With the #7 pick, the Portland Trail Blazers select....

[Ed O]

Such a depressing take from JQ on The Athletic:

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Bennedict Mathurin | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Arizona
Beep-boop-bap … beep-bot-beep … bop-boop-beep-bat … That sound you hear is Trail Blazers’ general manager Joe Cronin dialing up his colleagues around the league looking to trade this pick. The Blazers desperately wanted to move into the top four to get a franchise-changing player who could align with Damian Lillard’s shrinking window of opportunity (he turns 32 this summer). Cronin’s biggest tell this offseason came after the season, when he said, “you are more likely to win with veteran players than young players, so (trading the pick) will definitely be a part of our decision-making process.”

But, if there are no takers for the seventh pick, my guess is the Blazers will look to shore up their depth on the wing, or at power forward, and now that the Pacers took Sharpe — who is the type of high-risk, high-upside player Cronin says he likes to pursue — the safest pick would be Mathurin from Arizona. Portland wants long, athletic, defensive-minded players, and while The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie says Mathurin is “solid” defensively, he is more known for his offense, which is predicated on attacks at the rim and having a wide arsenal of shots. But again, picking here is not what the Blazers wanted, or will want on draft night. They will look to trade.
— Jason Quick ​

I hope Quick is wrong, but I fear he's right.

I still can't believe we're trying to build around a 32 year-old lead guard that's only played anything remotely approaching a full season once since 2014.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

How about the #7 for Grant and a future 1st? If both sides are motivated there are a lot of different assets that could be swapped to balance things.

STOMP

Like us, Pistons don't have their '23 first, so the earliest FRP they could offer is 2025.

I guess we could have a real big draft haul in 3 years.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I still can't believe we're trying to build around a 32 year-old lead guard that's only played anything remotely approaching a full season once since 2014.

Missing 7-8 games is not "remotely approaching a full season"? What NBA have you been watching?

 

[LayneStaley]

Jason Quick sucks.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Such a depressing take from JQ on The Athletic:

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Bennedict Mathurin | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Arizona
Beep-boop-bap … beep-bot-beep … bop-boop-beep-bat … That sound you hear is Trail Blazers’ general manager Joe Cronin dialing up his colleagues around the league looking to trade this pick. The Blazers desperately wanted to move into the top four to get a franchise-changing player who could align with Damian Lillard’s shrinking window of opportunity (he turns 32 this summer). Cronin’s biggest tell this offseason came after the season, when he said, “you are more likely to win with veteran players than young players, so (trading the pick) will definitely be a part of our decision-making process.”

But, if there are no takers for the seventh pick, my guess is the Blazers will look to shore up their depth on the wing, or at power forward, and now that the Pacers took Sharpe — who is the type of high-risk, high-upside player Cronin says he likes to pursue — the safest pick would be Mathurin from Arizona. Portland wants long, athletic, defensive-minded players, and while The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie says Mathurin is “solid” defensively, he is more known for his offense, which is predicated on attacks at the rim and having a wide arsenal of shots. But again, picking here is not what the Blazers wanted, or will want on draft night. They will look to trade.
— Jason Quick ​

I hope Quick is wrong, but I fear he's right.

I still can't believe we're trying to build around a 32 year-old lead guard that's only played anything remotely approaching a full season once since 2014.

No need to worry. He knows nothing about who the Blazers would take. The Blazers don't even know. Way too early.

 

[blazerkor]

Jason Quick sucks.

Link? I can't find anything he said today and if it's in the Athletic already maybe post the sample of the article that inspired this post.

Edit: Never mind I'll read the thread in the future before asking.

 

[LayneStaley]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...ttery-finding-homes-for-bradley-beal-and-more

That PDX trade better not happen.

 

[LayneStaley]

Link? I can't find anything he said today and if it's in the Athletic already maybe post the sample of the article that inspired this post.

Edit: Never mind I'll read the thread in the future before asking.

That was just a general statement. Nothing in regards to today. That’s just my overall feeling on him.

 

[STOMP]

Like us, Pistons don't have their '23 first, so the earliest FRP they could offer is 2025.

I guess we could have a real big draft haul in 3 years.

Since I don't think Portland is close to contending unless they fleece someone, I'm open to a long term approach.

STOMP

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Since I don't think Portland is close to contending unless they fleece someone, I'm open to a long term approach.

STOMP

Trading for Jerami Grant is not really indicative of a long-term approach.

 

[blazerkor]

Such a depressing take from JQ on The Athletic:

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Bennedict Mathurin | 6-6 wing | 19 years old | Arizona
Beep-boop-bap … beep-bot-beep … bop-boop-beep-bat … That sound you hear is Trail Blazers’ general manager Joe Cronin dialing up his colleagues around the league looking to trade this pick. The Blazers desperately wanted to move into the top four to get a franchise-changing player who could align with Damian Lillard’s shrinking window of opportunity (he turns 32 this summer). Cronin’s biggest tell this offseason came after the season, when he said, “you are more likely to win with veteran players than young players, so (trading the pick) will definitely be a part of our decision-making process.”

But, if there are no takers for the seventh pick, my guess is the Blazers will look to shore up their depth on the wing, or at power forward, and now that the Pacers took Sharpe — who is the type of high-risk, high-upside player Cronin says he likes to pursue — the safest pick would be Mathurin from Arizona. Portland wants long, athletic, defensive-minded players, and while The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie says Mathurin is “solid” defensively, he is more known for his offense, which is predicated on attacks at the rim and having a wide arsenal of shots. But again, picking here is not what the Blazers wanted, or will want on draft night. They will look to trade.
— Jason Quick ​

I hope Quick is wrong, but I fear he's right.

I still can't believe we're trying to build around a 32 year-old lead guard that's only played anything remotely approaching a full season once since 2014.

I think Quick like usual has a point and takes the opportunity to put the screws to the team. The team is an easy target right now, we didn't move up in the lotto we ended up in the most likely spot... we also just missed out on that other lotto pick. So I think he has his reasons for saying that we want to move the pick.

 

[blazerkor]

Trading for Jerami Grant is not really indicative of a long-term approach.

I still think if we can move back and get a rookie with one pick and Grant with the other, that it will be both the urgent approach that Dame needs and something for the long term.

 

[wizenheimer]

Jesus that's depressing

not really because focusing on just the 7th draft slot is almost context-free:

2014:

7 Julius Randle
13 Zach LaVine
16 Jusuf Nurkić
25 Clint Capela
27 Bogdan Bogdanović
38 Spencer Dinwiddie
39 Jerami Grant
41 Nikola Jokić

2015:

11 Myles Turner
13 Devin Booker
15 Kelly Oubre Jr.
22 Bobby Portis
32 Montrezl Harrell
37 Richaun Holmes
46 Norman Powell

2016:

7 Jamal Murray
11 Domantas Sabonis
19 Malik Beasley
20 Caris LeVert
27 Pascal Siakam
29 Dejounte Murray
36 Malcolm Brogdon

2017:

7 Lauri Markkanen
13 Donovan Mitchell
14 Bam Adebayo
19 John Collins
22 Jarrett Allen
23 OG Anunoby
27 Kyle Kuzma
42 Thomas Bryant
45 Dillon Brooks

2018:

7 Wendell Carter Jr.
8 Collin Sexton
10 Mikal Bridges
11 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
12 Miles Bridges
14 Michael Porter Jr.
19 Kevin Huerter
24 Anfernee Simons
27 Robert Williams
33 Jalen Brunson
34 Devonte' Graham
36 Mitchell Robinson
37 Gary Trent Jr.

2019:

7 Coby White
9 Rui Hachimura
11 Cameron Johnson
12 P.J. Washington
13 Tyler Herro
21 Brandon Clarke
22 Grant Williams
28 Jordan Poole
29 Keldon Johnson
30 Kevin Porter Jr.

2020:

7 Killian Hayes
10 Jalen Smith
12 Tyrese Haliburton
16 Isaiah Stewart
19 Saddiq Bey
21 Tyrese Maxey
25 Immanuel Quickley
30 Desmond Bane

focusing on who was selected at 7 is a poor gauge. A much better gauge is who was available at 7

 

[blazerkor]

That was just a general statement. Nothing in regards to today. That’s just my overall feeling on him.

He can be a real shit, that's for sure. I think early on when he had great relationships with the players and team he got accused of being a shill but he has overcompensated by far far too much. At the same time this team has given him a lot to criticize but he hasn't been compelled to do it like a snake but he still did.

 

[blazerfan11]

Bennedict Mathurin. "There's athletic, then there's this!" @3:40 in the video.

 

[STOMP]

I still can't believe we're trying to build around a 32 year-old lead guard that's only played anything remotely approaching a full season once since 2014.

I'm in the same camp but I've got to think all parties (that matter) see the writing on the wall with his career window. Publicly building around him this offseason will drive season ticket sales better then moving him for unknown young assets & picks. If he is healthy and producing like Dame time again, I still don't think Portland is going to be close to contending. Moving him to a good team who feels they're a piece away & willing to mortgage their future at the midseason trade deadline seems like the sublime solution.

STOMP

 

[wizenheimer]

yeah, I know people are bummed about the lottery and the trade deadline, but some people are just going out of their way to see everything in a really weird negative light

so, not counting this season, since 2014, Dame has played 82, 75, 75, 73, 80, 66 (in a 74 game season), and 67 (in a 72 game season). That's 40 missed games in 7 years....But wait!!....He was rested in 4 games at the end of the season so that's only 36 missed games in 7 years

that's an average 5.1 games a year. He also played in 61 of 62 playoff games

 

[blazerfan11]

I'd like to see a list of Multi-year Allstars taken at 7 or later Just off this list you have Chris Mullins, Damon Stoudamire, Richard Hamilton, Stephen Curry (!!!!!!), and Murray, Randle, and Barnes are all borderline all-star type guys in their best seasons.

Recall guys like Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis and many, many other All-Stars and even MVPs have been taken at 7 or later. All is not lost. We need to scout well and trade well if it comes to that. I like these trade-down for multiple pick ideas in this draft and go for Duren.

Clyde Drexler, 14th pick.

 

[blazerkor]

Clyde Drexler, 14th pick.

Oh we can find one and if we trade back and/or get really lucky with the 36th pick we can find two or even three. That's the thing that no one really talks about is Herb Jones or more importantly Nikola Jokic, Giannis and Bam. There will be players available far later than we're slotted to pick in the first round that could turn our franchise around and make an impact on playoff wins this upcoming season. We just have to make the right choices of who to pick and where to pick them. There are also players around the league that have been miscast to this point and could become much more than they've been previously like Jimmy Butler... we have to seek out those guys too.

I worry that the objective is to placate. Placate the Vulcans and placate Dame instead of to go for the kill, instead of being ambitious in our quest for a championship and instead of taking the chances that make sense to these people in our front office whose lives are dedicated to the game but have been under the leadership of a guy more suited for PR than managing a multibillion dollar orgaization in a cut throat industry. Let's hope that Olshey's leadership doesn't leave tendancies to pass up the best moves for safer moves aimed at being able to spin the narrative.

 

[STOMP]

To the OP question... who to draft? Who is available? If this draft is like every single draft prior, speculation will have guys rising and falling so we've only best guesses. How a guy is mentally is very important and us fans (certainly I) usually don't know boo about whats between the ears for the prospects. That said, if he's available I like what I've seen of Duren a whole lot. An athletic defensive center who can rim protect and move his feet on switches? Yes please. I'm fine with him just playing the dunker position on offense. But he's got to be a worker not a prima donna... anyone know about his mentals?[/Marshawn]

STOMP

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

The Blazers need significant scoring AND defense from at least one forward. Jerami Grant is not THE answer, but he's better than anything the Blazers have had for years. Get 'er done.
With that said, Detroit is not getting the #7 pick. Mil '25 + Keon + Little? I'm in. Grant has shown more than enough as a 3rd or 4th option on O.

#7 is the other forward or traded for a youngish, veteran forward -- Anunoby.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I can't wait for @Rastapopoulos recommendation of a small forward from Luxembourg who has been taking the Mongolian league by storm.

 

[julius]

I don't know who they should take at 7, but I'll be quite miffed if they trade the pick for Grant.

 

[RR7]

View attachment 47523

yeah, I know people are bummed about the lottery and the trade deadline, but some people are just going out of their way to see everything in a really weird negative light

so, not counting this season, since 2014, Dame has played 82, 75, 75, 73, 80, 66 (in a 74 game season), and 67 (in a 72 game season). That's 40 missed games in 7 years....But wait!!....He was rested in 4 games at the end of the season so that's only 36 missed games in 7 years

that's an average 5.1 games a year. He also played in 61 of 62 playoff games

I'm assuming he was being super lazy to try to make a point and looked at games played without thinking of the schedule

 

[perkinsfor3]

The Blazers need significant scoring AND defense from at least one forward. Jerami Grant is not THE answer, but he's better than anything the Blazers have had for years. Get 'er done.
With that said, Detroit is not getting the #7 pick. Mil '25 + Keon + Little? I'm in. Grant has shown more than enough as a 3rd or 4th option on O.

#7 is the other forward or traded for a youngish, veteran forward -- Anunoby.

Pass the Dutchie on the left hand side.

 

[BigGameDamian]

NBADraft.net has us taking Johnny Davis with #7. Thoughts on Johnny Davis?

 

[PCmor7]

They messed up the tank.

Time to fire Cronin.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Trade Ant in the Grant trade and draft Mathurin or Davis?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

There absolutely will be an all-star-level player available at #7. (I'd be willing to bet there's a fairly good chance that the player who ends up being the best player in this draft will be available.) All we have to do is pick him!

But if we trade this pick for Jerami Fucking Grant, I will rain hellfire upon this benighted franchise.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Best case (unrealistic) scenario: we get Grant and OG without having to give up the 7 (Detroit is on board because they offload a ton of salary; Raptors supplement Siakam/Barnes with a center who can shoot).