The draft is mere days away... Based on latest scuttlebutt, rumors and projections -- make your pick! Blazers select: Chuma Okeke Go!
They are packaging Turner / Trent Jr or Skal and a 1st for a solid role player and a Top 10 pick in the 2nd round -- this trade is to clear out some cap and get a player to replace 2 of the 3 players they let leave who are FA
It’s highly possible. Clarke has a weird skill set for his size. I can’t even think of a comp for him honestly.
You sure you're thinking of the right guy? Ratliff was listed at 6-9 or 6-10 his entire career and 225 pounds. Clarke's listed 6-8, 215 right now before getting on an NBA training regimen. Both shot-blocking, defensive-minded power forwards who were good athletes and had great timing.
I usually see Clarke listed 6-8, 215. Ratliff is typically listed 6-9 or 6-10 and anywhere from 225-235, but the 235 was more toward the end of his career. I could see Clarke following a similar trajectory. He's definitely going to gain some weight and muscle. Ratliff might have a longer wingspan, but they're probably 1-1 1/2 inches different in height and their style of play is pretty much the same. Ratliff played some center, but ideally he played the four.
His range is late-lotto to mid-first. There's no way he falls to 25 unless there's medical red flags.
Best guess: the pick becomes a trade chip. Something akin to the deal that brought in Plumlee is probably best case scenario. If the team really wants Bazley, it sounds like buying an early 2nd rounder will get that done. Wild-ass prediction: trade down for 2 early second rounders and grab some combo of Bazley, Samanic, or Windler. What I want to happen: Kabengele somehow falls into our laps at 25.
