Running list of prospects meeting/working out with Portland

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by illmatic99, May 22, 2022.

  1. Bingo Bango

    Bingo Bango Well-Known Member

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    Yes, but possibly on the downside of his career. I personally think it’s foolish to try to rebuild the team with young guys. We need veterans and probably another star to have any chance of winning a title.
     
  2. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Of the guys drafted in the lottery in 2021, only 6 guys were on teams that finished at least in the play-in.

    3 - Mobley
    4 - Barnes
    7 - Kuminga
    10 - Zaire Williams
    12 - Primo
    14 - Moody

    At least half of them got meaningful minutes in big games down the stretch. Hell, Moody is apparently a regular in the rotation now in the WCF. Steve Kerr is messing around with Kuminga's minutes but I think he'd have contributed as well. Primo is really the only one who didn't play much.

    Extending a bit further to year 2 players drafted in the lottery:

    1- Edwards
    3 - Ball
    4 - Pat Williams
    5 - Okoro
    6- Okongwu
    11 - Vassell
    12 - Halliburt0n

    7 of the 15 played big minutes (not to mention Bane (30), Maxey (21), and Bey (19) all also were big contributors to their teams).

    I think a sweeping generalization that all youngins don't make meaningful contributions is not necessary. We just need to find the right guys who can. If you approximate that about a third of the guys in each first round play and contribute early on in their careers in every draft, landing one of them with the #7 spot is not much of an ask.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2022
  3. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    And to be clear, I don't need our rookie playing 30+ mpg.

    My expectation is about 20-25 mpg while bringing a skill we are currently lacking
     
  4. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    So anything but a small ball dominant guard that doesn’t play defense. Got it
     
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  5. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    I haven't settled on a single guy yet & who knows I may not this year. I'm trying to keep an open mind and pour over each guy's tape and interviews. Little things like personal anecdotes that reveal character often sink or raise a prospect in my eyes. Duren is standing out to me as better then where he's currently projected by the mocks though. Physically I see him as a high ceiling modern Big who can both do big man things and reasonably switch off onto smaller players which vastly improves a team's D. But maybe he's a self absorbed dickhead who teammates only tolerate?

    STOMP
     
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  6. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    Warriors are also without Payton and Iggy.

    Anyways the point is you don’t draft for need, like ever. Take the best talent and if he contributes immediately cool. But that’s a bonus, you definitely don’t build your playoff roster expecting a rookie to be part of the rotation.
     
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  7. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Back to the topic of the OP:

    https://theathletic.com/3326340/2022/05/23/2022-nba-draft-combine/

    They compiled a list:

    Bennedict Mathurin
    Patrick Baldwin Jr.
    MarJon Beauchamp
    Josh Minott Jr.

    Also:

    — Jeremy Sochan was already a likely lottery pick, but talks with NBA executives revealed just how popular he is. The versatile Baylor forward, intriguing for his length and defensive skill, is considered likely to be gone by the late lottery, according to several NBA executives. One team executive put his floor at the No. 12 pick. The New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets are believed to have interest in Sochan, while the San Antonio Spurs are considered a strong fit for him.

    — This draft has the potential for some unexpected twists and turns. The belief among NBA executives and scouts is that picks Nos. 4 and 7, held by the Kings and Blazers, could be available in a trade. The top three picks are unsettled, and there are proponents for both Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. to go first overall next month. That has the potential for a chaotic top 10, which would have trickle-down effects.
     
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  8. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    This dude is using Dame as an example, really?

    Jan Vesely
    Ekpe Udoh
    Jonny Flynn
    Yi
    All are on Line #6 waiting to speak to you.
    Oh, I forgot we have the 7th pick. I think it's safe to say that Dame doesn't expect this pick to turn out like he did. He doesn't want to wait a couple years for help.
     
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  9. James lamphear

    James lamphear Well-Known Member

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    I don't see a championship in Dame era but due see a competitive team though. Trading draft picks for veterans don't guarantee you anything especially when you got top 10 pick that might help you before the season ends.
     
  10. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    you don't gauge by past #7 picks, you gauge by who was available at #7

    last year:

    Jonathan Kuminga
    Franz Wagner
    Davion Mitchell
    Chris Duarte
    Alperen Şengün
    Tre Mann
    Bones Hyland
    Herbert Jones

    the year before:

    Killian Hayes
    Jalen Smith
    Tyrese Haliburton
    Cole Anthony
    Isaiah Stewart
    Saddiq Bey
    Tyrese Maxey
    Immanuel Quickley
    Desmond Bane

    the year before that

    Coby White
    Jaxson Hayes
    Rui Hachimura
    Cam Reddish
    Cameron Johnson
    P.J. Washington
    Tyler Herro
    Matisse Thybulle
    Brandon Clarke
    Jordan Poole
    Keldon Johnson
    Kevin Porter Jr.

    and before that:


    Wendell Carter Jr.
    Collin Sexton
    Mikal Bridges
    Kentucky
    Miles Bridges
    Michael Porter Jr.
    Kevin Huerter
    Anfernee Simons
    Landry Shamet
    Robert Williams
    Jalen Brunson
    Devonte' Graham
    Mitchell Robinson
    Gary Trent Jr.
    Shake Milton

    and finally, before that in olshey's brain dead June:

    Lauri Markkanen
    Luke Kennard
    Donovan Mitchell
    Bam Adebayo
    John Collins
    Jarrett Allen
    OG Anunoby
    Kyle Kuzma
    Derrick White
    Josh Hart
    Thomas Bryant
    Dillon Brooks

    in 2009, Stephen Curry, Demar Derozan, and Jrue Holiday were taken at 7 or later.; Paul George was taken at 10; in 2011, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, Nicola Vucevic', Tobias Haris, Jimmy Butler, & Bohan Bogdanovic' were taken 7 or later. Khris Middleton was drafte in the 2nd round, one slot ahead of Will Barton. In 2013, CJ, Steven Adams, Giannis, and Gobert were drafted after 6; in 2014 it was Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Nurkic, Clint Capela, Joe Harris, Spenser Dinwiddie, Grant, Nikola Jokic, & Dwight Powell. Myles Turner at 11 and Devin Booker at 14. Sabonis, Caris Levert, Siakam and Dejounte Murray




     
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  11. Predator

    Predator The Godfather

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    Already chatter of this draft being “better and deeper than expected”, lol.

    EVERY. YEAR.
    NOT. SWAYED.
     
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  12. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    When I get hungry for pizza, I hear this is a deep draft
     
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  13. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    That would tend to make one think the shotgun approach is best. So, it would really be dumb to trade a 15 and a 20 for a 10, yes?
     
  14. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    BTW, don't think San Antonio will trade up to 7 to insure getting Sochan. They'll just wait for him to fall in their lap.
     
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  15. KSF-ERIC

    KSF-ERIC Well-Known Member

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    This #7 pick could be the other star. Dirk was 33 when he won a title without an All Star teammate. We can afford to be patient unless you can trade #7 for an All Star.
     
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  16. KSF-ERIC

    KSF-ERIC Well-Known Member

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    Tyler Herro, as a rookie, was a major player in Miami’s run to the Finals in 2020.
     
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  17. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    Jason Kidd was a bona fide allstar on that team and they had the 6 man of the year in Terry.....Finley...Tyson Chandler....that was not a weak roster in my view.
     
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  18. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    No way, so what you guys are saying is a rookie can have a positive impact on a team?


    Wonder how many haven't?
     
  19. AmirIcon

    AmirIcon Well-Known Member

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    Wonder how many more would have had it not been for stubborn coaches who chose the likes of Anthony Tolliver and Mario Hezonja to take minutes from your first round pick.

    There is a tradition of these coaches.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2022
  20. Predator

    Predator The Godfather

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    “Can” doesn’t mean “will”.

    It doesn’t mean it’s likely or probable. It means it’s possible.

    So yes, a rookie “can” have a positive impact on a team. It is not IMPOSSIBLE.
     
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