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

I think I agree. I might even go Clingan if he's available.

 

If we draft Dalton Knecht that pretty much means that the Blazers will trade Sharpe.

 

I can’t believe it took them this long. It should have been a requirement a long time ago.

 

I don't agree with that.

 

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.

 

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

 

Can we stop calling it tanking and refer to it for what it really is - being bad?

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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 was unaware of the new requirements, love it!

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

From the link...

STOMP