2020 free agent targets and draft picks

[d-train]

This year is setting up like 2013 for as I recall, Portland basically lost their last 10 games in a row
in order to draft at 10 and pick CJ. Portland was sitting in good shape that year for there was
talk if CJ was gone, their choice would either be Steven Adams or the Greek Freak.

End of season tanking produces strange situations for I would wonder if Portland would announce
Dame's return from a groin pull would be delayed for Steph Curry's return seems to be moving from
March 1 to sometime later in March.

I don't remember anyone talking about drafting CJ. I do remember he was a very unpopular pick because nobody wanted a guard. I also don't remember anyone talking about the Greek Freak at #10. I recall Bucks getting criticism for their pick.

I actually did a mock draft that year. It was pretty terrible so don't judge me but I actually had CJ and Giannis correct (about the only thing I did right), so you cant say no one was calling those picks.

Spoiler:

1. Zeller - Cleveland keeps the pick and gets the offensive big man they are shopping for. Zeller has great advanced metrics and draws a ton of fouls, combined with great athleticism.
2. Noel - Orlando gets a good fit with Vucevic and a big man to anchor their D.
3. Porter - Washington gets a SF, adding length, defense and shooting around Wall.
4. McLemore - Charlotte picks up a scorer with good potential and fit with MKG.
5. Len - Phoenix picks up a center with two way potential to groom behind Gortat.
6. Burke - New Orleans gets a PGotF and a team leader to build around with Davis.
7. Bennett - Sacramento gets a forward, will try and groom him at SF.
8. Oladipo - Detroit gets a highly rated SG and continue building a culture of defense.
9. Pope - Minnesota gets a SG in the mold they have coveted - shooting/scoring/defense.
10. McCollum - Portland gets a player they have been linked to, similar to Lillard last year.
11. Adams - Philadelphia gets a big with great potential and is a steal at 11.
12. Olynyk - OKC gets a offensive minded big man, a role they currently lack.
13. Muhammad - Dallas gets SF with big scoring potential, doesn't duplicate Paul/Howard and could likely be traded for space.
14. Carter-Williams - Utah gets a pure point to fill the Williams hole and build around with shooters.
15. Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee gets a SF with high potential to bring over and start developing.

This mock draft roundup shows CJ generally around our pick, although it absolutely supports your claim that Giannis was considered a reach at 15:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/5/22/4355884/nba-mock-draft-2013-nerlens-noel-cavaliers

If, by right, you mean as right as NBA GM's had it. As I recall it, Pope, Adams, and Olynyk were the most popular picks for Blazers at 10. I haven't weighed in on a draft since 2006. However, I do often opine on rookies when I see them against NBA competition. I have to confess I liked Carter-Williams his rookie season. I thought CJ was good, but I liked Carter-Williams better, obviously a mistake.

[d-train]

Tolliver signing up to help Grizzlies defeat the Blazers in our playoff run.

[sstory1993]

If blazers get a top 3 pick out of the lotto, who are they drafting?

[d-train]

I'm in favor of trading the pick if someone offers a really good young player. Similar to when Nets gave us Mason Plumlee for a pick.

[zzaj]

If blazers get a top 3 pick out of the lotto, who are they drafting?

That's impossible to even guess at...

If I were GM, I'd think that trading down into the 5-7 range (since it doesn't seem to be a top heavy draft) or trading the pick could actually land them an established player to make the best use of Lillard's prime.

[Norm2953]

In a thin draft, trading down is never a good idea...

On an unrelated matter, I see Jordan Bell just got released by the Grizzlies. I'd like to see Portland
pick him up for surely with all the injuries, he's better than some of the guys they have now.

[sstory1993]

If blazers get a top 3 pick out of the lotto, who are they drafting?

That's impossible to even guess at...

If I were GM, I'd think that trading down into the 5-7 range (since it doesn't seem to be a top heavy draft) or trading the pick could actually land them an established player to make the best use of Lillard's prime.

Okay let me rephrase the question. What do you think would be the best option at that pick area? Do you think Wiseman would be a good fit, do you think Ball would be the pick, etc.? Is trading the pick away the best option? Who are you high on the draft?

[zzaj]

If blazers get a top 3 pick out of the lotto, who are they drafting?

That's impossible to even guess at...

If I were GM, I'd think that trading down into the 5-7 range (since it doesn't seem to be a top heavy draft) or trading the pick could actually land them an established player to make the best use of Lillard's prime.

Okay let me rephrase the question. What do you think would be the best option at that pick area? Do you think Wiseman would be a good fit, do you think Ball would be the pick, etc.? Is trading the pick away the best option? Who are you high on the draft?

Personally, nobody is showing me the kind of things that would make me think they are going to come in and be a big time contributor right away. I suppose if he's available, Wiseman could replace Whiteside on the cheap (I think they are similar in a lot of ways). Wiseman does seem to be slipping on mocks because his "modern C" fit is being questioned.

I like Killian Hayes, but the chances of Olshey drafting a player who can actually play PG are nil.

I am not on the LaMelo bandwagon. I don't really see an NBA skill there. He seems like a high usage, inefficient player. Different games obviously, but kinda like a ball-handling version of the player that shares the last 4 letters of his first name.

I am mixed on Deni. I feel like he could be a reasonable role player off the bench, but has a ceiling as a starter in the NBA.

[Norm2953]

I don't remember anyone talking about drafting CJ. I do remember he was a very unpopular pick because nobody wanted a guard. I also don't remember anyone talking about the Greek Freak at #10. I recall Bucks getting criticism for their pick.

I actually did a mock draft that year. It was pretty terrible so don't judge me but I actually had CJ and Giannis correct (about the only thing I did right), so you cant say no one was calling those picks.

Spoiler:

1. Zeller - Cleveland keeps the pick and gets the offensive big man they are shopping for. Zeller has great advanced metrics and draws a ton of fouls, combined with great athleticism.
2. Noel - Orlando gets a good fit with Vucevic and a big man to anchor their D.
3. Porter - Washington gets a SF, adding length, defense and shooting around Wall.
4. McLemore - Charlotte picks up a scorer with good potential and fit with MKG.
5. Len - Phoenix picks up a center with two way potential to groom behind Gortat.
6. Burke - New Orleans gets a PGotF and a team leader to build around with Davis.
7. Bennett - Sacramento gets a forward, will try and groom him at SF.
8. Oladipo - Detroit gets a highly rated SG and continue building a culture of defense.
9. Pope - Minnesota gets a SG in the mold they have coveted - shooting/scoring/defense.
10. McCollum - Portland gets a player they have been linked to, similar to Lillard last year.
11. Adams - Philadelphia gets a big with great potential and is a steal at 11.
12. Olynyk - OKC gets a offensive minded big man, a role they currently lack.
13. Muhammad - Dallas gets SF with big scoring potential, doesn't duplicate Paul/Howard and could likely be traded for space.
14. Carter-Williams - Utah gets a pure point to fill the Williams hole and build around with shooters.
15. Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee gets a SF with high potential to bring over and start developing.

This mock draft roundup shows CJ generally around our pick, although it absolutely supports your claim that Giannis was considered a reach at 15:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/5/22/4355884/nba-mock-draft-2013-nerlens-noel-cavaliers

If, by right, you mean as right as NBA GM's had it. As I recall it, Pope, Adams, and Olynyk were the most popular picks for Blazers at 10. I haven't weighed in on a draft since 2006. However, I do often opine on rookies when I see them against NBA competition. I have to confess I liked Carter-Williams his rookie season. I thought CJ was good, but I liked Carter-Williams better, obviously a mistake.

I actually was referring to the discussions on this board in 2013 for there was a lot of talk about CJ, Adams and some
talk about what KP would be doing for KP might have picked the Greek Freak at 10, thinking he was a 7"0 Batum. KP
always emphasized length and athletic ability while Portland seems to preferred which player is most ready to play.

[JasonStern]

the Blazers have Simons, Trent, & Little; and they would have their 1st round pick. That's 4 very young players and there's probably a limit on how many they carry

Not a fan of Olshey's "We're one of the youngest teams in the league" narratives?

[Roy The Natural]

I don't remember anyone talking about drafting CJ. I do remember he was a very unpopular pick because nobody wanted a guard. I also don't remember anyone talking about the Greek Freak at #10. I recall Bucks getting criticism for their pick.

I actually did a mock draft that year. It was pretty terrible so don't judge me but I actually had CJ and Giannis correct (about the only thing I did right), so you cant say no one was calling those picks.

Spoiler:

1. Zeller - Cleveland keeps the pick and gets the offensive big man they are shopping for. Zeller has great advanced metrics and draws a ton of fouls, combined with great athleticism.
2. Noel - Orlando gets a good fit with Vucevic and a big man to anchor their D.
3. Porter - Washington gets a SF, adding length, defense and shooting around Wall.
4. McLemore - Charlotte picks up a scorer with good potential and fit with MKG.
5. Len - Phoenix picks up a center with two way potential to groom behind Gortat.
6. Burke - New Orleans gets a PGotF and a team leader to build around with Davis.
7. Bennett - Sacramento gets a forward, will try and groom him at SF.
8. Oladipo - Detroit gets a highly rated SG and continue building a culture of defense.
9. Pope - Minnesota gets a SG in the mold they have coveted - shooting/scoring/defense.
10. McCollum - Portland gets a player they have been linked to, similar to Lillard last year.
11. Adams - Philadelphia gets a big with great potential and is a steal at 11.
12. Olynyk - OKC gets a offensive minded big man, a role they currently lack.
13. Muhammad - Dallas gets SF with big scoring potential, doesn't duplicate Paul/Howard and could likely be traded for space.
14. Carter-Williams - Utah gets a pure point to fill the Williams hole and build around with shooters.
15. Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee gets a SF with high potential to bring over and start developing.

This mock draft roundup shows CJ generally around our pick, although it absolutely supports your claim that Giannis was considered a reach at 15:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/5/22/4355884/nba-mock-draft-2013-nerlens-noel-cavaliers

If, by right, you mean as right as NBA GM's had it. As I recall it, Pope, Adams, and Olynyk were the most popular picks for Blazers at 10. I haven't weighed in on a draft since 2006. However, I do often opine on rookies when I see them against NBA competition. I have to confess I liked Carter-Williams his rookie season. I thought CJ was good, but I liked Carter-Williams better, obviously a mistake.

It was a common mistake back in those days. I had to fight tooth and nail to explain Lillard over Kendall Marshall, and then the same thing happened with CJ vs MCW. Even back then, the idea was that you just simply couldn't be a high level point guard in the modern league with a complete inability to score effectively.

[d-train]

On an unrelated matter, I see Jordan Bell just got released by the Grizzlies. I'd like to see Portland
pick him up for surely with all the injuries, he's better than some of the guys they have now.

Grizzlies dumped Bell to make room for Anthony Tolliver. IOW, Grizzlies are trading up to Tolliver for Bell. Grizzlies are making a playoff run and they want a player that knows how to help their team win. So, Grizzlies say goodbye Bell. Hopefully, Bell has enough between the ears to take note he got dumped for an old washed up 35 year old with half his ability because Tolliver knows how to help his team. Physical ability is only good if you know how to use it.

[Village Idiot]

I'd look at Nikola Mirotic with the MLE. He should be able to get a lot of open 3s on this team.

[dunlop212]

Fun thing about this board is that it's easy to go back to 2013 draft threads:

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1252102

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1257161

Lots of talk about centers; Portland picked up Robin Lopez for Withey and a 2nd round pick about a week after the draft.

[zzaj]

Fun thing about this board is that it's easy to go back to 2013 draft threads:

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1252102

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1257161

Lots of talk about centers; Portland picked up Robin Lopez for Withey and a 2nd round pick about a week after the draft.

I remember liking CJ, Gobert and Adams in that draft...I'll have to go back and check to see.

[mighty_duck]

Do we really want Melo back?
At this point in his career, he's a good (read inefficient) stat-stuffer on a bad team, but what's the point?
Advanced stats really really hate him. He's just as likely to shoot us out of a game as he to keep us in it.

Even if he accepts a role coming off the bench for the vet min, I'm not sure that is useful.

[Case2012]

I can see it. With him and Lillard in the back court I don't see how either can be doubled, which is why I've been so high on him. I feel like McCullom is the key to Lillard averaging over 20 a game. Once we acquired maynor Lillard averaged around 22 a game. And I really think McCullum will be a lot better than maynor.

[Sinobas]

Blazers should take a look at Brent Price as a cheap backup PG. He's a good shooter and can run an offense.

[d-train]

Do we really want Melo back?
At this point in his career, he's a good (read inefficient) stat-stuffer on a bad team, but what's the point?
Advanced stats really really hate him. He's just as likely to shoot us out of a game as he to keep us in it.

Even if he accepts a role coming off the bench for the vet min, I'm not sure that is useful.

I'm sure we will want him back but that doesn't mean he will be back. Melo will have many other options besides the Blazers. We don't have cap room so our only options to re-sign him are MLE, BAE, and 120% of this years salary. There's no way a better player better than Melo will sign for MLE. So, it's not out of the question to offer that to him. Problem is his age and maybe Blazers can find a longer term player for that money.

Also, I doubt Blazers would bring him off the bench if he resigns. He will be one of our best 5 players even when Nurkic and Collins are back. And, he fits beautifully into the starting lineup with our other best players.

[d-train]

Blazers should take a look at Brent Price as a cheap backup PG. He's a good shooter and can run an offense.

Are you referring to Harcum College Brent Price? I doubt we will have roster space even if he is an NBA calibre player.