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

[twobullz]

Tankathon has the Blazers taking two players 6'3" or under. I personally hope for no players under 6'6". Seems we are set in the backcourt unless some trades happen.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

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.

I think he's probably my favorite at who is there at 7. I think he's more likely to reach his ceiling than Buzelis.

 

[illmatic99]

I think he's probably my favorite at who is there at 7. I think he's more likely to reach his ceiling than Buzelis.

Same. The efficiency is awesome and he seems really skilled. Just curious how he'd look with increased usage.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Same. The efficiency is awesome and he seems really skilled. Just curious how he'd looks with increased usage.

I think I take him over Holland and Buzelis. I'd be extremely happy with Cody and Salaun in the first round.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Shabazz Muhammad is just happy that SOMEBODY remembers him!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Tankathon has the Blazers taking two players 6'3" or under. I personally hope for no players under 6'6". Seems we are set in the backcourt unless some trades happen.

Well, it is called tankathon, and that would help us tank.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think I take him over Holland and Buzelis. I'd be extremely happy with Cody and Salaun in the first round.

I’m so torn on some of these dudes. Gonna watch some tape for the next month.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Cody Williams.

Harvey Grant
Robin Lopez
Seth Curry
Kris Murray
and now... Cody Williams!

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think some of you rely on stats too much for players who are so young. Anthony Edwards shot 29% from the 3-point line in college.
I am not sure some of you would have wanted him based on that.

Granted not every player gets better, but if Holland does...he will be a very good NBA player in a couple of years.
It is not always easy to do but we need to project how a young player will be in a couple of years, not how they look right now. They are all so far from a finished product.
I know most of you realize that, but it sure sounds like some have forgotten.

 

[Phatguysrule]

This is what we can expect. And why we'll need to be bad for at least another 2 or 3 draft cycles.

Need to get first rounders out of Simons, Grant, and Brogdon if at all possible.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I’m so torn on some of these dudes. Gonna watch some tape for the next month.

I would be good with any of Clingan, Risacher, or Cody Williams with our first pick. I doubt Clingan or Risacher will be there though.

With our GS pick, which they should absolutely keep and use, I'd be good with Knecht, Salaun, Tyson or George.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I think some of you rely on stats too much for players who are so young. Anthony Edwards shot 29% from the 3-point line in college.
I am not sure some of you would have wanted him based on that.

Granted not every player gets better, but if Holland does...he will be a very good NBA player in a couple of years.
It is not always easy to do but we need to project how a young player will be in a couple of years, not how they look right now. They are all so far from a finished product.
I know most of you realize that, but it sure sounds like some have forgotten.

People need to remember it's one of the easier skills to learn. Saying all that, I don't love his size and people who have looked at his shot say they don't love the prospects of him being a good shooter due to mechanics. I also think you have to consider if a player can succeed given the time to develop. I don't think Portland is a conducive place for Holland because we don't have many shooters to surround him with.

 

[Hoopguru]

Clingan as we need A guy to guard the big 5’s in the west.
Then we could maybe pkg Ayton for another young wing.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Clingan as we need A guy to guard the big 5’s in the west.
Then we could maybe pkg Ayton for another young wing.

A lot of the good 5s out west can play on the perimeter. Can Clingan guard them?
Having said that if he really is the BPA then I guess we would have to consider it. I just don't think he will be.

 

[Pinwheel1]

People need to remember it's one of the easier skills to learn. Saying all that, I don't love his size and people who have looked at his shot say they don't love the prospects of him being a good shooter due to mechanics. I also think you have to consider if a player can succeed given the time to develop. I don't think Portland is a conducive place for Holland because we don't have many shooters to surround him with.

When you watched his video on page 1, did he look like his mechanics were so bad they couldn't be fixed? H is still only 18

 

[Kell]

Dark horse for 14 is Tyler Smith. Of all the years for the pick to drop back, I am not mad at it. 2-9 are pretty interchangeable depending on the team picking.

random thought, 06 pick 6 was Brandon Roy, 12 pick 6 was Damian Lillard. 22 pick 7 was Shaden Sharpe, 24 pick 7 is … wishful thinking anyway

 

[Sheldon Shape]

When you watched his video on page 1, did he look like his mechanics were so bad they couldn't be fixed? H is still only 18

I like him but not more than Cody, Clingan or Risacher.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I like him but not more than Cody, Clingan or Risacher.

I agree with that. Risacher might go 1st, so he is irrelevant at this point.

But yes that painful video vs Oregon on page 1, is why I have been so high on Cody.
I remember it well and he had just come back from an injury. I have said that numerous times.....all he needs is to add another 10 lbs to his frame.
He is better than Holland.

 

[Hoopguru]

Reed Sheppard the best shooter in the draft.
Were going to need another guard that can flat out shoot the ball. If Simons is pkged then we have a shooter off the bench.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Reed Sheppard the best shooter in the draft.
Were going to need another guard that can flat out shoot the ball. If Simons is pkged then we have a shooter off the bench.

I would only do that if they had the trade for Simons done when the pick is made. And the trade netted a young SF as good as Cody.

 

[Hoopguru]

I would only do that if they had the trade for Simons done when the pick is made. And the trade netted a young SF as good as Cody.

Sheppard plays very good defense too,

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I agree with that. Risacher might go 1st, so he is irrelevant at this point.

But yes that painful video vs Oregon on page 1, is why I have been so high on Cody.
I remember it well and he had just come back from an injury. I have said that numerous times.....all he needs is to add another 10 lbs to his frame.
He is better than Holland.

Clingan or Cody Williams at 7?

I'd love if the Blazers packaged both seconds with 14 to 9 or 10. Imagine a Clingan and Cody draft. That would be A++.

 

[Predator]

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

In general I’m not too interested in players who aren’t going to be a STRENGTH defensively. Also not thrilled with a negative A/TO ratio given he is supposed to be a “playmaker”.

 

[Ed O]

Sheppard plays very good defense too,

He rebounds well. He blocks shots well. He gets steals. And his three point shooting looks a bit like a typo.

He had an amazing, almost unprecedented, year at Kentucky according to advanced statistics. He would be a pretty poor fit for the Blazers in the next year or two (and/or as long as we have Scoot/Sharpe/Ant all worthy of heavy minutes) but I could see myself supporting the Blazers taking him because his upside is so high, especially if we can scoop up a wing or other guys with size at 14.

 

[Hoopguru]

He rebounds well. He blocks shots well. He gets steals. And his three point shooting looks a bit like a typo.

He had an amazing, almost unprecedented, year at Kentucky according to advanced statistics. He would be a pretty poor fit for the Blazers in the next year or two (and/or as long as we have Scoot/Sharpe/Ant all worthy of heavy minutes) but I could see myself supporting the Blazers taking him because his upside is so high, especially if we can scoop up a wing or other guys with size at 14.

His point of attack d is better than Simons.

 

[MrDraftGuy]

I think some of you rely on stats too much for players who are so young. Anthony Edwards shot 29% from the 3-point line in college.
I am not sure some of you would have wanted him based on that.

Granted not every player gets better, but if Holland does...he will be a very good NBA player in a couple of years.
It is not always easy to do but we need to project how a young player will be in a couple of years, not how they look right now. They are all so far from a finished product.
I know most of you realize that, but it sure sounds like some have forgotten.

Well, the thing is that Edwards was electrifying as a scorer in college. Even if he was inefficient from 3, he was 50% from 2 and was able to notch a bunch of points with it while also demonstrating archetypal All-Star SG traits: quick first step, all-around skills, ability to attack the rim with good body control, good vertical, shot creation, ball handling (Sharpe is similar btw! Wish they would force him to watch Kobe and MJ tape rather than Devin Booker and Zach Lavine).

With the G-League, it's more difficult to tell how Holland's scoring prowess would look like in college and therefore, how it might translate to the NBA is more difficult to discern.

I do think Holland should be good, though. See him as Rudy Gay/Luol Deng/Gerald Wallace type player. 1-2x All Star possibly.

Turnover rates and the way he attacks the rim, where his body control is good but more basic, prevents me from viewing him as a guy with massive star potential. Not saying it's impossible but it seems rather limited. Does seem to match your trajectory of "very good NBA player". Just not sure he can become "great", which I would define as perennial All-Star level.

 

[MrDraftGuy]

He rebounds well. He blocks shots well. He gets steals. And his three point shooting looks a bit like a typo.

He had an amazing, almost unprecedented, year at Kentucky according to advanced statistics. He would be a pretty poor fit for the Blazers in the next year or two (and/or as long as we have Scoot/Sharpe/Ant all worthy of heavy minutes) but I could see myself supporting the Blazers taking him because his upside is so high, especially if we can scoop up a wing or other guys with size at 14.

Sheppard is probably going to be a very efficient NBA star.

2.5 steals per game is rare amongst NBA PG prospects. I'm talking that's something only CP3, Stockton, Rondo, Payton did as NBA prospects coming out of college.

Then, he's an elite 3pt shooter and has good FT% should indicate he'll have a reliable three point shot in the NBA. Then, he also has good assist and rebounding numbers.

It may be controversial but I really would not mind trading Simons or Scoot and the 14th pick for Reed Sheppard. Then, draft Cody Williams with #7.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think we are in a good spot to steal a really good prospect at 7.

 

[Everything Beagle]

Clingan or Cody Williams at 7?

I'd love if the Blazers packaged both seconds with 14 to 9 or 10. Imagine a Clingan and Cody draft. That would be A++.

Do you think we could make a package for SA’s #8 using our 14 and change? I make the suggestion because SA already has the 4 and might not care too much about 8… though with Pop you never know.

 

[Hoopguru]

Sheppard is probably going to be a very efficient NBA star.

2.5 steals per game is rare amongst NBA PG prospects. I'm talking that's something only CP3, Stockton, Rondo, Payton did as NBA prospects coming out of college.

Then, he's an elite 3pt shooter and has good FT% should indicate he'll have a reliable three point shot in the NBA. Then, he also has good assist and rebounding numbers.

It may be controversial but I really would not mind trading Simons or Scoot and the 14th pick for Reed Sheppard. Then, draft Cody Williams with #7.

If he drops to seven, we'd nuts not to draft him. By far the best roundball player in the draft. We need shooting and point of attack D.