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

[Case2012]

Matas is from Chicago, but yeah idk i have a hard time coming up with comps.

[Case2012]

Read on Twitter

I think this is the best case scenario for a Grant trade. I wonder if we could convince SA to move back to 13 and 14 for 8. They could take Salaun and Topic there while still getting Castle at 4. They would get to see if Castle is really a PG for a year while Topic heals, and develop another high upside swing with a french friend for Wemby.

We take Knecht at 7 and Edey at 8 so Memphis doesn't snag him. I think grabbing the 2 best scorers in college last year would be a safe win for us that still lets us tank for Flagg next year. Ideally we trade into the end of the first round to get Dunn for defense.

[DusterBuster]

Matas is from Chicago, but yeah idk i have a hard time coming up with comps.

Did some digging too... I see he's another Ignite player... After Scoot and seeing how unprepared he was for the NBA game, I want nothing to do with players from that failed NBA experiment. His numbers aren't even that good from his time there. Besides have good physical size for an NBA player, his shooting numbers are pretty poor across the board. Kinda seems like a Nikola Jovic type payer.

That's a hard pass from me Bob.

[The Sebastian Express]

I believe you'll find the best praise of Matas from BB who has described his functional athleticism and connector piece-play well.

I'm worried about his shooting but I do like his athleticism and energy plus attitude.

Please no on trading Grant and two late lottery picks for Edey.

[JRoy]

Matas is from Chicago, but yeah idk i have a hard time coming up with comps.

Did some digging too... I see he's another Ignite player... After Scoot and seeing how unprepared he was for the NBA game, I want nothing to do with players from that failed NBA experiment. His numbers aren't even that good from his time there. Besides have good physical size for an NBA player, his shooting numbers are pretty poor across the board. Kinda seems like a Nikola Jovic type payer.

That's a hard pass from me Bob.

He looks like a bust to me. Holland too.

[Case2012]

Read on Twitter

I just don't understand the hate for Edey, there's no logical argument for it. He's going to dominate.

[DusterBuster]

Kuzma is a great comp for what kind of value I see Grant having right now. I still have his probably most likely landing spot as Dallas. They have the contracts to make a deal match and having a front-court/wing guy who can score and defend was a pretty glaring issue for them in the finals. THJ and Kleber match salaries nicely with Grant, then get a couple protected first rounders and call it a day.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

I just don't understand the hate for Edey, there's no logical argument for it. He's going to dominate.

Not ready to go "dominate", but I do agree that I think he's going to be a productive player.

I also think reading the tea leaves, with Givony pumping Edey up so much, you have to imagine Schmitz holds a very similar opinion.

Also interesting to hear him say Edey is the 2nd best C in the draft after Clingan... meaning Sarr is.....?

[Case2012]

Matas is from Chicago, but yeah idk i have a hard time coming up with comps.

Did some digging too... I see he's another Ignite player... After Scoot and seeing how unprepared he was for the NBA game, I want nothing to do with players from that failed NBA experiment. His numbers aren't even that good from his time there. Besides have good physical size for an NBA player, his shooting numbers are pretty poor across the board. Kinda seems like a Nikola Jovic type payer.

That's a hard pass from me Bob.

He looks like a bust to me. Holland too.

The Ignite is basically glorified AAU, Jalen Green is the only player to come out of it looking like they might live up to their hype. Scoot will be ok I think, but I wouldn't pass on a guard because of him.

[Case2012]

Read on Twitter

I just don't understand the hate for Edey, there's no logical argument for it. He's going to dominate.

Not ready to go "dominate", but I do agree that I think he's going to be a productive player.

I also think reading the tea leaves, with Givony pumping Edey up so much, you have to imagine Schmitz holds a very similar opinion.

Also interesting to hear him say Edey is the 2nd best C in the draft after Clingan... meaning Sarr is.....?

Sarr wants to play PF but i think he's got a crappy attitude, questionable motor and high bust potential. I'm thinking he's more Wiseman than JJJ.

Yeah, that's why I posted that. None of the tired narratives are holding up as to why Edey won't be a successful player. He killed the combine, he dominated college, he improved every year, he hits his FT's, he wasn't allowed to foul because he was the offense at purdue so there's no reason he couldn't be a more impactful defender, and the last 3 MVPs have been huge dominant centers, and Edey clearly has more skills than just dunking it, oh and he played the entire tourney, he's not skinny and there's no injury history.

Sell me on why Edey won't be a dominant center. The big man era is coming back.

[DusterBuster]

I believe you'll find the best praise of Matas from BB who has described his functional athleticism and connector piece-play well.

I'm worried about his shooting but I do like his athleticism and energy plus attitude.

Please no on trading Grant and two late lottery picks for Edey.

I don't want to see Grant traded for picks in this draft, give me future picks for him.

We're just gonna have to agree to disagree on Edey. I've bought a condo on Edey-island, I'm all in.

Even besides thinking he could be better than expected, I just want something interesting to tune in for next year. At least some insane sized human being and multi-college player of the year award winner is entertaining television. The rest of these guys... some 6'6" to 6'10" kinda athletic and raw g-league guys or your run of the mill white guys who are good college shooters but questionable defensively... I've seen that story before and unless they pop in a way no one expects, I'm not tuning in for a second of bad Blazer basketball in 24/25.

Now, you give me a 7'4" 300lb dude setting screens for Scoot and just camping below the rim, I'll be tuned in minute 1 of game 1.

[JRoy]

Did some digging too... I see he's another Ignite player... After Scoot and seeing how unprepared he was for the NBA game, I want nothing to do with players from that failed NBA experiment. His numbers aren't even that good from his time there. Besides have good physical size for an NBA player, his shooting numbers are pretty poor across the board. Kinda seems like a Nikola Jovic type payer.

That's a hard pass from me Bob.

He looks like a bust to me. Holland too.

The Ignite is basically glorified AAU, Jalen Green is the only player to come out of it looking like they might live up to their hype. Scoot will be ok I think, but I wouldn't pass on a guard because of him.

I’d move Scoot if I could get assets and draft Carter as his replacement.

[Pattycakes]

I believe you'll find the best praise of Matas from BB who has described his functional athleticism and connector piece-play well.

I'm worried about his shooting but I do like his athleticism and energy plus attitude.

Please no on trading Grant and two late lottery picks for Edey.

I don't want to see Grant traded for picks in this draft, give me future picks for him.

We're just gonna have to agree to disagree on Edey. I've bought a condo on Edey-island, I'm all in.

Even besides thinking he could be better than expected, I just want something interesting to tune in for next year. At least some insane sized human being and multi-college player of the year award winner is entertaining television. The rest of these guys... some 6'6" to 6'10" kinda athletic and raw g-league guys or your run of the mill white guys who are good college shooters but questionable defensively... I've seen that story before and unless they pop in a way no one expects, I'm not tuning in for a second of bad Blazer basketball in 24/25.

Now, you give me a 7'4" 300lb dude setting screens for Scoot and just camping below the rim, I'll be tuned in minute 1 of game 1.

Here’s what I see about pairing Edey (OR Clingan) with DA.

Deandre becomes Amare lite. Actually where he belongs which is the 4 spot imho

The guards will tear it up setting those two up for alley oops and deep post opportunities. DA can spend half the game mid range floating about like he already will, and the other half aggressively attacking the paint.

It’s a no brainer.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

I just don't understand the hate for Edey, there's no logical argument for it. He's going to dominate.

Not ready to go "dominate", but I do agree that I think he's going to be a productive player.

I also think reading the tea leaves, with Givony pumping Edey up so much, you have to imagine Schmitz holds a very similar opinion.

Also interesting to hear him say Edey is the 2nd best C in the draft after Clingan... meaning Sarr is.....?

Sarr wants to play PF but i think he's got a crappy attitude, questionable motor and high bust potential. I'm thinking he's more Wiseman than JJJ.

Yeah, that's why I posted that. None of the tired narratives are holding up as to why Edey won't be a successful player. He killed the combine, he dominated college, he improved every year, he hits his FT's, he wasn't allowed to foul because he was the offense at purdue so there's no reason he couldn't be a more impactful defender, and the last 3 MVPs have been huge dominant centers, and Edey clearly has more skills than just dunking it, oh and he played the entire tourney, he's not skinny and there's no injury history.

Sell me on why Edey won't be a dominant center. The big man era is coming back.

I'm with you on all this. I didn't know that about Sarr wanting to be a PF, but yeah, I'm out on him too for the same reason you said. Maybe he surprises us and he's closer to a LaMarcus Aldridge - he was kinda the same personality type in college if my old-man brain is remembering right... but regardless, I've just seen too many players comped to him that end up being pretty meh (hell, the Blazers have one such guy on their roster right now in Ayton).

As for Edey, I'm not gonna pretend I know whether the bigman era is back or if Edey is the next Boban or the next Shaq, but he's interesting! Considering there's next to no reason to be interested in the upcoming Blazer season, at least give me something weird to tune in for and Edey is the kind of weird I'm here for.

[DusterBuster]

I believe you'll find the best praise of Matas from BB who has described his functional athleticism and connector piece-play well.

I'm worried about his shooting but I do like his athleticism and energy plus attitude.

Please no on trading Grant and two late lottery picks for Edey.

I don't want to see Grant traded for picks in this draft, give me future picks for him.

We're just gonna have to agree to disagree on Edey. I've bought a condo on Edey-island, I'm all in.

Even besides thinking he could be better than expected, I just want something interesting to tune in for next year. At least some insane sized human being and multi-college player of the year award winner is entertaining television. The rest of these guys... some 6'6" to 6'10" kinda athletic and raw g-league guys or your run of the mill white guys who are good college shooters but questionable defensively... I've seen that story before and unless they pop in a way no one expects, I'm not tuning in for a second of bad Blazer basketball in 24/25.

Now, you give me a 7'4" 300lb dude setting screens for Scoot and just camping below the rim, I'll be tuned in minute 1 of game 1.

Here’s what I see about pairing Edey (OR Clingan) with DA.

Deandre becomes Amare lite. Actually where he belongs which is the 4 spot imho

The guards will tear it up setting those two up for alley oops and deep post opportunities. DA can spend half the game mid range floating about like he already will, and the other half aggressively attacking the paint.

It’s a no brainer.

That's actually pretty interesting...

Scott
Sharpe
Grant
Ayton
Edey

Let's get weird ya'll.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

[zzaj]

So night before draft how does everyone see the top 6 going?

Call your shot

1) ATL Sarr - I think drama over Sarr’s desire to play there is driven by his agent, they take the best player, as they should
2) WAS Risacher- either way Sarr\Risacher go 1/2
3) HOU Sheppard - I don’t think any team is willing to pay the freight to jump up to #3
4) SA Castle - he won’t be there at #8, wings (Salaun) likely will be
5) DET Williams - I think new mgmt changes the groupthink (Buzelis) around this pick
6) CHA Knecht, fits nicely with Lamelo & Miller

Leaving POR to choose between: Clingan & Buzelis


7) POR selects: Clingan - ESPN mock has been pretty steady on this outcome for awhile and their history is pretty accurate. I think all of the noise about Clingan at # 1,3,4,5,6 is teams trolling for value\assets worth trading down for and none of them are willing to sell their pick cheaply

1. San Antonio trades 8 and the Atlanta 25 and 27 1st for #1 and draft Rishacher
2. Washington - Sarr
3. Houston trades 3 and Landale for 9, Smart and a top 10 protected Memphis 1st and selects Clingan
4. San Antonio drafts Castle
5. Detroit drafts Sheppard
6. Charlotte drafts Knecht

7. Portland drafts Buzelis

Someone sell me on Matas. I know he's highly rated but just can't shake he seems like a euro-bust... whats his skillset/comp? Looking at a poor mans Markkennen here?

Not going to sell you because I don't particularly like him as a prospect. But as a good baseline, I would watch Keandre Ashley's breakdown on Hoop Intellect. He's good and unbiased, and does a great job discussing deeper aspects of the stats in a surface way (if that makes any sense). Here's his breakdown of Buzelis:

Watch on YouTube

[zzaj]

I don't want to see Grant traded for picks in this draft, give me future picks for him.

We're just gonna have to agree to disagree on Edey. I've bought a condo on Edey-island, I'm all in.

Even besides thinking he could be better than expected, I just want something interesting to tune in for next year. At least some insane sized human being and multi-college player of the year award winner is entertaining television. The rest of these guys... some 6'6" to 6'10" kinda athletic and raw g-league guys or your run of the mill white guys who are good college shooters but questionable defensively... I've seen that story before and unless they pop in a way no one expects, I'm not tuning in for a second of bad Blazer basketball in 24/25.

Now, you give me a 7'4" 300lb dude setting screens for Scoot and just camping below the rim, I'll be tuned in minute 1 of game 1.

Here’s what I see about pairing Edey (OR Clingan) with DA.

Deandre becomes Amare lite. Actually where he belongs which is the 4 spot imho

The guards will tear it up setting those two up for alley oops and deep post opportunities. DA can spend half the game mid range floating about like he already will, and the other half aggressively attacking the paint.

It’s a no brainer.

That's actually pretty interesting...

Scott
Sharpe
Grant
Ayton
Edey

Let's get weird ya'll.

I love weirdness... but this would make the Blazers easily the worst perimeter defensive team in the league.

[DusterBuster]

Here’s what I see about pairing Edey (OR Clingan) with DA.

Deandre becomes Amare lite. Actually where he belongs which is the 4 spot imho

The guards will tear it up setting those two up for alley oops and deep post opportunities. DA can spend half the game mid range floating about like he already will, and the other half aggressively attacking the paint.

It’s a no brainer.

That's actually pretty interesting...

Scott
Sharpe
Grant
Ayton
Edey

Let's get weird ya'll.

I love weirdness... but this would make the Blazers easily the worst perimeter defensive team in the league.

More of a feature than a bug for a tanking team, no?

[Norm2953]

He looks like a bust to me. Holland too.

The Ignite is basically glorified AAU, Jalen Green is the only player to come out of it looking like they might live up to their hype. Scoot will be ok I think, but I wouldn't pass on a guard because of him.

I’d move Scoot if I could get assets and draft Carter as his replacement.

It'd be interesting if the Blazers really wanted Clingan bad enough to offer Scoot to the Spurs for pick 4.

Picking at 4, the Spurs would be looking at Castle unless the Rockets passed on Sheppard. Castle is good POA
defender but wants to play PG and can't shoot . They might be better off trading for Scoot.

Gives the Blazers 3 FRP which they use to draft Clingan, BPA at 7,14. There are a bunch of guards to replace
Scoot available at 14