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

[dunlop212]

Miller is supposed to be the favorite for #2, but all the rumors have other teams trying to trade down to get Henderson.
Hopefully, Portland won't trade #3 for an overpaid "star" that another team is unloading to get rid of a toxic contract under the new bargaining agreement.

[The Sebastian Express]

I think Charlotte see and Portland will see Miller has a bit of flat shot instead of the classic higher
arching shot. This might limit him closer to Brandon Ingram as opposed to Paul George.

It then will come down to whether they take Miller off what they see as opposed to Scoot who
has had two tremendous workouts in Portland and Charlotte.

With Scoot, he's got to be the PG and Charlotte will have to decide if he can co-exist with the 22
year old Lamelo Ball. If he can't co-exist, they will have to trade one of them or draft Miller.

Portland has the same options but they don't get to make the choice. It would be a mistake to pass
on Scoot just because of his fit with Dame, for he's likely the second best player on the board and
would be the first pick in some drafts, ahead of Fultz in 2017, Ayton (2018 and even in 2021 with
Cade Cunningham.

THis might be one of the first time in a minute we've wholeheartedly agreed on something, Norm! I also think Miller's jumper looks a bit flat. I thought I was going crazy for a bit.

[DusterBuster]

This was from the Windhorst quote about Dame not looking to ask out of Portland right now:

With the Blazers owning the No. 3 pick, they have more optionality with what they can do, but it also could be difficult to give up a player with the type of upside possessed by Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller.

"I don't see it happening right now."

[The Sebastian Express]

I genuinely wish we had local guys who could give us some bits of data on how the workouts went. But I understand the organization being super secretive right now.

But still would much prefer that than day thirty in a row of 'THE BLAZERS NEED TO TRADE DAME HERE IS OUR TERRIBLE OFFER OR WAIT HERE IS OUR TERRIBLE OFFER FOR THE THIRD'.

[Norm2953]

I don't put a lot of stock in the Zion talk for few teams would gamble the second pick in the
draft on boom/bust player like Zion.

I do wonder with Nike close by, if they would have any insight on how much of a gamble Zion
would be.

[Blazinaway]

I don't put a lot of stock in the Zion talk for few teams would gamble the second pick in the
draft on boom/bust player like Zion.

I do wonder with Nike close by, if they would have any insight on how much of a gamble Zion
would be.

I think its Bridges we are targeting and have a good chance to get IF Scoot is available at 3

[DusterBuster]

I don't put a lot of stock in the Zion talk for few teams would gamble the second pick in the
draft on boom/bust player like Zion.

I do wonder with Nike close by, if they would have any insight on how much of a gamble Zion
would be.

I think its Bridges we are targeting and have a good chance to get IF Scoot is available at 3

The morning radio show on 1080 had the Hornets beat writer on to talk about what they're doing. Sounds like there are just as many questions in Charlotte as outside it for what their plan is. When pressed for a prediction, he said as of this morning (tho reserves his right to change his mind), he still believes they're going to take Miller. He said their talk of wanting to pick for fit is very real. So it still sounds like as of today that Scoot is still going to be at 3.

[The Sebastian Express]

If Scoot is really there at three it's going to be so tough.

[m0ng0]

If Scoot is really there at three it's going to be so tough.

I asked this once before a few weeks ago, is Scoot so impressive because he has been playing against G League talent or is it comparable to college ball?

I think at 3 we take best player on Schmitz's board, if at pick 3 their best player is still available and it's NOT Scoot trade down and get the guy they want. Maybe get some extra for the trade down? However if Scoot is their guy pull the trigger and get it done.

[The Sebastian Express]

If Scoot is really there at three it's going to be so tough.

I asked this once before a few weeks ago, is Scoot so impressive because he has been playing against G League talent or is it comparable to college ball?

I think at 3 we take best player on Schmitz's board, if at pick 3 their best player is still available and it's NOT Scoot trade down and get the guy they want. Maybe get some extra for the trade down? However if Scoot is their guy pull the trigger and get it done.

I believe the idea is playing in the g-league, especially at such a young age, can be similarly talented as college because there are a lot of guys in their late 20s and early 30s who they're playing against who are professional players who are trying to get back to the NBA.

[Goldbum]

Don't forget that the G League has closer to NBA rules and 3pt line than college. A lot of guys can really shoot with bonkers percentages in the NCAA but never adjust to the NBA line. Particularly "stretch bigs" who can kick out for wide open college 3s that become 2s in the league. There's more spacing in the GLeague for guys who can slash and a higher priority on defending in space. Like Edey was awesome in college but likely won't duplicate that in the GLeague. Some of these 1 read slasher types get walled up without spacing but flourish in the GLeague/NBA.

[Butter]

I don't put too much stock in the scripted workouts, but the posted video of Scoot shooting from the perimeter was pretty impressive.

One of the NBA scouts (I forget who) said players that can't shoot usually limit their workouts to dunks. Scoot was shooting freely from the perimeter in the video I saw.

[JustBuzzin]

Update

Woj and Givony both reported on NBA Today that Charlotte is leaning towards Brandon Miller as the #2 pick. They said Scoot impressed us in his workout but we still favor Miller. Then Woj flat out said pencil Brandon Miller in as the #2 pick for Charlotte.

Thought I would pass this along to you guys as you have the #3 pick. Looks like Scoot will be there if you want him.

[JustBuzzin]

For those who want a link I can't provide one as this was just reported on live TV.

The show reairs in 10 minutes on ESPN 2 NBA Today.

[jhern87]

Lavine by himself doesn’t do much for me but curious how fans would feel if we could get Vucevic along with him? I feel like that could be an interesting combo to add. Would obviously have to send Nurk and some more $ out.

[PhilBlackson]

Just wondering if it's cool if I post here daily about trading for Siakam to balance out how annoyingly JRoy comes to our board to literally parrot daily how he doesn't want that trade for the past 2 months as if our entire our board doesn't know already?! You guys would start accepting my opinion as long as I repeat it as much as he does right?! I think that's what he thinks he's accomplishing. I'll just keep repeating it over and over and over and over and over and over...

Would that get me banned from the POR forum or would you let me just keep on each day as we for some reason allow him to?! You guys wouldn't find that annoying right?! Asking for a friend...if not could you please ask him to keep it over here, thx love the Raptors' board.

**as aside I, like many others on our board totally understand the desire to trade Dame instead and would want the same but being that the trade keeps being floated by the media, it's naturally discussed on board to which he feels the need to chime in daily on**

[Skhraeurpl]

Just wondering if it's cool if I post here daily about trading for Siakam to balance out how annoyingly JRoy comes to our board to literally parrot daily how he doesn't want that trade for the past 2 months as if our entire our board doesn't know already?! You guys would start accepting my opinion as long as I repeat it as much as he does right?! I think that's what he thinks he's accomplishing. I'll just keep repeating it over and over and over and over and over and over...

Would that get me banned from the POR forum or would you let me just keep on each day as we for some reason allow him to?! You guys wouldn't find that annoying right?! Asking for a friend...if not could you please ask him to keep it over here, thx love the Raptors' board.

**as aside I, like many others on our board totally understand the desire to trade Dame instead and would want the same but being that the trade keeps being floated by the media, it's naturally discussed on board to which he feels the need to chime in daily on**

Breathe

[Norm2953]

Just wondering if it's cool if I post here daily about trading for Siakam to balance out how annoyingly JRoy comes to our board to literally parrot daily how he doesn't want that trade for the past 2 months as if our entire our board doesn't know already?! You guys would start accepting my opinion as long as I repeat it as much as he does right?! I think that's what he thinks he's accomplishing. I'll just keep repeating it over and over and over and over and over and over...

Would that get me banned from the POR forum or would you let me just keep on each day as we for some reason allow him to?! You guys wouldn't find that annoying right?! Asking for a friend...if not could you please ask him to keep it over here, thx love the Raptors' board.

**as aside I, like many others on our board totally understand the desire to trade Dame instead and would want the same but being that the trade keeps being floated by the media, it's naturally discussed on board to which he feels the need to chime in daily on**

Pascal is a player Portland could certainly use but he's going to be in the last year of his current contract
and about to be paid what probably will be a max contract.

That's $45 million/season for the 24/25 season in a season when Dame will be making $48 million/season
which is $93 million for two guys and that base is likely weaker than the current Raptors team that also has
OG, FVV and Barnes and failed.

Portland would love to build around Dame but its going to be hard when 2-3 guys will take up most of the
team's cap, leaving the team to finish the roster with vet min guys, which for Portland is the CJ Eleby's
of the world.

They'd love to trade for guys like Bridges, who has a great contract that has three years left on his deal.

I do think the best road for Toronto is to pay Pascal his max contract for the guy has been a productive
player for the Raptors. Move OG if he wants to leave and build around Pascal and Scottie.

[Brandon-Clyde]

Just wondering if it's cool if I post here daily about trading for Siakam to balance out how annoyingly JRoy comes to our board to literally parrot daily how he doesn't want that trade for the past 2 months as if our entire our board doesn't know already?! You guys would start accepting my opinion as long as I repeat it as much as he does right?! I think that's what he thinks he's accomplishing. I'll just keep repeating it over and over and over and over and over and over...

Would that get me banned from the POR forum or would you let me just keep on each day as we for some reason allow him to?! You guys wouldn't find that annoying right?! Asking for a friend...if not could you please ask him to keep it over here, thx love the Raptors' board.

**as aside I, like many others on our board totally understand the desire to trade Dame instead and would want the same but being that the trade keeps being floated by the media, it's naturally discussed on board to which he feels the need to chime in daily on**

If his posts violate the rules you can simply report him. Or I believe that you can click on his profile and hit add enemy and I believe that blocks you from viewing his posts. You are of course welcome to post on the Blazers board but I suggest you be respectful because our mods will deal with you.

[Norm2953]

I'd like to add to my last post that Masai likely over played his hand last summer when Toronto passed on receiving 7 in the 22 draft for OG.