I believe so. But it looks like the thunder get the rockets own pick. This is what I see on tankathon
The second biggest riser so far this season (after Zach Edey) is Dalton Knecht. An elite shooter - he’d be someone I’d keep an eye on for the GS pick.
The Draft Room just updated their mock — Knecht at #10 (up from from 27) - to the Blazers via GS https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2024-nba-mock-draft/
What are people's thoughts on Kevin McCullar? Impressive feel for the game. Does everything. He's going to be 23 by draft night and doesn't have superstar potential but realistically unless you're getting a superstar most rookies don't make it past the 1st let alone second contract. Dude can straight up play in any lineup. Great BBIQ.
It'll be interesting to see where he goes. He's had a good year, but he's also two years older than Sharpe, and physical maturity (as we all know) is a huge advantage.
Although there isn’t a unanimous generational top prospect like last year’s draft, I think there are players that will fit in well to our team. Right now it looks like we may have 2 lottery picks. If we can get Sarr or Cody Williams with our pick then Tidjane Saluan with Golden State’s pick, that would be a highly successful draft. I think Cody Williams will be a better prospect than Brandon Miller. He’s more athletic and fluid than Miller. He can create his own shots better as well. I think he can develop into a better defender than Miller. Saluan is super young and more of a project, but the upside looks promising. If we nail these two picks, we could expedite our rebuild like OKC did just two years ago with Chet and Jalen Williams.
I co-sign this plan. Not sure Saluan will be around with our GS pick but we have enough incentive to move up.
Right now the Warriors pick is projected to be 10th. Salaun has been mocked anywhere from 10th-16th. Obviously things remain fluid with the Warriors pick and Salaun’s positioning, but I think this a draft that will have a lot of moving down/moving up. If the Blazers FO and Mike Schmitz value Salaun (which I hope he does) and want him, I don’t think it would be that difficult to move around. That’s why I’m hoping we trade Brogdon, Grant and maybe Thybulle at the deadline so we have more assets to work with in case we are in a situation where we value a certain player and want to move to get him.
Yeah, getting another 2024 1st would be nice in the event we need to move up to get him. His size and talent is intriguing. If others find him attractive, it'll be a challenge to make another team pass up on him.
I don’t think it’s realistic to expect GS to miss the playoffs. I think they at least make the play-in. With that said, I’ve shifted my focus to some under the radar guys for that pick. Shooting up my draft board: Burly 6’6” PF in the mold of Draymond/Royce White.
I have not paid any attention to the upcoming draft prospect. Is there a player potentially worthy of combining our picks in a trade to move up into the top 5? All I have heard is its a weak draft.
Yes - very weak draft. Personally, I don't think there are many worth trying to move up for. To give you an example - here is my 'blended' top 10 Big Board from last year & this year's draft: 1) Wemby 2) Henderson 3) Miller 4) Ausar Thompson 5) Amen Thompson 6) *** Alexandre Sarr*** 7) Walker 8) *** Cody Williams*** 9) *** Zacharie Risacher *** 10) Wallace So 3 of the prospects in this class would be in my top 10 currently.
Good thing we have one of the toughest schedules remaining in the league because Toronto is about to come crashing down.
I’ve been thinking about this opportunity that we have in the upcoming draft. Two picks in the top third of the first round, two picks in the top, third of the second round. I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s two types of players that we must look for. The first one is a pure shooter, someone who’s going to make a three pointer. When we play our best, we are making our shots, it’s as simple as that. I watched a crummy Lakers team, dismantle Boston in Boston, without LeBron, or AD, simply because they made their three-pointers, and played good defense. When the trail Blazers are playing their best, they’re making their shots, simple as that. When I read the bios on players in the draft I want to read excellent three-point shot. When I read 28% three-pointers, let’s pass on that. Last year in the playoffs, Miami was beating everybody, including Boston because they made their outside shots. The other player we need to target is a rim protector. When the trailblazers are losing by 30 points, it’s because the other team has a layup drill going. Draft players that are not going to allow the other team to penetrate at will, and get layups or rebound baskets. So it’s as simple as this, get players that can make their shots, and get players that can prevent easy layups, and offensive rebounds. Watching the game last night in Denver, they’re forwards were making their baskets from the outside. When ANT was going off in the third and fourth quarter, you could hear a hush over the crowd thinking WTF, who is that guy? Let’s draft a pure shooter and a rim protector in the first round, and then another pure shooter and rim protector in the second round.
Ok draftnicks on this board, who are the players that I’m talking about here. I’ll tell you one guy who’s interesting, it’s that kennect or pronounced Connect. When I read about him he’s exactly what I’m talking about. After you figure out who they are send a direct link to Schmitz and Cronin.
