Draft prospects @ 10

[Norm2953]

I'm on record for some time as not being a fan of the 2013 draft and can't see the merits
of dealing Matthews for Minnesota's pick.

I do think the tenth pick (assuming everything stays about the same after the actual
lottery) is going to yield a decent player. It's likely that player will be a project who
will get more minutes as the season rolls on.

As far as tanking hard for 2014, we'd do have to go through all gyrations for all we
need to do is let JJ walk and do nothing to replace him.

[RipCity71252]

I am not a huge fan of Adams.

Compared to other centers in the draft, this is how his per-minute stats rank:

1. Offensive rebounds: Rank #1
2. Defensive rebounds: Rank #10 (last)
3. Assists: Rank #9
4. Steals: Rank #5
5. Blocks: Rank #3
6. Points: Rank #10 (last)
7. FT attempted: Rank #10 (last)
8. FG%: Rank #6

So it looks like he is a good offensive rebounder and shot blocker, but average or below average at everything else. The worst per-minute defensive rebounding has got to be a concern for us.

His numbers are eerily similar to Andre Drummond. He's not quite the physical freak, but he's not far off.

[Jsun947]

Why do people assume tanking nets you the #1 pick.

Its really hard to be bad enough to be the worst team. Even then you have a greater chance of losing the #1 pick than getting it.

After that the chances of a #1 pick becoming a franchise player is rather low.

You're suggesting trading a All-Star power forward that's in his prime and locked into a long term deal for a minimal chance to get a franchise guy... And you wonder why that never happens...

[Case2012]

People are not getting where I'm coming from. I can see us building around our current core, adding some free agents and hopefully drafting well to make our team competitive. But I think we top out as a second round exit. You need super star players to win rings in the NBA today, and you can sign those players if you're a large market team, or you can draft them. The former isn't happening, and it never has for Portland. So the only choice is to tank for a superstar, and there will be a few in the 2014 and 2015 drafts. I can see why people don't want to trade away our core, because while they are good, they're not great. Good gets you into the playoffs, and great gets you rings.

Fortune favors the bold.

It doesn't matter though, PA wants to win now.

[Norm2953]

There are still a couple of days before the deadline to declare is over. Let's see if
a player like Smart ends up changing his mind for he's very likely to drop 4-5
spots if he declares in the 2014 draft.

As it stands now (prior to the workouts) there are nine players that will go any
order prior to when we pick. I'm hoping 2-3 players will rise in the workout which
will enable us to pass on the Kelly Olynik's of the world at 10. I'm hoping Shabazz
drops to us at 10.

[GreenRiddler]

There are still a couple of days before the deadline to declare is over. Let's see if
a player like Smart ends up changing his mind for he's very likely to drop 4-5
spots if he declares in the 2014 draft.

As it stands now (prior to the workouts) there are nine players that will go any
order prior to when we pick. I'm hoping 2-3 players will rise in the workout which
will enable us to pass on the Kelly Olynik's of the world at 10. I'm hoping Shabazz
drops to us at 10.

I think Bazz rises. Det just has a way of getting people to fall into their lap. Monroe Drummond..Bazz..

[lukeyrid13]

Bazz also seems to fit in perfectly in Sacramento. Good scorer but can't/doesn't pass.

[mojomarc]

Am I the only one that secretly hopes will draft Gobert just so we can see Bouna Ndiaye's head explode?

I just am not high at all on the prospects in this draft. I'm almost hoping we can trade the pick for a vet and a pick in next year's draft instead.

[Blazinaway]

There are still a couple of days before the deadline to declare is over. Let's see if
a player like Smart ends up changing his mind for he's very likely to drop 4-5
spots if he declares in the 2014 draft.

As it stands now (prior to the workouts) there are nine players that will go any
order prior to when we pick. I'm hoping 2-3 players will rise in the workout which
will enable us to pass on the Kelly Olynik's of the world at 10. I'm hoping Shabazz
drops to us at 10.

I think Bazz rises. Det just has a way of getting people to fall into their lap. Monroe Drummond..Bazz..

it's way early and there will be a lot of movin around but on draftexpress Bazz has fallen to #10 with CJ McCollum moving above him

[GreenRiddler]

There are still a couple of days before the deadline to declare is over. Let's see if
a player like Smart ends up changing his mind for he's very likely to drop 4-5
spots if he declares in the 2014 draft.

As it stands now (prior to the workouts) there are nine players that will go any
order prior to when we pick. I'm hoping 2-3 players will rise in the workout which
will enable us to pass on the Kelly Olynik's of the world at 10. I'm hoping Shabazz
drops to us at 10.

I think Bazz rises. Det just has a way of getting people to fall into their lap. Monroe Drummond..Bazz..

it's way early and there will be a lot of movin around but on draftexpress Bazz has fallen to #10 with CJ McCollum moving above him

Yea, I am happy he is there at 10 now,but that is gonna change, it's still late apr, we got 2 months. It will be interesting though.

I wonder though, how tantalizing a young talented player like a Bazz or Cj, Gobert, Len etc is if we have an opportunity to trade for a say, Deandre Jordan. We want both but which do we choose.

[Jsun947]

At 10 if Gobert and Bazz are still available I'm not sure who is take. I really don't like Bazz at all but at 10 the risk reward is there especially in this draft class

[Brandon-Clyde]

I say take Gobert. At 7'2'' with a 7'9'' standing reach I think Gobert at the very least will be a decent shot blocker and rebounder. Shabazz on the other hand with his lack of passing reminds me of Walter Berry or Tracy Murray

[Sabzi]

I say take Gobert. At 7'2'' with a 7'9'' standing reach I think Gobert at the very least will be a decent shot blocker and rebounder. Shabazz on the other hand with his lack of passing reminds me of Walter Berry or Tracy Murray

Unless he's Alexis Ajinca 2.0. Gobert will have to show physicality to separate himself.

[Jsun947]

7'9 standing reach? You mean wingspan.

I agree in that I'd rather take Gobert. At worst I think he'd be a Mutumbo type guy. His quickness, agility, and shooting is nice too. I really really like him as a prospect. Meyers obviously has a long way to go but I wouldn't feel that bad going into the season with him and Gobert at C and spending our FA money on the best talent to shore up the bench.

[Wizenheimer]

I saw Shabazz play half a dozen times this season. The most revealing games for me were the two against the Ducks. What I saw was that Damyean Dotson, the freshman SG for the Ducks had about the same level of skill and quickness.

On the other hand, Shabazz is quite the physical presence for a SG. He's quite big. I'll be interested to see what his numbers are from the pre-draft combine

that incident where his age was falsified is a red flag though

[JD45]

7'9 standing reach? You mean wingspan.

I agree in that I'd rather take Gobert. At worst I think he'd be a Mutumbo type guy. His quickness, agility, and shooting is nice too. I really really like him as a prospect. Meyers obviously has a long way to go but I wouldn't feel that bad going into the season with him and Gobert at C and spending our FA money on the best talent to shore up the bench.

If Gobert is a "Mutumbo type guy" he should be taken #1 in this draft.

[Goldbum]

If its between Gobert and Shabazz I think you have to take Bazz. I just this.k the guy has amazing scoring instincts and is a jackhammer physically. His passing ability worries me but so does Gobert's athletic ability, build, and lack of production. Somebody mentioned Ajinca and that's my fear. Plus his agent is a Douche Bag.

[Case2012]

A strong breeze could blow gobert over. If he could put on 50 lbs that would be great, but I don't see it.

[JD45]

I have seen Gobert listed as a PF/C. If he has the lateral quickness to handle PFs, his weight wouldn't be as big of a deal. I could see drafting a PF/C as the shot blocker. With Leonard having so much shooting range, a shot blocking PF (similar to Ibaka) could work.

[Wizenheimer]

. Plus his agent is a Douche Bag.

is this the same agent that got Batum his deal?

if so, while he might be a douche bag, he's also been a great agent for his client