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

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Register Log in
RR7 said:
Yeah, I feel like there was a local reporter, maybe Richman, who thought he looked closer to 6'4. But agree, if he's 6'8, I like him, amongst others there
Click to expand...
Think what intrigues me most is his rebounding as a wing. His shooting stroke is ugly and negative a:to ratio don't inspire much hope as a playmaker.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RR7
Pinwheel1 said:
Here is my guess:

No way Risacher drops that low.

I am hoping Buzelis does, but I doubt it unless there is a run on guards. He has so much potential because of his skills and height.

Holland is a fantastic athlete. If he improves his outside shot he could be a star. But if he doesn't he will just be a role-player

Cody Williams was not healthy enough this season for anyone here to get an accurate assessment. But he also has a ton of potential. He needs to add some weight. But I would not be unhappy if he slipped to us. I have read 3 different measurements for his wing span. All good (7'1, 7'2. 7'3) That is important because when he attacks the basket he uses the glass really well and it is hard to block.

Some of these guys will rise and fall in the next few weeks.
Click to expand...
Ya if Zach R is available at 7, that's a no brainer. I don't see him dropping past San Antonio at the worst.
 
illmatic99 said:
Curious how the measurements turn out. If Holland is truly 6'8, that might change things for me.
Click to expand...

hes 6’6 at best. Just look at him lol

small shooting guard that can’t shoot. If anything, this is shabazz Muhammad

holland is the last guy I want of the top wings
 
Sam Vecenie has Knecht at 7 and Salaun at 14. I wouldn't be mad at that at all.
 
Whoever I want least by draft night is probably who we will select.

Early returns suggest Buzelis.
 
If we draft Dalton Knecht that pretty much means that the Blazers will trade Sharpe.
 
illmatic99 said:
he's listed at 6'8 on every site.

glad they changed the rule to force every prospect to the combine for measurements.
Click to expand...
I can’t believe it took them this long. It should have been a requirement a long time ago.
 
We’re gonna be renamed the Portland Turnovers if we draft Buzelis. Between him and Scoot they may average close to 10 t/o’s per game.
 
Predator said:
Whoever I want least by draft night is probably who we will select.

Early returns suggest Buzelis.
Click to expand...
Curious- why are you down on him?

He's definitely not without warts. But among the available wings (Williams, Castle, Holland, & Knecht) -> I think his floor is second highest (to Knecht).

Here's my ranking currently:
Floor: Knecht, Buzelis, Holland, Castle, Williams

Ceiling: Buzelis, Holland, Williams, Castle, Knecht

Intangibles (mental/approach): Castle, Holland, Knecht, Buzelis, Williams
 
illmatic99 said:
not a great comp. Holland is a great rebounder and projects as a good defender.
Click to expand...

mostly referring to the size. Either way, no room for small wings that can’t shoot. I can see the vision with Buzelis even if the results haven’t been great. I struggle to see the vision with Holland
 
Strenuus said:
... another tank year
Click to expand...
We will be bad regardless; who would be the most exciting/least boring pick for you?

I think we will try to package both to go top five but who knows? I feel like garbage drafts are like a trip to goodwill: you might just find a treasure nobody else can see
 
The Athletic's mock:
  1. Atlanta: Alex Sarr
  2. Washington: Nikola Topic
  3. Houston: Donovan Clingan
  4. San Antonio: Zaccharie Risacher
  5. Detroit: Matas Buzelis
  6. Charlotte: Stephon Castle
  7. Portland: Dalton Knecht
  8. San Antonio: Reed Sheppard
  9. Memphis: Ron Holland
  10. Utah: Rob Dillingham
  11. Chicago: Isaiah Collier
  12. OKC: Cody Williams
  13. Sacramento: Jared McCain
  14. Portland: Tidjane Salaun
I would have guessed that more lead guards would go in the top 6, and I would absolutely hate taking Knecht at 7. He's old (23), he's lacking in athleticism, and he's barely proven himself, as he only played a single year at a high level of college competition (where he was a good shooter but sub-standard defender on a good Tennessee team). I'd absolutely prefer Sheppard, who is younger and had a remarkable statistical season as a freshman... they play different positions, but the role they'd be best suited to perform (shoot well, don't get crushed defensively) feels like one that Sheppard would be better at.

Salaun seems like he'd be a verygood pick at 14, but I'd absolutely prefer Cody Williams or even Holland, based on what I know now, ahead of Knecht.

I haven't poked around at other mock drafts, but I expect them to be all over the place given the lack of clear top-end prospects.
 
Everything Beagle said:
We will be bad regardless; who would be the most exciting/least boring pick for you?

I think we will try to package both to go top five but who knows? I feel like garbage drafts are like a trip to goodwill: you might just find a treasure nobody else can see
Click to expand...
I actually think keeping both makes more sense, since this year is more of a crap shoot than most and I want to take two bites at the apple, hoping to get a guy who is worth keeping.
 
Trade both 1s and Simons or Grant to start balancing this team. If we are gonna suck next year let’s suck with Scoot/Sharpe starting in the backcourt and a forward who can rebound and play D next to Ayton.
 
Actually I’d trade both picks to teams for 1s next year. Someone might say yes.
 
I think part of the equation should be looking to add guys who will at least get in Wemby's way defensively. VW is gonna be the man for a long, long time and finding guys that are long and mobile enough to slow him down will be key if we want to contend.
 
#7 Cody Williams (neither Risacher nor Buzelis falls this far)
#14 Salaun (unless somebody reaches more — pretty raw) or JohnnyFurphy

Schmitz swings away and connects!

In a weaker draft, what will be the tolerance for risk in the TOP 4-5 picks? Or becomes need and higher floor-based?

Blazers take 2 forwards. Shorter guards won’t get their attention and Clingon/Sarr go earlier.
 
7 & 14 are what GSW had when they got Kuminga and Moody. That's about the level of draft I'm expecting.
 
Cody Williams.

75% at the rim, 71% from the right baseline, 41% from 3.

That's three levels of scoring. He just needs to tighten up the handles so that he can draw FTs and expand his offensive arsenal across those three levels but it's not like he doesn't have handles. What he lacks in elite handles, he shows in the capability to move in several directions when pressured and he also compliments that by utilizing deceptive quickness to attack the rim where, again, he is 75% accurate or utilize a baseline type floater (again, 71%). From here, he has shown capability of kicking the ball out or tossing it in while attacking and during fast breaks, he showcases the ability to make accurate passes from decent distances. Considering his point forward reputation prior to college, there is secondary playmaking potential from him.

Otherwise, he plays on both ends.

He's not a superstar/MVP tier player but don't be surprised if he becomes one of the All-Stars from this draft due to his abilities.

I'd expect him to be a De'Andre Hunter/Darius Miles hybrid as a median-floor while becoming a Jerami Grant/Paul George hybrid as his ceiling. The latter might make him Top 3 in a redraft, if he pans out.
 
LayneStaley said:
Actually I’d trade both picks to teams for 1s next year. Someone might say yes.
Click to expand...

The only teams that would say yes are teams that are all but guaranteed not to be in the lotto next year.
 
illmatic99 said:
glad they changed the rule to force every prospect to the combine for measurements.
Click to expand...
I was unaware of the new requirements, love it!

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...outlines-new-nba-draft-selection-requirements

From the link...
Beginning in 2024, all invited players will be required to attend and participate in the NBA draft combine or be ineligible to be drafted until the "first subsequent draft for which the player attends and fully participates." Participation will include league medical examinations, sharing of medical history and biomechanical and functional movement testing, as well as strength and agility testing, shooting drills, performance testing and anthropometric measurements. Players will also be required to conduct team interviews, media circuits, player development sessions and other assessments, as determined by the NBA in consultation with the NBPA. Players will not be compelled to compete in 5-on-5 scrimmaging, which typically only a handful of first-round prospects elect to participate in.
Click to expand...

STOMP
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Featured content

Back
Top