Must Draft Alex Len!

So if Blazers draft Len with the 10 pcik, they still have to use cap space to get a center who can actually start and be productive when the season starts. And then you have a #10 pick and #11 pick in Len and Meyer fighting for time at the center position so they can get some experience and develop. I think it would be a big mess.

And if the plan is to start Len and have Leonard be the back up . . . well just go ahead and trade LA at that point.

 

Actually Len is the only player in the potential top 10 that I have not seen play. That seems to leave him alone as my hopeful draft pick. Of all the guys I have seen play, none have inspired me to want to see them in a Blazer uniform.

 

I don't think Len drops to 10. He's gonna go around 5-7, IMO. I think if the Blazers want him, they are going to have to use their pick and a player like Leonard to get him.

 

Making a decision for Aldridge + Len > Thompson + (Len and Leonard) by far! I think it's funny that anyone would think we should might as well trade Aldridge, since Leonard and Len would be a mess. I would much rather trade Leonard + 10 for Len.

 

Maybe . . . maybe, 2 years from now that roster might develop into a playoff team.

 

So you think Len is a much better player than Leonard?

 

1000 times better. His BBIQ is off the charts + better defensively + more NBA ready + more versatile.

The suns have the #5 pick. They also have enough cap to absorb Leonard's contract for just the pick. I say a straight up trade of Leonard + 10 to phoenix for #5 would be in order. We maybe even able to grab Gortat too, with adding Freeland to the mix.

 

Alex Len is. And trading Leonard and our pick for Len is actually saving us money. We can get the stop gap center "Dalembert" to work in this scenario + using the rest of the space to grab a wing.

 

Just one analysis (draftexpress) but he doesn't seem NBA ready:

One of the younger big men in this draft in terms of age (not turning 20 until mid-June), physical development and experience, Len is very much still figuring things out as a basketball player, but shows some of the best potential of any prospect in this draft. While somewhat inconsistent at times in terms of production, he dropped some phenomenal glimpses of talent this season, executing moves that only a handful of 7-footers anywhere in the world can pull off. It's difficult to ascertain just much of his full potential we were able to see from him at Maryland, and how much tougher and more aggressive he'll get once his frame fully fills out, but there's a lot to be optimistic about.

Len is unlikely to be a dominating presence in the NBA from day one, as he'll need to go to a team that is willing to be patient with him as his body improves and his skill-level continues to round out. There is little doubt that he has all the tools to be an extremely valuable piece for a team down the road, though, as players with his physical attributes and talent are coveted commodities and virtually impossible to acquire outside of the draft. Len is drawing heavy interest throughout the top-10, being hampered somewhat by a stress fracture in his left ankle that will prevent him from conducting any workouts and will sideline him for 4-6 months. It wouldn't be a surprise to see someone roll the dice on him earlier than most have projected, though, or even to see someone trade up to acquire his rights.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz2VSPSCFzz
http://www.draftexpress.com

DOn't know much about Len, but gut instinct is I would rather keep the 10 and Leonard than give up Leonard and the 10 for a project center.

 

I think at most, Leonard will be a Zaza Pachulia type player with less defense and a slighty better offense. I think Len has the ability to be a better "Gortat" type player. Both have some growing in the nba to do. I think the upside of Len is vastly better than the upside of Leonard

 

List of teams from 5-8 and what we could offer for their pick.

5th - Phoenix Suns: #10 + Leonard = Pick

6th - NOLA: Matthews + Leonard = Anderson + Pick

7th - Kings: Leonard + 2 second rounders = Pick + Outlaw

8th - Pistons (hope Len drops to this spot because Pistons don't need a center): Barton + 10 = Singler + 8

 

This is what makes me think he's worth the risk. Seeing a 7'er put the ball on the floor, blow past his defender, and reverse jam the ball through the hoop is...what are the kids saying? SWAYED.

We actually agree on something.

 

So how do you guys rank the realistic center for our pick?

Len
Adams
Gobert
Dieng

 

If you are talking realistic then you can't have Len in there. He won't be there at 10.

I rank them in the order you have listed for talent and future ability though.

 

Len is going 5-8. We have zero shot at him at 10. We must trade up to get him.

 

Well that's good news! The good thing is Phoenix, NOLA, Sac, Detroit and Minny have their centers. Minny is a wild card though because they may not keep theirs.

 

Keep in mind that you listed McLemore twice. It should be MCW at #8 and that may be a reach.