Blazer fans shouldn't get too attached to that No. 10 pick on Haynes & Jaynes....

He thought he'd develop more than he did. Dude has no post game, soft defensively (sure might block a couple shots on the weak side) and is a huge liability to have on floor during crunch time because he's an atrocious foul shooter

 

Frye + Beasley + Oladipo + Gortat for Matthews + Freeland (Expiring) + Cap Space

They'd have a Hell of a Lot of cap space next year, much more than 1 max contract, maybe even 2. They'd also get a fantastic draft pick in a MUCH better draft.

Starters: Lillard, Oladipo, Batum, Aldridge, Gortat

 

I don't think Vinny was much of a fan that's for sure. I wonder if the new coach will want to keep him. The Clips really don't have another center
on the roster so they would need to replace him with someone.

 

So gortat and the 5 pick for basicly Mathews and cap? Sign me up!

 

DeAndre Jordan and Meyers Leonard is what Blazers fans can look forward to from the future Center rotation. Looking at what some of the other teams have for there center position, I don't think it's really all that bad.

 

Len's stock seems to have risen, up to 4 - 7 in most mocks, but Zeller seems to have slipped into the 9 - 11 range. Seems a bit odd given how well Zeller measured/tested.

So, like Meyers Leonard, Zeller is a freakishly athletic 7-footer. He did have a better college career and comes from a better program. So, would you take Zeller if he's on the board at 10? Between Aldridge, Leonard and Zeller, we'd have a very long, athletic big man rotation, but none of the 3 have shown to be above average rebounders or shot blockers. What good is all that length and athleticism if it doesn't lead to dominating the paint?

I'm still hoping Leonard can develop into at least an average rebounder and defender. I wasn't at all surprised by how lost he looked as a rookie. I expected it. He has a good work ethic and the right coach can teach him proper defensive positioning and rotations, and he has the potential to be far above average offensively.

However, I don't know if I want another Leonard-like player in Zeller. Zeller may end up being the better of the two. Hard to say at this point, and is probably a little more NBA ready, but he would seem redundant with Leonard and doesn't really address any specific needs.

Personally, I'd like to see the Blazers package the pick, move up and grab Oladipo. Not because I think he'll be the next Michael Jordan. He won't be. Not even close. I want him for his defense. He's a great defender that loves to play defense. We need that skill set and that mentality. I doubt if Memphis gets past San Antonio, but I love their defense. It's what sets them apart from the Clippers and OKC in the post season. Those teams are both loaded with great offensive talent, but defense wins in the post season. Oladipo would immediately improve our perimeter defense.

BNM

 

No chance at Zeller being on the board at 10.

 

I checked several mocks yesterday and they all had him going in the 9 - 11 range. Draftexpress currently has him at 11. Hoopsworld has him at 10. SBNation has him at 10. The two guys at CBSSports have him at 10 and 9. Not sure where he'll go, but the guys that make these projections in the media seem to think there's a good chance he'll be available at 10.

So, if he is available at 10, would you take him?

BNM

 

If the the best the Blazers could do sure why not. I sure as hell don't want Shabazz. Listen, The Blazers are ready to win now. How is adding another draft pick going to help this team do that? Maybe they should get Kelly Olynyk as I'm sure he would change our whole outlook of what the team is trying to do.

 

I don't think 90% of any draft picks help you win immediately. Not anymore.
(Kind of like baseball.)

How many did last year? This year I think maybe 3 or 4 will be factors their rookie yer.

 

SCREW THE WAIT AND SEE MODE........LETS WIN NOW DAMMIT!!!!

 

I wouldnt touch Zeller with a 10 foot pole. I would rather have Len, Adams, Gobert.

 

Adding and developing talent helps for future trades. Also, we have no clue what will happen this off season. Missing playoffs to win now is a huge jump.

 

You talk a big game when it comes to player prognostications, especially for a rookie. This year is your first year for us to see if your just blowing smoke or you actually have something to back up that attitude of yours. #gottaearnyourstripeskid

 

The Blazers are really not that far away from a win now team though.

 

There are two people that I said I wouldn't touch.

Olynyk and Zeller.

Zeller primarily because he (finally) admits that he should be a faceup 4, which we already have one of the best in the game.

Also, I was here last draft. Thanks. I was all over Drummond, Lillard, Perry Jones, Wroten and I thought good things of T-Rob, but didn't want him because the LMA thing.

I have no problem being wrong.

 

If our option is getting Jordan or Mcgee or keeping the pick i'd much rather have len/Gobert or trade back and draft Dieng.

 

Has a team worked out Rudy Gobert yet?

I'm pretty down on guys who produce good measurements but have little or nothing to show for their actual game, especially Europeans. I think I posted this a few days ago, but looking at the top eight standing reaches in combine history, the only one currently in the NBA is JaVale McGee, and the top of the list also includes several workout wonders like Saer Sene, Patrick O'Bryant, Saer Sene, DeSagana Diop, Hassan Whiteside, and Alexis Ajinca.

Really, even if you expand it and look at the "short list" of "measurement wonders," we have some iconic players like Dwight and Shaq that had clearly proven their worth beforehand, but as for the unproven prospects, we have a good list of some of the biggest busts in NBA history. Hell, even Cole Aldrich had a pretty impressive standing reach, and we're watching him crash and burn from the bench right now...

I looked up Gobert's stats in Pro A, and they were very modest for his league. Given his age and the competition level though, they're still above average when you put it in perspective, so I'm also not going to pass final judgement on the guy until I hear from a source from an NBA team that has worked him out.

Alex Len, on the other hand, looked great this year at Maryland, in what was essentially his freshman year.