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

[The Sebastian Express]

I wouldn't do it for Brown. He's not Embiid quality. I get why Boston would demand Sharpe, I get why some fans would offer him up, but I just can't personally do Sharpe plus three for Brown. I can't do it.

[soobias]

I wouldn't do it for Brown. He's not Embiid quality. I get why Boston would demand Sharpe, I get why some fans would offer him up, but I just can't personally do Sharpe plus three for Brown. I can't do it.

same... cant do it...plus if we do that ,what would the salaries look like with a resigned grand, brown ,dame, nurk ?

[GreenRiddler]

I don’t think brown is good enough for 3+ Sharpe. Then we’d just have Lillard and Brown with no depth.

I think we should just go all in with Sharpe the 3 pick and Simons and start a rebuild. Dame is 33 on a huge contract and we don’t have the assets to get a needle mover without gutting ourselves.

Draft Scoot at 3 if he’s available or draft Amen and roll the dice like we did with Sharpe last year. I’m not high on Miller myself. This forces Lillards hand and we trade him to whoever for future picks and a good young player for our core.

If Amen turns out to translate in the NBA he has a chance of being a Jaylen Brown direct comparison who I really wanted us to trade up for. Plus Sharpe that give us 2 potential all stars at the 2/3 to build around.

I also love Scoot as a Lillard replacement( wont be all nba like Lillard unless he develops into a passable shooter with high FT% like on De’Aron Fox) on Sharpe’s timeline I think he’ll translate to the NBA and is a guaranteed lock to be an all star caliber player.

We are really lucky to get the 3 rd pick although I was so hopeful we got Wemby when I saw Houston’s logo

[wco81]

So the Blazers aren't excited about the #3 pick, looking to trade it?

Understandable given Dame's age.

Seems like they have to choose a path, either rebuild or try to compete with Lillard.

They shut him down to try to improve their draft position. #3 is a draft asset but I don't think Brown or Embiid gets traded this season.

If Celtics lost to Sixers they might have made big changes. Philly could be making big changes but it would be shocking if they moved Embiid. If Harden leaves, Embiid could demand a trade but seems unlikely.


A rebuild plan would be using the #3 this year and looking to draft a couple more top 5 picks in the next couple of years and hope that all this high draft picks produce a couple of perennial all-stars.

And trading away Dame for more draft assets as well as young players to match the timelines of Simons and Sharpe.

OKC just collected a lot of picks and they were close to getting into the playoffs. They should be contending for at least the playoffs going forward.

OTOH, Detroit, Orlando and Houston have drafted a lot of players in recent drafts and maybe out of those, Orlando could threaten the playoffs in the next season or two.


Otherwise, what seems more likely, Lillard is traded away or Blazers acquire a star?

[m0ng0]

I don’t think brown is good enough for 3+ Sharpe. Then we’d just have Lillard and Brown with no depth.

I think we should just go all in with Sharpe the 3 pick and Simons and start a rebuild. Dame is 33 on a huge contract and we don’t have the assets to get a needle mover without gutting ourselves.

Draft Scoot at 3 if he’s available or draft Amen and roll the dice like we did with Sharpe last year. I’m not high on Miller myself. This forces Lillards hand and we trade him to whoever for future picks and a good young player for our core.

If Amen turns out to translate in the NBA he has a chance of being a Jaylen Brown direct comparison who I really wanted us to trade up for. Plus Sharpe that give us 2 potential all stars at the 2/3 to build around.

I also love Scoot as a Lillard replacement( wont be all nba like Lillard unless he develops into a passable shooter with high FT% like on De’Aron Fox) on Sharpe’s timeline I think he’ll translate to the NBA and is a guaranteed lock to be an all star caliber player.

We are really lucky to get the 3 rd pick although I was so hopeful we got Wemby when I saw Houston’s logo

Just think where we would be if we started the rebuild last year. Simons, Sharpe and even Walker has shown promise. Many of our top FA wants are the players on the team that drafted them. Why can't we do that? It seems we have Schmitz and he hit pretty well last year, let him work.

[BlazersBroncos]

If we do go rebuild, and Harden is set on Houston while also wanting to win (And his statement today seems to support this) - I think there could be a unique chance to get some nice prospects and the HOU FRP if their FO is set on win-now.

Like, Tari or Smith JR + #4 for Dame + #23 type deal.

Could end up w/ both Thompson twins, Sharpe at SF and Tari or Smith JR at PF.

I can see the ownership team seeing alot of financial potential, even as a rebuild team, in the idea of pairing the twins together and marketing them as a unique show.

[m0ng0]

If we do go rebuild, and Harden is set on Houston while also wanting to win (And his statement today seems to support this) - I think there could be a unique chance to get some nice prospects and the HOU FRP if their FO is set on win-now.

Like, Tari or Smith JR + #4 for Dame + #23 type deal.

Could end up w/ both Thompson twins, Sharpe at SF and Tari or Smith JR at PF.

I can see the ownership team seeing alot of financial potential, even as a rebuild team, in the idea of pairing the twins together and marketing them as a unique show.

I like where you are going with this.

[tester551]

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

Agreed. He's probably ~top 12-17 range

[DusterBuster]

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

Agreed. He's probably ~top 12-17 range

He's top 5-8 when he tries, top 12-17 when he's disengaged.

[DusterBuster]

That said, I would consider #3, Ant and Nurkic for Ayton and Craig.

It would mean Portland still gets a #1 pick lol. They hope that Ayton's problems in Phoenix have largely been centered around the coaching / situation and Dame can get through to him.

Phoenix gets rid of a guy who's not been happy there, they get Scoot who can learn under CP3 and take over from him in a year, Ant as a 6th man and Nurkic to replace Ayton. Gives them better depth and longevity.

[tester551]

That said, I would consider #3, Ant and Nurkic for Ayton and Craig.

It would mean Portland still gets a #1 pick lol. They hope that Ayton's problems in Phoenix have largely been centered around the coaching / situation and Dame can get through to him.

Phoenix gets rid of a guy who's not been happy there, they get Scoot who can learn under CP3 and take over from him in a year, Ant as a 6th man and Nurkic to replace Ayton. Gives them better depth and longevity.

You need to watch Ayton more closely.
This is a HUGE overpay for Portland.... especially with Ayton's contract.

The right valuation is Little + Nurk + 23 <=> Ayton
Any more than that is way too much.

[tacosman]

what do you guys think about these raptor fans and their numerous trade proposals? They practically consider the #3 pick and/or Sharpe property of the raptors now lmao........is pascal(or OG) for #3 realistic? Ive even seem many throw out pascal for #3 AND Sharpe? Are they just delusional?

[DusterBuster]

what do you guys think about these raptor fans and their numerous trade proposals? They practically consider the #3 pick and/or Sharpe property of the raptors now lmao........is pascal(or OG) for #3 realistic? Ive even seem many throw out pascal for #3 AND Sharpe? Are they just delusional?

Hell no for OG. Pascal... mayyyybe, but in no way is Sharpe also going to Toronto for him. That's just them being delusional like you said.

[The Sebastian Express]

I don't think there's a single GM in this league that is trading 3 for Pascal alone, either, when he's not-extended. Maybe if you get him extended, sure. But there's no way Sharpe is being included in that deal from POrtland's side. And it's fine if Toronto fans want him, I get why they do, but I don't think Portland ever does that.

[zzaj]

what do you guys think about these raptor fans and their numerous trade proposals? They practically consider the #3 pick and/or Sharpe property of the raptors now lmao........is pascal(or OG) for #3 realistic? Ive even seem many throw out pascal for #3 AND Sharpe? Are they just delusional?

Hell no for OG. Pascal... mayyyybe, but in no way is Sharpe also going to Toronto for him. That's just them being delusional like you said.

Yeah, agreed. #3 and Sharpe is too much for either player, especially given Siakam's contract issue.

[tester551]

what do you guys think about these raptor fans and their numerous trade proposals? They practically consider the #3 pick and/or Sharpe property of the raptors now lmao........is pascal(or OG) for #3 realistic? Ive even seem many throw out pascal for #3 AND Sharpe? Are they just delusional?

Yes - they are delusional...
Just like all fans are.

[zzaj]

If we do go rebuild, and Harden is set on Houston while also wanting to win (And his statement today seems to support this) - I think there could be a unique chance to get some nice prospects and the HOU FRP if their FO is set on win-now.

Like, Tari or Smith JR + #4 for Dame + #23 type deal.

Could end up w/ both Thompson twins, Sharpe at SF and Tari or Smith JR at PF.

I can see the ownership team seeing alot of financial potential, even as a rebuild team, in the idea of pairing the twins together and marketing them as a unique show.

I like where you are going with this.

I'm open to that BBroncos, but I don't know if I'm open to drafting the twins. That's two players who can't hit 3pt shots at positions that are pretty much imperative that you can hit a 3pt shot in today's NBA. I'd have to think about that...

[tacosman]

what do you guys think about these raptor fans and their numerous trade proposals? They practically consider the #3 pick and/or Sharpe property of the raptors now lmao........is pascal(or OG) for #3 realistic? Ive even seem many throw out pascal for #3 AND Sharpe? Are they just delusional?

Hell no for OG. Pascal... mayyyybe, but in no way is Sharpe also going to Toronto for him. That's just them being delusional like you said.

I figured.....because that's all the Toronto posters talk about with respect to portland. But they argue amongst themselves whether
they think they should give you OG or Pascal for the #3 and Sharpe. Raptor fans over there were actually glad you guys have the #3 because they didn't think the 5/6(or whatever pick you were slotted for) + Sharpe was worth enough lol....

Raptor fans on that forum also believe Scottie Barnes has the potential to be a generational type talent. Me? I see a big bodied wing who cant hit the broad side of a barn on open 3s and has limited creativity off the bounce. Can he be a useful contributor to a good team? Sure......but I just don't see what they talk up.

[DusterBuster]

what do you guys think about these raptor fans and their numerous trade proposals? They practically consider the #3 pick and/or Sharpe property of the raptors now lmao........is pascal(or OG) for #3 realistic? Ive even seem many throw out pascal for #3 AND Sharpe? Are they just delusional?

Hell no for OG. Pascal... mayyyybe, but in no way is Sharpe also going to Toronto for him. That's just them being delusional like you said.

I figured.....because that's all the Toronto posters talk about with respect to portland. But they argue amongst themselves whether
they think they should give you OG or Pascal for the #3 and Sharpe. Raptor fans over there were actually glad you guys have the #3 because they didn't think the 5/6(or whatever pick you were slotted for) + Sharpe was worth enough lol....

Raptor fans on that forum also believe Scottie Barnes has the potential to be a generational type talent. Me? I see a big bodied wing who cant hit the broad side of a barn on open 3s and has limited creativity off the bounce. Can he be a useful contributor to a good team? Sure......but I just don't see what they talk up.

They're welcome to talk themselves blue in the face. There's literally zero talk about it here in Portland rn.

[Dame Lizard]

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.

This. It's a complete waste of time trying to trade for that #1. If you're a GM who trades Wemby, and Wemby becomes a multiple time MVP, you're never getting an NBA job again.