The "experts" think this is a great draft, so I like the idea of somehow getting a pick (especially if it involves trading Leonard for a pick). But I'd also be fine if we don't. We don't need to get any younger.

We could trade Leonar_ for McAdoo and get older...I think

 

[Natebishop3]

The "experts" think this is a great draft, so I like the idea of somehow getting a pick (especially if it involves trading Leonard for a pick). But I'd also be fine if we don't. We don't need to get any younger.

Yeah, if the goal is to win now, I would much rather bring in a few vets.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Yeah, if the goal is to win now, I would much rather bring in a few vets.

Not sure we can win it all now with this roster and a few more vet reserves

 

[Natebishop3]

Not sure we can win it all now with this roster and a few more vet reserves

It depends entirely on Dame and Nic. Those two need to continue to improve. Dame needs to become a full-fledged superstar and Nic needs to become a full-fledged All-Star. Aldridge is Aldridge. He had his best year in 2013-2014 and I don't see any way that he's going to get much better than this, but who knows. So if the goal is to stick with what we've got, you hope that our young guys continue to improve and add some vets. Pretty much the same strategy as last summer. it worked pretty well since we won 54 games and went to the second round.

 

[ripcityboy]

Not a huge NBA draft-nik, but I am one who loves college basketball and have seen a lot of these guys play. I tend to agree with Danny Ainge, there really isn't a future star that stands out, but it is very deep draft. I mean, Kyle Anderson is scheduled to go 23rd and he's a really good college player. And team that knows what they are doing, has a decent middle to late first round pick. and actually scouts well, is going to go away with a good player. I expect San Antonio to draft every decent foreign player in the second round!

 

[Mediocre Man]

I agree, and since I don't think as highly as Nic as most of you, I don't think this roster can do it

 

[Strenuus]

I'm fine with not being in the draft. We need vets.

What I'm not fine with is not doing some sort of trade or signing vets. Staying pat is terrible.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm fine with not being in the draft. We need vets.

What I'm not fine with is not doing some sort of trade or signing vets. Staying pat is terrible.

Staying pat is not going to happen. Not on Neil's watch.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Olshey is all about obtaining chips for hopefully some blockbuster trade. So if there is some opportunity to grab a good young player on a cheap contract, never hurts to have another chip. But I don't think a that is where the focus will be this summer. Finding players to take the team to the next level and beyond the second round is my wishful thinking for this summer.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

The Greek Freaks brother is interesting. I would like to pick him up if possible.

 

[ripcityboy]

The spirit of Red Auerbach and Jerry West is in Oshey. Well Jerry isn't dead, so maybe just his breath is on Oshey.

 

[e_blazer]

Not sure we can win it all now with this roster and a few more vet reserves

I'm not a believer in the win it all or rebuild each year theory of team building. Only one team gets the rings each year and there's never a straight path towards being that team. In theory, the Blazers should have been in contention right now if the Roy/Oden/Aldridge threesome had panned out. Injuries derailed that plan. OKC should have won a title by now with Durant, Westbrook & Harden, but the CBA and budgeting got in the way of that. Miami capitalized on a plan by 3 major stars to play together simply by happening to be able to have cap space to be able to pull it off. Boston did the same thing several years before that. That kind of thing rolls around every so often and I can't help but think that Olshey has an eye on positioning the Blazers to be able to do something similar after next season because he's sure keeping his contracts lined up so that he can maneuver then if he wants.

I say buying in to this draft, if it can be done for cash and filler, is a smart thing to do, but I wouldn't disrupt the core at this point. Add a couple of seasoned vets to the bench, get home court for at least the first round next year, and see how things pan out. If there's a need to do something dramatic, the following summer will be the time to try to pull it off.

 

[tester551]

There are several players to be picked later that I really like:

20-25 range
- K.J. McDaniels (Reminds me of Gerald Wallace)

30-40 range
- Damien Inglis (Nic Batum version2 - a little slower & a little more bulky)
- Spencer Dinwiddie (SG with some decent handles & vision)
- Walter Tavares (tall 7-3 player, who is reportedly has good feet)
- Jarnell Stokes (short PF, but bulky enough to get by with it)

 

[Blazer4ever]

... I mean, Kyle Anderson is scheduled to go 23rd and he's a really good college player...!

Which makes me wonder what it would take to get to 20 and take this kid. I think he's gonna be an amazing player.

 

[Draco]

As of right now, Portland has no picks in the upcoming draft. That being said, do you think we should add a rookie or two this draft? Who would you replace on the roster? Is there a player in round 2 that sparks your interest? Is there someone who is worth a 1st on the roster you'd give up?

Absolutely NO! I think its a bad idea to trade into the draft. I'd go the other direction, I'd be looking for a trade that brings in a veteran to contribute now but sends out our 2015 pick completely unprotected. We can trade that pick immediately after the draft as the stepien rule would no longer apply. We have a core all in their prime along with a few upside young players on rookie contracts. We don't need more rookies, we need veterans that can contribute right now.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If this draft is so deep.........buy an extra 2nd rounder.

 

[Draco]

I'm fine with not being in the draft. We need vets.

What I'm not fine with is not doing some sort of trade or signing vets. Staying pat is terrible.

It might not be horrible, sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make. Think if we'd kept Andre Miller instead of trading for Felton. The Felton trade is why we don't have a second round pick this year!

I think the vast majority of this teams accomplishments next year will be from players on the roster right now. To contend we need either Lillard to have a big improvement. Or one of CJ, Will, TRob could develope into a super sub. Or a number of players all having subtle individual improvements which equates to a bigger team improvement. So standing pat might be fine and lead to another exciting year!

That being said its not very exciting as a fan to have an offseason with nothing! All the fans still here are ones excited by drafts, trades and free agency. Yes I believe Neil will be aggressive in trying to make trades or signings. With his acumen I don't think he'll make a bad move just to make a change as many other owners and management does. If no good options are available this team has a lot to like going into next season with zero changes.

 

[Draco]

Olshey is all about obtaining chips for hopefully some blockbuster trade. So if there is some opportunity to grab a good young player on a cheap contract, never hurts to have another chip. But I don't think a that is where the focus will be this summer. Finding players to take the team to the next level and beyond the second round is my wishful thinking for this summer.

Yes this is a good post and I agree. While in general I think we are at the team building arch where we should be trying to acquire vets for picks; if Neil can find any asset significantly undervalued go ahead and grab it.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I'm not a believer in the win it all or rebuild each year theory of team building. Only one team gets the rings each year and there's never a straight path towards being that team. In theory, the Blazers should have been in contention right now if the Roy/Oden/Aldridge threesome had panned out. Injuries derailed that plan. OKC should have won a title by now with Durant, Westbrook & Harden, but the CBA and budgeting got in the way of that. Miami capitalized on a plan by 3 major stars to play together simply by happening to be able to have cap space to be able to pull it off. Boston did the same thing several years before that. That kind of thing rolls around every so often and I can't help but think that Olshey has an eye on positioning the Blazers to be able to do something similar after next season because he's sure keeping his contracts lined up so that he can maneuver then if he wants.

I say buying in to this draft, if it can be done for cash and filler, is a smart thing to do, but I wouldn't disrupt the core at this point. Add a couple of seasoned vets to the bench, get home court for at least the first round next year, and see how things pan out. If there's a need to do something dramatic, the following summer will be the time to try to pull it off.

3 stars agreed to play together in Miami. 2 stars were traded to Boston because Boston had a lot of young assets and a GM who did the Celtics a favor. Portland is not a "destination" type city. You bring up Portland and OKC, and both those teams built their potential powerhouses with high draft picks. Seems to me with the new CBA, that's what small market teams like us need to do.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Absolutely NO! I think its a bad idea to trade into the draft. I'd go the other direction, I'd be looking for a trade that brings in a veteran to contribute now but sends out our 2015 pick completely unprotected. We can trade that pick immediately after the draft as the stepien rule would no longer apply. We have a core all in their prime along with a few upside young players on rookie contracts. We don't need more rookies, we need veterans that can contribute right now.

If they think LA is staying, I agree. Although I'm not sure they have to be exclusive of each other. You can add vets as well as continue to upgrade the young assets and talent level through the draft. It doesn't need to be a top pick. There seem to be a lot of guys with 2nd round grades that would probably be better for the franchise right now than Earl Watson

 

[Hobbesarable]

If they think LA is staying, I agree. Although I'm not sure they have to be exclusive of each other. You can add vets as well as continue to upgrade the young assets and talent level through the draft. It doesn't need to be a top pick. There seem to be a lot of guys with 2nd round grades that would probably be better for the franchise right now than Earl Watson

Earl Watson mentioned something about wanting to coach next season.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Earl Watson mentioned something about wanting to coach next season.

Exactly

 

[Pinwheel1]

3 stars agreed to play together in Miami. 2 stars were traded to Boston because Boston had a lot of young assets and a GM who did the Celtics a favor. Portland is not a "destination" type city. You bring up Portland and OKC, and both those teams built their potential powerhouses with high draft picks. Seems to me with the new CBA, that's what small market teams like us need to do.

So essentially both Boston and Miami added two stars. (Both had one already) We already have two, so we just need to add one. In either scenario we need to get lucky. At where we are at now, I think a sign and trade is our best option. We need to obtain assets and be patient, so when a star forces their way out......we are an option. Both for the other team, and the star who wants to go somewhere he can win.

It is not as important that Portland is a attractive city to play in, as it is that Damian and LMA are attractive to play with.

 

[Mediocre Man]

So essentially both Boston and Miami added two stars. (Both had one already) We already have two, so we just need to add one. In either scenario we need to get lucky. At where we are at now, I think a sign and trade is our best option. We need to obtain assets and be patient, so when a star forces their way out......we are an option. Both for the other team, and the star who wants to go somewhere he can win.

It is not as important that Portland is a attractive city to play in, as it is that Damian and LMA are attractive to play with.

A trade or the draft is how it would have to happen. Big time FA's don't come here. Stars seem to stay once they are here though

 

[Hobbesarable]

A trade or the draft is how it would have to happen. Big time FA's don't come here. Stars seem to stay once they are here though

I believe Andre Miller was the best player we landed during free agency in quite some time.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I believe Andre Miller was the best player we landed during free agency in quite some time.

Exactly II