2023 NBA Draft (tonight's discussion on pg 58)

[The Sebastian Express]

I would also not want KAT. Greatly talented offensive player, but doesn't really show up in big moments. I just would not feel comfortable with him helping uplift us.

I do understand and largely agree with your point, but I also somewhat wonder if - at least this season - it's because of who his playing with and the system he's in.

KAT and Gobert are an objectively bad duo imo. They don't complement each other and end up kind of being subtraction by addition when they play together. KAT as the main inside presence who can stretch the floor can be a beast. I think he and Dame would be amazing together and he's still young enough to be around for the next era. He also fits my bill of being a true All Star to pair next to Dame **** finally. So I would understand peoples hesitation, but I would make a deal for KAT if it's available.

For me, and this is just me - I do understand your point. But here's my worry.

We trade bulldog Scoot Henderson to the Wolves, him and his strong-ass self with his 6'10+ wingspan, to team up with Edwards. The defensive and scoring potential of that backcourt is insane. And allowing that to happen to a western conference foe, a division foe, is just hard to swallow when also combined with all my concerns about KAt.

But I do get why you'd be okay with it.

I love this period of the year. But I'll also be glad when it's over so I can stop reading Toronto proposals where they think they're getting Shaedon + 3 for Pascal.

[JRoy]

I would also not want KAT. Greatly talented offensive player, but doesn't really show up in big moments. I just would not feel comfortable with him helping uplift us.

I do understand and largely agree with your point, but I also somewhat wonder if - at least this season - it's because of who his playing with and the system he's in.

KAT and Gobert are an objectively bad duo imo. They don't complement each other and end up kind of being subtraction by addition when they play together. KAT as the main inside presence who can stretch the floor can be a beast. I think he and Dame would be amazing together and he's still young enough to be around for the next era. He also fits my bill of being a true All Star to pair next to Dame **** finally. So I would understand peoples hesitation, but I would make a deal for KAT if it's available.

For me, and this is just me - I do understand your point. But here's my worry.

We trade bulldog Scoot Henderson to the Wolves, him and his strong-ass self with his 6'10+ wingspan, to team up with Edwards. The defensive and scoring potential of that backcourt is insane. And allowing that to happen to a western conference foe, a division foe, is just hard to swallow when also combined with all my concerns about KAt.

But I do get why you'd be okay with it.

I love this period of the year. But I'll also be glad when it's over so I can stop reading Toronto proposals where they think they're getting Shaedon + 3 for Pascal.

Boom.


There are reasonable folks on that board, like any board, but I had to stop visiting it.

[zzaj]

A lot of folks on the trade board are liking:

#3 and Nurkic
for
#7 and Turner

...it obviously depends on who gets picked at #2, but thoughts?

EDIT: My initial thought is "hell yes". If somebody like Hendricks is available at #7

Lillard
Sharpe/Simons
Hendricks
Grant
Turner

...is pretty dang good. Of course, the #7 and Simons could always be packaged as well for an upgrade somewhere.

[DusterBuster]

I would also not want KAT. Greatly talented offensive player, but doesn't really show up in big moments. I just would not feel comfortable with him helping uplift us.

I do understand and largely agree with your point, but I also somewhat wonder if - at least this season - it's because of who his playing with and the system he's in.

KAT and Gobert are an objectively bad duo imo. They don't complement each other and end up kind of being subtraction by addition when they play together. KAT as the main inside presence who can stretch the floor can be a beast. I think he and Dame would be amazing together and he's still young enough to be around for the next era. He also fits my bill of being a true All Star to pair next to Dame **** finally. So I would understand peoples hesitation, but I would make a deal for KAT if it's available.

For me, and this is just me - I do understand your point. But here's my worry.

We trade bulldog Scoot Henderson to the Wolves, him and his strong-ass self with his 6'10+ wingspan, to team up with Edwards. The defensive and scoring potential of that backcourt is insane. And allowing that to happen to a western conference foe, a division foe, is just hard to swallow when also combined with all my concerns about KAt.

But I do get why you'd be okay with it.

I love this period of the year. But I'll also be glad when it's over so I can stop reading Toronto proposals where they think they're getting Shaedon + 3 for Pascal.

Yeah, it's no argument from me on your worry. That's the problem with trades vs picks. Trades you have to give up something to get something, picks you only had to give up a few months of winning. KAT is a high level impact player, and you usually have to give up a high-level or potential high-level impact player to get someone of that range. The reason the Wolves would consider the deal is because of your worry, Scoot and Ant being a crazy good duo together.

Also very much with you on this being my favorite part of the NBA season, but also very VERY ready to be done with other teams telling us that the only way they'd make a move is for every asset the Blazers have.

[EricAnderson]

I have a feeling both Dame and the front office might be more willing to move on then either side will publicly admit because neither side wants to be the one to initiate the trade and get the ire of the fans

[DusterBuster]

A lot of folks on the trade board are liking:

#3 and Nurkic
for
#7 and Turner

...it obviously depends on who gets picked at #2, but thoughts?

Is Scoot and Haliburton a good duo? I mean, I guess I can see it with Hali's height. Having two creators / scorers together is a nice combo if one of the two has height.

I'm still getting a bit hesitant about the move-down idea. Every time the Blazers have ever done it since the CP3/Deron Williams draft, its always blown up in their face.

[zzaj]

A lot of folks on the trade board are liking:

#3 and Nurkic
for
#7 and Turner

...it obviously depends on who gets picked at #2, but thoughts?

Is Scoot and Haliburton a good duo? I mean, I guess I can see it with Hali's height. Having two creators / scorers together is a nice combo if one of the two has height.

I'm still getting a bit hesitant about the move-down idea. Every time the Blazers have ever done it since the CP3/Deron Williams draft, its always blown up in their face.

I think the thought from Indiana GMers is that it would only work if Miller is on the table at #3.

[DusterBuster]

A lot of folks on the trade board are liking:

#3 and Nurkic
for
#7 and Turner

...it obviously depends on who gets picked at #2, but thoughts?

Is Scoot and Haliburton a good duo? I mean, I guess I can see it with Hali's height. Having two creators / scorers together is a nice combo if one of the two has height.

I'm still getting a bit hesitant about the move-down idea. Every time the Blazers have ever done it since the CP3/Deron Williams draft, its always blown up in their face.

I think the thought from Indiana GMers is that it would only work if Miller is on the table at #3.

If Miller is on the table, Portland should just take Miller and call it a day and Dame can deal with it or ask out. Miller projects to be better than likely anyone the Blazers could trade him for.

[zzaj]

A lot of folks on the trade board are liking:

#3 and Nurkic
for
#7 and Turner

...it obviously depends on who gets picked at #2, but thoughts?

Is Scoot and Haliburton a good duo? I mean, I guess I can see it with Hali's height. Having two creators / scorers together is a nice combo if one of the two has height.

I'm still getting a bit hesitant about the move-down idea. Every time the Blazers have ever done it since the CP3/Deron Williams draft, its always blown up in their face.

This draft is a bit different, in that there is a lot of parity in that 4-8 range. It's really anybody's guess who is going to hit and who is not. At the very least it looks like the full 10 all look like good role players. Somebody like Hendricks could end up being better than #2.

Lillard
Sharpe/Simons
Hendricks
Grant
Turner

is pretty strong, and allows the Blazers to build/POs a bit longer.

[zzaj]

Is Scoot and Haliburton a good duo? I mean, I guess I can see it with Hali's height. Having two creators / scorers together is a nice combo if one of the two has height.

I'm still getting a bit hesitant about the move-down idea. Every time the Blazers have ever done it since the CP3/Deron Williams draft, its always blown up in their face.

I think the thought from Indiana GMers is that it would only work if Miller is on the table at #3.

If Miller is on the table, Portland should just take Miller and call it a day and Dame can deal with it or ask out. Miller projects to be better than likely anyone the Blazers could trade him for.

The question then becomes, is Lillard/Sharpe/Miller/Grant/Nurkic better long-term than Lillard/Sharpe/(Hendricks, Thompsons, Black, Walker)/Grant/Turner? I lean toward the latter, but it's really anybody's guess...

[tacosman]

blazers have a chance to kill two birds with one stone here(solve what to do with their pick at 3 plus the dame situation).

Dame + #3 + 2 frps + 2 swaps for #1 in this years draft

Who says no?

[DusterBuster]

blazers have a chance to kill two birds with one stone here(solve what to do with their pick at 3 plus the dame situation).

Dame + #3 + 2 frps + 2 swaps for #1 in this years draft

Who says no?

SAS. There’s not enough firsts in the world to get the Spurs to move Wemby.

[tacosman]

blazers have a chance to kill two birds with one stone here(solve what to do with their pick at 3 plus the dame situation).

Dame + #3 + 2 frps + 2 swaps for #1 in this years draft

Who says no?

SAS. There’s not enough firsts in the world to get the Spurs to move Wemby.

Sell it then....work it. A good gm gets the spurs Brass in there and doesn't let them leave until the #1 is theirs.

Everyone but sharpe(even simons) should be on the table for that #1

[The Sebastian Express]

The Spurs aren't trading the first pick.

In other news.

Someone just suggested a trade of Dame for 21/22 in this years draft, Joe Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie and -one- future Phoenix first and I have never wanted us to get to the draft so fast before.

[Norm2953]

In a likely 3 player draft with the players at 2,3 more or less the same, it will be hard to trade
down.

Likely will think about this until draft day, First up will be the workouts with Scoot and hopefully
Miller having dynamic workouts. It'll be interesting to see if the Thompson twins, Walker, Whitmore
or others impress enough in the workouts to get in the conversation.

Presumably Portland will take their time and make no decisions until draft day. They for once are in
a great spot but one thing to consider is the impact on the new CBA with the second tax apron. Teams
might not be so willing to take on too many big salaries which make it unlikely we'll see the proposed
Dame, Grant, Siakum and OG combination in Portland.

[Goldbum]

If not Ant+Nurk
4
Kat
What about Ant+Nurk for Ayton
Dame
Sharpe
Miller
Grant
Ayton

I just love the idea of pairing Grant with Miller at the forward spots and want a younger top 5-8 center

[zzaj]

blazers have a chance to kill two birds with one stone here(solve what to do with their pick at 3 plus the dame situation).

Dame + #3 + 2 frps + 2 swaps for #1 in this years draft

Who says no?

SAS. There’s not enough firsts in the world to get the Spurs to move Wemby.

Sell it then....work it. A good gm gets the spurs Brass in there and doesn't let them leave until the #1 is theirs.

Everyone but sharpe(even simons) should be on the table for that #1

No amount of salesmanship is going to appease the SA fanbase for a move like this. Wemby has literally been hyped more than any other player in history. I can't tell you how many times I heard the ESPN talking heads say things like, "...there is a chance Wembyama can be a more impactful player than LeBron..." yesterday.

Whether the return is worth it or not, any sane owner/GM would immediately hang up the trade phone if they had rights to this #1 pick.

[zzaj]

If not Ant+Nurk
4
Kat
What about Ant+Nurk for Ayton
Dame
Sharpe
Miller
Grant
Ayton

I just love the idea of pairing Grant with Miller at the forward spots and want a younger top 5-8 center

Ayton probably isn't a Top 5-8 center.

[tacosman]

SAS. There’s not enough firsts in the world to get the Spurs to move Wemby.

Sell it then....work it. A good gm gets the spurs Brass in there and doesn't let them leave until the #1 is theirs.

Everyone but sharpe(even simons) should be on the table for that #1

No amount of salesmanship is going to appease the SA fanbase for a move like this. Wemby has literally been hyped more than any other player in history. I can't tell you how many times I heard the ESPN talking heads say things like, "...there is a chance Wembyama can be a more impactful player than LeBron..." yesterday.

Whether the return is worth it or not, any sane owner/GM would immediately hang up the trade phone if they had rights to this #1 pick.

throw in another swap and Grant(S/t?).......where there is a will, there is a way.

[Jsun947]

Sell it then....work it. A good gm gets the spurs Brass in there and doesn't let them leave until the #1 is theirs.

Everyone but sharpe(even simons) should be on the table for that #1

No amount of salesmanship is going to appease the SA fanbase for a move like this. Wemby has literally been hyped more than any other player in history. I can't tell you how many times I heard the ESPN talking heads say things like, "...there is a chance Wembyama can be a more impactful player than LeBron..." yesterday.

Whether the return is worth it or not, any sane owner/GM would immediately hang up the trade phone if they had rights to this #1 pick.

throw in another swap and Grant(S/t?).......where there is a will, there is a way.

Seek help.