2024 NBA Draft (euro season, college season, scouting, prospects etc)

[cdubbz]

Ew we traded both #34 and #40 for future second rounders?

Our scouts must have been throwing up non-stop while watching tape this year and told Blazers to dump all our picks for peanuts to save on janitorial costs.

I like it. If we don't see anyone now then get more future picks. Picks lose value once we select someone, obviously, so why not keep building assets.

I guess. I was briefly excited by the Kolek pick, I think a low mistake pass first guard who can shoot from 3 would be a nice 3rd string to have behind Scoot now that Brogdon is gone. I am not stoked to have Banton in that role as he is more of a Will Barton type ball handler and I think the whole team suffers when you try to make them play point.

But we are literally at 15 so it would have taken a 2-way contract and maybe he wasn't into it and the Blazers are not expecting to make any more moves before the beginning of the season. If not then I guess the rotation looks something like this (with maybe Scoot and Shaedon swapped depending on who is playing better that week)

Simons - Scoot - Banton
Shaedon - Thybulle - Rupert
Avdija - Camara - Murray
Grant - Williams - Walker
Ayton - Clingan - Reath

Looking at that roster I want (in no particular order)
- Shooting in the back court
- Williams is not really a PF but too many damn centers
- Lots of mediocre bench players soaking up minutes
- Simons/Grant/Ayton still combine for almost 60% of the cap and do not look to be even close to a winning combo
- 1 standout player that puts the team and the city on his back and takes responsibility to be "that guy"

What even is the vision for this roster?[/quote]



Visionless roster it seems like. Blazers have a lot of guys where you go "Is he a core piece moving forward"? Who has the keys to the franchise? Is it Simons or Scoot? Does Avdija all of a sudden became a priority to continue his development?

[Goldbum]

I guess 3 seconds for 34 is good value...I still would have taken Furphy or Bobi. I don't see why we didn't take Chomche with the 52nd and put him on a 2-way.
I hate that we made a completely non basketball decision with a basketball asset

[Norm2953]

I guess 3 seconds for 34 is good value...I still would have taken Furphy or Bobi. I don't see why we didn't take Chomche with the 52nd and put him on a 2-way.
I hate that we made a completely non basketball decision with a basketball asset

I do wonder if Tyler Smith was the guy they wanted at 34 and when he was picked at 33, the Blazers did what
the Spurs did and punted out the second round

Blazers with an overload of bigs likely saw no need for another one

I see some teams are already signing guys to two way contracts. I wonder if there is any undrafted FA
that Portland wants to sign.

[Dame Lizard]

Ew we traded both #34 and #40 for future second rounders?

Our scouts must have been throwing up non-stop while watching tape this year and told Blazers to dump all our picks for peanuts to save on janitorial costs.

I like it. If we don't see anyone now then get more future picks. Picks lose value once we select someone, obviously, so why not keep building assets.

I guess. I was briefly excited by the Kolek pick, I think a low mistake pass first guard who can shoot from 3 would be a nice 3rd string to have behind Scoot now that Brogdon is gone. I am not stoked to have Banton in that role as he is more of a Will Barton type ball handler and I think the whole team suffers when you try to make them play point.

But we are literally at 15 so it would have taken a 2-way contract and maybe he wasn't into it and the Blazers are not expecting to make any more moves before the beginning of the season. If not then I guess the rotation looks something like this (with maybe Scoot and Shaedon swapped depending on who is playing better that week)

Simons - Scoot - Banton
Shaedon - Thybulle - Rupert
Avdija - Camara - Murray
Grant - Williams - Walker
Ayton - Clingan - Reath

Looking at that roster I want (in no particular order)
- Shooting in the back court
- Williams is not really a PF but too many damn centers
- Lots of mediocre bench players soaking up minutes
- Simons/Grant/Ayton still combine for almost 60% of the cap and do not look to be even close to a winning combo
- 1 standout player that puts the team and the city on his back and takes responsibility to be "that guy"

What even is the vision for this roster?

Honestly the vision today is absolutely to be a treadmill team. The comments about Portland wanting to make playoffs this year is beyond hilarious.

We'd need to sign an All Star talent to make the playoffs, and even then, we would be nothing more than First Round fodder.

[Walton1one]

Glad I missed the 2nd round, what a joke.

Selling #34 for 3 2nd’s, ok, however not one of them is likely to be as good as #34

The disaster of selling #40 & then #52 for Cash? Paul Allen must be rolling over in his grave. Nothing says you are a cheapskate franchise like selling picks for money, like Jodi or Bert need any, what an embarrassment, but as long as the league allows those two to grift off the team this type of crap will likely continue to happen.

Also the idea that the roster is “full” when you are carrying barely NBA caliber players in Banton & Reath & worse (Badji, Minaya, Hagans) who are nowhere close to NBA caliber, as 2-way contracts is an absolute joke.

And that doesn’t even factor players like Walker a middling bench player & Williams/Thybulle who presence on this team serves absolutely no purpose

Think about this, the Blazers brought in around 50 players for workouts and then traded both of their second round picks! What a waste of time. Now is that on Cronin? Maybe? But I can’t help think that this has more to do with ownership More than anything else.

[zzaj]

Glad I missed the 2nd round, what a joke.

Selling #34 for 3 2nd’s, ok, however not one of them is likely to be as good as #34

The disaster of selling #40 & then #52 for Cash? Paul Allen must be rolling over in his grave. Nothing says you are a cheapskate franchise like selling picks for money, like Jodi or Bert need any, what an embarrassment, but as long as the league allows those two to grift off the team this type of crap will likely continue to happen.

Also the idea that the roster is “full” when you are carrying barely NBA caliber players in Banton & Reath & worse (Badji, Minaya, Hagans) who are nowhere close to NBA caliber, as 2-way contracts is an absolute joke.

And that doesn’t even factor players like Walker a middling bench player & Williams/Thybulle who presence on this team serves absolutely no purpose

Think about this, the Blazers brought in around 50 players for workouts and then traded both of their second round picks! What a waste of time. Now is that on Cronin? Maybe? But I can’t help think that this has more to do with ownership More than anything else.

I would have liked the Blazers to keep #34, as I think this draft was actually very strong in the 20s and 30s.

Also, I personally wouldn't include Banton in the "barely NBA caliber players"--he averaged 19/5/4 in the final quarter of the season. Even though the team was piss-poor, that's still not nothing.

It's true that "cash considerations" is like the unsexiest thing in the world on draft day...but IMO, punting the whole second round was another signal that the Blazers are going to move Simons over the summer. In pressers, Cronin has twice now pointedly omitted Simons in the conversation about "what's next" while mentioning Scoot and Sharpe--and with now being able to take on a little bit of salary in the Brogdon/Deni deal, and having to deal with shedding less roster spots now...all of that adds up to priming the pump for a Simons trade, IMO.

All that to say, I'm choosing to look at the 2nd round punt as (hopefully) an eventual positive for the team moving forward.

[Walton1one]

I hear you, after initial reaction, the thought occurred to me that not adding any players could be in anticipation of them trading a player like Simons, and taking back more players, something like a 2 for 1, and one of those players being cut and the cash considerations then maybe could offset some of that contract

Another thing to consider, Casey Holdahl mentioned in his latest podcast that there was something that could not be reported regarding the #40 or #52 pick.

He did mention the return for #34, and he also mentioned that Portland was not getting any players in the 2nd round, however I got the impression that they were possibly going to get some additional pick/s to be announced later. Something like a. 2nd round pick In the deal for #40 or #52,

Give it a listen and anyone let me know your thoughts, I thought it was odd the way he said it. Not sure why they need to wait on announcing the full deal regarding I think #52?

[BlazersBroncos]

I am fine with moving 34 for 3 future SRP - but as others have said hate basically selling 40. Thats too high a SRP to sell (I basically am only OK with selling picks in the 50's). That being said - our roster is at 15 and the FO must either be too cheap to cut a guy or just really like 'our guys'. I disagree with both of those statements, but it is what it is.

I am not optimistic on Simons being dealt at this juncture - but still have hope we can cash out Grant. I see DAL and LAL being big players in a Grant swepstakes. My preferred deal would be Grant + Reath for Rui + Vincent + 29 FRP + 31 Swap. It satisfies the FO's stance of seemingly wanting to win games as Rui is a servicable player (And his age fits our timeline more than Grant) but also gets us future assets for the rebuild.

G - Scoot Henderson (20) / Anfernee Simons (25) / Gabe Vincent (28)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (21) / Anfernee Simons (25) / Dalano Banton (25) / Matisse Thybulle (27)
F - Deni Avdija (24) / Matisse Thybulle (27) / Rayan Rupert (20) / Kris Murray (24)
F - Toumari Camara (24) / Rui Hachimura (26) / Jabari Walker JR (22) / Kris Murray (24)
C - DeAndre Ayton (26) / Robert Williams III (27) / Donovan Clingan (20)

I would be cool with heading into 24/25 with that roster. Its pretty young, but not so young it will be unwatchable. With a jump from Scoot, Sharpe and if Deni continue to play at his post ASB level that could be a play-in team IMO.

[Norm2953]

With the way guys are being paid this off season, I could see the Blazers simply running it back
for even Grant might yield more return when the realities of increasing cap become evident to
all teams

SF Avdija, Camara,
PF Grant, Walker,
C Ayton, Clingan, Williams
SG Simons, Sharpe, Thybulle
PG Henderson, Simons

I really would have liked if they had just kept Kolek and released Banton, who they held a team option on.
Team could have used another PG, with the loss of Brogdon.

[Pattycakes]

I still see us trading Ant to orl and think Da Silva may have been selected on our invitation

[tester551]

Another thing to consider, Casey Holdahl mentioned in his latest podcast that there was something that could not be reported regarding the #40 or #52 pick.

He did mention the return for #34, and he also mentioned that Portland was not getting any players in the 2nd round, however I got the impression that they were possibly going to get some additional pick/s to be announced later. Something like a. 2nd round pick In the deal for #40 or #52,

Give it a listen and anyone let me know your thoughts, I thought it was odd the way he said it. Not sure why they need to wait on announcing the full deal regarding I think #52?

After you said this - I gave it a listen.
My guess is that a '31 second rounder is included. The trade has to wait until July to become official so that the '31 picks become eligible to trade.

[zzaj]

I still see us trading Ant to orl and think Da Silva may have been selected on our invitation

There may be something to this...I could see a world where Orlando chose for the Blazers as part of a developing deal for Simons.

[Blaze the Nugz]

I still see us trading Ant to orl and think Da Silva may have been selected on our invitation

There may be something to this...I could see a world where Orlando chose for the Blazers as part of a developing deal for Simons.

My worry would be that Da Silva is another Kris Murray. We need to take more chances on high upside guys, not another "high floor, low ceiling" kind of guy (yes, I know Kris Murray may actually be low floor, low ceiling ).

[BlazersBroncos]

I still see us trading Ant to orl and think Da Silva may have been selected on our invitation

There may be something to this...I could see a world where Orlando chose for the Blazers as part of a developing deal for Simons.

My worry would be that Da Silva is another Kris Murray. We need to take more chances on high upside guys, not another "high floor, low ceiling" kind of guy (yes, I know Kris Murray may actually be low floor, low ceiling ).

If ORL drafted Silva to move for us it would have happened on draft night. I dont think there is any smoke to that.

That being said - I like Silva much more than Kris. He has shown better defensive versatility and is a much better shooter (Kris was always a gamble as a shooter - 38% as a SOPH but only 64% FT - then 35% as a JR and 72% FT - the near 84% FT that Silva posted last season makes me much more likely to bet on his 3PT shot in the NBA).

Kris is a CJ Elleby level talent IMO. Hustles but isnt an NBA talent.

[Walton1one]

I see some teams are already signing guys to two way contracts. I wonder if there is any undrafted FA
that Portland wants to sign.

I find this dissapointing, and this is on Cronin and his team. What are they doing? We have 3 guys (or 2?) on 2-way contracts: Minaya, Badji & Hagans, all of whom are not NBA prospects, Why are they not offering some 2-way contracts to these guys? It is just lazy IMO, instead, they will likely roll out the same non-NBA players on the summer league team as favors to agents or guys they want for the remix who likely have no chance of making the NBA squad.

Also, I personally wouldn't include Banton in the "barely NBA caliber players"--he averaged 19/5/4 in the final quarter of the season. Even though the team was piss-poor, that's still not nothing.

I understand what you are saying, but if POR was a playoff contending team, this guy wouldn't be anywhere near rotation minutes. There are a lot of guys like Banton who can score in bunches in summer league or in meaningless games (Qyntel Woods, Jerrod Bayless come to mind), but when put into meaningful minutes quickly reveal they are not dependable enough or have enough "other" team skills that they bring to the table to be worth putting on the floor.

[Walton1one]

I see some teams are already signing guys to two way contracts. I wonder if there is any undrafted FA
that Portland wants to sign.

I find this dissapointing, and this is on Cronin and his team. What are they doing? We have 3 guys (or 2?) on 2-way contracts: Minaya, Badji & Hagans, all of whom are not NBA prospects, Why are they not offering some 2-way contracts to some of these undrafted guys like EVERY OTHER TEAM is doing? It is just lazy IMO, instead, they will likely roll out the same non-NBA players on the summer league team as favors to agents or guys they want for the remix who likely have no chance of making the NBA squad.

Also, there have already been some 2nd rounders that HAVE signed 2-way contracts, so this narrative of agents\players not willing to sign 2-way contracts seems like a poor excuse, which makes dealing away #52 for cash (allegedly) even worse.

Also, I personally wouldn't include Banton in the "barely NBA caliber players"--he averaged 19/5/4 in the final quarter of the season. Even though the team was piss-poor, that's still not nothing.

I understand what you are saying, but if POR was a playoff contending team, this guy wouldn't be anywhere near rotation minutes. There are a lot of guys like Banton who can score in bunches in summer league or in meaningless games (Qyntel Woods, Jerrod Bayless come to mind), but when put into meaningful minutes quickly reveal they are not dependable enough or have enough "other" team skills that they bring to the table to be worth putting on the floor.

[mighty_duck]

Also, I personally wouldn't include Banton in the "barely NBA caliber players"--he averaged 19/5/4 in the final quarter of the season. Even though the team was piss-poor, that's still not nothing.

I understand what you are saying, but if POR was a playoff contending team, this guy wouldn't be anywhere near rotation minutes. There are a lot of guys like Banton who can score in bunches in summer league or in meaningless games (Qyntel Woods, Jerrod Bayless come to mind), but when put into meaningful minutes quickly reveal they are not dependable enough or have enough "other" team skills that they bring to the table to be worth putting on the floor.

He shot 41% / 30% (2fg%/3fg%) . That qualifies as "barely an NBA player". If he's playing major minutes, it's safe to say we're in tank mode...

The potential is there though - he's 6'8 and has good handles and athleticism. I can see us passing on replacing him with an unproven second round pick.

[zzaj]

Banton is certainly less needed now that Deni is on the team. But the Blazers had like ZERO players last year who could put the ball on the floor and playmake. Scoot, Sharpe and Simons...but when Simons and Sharpe were injured there was literally not another single one. That hurt the Blazers a lot.

I'm not saying Banton is a world beater...he went 0-15 from 3 for chrissakes--a record that may stand forever...but on a team with very little shot creation off the dribble, I see other players as more expendable.

[zzaj]

There may be something to this...I could see a world where Orlando chose for the Blazers as part of a developing deal for Simons.

My worry would be that Da Silva is another Kris Murray. We need to take more chances on high upside guys, not another "high floor, low ceiling" kind of guy (yes, I know Kris Murray may actually be low floor, low ceiling ).

If ORL drafted Silva to move for us it would have happened on draft night. I dont think there is any smoke to that.

It certainly wouldn't if the Blazers have been in talks with Orlando about Simons and they need more time to flesh out the details.

[tester551]

My worry would be that Da Silva is another Kris Murray. We need to take more chances on high upside guys, not another "high floor, low ceiling" kind of guy (yes, I know Kris Murray may actually be low floor, low ceiling ).

If ORL drafted Silva to move for us it would have happened on draft night. I dont think there is any smoke to that.

It certainly wouldn't if the Blazers have been in talks with Orlando about Simons and they need more time to flesh out the details.

Or if ORL needs to wait until July 1 where they can have cap space to pull off an un-even trade.