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

[Butter]

What are the chances to make a move for Kristaps Porzingis?

https://www.blazersedge.com/2023/5/17/23727753/nba-free-agency-2023-portland-trail-blazers-draymond-green-kristaps-porzingis-james-harden

[Goldbum]

I am really hoping it's Scoot at 3. Honestly, I've been team Miller for the entire College season.
I had a long talk with my buddy who works in a north west division front office about both guys. He had Scoot over Miller and feel like he's the best PG prospect in over 10 years. He compared Scoot to "Chris Paul in D.Rose's body with Westbrook strength"
He called Miller "Better than Banchero, better than Jabari Smith, I think he has a lot of Brandon Ingram, but doesn't have as much wiggle. He's a much better catch and shoot player and floor spacer. He will be effective scoring even if you never run a play for him"
Sorry for the randomness of those blurbs but I wanted post what stood out to me as close as to word for word as possible.

To me it's about maximizing assets
Scoot is a generational guard prospect.
Dame just had his best season.
Ant showed he can be a 20ppg guard and he young with an elite skill.
Grant could go out with a sign and trade.
IDK at this point it feels like a rant so I'll stop. But one last thing about what he said If you wouldn't trade Ja Morant for Player x then you should feel the same way about Scoot. That's crazy and if true should make us hope CHA takes Miller and we rebuild around the Sharpe/Scoot back court

[WuTang_CMB]

Seems obvious for long term future of POR to draft Scoot and roll with it

[Pattycakes]

Seems obvious for long term future of POR to draft Scoot and roll with it

Agreed. This is my ideal offseason. Hopefully the team only trades the pick if some team is dumb high on that pick and will beat us in perceived current value.

Scoot, Sharpe, Simons plus other youngins is not a bad pivot into what post-dame will look like, no sense in blowing that up just to inject another bad-fit borderline all star into the mix.

[King Ken]

I understand the keep Dame Blazers diehard posters. I really do. I just don't know if #3 this year gets you a superstar or legit star like Jaylen Brown. Even Brown, is he gonna extend as soon as the deal is done. I would keep my opinions open in all honesty. Dame has been extremely loyal to Portland. There in a lot of value in that. Just don't know if contending is possible with this squad within the next three seasons.

[PDXKnight]

I understand the keep Dame Blazers diehard posters. I really do. I just don't know if #3 this year gets you a superstar or legit star like Jaylen Brown.

Sounds like if it's Scoot it's a good shot at a stud

Might be a lomg shot I doubt Boston parts with him. I'd imagine Kat may be there though idk about him. Siakum could be an option as well but Toronto generally fleeces teams so that prospect scares me a bit

[King Ken]

I understand the keep Dame Blazers diehard posters. I really do. I just don't know if #3 this year gets you a superstar or legit star like Jaylen Brown.

Sounds like if it's Scoot it's a good shot at a stud

Yeah, it is. If Boston doesn't want to give him that contract because they don't want to pay him and Tatum the supermax, it makes sense.

[zzaj]

I'm warming up to the idea of just rolling the dice with Scoot...although I can't stand the kind of players who have to scream in someone's face every time they make a play. My worry is that he turns out more Jerryd Bayless than Russell Westbrook.

That being said, if he is what everyone seems to think he is it actually allows Lillard to play off ball a little bit more here and there in his twilight years, and a guard rotation of Lillard/Scoot/Simons/Sharpe/Thybulle is pretty good...albeit small. My hope would be a deal involving Simons either for DeRozan or a C/PF upgrade.

[DusterBuster]

I'm warming up to the idea of just rolling the dice with Scoot...although I can't stand the kind of players who have to scream in someone's face every time they make a play. My worry is that he turns out more Jerryd Bayless than Russell Westbrook.

That being said, if he is what everyone seems to think he is it actually allows Lillard to play off ball a little bit more here and there in his twilight years, and a guard rotation of Lillard/Scoot/Simons/Sharpe/Thybulle is pretty good...albeit small. My hope would be a deal involving Simons either for DeRozan or a C/PF upgrade.

He's definitely no another Jerryd Bayless. His size an strength alone honestly outmatch Westbrook and Westbrook was miles ahead of Bayless.

I actually am starting to love the idea of just taking Scoot and figuring it out as well. Scoots value won't drop post-draft, so they can keep communications open and still have him available for the right deal post-draft, but I'd rather control his rights after the draft and see where negotiations progress after the draft.

[The Sebastian Express]

I imagine if POrtland can't find a favorable deal we'll roll the dice on amazing talents. And talk to Dame about it, they wouldn't catch him off guard there. And then a decision would be made.

I think if we could trade Simons + future picks for upgrades to the front court and resign Grant, Thybulle.. if we went into the year with like...

Dame/Scoot
Sharpe/Thybulle
Thybulle/Little
Grant/Watford
Upgrade/upgrade

I think that's a team that gets into the playoffs if healthy. And sets up nicely for the future too. I'd get if Dame wouldn't feel that way, but I also feel like Dame will understand if Portland can't get a favorable deal. Like trading away three for Pascal alone feels.. rough, if Scoot is on the board. But I don't want to invite Toronto fans here to tell me how wrong I am so I'll leave it at that lol.

I think the ideal trade, outside an Embiid trade of course, is a trade that's like

Portland out: #3, Ant, Nurk, 2024 unprotected, 2025 swap
Portland in: Siakam, OG

Orlando out: #11
Orlando in: Simons

Toronto out: Siakam, OG
Toronto in: #3, #11, 2024 unprotected, 2025 swap (and this may be too many picks honestly- though maybe necessary because of Nurk's contract), Nurkic

I think this is a trade which feels good in doing for us, even with expiring contracts.

A lineup of Dame/OG/Grant/Siakam/MLE/vet center

Would leave us with..

Dame/vet min guard or Keon or.. dare I say, possibly Sharpe in growing moments?
OG/Sharpe
Grant/Thybulle
Siakam/Watford/vet
MLE (if we have it?)/vet

That also allows us to play small in the playoffs with:
Dame
Sharpe
OG
Grant
Siakam

I think outside Embiid this is my ideal trade, because I think Brown would cost too much and would not end up worth for us long-term or short-term what we give out.

But that team right there is incredibly long defensively, very switchable, very versatile. Everyone except Dame has the physical tools to be great defenders and Dame can hold his own in the post. Four of those players can shoot. Siakam can handle the ball as he's shown.

I think an Embiid trade, a reasonable Brown trade, this trade up here, or a reasonable Mikal trade (and no giving 3 plus Sharpe is not reasonable from Portland's perspective), these are the trades I would do for t hree that I think have potential for being on the table in some capacity and entertained.

Otherwise I think.. we might need to keep it and take Miller or Scoot if he, for whatever reason, drops.

[The Sebastian Express]

I'm warming up to the idea of just rolling the dice with Scoot...although I can't stand the kind of players who have to scream in someone's face every time they make a play. My worry is that he turns out more Jerryd Bayless than Russell Westbrook.

That being said, if he is what everyone seems to think he is it actually allows Lillard to play off ball a little bit more here and there in his twilight years, and a guard rotation of Lillard/Scoot/Simons/Sharpe/Thybulle is pretty good...albeit small. My hope would be a deal involving Simons either for DeRozan or a C/PF upgrade.

He's definitely no another Jerryd Bayless. His size an strength alone honestly outmatch Westbrook and Westbrook was miles ahead of Bayless.

I actually am starting to love the idea of just taking Scoot and figuring it out as well. Scoots value won't drop post-draft, so they can keep communications open and still have him available for the right deal post-draft, but I'd rather control his rights after the draft and see where negotiations progress after the draft.

Bayless had t-rex arms. He was great for two things while here: his hilarious never changing facial expression which earned him temporary meme status and knowing he had t-rex arms.

Scoot is apparently around 6'2, maybe, and with a wingspan that's 7-8 inches above his height. That type of wingspan, his athleticism and his general build has CRAZY potential offensively and defensively. He could end up being a real bulldog havoc to deal with - which is one reason I do not want to put him next to that damn amazing Ant Edwards in Minnesota. The terror they would wreak.

[Goldbum]

I've seen Scoot's wingspan listed at 7'3". I don't know how legit that is...but he is an absolute DOG especially on defense and is a nearly ideal long term partner with Shaedon

[DusterBuster]

I'm warming up to the idea of just rolling the dice with Scoot...although I can't stand the kind of players who have to scream in someone's face every time they make a play. My worry is that he turns out more Jerryd Bayless than Russell Westbrook.

That being said, if he is what everyone seems to think he is it actually allows Lillard to play off ball a little bit more here and there in his twilight years, and a guard rotation of Lillard/Scoot/Simons/Sharpe/Thybulle is pretty good...albeit small. My hope would be a deal involving Simons either for DeRozan or a C/PF upgrade.

He's definitely no another Jerryd Bayless. His size an strength alone honestly outmatch Westbrook and Westbrook was miles ahead of Bayless.

I actually am starting to love the idea of just taking Scoot and figuring it out as well. Scoots value won't drop post-draft, so they can keep communications open and still have him available for the right deal post-draft, but I'd rather control his rights after the draft and see where negotiations progress after the draft.

Bayless had t-rex arms. He was great for two things while here: his hilarious never changing facial expression which earned him temporary meme status and knowing he had t-rex arms.

Scoot is apparently around 6'2, maybe, and with a wingspan that's 7-8 inches above his height. That type of wingspan, his athleticism and his general build has CRAZY potential offensively and defensively. He could end up being a real bulldog havoc to deal with - which is one reason I do not want to put him next to that damn amazing Ant Edwards in Minnesota. The terror they would wreak.

It's also the one and only reason the Wolves may consider trading KAT to Portland. It's the tough part of threading this needle. Anywhere you send Scoot, he's going to be amazing and he's going to be a problem. But in trades, you have to give up something to get something. This deal - if it ever happens - is not going to be Portland fleecing another team unfortunately.

[zzaj]

I'm warming up to the idea of just rolling the dice with Scoot...although I can't stand the kind of players who have to scream in someone's face every time they make a play. My worry is that he turns out more Jerryd Bayless than Russell Westbrook.

That being said, if he is what everyone seems to think he is it actually allows Lillard to play off ball a little bit more here and there in his twilight years, and a guard rotation of Lillard/Scoot/Simons/Sharpe/Thybulle is pretty good...albeit small. My hope would be a deal involving Simons either for DeRozan or a C/PF upgrade.

He's definitely no another Jerryd Bayless. His size an strength alone honestly outmatch Westbrook and Westbrook was miles ahead of Bayless.

I actually am starting to love the idea of just taking Scoot and figuring it out as well. Scoots value won't drop post-draft, so they can keep communications open and still have him available for the right deal post-draft, but I'd rather control his rights after the draft and see where negotiations progress after the draft.

Bayless had t-rex arms. He was great for two things while here: his hilarious never changing facial expression which earned him temporary meme status and knowing he had t-rex arms.

Scoot is apparently around 6'2, maybe, and with a wingspan that's 7-8 inches above his height. That type of wingspan, his athleticism and his general build has CRAZY potential offensively and defensively. He could end up being a real bulldog havoc to deal with - which is one reason I do not want to put him next to that damn amazing Ant Edwards in Minnesota. The terror they would wreak.

I don't believe Scoot is going to be as bad as Bayless, I was more using that as a low end scale, given they both were intense players that utilize getting opponents on their heels as their main opening to offense. BTW, because I just looked it up--Bayless measured out at 6'1.75" which is (.25 of an inch shorter than Scoot) with a wingspan of 6'3.5"...so yeah, about a 6"-7" wingspan difference which is pretty significant. Bayless measured in at 204lbs and Scoot is listed currently at 196lbs. They both will have been 19 on draft day.

The thing I really like about Scoot is his burst both offensively and defensively. It actually reminds me of Iverson a little bit. After watching some vids it does look like he gets hoop lock more than I like from a PG, and he doesn't have much of a left hand yet, either passing or shooting...but he's got a great 'open man' passing sense. His shooting mechanics look really natural too...I fully expect he'll improve as a 3pt shooter based on last year's improvement and his shooting mechanics.

[JasonStern]

I actually think we are in the same place as the Nets were with Deron Williams—obviously Dame is better and means more to the franchise.They traded away a 6th pick to try and build around him with Gerald Wallace. Unless we get an all NBA player with the 3rd pick that would be us doing the same.

It cost them a shot at Dame, who will it cost us?

In before the Blazers somehow end up with a declining Draymond Green.

[zzaj]

I actually think we are in the same place as the Nets were with Deron Williams—obviously Dame is better and means more to the franchise.They traded away a 6th pick to try and build around him with Gerald Wallace. Unless we get an all NBA player with the 3rd pick that would be us doing the same.

It cost them a shot at Dame, who will it cost us?

In before the Blazers somehow end up with a declining Draymond Green.

Holy hell, that's my worst nightmare...

[Norm2953]

The only win now move I would entertain would be Emblid or Giannis, who are guys who would
really make a difference.

When push comes to shove, don't take on guys like Towns or Pascal for if you're paying $90+ million
for 2-3 players, it'd better be for an elite player. Likely its bad enough we're likely going to be stuck
paying Jerami Grant his $30+ million/season.

Just take Scoot, who hopefully will be the next great PG to enter the league. Pair him up with SS
and we've got an elite back court who will be under control for at least the next six seasons.

[King Ken]

I imagine if POrtland can't find a favorable deal we'll roll the dice on amazing talents. And talk to Dame about it, they wouldn't catch him off guard there. And then a decision would be made.

I think if we could trade Simons + future picks for upgrades to the front court and resign Grant, Thybulle.. if we went into the year with like...

Dame/Scoot
Sharpe/Thybulle
Thybulle/Little
Grant/Watford
Upgrade/upgrade

I think that's a team that gets into the playoffs if healthy. And sets up nicely for the future too. I'd get if Dame wouldn't feel that way, but I also feel like Dame will understand if Portland can't get a favorable deal. Like trading away three for Pascal alone feels.. rough, if Scoot is on the board. But I don't want to invite Toronto fans here to tell me how wrong I am so I'll leave it at that lol.

I think the ideal trade, outside an Embiid trade of course, is a trade that's like

Portland out: #3, Ant, Nurk, 2024 unprotected, 2025 swap
Portland in: Siakam, OG

Orlando out: #11
Orlando in: Simons

Toronto out: Siakam, OG
Toronto in: #3, #11, 2024 unprotected, 2025 swap (and this may be too many picks honestly- though maybe necessary because of Nurk's contract), Nurkic

I think this is a trade which feels good in doing for us, even with expiring contracts.

A lineup of Dame/OG/Grant/Siakam/MLE/vet center

Would leave us with..

Dame/vet min guard or Keon or.. dare I say, possibly Sharpe in growing moments?
OG/Sharpe
Grant/Thybulle
Siakam/Watford/vet
MLE (if we have it?)/vet

That also allows us to play small in the playoffs with:
Dame
Sharpe
OG
Grant
Siakam

I think outside Embiid this is my ideal trade, because I think Brown would cost too much and would not end up worth for us long-term or short-term what we give out.

But that team right there is incredibly long defensively, very switchable, very versatile. Everyone except Dame has the physical tools to be great defenders and Dame can hold his own in the post. Four of those players can shoot. Siakam can handle the ball as he's shown.

I think an Embiid trade, a reasonable Brown trade, this trade up here, or a reasonable Mikal trade (and no giving 3 plus Sharpe is not reasonable from Portland's perspective), these are the trades I would do for t hree that I think have potential for being on the table in some capacity and entertained.

Otherwise I think.. we might need to keep it and take Miller or Scoot if he, for whatever reason, drops.

Other than the fact that I just see Siakam as Toronto version of when the Hawks had Milsap. Not really someone that can win a title as a #2 unless he's next to an all around stud on a stacked squad, just not a fan of the fact that both OG and Siakam are expiring in 2024. Both will be 35 and 40 million per plus 50+ mil for Dame in 2024. That's over 125 million with just 3 players. That's a lot to have with just three players and you aren't close to contending. The biggest issue you have you depth. I don't see an easy way out honestly unless Giannis or Embiid wants to go to Portland. That changes things.

I look at it like this. Go to Charlotte or Atlanta real message board, not realgm, and ask them to trade Trae or Melo. You would get a hell no. Even if you offered 3 and loads of picks. They would counter with other players. If a fanbase is trying to sell you a player, it's not worth it. Even when PHX traded Mikal Bridges for KD. Many were and still are pissed. No one in Toronto would be pissed to trade Siakam for 3 the same way no one would be pissed to trade Millsap for let's say 3rd or 4th pick in 2016.

[mighty_duck]

Read on Twitter

99% of twitter stats are pulled out the writers anus on the spot...

A better data point may be Boston's trade of aging KD and Pierce for a boatload of Net's picks that became Tatum, Brown and other assets.
This is the last best chance of getting value for Dame, and as much as it saddens me to let him go, that is the direction we should be heading. The chances of building a real contender around him at this point are slim.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

99% of twitter stats are pulled out the writers anus on the spot...

A better data point may be Boston's trade of aging KD and Pierce for a boatload of Net's picks that became Tatum, Brown and other assets.
This is the last best chance of getting value for Dame, and as much as it saddens me to let him go, that is the direction we should be heading. The chances of building a real contender around him at this point are slim.

Except Boston's aging core was in the late 36-37yr when they made that deal. Using the Boston analogy, Portland would be in the stage where the Celtics just lost out on the 1 or 2 pick in the 2006 draft (Oden or Durant) and had a mid-prime early 30's Pierce and nothing else.