Draft prospects @ 10

[Wizenheimer]

Yeah, i dont think we will grab Gobert at #10.

Assuming the draft goes as I said up to #9 and the Blazers don't trade the pick, who would you pick?

Gobert has his weaknesses, but his offensive strength is the PnR (Lillard's strength too) and he brings shotblocking and rebounding the Blazers lack. He did get backed down EASILY by significantly smaller players, so he won't ever anchor a defense..

Gobert is a shot-blocker, but I'm not sure he's much of a rebounder

last season in the French league, he had a 14.8% defensive rebound rate and 18.2% total rebound rate. That weird imbalance was due to a 28% offensive rebound rate...which is sick (probably indicating either the French league is wack or Gobert is)

by comparison, Freeland in the ACB league last season had a 21,2% defensive reb rate and a 21.1% total rebound rate.

I guess I'd ask if there is any reason at this point to think Gobert will be significantly better then Hamad Haddidi?

[Shem]

I'm still on the Dieng bandwagon at this point if we're going to use the draft pick. But it looks like the Blazers aren't even sniffing at him which I believe is a shame.

[jhern87]

I like Tony Mitchell! I wonder if Portland could trade 10 and a 2nd rounder for ATL's picks so we could get a Dieng, KCP or Adams too? Or maybe trade with Utah? I'd much rather take 2 mid round guys than a guy at 10 who is just as likely to bust.

[JD45]

Chad Ford reports that Zeller hit 72% of NBA 3s in drills.

Obviously that is against chairs, not defenders. But it would indicate he has range to his shot, so his move from college post C to NBA face-up PF is credible.

Zeller would be a nice option at #10. He could probably play a little C if needed (he has similar measurements to Chris Kamen). He should be able to post up smaller players and take bigger, slower players out to the perimeter. A big man rotation of LA, Leonard and Zeller would open up the paint for perimeter scorers. Hopefully more for the Blazer perimeter players than opponents.

[GreenRiddler]

What do people think of my mock? Besides being disappointed by drafting Gobert lol.

1. Noel – Cavaliers get best player despite injury, like with Irving, who can learn from Varejao.
2. Burke – Magic take a team leader to go with Afflalo/Harris/Vucevic and learn from Nelson.
3. Porter – Wizards add a good SF adding more length, defense and shooting around Wall.
4. McLemore – Bobcats get a young scorer and good pair with MKG on wing
5. Oladipo – Suns get best wing left
6. Len – Pelicans get a center to pair with Davis
7. Zeller – Kings get an athletic big to pair with Cousins
8. McCollum – Pistons get a shooter to pair with Knight.
9. Caldwell-Pope – Wolves take a shot at a young SG who can put the ball in the basket.
10. Gobert – Blazers get a shot blocker and rebounder who can PnR with Lillard
11. Shabazz – Philly picks up a wing player who can be a scorer for them
12. Bennett – OKC gets a forward who can help initiate offense
13. Carter-Williams – Mavericks get a young guard with good potential.
14. Schroeder – Jazz get a PG who could be a huge steal.
15. Karasev – Bucks get a high IQ wing to space the floor
16. Crabbe – Celtics get a great shooter to pair with Rondo
17. Antetokoumpo – Hawks take the SF with very high potential
18. Adams – Hawes get a center with legit size and high defensive potential
19. Bullock – Cavs go for a safety, get a 3&D SF which is all they need with Irving/Waiters.
20. Franklin – Bulls get a good jack-of-all-trades SG.
21. Saric– Jazz get a SF with high potential and stash him
22. Dieng – Nets get a backup center with good defense.
23. Mitchell – Pacers get a PF.
24. Plumlee – Knicks get a backup center.
25. Olynyk – Clippers get a center with some offensive skills and who can hit his FT’s
26. Withey – Wolves get a mature center who can rebound and block some shots.
27. Carmichael – Nuggets get a PF who can rebound and contribute to offense
28. Goodwin – Spurs pick up a guy who has a young guy with a lot of skills for Pop to work with.
29. Muscala – Thunder get a big with very good size and length
30. Snell – Phoenix gets a SF who is a good shooter

I think if that's the case we will choose Adams, no way he last to 18 if we pass up on him though. He is lock for the lotto. Given what NO said after the work outs today:

We're always going to take the best player available. We're always. Players are assets. What you need are assets and talent. I don't think we're deep enough at any position to not look at one through five positionally at whoever the best player is on the board. That's exactly where we're going to go regardless of position.

If that's the case he wouldn't mind taking on a semi-project like Adams, even though we have Meyers, since it would be an asset he could trade, as oppose to choosing another player to fill a need for us but hold less value.

[Case2012]

If we take gobert at 10, I would think that we were picking him for someone else. Like If we wanted to trade down and gain some assets.

[Downtown]

Do we really know enough about these centers to make a judgement call on the best of the bunch? Dieng has shown the most given that he played on the biggest college stage. But does that translate into him being better than Gobert or Adams, or Len?

Once the Blazers get these guys in for workouts things will become a little clearer.

[GreenRiddler]

We could et a mid first from our 2nd rounder, like Cle and Dal did last year, Cle traded two of their picks for Zeller.

[Norm2953]

The first six picks are pretty much set but where the draft begins to deviate is pick #7
for the KIngs (like they normally do) will scramble things up. Bennett is going to get
picked in the top 6.

There continues to be talk of a Demarcus Cousins trade but they have to be thinking
about passing on Lillard last season and could very well take McCollum at 7. There is
talk of Orlando taking Oladipo second and trading Affalo to the Clippers for Eric
Bledsoe.

1) Noel
2) Oladipo
3 Porter
4) McLemore
5) Bennett
6) Burke
7) Len (if Cousins is dealt) or Williams
8) McCollum
9) Pope
10) Zeller or Adams

I think Saric is going 13 to Dallas and Schroeder 14 to Utah. Boston supposed has
promised Adams at 16 if Portland passes on him.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

1) Noel
2) Oladipo
3 Porter
4) McLemore
5) Bennett
6) Burke
7) Len (if Cousins is dealt) or Williams
8) McCollum
9) Pope
10) Zeller or Adams

I think Saric is going 13 to Dallas and Schroeder 14 to Utah. Boston supposed has
promised Adams at 16 if Portland passes on him.

Why do you think Phoenix will take Bennett? They acquired both Morris twins last year, and seem pretty stocked at the 4 position for next season.

Also, what is so intriguing about Saric? Is his 37% shooting bothering no one else?

[whatchaknow]

If shabazz is there I wouldn't mind taking him.. I would rather take a chance on him than gobert or Adams personally

[Khazim]

I'm still on the Dieng bandwagon at this point if we're going to use the draft pick. But it looks like the Blazers aren't even sniffing at him which I believe is a shame.

I'm with ya on Dieng.

[DusterBuster]

The first six picks are pretty much set but where the draft begins to deviate is pick #7
for the KIngs (like they normally do) will scramble things up. Bennett is going to get
picked in the top 6.

There continues to be talk of a Demarcus Cousins trade but they have to be thinking
about passing on Lillard last season and could very well take McCollum at 7. There is
talk of Orlando taking Oladipo second and trading Affalo to the Clippers for Eric
Bledsoe.

1) Noel
2) Oladipo
3 Porter
4) McLemore
5) Bennett
6) Burke
7) Len (if Cousins is dealt) or Williams
8) McCollum
9) Pope
10) Zeller or Adams

I think Saric is going 13 to Dallas and Schroeder 14 to Utah. Boston supposed has
promised Adams at 16 if Portland passes on him.

I think you're right for the most part about the Top 6. The positioning of those players could rotate around, but I do expect those guys to make up the first 6 picks.

It'll be interesting to see what the Kings do with new management now. I don't believe Cousins will be dealt. I think they'll find out what the old Kings management found out when Cousins demanded a trade a few years ago, his value won't be high enough to get fair value in a trade. He's too big of a headcase and his impending new contract is going to scare away teams left and right. Who wants to risk a max contract on a problem player like Cousins?

I really am starting to like Len. I hope he can drop to Portland. I could easily see him being a Enas Kanter or Kosta Koufos type player. At the #10 pick in a mediocre draft, I think that would be a good get for Portland.

As for Zeller, I expect him to be a lot like his brother in the NBA. He'll be a useful player, to be sure, but he'll be a rotation guy and fringe starter. Not someone who can anchor a defense.

I really don't love the idea of Adams at 10. If Olshey and Allen fall madly in love with him and have to draft him, I hope they look to move down and try to ship out Freeland in the process.

I'm still good with taking Shabazz too. The Blazers could use some help at SF and SG, so there would be a role for him. You can take a chance on hype at a pick that low imo, particularly when the guy was considered a consensus Top 3 pick for so long. Sometimes some guys games just don't translate to the college game as much as they do the NBA. We saw that last year with Drummond.

[chocodog]

what do think is the highest pick wes would net in this draft? would either the twolves or pistons be interested in him? if we could land another lottery do you think that would be enough to trade up for oladipo? the general perception seems to be that this is a draft that lacks stars but still has a solid pool of talent. In such a case, i would think that this is the year that two lower lottery picks would have strong value to move up.

it's wishful thinking and, even then, i suspect not a popular scenario among blazers fans because it leaves the team thinner in depth and less experienced. I still would be for something like this b/c i think Oladipo is ready to contribute right away and has a higher ceiling than wes. it also frees up cap room to further fill out the bench and center rotation.

[Shem]

A lot of lottery mock drafts were posted today on NBA.com:

http://www.nba.com/news/2013-consensus- ... f:nbahpt3b

Below who posted them and what date they were posted:

NBA.com - SHC
05.21
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Ben McLemore
3. Otto Porter
4. Victor Oladipo
5. Anthony Bennett
6. Trey Burke
7. Cody Zeller
8. M. Carter-Williams
9. Shabazz Muhammad
10. Alex Len
11. Mason Plumlee
12. Kelly Olynyk
13. C.J. McCollum
14. Dennis Schroeder

DraftExpress
05.23
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Ben McLemore
3. Otto Porter
4. Anthony Bennett
5. Victor Oladipo
6. Alex Len
7. Trey Burke
8. C.J. McCollum
9. Shabazz Muhammad
10. Rudy Gobert
11. Cody Zeller
12. Kelly Olynyk
13. M. Carter-Williams
14. Dennis Schroeder

ESPN.com
05.22
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Trey Burke
3. Otto Porter
4. Ben McLemore
5. Victor Oladipo
6. Alex Len
7. M. Carter-Williams
8. Anthony Bennett
9. C.J. McCollum
10. K. Caldwell-Pope
11. Cody Zeller
12. Steven Adams
13. Dario Saric
14. Shabazz Muhammad

SI.com
05.29
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Ben McLemore
3. Otto Porter
4. Alex Len
5. Victor Oladipo
6. Trey Burke
7. Anthony Bennett
8. M. Carter-Williams
9. C.J. McCollum
10. Cody Zeller
11. Kelly Olynyk
12. Gorgui Dieng
13. Dario Saric
14. Dennis Schroeder

Sporting News
05.21
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Trey Burke
3. Otto Porter
4. Ben McLemore
5. Cody Zeller
6. Victor Oladipo
7. Anthony Bennett
8. C.J. McCollum
9. Alex Len
10. Dario Saric
11. Steven Adams
12. Rudy Gobert
13. M. Carter-Williams
14. Dennis Schroeder

Sheridan Hoops
05.29
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Ben McLemore
3. Otto Porter
4. Victor Oladipo
5. Anthony Bennett
6. Trey Burke
7. Alex Len
8. Shabazz Muhammad
9. C.J. McCollum
10. Steven Adams
11. Cody Zeller
12. Rudy Gobert
13. M. Carter-Williams
14. Dennis Schroeder

NBADraft.net
05.29
1. Ben McLemore
2. Nerlens Noel
3. Otto Porter
4. Anthony Bennett
5. Victor Oladipo
6. Trey Burke
7. Cody Zeller
8. Shabazz Muhammad
9. Alex Len
10. K. Caldwell-Pope
11. C.J. McCollum
12. Steven Adams
13. Dennis Schroeder
14. M. Carter-Williams

NBA Draft Insider
05.22
1. Otto Porter
2. Ben McLemore
3. Nerlens Noel
4. Victor Oladipo
5. Rudy Gobert
6. Trey Burke
7. Anthony Bennett
8. Shabazz Muhammad
9. Alex Len
10. C.J. McCollum
11. Cody Zeller
12. Mason Plumlee
13. M. Carter-Williams
14. Jamaal Franklin

HoopsWorld
05.27
1. Otto Porter
2. Victor Oladipo
3. Nerlens Noel
4. Anthony Bennett
5. Ben McLemore
6. M. Carter-Williams
7. Trey Burke
8. Shabazz Muhammad
9. Alex Len
10. Gorgui Dieng
11. Cody Zeller
12. C.J. McCollum
13. Dennis Schroeder
14. Jamaal Franklin

Bleacher Report
05.29
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Trey Burke
3. Otto Porter
4. Ben McLemore
5. Victor Oladipo
6. Alex Len
7. M. Carter-Williams
8. Anthony Bennett
9. K. Caldwell-Pope
10. C.J. McCollum
11. Cody Zeller
12. Mason Plumlee
13. Dario Saric
14. Dennis Schroeder

The Hoops Report
05.22
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Ben McLemore
3. Otto Porter
4. Victor Oladipo
5. Anthony Bennett
6. Alex Len
7. Trey Burke
8. Cody Zeller
9. C.J. McCollum
10. Shabazz Muhammad
11. Kelly Olynyk
12. Rudy Gobert
13. M. Carter-Williams
14. Dario Saric

Rotoworld
05.26
1. Nerlens Noel
2. Ben McLemore
3. Otto Porter
4. Anthony Bennett
5. Victor Oladipo
6. Alex Len
7. Shabazz Muhammad
8. Trey Burke
9. C.J. McCollum
10. Cody Zeller
11. Rudy Gobert
12. Kelly Olynyk
13. M. Carter-Williams
14. Dennis Schroeder

[Waynearchetype]

what do think is the highest pick wes would net in this draft? would either the twolves or pistons be interested in him? if we could land another lottery do you think that would be enough to trade up for oladipo? the general perception seems to be that this is a draft that lacks stars but still has a solid pool of talent. In such a case, i would think that this is the year that two lower lottery picks would have strong value to move up.

it's wishful thinking and, even then, i suspect not a popular scenario among blazers fans because it leaves the team thinner in depth and less experienced. I still would be for something like this b/c i think Oladipo is ready to contribute right away and has a higher ceiling than wes. it also frees up cap room to further fill out the bench and center rotation.

Realistically, in a weakish draft like this one, I think Wes might net you is maybe between 12-15. He didn't have a great year, has only 2 years left on his contract which is also nothing special anymore with a 7 million cap hit. Maybe if the Blazers get lucky you could convince a team desperate for a starting SG like the Timberwolves to trade the number 9, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Not trying to be down on Wes, but lottery picks aren't typically a cheap commodity.

[Shem]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srH0SNOJNjY[/youtube]

[Shem]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9ScCu6b62k[/youtube]

[SinceClyde]

If all Wes could net is the 9 then he has more value playing for us than what the 9 could give us.

[Norm2953]

The first six picks are pretty much set but where the draft begins to deviate is pick #7
for the KIngs (like they normally do) will scramble things up. Bennett is going to get
picked in the top 6.

There continues to be talk of a Demarcus Cousins trade but they have to be thinking
about passing on Lillard last season and could very well take McCollum at 7. There is
talk of Orlando taking Oladipo second and trading Affalo to the Clippers for Eric
Bledsoe.

1) Noel
2) Oladipo
3 Porter
4) McLemore
5) Bennett
6) Burke
7) Len (if Cousins is dealt) or Williams
8) McCollum
9) Pope
10) Zeller or Adams

I think Saric is going 13 to Dallas and Schroeder 14 to Utah. Boston supposed has
promised Adams at 16 if Portland passes on him.

I think you're right for the most part about the Top 6. The positioning of those players could rotate around, but I do expect those guys to make up the first 6 picks.

It'll be interesting to see what the Kings do with new management now. I don't believe Cousins will be dealt. I think they'll find out what the old Kings management found out when Cousins demanded a trade a few years ago, his value won't be high enough to get fair value in a trade. He's too big of a headcase and his impending new contract is going to scare away teams left and right. Who wants to risk a max contract on a problem player like Cousins?

I really am starting to like Len. I hope he can drop to Portland. I could easily see him being a Enas Kanter or Kosta Koufos type player. At the #10 pick in a mediocre draft, I think that would be a good get for Portland.

As for Zeller, I expect him to be a lot like his brother in the NBA. He'll be a useful player, to be sure, but he'll be a rotation guy and fringe starter. Not someone who can anchor a defense.

I really don't love the idea of Adams at 10. If Olshey and Allen fall madly in love with him and have to draft him, I hope they look to move down and try to ship out Freeland in the process.

I'm still good with taking Shabazz too. The Blazers could use some help at SF and SG, so there would be a role for him. You can take a chance on hype at a pick that low imo, particularly when the guy was considered a consensus Top 3 pick for so long. Sometimes some guys games just don't translate to the college game as much as they do the NBA. We saw that last year with Drummond.

There will be some movement but the top six is fairly set unless one player has a tremendous workout.

Of the players outside of the top six, Len would have had the best chance to move up but he can't workout
for coaches who if their scouts failed in their evaluation, would get fired for mistakes. The lack of a sure fire prospect even in the top six makes a Cousins deal possible and if the Kings pull the trigger, they are in the perfect spot to pick his replacement for the Cavs for one are not totally sold on Noel who will probably be a
PF in the pros. They like the Blazers saw last year, Zeller as a nice player but hardly a starting caliber center while Meyers is 2-3 years away but if all goes well, would develop into a solid NBA center.

Len is a long shot but like Drummond last year, might fall to Portland at 10. Zeller would be a safe pick and an
insurance policy if LA leaves or is traded. I think Adams is likely to go to OKC at 12 for the team seems to want to pick a SF/SG at 10 and trade for a veteran center to pair with Meyers. Shabazz might be Portland's pick if he works out well for physically he's in better shape than at anytime in college and the guy seems to want it more than anyone else in this draft.