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

I really hope Neil swings for the fences with these picks. If he does opt to go for a safe "median outcome" pick, I wouldn't hate TJ Leaf although I think he tops out as a better Jonas Jerebko who's not as switchy defensively but more productive offensively.

He's a guy I've flip flopped on a lot. I think he's a smart kid who'll figure out how to be effective, just not sure he's a playable rotation player on a contending playoff team in today's nba unless he develops into a lights out shooter. He had great %'s from everywhere on the floor this year but don't think his mechanics translate to the nba line w/o some tweaking.

 

This has all already been discussed in the PG trade and All NBA threads.

Big Al isn't really a salary dump for them, at least not of the Allen Crabbe magnitude. He's actually on a pretty team friendly contract. He makes slightly less than Meyers Leonard, but only has one fully guaranteed year left on his contract, The second year, only the first $4 million of the $10 million is guaranteed. I'd be fine with Big Al backing up Nurk for a year, or two. The second year, you can look for someone better and if you can't find someone you fully guarantee his second year.

If IND moves PG13, they are in total rebuild mode and will want to move everyone on their roster over 27 years old. In addition to Big Al, that means they will try to force Monta on us. I'd try to avoid that as he's really fallen off a cliff and even at his best, he was a much less efficient version of C.J. But it also means Thad Young will be available. So, something like Our three first round picks, + Crabbe, Leonard and Harkless for PG13, Big Al and Thad Young. Young can either start at PF or back up both PF and SF spots.

We get older, but we get better, deeper and maybe a little cheaper (until we have to resign PG13 and Nurk). IND gets way younger (3 first round picks and three players 25 or younger).

BNM

 

I didn't read the Fansided one all the way through. I distracted by some work at the office and attached the link to the post.

I agree, the Pelton one definitely seems more realistic as I finally had time to read them completely.

 

I really doubt Minnesota will take Markkanen. A big shooter that does not play any defense is not really something they need.

I don't think New York will think 'we can land our 2nd option this year but feck it, let Portland land him so we can do it next year'. I also doubt the league rates Crabbe so high to think he can ever become a 2nd option at a successful team.

 

Sounds like a Neil Olshey kinda guy

 

The Blazers should choose no person off of that sorry ass UCLA team. Ike has hands of stone in should not don the crimson and black.

 

The only way that you know Nurk would be any good is because of his performance in those 20 games to lead us to the playoffs. We were not making the playoffs before Jusuf Nurkić came to the team. How would you know we're going to be good if Jusuf didn't revitalize us and help us make the playoffs? That's right you wouldn't. So making the playoffs is the reason why you're so excited about next year. Why don't you get that?

 

I too am a bit confused about the UCLA players. They currently have 3 players projected to go in the top 20 yet were the #3 team in their own conference. If they were really that good.....

 

After doing my research, I think the best options for the Blazers are John Collins or Zach Collins... both fill a position of need, highly efficient, can play now but also have upside... they should have enough assets to move up and draft one of them... that is if they are unable to trade picks for established star like Paul George

 

I doubt we'd have to move up for John Collins, Zach much more likely, this is going to be a crazy draft IMO and its seems so even from 11/12 to perhaps late 20's - there's just a huge "tier" there where its beauty in the eye of the beholder.

 

Yeah but all 3 of those guys were freshman and they only lost 5 games all year. Regardless of their record though we are talking about potential. I agree it is hard to know for sure.

 

Is that true? I like his effort, but if he can't catch the ball then it would be hard to imagine him being successful. Can't remember seeing a guy with bad hands every get good hands with time.

I know a good videographer can make anyone look good, but his shot doesn't look terrible:

http://www.draftexpress.com/video/12787/

 

Well, if I speak it, it's the truth as I see it.

The guy might as well have granite fingertips.

 

I'd love that trade for Portland

 

I've watched a decent amount of UCLA and that dude is garbage in my opinion.

 

Given he was the 7th youngest player in the NCAA, I might cut him a bit of slack and see how he does in drills, etc.

 

He also started the season on the injured list after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 25, 2016. Plus the senior in front of him played very well so minutes were an issue. Having said that I have no idea how good he is or how good he might be. I barely noticed him until late in the season.

 

yeah thats interesting and the one UCLA "ex-guy" I like is Jonah Bolden, love to get an early 2nd rdr and pick him up but I think he could move up the boards in workouts to the later 1st, he had a breakout season in Srbia pro leagues - will it translate is the key? If he pans out could be a great fit next to Nurk, almost ideal

 

I hope Paul Allen has learned something from past draft picks (Sebastian Telfair, Martell Webster, Meyers Leonard) that have not panned out. In those cases, Paul seemed to fall in love with the things these guys did well during their workouts and ignored their weaknesses (or just automatically assume they would improve in those areas).

Now, when they work out players before the draft, I hope they really focus on a player's weaknesses. Force them out of their comfort zone. Force them to try to do the things they don't do well and see how they handle the situation. There are plenty of highlight videos that show what these guys do well. Spend the majority of the time during the workouts evaluating the things they don't do well and their potential to improve in those areas.

If Anigbogu's hands are suspect, put him on the low block and throw him a large variety of passes, lobs, bounce passes, bullet passes, high low, to his left to his right, mix it up so he doesn't know what's coming. Have him catch the pass and make a move with a defender on his back and see how he does.

Unless it's due to poor eyesight, there really is no cure for bad hands. You can work and work and work, and may get a little better, but you just don't go from awful to good in this area.

BNM