With the 7th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, The Portland Trailblazers select. . .

I've heard that Utah actually has some big internal pressure to take a step to winning soon, grabbing Bronny and aiming to possibly get LBJ would be interesting.

 

You “heard”?

 

If the Lakers don't draft Bronny as a favor to LBJ (who could opt out of his contract to become an UFA), there is a real possibility he isn't drafted at all. Not much demand for 6'1.5 shooting guards who can't shoot. Reports from the scrimages at the combine had him being repeatedly targeted for switches onto Bigs who then scored at will.... basically he's a no 3 or D guy

STOMP

 

Direct me to these reports! I've got time to waste...

 

All jacked knees find their way to Portland - it is their Destiny.

 

Interesting article on NBA.com

https://www.nba.com/news/2024-consensus-mock-draft

MOST COMMON PICKS

No. 1 (Hawks): Alex Sarr (10)

No. 2 (Wizards): Zaccharie Risacher (4)

No. 3 (Rockets): Reed Sheppard (3)

No. 4 (Spurs): Nikola Topic (4)

No. 5 (Pistons): Matas Buzelis (5)

No. 6 (Hornets): Stephon Castle (4)

No. 7 (Trail Blazers): Donovan Clingan, Dalton Knecht (2)

No. 8 (Spurs): Robert Dillingham (3)

No. 9 (Grizzlies): Ron Holland (3)

No. 10 (Jazz): Dalton Knecht (3)

No. 11 (Bulls): Isaiah Collier (4)

No. 12 (Thunder): Ja’Kobe Walter, Cody Williams (2)

No. 13 (Kings): Isaiah Collier, Jared McCain, Cody Williams (2)

No. 14 (Trail Blazers): Tidjane Salaun (5)

Most common (above): Pick at which the player is most commonly projected, with number of mock drafts in parentheses. For example, Alex Sarr is projected to go 1st in 10 of the 10 mock drafts listed below.

So according to this, we'd take either Clingan or Knecht and then Salaun at 14, but I think there's a chance Salaun isn't there at 14.

 

I heard it on local Bay Area sports talk from NBA reporter Marc Spears. He stated he was recapping what he'd discussed on ESPN. Here's a link (BR so sorry) thats quoting him

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...s-poor-mans-davion-mitchell-before-2024-draft

STOMP

 

That’s a very well articulated mature post there, Ed. Take that positivity garbage to some other forum!

I’m right there with you. Although this draft doesn’t have a lot of talent at the top, this is the kind of draft any team can find that gem. I’m looking forward to the Blazers taking a few swings.

 

My favorite - 'what guy did we draft? story':

Frank Laydon of Utah once quipped, "I wasn't' sure if we drafted John Gonzaga from Stockton, or John Stockton from Gonzaga!"

Haha.

 

I hope they do take him and Lebron leaves.

 

I'm down with taking Castle if he is available. I think he has nice upside and a high floor. I really want a tall/long wing, PF or center, but I don't think any will be available as best available when we pick.

 

He wants to play point guard. We don't need another point guard.

 

He say that?! Probably not the best time to announce you're making a position switch. I'd think an agent would tell him to hold off on making a career altering position change to potential employers.

 

We probably need a PG about as much as any NBA team. Seriously: name a team that Castle would slot right in to the starting PG position? If it was a fair fight in training camp he would have a better shot at our starting PG spot than the majority of NBA teams.

(I forgive him for being a kid and by all accounts, a very coachable one, so I'm not going to be put off by anything Castle says, but it is pretty hilarious to think that you make sacrifices because your college team is so good and your NBA team will be worse.)

EDIT: I wonder if he's trying to get the Spurs to draft him...

 

are you going to say it?

 

“They have a star point guard in Ja Morant. I feel like I can fit on to any kind of team. I feel like my game is pretty flexible. I feel like I can play with any kind of guys in any kind of way. But I also feel like I made that sacrifice in college. Now, we’re talking about my career, and that’s something I take pride in. Now, I really want to play the one. So, that’s just something to think about.”

I don’t have a problem with Castle saying this. Playing the 1 at his size and D “want to” is a good start for a competitive advantage. As a 2, his 3’s are not a strength. Smart guy.

Guys do make that positional sacrifice and don’t have the reps to develop skills in game (or even in the limited time of practice). Bayless bulked up in college, didn’t look nearly as fluid, and his handles were “meh” for way too long with Portland. He did finally work on them some in the summer. Too late. He lost out to Steve Blake! He played too much SG (IIRC) in college because that’s what the team needed.

Castle may have said it “inelegantly” but he’s probably spot on.