NO TRADE Draft poll

[JasonStern]

Woot for Scoot. Why would Portland draft Jordan when they have Drexler? Why would Portland draft Scoot when they have Dame? Draft the BPA, then sort the roster out after. You don't draft for positional need. You make follow-up trades to address positional needs.

There’s not enough And1s in the world to this post.

Take the BPA and figure it out.

Not sure I really get this. Unless we think BPA is neither Scoot nor Miller we wont really be the ones making a decision between Scoot and Miller, we take whomever Charlotte does not and our only decision is whether we keep or trade the pick.

It's a 3 player draft and we have the #3 pick. If we get Scoot, great. If we get Miller, great. Just don't trade a long-term asset for a stopgap to appease Dame.

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[Butter]

There’s not enough And1s in the world to this post.

Take the BPA and figure it out.

Not sure I really get this. Unless we think BPA is neither Scoot nor Miller we wont really be the ones making a decision between Scoot and Miller, we take whomever Charlotte does not and our only decision is whether we keep or trade the pick.

It's a 3 player draft and we have the #3 pick. If we get Scoot, great. If we get Miller, great. Just don't trade a long-term asset for a stopgap to appease Dame.

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Highlight videos are dangerous, but I really like the idea of Miller.

[red_power]

It's really a question of whether the FO value any other prospect as high as Miller. Brandon seems to be missing some explosiveness and intangibilities but anyway his combination of length and skills could make him a top level player.

[DusterBuster]

There’s not enough And1s in the world to this post.

Take the BPA and figure it out.

Not sure I really get this. Unless we think BPA is neither Scoot nor Miller we wont really be the ones making a decision between Scoot and Miller, we take whomever Charlotte does not and our only decision is whether we keep or trade the pick.

It's a 3 player draft and we have the #3 pick. If we get Scoot, great. If we get Miller, great. Just don't trade a long-term asset for a stopgap to appease Dame.

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Yes and no. I mean, Dame was a reach at 6 in a pretty solid 3-4 person draft. MKG was a don’t miss top prospect in that draft. So while I agree with your point, I also think it depends. What’s the offer out there to “appease Dame”? We talking OG or Siakam? I know not everyone is on board with Siakam, but there’s a significant difference in the two (just first comp in mind).

Im a big believer in taking a sure thing over the potential of a pick, but I want a legit All Star talent. Siakam is, OGs not, is my point of that comp. So if Scoots not there, but Miller is and Siakam is on the table, I would take Siakam over Miller

[Butter]

Not sure I really get this. Unless we think BPA is neither Scoot nor Miller we wont really be the ones making a decision between Scoot and Miller, we take whomever Charlotte does not and our only decision is whether we keep or trade the pick.

It's a 3 player draft and we have the #3 pick. If we get Scoot, great. If we get Miller, great. Just don't trade a long-term asset for a stopgap to appease Dame.

Read on Twitter

Yes and no. I mean, Dame was a reach at 6 in a pretty solid 3-4 person draft. MKG was a don’t miss top prospect in that draft. So while I agree with your point, I also think it depends. What’s the offer out there to “appease Dame”? We talking OG or Siakam? I know not everyone is on board with Siakam, but there’s a significant difference in the two (just first comp in mind).

Im a big believer in taking a sure thing over the potential of a pick, but I want a legit All Star talent. Siakam is, OGs not, is my point of that comp. So if Scoots not there, but Miller is and Siakam is on the table, I would take Siakam over Miller

I totally get this, but Siakam comes with a $35M+ price tag.

[DusterBuster]

It's a 3 player draft and we have the #3 pick. If we get Scoot, great. If we get Miller, great. Just don't trade a long-term asset for a stopgap to appease Dame.

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Yes and no. I mean, Dame was a reach at 6 in a pretty solid 3-4 person draft. MKG was a don’t miss top prospect in that draft. So while I agree with your point, I also think it depends. What’s the offer out there to “appease Dame”? We talking OG or Siakam? I know not everyone is on board with Siakam, but there’s a significant difference in the two (just first comp in mind).

Im a big believer in taking a sure thing over the potential of a pick, but I want a legit All Star talent. Siakam is, OGs not, is my point of that comp. So if Scoots not there, but Miller is and Siakam is on the table, I would take Siakam over Miller

I totally get this, but Siakam comes with a $35M+ price tag.

Fair. So will any player who’s made All Star teams

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Yes and no. I mean, Dame was a reach at 6 in a pretty solid 3-4 person draft. MKG was a don’t miss top prospect in that draft. So while I agree with your point, I also think it depends. What’s the offer out there to “appease Dame”? We talking OG or Siakam? I know not everyone is on board with Siakam, but there’s a significant difference in the two (just first comp in mind).

Im a big believer in taking a sure thing over the potential of a pick, but I want a legit All Star talent. Siakam is, OGs not, is my point of that comp. So if Scoots not there, but Miller is and Siakam is on the table, I would take Siakam over Miller

Salary makes that a bit of a more difficult call, as it is going to require us giving up much more than just the #3 to get him. It would require Simons and Nurkic pretty much, meaning we would have to fill those holes with cheaper inferior players. And having Siakam, Dame and Grant all on big contracts means we would really only go as far as those guys could take us, no guarantee there. Siakam is also on an expiring contract which would be pretty problematic to give up a top 3 pick if something happened and we did not resign him, but in order to keep him he is going to require a massive contract knowing that he has our balls over the fire because we paid so much to get him. I get that Siakam is just an example here but any high paid all NBA player would present some similar risks.

All that against having a solid potentially starting caliber player on a rookie contract that is also a blue chip trade value if some awesome player becomes available, yeah I get that there are risks with drafting but if you hit it is sooooo much better, you have more salary flexibility and fungible trade assets. And at this point I think most of us are hoping Portland takes the big swings at a home run rather than bunts or balls for one base gains (sorry to mix sports metaphors).

I will be honest, with Miller I see shades of Josh Jackson as a low end comp. Really similar in some ways and goes to show how much focus and a players mentality makes a difference. It would be pretty silly to not trade Josh Jackson for Siakam even if you have to figure out the money somehow, so there is absolutely a risk no matter what you end up doing.

[Wizenheimer]

Guards that can’t shoot are a problem in todays leave.

Scoot can’t shoot.

well, he didn't shoot well in g-league, not on three's and not on two's. But the sample sizes were pretty small. For instance, having only made 14-51 on three's, if he have mad 4 more, he would have shot 35.3%. 5 more would hve put him at 37.3%

I did see somewhere, that he shot about the same in that developmental league the season before last

there are other issues with Scott though. His defense is really questionable. He also didn't participate in the combine so we don't really know if he's actually 6'2. Offensive, his shot is best off the dribble. That's seems familiar

[Wizenheimer]

As for the "bad interview" nonsense--Does this seem like somebody who would interview poorly?' A lot of 'interview tropes' in here, but he seems relaxed and open to me...

what I read was that both Charlotte and Portland were pretty unsatisfied with how Miller answered questions about the murder he was indirectly connected to. He reportedly handed both teams a document from his attorney and said everything they needed to know was there and he would not answer questions. But we don't know if it was the content, or lack of, to his answers that was unsatisfactory, if it was the content of his answers on ancillary factors around the incident tht didn't put him in any legal jeopardy, or if it was his conduct that left the two teams unsatisfied. We don't know if he was cagey or evasive or just mostly "no comment"

on one hand he and his representatives are saying he did nothing wrong and has been cleared; on the other hand they are saying they can't talk about it. Those are serious contradictions and teams that may be considering drafting him an guaranteeing him 22-45M dollars would need to know more

and it's not just the risk of criminal prosecution. Miller could eventually be one of the defendants in a wrongful death civil case. He will certainly have the deepest pockets once he signs his rookie contract, so we know how that can go. Miller could be a PR headache for the team that drafts him

there always seems to be one player who falls a lot in the draft. It probably won't be Miller, but he's certainly weighted down by baggage

[Village Idiot]

Yes and no. I mean, Dame was a reach at 6 in a pretty solid 3-4 person draft. MKG was a don’t miss top prospect in that draft. So while I agree with your point, I also think it depends. What’s the offer out there to “appease Dame”? We talking OG or Siakam? I know not everyone is on board with Siakam, but there’s a significant difference in the two (just first comp in mind).

Im a big believer in taking a sure thing over the potential of a pick, but I want a legit All Star talent. Siakam is, OGs not, is my point of that comp. So if Scoots not there, but Miller is and Siakam is on the table, I would take Siakam over Miller

I will be honest, with Miller I see shades of Josh Jackson as a low end comp. Really similar in some ways and goes to show how much focus and a players mentality makes a difference. It would be pretty silly to not trade Josh Jackson for Siakam even if you have to figure out the money somehow, so there is absolutely a risk no matter what you end up doing.

Miller has clearly a much more developed skill set than Josh Jackson though who was mostly just more athletic than his peers in college. Clearly Brandon Miller couldn't develop that high level skill set without spending a lot of time honing his craft.

That said, I would gladly trade down. Both the oft proposed Orlando (6, 11, WCJ for 3 and Nurk) or Indiana (7 and Turner) deals would work for me. I really like Jarace Walker. His motor, defensive mindset and connective offensive skill-set are more valuable to me than what Miller can offer

[monopoman]

It's really a question of whether the FO value any other prospect as high as Miller. Brandon seems to be missing some explosiveness and intangibilities but anyway his combination of length and skills could make him a top level player.

Knowing the Hornets they are the type of team to make a fit pick and ignore Scoot. There is a reason they have been a pretty damn bad team for most of the past 20 years.

No way the Blazers pass Scoot by unless there is a trade setup they have done very well going after BPA.

[Effigy]

If Scoot is there at 3 it makes things so much harder for us. You can't play Scoot and Dame together. You have to trade one of them, and I feel like the team will trade Scoot. I don't want to give him up for Siakam or OG or Levine or Beal or whatever. If Miller is the guy there, Miller CAN fit into our team. I think Dame could be sold on him. And seemingly his value isn't as high as Scoot's, so the return on a trade wouldn't be as good, making it less tempting.

[Butter]

If Scoot is there at 3 it makes things so much harder for us. You can't play Scoot and Dame together. You have to trade one of them, and I feel like the team will trade Scoot. I don't want to give him up for Siakam or OG or Levine or Beal or whatever. If Miller is the guy there, Miller CAN fit into our team. I think Dame could be sold on him. And seemingly his value isn't as high as Scoot's, so the return on a trade wouldn't be as good, making it less tempting.

Can you imagine Scoot running the point with Dame playing off ball...

[zzaj]

As for the "bad interview" nonsense--Does this seem like somebody who would interview poorly?' A lot of 'interview tropes' in here, but he seems relaxed and open to me...

what I read was that both Charlotte and Portland were pretty unsatisfied with how Miller answered questions about the murder he was indirectly connected to. He reportedly handed both teams a document from his attorney and said everything they needed to know was there and he would not answer questions. But we don't know if it was the content, or lack of, to his answers that was unsatisfactory, if it was the content of his answers on ancillary factors around the incident tht didn't put him in any legal jeopardy, or if it was his conduct that left the two teams unsatisfied. We don't know if he was cagey or evasive or just mostly "no comment"

on one hand he and his representatives are saying he did nothing wrong and has been cleared; on the other hand they are saying they can't talk about it. Those are serious contradictions and teams that may be considering drafting him an guaranteeing him 22-45M dollars would need to know more

and it's not just the risk of criminal prosecution. Miller could eventually be one of the defendants in a wrongful death civil case. He will certainly have the deepest pockets once he signs his rookie contract, so we know how that can go. Miller could be a PR headache for the team that drafts him

there always seems to be one player who falls a lot in the draft. It probably won't be Miller, but he's certainly weighted down by baggage

Yeah, I suppose if Miller ended up in the trial, that could be bad and a distraction for the team…but I can’t remember a similar instance of that happening.

To be clear here, I’m certainly not condoning Miller’s actions. It seems likely at this point he delivered a firearm to a friend…which in itself shows a lack of good judgement no matter how you look at it. That needs to be weighed…

I guess, my question is—what did teams THINK he was going to do? Waltz in and say “okay, I know you’ve heard a lot of stuff, but here are the facts of how it all really went down…”? He’s part of an ongoing investigation, of course his attorneys are going to limit what he’s going to say about the incident. Teams aren’t that dumb (I think). With smokescreens probably abounding, it makes me think this is ‘spoonful of truth shovelfull of ___’…

Where did you hear about the “document”, Wiz? I hadn’t heard that…

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya, no reason Scoot and Dame cant play 10-12 minutes together.

He is far and away the #2 in this draft - if CHA is stupid enough to pass on him - which I am confident they wont - then you take him and make it work.

[DusterBuster]

Ya, no reason Scoot and Dame cant play 10-12 minutes together.

He is far and away the #2 in this draft - if CHA is stupid enough to pass on him - which I am confident they wont - then you take him and make it work.

This is giving the Hornets farrrrrr more credit as a well run organization they they have any right to deserve.

[Effigy]

If Scoot is there at 3 it makes things so much harder for us. You can't play Scoot and Dame together. You have to trade one of them, and I feel like the team will trade Scoot. I don't want to give him up for Siakam or OG or Levine or Beal or whatever. If Miller is the guy there, Miller CAN fit into our team. I think Dame could be sold on him. And seemingly his value isn't as high as Scoot's, so the return on a trade wouldn't be as good, making it less tempting.

Can you imagine Scoot running the point with Dame playing off ball...

I think it would be a big problem defensively, and I think Dame would not be happy for us to draft a point guard. But yes, there are certainly some very interesting possibilities offensively.

[Norm2953]

I must have watched the Victor/Scoot game 4 times.

Scoot is not going to be a 3 point shooter but is closer to those 80's PG's who drove hard to the basket and if left alone, will pull up and take the 12-15 shot.

He's got the quicks and hops to be a plus defender.

Workouts for the lottery players have just started. Lets see all these guys come to the practice facility and if Dame is there, he'll see how these guys fit with the team. First up according to BE are the Thompson twins

[m0ng0]

Kinda reminds me of a Rod Strickland

[Wizenheimer]

I guess, my question is—what did teams THINK he was going to do? Waltz in and say “okay, I know you’ve heard a lot of stuff, but here are the facts of how it all really went down…”? He’s part of an ongoing investigation, of course his attorneys are going to limit what he’s going to say about the incident. Teams aren’t that dumb (I think). With smokescreens probably abounding, it makes me think this is ‘spoonful of truth shovelfull of ___’…

Where did you hear about the “document”, Wiz? I hadn’t heard that…

I read about and heard Givony discussing it here:

Watch on YouTube

NBA teams are not stupid about legal issues. They know what Miller's situation is. So I really don't believe they were looking for full disclosure. But if he completely stonewalled any questions at all, which is what it sounds like, and at the same time said a legal document from his lawyers was all the teams needed to know....well then for sure teams aren't just going blindly accept that kind of conduct and would be unsatisfied....especially considering Miller skipped the combine and is reportedly out of shape

again, keep in mind the context: Miller's 'team' has said, over and over, he did nothing wrong and has been cleared. The District Attorney for Tuscaloosa has said that Miller did not commit a chargeable crime. Yet Miller and his agents are saying they can't talk about it...at all

remember now, the draft is just 3 weeks away. teams are deciding who that will guarantee millions of dollars too. Teams are justified in probing Miller about this situation....the crime was a violent murder after all, and there's the ancillary factor of Ja Morant's problem with guns.