Groupthink 2024 Mock Draft: Pick #8

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Ed O, Jun 19, 2024.

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Who should San Antonio take at #8?

Poll closed Jun 20, 2024.
  1. Devin Carter, Providence

    15.6%
  2. Robert Dillingham, Kentucky

    12.5%
  3. Ron Holland, G-League

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  4. Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

    18.8%
  5. Nikola Topic, Serbia

    25.0%
  6. Cody Williams, Colorado

    25.0%
  7. Other (post below)

    3.1%
  1. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    Who do you think San Antonio should take? Try to be a fan or the GM for the team, rather than who you want to have them take based on your Blazers fandom.

    Tomorrow morning I'll set up another poll with the results factored in .
    1. Atlanta: Alex Sarr, France
    2. Washington: Zacharie Risacher, France
    3. Houston: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
    4. San Antonio: Stephon Castle, UConn
    5. Detroit: Matas Buzelis, G-League
    6. Charlotte: Donovan Clingan, UConn
    7. Portland: Tidjan Salaun, France
    8. San Antonio
    9. Memphis
    10. Utah
    11. Chicago
    12. Oklahoma City
    13. Sacramento
    14. Portland
     
  2. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    I voted Dillingham - seems like the most likely chance to become a starting level player. With Wemby they just need to fill out their lineup with average starters.

    I could see a good argument for Holland or Williams though - but they seem like they have higher bust potential.

    Topic has the injury risk I don't think a Wemby team needs. Problem with Knecht is he is very unlikely to have starter upside.
     
  3. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    I am not sure what they need more an SG or an SF. I just know they could use a shooter next to Castle and Sochan. Either Williams or Knecht is a good option for them. I chose Knecht.
     
  4. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    This is a tough call for me... probably the toughest so far.

    The three big options I see for the Spurs:
    • Dalton Knecht: Might be able to step right in as a starter. Provides perimeter shooting and never would have to be a superstar given Wemby's presence.
    • Cody Williams: Length and outside shooting and a lot of potential to be a Robert Horry-like player in San Antonio.
    • Nikola Topic: Great size, and such an intriguing potential fit next to Castle if he develops after getting over his injury.
    I voted Topic. If I were the Spurs, I would believe I'm more than one draft class away from being where we want to be, and so while going with Topic doesn't help the team much (if at all) in 2024-25, I would take solace in the fact of getting one more lottery pick in a reportedly strong class next year before we really take a run at things.
     
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  5. HoopsFanAZ

    HoopsFanAZ Well-Known Member

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    Topic at 8. Castle gets his tryout at PG … which is good for his development as a 2-way player with size for both guard spots.
     
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  6. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    You guys really think both Castle and Topic is the best idea when they need more shooting?
     
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  7. HoopsFanAZ

    HoopsFanAZ Well-Known Member

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    Topic is a very good free throw shooter and finishes well. He’s a willing 3-point shooter who I can see getting to league-average or so … just good enough on close-outs to the hoop. It’s why he’s great at 14 if he falls.
     
  8. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    They need eveything other than Wemby. Getting big guards that are capable of handling the ball and distributing it seems like a great idea. Adding shooting is pretty easy if you've got two or three stars already.
     
  9. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah but if both your guards are below-average shooters, and Sochan is average at best (unless he is left alone) then that just leaves Victor...and one other player as their "good shooters on the floor. I think you need at least 3 on the floor at all times. (maybe 4)

    So if they have already drafted Castle, if I am them I am going with Knecht or Williams.
     
  10. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    I don't believe they need to worry about final roster fit when drafting these guys. Your trying to get a rotation level player. Even Sochan is unclear how key of a rotation level player he'd ever be on a contending team. Once these guys become rotational level players then the Spurs can decide how to get the needed amount of shooting on the floor. Its very hard to know how much shooting these guys will end up providing if they develop into NBA rotation players.

    I mean of course players that shoot great are better than ones that don't. But better shooters at pick 8 are going to have major disadvantages Topic, Castle, etc don't have.
     
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  11. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    I understand what you're saying, but I think the odds of neither Castle nor Topic becoming at least decent perimeter shooters are pretty low, and if they BOTH turn out to be good shooters then your back court is a massive strength to match up with Wemby. As a Spurs fan, that's what I'd prefer to take the chance on.
     
  12. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    I'll go against the grain. Devin Carter. Pair him and Castle together in the backcourt, I think Pops loves it.
     
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  13. Everything Beagle

    Everything Beagle Local Trans Icon

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    Watch SA turn him into 6MOY.
     
  14. Boomchakalaka2

    Boomchakalaka2 Active Member

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    DRAFT NIGHT

    Portland trades Grant and the 14th & 34th picks to the San Antonio Spurs for #4 selection and Tre Jones PG, Zach Collins PF, and Sochan, F

    [Spurs still have #8 and #34 and have acquired combo-forward Jeremy Grant with four years remaining on his contract. A PG will fall to San Antonio at 8th]

    ESPN TRADE MACHINE APPROVED

    With the 4th pick of the 2024 NBA draft, the Portland Trailblazers select Donovan Clinghan of the University of Connecticut.
    It’s not over!

    With the 7th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Portland Trailblazers select Matas Buzelis of G League Ignite

    Roster:

    Ayton / Clinghan / Reath / Williams III
    Buzelis / Collins / Walker
    Sochan/ Camara / Murray
    Simons / Sharpe / Brogdan / Rupert
    Scoot / Banton / Tre Jones

    what are we missing? who gets demoted or cut?

    Players that we can move at the deadline:

    Williams III
    Brogdan
    Simons
    Ayton
    Walker / Murray / Rupert / Jones / Reath / Collins

    Core for the Rebuild:

    Scoot
    Sharp
    Buzelis
    Sochan
    Clinghan
    Camara
     
  15. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    Nice story bro but this thread is about pick #8.
     
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  16. HoopsFanAZ

    HoopsFanAZ Well-Known Member

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    If it ends in a tie, Ed O — the thread starter — should decide. IMHO.
     
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  17. Boomchakalaka2

    Boomchakalaka2 Active Member

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    Yes, I stated in BOLD lettering that Spurs would pick a guard at 8. (If they don’t have a PG fall to them, I’ll say they pick Topic) but sticking with “other” and just commit to their selecting a “guard” at 8.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2024
  18. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    You make no sense (yet again). Why would they make a win-now move like 4-Sochan for Grant, and then take an injured PG at 8?
     
  19. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    It's a tie between Topic and Williams and I am making the executive decision to give them Topic, mainly because the number of votes for a guard outnumbered the number of votes for a forward.
     
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  20. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Also, @Boomchakalaka2 voted "other" because of his inane trade proposal, but his follow-up post said that he thought the Spurs would take Topic, so in all reality Topic should have 9 votes.
     
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