There are several who less than thrilled with the results of the draft. Here's your chance to state who you would've drafted instead. Rule #1- no additional trades (select pick #24 & #37) Rule #2- you can only select players who were available while Blazers were on the clock. Here's my selection: #24 - Robert Williams (with a future trade of Swanigan) #37 - De'Anthony Melton
Guys the reality is you can't get a difference Maker at #24, you have to Pick the guy with the most Upside, and imo Simons is that guy
I like both of those players and would be tempted to pick one. But both seems really redundant. Similar players imo.
Ultimately I love the Simons pick at pick 24. Even though I think I may have picked Elie Okobo instead, Simons would have been my 2nd choice and I think POR did right because he will be a SG which is probably going to be a bigger need in 3 years then a backup PG in the French Damian Lillard. For 37 I would have went Khyri Thomas.
One is a guard, one is a wing.... yeah, maybe they’re similar in that they both have good 3&D potential but hey, it’s not like the Blazers need any of those kind of players!
Scout a bunch of games, bring guys in for workouts, talk to coaches, etc. Draft the people with the highest ceilings at that point in the draft, and trade for veterans if you want help now. 24: Anfernee Simons (lottery ceiling, stelar review from major NCAA coach, etc., can shoot, handle and defend with long arms) 37: Gary Trent Jr. (ranked by many as the best 3pt shooter in the draft, young and can develop, decent physical attributes, NBA body) Trade future 1st, TPE for Kelly Oubre Jr. Dame, WBIII, Simons CJ, ET, Trent Harkless, Oubre Jr. Collins, Aminu, Biggie Nurkic, Big Dude, Ed
Or keep the future 1st and agree to take Gortat off WAS's hands in exchange for them giving us Oubre. In this case, Gortat becomes "Big Dude". BNM
WAS desperately wants to dump Gortat's salary. Prior to July 1, Gortat's salary fits under the Crabbe TPE and Oubre's salary fits under the Vonleh TPE. This is a reasonable use of our TPE's, but not enough that I'd also include a future 1st round pick. In fact, I'd be holding WAS's feet to the fire demanding at least a future 2nd as compensation for getting Gortat's salary off their books. BNM
I think his point was that they both are projected as OK shooters who play D as opposed to Simons and Trent who are projected to be very good shooters but not great defenders. So maybe draft one excellent scorer and one 3 and D guy.
I keep seeing mentions of Oubre as an option for a TPE. Just haven't seen him play enough but what I have seen was completely underwhelming. Help me out with what else he's got. Not criticizing...seriously inquiring from people who have watched him play quite a bit.
Or how about drafting 3&D guys to surround your two excellent scorers... and use your mle to get a proven bench scorer.
Potential. He's only 22, but already been in the league 3 years and has improved every year as his minutes and role have also increased. BNM
His defensive numbers look pretty good. He is a very fluid athlete on both ends, but I also have seen him get really aggressive and put that dagger in to finish teams off. 34% on 3pt on 4.6 attempts 22 years old, 6'7" 7'3" wingspan
Simons and Thomas, but I'm definitely OK with Simons and Trent. My first choice was Okogie or Hutchinson, but both of those were gone. I also had interest in Evans.