I get that. Which is why I think the message from Cronin has to be “this is the path that we believe represents the best chance at getting you a title over the course of your 5 year contract. If you disagree, you are welcome to request a trade. However, what we will not do is trade away our entire draft for the next 7 years to become a solid playoff team that is not considered elite.”
I think that's a logical point of view that you have. I don't know that our ceiling if we use all of the draft assets we can access in trades to get better immediately results in just a solid playoff team but again I'm not sure that we could get into that "elite" level. I hope we can because I believe Dame when he says that he's spoken with Joe a lot and that they are on the same page. Just a lot of wait and see right now.
Last offseason I honked the horn hard for Duren and thought the Blazers should have been considering him but was met with all sorts of detractors. A short list of the derogatory comparisons made included Stromile Swift, Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, Clint Capela, DeWayne Dedmon, Hasaan Whiteside, Nerlens Noel, Hasheem Thabeet & Bismack Biyombo. Having transferred up a class, he was the youngest player in the league this season. I wanted him above all the other guys who went after the Blazers picked Sharpe. btw, I didn't weigh in on Shaedon other then to relay I was impressed by his clear physical gifts and smooth jumper but didn't feel I had enough info STOMP
I don’t think Duren showed anything this season that will leave us with major, extreme regret. He seems like he will evolve into at best a Clint Capela type, not a perennial all star. The offensive feel just isn’t there for him to be more than a rim running big.
Pretty sure Dame has $250 million reasons to like it. Also, I seriously doubt there will be anything available for him in trade as teams would want to pair him with their good player(s), not just add him to a gutted team. He makes too much money. Players that are available are most likely Simmons or Robert. No thanks. As for building around him, I will patiently wait to hear the rumors. All I see speculated on this board are trades for SG or SF all the while we have Sharpe/Simons (SG) and Grant (SF). Siakam is a tweener like Grant, so that is duplication as well. People throw out names like Bam or Embiid but they are not available. They are thriving in the playoffs.
I posted on here last May that if we used our lottery pick last year and we were losing again, Dame would want out. I believe this is where we are at right now. Posted this last week.... Dame/Ant/Sharpe/Lottery Pick..... i think only 2 of those are here next September.
That’s very unfortunate. The top end of the 2023 draft is loaded with forwards, and the Trail Blazer may be the team best equipped for a rookie forward to succeed if Dame stays.
A mock draft with comments. After 2 they seem to have concerns: Miller considered an average athlete compared to NBA talent, “The Thompson twins are 20 years old playing against guys 16 and 17 years old,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “It’s tough to trust them. I don’t like their shooting forms at all.” Walker:“He’s always been a role player,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He reminds me of Patrick Williams when I watch him. You could draft him in the Top 5 because of his body and perceived upside, but he’s never done it as a lead guy. To me, you’ve got to do it at least at one level (high school or college). He’s always contributed to winning teams and is willing to accept any role on winning teams.” https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-mock-draft-scoot-henderson-brandon-miller-jarace-walker/
I would bet that the only way they do not keep #1 is if Wemby pulls a Kobe and lets them know he will only play for a big-market team. (Which is unlikely) Wemby needs to be a long-term solution otherwise they might as well trade the pick. but again I doubt that will be the case. Adding him without giving up assets to match salaries, frees up those same assets to add yet another piece of the puzzle. The Blazers would have to be guaranteed a potential superstar in return for Victor. It would be interesting for sure to see the offers though.
I actually was with you on Duren. He was ready physically, and his skillset was perfect . But i think the Blazers have hit a home run with Sharpe. Sharpe needs to put the work in the way Dame does, and he could be a superstar.
There's one Lottery player in this draft for the Blazers, and that's Wemby. Pick# 2 and on is heading to the Nets for Bridges, or the Raptors for Siakam, IMO. I think the Celtics re-sign Jalen Brown at all cost, unless he demands a sign and trade outta there.
