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

Im just thinking with the 7th pick go for someone that you know has an already developed skill. That player could also have a decent ceiling. I would guess both Willams and Saluan will both spend time in the G league. Swing away ay 14.

 

I think when you're in the situation this team finds itself in you swing away every chance you get. We don't need guys that can be role players off the bench right away but also have that as their ceiling. We need to go for the guys with the highest upside every time we make a move this off season.

 

I agree with upside you want all young players to maximize their potential. Some some are further way from that than others. And yes some may have the perceived potential to be all star level. Its hard to predict just how high a ceiling some of these guys have. I mean why couldn’t a guy like Ware Or De Silva have as much of ceiling as Saluan? His body of work isn't much different. Glad we have G league team to develop the talent.

 

If this draft is really as crappy as people say it is, you're coming out good if you get a Nic Batum at 7.

 

Right but you want to swing for something more and I personally don't think Knecht, Edey and other high floor guys will ever be able to do as many things to help teams win games as Nico was able to do in his prime.

 

One thing I think we need to consider when talking about upside. Some players who are really smart but somewhat limited athletically might have more upside that we think. They somehow just keep improving. Jalen Brunson was almost 22 when selected 33rd and considered to be probably a solid backup PG but nothing more. He was super efficent though in college. Who in this class might follow in his footsteps?

 

Who has the highest floor and ceiling of: Williams, Saluan, Ware & Knecht?
Which of the four would Scoot & Shae benefit from more, within say two years?

 

I think Cody has the highest floor and ceiling.

 

I'd agree.

Salaun has a floor that's so low, it's technically in the basement. He could get to the NBA and just never make it onto the court. I could see him getting a second contract just based on potential, but he could be out of the NBA in 6-7 years.

Knecht strikes me as a guy who will have a long career as a role player. Every team can use a guy like Knecht. I'd actually love to see him with Scoot. They'd be perfect together. But he's not gonna be a star..... unless he's a Kyle Korver level All-Star.

Cody could be an All-Star if he fills out his frame and develops a consistent outside shot.

Ware is maybe a little better than Salaun in terms of floor, but not as high of a ceiling.

 

If we somehow got 2 of Cody, Knecht, Matas, Holland, ZR or Castle I'll be stoked.

I really hope we get Cody.

 

I really think we need to secure a second top 10 pick. Most of the guys I want are gone by 14 (most likely)

Holland might be there at 14.

So would you be happy with Williams at 7 and Holland at 14?

 

Absolutely

 

Salaun is a consideration for #14 for me, not #7

 

I heared on the radio about Risacher height being misleading because he's got long torso, short legs

 

He could very well be a Paul George type.

 

I think he may have dry rot though

 

I think the Blazers need someone to slip for us to take a player at 7th. Perhaps you’ll hear us pick a player at 7, but either trade up or down before the draft night is over. I don’t think the 14th pick is ideal; I see us trading up to 9 or 11 using the 14th and one of our vets

my hope:

take Clinghan at 2,3,4,5,6 or 7

take best wing available at 9 or 11

 

Floor: Knecht, Williams, Ware, Saluan
Ceiling: Ware, Williams, Salaun, Knecht

 

For me, it is not worth using one of our vets to move up a few spots from 14

 

Guys with long wingspans that can shoot seem to do well in the NBA. I think he's very similar to Nic Batum, which may not excite people, but Batum is a starter on a good team.