I know we don’t need a PG but I’ll tell you what every game I saw of Jeremiah Fears I was impressed with. That kid is gonna be good.
I think the #10 with a large contract could net a 'flawed' star like Lauri or Domantas. Going after Tobias Harris, for example, is why the Pistons are hanging in there with the Knicks. Although, my preference is to acquire more picks in this draft and continue pushing for a specific archetype until one hits. In this case, Portland needs an Aaron Gordon, OG Anunoby, or Tari Eason type. Not an All-Star forward but either borderline star or has potential to be as such. Either trading the #10 down and getting extra picks or trading vets for picks is the key imo. Swing for high potential players like Demin/Essengue with the #10, Yaxel with Simons pick, Rasheer with Grant's pick. Could even try prying Jarace Walker from the Pacers with the #10 pick, who shows flashes but doesn't have any realistic playing time behind Siakam, Nesmin, Turner, Toppin. Basically, you want two way connectors and you want agile forwards with 7'2" wingspans and ball handling. The next two drafts should be maneuvering in the draft/trade/free agency to find that last forward and then, hoping they click by 2029 or 2030 when Sharpe, Deni, Clingan, and probably Scoot are in their primes.
If we don’t move up, I’m 100% keen on packaging that with one of the vets and another future pick/Mil swap for Domas. That’s a huge get for us if it’s possible and he’d be our Deni acquisition for the summer. Sabonis, Camara, Deni, Clingan is actually contender ready. Scoot/Shaedon/a couple firey young defensive minded 3 ballers behind them… let cronin mf cook already. I think they would want DA over the other vets as an automatic Kings-level treadmill replacement that is playable. Fine. Fair. We don’t need him anymore after this..
I remember when we had Nurk, before the Nurk Fever had worn off, and people were suggesting we try and get Sabonis, we had the same problem. You cannot play two giant plodding white guys at the same time. Sabonis isn't a PF, not in this day and age. So you play him (and your defense SUCKS) OR you play Clingan. How 'bout we try to get a player who works WITH our current core? (Also: Sabonis is getting on a bit and has been brutally exposed. I think there's a firm ceiling on a team that starts him.)
Not a HUGE Markkanen fan but he at least fills a need in that he can shoot and he can conceivably play alongside Clingan. Trouble is, I bet Ainge has him way over-valued.
