2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[Walton1one]

Don't bet your house, please

Yeah , not sure I agree with a comp of Demin = Deni. I do think it is curious how they share similar measurements through, but yes, different type of player.

[zzaj]

Don't bet your house, please

Yeah , not sure I agree with a comp of Demin = Deni. I do think it is curious how they share similar measurements through, but yes, different type of player.

You haven't seen my house.

In all seriousness though, a player like Hugo plays A LOT more like Deni than Demin does...I actually think Hugo has gotten underrated on boards. I see a lot of them with him in the second round, and yet I wouldn't be surprised at all if some team with multiple 1sts takes him in the 20s. That Real team is stacked, and Hugo hasn't really had a chance to do his thing there. But when you watch his stuff, there are some really strong building blocks.

[BlazersBroncos]

Don't bet your house, please

Yeah , not sure I agree with a comp of Demin = Deni. I do think it is curious how they share similar measurements through, but yes, different type of player.

You haven't seen my house.

In all seriousness though, a player like Hugo plays A LOT more like Deni than Demin does...I actually think Hugo has gotten underrated on boards. I see a lot of them with him in the second round, and yet I wouldn't be surprised at all if some team with multiple 1sts takes him in the 20s. That Real team is stacked, and Hugo hasn't really had a chance to do his thing there. But when you watch his stuff, there are some really strong building blocks.

Hugo has a lot of work to do shooting the ball but he has one of the best motors of anyone I have (armchair) scouted in nearly 20 years. And it’s a 2-way motor. One of the more athletic Euros I have watched as well.

He is going to be a hell of a role player if he can iron out the shooting. Plays like an absolute menace.

[Butter]

Shooting must be a premium trait the Blazers target this year.

[Case2012]

Play-creation is our chronic weakness—we keep ranking near the bottom in assists for a decade because we've never prioritized that kind of player.

I have a feeling we'll try and get JSJ as part of the Giannis trade to Houston for one of the MIL picks in a 3 team deal. Maybe we draft Demin at 11 and make a move for JSJ with the Milwaukie picks like last year. I dont hate that i guess but seems like selling low on a pick/s that could be in the top 5.
I get the Jabari Smith Jr. chatter because he was clearly a Schmitz guy like Deni and Clingan, but paying future money to squeeze him behind Deni (and maybe Grant) feels like a rerun we don’t need. Draft Coward’s upside or Clifford’s day-one reliability, fix the assist drought without losing on the defensive or shooting end.

[DusterBuster]

Play-creation is our chronic weakness—we keep ranking near the bottom in assists for a decade because we've never prioritized that kind of player.

I have a feeling we'll try and get JSJ as part of the Giannis trade to Houston for one of the MIL picks in a 3 team deal. Maybe we draft Demin at 11 and make a move for JSJ with the Milwaukie picks like last year. I dont hate that i guess but seems like selling low on a pick/s that could be in the top 5.
I get the Jabari Smith Jr. chatter because he was clearly a Schmitz guy like Deni and Clingan, but paying future money to squeeze him behind Deni (and maybe Grant) feels like a rerun we don’t need. Draft Coward’s upside or Clifford’s day-one reliability, fix the assist drought without losing on the defensive or shooting end.

I think the Giannis talk is kinda hot air. Don’t really believe he will ask out. I do think they should do it even if he doesn’t, but I doubt their GM will.

[Walton1one]

nm

[Walton1one]

I wonder if a JSJ trade has nothing to do with Giannis. If HOU was able to get a 29’ pick and/or MIL swaps back in the deal and Williams, that might work? So then they have some/all MIL pick control from 28-30, in case Giannis eventually does ask out and POR gets JSJ, then take whomever at #11 (likely a guard) and try to make the play in\playoffs

[tester551]

I wonder if a JSJ trade has nothing to do with Giannis. If HOU was able to get a 29’ pick and/or MIL swaps back in the deal and Williams, that might work? So then they have some/all MIL pick control from 28-30, in case Giannis eventually does ask out and POR gets JSJ, then take whomever at #11 (likely a guard) and try to make the play in\playoffs

If thats the case, Id prefer to get Reed Shepherd from the Rockets

[dckingsfan]

I wonder if a JSJ trade has nothing to do with Giannis. If HOU was able to get a 29’ pick and/or MIL swaps back in the deal and Williams, that might work? So then they have some/all MIL pick control from 28-30, in case Giannis eventually does ask out and POR gets JSJ, then take whomever at #11 (likely a guard) and try to make the play in\playoffs

If thats the case, Id prefer to get Reed Shepherd from the Rockets

This. I really think he isn't going to get much PT in Houston (next year), he is going to be pretty and he fits the mold here (a PG that could actually play D). Houston could also take their backup PG in this year's draft at 10.

But. Houston may look at him as the VanVleet replacement.

I guess the question is - is there a way to get in on a Giannis trade and get Shepard?

[Butter]

Are there any PG in this draft that compare to Haliburton?

[dckingsfan]

Are there any PG in this draft that compare to Haliburton?

Not really, no. But there is a forward that compares to Giannis.

[Butter]

Are there any PG in this draft that compare to Haliburton?

Not really, no. But there is a forward that compares to Giannis.

Are you talking Noa Essengue?

[Butter]

What is the most critical need from this draft or off season? I've been pretty vocal that I think it's shooting. But where the Blazers sit at 11, there isn't a lot of premier shooters slotted to be available.

The other critical factor is ability to contribute NOW vs future potential. A player like Noa Essengue is intriguing, but might take years to maximize his FLOOR. It seems obvious the Blazers leadership wants to make a swing for thr playoffs sooner than later. Can they afford to roll the dice on a future BPA?

History suggests Cronin and his FO like long, versatile athletes, and they are willing to accept risk on perimeter shooting. And this draft seems perfectly lined up for their long athlete preference.

The other option is to follow part of last year's option and trade for an underutilized veteran like Deni.

In conclusion, what is the Blazers most critical need from this draft?

[dckingsfan]

Are there any PG in this draft that compare to Haliburton?

Not really, no. But there is a forward that compares to Giannis.

Are you talking Noa Essengue?

[dckingsfan]

Best shooters in the draft are Johnson, Knueppel and Clayton. Since Johnson and Knueppel will be gone, it would be Clayton. If you want Clayton you would trade back and hope. 11 for 15 & 24 might get it done?

[dckingsfan]

I will answer the question but in a different way. What is the most Blazer's most critical need in this off-season.

A: Direction. Pick a path...

[Norm2953]

I want the best player available in this draft when we pick.

If that guy can play, its the coach's job to figure out how he fits

[dckingsfan]

I want the best player available in this draft when we pick.

If that guy can play, its the coach's job to figure out how he fits

So, hypothetical. You have a C, a wing and a PG. You feel that all three are equal on your board.

Do you then look at need and fit? I ask that because I think that is going to happen to many teams later in the draft. At 11

[tester551]

Are there any PG in this draft that compare to Haliburton?

Not really, no. But there is a forward that compares to Giannis.

Are you talking Noa Essengue?

He is...

But that's the wrong comparison...
Essengue <=> Siakam