Portlands Draft, Your Opinions

[Milkdud]

Why on earth would you post a statement, then post again with a quote of the same statement??

If the blazers could get Westbrook at #13 I think that is a very good value.

[ISB]

honestly from what I've seen of Mayo the NBA player he reminds me the most of is Roy. I'm not exactly sure how two Brandon Roy's playing together would look. lol

I think Westbrook is a good idea just because it wouldn't require trading up (or at least it shouldn't, as westbrook is a reach going higher than #12.) He'd be a guy who could come in and defend like hell, just deferring to Roy on offense.

Augustin would be a steal at #12, but I don't know if he'll last that long. Also Augustin's best attribute is his supreme ball handling, so while he can definitely play the role of a scoring pg, but I don't know if that would be maximizing his skill set.

[Spykes]

honestly from what I've seen of Mayo the NBA player he reminds me the most of is Roy. I'm not exactly sure how two Brandon Roy's playing together would look. lol

I think Westbrook is a good idea just because it wouldn't require trading up (or at least it shouldn't, as westbrook is a reach going higher than #12.) He'd be a guy who could come in and defend like hell, just deferring to Roy on offense.

Augustin would be a steal at #12, but I don't know if he'll last that long. Also Augustin's best attribute is his supreme ball handling, so while he can definitely play the role of a scoring pg, but I don't know if that would be maximizing his skill set.

I really don't like the idea of Augustin for the Blazers. I hope he doesn't last until 12, that means someone else has taken him and the Blazers have a better shot at another player slipping to them.

If we can get Westbrook at our pick, I'll be happy. Obviously I'd like to see Portland make a semi-splashy trade to move up and get someone like Mayo or Bayless, but if that isn't possible, getting Westbrook is nothing to sneeze at. However, as I've said before, if UCLA (and Westbrook in particular) has a strong showing in the Tournament, I think his stock is going to skyrocket.

Regardless, this should be a fun offseason for Kevin Pritchard and the Blazers.

[NBAMAN2006]

I am starting more and more to think Westbrook will be there at #13. He is a bit of a project, but IMO the Blazers can wait. They would still likley target a PG using their 2009 cap space, and getting a young developmental player would allow them to get an older guy, possibly even Kidd.

[moocow007]

Hey I've got a few questions about Portland's draft and I'd like to see what some people think... Looking at the current mock drafts I see a consensus around four players recommended for Portland at the 13th pick. If you were Portland's GM and had the chance to pick between: Nicolas Batum, Anthony Randolph, Russell Westbrook, and Darren Collison (assuming they all enter) who would you pick. Two other things, do you think that D.J. Augustine will still be on the board around the 13th pick? Finally, do you think any teams from picks 6-8 would trade their pick for Jarrett Jack and the 13th or the 13th and a couple 2nd rounders? Thanks for all the input!

No on the last question.

As far as who of the group would probably be best for Portland? I think Collison would be the guy that would obviously most be able to help out right away but he projects more to be a great backup PG IMHO in the NBA which Portland kinda already has plenty of don't they? Anthony Randolph is a talented player but he's really more PF (with some SF) I think and with LA and Outlaw there really isn't a fit. Don't like Westbrook at all. So I would go with Batum who has a lot, lot of talent (top 3 talent IMHO). I think Portland would be a great situation for him. He can take his time to mature, he's got a similar mix of young players that are also trying to get their sea legs in and who have a lot of upside. So I'd go with Batum.

On Augustine being around by the 13th pick? Possibly. I think the question will be whether NBA GM's feel that Augustine can translate into a starting caliber PG in the NBA. There's been plenty of great college PG's that really just couldn't make the jump because of lack of height and athleticism (which are two areas that Augustine is weak in).

[Toxicity]

You need Gallinari...

I was thinking about a team with somePG-Roy-Gallinari-Aldridge-Oden... scary.

[Spykes]

You need Gallinari...

I was thinking about a team with somePG-Roy-Gallinari-Aldridge-Oden... scary.

I seem to remember reading a rumor somewhere that Pritchard is a big fan of Gallinari's. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pritchard take a chance on him at 13 if a lot of PG's are off the table by then and they aren't able to move the pick. I did hear that his contract may have some difficult buyout problems though, so I don't know how that would effect things.

As far as who of the group would probably be best for Portland? I think Collison would be the guy that would obviously most be able to help out right away but he projects more to be a great backup PG IMHO in the NBA which Portland kinda already has plenty of don't they?

Exactly. Portland has more backup PG's than they know what to do with. They need a legit starter/star level PG at that spot, not more backup guys.

So I would go with Batum who has a lot, lot of talent (top 3 talent IMHO). I think Portland would be a great situation for him. He can take his time to mature, he's got a similar mix of young players that are also trying to get their sea legs in and who have a lot of upside. So I'd go with Batum.

I could see him being a solid choice, but I don't know if Portland really wants to wait around for another project like him to develop.

[e in boulder]

Trade the pick and Aldridge for Conley Jr.

Make the big guy happy!

[Spykes]

Trade the pick and Aldridge for Conley Jr.

Make the big guy happy!

LMAO. Get real. The pick for Conley, sure. Adding in Aldridge?! That's downright stupid.

[Goldbum]

That is interesting though, would pick plus Frye be enough to get Conley?

[Jsun947]

Gallinari doesn't look like NBA talent to me. Hes not a great shooter, he seems rather slow footed for the NBA level, hes obviously not very strong, and his handle isn't very good for a small forward.

There isn't one thing about his game that blows me away and thats a bad, bad sign for a international prospect...

[Toxicity]

Gallinari doesn't look like NBA talent to me. Hes not a great shooter, he seems rather slow footed for the NBA level, hes obviously not very strong, and his handle isn't very good for a small forward.

There isn't one thing about his game that blows me away and thats a bad, bad sign for a international prospect...

R u kidding, right?

You need to see some footage on him apart a couple of youtube clips... he's not your usual highlight reel type of player. The BB IQ is his best skill.

[e in boulder]

Pick/LaFrentz for Conley/Warrick?

Those Memphis businessmen seem to love those large expiring contracts and Warrick would seem to mesh in pretty well with that Blazer squad. He would be a good change of pace from Aldridge.

[giberish]

Pick/LaFrentz for Conley/Warrick?

Those Memphis businessmen seem to love those large expiring contracts and Warrick would seem to mesh in pretty well with that Blazer squad. He would be a good change of pace from Aldridge.

Memphis businessmen only love large expiring contracts if they replace large, long term deals. Using cap space to take on a large EC is stupid unless some other incentive is added.

Something like #13+(one of Frye/Webster/Outlaw) + later 1st (obtained from a 3rd team for 2nd's and Jack or Sergio)+LaFrentz for Conley + Cardinal + Collins (yes, also an EC, but there's not another bad contract on Memphis to add here).

It's tough to trade up in the NBA - noone wants to do quality for quantity deals

[ponder276]

That is interesting though, would pick plus Frye be enough to get Conley?

I like this for the Blazers if it's possible, although I feel like it might not be quite enough. Very good chance Memphis will look to trade Conley if they end up with the 2nd overall pick.

[Jsun947]

I'm willing to bet Jarret Jack and Channing Frye, and probably a package of 2nd round picks will each be moved for 2009 1st round picks with no additional contract obligations.

If we can trade those assets for 3 first round picks in 2009 (Even if they suck) and still have our own 2009 1st and 2nd round pick to go with the 20 million dollars in cap space we could enhance our offers to other clubs via S&T.

[1eyedjake]

Portland is in an EXCELLENT situation.
The best move they can make is to draft Batum or Gallinari at their spot and go after Arenas in free agency via sign and trade.
I'm not sure what their cap room is like but if they have enough to sign him outright I'm sure they can extract a sign and trade from Washington.

From what we hear of Batum he sounds like a really good complimentary player with star potential, great shooting form and excellent defensive potential - compared to Scottie Pippen as a best-case pan out. If he's anything close to that he'd be great next to Roy on the wings in Portland with all the pressure off to grow and develop his game with 3 or 4 bigger stars already on the team.
A SF would be a much better bet than a PG considering the quick growth of that team. PGs and Cs always take the longest to learn as they are the toughest positions.
A scoring PG who can shoot the ball and make plays like Arenas would thrive with Roy, Oden and Aldridge.
If they made those two moves they'd be only a couple of years away from a ring.

[Butter]

Portland is in an EXCELLENT situation.
The best move they can make is to draft Batum or Gallinari at their spot and go after Arenas in free agency via sign and trade.
I'm not sure what their cap room is like but if they have enough to sign him outright I'm sure they can extract a sign and trade from Washington.

From what we hear of Batum he sounds like a really good complimentary player with star potential, great shooting form and excellent defensive potential - compared to Scottie Pippen as a best-case pan out. If he's anything close to that he'd be great next to Roy on the wings in Portland with all the pressure off to grow and develop his game with 3 or 4 bigger stars already on the team.
A SF would be a much better bet than a PG considering the quick growth of that team. PGs and Cs always take the longest to learn as they are the toughest positions.
A scoring PG who can shoot the ball and make plays like Arenas would thrive with Roy, Oden and Aldridge.
If they made those two moves they'd be only a couple of years away from a ring.

I think the idea of targeting a veteran PG is really smart. The Blazers need a calming presence who can run the offense and help maximize the young talent on this team.

Then, if they keep the pick, they can just go BPA, which is always the smartest move IMHO.

[FutureKnicksGM]

How about BPA at 13 and Stephen Curry with your second round pick. Great shooter, decent handle and a good passer.

[vadimivich]

If Portland is trading with Memphis for a young guard - Crittenton is by far the better fit than Conley. He can play off the ball, he's big and can defend PG's and SG's in the NBA and he's not going to need to have the ball to be effective.