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

[DusterBuster]

Here was the rest from that exchange from not Lowe, but Draft Express' Givony:

The Portland Trail Blazers have been widely expected to seriously entertain trading out of the No. 3 pick in order to maximize the window of Damian Lillard, but a deal may not materialize that vaunts them into true contender status and that would lead them to keep the pick. The Blazers will consider whichever player between Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson is not selected at No. 2, as well as Ausar Thompson, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore.

"I don't see them trading it either, honestly," said Jonathan Givony on Zach Lowe's podcast. "I think they would be very happy with Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson.

"I also think they're going to kick the tires on the Thompson twins and Cam Whitmore.

"I think this is going to be a process here where they're looking at a lot of different options."

Lowe expressed surprise that Givony expects them to keep the pick.

"If the draft were tonight, I think they'd keep the pick, yeah," said Givony.

Givony added that the front office is committed to Lillard, but they are taking a long view.

[zzaj]

Read on Twitter

This is less than ideal for the Blazers. Could either end up that this changes Charlottes' mind and they do go Scoot 2 and/or it devalues the #3 pick if Millers value is dropping.

Could also be someone trying to devalue the pick through the media to get it for cheaper. So many games going on during this time of year. But there has been some concerns about his decision making follow the murder incident.

But we should also remember this: last year around this time and leading up to the draft there was a lot of talk that Shaedon was not impressing in his interviews because he's a quiet and nonchalant kid. I think he's put a lot of that to rest this past year. I'd like to read or hear more in-depth about what the issues (murder incident aside) are here with Miller.

Marang was talking about the Miller murder situation. He said he heard from people in the know around the league that it was really just a wrong-place wrong-time situation and that Alabama really botched the handling of it by lying about it in the media saying they knew nothing about it when they did. That's why most franchises have moved past it as something they're worried about Miller for.

Agreed though, could definitely be some devaluing by a GM throwing smokescreens. Maybe a team looking at the #3 wants to convince Charlotte to pass on him at 2? Could also just be like you said, may just be his personality of being super quiet and that's not impressing players.

Regardless though, its definitely solidifying my opinion that Scoot is pretty clearly the 2nd best player in this draft and Williams is 3rd best prospect. Only reason Scoot will/may be at 2 is because of Charlotte going need over BPA.

What's his twitter? I'm totally going to DM him and tell him all about how all the GMs agree that Wemby is a terrible person and is hiding multiple injuries.

[Dame Lizard]

If Portland gave Lillard that mega contract extension without agreeing on a "you're signing up to us rebuilding as we see fit, and you'll be paid very handsomely in this process", that's just plain silly.

I thought for sure that deal had a caveat that Dame would be happy to end his career here, given we'll be paying him silly amounts of money as a 36 and 37 year old.

If we trade this pick for anyone below a Jaylen Brown calibre of player, I'll be very disappointed. I could live with Siakim, but anybody below that is a big no in my book. Yes, we tanked, but we still finished 25th in a League of 30. We are so far off contending that it's not funny. And Dame will be 33 years old next season.

[The Sebastian Express]

Is Zach Lowe back on the sauce?

"Lowe doubts No. 3 and Anfernee Simons would be enough for the Blazers to acquire either Mikal Bridges or OG Anuonby."

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/271623/Blazers-Comfortable-Keeping-No-3-Pick

Bridges, maybe... but **** OG Anuonby??? #3 and Simons is not enough for OG Anuonby?! gtfohwts

I would like to know how much Masai and the Raptors are paying Zach Lowe for this ridiculous take.

He better be earning a HIGH, HIGH amount of money for that kind of nonsense.

[DusterBuster]

Is Zach Lowe back on the sauce?

"Lowe doubts No. 3 and Anfernee Simons would be enough for the Blazers to acquire either Mikal Bridges or OG Anuonby."

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/271623/Blazers-Comfortable-Keeping-No-3-Pick

Bridges, maybe... but **** OG Anuonby??? #3 and Simons is not enough for OG Anuonby?! gtfohwts

I would like to know how much Masai and the Raptors are paying Zach Lowe for this ridiculous take.

He better be earning a HIGH, HIGH amount of money for that kind of nonsense.

Yeah, that **** bananas. The onlllllyyyyy thing I can say in Lowe's credit, I havent heard this yet, just read it, so it's possible maybe he's not saying this in that "he doesn't think those assets are worth OG", but more so in that "he doesn't think those GM's would give up those players for those assets". Which, if that's the case, I agree with on Bridges I think... and Masai seems to Olshey-level overvalue OG.

[NinjaBro]

Is Zach Lowe back on the sauce?

"Lowe doubts No. 3 and Anfernee Simons would be enough for the Blazers to acquire either Mikal Bridges or OG Anuonby."

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/271623/Blazers-Comfortable-Keeping-No-3-Pick

Bridges, maybe... but **** OG Anuonby??? #3 and Simons is not enough for OG Anuonby?! gtfohwts

I would like to know how much Masai and the Raptors are paying Zach Lowe for this ridiculous take.

He better be earning a HIGH, HIGH amount of money for that kind of nonsense.

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

[The Sebastian Express]

Is Zach Lowe back on the sauce?

"Lowe doubts No. 3 and Anfernee Simons would be enough for the Blazers to acquire either Mikal Bridges or OG Anuonby."

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/271623/Blazers-Comfortable-Keeping-No-3-Pick

Bridges, maybe... but **** OG Anuonby??? #3 and Simons is not enough for OG Anuonby?! gtfohwts

I would like to know how much Masai and the Raptors are paying Zach Lowe for this ridiculous take.

He better be earning a HIGH, HIGH amount of money for that kind of nonsense.

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

Him knowing more about the Raptors doesn't make my comment obsolete. The idea that the third pick and Simons are not enough for an expiring Anuonby is clear propaganda for the Raptors and Masai.

[tacosman]

Is Zach Lowe back on the sauce?

"Lowe doubts No. 3 and Anfernee Simons would be enough for the Blazers to acquire either Mikal Bridges or OG Anuonby."

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/271623/Blazers-Comfortable-Keeping-No-3-Pick

Bridges, maybe... but **** OG Anuonby??? #3 and Simons is not enough for OG Anuonby?! gtfohwts

I would like to know how much Masai and the Raptors are paying Zach Lowe for this ridiculous take.

He better be earning a HIGH, HIGH amount of money for that kind of nonsense.

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

Well....Masai can value OG however he feels. If he feels OG is worth a billion unprotected frps or Giannis, that's his prerogative. It doesn't have a lot to do with what OG's *actual value* is though, and honestly thats probably why he is still a raptor(despite damn near every raptor fan trying to put him in trades to other teams lmao).....

[tacosman]

I would like to know how much Masai and the Raptors are paying Zach Lowe for this ridiculous take.

He better be earning a HIGH, HIGH amount of money for that kind of nonsense.

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

Him knowing more about the Raptors doesn't make my comment any less obsolete. The idea that the third pick and Simons are not enough for an expiring Anuonby is clear propaganda for the Raptors and Masai.

I think what maybe Lowe is saying is that the Raptors/Masai wouldn't trade OG for less than this......not that that's what his value is. Two different things.

[The Sebastian Express]

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

Him knowing more about the Raptors doesn't make my comment any less obsolete. The idea that the third pick and Simons are not enough for an expiring Anuonby is clear propaganda for the Raptors and Masai.

I think what maybe Lowe is saying is that the Raptors/Masai wouldn't trade OG for less than this......not that that's what his value is. Two different things.

Yes. Much like me stupidly putting 'any less obsolete' about my own comment before I deleted it - the Raptors can think this and can think they are right, but they are very, very, very wrong.

[NinjaBro]

I would like to know how much Masai and the Raptors are paying Zach Lowe for this ridiculous take.

He better be earning a HIGH, HIGH amount of money for that kind of nonsense.

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

Him knowing more about the Raptors doesn't make my comment any less obsolete. The idea that the third pick and Simons are not enough for an expiring Anuonby is clear propaganda for the Raptors and Masai.

Not saying I agree with it, just giving some context. Lowe isn't a guy like SAS and Perkins who knows nothing about the league and just spouts out nonsense to get trending and clicks. Lowe watches 5 or 6 games a night every night during the season. He's well versed of all the players in the league.

I saw a Nets poster here who said that he wouldn't trade Mikal for the 3rd pick and you guys thought he was on the sauce also. Seems like he may know what he's talking about since you know he watches Mikal play every night? Same way so many here on realgm say that OG is overrated. You really out yourself as a casual every time you say that. It's always the casuals who say OG is overrated yet it's always the people around the league who's always calling on Masai to ask if OG is available.

[DusterBuster]

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

Him knowing more about the Raptors doesn't make my comment any less obsolete. The idea that the third pick and Simons are not enough for an expiring Anuonby is clear propaganda for the Raptors and Masai.

I think what maybe Lowe is saying is that the Raptors/Masai wouldn't trade OG for less than this......not that that's what his value is. Two different things.

For what it’s worth, I think this is the case too. Less propaganda and more him know how Masai thinks. This tracks with what Marang said here locally in that Masai massively overvalues his players, especially ones who play for the African National team like OG. So less probably that Lowe actually thinks OG is more valuable than that, but that Masai would value him higher than that because he’s pulling an Olshey.

[tacosman]

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

Him knowing more about the Raptors doesn't make my comment any less obsolete. The idea that the third pick and Simons are not enough for an expiring Anuonby is clear propaganda for the Raptors and Masai.

Not saying I agree with it, just giving some context. Lowe isn't a guy like SAS and Perkins who knows nothing about the league and just spouts out nonsense to get trending and clicks. Lowe watches 5 or 6 games a night every night during the season. He's well versed of all the players in the league.

I saw a Nets poster here who said that he wouldn't trade Mikal for the 3rd pick and you guys thought he was on the sauce also. Seems like he may know what he's talking about since you know he watches Mikal play every night? Same way so many here on realgm say that OG is overrated. You really out yourself as a casual every time you say that. It's always the casuals who say OG is overrated yet it's always the people around the league who's always calling on Masai to ask if OG is available.

Of course OG is available.....he's a now expiring contract on a now treadmill team who also happens to overlap with what better thought of players do on that team. The idea that such a player wouldn't be available is absurd.

Now the fact that he is *still* on the raptors speaks to what his value really is more than anything else. Thats the proof.....not a back and forth on realgm, or guessing what one guy thinks of him, etc......

Also I'm not sure what OG and Mikal has in common. You're conflating two different entities that shouldn't be in an attempt to prop OG up........everyone acknowledges MIkal has a good amount of value. Hell he was the freaking centerpiece in a trade for kevin freaking durant.....

[The Sebastian Express]

Zach Lowe has a wife who lives in Toronto so he's here a lot and watches a lot of raptor games so he sees them a lot. He and Bontemps know more about raptors than anyone else on the espn panel.

Him knowing more about the Raptors doesn't make my comment any less obsolete. The idea that the third pick and Simons are not enough for an expiring Anuonby is clear propaganda for the Raptors and Masai.

Not saying I agree with it, just giving some context. Lowe isn't a guy like SAS and Perkins who knows nothing about the league and just spouts out nonsense to get trending and clicks. Lowe watches 5 or 6 games a night every night during the season. He's well versed of all the players in the league.

I saw a Nets poster here who said that he wouldn't trade Mikal for the 3rd pick and you guys thought he was on the sauce also. Seems like he may know what he's talking about since you know he watches Mikal play every night? Same way so many here on realgm say that OG is overrated. You really out yourself as a casual every time you say that. It's always the casuals who say OG is overrated yet it's always the people around the league who's always calling on Masai to ask if OG is available.

Did I say OG was overrated? Please, point me where I did.

I'll be waiting.

But I do appreciate you calling someone a casual while correlating that somehow me and anyone with common sense saying an expiring OG isn't going to fetch the third pick means I said OG was overrated.

[NinjaBro]

Him knowing more about the Raptors doesn't make my comment any less obsolete. The idea that the third pick and Simons are not enough for an expiring Anuonby is clear propaganda for the Raptors and Masai.

Not saying I agree with it, just giving some context. Lowe isn't a guy like SAS and Perkins who knows nothing about the league and just spouts out nonsense to get trending and clicks. Lowe watches 5 or 6 games a night every night during the season. He's well versed of all the players in the league.

I saw a Nets poster here who said that he wouldn't trade Mikal for the 3rd pick and you guys thought he was on the sauce also. Seems like he may know what he's talking about since you know he watches Mikal play every night? Same way so many here on realgm say that OG is overrated. You really out yourself as a casual every time you say that. It's always the casuals who say OG is overrated yet it's always the people around the league who's always calling on Masai to ask if OG is available.

Did I say OG was overrated? Please, point me where I did.

I'll be waiting.

But I do appreciate you calling someone a casual while correlating that somehow me and anyone with common sense saying an expiring OG isn't going to fetch the third pick means I said OG was overrated.

Oh I didn't mean you, I apologize if it came off that way.

[tacosman]

There are 67+ win nba title teams with far less supposed trade capital/value than the 22-23 toronto raptors squad that finished with a 41-42 record.....

OG on an expiring: worth more than the #3 pick in a 3 player draft
Scottie: completely untouchable.....even for a top 15 all time player
Siakem on an expiring: worth the #3 pick and a very desired 2nd year player some think is a future stud(Sharpe)
GTjr: was supposed to be a key part of the durant trade
FVV: lightly protected first round pick

I swore I watched this team lose in the first play-in game this year with all these players........how is that possible?

[Jadoogar]

Well Oden was also considered a better prospect than Durant and had shown elite ability in college. No one could've predicted he would need microfracture surgery, so that's sort of reinventing history there.

i agree, i hate when people criticize Portland for Oden. 29 other GMs would have selected Oden. At the time, everyone wanted a superstar center (coming of the dominance of Shaq and Duncan). AND oden did look like a HoF when he was on the floor.

[BlazersBroncos]

The more I think about it, the more I realize it really doesnt make any difference what direction this team goes as long as Chauncey is at the helm.

We have a unique, potentially never before seen group of excellent head coaching candidates on the market. If we let this moment pass, and I am sure we will, I will just not really care what we do in terms of direction.

[HMFFL]

The more I think about it, the more I realize it really doesnt make any difference what direction this team goes as long as Chauncey is at the helm.

We have a unique, potentially never before seen group of excellent head coaching candidates on the market. If we let this moment pass, and I am sure we will, I will just not really care what we do in terms of direction.

$2m a year for Billups is worth just paying if Portland can hire one of the top coaches.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[The Sebastian Express]

The guys really love him, though, so it'd be a risk of losing the lockerroom and trust of the guys in the organization.