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

I’m happy to read and hear the chatter from players, media types — everyone — to make this guessing game a big, tangled mess. Finest kind!

 

Other than a couple teams in the league, nobody uses a traditional PG. Most of the time, especially after a defensive rebound, the guy that gets the rebound brings the ball down the court. Bring the ball up the court and call for a screen. That's pretty much every team's offense now. Positions have become almost completely fluid.

 

How nice would it be to have a 6’6 passing savant in Topic — if that’s what he’d be in the NBA — for a change. Especially if he adapts to expected challenges scoring around the hoop … and with his FT% I have little to no doubt that he will become effective from 3. He looks willing.

I hope their draft analysis prep values more rare skills and/or abilities and/or athletic size (which does not include Edey). What’s the worst that can happen in an apparently weaker draft? Draft 2 lottery rookies who aren’t ready now — who will take a couple years to show they’re a hit or a huge miss — and they cause more losses next season? For next year’s capture the Flagg. Taking the big swing means NOT being risk averse for a more ready guy who can help win a few more games to get another #7 pick or worse.

 

One of these please

 

I’m not entirely disappointed in hearing him say this either. I think that in an ideal world, a combination of Buzelis/Williams/Salaun are available at #7. In a world where all three are gone, I wouldn’t hesitate too much on taking Castle if Schmitz believes in him as a prospect.

I’d like the front office to ask him, “how do you feel about guarding bigger guys?” If he gives the answers that leads us to believe he has a Jimmy Butler vibe to him, then I would still consider him if the other three are gone. Positions no longer matter in the modern NBA. I personally like he believes he’s a PG—I’m very interested to see him develop into one, because I don’t really believe him yet.

Scoot is still learning the speed and physicality of the game and could still struggle with fouls. There are still plenty of opportunities for another playmaker to rise in the rotation.

6’7 in shoes and does everything including defensively. If he turns into a real PG and Scoot never becomes a star, great. If Scoot and Castle are both PGs and we are forced to employ a two-PG lineup or trade one for the best package, great. If he only proves to become a great secondary playmaker, great. The only way we lose is if Castle doesn’t pan out of he becomes a malcontent. I just don’t think that’s in his character.

Who knows though.

 

you'll love this mock draft from The Ringer:

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft

I wouldn't use the 14th pick on Ja'kobe Walter though, not with Kel'el Ware available...but what do I know

would the Blazers have done well if they get Risacher & Ware?

 

We would be doing extremely well to walk away with Risacher and anyone else. Just don't think he lasts past pick 4. He likely doesn't even last that long.

 

Would you trade #7 for Josh Giddey? Bill Simmons was discussing the Spurs trading #8 for him.

 

No.

It's not that he is not any good but he is not who we need. Even Holland could turn out to be better.

 

The guy who hasn't been able to stay on the floor in the playoffs because he can't shoot?

 

He looked completely engaged the entire game and found a lot of straight-line scoring opportunities. No disappearing act like we've seen previously. He looks like a solid plug-in-play #3 option. Brandon Miller or MPJ archetype would fit perfectly on our roster.

 

I'd be pretty happy with that outcome. Got a lot bigger and better defensively. Added some useful weapons offensively as well.

 

So Blevins might get back in the league?

 

We agree. If they want to get a scoring wing, I'd find a later first to take Jaylon Tyson and use their second lotto on Ware.

 

We have Banton

 

Not sure if that means he would or wouldn't workout for the Blazers?

We got PG's but I'm not sure any are a "starter in place"

 

If Scoot isn't starting to begin next season someone should be executed. He's definitely the starter in place if it ain't Ant.

 

I never take this type of stuff too seriously.

 

You are probably right. I guess we will know for sure if it is bullshit or not in the next few weeks. Hard to believe he would be afraid of some competition.