RealGM

Might as well start a thread for the only thing we have to look forward to.

Early gut reaction.

Trade #11.

I don't see anyone at this pick I like. I would rather have two later FRPs than #11.

No. Name me one player attainable for #11, that offsets 5 years of team control for a top 8-10 rotational player?

One middling vet is not going to benefit POR more than adding a young, cost controlled (important!) rotational player, and this team is still a LONG ways away

Draft for Portland doesn't change much for ESPN has Portland taking CMB while Tankathon has them
taking Newell .

It'd be interesting if let's say OKC wanted someone at 11 and offered us 15, 24 or the Magic wanted
a shooter at 11 (Jace Richardson) and offered up 16, 25.

I have no doubt this pick is traded. Either to move back and add a few players to build depth around our "homegrown" stars (barf) or to package in a trade for Zion (Barf harder).

Either way we'll be picking around this same spot next year.

Remind me to sticky this in 11 months lol

Dallas with a 1.8% chance at the number one pick wins the lottery? Never would have happened if they didn't trade Luka to the Lakers. Any conspiracy theories yet?

Can someone explain the lottery process? I just watched a video of the draft lottery that showed them inserting one ping pong ball with a number on each from 1 - 14. They then drew 4 balls after letting them spin in the machine. The numbers were 10,11, 14, & 7. How does that equate to Dallas winning the number 1 pick.

I believe that each team is assigned a combination of numbers based on their position in the lottery. If that teams combination comes up in the right order they win.

For all it's hype, I'm pretty down on 2025 now that I've looked fairly closely at most of the players mocked in the 1st round...almost every one of them have glaring holes or will need a special situation to scale up to the NBA level.

I see 2026 as a much stronger class overall. As I said elsewhere, a couple of key injuries and the Blazers are right back in the 5-10 range next year, too.

As for #11, I don't really have a preference at this point. I feel like it'll be hard to get the players in that range into the Blazer gym. Queen is interesting, if Ayton goes bye bye (yes, please). Some developmental players could be fine. Pure shooter, fine. I could certainly see a world where they attach the pick to one of their current contracts in a trade.

Some good players and decent role players have come at #11, so not all hope is lost. Sabonis, Shai, Klay, Matas...all #11s. Now Schmitz has to do his job. Let's just hope that players in that range have a deep book.