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

[JRoy]

and DaSilva just happens to be working out in POR today...

Where did you see/hear this?

I saw Da Silva being interviewed about his second workout in POR. Not sure if it was on BE or elsewhere.

[Norm2953]

Buzelis is #1 on my board right now. His shooting form is fine, shot 47% on catch and shoot 3s in high school, and I think he‘ll be closer to that than his G-League numbers. His defensive and rebounding instincts are good, his handle is good, nice size, has scoring potential. I think he’s a slight step down from prime Gordon Hayward as a ceiling.

More than anything I like that he can fit in almost any line-up and doesn’t stress the system with clear weaknesses that most teams can exploit.

I don’t think there’s much of a chance he gets past 5. If I had to guess right now I’d say the lottery goes

Sarr
Clingan
Sheppard
Risacher
Buzelis
Castle
???

At 7 I don’t like Dillingham, Topic, Knecht, or Holland (His shooting is a major red flag at this point) for us, and Salaün feels like a real reach at 7.

I think Portland would take Cody Williams if the draft went the way you project. Put him on a weight training program
for he only weighed 178 lbs at the draft combine.

If Portland pulls off their desire to add a second top 10 pick, they likely would take Holland

[The Sebastian Express]

Okay again could we have something that shows Portland actually has a desire to obtain a second top ten pick besides hypothetical trades and comments made on one podcast?

[zzaj]

Okay again could we have something that shows Portland actually has a desire to obtain a second top ten pick besides hypothetical trades and comments made on one podcast?

It was reported by Kevin O'Connor at The Ringer, and a couple of weeks ago ESPN reported the same idea. The ESPN idea is at least something...since Givony has a relationship with the Blazers assistant GM. However, if it was a very real possibility and the Blazers didn't want it floated out there, I doubt Givony would risk his relationship with Schmitz.

I'm a bit torn on the idea, personally. I don't really view the top of this draft as the value (for me it's in the 7-25 range). However, if Schmitz identified two players and the Blazers are all in on them? Then this could actually be the draft to investigate moving up, as it could be cheaper to do so than in more top-heavy drafts. But Schmitz would have to be 100% sold.

It could be that the Blazers really liked Clingan and want to prioritize getting him as Ayton's eventual replacement, but also loved someone like Knecht and want to make sure they can get him as well at #7. I am VERY loathe to believe that the Blazers could move up enough to get Clingan using #14...

Also, this is literally the beginning of big-time smokescreen season. If stuff is leaking now from major sources, it's like DOA or purely invented by agents.

[The Sebastian Express]

Okay again could we have something that shows Portland actually has a desire to obtain a second top ten pick besides hypothetical trades and comments made on one podcast?

It was reported by Kevin O'Connor at The Ringer, and a couple of weeks ago ESPN reported the same idea. The ESPN idea is at least something...since Givony has a relationship with the Blazers assistant GM. However, if it was a very real possibility and the Blazers didn't want it floated out there, I doubt Givony would risk his relationship with Schmitz.

I'm a bit torn on the idea, personally. I don't really view the top of this draft as the value (for me it's in the 7-25 range). However, if Schmitz identified two players and the Blazers are all in on them? Then this could actually be the draft to investigate moving up, as it could be cheaper to do so than in more top-heavy drafts. But Schmitz would have to be 100% sold.

It could be that the Blazers really liked Clingan and want to prioritize getting him as Ayton's eventual replacement, but also loved someone like Knecht and want to make sure they can get him as well at #7. I am VERY loathe to believe that the Blazers could move up enough to get Clingan using #14...

Also, this is literally the beginning of big-time smokescreen season. If stuff is leaking now from major sources, it's like DOA or purely invented by agents.

Yes, I believe the Kevin O'Connor one is the one Highkin refuted by pointing out it's only hypothetical and speculative.

[zzaj]

Okay again could we have something that shows Portland actually has a desire to obtain a second top ten pick besides hypothetical trades and comments made on one podcast?

It was reported by Kevin O'Connor at The Ringer, and a couple of weeks ago ESPN reported the same idea. The ESPN idea is at least something...since Givony has a relationship with the Blazers assistant GM. However, if it was a very real possibility and the Blazers didn't want it floated out there, I doubt Givony would risk his relationship with Schmitz.

I'm a bit torn on the idea, personally. I don't really view the top of this draft as the value (for me it's in the 7-25 range). However, if Schmitz identified two players and the Blazers are all in on them? Then this could actually be the draft to investigate moving up, as it could be cheaper to do so than in more top-heavy drafts. But Schmitz would have to be 100% sold.

It could be that the Blazers really liked Clingan and want to prioritize getting him as Ayton's eventual replacement, but also loved someone like Knecht and want to make sure they can get him as well at #7. I am VERY loathe to believe that the Blazers could move up enough to get Clingan using #14...

Also, this is literally the beginning of big-time smokescreen season. If stuff is leaking now from major sources, it's like DOA or purely invented by agents.

Yes, I believe the Kevin O'Connor one is the one Highkin refuted by pointing out it's only hypothetical and speculative.

I've heard on a few podcasts from people close to the team that Portland's inquiries have all been speculative--of the "..are you looking for more pics, or vets? What are you needing?" variety. They said that Portland has also been fielding calls of the same nature.

My guess is at this point, mostly everything has been speculative so that the team has done their due diligence should things go a little bit sideways just before and on draft day. Gotta be prepared and get a sense of what teams are willing to do, I guess...

I do believe there is general interest in Brogdon, TL, and Grant. My sense, again based on what the Marangs of the world seem to be saying, is that Simons is still seen as part of the "core" by other teams.

[Jsun947]

Buzelis is #1 on my board right now. His shooting form is fine, shot 47% on catch and shoot 3s in high school, and I think he‘ll be closer to that than his G-League numbers. His defensive and rebounding instincts are good, his handle is good, nice size, has scoring potential. I think he’s a slight step down from prime Gordon Hayward as a ceiling.

More than anything I like that he can fit in almost any line-up and doesn’t stress the system with clear weaknesses that most teams can exploit.

I don’t think there’s much of a chance he gets past 5. If I had to guess right now I’d say the lottery goes

Sarr
Clingan
Sheppard
Risacher
Buzelis
Castle
???

At 7 I don’t like Dillingham, Topic, Knecht, or Holland (His shooting is a major red flag at this point) for us, and Salaün feels like a real reach at 7.

I think Portland would take Cody Williams if the draft went the way you project. Put him on a weight training program
for he only weighed 178 lbs at the draft combine.

If Portland pulls off their desire to add a second top 10 pick, they likely would take Holland

I don’t understand the Cody Williams hype. He had a limited role off the bench, on a team that wasn’t great, and didn’t even play well. I get taking fliers on wings but I think he’s going to fall outside the lottery, even in a weak draft.

[zzaj]

Buzelis is #1 on my board right now. His shooting form is fine, shot 47% on catch and shoot 3s in high school, and I think he‘ll be closer to that than his G-League numbers. His defensive and rebounding instincts are good, his handle is good, nice size, has scoring potential. I think he’s a slight step down from prime Gordon Hayward as a ceiling.

More than anything I like that he can fit in almost any line-up and doesn’t stress the system with clear weaknesses that most teams can exploit.

I don’t think there’s much of a chance he gets past 5. If I had to guess right now I’d say the lottery goes

Sarr
Clingan
Sheppard
Risacher
Buzelis
Castle
???

At 7 I don’t like Dillingham, Topic, Knecht, or Holland (His shooting is a major red flag at this point) for us, and Salaün feels like a real reach at 7.

I think Portland would take Cody Williams if the draft went the way you project. Put him on a weight training program
for he only weighed 178 lbs at the draft combine.

If Portland pulls off their desire to add a second top 10 pick, they likely would take Holland

I don’t understand the Cody Williams hype. He had a limited role off the bench, on a team that wasn’t great, and didn’t even play well. I get taking fliers on wings but I think he’s going to fall outside the lottery, even in a weak draft.

I haven't really dug into Cody Williams, so I can't really speak to him...but I think the context of his pre-injury play is helping his stock. At least on the surface, he seems very far away from NBA caliber play to me.

[Norm2953]

Cody is however only doing private workouts which implies his stock around the league is trending
higher than Holland.

He was playing well in December before he got hurt and his game is all ahead of him

There is talk Detroit has a trade in place with Utah with Utah eying one of the guards. Draft
seems really fluid and it really appears there will be a lot of movement before Atlanta makes
the first pick

[BlazersBroncos]

I see Cody as more of a flyer in the Rayan Rupert mold. Ball of clay type who you dont expect much out of and if he pans out its a bonus not an expectation.

He didnt test that well athletically - not bad but not great either, he is absolutely tiny (How will adding muscle impact his already meh athleticism - also FWIW he weighted in at 178lbs, Trae Young was 177lbs at the combine), he was a nice 3PT shooter but the volume was super low and his FT% was not good, he was a bit player coming off the bench often and disappearing all the time, he has some injuries, he comes off on the floor as super passive.

I know he has more length (6'9 WS vs 7'1 WS) but really outside that what makes him that much more of a SF than Castle? Stephon is a inch shorter but 32lbs heavier with much better rebounding numbers. I dont see it as THAT crazy to project Castle as a SF honestly. At 210lbs Castle is actually bigger than Matas (197), Riascher (204), Holland (197), Williams (178), Salun (203) and only slightly smaller than Silva (217) and Dalton (212).

One of the reasons I really like Tyler Smith is he is a pure shooting PF who has + athleticism, really nice H/WS (6'10.25 + 7'0) and is already 224lbs despite being only 19.5 years old.

I wonder how crazy it would be to draft Castle with the intentions of using him as the 'connector' at SF. He has incredible intangables on and off the floor, he moves the ball, projects as a guy that can defend 1-3, has some bulk to make up for being a bit undersized, is a 'little things' player, etc. A guy like him, so mature for his age and coming from a blue chip program would be a nice compliment to the 2 youngsters we are leaning on with very unorthodox pre-NBA programs.

Then again, we need shooting and that is where Castle is a big question mark.

[Catchall]

There is talk Detroit has a trade in place with Utah with Utah eying one of the guards. Draft
seems really fluid and it really appears there will be a lot of movement before Atlanta makes
the first pick

Do you have a source on that? I've heard it too.

[Norm2953]

There is talk of 10 +29 for 5 but the Pistons board is against this.

All rumors but let's say Portland really wanted Clingan and offered up 7,34 for 5

[Walton1one]

Sarr
Clingan
Sheppard
Risacher
Buzelis
Castle
???

This is a pretty easy choice IMO, Salaun or Knecht

Player with big potential upside or player with high floor ready to step in right away

PF archetype or shooter

Can’t see why they would they take Williams over either of those players

[Walton1one]

I hope POR uses any/all of Brogdon, Williams, #34 & #40 to secure two top 10 picks and grab 2 of Clingan, Salaun, Knecht or Buzelis

[Case2012]

I want nothing to do with Salaun, or Clingan. Both scream busts to me if they're taken in the top 10.

[Norm2953]

Sarr
Clingan
Sheppard
Risacher
Buzelis
Castle
???

This is a pretty easy choice IMO, Salaun or Knecht

Player with big potential upside or player with high floor ready to step in right away

PF archetype or shooter

Can’t see why they would they take Williams over either of those players

It's likely Cody is the higher rated player around the league for he's only doing private workouts
and got a green room invite. He was playing well in December, got hurt and was playing tentative.

[Walton1one]

I want nothing to do with Salaun, or Clingan. Both scream busts to me if they're taken in the top 10.

So could any other player in the range POR is picking,
You could say that about anybody in this draft.

Williams has a bust potential as much/greater than either Salaun or Clingan

[Walton1one]

It's likely Cody is the higher rated player around the league for he's only doing private workouts
and got a green room invite. He was playing well in December, got hurt and was playing tentative.

I don’t think that is a given,

Clingan was a defensive anchor for national championship team who has some elite defensive metrics & potential offensively.

Knecht put up huge offensive numbers playing in the SEC and provides a skill, shooting, that POR is sorely lacking in

Both got green room invites as well, and Clingan has been doing private workouts, Knecht has been mocked inside the top 10 pick consistently.

[zzaj]

Hot take:

If the Blazers want Brandon Roy 2.0…he’s available in the form of Dillon Jones.

[zzaj]

Right now for me:

#7 - Clingan
#14 - Da Silva
#34 - Dillon Jones, Jaylon Tyson or Baylor Scheierman

Clingan will be Ayton's eventual replacement. Solves USG need from the C position.
Da Silva would likely be the best SF/PF on the team, next year. Eventual Starter, IMHO.
Any of the other 3 are GREAT short-term 6th man options that all shoot well, get their own shots, and can facilitate off the dribble. I think all 3 will outgrow 6th man before their rookie deals are up.

Scoot/Jones
Sharpe/Jones
Camara/Da Silva
Grant/Da Silva
Ayton/Clingan/TL

Team has to move Simons, Brogdon and potentially TL, but that's a pretty nice 8 player rotation for a very young team.