We should add another lottery pick

[Rastapopoulos]

Keep in mind that if the Blazers acquire more picks, they have to make roster room.

This is why they won't do it. However, presumably in the process of acquiring that pick they would give up at least one player.

Do the Blazers really need to go younger than they already are?

That way we can tank without faking injuries!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Going all-in on the 2024 draft will be like going all-in during 2016 free agency!

Yes but really we'd be going all-in on the 2025 draft, because we'd be building to be the worst team in the league!

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Yes but really we'd be going all-in on the 2025 draft, because we'd be building to be the worst team in the league!

We already had the third worst record in the league with the current roster, so we will have a top 2025 pick regardless of any discussed action the Blazers take.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

We already had the third worst record in the league with the current roster

We can do better (i.e. worse)

 

[Rastapopoulos]

there’s a chance that we could steal a couple of good players from teams who want to trade out.

Maybe they're right to want to trade out, though

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I’m not against developmental players but why people insist on the 2024 draft as the only way get there is silly. I know we’ve been staring at the 2024 draft pool for months now but we could very easily have 3-4 new young players coming onto the roster via trade and/or our 2nds without adding a single additional 2024 pick.

No one is arguing this roster is stacked with talent. No one. It’s just a LOT of young players.

Never go full pistons.

As other posters said it just comes down to how high the players are graded and the cost to acquire those pick(s). I wouldn't pay for a pick in this draft if the cost is similar to other drafts. However if there are much cheaper picks available because it's a weak draft then at a point it could become a valuable addition worth taking a gamble on.

I'm all for having a number of vets on our roster. Even if we trade away any of Brogdon, Grant, Ayton, Ant, Thybulle, Timelord, etc Id like to see us have a number of vets in those spots. Agreed that we don't want 100% youth like the process 6ers. But ideally it would be vets that don't have win now rotational trade value to contenders. It's better for the Blazers to get draft picks or young talent in exchange for that value, then get vet experience from guys on overpaid contracts that were compensated to eat, or from a couple vet minimum signings.

However the Blazers also have guys in their third year like Sharpe/Walker. They have a nearly 30 year old in Reath that Id consider more of a vet. Murray and Camara will turn 25 so their very mature for being 2nd year guys. Collectively that experience can substitute for 1 or 2 vets as well.

 

[Samuel]

Some how some people forgot we're in talent acquisition mode.

No one is forgetting that.

A good exercise might be to look at the first round of a meh draft and ask yourself if you’re interested in those players. The Blazers are already properly capitalized on this draft.

 

[Samuel]

But ideally it would be vets that don't have win now rotational trade value to contenders.

But it already appears they’re going to make these trades. I don’t think anyone is arguing for ‘more vets!’ or ‘Heavy usage Ant/Grant need to stay and cook!’

‘Just’ to make room for those two lottery picks, it’s likely that two of their vets are going to be dispatched for young talent/future picks.

the point is that it looks like the FO is avoiding moving them for 2024 draft capital which by all accounts was what was on offer at the deadline.

 

[Samuel]

Going all-in on the 2024 draft will be like going all-in during 2016 free agency!

Exactly.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

But it already appears they’re going to make these trades. I don’t think anyone is arguing for ‘more vets!’ or ‘Heavy usage Ant/Grant need to stay and cook!’

‘Just’ to make room for those two lottery picks, it’s likely that two of their vets are going to be dispatched for young talent/future picks.

the point is that it looks like the FO is avoiding moving them for 2024 draft capital which by all accounts was what was on offer at the deadline.

There were so many Gleague scrubs and other useless players on the Blazers roster last season we can make room for two lottery picks without touching a key vet. We often didn't have a 15th player, even Jabari Walker types can be cut in training camp if need be - just as Watford was last season.

I'm not sure why so many posters here are worried about the 15th man roster limit in May. That limit doesn't apply until October. The Blazers can have 20 or more player on the roster until that time and deal with any 16th man they need to cut in October. Might make camp and preseason more meaningful to have a roster spot or two on the line.

We have the 2nd worst roster in the NBA after the wizards. We need all the talent and young talent we can get.

 

[Samuel]

I'm not sure why so many posters here are worried about the 15th man roster limit in May.

I think you're moving the goal posts here again, but I'll indulge you: it's likely the blazers are already planning to move off key vets, and I think pretty much everyone in the fanbase and likely the front office knows they can't have high usage vets blocking development paths.

If you've read any of my posts you'll know I don't care about the roster limit or the tax line--they'll probably be out of that by the end of the next transaction window after a few moves. I'm using it to make the point, though, that the team will be clearing vets out to make room for the existing 2024 draft guys. this thread is about cashing in assets for additional 2024 picks.

 

[HansenYang]

There were so many Gleague scrubs and other useless players on the Blazers roster last season we can make room for two lottery picks without touching a key vet. We often didn't have a 15th player, even Jabari Walker types can be cut in training camp if need be - just as Watford was last season.

What you don't seem to realize is that Jabari Walker is in par with the talent in the lotto right now.

The hope is that the guys in the draft have a larger development curve and will be better in 2-3 years than Walker is. Unfortunately, that is far from a guarantee.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

No one is forgetting that.

A good exercise might be to look at the first round of a meh draft and ask yourself if you’re interested in those players.

You're not doing your job as a rebuilding organization if you're not.

The Blazers are already properly capitalized on this draft.

Maybe. Maybe not. They need to cut salary and get value for some of the vets they've held onto for too long. If the only 1sts they can get are from this draft, then so be it.

 

[Natebishop3]

Going all-in on the 2024 draft will be like going all-in during 2016 free agency!

All in?

 

[Natebishop3]

What you don't seem to realize is that Jabari Walker is in par with the talent in the lotto right now.

The hope is that the guys in the draft have a larger development curve and will be better in 2-3 years than Walker is. Unfortunately, that is far from a guarantee.

Disagree. There’s way more boom or bust guys in the lottery. Walker has zero boom. He might be an 8th man in the league, which is fine, but he’s not going to be a star. There’s almost zero chance of it.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

What you don't seem to realize is that Jabari Walker is in par with the talent in the lotto right now.

The hope is that the guys in the draft have a larger development curve and will be better in 2-3 years than Walker is. Unfortunately, that is far from a guarantee.

This is laughable.

 

[Samuel]

Maybe. Maybe not. They need to cut salary and get value for some of the vets they've held onto for too long. If the only 1sts they can get are from this draft, then so be it.

No one is going to offer future picks until this draft window is over. Of course the first thing offered is going to be 24 picks.

When the new league year begins, that's when you'll see teams start offering up future picks. Not before.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

No one is going to offer future picks until this draft window is over. Of course the first thing offered is going to be 24 picks.

You do realize that Cronin can have those conversations, right? Teams can tell Joe, we'll trade you our '24 pick, but not '25. You get that right? It doesn't require guesswork.

 

[Samuel]

You do realize that Cronin can have those conversations, right? Teams can tell Joe, we'll trade you our '24 pick, but not '25. You get that right? It doesn't require guesswork.

Wait, who’s guessing?

 

[Tince]

All in?

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Wait, who’s guessing?

No one is going to offer future picks until this draft window is over. Of course the first thing offered is going to be 24 picks.

This is guessing in our hypothetical. The context is getting draft picks in '24 vs '25 or another year. Cronin should be able to know that when discussing potential deals with teams.

 

[Samuel]

Pels get it...

 

[SharpesTriumph]

No one is going to offer future picks until this draft window is over.

How do you believe you know this?

Perhaps there are some teams trying to trade away their 2024 pick and they will be apt to trade a 2025 pick later. Or there could be a team that doesn't have a preference and is willing to offer a 2025 pick now. Or perhaps in a few months times 2025 picks will be much more difficult to acquire than right now. I'd expect this will vary team by team and I highly doubt you have any insight unless your in an NBA front office.

 

[Samuel]

How do you believe you know this?

because teams are trying to extract value from their 2024 picks? this has been reported a bunch from multiple teams at the deadline. teams are trying to move down and out. (reported today by givony)

why are you pretending this is new information? highkin reported that the blazers turned up their noses at late first offers for brogdon, and that the blazers were prioritizing future firsts because they already have 2 lottery picks and 2 2nds.

 

[cheesehoff]

If teams want out of this years draft then trade as many of the vets as possible for picks this year. That will set us up for the easiest tank next year when there is so much top talent.
So, taking more shots at 1st rounders while moving off talented vets this year only helps our chances next year. Addition by subtraction.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

because teams are trying to extract value from their 2024 picks? this has been reported a bunch from multiple teams at the deadline. teams are trying to move down and out. (reported today by givony)

why are you pretending this is new information? highkin reported that the blazers turned up their noses at late first offers for brogdon, and that the blazers were prioritizing future firsts because they already have 2 lottery picks and 2 2nds.

The 2024 picks are worth much less than most drafts, yes I believe the reporting with that and it also makes obvious logical sense.

Your statement is that 2025 and later picks will be more readily available after this draft, that's a different speculative statement that I question.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

If teams want out of this years draft then trade as many of the vets as possible for picks this year. That will set us up for the easiest tank next year when there is so much top talent.
So, taking more shots at 1st rounders while moving off talented vets this year only helps our chances next year. Addition by subtraction.

I'm all for trading our vets for youth/picks.

But when we had the 3rd worst record in the league I don't think we need to actively do anything to setup an easy tank next year, it's already setup.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

If certain players fit less because of age when the Blazers are ready to compete (Grant) … or because of size of contract (Grant and Ayton) … or do not fit positionally and/or with others (Simons) … then make sure to get worse in the short term. The “danger” of good health of their best veteran players wins more games and is bad for higher picks.

Trade out to get draft capital and currently not as good younger players (who are projected to fit better, soon-ish). An Orlando trade returning Black and sending Simons has been mentioned … as an example.

The goal is getting better through the draft as Portland’s best chance.

 

[HailBlazers]

But when we had the 3rd worst record in the league I don't think we need to actively do anything to setup an easy tank next year, it's already setup.

Its not easy to fake injuries again imo.

 

[Boomchakalaka2]

We might be better off trading up to #1 or #2, making a move for Sarr - then take a flyer on a second round pick and call it a day. Any trades of Grant, (any vet) obtain 2025 picks.