There's plenty of room for optimism. For reference, let's take a look at various previous drafts, starting from 17 years ago: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NBA_draft Go ahead and click every year. You'll find there is practically always an All-Star AND a borderline All-Star found from #7-14, which I define as a borderline star as a 17ppg starter or sixth man type (ex. OG, Aaron Gordon). Sometimes, you may even get two All-Stars in that range. I think the borderline star is Noa Essengue but I'm not sure who an All-Star could be. Maybe Jaku? 85% FT means his 3pt should become steady in the NBA. I would've said Jase but it seems that he's quite short that I would be surprised if he could be an All-Star, at that height. Portland should do Noa Essengue and trade Simons for Black+16+25 to target leftovers (ex. Jase, Demin) and high potential guys (ex. Yaxel, Avdalas, Rasheer).
I really like the Demin kid from BYU. While shooting percentage wasn’t good he has great size for a pg. kind of guy I’d take a chance on if he’s around at 11
Noa Essengue with elite length: 6’10” w/shoes 9’3.25” standing reach (measurements: 2024 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp)
AND he is very productive when he plays. He leads his team in rebounds, steals, Fouls Drawn, and Player Efficiency. He's 3rd in Points (behind team leader by 0.6 pnts/game). https://www.euroleaguebasketball.ne...pointsScored&sortDirection=descending#average He's an 18yr old playing with mostly grown men 24-28
I’d bet money that Noa is the #1 target for Masai Ujiri and the Raptors. Prototypical Masai pick. We’d have to leapfrog them for sure.
I say we trade Anfernee to Orlando for Isaac and their pick and take Clifford. He's old but he's younger than Anfernee, and he plays defense!
I'd probably lean Coward with this pick but I'd be pretty happy with Nique too. And then Noa at 11 or Queen.
Tugler is an absolute defensive beast. Sampson was able to do so much from a defensive scheme standpoint because of him. He is freak on that end of the court, but on the offensive end, I'm not sure what you do with him. Lendeborg and Essengue both have unique abilities that I like that have the 'potential' to translate very well. It all depends on development and how hard they are willing to work.
As long as he can be coached that's the kind of attitude you want from a guy with superstar potential. Sounds like some shit Ant Edwards would say.
