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

[luciano-davidwesley]

Hello Hornets fan coming in peace.

Wondering your appetite for trading #3 and a future first with top 10 protections for #2?

Or alternatively something like #2, #27 and Bouknight for #3, #23 and Keon Johnson.

Assuming you guys have a strong Scoot/Miller preference and want first choice.

[Norm2953]

I doubt Portland has a strong preferance and would be content to just pick whoever is there at 3. Like Charlotte, they either will get the best fit (Miller) or second best player (Scoot).

The only thing that scramble everyone's board is if Amen Thompson goes in the top 3

[DusterBuster]

Hello Hornets fan coming in peace.

Wondering your appetite for trading #3 and a future first with top 10 protections for #2?

Or alternatively something like #2, #27 and Bouknight for #3, #23 and Keon Johnson.

Assuming you guys have a strong Scoot/Miller preference and want first choice.

I would say zero appetite. Definitely not for the first one. Portland isn’t giving him a future second first round pick (nor can they) to move up one spot. And while the alternative deal is fine imo, it’s also just kind of pointless.

If this were a two player draft and the player at 2 was head and shoulders better, then sure, but the Blazers seem perfectly content to take whoever is left after Charlotte picks. I honestly think they’re stoked at the idea of Charlotte going for fit and taking Miller second because I think they have Scoot ahead of him on their board. That said, if Charlotte does take Scoot, Miller is a day 1 starter at a position Portland has needed a super talented player (SF) for ages.

Only way I can imagine Portland doing a deal like this is if they have a deal to trade out entirely and the team they’re negotiating with what’s to ensure they get the player they want (Scoot or Miller).

[DusterBuster]

I doubt Portland has a strong preferance and would be content to just pick whoever is there at 3. Like Charlotte, they either will get the best fit (Miller) or second best player (Scoot).

The only thing that scramble everyone's board is if Amen Thompson goes in the top 3

Yeah, it’s interesting that both Charlotte and Portland have the same mindset of the 2/3 picks. Neither need a PG, but both could use him… Portland if they reboot and trade Dame, Charlotte if they want insurance from the continually injured LaMelo (who also is less then loyal to the Hornets according to reports). Both have Miller as the better fit for their current roster.

Portland has the benefit of not having to decide between fit or BPA, they just take what’s left over.

[Norm2953]

I doubt Portland has a strong preferance and would be content to just pick whoever is there at 3. Like Charlotte, they either will get the best fit (Miller) or second best player (Scoot).

The only thing that scramble everyone's board is if Amen Thompson goes in the top 3

Yeah, it’s interesting that both Charlotte and Portland have the same mindset of the 2/3 picks. Neither need a PG, but both could use him… Portland if they reboot and trade Dame, Charlotte if they want insurance from the continually injured LaMelo (who also is less then loyal to the Hornets according to reports). Both have Miller as the better fit for their current roster.

Portland has the benefit of not having to decide between fit or BPA, they just take what’s left over.

Both teams have a tap in when it comes to the 2023 draft. In some respects, it might be easier to pick
third for all Portland has to do is take who is left.

Interesting there apparently has been no workouts at the practice facility in the last couple of days. Portland
unless they trade those picks, still has 23 and a pick in the second round to think about.

[DusterBuster]

I doubt Portland has a strong preferance and would be content to just pick whoever is there at 3. Like Charlotte, they either will get the best fit (Miller) or second best player (Scoot).

The only thing that scramble everyone's board is if Amen Thompson goes in the top 3

Yeah, it’s interesting that both Charlotte and Portland have the same mindset of the 2/3 picks. Neither need a PG, but both could use him… Portland if they reboot and trade Dame, Charlotte if they want insurance from the continually injured LaMelo (who also is less then loyal to the Hornets according to reports). Both have Miller as the better fit for their current roster.

Portland has the benefit of not having to decide between fit or BPA, they just take what’s left over.

Both teams have a tap in when it comes to the 2023 draft. In some respects, it might be easier to pick
third for all Portland has to do is take who is left.

Interesting there apparently has been no workouts at the practice facility in the last couple of days. Portland
unless they trade those picks, still has 23 and a pick in the second round to think about.

Still 2 weeks before the draft. Plenty of time for more workouts. Plus these workouts are largely a formality. All these teams have tons of scouting on everyone in the draft.

[Goldbum]

The biggest frustration I've felt this off season is that CHA can control what Portland does next. #23+Keon+#3 for #2+#27 is worth it to me to take control of our direction. I don't know what the value is here but I would want the ability to set our own path instead of waiting to see what happens and reacting.

[DusterBuster]

The biggest frustration I've felt this off season is that CHA can control what Portland does next. #23+Keon+#3 for #2+#27 is worth it to me to take control of our direction. I don't know what the value is here but I would want the ability to set our own path instead of waiting to see what happens and reacting.

That's fair. That is a low price for the jump-up. The difference between 23 and 27 is minimal and Keon is a 12th man, so who cares.

However, I really think the only way it makes sense is if it's for a trade. I think if the Blazers are making the pick, I don't think it matters who they get between Scoot or Miller. They both work for the Blazers, so what ever. With a trade, Scoot would seem to be the player teams would want over Miller, those teams I think will want that security that if they trade for a pick before the draft is live and happening, they want no question the player they want will be available. Obviously getting #2 guarantees that.

So I guess in a round about way, I'm saying yes to that deal if its part of a 3 team deal where Portland is moving out of the draft. 3 goes to CHA, 2 goes to X and a current All-NBA player goes to POR.

[DaVoiceMaster]

The biggest frustration I've felt this off season is that CHA can control what Portland does next. #23+Keon+#3 for #2+#27 is worth it to me to take control of our direction. I don't know what the value is here but I would want the ability to set our own path instead of waiting to see what happens and reacting.

That's fair. That is a low price for the jump-up. The difference between 23 and 27 is minimal and Keon is a 12th man, so who cares.

However, I really think the only way it makes sense is if it's for a trade. I think if the Blazers are making the pick, I don't think it matters who they get between Scoot or Miller. They both work for the Blazers, so what ever. With a trade, Scoot would seem to be the player teams would want over Miller, those teams I think will want that security that if they trade for a pick before the draft is live and happening, they want no question the player they want will be available. Obviously getting #2 guarantees that.

So I guess in a round about way, I'm saying yes to that deal if its part of a 3 team deal where Portland is moving out of the draft. 3 goes to CHA, 2 goes to X and a current All-NBA player goes to POR.

I would make that trade all day long. Keon is the odd man out and #23 to #27 isn't much. Of course, should the Blazers make the wrong choice at #2, it's Bowie vs Jordan and Oden xs Dursnt all over again.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Scoot IN / Dame OUT
1. The Blazers need too much help to draft and keep Scoot. Ant and future picks to get a SF is harder. Not highly unlikely but harder.
2. And I’m just not a fan of Dame and Scoot starting in 2024. In 2023, Scoot probably needs time, Sharpe is working to become a starter, and Matisse is the best defender.
3. Dame wants out and time is “wasted.”

Scoot IN / Ant OUT
1. Scoot and Sharpe makes sense. Scoot and Ant together for at least 16 minutes and Sharpe at the 2 and 16 minutes with each? A lot of money, eventually, at the guard spots … eventually and again. I’m just looking ahead. And the 3 of them going small at 1,2,3 is not good. Scoot and Ant is worse than Dame and Ant.
2. Bringing in Scoot (IMHO) means LIKELY trading the 2 best players. That’s not guaranteed failure. It’s SIMPLY a heckuva big choice.

Therefore, I’m getting to a place I didn’t think I would. If Portland is keeping the pick, DRAFT AMEN THOMPSON.
Size, wingspan, quickness, hops, handles, passing, defense, creativity, court vision/anticipation.

Amen will have a ton of work to do. SHOOTING

Play him with Ant? Sure.
Play him with Shaedon? Yes.
Get all 3 to play D and become mature players? Ant 6’4ish (6’2.25”) — Shaedon 6’6ish (6’4.25”) — Amen 6’7 (6’5.75”) … Dang. Just dang. Size, length, hops.

[Now, how to get his brother?].

[JasonStern]

Supposedly Martell Webster had a terrific workout.

That's the draft when Portland traded down to 6 to pick Martell when CP3 and Deron Williams were on
the board

Exactly.

PGOTF Sebastian Telfair on deck.

The King of Flair! No one can compare! To Sebastian Telfair!

Can't believe I wasted so much of prime youth watching those teams instead of spending the time trying to find a girlfriend.

[JasonStern]

forgive me if this has been discussed, but what, if any, realistic package would center around #3 in exchange for lavine?

Makes no sense given roster composition. DDR+future pick returned for some combination of Simons, Little, Walker, #23, #43, future 2nds, etc. makes the most sense for both sides. Dame gets a same age running mate. Blazers don't tie themselves into long-term salary or give up any (likely) franchise changing assets. Bulls get younger and avoid having to overpay next season to retain DDR.

[JRoy]

That's the draft when Portland traded down to 6 to pick Martell when CP3 and Deron Williams were on
the board

Exactly.

PGOTF Sebastian Telfair on deck.

The King of Flair! No one can compare! To Sebastian Telfair!

Can't believe I wasted so much of prime youth watching those teams instead of spending the time trying to find a girlfriend.

You are much younger than me.

In 3 weeks my wife and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary.

[JasonStern]

Exactly.

PGOTF Sebastian Telfair on deck.

The King of Flair! No one can compare! To Sebastian Telfair!

Can't believe I wasted so much of prime youth watching those teams instead of spending the time trying to find a girlfriend.

You are much younger than me.

In 3 weeks my wife and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary.

Congrats! Average marriage only lasts 7 years these days.

[JRoy]

The King of Flair! No one can compare! To Sebastian Telfair!

Can't believe I wasted so much of prime youth watching those teams instead of spending the time trying to find a girlfriend.

You are much younger than me.

In 3 weeks my wife and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary.

Congrats! Average marriage only lasts 7 years these days.

Telfaire was drafted around the time my son was born. He just finished high school.

[Norm2953]

Exactly.

PGOTF Sebastian Telfair on deck.

The King of Flair! No one can compare! To Sebastian Telfair!

Can't believe I wasted so much of prime youth watching those teams instead of spending the time trying to find a girlfriend.

You are much younger than me.

In 3 weeks my wife and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary.

It will be 36 years for my wife and I.

Seen lots of bad Blazer teams but loved every minute of the Drexler led teams and it was a shame the 2007
team never had a chance together along with the 2015 Blazers. Dame's time in Portland might really have
changed if LA had not left for SA for that 2014 team reinforced by CJ might have went places

I just hope the current Blazer management does not overthink things and simply does the obvious with
this draft.

[JRoy]

The King of Flair! No one can compare! To Sebastian Telfair!

Can't believe I wasted so much of prime youth watching those teams instead of spending the time trying to find a girlfriend.

You are much younger than me.

In 3 weeks my wife and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary.

It will be 36 years for my wife and I.

Seen lots of bad Blazer teams but loved every minute of the Drexler led teams and it was a shame the 2007
team never had a chance together along with the 2015 Blazers. Dame's time in Portland might really have
changed if LA had not left for SA for that 2014 team reinforced by CJ might have went places

I just hope the current Blazer management does not overthink things and simply does the obvious with
this draft.

BPA

[dice]

forgive me if this has been discussed, but what, if any, realistic package would center around #3 in exchange for lavine?

I don't think there is one which sees Lavine end in Portland. I am actually a fan of Lavine. I sort of waffle whether he's worth the third pick. But despite being a fan of his, I don't think he's what Portland needs right now. We need wings with good+ defense if we're trading the third. If Zach could be rerouted to another team who could make that happen, yeah, maybe. But I just don' think we're good trading partners except to try to do 23+second for our future back.

I think Zach is also a seriously underrated defender. It’s just a position issue imo. He plays the same spot as Sharpe, so either Sharpe or LaVine play out of position at SF, or Sharpe’s growth is stunted by him being relegated to the bench. Neither is an ideal scenario that I want to see the Blazers trade the #3 pick for.

if lavine doesn't have someone directly in front of him dribbling the ball, his head floats into the clouds. seriously low basketball IQ and attention span

[JRoy]

forgive me if this has been discussed, but what, if any, realistic package would center around #3 in exchange for lavine?

No, there is not.

That’s not a knock on Lavine; he’s a fine player. He just doesn’t address our issues on the roster.

[DusterBuster]

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