Common theme? Undersized. What I've noticed about 2nd Round gems are: They're usually pretty skilled coming out of college, but GMs get scared away because of a perceived slight. Isaiah Thomas and Draymond Green were undersized Chandler Parsons, Wesley Matthews, and Khris Middleton werent athletic enough. When drafting in the 2nd round, you always take the most skilled guy, no matter what. Those are the pretty much only guys that have a chance at becoming great players. Marc Gasol is another example. You have to hope that their first round level skills overcome their slights (Isaiah Thomas), or that their slights aren't as big of an issue (Draymond Green)
He reminds me a lot of Isaiah Thomas. He doesn't fit our team, but I could easily see him putting up 15ppg for the 76ers next year.
If hand checking was still allowed in the NBA GP2 would go a lot higher in the draft. GP2 would likely be a lotto pick. He plays a lot like his father.
The Blazers will get a 2nd rounder or two for pra tically nothing, draft a couple guys like GP2, Felder, or Baker just to have the right to sign them should we decide too, but I don't see the draft being a large part of the Blazers plans this summer...this is phase 2....Free agents, trades, and development of the current squad will be our mainstay...almost seems like getting second rounders from the draft would be going backwards...
I would be surprised if any of our end of the bench guys have value. Unfortunately the draft is before free agency. If Neil loves a prospect, I am fine with buying a pick. Also ok with doing nothing and waiting for free agency.
Love his passion. Felder/Pat/Montero/Cliff/Vonleh summer league please! That would be a fun team to watch!!
Felder's got some CJ in his game. Guys that can create space like that on their own always have a chance and are great to have if they can put things together.
I don't think it's just 2nd rounders that will be available. DEN, BOS, PHX, and PHI all have three (!) first round picks each.
Quite right. So BOS has 8 picks in two rounds? That is insane....no way they use all of those for themselves. DEN then has 4 total as well.
There will be plenty of movement come draft time. Sarver has been notorious for selling 1st round picks (Deng, Rondo, Rudy, etc etc) and has gotten killed for it. But if we throw him a bone or two along with cash, we might get him to sell us something. BOS: 3, 16, 23, 31, 35, 45, 53, 58 PHX: 4, 13, 28, 34 DEN: 7, 15, 19, 51, 56 PHI: 1, 24, 26 DEN: 7, 15, 19 (from us), 51, 56 (Lotto order still undecided, obviously) BOS will try to consolidate for a star for sure, but I'm looking at PHI here. They're apparently trying to get more experience under new management. And DEN has no need for 7, 15, AND 19. Guys like Luwau, Diallo, Valentine if he slips, etc might be available. We gotta be proactive. I'm encouraged to learn that Neil was at the combine and out on scouting trips throughout the season. Gotta do that due diligence even if we don't have a pick NOW.
Question. Should we be looking to get a draft pick to go younger, or should we not even be looking at this draft and go for vets in trade/free agency to win now mode? Seems there are two different topics of conversations, but I think only one will prove to be the case. I personally think the organization thinks they have enough youngs to develop and to take the next step, they need an impact vet. Not another draft pick. The only way I see NO doing something to get us another pick is if he turns that pick into another trade.
We really only have room for 1 draft pick at most. Now whether that is a 2nd rounder or 1st rounder probably depends on what it takes to get each one and who Olshey and company are actually targeting. Just don't expect to see two young guys on our roster.
you mean 2 more young guys? I honestly don't see any. Its not a need at all. We have young projects in every position already. Connaughton Alexander Montero Vonleh How many more do we need? Id rather see a couple of these guys moved with another role player or two like Crabbe/ Hendo... something... to nail an impact vet.
I said don't expect to see two. What I mean is we are going to get one draft pick (one young player) max. And I agree with you. We really don't need any but Paul Allen loves the daft and I am sure Olshey is enamored with someone. We will get a pick if the price is right to acquire one.
