With the 7th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, The Portland Trailblazers select. . .

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I’m happy to read and hear the chatter from players, media types — everyone — to make this guessing game a big, tangled mess. Finest kind!
 
Other than a couple teams in the league, nobody uses a traditional PG. Most of the time, especially after a defensive rebound, the guy that gets the rebound brings the ball down the court. Bring the ball up the court and call for a screen. That's pretty much every team's offense now. Positions have become almost completely fluid.
 
cheesehoff said:
Other than a couple teams in the league, nobody uses a traditional PG. Most of the time, especially after a defensive rebound, the guy that gets the rebound brings the ball down the court. Bring the ball up the court and call for a screen. That's pretty much every team's offense now. Positions have become almost completely fluid.
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How nice would it be to have a 6’6 passing savant in Topic — if that’s what he’d be in the NBA — for a change. Especially if he adapts to expected challenges scoring around the hoop … and with his FT% I have little to no doubt that he will become effective from 3. He looks willing.

I hope their draft analysis prep values more rare skills and/or abilities and/or athletic size (which does not include Edey). What’s the worst that can happen in an apparently weaker draft? Draft 2 lottery rookies who aren’t ready now — who will take a couple years to show they’re a hit or a huge miss — and they cause more losses next season? For next year’s capture the Flagg. Taking the big swing means NOT being risk averse for a more ready guy who can help win a few more games to get another #7 pick or worse.
 
HoopsFanAZ said:
“They have a star point guard in Ja Morant. I feel like I can fit on to any kind of team. I feel like my game is pretty flexible. I feel like I can play with any kind of guys in any kind of way. But I also feel like I made that sacrifice in college. Now, we’re talking about my career, and that’s something I take pride in. Now, I really want to play the one. So, that’s just something to think about.”

I don’t have a problem with Castle saying this. Playing the 1 at his size and D “want to” is a good start for a competitive advantage. As a 2, his 3’s are not a strength. Smart guy.

Guys do make that positional sacrifice and don’t have the reps to develop skills in game (or even in the limited time of practice). Bayless bulked up in college, didn’t look nearly as fluid, and his handles were “meh” for way too long with Portland. He did finally work on them some in the summer. Too late. He lost out to Steve Blake! He played too much SG (IIRC) in college because that’s what the team needed.

Castle may have said it “inelegantly” but he’s probably spot on.
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I’m not entirely disappointed in hearing him say this either. I think that in an ideal world, a combination of Buzelis/Williams/Salaun are available at #7. In a world where all three are gone, I wouldn’t hesitate too much on taking Castle if Schmitz believes in him as a prospect.

I’d like the front office to ask him, “how do you feel about guarding bigger guys?” If he gives the answers that leads us to believe he has a Jimmy Butler vibe to him, then I would still consider him if the other three are gone. Positions no longer matter in the modern NBA. I personally like he believes he’s a PG—I’m very interested to see him develop into one, because I don’t really believe him yet.

Scoot is still learning the speed and physicality of the game and could still struggle with fouls. There are still plenty of opportunities for another playmaker to rise in the rotation.

6’7 in shoes and does everything including defensively. If he turns into a real PG and Scoot never becomes a star, great. If Scoot and Castle are both PGs and we are forced to employ a two-PG lineup or trade one for the best package, great. If he only proves to become a great secondary playmaker, great. The only way we lose is if Castle doesn’t pan out of he becomes a malcontent. I just don’t think that’s in his character.

Who knows though.
 
wizenheimer said:
you'll love this mock draft from The Ringer:

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft

I wouldn't use the 14th pick on Ja'kobe Walter though, not with Kel'el Ware available...but what do I know

would the Blazers have done well if they get Risacher & Ware?
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We would be doing extremely well to walk away with Risacher and anyone else. Just don't think he lasts past pick 4. He likely doesn't even last that long.
 
Would you trade #7 for Josh Giddey? Bill Simmons was discussing the Spurs trading #8 for him.
 
STOMP said:
If the Lakers don't draft Bronny as a favor to LBJ (who could opt out of his contract to become an UFA), there is a real possibility he isn't drafted at all. Not much demand for 6'1.5 shooting guards who can't shoot. Reports from the scrimages at the combine had him being repeatedly targeted for switches onto Bigs who then scored at will.... basically he's a no 3 or D guy

STOMP
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So Blevins might get back in the league?
 
wizenheimer said:
you'll love this mock draft from The Ringer:

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft

I wouldn't use the 14th pick on Ja'kobe Walter though, not with Kel'el Ware available...but what do I know

would the Blazers have done well if they get Risacher & Ware?
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We agree. If they want to get a scoring wing, I'd find a later first to take Jaylon Tyson and use their second lotto on Ware.
 
Samuel said:
I never take this type of stuff too seriously.
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You are probably right. I guess we will know for sure if it is bullshit or not in the next few weeks. Hard to believe he would be afraid of some competition.
 
Pinwheel1 said:
You are probably right. I guess we will know for sure if it is bullshit or not in the next few weeks. Hard to believe he would be afraid of some competition.
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Even if he does refuse to work out with teams, teams can draft him if they think he’s the best prospect.
 
Wizard Mentor said:
simple question: who's the best 3&D player who might be there at 7?
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If we're lucky, Risacher drops to 7. Otherwise, there isn't a 3-D prospect worth taking that high. Kyshawn George is probably the next-best 3-D prospect, but he'd also still be available at 14.
 
Wizard Mentor said:
simple question: who's the best 3&D player who might be there at 7?
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Unfortunately, it is not that simple. They are all so young. Risacher is probably the best right now..... but in two years when they are still only 21?

I can see Williams adding 20 lbs and being a good defender with his length. He can shoot from everywhere IMO

I can see Buzelis who is reportedly a good defender but whose 3 pt stats were not great, but whose shot looks pretty good. I see no reason why it won't improve.

Salaun can shoot, can he be a good defender?

Holland is a good defender...can he improve his 3 pt shot?

George's measurements surprised me. Over 6'8" and 209. Add another 7 lbs? he is an intriguing wing because he handles the ball so well, has good vision, and can shoot. All he seems to need is a little more strength ...which should be easy to work on.

This draft could end up being a lot deeper than the "experts" think. It is just really hard to project how they will turn out
 
I think the general view is shifting a little bit. Even The HCP is a bit quieter about his "omg worst draft ever" narrative. Which is maybe a good sign.
 
Wizard Mentor said:
simple question: who's the best 3&D player who might be there at 7?
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Sarr - D, No 3
Risacher - D "tools" (good team D), Streaky 3
Clingan - D (likely drop only), nonexistent 3
Topic - No 3, good FT%, no D
Buzelis - No 3, good 3pt% in HS, D "tools"
Castle - No 3, Good D
Dillingham - 3, Awful D
Holland - D upside, No 3 (broken form)
Sheppard - Good 3, D playmaker, questionable team D
Knecht - Good 3, Awful D (potentially good D "tools")
Cody - Streaky 3, D "tools"
Salaun - D "tools", No 3 (decent FT%)
Filip - 3, questionable D tools in NBA
Missi - D, nonexistent 3
Da Silva - Good 3, questionable D tools in NBA
 
SharpesTriumph said:
Would you trade #7 for Josh Giddey? Bill Simmons was discussing the Spurs trading #8 for him.
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I really doubt the Spurs would be interested in a guy who was bonin' a 17 year old.
 
Natebishop3 said:
He wants to play point guard. We don't need another point guard.
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I would argue that he would be a great backup swing guard that likely wouldn't need a starting spot. I do agree there is a problem with point guards on the team and I think one of Scoot or Simons needs to be traded at some point. Unfortunately it's too soon to make that call. Right now I like Simons/Sharpe better than Scoot/Sharpe because both Simons and Sharpe can really light it up and create their own shots. But, clearly Scoot needs more time to show what he can do, and hopefully will make Simons tradable. That's where I see Castle fitting in.
 
SwissBlazer said:
I think the general view is shifting a little bit. Even The HCP is a bit quieter about his "omg worst draft ever" narrative. Which is maybe a good sign.
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You’re fucking crazy FAMS! I’m quiet, because there’s nobody worth talking about. I let the “draft experts” handle it.
 
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