It's this time of year that always seems to be the most difficult for me as a Blazer fan. I see other teams making bold moves to improve their roster, to take chances... and these always seem to be the same 5-8 teams that most always win. But the Blazers never take those chances. They never pull the trigger on those kinds of deals. They always make the safe, low-key, low-risk deals, or just stand pat and hope for lightening-in-a-bottle during the draft. I don't know if it's that we overvalue the players that we have, or are scared of getting fleeced by one of the other, more historically successful franchises, or just content with not making waves and perpetually being the Washington Generals to the NBA's elite teams. I just know I'm sick of it. Just once, I'd like the Blazers to put the league on blast by pulling the trigger and (gasp!) maybe overpaying in a trade for a top flight NBA star, to let the league know that us hicks here in backwater Portland, Oregon are suddenly serious about wanting to win and not being content with getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
As long as you aren't expecting Olshey to turn the end of our bench and a couple of late first round picks into a top NBA All-Star, there's an element of truth in your post. It's time to take a swing at a major deal. Using all three picks on meh rookies would be a let down. OTOH, expecting him to hoodwink another team with little cost on the Blazers' end isn't realistic either.
Amen, Chris. It's almost always an underwhelming experience this time of year. Usually we end up with some borderline rookie who doesn't pan out, or a less than overwhelming trade, and then we hope and pray that it will somehow work out anyway.
I think Neal's plan all along has been to remain flexible and hope to be able to pounce on trading for an devalued disgruntled star player like he did with Chris Paul. I'd be shocked if Olshey hasn't already probed PG's camp about his thoughts on playing with Dame, and C.J., and if PG would be open to resigning here if the blazers traded for him. My guess is that PG doesn't feel he has to make any promises to anyone because next offseason teams will be falling all over themselves to buy him a fancy dinner. It'd be a risk to trade for PG but I hope Neal fucking tries.
Justin Johnson Jarrett Allen DJ Wilson Draftexpress just updated the mock again. Frank Ntilikina has been dropped to 15. I'd be OK with that. I'd be thrilled to get Frank, Bam, & Semi.
I would not be disappointed with keeping all three picks. I would love to see Bam at 15 (or Allen or Patton) OG at 20 and Giles at 26 (All possible based on Draft express mock draft)
If the Knicks want to move Porzingis for 4 first round draft picks, I would give them all three of this years and next years, plus Noah Vonleh to make the money work. That would put the league on its ear.
Ok maybe just gamble on one of the medically challenged players. But they both have huge upsides especially for where they are picked. Giles at 26 could be a steal.
It's like the Nurk trade didn't even happen. Dudes, y'all need to step back. Most trades happen on draft day. Patience, grasshoppers.
Yes, the Blazers got lucky in that deal. And it did seem to fit Olshey's MO of finding disgruntled players who want to be away from their team and said team just trading him for the sake of getting him out of their locker room. Let's not forget that a lot of people were pissed off at losing Plumlee and if Nurk hadn't started balling out of his mind, surprising EVERYONE, before he got injured, we'd still be lamenting the loss of Mason.
The only way I would be disappointed tomorrow is if we use our picks to shed contracts. That's a stupid use of all the assets we accrued over the last year. Even if we get three new players, I'd be pretty happy. This draft is deep as hell. Look at what GS did in 2012 with 7/30/35. If we can have three shots to land a major impact player, I want all three shots. (also wouldn't be happy if we get Ferguson. He's my pick for guaranteed bust in this draft).
