Event 2018 NBA Draft

Another Bosnian that’s on my radar is Ajdin Penava. Junior playing for Marshall. 6’9 220. Used to play guard before a growth spurt. His stats this season so far:

16.4ppg, 8.8rpg, 2apg, 4.3bpg. 56% shooting, 35% from outside. PER: 29.

I haven’t seen him in any mock draft but I think he’s a legit prospect.



http://www.eurobasket.com/Bosnia/news/520910/Proximity-Bias-Hurting-Ajdin-Penava-NBA-Draft-Status?

 

You definitely like the draft.
Whos on your 'under the radar list' that we ought to be paying attention to?
I'd like a list of 7-8 guys please.

 

Oh wow you’re putting me on the spot lol. Not sure I have 7 under the radar guys. I don’t really dive in until after the tournament. I pay more attention to international prospects anyway. Here are three international guys I like that should be available outside of the lottery

Kostja Mushidi- 6’5 225 SG/SF- Germany. Talked about him before but pulled out of the draft. Should be available when we select. Has been inconsistent but could be a two way player that can handle the ball. Would thrive in Stotts’ system, but is a project and will take time.



Abdouloye N’doye- 6’7 200 PG- France. Awesome measurables. Think his wingspan is 7’ +. Defensive potential through the roof. I don’t think his position at the next level is point guard. I see him more as a forward. Another project type.



Isaac Bonga- 6’9 200 F/G- Germany. Lanky point forward. Reminds me of a young Batum. Questions about his shot but his potential is high. Out of the three guys I just listed, he’s most likely to rise into the lottery.

 

Thanks! I like Bonga, but I'll have to see if I can find more game film on him

 

Dzanan Musa played great against Russia in World Cup Qualifiers, scoring 26 pts (5/9 for two, 5/9 for three, 1/2 free throws)

 

Draft positioning is so insane right now. The Blazers are 1.5 games out of having the 26th pick and only 2.5 games away from being a lottery team. Usually by now there is at least a range where we could expect to be drafting when looking at prospects. Only 2 games separate 1 through 8 including just 0.5 game between 1 and 6.

 

Bruce Brown, DeAnthony Melton, Rawle Alkins, or Lonnie Walker.

 

Thoughts on Troy Brown? Seems like a Blazers type of player personality wise.

 

We already have Evan Turner.

 

If our pick ends up in the 22-26 range I think we use it to dump a contract Meyers or ET. Hate losing a first rounder but may need to

 

Yep... two more years with those contracts is untenable.

 

That or package with Aminu to move up some a few spots for a player the team likes. (Don’t like losing Aminu but he is expiring and would clear 8 mil to help pay Ed, Shabazz, and Pat.

 

I’d rather just let them rot here. It’s not like trading them would free up cap space. And they also both become expirings after next season. I don’t want to take draft picks away from Olshey unless it’s for a proven player.

 

Aminu has a good contract, so I likely don't trade him unless I get to trade Biebs or ET with him. I don't think this likely, so I don't think Aminu will be traded.

 

seen some mentions, I’m sold; want Chandler Hutchison. 6’7 with a wingspan over 7.

https://www.thestepien.com/2018/01/11/chandler-hutchison-draft-sleeper-potential-closeout-killer/

And here’s an article where Lillard vouches for him.

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/12/13/n...chison-boise-state-weber-state-damian-lillard

Naturally, questions still linger. Hutchison would be a 22-year-old rookie with only a sample size of roughly 200 in-game threes. His defense is only so projectable largely because he's guarded within Boise State’s zone schemes. Yet his remodeling is undeniable, and he’s won over Lillard, the notorious gym rat, the All-Star who chides college kids not even dressing for his alma mater to grind harder than him. “I think he’s even become a bigger Chandler fan, because he’s like, ‘Damn, Phil, he’s pretty good.’ Or, ‘He’s gotten better,’” Beckner said. “He saw Chandler two summers ago when that dude was skinny and just figuring it out and maybe didn’t want to work the whole time and now you just kind of see this.” Boise State has uncovered its hidden gem. Which NBA team is next?
———

Portland! Time for another mid major stud. And if he’s got Lillards backing like that, you know Olshey will take note, especially since he plays a position of need and should be available whenever we pick.

 

Zach will be starting next year anyway

 

Khyri Thomas if we lose Napier and Pat, 6’3” 210lbs, late teens to mid twenties in draft.

 

Another wing prospect from a smaller school; Melvin Frazier. He’s got two way potential. 6’6 but a wingspan over 7.

 

It would be sweet to win the lotto again, I wonder how many games we would get out of Ayton before he suffered a career ending leg injury?

And how many titles whoever was picked after him would win.

 

Btw No way Phoenix keeps all 5 of thier picks(3 firsts) in this draft. Neil should keep an eye on that.