We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities.

Once workouts start, depending on his shooting, I think we will hear some Amen Thompson chatter

 

I posted this in another thread. The stat numbers agree with you -

Interesting site here that breaks down the value of each draft position.

The 3rd pick is given a relative value of 66.75.
The 23rd pick is given a relative value of 20.00.
Total value = 86.75

Orlando at 6 (52.75) + 11 (40.00) = 92.75

For this example, Orlando giving up the 6 & 11 picks would be valued at 92.75 compared to the single value of the #3 pick of 66.75. Add in the value of Wagner, and that looks like a lopsided trade in the favor of the Blazers. Take it and run!

 

what..why Watford?

people want to go for a youth movement, with or without Dame. Watford is only 22. He's got decent size and length; has good handles for his size; can dribble, pass, and rebound. Plays ok defense.

He's a good option as a 7-9 player in a rotation. Plus, he's signed for less than 2M/year; quite a bargain and the Blazers need bargain players

I don't see any good reason, at all, to dump him

 

The problem is some years the #3 has little difference in value vs #7. Other years that difference is enormous.

Just looking at a historical average but applying that to a specific draft year is a very inaccurate way to build assets on an NBA team.

 

Perhaps poster was just trying to get salaries to match and wasn't thinking of Watford as relevant. Blazers could probably throw in Knox or a sign and traded Reddish instead though.

Only reason I would trade Watford is if another team really wanted him and it was part of a larger package that provided the Blazers with some prime assets. For example in a Dame trade, if the trading partner was very concerned about depth maybe they'd view Watford as very useful depth, but are shipping the Blazers multiple unprotected first round picks as well as superior young players back.

I find those types of scenarios very unlikely, so yes I agree with you, Blazers should likely keep Watford regardless of the direction of the team.

 

you're probably right

objectively?....it could be that Wagner + #11 for #3 balances the scales. But, if this is truly a 2 player draft after Wemby, it could be that Wagner + 6 is more balanced...or that could be a heavy Blazer lean

I think the next 3-4 weeks of the pre-draft combine, individual workouts, and interviews will reveal a lot. Of course, the phony leaks, gaslighting, deflections, and outright lies will be rampant....fun times!

 

If they're unwilling to part with Claxton, it would be interesting to see if we can get Bridges without giving up Ant, and instead ship Ant elsewhere.

 

Plus he's played against REAL NBA talent, and played pretty damn well. And continues to bring more to the table each year.

 

no, he said send out Watford + others for 2nd's

obviously Watford will never be a star. He's unlikely to be a good starter; 22 is young, but it's old enough to make mostly valid projections. His ceiling may be as a '2nd-unit-swiss-army-knife-glue-guy'. That's not indispensable value, but it's also not something you toss away for a 2nd

 

Watford provides positive value/$$. He's like Dray

 

I like this way of thinking.

#3 + Ant for Bridges alone seems an overpay on our part to me. Admittedly, I could be unfair because I want the blazers to win every trade

 

Yeah I would think Walker would go before Watford, unless another team was demanding Watford. They have similar contracts and Watford has shown a lot more.

 

Ok yeah I tend to agree I would keep Watford over a 2nd.

Now if it was a super valuable 2nd, such as the Hornets 2nd in the next few years, that would be worth more. If its Denver 2nd the next few years then no, I'm not doing the deal.

There is an argument that Watford only really has value the next two season, as after that he will be an unrestricted free agent thus paid likely close to his market value. So if the Blazers aren't trying to contend in the next two years, having his production in excess of salary is sort of a waste for this team. So I can see where it could make sense to trade him to a contending team that needs depth immediately for 2nd round picks. That certainly doesn't have to be done this summer though, as even in that type of scenario, its fine to wait until the season or deadline to get something back for him. If he improves, he might even approach the realm of being worth a low first.

 

it would definitely be an overpay for the Mikal Bridges of his first 360 games when he averaged 13-4-2; even with his all NBA defense

but it wouldn't be an overpay for the Mikal Bridges from the 27 games he played for Brooklyn when he averaged 26-5-3 while playing all NBA defense

the issue is which Bridges would you be getting? Which one is the real Bridges or is it quite likely that the real Bridges lies somewhere in between on his extremely wide spectrum. I've seen Bridges a lot but I remain unconvinced he is really the #1 option he appeared to be in Brooklyn. He's definitely a high-level talent, especially when you factor defense. And if you pencil him in as swinging between SF and SG his size seems right.

personally, I'd say if the Blazers can get him for Ant + 3 they are doing fine. But I would NOT add more draft capital than the 3rd pick unless it's 2nd round picks.

 

Yeah I really like this #3 pick more as I do research and think about where this franchise roster talent is at. I was super disappointed not to get #1 after that lottery commercial break, but have quickly moved on to being very excited with the second best pick we've had since 1984.

Now if the Nets are super high on that pick and offer both Bridges & Claxton for Nurk & #3 then yes I do that. We still have Ant, and we upgrade two starting spots. Unlikely they go for that trade. But if they are super high on Scoot/Miller its not impossible.

Trading the #3 needs to get the Blazers knocking on the door of contention immediately. They don't need to be favorites, but they need to be realistically in the mix. Otherwise just keep the pick, draft BPA, and take the time to evaluate what to do with Dame/rest of the roster afterwards.

 

are you sure he will be UFA? You're probably right but I seem to recall a provision about when a two-way is converted to a regular contract the the season of conversion doesn't count toward that 4-seasons-in-the-league = UFA standard. He'd be in the category of a 2nd round pick who signed a 3-year deal

probably not the case but we also don't know all the details of the new CBA either