Meh, we can't try to close our team off to talent just because they come via the draft. We aren't really a "VET" team yet. We have 2 players to build around. They are going to be 25 and 26 years old. Adding a few 21 yr olds would not be unheard of. The long term vision needs to remain.
I think you are going to be disappointed if you are thinking we are drafting two guys in a draft that we don't even currently have picks in. We have talent on our team even in the low-levels. Likely a mid-second round talent wouldn't even make our team over some of our bench warmers. As I said, I expect 1 pick somewhere in this draft if we can get it but nothing more.
Alexander will be off our roster come July 1 and might not be in the NBA next season. Montero and Pat are on minimum contracts through next season. Noah will be on for two more because of his draft status. All 4 are not a guarantee to even get a second contract. You just listed the 12-15 guys on our roster. If we don't go after a couple of first round picks just because we have guys like Alexander or Montero on our roster, I will not be happy.
I didn't say we are going to draft two guys. I'm saying we can't be of the mindset where we restrict ourselves to JUST 1 guy. We just aren't there yet in our development and our playoff appearance this year should not influence that thinking.
It isn't that we are going to be in the mindset that it can only be one guy specifically. It is much more likely that we get into the proceedings and see that one pick is the max we have an opportunity to get for the right price. And then to mention there is a cost to picks that go beyond the actual price of obtaining them.
Though I agree with your assessment of those four, we also have HArkless at 22, Crabbe at 23-24?, AMinu at 26? Again,, I could see going after a pick in order to use in a trade, but not to actually add a pick to the roster. Doesn't make sense at all. Our youth movement has been take care of for the long term unless we can get into the lottery, which aint happening. I think at this point, NO and PA would much rather add a proven impact player to this roster than more projects that may not pan out.
I tend to agree with this. I don't think it's an absolute ... it kind of depends what is available where we could get a pick and what needs we could address via FA or trade ... but I think it's not likely we go for someone in the draft. If we do, it would be either someone like Hammons, who is an older guy that could contribute as a pick-setter and a big body who can foul or make true opposing bigs have to work hard for positioning, or it would be a lottery ticket like Thon Maker. As things stand now, I would figure its about 90-95 percent we look to go for an elite player and if that comes up empty continue to do what we did this season, buying low on young guys that haven't gotten a chance yet.
So it looks like Neil will at least attempt to get a pick somewhere. With Boston having 8 freaking picks, it doesn't seem like it should be that difficult if they identify someone they want.
Since this is the last year that draftees will come in at a lower pay scale, and it's a deep draft, I think it's possible they might go for two picks; one first round and one second. Kaman, Henderson, Robertson are going out, one major free agent and one minimum coming in. Or if Leonard also goes out, three free agents coming in. So that leaves one spot open. But if the second rounder is a big who is a lot bigger than Alexander, then I think he goes, so there would be two spots..
This is more in lines with my thoughts. Kaman -> FA Center (Whiteside or Aldrich) Meyers -> Meyers (re-signed) Crabbe -> S&T for future 2018 pick -> Replaced by draft pick (or Coty Clarke) Harkless -> Harkless (re-signed) Henderson -> Henderson (re-signed) Roberts -> Roberts (re-signed) Cliff -> Possibly replaced by 2nd Round pick (Maker?) Pat -> Probably keep, but possibly replaced by pick At that point, Portland would have 4 C. I would trade either Ed or Plumlee for a PF with some range.
This is pretty much what I'm thinking. Alexander is an easy cut if Neil can grab a guy he likes. Montero and Pat seem to have more promise to the Blazers than Alexander OR a 2nd round draft pick - unless they're included in a trade this summer, I expect them both to be on the roster next year. But if we can swap out Alexander for Maker I think it's a done deal.
Very short wing-span for a 7'. I prefer Jonathon Jeanne who spreads a whopping 7'7" if we are taking a flier on a raw 7'er. http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jonathan-Jeanne-73326/
Yes we have two starters and a 6th man... So what? I think we need to add a proven player (Horford), a role player, and one or two draft picks to replace Roberts, Kaman, Henderson, and maybe Alexander.
It also It also appears that his standing reach is good; wingspan not so good due to his narrow shoulders. He seems like the kind of guy Blazers would go after. 7 footer who is very agile and quick and shoots the three very well and is a good offensive re-bounder. Only 20 years old. To get in the first round would probably have to go Phillie's third pick of the round at 26 or hope he falls to 31 with Boston. Not sure which one of those clubs have less picks going forward and might be willing to trade forward.
I'm looking at all the prospects that are projected to be there in the second round and I'm not seeing any player, especially a big, that is a better option than Cliff Alexander.
