Haynes identifies four prospects

True Blood just started!!!!! I'm sooooooo GAY!

 

If rumors are true, the Bobcats are shopping this pick for more depth.

The exact opposite of what I'd like to see the Blazers do: Quality/quantity

 

For some reason this thread made me think maybe it's time for Batum to go. Golden State is rumored to want to trade picks for a good young small forward. They have the 7th and the 30th plus a couple 2nd rounders. maybe we could work it so we got three of those four guys that the Blazers (may) have targeted in the draft. If the Blazers were thinking like this, it might explain why they are looking at a SF in the draft (or it could just be because they know they can play Nic at the 2). Anyway, this would be a semi-blowup; get rid of the guy who really isn't that much of a contributor, keep the allstar so they don't totally lose the fanbase and hope that some of these guys can be really good before Aldridge gets too old. Olshey's talk about Batum being a cornerstone could just be to drive up his value.

 

I agree. It is easy to fall into the trap of drafting for our current needs. But then in 3-4 years our needs can easily change and we start looking back on those we passed on.

Now of course if we think the players in question are totally eqaul in terms of talent then we might as well go with position of need, but as difficult as it might be, we need to draft BPA.

 

I just don't like MKG as a top 6 pick especially for the Blazers. His offense is so shaky and inconsistent that bringing in another player like that won't help that much. That leaves a wing rotation of Batum, MKG and Matthews. There is no play making there and at best inconsistent outside shooting at best. They would be really good defensively but you can't win if you don't score and these playoffs are proving out that you need a couple of 2-3 play makers to win in the playoffs.

 

I think this is going to be very unusual draft in that the 2nd and third players taken may not be considered the 2nd and 3rd best players by a majority of people. They are so close talent wise it's going to come down to how a player fits with a team.

My biggest hope is that the Blazers identify what they want and go get it. There will be players that will be very good from this draft and if the Blazers identify who those players are then go get them. Don't wait around and take what other people didn't want unless that is who you want. If the Blazers are sold on Barnes then I think they can stay at 6 and pick him up. If they think Robinson is a difference maker in the NBA then go get him. The thing that is a positive is Paul Allen has always shown the willingness to help out any way possible to get things done. I think the Blazers need to just be really aggressive and go get who/what they want.

 

I agree with what you are saying here. We need scorers. And we need players who can create their own shot. I know there is another thread that asks who those players might be. I think Rivers and Lillard are two good optios. But on the other hand if the Blazers really feel that MKG has other great qualities then they would have to take him at 6. They aren't going anywhere next year. They can always trade Batum if MKG works out.

 

^ Or slide Nic to the SG

 

Yeah, duh. Ya think?

 

Please not Barnes or Leonard at 6 ... ugh, talk about underwhelming. Lillard I can at least live with, but even then his small school, score-first resume' scares the hell out of me ... MKG might be really good, but I'm not sure I like how he fits in with Nic, LMA, etc.

I'm glad I'm not picking.

 

I love MKG but you guys have to remember he can't shoot a lick. That guy is hustle and gristle through and through. It will be a while before he figures out his shot. So don't be so quick to want to move Batum, I hope they add as many good players first then make adjustments when they know what they have.

On the other hand, conveniently, all these guys aren't named Thomas Robinson. IF we're talking to CHA about taking their #2, this might be some smoke to let them know, hey we're not too sold on that #2 we have other guys we'll target. Unless you give us the #2 for our price.

 

I just do not believe Chris Haynes....

or Maybe those were Buchanan's favorites, and may not be Olshey's....

I think both Leonard and Lillard will be busts in the NBA...certainly overeaching picks if POR takes them....

I don't mind Barnes, he could slide in at SF, can shoot, I think he is underated and will be a better pro than he showed in college....

Now, MKG, he does seem like an Olshey pick to me....Nice kid, hard as nails and want to win more than anything....I do think those types of players have great value...The hope is he ends up more along the lines of a better Jerome Kersey than a Gerald Wallace....

The only problem I have with him is that, once again this team will be lacking in outside shooting and a go to scorer.....

Leonard...ouch...please tell me that is a smoke screeen......

 

I don't think the Blazer would be thinking of taking Leonard at #6, he is rising...but not that high.

I agree with other posters about MKG though, while I love his heart and motor he is so offensively deficient at this point I just don't think he would mesh well with our current roster. We need scoring in the worst way.

I think the Blazers will stay at 6 and 11 and go with either Barnes or Lillard. If Barnes drops then I'm guessing he will be the one, and if he is taken by CLE then we'll go with Lillard. My guess is we are targeting Leonard more with 11 and potentially looking to move up a spot or two to grab him if need be.

I'd take a Lillard/Leonard draft personally. I think Olshey and Co then target a C and SG in Free Agency, and potentially a vet PG to help tutor Damian.

D. Lillard/??/Nolan
Free Agent/Matthews/Elliot
Batum/Babbitt
Aldridge/??
Free Agent (Kaman?) /M. Leonard

If you throw Lillard into the fire early and let Leonard develop over this first season, given that the FA signings are 1-2 year deals, the Blazers will retain flexibility in the future and should be rounding into form by the time LA turns 28/29.

 

Clyde Drexler didn't exactly have the prettiest jumper

 

I'm thinking that since it's mentioned the next two drafts won't be very strong; why tank for 2 or three years when we have a chance to have four or five first round picks in a good and deep draft in one year? Do all the rebuilding in one year; all these guys play together from the start. So, the more I think about it I think I would trade Batum for Golden State's 7 and 30.

 

Good catch! I hope he's the target.

 

IMO there shouldn't be much debate about who should be picked 2nd

Clearly Thomas Robinson

 

I doubt that team could even make the playoffs.....

 

I don't think that can happen, at least not on draft night.

 

Obviously not next year. We are REBUILDING. Give Lillard 1-2 years as a starter and Leonard time to develop and in 2 years we should be primed for a nice playoff run with 4 core players having gotten a lot of PT together (Lillard, Batum, LA, Leonard).

It's not going to be very pretty this next year or two, people are going to have to accept that.