With the 23rd pick, the Blazers select....

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Big fan of Bilal, I think he may very well end up a lottery pick tho.

[Bigpoppapomp82]

With us getting. G-League Team I’d love to see a Guy like Njaji then let Schmitz do what he does in the 2nd. We desperately need some size, mobility and shot blocking, and lastly be able to finish inside and not lay the ball up and miss 5 times like Nurk does. Find me a young Rasheed Wallace and that’s what this team needs 2 of!lol!

[Wizenheimer]

Big fan of Bilal, I think he may very well end up a lottery pick tho.

there sure seems to be momentum in that direction

[Norm2953]

This appears to be a draft where the 23rd pick might be like the mid teens pick in what
looks like a down 2024 draft. I'd rather we keep the pick as opposed to giving it away to
Chicago in the hopes of a mythical win now trade.

It would just **** if we gave up our compensation for a solid guy like Josh Hart for nothing

[The Sebastian Express]

Big fan of Bilal, I think he may very well end up a lottery pick tho.

there sure seems to be momentum in that direction

I believe there have been some rumors he may have gotten a promise from OKC.

I would love to trade Ant for the 11 and pick him at 11 but I get why some fans may not be an idea of that. Also totally understand why Dame would not be a fan of that lol.

[Wizenheimer]

Big fan of Bilal, I think he may very well end up a lottery pick tho.

there sure seems to be momentum in that direction

I believe there have been some rumors he may have gotten a promise from OKC.

I would love to trade Ant for the 11 and pick him at 11 but I get why some fans may not be an idea of that. Also totally understand why Dame would not be a fan of that lol.

if I were to bet, and I wouldn't bet much because I'm just pulling it out of semi-thin air but I think, if Ant is traded (and he needs to be, IMO), it wouldn't be for draft picks. It would be something like Ant & Little to Chicago for DDR and all of Portland's picks back

[The Sebastian Express]

there sure seems to be momentum in that direction

I believe there have been some rumors he may have gotten a promise from OKC.

I would love to trade Ant for the 11 and pick him at 11 but I get why some fans may not be an idea of that. Also totally understand why Dame would not be a fan of that lol.

if I were to bet, and I wouldn't bet much because I'm just pulling it out of semi-thin air but I think, if Ant is traded (and he needs to be, IMO), it wouldn't be for draft picks. It would be something like Ant & Little to Chicago for DDR and all of Portland's picks back

Oh I 100% agree that they are not going to trade him for a pick unless Dame is traded (which I don't want!) or if the 3 is moved and ant is rerouted somewhere else in that deal. But that latter one gets complicated. I think Dame might give the death stare to Cronin if we keep three and also trade Ant for a pick. Legitimately may decapitate the man and shoot his head from halfcourt.

[zzaj]

Anybody know if the Blazers had Leonard Miller in? I REALLY like him as an NBA prospect. He's probably going to end up going way too high for that 23rd pick, though...I predict somewhere just outside of Top 10.

[tester551]

Anybody know if the Blazers had Leonard Miller in? I REALLY like him as an NBA prospect. He's probably going to end up going way too high for that 23rd pick, though...I predict somewhere just outside of Top 10.

I really like him too.
I saw someone post a tweet that listed everyone who had been in for a workout. Leonard was not on the list.

The workout list seems to indicate that the #23 will be traded. Portland didn't really work out anyone in that range. There were a few who *could* end up being 1st round picks, but most have them being drafted in the second

[zzaj]

Anybody know if the Blazers had Leonard Miller in? I REALLY like him as an NBA prospect. He's probably going to end up going way too high for that 23rd pick, though...I predict somewhere just outside of Top 10.

I really like him too.
I saw someone post a tweet that listed everyone who had been in for a workout. Leonard was not on the list.

The workout list seems to indicate that the #23 will be traded. Portland didn't really work out anyone in that range. There were a few who *could* end up being 1st round picks, but most have them being drafted in the second

Thanks Tester…I was too lazy to look for that list, lol…

[JasonStern]

Again, the Blazers worked out 60 players, and very few were projected to go at #23. Guessing the Blazers take #3 and #43, and use #23 to acquire a vet to appease Dame - at least temporarily. Unless Dame is moved and the Blazers go full rebuild, which I don't see happening, I can't see the Blazers acquiring three rookie players in this draft.

[jhern87]

After a little research into the prospects in this range, there is one target that stands out above the rest imo: James Nnaji.

“Despite his lack of playing time, NBA scouts consider Nnaji perhaps the most physically gifted player in the 2023 draft, standing 6-foot-11, 226 pounds with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and tremendous quickness and explosiveness that make him a highlight-reel caliber finisher and shot-blocker,” ESPN NBA Draft expert Jonathan Givony wrote in an April article.

Pros:
- Elite rim protection, along with good defensive instincts
- Physical rebounder who's extremely strong and has a high motor
- Shows promising high-low passing skills
- Good roll man on offense, a serious lob threat to play with Dame
- Solid screener

Cons:
- Fouls too much
- Prone to making simple mistakes on both ends
- Poor FT%

Overall, this kid is really raw, but I think he has a much higher ceiling than anyone else available around the 23rd pick. The Ringer describes him as "shades of Clint Capela". He looks like a Jalen Duren clone to me.

KOC and J. Kyle Mann discuss Nnaji here:
https://www.theringer.com/nba-draft/2023/4/26/23698864/james-nnaji-and-the-importance-of-a-bigs-role-versatility

Here's an article from Clutch Points making the case for his fit with the Blazers:
https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-james-nnaji-perfect-fit-2023-nba-draft

Looking at the list of cons; it seems like he just needs to play more ball. He could be very good after a year or two in the D league.

[BlazersBroncos]

Its pretty shocking to me that Jordan Walsh is still being mocked mid R2 - I cant fathom a glue guy like him falling to R2, but if he is there at #43 I hope we run to the podium to snag him.

[jebdrbhjb]

At #23, I would prefer Kris Murray of Iowa

NAILED IT! Granted a broken clock is twice a day, but I think he’ll contribute immediately.

[DusterBuster]

If he’s anything like his brother, this could be a great fit.