Trading into the top-5: • Kon Knueppel Pick #11 — Too Close to Call: • Kasparas Jakucionis • Collin Murray-Boyles • Carter Bryant Trading for an additional pick: <<<bigtime sleeper picks>>> • Hugo Gonzalez • Ben Saraf Three solo workouts - one being speculative (Bryant) - this is my final board with three days until draft day
Top 5 would be for Bailey Staying put at 11 will be Demin or KJ Trade down with OKC 11 for their 2 firsts to take Clifford and Saraf
Demin might still be there at 15. I would hope if we trade back to 15 and 24 that we'll target a guard with one of those picks and a floor stretching switchable big with the other, not two big guards.
If we're trading down to 15 and 24 I'd like to see us get Newell (or if we're lucky enough Essengue) at 15 and I think Saraff is a great idea at 24.
Though I haven't seen it in one of the dozens of mock drafts I've looked over, I will not be surprised at all if he's gone before 11. If Portland were to draft him, I'm pretty sure he'll be their best perimeter shooter. That he should be able to reasonably switch 1-4 on D is extremely valuable too. With analytics playing such a prominent role these days and him being a star in the advanced metrics, some GM is going to fall for him and then put out a smoke screen. Conversely the guy I've seen projected top 10 in most every draft who I think stands a good chance of dropping out is Fears. Small PGs who don't shoot well are not that appealing. STOMP
The other pro Coward to the PTB angle is that Shaedon has definitely left something to be desired thus far as their future SG. His 3pt% has gone down each of his three season to last year where it was just 31%. Thats not good and they truly need better shooting from the backcourt. Of course he's up for an extension this offseason... do they come to an agreement or do they let him play out this season and become a RFA? If I'm management unless he's really looking for some security and will accept a team friendly offer (3 years 85M-ish), I'm letting him play out this year on the rookie deal to show me whats what. If next season he's finally burying open looks and brings his 3pt% up to respectable, I've zero issues allotting more salary cap space to him. But if he continues to struggle to provide that, Portland could be at a crossroads with him. Cedric has always been a quality deep threat. He's probably at least as good defensively today. It sure would be nice to have a quality fall back option if things dont work out with SS. STOMP
It's nice to have a plan B at every position just in case. At around 215 lbs, Coward can help out at SG and SF.
In the measurements that matter (length & weight), Coward is closer to Camara then Sharpe. Again, I see him as a better perimeter threat then anyone on the Blazers. I think his skillset and size would likely fit with most rosters in the league including PDX whether Sharpe is here or not... which is part of why I think it's likely he goes earlier then #11 STOMP
He well balanced for skill but I really like attitude, drive and communication skills. Bet he's got some dog in him as well.
Perhaps, though sometimes things change and observers don't want to admit their initial annalysis was wrong. Here in the Bay Area I've seen this in spades with Mr Irrelevant Brock Purdy. With Coward, his measurements aren't up for debate. Is his shooting ability in question? How about his stellar athletic measurements? He's now shown multiple GMs what he can do in workouts vs other prospects and select or pass on him, their jobs are on the line coming up with an accurate assessment of his game. STOMP
If we go with a wing at 11 with Jakucionis on the board then that is a pretty obvious signal that we don't have a home for Ant or maybe aren't even looking to move him... which will be incredibly frustrating.
Trading into the top-5: • Kon Knueppel Pick #11: • Carter Bryant Trading for an additional pick: • Hugo Gonzalez Made the call for the #11 — the participants of the solo workouts for CMB and Jaku are known via Marang. The identity for the 1v1 workout a few weeks ago has not been revealed to anyone. Which makes me believe that they don’t want to show their hand — their primary target.
