I know the season just started but it's never to early to start looking at the draft. Miles Bridges is probably the best player in college basketball, and exactly who we need as a SF. His draft stock is between 6-13 (a lot of mocks have him at #7). I personally think he'll go between 7 and 10. The consensus top 5 shouldn't change (Bagley, Doncic, Porter, Ayton, Bamba), and there's some young freshmen that could go ahead of him (Jaren Jackson, Collin Sexton, Trevon Duval, Wendell Carter Jr., Lonnie Walker, Hamidou Diallo) as well as Robert Williams. Now, this is a lot higher than our draft range, however I think that we'll be able to trade Davis or other pieces for a late 1st round pick. Would you package two first round picks from this year as well as our 2019 pick for a higher pick in order to draft Miles Bridges? If you haven't seen him play, his team (Michigan State) is playing Kentucky right now on ESPN. Dude is a lock down defender who is extremely athletic and can attack the rim. His 3pt shot is developing well right now. He reminds me a lot of Andre Iguodala. Prime Iguodala would be a perfect fit for our team right now. Bridges is also a terrific person, and a very humble kid. Read this article: http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/st...an-state-miles-bridges-decided-return-college What do you guys think of him, and could we possibly move up to get him? Would he be a great fit here?
I think he ends up going higher than 7 unless something injury wise happens. He’s so athletic, has size, will be a great pro. I don’t see how Portland gets him unless they make a major deal to move up.
Oh they might be lottery. Just think Bridges could be top 3. Not sure they’ll end up with enough ping pong balls.
I don't think there's any way he'll go above 6. He has very good starter potential. But Bamba, Ayton, Porter, Bagley, and Doncic have superstar/franchise player potential. This draft is very good, much like last year. Sexton, Carter, Jackson, and Duval are all underrated. Sexton is electrifying, and reminds me of a young Russel Westbrook with his demeanor on the court and his fire and how hard he plays. It's very possible he winds up around 7-10. We need to pursue this dude hard. He's perfect for us.
I just wouldn’t be surprised if he moves up. Michigan State will have a good year, he’ll get a ton of exposure, he’s their best player and the extra year of college is a good thing for him - and he still would have gone pretty high last year. Just needs to stay healthy. I hope he doesn’t go too high because I’d love for Portland to get him.
At this point, it’s so obvious we desperately need an improvement at the 3/4, I would trade any of our picks and anyone outside the big 3 for a legit forward. I would prefer it’s not someone out the draft but if that’s the only way we can address that need... then make it happen. I thought Bridges was ready for NBA last year and was shocked he went back to school. Think he has a great game and will be able to contribute right away his first year in NBA. We’ll see how this season plays out but Bridges is definitely a guy I have my eye on. Along with Lonnie Walker.
Julius Randle would be easier for us to get. We aren't sucking enough to get top 7 pick and Ed Davis turning into a first isn't going to tempt anyone to move back.
He's nothing like Randle. I think 3-4 1st round picks (including ours which should be 15-20) could be tempting for a team at 8 or so, which Bridges could be available at. It's all conjecture, but if theres any possible way we could add this kid to our big 3, we need to do it.
I didn't say he was like Randle. That was the other poster. Just specifying that between the two one is easier to get imo. How are we getting 3-4 first round picks? I don't think as a small market that POR can afford to send away future 1st rounders.
I just got done watching Duke and Michigan St. play Bridges had 5 3 tonight in a lost. Allen had 35 points and 7-11 from the 3 guy can plan shoot the ball. Carter didn't look bad, Duval is alright but cant shoot lick from outside. Bagley got poke in the eye in 1st half and he didn't come back.
Miles Bridges is already a better player then Randle, imo. Bridges is a lot closer to a Tobias Harris or CJ Miles. He should be one of the better “ready now” players in this draft.
I think we could get 1-2 late first round picks for our personnel. Lump them with our 2018 and 2019 picks and you might have a chance.
