Merged: The Draft Thread For Stuff About The Draft Including Thoughts About The Draft

Now that the season is over, there is a lot to address this off-season. Olshey started addressing the near Luxury Cap issue by indicating Ezeli won't be back next season. That will save 6 of the $7 million dollars he would be owed if his contract weren't terminated by June 30.

That still leaves the Blazers well over the Salary Cap so expect more moves to at least attempted to be made and unfortunately maybe having to use a Draft pick to move some of the more expensive contracts.

But as of now, the Blazers own 3 picks with the possibility of really hitting a home run. This is the best way to add players for Portland since free-agents aren't exactly lining up to come to the Pacific Northwest.

At #15, Draft Express currently has SG Terrance Ferguson, SF OG Anunoby and PF John Collins.

At #20, PF's Ivan Robb and Isaiah Hartenstein are projected to be in the picture.

At #26, talented but injured PF Harry Giles is the most interesting player near this spot and one who has already been discussed here but bears closer scrutiny.

This is one of the most fun times of the year for fans and something owner Paul Allen enjoys as well. Should be very interesting.

For the sake of discussion, let's say the Blazers keep all three picks (which seems unlikely). Who are your picks at #15, 20 and 26?

 

I'll be pissed if we take Rabb.

 

Rabb screams Ed Davis to me.

Power rankings for me:

Trade up:
1) Zach Collins
Backup plan) Lauri Markkenan

#15
1) OG Anunoby
Backup) Terrance Furguson

#20
1) Ike Anigbogu
Backup: Isaiah Hartenstein

#25
1) Kostaja Mushidi
Backup: PJ Dozier

Second round buy:
Jonathan Jeanne
Jordan Bell
Tacko Fall

 

@Fez Von Savage ... I like your 2nd round 'diamonds in the ruff'. Jeanne has ridiculous wingspan and Taco Fall is just big...with the best name in the Draft by far. I really liked Bell as a college player but at 215 lbs, I'm not sure that translates to the NBA at PF/C.

 

Rabb is dames boy. Probably doesn't mean much, but I don't think it's insignificant either, especially since he plays a position of need.

 

Rabb is a natural rebounder but isn't great at anything else. Also, he didn't really get any better from his Freshman year to his Sophomore year.....and he is so damned skinny. Being Dame's boy might help but not sure if that gets us any more wins.

 

For me it's

15. Ferguson

20. Hartenstein, OG, Giles

26. Mushidi, Lessort

 

What Rabb is now as a player is almost insignificant. Everything is about what Rabb can develop into in the future. I don't know what that is, I haven't watched him enough. As for helping Portland win, I don't see any rookie coming in and playing minutes, so we don't have to worry about that.

 

As a PF next to Nurkic I think it does, not sure about next to a thinner/less space eater C though. I think he'd be great guarding stretch 4s, playing help defense, and crashing the offensive boards.

 

Package all the picks with some bench guys and move on up like The Jeffersons.

 

@Scalma ... If OG hadn't been injured, he was a Top-10 pick. He actually reminds me a bit of a young Clyde Drexler. Physically imposing and attacks the rim mercilessly while being able to play multiple positions. He doesn't pass as well but shoots it a little better. If it can be determined he will heal up well, I would certainly take a look at him.

 

Convince Grayson Allen to declare and pick him.

 

That dude would KICK ass in the NBA.......... get it? KICK ass!

 

The Warriors should draft him so Green can kick one side and Allen can kick the other. The NBA won't fine or discipline either of them UNLESS they kick LeBron.

 

6'5" w/ shoes | 7'1" wingspan | 8'8" reach | 230 lbs | 18 years old | SG/SF

Insane length and reach for someone 6'5" (w/shoes) - he'd be smart and take his name out. He'd have a chance at the lotto next year IMO. I'd also consider taking him with the Memphis pick.

 

I'd really like to hear D69 chime in on this thread...

Regardless, here is my thoughts right now would be:
* Cut Ezeli & Quarterman
* Trade #26 + Meyers to Nets for Spencer Dinwiddie (They take a chance on Meyers with an extra pick - Dinwiddie is a big PG)
* Trade Crabbe to 76ers for #36 + #39 (they get the shooter they need at the 2)
* Trade Turner + 2018 1st to Knicks for Courtney Lee + Kyle O'Quinn (Turner is great for the triangle, and provides some draft pick incentives - KOQ is a perfect backup big)
* Trade Lee + Napier to Kings for Rudy Gay (I don't know why for Kings - Gay is a great backup SF for Portland)

Draft:
#15 - Terrance Ferguson (SG) - I think he has the best chance to become a star out of the mid-round players. (I also like OG & Mitchell)
#20 - Caleb Swanigan (PF) - Under-rated. Knock is conditioning and D. Deficiencies on D are overstated, and conditioning is improving. Kid has DRIVE. Excellent passer & Rebounder for PF.
#36 - Monte Morris (PG) or George DePaula (PG) or Edmund Sumner (PG) - We need a good pack-up PG
#39 - Alpha Kaba or Taco Fall (C) - Best value for a project C.

Roster (guaranteed contracts should be about $115M and $97M in 18/19):
PG: Dame, Dinwiddie, Morris
SG: CJ, Pat, Ferguson
SF: Hark, Gay, Layman
PF: Noah, Aminu, Swanigan
C: Nurk, KOQ, Davis
D-League Flex contract: Kaba

 

@tester551 .... I'm waiting on D69 and his Draft knowledge as well.

In the Crabbe trade, we get Lee and then he gets combined with Napier for Gay. Once player is traded for, he can only be moved within a certain time period and only in a one-for-one deal as far as I understand. Perhaps someone else could clarify that better.

I like KOQ as well for this team.

 

yup, I'm a fan of his. I think he'll be a good shooter as well. Ideal 3 and D guy. Most impressive are his interviews. Very mature, and recognizes his weaknesses.

 

That's insane length, is there anyone his size with that type of length in the NBA?

 

I would actually like us to get more picks rather than trade the ones we have. I like the idea of trading Crabbe for Philadelphia's #36 and #39 but they won't do this, they will take Malik Monk or other backcourt player with their pick and I think they will also get Lakers pick so could easily get another player to play at 1 or 2. No need for Crabbe.

I just don't see that much potential in our current roster. If we can get picks back for Crabbe, Leonard (yeah right) or Turner, I'd do this in an instant, and then maybe use the cap space to get other experienced players but not necessarily with the goal of competing short term.

With #15 I want Anunoby, Ferguson or Justin Jackson. Zach Collins won't be available but if he is, then obviously him. Markkanen is pipe dream.

With #20 I'm actually most convinced about Hartenstein right now. I like his ability to shoot the ball, he's quite big. However, there are quite a few centers who might available. If we are convinced that John Collins or Hartenstein or Giles is still available at 26, we take Patton or Ike here.