2023 NBA Draft (tonight's discussion on pg 58)

[DaVoiceMaster]

What if the real plan is the summer of 2024? The Blazers draft Bronny James, LeBron James opys out of his contract, and the Blazers sign him as a free agent to play with his son. Isn't that LeBron's plan; it's just a matter of which team drafts Bronny?

[dunlop212]

Hendricks plays for UCF, Oregon's NIT opponent tonight.

[Norm2953]

Herb has a team option for next year that will be exercised, Bryant isn’t an upgrade over Nurkic and Brandon Miller is 6’9 SF not a PG.

Also if Sharpe is #3 on the SG depth chart next year he is either not working on his game or Billups just has a vendetta.

I do like Miller but I wish he had that Scottie Barnes personality. Leaning on youngsters like Ant, Sharpe, Miller that don’t really seem to have leadership qualities is rough. But who knows, they are still kids.

Odd, the website I was looking at showed Jones as an UFA. I would look to do something with both Simon's and Nurkic. Maybe you do Simon's to Orlando for WCJ, Anthony, and their 2023 draft pick. I would also see if there is a deal with Nurkic going to Dallas. Maybe a SHT for Woods? Honestly, I don't care where he goes, just so long as he goes. Not sure anyone is willing to take on his contract unless they have a need for him.

I think Ant’s value is closer to WCJ straight up than WCJ and a top-10 pick. Also t think the only trade of Nurk to Dallas is for Bertrand or THJ. His value to me is that low.

Remember however, WCJ since he entered the league, has never played more than 62 games in a season

[BlazersBroncos]

Odd, the website I was looking at showed Jones as an UFA. I would look to do something with both Simon's and Nurkic. Maybe you do Simon's to Orlando for WCJ, Anthony, and their 2023 draft pick. I would also see if there is a deal with Nurkic going to Dallas. Maybe a SHT for Woods? Honestly, I don't care where he goes, just so long as he goes. Not sure anyone is willing to take on his contract unless they have a need for him.

I think Ant’s value is closer to WCJ straight up than WCJ and a top-10 pick. Also t think the only trade of Nurk to Dallas is for Bertrand or THJ. His value to me is that low.

Remember however, WCJ since he entered the league, has never played more than 62 games in a season

Ya, that is something to take into consideration. I think Ant is worth a bit more - maybe the 2025 DEN FRP, but certainly the difference in value is less than the ORL and CHI FRPs, both of which are projected Top-10.

I am still foolish enough to take a flyer on Isaac if we can dump Nurkic on them.

[zzaj]

Hendricks plays for UCF, Oregon's NIT opponent tonight.

He didn't play well, 1-5 from 3pt.

[The Sebastian Express]

I've updated the thread title to reflect it becoming our official tank/draft thread and pinned it.

[DusterBuster]

I'm ready for fast forward to May, for weather and basketball reasons.

[Norm2953]

It'll be interesting to see how the workouts and the pre-draft games go.

Imagine Portland if they won the lottery and we see Victor get off the plane to workout in the
practice facility.

[DusterBuster]

Trying to not get too hyped about the thought the Blazers could luck out for the Top pick. It’s so unlikely, but not impossible. For all the ways this season could have gone, I’m glad they are in top 6 range vs the stupid play-in.

[Norm2953]

Portland come from the 7 position in 2007 to the top spot to draft Greg Oden over Durant

[bob2]

It’s so unlikely, but not impossible.

Odds are much better for #6 than they used to be a couple years ago.
Portland currently has a 9% chance at the top pick. It's better than rolling 2 dices and getting 11 or 12.
And the Blazers would have a 37% chance at moving up into the top 4.

[DusterBuster]

It’s so unlikely, but not impossible.

Odds are much better for #6 than they used to be a couple years ago.
Portland currently has a 9% chance at the top pick. It's better than rolling 2 dices and getting 11 or 12.
And the Blazers would have a 37% chance at moving up into the top 4.

I know. Still would rather have 9% chance over 0%.

[JRoy]

It'll be interesting to see how the workouts and the pre-draft games go.

Imagine Portland if they won the lottery and we see Victor get off the plane to workout in the
practice facility.

I imagine it with a leg cast.

[Jsun947]

Am I the only one who only sees one franchise player in this draft?

Scoot didn’t have the type of season scouts thought he would, Millers first step and ability to get his shot off against elite athletes is weak, and the twins can’t shoot. They are good prospects but not great. I wouldn’t be shocked if none of them other than Wemby make an all star game by 2033

The last few drafts have been really weak consider how many guys have been hyped

[BlazersBroncos]

Am I the only one who only sees one franchise player in this draft?

Scoot didn’t have the type of season scouts thought he would, Millers first step and ability to get his shot off against elite athletes is weak, and the twins can’t shoot. They are good prospects but not great. I wouldn’t be shocked if none of them other than Wemby make an all star game by 2033

The last few drafts have been really weak consider how many guys have been hyped

I am there with you, but that doesnt make it a bad draft. Its super rare to have 2 franchise guys in a single draft. Most thought this had that, but its looking like Scoot isnt as sure a thing as some hoped.

Still, a guy like Miller can likely give you Trent Murphy production as a rookie, maybe a bit better. A tall shooting SF that gives us 15ppg as a rookie would be huge. The twins are huge question marks for me, I have no idea with them. Total wildcards.

Bilal Coulibaly is going to be a late riser. Really interesting young international swing man. Would take him w/ the NYK pick but think he ends up late lotto. Teams are going to fall in love with him.

[JasonStern]

If we're tanking, I don't see why we don't bring Melo or Whiteside back. Hell. Even Kanter/Freedom. They can all get us 20 points a game (while giving up 40).

Regarding the draft, Blazer scouts have done a pretty good job finding value/high upside players. So I'll trust them to find the best player available, whether that's a ready to play now player or a high risk, high reward player. That was also part of the reason why Olshey trading away three 1st round picks for Covington and Nance were so infuriating. Missed opportunities and, when you add all that went out, that's a package for an all-star/fringe all-star. Not two flawed role players.

Cronin also seems willing to make moves, so if we can land a player like Pascal Siakam, I'd be fine trading picks/youth/etc.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Bilal Coulibaly is going to be a late riser. Really interesting young international swing man. Would take him w/ the NYK pick but think he ends up late lotto. Teams are going to fall in love with him.

+1 on him, he keeps moving up and could be a Batum like player. A little smaller but more explosive of an athlete at the same age (Batum was super smooth though), who knows if he will develop the passing and shooting like Batum did but good to start with tools there.

[Jsun947]

Am I the only one who only sees one franchise player in this draft?

Scoot didn’t have the type of season scouts thought he would, Millers first step and ability to get his shot off against elite athletes is weak, and the twins can’t shoot. They are good prospects but not great. I wouldn’t be shocked if none of them other than Wemby make an all star game by 2033

The last few drafts have been really weak consider how many guys have been hyped

I am there with you, but that doesnt make it a bad draft. Its super rare to have 2 franchise guys in a single draft. Most thought this had that, but its looking like Scoot isnt as sure a thing as some hoped.

Still, a guy like Miller can likely give you Trent Murphy production as a rookie, maybe a bit better. A tall shooting SF that gives us 15ppg as a rookie would be huge. The twins are huge question marks for me, I have no idea with them. Total wildcards.

Bilal Coulibaly is going to be a late riser. Really interesting young international swing man. Would take him w/ the NYK pick but think he ends up late lotto. Teams are going to fall in love with him.

I hear you. Scouts were all saying this draft had 2 can’t miss prospects to start with so it was a lot more exciting.

The 2021 draft was supposed to be deep with high end talent too and it looks weak as hell in retrospect.

[zzaj]

I’m also not really seeing much, the deeper I look into this draft. There’s really nobody that impresses me…seems like a bunch of role players—which is hard to get up for. I’m going to keep looking, though…lol

[JRoy]

Hope we draft something other than a guard.