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

I don't think anything is irrational in this draft. I am still interested in Buzelis and would love to know what the Blazers think of him after working him out, if he even comes to Portland. I think he is just locked in at five to Detroit. But you can't teach height. If Portland did get Buzelis then I probably wouldn't be as interested in Ware at 14. But Ware at 14 if Portland were to take Holland at 7 would be a good pairing.

 

I think this is a general consensus here.

I would love to see what a crowd sourced pick would be if there was a way to avoid thought contamination of the echo chamber.

 

Is a top 6 shaping up? If you had to bet, who's DEFINITELY gone by our first pick?

I'd say 100% certain:
Sarr
Risacher
...but that's about it.

Very likely gone:
Castle (boo)
Sheppard
Buzelis ?

 

This random dude on YT thinks ZR at 7 is possible



Unlikely but anything is possible in this draft

 

Over the last week, we have seen reports of Houston (3) and Utah (10) shopping their picks for veteran help.

Obviously, we don't know where this info is coming from, but the players available at 7 and 14 could be very different if other teams end up at 3 and 10.

 

Because you aren’t drafting Holland to be a “connective” piece. Completely different roles.

If we were drafting Holland to create shots for others, I’d be calling him a turnover machine as well. But luckily, no one projects him to be a playmaker for others as his “ceiling” in the NBA.

 

Why would Holland not have a "connective piece" role? Other than most centers and power forwards...they all need to develop that skill.

 

Of course it is a skill they should have, but that’s not his “NBA” skill. That is THE skill that is going to get Buzelis drafted. Hollands skill that is going to get him drafted is defense and his scoring upside.

 

Is there a bonafide perennial All-NBA prospect in this draft at all?

 

I prefer Holland over Buzelis. But it is not just because of his D. If it was then I would prefer Matas.

I love the way Holland attacks the basket, but against better defenders, he will absolutely need to make the right pass to his teammate. I think he can but if he can't he won't be playing in crunch time.

Buzelis on the other hand can also play defense, block some shots, rebound, pass, and shoot. (Very good turnaround jumper IMO) I just don't think that his ability to "connect" is why he is currently ranked so high in this draft. I think he has the potential to be a good all-around player. I would still take Holland though

 

All-NBA? hard to say. Right now probably not.

The two names that I have heard as potential All-Stars is Dillingham and Holland.

 

I didn’t say it was because of his defense, I said it’s because of his defense AND scoring upside.

Making the right pass to a teammate is completely different than being a playmaker.

You use Rudy Gay a lot different than Lamar Odom.

Buzelis is a good off-ball defender but he is BAD on-ball.

Holland: Better overall defender, better rebounder, more scoring upside. Worse: Playmaker. I’d also say worse shooter although they both were launching bricks from 3.

I mean, 99% of people in this thread have said they’d draft Matas as a connective playmaker. Most analysts describe him as that.

Also, everything you’ve mentioned is why I’d be “meh” on him. I just don’t see the star potential from him because he doesn’t have the ball-handling and finishing ability to have that type of scoring potential.

 

Yep agree "unlikely"
He made some good predictions though, but Buzelis at #2 over Risacher is not going to happen. So if the rest of it is right we will still be choosing between Buzelis and Holland. I still don't count out Williams just because he weighed in lower than expected. Of all the "issues" that can be overcome.......putting on weight is not at the top of my list.

 

I still think you are putting too much emphasis on the "connective playmaker" part of why some like him. It is just one of the "potential" skills they believe he has. Not the biggest. So I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.

 

Shot mechanics look like Lonzo Ball. A right hander shooting off the left side of their head will always struggle with consistency.

 

Statistically there very probably is, but nobody's got any idea who he is.

 

I don't think it looks as bad as Lonzo's shot. But I would be happy with Lonzo's 3 pt results from his last three years. (37% , 38%, 42%)

 

Weight is not Cody's primary issue. If he were 'Durant' (where weight was really the only issue), he'd be a clear #1.

He has great shooting percentages. His issues are how passive he is. He doesn't get rebounds, assists, or steals. He gets lost on D. His handle is decent (but not good). The only way he can drive to the basket is off of hand-off screens at the top of the key.