Should the Blazers Even Want Their First-round Pick?

[PapaG]

Best case for the pick seems to be somewhere between 10-12, which rarely yields a player who is going to be a major contributor his rookie years. An argument could be made the giving up the 13th or 14th pick to Charlotte would be better for the Blazers than having the 12th pick, simply based on the money that becomes available without having to worry about the cap hold for that pick.

The cap hold for the 12th pick last year was ~ $1.7million.

Crazy talk? Does not having the pick improve the chances of getting some veteran bench help for 2013-14?

 

[Mediocre Man]

My take is the 12th pick in the draft would be a better player than the guy we could sign for 1.7 million. It would also be a much more valuable trade chip than 1.7 in cap room

 

[PapaG]

My take is the 12th pick in the draft would be a better player than the guy we could sign for 1.7 million. It would also be a much more valuable trade chip than 1.7 in cap room

The $1.7 million is added to cap space and potentially could be the difference in getting two solid vets instead of one. Just an idea I had, though, and I haven't made a decision on what would be better for next season.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The team needs help period, veteran or otherwise.

Certainly, there's no guarantee a lottery pick can contribute, but at 1.7 million per year that's not a lot to pay for a guy who might at least turn into an underpaid asset for a trade down the line. The veteran's minimum is always going to be there to round out the roster and I somehow doubt that the Blazers are going to get a truly elite (near) max money free agent to sign here. The opportunity cost of losing that 1.5ish million for free agency doesn't seem that high.

 

[Nikolokolus]

This is probably the last chance this team is going to have at a lottery pick for awhile, if you assume the bench can be improved over it's current state this off-season. So I tend to see it as add as much talent now while you have the chance and then surrender the pick next year when it's likely (hopefully?) in the late teens or twenties next season.

 

[Mediocre Man]

The $1.7 million is added to cap space and potentially could be the difference in getting two solid vets instead of one. Just an idea I had, though, and I haven't made a decision on what would be better for next season.

Ya, I see the flip side. I'd rather have the pick.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

trade the pick + young guys for a more expensive veteran from a team looking to dump players. we really don't need more young guys that suck off the bench, which is the most likely scenario for that pick.

 

[Mediocre Man]

trade the pick + young guys for a more expensive veteran from a team looking to dump players. we really don't need more young guys that suck off the bench, which is the most likely scenario for that pick.

That pick would be better than anyone on our bench...ANYONE

But ya, trading the player we picked there plus something for a young vet would be fine as well. Can't trade the pick

 

[RR7]

I'm torn, not from the financial impact of the lotto pick hold, but more because of the flexibility of still not being able to trade a future pick, because of the Charlotte trade.

 

[RR7]

That pick would be better than anyone on our bench...ANYONE

It's roughly the same pick as Leonard, wh is on our bench. There's nothing to say it's anything better than him.

 

[Mediocre Man]

It's roughly the same pick as Leonard, wh is on our bench. There's nothing to say it's anything better than him.

Leonard was a shitty pick though

 

[blue9]

It would also be a much more valuable trade chip than 1.7 in cap room

My take exactly - that draft pick, if we retain it, will be our biggest trading chip. And since I believe the only way to make this team markedly better is via trades, I think it's vital that we retain the pick.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

There are a few players that could be that scorer/playmaker off the bench (Burks/McCollum) but if they're out or reach this is the draft you'd want to give CHA. It really is at best a mediocre draft outside the top-10.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

While a draft pick is always a gamble it is also the best chance of getting a contributor that doesn't break the bank in 2-3 years. Draft picks are crucial for small market teams.

 

[BBert]

Leonard was a shitty pick though

I think it was a 'need' pick and a gamble, rather than a BPA pick, and I thought so at the time. And I like Leonard a whole lot more than you do.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

That pick would be better than anyone on our bench...ANYONE

But ya, trading the player we picked there plus something for a young vet would be fine as well. Can't trade the pick

our bench is the sum of these kind of picks.

 

[BBert]

I tend to look at it like, what is going to help us more and sooner: a 10-12 pick in this year's draft, or a 16-18 pick in next year's draft? I'll take this year's pick and either keep or trade the player. We could get a sleeper, who knows.

 

[Mediocre Man]

While a draft pick is always a gamble it is also the best chance of getting a contributor that doesn't break the bank in 2-3 years. Draft picks are crucial for small market teams.

What are you talking about? We have all this money, surely FA's will come to Portland? Who needs the draft?

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Can someone remind me of the details of this pick and Charlotte?

 

[RR7]

Can someone remind me of the details of this pick and Charlotte?

top 12 protected in 2013-2015, unprotected 2016

 

[drexlersdad]

mm, you are arguing with yourself

its kinda funny

 

[Reep]

I think the pick could provide a decent project:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nb...oard-ben-mclemore-nerlens-noel/?sct=uk_t11_a4

Gobert looks interesting as a defensive center. Not a huge fan, but Olynyk might end up being a solid backup.

 

[Mediocre Man]

our bench is the sum of these kind of picks.

Is it?

We have exactly 1 player from the lottery playing significant bench minutes and he was a reach pick....to be kind

Babbitt
Smith
Freeland
Claver
Barton

The last few 12th players taken

Lamb
Burks
Henry
Henderson
Thompson
Young


That's 1 guy out of the last 6 drafts I wouldn't love to have on our roster

 

[Blazinaway]

Leonard was a shitty pick though

my prediction, you are goin to eat ____ with your Leonard bashing in 2-3 years, time will tell but these posts of yours are being save for the furure hammering you are going to get

 

[RoyToy]

Just as long as Olshey doesn't pick another white guy, keep the pick

 

[Mediocre Man]

my prediction, you are goin to eat ____ with your Leonard bashing in 2-3 years, time will tell but these posts of yours are being save for the furure hammering you are going to get

Seems silly to take them for anything other than my ignorant opinion, but, ok?

 

[drexlersdad]

Leonard was a shitty pick though

seems like a typical #11 pick, even better possibly

http://www.hoopsworld.com/history-of-the-nba-draft-pick-number-11/

and hes having a pretty respectable rookie season stat wise

http://www.basketball-reference.com...tat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=ws

 

[Mediocre Man]

Ya he is. He looks absolutely lost, and has added virtually nothing to our defense. He seems to rebound well though, and has a nice jumper

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Seems silly to take them for anything other than my ignorant opinion, but, ok?

It does seem silly. But considering how you keep to flaunt it so unabashedly (even if you're right, let's be real - he's 20 years old and just 40 games into his pro career. How many guys took a couple years to settle in?)..............

 

[Mediocre Man]

It does seem silly. But considering how you keep to flaunt it so unabashedly (even if you're right, let's be real - he's 20 years old and just 40 games into his pro career. How many guys took a couple years to settle in?)..............

He could turn our to be the best center in the league. And the only reason I bring anything up is if the subject allows it.

We talked about the 12th pick and our bench, and someone brought up Leonard