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

[Glazeduck2]

What's all the excitement about this Salaun kid? He's actually not that bigger than Cody Williams, and Cody has at least displayed a high degree of offensive skill. And the people on this forum selected Salaun over Cody?

Salaun and Clingan are the two I"m hoping we DON'T take at 7.

Sorry but is this a serious question? Salaun is FORTY POUNDS heavier than Williams and seven inches of greater standing reach -- discrepancies so large they're completely different positional prospects (big man vs. wing). The excitement about Salaun is -- in a draft where there appears to be no sure things -- he's got an NBA body, with enough youth, athleticism and the right approach to the game to potentially become something special.

Like who you like, Williams has some intrigue too, but I like to look at extreme outcomes as one way to evaluate prospects: Salaun's extreme outcome on the negative side is probably a Junkyard dog type -- a useful hustle player who's never really able to develop a go-to skillset on either end. Williams is slight, small AND passive. To me his extreme negative side is a guy who never gives you much of anything because he can't hang with NBA level physicality and can't (or won't) shoot enough to matter...

 

[Glazeduck2]

If I was to guess the Blazers big board on who might be there at 7 and who they might take this is what I think it is ( also going realistic so take off Sarr , Shep , Rich and Castle but going to leave Clingan on just cause there is a realistic chance he might be there if Hawks do not take him at 1 )

1) Clingan -- too much smoke for this to be untrue that the team is interested in him
2) Knecht -- Closer to being ready and less chance for a dud
3) Salaun -- I think 2 and 3 are super close but the fear he might bust keeps him at 3 -- but he could be a top 10 upside guy in the draft
4) Williams
5) Buzelis
6) Holland
7) Ware and Topic tied cause I think the temptation of Topic might be something in the future is too tempting even with all the guards on roster

With the 3rd pick very much in the picture, I don't think any of Sarr, Rich, and others are off the radar. Doesn't mean it WILL happen, but reports during the season were that we were all in on Sarr and more recently have been very much enamored with Risacher. If Clingan goes 1, which also wouldn't surprise me, I almost expect us to move up to 3 to take whichever Washington passes on.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Basically, Salaun is the only power forward in the first round! They're ridiculously thin on the ground this year. Or am I missing someone?

 

[blazerkor]

What's all the excitement about this Salaun kid? He's actually not that bigger than Cody Williams, and Cody has at least displayed a high degree of offensive skill. And the people on this forum selected Salaun over Cody?

Salaun and Clingan are the two I"m hoping we DON'T take at 7.

Salaun is two inches taller than Cody. Salaun's reach is seven inches taller than Cody's (that is a lot bigger) and they have the same wingspan. Salaun turns 19 in August while Cody turns 20 in November and Salaun already weighs 39 pounds more than Cody neither guy looks like they have an ounce of fat on them (that is also a lot bigger).

So there's an amount of intrigue there based on size and the fact that Cody doesn't test much faster/quicker than Salaun. What makes me lean towards Cody is he jumps higher both from standing and max by a few inches... and while both have nice looking shots Cody's looks better to me and he has a larger body of work supporting him as the better shooter. Cody looks like the better ball handler.

The thing I don't know about is what they looked like in workouts and sounded like in interviews with the team. As much of a dawg as Cody's brother is maybe Salaun looks to be more aggressive on both ends of the court and interviews better but again, I just don't know about this side of things.

I think Salaun is more of a 4 that could hang with 3s and Cody is definitely a 3 who could probably play well at the 2. Not my dream draft because that's just crazy but my ideal draft is that we move up from 14 and are able draft both of these guys to start at the two forward spots for us.

 

[beast blazer]

Salaun's wingspan is only 1 inch longer and he's 2 inches taller, but Williams is a wing. So he's actually bigger relative to the role he'll play.

Salaun shot an abysmal 42/32 as a non volume shooting role player. That sucks. 14 and 6 going up against backups per 36.

If all you care about is standing reach, draft Nae'Qwan Tomlin in the 2nd. He has a 9'1 He at least shot shot 60/40.

 

[blazerkor]

Basically, Salaun is the only power forward in the first round! They're ridiculously thin on the ground this year. Or am I missing someone?

I think DaRon Holmes II is a true power forward that I think almost every mock has in the late first but Salaun is the only guy that I think ends up as a PF in the lotto range. Maybe Tristan Da Silva as well but he's a 3/4 whereas Holmes is a legit 4.

 

[Glazeduck2]

I think DaRon Holmes II is a true power forward that I think almost every mock has in the late first but Salaun is the only guy that I think ends up as a PF in the lotto range. Maybe Tristan Da Silva as well but he's a 3/4 whereas Holmes is a legit 4.

Yeah depends on what kind of "PF" a team is looking for too. Risacher and Buzelis could both easily project as more of a modern 4, but Salaun is one of the few more prototypical PF bodies, that's for sure.

 

[Glazeduck2]

Salaun's wingspan is only 1 inch longer and he's 2 inches taller, but Williams is a wing. So he's actually bigger relative to the role he'll play.

Salaun shot an abysmal 42/32 as a non volume shooting role player. That sucks. 14 and 6 going up against backups per 36.

If all you care about is standing reach, draft Nae'Qwan Tomlin in the 2nd. He has a 9'1 He at least shot shot 60/40.

Again, like who you like. Neither of us are Joe Cronin, so our opinions don't matter. That said, if you're going to knock Salaun for being a "non-shooting" role player, you have to also acknowledge that Cody Williams is also, exactly that. He averaged ONE 3-pointer per game this past season.

I used standing reach as one of several measures by which Salaun is superior, so clearly it wasn't all I cared about. If you can't recognize how big of a difference 40 lbs is in professional sports, I'm not sure what to tell you. But again, I'm not (and frankly, never have been) convinced that you're arguing in completely good faith here.

Cody Williams and Tijaun Salaun are 2 vastly different draft prospects, comparing the 2 as though they're apples to apples is basically a waste of time.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think Salaun is more of a 4 that could hang with 3s and Cody is definitely a 3 who could probably play well at the 2. Not my dream draft because that's just crazy but my ideal draft is that we move up from 14 and are able draft both of these guys to start at the two forward spots for us.

Me too.

Getting #3 might tempt Joe to grab someone else, so I would be happy with a trade with Detroit instead.
#5 and # 7 should do it.

Worst-case scenario we end up with Salaun and Holland which I could live with as well.

I guess it is possible that SA likes Topic more than Castle and surprises everyone by taking Williams or Salaun at 4.... but I doubt it.

 

[beast blazer]

Again, like who you like. Neither of us are Joe Cronin, so our opinions don't matter. That said, if you're going to knock Salaun for being a "non-shooting" role player, you have to also acknowledge that Cody Williams is also, exactly that. He averaged ONE 3-pointer per game this past season.

I used standing reach as one of several measures by which Salaun is superior, so clearly it wasn't all I cared about. If you can't recognize how big of a difference 40 lbs is in professional sports, I'm not sure what to tell you. But again, I'm not (and frankly, never have been) convinced that you're arguing in completely good faith here.

Cody Williams and Tijaun Salaun are 2 vastly different draft prospects, comparing the 2 as though they're apples to apples is basically a waste of time.

No...one player shot the ball very efficiently and the other very inefficiently.

59/42 vs 43/33.

It's a small sample size, but it's all we have to go on. And the difference is large enough that I'd say it's not accidental.

And why on earth should they not be compared when when they will both likely be available when we select and we need to fill both positions for the rebuild? Salaun has good size for a 4, Williams has good size for a 3, but Williams has shown a lot more skill so far.

 

[Glazeduck2]

No...one player shot the ball very efficiently and the other very inefficiently.

59/42 vs 43/33.

It's a small sample size, but it's all we have to go on. And the difference is large enough that I'd say it's not accidental.

And why on earth should they not be compared when when they will both likely be available when we select and we need to fill both positions for the rebuild? Salaun has good size for a 4, Williams has good size for a 3, but Williams has shown a lot more skill so far.

If you don't understand, or won't appreciate, the concept of development, I'm not sure what else there is to say about this "debate". You asked what people see in Salaun, several of us answered the question. It's up to you what to do with it, but like I said, neither of us are Joe Cronin, so none of this means jack shit except us wasting our Sunday.

 

[Pinwheel1]

No...one player shot the ball very efficiently and the other very inefficiently.

59/42 vs 43/33.

It's a small sample size, but it's all we have to go on. And the difference is large enough that I'd say it's not accidental.

And why on earth should they not be compared when when they will both likely be available when we select and we need to fill both positions for the rebuild? Salaun has good size for a 4, Williams has good size for a 3, but Williams has shown a lot more skill so far.

I chose Williams in this mock draft. So I do like him. So assuming both will improve over time, which one is harder to find somewhere else? (#14, another draft, a current player on the team, free agent, trade) Tough call

 

[beast blazer]

I chose Williams in this mock draft. So I do like him. So assuming both will improve over time, which one is harder to find somewhere else? (#14, another draft, a current player on the team, free agent, trade) Tough call

I don't see how Salaun is a better prospect than Tomlin. Tomlin has the same measurables/athleticism, but also shot a good %. Tomlin is older, and some seem to get more excited about the the to be good then actually showing it.

Tomlin is projected as a 2nd round pick

 

[Sheldon Shape]

My favorites at 7 are both Cody and Tidjane. I think Cody has higher star potential but Tidjane's combination of size/motor/skill is probably more rare. I think I'd lean Cody but obviously the Blazers have seen more than I have on these guys.

 

[HailBlazers]

My favorites at 7 are both Cody and Tidjane. I think Cody has higher star potential but Tidjane's combination of size/motor/skill is probably more rare. I think I'd lean Cody but obviously the Blazers have seen more than I have on these guys.

Was leaning Cody but with the recent Spurs shenanigans thinking Tidjane.

 

[STOMP]

To me it would be Buzelis. I know a lot of people hate him, but I would take the bet on him figuring out his three over the others. He did shoot better from three in high school, proving that he does have the ability to find some range. His shot also does not look "broken." His form is decent. I bet he figures it out eventually.

What I read about Buzelis's G League team the Ignite (same team as Holland's) is that the guards were awful and that a lot of the play making fell to the forwards. Especially early on the offense was terrible... disjointed, bad spacing etc. and that their stats should be taken with a grain of salt.

STOMP

 

[STOMP]

He wants to team up with Wemby but SA wanna take him at 8 instead of 4. That's what this news is about

if he's not really hurt but has cancelled his other workouts, it could also mean he doesn't want to be a Piston or Hornet

STOMP

 

[blazerkor]

if he's not really hurt but has cancelled his other workouts, it could also mean he doesn't want to be a Piston or Hornet

STOMP

 

[Hoopguru]

Honestly, I dont think either Williams or Salaun will be anything more than intermittent roll players. Cody's bro played three years in college, both players are 3-5 years out. In this draft at 7 I would take the best player available, one that does something at least extremely well now. Swing away at 14 for ceiling. Id take Dalton Knecht, Reed, Clingan if they fall to 7.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Honestly, I dont think either Williams or Salaun will be anything more than intermittent roll players. Cody's bro played three years in college, both players are 3-5 years out. In this draft at 7 I would take the best player available, one that does something at least extremely well now. Swing away at 14 for ceiling. Id take Dalton Knecht, Reed, Clingan if they fall to 7.

How is anyone being good right now at all relevant to what we're trying to do? They aren't going to be good either way. Go with the highest ceiling. Otherwise, let's go find ourselves another Kris Murray.

 

[Hoopguru]

How is anyone being good right now at all relevant to what we're trying to do? They aren't going to be good either way. Go with the highest ceiling. Otherwise, let's go find ourselves another Kris Murray.

Im just thinking with the 7th pick go for someone that you know has an already developed skill. That player could also have a decent ceiling. I would guess both Willams and Saluan will both spend time in the G league. Swing away ay 14.

 

[blazerkor]

Im just thinking with the 7th pick go for someone that you know has an already developed skill. That player could also have a decent ceiling. I would guess both Willams and Saluan will both spend time in the G league. Swing away ay 14.

I think when you're in the situation this team finds itself in you swing away every chance you get. We don't need guys that can be role players off the bench right away but also have that as their ceiling. We need to go for the guys with the highest upside every time we make a move this off season.

 

[Hoopguru]

I think when you're in the situation this team finds itself in you swing away every chance you get. We don't need guys that can be role players off the bench right away but also have that as their ceiling. We need to go for the guys with the highest upside every time we make a move this off season.

I agree with upside you want all young players to maximize their potential. Some some are further way from that than others. And yes some may have the perceived potential to be all star level. Its hard to predict just how high a ceiling some of these guys have. I mean why couldn’t a guy like Ware Or De Silva have as much of ceiling as Saluan? His body of work isn't much different. Glad we have G league team to develop the talent.

 

[beast blazer]

I think when you're in the situation this team finds itself in you swing away every chance you get. We don't need guys that can be role players off the bench right away but also have that as their ceiling. We need to go for the guys with the highest upside every time we make a move this off season.

If this draft is really as crappy as people say it is, you're coming out good if you get a Nic Batum at 7.

 

[blazerkor]

If this draft is really as crappy as people say it is, you're coming out good if you get a Nic Batum at 7.

Right but you want to swing for something more and I personally don't think Knecht, Edey and other high floor guys will ever be able to do as many things to help teams win games as Nico was able to do in his prime.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

One thing I think we need to consider when talking about upside. Some players who are really smart but somewhat limited athletically might have more upside that we think. They somehow just keep improving. Jalen Brunson was almost 22 when selected 33rd and considered to be probably a solid backup PG but nothing more. He was super efficent though in college. Who in this class might follow in his footsteps?

 

[Hoopguru]

Who has the highest floor and ceiling of: Williams, Saluan, Ware & Knecht?
Which of the four would Scoot & Shae benefit from more, within say two years?

 

[beast blazer]

Who has the highest floor and ceiling of: Williams, Saluan, Ware & Knecht?
Which of the four would Scoot & Shae benefit from more, within say two years?

I think Cody has the highest floor and ceiling.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think Cody has the highest floor and ceiling.

I'd agree.

Salaun has a floor that's so low, it's technically in the basement. He could get to the NBA and just never make it onto the court. I could see him getting a second contract just based on potential, but he could be out of the NBA in 6-7 years.

Knecht strikes me as a guy who will have a long career as a role player. Every team can use a guy like Knecht. I'd actually love to see him with Scoot. They'd be perfect together. But he's not gonna be a star..... unless he's a Kyle Korver level All-Star.

Cody could be an All-Star if he fills out his frame and develops a consistent outside shot.

Ware is maybe a little better than Salaun in terms of floor, but not as high of a ceiling.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I'd agree.

Salaun has a floor that's so low, it's technically in the basement. He could get to the NBA and just never make it onto the court. I could see him getting a second contract just based on potential, but he could be out of the NBA in 6-7 years.

Knecht strikes me as a guy who will have a long career as a role player. Every team can use a guy like Knecht. I'd actually love to see him with Scoot. They'd be perfect together. But he's not gonna be a star..... unless he's a Kyle Korver level All-Star.

Cody could be an All-Star if he fills out his frame and develops a consistent outside shot.

Ware is maybe a little better than Salaun in terms of floor, but not as high of a ceiling.

If we somehow got 2 of Cody, Knecht, Matas, Holland, ZR or Castle I'll be stoked.

I really hope we get Cody.